First Trust Variable Insurance Trust Seeks Shareholder Vote on 8 Trustees

First Trust Variable Insurance Trust DEF 14A Filing Summary
Field	Detail
Company	First Trust Variable Insurance Trust
Form Type	DEF 14A
Filed Date	Jul 14, 2025
Risk Level	low
Sentiment	neutral

Sentiment: neutral

Topics: Corporate Governance, Proxy Statement, Board Election, Investment Trust, Shareholder Meeting, SEC Filing, Trustee Nomination

TL;DR

**Vote 'YES' on the Trustee slate for FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST; strong governance is key to protecting your investment in these funds.**

AI Summary

FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST filed a DEF 14A on July 14, 2025, primarily to solicit shareholder votes for the election or re-election of eight Trustees. The special meeting is scheduled for August 12, 2025, at 12:00 noon Central Time at the offices of First Trust Advisors L.P. Shareholders of record as of June 9, 2025, are eligible to vote on the Proposal, which includes the seven current Trustees and one additional Trustee nominated by the Independent Trustees. This filing does not disclose specific revenue or net income figures, nor does it detail key business changes or strategic outlook beyond the governance matter. The primary focus is on board composition, a fundamental aspect of corporate governance. Risks are implicitly tied to the effectiveness of the board, but no specific financial risks or operational changes are outlined in this proxy statement.

Why It Matters

This DEF 14A filing is crucial for investors as it outlines the proposed composition of the Board of Trustees for FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST, directly impacting governance and oversight of the Funds. A strong, independent board is vital for investor confidence and effective management of the Trust's assets, which include portfolios like First Trust/Dow Jones Dividend & Income Allocation Portfolio. The election of an additional Trustee nominated by Independent Trustees could enhance oversight, potentially benefiting shareholders by ensuring diverse perspectives and robust decision-making in a competitive investment landscape. For employees and customers, a stable and well-governed trust implies consistent management and potentially better long-term performance.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: low — The risk level is low because this DEF 14A primarily concerns routine corporate governance – the election of Trustees. There are no indications of significant financial distress, strategic shifts, or regulatory non-compliance. The filing is a standard procedure for a trust seeking shareholder approval for its board composition.

Analyst Insight

Investors should review the qualifications of the nominated Trustees and vote in favor of the slate to ensure stable and effective governance for FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST. This action supports the continued oversight of the Trust's various funds, including the First Trust Capital Strength Portfolio.

Key Numbers

8 — Total Trustees (Number of Trustees to be elected or re-elected, including one new nominee)
7 — Current Trustees (Number of existing Trustees up for re-election)
1 — Additional Trustee (New Trustee nominated by Independent Trustees)
2025-07-14 — Filing Date (Date the DEF 14A was filed with the SEC)
2025-08-12 — Meeting Date (Date of the special shareholder meeting)
2025-06-09 — Record Date (Date for determining eligible voters)

Key Players & Entities

FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST (company) — Registrant filing the DEF 14A
First Trust Advisors L.P. (company) — Location of the special meeting
Securities and Exchange Commission (regulator) — Regulatory body for the filing
Investment Company Act of 1940 (regulator) — Act defining 'interested person'
August 12, 2025 (date) — Date of the special meeting of shareholders
June 9, 2025 (date) — Record Date for shareholder voting eligibility
12:00 noon Central Time (time) — Time of the special meeting
120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187 (address) — Business address of the Trust and meeting location
8 (number) — Total number of Trustees to be elected or re-elected
7 (number) — Number of current Trustees up for election or re-election

FAQ

What is the purpose of the FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST DEF 14A filing?

The DEF 14A filing by FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST is to solicit shareholder votes for the election or re-election of eight Trustees, including seven current Trustees and one additional Trustee nominated by the Independent Trustees, at a special meeting on August 12, 2025.

When is the special meeting for FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST shareholders?

The special meeting of shareholders for FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST is scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 12:00 noon Central Time, at the offices of First Trust Advisors L.P. in Wheaton, Illinois.

Who is eligible to vote at the FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST shareholder meeting?

Shareholders of record of any of the Funds that are series of FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST as of the close of business on June 9, 2025, are entitled to vote at the special meeting.

