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Prospectus

April 30, 2024

Share Class

Service

Federated Hermes Government Money Fund II

A Portfolio of Federated Hermes Insurance Series

A money market mutual fund seeking to provide current income consistent with stability of principal and liquidity by investing in a portfolio of U.S. Treasury and government securities maturing in 397 days or less, as well as repurchase agreements collateralized fully by U.S. Treasury and government securities.

As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

Fund Shares are available exclusively as a funding vehicle for life insurance companies writing variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts. They are subject to investment limitations that do not apply to other mutual funds available directly to the general public. Therefore, any comparison of these two types of mutual funds would be inappropriate. This Prospectus should be accompanied by the Prospectuses for such variable contracts.

Not FDIC Insured ▪ May Lose Value ▪ No Bank Guarantee

CONTENTS

Fund Summary Information	1
What are the Fund’s Investment Strategies?	4
What are the Fund’s Principal Investments?	5
What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund?	6
What Do Shares Cost?	8
How is the Fund Sold?	9
Payments to Insurance Companies	9
How to Purchase and Redeem Shares	9
Security and Privacy Protection	10
Account and Share Information	11
Who Manages the Fund?	12
Financial Information	13
Appendix A: Hypothetical Investment and Expense Information	15

Fund Summary Information

Federated Hermes Government Money Fund II (the “Fund”)

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund is a money market fund that seeks to maintain a stable net asset value (NAV) of $1.00 per Share. The Fund’s investment objective is to provide current income consistent with stability of principal and liquidity.

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: FEES AND EXPENSES

Note: The Table below and the Example that follows it relate exclusively to the Service Shares (S) of the Fund. They do not reflect any additional fees or expenses that may be imposed by separate accounts of insurance companies or in connection with any variable annuity or variable life insurance contract. If these had been included, your costs would be higher.

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell S class of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

	S
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	N/A
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable)	N/A
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of offering price)	N/A
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable)	N/A
Exchange Fee	N/A

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

	S
Management Fee	0.20%
Distribution (12b-1) Fee	None
Other Expenses1	0.52%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.72%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements2	(0.09)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	0.63%

The Fund may incur and pay administrative service fees of up to 0.25% of average net assets to insurance companies for providing recordkeeping, shareholder and administrative services.

The Adviser and certain of its affiliates, on their own initiative, have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Total annual fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, extraordinary expenses, and proxy-related expenses if any) paid by the Fund’s S class (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 0.63% (the “Fee Limit”) up to but not including the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) May 1, 2025; or (b) the date of the Fund’s next effective Prospectus. While the Adviser and its affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Trustees.

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 for the time periods indicated and then redeem or hold all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not reflect sales charges (loads) on reinvested dividends. If these sales charges (loads) were included, your costs would be higher. Although your actual costs and returns may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

1 Year	$74
3 Years	$230
5 Years	$401
10 Years	$894

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENTS, RISKS and PERFORMANCE

What are the Fund’s Main Investment Strategies?

The Fund invests in a portfolio of U.S. Treasury and government securities maturing in 397 days or less, as well as repurchase agreements collateralized fully by U.S. Treasury and government securities. The Fund may also hold cash.

Certain of the government securities in which the Fund invests are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as those issued by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Bank System. These entities are, however, supported through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits. The Fund may also invest in government securities that are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, such as those issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”). Finally, to a lesser extent, the Fund may invest in certain government securities that are issued by entities whose activities are sponsored by the federal government, but that have no explicit financial support.

In pursuing its investment objective and implementing its investment strategies, the Fund will comply with Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“Rule 2a-7”).

The Fund will operate as a “government money market fund,” as such term is defined in or interpreted under Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). “Government money market funds” are required to invest at least 99.5% of their total assets in: (i) cash; (ii) securities issued or guaranteed by the United States or certain U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities; and/or (iii) repurchase agreements that are collateralized fully. Government money market funds are not required to adopt a liquidity fee framework.

Under normal conditions, the Fund will invest its assets so that at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in government securities and/or repurchase agreements that are collateralized fully by government securities. The Fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days in advance of any change in this investment policy.

What are the Main Risks of Investing in the Fund?

All mutual funds take investment risks. Therefore, even though the Fund is a money market fund that seeks to maintain a stable NAV, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The primary factors that may negatively impact the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable NAV, delay the payment of redemptions by the Fund, or reduce the Fund’s daily dividends include:

■ Interest Rate Risk. Prices of fixed-income securities generally fall when interest rates rise. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks and/or their governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Very low or negative interest rates magnify interest rate risk. During periods when interest rates are low or there are negative interest rates, the Fund’s yield (and total return) also is likely to be lower or the Fund may be unable to maintain a positive return, or yield, or a stable NAV.

■ Issuer Credit Risk. It is possible that interest or principal on securities will not be paid when due. Money market funds try to minimize this risk by purchasing higher-quality securities.

■ Counterparty Credit Risk. A party to a transaction involving the Fund may fail to meet its obligations. This could cause the Fund to lose money or to lose the benefit of the transaction or prevent the Fund from selling or buying other securities to implement its investment strategies.

■ Call Risk. The Fund’s performance may be adversely affected by the possibility that an issuer of a security held by the Fund may redeem the security prior to maturity at a price below its current market value.

■ Risk Associated with Investing Share Purchase Proceeds. On days during which there are net purchases of Fund Shares, the Fund must invest the proceeds at prevailing market yields or hold cash. If the Fund holds cash, or if the yield of the securities purchased is less than that of the securities already in the portfolio, the Fund’s yield will likely decrease. Conversely, net purchases on days on which short-term yields rise will likely cause the Fund’s yield to increase. In the event of significant changes in short-term yields or significant net purchases, the Fund retains the discretion to close to new investments. However, the Fund is not required to close, and no assurance can be given that this will be done in any given circumstance.

■ Risk Associated with use of Amortized Cost. In the unlikely event that the Fund’s Board of Trustees (“Board”) were to determine, pursuant to Rule 2a-7, that the extent of the deviation between the Fund’s amortized cost per Share and its market-based NAV per Share may result in material dilution or other unfair results to shareholders, the Board will cause the Fund to take such action as it deems appropriate to eliminate or reduce to the extent practicable such dilution or unfair results.

■ Additional Factors Affecting Yield. There is no guarantee that the Fund will provide a certain level of income or that any such income will exceed the rate of inflation. Further, the Fund’s yield will vary. Periods of very low or negative interest rates impact, in a negative way, the Fund’s ability to maintain a positive return, or yield, or pay dividends to Fund shareholders.

■ Risk Related to the Economy. The value of the Fund’s portfolio may decline in tandem with a drop in the overall value of the markets in which the Fund invests and/or other markets. Economic, political and financial conditions, industry or economic trends and developments or public health risks, such as epidemics or pandemics, may, from time to time, and for varying periods of time, cause the Fund to experience volatility, illiquidity, shareholder redemptions or other potentially adverse effects.

■ Technology Risk. The Adviser uses various technologies in managing the Fund, consistent with its investment objective(s) and strategy described in this Prospectus. For example, proprietary and third-party data and systems are utilized to support decision-making for the Fund. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems, which may negatively affect Fund performance.

You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the Fund is not a bank account and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor is not required to reimburse the Fund for losses, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time, including during periods of market stress.

Performance: Bar Chart and Table

Risk/Return Bar Chart

The bar chart and performance table below reflect historical performance data for the Fund’s S class and are intended to help you analyze the Fund’s investment risks in light of its historical returns. The bar chart shows the variability of the Fund’s total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis. The Average Annual Total Return table shows returns averaged over the stated periods. The Fund’s performance will fluctuate, and past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily an indication of future results. For current performance information, contact your insurance company.

The total returns shown in the bar chart above are based upon net asset value and do not reflect the charges and expenses of a variable annuity or variable life insurance contract. If contract charges or fees had been included, the returns shown would have been lower.

Within the periods shown in the bar chart, the Fund’s S class highest quarterly return was 1.21% (quarter ended December 31, 2023). Its lowest quarterly return was 0.00% (quarter ended March 31, 2022).

Average Annual Total Return Table

The following table represents the Fund’s Average Annual Total Returns for the calendar period ended December 31, 2023.

Share Class	1 Year	5 Years	10 Years
S Class:	4.52%	1.49%	0.90%

The Fund’s 7-Day Net Yield as of December 31, 2023, was 4.81%. You may go to FederatedHermes.com/us or call the Fund at 1-800-341-7400 for the current 7-Day Net Yield.

FUND MANAGEMENT

The Fund’s Investment Adviser is Federated Investment Management Company.

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

Shares are used solely as an investment vehicle for separate accounts of participating insurance companies offering variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. The general public has access to the Fund only by purchasing a variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy (thus becoming a contract owner). Shares are not sold directly to the general public.

Shares of the Fund can be purchased or redeemed by participating insurance companies on any day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open.

Tax Information

The Fund expects, based on its investment objectives and strategies, that its distributions, if any, will consist of ordinary income, capital gains or some combination of both. Because shares of the Fund must be purchased through variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance contracts, such distribution will be exempt from current taxation if left to accumulate within the variable contract. You should ask your own tax advisor for more information on your own tax situation, including possible state or local taxes.

Payments to Insurance companies or qualifying dealers

Fund Shares are generally available only through participating insurance companies offering variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. Life insurance policies and variable annuities are generally purchased through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary. The Fund and/or its related companies may make payments to the participating insurance companies for services; some of the payments may go to broker-dealers and other intermediaries. These payments may create a conflict of interest for an intermediary, or be a factor in the participating insurance companies’ decision to include the Fund as an underlying investment option in a variable contract. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

What are the Fund’s Investment Strategies?

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide current income consistent with stability of principal and liquidity. While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective, it endeavors to do so by following the strategies and policies described in this Prospectus.

The Adviser targets a dollar-weighted average portfolio maturity (WAM) range based upon its interest rate outlook. The Adviser formulates its interest rate outlook by analyzing a variety of factors, such as:

■ current U.S. economic activity and the economic outlook;

■ current short-term interest rates;

■ the Federal Reserve Board’s policies regarding short-term interest rates; and

■ the potential effects of foreign economic activity on U.S. short-term interest rates.

The Adviser generally shortens the portfolio’s WAM when it expects interest rates to rise and extends the WAM when it expects interest rates to fall. This strategy seeks to enhance the returns from favorable interest rate changes and reduce the effect of unfavorable changes. The Adviser selects securities used to shorten or extend the portfolio’s WAM by comparing the returns currently offered by different investments to their historical and expected returns.

The Fund will: (1) maintain a WAM of 60 days or less; and (2) maintain a weighted average life (WAL) of 120 days or less. Certain of the securities in which the Fund invests may pay interest at a rate that is periodically adjusted (“Adjustable Rate Securities”). For purposes of calculating WAM, the maturity of an Adjustable Rate Security generally will be the period remaining until its next interest rate adjustment. For purposes of calculating WAL, the maturity of an Adjustable Rate Security will be its stated final maturity, without regard to interest rate adjustments; accordingly, the 120-day WAL limitation could serve to limit the Fund’s ability to invest in Adjustable Rate Securities.

TEMPORARY CASH POSITIONS

The Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by holding cash. It may do this in response to unusual circumstances, such as: adverse market, economic or other conditions (for example, during periods when there is a shortage of appropriate securities); to maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions; or to accommodate cash inflows. Such temporary cash positions could affect the Fund’s investment returns and/or the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

What are the Fund’s Principal Investments?

The following provides general information on the Fund’s principal investments. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides information about the Fund’s non-principal investments and may provide additional information about the Fund’s principal investments.

Fixed-Income Securities

Fixed-income securities pay interest, dividends or distributions at a specified rate. The rate may be a fixed percentage of the principal or may be adjusted periodically. In addition, the issuer of a fixed-income security must repay the principal amount of the security, normally within a specified time. Fixed-income securities provide more regular income than equity securities. However, the returns on fixed-income securities are limited and normally do not increase with the issuer’s earnings. This limits the potential appreciation of fixed-income securities as compared to equity securities.

A security’s yield measures the annual income earned on a security as a percentage of its price. A security’s yield will increase or decrease depending upon whether it costs less (a “discount”) or more (a “premium”) than the principal amount. If the issuer may redeem the security before its scheduled maturity, the price and yield on a discount or premium security may change based upon the probability of an early redemption. Securities with higher risks generally have higher yields.

The following describes the types of fixed-income securities in which the Fund principally invests:

U.S. Treasury Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

U.S. Treasury securities are direct obligations of the federal government of the United States.

Government Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Government securities are issued or guaranteed by a federal agency or instrumentality acting under federal authority. Some government securities, including those issued by Ginnie Mae, are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States and are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal.

Other government securities receive support through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. For example, the U.S. Treasury is authorized to purchase specified amounts of securities issued by (or otherwise make funds available to) the Federal Home Loan Bank System, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae in support of such obligations.

Callable Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Certain U.S. Treasury or government securities in which the Fund invests are callable at the option of the issuer. Callable securities are subject to call risks.

OTHER INVESTMENTS, TRANSACTIONS, TECHNIQUES

Additional Information Regarding the Security Selection Process

As part of analysis in its security selection process, among other factors, the Adviser also evaluates whether environmental, social and governance factors could have a positive or negative impact on the risk profiles of many issuers or guarantors in the universe of securities in which the Fund may invest. The Adviser may also consider information derived from active engagements conducted by its in-house stewardship team with certain issuers or guarantors on environmental, social and governance topics. This qualitative analysis does not automatically result in including or excluding specific securities but may be used by Federated Hermes as an additional input in its primary analysis.

Repurchase Agreements

Repurchase agreements are transactions in which the Fund buys a security from a dealer or bank and agrees to sell the security back at a mutually agreed-upon time and price. The repurchase price exceeds the sale price, reflecting the Fund’s return on the transaction. This return is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying security. The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with banks and other recognized financial institutions, such as securities dealers, deemed creditworthy by the Adviser.

The Fund’s custodian or subcustodian will take possession of the securities subject to repurchase agreements. The Adviser or subcustodian will monitor the value of the underlying security each day to ensure that the value of the security always equals or exceeds the repurchase price.

Repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks.

What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund?

The following provides general information on the risks associated with the Fund’s principal investments. These are the primary factors that may negatively impact the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable NAV, delay the payment of redemptions by the Fund or reduce the Fund’s daily dividends. Any additional risks associated with the Fund’s non-principal investments are described in the Fund’s SAI. The Fund’s SAI also may provide additional information about the risks associated with the Fund’s principal investments.

INTEREST RATE RISK

Prices of fixed-income securities rise and fall in response to changes in interest rates. Generally, when interest rates rise, prices of fixed-income securities fall. However, market factors, such as the demand for particular fixed-income securities, may cause the price of certain fixed-income securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged.

Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks and/or their governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Money market funds try to minimize this risk by purchasing short-term securities. Negative or very low interest rates magnify the risks associated with changes in interest rates. In general, changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, have unpredictable effects on markets and expose debt and related markets to heightened volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent a Fund is exposed to such interest rates and/or volatility. During periods when interest rates are low or there are negative interest rates, a Fund’s yield (and total return) also is likely to be low or otherwise adversely affected or the Fund may be unable to maintain a positive return, or yield, or minimize the volatility of the Fund’s NAV per share or maintain a stable NAV.

ISSUER CREDIT RISK

It is possible that interest or principal on securities will not be paid when due. Money market funds try to minimize this risk by purchasing higher-quality securities.

Many fixed-income securities receive credit ratings from nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) such as Fitch Rating Service, Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s, that assign ratings to securities by assessing the likelihood of an issuer and/or guarantor default. Higher credit ratings correspond to lower perceived credit risk and lower credit ratings correspond to higher perceived credit risk. Credit ratings may be upgraded or downgraded from time to time as an NRSRO’s assessment of the financial condition of a party obligated to make payments with respect to such securities and credit risk changes. The impact of any credit rating downgrade can be uncertain. Credit rating downgrades may lead to increased interest rates and volatility in financial markets, which in turn could negatively affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, its NAV and its investment performance. Credit ratings are not a guarantee of quality. Credit ratings may lag behind the current financial conditions of the issuer and/or guarantor and do not provide assurance against default or other loss of money. Credit ratings do not protect against a decline in the value of a security. If a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser’s credit assessment.

Fixed-income securities generally compensate for greater credit risk by paying interest at a higher rate. The difference between the yield of a security and the yield of a Treasury security or other appropriate benchmark with a comparable maturity (the “spread”) measures the additional interest paid for risk. Spreads may increase generally in response to adverse economic or market conditions. A security’s spread may also increase if the security’s rating is lowered, or the security is perceived to have an increased credit risk. An increase in the spread will cause the price of the security to decline if interest rates remain unchanged.

COUNTERPARTY CREDIT RISK

A party to a transaction involving the Fund may fail to meet its obligations. This could cause the Fund to lose money or to lose the benefit of the transaction or prevent the Fund from selling or buying other securities to implement its investment strategies.

Call Risk

Call risk is the possibility that an issuer may redeem a U.S. Treasury or government security before maturity (a “call”) at a price below or above its current market price. An increase in the likelihood of a call may reduce the security’s price.

If a U.S. Treasury or government security is called, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in other fixed-income securities with lower interest rates, higher credit risks or other less favorable characteristics.

RISK ASSOCIATED WITH INVESTING SHARE PURCHASE PROCEEDS

On days during which there are net purchases of Fund Shares, the Fund must invest the proceeds at prevailing market yields or hold cash. If the Fund holds cash, or if the yield of the securities purchased is less than that of the securities already in the portfolio, the Fund’s yield will likely decrease. Conversely, net purchases on days on which short-term yields rise will likely cause the Fund’s yield to increase. The larger the amount that must be invested or the greater the difference between the yield of the securities purchased and the yield of the existing investments, the greater the impact will be on the yield of the Fund. In the event of significant changes in short-term yields or significant net purchases, the Fund retains the discretion to close to new investments. However, the Fund is not required to close, and no assurance can be given that this will be done in any given circumstance.

RISK ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF AMORTIZED COST

In the unlikely event that the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”) were to determine, pursuant to Rule 2a-7, that the extent of the deviation between the Fund’s amortized cost per Share and its market-based NAV per Share may result in material dilution or other unfair results to shareholders, the Board will cause the Fund to take such action as it deems appropriate to eliminate or reduce, to the extent practicable, such dilution or unfair results, including, but not limited to, considering suspending redemption of Shares and liquidating the Fund under Rule 22e-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

ADDITIONAL FACTORS AFFECTING YIELD

There is no guarantee that the Fund will provide a certain level of income or that any such income will exceed the rate of inflation. Further, the Fund’s yield will vary. A low or negative interest rate environment may prevent the Fund from providing a positive return, or yield, or paying Fund expenses out of current income and could impair the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable NAV. The Fund’s yield could also be negatively affected (both in absolute terms and as compared to other money market funds) by aspects of its investment program (for example, its investment policies, strategies or limitations) or its operational policies (for example, its cut-off time for purchases and redemptions of Shares).

Risk Related to the Economy

The value of the Fund’s portfolio may decline in tandem with a drop in the overall value of the markets in which the Fund invests and/or other markets based on negative developments in the U.S. and global economies. Economic, political and financial conditions, industry or economic trends and developments or public health risks, such as epidemics or pandemics, may, from time to time, and for varying periods of time, cause volatility, illiquidity and/or other potentially adverse effects in the financial markets, including the fixed-income market. The commencement, continuation or ending of government policies and economic stimulus programs, changes in monetary policy, increases or decreases in interest rates, or other factors or events that affect the financial markets, including the fixed-income markets, may contribute to the development of or increase in volatility, illiquidity, shareholder redemptions and other adverse effects which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance. For example, the value of certain portfolio securities may rise or fall in response to changes in interest rates, which could result from a change in government policies, and has the potential to cause investors to move out of certain portfolio securities, including fixed-income securities, on a large scale across the market. This may increase redemptions from funds that hold impacted securities. Such a market event could result in decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. Market factors, such as the demand for particular portfolio securities, may cause the price of certain portfolio securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged.

technology Risk

The Adviser uses various technologies in managing the Fund, consistent with its investment objective(s) and strategy described in this Prospectus. For example, proprietary and third-party data and systems are utilized to support decision-making for the Fund. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems, which may negatively affect Fund performance.

What Do Shares Cost?

The Fund attempts to stabilize the NAV of its Shares at $1.00 by valuing the portfolio securities using the amortized cost method. In addition, for regulatory purposes, the Fund calculates a market-based (or shadow) NAV per Share on a daily basis for purposes of confirming that its NAV continues to approximate fair value. For purposes of calculating the shadow NAV and monitoring its comparison to the amortized-cost-based NAV, pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act, the Board has designated the Adviser as the Fund’s valuation designee to perform any fair value determinations for securities and other assets held by the Fund. The Adviser, acting through its “Valuation Committee” is responsible for determining the fair value of investments in the shadow NAV for which market quotations are not readily available. The Valuation Committee is comprised of officers of the Adviser and certain of the Adviser’s affiliated companies and determines fair value and oversees the calculation of the NAV. The Valuation Committee is subject to Board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements intended to provide the Board the information it needs to oversee the Adviser’s fair value determinations. The Fund cannot guarantee that its NAV will always remain at $1.00 per Share.

Participating insurance companies can purchase or redeem Shares any day the NYSE is open (a “Regular Business Day”). Participating insurance companies may also be able to purchase and redeem Shares on certain days that the NYSE is closed on an unscheduled basis due to unforeseen or emergency circumstances, if the Fund’s Board determines to allow Fund Share transactions on such days (a “Special Trading Day”). If the Fund declares a Special Trading Day, information regarding shareholder trading activities for the Special Trading Day (such as when NAV, and entitlement to that day’s dividend, will be determined) will be available by calling the Fund at 1-800-341-7400 and will be posted on FederatedHermes.com/us. The information set forth in this Prospectus regarding times relevant to NAV determination and dividend entitlement applies only to Regular Business Days. Please note that the times that might be specified for NAV determination and dividend entitlement on a Special Trading Day would not necessarily be the same as set forth in this Prospectus with respect to Regular Business Days. Although Federated Hermes will attempt to make such information available in advance of a particular Special Trading Day, given the nature of Special Trading Days, it may not be able to do so until the morning of the Special Trading Day.

When the Fund receives your transaction request in proper form (as described in this Prospectus under the section entitled “How to Purchase and Redeem Shares”), it is processed at the next determined NAV. NAV is generally determined at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time each day the NYSE is open; except that on the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve (when Christmas Eve falls on a weekday), NAV will be determined at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time. The times as of when NAV is determined, and when orders must be placed, may be changed as permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

Because the Fund operates as a money market fund and seeks to maintain a stable $1.00 price per share, a low or negative interest rate environment could impact the Fund’s ability to maintain a stable $1.00 share price. If the Fund has a negative gross yield as a result of negative interest rates (a “negative interest rate event”), the Fund may reduce the number of shares outstanding on a pro rata basis through a reverse distribution mechanism (RDM) to seek to maintain a stable $1.00 price per share, to the extent permissible by applicable law and the Fund’s organizational documents and subject to a determination by the Board that implementing an RDM is in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. Alternatively, if the Fund has a negative interest rate event and/or the Board determines that it is no longer in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders to maintain a stable price of $1.00 per share, the Board has the right to discontinue the use of a stable NAV of $1.00 per share and establish a fluctuating NAV per share rounded to four decimal places. If the Fund uses an RDM, the Fund will maintain a stable price per share, despite losing value, by reducing the number of its outstanding shares. Investors in the Fund would observe a stable share price but a declining number of shares for their investment. If the Fund converts to a fluctuating NAV under these circumstances, the Fund’s losses will be reflected through a declining share price. The Fund will notify shareholders of any such change. Shareholders should discuss any tax implications of implementing an RDM or converting to a fluctuating NAV with their tax adviser.

How is the Fund Sold?

The Fund’s Distributor, Federated Securities Corp. (the “Distributor”), markets the Shares described in this Prospectus to insurance companies as funding vehicles for variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by the insurance companies. Under the Distributor’s Contract with the Fund, the Distributor offers Shares on a continuous, best-efforts basis. The Distributor is a subsidiary of Federated Hermes, Inc. (“Federated Hermes,” formerly Federated Investors, Inc.).

Payments to Insurance Companies

The Fund and its affiliated service providers may pay fees as described below for services provided to the Fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE sERVICE FEES

The Fund may pay Administrative Service Fees of up to 0.25% of average net assets to insurance companies for providing recordkeeping, shareholder and administrative services to shareholders and maintaining shareholder accounts.

ADditional payments

The Distributor may pay out of its own resources amounts to certain insurance companies that support the sale of Shares or provide services to Fund shareholders. The amounts of these payments could be significant, and may create an incentive for the insurance company or its employees or associated persons to recommend or sell Shares of the Fund to you. Not all insurance companies receive such payments, and the amount of compensation may vary by insurance company. In some cases, such payments may be made by or funded from the resources of companies affiliated with the Distributor (including the Adviser). These payments are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the fee table section of the Fund’s Prospectus and described above because they are not paid by the Fund.

These payments are negotiated and may be based on such factors as the number or value of Shares that the insurance company sells or may sell; the value of client assets invested; or the type and nature of services or support furnished by the insurance company; or the Fund’s and/or other Federated Hermes funds’ relationship with the insurance company. These payments may be in addition to payments, as described above, made by the Fund to the insurance company. In connection with these payments, the insurance company may elevate the prominence or profile of the Fund and/or other Federated Hermes funds within the insurance company’s organization by, for example, placement on a list of preferred or recommended funds, and/or granting the Distributor preferential or enhanced opportunities to promote the funds in various ways within the insurance company’s organization. You can ask your insurance company for information about any payments it receives from the Distributor or the Fund and any services provided, as well as about fees it charges.

How to Purchase and Redeem Shares

Shares are used solely as the investment vehicle for separate accounts of participating insurance companies offering variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. The general public has access to the Fund only by purchasing a variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy (thus becoming a contract owner). Shares are not sold directly to the general public.

Purchase and redemption orders must be received by your participating insurance company by 4:00 p.m. Eastern time (or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on those days when the NAV is determined at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time). The purchase order will be processed at the NAV next calculated on that day after the Fund receives your order from the participating insurance company in accordance with requirements of the Fund’s Participation Agreement among the Fund, the Distributor and your participating insurance company. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order.

Redemption proceeds normally are wired or mailed within one business day for each method of payment after receiving a timely request in proper form. Depending upon the method of payment, when shareholders receive redemption proceeds can differ. Payment may be delayed for up to seven days under certain circumstances (see “Limitations on Redemption Proceeds”).

Methods the Fund May Use to Meet Redemption Requests

The Fund intends to pay Share redemptions in cash. To ensure that the Fund has cash to meet Share redemptions on any day, the Fund typically expects to hold a cash or cash equivalent reserve or sell portfolio securities.

In unusual or stressed circumstances, the Fund may generate cash in the following ways:

■ Inter-fund Borrowing and Lending. The SEC has granted an exemption that permits the Fund and all other funds advised by subsidiaries of Federated Hermes (“Federated Hermes funds”) to lend and borrow money for certain temporary purposes directly to and from other Federated Hermes funds. Inter-fund borrowing and lending is permitted only: (a) to meet shareholder redemption requests; (b) to meet commitments arising from “failed” trades; and (c) for other temporary purposes. All inter-fund loans must be repaid in seven days or less.

■ Redemption in Kind. Although the Fund intends to pay Share redemptions in cash, it reserves the right to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by an “in-kind” distribution of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Because the Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund is obligated to pay Share redemptions to any one shareholder in cash only up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets represented by such Share class during any 90-day period. Redemptions in kind are made consistent with the procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board, which generally include distributions of a pro rata share of the Fund’s portfolio assets. Redemption in kind is not as liquid as a cash redemption. If redemption is made in kind, securities received may be subject to market risk and the shareholder could incur taxable gains and brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash.

LIMITATIONS ON REDEMPTION PROCEEDS

Unless provided otherwise in applicable variable annuity contracts, redemption proceeds normally are wired or mailed within one business day after receiving a request in proper form. Payment may be delayed for up to seven days:

■ During periods of market volatility;

■ When a shareholder’s trade activity or amount adversely impacts the Fund’s ability to manage its assets; or

■ During any period when the Federal Reserve wire or applicable Federal Reserve banks are closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings.

In addition, the right of redemption may be suspended, or the payment of proceeds may be delayed, during any period:

■ When the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings;

■ When trading on the NYSE is restricted, as determined by the SEC;

■ In which an emergency exists, as determined by the SEC, so that disposal of the Fund’s investments or determination of its NAV is not reasonably practicable; or

■ During any period in which there are emergency conditions, including liquidation of the Fund, as provided in Section 22(e), and rules thereunder, of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Pursuant to rules under Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act, while it is unlikely that the Fund’s weekly liquid assets would fall below 10% given the Fund’s investment strategy and operation as a government money market fund, the Board, in its discretion, may suspend redemptions in the Fund and approve the liquidation of the Fund if the Fund’s weekly liquid assets were to fall below 10% and the Board determines it would not be in the best interests of the Fund to continue operating. The Board also may suspend redemptions in the Fund and approve the liquidation of the Fund if the Board determines that the deviation between the Fund’s amortized cost price per share and its market-based NAV may result in material dilution or other unfair results to investors or existing shareholders. Prior to suspending redemptions, the Fund would be required to notify the SEC of its decision to liquidate and suspend redemptions. If the Fund ceases honoring redemptions and determines to liquidate, the Fund expects that it would notify shareholders on the Fund’s website or by press release. Distributions to shareholders of liquidation proceeds may occur in one or more disbursements.

You will not accrue interest or dividends on uncashed redemption checks from the Fund when those checks are undeliverable and returned to the Fund.

Security and Privacy Protection

ONLINE ACCOUNT and TELEPHONE ACCESS SECURITY

Federated Hermes will not be responsible for losses that result from unauthorized transactions, unless Federated Hermes does not follow procedures designed to verify your identity. When initiating a transaction by telephone or online, shareholders should be aware that any person with access to your account and other personal information including PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) may be able to submit instructions by telephone or online. Shareholders are responsible for protecting their identity by using strong usernames and complex passwords which utilize combinations of mixed case letters, numbers and symbols, and change passwords and PINs frequently.

Using FederatedHermes.com/us’s Account Access website means you are consenting to sending and receiving personal financial information over the Internet, so you should be sure you are comfortable with the risks. You will be required to accept the terms of an online agreement and to establish and utilize a password in order to access online account services. The Transfer Agent has adopted security procedures to confirm that Internet instructions are genuine. The Transfer Agent will also send you written confirmation of share transactions. The Transfer Agent, the Fund and any of its affiliates will not be liable for losses or expenses that occur from fraudulent Internet instructions reasonably believed to be genuine.

The Transfer Agent or the Fund will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that telephone transaction requests are genuine, which may include recording calls, asking the caller to provide certain personal identification information, sending you written confirmation, or requiring other confirmation security procedures. The Transfer Agent, the Fund and any of its affiliates will not be liable for relying on instructions submitted by telephone that the Fund reasonably believes to be genuine.

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE

To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each new customer who opens a Fund account and to determine whether such person’s name appears on governmental lists of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations. Pursuant to the requirements under the USA PATRIOT Act, the information obtained will be used for compliance with the USA PATRIOT Act or other applicable laws, regulations and rules in connection with money laundering, terrorism or other illicit activities.

Information required includes your name, residential or business address, date of birth (for an individual), and other information that identifies you, including your social security number, tax identification number or other identifying number. The Fund cannot waive these requirements. The Fund is required by law to reject your Account Application if the required information is not provided. If, after reasonable effort, the Fund is unable to verify your identity or that of any other person(s) authorized to act on your behalf, or believes it has identified potentially suspicious, fraudulent or criminal activity, the Fund reserves the right to close your account and redeem your shares at the next calculated NAV without your permission. Any applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) will be assessed upon redemption of your shares.

The Fund has a strict policy designed to protect the privacy of your personal information. A copy of Federated Hermes’ privacy policy notice was given to you at the time you opened your account. The Fund sends a copy of the privacy notice to you annually. You may also obtain the privacy notice by calling the Fund, or through FederatedHermes.com/us.

Account and Share Information

SPECIAL PROVISION FOR ABANDONED OR UNCLAIMED PROPERTY

Certain states, including the State of Texas, have laws that allow shareholders to designate a representative to receive abandoned or unclaimed property (“escheatment”) notifications by completing and submitting a designation form that generally can be found on the official state website. If a shareholder resides in an applicable state, and elects to designate a representative to receive escheatment notifications, escheatment notices generally will be delivered as required by such state laws, including, as applicable, to both the shareholder and the designated representative. A completed designation form may be mailed to the Fund (if Shares are held directly with the Fund) or to the shareholder’s insurance company (if Shares are not held directly with the Fund). Shareholders should refer to relevant state law for the shareholder’s specific rights and responsibilities under his or her state’s escheatment law(s), which can generally be found on a state’s official website.

DIVIDENDS

The Fund declares any dividends daily and pays them monthly to shareholders.

Under the federal securities laws, the Fund is required to provide a notice to shareholders regarding the source of distributions made by the Fund if such distributions are from sources other than ordinary investment income. In addition, important information regarding the Fund’s distributions, if applicable, is available via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us/FundInformation.

TAX INFORMATION

The Fund intends to comply with the diversification requirements imposed on variable contracts by the Internal Revenue Code and corresponding regulations. If the Fund fails to comply with these requirements, contracts invested in the Fund will not be treated as annuity, endowment or life insurance contracts under the Internal Revenue Code.

Contract owners should review the applicable contract prospectus for information concerning the federal income tax treatment of their contracts and distributions from the Fund to the separate accounts.

Contract owners are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the status of their contracts under state and local tax laws.

FREQUENT TRADING POLICIES

Given the short-term nature of the Fund’s investments and its use of the amortized cost method for calculating the NAV of Fund Shares, the Fund does not anticipate that in the normal case frequent or short-term trading into and out of the Fund will have significant adverse consequences for the Fund and its shareholders. For this reason and because the Fund is intended to be used as a liquid short-term investment, the Fund’s Board has not adopted policies or procedures to monitor or discourage frequent or short-term trading of the Fund’s Shares. Regardless of their frequency or short-term nature, purchases and redemptions of Fund Shares can have adverse effects on the management of the Fund’s portfolio and its performance.

Other funds in the Federated Hermes family of funds may impose monitoring policies. Under normal market conditions, such monitoring policies are designed to protect the funds being monitored and their shareholders, and the operation of such policies and shareholder investments under such monitoring are not expected to have a materially adverse impact on the Federated Hermes funds or their shareholders. If you plan to exchange your Fund Shares for shares of another Federated Hermes fund, please read the prospectus of that other Federated Hermes fund for more information.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

Information concerning the Fund’s portfolio holdings is available via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us. Such information is posted on the website five business days after both mid-month and month-end then remains posted on the website for six months thereafter. Summary portfolio composition information as of the close of each month is posted on the website 15 days (or the next business day) after month-end and remains until replaced by the information for the succeeding month. The summary portfolio composition information may include percentage breakdowns of the portfolio by effective maturity range and type of security. The Fund’s WAM and WAL, Shadow NAV (market-based value of the Fund’s portfolio), Daily and Weekly Liquid Assets and Daily Flows are posted every business day and remain posted on the website for six months thereafter.

You may also access portfolio information via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us. The Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports contain complete listings of the Fund’s portfolio holdings as of the end of the Fund’s second and fourth fiscal quarters. These reports are also available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

The Fund files with the SEC a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings as of the close of each month on “Form N-MFP.” Form N-MFP is available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. You may access Form N-MFP via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us.

In addition, from time to time (for example, during periods of unusual market conditions), additional information regarding the Fund’s portfolio holdings and/or composition may be posted to FederatedHermes.com/us. If and when such information is posted, its availability will be noted on, and the information will be accessible from, the home page of the website.

Who Manages the Fund?

The Board governs the Fund. The Board selects and oversees the Adviser, Federated Investment Management Company. The Adviser manages the Fund’s assets, including buying and selling portfolio securities. Federated Advisory Services Company (FASC), an affiliate of the Adviser, provides certain support services to the Adviser. The fee for these services is paid by the Adviser and not by the Fund. The address of the Adviser and FASC is 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779.

The Adviser and other advisory subsidiaries of Federated Hermes combined, advise approximately 101 registered investment companies spanning equity, fixed-income and money market mutual funds and also manage a variety of other pooled investment vehicles, private investment companies and customized separately managed accounts (including non-U.S./offshore funds). Federated Hermes’ assets under management totaled approximately $757.6 billion as of December 31, 2023. Federated Hermes was established in 1955 as Federated Investors, Inc. and is one of the largest investment managers in the United States with more than 2,000 employees. Federated Hermes provides investment products to more than 10,000 investment professionals and institutions.

The Adviser advises approximately 73 registered investment companies and also manages sub-advised funds. The Adviser’s assets under management totaled approximately $468.4 billion as of December 31, 2023.

ADVISORY FEES

The Fund’s investment advisory contract provides for payment to the Adviser of an annual investment advisory fee of 0.20% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses. The Adviser and its affiliates have also agreed to certain “Fee Limits” as described in the footnote to the “Risk/Return Summary: Fees and Expenses” table found in the “Fund Summary” section of the Prospectus.

A discussion of the Board’s review of the Fund’s investment advisory contract is available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports for the periods ended December 31 and June 30, respectively.

Financial Information

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The Financial Highlights will help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for its past five fiscal years. Some of the information is presented on a per Share basis. Total returns represent the rate an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund, assuming reinvestment of any dividends and capital gains. The total return information shown in the Financial Highlights table does not reflect the fees and expenses of any separate account that may use the Fund as its underlying investment medium or of any variable insurance contract that may be funded in such a separate account. If these fees and expenses were included, the total return figures for all periods shown would be reduced.

This information has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s audited financial statements, is included in the Annual Report.

Financial Highlights–Service Shares

(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period	$1.00	$1.00	$1.00	$1.00	$1.00
Income From Investment Operations:
Net investment income (loss)1	0.044	0.011	0.0002	0.002	0.016
Net realized gain (loss)	—	0.001	(0.000)2	0.0002	0.0002
Total From Investment Operations	0.044	0.012	0.0002	0.002	0.016
Less Distributions:
Distributions from net investment income	(0.044)	(0.012)	(0.000)2	(0.002)	(0.016)
Net Asset Value, End of Period	$1.00	$1.00	$1.00	$1.00	$1.00
Total Return3	4.52%	1.16%	0.00%4	0.20%	1.64%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Net expenses5	0.63%	0.48%	0.07%	0.31%	0.63%
Net investment income	4.43%	1.14%	0.00%4	0.18%	1.66%
Expense waiver/reimbursement6	0.08%	0.24%	0.66%	0.40%	0.09%
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)	$80,914	$80,514	$81,245	$90,591	$80,054

1	Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2	Represents less than $0.001.
3	Based on net asset value. Total returns do not reflect any additional fees or expenses that may be imposed by separate accounts of insurance companies or in connection with any variable annuity or variable life insurance contract.
4	Represents less than 0.01%.
5	Amount does not reflect net expenses incurred by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
6	This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Amount does not reflect expense waiver/ reimbursement recorded by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.

Further information about the Fund’s performance is contained in the Fund’s Annual Report, dated December 31, 2023, which can be obtained free of charge.

Appendix A: Hypothetical Investment and Expense Information

The following chart provides additional hypothetical information about the effect of the Fund’s expenses, including investment advisory fees and other Fund costs, on the Fund’s assumed returns over a 10-year period. The chart shows the estimated expenses that would be incurred in respect of a hypothetical investment of $10,000, assuming a 5% return each year, and no redemption of Shares. The chart also assumes that the Fund’s annual expense ratio stays the same throughout the 10-year period and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested. The annual expense ratio used in the chart is the same as stated in the “Fees and Expenses” table of this Prospectus (and thus: (1) does not reflect any fee waiver or expense reimbursement currently in effect; and (2) does not reflect any additional fees or expenses that may be imposed by separate accounts of insurance companies in connection with any variable annuity or variable life insurance contract which, if included, would make your costs higher). Variable investment option returns, as well as fees and expenses, may fluctuate over time, and your actual investment returns and total expenses may be higher or lower than those shown below.

FEDERATED HERMES GOVERNMENT MONEY FUND II - S CLASS
ANNUAL EXPENSE RATIO: 0.72%
MAXIMUM FRONT-END SALES CHARGE: N/A
Year	Hypothetical Beginning Investment	Hypothetical Performance Earnings	Investment After Returns	Hypothetical Expenses	Hypothetical Ending Investment
1	$10,000.00	$500.00	$10,500.00	$73.54	$10,428.00
2	$10,428.00	$521.40	$10,949.40	$76.69	$10,874.32
3	$10,874.32	$543.72	$11,418.04	$79.97	$11,339.74
4	$11,339.74	$566.99	$11,906.73	$83.39	$11,825.08
5	$11,825.08	$591.25	$12,416.33	$86.96	$12,331.19
6	$12,331.19	$616.56	$12,947.75	$90.68	$12,858.96
7	$12,858.96	$642.95	$13,501.91	$94.57	$13,409.32
8	$13,409.32	$670.47	$14,079.79	$98.61	$13,983.24
9	$13,983.24	$699.16	$14,682.40	$102.83	$14,581.72
10	$14,581.72	$729.09	$15,310.81	$107.24	$15,205.82
Cumulative		$6,081.59		$894.48

An SAI dated April 30, 2024, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. Additional information about the Fund and its investments is contained in the Fund’s SAI and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders as they become available. The SAI contains a description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio securities. To obtain the SAI, Annual Report, Semi-Annual Report and other information without charge, and to make inquiries, call your insurance company or the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.

The Fund’s shareholder reports will be made available on FederatedHermes.com/us/FundInformation, and you will be notified and provided with a link each time a report is posted to the website. You may request to receive paper reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, free of charge, at any time. You may also request to receive documents through e-delivery.

These documents, as well as additional information about the Fund (including portfolio holdings and distributions), are also available on FederatedHermes.com/us.

You can obtain information about the Fund (including the SAI) by accessing Fund information from the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. You can purchase copies of this information by contacting the SEC by email at publicinfo@sec.gov.

Federated Hermes Government Money Fund II
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561

Federated Securities Corp., Distributor

Investment Company Act File No. 811-8042

CUSIP 313916504

3113011A (4/24)

Statement of Additional Information

April 30, 2024

Share Class

Service

Federated Hermes Government Money Fund II

A Portfolio of Federated Hermes Insurance Series

This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a Prospectus. Read this SAI in conjunction with the Prospectus for Federated Hermes Government Money Fund II (the “Fund”), dated April 30, 2024.

This SAI incorporates by reference the Fund’s Annual Report. Obtain the Prospectus or the Annual Report without charge by calling 1-800-341-7400.

	Contents
1	How is the Fund Organized?
1	Securities in Which the Fund Invests
3	Investment Risks
6	Investment Objective and Investment Limitations
8	What Do Shares Cost?
8	Mixed Funding and Shared Funding
8	How is the Fund Sold?
11	Purchases In-Kind
11	Redemption In-Kind
11	Massachusetts Partnership Law
11	Account and Share Information
12	Tax Information
12	Who Manages and Provides Services to the Fund?
26	Financial Information
27	Addresses
28	Appendix

Federated Hermes Government Money Fund II
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561

Federated Securities Corp., Distributor

3113011B (4/24)

How is the Fund Organized?

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has established the following shares of the Fund: Service Shares (“Shares). The Fund’s investment adviser is Federated Investment Management Company (“Adviser”). Prior to April 30, 2020, the Trust and Fund were named Federated Insurance Series and Federated Government Money Fund II, respectively.

Securities in Which the Fund Invests

The principal securities or other investments in which the Fund invests are described in the Fund’s Prospectus. The Fund also may invest in securities or other investments as non-principal investments for any purpose that is consistent with its investment objective. The following information is either additional information in respect of a principal security or other investment referenced in the Prospectus or information in respect of a non-principal security or other investment (in which case there is no related disclosure in the Prospectus).

Securities Descriptions And Techniques

Government Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Government securities are issued or guaranteed by a federal agency or instrumentality acting under federal authority. Some government securities, including those issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States and are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal.

