PPT Putnam Premier Income Trust

Message from the Trustees

March 18, 2022

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

Financial markets have been bumpy in recent months. Investors are weighing the risks of rising inflation, changes in Federal Reserve policy, the latest Covid-19 variants, and the global impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Despite new uncertainties, the fundamental backdrop remains encouraging, in our view. Employment levels have been improving and may strengthen should Covid cases continue to decline. Businesses continue to adapt and show resilience.

In times like these, it’s worth remembering the benefits of staying focused on your long-term financial goals. At Putnam, professional, active investors are working for you. They are monitoring risks while looking for strong potential investments for your fund. Please read the interview with your fund manager(s) in the following pages.

As always, thank you for investing with Putnam.

When Putnam Premier Income Trust was launched in 1988, its three-pronged focus on U.S. investment-grade bonds, high-yield corporate bonds, and non-U.S. bonds was considered innovative.

In the more than 30 years since then, the fixed-income landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation, but the spirit of ingenuity that helped launch the fund is still with it today.

A veteran portfolio management team

The fund’s managers strive to build a well-diversified portfolio that carefully balances risk and return, targeting opportunities in interest rates, credit, mortgages, and currencies from across the full spectrum of the global bond markets.

*Paul will retire as a Portfolio Manager of the fund effective March 31, 2022.

Allocations are shown as a percentage of the fund’s net assets as of 1/31/22. Cash and net other assets, if any, represent the market value weights of cash, derivatives, short-term securities, and other unclassified assets in the portfolio. Summary information may differ from the portfolio schedule included in the financial statements due to the inclusion of derivative securities, any interest accruals, the use of different classifications of securities for presentation purposes, and rounding.

Allocations may not total 100% because the charts include the notional value of certain derivatives (the economic value for purposes of calculating periodic payment obligations), in addition to the market value of securities. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.

Data are historical. Past performance does not guarantee future results. More recent returns may be less or more than those shown. Investment return and net asset value will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or a loss when you sell your shares. Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes. Fund returns in the bar chart are at NAV. See below and pages 11–12 for additional performance information, including fund returns at market price. Index and Lipper results should be compared with fund performance at NAV.

Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

All Bloomberg indices are provided by Bloomberg Index Services Limited.

Lipper peer group average provided by Lipper, a Refinitiv company.

* The fund’s primary benchmark, the ICE BofA U.S. Treasury Bill Index, was introduced on 6/30/92, which post-dates the inception of the fund.

This comparison shows your fund’s performance in the context of broad market indexes for the six months ended 1/31/22. See above and pages 11–12 for additional fund performance information. Index descriptions can be found on pages 14–15.

All Bloomberg indices are provided by Bloomberg Index Services Limited.

Mike, please describe the investing environment for the six months ended January 31, 2022.

During the early months of the period, we had to navigate a number of uncertainties. These included an uptick in Delta-variant coronavirus cases alongside concerns that higher inflation — driven, in part, by surging energy prices — would persist. Investors also began anticipating when the U.S. Federal Reserve would start reducing the vast bond-buying program it launched to help support the economy during the pandemic. Reflecting investors’ expectations of an earlier-than-anticipated start to global monetary tightening, the U.S. Treasury yield curve flattened in October, with short-term yields rising more than longer-term yields.

In November, the Fed began winding down its $120 billion-per-month bond-purchase program by $15 billion per month. In December, the Fed announced it would accelerate the pace to $30 billion per month, which could phase out purchases entirely by March 2022. Reflecting the Fed’s view that inflationary pressures are likely to broaden, we anticipate four 0.25% increases in the federal funds rate during 2022.

Credit qualities are shown as a percentage of the fund’s net assets as of 1/31/22. A bond rated BBB or higher (A-3 or higher, for short-term debt) is considered investment grade. This chart reflects the highest security rating provided by one or more of Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch. To-be-announced (TBA) mortgage commitments, if any, are included based on their issuer ratings. Ratings may vary over time.

Cash, derivative instruments, and net other assets are shown in the not-rated category. Payables and receivables for TBA mortgage commitments are included in the not-rated category and may result in negative weights. The fund itself has not been rated by an independent rating agency.

