230 — Registration by foreign governments or political subdivisions thereof

Registration by foreign governments or political subdivisions thereof

Source:

Sections 230.490 through 230.494 appear at 12 FR 4076, June 24, 1947, unless otherwise noted.

230.490 — Information to be furnished under paragraph (3) of Schedule B.

Any issuer filing a registration statement pursuant to Schedule B of the act need not furnish the detailed information specified in paragraph (3) as to issues of outstanding funded debt the aggregate amount of which outstanding is less than 5 percent of the total funded debt outstanding and to be created by the security to be offered, provided the amount thereof is included in the statement of the total amount of funded debt outstanding and a statement is made as to the title, amount outstanding, rate of interest, and date of maturity of each such issue.

230.491 — Information to be furnished under paragraph (6) of Schedule B.

Any foreign government filing a registration statement pursuant to Schedule B of the act need state, in furnishing the information required by paragraph (6), the names and addresses only of principal underwriters, namely, underwriters in privity of contract with the registrant, provided they are designated as principal underwriters and a brief statement is made as to the discounts and commissions to be received by sub-underwriters or dealers.

[As amended at 84 FR 12674, Apr. 2, 2019]

230.492 — Omissions from prospectuses.

In the case of a security for which a registration statement conforming to Schedule B is in effect, the following information, contained in the registration statement, may be omitted from any prospectus: Information in answer to paragraph (3) of the Schedule with respect to the amortization and retirement provisions for debt not being registered, and with respect to the provisions for the substitution of security for such debt; the addresses of underwriters in answer to paragraph (6); information in answer to paragraph (11); the addresses of counsel in answer to paragraph (12); the copy of any agreement or agreements required by paragraph (13); the agreement required by paragraph (14); and all information, whether contained in the registration statement itself or in any exhibit thereto, not required by Schedule B.

(Secs. 10(a)(4), 19(a), 48 Stat. 81, 85; sec. 209, 48 Stat. 908; 15 U.S.C. 77(j)(a)(4), 77(s)(a))

[41 FR 12010, Mar. 23, 1976]

230.493 — Additional Schedule B disclosure and filing requirements.

(a) The copy of the opinion or opinions of counsel required by paragraph (14) of Schedule B shall be filed either as a part of the registration statement as originally filed, or as an amendment to the registration statement.

(b) A foreign government or political subdivision of a foreign government must file a registration statement submitted under Schedule B of the Act on the Commission's Electronic Data Gathering and Retrieval System (EDGAR) unless it has obtained a hardship exemption under § 232.201 or § 232.202 of this chapter (Regulation S-T).

(1) That the Commission maintains an Internet site that contains reports and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the Commission; and

(2) The address for the Commission Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). A foreign government or political subdivision filing on EDGAR is further encouraged to give its Internet address, if available.

[67 FR 36699, May 24, 2002]

230.494 — Newspaper prospectuses.

(a) This section shall apply only to newspaper prospectuses relating to securities, as to which a registration statement has become effective, issued by a foreign national government with which the United States maintains diplomatic relations. The term newspaper prospectus means an advertisement of securities in newspapers, magazines or other periodicals which are admitted to the mails as second-class matter and which are not distributed by the advertiser. The term does not include reprints, reproductions or detached copies of such advertisements. A newspaper prospectus shall not be deemed a prospectus meeting the requirements of section 10 for the purpose of section 2(10)(a) or 5(b)(2) of the Act.

(b) All information included in a newspaper prospectus may be expressed in such condensed or summarized form as may be necessary in the light of the circumstances under which newspaper prospectuses are authorized to be used. The information need not follow the order in which the information is set forth in the registration statement or in the full prospectus. No information need be set forth in tabular form.

These securities, though registered, have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission, which does not pass on the merits of any registered securities.

(d) There shall be set forth at the foot of every newspaper prospectus in conspicuous print a statement to the following effect:

Further information, particularly financial information, is contained in the registration statement filed with the Commission and in a more complete prospectus which must be furnished to each purchaser and is obtainable from the following persons:

(Insert names.)

(e) If the registrant or any of the underwriters knows or has reasonable grounds to believe that it is intended to stablize the price of any security to facilitate the offering of the registered security, there shall be placed in the newspaper prospectus, in capital letters, the statement required by Item 502(d) of Regulation S-K (§ 229.502(d) of this chapter) to be included in the full prospectus.

(f) A newspaper prospectus shall contain the information specified in paragraphs (f) (1) to (9) of this section. All other information and documents contained in the registration statement may be omitted. The following information shall be included:

(1) The name of the borrowing government;

(2) A brief description of the securities to be offered;

(3) The price at which it is proposed to offer the security to the public in the United States;

(4) The purpose and approximate amounts to be devoted to such purposes, so far as determinable, for which the security to be offered is to supply funds; and if funds for such purposes are to be raised in part from other sources, the amounts and the sources thereof:

(5) A brief statement as to the amount of funded and floating debt outstanding and to be created, excluding inter-governmental debt;

(6) A condensed or summarized statement of receipt and expenditures for the last three fiscal years for which data are available;

(7) A condensed or summarized statement of the balance of international payments for the last three fiscal years for which data are available;

(8) If the issuer or its predecessor has defaulted on the principal or interest of any external debt, excluding intergovernmental debt, during the last twenty years, the date, amount and circumstances of such default and the general effect of any succeeding arrangement;

(9) Underwriting discounts and commissions per unit and in the aggregate.

(g) A newspaper prospectus may also include, in condensed, summarized or graphic form, additional information the substance of which is contained in the registration statement. A newspaper prospectus shall not contain any information the substance of which is not set forth in the registration statement.

(h) All information included in a newspaper prospectus shall be set forth in type at least as large as seven-point modern type: Provided, however, That such information shall not be so arranged as to be misleading or obscure the information required to be included in such a prospectus.

(i) Five copies of every proposed newspaper prospectus, in the size and form in which it is intended to be published shall be filed with the Commission at least three business days before definitive copies thereof are submitted to the newspaper, magazine or other periodical for publication. Within seven days after publication, five additional copies shall be filed in the exact form in which it was published and shall be accompanied by a statement of the date and manner of its publication.

(Interprets or applies sec. 7, 48 Stat. 78, as amended; 15 U.S.C. 77g; secs. 6, 7, 8, 10, 19(a), 48 Stat. 78, 79, 81, 85, secs. 205, 209, 48 Stat. 906, 908; sec. 301, 54 Stat. 857; sec. 8, 68 Stat. 685; sec. 1, 79 Stat. 1051; sec. 308(a)(2), 90 Stat. 57; secs. 12, 13, 14, 15(d), 23(a), 48 Stat. 892, 895, 901; secs. 1, 3, 8, 49 Stat. 1375, 1377, 1379; sec 203(a), 49 Stat. 704; sec. 202, 68 Stat. 686; secs. 3, 4, 5, 6, 78 Stat. 565-568, 569, 570-574; secs. 1, 2, 3, 82 Stat. 454, 455; secs. 28(c), 1, 2, 3-5, 84 Stat. 1435, 1497; sec. 105(b), 88 Stat. 1503; secs. 8, 9, 10, 18, 89 Stat. 117, 118, 119, 155; sec. 308(b), 90 Stat. 57; secs. 202, 203, 204, 81 Stat. 1494, 1498, 1499, 1500; 15 U.S.C. 77f, 77g, 77h, 77j, 77s(a), 78l, 78m, 78n, 78o(d), 78w(a))

[16 FR 8820 Aug. 31, 1951, as amended at 19 FR 6729, Oct. 20, 1954; 48 FR 19875, May 3, 1983]

230.495 — Preparation of registration statement.