Other government securities receive support through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits, but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. For example, the U.S. Treasury is authorized to purchase specified amounts of securities issued by (or otherwise make funds available to) the Federal Home Loan Bank System, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and Tennessee Valley Authority in support of such obligations.

The Fund treats mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by a federal agency or instrumentality as government securities. Although such a guarantee helps protect against credit risk, it does not eliminate it entirely or reduce other risks.

Additional Information Related to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The extreme and unprecedented volatility and disruption that impacted the capital and credit markets beginning in 2008 led to market concerns regarding the ability of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae to withstand future credit losses associated with securities held in their investment portfolios, and on which they provide guarantees, without the direct support of the federal government. On September 7, 2008, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were placed under the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). Under the plan of conservatorship, the FHFA assumed control of, and generally has the power to direct, the operations of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and is empowered to exercise all powers collectively held by their respective shareholders, directors and officers, including the power to: (1) take over the assets of and operate Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae with all the powers of the shareholders, the directors and the officers of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and conduct all business of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; (2) collect all obligations and money due to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; (3) perform all functions of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae which are consistent with the conservator’s appointment; (4) preserve and conserve the assets and property of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae; and (5) contract for assistance in fulfilling any function, activity, action or duty of the conservator.

In connection with the actions taken by the FHFA, the Treasury has entered into certain preferred stock purchase agreements (SPAs) with each of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae which establish the Treasury as the holder of a new class of senior preferred stock in each of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The senior preferred stock was issued in connection with financial contributions from the Treasury to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Although the SPAs are subject to amendment from time to time, currently the Treasury is obligated to provide such financial contributions up to an aggregate maximum amount determined by a formula set forth in the SPAs, and until such aggregate maximum amount is reached, there is not a specific end date to the Treasury’s obligations.

The future status and role of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae could be impacted by (among other things) the actions taken and restrictions placed on Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae by the FHFA in its role as conservator, the restrictions placed on Freddie Mac’s and Fannie Mae’s operations and activities under the SPAs, market responses to developments at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, downgrades or upgrades in the credit ratings assigned to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) or ratings services, and future legislative and regulatory action that alters the operations, ownership, structure and/or mission of these institutions, each of which may, in turn, impact the value of, and cash flows on, any securities guaranteed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

In addition, the future of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and other U.S. government-sponsored enterprises that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government (GSEs), remains in question as the U.S. government continues to consider options ranging from structural reform, nationalization, privatization or consolidation, to outright elimination. The issues that have led to significant U.S. government support for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have sparked serious debate regarding the continued role of the U.S. government in providing mortgage loan liquidity.

Zero-Coupon Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Certain U.S. Treasury or government securities in which the Fund invests are zero-coupon securities. Zero-coupon securities do not pay interest or principal until final maturity unlike debt securities that provide periodic payments of interest (referred to as a “coupon payment”). Investors buy zero-coupon securities at a price below the amount payable at maturity. The difference between the purchase price and the amount paid at maturity represents interest on the zero-coupon security. Investors must wait until maturity to receive interest and principal, which increases the interest rate and credit risks of a zero-coupon security.

Government Mortgage-Backed Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

A government MBS is a type of pass-through security, which is a pooled debt obligation repackaged as interests that pass principal and interest through an intermediary to investors. In the case of government MBS, the ownership interest is issued by a trust and represents participation interests in pools of adjustable and fixed-rate mortgage loans. Government MBS are issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government (or one of its agencies or instrumentalities). Unlike conventional debt obligations, MBS provide monthly payments derived from the monthly interest and principal payments (including any prepayments) made by the individual borrowers on the pooled mortgage loans. Most government MBS make these payments monthly; however, certain MBS are backed by mortgage loans which do not generate monthly payments but rather generate payments less frequently.

Investments in government MBS expose the Fund to interest rate, prepayment and credit risks.

Other Investments, Transactions, Techniques

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Reverse repurchase agreements (which are considered a type of special transaction for asset segregation or asset coverage purposes) are repurchase agreements in which the Fund is the seller (rather than the buyer) of the securities, and agrees to repurchase them at an agreed-upon time and price. A reverse repurchase agreement may be viewed as a type of borrowing by the Fund. Reverse repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements create leverage risks because the Fund must repurchase the underlying security at a higher price, regardless of the market value of the security at the time of repurchase.

Delayed Delivery Transactions

Delayed delivery transactions, including when issued transactions, are arrangements in which the Fund buys securities for a set price, with payment and delivery of the securities scheduled for a future time. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer and no interest accrues to the Fund. The Fund records the transaction when it agrees to buy the securities and reflects their value in determining the price of its shares. Settlement dates may be a month or more after entering into these transactions so that the market values of the securities bought may vary from the purchase prices. Therefore, delayed delivery transactions create interest rate risks for the Fund. Delayed delivery transactions also involve credit risks in the event of a counterparty default.

Investing in Securities of Other Investment Companies

an affiliated fund, a conflict of interest can arise if, because of the Fund’s investment in the acquired fund, the acquired fund is able to garner more assets, thereby growing the acquired fund and increasing the management fees received by the investment adviser to the acquired fund, which would either be the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. However, the Adviser believes that the benefits and efficiencies of making investments in other investment companies should outweigh the potential additional fees and/or expenses and resulting conflicts of interest.

Asset Coverage

In accordance with the requirements of Section 18 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), any borrowings by the Fund, including reverse repurchase agreements, will be made only to the extent the value of its assets, less its liabilities other than borrowings, is equal to at least 300% of all of its borrowings.

Inter-Fund Borrowing AND Lending Arrangements

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has granted an exemption that permits the Fund and all other funds (“Federated Hermes funds”) advised by subsidiaries of Federated Hermes, Inc., (“Federated Hermes,” formerly, Federated Investors, Inc.) to lend and borrow money for certain temporary purposes directly to and from other Federated Hermes funds. Participation in this inter-fund lending program is voluntary for both borrowing and lending Federated Hermes funds, and an inter-fund loan is only made if it benefits each participating Federated Hermes fund. Federated Hermes administers the program according to procedures approved by the Fund’s Board, and the Board monitors the operation of the program. Any inter-fund loan must comply with certain conditions set out in the exemption, which are designed to assure fairness and protect all participating Federated Hermes funds.

For example, inter-fund lending is permitted only: (a) to meet shareholder redemption requests; (b) to meet commitments arising from “failed” trades; and (c) for other temporary purposes. All inter-fund loans must be repaid in seven days or less. The Fund’s participation in this program must be consistent with its investment policies and limitations, and must meet certain percentage tests. Inter-fund loans may be made only when the rate of interest to be charged is more attractive to the lending Federated Hermes fund than market-competitive rates on overnight repurchase agreements (“Repo Rate”) and more attractive to the borrowing Federated Hermes fund than the rate of interest that would be charged by an unaffiliated bank for short-term borrowings (“Bank Loan Rate”), as determined by the Board. The interest rate imposed on inter-fund loans is the average of the Repo Rate and the Bank Loan Rate.

Investment Risks

There are many risk factors which may affect an investment in the Fund. The Fund’s principal risks are described in its Prospectus. The following information is either additional information in respect of a principal risk factor referenced in the Prospectus or information in respect of a non-principal risk factor applicable to the Fund (in which case there is no related disclosure in the Prospectus).

leverage Risk

liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Fund will experience significant net redemptions of Fund Shares at a time when it cannot find willing buyers for its portfolio securities or can only sell its portfolio securities at a material loss. An inability to sell portfolio securities may result from adverse market developments or investor perceptions regarding the portfolio securities. While the Fund endeavors to maintain a high level of liquidity in its portfolio so that it can satisfy redemption requests, the Fund’s ability to sell portfolio securities can deteriorate rapidly due to credit events affecting particular issuers or credit enhancement providers, or due to general market conditions and a lack of willing buyers.

Prepayment and Extension Risk

Unlike traditional fixed-income securities, which pay a fixed rate of interest until maturity (when the entire principal amount is due) payments on government mortgage-backed securities include both interest and a partial payment of principal. Partial payment of principal may be comprised of scheduled principal payments as well as unscheduled payments from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing or foreclosure of the underlying loans. These unscheduled prepayments of principal create risks that can adversely affect a fund holding government mortgage-backed securities.

For example, when interest rates decline, the values of government mortgage-backed securities generally rise. However, when interest rates decline, unscheduled prepayments can be expected to accelerate, and the Fund would be required to reinvest the proceeds of the prepayments at the lower interest rates then available. Unscheduled prepayments would also limit the potential for capital appreciation on government mortgage-backed securities.

Conversely, when interest rates rise, the values of government mortgage-backed securities generally fall. Since rising interest rates typically result in decreased prepayments, this could lengthen the average lives of government mortgage-backed securities, and cause their value to decline more than traditional fixed-income securities.

Generally, government mortgage-backed securities compensate for the increased risk associated with prepayments by paying a higher yield. The additional interest paid for risk is measured by the difference between the yield of a government mortgage-backed security and the yield of a U.S. Treasury security or other appropriate benchmark with a comparable maturity (the “spread”). An increase in the spread will cause the price of the government mortgage-backed security to decline. Spreads generally increase in response to adverse economic or market conditions. Spreads may also increase if the security is perceived to have an increased prepayment risk or is perceived to have less market demand.

Risk Associated with the Investment Activities of Other Accounts

Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of other accounts managed by the Adviser and accounts managed by affiliates of the Adviser. Therefore, it is possible that investment-related actions taken by such other accounts could adversely impact the Fund with respect to, for example, the value of Fund portfolio holdings, and/or prices paid to or received by the Fund on its portfolio transactions, and/or the Fund’s ability to obtain or dispose of portfolio securities. Related considerations are discussed elsewhere in this SAI under “Brokerage Transactions and Investment Allocation.”

LARGE SHAREHOLDER RISK

A significant percentage of the Fund’s shares may be owned or controlled by a large shareholder, such as other funds or accounts, including those of which the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser may have investment discretion. Accordingly, the Fund can be subject to the potential for large scale inflows and outflows as a result of purchases and redemptions made by significant shareholders. These inflows and outflows could be significant and, if frequently occurring, could negatively affect the Fund’s net asset value and performance and could cause the Fund to buy or sell securities at inopportune times in order to meet purchase or redemption requests. Investments in the Fund by other investment companies also can create conflicts of interests for the Adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to the acquiring fund. For example, a conflict of interest can arise due to the possibility that the investment adviser to the acquiring fund could make a decision to redeem the acquiring fund’s investment in the Fund. In the case of an investment by an affiliated fund, a conflict of interest can arise if, because of the acquiring fund’s investment in the Fund, the Fund is able to garner more assets from third-party investors, thereby growing the Fund and increasing the management fees received by the Adviser, which could also be the investment adviser to the acquiring fund.

CYBERSECURITY AND OPERATIONAL RISK

Like other funds and business enterprises, Federated Hermes’ business relies on the security and reliability of information and communications technology, systems and networks. Federated Hermes uses digital technology, including, for example, networked systems, email and the Internet, as well as mobile devices and “cloud”-based service offerings, to conduct business operations and engage clients, customers, employees, products, accounts, shareholders and relevant service providers, among others. Federated Hermes, as well as its funds and certain service providers, also generate, compile and process information for purposes of preparing and making filings or reports to governmental agencies, or providing reports or statements to customers, and a cybersecurity attack or incident that impacts that information, or the generation and filing processes, can prevent required regulatory filings and reports from being made, or reports or statements from being delivered, or cause the inadvertent release of confidential information (possibly resulting in the violation of applicable privacy laws). The use of the Internet and other electronic media and technology exposes the Fund, the Fund’s shareholders, and the Fund’s service providers, and their respective operations, to potential risks from cybersecurity attacks or incidents (collectively, “cyber-events”). The work-from-home environment necessitated by the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic has increased the risk of cyber incidents given the increase in cyber attack surface stemming from the use of personal devices and non-office or personal technology.

which shut down, disable, slow, impair or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes, technology, connectivity or website or Internet access, functionality or performance. Like other funds and business enterprises, the Fund and its service providers have experienced, and will continue to experience, cyber-events on a daily basis. In addition to intentional cyber-events, unintentional cyber-events can occur, such as, for example, the inadvertent release of confidential information. Cyber-events can also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on the service providers’ systems or websites rendering them unavailable to intended users or via “ransomware” that renders the systems inoperable until appropriate actions are taken. To date, cyber-events have not had a material adverse effect on the Fund’s business operations or performance.

Cyber-events can affect, potentially in a material way, Federated Hermes’ relationships with its customers, employees, products, accounts, shareholders and relevant service providers. Any cyber-event could adversely impact the Fund and its shareholders and cause the Fund to incur financial loss and expense, as well as face exposure to regulatory penalties, reputational damage, damage to employee perceptions of the company, and additional compliance costs associated with corrective measures and credit monitoring for impacted individuals. A cyber-event can cause the Fund, or its service providers, to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, lose operational capacity (such as, for example, the loss of the ability to process transactions, generate or make filings or deliver reports or statements, calculate the Fund’s NAV, or allow shareholders to transact business or other disruptions to operations), and/or fail to comply with applicable privacy and other laws. Among other potentially harmful effects, cyber-events also can result in theft, unauthorized monitoring and failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the Fund and its service providers. In addition, cyber-events affecting issuers in which the Fund invests could cause the Fund’s investments to lose value.

The Fund’s Adviser and its relevant affiliates have established risk management systems reasonably designed to seek to reduce the risks associated with cyber-events. The Fund’s Adviser employs various measures aimed at mitigating cybersecurity risk, including, among others, use of firewalls, system segmentation, system monitoring, virus scanning, periodic penetration testing, employee phishing training and an employee cybersecurity awareness campaign. Among other service provider management efforts, Federated Hermes also conducts due diligence on key service providers relating to cybersecurity. Federated Hermes has established a committee to oversee Federated Hermes’ information security and data governance efforts, and updates on cyber-events and risks are reviewed with relevant committees, as well as Federated Hermes’ and the Fund’s Boards of Directors or Trustees (or a committee thereof), on a periodic (generally quarterly) basis (and more frequently when circumstances warrant) as part of risk management oversight responsibilities. However, there is no guarantee that the efforts of Federated Hermes, the Fund’s Adviser or its affiliates, or other service providers, will succeed, either entirely or partially as there are limits on Federated Hermes’ and the Fund’s ability to prevent, detect or mitigate cyber-events. Among other reasons, the cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, the nature of malicious cyber-events is becoming increasingly sophisticated and the Fund’s Adviser, and its relevant affiliates, cannot control the cyber systems and cybersecurity systems of issuers or third-party service providers.

The Fund can be exposed to operational risk arising from a number of factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties, or other third parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or system failures. In addition, other disruptive events, including, but not limited to, natural disasters and public health crises (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), can adversely affect the Fund’s ability to conduct business, in particular if the Fund’s employees or the employees of its service providers are unable or unwilling to perform their responsibilities as a result of any such event. Even if the Fund’s employees and the employees of its service providers are able to work remotely, those remote work arrangements could result in the Fund’s business operations being less efficient than under normal circumstances, could lead to delays in its processing of transactions, and could increase the risk of cyber-events.

VARIABLE ASSET REGULATIONS

The Fund is also subject to variable contract asset regulations prescribed by the U.S. Treasury Department under Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code. After a one-year start-up period, the regulations generally require that, as of the end of each calendar quarter or within 30 days thereafter, no more than 55% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any one investment, no more than 70% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any two investments, no more than 80% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any three investments and no more than 90% of the total assets of the Fund may be represented by any four investments. In applying these diversification rules, all securities of the same issuer, all interests of the same real property project and all interests in the same commodity are each treated as a single investment. In the case of government securities, each government agency or instrumentality shall be treated as a separate issuer (subject to special rules

applicable to government agency-issued mortgage-backed securities). Under a Notice issued by the Internal Revenue Service in 2016, pending amendment of the regulations, government money market funds may rely upon an alternative diversification standard. If the Fund fails to achieve the diversification required by the regulations or such Notice, unless relief is obtained from the Internal Revenue Service, the contracts invested in the Fund will not be treated as annuity endowment or life insurance contracts.

Investment Objective and Investment Limitations

The Fund’s fundamental investment objective is to provide current income consistent with stability of principal and liquidity. The investment objective may not be changed by the Fund’s Trustees without shareholder approval.

Investment Limitations

Diversification of Investments

With respect to securities comprising 75% of the value of its total assets, the Fund will not purchase securities of any one issuer (other than cash; cash items; securities issued or guaranteed by the government of the United States or its agencies or instrumentalities and repurchase agreements collateralized by such U.S. government securities; and securities of other investment companies) if, as a result, more than 5% of the value of its total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer, or the Fund would own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer.

Borrowing Money and Issuing Senior Securities

The Fund may borrow money, directly or indirectly, and issue senior securities to the maximum extent permitted under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”).

Investing in Real Estate

The Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, provided that this restriction does not prevent the Fund from investing in issuers which invest, deal, or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein, or investing in securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein. The Fund may exercise its rights under agreements relating to such securities, including the right to enforce security interests and to hold real estate acquired by reason of such enforcement until that real estate can be liquidated in an orderly manner.

Investing in Commodities

The Fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities, provided that the Fund may purchase securities of companies that deal in commodities.

Underwriting

The Fund may not underwrite the securities of other issuers, except that the Fund may engage in transactions involving the acquisition, disposition or resale of its portfolio securities, under circumstances where it may be considered to be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933.

Lending

The Fund may not make loans, provided that this restriction does not prevent the Fund from purchasing debt obligations, entering into repurchase agreements, lending its assets to broker/dealers or institutional investors and investing in loans, including assignments and participation interests.

Concentration

The Fund will not make investments that will result in the concentration of its investments in the securities of issuers primarily engaged in the same industry. Government securities, municipal securities and bank instruments will not be deemed to constitute an industry.

The above limitations are fundamental and cannot be changed unless authorized by the Board and by the “vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities,” as defined by the 1940 Act, which means the lesser of (a) 67% of the shares of the Fund present or represented by proxy at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present or represented at the meeting or (b) more than 50% of outstanding shares of the Fund. The following limitations, however, may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material change in these limitations becomes effective.

Illiquid Securities

The Fund will not acquire securities that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value ascribed to them by the Fund, if immediately after the acquisition, the Fund would have invested more than 5% of its total assets in such securities.

Restricted Securities

The Fund may invest in securities subject to restrictions on resale under federal securities laws.

Purchases on Margin

The Fund will not purchase securities on margin, provided that the Fund may obtain short-term credits necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities.

Pledging Assets

The Fund will not mortgage, pledge or hypothecate any of its assets, provided that this shall not apply to the transfer of securities in connection with any permissible borrowing or to collateral arrangements in connection with permissible activities.

Additional Non-Fundamental Policy

The Fund will operate as a “government money market fund,” as such term is defined in or interpreted under Rule 2a-7 (the “Rule”) under the 1940 Act, as amended. “Government money market funds” are required to invest at least 99.5% of their total assets in: (i) cash; (ii) securities issued or guaranteed by the United States or certain U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities; and/or (iii) repurchase agreements that are collateralized fully. Government money market funds are not required to adopt a liquidity fee framework.

Non-Fundamental Names Rule Policy

Additional Information

Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage limitations is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result in a violation of such limitation.

For purposes of the diversification limitation, the Fund considers certificates of deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of a domestic bank or savings association having capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be “cash items.”

In applying the concentration restriction, the Fund will adhere to the requirements of the 1940 Act which limits investments in a particular industry or group of industries to no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets. Further, in applying the concentration restriction, the Adviser: (a) deems the financial services industry to include the group of industries in the financial services sector, and the financial services sector to include banks, broker-dealers and financial companies; (b) divides utility companies according to their services (for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and telephone); (c) classifies financial companies according to the end users of their services (for example, automobile finance, bank finance and diversified finance); (d) classifies asset-backed securities according to the underlying assets securing such securities; and (e) deems investment in certain industrial development bonds funded by activities in a single industry to constitute investment in an industry. The Adviser may analyze the characteristics of a particular issuer and security and assign an industry or sector classification consistent with those characteristics in the event that the third party provider used by the Adviser does not assign a classification.

As a matter of non-fundamental policy, for purposes of the illiquid securities policy, illiquid securities are securities that cannot be sold or disposed of in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

The Fund may follow non-fundamental operational policies that are more restrictive than its fundamental investment limitations, as set forth in the Prospectus and this SAI, in order to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including the provisions of and regulations under the 1940 Act. In particular, the Fund will comply with the various requirements of the Rule, which regulates money market mutual funds. The Fund may change these operational policies to reflect changes in the laws and regulations without the approval of its shareholders.

What Do Shares Cost?

Determining Market Value Of Securities

The Board has decided that the best method for determining the value of portfolio instruments is amortized cost. The amortized cost method of valuation generally prescribes that an investment is valued at its acquisition cost as adjusted daily for amortization of premium or accretion of discount to the specified redemption value on the nearest call, demand or maturity date, as appropriate. The Fund uses this adjusted cost to value the investment.

Accordingly, neither the amount of daily income nor the net asset value (NAV) is affected by any unrealized appreciation or depreciation of the portfolio. In periods of declining interest rates, the indicated daily yield on Shares of the Fund, computed by dividing the annualized daily income on the Fund’s portfolio by the NAV, computed as above, may tend to be higher than a similar computation made by using a method of valuation based upon market prices and estimates. In periods of rising interest rates, the opposite may be true. A low or negative interest rate environment impacts, in a negative way, the Fund’s ability to provide a positive return, or yield, to its shareholders, pay expenses out of current income, and/or achieve its investment objective, including maintaining a stable NAV of $1.00 per share.

The Fund’s use of the amortized cost method of valuing portfolio instruments depends on its compliance with certain conditions in the Rule. Under the Rule, the Board must establish procedures reasonably designed to stabilize the NAV per Share, as computed for purposes of distribution and redemption, at $1.00 per Share, taking into account current market conditions and the Fund’s investment objective. The procedures include monitoring the relationship between the amortized cost value per Share and the NAV per Share based upon available indications of market value. The Board will decide what, if any, steps should be taken if there is a difference of more than 0.5 of 1% between the two values. The Board will take any steps it considers appropriate (such as redemption in-kind or shortening the average portfolio maturity) to minimize any material dilution or other unfair results arising from differences between the two methods of determining NAV.

Mixed Funding and Shared Funding

The practice of using shares as investments for both variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies is called “mixed funding.” The practice of using shares as investments by separate accounts of unaffiliated life insurance companies is called “shared funding.”

The Fund does engage in mixed funding and shared funding. Although the Fund does not currently foresee any disadvantage to contract owners due to differences in redemption rates, tax treatment or other considerations resulting from mixed funding or shared funding, the Board will closely monitor the operation of mixed funding and shared funding and will consider appropriate action to avoid material conflicts and take appropriate action in response to any material conflicts which occur. Such action could result in one or more participating insurance companies withdrawing their investment in the Fund.

How is the Fund Sold?

Under the Distributor’s Contract with the Fund, the Distributor (“Federated Securities Corp.”) offers Shares on a continuous, best-efforts basis.

Additional Payments To Financial Intermediaries

The Distributor may pay out of its own resources amounts to certain financial intermediaries, including broker-dealers, banks, registered investment advisers, independent financial planners and retirement plan administrators. In some cases, such payments may be made by, or funded from the resources of, companies affiliated with the Distributor (including the Adviser). While the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) regulations limit the sales charges that you may bear, there are no limits with regard to the amounts that the Distributor may pay out of its own resources. In addition to the payments which are generally described herein and in the Prospectus, the financial intermediary also may receive payments under the Rule 12b-1 Plan and/or Service Fees. In connection with these payments, the financial intermediary may elevate the prominence or profile of the Fund and/or other Federated Hermes funds within the financial intermediary’s organization by, for example, placement on a list of preferred or recommended funds and/or granting the Distributor preferential or enhanced opportunities to promote the funds in various ways within the financial intermediary’s organization. The same financial intermediaries may receive payments under more than one or all categories. These payments assist in the Distributor’s efforts to support the sale of Shares. These payments are negotiated and may be based on such factors as: the number or value of Shares that the financial intermediary sells or may sell; the value of client assets invested; the level and types of services or support furnished by the financial intermediary; or the

Fund’s and/or other Federated Hermes funds’ relationship with the financial intermediary. Not all financial intermediaries receive such payments and the amount of compensation may vary by intermediary. You should ask your financial intermediary for information about any payments it receives from the Distributor or the Federated Hermes funds and any services it provides, as well as fees and/or commissions it charges.

The Fund’s S class may pay Administrative Service Fees of up to 0.25% of average net assets to insurance companies for providing recordkeeping, shareholder and administrative services.

The categories of additional payments are described below.

Supplemental Payments

The Distributor may make supplemental payments to certain financial intermediaries that are holders or dealers of record for accounts in one or more of the Federated Hermes funds. These payments may be based on such factors as: the number or value of Shares the financial intermediary sells or may sell; the value of client assets invested; or the type and nature of services or support furnished by the financial intermediary.

Processing Support Payments

The Distributor may make payments to certain financial intermediaries that offer Federated Hermes investment companies to help offset their costs associated with client account maintenance support, statement processing and transaction processing. The types of payments that the Distributor may make under this category include, but are not limited to: payment of ticket charges on a per-transaction basis; payment of networking fees; and payment for ancillary services such as setting up funds on the financial intermediary’s mutual fund trading system.

Marketing Support Payments

From time to time, the Distributor, at its expense, may provide additional compensation to financial intermediaries that sell or arrange for the sale of Shares. Such compensation, provided by the Distributor, may include reimbursement of transaction costs, and financial assistance to financial intermediaries that enable the Distributor to participate in or present at conferences or seminars, sales or training programs for invited registered representatives and other employees, client entertainment, client and investor events and other financial intermediary-sponsored events. The Distributor may also provide additional compensation to financial intermediaries for services rendered in connection with technology and programming set-up, platform development and maintenance or similar services and for the provision of sales-related data to the Adviser and/or its affiliates.

The Distributor also may hold or sponsor, at its expense, sales events, conferences and programs for employees or associated persons of financial intermediaries and may pay the travel and lodging expenses of attendees. The Distributor also may provide, at its expense, meals and entertainment in conjunction with meetings with financial intermediaries. Other compensation may be offered to the extent not prohibited by applicable federal or state law or regulations, or the rules of any self-regulatory agency, such as FINRA. These payments may vary depending on the nature of the event or the relationship.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, the following is a list of FINRA member firms that received additional payments from the Distributor or an affiliate. Additional payments may also be made to certain other financial intermediaries that are not FINRA member firms that sell Federated Hermes fund shares or provide services to the Federated Hermes funds and shareholders. These firms are not included in this list. Any additions, modifications or deletions to the member firms identified in this list that have occurred since December 31, 2023, are not reflected. You should ask your financial intermediary for information about any additional payments it receives from the Distributor.

Callan
Cambridge Financial Group, Inc.
Cetera Advisor Networks LLC
Cetera Advisors LLC
Cetera Investment Services LLC
Charles Schwab & Company, Inc.
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Citizens Securities, Inc.
Comerica Securities, Inc.
Commonwealth Financial Network
Davenport & Company LLC
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
Dynasty Wealth Management, LLC
Edward D. Jones & Co., LP
Empower Financial Services, Inc.

Envestnet PMC
FBL Marketing Services, LLC
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC)
Fifth Third Securities, Inc.
FIS Brokerage & Securities Services LLC
Global Retirement Partners LLC
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
HighTower Securities, LLC
Hilltop Securities, Inc.
HUB International Investment Services Inc.
Huntington Securities, Inc.
Insigneo Securities, LLC
Institutional Cash Distributors, LLC
Interactive Brokers LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
Jefferies LLC
John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co
Kestra Investment Services LLC
Key Investment Services LLC
KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc.
Keystone Financial Planning, Inc.
Leafhouse Financial Advisors, LLC
Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation
Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc.
Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC
LPL Financial LLC
Marquette Associates, Inc.
Mercer Global Advisors Inc.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated
MML Investors
Monarch Wealth Strategies
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
National Financial Services LLC
Nationwide Investment Services Corporation
NewEdge Securities, Inc.
Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC
OneDigital Investment Advisors
Open Range Financial Group, LLC
Oppenheimer & Company, Inc.
Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC
Osaic Institutions, Inc.
Osaic Wealth, Inc.
Paychex Securities Corp.
Pensionmark Financial Group, LLC
Pershing LLC
Planmember Securities Corporation
PNC Capital Markets, LLC
PNC Investments LLC

Principal Securities, Inc.
Private Client Services, LLC
Private Wealth Advisors, Inc.
Prudential Investment Management Services LLC
Putnam Investment Management, LLC
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
Robert W Baird & Co. Incorporated
Rockefeller Capital Management
Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.
Sagepoint Financial, LLC
Sanctuary Securities, Inc.
Sanford C. Bernstein & Company, LLC
SBC Wealth Management
Securities America, Inc.
Security Distributors, LLC
Sentry Advisors, LLC
Spire Securities, LLC
State Street Global Markets, LLC
Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
Strategic Financial Partners, Ltd
TD Ameritrade, Inc.
TD Private Client Wealth LLC
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America
The Huntington Investment Company
The Vanguard Group, Inc.
Thrivent Investment Management Inc.
Towerpoint Wealth, LLC
Treasury Brokerage
Truist Investment Services, Inc.
Truist Securities, Inc.
U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.
UBS Financial Services Inc.
UBS Securities LLC
UMB Financial Services, Inc.
United Planners Financial Services of America, L.P.
Validus Capital LLC
Vanguard Marketing Corporation
Veridian Capital Partners
Vining-Sparks-IBG, LLC
Vision Financial Markets, LLC
Voya Financial Advisors, Inc.
Voya Retirement Advisors, LLC
Webb Financial Group, LLC
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
Woodbury Financial Services, Inc.

Purchases In-Kind

You may contact the Distributor to request a purchase of Shares using securities you own. The Fund reserves the right to determine whether to accept your securities and the minimum market value to accept. The Fund will value your securities in the same manner as it values its assets in determining the market value of the portfolio for purposes of its comparison with amortized cost valuation. An in-kind purchase may be treated as a sale of your securities for federal tax purposes; please consult your tax adviser regarding potential tax liability.

Redemption In-Kind

Although the Fund generally intends to pay Share redemptions in cash, it reserves the right, on its own initiative or in response to a shareholder request, to pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a distribution of the Fund’s portfolio securities.

Because the Fund has elected to be governed by Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund is obligated to pay Share redemptions to any one shareholder in cash only up to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets represented by such Share class during any 90-day period.

Any Share redemption payment greater than this amount will also be in cash unless the Fund elects to pay all or a portion of the remainder of the redemption in portfolio securities, valued in the same way as the Fund determines its NAV.

Redemption in-kind is not as liquid as a cash redemption. Shareholders receiving the portfolio securities could have difficulty selling them, may incur related transaction costs and would be subject to risks of fluctuations in the securities’ values prior to sale.

Massachusetts Partnership Law

Under certain circumstances, shareholders may be held personally liable as partners under Massachusetts law for obligations of the Trust. To protect its shareholders, the Trust has filed legal documents with Massachusetts that expressly disclaim the liability of its shareholders for acts or obligations of the Trust.

In the unlikely event a shareholder is held personally liable for the Trust’s obligations, the Trust is required by the Declaration of Trust to use its property to protect or compensate the shareholder. On request, the Trust will defend any claim made and pay any judgment against a shareholder for any act or obligation of the Trust. Therefore, financial loss resulting from liability as a shareholder will occur only if the Trust itself cannot meet its obligations to indemnify shareholders and pay judgments against them.

Account and Share Information

VOTING RIGHTS

The insurance company separate accounts, as shareholders of the Fund, will vote the Fund Shares held in their separate accounts at meetings of the shareholders. Voting will be in accordance with instructions received from contract owners of the separate accounts, as more fully outlined in the prospectus of the separate account.

Each Share of the Fund gives the shareholder one vote in Trustee elections and other matters submitted to shareholders for vote.

All Shares of the Trust have equal voting rights, except that in matters affecting only a particular Fund or class, only Shares of that Fund or class are entitled to vote.

Trustees may be removed by the Board or by shareholders at a special meeting. A special meeting of shareholders will be called by the Board upon the written request of shareholders who own at least 10% of the Trust’s outstanding Shares of all series entitled to vote.

As of March 27, 2024, the following shareholders owned of record, beneficially, or both, 5% or more of outstanding Service Shares: Phoenix Home Life Insurance Company, E. Greenbush, NY, owned approximately 21,884,172 Shares (27.80%); Phoenix Home Life Variable Insurance Company, E. Greenbush, NY, owned approximately 17,716,721 Shares (22.50%); Security Benefit Life Insurance Company, Topeka, KS, owned approximately 8,344,116 Shares (10.60%); Modern Woodmen Variable Annuity, Topeka, KS, owned approximately 7,750,494 Shares (9.84%); and Transamerica Life Insurance Company, Cedar Rapids, IA, owned approximately 5,829,156 Shares (7.40%).

Shareholders owning 25% or more of outstanding Shares may be in control and be able to affect the outcome of certain matters presented for a vote of shareholders.

The Phoenix Companies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nassau Reinsurance Group Holdings, L.P., is organized in the state of Delaware.

Tax Information

Federal Income Tax

The Fund intends to meet requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) applicable to regulated investment companies. If these requirements are not met, it will not receive special tax treatment and will be subject to federal corporate income tax.

The Fund will be treated as a single, separate entity for federal income tax purposes so that income earned and capital gains and losses realized by the Trust’s other portfolios will be separate from those realized by the Fund.

Who Manages and Provides Services to the Fund?

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is responsible for managing the Trust’s business affairs and for exercising all the Trust’s powers except those reserved for the shareholders. The following tables give information about each Trustee and the senior officers of the Fund. Where required, the tables separately list Trustees who are “interested persons” of the Fund (i.e., “Interested” Trustees) and those who are not (i.e., “Independent” Trustees). Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person listed is 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779. The address of all Independent Trustees listed is 4000 Ericsson Drive, Warrendale, PA 15086-7561; Attention: Mutual Fund Board. As of December 31, 2023, the Trust comprised 6 portfolios, and the Federated Hermes Complex consisted of 33 investment companies (comprising 101 portfolios). Unless otherwise noted, each Officer is elected annually. Unless otherwise noted, each Trustee oversees all portfolios in the Federated Hermes Complex and serves for an indefinite term.

As of March 27, 2024, the Fund’s Board and Officers as a group owned less than 1% of each class of the Fund’s outstanding Shares.

qualifications of Independent Trustees

Individual Trustee qualifications are noted in the “Independent Trustees Background and Compensation” chart. In addition, the following characteristics are among those that were considered for each existing Trustee and will be considered for any Nominee Trustee.

■ Outstanding skills in disciplines deemed by the Independent Trustees to be particularly relevant to the role of Independent Trustee and to the Federated Hermes funds, including legal, accounting, business management, the financial industry generally and the investment industry particularly.

■ Desire and availability to serve for a substantial period of time, taking into account the Board’s current mandatory retirement age of 75 years.

■ No conflicts which would interfere with qualifying as independent.

■ Appropriate interpersonal skills to work effectively with other Independent Trustees.

■ Understanding and appreciation of the important role occupied by Independent Trustees in the regulatory structure governing regulated investment companies.

■ Diversity of background.

Interested Trustees Background and Compensation

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years, Other Directorships Held and Previous Position(s)	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Fund and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
J. Christopher Donahue* Birth Date: April 11, 1949 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: September 1993	Principal Occupations: Principal Executive Officer and President of certain of the Funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; Director or Trustee of the Funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company; Trustee, Federated Investment Counseling; Chairman and Director, Federated Global Investment Management Corp.; Chairman and Trustee, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company. Previous Positions: President, Federated Investment Counseling; President and Chief Executive Officer, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated Global Investment Management Corp. and Passport Research, Ltd.; Chairman, Passport Research, Ltd.	$0	$0

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years, Other Directorships Held and Previous Position(s)	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Fund and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
Thomas R. Donahue* Birth Date: October 20, 1958 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: May 2016	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of certain funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Vice President and Assistant Secretary, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Chairman and Trustee, Federated Administrative Services; Chairman and Director, Federated Administrative Services, Inc.; Trustee and Treasurer, Federated Advisory Services Company; Director or Trustee and Treasurer, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling, and Federated Investment Management Company; Director, MDTA LLC; Director, Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary, Federated Securities Corp.; Director or Trustee and Chairman, Federated Services Company and Federated Shareholder Services Company; and Director and President, FII Holdings, Inc. Previous Positions: Director, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Assistant Secretary, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated Global Investment Management Company and Passport Research, LTD; Treasurer, Passport Research, LTD; Executive Vice President, Federated Securities Corp.; and Treasurer, FII Holdings, Inc.	$0	$0

Family relationships and reasons for “interested” status: J. Christopher Donahue and Thomas R. Donahue are brothers. Both are “interested” due to their beneficial ownership of shares of Federated Hermes, Inc. and the positions they hold with Federated Hermes, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Independent Trustees Background, Qualifications and Compensation

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships Held for Past Five Years, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Fund and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
G. Thomas Hough Birth Date: February 28, 1955 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: August 2015	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee and Chair of the Board of Directors or Trustees of the Federated Hermes Complex; formerly, Vice Chair, Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting firm) (Retired). Other Directorships Held: Director, Chair of the Audit Committee, Member of the Compensation Committee, Equifax, Inc.; Lead Director, Member of the Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees, Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.; formerly, Director, Member of Governance and Compensation Committees, Publix Super Markets, Inc. Qualifications: Mr. Hough has served in accounting, business management and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Hough most recently held the position of Americas Vice Chair of Assurance with Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting firm). Mr. Hough serves on the President’s Cabinet and Business School Board of Visitors for the University of Alabama. Mr. Hough previously served on the Business School Board of Visitors for Wake Forest University, and he previously served as an Executive Committee member of the United States Golf Association.	$244.13	$365,000

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships Held for Past Five Years, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Fund and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
Maureen Lally-Green Birth Date: July 5, 1949 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: August 2009	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; Adjunct Professor of Law, Emerita, Duquesne University School of Law; formerly, Dean of the Duquesne University School of Law and Professor of Law and Interim Dean of the Duquesne University School of Law; formerly, Associate General Secretary and Director, Office of Church Relations, Diocese of Pittsburgh. Other Directorships Held: Director, CNX Resources Corporation (natural gas). Qualifications: Judge Lally-Green has served in various legal and business roles and directorship positions throughout her career. Judge Lally-Green previously held the position of Dean of the School of Law of Duquesne University (as well as Interim Dean). Judge Lally-Green previously served as Director of the Office of Church Relations and later as Associate General Secretary for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, a member of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and as a Professor of Law, Duquesne University School of Law. Judge Lally-Green was appointed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and previously served on the Supreme Court’s Board of Continuing Judicial Education and the Supreme Court’s Appellate Court Procedural Rules Committee. Judge Lally-Green was then appointed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and currently serves on the Judicial Ethics Advisory Board. Judge Lally-Green also currently holds the positions on not for profit or for profit boards of directors as follows: Director and Chair, UPMC Mercy Hospital; Regent, Saint Vincent Seminary; Member, Pennsylvania State Board of Education (public); Director, Catholic Charities, Pittsburgh; and Director, CNX Resources Corporation (natural gas). Judge Lally-Green has held the positions of: Director, Auberle; Director, Epilepsy Foundation of Western and Central Pennsylvania; Director, Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh; Director, Saint Thomas More Society; Director and Chair, Catholic High Schools of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Inc.; Director, Pennsylvania Bar Institute; Director, Saint Vincent College; Director and Chair, North Catholic High School, Inc.; Director and Vice Chair, Our Campaign for the Church Alive!, Inc.; and Director and Vice Chair, Saint Francis University.	$220.72	$330,000
Thomas M. O’Neill Birth Date: June 14, 1951 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: August 2006	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee and Chair of the Audit Committee of the Federated Hermes Complex; Sole Proprietor, Navigator Management Company (investment and strategic consulting). Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. O’Neill has served in several business, mutual fund and financial management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. O’Neill serves as Director, Medicines for Humanity. Mr. O’Neill previously served as Chief Executive Officer and President, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer, Fleet Investment Advisors; President and Chief Executive Officer, Aeltus Investment Management, Inc.; General Partner, Hellman, Jordan Management Co., Boston, MA; Chief Investment Officer, The Putnam Companies, Boston, MA; Credit Analyst and Lending Officer, Fleet Bank; Director and Consultant, EZE Castle Software (investment order management software); Director, Midway Pacific (lumber); and Director, The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, Florida.	$220.72	$330,000

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships Held for Past Five Years, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Fund and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
Madelyn A. Reilly Birth Date: February 2, 1956 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: November 2020	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; formerly, Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary of Board of Directors, Duquesne University (Retired). Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Ms. Reilly has served in various business and legal management roles throughout her career. Ms. Reilly previously served as Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary of Board of Directors and Director of Risk Management and Associate General Counsel, Duquesne University. Prior to her work at Duquesne University, Ms. Reilly served as Assistant General Counsel of Compliance and Enterprise Risk as well as Senior Counsel of Environment, Health and Safety, PPG Industries. Ms. Reilly currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of UPMC Mercy Hospital, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities, Pittsburgh.	$200.65	$300,000
P. Jerome Richey Birth Date: February 23, 1949 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: October 2013	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; Retired; formerly, Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Legal Officer, University of Pittsburgh and Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, CONSOL Energy Inc. (split into two separate publicly traded companies known as CONSOL Energy Inc. and CNX Resources Corp.). Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. Richey has served in several business and legal management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Richey most recently held the positions of Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Legal Officer, University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Richey previously served as Chairman of the Board, Epilepsy Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Chairman of the Board, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. Mr. Richey previously served as Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President, CONSOL Energy Inc. and CNX Gas Company; and Board Member, Ethics Counsel and Shareholder, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC (a law firm).	$220.72	$330,000
John S. Walsh Birth Date: November 28, 1957 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: January 1999	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; President and Director, Heat Wagon, Inc. (manufacturer of construction temporary heaters); President and Director, Manufacturers Products, Inc. (distributor of portable construction heaters); President, Portable Heater Parts, a division of Manufacturers Products, Inc. Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. Walsh has served in several business management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Walsh previously served as Vice President, Walsh & Kelly, Inc. (paving contractors).	$200.65	$300,000

OFFICERS*

Name Birth Date Address Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) and Previous Position(s)
Jeremy D. Boughton Birth Date: September 29, 1976 Treasurer Officer since: March 2024	Principal Occupations: Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Federated Hermes Complex; Senior Vice President, Federated Administrative Services, Federated Administrative Services, Inc., Federated Advisory Services Company, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Investment Management Company and Federated MDTA, LLC. Formerly, Controller, Federated Hermes, Inc. and Financial and Operations Principal for Federated Securities Corp. Mr. Boughton has received the Certified Public Accountant designation. Previous Positions: Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, Federated Investors Management Company; Treasurer, Federated Investors Trust Company; Assistant Treasurer, Federated Administrative Services, Federated Administrative Services, Inc., Federated Securities Corp., Federated Advisory Services Company, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated MDTA, LLC and Federated Hermes (UK) LLP, as well as other subsidiaries of Federated Hermes, Inc.
Peter J. Germain Birth Date: September 3, 1959 CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER, SECRETARY and EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Officer since: January 2005	Principal Occupations: Mr. Germain is Chief Legal Officer, Secretary and Executive Vice President of the Federated Hermes Complex. He is General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, Secretary and Executive Vice President, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Trustee and Senior Vice President, Federated Investors Management Company; Trustee and President, Federated Administrative Services; Director and President, Federated Administrative Services, Inc.; Director and Vice President, Federated Securities Corp.; Director and Secretary, Federated Private Asset Management, Inc.; Secretary, Federated Shareholder Services Company; and Secretary, Retirement Plan Service Company of America. Mr. Germain joined Federated Hermes, Inc. in 1984 and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Previous Positions: Deputy General Counsel, Special Counsel, Managing Director of Mutual Fund Services, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Federated Services Company; and Senior Corporate Counsel, Federated Hermes, Inc.
John B. Fisher Birth Date: May 16, 1956 PRESIDENT Officer since: November 2004	Principal Occupations: Principal Executive Officer and President of certain of the Funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; Director or Trustee of certain of the Funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; Director and Vice President, Federated Hermes, Inc.; President, Director/Trustee and CEO, Federated Advisory Services Company, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Investment Management Company, and Federated MDTA LLC; Director, Federated Investors Trust Company. Previous Positions: President and Director of the Institutional Sales Division of Federated Securities Corp.; President and CEO of Passport Research, Ltd.; Director and President, Technology, Federated Services Company.
Stephen Van Meter Birth Date: June 5, 1975 CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Officer since: July 2015	Principal Occupations: Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of the Federated Hermes Complex; Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of Federated Hermes, Inc. and Chief Compliance Officer of certain of its subsidiaries. Mr. Van Meter joined Federated Hermes, Inc. in October 2011. He holds FINRA licenses under Series 3, 7, 24 and 66. Previous Positions: Mr. Van Meter previously held the position of Compliance Operating Officer, Federated Hermes, Inc. Prior to joining Federated Hermes, Inc., Mr. Van Meter served at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in the positions of Senior Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Division of Investment Management and Senior Counsel, Division of Enforcement.
Stephen F. Auth Birth Date: September 13, 1956 101 Park Avenue 41st Floor New York, NY 10178 CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER Officer since: November 2002	Principal Occupations: Stephen F. Auth is Chief Investment Officer of various Funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; Executive Vice President, Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Global Investment Management Corp. and Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania. Previous Positions: Executive Vice President, Federated Investment Management Company and Passport Research, Ltd. (investment advisory subsidiary of Federated Hermes); Senior Vice President, Global Portfolio Management Services Division; Senior Vice President, Federated Investment Management Company and Passport Research, Ltd.; Senior Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, Prudential Investments.
Robert J. Ostrowski Birth Date: April 26, 1963 Chief Investment Officer Officer since: May 2004	Principal Occupations: Robert J. Ostrowski joined Federated Hermes, Inc. in 1987 as an Investment Analyst and became a Portfolio Manager in 1990. He was named Chief Investment Officer of Federated Hermes, Inc. taxable fixed-income products in 2004 and also serves as a Senior Portfolio Manager. Mr. Ostrowski became an Executive Vice President of the Fund’s Adviser in 2009 and served as a Senior Vice President of the Fund’s Adviser from 1997 to 2009. Mr. Ostrowski has received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He received his M.S. in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University.
Deborah A. Cunningham Birth Date: September 15, 1959 Chief Investment Officer Officer since: June 2012	Principal Occupations: Deborah A. Cunningham was named Chief Investment Officer of Federated Hermes’ money market products in 2004. She joined Federated Hermes in 1981 and has been a Senior Portfolio Manager since 1997 and an Executive Vice President of the Fund’s Adviser since 2009. Ms. Cunningham has received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and holds an M.S.B.A. in Finance from Robert Morris College.