Short-term bond yields rose further in January, as investors digested the Fed’s shift to a more restrictive policy. Equity market volatility and geopolitical tensions also weighed on investor sentiment. For the six-month period, the yield on the 2-year U.S. Treasury note jumped from 0.17% to 1.18%, while the yield on the 10-year Treasury rose from 1.20% to 1.79%.

Within this environment, risk-driven assets generated mostly negative returns, except for high-yield bank loans. The floating-rate nature of loans, with coupons that adjust with movements in short-term interest rates, helped them outperform as bond yields rose.

Which holdings and strategies hampered the fund’s performance during the six-month period?

First off, I think it’s important to highlight that we continued to invest outside the constraints of traditional fixed-income benchmarks, seeking what we view as the best opportunities based on risk rather than asset class. These risks include interest rate, credit, prepayment, and liquidity.

In terms of specific strategies, our interest-rate and yield curve positioning was the primary detractor this period. The portfolio was positioned to benefit if inflation declined and real interest rates rose. [Real interest rates adjust for the effects of inflation by subtracting the actual or expected rate of inflation from nominal interest rates.] Unfortunately, the opposite occurred, as inflation reached a multiyear high and real rates declined.

Our interest-rate and yield curve strategy is intended to provide a degree of protection against underperformance of risk-based assets. Now that the Fed has begun to tighten monetary

policy, we believe real interest rates will rise during 2022, which may reward our strategy.

Our active currency strategy also dampened the fund’s performance. Short positions in the Australian dollar and the New Zealand dollar during October worked against our positioning for the period as a whole. Both currencies notably strengthened versus the U.S. dollar during that month. Favorable positioning in the U.S. dollar, the Japanese yen, and the Swiss franc contributed and partially offset the overall negative impact of our currency positioning. Investors flocked to these and other safe-haven currencies amid the heightened volatility sparked by the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

Strategies targeting prepayment risk were a further modest negative. Yield spreads on our agency interest-only [IO] and inverse IO collateralized mortgage obligations [CMOs] widened during the fourth quarter of 2021 due to broader market volatility. [Spreads are the yield advantage credit-sensitive bonds offer over comparable-maturity U.S. Treasuries. Bond prices rise as yield spreads tighten and decline as spreads widen.] On a positive note, prepayment speeds on the mortgages underlying our holdings slowed later in the period. Mortgage rates rose moderately and refinancing activity decelerated, helping our IO CMO positions rebound somewhat in January. IO CMOs and other mortgage-backed securities benefit when homeowners refinance or pay off their mortgages at a slower rate than investors anticipate.

Which holdings contributed to fund performance during the period?

On the positive side, mortgage credit holdings added the most value for the period, led by our exposure to commercial mortgage-backed securities [CMBS]. The fund held cash bonds and also had exposure to the sector via CMBX. [CMBX is a group of tradeable indexes that each reference a basket of 25 CMBS issued in a

This table shows the fund’s top holdings across three key sectors and the percentage of the fund’s net assets that each represented as of 1/31/22. Short-term investments, to-be-announced commitments, and derivatives, if any, are excluded. Holdings may vary over time.

particular year.] Lower volatility, strong demand from investors, and better overall fundamentals boosted CMBS.

In the residential mortgage market, positions in agency credit risk transfer [CRT] securities also aided performance. A variety of factors helped agency CRTs, including housing-related government Covid policies, housing market strength, and optimism about the reopening of the economy.

How did you use derivatives during the period?

We used CMBX credit default swaps to hedge the fund’s CMBS credit and market risks, and to gain access to specific areas of the market. We used bond futures and interest-rate swaps to take tactical positions at various points along the yield curve, and to hedge the risk associated with the fund’s curve positioning. We employed interest-rate swaps to gain exposure to rates in various countries. We also utilized options to hedge the fund’s interest-rate risk, to isolate the prepayment risk associated with our CMO holdings, and to help manage overall downside risk. In addition, we used total return swaps as a hedging tool and to help manage the portfolio’s sector exposure, as well as its inflation risk.

What are your current views on the various sectors in which the fund invests?

Looking first at corporate credit, we have a positive outlook for the fundamentals and overall supply-and-demand backdrop of high-yield bonds and loans. Our view on valuation is more neutral, however, given the relative tightness of yield spreads as of period-end. Within the high-yield market, we are continuing to closely monitor issuers’ balance sheets and liquidity metrics, with an eye toward default risk or a credit-rating downgrade.