(a) A registration statement on Form N-1A (§ 239.15A and § 274.11A of this chapter), Form N-2 (§ 239.14 and § 274.11a-1 of this chapter), Form N-3 (§ 239.17a and § 274.11b of this chapter), Form N-4 (§ 239.17b and § 274.11c of this chapter), or Form N-6 (§ 239.17c and § 274.11d of this chapter), shall consist of the facing sheet of the applicable form; a prospectus containing the information called for by such form; the information, list of exhibits, undertakings and signatures required to be set forth in such form; financial statements and schedules; exhibits; and other information or documents filed as part of the registration statement; and all documents or information incorporated by reference in the foregoing (whether or not required to be filed).

(b) All general instructions, instructions to items of the form, and instructions as to financial statements, exhibits, or prospectuses are to be omitted from the registration statement in all cases.

(c) In the case of a registration statement filed on Form N-1A (§§ 239.15A and 274.11A of this chapter), Form N-2 (§§ 239.14 and 274.11a-1 of this chapter), Form N-3 (§§ 239.17a and 274.11b of this chapter), Form N-4 (§§ 239.17b and 274.11c of this chapter), or Form N-6 (§§ 239.17c and 274.11d of this chapter), Parts A and B shall contain the information called for by each of the items of the applicable Part, except that unless otherwise specified, no reference need be made to inapplicable items, and negative answers to any item may be omitted. Copies of Parts A and B may be filed as part of the registration statement in lieu of furnishing the information in item-and-answer form. Wherever such copies are filed in lieu of information in item-and-answer form, the text of the items of the form is to be omitted from the registration statement, as well as from Parts A and B, except to the extent provided in paragraph (d) of the section.

(d) In the case of a registration statement filed on Form N-1A (§§ 239.15A and 274.11A of this chapter), Form N-2 (§§ 239.14 and 274.11a-1 of this chapter), Form N-3 (§§ 239.17a and 274.11b of this chapter), Form N-4 (§§ 239.17b and 274.11c of this chapter), or Form N-6 (§§ 239.17c and 274.11d of this chapter), where any item of those forms calls for information not required to be included in Parts A and B (generally Part C of such form), the text of such items, including the numbers and captions thereof, together with the answers thereto, shall be filed with Parts A or B under cover of the facing sheet of the form as part of the registration statement. However, the text of such items may be omitted, provided the answers are so prepared as to indicate the coverage of the item without the necessity of reference to the text of the item. If any such item is inapplicable, or the answer thereto is in the negative, a statement to that effect shall be made. Any financial statements not required to be included in Parts A and B shall also be filed as part of the registration statement proper, unless incorporated by reference pursuant to § 230.411.

(e) Electronic filings. When ascertaining the date of filing, electronic filers should not presume a registration statement has been accepted until notice of acceptance has been received from the Commission.

(Securities Act of 1933)

[48 FR 37938, Aug. 22, 1983, as amended at 50 FR 26159, June 25, 1985; 57 FR 56834, Dec. 1, 1992; 58 FR 14859, Mar. 18, 1993; 63 FR 13943, Mar. 23, 1998; 64 FR 27894, May 21, 1999; 67 FR 19869, Apr. 23, 2002]

230.496 — Contents of prospectus and statement of additional information used after nine months.

In the case of a registration statement filed on Form N-1A (§§ 239.15A and 274.11A of this chapter), Form N-2 (§§ 239.14 and 274.11a-1 of this chapter), Form N-3 (§§ 239.17a and 274.11b of this chapter), Form N-4 (§§ 239.17b and 274.11c of this chapter), or Form N-6 (§§ 239.17c and 274.11d of this chapter), there may be omitted from any prospectus or Statement of Additional Information used more than nine months after the effective date of the registration statement any information previously required to be contained in the prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information insofar as later information covering the same subjects, including the latest available certified financial statements, as of a date not more than 16 months prior to the use of the prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information is contained therein.

Note 1 to § 230.496:

For a discussion of the effectiveness of a registration statement relating to certain discontinued contracts subject to a Commission position as of July 1, 2020, see Investment Company Release No. 33814 (March 11, 2020).

[67 FR 19869, Apr. 23, 2002; as amended at 85 FR 25964, May 1, 2020]

230.497 — Filing of investment company or registered non-variable annuity prospectuses—number of copies

(a) Five copies of every form of prospectus sent or given to any person prior to the effective date of the registration statement that varies from the form or forms of prospectus included in the registration statement filed pursuant to § 230.402(a) shall be filed as part of the registration statement not later than the date that form of prospectus is first sent or given to any person, except that an investment company advertisement under § 230.482 shall be filed under this paragraph (a) (but not as part of the registration statement) unless filed under paragraph (i) of this section.

(b) For unit investment trusts filing on § 274.12 of this chapter (Form N–8B–2) or § 239.16 of this chapter (Form S–6), within five days after the effective date of a registration statement or the commencement of a public offering after the effective date of a registration statement, whichever occurs later, 10 copies of each form of prospectus used after the effective date in connection with such offering shall be filed with the Commission in the exact form in which it was used. A registrant must submit an Interactive Data File (as defined in § 232.11 of this chapter) if required by the form on which it files its registration statement.

(c) For investment companies filing on §§ 239.15A and 274.11A of this chapter (Form N-1A), §§ 239.17a and 274.11b of this chapter (Form N-3), §§ 239.17b and 274.11c of this chapter (Form N-4), or §§ 239.17c and 274.11d of this chapter (Form N-6), or an offering of registered non-variable annuities being filed on Form N-4, within five days after the effective date of a registration statement or the commencement of a public offering after the effective date of a registration statement, whichever occurs later, 10 copies of each form of prospectus and form of Statement of Additional Information used after the effective date in connection with such offering shall be filed with the Commission in the exact form in which it was used. Investment companies filing on Forms N-1A, N-3, N-4, or N-6 and issuers of registered non-variable annuities filing on Form N-4 must, if applicable pursuant to General Instruction C.3.(g) of Form N-1A, General Instruction C.3.(h) of Form N-3, General Instruction C.3.(h) of Form N-4, or General Instruction C.3.(h) of Form N-6, submit an Interactive Data File (as defined in § 232.11 of this chapter).

(d) After the effective date of a registration statement no prospectus which purports to comply with section 10 of the Act and which varies from any form of prospectus filed pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of this section shall be used until 10 copies thereof have been filed with, or mailed for filing to, the Commission. A registrant must submit an Interactive Data File (as defined in § 232.11 of this chapter) if required by the Form on which it files its registration statement.