Officers do not receive any compensation from the Fund.

In addition, the Fund has appointed an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.

DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE EMERITUS PROGRAM

The Board has created a position of Director/Trustee Emeritus, whereby an incumbent Director/Trustee who has attained the age of 75 and completed a minimum of five years of service as a director/trustee, may, in the sole discretion of the Committee of Independent Directors/Trustees (“Committee”), be recommended to the full Board of Directors/Trustees of the Fund to serve as Director/Trustee Emeritus.

A Director/Trustee Emeritus that has been approved as such receives an annual fee in an amount equal to a percent of the annual base compensation paid to a Director/Trustee. In the case of a Director/Trustee Emeritus who had previously served at least five years but less than 10 years as a Director/Trustee, the percent will be 10%. In the case of a Director/Trustee Emeritus who had previously served at least 10 years as a Director/Trustee, the percent will be 20%. The Director/Trustee Emeritus will be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in connection with their service, including expenses of travel and lodging incurred in attendance at Board meetings. Director/Trustee Emeritus will continue to receive relevant materials concerning the Funds, will be expected to attend at least one regularly scheduled quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors/Trustees each year and will be available to consult with the Committees or its representatives at reasonable times as requested by the Chairman; however, a Director/Trustee Emeritus does not have any voting rights at Board meetings and is not subject to election by shareholders of the Funds.

The Director/Trustee Emeritus will be permitted to serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Committee, but the annual fee will cease to be paid at the end of the calendar year during which he or she has attained the age of 80 years, thereafter the position will be honorary.

The following table shows the fees paid to each Director/Trustee Emeritus for the Fund’s most recently ended fiscal year and the portion of that fee paid by the Fund or Corporation/Trust.1

EMERITUS Trustees and Compensation

Director/Trustee Emeritus	Compensation From the Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation Paid to Director/Trustee Emeritus1 (past calendar year)
John T. Collins2	$257.50	$385,000
Charles F. Mansfield, Jr.	$11.33	$60,000

The fees paid to a Director/Trustee are allocated among the funds that were in existence at the time the Director/Trustee elected Emeritus status, based on each fund’s net assets at that time.

John T. Collins retired from the Federated Hermes Funds Board of Directors/Trustees on December 31, 2023. Mr. Collins was appointed as Emeritus Director/Trustee on February 15, 2024 to become retroactively effective as of January 1, 2024. Until December 31, 2023, Mr. Collins was compensated as a Director/Trustee of the Fund. The compensation provided in the table above reflects compensation that Mr. Collins received from the Fund for his service to the Fund for the Fund’s last fiscal year and the total compensation that Mr. Collins received for his service to the Federated Hermes Funds for the calendar year ended December 31, 2023. Mr. Collins has not yet been paid compensation as Emeritus Director/Trustee.

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

As required under the terms of certain regulatory settlements, the Chairman of the Board is not an interested person of the Fund and neither the Chairman, nor any firm with which the Chairman is affiliated, has a prior relationship with Federated Hermes or its affiliates or (other than his position as a Trustee) with the Fund.

Committees of the Board

Board Committee	Committee Members	Committee Functions	Meetings Held During Last Fiscal Year
Executive	J. Christopher Donahue G. Thomas Hough John S. Walsh	In between meetings of the full Board, the Executive Committee generally may exercise all the powers of the full Board in the management and direction of the business and conduct of the affairs of the Trust in such manner as the Executive Committee shall deem to be in the best interests of the Trust. However, the Executive Committee cannot elect or remove Board members, increase or decrease the number of Trustees, elect or remove any Officer, declare dividends, issue shares or recommend to shareholders any action requiring shareholder approval.	One

Board Committee	Committee Members	Committee Functions	Meetings Held During Last Fiscal Year
Audit	Maureen Lally-Green Thomas M. O’Neill P. Jerome Richey John S. Walsh	The purposes of the Audit Committee are to oversee the accounting and financial reporting process of the Fund, the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting and the quality, integrity and independent audit of the Fund’s financial statements. The Committee also oversees or assists the Board with the oversight of compliance with legal requirements relating to those matters, approves the engagement and reviews the qualifications, independence and performance of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, acts as a liaison between the independent registered public accounting firm and the Board and reviews the Fund’s internal audit function.	Seven
Nominating	G. Thomas Hough Maureen Lally-Green Thomas M. O’Neill Madelyn A. Reilly P. Jerome Richey John S. Walsh	The Nominating Committee, whose members consist of all Independent Trustees, selects and nominates persons for election to the Fund’s Board when vacancies occur. The Committee will consider candidates recommended by shareholders, Independent Trustees, officers or employees of any of the Fund’s agents or service providers and counsel to the Fund. Any shareholder who desires to have an individual considered for nomination by the Committee must submit a recommendation in writing to the Secretary of the Fund, at the Fund’s address appearing on the back cover of this SAI. The recommendation should include the name and address of both the shareholder and the candidate and detailed information concerning the candidate’s qualifications and experience. In identifying and evaluating candidates for consideration, the Committee shall consider such factors as it deems appropriate. Those factors will ordinarily include: integrity, intelligence, collegiality, judgment, diversity, skill, business and other experience, qualification as an “Independent Trustee,” the existence of material relationships which may create the appearance of a lack of independence, financial or accounting knowledge and experience and dedication and willingness to devote the time and attention necessary to fulfill Board responsibilities.	Three

BOARD’S ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT

The Board’s role in overseeing the Fund’s general risks includes receiving performance reports for the Fund and risk management reports from Federated Hermes’ Chief Risk Officer at each regular Board meeting. The Chief Risk Officer is responsible for enterprise risk management at Federated Hermes, which includes risk management committees for investment management and for investor services. The Board also receives regular reports from the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer regarding significant compliance risks.

On behalf of the Board, the Audit Committee plays a key role overseeing the Fund’s financial reporting and valuation risks. The Audit Committee meets regularly with the Fund’s Principal Financial Officer and outside auditors, as well as with Federated Hermes’ Chief Audit Executive to discuss financial reporting and audit issues, including risks relating to financial controls.

Board Ownership Of Shares In The Fund And In The Federated Hermes Family Of Investment Companies As Of December 31, 2023

Interested Board Member Name	Dollar Range of Shares Owned in Federated Hermes Government Money Fund II	Aggregate Dollar Range of Shares Owned in Federated Hermes Family of Investment Companies
J. Christopher Donahue	None	Over $100,000
Thomas R. Donahue	None	Over $100,000
Independent Board Member Name
G. Thomas Hough	None	Over $100,000
Maureen Lally-Green	None	Over $100,000
Thomas M. O’Neill	None	Over $100,000
Madelyn A. Reilly	None	Over $100,000
P. Jerome Richey	None	Over $100,000
John S. Walsh	None	Over $100,000

Investment Adviser

The Adviser conducts investment research and makes investment decisions for the Fund.

The Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of Federated Hermes.

The Adviser shall not be liable to the Trust or any Fund shareholder for any losses that may be sustained in the purchase, holding or sale of any security or for anything done or omitted by it, except acts or omissions involving willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties imposed upon it by its contract with the Trust.

In December 2017, Federated Investors, Inc., now Federated Hermes, became a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). The PRI is an investor initiative in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative and the United Nations Global Compact. Commitments made as a signatory to the PRI are not legally binding, but are voluntary and aspirational. They include efforts, where consistent with our fiduciary responsibilities, to incorporate environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues into investment analysis and investment decision making, to be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices, to seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest, to promote acceptance and implementation of the PRI within the investment industry, to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the PRI, and to report on our activities and progress towards implementing the PRI. Being a signatory to the PRI does not obligate Federated Hermes to take, or not take, any particular action as it relates to investment decisions or other activities.

In July 2018, Federated Investors, Inc., now Federated Hermes, acquired a majority interest in Federated Hermes Limited (FHL) (formerly, Hermes Fund Managers Limited), a pioneer of integrated ESG investing. Federated Hermes now owns 100% of FHL. FHL’s experience with ESG issues contributes to Federated Hermes’ understanding of material risks and opportunities these issues may present.

EOS at Federated Hermes, which was established as Hermes Equity Ownership Services Limited (EOS) in 2004 as an affiliate of FHL and Hermes Investment Management Limited, is a 50+ member engagement and stewardship team that conducts long-term, objectives-driven dialogue with board and senior executive level representatives of approximately 1,000 unique issuers annually. It seeks to address the most material ESG risks and opportunities through constructive and continuous discussions with the goal of improving long-term results for investors. Engagers’ deep understanding across sectors, themes and regional markets, along with language and cultural expertise, allows EOS to provide insights to companies on the merits of addressing ESG risks and the positive benefits of capturing opportunities. Federated Hermes investment management teams have access to the insights gained from understanding a company’s approach to these long-term strategic matters as an additional input to improve portfolio risk/return characteristics.

Services Agreement

Federated Advisory Services Company, an affiliate of the Adviser, provides certain support services to the Adviser. The fee for these services is paid by the Adviser and not by the Fund.

Other Related Services

Affiliates of the Adviser may, from time to time, provide certain electronic equipment and software to institutional customers in order to facilitate the purchase of Fund Shares offered by the Distributor.

Code Of Ethics Restrictions On Personal Trading

As required by Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act (as applicable), the Fund, its Adviser and its Distributor have adopted codes of ethics. These codes govern securities trading activities of investment personnel, Fund Trustees and certain other employees. Although they do permit these people to trade in securities, including those that the Fund could buy, as well as Shares of the Fund, they also contain significant safeguards designed to protect the Fund and its shareholders from abuses in this area, such as requirements to obtain prior approval for, and to report, particular transactions.

Voting Proxies On Fund Portfolio Securities

The Board has delegated to the Adviser authority to vote proxies on the securities held in the Fund’s portfolio. The Board has also approved the Adviser’s policies and procedures for voting the proxies, which are described below.

Proxy Voting Policies

As an investment adviser with a fiduciary duty to the Fund and its shareholders, the Adviser’s general policy is to cast proxy votes in favor of management proposals and shareholder proposals that the Adviser anticipates will enhance the long-term value of the securities being voted in a manner that is consistent with the investment objectives of the Fund. Generally, this will mean voting for proposals that the Adviser believes will improve the management of a company, increase the rights or preferences of the voted securities, or increase the chance that a premium offer would be made for the company or for the voted securities. This approach to voting proxy proposals will be referred to hereafter as the “General Policy.”

The Adviser generally votes consistently on the same matter when securities of an issuer are held by multiple client portfolios. However, the Adviser may vote differently if a client’s investment objectives differ from those of other clients or if a client explicitly instructs the Adviser to vote differently.

The following examples illustrate how the General Policy may apply to the most common management proposals and shareholder proposals. However, whether the Adviser supports or opposes a proposal will always depend on a thorough understanding of the Fund’s investment objectives and the specific circumstances described in the proxy statement and other available information.

Corporate Governance

On matters related to the board of directors, generally, the Adviser will vote to elect nominees to the board in uncontested elections except in certain circumstances, such as where the director: (1) had not attended at least 75% of the board meetings during the previous year; (2) serves as the company’s chief financial officer, unless the company is headquartered in the UK where this is market practice; (3) has become overboarded (more than five boards for retired executives and more than two boards for CEOs); (4) is a non-independent, non-executive director on the board of a U.S. domestic issuer where less than two-thirds of the directors are independent ; (5) is a non-independent, non-executive director on the board of a foreign issuer where less than half of the directors are independent; (6) is a non-independent member of the audit committee; (7) is the chair of the nominating or governance committee when the roles of chairman of the board and CEO are combined and there is no lead independent director ; (8) served on the compensation committee during a period in which compensation appears excessive relative to performance and peers; or (9) served on a board that did not implement a shareholder proposal that the Adviser supported and received more than 50% shareholder support the previous year.

In addition, the Adviser will generally vote in favor of: (10) a full slate of directors, where the directors are elected as a group and not individually, unless more than half of the nominees are not independent; (11) shareholder proposals to declassify the board of directors; (12) shareholder proposals to require a majority voting standard in the election of directors; (13) shareholder proposals to separate the roles of chairman of the board and CEO; (14) a proposal to require a company’s audit committee to be comprised entirely of independent directors; and (15) shareholder proposals to eliminate supermajority voting requirements in company bylaws.

On other matters of corporate governance, generally, the Adviser will vote: (1) in favor of proposals to grant shareholders the right to call a special meeting if owners of at least 10% of the outstanding stock agree; (2) on a case-by-case basis for shareholder proposals to grant shareholders the right to act by written consent when the company does not already grant shareholders the right to call a special meeting; (3) on a case-by-case basis for proposals to adopt or amend shareholder rights plans (also known as “poison pills”); and (4) in favor of shareholder proposals calling for “Proxy Access,” that is, a bylaw change allowing shareholders owning at least 3% of the outstanding common stock for at least three years to nominate candidates for election to the board of directors.

Generally, the Adviser will vote every shareholder proposal of an environmental or social nature on a case-by-case basis. The quality of these shareholder proposals varies widely across markets. Similarly, company disclosures of their business practices related to environmental and social risks are not always adequate for investors to make risk assessments. Thus, the Adviser places great importance on company-specific analyses to determine how to vote. Above all, the Adviser will vote in a manner that would enhance the long-term value of the investment within the framework of the client’s investment objectives.

Shareholder Proposals on Environmental and Social Issues

The Adviser’s general approach to analyzing these proposals calls for considering the language of the written proposal, the financial materiality of the proposal’s objective and the practices followed by industry peers. This analysis utilizes research reports from the Adviser’s proxy advisors, company filings, as well as reports published by the company and other outside organizations.

With respect to specific categories of proposals:

Environmental

The Adviser will generally support proposals calling for enhanced reporting on the company’s business practices, including policies, strategic initiatives, and oversight mechanisms, related to environmental risks. To reach a final voting decision, we will take into consideration:

■ The company’s current level of publicly available disclosure.

■ Whether the company has formally committed to implementation of a reporting program based on frameworks such as the SASB materiality standards or the TCFD recommendations.

■ Whether the company’s current level of disclosure is comparable to that of industry peers; and

■ Whether there are significant controversies or litigation associated with the company’s environmental performance.

Social

The Adviser will generally support resolutions in the social category when they call for measures to enhance disclosure that would enable investors to make better risk assessments of the company’s social issues, such as their human capital management practices. We will generally oppose proposals calling for a change in the company’s product line or methods of distribution.

Political Activities

The Adviser will generally support enhanced disclosure of policies, practices, and oversight of corporate political activity when the current level of disclosure falls short of disclosure provided by industry peers. We will oppose proposals prohibiting the company’s participation in any part of the political process, such as making political contributions and joining trade associations.

Capital Structure

On matters of capital structure, generally, the Adviser will vote proxies for U.S. issuers on a case-by-case basis for proposals to authorize the issuance of new shares if not connected to an M&A transaction and the potential dilution is more than 10%, against proposals to create multiple-class voting structures where one class has superior voting rights to the other classes, in favor of proposals to authorize reverse stock splits unless the amount of authorized shares is not also reduced proportionately. Generally, the Adviser will vote proxies for non-U.S. issuers in favor of proposals to authorize issuance of shares with and without pre-emptive rights unless the size of the authorities would threaten to unreasonably dilute existing shareholders.

Executive Compensation

Votes on executive compensation come in many forms, including advisory votes on U.S. executive compensation plans (“Say On Pay”), advisory and binding votes on the design or implementation of non-U.S. executive remuneration plans and votes to approve new equity plans or amendments to existing plans. Generally, the Adviser will support compensation arrangements that are aligned with the client’s long-term investment objectives.

With respect to specific categories of proposals:

Say on Pay

The Adviser will generally vote in favor of these proposals unless the plan has failed to align executive compensation with corporate performance, or the design of the plan is likely to lead to misalignment in the future. We support the principle of an annual shareholder vote on executive pay and will generally vote accordingly on proposals which set the frequency of the Say On Pay vote.

Remuneration Policy

In some markets, shareholders are provided a vote on the remuneration policy, which sets out the structural elements of a company’s executive compensation plan on a forward-looking basis. The Adviser will generally support these proposals unless:

■ The design of the remuneration policy fails to appropriately link executive compensation with corporate performance.

■ Total compensation appears excessive relative to the company’s industry peer group considering local market dynamics; or

■ There is insufficient disclosure to enable an informed judgment, particularly as it relates to the disclosure of the maximum amounts of compensation that may be awarded.

Remuneration Report

Markets with remuneration policy proposals typically also have proposals asking shareholders to approve the annual remuneration report. The remuneration report provides shareholders with details concerning the implementation in the previous year of the remuneration policy. The Adviser will generally support these proposals unless the level of disclosure is not sufficient to permit an evaluation of the company’s pay practices in the period covered by the report. A vote against the remuneration policy, which in most markets is not an annual voting item, would not necessarily result in votes against the remuneration report at subsequent shareholder meetings.

Equity Plans

The Adviser will generally vote in favor of equity plan proposals unless they:

■ Result in unreasonable dilution to existing shareholders.

■ Permit replacement of “underwater” options with new options on more favorable terms for the recipient; or

■ Omit the criteria for determining the granting or vesting of awards.

M&A Activity

On matters relating to corporate transactions, the Adviser will generally vote in favor of mergers, acquisitions, and sales of assets if the Adviser’s analysis of the proposed business strategy and the transaction price would have a positive impact on the total return for shareholders.

Contested Elections

If a shareholders meeting is contested–that is, shareholders are presented with a set of director candidates nominated by company management and a set of director candidates nominated by a dissident shareholder–the Adviser will study the proposed business strategies of both groups and vote in a way that maximizes expected total return for the Fund.

Cost/Benefit Analysis

In addition, the Adviser will not vote any proxy if it determines that the consequences or costs of voting outweigh the potential benefit of voting. For example, if a foreign market requires shareholders voting proxies to retain the voted shares until the meeting date (thereby rendering the shares “illiquid” for some period), the Adviser will not vote proxies for such shares. In addition, the Adviser is not obligated to incur any expense to send a representative to a shareholder meeting or to translate proxy materials into English.

Securities Lending Recall

To the extent that the Adviser is permitted to loan securities, the Adviser does not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan. However, the Adviser will take all reasonable steps to recall shares prior to the record date when the meeting raises issues that the Adviser believes materially affect shareholder value, provided that the Adviser considers that the benefits of voting on the securities are greater than the associated costs, including the opportunity cost of the lost revenue that would otherwise be generated by the loan. However, there can be no assurance that the Adviser will have sufficient notice of such matters to be able to terminate the loan in time to vote thereon.

Issuer Feedback

The Adviser will consider feedback from issuers on the voting recommendations of the Adviser’s proxy advisory firm if the feedback is provided at least five days before the voting cut-off date. In certain circumstances, primarily those where the Adviser’s voting policy is absolute and without exception, issuer feedback will not be part of the voting decision. For example, it is the Adviser’s policy to always support a shareholder proposal to separate the roles of chairman of the board and CEO. Thus, any comments from the issuer opposing this proposal would not be considered.

Best Efforts

If proxies are not delivered in a timely or otherwise appropriate basis, the Adviser may not be able to vote a particular proxy.

For an Adviser that employs a quantitative investment strategy for certain funds or accounts that does not make use of qualitative research (“Non-Qualitative Accounts”), the Adviser may not have the kind of research to make decisions about how to vote proxies for them. Therefore, the Adviser will vote the proxies of these Non-Qualitative Accounts as follows: (a) in accordance with the Standard Voting Instructions (defined below); (b) if the Adviser is casting votes for the same proxy on behalf of a regular qualitative account and a Non-Qualitative Account, the Non-Qualitative Account would vote in the same manner as the regular qualitative account; (c) if neither of the first two conditions apply, as the proxy advisory firm is recommending; and (d) if none of the previous conditions apply, as recommended by the Proxy Voting Committee.

Proxy Voting Procedures

advisory firm, soliciting voting recommendations from the Adviser’s investment professionals, bringing voting recommendations to the Proxy Committee for approval, filing with regulatory agencies any required proxy voting reports, providing proxy voting reports to clients and investment companies as they are requested from time to time and keeping the Proxy Committee informed of any issues related to corporate governance and proxy voting.

The Adviser has compiled a list of specific voting instructions based on the General Policy (the “Standard Voting Instructions”). The Standard Voting Instructions and any modifications to them are approved by the Proxy Committee. The Standard Voting Instructions sometimes call for an investment professional to review the ballot question and provide a voting recommendation to the Proxy Committee (a “case-by-case vote”). The foregoing notwithstanding, the Proxy Committee always has the authority to determine a final voting decision.

The Adviser has hired a proxy advisory firm to perform various proxy voting related administrative services such as ballot reconciliation, vote processing and recordkeeping functions. The Proxy Committee has supplied the proxy advisory firm with the Standard Voting Instructions. The Proxy Committee retains the right to modify the Standard Voting Instructions at any time or to vote contrary to them at any time to cast proxy votes in a manner that the Proxy Committee believes is in accordance with the General Policy. The proxy advisory firm may vote any proxy as directed in the Standard Voting Instructions without further direction from the Proxy Committee. However, if the Standard Voting Instructions require case-by-case handling for a proposal, the PVOT will work with the investment professionals and the proxy advisory firm to develop a voting recommendation for the Proxy Committee and to communicate the Proxy Committee’s final voting decision to the proxy advisory firm. Further, if the Standard Voting Instructions require the PVOT to analyze a ballot question and make the final voting decision, the PVOT will report such votes to the Proxy Committee on a quarterly basis for review.

Conflicts of Interest

The Adviser has adopted procedures to address situations where a matter on which a proxy is sought may present a potential conflict between the interests of the Fund (and its shareholders) and those of the Adviser or Distributor. This may occur where a significant business relationship exists between the Adviser (or its affiliates) and a company involved with a proxy vote.

A company that is a proponent, opponent, or the subject of a proxy vote, and which to the knowledge of the Proxy Committee has this type of significant business relationship, is referred to below as an “Interested Company.”

The Adviser has implemented the following procedures to avoid concerns that the conflicting interests of the Adviser or its affiliates have influenced proxy votes. Any employee of the Adviser or its affiliates who is contacted by an Interested Company regarding proxies to be voted by the Adviser must refer the Interested Company to a member of the Proxy Committee and must inform the Interested Company that the Proxy Committee has exclusive authority to determine how the proxy will be voted. Any Proxy Committee member contacted by an Interested Company must report it to the full Proxy Committee and provide a written summary of the communication. This requirement includes engagement meetings with investee companies and does not include communications with proxy solicitation firms. Under no circumstances will the Proxy Committee or any member of the Proxy Committee make a commitment to an Interested Company regarding the voting of proxies or disclose to an Interested Company how the Proxy Committee has directed such proxies to be voted. If the Standard Voting Instructions already provide specific direction on the proposal in question, the Proxy Committee shall not alter or amend such directions. If the Standard Voting Instructions require the Proxy Committee to provide further direction, the Proxy Committee shall do so in accordance with the proxy voting policies, without regard for the interests of the Adviser with respect to the Interested Company. If the Proxy Committee provides any direction as to the voting of proxies relating to a proposal affecting an Interested Company, it must disclose annually to the Fund’s Board information regarding: the significant business relationship; any material communication with the Interested Company; the matter(s) voted on; and how, and why, the Adviser voted as it did. In certain circumstances it may be appropriate for the Adviser to vote in the same proportion as all other shareholders, to not affect the outcome beyond helping to establish a quorum at the shareholders’ meeting. This is referred to as “proportional voting.” If the Fund owns shares of another Federated Hermes mutual fund, generally the Adviser will proportionally vote the client’s proxies for that fund or seek direction from the Board or the client on how the proposal should be voted. If the Fund owns shares of an unaffiliated mutual fund, the Adviser may proportionally vote the Fund’s proxies for that fund depending on the size of the position. If the Fund owns shares of an unaffiliated exchange-traded fund, the Adviser will proportionally vote the Fund’s proxies for that fund.

Downstream Affiliates

If the Proxy Committee gives further direction, or seeks to vote contrary to the Standard Voting Instructions, for a proxy relating to a portfolio company in which the Fund owns more than 10% of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities at the time of the vote (“Downstream Affiliate”), the Proxy Committee must first receive guidance from counsel to the Proxy Committee as to whether any relationship between the Adviser and the portfolio company, other than such ownership of the portfolio company’s securities, gives rise to an actual conflict of interest. If counsel determines that an actual conflict exists, the Proxy Committee must address any such conflict with the executive committee of the board of directors or trustees of any investment company client prior to taking any action on the proxy at issue.

Proxy Advisers’ Conflicts of Interest

Proxy advisory firms may have significant business relationships with the subjects of their research and voting recommendations. For example, a significant vendor for a proxy advisory firm may be a public company with an upcoming shareholders’ meeting and the proxy advisory firm has published a research report with voting recommendations. In another example, a proxy advisory firm consulting client may be a public company for which the proxy advisory firm will write a research report. These and similar situations give rise to an actual or apparent conflict of interest.

To avoid concerns that the conflicting interests of proxy advisory firms have influenced their proxy voting recommendations, the Adviser will take the following steps:

■ A due diligence team made up of employees of the Adviser and/or its affiliates will meet with its primary proxy advisor on an annual basis and determine through a review of their policies and procedures and through inquiry that they have established a system of internal controls that provide reasonable assurance that their voting recommendations are not influenced by their various conflicts of interest.

■ On an annual basis the Director of Proxy Voting will examine a sample of a proxy advisory firm’s research reports for that firm’s institutional consulting clients and determine if evidence of bias in recommendations exists. If such evidence is found, the results of the examination will be presented to the Proxy Management Group and a decision would be made as to the further use of that advisory firm’s research reports.

■ Whenever the standard voting guidelines call for voting a proposal in accordance with a proxy advisory firm’s recommendation and the proxy advisory firm has disclosed that they have a conflict of interest with respect to that issuer, the PVOT will take the following steps: (a) the PVOT will obtain a copy of the research report published by a proxy advisory firm for that issuer; (b) the Director of Proxy Voting, or their designee, will review proxy advisory firm reports and determine what vote will be cast. The PVOT will report all proxies voted in this manner to the Proxy Committee on a quarterly basis. Alternatively, the PVOT may seek direction from the Committee on how the proposal shall be voted.

Proxy Voting Report

A report on “Form N-PX” of how the Fund voted any proxies during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available via the Proxy Voting Record (Form N-PX) link associated with the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us/FundInformation. Form N-PX filings are also available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling the Fund at 1-800-341-7400, Option #4; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

Portfolio Holdings Information

Information concerning the Fund’s portfolio holdings is available via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us/FundInformation. Such information is posted on the website five business days after both mid-month and month-end then remains posted on the website for six months thereafter. Summary portfolio composition information as of the close of each month is posted on the website 15 days (or the next business day) after month-end and remains until replaced by the information for the succeeding month. The summary portfolio composition information may include percentage breakdowns of the portfolio by effective maturity range and type of security. The Fund’s WAM and WAL, Shadow NAV (market-based value of the Fund’s portfolio), Daily and Weekly Liquid Assets and Daily Flows are posted every business day and remain posted on the website for six months thereafter.

You may also access portfolio information via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us. The Fund’s Annual Shareholder Report and Semi-Annual Shareholder Report contain complete listings of the Fund’s portfolio holdings as of the end of the Fund’s second and fourth fiscal quarters. These reports are also available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

The disclosure policy of the Fund and the Adviser prohibits the disclosure of portfolio holdings information to any investor or intermediary before the same information is made available to other investors. Employees of the Adviser or its affiliates who have access to nonpublic information concerning the Fund’s portfolio holdings are prohibited from trading securities on the basis of this information. Such persons must report all personal securities trades and obtain pre-clearance for all personal securities trades other than mutual fund shares.

Firms that provide administrative, custody, financial, accounting, legal or other services to the Fund may receive nonpublic information about Fund portfolio holdings for purposes relating to their services. The Fund may also provide portfolio holdings information to publications that rate, rank or otherwise categorize investment companies. Traders or portfolio managers may provide “interest” lists to facilitate portfolio trading if the list reflects only that subset of the portfolio for which the trader or portfolio manager is seeking market interest. A list of service providers, publications and other third parties who may receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information appears in the Appendix to this SAI.

The furnishing of nonpublic portfolio holdings information to any third party (other than authorized governmental or regulatory personnel) requires the prior approval of the President of the Adviser and of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund. The President of the Adviser and the Chief Compliance Officer will approve the furnishing of nonpublic portfolio holdings information to a third party only if they consider the furnishing of such information to be in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. In that regard, and to address possible conflicts between the interests of Fund shareholders and those of the Adviser and its affiliates, the following procedures apply. No consideration may be received by the Fund, the Adviser, any affiliate of the Adviser or any of their employees in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information. Before information is furnished, the third party must sign a written agreement that it will safeguard the confidentiality of the information, will use it only for the purposes for which it is furnished and will not use it in connection with the trading of any security. Persons approved to receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information will receive it as often as necessary for the purpose for which it is provided. Such information may be furnished as frequently as daily and often with no time lag between the date of the information and the date it is furnished. The Board receives and reviews annually a list of the persons who receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information and the purposes for which it is furnished.

Brokerage Transactions And Investment Allocation

When selecting brokers and dealers to handle the purchase and sale of portfolio instruments, the Adviser looks for prompt execution of the order at a favorable price. Fixed-income securities are generally traded in an over-the-counter market on a net basis (i.e., without commission) through dealers acting as principal or in transactions directly with the issuer. Dealers derive an undisclosed amount of compensation by offering securities at a higher price than they bid for them. Some fixed-income securities may have only one primary market maker. The Adviser seeks to use dealers it believes to be actively and effectively trading the security being purchased or sold, but may not always obtain the lowest purchase price or highest sale price with respect to a security. The Adviser makes decisions on portfolio transactions and selects brokers and dealers subject to review by the Fund’s Board.

Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of other accounts managed by the Adviser and accounts managed by affiliates of the Adviser. When the Fund and one or more of those accounts invests in, or disposes of, the same security, available investments or opportunities for sales will be allocated among the Fund and the account(s) in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable. While the coordination and ability to participate in volume transactions may benefit the Fund, it is possible that this procedure could adversely impact the price paid or received and/or the position obtained or disposed of by the Fund. Investment decisions, and trading, for certain separately managed or wrap-fee accounts, and other accounts, of the Adviser and/or certain investment adviser affiliates of the Adviser are generally made, and conducted, independently from the Fund. It is possible that such independent trading activity could adversely impact the prices paid or received and/or positions obtained or disposed of by the Fund.

Administrator

Federated Administrative Services (FAS), a subsidiary of Federated Hermes, provides administrative personnel and services, including certain legal, compliance and financial administrative services (“Administrative Services”), necessary for the operation of the Fund. FAS provides Administrative Services for a fee based upon the rates set forth below paid on the average daily net assets of the Fund. For purposes of determining the appropriate rate breakpoint, “Investment Complex” is defined as all of the Federated Hermes funds subject to a fee under the Administrative Services Agreement with FAS. FAS is also entitled to reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing Administrative Services to the Fund.

Administrative Services Fee Rate	Average Daily Net Assets of the Investment Complex
0.100%	on assets up to $50 billion
0.075%	on assets over $50 billion

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company, Boston, Massachusetts, is custodian for the securities and cash of the Fund. Foreign instruments purchased by the Fund are held by foreign banks participating in a network coordinated by State Street Bank and Trust Company.

Transfer Agent And Dividend Disbursing Agent

SS&C GIDS, Inc., the Fund’s registered transfer agent, maintains all necessary shareholder records.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund, KPMG LLP, conducts its audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), which require it to plan and perform its audits to provide reasonable assurance about whether the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement.

Fees Paid by the Fund for Services

For the Year Ended December 31	2023	2022	2021
Advisory Fee Earned	$159,152	$164,361	$171,141
Advisory Fee Waived	$66,971	$101,844	$171,141
Net Administrative Fee	$63,370	$64,644	$69,080

Securities Lending Activities

The Fund does not participate in a securities lending program and did not engage in any securities lending activities during the Fund’s most recent fiscal year.

Financial Information

The Financial Statements for the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, are incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report to Shareholders of Federated Hermes Government Money Fund II dated December 31, 2023.

Addresses

Federated Hermes Government Money Fund II

Service Shares

Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561

Distributor

Federated Securities Corp.
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779

Investment Adviser

Federated Investment Management Company
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
1 Iron Street
Boston, MA 02110

Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

SS&C GIDS, Inc.
P.O. Box 219318
Kansas City, MO 64121-9318

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

KPMG LLP
Two Financial Center
60 South Street
Boston, MA 02111

Appendix

The following is a list of persons, other than the Adviser and its affiliates, that have been approved to receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information concerning the Federated Hermes Complex; however, certain persons below might not receive such information concerning the Fund:

CUSTODIAN(S)

State Street Bank and Trust Company

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

KPMG LLP

LEGAL COUNSEL

Kirkland & Ellis LLP
K&L Gates LLP

Financial PrinterS

Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc.
Donnelley Financial Solutions

Proxy Voting Administrator

Glass Lewis & Co., LLC

SECURITY PRICING SERVICES

Bloomberg L.P.
S&P Global
JPMorgan PricingDirect
London Stock Exchange Group PLC (LSEG)

RATINGS AGENCIES

Fitch, Inc.
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC

Other SERVICE PROVIDERS

Other types of service providers that have been approved to receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information include service providers offering, for example, trade order management systems, portfolio analytics, or performance and accounting systems, such as:

ACA Technology Surveillance, Inc.
Bank of America
Bloomberg L.P.
Charles River Development
Citibank, N.A.
Eagle Investment Systems LLC
Electra Information Systems
FactSet Research Systems Inc.
FISGlobal
Institutional Shareholder Services
Investortools, Inc.
MSCI ESG Research LLC
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Sustainalytics U.S. Inc.

Prospectus

April 30, 2024

Share Class

Primary

Federated Hermes High Income Bond Fund II

A Portfolio of Federated Hermes Insurance Series

A mutual fund seeking high current income by investing primarily in a professionally managed, diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities.

Not FDIC Insured ▪ May Lose Value ▪ No Bank Guarantee

CONTENTS

Fund Summary Information	1
What are the Fund’s Investment Strategies?	4
What are the Fund’s Principal Investments?	5
What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund?	10
What Do Shares Cost?	14
How is the Fund Sold?	15
Payments to Insurance Companies	15
How to Purchase and Redeem Shares	16
Security and Privacy Protection	17
Account and Share Information	18
Who Manages the Fund?	20
Financial Information	21
Appendix A: Hypothetical Investment and Expense Information	23

Fund Summary Information

Federated Hermes High Income Bond Fund II (the “Fund”)

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high current income.

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: FEES AND EXPENSES

Note: The table below and the Example that follows it relate exclusively to the Primary Shares (P) of the Fund. They do not reflect any additional fees or expenses that may be imposed by separate accounts of insurance companies or in connection with any variable annuity or variable life insurance contract. If these had been included, your costs would be higher.

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell P class of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

	P
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	N/A
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable)	N/A
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of offering price)	N/A
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable)	N/A
Exchange Fee	N/A

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

	P
Management Fee	0.60%
Distribution (12b-1) Fee	None
Other Expenses	0.28%1
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	0.88%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements2	(0.07)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	0.81%

The Fund may incur and pay administrative service fees on its P class up to a maximum amount of 0.25%. No such fees are currently incurred and paid by the P class of the Fund. The P class of the Fund will not incur and pay such fees until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”).

The Adviser and certain of its affiliates on their own initiative have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Total annual fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, extraordinary expenses and proxy-related expenses, if any) paid by the Fund’s P class (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 0.81% (the “Fee Limit”) up to but not including the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) May 1, 2025; or (b) the date of the Fund’s next effective Prospectus. While the Adviser and its affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Trustees.

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

1 Year	$90
3 Years	$281
5 Years	$488
10 Years	$1,084

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 16% of the average value of its portfolio.

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENTS, RISKS and PERFORMANCE

What are the Fund’s Main Investment Strategies?

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of high-yield, lower-rated corporate bonds (also known as “junk bonds”). The Fund primarily invests in domestic high-yield, lower-rated bonds, but may invest a portion of its portfolio in securities of issuers based outside of the United States (so-called “foreign securities”) in both emerging and developed markets. The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser’) does not target an average maturity for the Fund’s portfolio.

The Fund may invest in derivative contracts and/or hybrid instruments to implement elements of its investment strategy. For example, the Fund may use derivative contracts or hybrid instruments to increase or decrease the portfolio’s exposure to the investment(s) underlying the derivative contracts or hybrid instruments in an attempt to benefit from changes in the value of the underlying investment(s). There can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of derivative contracts or hybrid instruments will work as intended. Derivative investments made by the Fund are included within the Fund’s 80% policy (as described below) and are calculated at market value.

The Fund will invest its assets so that at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in lower-rated fixed-income investments. The Fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days in advance of any change in its investment policy that would enable the Fund to invest, under normal circumstances, less than 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in lower-rated fixed-income investments.

What are the Main Risks of Investing in the Fund?

All mutual funds take investment risks. Therefore, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The primary factors that may reduce the Fund’s returns include:

■ Risk Associated with Noninvestment-Grade Securities. Securities rated below investment-grade may be subject to greater interest rate, credit and liquidity risks than investment-grade securities. These securities are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and repay principal.

■ Issuer Credit Risk. It is possible that interest or principal on securities will not be paid when due. Noninvestment-grade securities generally have a higher default risk than investment-grade securities. Such non-payment or default may reduce the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, its share price and its performance.

■ Counterparty Credit Risk. Credit risk includes the possibility that a party to a transaction involving the Fund will fail to meet its obligations. This could cause the Fund to lose money or to lose the benefit of the transaction or prevent the Fund from selling or buying other securities to implement its investment strategy.

■ Liquidity Risk. Liquidity of individual corporate bonds varies considerably. Low-grade corporate bonds have less liquidity than investment-grade securities, which means that it may be more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time.

■ Interest Rate Risk. Prices of fixed-income securities generally fall when interest rates rise. The longer the duration of a fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest-rate risk. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks and/or their governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates.

■ Call Risk. There is a possibility that an issuer of fixed-income securities in which the Fund may invest may redeem a security before maturity (a “call”) at a price below its current market price. An increase in the likelihood of a call may reduce the security’s price.

■ Risk of Foreign Investing. Because the Fund invests in securities issued by foreign companies, the Fund’s Share price may be more affected by foreign economic and political conditions, taxation policies and accounting and auditing standards than could otherwise be the case.

■ Currency Risk. Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily. Foreign securities are normally denominated and traded in foreign currencies. As a result, the value of the Fund’s foreign investments and the value of the shares may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar.

■ European Union and Eurozone Related Risk. A number of countries in the European Union (EU), including certain countries within the EU that have adopted the euro (Eurozone), have experienced, and may continue to experience, severe economic and financial difficulties. Additional countries within the EU may also fall subject to such difficulties. These events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments in euro-denominated securities and derivatives contracts, securities of issuers located in the EU or with significant exposure to EU issuers or countries.

■ Leverage Risk. Leverage risk is created when an investment exposes the Fund to a level of risk that exceeds the amount invested.

■ Risk of Investing in Emerging Market Countries. Securities issued or traded in emerging markets generally entail greater risks than securities issued or traded in developed markets. Emerging market economies may also experience more severe downturns (with corresponding currency devaluations) than developed economies.

■ Risk of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments. Derivative contracts and hybrid instruments involve risks different from, or possibly greater than, risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Specific risk issues related to the use of such contracts and instruments include valuation issues, increased potential for losses and/or costs to the Fund and a potential reduction in gains to the Fund. Each of these issues is described in greater detail in the Prospectus. Derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may also involve other risks described in the Prospectus such as interest rate, counterparty credit, currency, liquidity and leverage risks.

■ Technology Risk. The Adviser uses various technologies in managing the Fund, consistent with its investment objective and strategy described in this Prospectus. For example, proprietary and third-party data and systems are utilized to support decision-making for the Fund. Data imprecision, software or other technology malfunctions, programming inaccuracies and similar circumstances may impair the performance of these systems, which may negatively affect Fund performance.

The Shares offered by this Prospectus are not deposits or obligations of any bank, are not endorsed or guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency.

Performance: Bar Chart and Table

Risk/Return Bar Chart

The bar chart and performance table below reflect historical performance data for the Fund’s P class. The performance information shown below will help you analyze the Fund’s investment risks in light of its historical returns. The bar chart shows the variability of the Fund’s P class total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis. The Average Annual Total Return Table shows returns averaged over the stated periods, and includes comparative performance information. The Fund’s performance will fluctuate, and past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. For current performance information, contact your insurance company.

Within the periods shown in the bar chart, the Fund’s P class highest quarterly return was 9.42% (quarter ended June 30, 2020). Its lowest quarterly return was (12.53)% (quarter ended March 31, 2020).

Average Annual Total Return Table

Return Before Taxes is shown for the Fund’s P class.

(For the Period Ended December 31, 2023)

Share Class	1 Year	5 Years	10 Years
P Class:
Return Before Taxes	12.71%	4.75%	4.13%
Bloomberg US Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index1 (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	13.44%	5.35%	4.59%
Lipper Variable Underlying High Yield Funds Average2	11.81%	4.78%	3.90%

The Bloomberg US Corporate High-Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index is an issuer-constrained version of the Bloomberg US Corporate High-Yield Index that measures the market of USD-denominated, noninvestment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bonds. The index follows the same rules as the uncapped index but limits the exposure of each issuer to 2% of the total market value and redistributes any excess market value index-wide on a pro-rata basis. The index is not adjusted to reflect sales charges, expenses or other fees that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires to be reflected in the Fund’s performance. The index is unmanaged and, unlike the Fund, is not affected by cash flows. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Lipper figures represent the average total returns reported by all of the funds serving as underlying investment options for variable insurance contracts designated by Lipper, Inc. as falling into the category indicated. They do not reflect sales charges.