In the CMBS market, we believe there are attractive risk-adjusted investment opportunities available amid an improving fundamental

This chart shows how the fund’s security type weightings have changed over the past six months. Allocations are shown as a percentage of the fund’s net assets. Cash and net other assets, if any, represent the market value weights of cash, derivatives, short-term securities, and other unclassified assets in the portfolio. Current period summary information may differ from the portfolio schedule included in the financial statements due to the inclusion of derivative securities, any interest accruals, the use of different classifications of securities for presentation purposes, and rounding.

Allocations may not total 100% because the chart includes the notional value of certain derivatives (the economic value for purposes of calculating periodic payment obligations), in addition to the market value of securities. Holdings and allocations may vary over time.

backdrop. By virtue of having real assets serving as collateral, along with the potential for rent adjustments, CMBS have historically performed well during periods of rising inflation. As a result, we believe CMBS may offer attractive relative value to a wide range of investors.

Within residential mortgage credit, we believe a combination of low mortgage rates, high demand, and a declining inventory of available homes is likely to push home prices higher. Given that prices have already risen substantially, we are aware that affordability has become a constraint for many prospective buyers. Consequently, we think the pace of home price appreciation is likely to moderate during 2022. Against this backdrop, we are finding value in investment-grade securities backed by non-agency residential loans, even with tighter yield spreads.

The environment for prepayment-related strategies was challenging in 2021. Despite this, we still have conviction in this allocation for its return potential and diversification benefits. Mortgage interest rates have risen modestly since bottoming in August 2021. With the Fed pivoting to a less accommodative policy stance, we believe mortgage rates may continue to rise in 2022. Consequently, we think refinancing activity will recede and mortgage prepayment speeds will slow. In our view, IO CMOs may offer particularly compelling potential against this backdrop. Moreover, we believe prepayment-sensitive securities in general may offer attractive returns from current price levels if prepayment speeds remain at their current pace for the foreseeable future.

ABOUT DERIVATIVES

Derivatives are an increasingly common type of investment instrument, the performance of which is derived from an underlying security, index, currency, or other area of the capital markets. Derivatives employed by the fund’s managers generally serve one of two main purposes: to implement a strategy that may be difficult or more expensive to invest in through traditional securities, or to hedge unwanted risk associated with a particular position.

For example, the fund’s managers might use currency forward contracts to capitalize on an anticipated change in exchange rates between two currencies. This approach would require a significantly smaller outlay of capital than purchasing traditional bonds denominated in the underlying currencies. In another example, the managers may identify a bond that they believe is undervalued relative to its risk of default, but may seek to reduce the interest-rate risk of that bond by using interest-rate swaps, a derivative through which two parties “swap” payments based on the movement of certain rates.

Like any other investment, derivatives may not appreciate in value and may lose money. Derivatives may amplify traditional investment risks through the creation of leverage and may be less liquid than traditional securities. And because derivatives typically represent contractual agreements between two financial institutions, derivatives entail “counterparty risk,” which is the risk that the other party is unable or unwilling to pay. Putnam monitors the counterparty risks we assume. For example, Putnam often enters into collateral agreements that require the counterparties to post collateral on a regular basis to cover their obligations to the fund. Counterparty risk for exchange-traded futures and centrally cleared swaps is mitigated by the daily exchange of margin and other safeguards against default through their respective clearinghouses.

In emerging markets, we are seeking opportunities in countries that we think are better positioned to benefit from a global recovery and are less exposed to domestic policy risks.

Thanks for your time and insights, Mike.

The views expressed in this report are exclusively those of Putnam Management and are subject to change. Disclosures provide only a summary of certain changes that have occurred in the past fiscal period, which may not reflect all of the changes that have occurred since an investor purchased the fund. They are not meant as investment advice. Please note that the holdings discussed in this report may not have been held by the fund for the entire period. Portfolio composition is subject to review in accordance with the fund’s investment strategy and may vary in the future. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk. Statements in the Q&A concerning the fund’s performance or portfolio composition relative to those of the fund’s Lipper peer group may reference information produced by Lipper Inc. or through a third party.