(e) For investment companies filing on §§ 239.15A and 274.11A of this chapter (Form N-1A), §§ 239.17a and 274.11b of this chapter (Form N-3), §§ 239.17b and 274.11c of this chapter (Form N-4), or §§ 239.17c and 274.11d of this chapter (Form N-6), or an offering of registered non-variable annuities being filed on Form N-4, after the effective date of a registration statement, no prospectus that purports to comply with Section 10 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77j) or Statement of Additional Information that varies from any form of prospectus or form of Statement of Additional Information filed pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section shall be used until five copies thereof have been filed with, or mailed for filing to the Commission. Investment companies filing on Forms N-1A, N-3, N-4, or N-6 and issuers of registered non-variable annuities filing on Form N-4 must, if applicable pursuant to General Instruction C.3.(g) of Form N-1A, General Instruction C.3.(h) of Form N-3, General Instruction C.3.(h) of Form N-4, or General Instruction C.3.(h) of Form N-6, submit an Interactive Data File (as defined in § 232.11 of this chapter).

(f) Every prospectus consisting of a radio or television broadcast shall be reduced in writing. Five copies of every such prospectus shall be filed with the Commission in accordance with the requirements of this section.

(g) Each copy of a prospectus under this rule shall contain in the upper right hand corner of the cover page the paragraph of this rule under which the filing is made and the file number of the registration statement to which the prospectus relates. In addition, each investment company advertisement deemed to be a section 10(b) prospectus pursuant to § 230.482 of this chapter shall contain in the upper right hand corner of the cover page the legend “Rule 482 ad.” The information required by this paragraph may be set forth in longhand, provided it is legible.

(h) No later than the second business day following the earlier of the date of the determination of the offering price or the date it is first used after effectiveness in connection with a public offering or sales, ten copies of every form of prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, where applicable, that discloses the information previously omitted from the prospectus filed as part of an effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A under the Securities Act (§ 230.430A of this chapter) shall be filed with the Commission in the exact form in which it is used, or transmitted by a means reasonably calculated to result in filing with the Commission by that date.

(i) An investment company advertisement deemed to be a section 10(b) prospectus pursuant to § 230.482 of this chapter shall be considered to be filed with the Commission upon filing with a national securities association registered under Section 15A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78o) that has adopted rules providing standards for the investment company advertising practices of its members and has established and implemented procedures to review that advertising.

(j) In lieu of filing under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, a registrant may file a certification that:

(1) The form of prospectus and Statement of Additional Information that would have been filed under paragraph (b) or (c) of this section would not have differed from that contained in the most recent registration statement or amendment, and

(2) The text of the most recent registration statement or amendment has been filed electronically.

(k) This paragraph (k), and not the other provisions of this section, shall govern the filing of summary prospectuses under §§ 230.498 and 230.498A. Each definitive form of a summary prospectus under §§ 230.498 and 230.498A shall be filed with the Commission no later than the date that it is first used.

(l) Except for an investment company advertisement deemed to be a section 10(b) prospectus pursuant to § 230.482, this section shall not apply with respect to prospectuses of a registered closed-end investment company, or a business development company.

[48 FR 37939, Aug. 22, 1983; as amended at 83 FR 40846, Aug. 16, 2018; 85 FR 25964, May 1, 2020; 85 FR 33290, June 1, 2020; 88 FR 70436, Oct. 11, 2023; 89 FR 59978, July 24, 2024]

Editorial Note:

For Federal Register citations affecting § 230.497, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.fdsys.gov.

230.498 — Summary Prospectuses for open-end management investment companies.

(a) Definitions. For purposes of this section:

(1) Class means a class of shares issued by a Fund that has more than one class that represent interests in the same portfolio of securities under § 270.18f-3 of this chapter or under an order exempting the Fund from sections 18(f), 18(g), and 18(i) of the Investment Company Act (15 U.S.C. 80a-18(f), 80a-18(g), and 80a-18(i)).

(2) Exchange-Traded Fund means a Fund or a Class, the shares of which are traded on a national securities exchange, and that has formed and operates pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Commission or in reliance on an exemptive rule adopted by the Commission.

(3) Fund means an open-end management investment company, or any Series of such a company, that has, or is included in, an effective registration statement on Form N-1A (§§ 239.15A and 274.11A of this chapter) and that has a current prospectus that satisfies the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77j(a)).

(4) Series means shares offered by a Fund that represent undivided interests in a portfolio of investments and that are preferred over all other series of shares for assets specifically allocated to that series in accordance with § 270.18f-2(a) of this chapter.

(5) Statement of Additional Information means the statement of additional information required by Part B of Form N-1A.

(6) Statutory Prospectus means a prospectus that satisfies the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act.

(7) Summary Prospectus means the summary prospectus described in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) General requirements for Summary Prospectus. This paragraph describes the requirements for a Fund's Summary Prospectus. A Summary Prospectus that complies with this paragraph (b) will be deemed to be a prospectus that is authorized under section 10(b) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77j(b)) and section 24(g) of the Investment Company Act (15 U.S.C. 80a-24(g)) for the purposes of section 5(b)(1) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77e(b)(1)).

(1) Cover page or beginning of Summary Prospectus. Include on the cover page of the Summary Prospectus or at the beginning of the Summary Prospectus:

(i) The Fund's name and the Class or Classes, if any, to which the Summary Prospectus relates.

(ii) The exchange ticker symbol of the Fund's shares or, if the Summary Prospectus relates to one or more Classes of the Fund's shares, adjacent to each such Class, the exchange ticker symbol of such Class of the Fund's shares. If the Fund is an Exchange-Traded Fund, also identify the principal U.S. market or markets on which the Fund shares are traded.

(iii) A statement identifying the document as a “Summary Prospectus.”

(iv) The approximate date of the Summary Prospectus's first use.

(v) The following legend:

Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund's prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund's prospectus, reports to shareholders, and other information about the Fund online at [___]. You can also get this information at no cost by calling [___] or by sending an email request to [___].

(A) The legend must provide a website address, other than the address of the Commission's electronic filing system; toll free (or collect) telephone number; and email address that investors can use to obtain the Statutory Prospectus and other information. The website address must be specific enough to lead investors directly to the Statutory Prospectus and other materials that are required to be accessible under paragraph (e)(1) of this section, rather than to the home page or other section of the website on which the materials are posted. The website could be a central site with prominent links to each document. The legend may indicate, if applicable, that the Statutory Prospectus and other information are available from a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) through which shares of the Fund may be purchased or sold. If a Fund relies on § 270.30e-3 of this chapter to transmit a report, the legend must also include the website address required by § 270.30e-3(c)(1)(iii) of this chapter if different from the website address required by this paragraph (b)(1)(v)(A).

(B) If a Fund incorporates any information by reference into the Summary Prospectus, the legend must identify the type of document (e.g., Statutory Prospectus) from which the information is incorporated and the date of the document. If a Fund incorporates by reference a part of a document, the legend must clearly identify the part by page, paragraph, caption, or otherwise. If information is incorporated from a source other than the Statutory Prospectus, the legend must explain that the incorporated information may be obtained, free of charge, in the same manner as the Statutory Prospectus. A Fund may modify the legend to include a statement to the effect that the Summary Prospectus is intended for use in connection with a defined contribution plan that meets the requirements for qualification under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 401(k)), a tax-deferred arrangement under section 403(b) or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 403(b) or 457), or a variable contract as defined in section 817(d) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 817(d)), as applicable, and is not intended for use by other investors.