FUND MANAGEMENT

The Fund’s Investment Adviser is Federated Investment Management Company.

Mark E. Durbiano, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in August of 1993.

Kathryn P. Glass, CFA, Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since September of 2023.

Randal Stuckwish, CFA, Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since September of 2023.

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

Shares of the Fund can be purchased or redeemed by participating insurance companies on any day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open.

Tax Information

Payments to Insurance companies or qualifying dealers

What are the Fund’s Investment Strategies?

risk and other risks through careful security selection and diversification. The Fund primarily invests in domestic high-yield, lower-rated bonds but may invest a portion of its portfolio in securities of issuers based outside of the United States (so-called “foreign securities”) in both emerging and developed markets. A description of the various types of securities in which the Fund invests, and their risks, immediately follows the strategy discussion.

The Adviser selects securities that it believes have attractive risk-return characteristics. The securities in which the Fund invests have high yields primarily because of the market’s greater uncertainty about the issuer’s ability to make all required interest and principal payments, and therefore about the return that will, in fact, be realized by the Fund.

The Adviser attempts to select bonds for investment by the Fund which offer high potential returns for the default risks being assumed. The Adviser’s security selection process consists of a credit-intensive, fundamental analysis of the issuing firm. The Adviser’s analysis focuses on the financial condition of the issuing firm, together with the issuer’s business and product strength, competitive position and management expertise. Further, the Adviser considers current economic, financial market and industry factors, which may affect the issuer.

The Adviser attempts to minimize the Fund’s portfolio credit risk through diversification. The Adviser selects securities to maintain broad portfolio diversification both by company and industry. The Adviser does not target an average maturity for the Fund’s portfolio.

The Fund may use derivative contracts and/or hybrid instruments to implement elements of its investment strategy. For example, the Fund may use derivative contracts or hybrid instruments to increase or decrease the portfolio’s exposure to the investment(s) underlying the derivative contracts or hybrid instruments in an attempt to benefit from changes in the value of the underlying investment(s). Additionally, by way of example, the Fund may use derivative contracts in an attempt to:

■ increase or decrease the effective duration of the Fund portfolio;

■ obtain premiums from the sale of derivative contracts;

■ realize gains from trading a derivative contract; or

■ hedge against potential losses.

There can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of derivative contracts or hybrid instruments will work as intended. Derivative investments made by the Fund are included within the Fund’s 80% policy (as described below) and are calculated at market value.

The Fund will invest its assets so that at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in lower rated fixed-income investments. The Fund will notify shareholders at least 60 days in advance of any change in its investment policy that would enable the Fund to invest, under normal circumstances, less than 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowings for investment purposes) in lower rated fixed-income investments.

TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS

The Fund may temporarily depart from its principal investment strategies by investing its assets in shorter-term debt securities and similar obligations or holding cash. It may do this in response to unusual circumstances, such as: adverse market, economic or other conditions (for example, to help avoid potential losses, or during periods when there is a shortage of appropriate securities); to maintain liquidity to meet shareholder redemptions; or to accommodate cash inflows. It is possible that such investments could affect the Fund’s investment returns and/or the ability to achieve the Fund’s investment objectives.

What are the Fund’s Principal Investments?

Fixed-Income Securities

The following describes the fixed-income securities in which the Fund principally invests:

Corporate Debt Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Corporate debt securities are fixed-income securities issued by businesses. Notes, bonds, debentures and commercial paper are the most prevalent types of corporate debt securities. The credit risks of corporate debt securities vary widely among issuers.

In addition, the credit risk of an issuer’s debt security may vary based on its priority for repayment. For example, higher ranking (“senior”) debt securities have a higher priority than lower ranking (“subordinated”) securities. This means that the issuer might not make payments on subordinated securities while continuing to make payments on senior securities. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy, holders of senior securities may receive amounts otherwise payable to the holders of subordinated securities. Some subordinated securities, such as trust preferred and capital securities notes, also permit the issuer to defer payments under certain circumstances. For example, insurance companies issue securities known as surplus notes that permit the insurance company to defer any payment that would reduce its capital below regulatory requirements.

Lower-Rated, Fixed-Income Securities

Lower-rated, fixed-income securities are securities rated below investment grade (i.e., BB or lower) by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO). There is no minimal acceptable rating for a security to be purchased or held by the Fund and the Fund may purchase or hold unrated securities and securities whose issuers are in default.

Zero-Coupon Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Zero-coupon securities do not pay interest or principal until final maturity unlike debt securities that provide periodic payments of interest (referred to as a coupon payment). Investors buy zero-coupon securities at a price below the amount payable at maturity. The difference between the purchase price and the amount paid at maturity represents interest on the zero-coupon security. Investors must wait until maturity to receive interest and principal, which increases the interest rate and credit risks of a zero-coupon security.

There are many forms of zero-coupon securities. Some are issued at a discount and are referred to as zero coupon or capital appreciation bonds. Others are created from interest-bearing bonds by separating the right to receive the bond’s coupon payments from the right to receive the bond’s principal due at maturity, a process known as coupon stripping. In addition, some securities give the issuer the option to deliver additional securities in place of cash interest payments, thereby increasing the amount payable at maturity. These are referred to as pay-in-kind, PIK securities or toggle securities.

Demand Instruments (A Type of Corporate Debt Security)

Demand instruments are corporate debt securities that require the issuer or a third party, such as a dealer or bank (the “Demand Provider”), to repurchase the security for its face value upon demand. Some demand instruments are “conditional,” so that the occurrence of certain conditions relieves the Demand Provider of its obligation to repurchase the security. Other demand instruments are “unconditional,” so that there are no conditions under which the Demand Provider’s obligation to repurchase the security can terminate. The Fund treats demand instruments as short-term securities, even though their stated maturity may extend beyond one year.

Asset-Backed Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Asset-backed securities are payable from pools of obligations other than mortgages. Most asset-backed securities involve consumer or commercial debts with maturities of less than 10 years. However, almost any type of fixed-income assets (including other fixed-income securities, such as corporate debt securities) may be used to create an asset-backed security. Asset-backed securities may take the form of notes or pass-through certificates.

Convertible Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Convertible securities are fixed-income securities that the Fund has the option to exchange for equity securities at a specified conversion price. The option allows the Fund to realize additional returns if the market price of the equity securities exceeds the conversion price. For example, the Fund may hold fixed-income securities that are convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion price of $10 per share. If the market value of the shares of common stock reached $12, the Fund could realize an additional $2 per share by converting its fixed-income securities.

Convertible securities have lower yields than comparable fixed-income securities. In addition, at the time a convertible security is issued, the conversion price exceeds the market value of the underlying equity securities. Thus, convertible securities may provide lower returns than nonconvertible, fixed-income securities or equity securities depending upon changes in the price of the underlying equity securities. However, convertible securities permit the Fund to realize some of the potential appreciation of the underlying equity securities with less risk of losing its initial investment.

The Fund treats convertible securities as fixed-income securities for purposes of its investment policies and limitations, because of their unique characteristics.

Foreign Securities

Foreign securities are securities of issuers based outside the United States. To the extent a Fund invests in securities included in its applicable broad-based securities market index, the Fund may consider an issuer to be based outside the United States if the applicable index classifies the issuer as based outside the United States. Accordingly, the Fund may consider an issuer to be based outside the United States if the issuer satisfies at least one, but not necessarily all, of the following:

■ it is organized under the laws of, or has its principal office located in, another country;

■ the principal trading market for its securities is in another country;

■ it (directly or through its consolidated subsidiaries) derived in its most current fiscal year at least 50% of its total assets, capitalization, gross revenue or profit from goods produced, services performed or sales made in another country; or

■ it is classified by an applicable index as based outside the United States.

While the Fund typically invests in U.S. dollar denominated foreign securities, the Fund may also invest in foreign securities that are denominated in foreign currencies. Along with the risks normally associated with domestic securities of the same type, foreign securities are subject to currency risks and risks of foreign investing. Trading in certain foreign markets may also be subject to liquidity risks.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

In order to convert U.S. dollars into the currency needed to buy a foreign security, or to convert foreign currency received from the sale of a foreign security into U.S. dollars, or to decrease or eliminate the Fund’s exposure to foreign currencies in which a portfolio security is denominated, the Fund may enter into spot currency trades. In a spot trade, the Fund agrees to exchange one currency for another at the current exchange rate. The Fund may also enter into derivative contracts in which a foreign currency is an underlying asset. The exchange rate for currency derivative contracts may be higher or lower than the spot exchange rate. Use of these derivative contracts may increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to currency risks.

Preferred Stocks

Preferred stocks have the right to receive specified dividends or distributions before the issuer makes payments on its common stock. Some preferred stocks also participate in dividends and distributions paid on common stock. Preferred stocks may also permit the issuer to redeem the stock. The Fund may also treat such redeemable preferred stock as a fixed-income security.

Derivative Contracts

Derivative contracts are financial instruments that derive their value from underlying securities, commodities, currencies, indices, or other assets or instruments, including other derivative contracts (each a “Reference Instrument” and collectively, “Reference Instruments”). The most common types of derivative contracts are swaps, futures and options, and major asset classes include interest rates, equities, commodities and foreign exchange. Each party to a derivative contract may sometimes be referred to as a “counterparty.” Some derivative contracts require payments relating to an actual, future trade involving the Reference Instrument. These types of derivatives are frequently referred to as “physically settled” derivatives. Other derivative contracts require payments relating to the income or returns from, or changes in the market value of, a Reference Instrument. These types of derivatives are known as “cash-settled” derivatives since they require cash payments in lieu of delivery of the Reference Instrument.

Many derivative contracts are traded on exchanges. In these circumstances, the relevant exchange sets all the terms of the contract except for the price. Parties to an exchange-traded derivative contract make payments through the exchange. Most exchanges require traders to maintain margin accounts through their brokers to cover their potential obligations to the exchange. Parties to the contract make (or collect) daily payments to the margin accounts to reflect losses (or gains) in the value of their contracts. This protects traders against a potential default by their counterparty. Trading contracts on an exchange also allows traders to hedge or mitigate certain risks or carry out more complex trading strategies by entering into offsetting contracts.

The Fund may also trade derivative contracts over-the-counter (OTC), meaning off-exchange, in transactions negotiated directly between the Fund and an eligible counterparty, which may be a financial institution. OTC contracts do not necessarily have standard terms, so they may be less liquid and more difficult to close out than exchange-traded derivative contracts. In addition, OTC contracts with more specialized terms may be more difficult to value than exchange-traded contracts, especially in times of financial stress.

The market for swaps and other OTC derivatives was largely unregulated prior to the enactment of federal legislation known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”). Regulations enacted by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) under the Dodd-Frank Act require the Fund to clear certain types of swap contracts (including certain interest rate and credit default swaps) through a central clearinghouse known as a derivatives clearing organization (DCO).

To clear a swap through a DCO, the Fund will submit the contract to, and post margin with, a futures commission merchant (FCM) that is a clearinghouse member. The Fund may enter into the swap with a counterparty other than the FCM and arrange for the contract to be transferred to the FCM for clearing or enter into the contract with the FCM itself. If the Fund must centrally clear a transaction, the CFTC’s regulations also generally require that the swap be executed on a registered exchange (either a designated contract market (DCM) or swap execution facility (SEF)). Central clearing is presently required only for certain swaps; the CFTC is expected to impose a mandatory central clearing requirement for additional derivative instruments over time.

DCOs, DCMs, SEFs and FCMs are all subject to regulatory oversight by the CFTC. In addition, certain derivative market participants that act as market makers and engage in a significant amount of “dealing” activity are also required to register as swap dealers with the CFTC. Among other things, swap dealers are subject to minimum capital requirements and business conduct standards and must also post and collect initial and variation margin on uncleared swaps with certain of their counterparties. Because of this, if the Fund enters into uncleared swaps with any swap dealers, it may be subject to initial and variation margin requirements that could impact the Fund’s ability to enter into swaps in the OTC market, including making transacting in uncleared swaps significantly more expensive.

At this point in time, most of the Dodd-Frank Act has been fully implemented, though a small number of remaining rulemakings are unfinished or are subject to phase-in periods. Any future regulatory or legislative activity would not necessarily have a direct, immediate effect upon the Fund, though it is within the realm of possibility that, upon implementation of these measures or any future measures, they could potentially limit or completely restrict the ability of the Fund to use these instruments as a part of its investment strategy, increase the costs of using these instruments or make them less effective.

Depending on how the Fund uses derivative contracts and the relationships between the market value of a derivative contract and the Reference Instrument, derivative contracts may increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to the risks of the Reference Instrument and may also expose the Fund to liquidity and leverage risks. OTC contracts also expose the Fund to credit risks in the event that a counterparty defaults on the contract, although this risk may be mitigated by submitting the contract for clearing through a DCO, or certain other factors, such as collecting margin from the counterparty.

As discussed above, a counterparty’s exposure under a derivative contract may in some cases be required to be secured with initial and/or variation margin (a form of “collateral”).

The Fund may invest in a derivative contract if it is permitted to own, invest in, or otherwise have economic exposure to the Reference Instrument. The Fund is not required to own a Reference Instrument in order to buy or sell a derivative contract relating to that Reference Instrument. The Fund may trade in the following specific types and/or combinations of derivative contracts:

Futures Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act with respect to the Fund, and therefore is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the Act with respect to the Fund. Futures contracts traded OTC are frequently referred to as forward contracts. The Fund can buy or sell financial futures (such as interest rate futures, index futures and security futures), as well as currency futures and currency forward contracts.

Option Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Option contracts (also called “options”) are rights to buy or sell a Reference Instrument for a specified price (the “exercise price”) during, or at the end of, a specified period. The seller (or “writer”) of the option receives a payment, or premium, from the buyer, which the writer keeps regardless of whether the buyer uses (or exercises) the option. A call option gives the holder (buyer) the right to buy the Reference Instrument from the seller (writer) of the option. A put option gives the holder the right to sell the Reference Instrument to the writer of the option. Options may be bought or sold on a wide variety of Reference Instruments. Options that are written on futures contracts will be subject to margin requirements similar to those applied to futures contracts.

Swap Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

A swap contract (also known as a “swap”) is a type of derivative contract in which two parties agree to pay each other (swap) the returns derived from Reference Instruments. Swaps do not always involve the delivery of the Reference Instruments by either party, and the parties might not own the Reference Instruments underlying the swap. The payments are usually made on a net basis so that, on any given day, the Fund would receive (or pay) only the amount by which its payment under the contract is less than (or exceeds) the amount of the other party’s payment. Swap agreements are sophisticated instruments that can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names. Common types of swaps in which the Fund may invest include interest rate swaps, caps and floors, total return swaps, credit default swaps and currency swaps.

OTHER INVESTMENTS, TRANSACTIONS, TECHNIQUES

Hybrid Instruments

Hybrid instruments combine elements of two different kinds of securities or financial instruments (such as a derivative contract). Frequently, the value of a hybrid instrument is determined by reference to changes in the value of a Reference Instrument (that is a designated security, commodity, currency, index or other asset or instrument including a derivative contract). The Fund may use hybrid instruments only in connection with permissible investment activities. Hybrid instruments can take on many forms including, but not limited to, the following forms. First, a common form of a hybrid instrument combines elements of a derivative contract with those of another security (typically a fixed-income security). In this case all or a portion of the interest or principal payable on a hybrid security is determined by reference to changes in the price of a Reference Instrument. Second, hybrid instruments may include convertible securities with conversion terms related to a Reference Instrument.

Depending on the type and terms of the hybrid instrument, its risks may reflect a combination of the risks of investing in the Reference Instrument with the risks of investing in other securities, currencies and derivative contracts. Thus, an investment in a hybrid instrument may entail significant risks in addition to those associated with traditional investments or the Reference Instrument. Hybrid instruments are also potentially more volatile than traditional securities or the Reference Instrument. Moreover, depending on the structure of the particular hybrid, it may expose the Fund to leverage risks or carry liquidity risks.

Derivatives Regulation and Asset Coverage

The regulation of the U.S. and non-U.S. derivatives markets has undergone substantial change in recent years and such change may continue. In addition, effective August 19, 2022, Rule 18f-4 (the “Derivatives Rule”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), replaced the asset segregation framework previously used by funds to comply with limitations on leverage imposed by the 1940 Act. The Derivatives Rule generally mandates that a fund either limit derivatives exposure to 10% or less of its net assets, or in the alternative implement: (i) limits on leverage calculated based value-at-risk (VAR); (ii) a written derivatives risk management program (DRMP) administered by a derivatives risk manager appointed by the Fund’s Board, including a majority of the independent Board members, that is periodically reviewed by the Board; and (iii) new reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

As the Fund’s derivative exposure, if any, is 10% or less of its net assets, excluding certain currency and interest rate hedging transactions, the Fund is classified as a limited derivatives user under the Derivatives Rule and will not be subject to the full requirements of the Derivatives Rule as noted above, including VAR testing and stress testing and certain Board reporting requirements. However, the Fund is still required to implement written compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to manage its derivatives risks and monitor its derivatives exposure daily.

Additional Information Regarding the Security Selection Process

What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund?

The following provides general information on the risks associated with the Fund’s principal investments. Any additional risks associated with the Fund’s non-principal investments are described in the Fund’s SAI. The Fund’s SAI also may provide additional information about the risks associated with the Fund’s principal investments.

RISK ASSOCIATED WITH NONINVESTMENT-GRADE SECURITIES

Securities rated below investment grade, also known as junk bonds, generally entail greater economic, credit and liquidity risks than investment-grade securities. For example, their prices are more volatile, economic downturns and financial setbacks may affect their prices more negatively, and their trading market may be more limited. These securities are considered speculative with respect to the issuer’s ability to pay interest and repay principal.

issuer Credit Risk

It is possible that interest or principal on securities will not be paid when due. Noninvestment-grade securities generally have a higher default risk than investment-grade securities.

The high-yield bonds in which the Fund invests have a higher default risk than investment-grade securities. Such non-payment or default may reduce the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, its share price and its performance. Low-grade bonds may be uncollateralized and subordinated to other debt that a firm has outstanding.

Many fixed-income securities receive credit ratings from services such as Fitch Rating Service, Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s that assign ratings to securities by assessing the likelihood of an issuer and/or guarantor default. Higher credit ratings correspond to lower perceived credit risk and lower credit ratings correspond to higher perceived credit risk. Credit ratings may be upgraded or downgraded from time to time as an NRSRO’s assessment of the financial condition of a party obligated to make payments with respect to such securities and credit risk changes. The impact of any downgrade in a credit rating can be uncertain. Credit rating downgrades may lead to increased interest rates and volatility in financial markets, which in turn could negatively affect the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings, its share price and its investment performance. Credit ratings are not a guarantee of quality. Credit ratings may lag behind the current financial conditions of the issuer and/or guarantor and do not provide assurance against default or other loss of money. Credit ratings do not protect against a decline in the value of a security. If a security has not received a rating, the Fund must rely entirely upon the Adviser’s credit assessment.

Fixed-income securities generally compensate for greater credit risk by paying interest at a higher rate. The difference between the yield of a security and the yield of a U.S. Treasury security with a comparable maturity (the “spread”) measures the additional interest paid for risk. Spreads may increase generally in response to adverse economic or market conditions. A security’s spread may also increase if the security’s rating is lowered, or the security is perceived to have an increased credit risk. An increase in the spread will cause the price of the security to decline relative to higher-quality instruments.

counterparty Credit Risk

Counterparty credit risk includes the possibility that a party to a transaction involving the Fund will fail to meet its obligations. This could cause the Fund to lose money or to lose the benefit of the transaction or prevent the Fund from selling or buying other securities to implement its investment strategy.

RISKS RELATED TO THE ECONOMY

response to changes in interest rates, which could result from a change in government policies, and has the potential to cause investors to move out of certain portfolio securities, including fixed-income securities, on a large scale. This may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of certain securities and may result in decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. Market factors, such as the demand for particular portfolio securities, may cause the price of certain portfolio securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged. Among other investments, lower-grade bonds and loans may be particularly sensitive to changes in the economy.

Liquidity Risk

Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed-income securities that have not received any credit ratings, have received ratings below investment grade or are not widely held.

Also, if dealer capacity has not kept, or does not keep pace with market growth, or if regulatory changes or other certain developments warrant, dealer inventories of securities (such as corporate bonds) may reach low levels and impact a dealer’s ability to “make markets” (or buy or sell a security at a quoted bid and ask price).

These factors may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security or not sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance. A significant reduction in dealer inventories or “market makers,” or other factors resulting in infrequent trading of securities, can lead to decreased liquidity and may also lead to an increase in their price volatility. These affects may be exacerbated during times of economic or political stress. Noninvestment-grade securities generally have less liquidity than investment-grade securities.

Liquidity risk also refers to the possibility that the Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out a derivative contract when it wants to. If this happens, the Fund will be required to continue to hold the security or keep the position open, and the Fund could incur losses. OTC derivative contracts generally carry greater liquidity risk than exchange-traded contracts. This risk may be increased in times of financial stress if the trading market for OTC derivative contracts becomes restricted.

Loan instruments may not be readily marketable and may be subject to restrictions on resale. In some cases, negotiations involved in disposing of loans may require weeks to complete. Additionally, collateral on loan instruments may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such assets will satisfy a borrower’s obligations under the instrument.

Increased Fund redemption activity, which may occur in a rising interest rate environment or for other reasons, also may increase liquidity risk due to the need of the Fund to sell portfolio securities and may negatively impact Fund performance.

Interest Rate Risk

The longer the duration of a fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest rate risk. The duration of a fixed-income security may be equal to or shorter than the stated maturity of a fixed-income security. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks and/or their governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates. Duration measures the price sensitivity of a fixed-income security given a change in interest rates. For example, if a fixed-income security has an effective duration of three years, a 1% increase in general interest rates would be expected to cause the security’s value to decline about 3% while a 1% decrease in general interest rates would be expected to cause the security’s value to increase about 3%.

The impact of interest rate changes on the value of floating rate investments is typically reduced by periodic interest rate resets. Variable and floating rate loans and securities generally are less sensitive to interest rate changes, but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much or as quickly as interest rates in general. Conversely, variable and floating rate loans and securities generally will not increase in value as much as fixed rate debt instruments if interest rates decline.

Call Risk

If a fixed-income security is called, the Fund may have to reinvest the proceeds in other fixed-income securities with lower interest rates, higher credit risks or other less favorable characteristics.

RISK OF FOREIGN INVESTING

Foreign securities pose additional risks because foreign economic or political conditions may be less favorable than those of the United States. Securities in foreign markets may also be subject to taxation policies that reduce returns for U.S. investors.

Foreign companies may not provide information (including financial statements) as frequently or to as great an extent as companies in the United States. Foreign companies may also receive less coverage than U.S. companies by market analysts and the financial press. In addition, foreign countries may lack uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards or regulatory requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. These factors may prevent the Fund and its Adviser from obtaining information concerning foreign companies that is as frequent, extensive and reliable as the information available concerning companies in the United States.

Foreign countries may have restrictions on foreign ownership of securities or may impose exchange controls, capital flow restrictions or repatriation restrictions which could adversely affect the liquidity of the Fund’s investments.

Since many loan instruments involve parties (for example, lenders, borrowers and agent banks) located in multiple jurisdictions outside of the United States, there is a risk that a security interest in any related collateral may be unenforceable and obligations under the related loan agreements may not be binding.

Currency Risk

Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily. The combination of currency risk and market risks tends to make securities traded in foreign markets more volatile than securities traded exclusively in the United States. The Adviser attempts to manage currency risk by limiting the amount the Fund invests in securities denominated in a particular currency. However, diversification will not protect the Fund against a general increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies.

Investing in currencies or securities denominated in a foreign currency entails risk of being exposed to a currency that may not fully reflect the strengths and weaknesses of the economy of the country or region utilizing the currency. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which the Fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which the Fund has taken an active investment position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. In addition, it is possible that a currency (such as, for example, the euro) could be abandoned in the future by countries that have already adopted its use, and the effects of such an abandonment on the applicable country and the rest of the countries utilizing the currency are uncertain but could negatively affect the Fund’s investments denominated in the currency. If a currency used by a country or countries is replaced by another currency, the Fund’s Adviser would evaluate whether to continue to hold any investments denominated in such currency, or whether to purchase investments denominated in the currency that replaces such currency, at the time. Such investments may continue to be held, or purchased, to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objective(s) and permitted under applicable law.

Many countries rely heavily upon export-dependent businesses and any strength in the exchange rate between a currency and the U.S. dollar or other currencies can have either a positive or a negative effect upon corporate profits and the performance of investments in the country or region utilizing the currency. Adverse economic events within such country or region may increase the volatility of exchange rates against other currencies, subjecting the Fund’s investments denominated in such country’s or region’s currency to additional risks. In addition, certain countries, particularly emerging market countries, may impose foreign currency exchange controls or other restrictions on the transferability, repatriation or convertibility of currency.

European Union and eurozone Related risk

A number of countries in the European Union (EU), including certain countries within the EU that have adopted the euro (Eurozone), have experienced, and may continue to experience, severe economic and financial difficulties. Additional countries within the EU may also fall subject to such difficulties. These events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments in euro-denominated securities and derivatives contracts, securities of issuers located in the EU or with significant exposure to EU issuers or countries. If the euro is dissolved entirely, the legal and contractual consequences for holders of euro-denominated obligations and derivative contracts would be determined by laws in effect at such time. Such investments may continue to be held, or purchased, to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objective(s) and permitted under applicable law. These potential developments, or market perceptions concerning these and related issues, could adversely affect the value of the Shares.

Certain countries in the EU have had to accept assistance from supra-governmental agencies such as the International Monetary Fund, the European Stability Mechanism (the “ESM”) or other supra-governmental agencies. The European Central Bank has also been intervening to purchase Eurozone debt in an attempt to stabilize markets and reduce borrowing costs. There can be no assurance that these agencies will continue to intervene or provide further assistance and markets may react adversely to any expected reduction in the financial support provided by these agencies. Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences.

In addition, one or more countries may withdraw from the EU, and one or more countries within the Eurozone may abandon the euro. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, could be significant and far-reaching. On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom (UK) left the EU, commonly referred to as “Brexit,” and there commenced a transition period during which the EU and UK negotiated and agreed on the nature of their future relationship, with such agreements becoming effective on December 31, 2020. There is significant market uncertainty regarding Brexit’s ramifications, and the range and potential implications of possible political, regulatory, economic and market outcomes are difficult to predict. This long-term uncertainty may affect other countries in the EU and elsewhere and may cause volatility within the EU, triggering prolonged economic downturns in certain countries within the EU. In addition, Brexit may create additional and substantial economic stresses for the UK, including a contraction of the UK economy and price volatility in UK stocks, decreased trade, capital outflows, devaluation of the British pound, wider corporate bond spreads due to uncertainty and declines in business and consumer spending as well as foreign direct investment. Brexit may also adversely affect UK-based financial firms, including certain sub-advisers to the Federated Hermes Funds, that have counterparties in the EU or participate in market infrastructure (trading venues, clearinghouses, settlement facilities) based in the EU. These events and the resulting market volatility may have an adverse effect on the performance of the Fund.

Leverage Risk

Leverage risk is created when an investment exposes the Fund to a level of risk that exceeds the amount invested. Changes in the value of such an investment magnify the Fund’s risk of loss and potential for gain. Investments can have these same results if their returns are based on a multiple of a specified index, security or other benchmark.

RISK OF INVESTING IN EMERGING MARKET COUNTRIES

Securities issued or traded in emerging markets generally entail greater risks than securities issued or traded in developed markets. For example, the prices of such securities may be significantly more volatile than prices of securities in developed countries. Emerging market economies may also experience more severe downturns (with corresponding currency devaluations) than developed economies.

Emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments and may present the risks of nationalization of businesses, expropriation, confiscatory taxation or, in certain instances, reversion to closed market, centrally planned economies.

Risk of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments

The Fund’s exposure to derivative contracts and hybrid instruments (either directly or through its investment in another investment company) involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. First, changes in the value of the derivative contracts and hybrid instruments in which the Fund invests may not be correlated with changes in the value of the underlying Reference Instruments or, if they are correlated, may move in the opposite direction than originally anticipated. Second, while some strategies involving derivatives may reduce the risk of loss, they may also reduce potential gains or, in some cases, result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in portfolio holdings. Third, there is a risk that derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may be erroneously priced or improperly valued and, as a result, the Fund may need to make increased cash payments to the counterparty. Fourth, a common provision in OTC derivative contracts permits the counterparty to terminate any such contract between it and the Fund, if the value of the Fund’s total net assets declines below a specified level over a given time period. Factors that may contribute to such a decline (which usually must be substantial) include significant shareholder redemptions and/or a marked decrease in the market value of the Fund’s investments. Any such termination of the Fund’s OTC derivative contracts may adversely affect the Fund (for example, by increasing losses and/or costs, and/or preventing the Fund from fully implementing its investment strategies). Fifth, the Fund may use a derivative contract to benefit from a decline in the value of a Reference Instrument. If the value of the Reference Instrument declines during the term of the contract, the Fund makes a profit on the difference (less any payments the Fund is required to pay under the terms of the contract). Any such strategy involves risk. There is no assurance that the Reference Instrument will decline in value during the term of the contract and make a profit for the Fund. The Reference Instrument may instead appreciate in value creating a loss for the Fund. Sixth, a default or failure by a CCP or an FCM (also sometimes called a “futures broker”), or the failure of a contract to be transferred from an Executing Dealer to the FCM for clearing, may expose the Fund to losses, increase its costs, or prevent the Fund from entering or exiting derivative positions, accessing margin, or fully implementing its investment strategies. The central clearing of a derivative and trading of a contract over a SEF could reduce the liquidity in, or increase costs of entering into or holding, any contracts. Finally, derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may also involve other risks described in this Prospectus such as interest rate, counterparty credit, currency, liquidity and leverage risks.

technology Risk

What Do Shares Cost?

CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

When the Fund receives your transaction request in proper form (as described in this Prospectus under the section entitled “How to Purchase and Redeem Shares”), it is processed at the next calculated net asset value of a Share (NAV). A Share’s NAV is determined as of the end of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) each day the NYSE is open. The Fund calculates the NAV of each class by valuing the assets allocated to the Share’s class, subtracting the liabilities allocated to each class and dividing the balance by the number of Shares of the class outstanding. The NAV for each class of Shares may differ due to the level of expenses allocated to each class as well as a result of the variance between the amount of accrued investment income and capital gains or losses allocated to each class and the amount actually distributed to shareholders of each class.

Shares can be purchased or redeemed by participating insurance companies any day the NYSE is open.

When the Fund holds securities that trade principally in foreign markets on days the NYSE is closed, the value of the Fund’s assets may change on days you cannot purchase or redeem Shares. This may also occur when the U.S. markets for fixed-income securities are open on a day the NYSE is closed.

In calculating its NAV, the Fund generally values investments as follows:

■ Fixed-income securities are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Adviser.

■ Derivative contracts listed on exchanges are valued at their reported settlement or closing price, except that options are valued at the mean of closing bid and ask quotations.

■ Over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contracts are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Adviser.

If any price, quotation, price evaluation or other pricing source is not readily available when the NAV is calculated, if the Fund cannot obtain price evaluations from a pricing service or from more than one dealer for an investment within a reasonable period of time as set forth in the Adviser’s valuation policies and procedures, or if information furnished by a pricing service, in the opinion of the Valuation Committee, is deemed not representative of the fair value of such security, the Fund uses the fair value of the investment determined in accordance with the procedures generally described below. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it sold the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share.

Shares of other mutual funds are valued based upon their reported NAVs. The prospectuses for these mutual funds explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.

Fair Valuation and Significant Events Procedures

Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Board has designated the Adviser as the Fund’s valuation designee to perform the fair valuation determination for securities and other assets held by the Fund. The Adviser, acting through its “Valuation Committee,” is responsible for determining the fair value of investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Valuation Committee is comprised of officers of the Adviser and certain of the Adviser’s affiliated companies and determines fair value and oversees the calculation of the NAV. The Valuation Committee is subject to Board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements intended to provide the Board the information it needs to oversee the Adviser’s fair value determinations.

The Valuation Committee is also authorized to use pricing services to provide fair price evaluations of the current fair value of certain investments for purposes of calculating the NAV. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the Valuation Committee determines the fair value of the investment in accordance with procedures adopted by the Adviser as the valuation designee. The Board periodically reviews the fair valuations made by the Valuation Committee. The Board has also approved the Adviser’s fair valuation and significant events procedures as part of the Fund’s compliance program and will review any changes made to the procedures. The Fund’s SAI discusses the methods used by pricing services and the Valuation Committee in valuing investments.

Using fair value to price investments may result in a value that is different from an investment’s most recent closing price and from the prices used by other registered funds to calculate their NAVs. The application of the fair value procedures to an investment represents a good faith determination of such investment’s fair value. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it sold the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share, and the actual value could be materially different.

The Adviser also has adopted procedures requiring an investment to be priced at its fair value whenever the Valuation Committee determines that a significant event affecting the value of the investment has occurred between the time as of which the price of the investment would otherwise be determined and the time as of which the NAV is computed. An event is considered significant if there is both an affirmative expectation that the investment’s value will change in response to the event and a reasonable basis for quantifying the resulting change in value.

Examples of significant events that may occur after the close of the principal market on which a security is traded, or after the time of a price evaluation provided by a pricing service or a dealer, include:

■ With respect to securities traded principally in foreign markets, significant trends in U.S. equity markets or in the trading of foreign securities index futures contracts;

■ Political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded; and

■ Announcements concerning matters such as acquisitions, recapitalizations or litigation developments or a natural disaster affecting the issuer’s operations or regulatory changes or market developments affecting the issuer’s industry.

The Adviser has adopted procedures whereby the Valuation Committee uses a pricing service to provide factors to update the fair value of equity securities traded principally in foreign markets from the time of the close of their respective foreign stock exchanges to the pricing time of the Fund. For other significant events, the Fund may seek to obtain more current quotations or price evaluations from alternative pricing sources. If a reliable alternative pricing source is not available, the Valuation Committee will determine the fair value of the investment. The Board periodically reviews fair valuations made in response to significant events.

The fair valuation of securities following a significant event can serve to reduce arbitrage opportunities for short-term traders to profit at the expense of long-term investors in the Fund. For example, such arbitrage opportunities may exist when the market on which portfolio securities are traded closes before the Fund calculates its NAV, which is typically the case with Asian and European markets. However, there is no assurance that these significant event procedures will prevent dilution of the NAV by short-term traders. See “Account and Share Information–Frequent Trading Policies” for other procedures the Fund employs to deter such short-term trading.

How is the Fund Sold?

The Fund offers the following Share classes: Primary Shares (P) and Service Shares (S), each representing interests in a single portfolio of securities. This Prospectus relates only to Primary Shares. All Share classes have different expenses which affect their performance. Contact your insurance company or call 1-800-341-7400 for more information concerning the other class.

Intra-Fund Share Conversion Program

A shareholder in the Fund’s Shares may convert their Shares at net asset value to any other share class of the Fund if the shareholder meets the investment minimum and eligibility requirements for the share class into which the conversion is sought, as applicable. Such conversion of classes should not result in a realization event for tax purposes. Contact your financial intermediary or call 1-800-341-7400 to convert your Shares.

Payments to Insurance Companies

The Fund and its affiliated service providers may pay fees as described below for services provided to the Fund.

ADMINISTRATIVE sERVICE FEES

The Fund may pay Administrative Service Fees of up to 0.25% of average net assets to insurance companies for providing services to shareholders and maintaining shareholder accounts. The P class of the Fund has no present intention of paying, accruing or incurring any such fee until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

ADditional payments

How to Purchase and Redeem Shares

Purchase and redemption orders must be received by your participating insurance company by 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time). The purchase order will be processed at the NAV calculated on that day if the Fund receives your order from the participating insurance company in accordance with requirements of the Fund’s Participation Agreement among the Fund, the Distributor and your participating insurance company. The Fund reserves the right to reject any purchase order.

Methods the Fund May Use to Meet Redemption Requests

In unusual or stressed circumstances, the Fund may generate cash in the following ways:

■ Committed Line of Credit. The Fund participates with certain other Federated Hermes funds, on a several basis, in an up to $500,000,000 unsecured, 364-day, committed, revolving line of credit (LOC) agreement. The LOC was made available to temporarily finance the repurchase or redemption of shares of the funds, failed trades, payment of dividends, settlement of trades and for other short-term, temporary or emergency general business purposes. The Fund cannot borrow under the LOC if an inter-fund loan is outstanding.

LIMITATIONS ON REDEMPTION PROCEEDS

■ During periods of market volatility;

■ When a shareholder’s trade activity or amount adversely impacts the Fund’s ability to manage its assets; or

■ During any period when the Federal Reserve wire or applicable Federal Reserve banks are closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings.

In addition, the right of redemption may be suspended, or the payment of proceeds may be delayed, during any period:

■ When the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings;

■ When trading on the NYSE is restricted, as determined by the SEC; or

■ In which an emergency exists, as determined by the SEC, so that disposal of the Fund’s investments or determination of its NAV is not reasonably practicable.

Security and Privacy Protection

ONLINE ACCOUNT and TELEPHONE ACCESS SECURITY

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE

Account and Share Information

SPECIAL PROVISION FOR ABANDONED OR UNCLAIMED PROPERTY

DIVIDENDS

The Fund declares and pays any dividends annually to shareholders. Dividends are paid to all shareholders invested in the Fund on the record date. The record date is the date on which a shareholder must officially own Shares in order to earn a dividend.

TAX INFORMATION

Contract owners are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the status of their contracts under state and local tax laws.

FREQUENT TRADING POLICIES

Frequent or short-term trading into and out of the Fund can have adverse consequences for the Fund and shareholders who use the Fund as a long-term investment vehicle. Such trading in significant amounts can disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies (e.g., by requiring it to sell investments at inopportune times or maintain excessive short-term or cash positions to support redemptions) and increase brokerage and administrative costs. Investors engaged in such trading may also seek to profit by anticipating changes in the Fund’s NAV in advance of the time as of which NAV is calculated or through an overall strategy to buy and sell Shares in response to incremental changes in the Fund’s NAV. This may be particularly likely where a Fund invests in high-yield securities or securities priced in foreign markets.

The Fund’s Board has approved policies and procedures intended to discourage excessive frequent or short-term trading of the Fund’s Shares. The Fund’s fair valuations procedures are intended in part to discourage short-term trading by reducing the potential for these strategies to succeed. See “What Do Shares Cost?” The Fund also monitors trading in Fund Shares in an effort to identify potential disruptive trading activity. The Fund monitors trades into and out of the Fund within a period of 30 days or less. The Fund may also monitor trades into and out of the Fund for potentially disruptive trading activity over periods longer than 30 days. The size of Share transactions subject to monitoring varies. Where it is determined that a shareholder has exceeded the detection amounts twice within a period of 12 months, the Fund will temporarily prohibit the shareholder from making further purchases or exchanges of Fund Shares. If the shareholder continues to exceed the detection amounts for specified periods the Fund will impose lengthier trading restrictions on the shareholder, up to and including permanently prohibiting the shareholder from making any further purchases or exchanges of Fund Shares. Because the Fund’s Shares are held exclusively by insurance company separate accounts, rather than directly by the individual contract owners of the separate accounts, the Fund is not in a position to determine directly whether a separate account’s purchase or sale of Fund Shares on any given day represents transactions by a single or multiple investors. It is also not able to determine directly whether multiple purchases and sales by a separate account over any given period represent the activity of the same or of different investors. However, where trading activity in an insurance company separate account exceeds the monitoring limits, the Fund will request the insurance company to

provide information on individual investor trading activity, and if such information is provided and if it is determined from this information that an investor has engaged in excessive short-term trading, the Fund will ask that the investor be prohibited from further purchases of Fund Shares. There can be no assurance that an insurance company will cooperate in prohibiting an investor from further purchases of Fund Shares, and there may be contractual limits on its ability to do so.

The Fund’s frequent trading restrictions do not apply to purchases and sales of Fund Shares by other Federated Hermes funds. These funds impose the same frequent trading restrictions as the Fund at their shareholder level. In addition, allocation changes of the investing Federated Hermes fund are monitored, and the managers of the recipient fund must determine that there is no disruption to their management activity. The intent of this exception is to allow investing fund managers to accommodate cash flows and other activity that result from non-abusive trading in the investing fund, without being stopped from such trading because the aggregate of such trades exceeds the monitoring limits. Nonetheless, as with any trading in Fund Shares, purchases and redemptions of Fund Shares by other Federated Hermes funds could adversely affect the management of the Fund’s portfolio and its performance.

The Fund will not restrict transactions made on a non-discretionary basis by certain asset allocation programs, wrap programs, fund of funds, collective funds or other similar accounts that have been pre-approved by Federated Hermes (“Approved Accounts”). The Fund will continue to monitor transactions by the Approved Accounts and will seek to limit or restrict even non-discretionary transactions by Approved Accounts that are determined to be disruptive or harmful to the Fund.

The Fund’s objective is that its restrictions on short-term trading should apply to all shareholders that are subject to the restrictions, regardless of the number or type of accounts in which Shares are held. However, the Fund anticipates that limitations on its ability to identify trading activity to specific shareholders will mean that these restrictions may not be able to be applied uniformly in all cases.

Please refer to the prospectus for your variable insurance product contract to determine what policies or procedures may have been adopted by your insurance company to discourage frequent or short-term trading of the Fund and the other variable investment options offered under your contract. Whatever policies and procedures may have been adopted by your insurance company to discourage frequent or short-term trading, please note that the Fund is also used as an investment option for variable product contracts of other insurance companies. These other insurance companies may not have adopted policies and procedures to discourage frequent or short-term trading or may have different policies and procedures than those described in your variable insurance product prospectus.

To the extent that the policies and procedures of the Fund and/or participating insurance companies are not effective in discouraging frequent trading of Fund Shares, such trading may have the adverse consequences discussed above for the Fund and its long-term Shareholders. No matter how the Fund or a participating insurance company defines its limits on frequent trading of Fund Shares, other purchases and sales of Fund Shares may have adverse effects on the management of the Fund’s portfolio and its performance.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

Information concerning the Fund’s portfolio holdings is available via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us/FundInformation. A complete listing of the Fund’s portfolio holdings as of the end of each calendar quarter is posted on the website 30 days (or the next business day) after the end of the quarter and remains posted for six months thereafter. Summary portfolio composition information as of the close of each month is posted on the website 15 days (or the next business day) after month-end and remains posted until replaced by the information for the succeeding month. The summary portfolio composition information may include identification of the Fund’s top 10 holdings, and a percentage breakdown of the portfolio by sector, credit quality and asset class.

You may also access portfolio information as of the end of the Fund’s fiscal quarters via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us. The Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports contain complete listings of the Fund’s portfolio holdings as of the end of the Fund’s second and fourth fiscal quarters. Fiscal quarter information is made available on the website within 70 days after the end of the fiscal quarter. This information is also available in reports filed with the SEC at the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

Each fiscal quarter, the Fund will file with the SEC a complete schedule of its monthly portfolio holdings on “Form N-PORT.” The Fund’s holdings as of the end of the third month of every fiscal quarter, as reported on Form N-PORT, will be publicly available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov within 60 days of the end of the fiscal quarter upon filing. You may also access this information via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us.

Who Manages the Fund?

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

Mark E. Durbiano

Mark E. Durbiano, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in August of 1993.

Mr. Durbiano is Head of the Domestic High Yield Group and Head of the Bond Sector Pod/Committee. He is responsible for day to day management of the Fund focusing on asset allocation and security selection. He has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 1982; has worked in investment management since 1982; has managed investment portfolios since 1986. Education: B.A., Dickinson College; M.B.A., University of Pittsburgh.

Kathryn P. Glass

Kathryn P. Glass, CFA, Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since September of 2023.

Ms. Glass is responsible for providing research and advice on security selection. She has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 1999, has worked in investment management since 1999, and has managed investment portfolios since 2014. Education: B.A., University of Pittsburgh; M.A., Cornell University; M.S.I.A., Carnegie Mellon University.

Randal Stuckwish

Randal Stuckwish, CFA, Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since September of 2023.

