Form DEFA14A VANGUARD SPECIALIZED
Schedule 14A Information
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [ X ]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ X ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
Vanguard Specialized Funds
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Declaration of Trust)
|
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
|
|
|
[ X ] No fee required. |
|
|
|
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i) and 0-11. |
|
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act |
|
Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was |
|
determined): |
|
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
|
(5) Total Fee Paid: |
|
|
|
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
|
|
|
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (a)(2) and |
|
identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing |
|
by registration statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. |
|
(1) Amount previously paid: |
|
(2) Form, schedule or registration statement no.: |
|
(3) Filing party; (4) Date filed: |
Important: Proxy voting starts today
Dear Shareholder:
The trustees of six of Vanguard’s U.S.-based mutual funds are requesting votes on an important proxy. Please log in to your Vanguard account and visit your secure message center for proxy materials and other important information.
We’re requesting your vote because you own shares of at least one of the six Vanguard funds as of October 15, 2020, which is the record date for the proxy. We encourage you to vote even if you’ve sold or plan to sell any of your shares. No matter how many shares or units you own, your vote is important.
Thank you in advance for voting.
Legal notices
All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.
© 2020 The Vanguard Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor of the Vanguard Funds.
P.O. Box 982901 | El Paso, TX 79998-2901 | vanguard.com
Privacy policy | Contact us | Online security | Home
Make a difference: Vote your proxy by January 22, 2021
You can now review the proxy statement(s) that asks you and other Vanguard fund shareholders to vote on proposals presented by the funds’ trustees.
After you read this entire message, please select the customized link below to go to Vanguard’s authorized voting website. That will allow you to read the official proxy statement(s) and cast your ballot(s) for your account(s).
<<CUSTOM LINK WILL BE INSERTED BY IT>>
What’s on the proxy ballots
The proxy ballots include:
•The proposed merger that would combine Vanguard U.S. Value Fund (VUVLX) with Vanguard Value Index Fund (VVIAX). Voting is open to shareholders of the U.S. Value Fund.
•The proposal to reclassify 5 funds from “diversified” to “non-diversified” as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940. Voting is open to shareholders of:
oVanguard Health Care Fund (VGHCX, VGHAX).
oVanguard Energy Fund (VGENX, VGELX).
oVanguard U.S. Growth Fund (VWUSX, VWUAX).
oVanguard Variable Insurance Funds—Growth Portfolio.
oVanguard Variable Insurance Funds—Real Estate Index Portfolio.
Why your vote is important
Because you owned shares or units of one or more of the above Vanguard funds on the record date of October 15, 2020, we encourage you to cast a vote—even if you sold any of your shares or units after that date. No matter how many shares or units you now own, your vote is important.
If many shareholders choose not to vote, the funds might not receive enough votes to reach the required minimum. Vanguard would then need to send additional communications to solicit more votes—a process that would be costly for the funds and thus for you as a shareholder.
If you have any questions, please call us at 866-963-5746.
Thank you in advance for voting!
Follow these official instructions to vote
THE VANGUARD FUNDS PROXY FOR A JOINT SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD JANUARY 22, 2021
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARDS OF TRUSTEES OF THE FUNDS.
You’re about to electronically cast your vote. As you proceed to the voting site, please keep the following things in mind.
•You’re appointing Mortimer J. Buckley, Anne E. Robinson, and Laura J. Merianos, or any of them, as your proxies for the purpose of voting with respect to all interests in each of the funds to which you’re entitled to vote at the Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders to be held on January 22, 2021, and at any adjournments or postponements thereof.
•You may view the Notice of a Special Meeting of Shareholders and an accompanying Proxy Statement at the above link, which provide detailed information about the proposals to be addressed at the meeting. You should read those materials carefully.
•This proxy will be voted in accordance with your instructions.
•The proxies are authorized to vote at their discretion upon such other matters as may come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
When you click the link above you’ll leave Vanguard’s website and enter the voting website, which is sponsored by Computershare Fund Services, Vanguard’s authorized agent for proxy voting and tabulation services. You’ll be automatically directed to a secure personalized online proxy ballot that will allow you to cast your vote for your Vanguard account(s).
If you prefer to visit the voting site later, you can go to this website:
https://www.proxy-direct.com/vanguard
If you go to the voting site this way, you’ll need to enter the following information when prompted.