(vi) The Summary Prospectus may provide instructions describing how a shareholder can elect to receive prospectuses or other documents and communications by electronic delivery.

(2) Contents of the Summary Prospectus. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph (b), provide the information required or permitted by Items 2 through 8 of Form N-1A, and only that information, in the order required by the form. A Summary Prospectus may omit the explanation and information required by Instruction 2(c) to Item 4(b)(2) of Form N-1A.

(3) Incorporation by reference. (i) Except as provided by paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section, information may not be incorporated by reference into a Summary Prospectus. Information that is incorporated by reference into a Summary Prospectus in accordance with paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section need not be sent or given with the Summary Prospectus.

(ii) A Fund may incorporate by reference into a Summary Prospectus any or all of the information contained in the Fund's Statutory Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and any information from the Fund's reports to shareholders under § 270.30e-1 that the Fund has incorporated by reference into the Fund's Statutory Prospectus, provided that:

(A) The conditions of paragraphs (b)(1)(v)(B) and (e) of this section are met;

(B) A Fund may not incorporate by reference into a Summary Prospectus information that paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section require to be included in the Summary Prospectus; and

(C) Information that is permitted to be incorporated by reference into the Summary Prospectus may be incorporated by reference into the Summary Prospectus only by reference to the specific document that contains the information, not by reference to another document that incorporates such information by reference.

(iii) For purposes of § 230.159, information is conveyed to a person not later than the time that a Summary Prospectus is received by the person if the information is incorporated by reference into the Summary Prospectus in accordance with paragraph (b)(3)(ii) of this section.

(4) Multiple Funds and Classes. A Summary Prospectus may describe only one Fund, but may describe more than one Class of a Fund.

(c) Transfer of the security. Any obligation under section 5(b)(2) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77e(b)(2)) to have a Statutory Prospectus precede or accompany the carrying or delivery of a Fund security in an offering registered on Form N-1A is satisfied if:

(1) A Summary Prospectus is sent or given no later than the time of the carrying or delivery of the Fund security;

(2) The Summary Prospectus is not bound together with any materials, except that a Summary Prospectus for a Fund that is available as an investment option in a variable annuity or variable life insurance contract may be bound together with the Statutory Prospectus for the contract (or a summary prospectus for the contract provided under § 230.498A) and Summary Prospectuses and Statutory Prospectuses for other investment options available in the contract, provided that:

(i) All of the Funds to which the Summary Prospectuses and Statutory Prospectuses that are bound together relate are available to the person to whom such documents are sent or given; and

(ii) A table of contents identifying each Summary Prospectus, Statutory Prospectus, and summary prospectus under § 230.498A that is bound together, and the page number on which it is found, is included at the beginning or immediately following a cover page of the bound materials;

(3) The Summary Prospectus that is sent or given satisfies the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section at the time of the carrying or delivery of the Fund security; and

(4) The conditions set forth in paragraph (e) of this section are satisfied.

(d) Sending communications. A communication relating to an offering registered on Form N-1A sent or given after the effective date of a Fund's registration statement (other than a prospectus permitted or required under section 10 of the Act) shall not be deemed a prospectus under section 2(a)(10) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(10)) if:

(1) It is proved that prior to or at the same time with such communication a Summary Prospectus was sent or given to the person to whom the communication was made;

(2) The Summary Prospectus is not bound together with any materials, except as permitted by paragraph (c)(2) of this section;

(3) The Summary Prospectus that was sent or given satisfies the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section at the time of such communication; and

(4) The conditions set forth in paragraph (e) of this section are satisfied.

(e) Availability of Fund's Statutory Prospectus and certain other Fund documents. (1) The Fund's current Summary Prospectus, Statutory Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, and most recent annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders under § 270.30e-1 are publicly accessible, free of charge, at the Web site address specified on the cover page or at the beginning of the Summary Prospectus on or before the time that the Summary Prospectus is sent or given and current versions of those documents remain on the Web site through the date that is at least 90 days after:

(i) In the case of reliance on paragraph (c) of this section, the date that the Fund security is carried or delivered; or

(ii) In the case of reliance on paragraph (d) of this section, the date that the communication is sent or given.

(2) The materials that are accessible in accordance with paragraph (e)(1) of this section must be presented on the Web site in a format, or formats, that:

(i) Are human-readable and capable of being printed on paper in human-readable format;

(ii) Permit persons accessing the Statutory Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information to move directly back and forth between each section heading in a table of contents of such document and the section of the document referenced in that section heading; provided that, in the case of the Statutory Prospectus, the table of contents is either required by § 230.481(c) or contains the same section headings as the table of contents required by § 230.481(c); and

(iii) Permit persons accessing the Summary Prospectus to move directly back and forth between:

(A) Each section of the Summary Prospectus and any section of the Statutory Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information that provides additional detail concerning that section of the Summary Prospectus; or

(B) Links located at both the beginning and end of the Summary Prospectus, or that remain continuously visible to persons accessing the Summary Prospectus, and tables of contents of both the Statutory Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information that meet the requirements of paragraph (e)(2)(ii) of this section.

(3) Persons accessing the materials specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section must be able to permanently retain, free of charge, an electronic version of such materials in a format, or formats, that meet each of the requirements of paragraphs (e)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section.

(4) The conditions set forth in paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), and (e)(3) of this section shall be deemed to be met, notwithstanding the fact that the materials specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section are not available for a time in the manner required by paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), and (e)(3) of this section, provided that:

(i) The Fund has reasonable procedures in place to ensure that the specified materials are available in the manner required by paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), and (e)(3) of this section; and

(ii) The Fund takes prompt action to ensure that the specified documents become available in the manner required by paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), and (e)(3) of this section, as soon as practicable following the earlier of the time at which it knows or reasonably should have known that the documents are not available in the manner required by paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2), and (e)(3) of this section.

(f) Other requirements — (1) Delivery upon request. If paragraph (c) or (d) of this section is relied on with respect to a Fund, the Fund (or a financial intermediary through which shares of the Fund may be purchased or sold) must send, at no cost to the requestor and by U.S. first class mail or other reasonably prompt means, a paper copy of the Fund's Statutory Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, and most recent annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders to any person requesting such a copy within three business days after receiving a request for a paper copy. If paragraph (c) or (d) of this section is relied on with respect to a Fund, the Fund (or a financial intermediary through which shares of the Fund may be purchased or sold) must send, at no cost to the requestor and by e-mail, an electronic copy of the Fund's Statutory Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, and most recent annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders to any person requesting such a copy within three business days after receiving a request for an electronic copy. The requirement to send an electronic copy of a document by e-mail may be satisfied by sending a direct link to the document on the Internet; provided that a current version of the document is directly accessible through the link from the time that the e-mail is sent through the date that is six months after the date that the e-mail is sent and the e-mail explains both how long the link will remain useable and that, if the recipient desires to retain a copy of the document, he or she should access and save the document.