Of special interest

The fund was modestly exposed to Russian securities at the end of the period. Holdings in Russian securities generally have experienced sharp declines in value as of early March 2022 and have been subject to liquidity and settlement constraints, as well as, in certain cases, U.S. and other governmental sanctions. We are closely monitoring governmental actions, including the issuance of sanctions, and related market developments.

HOW CLOSED-END FUNDS DIFFER FROM OPEN-END FUNDS

Closed-end funds and open-end funds share many common characteristics but also have some key differences that you should understand as you consider your portfolio strategies.

More assets at work Open-end funds are subject to ongoing sales and redemptions that can generate transaction costs for long-term shareholders. Closed-end funds, however, are typically fixed pools of capital that do not need to hold cash in connection with sales and redemptions, allowing the funds to keep more assets actively invested.

Traded like stocks Closed-end fund shares are traded on stock exchanges and, as a result, their prices fluctuate because of the influence of several factors.

They have a market price Like an open-end fund, a closed-end fund has a per-share net asset value (NAV). However, closed-end funds also have a “market price” for their shares — which is how much you pay when you buy shares of the fund, and how much you receive when you sell them.

When looking at a closed-end fund’s performance, you will usually see that the NAV and the market price differ. The market price can be influenced by several factors that cause it to vary from the NAV, including fund distributions, changes in supply and demand for the fund’s shares, changing market conditions, and investor perceptions of the fund or its investment manager. A fund’s performance at market price typically differs from its results at NAV.

Your fund’s performance

This section shows your fund’s performance, price, and distribution information for periods ended January 31, 2022, the end of the first half of its current fiscal year. In accordance with regulatory requirements for mutual funds, we also include performance information as of the most recent calendar quarter-end. Performance should always be considered in light of a fund’s investment strategy. Data represent past performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. More recent returns may be less or more than those shown. Investment return, net asset value, and market price will fluctuate, and you may have a gain or a loss when you sell your shares.

Fund performance Total return for periods ended 1/31/22

Performance assumes reinvestment of distributions and does not account for taxes. Performance includes the deduction of management fees and administrative expenses.

Comparative index returns For periods ended 1/31/22

Index and Lipper results should be compared to fund performance at net asset value. All Bloomberg indices are provided by Bloomberg Index Services Limited.

Lipper peer group average provided by Lipper, a Refinitiv company.

^* The fund’s primary benchmark, the ICE BofA U.S. Treasury Bill Index, was introduced on 6/30/92, which post-dates the inception of the fund.

^† Over the 6-month, 1-year, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year, and life-of-fund periods ended 1/31/22, there were 70, 64, 46, 30, 20, and 4 funds, respectively, in this Lipper category.

Fund price and distribution information For the six-month period ended 1/31/22

The classification of distributions, if any, is an estimate. Final distribution information will appear on your year-end tax forms.

^* Most recent distribution, including any return of capital and excluding capital gains, annualized and divided by NAV or market price at end of period.

Fund performance as of most recent calendar quarter Total return for periods ended 12/31/21

See the discussion following the fund performance table on page 11 for information about the calculation of fund performance.

Consider these risks before investing

Emerging market securities carry illiquidity and volatility risks. Lower-rated bonds may offer higher yields in return for more risk. Funds that invest in government securities are not guaranteed. Mortgage-backed securities are subject to prepayment risk and the risk that they may increase in value when interest rates decline and decline in value when interest rates rise. Bond investments are subject to interest-rate risk (the risk of bond prices falling if interest rates rise) and credit risk (the risk of an issuer defaulting on interest or principal payments).

Interest-rate risk is generally greater for longer-term bonds, and credit risk is generally greater for below-investment-grade bonds. Risks associated with derivatives include increased investment exposure (which may be considered leverage) and, in the case of over-the-counter instruments, the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions and the potential failure of the other party to the instrument to meet its obligations. Unlike bonds, funds that invest in bonds have fees and expenses.

The value of investments in the fund’s portfolio may fall or fail to rise over extended periods of time for a variety of reasons, including general economic, political, or financial market conditions; investor sentiment and market perceptions; government actions; geopolitical events or changes; and factors related to a specific issuer, geography, industry, or sector. These and other factors may lead to increased volatility and reduced liquidity in the fund’s portfolio holdings. International investing involves currency, economic, and political risks. The fund’s shares trade on a stock exchange at market prices, which may be lower than the fund’s net asset value.