Control number: <<INSERTED BY IT>>
Security code: <<INSERTED BY IT>>
If you prefer to cast your vote by phone, please call 1-888-218-4371. You will be asked to input the control number and security code listed above.
October 2020
Connect with Vanguard® > vanguard.com
Don’t miss out: Vote your proxy by January 22
Dear Vanguard Client,
We recently sent an email to the person named first on your Vanguard joint account. The email explained that shareholders who owned shares of certain Vanguard funds on the record date of October 15, 2020, are entitled to vote on one or more important proposals presented in proxy statements by the funds’ boards of trustees.
Although only one ballot can be cast per account, each owner has equal rights in the proxy vote. So we encourage all owners on an account to discuss how they wish to vote on the proposal(s). The co-owner listed first on the account may log on to vanguard.com and go to Messages to read a secure message explaining how to do so. Voting concludes on January 22, 2021, at the Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders.
Please be sure to cast a vote even if a portion of the shares have been sold since October 15. Your vote is important—no matter how many shares you own.
If you have any questions about the proxy, please call us at 866-963-5746.
Thank you in advance for voting.
© 2020 The Vanguard Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor of the Vanguard Funds.
JTPRLTR 102020
October 2020
Connect with Vanguard® > vanguard.com
Don’t miss out: Vote your proxy by January 22
Dear Vanguard Client,
We recently sent an email to the trustee named first on the Vanguard account for which you’re also a trustee. The email explained that shareholders who owned shares of certain Vanguard funds on the record date of October 15, 2020, are entitled to vote on one or more important proposals presented in proxy statements by the funds’ boards of trustees.
Although only one ballot can be cast per account, each trustee has equal rights in the proxy vote. So we encourage all trustees on an account to discuss how they wish to vote on the proposal(s). The trustee listed first on the account may log on to vanguard.com and go to Messages to read a secure message explaining how to do so. Voting concludes on January 22, 2021, at the Joint Special Meeting of Shareholders.
Please be sure to cast a vote even if a portion of the shares have been sold since October 15. Your vote is important—no matter how many shares you own.
If you have any questions about the proxy, please call us at 866-963-5746.
Thank you in advance for voting.
© 2020 The Vanguard Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor of the Vanguard Funds.
TRPRLTR 102020
Information about the 2020-21 proxy vote
Shareholders of several Vanguard U.S.-based mutual funds are being asked to vote on important proposals. As an owner of one or more of those funds, your participation in the voting process is important and will help ensure
the funds are able to operate efficiently and effectively. We’ve provided the information below to help inform your vote. Please also read your proxy statement(s) carefully before making any decision to approve a proposal. We appreciate your participation.
Key points
|
• |
A proxy is the legal authority that permits a shareholder’s vote to be registered without their physical presence at a special shareholder meeting. Shareholders may vote their proxy by mail, by phone, or online. |
|
• |
The purpose of the proxy is to reach shareholder approval of 2 proposals that could affect 6 Vanguard funds. Shareholders are being asked to vote on fund proposals that Vanguard fund trustees believe are in the best interest of shareholders. |
|
• |
Proxy votes can generally be cast by any shareholder who owns shares of the affected Vanguard funds on the “record date,” even if that shareholder later sells the shares. The record date for these proposals is October 15, 2020. |
Key dates
|
• |
In November 2020, proxy materials will be distributed, and shareholders will be asked to vote on the proposals. |
|
• |
On or around January 22, 2021, a shareholder meeting will be held virtually. Each proposal, if approved, will be implemented as soon as possible following the shareholder meeting. |
Merger proposal frequently asked questions (FAQs)
|
• |
What are shareholders being asked to approve? Shareholders are being asked to approve the merger of Vanguard U.S. Value Fund Investor Shares (VUVLX) into Vanguard Value Index Fund Admiral™ Shares (VVIAX). Vanguard Equity Index Group will continue as the advisor on the newly combined Vanguard Value Index Fund. There will be no changes to the investment objective, strategies, policies, or overall management of Vanguard Value Index Fund. |
|
• |
How will shareholders benefit from the passage of this proposal? The proposal would give Vanguard U.S. Value Fund shareholders a comparable fund with better historical long-term investment performance,* as well as a significantly lower expense ratio. Shareholders of both funds may benefit from additional economies of scale. |
Diversification status change proposal FAQs
|
• |
What are shareholders being asked to approved? Shareholders are being asked to approve the reclassification of 5 funds as non-diversified. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, a mutual fund is designated as either diversified or non-diversified depending on its ownership of, and concentration in, securities. This proposal impacts the following funds: |
|
– |
Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX). |
|
– |
Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral Shares (VGHAX). |
|
– |
Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares (VGENX). |
|
– |
Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX). |
|
– |
Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares (VWUSX). |
|
– |
Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWUAX). |
|
– |
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds—Growth Portfolio. |
|
– |
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds—Real Estate Index Portfolio.(over) |
|
• |
How will shareholders benefit from the passage of this proposal? The proposal would give portfolio managers greater investment flexibility and the potential for better investment performance. It would also allow portfolio managers to direct more capital to high-conviction ideas. Although there’s potential for improved |
investment performance, a non-diversified fund typically presents a higher degree of investment risk because of its ability to make more concentrated investments.