(2) Greater prominence. If paragraph (c) or (d) of this section is relied on with respect to a Fund, the Fund's Summary Prospectus shall be given greater prominence than any materials that accompany the Fund's Summary Prospectus, with the exception of other Summary Prospectuses, Statutory Prospectuses, a Notice under § 270.30e-3 of this chapter, or a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials under § 240.14a-16 of this chapter.

(3) Convenient for reading and printing. If paragraph (c) or (d) of this section is relied on with respect to a Fund:

(i) The materials that are accessible in accordance with paragraph (e)(1) of this section must be presented on the Web site in a format, or formats, that are convenient for both reading online and printing on paper; and

(ii) Persons accessing the materials that are accessible in accordance with paragraph (e)(1) of this section must be able to permanently retain, free of charge, an electronic version of such materials in a format, or formats, that are convenient for both reading online and printing on paper.

(4) Information in Summary Prospectus must be the same as information in Statutory Prospectus. If paragraph (c) or (d) of this section is relied on with respect to a Fund, the information provided in response to Items 2 through 8 of Form N-1A in the Fund's Summary Prospectus must be the same as the information provided in response to Items 2 through 8 of Form N-1A in the Fund's Statutory Prospectus except as expressly permitted by paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

(5) Compliance with paragraph (f) not a condition to reliance on paragraphs (c) and (d). Compliance with this paragraph (f) is not a condition to the ability to rely on paragraph (c) or (d) of this section with respect to a Fund, and failure to comply with paragraph (f) does not negate the ability to rely on paragraph (c) or (d).

[74 FR 4585, Jan. 26, 2009, as amended at 75 FR 9081, Feb. 26, 2010; 83 FR 29158, June 22, 2018; 85 FR 25964, May 1, 2020]

230.498A Summary prospectuses for separate accounts offering variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts and for offering registered non-variable annuity contracts.

(a) Definitions. For purposes of this section:

Class means a class of a Contract that varies principally with respect to distribution-related fees and expenses.

Contract means a Variable Annuity Contract, a Variable Life Insurance Contract, a RILA Contract, or a Registered Market Value Adjustment Annuity Contract as defined in this section, respectively, as well as any Contract that offers a combination of Index-Linked Options, Variable Options, and/or Fixed Options (including Fixed Options subject to a Contract Adjustment).

Contract Adjustment means a positive or negative adjustment made to the value of the Contract by the Insurance Company if amounts are withdrawn from an Investment Option or from the Contract before the end of a specified period. This adjustment may be based on calculations using a predetermined formula, or a change in interest rates, or some other factor or benchmark.

Fixed Option means an Investment Option under a Contract pursuant to which the value of the Contract (for a Form N-3 or Form N-4 Registrant, either during an accumulation period or after annuitization, or both) will earn interest at a rate specified by the Company, subject to a minimum guaranteed rate under the Contract. The term Fixed Option includes Fixed Options that are subject to a Contract Adjustment.

Index-Linked Option means an Investment Option offered under a Contract, pursuant to which the value of the Contract, either during an accumulation period or after annuitization, or both, will earn positive or negative interest based, in part, on the performance of a specified index, rate, or benchmark (such as a registered exchange-traded fund that tracks an index).

Initial Summary Prospectus means the initial summary prospectus described in paragraph (b) of this section.

Insurance Company means the insurance company issuing the Contract, which company is subject to State supervision. The Insurance Company may also be the depositor or sponsor of any Registered Separate Account in which the Contract participates.

Investment Option means a Fixed Option, an Index-Linked Option, and/or a Variable Option, as applicable.

Portfolio Company means any company in which a Registrant on Form N-4 or Form N-6 invests and which may be selected as a Variable Option by the investor.

Portfolio Company Prospectus means the Statutory Prospectus of a Portfolio Company and a summary prospectus of a Portfolio Company permitted by § 230.498.

Registered Market Value Adjustment Annuity Contract means a registered market value adjustment annuity contract, any portion thereof, or any unit of interest or participation therein, issued by an Insurance Company.

Registered Separate Account means a separate account (as defined in section 2(a)(14) of the Securities Act (15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(14)) that has an effective registration statement on §§ 239.17a and 274.11b of this chapter (Form N-3), §§ 239.17b and 274.11c of this chapter (Form N-4), or §§ 239.17c and 274.11d of this chapter (Form N-6) and that has a current prospectus that satisfies the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77j(a)).

Registrant means, as applicable, a Registered Separate Account or the Insurance Company.

RILA Contract means any registered index-linked annuity contract, any portion thereof, or any unit of interest or participation therein, issued by an Insurance Company, that offers Index-Linked Options.

Statement of Additional Information means the statement of additional information required by Part B of Form N-1A, Form N-3, Form N-4, or Form N-6.

Statutory Prospectus means a prospectus that satisfies the requirements of section 10(a) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77j(a)).

Summary Prospectus refers to both the Initial Summary Prospectus and the Updating Summary Prospectus.

Updating Summary Prospectus means the updating summary prospectus described in paragraph (c) of this section.

Variable Annuity Contract means any accumulation contract or annuity contract, any portion thereof, or any unit of interest or participation therein, issued by an Insurance Company, pursuant to which the value of the contract, either during an accumulation period or after annuitization, or both, varies according to the investment experience of a Portfolio Company.

Variable Life Insurance Contract means a life insurance contract, issued by an Insurance Company, that provides for death benefits and cash values that may vary with the investment performance of any separate account.

Variable Option means:

(i) In the context of a Registrant on Form N-4 or Form N-6, an Investment Option under any Contract pursuant to which the value of the Contract (for a Form N-4 Registrant, either during an accumulation period or after annuitization, or both) varies according to the investment experience of a Portfolio Company;

(ii) In the context of a Registrant on Form N-3, any portfolio of investments in which a Registrant on Form N-3 invests and which may be selected as an option by the investor.

(b) General Requirements for Initial Summary Prospectus. An Initial Summary Prospectus that complies with this paragraph (b) will be deemed to be a prospectus that is authorized under section 10(b) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77j(b)) and section 24(g) of the Investment Company Act (15 U.S.C. 80a-24(g)) for the purposes of section 5(b)(1) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77e(b)(1)).

(1) Scope of Initial Summary Prospectus. An Initial Summary Prospectus may only describe a single Contract (but may describe more than one Class of the Contract) currently offered by the Registrant under the Statutory Prospectus to which the Initial Summary Prospectus relates.

(2) Cover Page or Beginning of Initial Summary Prospectus. Include on the front cover page or the beginning of the Initial Summary Prospectus:

(i) The Insurance Company's name;

(ii) The name of the Contract, and the Class or Classes if any, to which the Initial Summary Prospectus relates;

(iii) A statement identifying the document as a “Summary Prospectus for New Investors”;

(iv) The approximate date of the first use of the Initial Summary Prospectus;

(v) The following legend, which for Initial Summary Prospectuses of Contracts registered on Form N-4 would be included along with the statements described in Item 1(a)(6) through (8) of Form N-4:

This Summary Prospectus summarizes key features of the [Contract].