Our investment techniques, analyses, and judgments may not produce the outcome we intend. The investments we select for the fund may not perform as well as other securities that we do not select for the fund. We, or the fund’s other service providers, may experience disruptions or operating errors that could have a negative effect on the fund. You can lose money by investing in the fund.

Terms and definitions

Important terms

Total return shows how the value of the fund’s shares changed over time, assuming you held the shares through the entire period and reinvested all distributions in the fund.

Net asset value (NAV) is the value of all your fund’s assets, minus any liabilities, divided by the number of outstanding shares.

Market price is the current trading price of one share of the fund. Market prices are set by transactions between buyers and sellers on exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange.

Fixed-income terms

Current rate is the annual rate of return earned from dividends or interest of an investment. Current rate is expressed as a percentage of the price of a security, fund share, or principal investment.

Mortgage-backed security (MBS), also known as a mortgage “pass-through,” is a type of asset-backed security that is secured by a mortgage or collection of mortgages. The following are types of MBSs:

• Agency credit risk transfer security (CRT) is backed by a reference pool of agency mortgages. Unlike a regular agency pass-through, the principal invested in a CRT is not backed by a U.S. government agency. To compensate investors for this risk, a CRT typically offers a higher yield than conventional pass-through securities. Similar to a CMBS, a CRT is structured into various tranches for investors, offering different levels of risk and yield based on the underlying reference pool.

• Agency “pass-through” has its principal and interest backed by a U.S. government agency, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac).

• Collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO) represents claims to specific cash flows from pools of home mortgages. The streams of principal and interest payments on the mortgages are distributed to the different classes of CMO interests in “tranches.” Each tranche may have different principal balances, coupon rates, prepayment risks, and maturity dates. A CMO is highly sensitive to changes in interest rates and any resulting change in the rate at which homeowners sell their properties, refinance, or otherwise prepay loans. CMOs are subject to prepayment, market, and liquidity risks.

◦ Interest-only (IO) security is a type of CMO in which the underlying asset is the interest portion of mortgage, Treasury, or bond payments.

• Non-agency residential mortgage-backed security (RMBS) is an MBS not backed by Fannie Mae, Ginnie Mae, or Freddie Mac. One type of RMBS is an Alt-A mortgage-backed security.

• Commercial mortgage-backed security (CMBS) is secured by the loan on a commercial property.

Yield curve is a graph that plots the yields of bonds with equal credit quality against their differing maturity dates, ranging from shortest to longest. It is used as a benchmark for other debt, such as mortgage or bank lending rates.

Comparative indexes

Bloomberg Government Bond Index is an unmanaged index of U.S. Treasury and government agency bonds.

Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of U.S. investment-grade fixed-income securities.

CMBX Index is an unmanaged index that tracks the performance of a basket of CMBS issued in a particular year.

ICE BofA (Intercontinental Exchange Bank of America) U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged index that tracks the performance of U.S. dollar-denominated U.S. Treasury bills publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market. Qualifying securities must have a remaining term of at least one month to final maturity and a minimum amount outstanding of $1 billion.

S&P 500^® Index is an unmanaged index of common stock performance.

Indexes assume reinvestment of all distributions and do not account for fees. Securities and performance of a fund and an index will differ. You cannot invest directly in an index.

BLOOMBERG^®  is a trademark and service mark of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates (collectively “Bloomberg”). Bloomberg or Bloomberg’s licensors own all proprietary rights in the Bloomberg Indices. Neither Bloomberg nor Bloomberg’s licensors approve or endorse this material, or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information herein, or make any warranty, express or implied, as to the results to be obtained therefrom, and to the maximum extent allowed by law, neither shall have any liability or responsibility for injury or damages arising in connection therewith.

ICE Data Indices, LLC (“ICE BofA”), used with permission. ICE BofA permits use of the ICE BofA indices and related data on an “as is” basis; makes no warranties regarding same; does not guarantee the suitability, quality, accuracy, timeliness, and/or completeness of the ICE BofA indices or any data included in, related to, or derived therefrom; assumes no liability in connection with the use of the foregoing; and does not sponsor, endorse, or recommend Putnam Investments, or any of its products or services.