Next steps
Shareholders who are enrolled in e-delivery will receive proxy voting instructions in their secure message center on vanguard.com on October 30, 2020. Shareholders not enrolled in e-delivery will receive a proxy ballot and voting instructions by mail in early November.
We ask that shareholders vote as soon as possible to minimize the need for additional communications to solicit more votes—a process that would be costly for the funds and thus for you as a shareholder. Thank you in advance for voting, and thank you for belonging to the Vanguard community of investors.
Connect with Vanguard® > vanguard.com
All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.
For more information about Vanguard funds, visit vanguard.com to obtain a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are contained in the prospectus; read and consider it carefully before investing.
Shareholders of Vanguard U.S. Value Fund will receive a Proxy Statement/Prospectus that describes the investment objective, strategies, expenses, and risks of an investment in Vanguard Value Index Fund and provides other important information about the proposal. Please read the Proxy Statement/Prospectus carefully before making any decision to invest or to approve the proposal. To receive a free copy of the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus and other relevant documents, you may call Computershare Fund Services toll-free at 866-963-5746 or visit https://www.proxy-direct.com/vanguard/materials. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other relevant documents are also available for free on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).
Shareholders of Vanguard Health Care Fund, Vanguard Energy Fund, Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund, Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds—Growth Portfolio, and Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds—Real Estate Index Portfolio will receive a Proxy Statement that provides important information about the proposal. Please read the Proxy Statement carefully before making any decision to approve the proposal. To receive a free copy of the Proxy Statement and other relevant documents, you may call Computershare Fund Services toll-free at 866-963-5746 or visit https://www.proxy-direct.com/vanguard/materials. The Proxy Statement and other relevant documents are also available for free on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).
Funds that concentrate on a relatively narrow set of issuers and/or market sector face the risk of higher share-price volatility.
*For the 1-,5-, and 10-year periods ended June 30, 2020, Vanguard Value Index Fund outperformed Vanguard U.S. Value Fund; results will vary for other periods.
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
For the most recent performance, visit our website at www.vanguard.com/performance.
|
|
© 2020 The Vanguard Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor. |
PROXAL 102020 |
Information about the 2020-21 proxy vote Diversification status change proposal
Shareholders of several Vanguard U.S.-based mutual funds are being asked to vote on important proposals. As an owner of one or more of those funds, your participation in the voting process is important and will help ensure
the funds are able to operate efficiently and effectively. We’ve provided the information below to help inform your vote. Please also read your proxy statement(s) carefully before making any decision to approve a proposal. We appreciate your participation.