Mr. Stuckwish is responsible for providing research and advice on security selection. He has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 2013, has worked in investment management since 2013, and has managed investment portfolios since 2021. Education: B.S., Bethany College; M.B.A., Tepper School of Business Carnegie Mellon University.

The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, management of other accounts and ownership of securities in the Fund.

ADVISORY FEES

The Fund’s investment advisory contract provides for payment to the Adviser of an annual investment advisory fee of 0.60% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses. The Adviser and its affiliates have also agreed to certain “Fee Limits” as described in the footnote to the “Risk/Return Summary: Fees and Expenses” table found in the “Fund Summary” section of the Prospectus.

Financial Information

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

This information has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s audited financial statements, is included in the Annual Report.

Financial Highlights–Primary Shares

(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period	$5.34	$6.39	$6.41	$6.53	$6.07
Income From Investment Operations:
Net investment income (loss)1	0.30	0.29	0.28	0.30	0.33
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)	0.34	(1.02)	0.02	(0.05)	0.53
Total From Investment Operations	0.64	(0.73)	0.30	0.25	0.86
Less Distributions:
Distributions from net investment income	(0.32)	(0.32)	(0.32)	(0.37)	(0.40)
Net Asset Value, End of Period	$5.66	$5.34	$6.39	$6.41	$6.53
Total Return2	12.71%	(11.78)%	4.85%	5.59%	14.54%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Net expenses3	0.81%	0.81%	0.81%	0.81%	0.81%
Net investment income	5.69%	5.15%	4.42%	4.95%	5.26%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4	0.06%	0.05%	0.04%	0.03%	0.02%
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)	$72,987	$68,740	$103,152	$109,888	$109,538
Portfolio turnover5	16%	13%	39%	36%	31%

1	Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2	Based on net asset value. Total returns do not reflect any additional fees or expenses that may be imposed by separate accounts of insurance companies or in connection with any variable annuity or variable life insurance contract.
3	Amount does not reflect net expenses incurred by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
4	This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Amount does not reflect expense waiver/ reimbursement recorded by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
5	Securities that mature are considered sales for purposes of this calculation.

Further information about the Fund’s performance is contained in the Fund’s Annual Report, dated December 31, 2023, which can be obtained free of charge.

Appendix A: Hypothetical Investment and Expense Information

FEDERATED HERMES HIGH INCOME BOND FUND II - P CLASS
ANNUAL EXPENSE RATIO: 0.88%
MAXIMUM FRONT-END SALES CHARGE: N/A
Year	Hypothetical Beginning Investment	Hypothetical Performance Earnings	Investment After Returns	Hypothetical Expenses	Hypothetical Ending Investment
1	$10,000.00	$500.00	$10,500.00	$89.81	$10,412.00
2	$10,412.00	$520.60	$10,932.60	$93.51	$10,840.97
3	$10,840.97	$542.05	$11,383.02	$97.37	$11,287.62
4	$11,287.62	$564.38	$11,852.00	$101.38	$11,752.67
5	$11,752.67	$587.63	$12,340.30	$105.55	$12,236.88
6	$12,236.88	$611.84	$12,848.72	$109.90	$12,741.04
7	$12,741.04	$637.05	$13,378.09	$114.43	$13,265.97
8	$13,265.97	$663.30	$13,929.27	$119.15	$13,812.53
9	$13,812.53	$690.63	$14,503.16	$124.05	$14,381.61
10	$14,381.61	$719.08	$15,100.69	$129.17	$14,974.13
Cumulative		$6,036.56		$1,084.32

An SAI dated April 30, 2024, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. Additional information about the Fund and its investments is contained in the Fund’s SAI and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders as they become available. The Annual Report’s Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance discusses market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI contains a description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio securities. To obtain the SAI, Annual Report, Semi-Annual Report and other information without charge, and to make inquiries, call your insurance company or the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.

These documents, as well as additional information about the Fund (including portfolio holdings and distributions), are also available on FederatedHermes.com/us.

Federated Hermes High Income Bond Fund II
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561

Federated Securities Corp., Distributor

Investment Company Act File No. 811-8042

CUSIP 313916306

3113009A (4/24)

Prospectus

April 30, 2024

Share Class

Service

Federated Hermes High Income Bond Fund II

A Portfolio of Federated Hermes Insurance Series

A mutual fund seeking high current income by investing primarily in a professionally managed, diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities.

Not FDIC Insured ▪ May Lose Value ▪ No Bank Guarantee

CONTENTS

Fund Summary Information	1
What are the Fund’s Investment Strategies?	5
What are the Fund’s Principal Investments?	5
What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund?	10
What Do Shares Cost?	14
How is the Fund Sold?	15
Payments to Insurance Companies	16
How to Purchase and Redeem Shares	16
Security and Privacy Protection	17
Account and Share Information	18
Who Manages the Fund?	20
Financial Information	21
Appendix A: Hypothetical Investment and Expense Information	23

Fund Summary Information

Federated Hermes High Income Bond Fund II (the “Fund”)

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high current income.

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: FEES AND EXPENSES

Note: The table below and the Example that follows it relate exclusively to the Service Shares (S) of the Fund. They do not reflect any additional fees or expenses that may be imposed by separate accounts of insurance companies or in connection with any variable annuity or variable life insurance contract. If these had been included, your costs would be higher.

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

	S
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	N/A
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable)	N/A
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of offering price)	N/A
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable)	N/A
Exchange Fee	N/A

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

	S
Management Fee	0.60%
Distribution (12b-1) Fee	0.25%
Other Expenses	0.28%1
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	1.13%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements2	(0.07)%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	1.06%

The Fund may incur and pay administrative service fees on its S class up to a maximum amount of 0.25%. No such fees are currently incurred and paid by the S class of the Fund. The S class of the Fund will not incur and pay such fees until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”).

The Adviser and certain of its affiliates on their own initiative have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Total annual fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, extraordinary expenses and proxy-related expenses, if any) paid by the Fund’s S class (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 1.06% (the “Fee Limit”) up to but not including the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) May 1, 2025; or (b) the date of the Fund’s next effective Prospectus. While the Adviser and its affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Trustees.

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

1 Year	$115
3 Years	$359
5 Years	$622
10 Years	$1,375

Portfolio Turnover

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENTS, RISKS and PERFORMANCE

What are the Fund’s Main Investment Strategies?

What are the Main Risks of Investing in the Fund?

All mutual funds take investment risks. Therefore, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The primary factors that may reduce the Fund’s returns include:

■ Leverage Risk. Leverage risk is created when an investment exposes the Fund to a level of risk that exceeds the amount invested.

Performance: Bar Chart and Table

Risk/Return Bar Chart

The bar chart and performance table below reflect historical performance data for the Fund’s S class. The performance information shown below will help you analyze the Fund’s investment risks in light of its historical returns. The bar chart shows the variability of the Fund’s S class total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis. The Average Annual Total Return Table shows returns averaged over the stated periods, and includes comparative performance information. The Fund’s performance will fluctuate, and past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. For current performance information, contact your insurance company.

Within the periods shown in the bar chart, the Fund’s S class highest quarterly return was 9.25% (quarter ended June 30, 2020). Its lowest quarterly return was (12.39)% (quarter ended March 31, 2020).

Average Annual Total Return Table

Return Before Taxes is shown for the Fund’s S class.

(For the Period Ended December 31, 2023)

Share Class	1 Year	5 Years	10 Years
S Class:
Return Before Taxes	12.47%	4.49%	3.87%
Bloomberg US Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index1 (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	13.44%	5.35%	4.59%
Lipper Variable Underlying High Yield Funds Average2	11.81%	4.78%	3.90%

FUND MANAGEMENT

The Fund’s Investment Adviser is Federated Investment Management Company.

Mark E. Durbiano, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in August of 1993.

Kathryn P. Glass, CFA, Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since September of 2023.

Randal Stuckwish, CFA, Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since September of 2023.

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

Shares of the Fund can be purchased or redeemed by participating insurance companies on any day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open.

Tax Information

Payments to Insurance companies or qualifying dealers

What are the Fund’s Investment Strategies?

The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high current income. While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective, it endeavors to do so by following the strategies and policies described in this Prospectus. The Fund provides exposure to the high-yield, lower-rated corporate bond market. The Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”) actively manages the Fund’s portfolio seeking to realize the potentially higher returns of high-yield, lower-rated bonds (also known as “junk bonds”), compared to returns of high-grade securities by seeking to minimize default risk and other risks through careful security selection and diversification. The Fund primarily invests in domestic high-yield, lower-rated bonds but may invest a portion of its portfolio in securities of issuers based outside of the United States (so-called “foreign securities”) in both emerging and developed markets. A description of the various types of securities in which the Fund invests, and their risks, immediately follows the strategy discussion.

■ increase or decrease the effective duration of the Fund portfolio;

■ obtain premiums from the sale of derivative contracts;

■ realize gains from trading a derivative contract; or

■ hedge against potential losses.

TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS

What are the Fund’s Principal Investments?

Fixed-Income Securities

The following describes the fixed-income securities in which the Fund principally invests:

Corporate Debt Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Lower-Rated, Fixed-Income Securities

Zero-Coupon Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Demand Instruments (A Type of Corporate Debt Security)

Asset-Backed Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

Convertible Securities (A Type of Fixed-Income Security)

The Fund treats convertible securities as fixed-income securities for purposes of its investment policies and limitations, because of their unique characteristics.

Foreign Securities

■ it is organized under the laws of, or has its principal office located in, another country;

■ the principal trading market for its securities is in another country;

■ it is classified by an applicable index as based outside the United States.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

Preferred Stocks

Derivative Contracts

As discussed above, a counterparty’s exposure under a derivative contract may in some cases be required to be secured with initial and/or variation margin (a form of “collateral”).

Futures Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Option Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Swap Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

OTHER INVESTMENTS, TRANSACTIONS, TECHNIQUES

Hybrid Instruments

Derivatives Regulation and Asset Coverage

Additional Information Regarding the Security Selection Process

What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund?

RISK ASSOCIATED WITH NONINVESTMENT-GRADE SECURITIES

issuer Credit Risk

It is possible that interest or principal on securities will not be paid when due. Noninvestment-grade securities generally have a higher default risk than investment-grade securities.

counterparty Credit Risk

RISKS RELATED TO THE ECONOMY

negatively impact the Fund’s performance. For example, the value of certain portfolio securities may rise or fall in response to changes in interest rates, which could result from a change in government policies, and has the potential to cause investors to move out of certain portfolio securities, including fixed-income securities, on a large scale. This may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of certain securities and may result in decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. Market factors, such as the demand for particular portfolio securities, may cause the price of certain portfolio securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged. Among other investments, lower-grade bonds and loans may be particularly sensitive to changes in the economy.

Liquidity Risk

Trading opportunities are more limited for fixed-income securities that have not received any credit ratings, have received ratings below investment grade or are not widely held.

Interest Rate Risk

Call Risk

RISK OF FOREIGN INVESTING

Currency Risk

European Union and eurozone Related risk

may react adversely to any expected reduction in the financial support provided by these agencies. Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended consequences.

Leverage Risk

RISK OF INVESTING IN EMERGING MARKET COUNTRIES

Risk of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments

derivative positions, accessing margin, or fully implementing its investment strategies. The central clearing of a derivative and trading of a contract over a SEF could reduce the liquidity in, or increase costs of entering into or holding, any contracts. Finally, derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may also involve other risks described in this Prospectus such as interest rate, counterparty credit, currency, liquidity and leverage risks.

technology Risk

What Do Shares Cost?

CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

When the Fund receives your transaction request in proper form (as described in this Prospectus under the section entitled “How to Purchase and Redeem Shares”), it is processed at the next calculated net asset value of a Share (NAV). A Share’s NAV is determined as of the end of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) each day the NYSE is open. The Fund calculates the NAV of each class by valuing the assets allocated to the Share’s class, subtracting the liabilities allocated to each class and dividing the balance by the number of Shares of the class outstanding. The NAV for each class of Shares may differ due to the level of expenses allocated to each class as well as a result of the variance between the amount of accrued investment income and capital gains or losses allocated to each class and the amount actually distributed to shareholders of each class.

Shares can be purchased or redeemed by participating insurance companies any day the NYSE is open.

In calculating its NAV, the Fund generally values investments as follows:

■ Fixed-income securities are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Adviser.

■ Derivative contracts listed on exchanges are valued at their reported settlement or closing price, except that options are valued at the mean of closing bid and ask quotations.

■ Over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contracts are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Adviser.

Fair Valuation and Significant Events Procedures

■ With respect to securities traded principally in foreign markets, significant trends in U.S. equity markets or in the trading of foreign securities index futures contracts;

■ Political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded; and

How is the Fund Sold?

The Fund offers the following Share classes: Primary Shares (P) and Service Shares (S), each representing interests in a single portfolio of securities. This Prospectus relates only to Service Shares. All Share classes have different expenses which affect their performance. Contact your insurance company or call 1-800-341-7400 for more information concerning the other class.

Intra-Fund Share Conversion Program

Payments to Insurance Companies

The Fund and its affiliated service providers may pay fees as described below for services provided to the Fund.

RULE 12b-1 FEES

The Board has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Plan, which allows payment of marketing fees of up to 0.25% of average net assets to the Distributor for the sale, distribution, administration and customer servicing of the Fund’s Service Shares. When the Distributor receives Rule 12b-1 Fees, it may pay some or all of them to financial intermediaries whose customers select the Shares as part of their variable contracts. Because these Shares pay marketing fees on an ongoing basis, your investment cost may be higher over time than other shares with different marketing fees.

ADMINISTRATIVE sERVICE FEES

The Fund may pay Administrative Service Fees of up to 0.25% of average net assets to insurance companies for providing services to shareholders and maintaining shareholder accounts. The S class of the Fund has no present intention of paying, accruing or incurring any such fee until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

ADditional payments

How to Purchase and Redeem Shares

Methods the Fund May Use to Meet Redemption Requests

In unusual or stressed circumstances, the Fund may generate cash in the following ways:

LIMITATIONS ON REDEMPTION PROCEEDS

■ During periods of market volatility;

■ When a shareholder’s trade activity or amount adversely impacts the Fund’s ability to manage its assets; or

■ During any period when the Federal Reserve wire or applicable Federal Reserve banks are closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings.

In addition, the right of redemption may be suspended, or the payment of proceeds may be delayed, during any period:

■ When the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings;

■ When trading on the NYSE is restricted, as determined by the SEC; or

■ In which an emergency exists, as determined by the SEC, so that disposal of the Fund’s investments or determination of its NAV is not reasonably practicable.

Security and Privacy Protection

ONLINE ACCOUNT and TELEPHONE ACCESS SECURITY

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE

Account and Share Information

SPECIAL PROVISION FOR ABANDONED OR UNCLAIMED PROPERTY

DIVIDENDS

TAX INFORMATION

Contract owners are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the status of their contracts under state and local tax laws.

FREQUENT TRADING POLICIES

temporarily prohibit the shareholder from making further purchases or exchanges of Fund Shares. If the shareholder continues to exceed the detection amounts for specified periods the Fund will impose lengthier trading restrictions on the shareholder, up to and including permanently prohibiting the shareholder from making any further purchases or exchanges of Fund Shares. Because the Fund’s Shares are held exclusively by insurance company separate accounts, rather than directly by the individual contract owners of the separate accounts, the Fund is not in a position to determine directly whether a separate account’s purchase or sale of Fund Shares on any given day represents transactions by a single or multiple investors. It is also not able to determine directly whether multiple purchases and sales by a separate account over any given period represent the activity of the same or of different investors. However, where trading activity in an insurance company separate account exceeds the monitoring limits, the Fund will request the insurance company to provide information on individual investor trading activity, and if such information is provided and if it is determined from this information that an investor has engaged in excessive short-term trading, the Fund will ask that the investor be prohibited from further purchases of Fund Shares. There can be no assurance that an insurance company will cooperate in prohibiting an investor from further purchases of Fund Shares, and there may be contractual limits on its ability to do so.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

Who Manages the Fund?

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

Mark E. Durbiano

Mark E. Durbiano, CFA, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since its inception in August of 1993.

Kathryn P. Glass

Kathryn P. Glass, CFA, Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since September of 2023.

Randal Stuckwish

Randal Stuckwish, CFA, Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since September of 2023.

The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, management of other accounts and ownership of securities in the Fund.

ADVISORY FEES

Financial Information

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

This information has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s audited financial statements, is included in the Annual Report.

Financial Highlights–Service Shares

(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period	$5.31	$6.35	$6.38	$6.49	$6.04
Income From Investment Operations:
Net investment income (loss)1	0.29	0.27	0.26	0.28	0.31
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)	0.34	(1.00)	0.01	(0.03)	0.52
Total From Investment Operations	0.63	(0.73)	0.27	0.25	0.83
Less Distributions:
Distributions from net investment income	(0.31)	(0.31)	(0.30)	(0.36)	(0.38)
Net Asset Value, End of Period	$5.63	$5.31	$6.35	$6.38	$6.49
Total Return2	12.47%	(11.92)%	4.44%	5.46%	14.13%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Net expenses3	1.06%	1.06%	1.06%	1.06%	1.06%
Net investment income	5.44%	4.92%	4.16%	4.70%	4.99%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4	0.06%	0.05%	0.04%	0.03%	0.02%
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)	$50,747	$47,172	$57,578	$50,322	$58,591
Portfolio turnover5	16%	13%	39%	36%	31%

1	Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2	Based on net asset value. Total returns do not reflect any additional fees or expenses that may be imposed by separate accounts of insurance companies or in connection with any variable annuity or variable life insurance contract.
3	Amount does not reflect net expenses incurred by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
4	This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Amount does not reflect expense waiver/ reimbursement recorded by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
5	Securities that mature are considered sales for purposes of this calculation.

Further information about the Fund’s performance is contained in the Fund’s Annual Report, dated December 31, 2023, which can be obtained free of charge.

Appendix A: Hypothetical Investment and Expense Information

FEDERATED HERMES HIGH INCOME BOND FUND II - S CLASS
ANNUAL EXPENSE RATIO: 1.13%
MAXIMUM FRONT-END SALES CHARGE: N/A
Year	Hypothetical Beginning Investment	Hypothetical Performance Earnings	Investment After Returns	Hypothetical Expenses	Hypothetical Ending Investment
1	$10,000.00	$500.00	$10,500.00	$115.19	$10,387.00
2	$10,387.00	$519.35	$10,906.35	$119.64	$10,788.98
3	$10,788.98	$539.45	$11,328.43	$124.27	$11,206.51
4	$11,206.51	$560.33	$11,766.84	$129.08	$11,640.20
5	$11,640.20	$582.01	$12,222.21	$134.08	$12,090.68
6	$12,090.68	$604.53	$12,695.21	$139.27	$12,558.59
7	$12,558.59	$627.93	$13,186.52	$144.66	$13,044.61
8	$13,044.61	$652.23	$13,696.84	$150.26	$13,549.44
9	$13,549.44	$677.47	$14,226.91	$156.07	$14,073.80
10	$14,073.80	$703.69	$14,777.49	$162.11	$14,618.46
Cumulative		$5,966.99		$1,374.63

An SAI dated April 30, 2024, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. Additional information about the Fund and its investments is contained in the Fund’s SAI and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders as they become available. The Annual Report’s Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance discusses market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI contains a description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio securities. To obtain the SAI, Annual Report, Semi-Annual Report and other information without charge, and to make inquiries, call your insurance company or the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.

These documents, as well as additional information about the Fund (including portfolio holdings and distributions), are also available on FederatedHermes.com/us.

Federated Hermes High Income Bond Fund II
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561

Federated Securities Corp., Distributor

Investment Company Act File No. 811-8042

CUSIP 313916843

25311 (4/24)

Statement of Additional Information

April 30, 2024

Share Class

Primary

Service

Federated Hermes High Income Bond Fund II

A Portfolio of Federated Hermes Insurance Series

This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is not a Prospectus. Read this SAI in conjunction with the Prospectuses for Federated Hermes High Income Bond Fund II Primary Shares and Service Shares (the “Fund”), dated April 30, 2024.

This SAI incorporates by reference the Fund’s Annual Report. Obtain the Prospectuses or the Annual Report without charge by calling 1-800-341-7400.

	Contents
1	How is the Fund Organized?
1	Securities in Which the Fund Invests
12	Investment Risks
16	Investment Objective (and Policies) and Investment Limitations
18	What Do Shares Cost?
21	Mixed Funding and Shared Funding
21	How is the Fund Sold?
24	Purchases In-Kind
24	Redemption In-Kind
24	Massachusetts Partnership Law
24	Account and Share Information
25	Tax Information
25	Who Manages and Provides Services to the Fund?
43	Financial Information
43	Investment Ratings
48	Addresses
49	Appendix

Federated Hermes High Income Bond Fund II
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561

Federated Securities Corp., Distributor

3113009B (4/24)

How is the Fund Organized?

The Fund is a diversified portfolio of Federated Hermes Insurance Series (the “Trust”). The Trust is an open-end, management investment company that was established under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on September 15, 1993. The Trust may offer separate series of shares representing interests in separate portfolios of securities.

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has established two classes of shares of the Fund, known as Primary Shares and Service Shares (“Shares”). This SAI relates to both classes of Shares. The Fund’s investment adviser is Federated Investment Management Company (the “Adviser”). Prior to April 30, 2020, the Trust and Fund were named Federated Insurance Series and Federated High Income Bond Fund II, respectively.

Securities in Which the Fund Invests

Securities Descriptions And Techniques

Fixed-Income Securities

The following further describes the types of fixed-income securities in which the Fund invests. This information is either additional information in respect of a principal security referenced in the Prospectus or information in respect of a non-principal security (in which case there is no related disclosure in the Prospectus).

Loan Instruments (A Fixed-Income Security)

The Fund may invest in loans and loan-related instruments, which are generally interests in amounts owed by a corporate, governmental, or other borrower to lenders or groups of lenders known as lending syndicates (loans and loan participations). Such instruments include, but are not limited to, interests in trade finance loan transactions, pre-export/import finance transactions, factoring, syndicated loan transactions and forfaiting transactions.

Trade finance refers generally to loans made to producers, sellers, importers and/or exporters in relation to commodities, goods or services. Such loans typically have short- to medium-term maturities and will generally be self-liquidating (i.e., as the goods or commodities are sold, proceeds from payments for such goods or commodities are used to pay the principal on the loan prior to being distributed to the borrower). Types of trade finance related loans include, but are not limited to structured finance transactions, pre-export/import finance transactions, project financing and forfaiting transactions.

Investments in certain loans have additional risks that result from the use of agents and other interposed financial institutions. Such loans are structured and administered by a financial institution (e.g., a commercial bank) that acts as the agent of the lending syndicate. The agent bank, which may or may not also be a lender, typically administers and enforces the loan on behalf of the lenders in the lending syndicate. In addition, an institution, typically but not always the agent bank, holds the collateral, if any, on behalf of the lenders. A financial institution’s employment as an agent bank might be terminated for a number of reasons, for example, in the event that it fails to observe a requisite standard of care or becomes insolvent. A successor agent bank would generally be appointed to replace the terminated agent bank, and assets held by the agent bank under the loan agreement likely would remain available to holders of such indebtedness. However, if assets held by the agent bank for the benefit of the Fund were determined to be subject to the claims of the agent bank’s general creditors, the Fund might incur certain costs and delays in realizing payment on a loan or loan participation and could suffer a loss of principal and/or interest. In situations involving other interposed financial institutions (e.g., an insurance company or government agency) similar risks may arise.

Loan instruments may be secured or unsecured. If secured, then the lenders have been granted rights to specific property, which is commonly referred to as collateral. The purpose of securing loans is to allow the lenders to exercise rights over the collateral if a loan is not repaid as required by the terms of the loan agreement. Collateral may include security interests in receivables, goods, commodities or real property. With regard to trade finance loan transactions the collateral itself may be the source of proceeds to repay the loan (i.e., the borrower’s ability to repay the loan will be dependent on the borrower’s ability to sell, and the purchaser’s ability to buy, the goods or commodities that are collateral for the loan). Interests in loan instruments may also be tranched or tiered with respect to collateral rights. Unsecured loans expose the lenders to increased credit risk.

The loan instruments in which the Fund may invest may involve borrowers, agent banks, co-lenders and collateral located both in the United States and outside of the United States (in both developed and emerging markets).

The Fund treats loan instruments as a type of fixed-income security. Investments in loan instruments may expose the Fund to interest rate risk, risks of investing in foreign securities, credit risk, liquidity risk, risks of noninvestment-grade securities, risks of emerging markets and leverage risk. (For purposes of the descriptions in this SAI of these various risks, references to “issuer,” include borrowers under loan instruments.) Many loan instruments incorporate risk mitigation, credit enhancement (e.g., standby letters of credit) and insurance products into their structures, in order to manage these risks. There is no guarantee that these risk management techniques will work as intended.

Loans and loan-related instruments are generally considered to be illiquid due to the length of time required to transfer an interest in a loan or a related instrument. Additionally, in the case of some loans, such as those related to trade finance, there is a limited secondary market. The liquidity of a particular loan will be determined by the Adviser under guidelines adopted by the Fund’s board.

Floating Rate Loans

Floating rate loans are debt instruments issued by companies or other entities with floating interest rates that reset periodically. Most floating rate loans are secured by specific collateral of the borrower and are senior to most other instruments of the borrower (e.g., common stock or debt instruments) in the event of bankruptcy. Floating rate loans are often issued in connection with recapitalizations, acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and refinancing. Floating rate loans are typically structured and administered by a financial institution that acts as the agent of the lenders participating in the floating rate loan. Floating rate loans may be acquired directly through the agent, as an assignment from another lender who holds a direct interest in the floating rate loan, or as a participation interest in another lender’s portion of the floating rate loan.

Loan Assignments (A Type of Loan Instrument)

The Fund may purchase a loan assignment from the agent bank or other member of the lending syndicate. Investments in loans through an assignment may involve additional risks to the Funds. For example, if a loan is foreclosed, a Fund could become part owner of any collateral, and would bear the costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. In addition, it is conceivable that under emerging legal theories of lender liability, a Fund could be held liable as co-lender. It is unclear whether loans and other forms of direct indebtedness offer securities law protections against fraud and misrepresentation. In the absence of definitive regulatory guidance, the Funds rely on the Adviser’s research in an attempt to avoid situations where fraud or misrepresentation could adversely affect the Funds.

Loan Participations (A Type of Loan Instrument)

The Fund may purchase a funded participation interest in a loan, by which the Fund has the right to receive payments of principal, interest and fees from an intermediary (typically a bank, financial institution or lending syndicate) that has a direct contractual relationship with a borrower. In loan participations, the Fund does not have a direct contractual relationship with the borrower.

The Fund may also purchase a type of a participation interest, known as risk participation interest. In this case, the Fund will receive a fee in exchange for the promise to make a payment to a lender if a borrower fails to make a payment of principal, interest or fees, as required by the loan agreement.

When purchasing loan participations, the Fund will be exposed to credit risk of the borrower and, in some cases, the intermediary offering the participation. A participation agreement also may limit the rights of the Fund to vote on changes that may be made to the underlying loan agreement, such as waiving a breach of a covenant. The participation interests in which a Fund intends to invest may not be rated by any nationally recognized rating service or, if rated, may be below investment grade and expose the fund to the risks of noninvestment-grade securities.

Commercial Paper (A Type of Corporate Debt Security)

Commercial paper is an issuer’s obligation with a maturity of less than nine months. Companies typically issue commercial paper to pay for current expenditures. Most issuers constantly reissue their commercial paper and use the proceeds (or bank loans) to repay maturing paper. If the issuer cannot continue to obtain liquidity in this fashion, its commercial paper may default. The short maturity of commercial paper generally reduces both the market and credit risks as compared to other debt securities of the same issuer.

Treasury Securities (A Fixed-Income Security)

Treasury securities are direct obligations of the federal government of the United States. Treasury securities are generally regarded as having minimal credit risks.

Government Securities (A Fixed-Income Security)

Government securities are issued or guaranteed by a federal agency or instrumentality acting under federal authority. Some government securities, including those issued by Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States and are guaranteed only as to timely payment of interest and principal.

Other government securities receive support through federal subsidies, loans or other benefits but are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. For example, the U.S. Treasury is authorized to purchase specified amounts of securities issued by (or otherwise make funds available to) the Federal Home Loan Bank System, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”) and Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) in support of such obligations.

Some government agency securities have no explicit financial support, and are supported only by the credit of the applicable agency, instrumentality or corporation. The U.S. government has provided financial support to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, but there is no assurance that it will support these or other agencies in the future. Investors generally regard government securities as having minimal credit risks, but not as low as Treasury securities. The Fund treats mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by a federal agency or instrumentality as government securities. Although such a guarantee helps protect against credit risk, it does not eliminate it entirely or reduce other risks.

In addition, the future of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, and other U.S. government-sponsored enterprises that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government (GSEs), remains in question as the U.S. government continues to consider options ranging from structural reform, nationalization, privatization, or consolidation, to outright elimination. The issues that have led to significant U.S. government support for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have sparked serious debate regarding the continued role of the U.S. government in providing mortgage loan liquidity.

IOs and POs (Types of Asset-Backed Securities)

Asset-backed securities may allocate interest payments to one class (“Interest Only” or IOs) and principal payments to another class (“Principal Only” or POs). POs increase in value when prepayment rates increase. In contrast, IOs decrease in value when prepayments increase, because the underlying mortgages generate less interest payments. However, IOs tend to increase in value when interest rates rise (and prepayments decrease), making IOs a useful hedge against interest rate risks.

Floaters and Inverse Floaters (Types of Asset-Backed Securities)

Another variant allocates interest payments between two classes of asset-backed securities. One class (Floaters) receives a share of interest payments based upon a market index. The other class (Inverse Floaters) receives any remaining interest payments from the underlying mortgages. Floater classes receive more interest (and Inverse Floater classes receive correspondingly less interest) as interest rates rise. This shifts prepayment and interest rate risks from the Floater to the Inverse Floater class, reducing the price volatility of the Floater class and increasing the price volatility of the Inverse Floater class.

Bank Instruments (A Fixed-Income Security)

Bank instruments are unsecured interest bearing deposits with banks. Bank instruments include, but are not limited to, bank accounts, time deposits, certificates of deposit and banker’s acceptances. Yankee instruments are denominated in U.S. dollars and issued by U.S. branches of foreign banks. Eurodollar instruments are denominated in U.S. dollars and issued by non-U.S. branches of U.S. or foreign banks.

Credit Enhancement

Credit enhancement consists of an arrangement in which a company agrees to pay amounts due on a fixed-income security if the issuer defaults. In some cases the company providing credit enhancement makes all payments directly to the security holders and receives reimbursement from the issuer. Normally, the credit enhancer may have greater financial resources and liquidity than the issuer. For this reason, the Adviser may evaluate the credit risk of a fixed-income security based solely upon its credit enhancement.

Common types of credit enhancement include guarantees, letters of credit, bond insurance and surety bonds. Credit enhancement also includes arrangements where securities or other liquid assets secure payment of a fixed-income security. If a default occurs, these assets may be sold and the proceeds paid to security’s holders. Either form of credit enhancement reduces credit risks by providing another source of payment for a fixed-income security.

Foreign Government Securities (A Type of Foreign Fixed-Income Security)

Foreign government securities generally consist of fixed-income securities supported by national, state or provincial governments or similar political subdivisions. Foreign government securities also include debt obligations of supranational entities, such as international organizations designed or supported by governmental entities to promote economic reconstruction or development, international banking institutions and related government agencies. Examples of these include, but are not limited to, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the “World Bank”), the Asian Development Bank, the European Investment Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Foreign government securities also include fixed-income securities of quasi-governmental agencies that are either issued by entities owned by a national, state or equivalent government or are obligations of a political unit that are not backed by the national government’s full faith and credit. Further, foreign government securities include mortgage-related securities issued or guaranteed by national, state or provincial governmental instrumentalities, including quasi-governmental agencies.

Equity Securities

Equity securities represent a share of an issuer’s earnings and assets, after the issuer pays its liabilities. The Fund cannot predict the income it will receive from equity securities because issuers generally have discretion as to the payment of any dividends or distributions. However, equity securities may offer greater potential for appreciation than many other types of securities, because their value usually increases directly with the value of the issuer’s business.

The following further describes the types of equity securities in which the Fund invests. This information is either additional information in respect of a principal security referenced in the Prospectus or information in respect of a non-principal security (in which case there is no related disclosure in the Prospectus).

Common Stocks

Common stocks are the most prevalent type of equity security. Common stocks receive the issuer’s earnings after the issuer pays its creditors and any preferred stockholders. As a result, changes in an issuer’s earnings directly influence the value of its common stock.

Interests in Other Limited Liability Companies

Entities such as limited partnerships, limited liability companies, business trusts and companies organized outside the United States may issue securities comparable to common or preferred stock.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

REITs are real estate investment trusts (including foreign REITs and REIT-like entities) that lease, operate and finance commercial real estate. REITs in the United States are exempt from federal corporate income tax if they limit their operations and distribute most of their income. Such tax requirements limit a REIT’s ability to respond to changes in the commercial real estate market.

Warrants

Warrants give the Fund the option to buy the issuer’s equity securities at a specified price (the “exercise price”) at a specified future date (the “expiration date”). The Fund may buy the designated securities by paying the exercise price before the expiration date. Warrants may become worthless if the price of the stock does not rise above the exercise price by the expiration date. This increases the market risks of warrants as compared to the underlying security. Rights are the same as warrants, except companies typically issue rights to existing stockholders.

Depositary Receipts (A Type of Foreign Equity Security)

Depositary receipts represent interests in underlying securities issued by a foreign company. Depositary receipts are not traded in the same market as the underlying security. The foreign securities underlying American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) are not traded in the United States. ADRs provide a way to buy shares of foreign-based companies in the United States rather than in overseas markets. ADRs are also traded in U.S. dollars, eliminating the need for foreign exchange transactions. The foreign securities underlying European Depositary Receipts (EDRs), Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) and International Depositary Receipts (IDRs) are traded globally or outside the United States. Depositary receipts involve many of the same risks of investing directly in foreign securities, including currency risks and risks of foreign investing.

Derivative Contracts

Derivative contracts are financial instruments that derive their value from underlying securities, commodities, currencies, indices or other assets or instruments, including other derivative contracts (each a “Reference Instrument” and collectively, “Reference Instruments”). The most common types of derivative contracts are swaps, futures and options, and the major asset classes include interest rates, equities, commodities and foreign exchange. Each party to a derivative contract may sometimes be referred to as a “counterparty.” Some derivative contracts require payments relating to an actual, future trade involving the Reference Instrument. These types of derivatives are frequently referred to as “physically settled” derivatives. Other derivative contracts require payments relating to the income or returns from, or changes in the market value of, a Reference Instrument. These types of derivatives are known as “cash settled” derivatives, since they require cash payments in lieu of delivery of the Reference Instrument.

Many derivative contracts are traded on exchanges. In these circumstances, the relevant exchange sets all the terms of the contract except for the price. Parties to an exchange-traded derivative contract make payments through the exchange. Most exchanges require traders to maintain margin accounts through their brokers to cover their potential obligations to the exchange. Parties to the contract make or collect daily payments to the margin accounts to reflect losses (or gains), respectively, in the value of their contracts. This protects traders against a potential default by their counterparty. Trading contracts on an exchange also allows traders to hedge or mitigate certain risks or carry out more complex trading strategies by entering into offsetting contracts.

For example, the Fund could close out an open contract to buy an asset at a future date by entering into an offsetting contract to sell the same asset on the same date. If the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, the Fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the Fund realizes a loss. Exchanges may limit the amount of open contracts permitted at any one time. Such limits may prevent the Fund from closing out a position. If this happens, the Fund will be required to keep the contract open (even if it is losing money on the contract), and to make any payments required under the contract (even if it has to sell portfolio securities at unfavorable prices to do so). Inability to close out a contract could also harm the Fund by preventing it from disposing of or trading any assets it has been using to secure its obligations under the contract.

The Fund may also trade derivative contracts over-the-counter (OTC), meaning off-exchange, in transactions negotiated directly between the Fund and an eligible counterparty, which may be a financial institution. OTC contracts do not necessarily have standard terms, so they may be less liquid and more difficult to close out than exchange-traded derivative contracts. In addition, OTC contracts with more specialized terms may be more difficult to value than exchange traded contracts, especially in times of financial stress.

DCOs, DCMs, SEFs and FCMs are all subject to regulatory oversight by the CFTC. In addition, certain derivative market participants that act as market makers, and engage in a significant amount of “dealing” activity are as also required to register as swap dealers with the CFTC. Among other things, swap dealers are subject to minimum capital requirements and business conduct standards and must also post and collect initial and variation margin on uncleared swaps with certain of their counterparties. Because of this, if the Fund enters into uncleared swaps with any swap dealers, it may be subject to initial and variation margin requirements that could impact the Fund’s ability to enter into swaps in the OTC market, including making transacting in uncleared swaps significantly more expensive.

Depending on how the Fund uses derivative contracts and the relationships between the market value of a derivative contract and the Reference Instrument, derivative contracts may increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to the risks of the Reference Instrument and may also expose the Fund to liquidity and leverage risk. OTC contracts also expose the Fund to credit risk in the event that a counterparty defaults on the contract, although this risk may be mitigated by submitting the contract for clearing through a DCO, or certain other factors, such as collecting margin from the counterparty.

The Fund may invest in a derivative contract if it is permitted to own, invest in or otherwise have economic exposure to the Reference Instrument. The Fund is not required to own a Reference Instrument in order to buy or sell a derivative contract relating to that Reference Instrument. The Fund may trade in the following specific types and/or combinations of derivative contracts:

Futures Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a Reference Instrument at a specified price, date and time. Entering into a contract to buy a Reference Instrument is commonly referred to as buying a contract or holding a long position in the asset. Entering into a contract to sell a Reference Instrument is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position in the Reference Instrument. Futures contracts are considered to be commodity contracts. The Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act with respect to the Fund and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the Act with respect to the Fund. Futures contracts traded OTC are frequently referred to as forward contracts. The Fund can buy or sell financial futures (such as interest rate futures, index futures and security futures), as well as currency futures and currency forward contracts.

Interest-Rate Futures

An interest-rate futures contract is an exchange-traded contract for which the Reference Instrument is an interest-bearing, fixed-income security or an inter-bank deposit. Two examples of common interest rate futures contracts are U.S. Treasury futures contracts and Eurodollar futures contracts. The Reference Instrument for a U.S. Treasury futures contract is a U.S. Treasury security. The Reference Instrument for a Eurodollar futures contract is the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (commonly referred to as SOFR); Eurodollar futures contracts enable the purchaser to obtain a fixed rate for the lending of funds over a stated period of time and the seller to obtain a fixed rate for a borrowing of funds over that same period.

Index Futures

An index futures contract is an exchange-traded contract to make or receive a payment based upon changes in the value of an index. An index is a statistical composite that measures changes in the value of designated Reference Instruments within the index.

Security Futures

A security futures contract is an exchange-traded contract to purchase or sell in the future a specific quantity of a security (other than a Treasury security) or a narrow-based securities index at a certain price. Presently, the only available security futures contracts use shares of a single equity security as the Reference Instrument. However, it is possible that in the future security futures contracts will be developed that use a single fixed-income security as the Reference Instrument.

Currency Futures and Currency Forward Contracts (Types of Futures Contracts)

A currency futures contract is an exchange-traded contract to buy or sell a particular currency at a specific price at some time in the future (commonly three months or more). A currency forward contract is not an exchange-traded contract and represents an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, at a price set at the time of the contract and for a period agreed upon by the parties which may be either a window of time or a fixed number of days from the date of the contract. Currency futures and forward contracts are highly volatile, with a relatively small price movement potentially resulting in substantial gains or losses to the Fund. Additionally, the Fund may lose money on currency futures and forward contracts if changes in currency rates do not occur as anticipated or if the Fund’s counterparty to the contract were to default.

Option Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Option contracts (also called “options”) are rights to buy or sell a Reference Instrument for a specified price (the “exercise price”) during, or at the end of, a specified period. The seller (or “writer”) of the option receives a payment, or premium, from the buyer, which the writer keeps regardless of whether the buyer uses (or “exercises”) the option. Options may be bought or sold on a wide variety of Reference Instruments. Options that are written on futures contracts will be subject to margin requirements similar to those applied to futures contracts.

The Fund may buy and/or sell the following types of options:

Call Options

A call option gives the holder (buyer) the right to buy the Reference Instrument from the seller (writer) of the option. The Fund may use call options in the following ways:

■ Buy call options on a Reference Instrument in anticipation of an increase in the value of the Reference Instrument; and

■ Write call options on a Reference Instrument to generate income from premiums, and in anticipation of a decrease or only limited increase in the value of the Reference Instrument. If the Fund writes a call option on a Reference Instrument that it owns and that call option is exercised, the Fund foregoes any possible profit from an increase in the market price of the Reference Instrument over the exercise price plus the premium received.

Put Options

A put option gives the holder the right to sell the Reference Instrument to the writer of the option. The Fund may use put options in the following ways:

■ Buy put options on a Reference Instrument in anticipation of a decrease in the value of the Reference Instrument; and

■ Write put options on a Reference Instrument to generate income from premiums, and in anticipation of an increase or only limited decrease in the value of the Reference Instrument. In writing puts, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to take delivery of the Reference Instrument when its current market price is lower than the exercise price.

The Fund may also buy or write options, as needed, to close out existing option positions.

Finally, the Fund may enter into combinations of options contracts in an attempt to benefit from changes in the prices of those options contracts (without regard to changes in the value of the Reference Instrument).

Swap Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

A swap contract (also known as a “swap”) is a type of derivative contract in which two parties agree to pay each other (swap) the returns derived from Reference Instruments. Most swaps do not involve the delivery of the underlying assets by either party, and the parties might not own the Reference Instruments. The payments are usually made on a net basis so that, on any given day, the Fund would receive (or pay) only the amount by which its payment under the contract is less than (or exceeds) the amount of the other party’s payment. Swap agreements are sophisticated instruments that can take many different forms and are known by a variety of names. Common swap agreements that the Fund may use include:

Interest Rate Swaps

Interest rate swaps are contracts in which one party agrees to make regular payments equal to a fixed or floating interest rate times a stated principal amount (commonly referred to as a “notional principal amount”) in return for payments equal to a different fixed or floating rate times the same principal amount, for a specific period.

Caps and Floors (A Type of Swap Contract)

Caps and Floors are contracts in which one party agrees to make payments only if an interest rate or index goes above (Cap) or below (Floor) a certain level in return for a fee from the other party.

Total Return Swaps

A total return swap is an agreement between two parties whereby one party agrees to make payments of the total return from a Reference Instrument (or a basket of such instruments) during the specified period, in return for payments equal to a fixed or floating rate of interest or the total return from another Reference Instrument. Alternately, a total return swap can be structured so that one party will make payments to the other party if the value of a Reference Instrument increases, but receive payments from the other party if the value of that instrument decreases.

Credit Default Swaps

A credit default swap (CDS) is an agreement between two parties whereby one party (the “Protection Buyer”) agrees to make payments over the term of the CDS to the other party (the “Protection Seller”), provided that no designated event of default, restructuring or other credit related event (each a “Credit Event”) occurs with respect to Reference Instrument that is usually a particular bond, loan or the unsecured credit of an issuer, in general (the “Reference Obligation”). Many CDS are physically settled, which means that if a Credit Event occurs, the Protection Seller must pay the Protection Buyer the full notional value, or “par value,” of the Reference Obligation in exchange for delivery by the Protection Buyer of the Reference Obligation or another similar obligation issued by the issuer of the Reference Obligation (the “Deliverable Obligation”). The Counterparties agree to the characteristics of the Deliverable Obligation at the time that they enter into the CDS. Alternately, a CDS can be “cash settled,” which means that upon the occurrence of a Credit Event, the Protection Buyer will receive a payment from the Protection Seller equal to the difference between the par amount of the Reference Obligation and its market value at the time of the Credit Event. The Fund may be either the Protection Buyer or the Protection Seller in a CDS. If the Fund is a Protection Buyer and no Credit Event occurs, the Fund will lose its entire investment in the CDS (i.e., an amount equal to the payments made to the Protection Seller over the term of the CDS). However, if a Credit Event occurs, the Fund (as Protection Buyer) will deliver the Deliverable Obligation and receive a payment equal to the full notional value of the Reference Obligation, even though the Reference Obligation may have little or no value. If the Fund is the Protection Seller and no Credit Event occurs, the Fund will receive a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the CDS. However, if a Credit Event occurs, the Fund (as Protection Seller) will pay the Protection Buyer the full notional value of the Reference Obligation and receive the Deliverable Obligation from the Protection Buyer. A CDS may involve greater risks than if the Fund invested directly in the Reference Obligation. For example, a CDS may increase credit risk since the Fund has exposure to both the issuer of the Reference Obligation and the Counterparty to the CDS.