Before you invest, you should also review the prospectus for the [Contract], which contains more information about the [Contract's] features, benefits, and risks. You can find this document and other information about the [Contract] online at [___]. You can also obtain this information at no cost by calling [___] or by sending an email request to [___].

You may cancel your [Contract] within 10 days of receiving it without paying fees or penalties [although we will apply the Contract Adjustment]. In some States, this cancellation period may be longer. Upon cancellation, you will receive either a full refund of the amount you paid with your application or your total contract value. You should review the prospectus, or consult with your investment professional, for additional information about the specific cancellation terms that apply.

Additional information about certain investment products, including [type of Contract], has been prepared by the Securities and Exchange Commission's staff and is available at Investor.gov.

(A) A Registrant may modify the legend so long as the modified legend contains comparable information.

(B) The legend must provide a website address, other than the address of the Commission's electronic filing system; toll-free telephone number; and email address that investors can use to obtain the Statutory Prospectus and other materials, request other information about the Contract, and make investor inquiries. The website address must be specific enough to lead investors directly to the Statutory Prospectus and other materials that are required to be accessible under paragraph (h)(1) of this section, rather than to the home page or other section of the website on which the materials are posted. The website could be a central site with prominent links to each document. The legend may indicate, if applicable, that the Statutory Prospectus and other information are available from a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer) through which the Contract may be purchased or sold. If a Registered Separate Account that has an effective registration statement on Form N-3 relies on § 270.30e-3 of this chapter to transmit a report, the legend must also include the website address required by § 270.30e-3(c)(1)(iii) of this chapter if different from the website address required by this paragraph (b)(2)(v)(B).

(C) The paragraph of the legend regarding cancellation of the Contract may be omitted if not applicable. If this paragraph is included in the legend, the paragraph must be presented in a manner reasonably calculated to draw investor attention to that paragraph.

(D) The legend may include instructions describing how a shareholder can elect to receive prospectuses or other documents and communications by electronic delivery.

(vi) For a RILA Contract and any Contract that offers Index-Linked Options along with other Investment Options, the statement required by rule 481(b)(1) under the Securities Act [17 CFR 230.481(b)(1)].

(3) Back Cover Page or Last Page of Initial Summary Prospectus. (i) If a Registrant incorporates any information by reference into the Summary Prospectus, include a legend identifying the type of document ( e.g., Statutory Prospectus) from which the information is incorporated and the date of the document. If a Registrant incorporates by reference a part of a document, the legend must clearly identify the part by page, paragraph, caption, or otherwise. If information is incorporated from a source other than the Statutory Prospectus, the legend must explain that the incorporated information may be obtained, free of charge, in the same manner as the Statutory Prospectus.

(ii) Include on the bottom of the back cover page or the last page of the Initial Summary Prospectus the EDGAR contract identifier for the contract in type size smaller than that generally used in the prospectus ( e.g., 8-point modern type).

(4) Table of Contents. An Initial Summary Prospectus may include a table of contents meeting the requirements of § 230.481(c).

(5) Contents of Initial Summary Prospectus. An Initial Summary Prospectus must contain the information required by this paragraph (b)(5) with respect to the applicable registration form, and only the information required by this paragraph (b)(5), in the order provided in paragraphs (b)(5)(i) through (ix) of this section, except that, for an Initial Summary Prospectus related to a Contract registered on Form N-4, provide the information provided in paragraph (b)(5)(ii) before the information provided by paragraph (b)(5)(i).

(i) Under the heading “Important Information You Should Consider About the [Contract],” the information required by Item 2 of Form N-3, Item 3 of Form N-4, or Item 2 of Form N-6.

(ii) Under the heading “Overview of the [Contract],” the information required by Item 3 of Form N-3, Item 2 of Form N-4, or Item 3 of Form N-6.

(iii) Under the heading “Standard Death Benefits,” the information required by Item 10(a) of Form N-6.

(iv) Under the heading “Benefits Available Under the [Contract],” the information required by Item 11(a) of Form N-3 or Item 10(a) of Form N-4. Under the heading “Other Benefits Available Under the [Contract],” the information required by Item 11(a) of Form N-6.

(v) Under the heading “Buying the [Contract],” the information required by Item 12(a) of Form N-3, Item 11(a) of Form N-4, or Item 9(a) through (c) of Form N-6.

(vi) Under the heading “How Your [Contract] Can Lapse,” the information required by Item 14(a) through (c) of Form N-6.

(vii) Under the heading “Making Withdrawals: Accessing the Money in Your [Contract],” the information required by Item 13(a) of Form N-3, Item 12(a) of Form N-4, or Item 12(a) of Form N-6.

(viii) Under the heading “Additional Information About Fees,” the information required by Item 4 of Form N-3, Item 4 of Form N-4, or Item 4 of Form N-6.

(ix) Under the heading “Appendix: [Portfolio Companies][Investment Options] Available Under the Contract,” include as an appendix the information required by Item 18 of Form N-3, Item 17 of Form N-4, or Item 18 of Form N-6. Alternatively, an Initial Summary Prospectus for a Contract registered on Form N-3 may include the information required by Item 19 of Form N-3, under the heading “Additional Information About Investment Options Available Under the Contract.”

(c) General Requirements for Updating Summary Prospectus. An Updating Summary Prospectus that complies with this paragraph (c) will be deemed to be a prospectus that is authorized under section 10(b) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77j(b)) and section 24(g) of the Investment Company Act (15 U.S.C. 80a-24(g)) for the purposes of section 5(b)(1) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77e(b)(1)).

(1) Use of Updating Summary Prospectus. A Registrant may only use an Updating Summary Prospectus if the Registrant uses an Initial Summary Prospectus for each currently offered Contract described under the Statutory Prospectus to which the Updating Summary Prospectus relates.

(2) Scope of Updating Summary Prospectus. An Updating Summary Prospectus may describe one or more Contracts (and more than one Class) described under the Statutory Prospectus to which the Updating Summary Prospectus relates.

(3) Cover Page or Beginning of Updating Summary Prospectus. Include on the front cover page or at the beginning of the Updating Summary Prospectus:

(i) The Insurance Company's name;

(ii) The name of the Contract(s) and the Class or Classes, if any, to which the Updating Summary Prospectus relates;

(iii) A statement identifying the document as an “Updating Summary Prospectus”;

(iv) The approximate date of the first use of the Updating Summary Prospectus; and

(v) The following legend, which must meet the requirements of paragraphs (b)(2)(v)(A), (B), and (D) of this section, as applicable, and for Updating Summary Prospectuses of Contracts registered on Form N-4 would be included along with the statements described in Item 1(a)(6) through (8) of Form N-4:

The prospectus for the [Contract] contains more information about the [Contract], including its features, benefits, and risks. You can find the current prospectus and other information about the [Contract] online at [___]. You can also obtain this information at no cost by calling [___] or by sending an email request to [___].

Additional information about certain investment products, including [type of Contract], has been prepared by the Securities and Exchange Commission's staff and is available at Investor.gov.