Key points
|
• |
A proxy is the legal authority that permits a shareholder’s vote to be registered without their physical presence at a special shareholder meeting. Shareholders may vote their proxy by mail, by phone, or online. |
|
|
• |
The purpose of the proxy is to obtain shareholder approval for 2 proposals that could affect 6 Vanguard funds. Shareholders are being asked to vote on fund proposals that Vanguard fund trustees believe are in the best interest of shareholders. |
|
|
• |
Proxy votes can generally be cast by any shareholder who owns shares of the affected Vanguard funds on the “record date,” even if that shareholder later sells the shares. The record date for these proposals is October 15, 2020. |
|
Key dates
|
• |
In November 2020, proxy materials will be distributed, and shareholders will be asked to vote on the proposals. |
|
• |
On or around January 22, 2021, a shareholder meeting will be held virtually. Each proposal, if approved, will be implemented as soon as possible following the shareholder meeting. |
|
Diversification status change proposal frequently asked questions
|
• |
What are shareholders being asked to approve? Shareholders are being asked to approve the reclassification of 5 funds as non-diversified. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, a mutual fund is designated as either diversified or non-diversified depending on its ownership of, and concentration in, securities. This proposal impacts the following funds: |
|
|
– |
Vanguard Health Care Fund Investor Shares (VGHCX). |
|
– |
Vanguard Health Care Fund Admiral™ Shares (VGHAX). |
|
– |
Vanguard Energy Fund Investor Shares (VGENX). |
|
– |
Vanguard Energy Fund Admiral Shares (VGELX). |
|
– |
Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investor Shares (VWUSX). |
|
– |
Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Admiral Shares (VWUAX). |
|
– |
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds—Growth Portfolio. |
|
– |
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds—Real Estate Index Portfolio. |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
For the most recent performance, visit our website at www.vanguard.com/performance.
(over)
|
• |
How will shareholders benefit from the passage of this proposal? The proposal would give portfolio managers greater investment flexibility and the potential for better investment performance. It would also allow portfolio managers to direct more capital to high-conviction ideas. Although there’s potential for improved |
investment performance, a non-diversified fund typically presents a higher degree of investment risk because of its ability to make more concentrated investments.
Next steps
Shareholders who are enrolled in e-delivery will receive proxy voting instructions in their secure message center on vanguard.com on October 30, 2020. Shareholders not enrolled in e-delivery will receive a proxy ballot and voting instructions by mail in early November.
We ask that shareholders vote as soon as possible to minimize the need for additional communications to solicit more votes—a process that would be costly for the funds and thus for you as a shareholder. Thank you in advance for voting, and thank you for belonging to the Vanguard community of investors.
Connect with Vanguard® > vanguard.com
All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.
For more information about Vanguard funds, visit vanguard.com to obtain a prospectus or, if available, a summary prospectus. Investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information are contained in the prospectus; read and consider it carefully before investing.
Shareholders of Vanguard U.S. Value Fund will receive a Proxy Statement/Prospectus that describes the investment objective, strategies, expenses, and risks of an investment in Vanguard Value Index Fund and provides other important information about the proposal. Please read the Proxy Statement/Prospectus carefully before making any decision to invest or to approve the proposal. To receive a free copy of the Proxy Statement/ Prospectus and other relevant documents, you may call Computershare Fund Services toll-free at 866-963-5746 or visit https:// www.proxy-direct.com/vanguard/materials. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other relevant documents are also available for free on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).
Shareholders of Vanguard Health Care Fund, Vanguard Energy Fund, Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund, Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds—Growth Portfolio, and Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds—Real Estate Index Portfolio will receive a Proxy Statement that provides important information about the proposal. Please read the Proxy Statement carefully before making any decision to approve the proposal. To receive a free copy of the Proxy Statement and other relevant documents, you may call Computershare Fund Services toll-free at 866-963-5746 or visit https:// www.proxy-direct.com/vanguard/materials. The Proxy Statement and other relevant documents are also available for free on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).
Funds that concentrate on a relatively narrow set of issuers and/or market sector face the risk of higher share-price volatility.
© 2020 The Vanguard Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.P
Internet Voting Site Screens
Customized Log On
Vote Input
Vote Confirmation
Mobile Voting Site Screens
Log-In Page
Landing Page
Voting Page
Confirmation Page
Serious News for Serious Traders! Try StreetInsider.com Premium Free!
You May Also Be Interested In
- Vanguard S&p 500 Etf (VOO) call put ratio 1.4 calls to 1 put
- IQM names Barbara Venneman to board ahead of planned Nasdaq listing
- Village Farms advances Delta 2 greenhouse cannabis expansion
Create E-mail Alert Related Categories
SEC FilingsRelated Entities
VanguardSign up for StreetInsider Free!
Receive full access to all new and archived articles, unlimited portfolio tracking, e-mail alerts, custom newswires and RSS feeds - and more!



Tweet
Share