Currency Swaps

Currency swaps are contracts which provide for interest payments in different currencies. The parties might agree to exchange the notional principal amounts of the currencies as well (commonly called a “foreign exchange swap”).

Other Investments, Transactions, techniques

Repurchase Agreements

Repurchase agreements are transactions in which the Fund buys a security from a dealer or bank and agrees to sell the security back at a mutually agreed upon time and price. The repurchase price exceeds the sale price, reflecting the Fund’s return on the transaction. This return is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying security. The Fund will enter into repurchase agreements only with banks and other recognized financial institutions, such as securities dealers, deemed creditworthy by the Adviser.

Repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements

Delayed Delivery Transactions

Delayed delivery transactions, including when-issued transactions, are arrangements in which the Fund buys securities for a set price, with payment and delivery of the securities scheduled for a future time. During the period between purchase and settlement, no payment is made by the Fund to the issuer and no interest accrues to the Fund. The Fund records the transaction when it agrees to buy the securities and reflects their value in determining the price of its Shares. Settlement dates may be a month or more after entering into these transactions so that the market values of the securities bought may vary from the purchase prices. Therefore, delayed delivery transactions create interest rate risks for the Fund. Delayed delivery transactions also involve credit risks in the event of a counterparty default.

Securities Lending

The Fund may lend portfolio securities to borrowers that the Adviser deems creditworthy. In return, the Fund receives cash or liquid securities from the borrower as collateral. The borrower must furnish additional collateral if the market value of the loaned securities increases. Also, the borrower must pay the Fund the equivalent of any dividends or interest received on the loaned securities.

The Fund will reinvest cash collateral in securities that qualify as an acceptable investment for the Fund. However, the Fund must pay interest to the borrower for the use of cash collateral. An acceptable investment into which the Fund may reinvest cash collateral includes, among other acceptable investments, securities of affiliated money market funds (including affiliated institutional prime money market funds with a “floating” net asset value that can impose redemption fees and liquidity gates, impose certain operational impediments to investing cash collateral, and, if net asset value decreases, result in the Fund having to cover the decrease in the value of the cash collateral).

Loans are subject to termination at the option of the Fund or the borrower. The Fund will not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan. However, the Fund will attempt to terminate a loan in an effort to reacquire the securities in time to vote on matters that are deemed to be material by the Adviser. There can be no assurance that the Fund will have sufficient notice of such matters to be able to terminate the loan in time to vote thereon. The Fund may pay administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan and may pay a negotiated portion of the interest earned on the cash collateral to a securities lending agent or broker.

Securities lending activities are subject to interest rate risks and credit risks.

Hedging

limited protection, including transactions that: (1) hedge only a portion of its portfolio; (2) use derivative contracts that cover a narrow range of circumstances; or (3) involve the sale of derivative contracts with different terms. Consequently, hedging transactions will not eliminate risk even if they work as intended. In addition, hedging strategies are not always successful, and could result in increased expenses and losses to the Fund.

Hybrid Instruments

Hybrid instruments combine elements of two different kinds of securities or financial instruments (such as a derivative contract). Frequently, the value of a hybrid instrument is determined by reference to changes in the value of a Reference Instrument (that is a designated security, commodity, currency, index or other asset or instrument including a derivative contract). Hybrid instruments can take on many forms including, but not limited to, the following forms. First, a common form of a hybrid instrument combines elements of a derivative contract with those of another security (typically a fixed-income security). In this case all or a portion of the interest or principal payable on a hybrid security is determined by reference to changes in the price of a Reference Instrument. Second, a hybrid instrument may also combine elements of a fixed-income security and an equity security. Third, hybrid instruments may include convertible securities with conversion terms related to a Reference Instrument.

Depending on the type and terms of the hybrid instrument, its risks may reflect a combination of the risks of investing in the Reference Instrument with the risks of investing in other securities, currencies and derivative contracts. Thus, an investment in a hybrid instrument may entail significant risks in addition to those associated with traditional securities or the Reference Instrument. Hybrid instruments are also potentially more volatile than traditional securities or the Reference Instrument. Moreover, depending on the structure of the particular hybrid, it may expose the Fund to leverage risks or carry liquidity risks.

Credit Linked Note (A Type of Hybrid Instrument)

A credit linked note (CLN) is a type of hybrid instrument in which a special purpose entity issues a structured note (the “Note Issuer”) with respect to which the Reference Instrument is a single bond, a portfolio of bonds, or the unsecured credit of an issuer, in general (each a “Reference Credit”). The purchaser of the CLN (the “Note Purchaser”) invests a par amount and receives a payment during the term of the CLN that equals a fixed or floating rate of interest equivalent to a high rated funded asset (such as a bank certificate of deposit) plus an additional premium that relates to taking on the credit risk of the Reference Credit. Upon maturity of the CLN, the Note Purchaser will receive a payment equal to: (i) the original par amount paid to the Note Issuer, if there is no occurrence of a designated event of default, restructuring or other credit event (each a “Credit Event”) with respect to the issuer of the Reference Credit; or (ii) the market value of the Reference Credit, if a Credit Event has occurred. Depending upon the terms of the CLN, it is also possible that the Note Purchaser may be required to take physical delivery of the Reference Credit in the event of a Credit Event. Most credit linked notes use a corporate bond (or a portfolio of corporate bonds) as the Reference Credit. However, almost any type of fixed-income security (including foreign government securities), index or derivative contract (such as a credit default swap) can be used as the Reference Credit.

Equity Linked Note (A Type of Hybrid Instrument)

An equity linked note (ELN) is a type of hybrid instrument that provides the noteholder with exposure to a single equity security, a basket of equity securities, or an equity index (the “Reference Equity Instrument”). Typically, an ELN pays interest at agreed rates over a specified time period and, at maturity, either converts into shares of a Reference Equity Instrument or returns a payment to the noteholder based on the change in value of a Reference Equity Instrument.

Derivatives Regulation and Asset Coverage

The regulation of the U.S. and non-U.S. derivatives markets has undergone substantial change in recent years and such change may continue. In addition, effective August 19, 2022, Rule 18f-4 (the “Derivatives Rule”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), replaced the asset segregation framework previously used by funds to comply with limitations on leverage imposed by the 1940 Act. The Derivatives Rule generally mandates that a fund either limit derivatives exposure to 10% or less of its net assets, or in the alternative implement: (i) limits on leverage calculated based value-at-risk (VAR); and (ii) a written derivatives risk management program (DRMP) administered by a derivatives risk manager appointed by the Fund’s Board, including a majority of the independent Board members, that is periodically reviewed by the Board.

As the Fund’s derivative exposure, if any, is 10% or less of its net assets, excluding certain currency and interest rate hedging transactions, the Fund is classified as a limited derivatives user under the Derivatives Rule and will not be subject to the full requirements of the Derivatives Rule as noted above, including VAR testing and stress testing, and certain Board reporting requirements. However, the Fund is still required to implement written compliance policies and procedures reasonably designed to manage its derivatives risks and monitor its derivatives exposure daily.

In accordance with the requirements of Section 18 of the 1940 Act, any borrowings by the Fund will be made only to the extent the value of its assets, less its liabilities other than borrowings, is equal to at least 300% of all of its borrowings (the “300% Asset Coverage Ratio”). The Derivatives Rule permits the Fund to enter into reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions, notwithstanding limitations on the issuance of senior securities under Section 18 of the 1940 Act, provided that the Fund either (i) treats these transactions as derivatives transactions under the Derivatives Rule, or (ii) ensures that the 300% Asset Coverage Ratio with respect to such transactions and any other borrowings in the aggregate. While reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions aggregated with other indebtedness do not need to be included in the calculation of whether a fund satisfies the Limited Derivatives Users exception, for funds subject to the VAR testing requirement, reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions must be included for purposes of such testing whether treated as derivatives transactions or not. See “Borrowing Money and Issuing Senior Securities” and “Additional Information” below.

Investing In Securities of Other Investment Companies

The Fund may invest its assets in securities of other investment companies, including the securities of affiliated money market funds, as an efficient means of implementing its investment strategies, managing its uninvested cash and/or other investment reasons consistent with the Fund’s investment objective and investment strategies. These other investment companies are managed independently of the Fund and incur additional fees and/or expenses which would, therefore, be borne indirectly by the Fund in connection with any such investment. These investments also can create conflicts of interests for the Adviser to the Fund and the investment adviser to the acquired fund. For example, a conflict of interest can arise due to the possibility that the Adviser to the Fund could make a decision to redeem the Fund’s investment in the acquired fund. In the case of an investment in an affiliated fund, a conflict of interest can arise if, because of the Fund’s investment in the acquired fund, the acquired fund is able to garner more assets, thereby growing the acquired fund and increasing the management fees received by the investment adviser to the acquired fund, which would either be the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser. However, the Adviser believes that the benefits and efficiencies of making investments in other investment companies should outweigh the potential additional fees and/or expenses and resulting conflicts of interest. The Fund may invest in money market securities directly.

Investing in Exchange-Traded Funds

The Fund may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as an efficient means of carrying out its investment strategies. As with traditional mutual funds, ETFs charge asset-based fees, although these fees tend to be relatively low. ETFs are traded on stock exchanges or on the over-the-counter market. ETFs do not charge initial sales charges or redemption fees and investors pay only customary brokerage fees to buy and sell ETF shares.

INTER-FUND BORROWING AND THIRD-PARTY LENDING ARRANGEMENTS

Inter-Fund Borrowing

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has granted an exemption that permits the Fund and all other funds (“Federated Hermes funds”) advised by subsidiaries of Federated Hermes, Inc. (“Federated Hermes,” formerly, Federated Investors, Inc.) to lend and borrow money for certain temporary purposes directly to and from other Federated Hermes funds. Participation in this inter-fund lending program is voluntary for both borrowing and lending Federated Hermes funds, and an inter-fund loan is only made if it benefits each participating Federated Hermes fund. Federated Hermes administers the program according to procedures approved by the Fund’s Board, and the Board monitors the operation of the program. Any inter-fund loan must comply with certain conditions set out in the exemption, which are designed to assure fairness and protect all participating Federated Hermes funds.

Third-Party Line of Credit

The Fund’s ability to borrow under the LOC also is subject to the limitations of the 1940 Act and various conditions precedent that must be satisfied before the Fund can borrow. Loans under the LOC are charged interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to (a) the highest, on any day, of: (i) the federal funds effective rate; (ii) the published secured overnight financing rate plus an assigned percentage; and (iii) 0.0%; plus (b) a margin. Any fund eligible to borrow under the LOC pays its pro rata share of a commitment fee based on the amount of the lenders’ commitment that has not been utilized, quarterly in arrears and at maturity. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, there were no outstanding loans. During the most recently ended fiscal year, the Fund did not utilize the LOC.

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

The Fund has adopted and implemented a written liquidity risk management program (LRMP) and related procedures to assess and manage the liquidity risk of the Fund in accordance with Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act and Rule 22e-4 thereunder. The Board has designated the Adviser, together with Federated Hermes, Inc.’s (“Federated Hermes,” formerly Federated Investors, Inc.) other affiliated registered investment advisory subsidiaries that serve as investment advisers to other Federated Hermes funds, to collectively serve as the administrator of the LRMP and the related procedures (the “Administrator”). Rule 22e-4 defines “liquidity risk” as the risk that the Fund will be unable to meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Fund without significant dilution of the remaining investors’ interests in the Fund. As a part of the LRMP, the Administrator is responsible for classifying the liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio investments in accordance with Rule 22e-4. As part of the LRMP, the Administrator is also responsible for assessing, managing and periodically reviewing the Fund’s liquidity risk, for making periodic reports to the Board and the SEC regarding the liquidity of the Fund’s investments, and for notifying the Board and the SEC of certain liquidity events specified in Rule 22e-4. The liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio investments is determined based on relevant market, trading and investment-specific considerations under the LRMP.

Investment Risks

Credit Enhancement Risk

The securities in which the Fund invests may be subject to credit enhancement (for example, guarantees, letters of credit or bond insurance). Credit enhancement is designed to help assure timely payment of the security; it does not protect the Fund against losses caused by declines in a security’s value due to changes in market conditions. Securities subject to credit enhancement generally would be assigned a lower credit rating if the rating were based primarily on the credit quality of the issuer without regard to the credit enhancement. If the credit quality of the credit enhancement provider (for example, a bank or bond insurer) is downgraded, the rating on a security credit enhanced by such credit enhancement provider also may be downgraded.

A single enhancement provider may provide credit enhancement to more than one of the Fund’s investments. Having multiple securities credit enhanced by the same enhancement provider will increase the adverse effects on the Fund that are likely to result from a downgrading of, or a default by, such an enhancement provider. Adverse developments in the banking or bond insurance industries also may negatively affect the Fund, as the Fund may invest in securities credit enhanced by banks or by bond insurers without limit. Bond insurers that provide credit enhancement for large segments of the fixed income markets, including the municipal bond market, may be more susceptible to being downgraded or defaulting during recessions or similar periods of economic stress.

Risk of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments

such a decline (which usually must be substantial) include significant shareholder redemptions and/or a marked decrease in the market value of the Fund’s investments. Any such termination of the Fund’s OTC derivative contracts may adversely affect the Fund (for example, by increasing losses and/or costs, and/or preventing the Fund from fully implementing its investment strategies). Fifth, the Fund may use a derivative contract to benefit from a decline in the value of a Reference Instrument. If the value of the Reference Instrument declines during the term of the contract, the Fund makes a profit on the difference (less any payments the Fund is required to pay under the terms of the contract). Any such strategy involves risk. There is no assurance that the Reference Instrument will decline in value during the term of the contract and make a profit for the Fund. The Reference Instrument may instead appreciate in value, creating a loss for the Fund. Sixth, a default or failure by a CCP or an FCM (also sometimes called a “futures broker”), or the failure of a contract to be transferred from an Executing Dealer to the FCM for clearing, may expose the Fund to losses, increase its costs, or prevent the Fund from entering or exiting derivative positions, accessing margin or fully implementing its investment strategies. The central clearing of a derivative and trading of a contract over a SEF could reduce the liquidity in, or increase costs of entering into or holding, any contracts. Finally, derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may also involve other risks described herein or in the Fund’s prospectus, such as stock market, interest rate, credit, currency, liquidity and leverage risks.

Risk of Investing in Loans

In addition to the risks generally associated with debt instruments, such as credit, market, interest rate, liquidity and derivatives risks, bank loans are also subject to the risk that the value of the collateral securing a loan may decline, be insufficient to meet the obligations of the borrower or be difficult to liquidate. The Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited by bankruptcy, other insolvency laws or by the type of loan the Fund has purchased. For example, if the Fund purchases a participation instead of an assignment, it would not have direct access to collateral of the borrower. As a result, a floating rate loan may not be fully collateralized and can decline significantly in value. Additionally, collateral on loan instruments may consist of assets that may not be readily liquidated, and there is no assurance that the liquidation of such assets will satisfy a borrower’s obligations under the instrument. Loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale.

Loans and other forms of indebtedness may be structured such that they are not securities under securities laws. As such, it is unclear whether loans and other forms of direct indebtedness offer securities law protections, such as those against fraud and misrepresentation. In the absence of definitive regulatory guidance, while there can be no assurance that fraud or misrepresentation will not occur with respect to the loans and other investments in which the Fund invests, the Fund relies on the Adviser’s research in an attempt to seek to avoid situations where fraud or misrepresentation could adversely affect the Fund.

Loan Liquidity Risk

Loans generally are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. The liquidity of loans, including the volume and frequency of secondary market trading in such loans, varies significantly over time and among individual loans. For example, if the credit quality of a loan unexpectedly declines significantly, secondary market trading in that loan can also decline for a period of time. During periods of infrequent trading, valuing a loan can be more difficult and buying and selling a loan at an acceptable price can be more difficult and delayed. Difficulty in selling a loan can result in a loss.

Loan instruments may not be readily marketable and may be subject to restrictions on resale. In some cases, negotiations involved in disposing of loans may require weeks to complete. Thus, transactions in loan instruments may take longer than seven days to settle. This could pose a liquidity risk to the Fund and, if the Fund’s exposure to such investments is substantial, could impair the Fund’s ability to meet shareholder redemptions in a timely manner.

A majority of the Fund’s assets are likely to be invested in assets that are considerably less liquid than debt instruments traded on national exchanges. Market quotations for such assets may be volatile and/or subject to large spreads between bid and ask prices.

Loan Prepayment Risk

During periods of declining interest rates or for other purposes, borrowers may exercise their option to prepay principal earlier than scheduled which may force the Fund to reinvest in lower-yielding debt instruments.

Exchange-Traded Funds Risk

trade above or below their net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (iii) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally.

Risk Associated With the Investment Activities of Other Accounts

Stock Market Risk

The value of equity securities in the Fund’s portfolio will rise and fall over time. These fluctuations could be a sustained trend or a drastic movement. Historically, the equity market has moved in cycles, and the value of the Fund’s securities may fluctuate from day to day. The Fund’s portfolio will reflect changes in prices of individual portfolio stocks or general changes in stock valuations. Consequently, the Fund’s Share price may decline. The Adviser attempts to manage market risk by limiting the amount the Fund invests in each company’s equity securities. However, diversification will not protect the Fund against widespread or prolonged declines in the stock market.

Information publicly available about a company, whether from the company’s financial statements or other disclosures or from third parties, or information available to some but not all market participants, can affect the price of a company’s shares in the market. The price of a company’s shares depends significantly on the information publicly available about the company. The reporting of poor results by a company, the restatement of a company’s financial statements or corrections to other information regarding a company or its business may adversely affect the price of its shares, as would allegations of fraud or other misconduct by the company’s management. The Fund may also be disadvantaged if some market participants have access to material information not readily available to other market participants, including the Fund.

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST RISK

Real estate investment trusts (REITs), including foreign REITs and REIT-like entities, are subject to risks associated with the ownership of real estate. Some REITs experience market risk due to investment in a limited number of properties, in a narrow geographic area, or in a single property type, which increases the risk that such REIT could be unfavorably affected by the poor performance of a single investment or investment type. These companies are also sensitive to factors such as changes in real estate values and property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, supply and demand and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Borrowers could default on or sell investments that a REIT holds, which could reduce the cash flow needed to make distributions to investors. In addition, REITs may also be affected by tax and regulatory requirements impacting the REITs’ ability to qualify for preferential tax treatments or exemptions. REITs require specialized management and pay management expenses. REITs also are subject to physical risks to real property, including weather, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, war, or other events that destroy real property. Foreign REITs and REIT-like entities can also be subject to currency risk, emerging market risk, limited public information, illiquid trading and the impact of local laws.

REITs include equity REITs and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally may not be diversified. Equity and mortgage REITs are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers and self-liquidations. In addition, equity and mortgage REITs could possibly fail to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under applicable tax laws or to maintain their exemptions from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The above factors may also adversely affect a borrower’s or a lessee’s ability to meet its obligations to the REIT. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. In addition, even many of the larger REITs in the industry tend to be small- to medium-sized companies in relation to the equity markets as a whole.

Effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act generally allows individuals and certain non-corporate entities, such as partnerships, a deduction for 20% of qualified REIT dividends. Related regulations allow a regulated investment company to pass the character of its qualified REIT dividends through to its shareholders, provided certain holding period requirements are met.

LARGE SHAREHOLDER RISK

CYBERSECURITY AND OPERATIONAL RISK

Cyber-events can result from intentional (or deliberate) attacks or unintentional events by insiders (e.g., employees) or third parties, including cybercriminals, competitors, nation-states and “hacktivists,” among others. Cyber-events can include, for example, phishing, credential harvesting or use of stolen access credentials, unauthorized access to systems, networks or devices (such as, for example, through “hacking” activity), structured query language attacks, infection from or spread of malware, ransomware, computer viruses or other malicious software code, corruption of data, exfiltration of data to malicious sites, the dark web or other locations or threat actors, and attacks (including, but not limited to, denial of service attacks on websites) which shut down, disable, slow, impair or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes, technology, connectivity or website or Internet access, functionality or performance. Like other funds and business enterprises, the Fund and its service providers have experienced, and will continue to experience, cyber-events on a daily basis. In addition to intentional cyber-events, unintentional cyber-events can occur, such as, for example, the inadvertent release of confidential information. Cyber-events can also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of-service attacks on the service providers’ systems or websites rendering them unavailable to intended users or via “ransomware” that renders the systems inoperable until appropriate actions are taken. To date, cyber-events have not had a material adverse effect on the Fund’s business operations or performance.

VARIABLE ASSET REGULATIONS

Investment Objective (and Policies) and Investment Limitations

The Fund’s fundamental investment objective is to seek high current income. The investment objective may not be changed by the Fund’s Board without shareholder approval.

Investment Limitations

Diversification of Investments

Borrowing Money and Issuing Senior Securities

The Fund may borrow money, directly or indirectly, and issue senior securities to the maximum extent permitted under the 1940 Act.

Investing in Real Estate

Investing in Commodities

The Fund may not purchase or sell physical commodities, provided that the Fund may purchase securities of companies that deal in commodities.

Underwriting

Lending

Concentration

The above limitations are fundamental and cannot be changed unless authorized by the Board and by the “vote of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities”, as defined by the 1940 Act, which means the lesser of (a) 67% of the shares of the Fund present or represented by proxy at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present or represented at the meeting or (b) more than 50% of outstanding shares of the Fund. The following limitations, however, may be changed by the Board without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified before any material change in these limitations becomes effective.

Concentration

In applying the Fund’s concentration restriction: (a) utility companies will be divided according to their services (for example, gas, gas transmission, electric and telephone will each be considered a separate industry); (b) financial service companies will be classified according to the end users of their services for example, automobile finance, bank finance and diversified finance will each be considered a separate industry; and (c) asset-backed securities will be classified according to the underlying assets securing such securities.

To conform to the current view of the SEC staff that only domestic bank instruments may be excluded from industry concentration limitations, as a matter of non-fundamental policy, the Fund will not exclude foreign bank instruments from industry concentration limitation tests so long as the policy of the SEC remains in effect. In addition, investments in bank instruments, and investments in certain industrial development bonds funded by activities in a single industry, will be deemed to constitute investment in an industry, except when held for temporary defensive purposes. The investment of more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets in any one industry will constitute “concentration.”

Illiquid Investments

The Fund will not make investments in holdings for which there is no readily available market, or enter into repurchase agreements or purchase time deposits that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, if immediately after and as a result, the value of such investments would exceed, in the aggregate, 15% of the Fund’s net assets.

Purchases on Margin

The Fund will not purchase securities on margin, provided that the Fund may obtain short-term credits necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities.

Pledging Assets

The Fund will not mortgage, pledge, or hypothecate any of its assets, provided that this shall not apply to the transfer of securities in connection with any permissible borrowing or to collateral arrangements in connection with permissible activities.

Additional Information

As a matter of non-fundamental investment policy regarding certain of the Fund’s investment restrictions, please note the following additional information.

For purposes of the commodities policy, investments in transactions involving futures contracts and options, forward currency contracts, swap transactions and other financial contracts that settle by payment of cash are not deemed to be investments in commodities.

The Fund may invest in zero-coupon securities. There are many forms of zero-coupon securities. Some are issued at a discount and are referred to as zero coupon or capital appreciation bonds. Others are created from interest bearing bonds by separating the right to receive the bond’s coupon payments from the right to receive the bond’s principal due at maturity, a process known as coupon stripping. Treasury STRIPs, IOs and POs are the most common forms of stripped zero-coupon securities. In addition, some securities give the issuer the option to deliver additional securities in place of cash interest payments, thereby increasing the amount payable at maturity. These are referred to as PIK securities.

For purposes of the above limitations, the Fund considers certificates of deposit and demand and time deposits issued by a U.S. branch of a domestic bank or savings association having capital, surplus and undivided profits in excess of $100,000,000 at the time of investment to be “cash items” and “bank instruments.”

Except with respect to borrowing money, if a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result in a violation of such limitation.

In applying the borrowing limitation, in accordance with Section 18(f)(1) of the 1940 Act and current SEC rules and guidance, the Fund is permitted to borrow money, directly or indirectly, provided that immediately after any such borrowing, the Fund has asset coverage of at least 300% for all of the Fund’s borrowings, and provided further that in the event that such asset coverage shall at any time fall below 300% the Fund shall, within three business days, reduce the amount of its borrowings to an extent that the asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least 300%.

Non-Fundamental Names Rule Policy

What Do Shares Cost?

Determining Market Value of Securities

A Share’s net asset value (NAV) is determined as of the end of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) each day the NYSE is open. The Fund calculates the NAV of each class by valuing the assets allocated to the Share’s class, subtracting the liabilities allocated to each class and dividing the balance by the number of Shares of the class outstanding. The NAV for each class of Shares may differ due to the level of expenses allocated to each class as well as a result of the variance between the amount of accrued investment income and capital gains or losses allocated to each class and the amount actually distributed to shareholders of each class. The NAV is calculated to the nearest whole cent per Share.

In calculating its NAV, the Fund generally values investments as follows:

■ Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange or traded through the U.S. national market system are valued at their last reported sale price or official closing price in their principal exchange or market. If a price is not readily available, such equity securities are valued based upon the mean of closing bid and ask quotations from one or more dealers.

■ Other equity securities traded primarily in the United States are valued based upon the mean of closing bid and ask quotations from one or more dealers.

■ Equity securities traded primarily through securities exchanges and regulated market systems outside the United States are valued at their last reported sale price or official closing price in their principal exchange or market. These prices may be adjusted for significant events occurring after the closing of such exchanges or market systems as described below. If a price is not readily available, such equity securities are valued based upon the mean of closing bid and ask quotations from one or more dealers.

■ Fixed-income securities are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Adviser. The methods used by pricing services to determine such price evaluations are described below.

■ Futures contracts listed on exchanges are valued at their reported settlement price. Option contracts listed on exchanges are valued based upon the mean of closing bid and ask quotations reported by the exchange or from one or more futures commission merchants.

■ OTC derivative contracts are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Adviser. The methods used by pricing services to determine such price evaluations are described below. If a price evaluation from a pricing service is not readily available, such derivative contracts may be fair valued based upon price evaluations from one or more dealers or using a recognized pricing model for the contract.

■ Shares of other mutual funds or nonexchange-traded investment companies are valued based upon their reported NAVs. The prospectuses for these mutual funds explain the circumstances under which they will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.

If any price, quotation, price evaluation or other pricing source is not readily available when the NAV is calculated, if the Fund cannot obtain price evaluations from a pricing service or from more than one dealer for an investment within a reasonable period of time as set forth in the Adviser’s valuation policies and procedures, or if information furnished by a pricing service, in the opinion of the Valuation Committee, is deemed not representative of the fair value of such security, the Fund will use the fair value of the investment determined in accordance with the procedures described below. There can be no assurance that the Fund could purchase or sell an investment at the price used to calculate the Fund’s NAV. The Fund will not use a pricing service or dealer who is an affiliated person of the Adviser to value investments.

Noninvestment assets and liabilities are valued in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The NAV calculation includes expenses, dividend income, interest income, other income and realized and unrealized investment gains and losses through the date of the calculation. Changes in holdings of investments and in the number of outstanding Shares are included in the calculation not later than the first business day following such change. Any assets or liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using an exchange rate obtained from a third party.

The Fund follows procedures that are common in the mutual fund industry regarding errors made in the calculation of its NAV. This means that, generally, the Fund will not correct errors of less than one cent per Share.

Fair Valuation and Significant Events Procedures

Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Board has designated the Adviser as the Fund’s valuation designee to perform the fair value determination for securities and other assets held by the Fund. The Adviser, acting through its “Valuation Committee,” is responsible for determining the fair value of investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Valuation Committee is comprised of officers of the Adviser and certain of the Adviser’s affiliated companies and determines fair value and oversees the calculation of the NAV. The Valuation Committee is also authorized to use pricing services to provide price evaluations of the current fair value of certain investments for purposes of calculating the NAV. The Valuation Committee is subject to Board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements intended to provide the Board the information it needs to oversee the Adviser’s fair value determinations.

Pricing Service Valuations. The Valuation Committee, subject to Board oversight, is authorized to use pricing services that provide daily fair value evaluations of the current value of certain investments, primarily fixed-income securities and OTC derivatives contracts. Different pricing services may provide different price evaluations for the same security because of differences in their methods of evaluating market values. Factors considered by pricing services in evaluating an investment include the yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, call rights and other potential prepayments, terms and type, reported transactions, indications as to values from dealers and general market conditions. A pricing service may find it more difficult to apply these and other factors to relatively illiquid or volatile investments, which may result in less frequent or more significant changes in the price evaluations of these investments. If a pricing service determines that it does not have sufficient information to use its standard methodology, it may evaluate an investment based on the present value of what investors can reasonably expect to receive from the issuer’s operations or liquidation.

Special valuation considerations may apply with respect to the Fund’s “odd-lot” positions, if any, as the Fund may receive lower prices when it sells such positions than it would receive for sales of institutional round lot positions. Typically, these securities are valued assuming orderly transactions of institutional round lot sizes, but the Fund may hold or, from time to time, transact in such securities in smaller, odd lot sizes.

The Valuation Committee oversees the Fund’s pricing services, which includes, among other things, monitoring significant or unusual price fluctuations above predetermined tolerance levels from the prior day, back-testing of pricing services’ prices against actual sale transactions, conducting periodic due diligence meetings and reviews, and periodically reviewing the inputs, assumptions and methodologies used by these pricing services. If information furnished by a pricing service is not readily available or, in the opinion of the Valuation Committee, is deemed not representative of the fair value of such security, the security will be fair valued by the Valuation Committee in accordance with procedures established by the Adviser as discussed below in “Fair Valuation Procedures.”

Some pricing services provide a single price evaluation reflecting the bid-side of the market for an investment (a “bid” evaluation). Other pricing services offer both bid evaluations and price evaluations indicative of a price between the bid and ask prices for the investment (a “mid” evaluation). The Fund normally uses bid evaluations for any U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. The Fund normally uses mid evaluations for any other types of fixed-income securities and any OTC derivative contracts.

Fair Valuation Procedures. The Adviser has established procedures for determining the fair value of investments for which price evaluations from pricing services or dealers and market quotations are not readily available. The procedures define an investment’s “fair value” as the price that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive upon its current sale. The procedures assume that any sale would be made to a willing buyer in the ordinary course of trading. The procedures require consideration of factors that vary based on the type of investment and the information available. Factors that may be considered in determining an investment’s fair value include: (1) the last reported price at which the investment was traded; (2) information provided by dealers or investment analysts regarding the investment or the issuer; (3) changes in financial conditions and business prospects disclosed in the issuer’s financial statements and other reports; (4) publicly announced transactions (such as tender offers and mergers) involving the issuer; (5) comparisons to other investments or to financial indices that are correlated to the investment; (6) with respect to fixed-income investments, changes in market yields and spreads; (7) with respect to investments that have been suspended from trading, the circumstances leading to the suspension; and (8) other factors that might affect the investment’s value.

The Valuation Committee is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of these procedures subject to the oversight of the Board. The Valuation Committee may also authorize the use of a financial valuation model to determine the fair value of a specific type of investment. The Board periodically reviews the fair valuations made by the Valuation Committee. The Board has also approved the Adviser’s fair valuation procedures and significant events procedures as part of the Fund’s compliance program and will review any changes made to the procedures.

Significant Events. The Adviser has adopted procedures requiring an investment to be priced at its fair value whenever the Adviser determines that a significant event affecting the value of the investment has occurred between the time as of which the price of the investment would otherwise be determined and the time as of which the NAV is computed. An event is considered significant if there is both an affirmative expectation that the investment’s value will change in response to the event and a reasonable basis for quantifying the resulting change in value. Examples of significant events that may occur after the close of the principal market on which a security is traded, or after the time of a price evaluation provided by a pricing service or a dealer, include:

■ With respect to securities traded principally in foreign markets, significant trends in U.S. equity markets or in the trading of foreign securities index futures contracts;

■ Political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded; and

■ Announcements concerning matters such as acquisitions, recapitalizations or litigation developments, or a natural disaster affecting the issuer’s operations or regulatory changes or market developments affecting the issuer’s industry.

The Adviser has adopted procedures whereby the Valuation Committee uses a pricing service to provide factors to update the fair value of equity securities traded principally in foreign markets from the time of the close of their respective foreign stock exchanges to the pricing time of the Fund. The pricing service uses models that correlate changes between the closing and opening price of equity securities traded primarily in non-U.S. markets to changes in prices in U.S.-traded securities and derivative contracts. The pricing service seeks to employ the model that provides the most significant correlation based on a periodic review of the results. The model uses the correlation to adjust the reported closing price of a foreign equity security based on information available up to the close of the NYSE.

For other significant events, the Fund may seek to obtain more current quotations or price evaluations from alternative pricing sources. If a reliable alternative pricing source is not available, the fair value of the investment is determined using the methods discussed above in “Fair Valuation Procedures.” The Board periodically reviews fair valuations made in response to significant events.

Mixed Funding and Shared Funding

How is the Fund Sold?

Under the Distributor’s Contract with the Fund, the Distributor (“Federated Securities Corp.”) offers Shares on a continuous, best-efforts basis.

Rule 12b-1 Plan (SERVICE SHARES)

As a compensation-type plan, the Rule 12b-1 Plan is designed to pay the Distributor for activities principally intended to result in the sale of Shares such as advertising and marketing of Shares (including printing and distributing prospectuses and sales literature to prospective shareholders and financial intermediaries) and providing incentives to financial intermediaries to sell Shares. The Plan is also designed to cover the cost of administrative services performed in conjunction with the sale of Shares, including, but not limited to, shareholder services, recordkeeping services and educational services, as well as the costs of implementing and operating the Plan. The Rule 12b-1 Plan allows the Distributor to contract with financial intermediaries to perform activities covered by the Plan. The Rule 12b-1 Plan is expected to benefit the Fund in a number of ways. For example, it is anticipated that the Plan will help the Fund attract and retain assets, thus providing cash for orderly portfolio management and Share redemptions and possibly helping to stabilize or reduce other operating expenses.

In addition, the Plan is integral to the multiple class structure of the Fund, which promotes the sale of Shares by providing a range of options to investors. The Fund’s service providers that receive asset-based fees also benefit from stable or increasing Fund assets.

The Fund may compensate the Distributor more or less than its actual marketing expenses. In no event will the Fund pay for any expenses of the Distributor that exceed the maximum Rule 12b-1 Plan fee.

For some classes of shares the maximum Rule 12b-1 Plan fee that can be paid in any one year may not be sufficient to cover the marketing-related expenses the Distributor has incurred. Therefore, it may take the Distributor a number of years to recoup these expenses.

Additional Payments To Financial Intermediaries

The Distributor may pay out of its own resources amounts to certain financial intermediaries, including broker-dealers, banks, registered investment advisers, independent financial planners and retirement plan administrators. In some cases, such payments may be made by, or funded from the resources of, companies affiliated with the Distributor (including the Adviser). While Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA) regulations limit the sales charges that you may bear, there are no limits with regard to the amounts that the Distributor may pay out of its own resources. In addition to the payments which are generally described herein and in the Prospectus, the financial intermediary also may receive payments under the Rule 12b-1 Plan and/or Service Fees. In connection with these payments, the financial intermediary may elevate the prominence or profile of the Fund and/or other Federated Hermes funds within the financial intermediary’s organization by, for example, placement on a list of preferred or recommended funds and/or granting the Distributor preferential or enhanced opportunities to promote the funds in various ways within the financial intermediary’s organization. The same financial intermediaries may receive payments under more than one or all categories. These payments assist in the Distributor’s efforts to support the sale of Shares. These payments are negotiated and may be based on such factors as: the number or value of Shares that the financial intermediary sells or may sell; the value of client assets invested; the level and types of services or support furnished by the financial intermediary; or the

Regarding the Fund’s P class and S class, the P class and S class of the Fund currently do not accrue, pay or incur any administrative service fees, although the Board of Trustees has approved the P class and S class of the Fund to accrue, pay and incur such fees in amounts up to a maximum amount of 0.25%, or some lesser amount as the Board of Trustees shall approve from time to time. The P class and S class of the Fund will not incur or charge such fees until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

The categories of additional payments are described below.

Supplemental Payments

Processing Support Payments

Marketing Support Payments

Bolton Global Capital, Inc.
Boyd Capital Management
Broadridge Business Process Outsourcing, LLC
Callan
Cambridge Financial Group, Inc.
Cetera Advisor Networks LLC
Cetera Advisors LLC
Cetera Investment Services LLC
Charles Schwab & Company, Inc.
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Citizens Securities, Inc.
Comerica Securities, Inc.

Commonwealth Financial Network
Davenport & Company LLC
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
Dynasty Wealth Management, LLC
Edward D. Jones & Co., LP
Empower Financial Services, Inc.
Envestnet PMC
FBL Marketing Services, LLC
Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC)
Fifth Third Securities, Inc.
FIS Brokerage & Securities Services LLC
Global Retirement Partners LLC
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
HighTower Securities, LLC
Hilltop Securities, Inc.
HUB International Investment Services Inc.
Huntington Securities, Inc.
Insigneo Securities, LLC
Institutional Cash Distributors, LLC
Interactive Brokers LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
Jefferies LLC
John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co
Kestra Investment Services LLC
Key Investment Services LLC
KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc.
Keystone Financial Planning, Inc.
Leafhouse Financial Advisors, LLC
Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation
Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc.
Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC
LPL Financial LLC
Marquette Associates, Inc.
Mercer Global Advisors Inc.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith Incorporated
MML Investors
Monarch Wealth Strategies
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
National Financial Services LLC
Nationwide Investment Services Corporation
NewEdge Securities, Inc.
Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC
OneDigital Investment Advisors
Open Range Financial Group, LLC
Oppenheimer & Company, Inc.
Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC
Osaic Institutions, Inc.
Osaic Wealth, Inc.
Paychex Securities Corp.
Pensionmark Financial Group, LLC
Pershing LLC

Planmember Securities Corporation
PNC Capital Markets, LLC
PNC Investments LLC
Principal Securities, Inc.
Private Client Services, LLC
Private Wealth Advisors, Inc.
Prudential Investment Management Services LLC
Putnam Investment Management, LLC
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
Robert W Baird & Co. Incorporated
Rockefeller Capital Management
Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.
Sagepoint Financial, LLC
Sanctuary Securities, Inc.
Sanford C. Bernstein & Company, LLC
SBC Wealth Management
Securities America, Inc.
Security Distributors, LLC
Sentry Advisors, LLC
Spire Securities, LLC
State Street Global Markets, LLC
Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
Strategic Financial Partners, Ltd
TD Ameritrade, Inc.
TD Private Client Wealth LLC
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America
The Huntington Investment Company
The Vanguard Group, Inc.
Thrivent Investment Management Inc.
Towerpoint Wealth, LLC
Treasury Brokerage
Truist Investment Services, Inc.
Truist Securities, Inc.
U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.
UBS Financial Services Inc.
UBS Securities LLC
UMB Financial Services, Inc.
United Planners Financial Services of America, L.P.
Validus Capital LLC
Vanguard Marketing Corporation
Veridian Capital Partners
Vining-Sparks-IBG, LLC
Vision Financial Markets, LLC
Voya Financial Advisors, Inc.
Voya Retirement Advisors, LLC
Webb Financial Group, LLC
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
Woodbury Financial Services, Inc.

Purchases In-Kind

You may contact the Distributor to request a purchase of Shares using securities you own. The Fund reserves the right to determine whether to accept your securities and the minimum market value to accept. The Fund will value your securities in the same manner as it values its assets. An in-kind purchase may be treated as a sale of your securities for federal tax purposes; please consult your tax adviser regarding potential tax liability.

Redemption In-Kind

Massachusetts Partnership Law

Account and Share Information

VOTING RIGHTS

Each Share of the Fund gives the shareholder one vote in Trustee elections and other matters submitted to shareholders for vote.

All Shares of the Trust have equal voting rights, except that in matters affecting only a particular Fund or class, only Shares of that Fund or class are entitled to vote.

As of March 27, 2024, the following shareholders owned of record, beneficially, or both, 5% or more of outstanding Primary Shares: Jefferson National Life Insurance Company, Louisville, KY, owned approximately 2,744,923 Shares (20.19%); Lincoln Benefit Life Co, Palatine, IL, owned approximately 1,208,245 Shares (8.88%); Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Columbus, OH, owned approximately 1,089,320 Shares (7.77%); GE Life & Annuity, Richmond, VA, owned approximately 883,274 Shares (6.49%); Phoenix Home Life Insurance Co., E. Greenbush, NY, owned approximately 863,458 Shares (6.35%); and Phoenix Home Life Variable Insurance Co., E. Greenbush, NY, owned approximately 731,560 Shares (5.38%); American National Group, Galveston, TX, owned approximately 687,678 Shares (6.05%).

As of March 27, 2024, the following shareholders owned of record, beneficially, or both, 5% or more of outstanding Service Shares:Equitable Financial Life Insurance Co., New York, NY, owned approximately 4,174,967 Shares (44.67%); AXA Equitable Life Insurance Co., Jersey City, NJ, owned approximately 1,962,941 Shares (21.00%); GE Life & Annuity, Richmond, VA, owned approximately 1,173,424 Shares (12.55%); and Security Benefit Life, Topeka, KS, owned approximately 702,693 Shares (7.51%).

Shareholders owning 25% or more of outstanding Shares may be in control and be able to affect the outcome of certain matters presented for a vote of shareholders.Equitable Life Financing Corporation is organized in the State of Delaware.

Tax Information

Federal Income Tax

The Fund intends to meet requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) applicable to regulated investment companies. If these requirements are not met, it will not receive special tax treatment and will be subject to federal corporate income tax. Additionally, the Fund intends to comply with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code.

The Fund is entitled to a loss carryforward, which may reduce the taxable income or gain that the Fund would realize, and to which the shareholder would be subject, in the future.

Tax Basis Information

The Fund’s Transfer Agent and/or your financial intermediary is required to provide you with the cost basis information on the sale of any of your Shares in the Fund, subject to certain exceptions.

Foreign Investments

If the Fund purchases foreign securities, its investment income may be subject to foreign withholding or other taxes that could reduce the return on these securities. Tax treaties between the United States and foreign countries, however, may reduce or eliminate the amount of foreign taxes to which the Fund would be subject. The effective rate of foreign tax cannot be predicted since the amount of Fund assets to be invested within various countries is uncertain. However, the Fund intends to operate so as to qualify for treaty-reduced tax rates when applicable.

Distributions from the Fund may be based on estimates of book income for the year. Book income generally consists solely of the income generated by the securities in the portfolio, whereas tax-basis income includes, in addition, gains or losses attributable to currency fluctuation. Due to differences in the book and tax treatment of fixed-income securities denominated in foreign currencies, it is difficult to project currency effects on an interim basis. Therefore, to the extent that currency fluctuations cannot be anticipated, a portion of distributions to shareholders could later be designated as a return of capital, rather than income, for income tax purposes, which may be of particular concern to certain trusts.

Certain foreign corporations may qualify as Passive Foreign Investment Companies (PFIC). There are special rules prescribing the tax treatment of such an investment by the Fund, which could subject the Fund to federal income tax.

If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets at the end of the tax year is represented by stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will qualify for certain Code provisions that allow its shareholders to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction on their U.S. income tax returns. The Code may limit a shareholder’s ability to claim a foreign tax credit. Shareholders who elect to deduct their portion of the Fund’s foreign taxes rather than take the foreign tax credit must itemize deductions on their income tax returns.

Who Manages and Provides Services to the Fund?