Lipper, a Refinitiv company, is a third-party industry-ranking entity that ranks mutual funds. Its rankings do not reflect sales charges. Lipper rankings are based on total return at net asset value relative to other funds that have similar current investment styles or objectives as determined by Lipper. Lipper may change a fund’s category assignment at its discretion. Lipper category averages reflect performance trends for funds within a category.

Other information for shareholders

Important notice regarding share repurchase program

In September 2021, the Trustees of your fund approved the renewal of a share repurchase program that had been in effect since 2005. This renewal allows your fund to repurchase, in the 365 days beginning October 1, 2021, up to 10% of the fund’s common shares outstanding as of September 30, 2021.

Important notice regarding delivery of shareholder documents

In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, Putnam sends a single notice of internet availability, or a single printed copy, of annual and semian-nual shareholder reports, prospectuses, and proxy statements to Putnam shareholders who share the same address, unless a shareholder requests otherwise. If you prefer to receive your own copy of these documents, please call Putnam at 1-800-225-1581, and Putnam will begin sending individual copies within 30 days.

Proxy voting

Putnam is committed to managing our mutual funds in the best interests of our shareholders. The Putnam funds’ proxy voting guidelines and procedures, as well as information regarding how your fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30, 2021, are available in the Individual Investors section of putnam.com and on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. If you have questions about finding forms on the SEC’s website, you may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. You may also obtain the Putnam funds’ proxy voting guidelines and procedures at no charge by calling Putnam’s Shareholder Services at 1-800-225-1581.

Fund portfolio holdings

The fund will file a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT within 60 days of the end of such fiscal quarter. Shareholders may obtain the fund’s Form N-PORT on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Prior to its use of Form N-PORT, the fund filed its complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q, which is available online at www.sec.gov.

Trustee and employee fund ownership

Putnam employees and members of the Board of Trustees place their faith, confidence, and, most importantly, investment dollars in Putnam mutual funds. As of January 31, 2022, Putnam employees had approximately $537,000,000 and the Trustees had approximately $79,000,000 invested in Putnam mutual funds. These amounts include investments by the Trustees’ and employees’ immediate family members as well as investments through retirement and deferred compensation plans.

Summary of Putnam closed-end funds’ amended and restated dividend reinvestment plans

Putnam Managed Municipal Income Trust, Putnam Master Intermediate Income Trust, Putnam Municipal Opportunities Trust and Putnam Premier Income Trust (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”) each offer a dividend reinvestment plan (each, a “Plan” and collectively, the “Plans”). If you participate in a Plan, all income dividends and capital gain distributions are automatically reinvested in Fund shares by the Fund’s agent, Putnam Investor Services, Inc. (the “Agent”). If you are not participating in a Plan, every month you will receive all dividends and other distributions in cash, paid by check and mailed directly to you.

Upon a purchase (or, where applicable, upon registration of transfer on the shareholder records of a Fund) of shares of a Fund by a registered shareholder, each such shareholder will be deemed to have elected to participate in that Fund’s Plan. Each such shareholder will have all distributions by a Fund automatically reinvested in additional shares, unless such shareholder elects to terminate participation in a Plan by instructing the Agent to pay future distributions in cash. Shareholders who were not participants in a Plan as of January 31, 2010, will continue to receive distributions in cash but may enroll in a Plan at any time by contacting the Agent.

If you participate in a Fund’s Plan, the Agent will automatically reinvest subsequent distributions, and the Agent will send you a confirmation in the mail telling you how many additional shares were issued to your account.

To change your enrollment status or to request additional information about the Plans, you may contact the Agent either in writing, at P.O. Box 8383, Boston, MA 02266-8383, or by telephone at 1-800-225-1581 during normal East Coast business hours.

How you acquire additional shares through a Plan If the market price per share for your Fund’s shares (plus estimated brokerage commissions) is greater than or equal to their net asset value per share on the payment date for a distribution, you will be issued shares of the Fund at a value equal to the higher of the net asset value per share on that date or 95% of the market price per share on that date.