(4) Back Cover Page or Last Page of Updating Summary Prospectus. Include on the bottom of the back cover page or the last page of the Updating Summary Prospectus:

(i) The legend required by paragraph (b)(3)(i) of this section; and

(ii) The EDGAR contract identifier(s) for each contract in type size smaller than that generally used in the prospectus ( e.g., 8-point modern type).

(5) Table of Contents. An Updating Summary Prospectus may include a table of contents meeting the requirements of § 230.481(c).

(6) Contents of Updating Summary Prospectus. An Updating Summary Prospectus must contain the information required by this paragraph (c)(6) with respect to the applicable registration form, in the order provided in paragraphs (c)(6)(i) through (iv) of this section.

(i) If any changes have been made with respect to the Contract after the date of the most recent Updating Summary Prospectus or Statutory Prospectus that was sent or given to investors with respect to the availability of Investment Options (for Registrants on Form N-3 and Form N-4) or Portfolio Companies (for Registrants on Form N-6) under the Contract (including, for RILA Contracts, a change to any of the features of the Index-Linked Options disclosed in the table that Item 17(b)(1) of Form N-4 requires, and for Contracts that offer Fixed Options, a change to any of the features of the Fixed Options disclosed in the table that Item 17(c) of Form N-4 requires), or the disclosure that the Registrant included in response to Item 2 (Key Information), Item 3 (Overview of the Contract), Item 4 (Fee Table), Item 11 (Benefits Available Under the Contract), Item 12 (Purchases and Contract Value), or Item 13 (Surrenders and Withdrawals) of Form N-3; Item 2 (Overview of the Contract), Item 3 (Key Information), Item 4 (Fee Table), Item 10 (Benefits Available Under the Contract), Item 11 (Purchases and Contract Value), or Item 12 (Surrenders and Withdrawals) of Form N-4; and Item 2 (Key Information), Item 3 (Overview of the Contract), Item 4 (Fee Table), Item 9 (Premiums), Item 10 (Standard Death Benefits), Item 11 (Other Benefits Available Under the Contract), Item 12 (Surrenders and Withdrawals), or Item 14 (Lapse and Reinstatement) of Form N-6, include the following as applicable, under the heading “Updated Information About Your [Contract]”:

(A) The following legend: “The information in this Updating Summary Prospectus is a summary of certain [Contract] features that have changed since the Updating Summary Prospectus dated [date]. This may not reflect all of the changes that have occurred since you entered into your [Contract].”

(B) As applicable, provide a concise description of each change specified in paragraph (c)(6)(i) of this section. Provide enough detail to allow investors to understand the change and how it will affect investors, including indicating whether the change only applies to certain Contracts described in the Updating Summary Prospectus.

(ii) In addition to the changes specified in paragraph (c)(6)(i) of this section, a Registrant may provide a concise description of any other information relevant to the Contract within the time period that paragraph (c)(6)(i) of this section specifies, under the heading “Updated Information About Your [Contract].” Any additional information included pursuant to this paragraph (c)(6)(ii) should not, by its nature, quantity, or manner of presentation, obscure or impede understanding of the information that paragraph (c)(6)(i) of this section requires.

(iii) Under the heading “Important Information You Should Consider About the [Contract],” provide the information required by Item 2 of Form N-3, Item 3 of Form N-4, or Item 2 of Form N-6.

(iv) Under the heading “Appendix: [Portfolio Companies][Investment Options] Available Under the [Contract],” include as an appendix the information required by Item 18 of Form N-3, Item 17 of Form N-4, or Item 18 of Form N-6. Alternatively, an Updating Summary Prospectus for a Contract registered on Form N-3 may include, under the heading “Additional Information About [Investment Options] Available Under the [Contract],” the information required by Item 19 of Form N-3.

(d) Incorporation by Reference into a Summary Prospectus. (1) Except as provided by paragraph (d)(2) of this section, information may not be incorporated by reference into a Summary Prospectus. Information that is incorporated by reference into a Summary Prospectus in accordance with paragraph (d)(2) of this section need not be sent or given with the Summary Prospectus.

(2) A Registrant may incorporate by reference into a Summary Prospectus any or all of the information contained in the Registrant's Statutory Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and any information from the Registrant's reports under § 270.30e-1 of this chapter that the Registrant has incorporated by reference into the Registrant's Statutory Prospectus, provided that:

(i) The conditions of paragraphs (b)(2)(v)(B), (c)(3)(v), and (h) of this section are met;

(ii) A Registrant may not incorporate by reference into a Summary Prospectus information that paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section require to be included in an Initial Summary Prospectus or Updating Summary Prospectus, respectively; and

(iii) Information that is permitted to be incorporated by reference into the Summary Prospectus may be incorporated by reference into the Summary Prospectus only by reference to the specific document that contains the information, not by reference to another document that incorporates such information by reference.

(3) For purposes of § 230.159, information is conveyed to a person not later than the time that a Summary Prospectus is received by the person if the information is incorporated by reference into the Summary Prospectus in accordance with paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

(e) Terms used in the Summary Prospectus. Define special terms used in the Initial Summary Prospectus and Updating Summary Prospectus using any presentation style that clearly conveys their meaning to investors, such as the use of a glossary or list of definitions.

(f) Transfer of the Contract Security. Any obligation under section 5(b)(2) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77e(b)(2)) to have a Statutory Prospectus precede or accompany the carrying or delivery of a Contract security in an offering registered on Form N-3, Form N-4, or Form N-6 is satisfied if:

(1) A Summary Prospectus is sent or given no later than the time of the carrying or delivery of the Contract security (an Initial Summary Prospectus in the case of a purchase of a new Contract, or an Updating Summary Prospectus in the case of additional purchase payments in an existing Contract);

(2) The Summary Prospectus is not bound together with any materials except Portfolio Company Prospectuses for Portfolio Companies available as Variable Options under the Contract, provided that:

(i) All of the Portfolio Companies are available as investment options to the person to whom such documents are sent or given; and

(ii) A table of contents identifying each Portfolio Company Prospectus that is bound together, and the page number on which each document is found, is included at the beginning or immediately following a cover page of the bound materials.

(3) The Summary Prospectus that is sent or given satisfies the requirements of paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, as applicable, at the time of the carrying or delivery of the Contract security; and

(4) The conditions set forth in paragraph (h) of this section are satisfied.

(g) Sending Communications. A communication relating to an offering registered on Form N-3, Form N-4, or Form N-6 sent or given after the effective date of a Contract's registration statement (other than a prospectus permitted or required under section 10 of the Act) shall not be deemed a prospectus under section 2(a)(10) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(10)) if:

(1) It is proved that prior to or at the same time with such communication a Summary Prospectus was sent or given to the person to whom the communication was made;

(2) The Summary Prospectus is not bound together with any materials, except as permitted by paragraph (f)(2) of this section;

(3) The Summary Prospectus that was sent or given satisfies the requirements of paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, as applicable, at the time of such communication; and

(4) The conditions set forth in paragraph (h) of this section are satisfied.