How many Trustees are being nominated for election at FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST?

A total of eight Trustees are being nominated for election or re-election at FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST. This includes the seven current Trustees and one additional Trustee nominated by the Independent Trustees.

What is the significance of 'Independent Trustees' in the FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST filing?

Independent Trustees are those who are not 'interested persons' of the Trust, as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940. Their nomination of an additional Trustee suggests a focus on independent oversight and governance for FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST.

Where can I find the business address for FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST?

The business address for FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST is 120 East Liberty Drive, Suite 400, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. This is also the location for the special shareholder meeting.

Does the DEF 14A filing for FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST include financial performance data?

No, this specific DEF 14A filing for FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST does not include detailed financial performance data such as revenue or net income. It primarily focuses on corporate governance matters related to Trustee elections.

What is the 'Record Date' mentioned in the FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST proxy statement?

The 'Record Date' for the FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST proxy statement is June 9, 2025. This date determines which shareholders are eligible to cast votes at the special meeting on August 12, 2025.

What is the 'Proposal' shareholders will vote on for FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST?

The 'Proposal' for FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST shareholders is the election or re-election of the seven current Trustees and the election of one additional Trustee nominated by the Independent Trustees, totaling eight Nominees.

What are some of the Funds that are series of FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST?

Some of the Funds that are series of FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST include the First Trust/Dow Jones Dividend & Income Allocation Portfolio, First Trust Multi Income Allocation Portfolio, and First Trust Capital Strength Portfolio.

Industry Context

The variable insurance trust industry operates within the broader asset management and insurance sectors. It is characterized by a focus on providing investment options within insurance products, often through mutual fund-like portfolios. Key trends include evolving regulatory landscapes, demand for diversified investment strategies, and the need for robust governance to protect policyholder interests.

Regulatory Implications

As a registered investment company, First Trust Variable Insurance Trust is subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other SEC regulations. The DEF 14A filing itself is a regulatory requirement to ensure transparent communication with shareholders regarding governance matters and voting procedures.

What Investors Should Do

Review the qualifications of the nominated Trustees.
Note the date and time of the special shareholder meeting.
Confirm eligibility to vote based on the record date.

Key Dates

2025-07-14: DEF 14A Filing — Indicates the company has formally submitted its proxy statement to the SEC, detailing governance matters and upcoming shareholder votes.
2025-08-12: Special Shareholder Meeting — Shareholders will vote on the election/re-election of Trustees, a critical governance decision impacting oversight and strategic direction.
2025-06-09: Record Date — Establishes the eligibility of shareholders to vote at the special meeting, ensuring only those with ownership on this date can participate.

Glossary

DEF 14A: A Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC by a company to solicit shareholder votes on specific matters. (This is the primary document filed by First Trust Variable Insurance Trust, outlining the agenda for the shareholder meeting.)
Trustee: A member of the board of trustees responsible for overseeing the operations and governance of the trust and its funds. (The election and re-election of Trustees is the central proposal in this proxy statement.)
Independent Trustee: A Trustee who is not considered an 'interested person' of the Trust, as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, ensuring objective oversight. (Independent Trustees play a key role in nominating new Trustees and ensuring the interests of shareholders are protected.)
Record Date: The specific date set by the company to determine which shareholders are eligible to receive notice of and vote at a shareholder meeting. (Shareholders of record on June 9, 2025, are entitled to vote on the proposals at the August 12, 2025 meeting.)
Proposal: A specific item or resolution that shareholders are asked to vote on at a shareholder meeting. (In this filing, the Proposal concerns the election or re-election of eight Trustees.)

Year-Over-Year Comparison

This filing is a routine DEF 14A focused on board elections and does not provide comparative financial data. Unlike filings that might detail financial performance or strategic shifts, this document's primary purpose is governance. Therefore, a direct comparison of revenue growth, margin changes, or new financial risks against a previous filing is not applicable based on the provided information.

Filing Details

This Form DEF 14A (Form DEF 14A) was filed with the SEC on July 14, 2025 regarding FIRST TRUST VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST.

View full filing on EDGAR

View Full Filing

View this DEF 14A filing on SEC EDGAR