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is responsible for managing the Fund’s business affairs and for exercising all the Fund’s powers except those reserved for the shareholders. The following tables give information about each Trustee and the senior officers of the Fund. Where required, the tables separately list Trustees who are “interested persons” of the Fund (i.e., “Interested” Trustees) and those who are not (i.e., “Independent” Trustees). Unless otherwise noted, the address of each person listed is 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779. The address of all Independent Trustees listed is 4000 Ericsson Drive, Warrendale, PA 15086-7561; Attention: Mutual Fund Board. As of December 31, 2023, the Fund comprised 6 portfolios, and the Federated Hermes Complex consisted of 33 investment companies (comprising 101 portfolios). Unless otherwise noted, each Officer is elected annually. Unless otherwise noted, each Trustee oversees all portfolios in the Federated Hermes Complex and serves for an indefinite term.

As of March 27, 2024, the Fund’s Board and Officers as a group owned less than 1% of each class of the Fund’s outstanding Shares.

qualifications of Independent Trustees

■ Desire and availability to serve for a substantial period of time, taking into account the Board’s current mandatory retirement age of 75 years.

■ No conflicts which would interfere with qualifying as independent.

■ Appropriate interpersonal skills to work effectively with other Independent Trustees.

■ Understanding and appreciation of the important role occupied by Independent Trustees in the regulatory structure governing regulated investment companies.

■ Diversity of background.

Interested Trustees Background and Compensation

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) for Past Five Years, Other Directorships Held and Previous Position(s)	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Fund and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
J. Christopher Donahue* Birth Date: April 11, 1949 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: September 1993	Principal Occupations: Principal Executive Officer and President of certain of the Funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; Director or Trustee of the Funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Chairman and Trustee, Federated Investment Management Company; Trustee, Federated Investment Counseling; Chairman and Director, Federated Global Investment Management Corp.; Chairman and Trustee, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania; Trustee, Federated Shareholder Services Company; Director, Federated Services Company. Previous Positions: President, Federated Investment Counseling; President and Chief Executive Officer, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated Global Investment Management Corp. and Passport Research, Ltd.; Chairman, Passport Research, Ltd.	$0	$0
Thomas R. Donahue* Birth Date: October 20, 1958 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: May 2016	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of certain funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Vice President and Assistant Secretary, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Chairman and Trustee, Federated Administrative Services; Chairman and Director, Federated Administrative Services, Inc.; Trustee and Treasurer, Federated Advisory Services Company; Director or Trustee and Treasurer, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling, and Federated Investment Management Company; Director, MDTA LLC; Director, Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary, Federated Securities Corp.; Director or Trustee and Chairman, Federated Services Company and Federated Shareholder Services Company; and Director and President, FII Holdings, Inc. Previous Positions: Director, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Assistant Secretary, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated Global Investment Management Company and Passport Research, LTD; Treasurer, Passport Research, LTD; Executive Vice President, Federated Securities Corp.; and Treasurer, FII Holdings, Inc.	$0	$0

Independent Trustees Background, Qualifications and Compensation

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships Held for Past Five Years, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Fund and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
G. Thomas Hough Birth Date: February 28, 1955 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: August 2015	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee and Chair of the Board of Directors or Trustees of the Federated Hermes Complex; formerly, Vice Chair, Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting firm) (Retired). Other Directorships Held: Director, Chair of the Audit Committee, Member of the Compensation Committee, Equifax, Inc.; Lead Director, Member of the Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees, Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.; formerly, Director, Member of Governance and Compensation Committees, Publix Super Markets, Inc. Qualifications: Mr. Hough has served in accounting, business management and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Hough most recently held the position of Americas Vice Chair of Assurance with Ernst & Young LLP (public accounting firm). Mr. Hough serves on the President’s Cabinet and Business School Board of Visitors for the University of Alabama. Mr. Hough previously served on the Business School Board of Visitors for Wake Forest University, and he previously served as an Executive Committee member of the United States Golf Association.	$273.30	$365,000
Maureen Lally-Green Birth Date: July 5, 1949 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: August 2009	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; Adjunct Professor of Law, Emerita, Duquesne University School of Law; formerly, Dean of the Duquesne University School of Law and Professor of Law and Interim Dean of the Duquesne University School of Law; formerly, Associate General Secretary and Director, Office of Church Relations, Diocese of Pittsburgh. Other Directorships Held: Director, CNX Resources Corporation (natural gas). Qualifications: Judge Lally-Green has served in various legal and business roles and directorship positions throughout her career. Judge Lally-Green previously held the position of Dean of the School of Law of Duquesne University (as well as Interim Dean). Judge Lally-Green previously served as Director of the Office of Church Relations and later as Associate General Secretary for the Diocese of Pittsburgh, a member of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania and as a Professor of Law, Duquesne University School of Law. Judge Lally-Green was appointed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and previously served on the Supreme Court’s Board of Continuing Judicial Education and the Supreme Court’s Appellate Court Procedural Rules Committee. Judge Lally-Green was then appointed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and currently serves on the Judicial Ethics Advisory Board. Judge Lally-Green also currently holds the positions on not for profit or for profit boards of directors as follows: Director and Chair, UPMC Mercy Hospital; Regent, Saint Vincent Seminary; Member, Pennsylvania State Board of Education (public); Director, Catholic Charities, Pittsburgh; and Director, CNX Resources Corporation (natural gas). Judge Lally-Green has held the positions of: Director, Auberle; Director, Epilepsy Foundation of Western and Central Pennsylvania; Director, Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh; Director, Saint Thomas More Society; Director and Chair, Catholic High Schools of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Inc.; Director, Pennsylvania Bar Institute; Director, Saint Vincent College; Director and Chair, North Catholic High School, Inc.; Director and Vice Chair, Our Campaign for the Church Alive!, Inc.; and Director and Vice Chair, Saint Francis University.	$247.09	$330,000

Name Birth Date Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) and Other Directorships Held for Past Five Years, Previous Position(s) and Qualifications	Aggregate Compensation From Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation From Fund and Federated Hermes Complex (past calendar year)
Thomas M. O’Neill Birth Date: June 14, 1951 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: August 2006	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee and Chair of the Audit Committee of the Federated Hermes Complex; Sole Proprietor, Navigator Management Company (investment and strategic consulting). Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. O’Neill has served in several business, mutual fund and financial management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. O’Neill serves as Director, Medicines for Humanity. Mr. O’Neill previously served as Chief Executive Officer and President, Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer, Fleet Investment Advisors; President and Chief Executive Officer, Aeltus Investment Management, Inc.; General Partner, Hellman, Jordan Management Co., Boston, MA; Chief Investment Officer, The Putnam Companies, Boston, MA; Credit Analyst and Lending Officer, Fleet Bank; Director and Consultant, EZE Castle Software (investment order management software); Director, Midway Pacific (lumber); and Director, The Golisano Children’s Museum of Naples, Florida.	$247.09	$330,000
Madelyn A. Reilly Birth Date: February 2, 1956 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: November 2020	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; formerly, Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary of Board of Directors, Duquesne University (Retired). Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Ms. Reilly has served in various business and legal management roles throughout her career. Ms. Reilly previously served as Senior Vice President for Legal Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary of Board of Directors and Director of Risk Management and Associate General Counsel, Duquesne University. Prior to her work at Duquesne University, Ms. Reilly served as Assistant General Counsel of Compliance and Enterprise Risk as well as Senior Counsel of Environment, Health and Safety, PPG Industries. Ms. Reilly currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of UPMC Mercy Hospital, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities, Pittsburgh.	$224.63	$300,000
P. Jerome Richey Birth Date: February 23, 1949 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: October 2013	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; Retired; formerly, Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Legal Officer, University of Pittsburgh and Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, CONSOL Energy Inc. (split into two separate publicly traded companies known as CONSOL Energy Inc. and CNX Resources Corp.). Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. Richey has served in several business and legal management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Richey most recently held the positions of Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Legal Officer, University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Richey previously served as Chairman of the Board, Epilepsy Foundation of Western Pennsylvania and Chairman of the Board, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh. Mr. Richey previously served as Chief Legal Officer and Executive Vice President, CONSOL Energy Inc. and CNX Gas Company; and Board Member, Ethics Counsel and Shareholder, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC (a law firm).	$247.09	$330,000
John S. Walsh Birth Date: November 28, 1957 Trustee Indefinite Term Began serving: January 1999	Principal Occupations: Director or Trustee of the Federated Hermes Complex; President and Director, Heat Wagon, Inc. (manufacturer of construction temporary heaters); President and Director, Manufacturers Products, Inc. (distributor of portable construction heaters); President, Portable Heater Parts, a division of Manufacturers Products, Inc. Other Directorships Held: None. Qualifications: Mr. Walsh has served in several business management roles and directorship positions throughout his career. Mr. Walsh previously served as Vice President, Walsh & Kelly, Inc. (paving contractors).	$224.63	$300,000

OFFICERS*

Name Birth Date Address Positions Held with Trust Date Service Began	Principal Occupation(s) and Previous Position(s)
Jeremy D. Boughton Birth Date: September 29, 1976 Treasurer Officer since: March 2024	Principal Occupations: Principal Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Federated Hermes Complex; Senior Vice President, Federated Administrative Services, Federated Administrative Services, Inc., Federated Advisory Services Company, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Investment Management Company and Federated MDTA, LLC. Formerly, Controller, Federated Hermes, Inc. and Financial and Operations Principal for Federated Securities Corp. Mr. Boughton has received the Certified Public Accountant designation. Previous Positions: Senior Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, Federated Investors Management Company; Treasurer, Federated Investors Trust Company; Assistant Treasurer, Federated Administrative Services, Federated Administrative Services, Inc., Federated Securities Corp., Federated Advisory Services Company, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Investment Management Company, Federated MDTA, LLC and Federated Hermes (UK) LLP, as well as other subsidiaries of Federated Hermes, Inc.
Peter J. Germain Birth Date: September 3, 1959 CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER, SECRETARY and EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Officer since: January 2005	Principal Occupations: Mr. Germain is Chief Legal Officer, Secretary and Executive Vice President of the Federated Hermes Complex. He is General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, Secretary and Executive Vice President, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Trustee and Senior Vice President, Federated Investors Management Company; Trustee and President, Federated Administrative Services; Director and President, Federated Administrative Services, Inc.; Director and Vice President, Federated Securities Corp.; Director and Secretary, Federated Private Asset Management, Inc.; Secretary, Federated Shareholder Services Company; and Secretary, Retirement Plan Service Company of America. Mr. Germain joined Federated Hermes, Inc. in 1984 and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Previous Positions: Deputy General Counsel, Special Counsel, Managing Director of Mutual Fund Services, Federated Hermes, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Federated Services Company; and Senior Corporate Counsel, Federated Hermes, Inc.
John B. Fisher Birth Date: May 16, 1956 PRESIDENT Officer since: November 2004	Principal Occupations: Principal Executive Officer and President of certain of the Funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; Director or Trustee of certain of the Funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; Director and Vice President, Federated Hermes, Inc.; President, Director/Trustee and CEO, Federated Advisory Services Company, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Investment Management Company, and Federated MDTA LLC; Director, Federated Investors Trust Company. Previous Positions: President and Director of the Institutional Sales Division of Federated Securities Corp.; President and CEO of Passport Research, Ltd.; Director and President, Technology, Federated Services Company.
Stephen Van Meter Birth Date: June 5, 1975 CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Officer since: July 2015	Principal Occupations: Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of the Federated Hermes Complex; Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of Federated Hermes, Inc. and Chief Compliance Officer of certain of its subsidiaries. Mr. Van Meter joined Federated Hermes, Inc. in October 2011. He holds FINRA licenses under Series 3, 7, 24 and 66. Previous Positions: Mr. Van Meter previously held the position of Compliance Operating Officer, Federated Hermes, Inc. Prior to joining Federated Hermes, Inc., Mr. Van Meter served at the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in the positions of Senior Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel, Division of Investment Management and Senior Counsel, Division of Enforcement.
Stephen F. Auth Birth Date: September 13, 1956 101 Park Avenue 41st Floor New York, NY 10178 CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER Officer since: November 2002	Principal Occupations: Stephen F. Auth is Chief Investment Officer of various Funds in the Federated Hermes Complex; Executive Vice President, Federated Investment Counseling, Federated Global Investment Management Corp. and Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania. Previous Positions: Executive Vice President, Federated Investment Management Company and Passport Research, Ltd. (investment advisory subsidiary of Federated Hermes); Senior Vice President, Global Portfolio Management Services Division; Senior Vice President, Federated Investment Management Company and Passport Research, Ltd.; Senior Managing Director and Portfolio Manager, Prudential Investments.
Robert J. Ostrowski Birth Date: April 26, 1963 Chief Investment Officer Officer since: May 2004	Principal Occupations: Robert J. Ostrowski joined Federated Hermes, Inc. in 1987 as an Investment Analyst and became a Portfolio Manager in 1990. He was named Chief Investment Officer of Federated Hermes, Inc. taxable fixed-income products in 2004 and also serves as a Senior Portfolio Manager. Mr. Ostrowski became an Executive Vice President of the Fund’s Adviser in 2009 and served as a Senior Vice President of the Fund’s Adviser from 1997 to 2009. Mr. Ostrowski has received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He received his M.S. in Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University.
Deborah A. Cunningham Birth Date: September 15, 1959 Chief Investment Officer Officer since: June 2012	Principal Occupations: Deborah A. Cunningham was named Chief Investment Officer of Federated Hermes’ money market products in 2004. She joined Federated Hermes in 1981 and has been a Senior Portfolio Manager since 1997 and an Executive Vice President of the Fund’s Adviser since 2009. Ms. Cunningham has received the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and holds an M.S.B.A. in Finance from Robert Morris College.

Officers do not receive any compensation from the Fund.

In addition, the Fund has appointed an Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer.

DIRECTOR/TRUSTEE EMERITUS PROGRAM

The following table shows the fees paid to each Director/Trustee Emeritus for the Fund’s most recently ended fiscal year and the portion of that fee paid by the Fund or Corporation/Trust.1

EMERITUS Trustees and Compensation

Director/Trustee Emeritus	Compensation From the Fund (past fiscal year)	Total Compensation Paid to Director/Trustee Emeritus1 (past calendar year)
John T. Collins2	$288.24	$385,000
Charles F. Mansfield, Jr.	$16.66	$60,000

The fees paid to a Director/Trustee are allocated among the funds that were in existence at the time the Director/Trustee elected Emeritus status, based on each fund’s net assets at that time.

BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

Committees of the Board

Board Committee	Committee Members	Committee Functions	Meetings Held During Last Fiscal Year
Executive	J. Christopher Donahue G. Thomas Hough John S. Walsh	In between meetings of the full Board, the Executive Committee generally may exercise all the powers of the full Board in the management and direction of the business and conduct of the affairs of the Trust in such manner as the Executive Committee shall deem to be in the best interests of the Trust. However, the Executive Committee cannot elect or remove Board members, increase or decrease the number of Trustees, elect or remove any Officer, declare dividends, issue shares or recommend to shareholders any action requiring shareholder approval.	One

Board Committee	Committee Members	Committee Functions	Meetings Held During Last Fiscal Year
Audit	Maureen Lally-Green Thomas M. O’Neill P. Jerome Richey John S. Walsh	The purposes of the Audit Committee are to oversee the accounting and financial reporting process of the Fund, the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting and the quality, integrity and independent audit of the Fund’s financial statements. The Committee also oversees or assists the Board with the oversight of compliance with legal requirements relating to those matters, approves the engagement and reviews the qualifications, independence and performance of the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, acts as a liaison between the independent registered public accounting firm and the Board and reviews the Fund’s internal audit function.	Seven
Nominating	G. Thomas Hough Maureen Lally-Green Thomas M. O’Neill Madelyn A. Reilly P. Jerome Richey John S. Walsh	The Nominating Committee, whose members consist of all Independent Trustees, selects and nominates persons for election to the Fund’s Board when vacancies occur. The Committee will consider candidates recommended by shareholders, Independent Trustees, officers or employees of any of the Fund’s agents or service providers and counsel to the Fund. Any shareholder who desires to have an individual considered for nomination by the Committee must submit a recommendation in writing to the Secretary of the Fund, at the Fund’s address appearing on the back cover of this SAI. The recommendation should include the name and address of both the shareholder and the candidate and detailed information concerning the candidate’s qualifications and experience. In identifying and evaluating candidates for consideration, the Committee shall consider such factors as it deems appropriate. Those factors will ordinarily include: integrity, intelligence, collegiality, judgment, diversity, skill, business and other experience, qualification as an “Independent Trustee,” the existence of material relationships which may create the appearance of a lack of independence, financial or accounting knowledge and experience and dedication and willingness to devote the time and attention necessary to fulfill Board responsibilities.	Three

BOARD’S ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT

Board Ownership Of Shares In The Fund And In The Federated Hermes Family Of Investment Companies As Of December 31, 2023

Interested Board Member Name	Dollar Range of Shares Owned in Federated Hermes High Income Bond Fund II	Aggregate Dollar Range of Shares Owned in Federated Hermes Family of Investment Companies
J. Christopher Donahue	None	Over $100,000
Thomas R. Donahue	None	Over $100,000
Independent Board Member Name
G. Thomas Hough	None	Over $100,000
Maureen Lally-Green	None	Over $100,000
Thomas M. O’Neill	None	Over $100,000
Madelyn A. Reilly	None	Over $100,000
P. Jerome Richey	None	Over $100,000
John S. Walsh	None	Over $100,000

Investment Adviser

The Adviser conducts investment research and makes investment decisions for the Fund.

The Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of Federated Hermes.

Portfolio Manager Information

As a general matter, certain conflicts of interest may arise in connection with a portfolio manager’s management of a fund’s investments, on the one hand, and the investments of other funds/pooled investment vehicles or accounts (collectively, including the Fund, as applicable, “accounts”) for which the portfolio manager is responsible, on the other. For example, it is possible that the various accounts managed could have different investment strategies that, at times, might conflict with one another to the possible detriment of the Fund. Alternatively, to the extent that the same investment opportunities might be desirable for more than one account, possible conflicts could arise in determining how to allocate them. Other potential conflicts can include, for example, conflicts created by specific portfolio manager compensation arrangements (including, for example, the allocation or weighting given to the performance of the Fund or other accounts or activities for which the portfolio manager is responsible in calculating the portfolio manager’s compensation), and conflicts relating to selection of brokers or dealers to execute Fund portfolio trades and/or specific uses of commissions from Fund portfolio trades (for example, research or “soft dollars”). The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures and has structured the portfolio managers’ compensation in a manner reasonably designed to safeguard the Fund from being negatively affected as a result of any such potential conflicts.

The following information about the Fund’s Portfolio Managers is provided as of the end of the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year unless otherwise indicated.

Mark Durbiano, Portfolio Manager

Types of Accounts Managed by Mark Durbiano	Total Number of Additional Accounts Managed/Total Assets*	Additional Accounts/Assets Managed that are Subject to Advisory Fee Based on Account Performance
Registered Investment Companies	18/$12.9 billion	0/$0
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	3/$385.1 million	0/$0
Other Accounts	6/$1.1 billion	1/$149.4 million

None of the Accounts has an advisory fee that is based on the performance of the account.

Dollar value range of shares owned in the Fund: None.

Mark Durbiano is paid a fixed base salary and a variable annual incentive. Base salary is determined within a market competitive, position-specific salary range, based on the portfolio manager’s experience and performance. The annual incentive amount is determined based primarily on Investment Product Performance (IPP) and may also include a discretionary component based on a variety of factors deemed relevant, such as financial measures and performance and may be paid entirely in cash, or in a combination of cash and restricted stock of Federated Hermes, Inc. (“Federated Hermes”). The total combined annual incentive opportunity is intended to be competitive in the market for this portfolio manager role.

IPP is measured on a rolling one, three and five calendar year pre-tax gross total return basis versus the Fund’s benchmark (i.e., Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index) and versus the Fund’s designated peer group of comparable accounts. Performance periods are adjusted if a portfolio manager has been managing an account for less than five years; accounts with less than one year of performance history under a portfolio manager may be excluded.

As noted above, Mr. Durbiano is also the portfolio manager for other accounts in addition to the Fund. Such other accounts may have different benchmarks and performance measures. The allocation or weighting given to the performance of the Fund or other accounts or activities for which Mr. Durbiano is responsible when his compensation is calculated may be equal or can vary.

In addition, Mr. Durbiano has oversight responsibility for other portfolios that he does not personally manage and serves on one or more Investment Teams that establish guidelines on various performance drivers (e.g., currency, duration, sector, volatility and/or yield curve) for taxable, fixed-income accounts. A portion of the IPP score is based on Federated Hermes’ senior management’s assessment of team contributions.

For purposes of calculating the annual incentive amount, each account managed by the portfolio manager currently is categorized into one of three IPP groups (which may be adjusted periodically). Within each performance measurement period and IPP group, IPP currently is calculated on the basis of an assigned weighting to each account managed or activity engaged in by the portfolio manager and included in the IPP groups. At the account level, the weighting assigned to the Fund is lesser than or equal to the weighting assigned to certain other accounts or activities, and is greater than or equal to the weighting assigned to certain other accounts or activities used to determine IPP (but can be adjusted periodically). A portion of the bonus tied to the IPP score may be adjusted based on management’s assessment of overall contributions to account performance and any other factors as deemed relevant. Pursuant to the terms of a business agreement, Mr. Durbiano’s annual incentives may include certain guaranteed amounts.

Kathryn P. Glass, Portfolio Manager

Types of Accounts Managed by Kathryn P. Glass	Total Number of Additional Accounts Managed/Total Assets*
Registered Investment Companies	4/$8.9 billion
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	2/$207.6 million
Other Accounts	3/$236.3 million

None of the Accounts has an advisory fee that is based on the performance of the account.

Dollar value range of shares owned in the Fund: None.

Kathryn Glass is paid a fixed base salary and a variable annual incentive. Base salary is determined within a market competitive, position-specific salary range, based on the portfolio manager’s experience and performance. The annual incentive amount is determined based primarily on Investment Product Performance (IPP) and may also include a discretionary component based on a variety of factors deemed relevant, such as financial measures and performance and may be paid entirely in cash, or in a combination of cash and restricted stock of Federated Hermes, Inc. (“Federated Hermes”). The total combined annual incentive opportunity is intended to be competitive in the market for this portfolio manager role.

As noted above, Ms. Glass is also the portfolio manager for other accounts in addition to the Fund. Such other accounts may have different benchmarks and performance measures. The allocation or weighting given to the performance of the Fund or other accounts for which Ms. Glass is responsible when her compensation is calculated may be equal or can vary.

For purposes of calculating the annual incentive amount, each account managed by the portfolio manager currently is categorized into one of three IPP groups (which may be adjusted periodically). Within each performance measurement period and IPP group, IPP currently is calculated on the basis of an assigned weighting to each account managed by the portfolio manager and included in the IPP groups. At the account level, the weighting assigned to the Fund is lesser than or equal to the weighting assigned to certain other accounts, and is greater than or equal to the weighting assigned to certain other accounts, used to determine IPP (but can be adjusted periodically). Additionally, a portion of Ms. Glass’s IPP score is based on the performance of the accounts for which he provides research and analytic support. A portion of the bonus tied to the IPP score may be adjusted based on management’s assessment of overall contributions to account performance and any other factors as deemed relevant.

In addition, Ms. Glass was awarded a grant of restricted Federated Hermes stock. Awards of restricted stock are discretionary and are made in variable amounts based on the subjective judgment of Federated Hermes’ senior management.

Randal Stuckwish, Portfolio Manager

Types of Accounts Managed by Randal Stuckwish	Total Number of Additional Accounts Managed/Total Assets*
Registered Investment Companies	1/$100.7 million
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles	0/$0
Other Accounts	1/$43.5 million

None of the Accounts has an advisory fee that is based on the performance of the account.

Dollar value range of shares owned in the Fund: None.

Randal Stuckwish is paid a fixed base salary and a variable annual incentive. Base salary is determined within a market competitive, position-specific salary range, based on the portfolio manager’s experience and performance. The annual incentive amount is determined based primarily on Investment Product Performance (IPP) and may also include a discretionary component based on a variety of factors deemed relevant, such as financial measures and performance and may be paid entirely in cash, or in a combination of cash and restricted stock of Federated Hermes, Inc. (“Federated Hermes”). The total combined annual incentive opportunity is intended to be competitive in the market for this portfolio manager role.

As noted above, Mr. Stuckwish is also the portfolio manager for other accounts in addition to the Fund. Such other accounts may have different benchmarks and performance measures. The allocation or weighting given to the performance of the Fund or other accounts for which Mr. Stuckwish is responsible when his compensation is calculated may be equal or can vary.

For purposes of calculating the annual incentive amount, each account managed by the portfolio manager currently is categorized into one of three IPP groups (which may be adjusted periodically). Within each performance measurement period and IPP group, IPP currently is calculated on the basis of an assigned weighting to each account managed by the portfolio manager and included in the IPP groups. At the account level, the weighting assigned to the Fund is lesser than or equal to the weighting assigned to certain other accounts, and is greater than or equal to the weighting assigned to certain other accounts, used to determine IPP (but can be adjusted periodically). Additionally, a portion of Mr. Stuckwish’s IPP score is based on the performance of the accounts for which he provides research and analytic support. A portion of the bonus tied to the IPP score may be adjusted based on management’s assessment of overall contributions to account performance and any other factors as deemed relevant.

In addition, Mr. Stuckwish was awarded a grant of restricted Federated Hermes stock. Awards of restricted stock are discretionary and are made in variable amounts based on the subjective judgment of Federated Hermes’ senior management.

Services Agreement

Federated Advisory Services Company, an affiliate of the Adviser, provides certain support services to the Adviser. The fee for these services is paid by the Adviser and not by the Fund.

Other Related Services

Code Of Ethics Restrictions On Personal Trading

Voting Proxies On Fund Portfolio Securities

Proxy Voting Policies

Corporate Governance

Shareholder Proposals on Environmental and Social Issues

With respect to specific categories of proposals:

Environmental

■ The company’s current level of publicly available disclosure.

■ Whether the company has formally committed to implementation of a reporting program based on frameworks such as the SASB materiality standards or the TCFD recommendations.

■ Whether the company’s current level of disclosure is comparable to that of industry peers; and

■ Whether there are significant controversies or litigation associated with the company’s environmental performance.

Social

Political Activities

Capital Structure

Executive Compensation

With respect to specific categories of proposals:

Say on Pay

Remuneration Policy

■ The design of the remuneration policy fails to appropriately link executive compensation with corporate performance.

■ Total compensation appears excessive relative to the company’s industry peer group considering local market dynamics; or

■ There is insufficient disclosure to enable an informed judgment, particularly as it relates to the disclosure of the maximum amounts of compensation that may be awarded.

Remuneration Report

Equity Plans

The Adviser will generally vote in favor of equity plan proposals unless they:

■ Result in unreasonable dilution to existing shareholders.

■ Permit replacement of “underwater” options with new options on more favorable terms for the recipient; or

■ Omit the criteria for determining the granting or vesting of awards.

M&A Activity

Contested Elections

Cost/Benefit Analysis

Securities Lending Recall

Issuer Feedback

Best Efforts

If proxies are not delivered in a timely or otherwise appropriate basis, the Adviser may not be able to vote a particular proxy.

Proxy Voting Procedures

The Adviser has established a Proxy Voting Committee (“Proxy Committee”), to exercise all voting discretion granted to the Adviser by the Board in accordance with the proxy voting policies. To assist it in carrying out the day-to-day operations related to proxy voting, the Proxy Committee has created the Proxy Voting Management Group (PVMG). The day-to-day operations related to proxy voting are carried out by the Proxy Voting Operations Team (PVOT) and overseen by the PVMG. Besides voting the proxies, this work includes engaging with investee companies on corporate governance matters, managing the proxy advisory firm, soliciting voting recommendations from the Adviser’s investment professionals, bringing voting recommendations to the Proxy Committee for approval, filing with regulatory agencies any required proxy voting reports, providing proxy voting reports to clients and investment companies as they are requested from time to time and keeping the Proxy Committee informed of any issues related to corporate governance and proxy voting.

the PVOT will work with the investment professionals and the proxy advisory firm to develop a voting recommendation for the Proxy Committee and to communicate the Proxy Committee’s final voting decision to the proxy advisory firm. Further, if the Standard Voting Instructions require the PVOT to analyze a ballot question and make the final voting decision, the PVOT will report such votes to the Proxy Committee on a quarterly basis for review.

Conflicts of Interest

Downstream Affiliates

Proxy Advisers’ Conflicts of Interest

To avoid concerns that the conflicting interests of proxy advisory firms have influenced their proxy voting recommendations, the Adviser will take the following steps:

Proxy Voting Report

Portfolio Holdings Information

Information concerning the Fund’s portfolio holdings is available via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us/FundInformation. A complete listing of the Fund’s portfolio holdings as of the end of each calendar quarter is posted on the website 30 days (or the next business day) after the end of the quarter and remains posted for six months thereafter. Summary portfolio composition information as of the close of each month is posted on the website 15 days (or the next business day) after month-end and remains posted until replaced by the information for the succeeding month. The summary portfolio composition information may include: identification of the Fund’s top 10 holdings and a percentage breakdown of the portfolio by sector, asset class and credit quality.

You may also access portfolio information as of the end of the Fund’s fiscal quarters via the link to the Fund and share class name at FederatedHermes.com/us. The Fund’s Annual Shareholder Report and Semi-Annual Shareholder Report contain complete listings of the Fund’s portfolio holdings as of the end of the Fund’s second and fourth fiscal quarters. Fiscal quarter information is made available on the website within 70 days after the end of the fiscal quarter. This information is also available in reports filed with the SEC at the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

to receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information will receive it as often as necessary for the purpose for which it is provided. Such information may be furnished as frequently as daily and often with no time lag between the date of the information and the date it is furnished. The Board receives and reviews annually a list of the persons who receive nonpublic portfolio holdings information and the purposes for which it is furnished.

Brokerage Transactions And Investment Allocation

Equity securities may be traded in the over-the-counter market through broker/dealers acting as principal or agent, or in transactions directly with other investors. Transactions may also be executed on a securities exchange or through an electronic communications network. The Adviser seeks to obtain best execution of trades in equity securities by balancing the costs inherent in trading, including opportunity costs, market impact costs and commissions. As a general matter, the Adviser seeks to add value to its investment management by using market information to capitalize on market opportunities, actively seek liquidity and discover price. The Adviser continually monitors its trading results in an effort to improve execution. Fixed-income securities are generally traded in an over-the-counter market on a net basis (i.e., without commission) through dealers acting as principal or in transactions directly with the issuer. Dealers derive an undisclosed amount of compensation by offering securities at a higher price than they bid for them. Some fixed-income securities may have only one primary market maker. The Adviser seeks to use dealers it believes to be actively and effectively trading the security being purchased or sold, but may not always obtain the lowest purchase price or highest sale price with respect to a fixed-income security. The Adviser’s receipt of research services (as described below) may also be a factor in the Adviser’s selection of brokers and dealers. The Adviser may also direct certain portfolio trades to a broker that, in turn, pays a portion of the Fund’s operating expenses. The Adviser makes decisions on portfolio transactions and selects brokers and dealers subject to review by the Fund’s Board.

Investment decisions for the Fund are made independently from those of other accounts managed by the Adviser and accounts managed by affiliates of the Adviser. Except as noted below, when the Fund and one or more of those accounts invests in, or disposes of, the same security, available investments or opportunities for sales will be allocated among the Fund and the account(s) in a manner believed by the Adviser to be equitable. While the coordination and ability to participate in volume transactions may benefit the Fund, it is possible that this procedure could adversely impact the price paid or received and/or the position obtained or disposed of by the Fund. Investments for Federated Hermes Kaufmann Fund and other accounts managed by that fund’s portfolio managers in initial public offerings (IPO) are made independently from any other accounts, and much of their non-IPO trading may also be conducted independently from other accounts. Trading and allocation of investments, including IPOs, for accounts managed by Federated MDTA LLC are also made independently from the Fund. Investment decisions and trading for certain separately managed or wrap-fee accounts, and other accounts, of the Adviser and/or certain investment adviser affiliates of the Adviser also are generally made and conducted independently from the Fund. It is possible that such independent trading activity could adversely impact the prices paid or received and/or positions obtained or disposed of by the Fund.

Brokerage and Research Services

Brokerage services include execution of trades and products and services that relate to the execution of trades, including communications services related to trade execution, clearing and settlement, trading software used to route orders to market centers, software that provides algorithmic trading strategies and software used to transmit orders to direct market access (DMA) systems. Research services may include: advice as to the advisability of investing in securities; security analysis and reports; economic studies; industry studies; receipt of quotations for portfolio evaluations; and similar services. Research services assist the Adviser and its affiliates in terms of their overall investment responsibilities to funds and investment accounts for which they have investment discretion. However, particular brokerage and research services received by the Adviser and its affiliates may not be used to service every fund or account, and may not benefit the particular funds and accounts that generated the brokerage commissions. In addition, brokerage and research services paid for with commissions generated by the Fund may be used in managing other funds and accounts. To the extent that receipt of these services may replace services for which the Adviser or its affiliates might otherwise have paid, it would tend to reduce their expenses. The Adviser and its affiliates exercise reasonable business judgment in selecting brokers to execute securities transactions where receipt of research services is a factor. They determine in good faith that commissions charged by such persons are reasonable in relationship to the value of the brokerage and research services provided.

Administrator

Administrative Services Fee Rate	Average Daily Net Assets of the Investment Complex
0.100%	on assets up to $50 billion
0.075%	on assets over $50 billion

Custodian

Transfer Agent And Dividend Disbursing Agent

SS&C GIDS, Inc., the Fund’s registered transfer agent, maintains all necessary shareholder records.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Fees Paid by the Fund for Services

For the Year Ended December 31	2023	2022	2021
Advisory Fee Earned	$709,906	$774,585	$942,618
Advisory Fee Waived	$74,454	$69,666	$63,949
Brokerage Commissions	—	—	—
Net Administrative Fee	$100,609	$106,128	$132,291
Net 12b-1 Fee:
Service Shares	$119,413	$127,939	$135,559

Fees are allocated among classes based on their pro rata share of Fund assets, except for marketing (“Rule 12b-1”) fees and administrative service fees, which are borne only by the applicable class of Shares.

Securities Lending Activities

The services provided to the Fund by Citibank, N.A. as securities lending agent may include the following: selecting securities previously identified by the Fund as available for loan to be loaned; locating borrowers identified in the securities lending agency agreement; negotiating loan terms; monitoring daily the value of the loaned securities and collateral; requiring additional collateral as necessary; marking to market non-cash collateral; instructing the Fund’s custodian with respect to the transfer of loaned securities; indemnifying the Fund in the event of a borrower default; and arranging for return of loaned securities to the Fund at loan termination.

The Fund did not participate in any securities lending activities during the Fund’s most recently completed fiscal year.

Gross income from securities lending activities	$00.00
Fees and/or compensation for securities lending activities and related services
Fees paid to securities lending agent from a revenue split	$00.00
Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in the revenue split	—
Administrative fees not included in revenue split	—
Indemnification fee not included in revenue split	—
Rebate (paid to borrower)	$00.00
Other fees not included in revenue split (specify)	—
Aggregate fees/compensation for securities lending activities	$00.00
Net income from securities lending activities	$00.00

Financial Information

The Financial Statements for the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, are incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report to Shareholders of Federated Hermes High Income Bond Fund II dated December 31, 2023.

Investment Ratings

Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (S&P) LONG-TERM Issue RATINGS

Issue credit ratings are based, in varying degrees, on S&P’s analysis of the following considerations: the likelihood of payment-capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation; the nature of and provisions of the obligation; and the protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors’ rights.

AAA—An obligation rated “AAA” has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA—An obligation rated “AA” differs from the highest rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

A—An obligation rated “A” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

BBB—An obligation rated “BBB” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

Obligations rated “BB,” “B,” “CCC,” “CC” and “C” are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. “BB” indicates the least degree of speculation and “C” the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

BB—An obligation rated “BB” is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B—An obligation rated “B” is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated “BB,” but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CCC—An obligation rated “CCC” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CC—An obligation rated “CC” is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.

C—A “C” rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. Among others, the “C” rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument’s terms or when preferred stock is the subject of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

D—An obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within five business days, irrespective of any grace period. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. An obligation’s rating is lowered to “D” upon completion of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.

The ratings from “AA” to “CCC” may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

S&P Rating Outlook

An S&P rating outlook assesses the potential direction of a long-term credit rating over the intermediate term (typically six months to two years). In determining a rating outlook, consideration is given to any changes in the economic and/or fundamental business conditions.

Positive—Positive means that a rating may be raised.

Negative—Negative means that a rating may be lowered.

Stable—Stable means that a rating is not likely to change.

Developing—Developing means a rating may be raised or lowered.

N.M.—N.M. means not meaningful.

S&P Short-Term Issue RATINGS

Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the United States, for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days–including commercial paper.

A-1—A short-term obligation rated “A-1” is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2—A short-term obligation rated “A-2” is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

A-3—A short-term obligation rated “A-3” exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B—A short-term obligation rated “B” is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.

C—A short-term obligation rated “C” is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

D—A short-term obligation rated “D” is in payment default. The “D” rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made within any stated grace period. However, any stated grace period longer than five business days will be treated as five business days. The “D” rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.

MOODY’S Investor Services, Inc. (MOODY’s) LONG-TERM RATINGS

Moody’s long-term ratings are assigned to issuers or obligations with an original maturity of one year or more and reflect both on the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments and the expected financial loss suffered in the event of default.

Aaa—Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

Aa—Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A—Obligations rated A are judged to be upper-medium-grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa—Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba—Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B—Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa—Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca—Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C—Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aaa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.

MOODY’S Short-Term RATINGS

Moody’s short-term ratings are assigned to obligations with an original maturity of 13 months or less and reflect the likelihood of a default on contractually promised payments.

P-1—Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated P-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-2—Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated P-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-3—Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated P-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

NP—Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

FITCH, INC. (Fitch) LONG-TERM Debt RATINGs

Fitch long-term ratings report Fitch’s opinion on an entity’s relative vulnerability to default on financial obligations. The “threshold” default risk addressed by the rating is generally that of the financial obligations whose non-payment would best reflect the uncured failure of that entity. As such, Fitch long-term ratings also address relative vulnerability to bankruptcy, administrative receivership or similar concepts, although the agency recognizes that issuers may also make pre-emptive and therefore voluntary use of such mechanisms.

AAA: Highest Credit Quality—“AAA” ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA: Very High Credit Quality—“AA” ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A: High Credit Quality—“A” ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB: Good Credit Quality—“BBB” ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate, but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

BB: Speculative—“BB” ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.

B: Highly Speculative—“B” ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

CCC: Substantial Credit Risk—Default is a real possibility.

CC: Very High Levels of Credit Risk—Default of some kind appears probable.

C: Exceptionally High Levels of Credit Risk—Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. Conditions that are indicative of a “C” category rating for an issuer include: (a) the issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following non-payment of a material financial obligation; (b) the issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; or (c) Fitch otherwise believes a condition of “RD” or “D” to be imminent or inevitable, including through the formal announcement of a distressed debt exchange.

RD: Restricted Default—“RD” ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include: (a) the selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt; (b) the uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation; (c) the extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; or (d) execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

D: Default—“D” ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch’s opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding-up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business.

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

“Imminent” default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.

In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice.

FITCH SHORT-TERM DEBT RATINGs

A Fitch short-term issuer or obligation rating is based in all cases on the short-term vulnerability to default of the rated entity or security stream and relates to the capacity to meet financial obligations in accordance with the documentation governing the relevant obligation. Short-Term Ratings are assigned to obligations whose initial maturity is viewed as “short-term” based on market convention. Typically, this means up to 13 months for corporate, sovereign and structured obligations, and up to 36 months for obligations in U.S. public finance markets.

F1: Highest Short-Term Credit Quality—Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added “+” to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.

F2: Good Short-Term Credit Quality—Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.

F3: Fair Short-Term Credit Quality—The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.

B: Speculative Short-Term Credit Quality—Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus heightened vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.

C: High Short-Term Default Risk—Default is a real possibility.

RD: Restricted Default—Indicates an entity that has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations. Applicable to entity ratings only.

D: Default—Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a short-term obligation.

A.M. BEST Company, Inc. (a.m. best) LONG-TERM DEBT and Preferred Stock RATINGS

A Best’s long-term debt rating is Best’s independent opinion of an issuer/entity’s ability to meet its ongoing financial obligations to security holders when due.

aaa: Exceptional—Assigned to issues where the issuer has an exceptional ability to meet the terms of the obligation.

aa: Very Strong—Assigned to issues where the issuer has a very strong ability to meet the terms of the obligation.

a: Strong—Assigned to issues where the issuer has a strong ability to meet the terms of the obligation.

bbb: Adequate—Assigned to issues where the issuer has an adequate ability to meet the terms of the obligation; however, the issue is more susceptible to changes in economic or other conditions.

bb: Speculative—Assigned to issues where the issuer has speculative credit characteristics, generally due to a modest margin or principal and interest payment protection and vulnerability to economic changes.

b: Very Speculative—Assigned to issues where the issuer has very speculative credit characteristics, generally due to a modest margin of principal and interest payment protection and extreme vulnerability to economic changes.

ccc, cc, c: Extremely Speculative—Assigned to issues where the issuer has extremely speculative credit characteristics, generally due to a minimal margin of principal and interest payment protection and/or limited ability to withstand adverse changes in economic or other conditions.

d: In Default—Assigned to issues in default on payment of principal, interest or other terms and conditions, or when a bankruptcy petition or similar action has been filed.

Ratings from “aa” to “ccc” may be enhanced with a “+” (plus) or “-” (minus) to indicate whether credit quality is near the top or bottom of a category.

A.M. BEST SHORT-TERM DEBT RATINGS

A Best’s short-term debt rating is Best’s opinion of an issuer/entity’s ability to meet its financial obligations having original maturities of generally less than one year, such as commercial paper.

AMB-1+ Strongest—Assigned to issues where the issuer has the strongest ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

AMB-1 Outstanding—Assigned to issues where the issuer has an outstanding ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

AMB-2 Satisfactory—Assigned to issues where the issuer has a satisfactory ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

AMB-3 Adequate—Assigned to issues where the issuer has an adequate ability to repay short-term debt obligations; however, adverse economic conditions likely will reduce the issuer’s capacity to meet its financial commitments.

AMB-4 Speculative—Assigned to issues where the issuer has speculative credit characteristics and is vulnerable to adverse economic or other external changes, which could have a marked impact on the company’s ability to meet its financial commitments.

d: In Default—Assigned to issues in default on payment of principal, interest or other terms and conditions, or when a bankruptcy petition or similar action has been filed.

A.M. Best Rating Modifiers

Both long- and short-term credit ratings can be assigned a modifier.

u—Indicates the rating may change in the near term, typically within six months. Generally is event-driven, with positive, negative or developing implications.

pd—Indicates ratings assigned to a company that chose not to participate in A.M. Best’s interactive rating process (discontinued in 2010).

i—Indicates rating assigned is indicative.

A.M. BEST RATING OUTLOOK

A.M. Best Credit Ratings are assigned a Rating Outlook that indicates the potential direction of a credit rating over an intermediate term, generally defined as the next 12 to 36 months.

Positive—Indicates possible ratings upgrade due to favorable financial/market trends relative to the current trading level.

Negative—Indicates possible ratings downgrade due to unfavorable financial/market trends relative to the current trading level.

Stable—Indicates low likelihood of rating change due to stable financial/market trends.

Not Rated

Certain nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) may designate certain issues as NR, meaning that the issue or obligation is not rated.

Addresses

Federated Hermes High Income Bond Fund II

Primary Shares
Service Shares

Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561

Distributor

Federated Securities Corp.
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779

Investment Adviser

Federated Investment Management Company
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company
1 Iron Street
Boston, MA 02110

Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent

SS&C GIDS, Inc.
P.O. Box 219318
Kansas City, MO 64121-9318

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

KPMG LLP
Two Financial Center
60 South Street
Boston, MA 02111

Appendix

CUSTODIAN(S)

State Street Bank and Trust Company

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

KPMG LLP

LEGAL COUNSEL

Kirkland & Ellis LLP
K&L Gates LLP

Financial PrinterS

Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc.
Donnelley Financial Solutions

Proxy Voting Administrator

Glass Lewis & Co., LLC

SECURITY PRICING SERVICES

Bloomberg L.P.
S&P Global
JPMorgan PricingDirect
London Stock Exchange Group PLC (LSEG)

RATINGS AGENCIES

Fitch, Inc.
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC

Other SERVICE PROVIDERS

Prospectus

April 30, 2024

Share Class

Primary

Federated Hermes Kaufmann Fund II

A Portfolio of Federated Hermes Insurance Series

A mutual fund seeking capital appreciation by investing principally in common stocks.