(h) Availability of the Statutory Prospectus and Certain Other Documents. (1) The current Initial Summary Prospectus, Updating Summary Prospectus, Statutory Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, and in the case of a Registrant on Form N-3, the Registrant's most recent annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders under § 270.30e-1 of this chapter, are publicly accessible, free of charge, at the website address specified on the cover page or beginning of the Summary Prospectuses, on or before the time that the Summary Prospectuses are sent or given and current versions of those documents remain on the website through the date that is at least 90 days after:

(i) In the case of reliance on paragraph (f) of this section, the date that the Contract security is carried or delivered; or

(ii) In the case of reliance on paragraph (g) of this section, the date that the communication is sent or given.

(2) The materials that are accessible in accordance with paragraph (h)(1) of this section must be presented on the website in a format, or formats, that:

(i) Are human-readable and capable of being printed on paper in human-readable format;

(ii) Permit persons accessing the Statutory Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information for the Contract to move directly back and forth between each section heading in a table of contents of such document and the section of the document referenced in that section heading; provided that, in the case of the Statutory Prospectus, the table of contents is either required by § 230.481(c) or contains the same section headings as the table of contents required by § 230.481(c); and

(iii) Permit persons accessing a Summary Prospectus to move directly back and forth between:

(A) Each section of the Summary Prospectus and any section of the Statutory Prospectus and Contract Statement of Additional Information that provides additional detail concerning that section of the Summary Prospectus; or

(B) Links located at both the beginning and end of the Summary Prospectus, or that remain continuously visible to persons accessing the Summary Prospectus, and tables of contents of both the Statutory Prospectus and the Contract Statement of Additional Information that meet the requirements of paragraph (h)(2)(ii) of this section.

(iv) Permit persons accessing the Summary Prospectus to view the definition of each special term used in the Summary Prospectus (as required by paragraph (e) of this section) upon command ( e.g., by moving or “hovering” the computer's pointer or mouse over the term, or selecting the term on a mobile device); or permits persons accessing the Contract Summary Prospectus to move directly back and forth between each special term and the corresponding entry in any glossary or list of definitions in the Contract Summary Prospectus (as described in paragraph (e) of this section).

(3) Persons accessing the materials specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this section must be able to permanently retain, free of charge, an electronic version of such materials in a format, or formats, that meet each of the requirements of paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and (ii) of this section.

(4) The conditions set forth in paragraphs (h)(1) through (3) of this section shall be deemed to be met, notwithstanding the fact that the materials specified in paragraph (h)(1) of this section are not available for a time in the manner required by paragraphs (h)(1) through (3) of this section, provided that:

(i) The Registrant has reasonable procedures in place to ensure that the specified materials are available in the manner required by paragraphs (h)(1) through (3) of this section; and

(ii) The Registrant takes prompt action to ensure that the specified documents become available in the manner required by paragraphs (h) through (3) of this section, as soon as practicable following the earlier of the time at which it knows or reasonably should have known that the documents are not available in the manner required by paragraphs (h)(1) through (3) of this section.

(i) Other Requirements (1) Delivery upon request. If paragraph (f) or (g) of this section is relied on with respect to a Contract, the Registrant (or a financial intermediary through which the Contract may be purchased) must send, at no cost to the requestor and by U.S. first class mail or other reasonably prompt means, a paper copy of the Contract Statutory Prospectus, Contract Statement of Additional Information, and in the case of a Registrant on Form N-3, the Registrant's most recent annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders under § 270.30e-1 of this chapter, to any person requesting such a copy within three business days after receiving a request for a paper copy. If paragraph (f) or (g) of this section is relied on with respect to a Contract, the Registrant (or a financial intermediary through which Contract may be purchased) must send, at no cost to the requestor, and by email, an electronic copy of any of the documents listed in this paragraph (i)(1) to any person requesting a copy of such document within three business days after receiving a request for an electronic copy. The requirement to send an electronic copy of a document may be satisfied by sending a direct link to the online document; provided that a current version of the document is directly accessible through the link from the time that the email is sent through the date that is six months after the date that the email is sent and the email explains both how long the link will remain useable and that, if the recipient desires to retain a copy of the document, he or she should access and save the document.

(2) Greater prominence. If paragraph (f) or (g) of this section is relied on with respect to a Contract, the Summary Prospectus shall be given greater prominence than any materials that accompany the Summary Prospectus.

(3) Convenient for reading and printing. If paragraph (f) or (g) of this section is relied on with respect to a Contract:

(i) The materials that are accessible in accordance with paragraph (h)(1) of this section must be presented on the website in a format, or formats, that are convenient for both reading online and printing on paper; and

(ii) Persons accessing the materials that are accessible in accordance with paragraph (h)(1) of this section must be able to permanently retain, free of charge, an electronic version of such materials in a format, or formats, that are convenient for both reading online and printing on paper.

(4) Website addresses. If paragraph (f) or (g) of this section is relied on with respect to a Contract, any website address that is included in an electronic version of the Summary Prospectus must include an active hyperlink or provide another means of facilitating access through equivalent methods or technologies that lead directly to the relevant website address. This paragraph (i)(4) does not apply to electronic versions of a Summary Prospectus that are filed on the EDGAR system.

(5) Compliance with this paragraph (i) not a condition to reliance on paragraph (f) or (g) of this section. Compliance with this paragraph (i) is not a condition to the ability to rely on paragraph (f) or (g) of this section with respect to a Contract, and failure to comply with this paragraph (i) does not negate the ability to rely on paragraph (f) or (g) of this section.

(j) Portfolio Company Prospectuses — (1) Transfer of the Portfolio Company security. Any obligation under section 5(b)(2) of the Act to have a Statutory Prospectus precede or accompany the carrying or delivery of a Portfolio Company security is satisfied if, and information contained in the documents referenced in paragraph (j)(1)(ii) of this section is conveyed for purposes of § 230.159 when:

(i) An Initial Summary Prospectus is used for each currently offered Contract described under the related registration statement;

(ii) A summary prospectus is used for the Portfolio Company (if the Portfolio Company is registered on Form N-1A); and

(iii) The current summary prospectus, Statutory Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, and most recent annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders under § 270.30e-1 of this chapter for the Portfolio Company are publicly accessible, free of charge, at the same website address referenced in paragraph (h)(1) of this section, and are accessible under the conditions set forth in paragraphs (h)(1), (h)(2)(i) and (ii), and (h)(3) and (4) of this section, with respect to the availability of documents relating to the Contract.

(2) Communications. Any communication relating to a Portfolio Company (other than a prospectus permitted or required under section 10 of the Act) shall not be deemed a prospectus under section 2(a)(10) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 77b(a)(10)) if the conditions set forth in paragraph (j)(1) of this section are satisfied.

(3) Other requirements. The materials referenced in paragraph (j)(1)(iii) of this section must be delivered upon request, presented, and able to be retained under the conditions set forth in paragraphs (i)(1) and (3) of this section. Compliance with this paragraph (j)(3) is not a condition to the ability to rely on paragraph (j)(1) or (2) of this section, and failure to comply with this paragraph (j)(3) does not negate the ability to rely on paragraph (j)(1) or (2) of this section.

[85 FR 25964, May 1, 2020; as amended at 89 FR 59978, July 24, 2024]