If the market price per share for your Fund’s shares (plus estimated brokerage commissions) is less than their net asset value per share on the payment date for a distribution, the Agent will buy Fund shares for participating accounts in the open market. The Agent will aggregate open-market purchases on behalf of all participants, and the average price (including brokerage commissions) of all shares purchased by the Agent will be the price per share allocable to each participant. The Agent will generally complete these open-market purchases within five business days following the payment date. If, before the Agent has completed open-market purchases, the market price per share (plus estimated brokerage commissions) rises to exceed the net asset value per share on the payment date, then the purchase price may exceed the net asset value per share, potentially resulting in the acquisition of fewer shares than if the distribution had been paid in newly issued shares.

How to withdraw from a Plan Participants may withdraw from a Fund’s Plan at any time by notifying the Agent, either in writing or by telephone. Such withdrawal will be effective immediately if notice is received by the Agent with sufficient time prior to any distribution record date; otherwise, such withdrawal will be effective with respect to any subsequent distribution following notice of withdrawal. There is no penalty for withdrawing from or not participating in a Plan.

Plan administration The Agent will credit all shares acquired for a participant under a Plan to the account in which the participant’s common shares are held. Each participant will

be sent reasonably promptly a confirmation by the Agent of each acquisition made for his or her account.

About brokerage fees Each participant pays a proportionate share of any brokerage commissions incurred if the Agent purchases additional shares on the open market, in accordance with the Plans. There are no brokerage charges applied to shares issued directly by the Funds under the Plans.

About taxes and Plan amendments

Reinvesting dividend and capital gain distributions in shares of the Funds does not relieve you of tax obligations, which are the same as if you had received cash distributions. The Agent supplies tax information to you and to the IRS annually. Each Fund reserves the right to amend or terminate its Plan upon 30 days’ written notice. However, the Agent may assign its rights, and delegate its duties, to a successor agent with the prior consent of a Fund and without prior notice to Plan participants.

If your shares are held in a broker or nominee name If your shares are held in the name of a broker or nominee offering a dividend reinvestment service, consult your broker or nominee to ensure that an appropriate election is made on your behalf. If the broker or nominee holding your shares does not provide a reinvestment service, you may need to register your shares in your own name in order to participate in a Plan.

In the case of record shareholders such as banks, brokers or nominees that hold shares for others who are the beneficial owners of such shares, the Agent will administer the Plan on the basis of the number of shares certified by the record shareholder as representing the total amount registered in such shareholder’s name and held for the account of beneficial owners who are to participate in the Plan.

Financial statements

These sections of the report, as well as the accompanying Notes, constitute the fund’s financial statements.

The fund’s portfolio lists all the fund’s investments and their values as of the last day of the reporting period. Holdings are organized by asset type and industry sector, country, or state to show areas of concentration and diversification.

Statement of assets and liabilities shows how the fund’s net assets and share price are determined. All investment and non-investment assets are added together. Any unpaid expenses and other liabilities are subtracted from this total. The result is divided by the number of shares to determine the net asset value per share. (For funds with preferred shares, the amount subtracted from total assets includes the liquidation preference of preferred shares.)

Statement of operations shows the fund’s net investment gain or loss. This is done by first adding up all the fund’s earnings — from dividends and interest income — and subtracting its operating expenses to determine net investment income (or loss). Then, any net gain or loss the fund realized on the sales of its holdings — as well as any unrealized gains or losses over the period — is added to or subtracted from the net investment result to determine the fund’s net gain or loss for the fiscal period.

Statement of changes in net assets shows how the fund’s net assets were affected by the fund’s net investment gain or loss, by distributions to shareholders, and by changes in the number of the fund’s shares. It lists distributions and their sources (net investment income or realized capital gains) over the current reporting period and the most recent fiscal year-end. The distributions listed here may not match the sources listed in the Statement of operations because the distributions are determined on a tax basis and may be paid in a different period from the one in which they were earned. Dividend sources are estimated at the time of declaration. Actual results may vary. Any non-taxable return of capital cannot be determined until final tax calculations are completed after the end of the fund’s fiscal year.

Financial highlights provide an overview of the fund’s investment results, per-share distributions, expense ratios, net investment income ratios, and portfolio turnover in one summary table, reflecting the five most recent reporting periods. In a semiannual report, the highlights table also includes the current reporting period.