Not FDIC Insured ▪ May Lose Value ▪ No Bank Guarantee

CONTENTS

Fund Summary Information	1
What are the Fund’s Investment Strategies?	6
What are the Fund’s Principal Investments?	7
What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund?	11
What Do Shares Cost?	16
How is the Fund Sold?	17
Payments to Insurance Companies	17
How to Purchase and Redeem Shares	18
Security and Privacy Protection	19
Account and Share Information	20
Who Manages the Fund?	22
Financial Information	23
Appendix A: Hypothetical Investment and Expense Information	25

Fund Summary Information

Federated Hermes Kaufmann Fund II (the “Fund”)

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund’s investment objective is capital appreciation.

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: FEES AND EXPENSES

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

	P
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	N/A
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable)	N/A
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of offering price)	N/A
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable)	N/A
Exchange Fee	N/A

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

	P
Management Fee	1.30%
Distribution (12b-1) Fee	0.00%1
Other Expenses	0.27%2
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	1.57%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	(0.02)%3
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	1.55%

The Fund has adopted a Distribution (12b-1) Plan for its P class pursuant to which the P class of the Fund may incur and pay a Distribution (12b-1) fee of up to a maximum amount of 0.25%. No such fee is currently incurred and paid by the P class of the Fund. The P class of the Fund will not incur and pay such a Distribution (12b-1) fee until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”).

The Fund may incur and pay administrative service fees on its P class of up to a maximum amount of 0.25%. No such fees are currently incurred and paid by the P class of the Fund. The P class of the Fund will not incur and pay such fees until such time as approved by the Trustees.

The Adviser and certain of its affiliates, on their own initiative, have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Effective May 1, 2024, total annual fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, extraordinary expenses, and proxy-related expenses, if any) paid by the Fund’s P class (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 1.54% (the “Fee Limit”) up to but not including the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) May 1, 2025; or (b) the date of the Fund’s next effective Prospectus. While the Adviser and its affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Trustees.

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

1 Year	$160
3 Years	$496
5 Years	$855
10 Years	$1,867

Portfolio Turnover

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENTS, RISKS and PERFORMANCE

What are the Fund’s Main Investment Strategies?

In seeking to achieve its objective, the Fund invests a majority of its assets in the common stocks of small- and medium-sized companies that are traded on national securities exchanges, the NASDAQ stock market and on the over-the-counter market. Up to 30% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in foreign securities. When investing in foreign securities, the Fund’s Adviser and Sub-Adviser (collectively, “Adviser”) may emphasize investment in a particular country or group of countries which may subject the Fund to the risks of investing in such country or group of countries to a greater extent than if the Fund’s foreign security exposure was diversified over a greater number of countries. The Adviser’s process for selecting investments is bottom-up and growth-oriented.

The Fund may invest in fixed-income securities, American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) and use derivative contracts (such as, for example, futures contracts, options and swaps) and/or hybrid instruments to implement elements of its investment strategy. For example, the Fund may use derivative contracts or hybrid instruments to increase or decrease the portfolio’s exposure to the investment(s) underlying the derivative or hybrid instruments in an attempt to benefit from changes in the value of the underlying investment(s), to realize gains from trading a derivative contract or to hedge against potential losses. There can be no assurances the Fund’s use of derivative contracts and/or hybrid instruments will work as intended.

What are the Main Risks of Investing in the Fund?

All mutual funds take investment risks. Therefore, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The primary factors that may reduce the Fund’s returns include:

■ Stock Market Risk. The value of equity securities in the Fund’s portfolio will fluctuate and, as a result, the Fund’s Share price may decline suddenly or over a sustained period of time. Information publicly available about a company, whether from the company’s financial statements or other disclosures or from third parties, or information available to some but not all market participants, can affect the price of a company’s shares in the market. Among other factors, equity securities may decline in value because of an increase in interest rates or changes in the stock market. Recent and potential future changes in industry and/or economic trends, as well as changes in monetary policy made by central banks and/or their governments, also can affect the level of interest rates and contribute to the development of or increase in volatility, illiquidity, shareholder redemptions and other adverse effects (such as a decline in a company’s stock price), which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance.

■ Risk Related to Investing for Growth. Due to their relatively high valuations, growth stocks are typically more volatile than value stocks. For instance, the price of a growth stock may experience a larger decline on a forecast of lower earnings, a negative fundamental development, or an adverse market development. Further, growth stocks may not pay dividends or may pay lower dividends than value stocks. This means they depend more on price changes for returns and may be more adversely affected in a down market compared to value stocks that pay higher dividends.

■ Mid-Cap Company Risk. The Fund may invest in mid-capitalization (or “mid-cap”) companies. Mid-cap companies often have narrower markets, limited managerial and financial resources, more volatile performance and greater risk of failure, compared to larger, more established companies. These factors could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio, performance and Share price.

■ Small-Cap Company Risk. The Fund may invest in small capitalization (or “small-cap”) companies. Small-cap companies may have less liquid stock, a more volatile share price, unproven track records, a limited product or service base and limited access to capital. The above factors could make small-cap companies more likely to fail than larger companies, and increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio, performance and Share price.

■ Focused Investment Risk. To the extent that the Fund focuses its investments in the securities of a particular issuer or companies in a particular country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector, or asset class, the Fund’s exposure to various risks may be heightened, including price volatility and adverse economic, market, political, or regulatory occurrences affecting that issuer, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector, or asset class.

■ Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk refers to the possibility that the Fund may not be able to sell a security or close out a derivative contract when it wants to. If this happens, the Fund will be required to continue to hold the security or keep the position open, and the Fund could incur losses. OTC derivative contracts generally carry greater liquidity risk than exchange-traded contracts.

■ Risk of Foreign Investing. Because the Fund invests in securities issued by foreign companies and national governments, the Fund’s Share price may be more affected by foreign economic and political conditions, taxation policies and accounting and auditing standards than could otherwise be the case.

■ Risk of Investing in ADRs and Domestically Traded Securities of Foreign Issuers. Because the Fund may invest in ADRs and other domestically traded securities of foreign companies, the Fund’s Share price may be more affected by foreign economic and political conditions, taxation policies and accounting and auditing standards than would otherwise be the case.

■ Custodial Services and Related Investment Costs. Custodial services and other costs relating to investment in international securities markets generally are more expensive due to differing settlement and clearance procedures than those of the United States. The inability of the Fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. In addition, security settlement and clearance procedures in some emerging market countries may not fully protect the Fund against loss of its assets.

■ Currency Risk. Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily. Foreign securities are normally denominated and traded in foreign currencies. As a result, the value of the Fund’s foreign investments and the value of the Shares may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar.

■ European Union and Eurozone Related Risk. A number of countries in the European Union (EU), including certain countries within the EU that have adopted the euro (Eurozone) have experienced, and may continue to experience, severe economic and financial difficulties. Additional countries within the EU may also fall subject to such difficulties. These events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments in euro-denominated securities and derivatives contracts, securities of issuers located in the EU or with significant exposure to EU issuers or countries.

■ Risk of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments. Derivative contracts and hybrid instruments involve risks different from, or possibly greater than, risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Specific risk issues related to the use of such contracts and instruments include valuation issues, increased potential for losses and/or costs to the Fund and a potential reduction in gains to the Fund. Each of these issues is described in greater detail in this Prospectus. Derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may also involve other risks described in this Prospectus, such as stock market, credit, currency, liquidity and leverage risks.

■ Credit Risk. Credit risk includes the possibility that a party to a transaction (such as a derivative transaction) involving the Fund will fail to meet its obligations. This could cause the Fund to lose money or the benefit of the transaction or prevent the Fund from selling or buying other securities to implement its investment strategy.

■ Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) Risk. IPOs are initial public offerings of equity securities. Securities issued in IPOs have no trading history, and there may only be limited information about the companies. In addition, the prices of securities sold in IPOs may be highly volatile and may rise or fall shortly after an IPO.

■ Leverage Risk. Leverage risk is created when an investment (such as a derivative transaction) exposes the Fund to a level of risk that exceeds the amount invested. Changes in the value of such an investment magnify the Fund’s risk of loss and potential for gain.

■ Interest Rate Risk. Prices of fixed-income securities generally fall when interest rates rise. The longer the duration of a fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest rate risk. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks and/or their governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates.

Performance: Bar Chart and Table

Risk/Return Bar Chart

The bar chart and performance table below reflect historical performance data for the Fund and are intended to help you analyze the Fund’s investment risks in light of its historical returns. The bar chart shows the variability of the Fund’s P class total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis. The Average Annual Total Return Table shows returns averaged over the stated periods, and includes comparative performance information. The Fund’s performance will fluctuate, and past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. For current performance information, contact your insurance company.

Within the periods shown in the bar chart, the Fund’s P class highest quarterly return was 29.20% (quarter ended June 30, 2020). Its lowest quarterly return was (18.68)% (quarter ended June 30, 2022).

Average Annual Total Return Table

Return Before Taxes is shown for the Fund’s P class.

(For the Period Ended December 31, 2023)

Share Class	1 Year	5 Years	10 Years
P Class:
Return Before Taxes	15.23%	7.31%	8.66%
Russell Midcap® Growth Index1 (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	25.87%	13.82%	10.57%
Morningstar Variable Underlying Mid-Cap Growth Funds Average2	21.65%	12.74%	9.47%

The Russell Midcap® Growth Index measures the performance of the mid-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell Midcap® Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell Midcap® Growth Index is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased barometer of the mid-cap growth market. The Russell Midcap® Growth Index is completely reconstituted annually to ensure larger stocks do not distort the performance and characteristics of the true mid-cap growth market. The Russell Midcap® Growth Index is not adjusted to reflect sales charges, expenses or other fees that the Securities and Exchange Commission requires to be reflected in the Fund’s performance. The index is unmanaged and, unlike the Fund, is not affected by cash flows. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Morningstar figures represent the average of the total returns reported by all the mutual funds designated by Morningstar as falling into the respective category indicated. They do not reflect sales charges.

Fund Management

The Fund’s Investment Adviser (“Adviser”) is Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania. The Fund’s Sub-Adviser is Federated Global Investment Management Corp. The Fund is managed by an investment team under the leadership of Hans P. Utsch and John Ettinger, Co-Heads of the Federated Hermes Kaufmann Growth Equity Team. The following individuals are currently responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

Hans P. Utsch, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since April 2002.

John Ettinger, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since April 2014 and a member of the Fund’s investment management team since April 2002.

Mark Bauknight, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since October 2003 and a member of the Fund’s investment management team since April 2002.

Tom M. Brakel, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since July 2012 and a member of the Fund’s investment management team since October 2003.

Barbara Miller, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since April 2014 and a member of the Fund’s investment management team since April 2002.

Steven Abrahamson, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since April 2014 and a member of the Fund’s investment management team since April 2002.

Stephen DeNichilo, Senior Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since December 2014 and a member of the Fund’s investment management team since February 2012.

Aditi Singhania, Portfolio Manager, has been the Fund’s portfolio manager since April 2023 and a member of the Fund’s investment management team since April 2018.

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

Shares of the Fund can be purchased or redeemed by participating insurance companies on any day the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open.

Tax Information

Payments to Insurance companies or qualifying dealers

What are the Fund’s Investment Strategies?

The Fund’s investment objective is to provide capital appreciation. While there is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective, it endeavors to do so by following the principal strategies and policies described in this Prospectus. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides information about the Fund’s non-principal strategies.

In seeking to meet its objective, the Fund invests a majority of its assets in the stocks of small- and medium-sized companies that are traded on national securities exchanges, the NASDAQ stock market and on the over-the-counter market. Up to 30% of the Fund’s net assets may be invested in foreign securities. Solely for purposes of complying with this policy, an issuer’s security will be considered to be a foreign security if the security is denominated in a foreign currency or purchased on a securities exchange outside the United States. Certain securities not included in this definition of foreign securities may still be subject to risks of foreign investing that are described in this Prospectus. For example, an issuer that is organized in an offshore jurisdiction but who has its principal place of business and/or whose securities are traded principally on a securities exchange in the United States will not be considered a foreign security for purposes of this policy but may still be subject to risks associated with foreign securities. When investing in foreign securities, the Fund’s Adviser may emphasize investment in a particular country or group of countries which may subject the Fund to the risks of investing in such country or group of countries to a greater extent than if the Fund’s foreign security exposure was diversified over a greater number of countries.

When deciding which securities to buy, the Fund considers:

■ the growth prospects of existing products and new product development;

■ the economic outlook of the industry;

■ the price of the security and its estimated fundamental value; and

■ relevant market, economic and political environments.

The Fund’s Adviser uses a bottom-up approach to portfolio management. There is an emphasis on individual stock selection rather than trying to time the highs and lows of the market or concentrating in certain industries or sectors. This hands-on approach means that in addition to sophisticated computer analysis, the Adviser may conduct in-depth meetings with management, industry analysts and consultants. Through this interaction with companies, the Adviser seeks to develop a thorough knowledge of the dynamics of the businesses in which the Fund invests.

The Fund assesses individual companies from the perspective of a long-term investor. It buys stocks of companies that it believes:

■ are profitable and leaders in the industry;

■ have distinct products and services which address substantial markets;

■ can rapidly grow annual earnings over the next three to five years; and/or

■ have superior proven management and solid balance sheets.

Typically, the Fund sells an individual security when the company fails to meet expectations, there is a deterioration of underlying fundamentals or the intermediate and long-term prospects become poor.

The Fund may also seek capital appreciation by buying securities in initial public offerings. The Fund will participate in such offerings without regard to the issuer’s market capitalization. The Adviser may select initial public offerings based on its fundamental analysis of the issuer.

The Fund may loan up to 30% of its total assets in the form of its portfolio securities to unaffiliated broker/dealers, banks or other recognized institutional borrowers to generate additional income. The Fund receives cash, U.S. Treasury obligations and/or other liquid securities as collateral. The Fund also may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.

The Fund may use derivative contracts and/or hybrid instruments to implement elements of its investment strategy. The types of derivatives that the Fund may use include, among others, futures contracts, options and swaps. For example, the Fund may use derivative contracts or hybrid instruments to increase or decrease the portfolio’s exposure to the investment(s) underlying the derivative or hybrid instrument in an attempt to benefit from changes in the value of the underlying investment(s). Additionally, by way of example, the Fund may use derivative contracts in an attempt to:

■ obtain premiums from the sale of derivative contracts;

■ realize gains from trading a derivative contract; or

■ hedge against potential losses.

There can be no assurance that the Fund’s use of derivative contracts or hybrid instruments will work as intended.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The Fund actively trades its portfolio securities in an attempt to achieve its investment objective. Active trading will cause the Fund to have an increased portfolio turnover rate and increase the Fund’s trading costs, which may have an adverse impact on the Fund’s performance. An active trading strategy will likely result in the Fund generating more short-term capital gains or losses. Short-term gains are generally taxed at a higher rate than long-term gains. Any short-term losses are used first to offset short-term gains.

TEMPORARY INVESTMENTS

What are the Fund’s Principal Investments?

EQUITY SECURITIES

Equity securities represent a share of an issuer’s earnings and assets after the issuer pays its liabilities. The Fund cannot predict the income it will receive from equity securities because issuers generally have discretion as to the payment of any dividends or distributions. However, equity securities offer greater potential for appreciation than many other types of securities, because their value increases directly with the value of the issuer’s business. The following describes the principal types of equity securities in which the Fund principally invests:

Common Stocks

Initial Public Offerings

The Fund may invest in securities issued in initial public offerings (IPOs). The Fund will participate in such offerings without regard to the issuer’s market capitalization and will select IPO securities based on the Adviser’s fundamental analysis of the issuer. The Adviser generally will limit its investments in IPO securities to those listed on a U.S. stock exchange. Investments in IPO securities may be speculative in nature, may be volatile and may involve significant gains or losses. Although companies can be any age or size at the time of their IPO, they are often smaller and have a limited operating history, which involves a greater potential for the value of their securities to decline following the IPO. IPO securities are subject to many of the same risks of investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. The market value of recently issued IPO securities may fluctuate considerably due to factors such as the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading and speculation, a potentially small number of securities available for trading, limited information about the issuer and other factors. These fluctuations could impact the Fund’s NAV and return earned on the Fund’s shares.

Foreign Securities

An issuer’s security will be considered to be a foreign security if the security is denominated in a foreign currency or purchased on a securities exchange outside the United States. Certain securities not included in this definition of foreign securities may still be subject to risks of foreign investing that are described in this Prospectus. For example, an issuer that is organized in a non-U.S. jurisdiction but who has its principal place of business or whose securities are traded principally on a securities exchange in the United States will not be considered a foreign security for purposes of this definition but may still be subject to risks associated with foreign securities. Foreign securities are primarily denominated in foreign currencies. Along with the risks normally associated with domestic securities of the same type, foreign securities are subject to currency risks and risks of foreign investing. Trading in certain foreign markets is also subject to liquidity risks.

ADRs and Domestically Traded Securities of Foreign Issuers (Types of Foreign Equity Securities)

American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), which are traded in U.S. markets, represent interests in underlying securities issued by a foreign company and not traded in the United States. ADRs provide a way to buy shares of foreign-based companies in the United States rather than in overseas markets. ADRs are also traded in U.S. dollars, eliminating the need for foreign exchange transactions. The Fund may also invest in securities issued directly by foreign companies and traded in U.S. dollars in U.S. markets.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

In order to convert U.S. dollars into the currency needed to buy a foreign security, or to convert foreign currency received from the sale of a foreign security into U.S. dollars, the Fund may enter into spot currency trades. In a spot trade, the Fund agrees to exchange one currency for another at the current exchange rate. The Fund may also enter into derivative contracts in which a foreign currency is an underlying asset. The exchange rate for currency derivative contracts may be higher or lower than the spot exchange rate. Use of these derivative contracts may increase or decrease the Fund’s exposure to currency risks.

ILLIQUID INVESTMENTS

Illiquid investments are investments that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. These may include private placements, repurchase agreements that the Fund cannot dispose of within seven days and securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933.

Fixed-Income Securities

Derivative Contracts

As discussed above, a counterparty’s exposure under a derivative contract may in some cases be required to be secured with initial and/or variation margin (a form of “collateral”).

Futures Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of a Reference Instrument at a specified price, date and time. Entering into a contract to buy a Reference Instrument is commonly referred to as buying a contract or holding a long position in the asset. Entering into a contract to sell a Reference Instrument is commonly referred to as selling a contract or holding a short position in the Reference Instrument. Futures contracts are considered to be commodity contracts. The Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act with respect to the Fund, and therefore is not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the Act with respect to the Fund. Futures contracts traded OTC are frequently referred to as forward contracts. The Fund can buy or sell financial futures (such as index futures and security futures), as well as currency futures and currency forward contracts.

Option Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

Swap Contracts (A Type of Derivative)

OTHER INVESTMENTS, TRANSACTIONS, TECHNIQUES

Derivatives Regulation and Asset Coverage

Hybrid Instruments

Hybrid instruments combine elements of two different kinds of securities or financial instruments (such as a derivative contract). Frequently, the value of a hybrid instrument is determined by reference to changes in the value of a Reference Instrument (that is a designated security, commodity, currency, index or other asset or instrument including a derivative contract). The Fund may use hybrid instruments only in connection with permissible investment activities. Hybrid instruments can take on many forms including, but not limited to, the following forms. First, a common form of a hybrid instrument combines elements of a derivative contract with those of another security (typically a fixed-income security). In this case all or a portion of the interest or principal payable on a hybrid security is determined by reference to changes in the price of a Reference Instrument. Second, a hybrid instrument may also combine elements of a fixed-income security and an equity security. Third, hybrid instruments may include convertible securities with conversion terms related to a Reference Instrument.

Securities Lending

Investing in Securities of Other Investment Companies

Additional Information Regarding the Security Selection Process

As part of analysis in its security selection process, among other factors, the Adviser also evaluates whether environmental, social and governance factors could have a positive or negative impact on the risk profiles of many issuers in the universe of securities in which the Fund may invest. The Adviser may also consider information derived from active engagements conducted by its in-house stewardship team with certain issuers on environmental, social and governance topics. This qualitative analysis does not automatically result in including or excluding specific securities but may be used by Federated Hermes as an additional input in its primary analysis.

What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund?

Stock Market Risk

Risk Related to Investing for Growth

Due to their relatively high valuations, growth stocks are typically more volatile than value stocks. For instance, the price of a growth stock may experience a larger decline on a forecast of lower earnings, a negative fundamental development or an adverse market development. Further, growth stocks may not pay dividends or may pay lower dividends than value stocks. This means they depend more on price changes for returns and may be more adversely affected in a down market compared to value stocks that pay higher dividends.

Mid-Cap Company Risk

The Fund may invest in mid-capitalization (or “mid-cap”) companies. Market capitalization is determined by multiplying the number of a company’s outstanding shares by the current market price per share. Mid-cap companies often have narrower markets and limited managerial and financial resources compared to larger, more established companies. The performance of mid-cap companies can be more volatile and they face greater risk of business failure, compared to larger, more established companies, which could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio and performance. Shareholders should expect that the value of the Fund’s Shares will be more volatile than a fund that invests exclusively in large-cap companies.

Small-Cap Company Risk

The Fund may invest in small capitalization (or “small-cap”) companies. Market capitalization is determined by multiplying the number of a company’s outstanding shares by the current market price per share. Generally, the smaller the market capitalization of a company, the fewer the number of shares traded daily, the less liquid its stock and the more volatile its price. Companies with smaller market capitalizations also tend to have unproven track records, a limited product or service base and limited access to capital. Newer companies with unproven business strategies also tend to be smaller companies. The above factors increase risks and make these companies more likely to fail than companies with larger market capitalizations, and could increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio and performance. Shareholders should expect that the value of the Fund’s Shares will be more volatile than a fund that invests exclusively in mid-cap or large-cap companies.

Focused Investment RISK

To the extent that the Fund focuses its investments in the securities of a particular issuer or companies in a particular country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector, or asset class, the Fund’s exposure to various risks may be heightened, including price volatility and adverse economic, market, political, or regulatory occurrences affecting that issuer, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector, or asset class.

Liquidity Risk

Trading opportunities are more limited for equity securities that are not widely held. This may make it more difficult to sell or buy a security at a favorable price or time. Consequently, the Fund may have to accept a lower price to sell a security, sell other securities to raise cash or give up an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on the Fund’s performance. Infrequent trading of securities may also lead to an increase in their price volatility.

OTC derivative contracts generally carry greater liquidity risk than exchange-traded contracts. This risk may be increased in times of financial stress, if the trading market for OTC derivative contracts becomes restricted.

RISK OF FOREIGN INVESTING

Foreign companies may not provide information (including financial statements) as frequently or completely as companies in the United States. Foreign companies may also receive less coverage than U.S. companies by market analysts and the financial press. In addition, foreign countries may lack uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards or regulatory requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies. These factors may prevent the Fund and its Adviser from obtaining information concerning foreign companies that is as frequent, extensive and reliable as the information available concerning companies in the United States.

When the Fund’s investment in foreign securities emphasizes a particular country or group of countries, the Fund may be significantly affected by the economic, political or regulatory developments affecting such country or group of countries. Additionally, natural disasters affecting such country or countries could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s investment in companies located in such country.

Risk of Investing in ADRs and Domestically Traded Securities of Foreign Issuers

Because the Fund may invest in ADRs and other domestically traded securities of foreign companies, the Fund’s Share price may be more affected by foreign economic and political conditions, taxation policies and accounting and auditing standards than would otherwise be the case.

CUSTODIAL SERVICES AND RELATED INVESTMENT COSTS

Custodial services and other costs relating to investment in international securities markets generally are more expensive than in the United States. Such markets have settlement and clearance procedures that differ from those in the United States. In certain markets, there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. The inability of the Fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of a portfolio security caused by settlement problems could result in losses to the Fund due to a subsequent decline in value of the portfolio security. In addition, security settlement and clearance procedures in some emerging market countries may not fully protect the Fund against loss of its assets.

Currency Risk

Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily. The combination of currency risk and market risks tends to make securities traded in foreign markets more volatile than securities traded exclusively in the United States. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser attempt to manage currency risk by limiting the amount the Fund invests in securities denominated in a particular currency. However, diversification will not protect the Fund against a general increase in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies.

Investing in currencies or securities denominated in a foreign currency entails risk of being exposed to a currency that may not fully reflect the strengths and weaknesses of the economy of the country or region utilizing the currency. Currency risk includes both the risk that currencies in which the Fund’s investments are traded, or currencies in which the Fund has taken an active investment position, will decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar and, in the case of hedging positions, that the U.S. dollar will decline in value relative to the currency being hedged. In addition, it is possible that a currency (such as, for example, the euro) could be abandoned in the future by countries that have already adopted its use, and the effects of such an abandonment on the applicable country and the rest of the countries utilizing the currency are uncertain but could negatively affect the Fund’s investments denominated in the currency. If a currency used by a country or countries is replaced by another currency, the Fund’s Adviser and Sub-Adviser would evaluate whether to continue to hold any investments denominated in such currency, or whether to purchase investments denominated in the currency that replaces such currency, at the time. Such investments may continue to be held, or purchased, to the extent consistent with the Fund’s investment objective(s) and permitted under applicable law.

European Union and eurozone Related risk

Risk of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments

The Fund’s exposure to derivative contracts and hybrid instruments (either directly or through its investment in another investment company) involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. First, changes in the value of the derivative contracts and hybrid instruments in which the Fund invests may not be correlated with changes in the value of the underlying Reference Instruments or, if they are correlated, may move in the opposite direction than originally anticipated. Second, while some strategies involving derivatives may reduce the risk of loss, they may also reduce potential gains or, in some cases, result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in portfolio holdings. Third, there is a risk that derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may be erroneously priced or improperly valued and, as a result, the Fund may need to make increased cash payments to the counterparty. Fourth, a common provision in OTC derivative contracts permits the counterparty to terminate any such contract between it and the Fund, if the value of the Fund’s total net assets declines below a specified level over a given time period. Factors that may contribute to such a decline (which usually must be substantial) include significant shareholder redemptions and/or a marked decrease in the market value of the Fund’s investments. Any such termination of the Fund’s OTC derivative contracts may adversely affect the Fund (for example, by increasing losses and/or costs, and/or preventing the Fund from fully implementing its investment strategies). Fifth, the Fund may use a derivative contract to benefit from a decline in the value of a Reference Instrument. If the value of the Reference Instrument declines during the term of the contract, the Fund makes a profit on the difference (less any payments the Fund is required to pay under the terms of the contract). Any such strategy involves risk. There is no assurance that the Reference Instrument will decline in value during the term of the contract and make a profit for the Fund. The Reference Instrument may instead appreciate in value creating a loss for the Fund. Sixth, a default or failure by a CCP or an FCM (also sometimes called a “futures broker”), or the failure of a contract to be transferred from an Executing Dealer to the FCM for clearing, may expose the Fund to losses, increase its costs, or prevent the Fund from entering or exiting derivative positions, accessing margin, or fully implementing its investment strategies. The central clearing of a derivative and trading of a contract over a SEF could reduce the liquidity in, or increase costs of entering into or holding, any contracts. Finally, derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may also involve other risks described in this Prospectus such as stock market, interest rate, credit, currency, liquidity and leverage risks.

Credit Risk

Credit risk includes the possibility that a party to a transaction (such as a derivative transaction) involving the Fund will fail to meet its obligations. This could cause the Fund to lose the benefit of the transaction or prevent the Fund from selling or buying other securities to implement its investment strategy. Credit risk also includes the possibility that an issuer will default on a security by failing to pay interest or principal when due. If an issuer defaults, the Fund will lose money.

Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) Risk

IPOs are initial public offerings of equity securities. Securities issued in IPOs have no trading history, and there may only be limited information about the companies. IPO securities are subject to many of the same risks of investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. The prices of securities sold in IPOs may be highly volatile and may rise or fall shortly after the IPO is complete due to the absence of a prior public market, unseasoned trading and speculation, the small number of shares available for trading, limited information about the issuer and other factors. Further, IPO shares can experience an immediate drop in value if the demand for the securities does not continue to support the offering price. While investments in companies that have recently gone public have the potential to produce substantial gains for the Fund, there is no assurance that the Fund will have access to profitable IPOs, that any particular IPO will be successful, or that any gains will be sustainable, and therefore investors should not rely on these past gains as an indication of future performance.

Leverage Risk

Leverage risk is created when an investment, which includes, for example, an investment in a derivative contract, exposes the Fund to a level of risk that exceeds the amount invested. Changes in the value of such an investment magnify the Fund’s risk of loss and potential for gain. Investments can have these same results if their returns are based on a multiple of a specified index, security or other benchmark.

Interest Rate Risk

RISK RELATED TO THE ECONOMY

The value of the Fund’s portfolio may decline in tandem with a drop in the overall value of the markets in which the Fund invests and/or other markets based on negative developments in the U.S. and global economies. Economic, political and financial conditions, industry or economic trends and developments or public health risks, such as epidemics or pandemics, may, from time to time, and for varying periods of time, cause volatility, illiquidity or other potentially adverse effects in the financial markets, including the fixed-income market. The commencement, continuation or ending of government policies and economic stimulus programs, changes in monetary policy, increases or decreases in interest rates, or other factors or events that affect the financial markets, including the fixed-income markets, may contribute to the development of or increase in volatility, illiquidity, shareholder redemptions and other adverse effects which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance. For example, the value of certain portfolio securities may rise or fall in response to changes in interest rates, which could result from a change in government policies, and has the potential to cause investors to move out of certain portfolio securities, including fixed-income securities, on a large scale. This may increase redemptions from funds that hold large amounts of certain securities and may result in decreased liquidity and increased volatility in the financial markets. Market factors, such as the demand for particular portfolio securities, may cause the price of certain portfolio securities to fall while the prices of other securities rise or remain unchanged.

technology Risk

What Do Shares Cost?

CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

When the Fund receives your transaction request in proper form (as described in this Prospectus under the section entitled “How to Purchase and Redeem Shares”), it is processed at the next calculated net asset value of a Share (NAV). A Share’s NAV is determined as of the end of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) each day the NYSE is open. The Fund calculates the NAV of each class by valuing the assets allocated to the Share’s class, subtracting the liabilities allocated to each class and dividing the balance by the number of Shares of the class outstanding. The NAV for each class of Shares may differ due to the level of expenses allocated to each class as well as a result of the variance between the amount of accrued investment income and capital gains or losses allocated to each class and the amount actually distributed to shareholders of each class.

Shares can be purchased or redeemed by participating insurance companies any day the NYSE is open.

In calculating its NAV, the Fund generally values investments as follows:

■ Equity securities listed on an exchange or traded through a regulated market system are valued at their last reported sale price or official closing price in their principal exchange or market.

■ Fixed-income securities are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Adviser.

■ Derivative contracts listed on exchanges are valued at their reported settlement or closing price, except that options are valued at the mean of closing bid and ask quotations.

■ Over-the-counter (OTC) derivative contracts are fair valued using price evaluations provided by a pricing service approved by the Adviser.

Fair Valuation and Significant Events Procedures

■ With respect to securities traded principally in foreign markets, significant trends in U.S. equity markets or in the trading of foreign securities index futures contracts;

■ Political or other developments affecting the economy or markets in which an issuer conducts its operations or its securities are traded; and

How is the Fund Sold?

Intra-Fund Share Conversion Program

Payments to Insurance Companies

The Fund and its affiliated service providers may pay fees as described below for services provided to the Fund.

RULE 12b-1 FEES

The Board has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Plan, which allows payment of marketing fees of up to 0.25% of average net assets to the Distributor for the sale, distribution, administration and customer servicing of the Fund’s Primary Shares. When the Distributor receives Rule 12b-1 Fees, it may pay some or all of them to financial intermediaries whose customers select the Shares as part of their variable contracts. The Fund’s P class has no present intention of paying, accruing or incurring any Rule 12b-1 Fees until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. If these Shares were to pay marketing fees on an ongoing basis, your investment cost may be higher over time than other shares with different marketing fees.

ADMINISTRATIVE sERVICE FEES

ADditional payments

How to Purchase and Redeem Shares

Methods the Fund May Use to Meet Redemption Requests

In unusual or stressed circumstances, the Fund may generate cash in the following ways:

90-day period. Redemptions in kind are made consistent with the procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board, which generally include distributions of a pro rata share of the Fund’s portfolio assets. Redemption in kind is not as liquid as a cash redemption. If redemption is made in kind, securities received may be subject to market risk and the shareholder could incur taxable gains and brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash.

LIMITATIONS ON REDEMPTION PROCEEDS

■ During periods of market volatility;

■ When a shareholder’s trade activity or amount adversely impacts the Fund’s ability to manage its assets; or

■ During any period when the Federal Reserve wire or applicable Federal Reserve banks are closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings.

In addition, the right of redemption may be suspended, or the payment of proceeds may be delayed, during any period:

■ When the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings;

■ When trading on the NYSE is restricted, as determined by the SEC; or

■ In which an emergency exists, as determined by the SEC, so that disposal of the Fund’s investments or determination of its NAV is not reasonably practicable.

Security and Privacy Protection

ONLINE ACCOUNT and TELEPHONE ACCESS SECURITY

ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING COMPLIANCE

Account and Share Information

SPECIAL PROVISION FOR ABANDONED OR UNCLAIMED PROPERTY

DIVIDENDS

TAX INFORMATION

Contract owners are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the status of their contracts under state and local tax laws.

FREQUENT TRADING POLICIES

Frequent or short-term trading into and out of the Fund can have adverse consequences for the Fund and shareholders who use the Fund as a long-term investment vehicle. Such trading in significant amounts can disrupt the Fund’s investment strategies (e.g., by requiring it to sell investments at inopportune times or maintain excessive short-term or cash positions to support redemptions) and increase brokerage and administrative costs. Investors engaged in such trading may also seek to profit by anticipating changes in the Fund’s NAV in advance of the time as of which NAV is calculated. This may be particularly likely where a Fund invests in high-yield securities or securities priced in foreign markets.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

Who Manages the Fund?

The Board governs the Fund. The Board selects and oversees the Adviser, Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania. The Adviser manages the Fund’s assets, including buying and selling portfolio securities. Federated Advisory Services Company (FASC), an affiliate of the Adviser, provides research, quantitative analysis, equity trading and transaction settlement and certain other support services to the Adviser. The fee for these services is paid by the Adviser and not by the Fund.

The address of the Adviser and FASC is 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779.

The Adviser has delegated daily management of some or all of the Fund assets to the Sub-Adviser, Federated Global Investment Management Corp., who is paid by the Adviser and not by the Fund, based on the portion of securities the Sub-Adviser manages. The Sub-Adviser’s address is 101 Park Avenue, 41st Floor, New York, NY 10178.

The Adviser, Sub-Adviser and other advisory subsidiaries of Federated Hermes combined, advise approximately 101 registered investment companies spanning equity, fixed-income and money market mutual funds and also manage a variety of other pooled investment vehicles, private investment companies and customized separately managed accounts (including non-U.S./offshore funds). Federated Hermes’ assets under management totaled approximately $757.6 billion as of December 31, 2023. Federated Hermes was established in 1955 as Federated Investors, Inc. and is one of the largest investment managers in the United States with more than 2,000 employees. Federated Hermes provides investment products to more than 10,000 investment professionals and institutions.

The Adviser advises approximately 16 registered investment companies and also manages sub-advised funds. The Adviser’s assets under management totaled approximately $13.8 billion as of December 31, 2023.

The Sub-Adviser advises approximately 14 registered investment companies and also manages a variety of sub-advised, institutional and separately managed accounts (including non-U.S./offshore funds). The Sub-Adviser’s assets under management totaled approximately $13.6 billion as of December 31, 2023.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

The Fund is managed by the Federated Hermes Kaufmann Growth Equity Team. Portfolio Managers and Investment Analysts are members of the Team and make investment decisions with respect to a portion of the Fund’s portfolio, with the oversight of Hans P. Utsch and John Ettinger. The team members responsible for security selection make investment decisions or recommendations with respect to sectors or industries to which they are assigned.

Investment Team Member	Business Experience	Primary Role in Fund Management
Hans P. Utsch	Member of Fund’s Investment Team since April 2002; Senior Portfolio Manager and Co-Head of Kaufmann Growth Equity Team; has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 2001; formerly Chairman of the Board and Secretary of Edgemont Asset Management Corp., and President and Portfolio Manager to The Kaufmann Fund, Inc. (predecessor to the Kaufmann Fund) from 1984-2001; B.A., Amherst College; M.B.A., Columbia University.	Senior Portfolio Manager; security selection; and team oversight
John Ettinger	Member of the Fund’s Investment Team since April 2002; Senior Portfolio Manager, Co-Head of the Kaufmann Growth Equity Team; has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 2001; formerly Investment Analyst with Edgemont Asset Management Corp., Adviser to The Kaufmann Fund, Inc. (predecessor to the Kaufmann Fund) from 1996-2001; B.A., Duke University; received Chartered Financial Analyst designation.	Senior Portfolio Manager; sets investment strategy; security selection; and team oversight
Mark Bauknight	Member of the Fund’s Investment Team since April 2002; Senior Portfolio Manager; has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 2001; formerly Investment Analyst with Edgemont Asset Management Corp., Adviser to The Kaufmann Fund, Inc. (predecessor to the Kaufmann Fund) from 1997-2001; Two B.A. degrees, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; M.B.A., University of Oxford.	Senior Portfolio Manager; security selection; research and analytical support
Tom M. Brakel	Member of the Fund’s Investment Team since October 2003; Senior Portfolio Manager; has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 2003; formerly Analyst with New Vernon Associates from 2002-2003, BioPharma Fund from 2000-2002; Mehta Partners from 1998-1999; U.S. pharmaceutical experience includes six years at Organon Inc.; M.D., Erasmus University, The Netherlands; M.B.A., Stanford University.	Senior Portfolio Manager; sets investment strategy; security selection; research and analytical support
Barbara Miller	Member of the Fund’s Investment Team since April 2002; Senior Portfolio Manager; has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 2002; formerly Vice President and Equity Analyst with Goldman Sachs from 1999-2001 and Principal/Equity Analyst with Alex Brown & Sons from 1992-1999; B.A., Brown University; M.B.A., Harvard Business School.	Senior Portfolio Manager; security selection; research and analytical support

Investment Team Member	Business Experience	Primary Role in Fund Management
Steven Abrahamson	Member of the Fund’s Investment Team since April 2002; Senior Portfolio Manager; has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 2001; formerly Investment Analyst with Edgemont Asset Management Corp., Adviser to The Kaufmann Fund, Inc. (predecessor to the Kaufmann Fund) since 2001; B.S., Bucknell University; M.B.A., Duke University.	Senior Portfolio Manager; security selection; research and analytical support
Stephen DeNichilo	Member of the Fund’s Investment team since February 2012; Senior Portfolio Manager; has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 2012; formerly Senior Research Analyst with ACK Asset Management, LLC from 2010-2012 and Equity Research Analyst with Thomson, Horstmann & Bryant, Inc., from 2006-2010; B.S., Villanova University; M.B.A., Fordham University; received Chartered Financial Analyst designation.	Senior Portfolio Manager; security selection; research and analytical support
Aditi Singhania	Member of the Fund’s Investment Team since April 2018; Portfolio Manager; has been with the Adviser or an affiliate since 2018; formerly Vice President, Research Analyst, Pharmaceuticals Equity Research, J.P. Morgan Chase; Biotech Equity Research Associate, Leerink Partners. Fachhochschule Bonn Rhein Sieg, Germany (bachelor thesis conducted at Harvard University); Ph.D., Columbia University.	Portfolio Manager; security selection; research and analytical support

The Fund’s SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers’ compensation, management of other accounts and ownership of securities in the Fund.

ADVISORY FEES

The Fund’s investment advisory contract provides for payment to the Adviser of an annual investment advisory fee of 1.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser may voluntarily waive a portion of its fee or reimburse the Fund for certain operating expenses. The Adviser and its affiliates have also agreed to certain “Fee Limits” as described in the footnote to the “Risk/Return Summary: Fees and Expenses” table found in the “Fund Summary” section of the Prospectus.

A discussion of the Board’s review of the Fund’s investment advisory and sub-advisory contracts is available in the Fund’s Annual and Semi-Annual Shareholder Reports for the periods ended December 31 and June 30, respectively.

Financial Information

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

This information has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s audited financial statements, is included in the Annual Report.

Financial Highlights–Primary Shares

(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period	$15.10	$24.31	$25.46	$22.63	$18.55
Income From Investment Operations:
Net investment income (loss)1	(0.02)	(0.08)	(0.24)	(0.22)	(0.10)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)	2.32	(6.87)	0.83	5.27	6.15
Total From Investment Operations	2.30	(6.95)	0.59	5.05	6.05
Less Distributions:
Distributions from net realized gain	—	(2.26)	(1.74)	(2.22)	(1.97)
Net Asset Value, End of Period	$17.40	$15.10	$24.31	$25.46	$22.63
Total Return2	15.23%	(30.09)%	2.51%	28.79%	33.82%
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
Net expenses3	1.54%	1.54%	1.50%	1.50%	1.51%
Net investment loss	(0.15)%	(0.51)%	(0.99)%	(1.01)%	(0.49)%
Expense waiver/reimbursement4	0.02%	0.00%5	—%	—%	—%
Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)	$33,266	$34,430	$55,366	$63,502	$57,988
Portfolio turnover6	56%	41%	34%	45%	43%

1	Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
2	Based on net asset value. Total returns do not reflect any additional fees or expenses that may be imposed by separate accounts of insurance companies or in connection with any variable annuity or variable life insurance contract.
3	Amount does not reflect net expenses incurred by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
4	This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Amount does not reflect expense waiver/ reimbursement recorded by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
5	Represents less than 0.01%.
6	Securities that mature are considered sales for purposes of this calculation.

Further information about the Fund’s performance is contained in the Fund’s Annual Report, dated December 31, 2023, which can be obtained free of charge.

Appendix A: Hypothetical Investment and Expense Information

FEDERATED HERMES KAUFMANN FUND II - P CLASS
ANNUAL EXPENSE RATIO: 1.57%
MAXIMUM FRONT-END SALES CHARGE: N/A
Year	Hypothetical Beginning Investment	Hypothetical Performance Earnings	Investment After Returns	Hypothetical Expenses	Hypothetical Ending Investment
1	$10,000.00	$500.00	$10,500.00	$159.69	$10,343.00
2	$10,343.00	$517.15	$10,860.15	$165.17	$10,697.76
3	$10,697.76	$534.89	$11,232.65	$170.84	$11,064.69
4	$11,064.69	$553.23	$11,617.92	$176.69	$11,444.21
5	$11,444.21	$572.21	$12,016.42	$182.76	$11,836.75
6	$11,836.75	$591.84	$12,428.59	$189.02	$12,242.75
7	$12,242.75	$612.14	$12,854.89	$195.51	$12,662.68
8	$12,662.68	$633.13	$13,295.81	$202.21	$13,097.01
9	$13,097.01	$654.85	$13,751.86	$209.15	$13,546.24
10	$13,546.24	$677.31	$14,223.55	$216.32	$14,010.88
Cumulative		$5,846.75		$1,867.36

An SAI dated April 30, 2024, is incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. Additional information about the Fund and its investments is contained in the Fund’s SAI and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to shareholders as they become available. The Annual Report’s Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance discusses market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI contains a description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio securities. To obtain the SAI, Annual Report, Semi-Annual Report and other information without charge, and to make inquiries, call your insurance company or the Fund at 1-800-341-7400.

These documents, as well as additional information about the Fund (including portfolio holdings and distributions), are also available on FederatedHermes.com/us.

Federated Hermes Kaufmann Fund II
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561

Federated Securities Corp., Distributor

Investment Company Act File No. 811-8042

CUSIP 313916827

27258 (4/24)

Prospectus

April 30, 2024

Share Class

Service

Federated Hermes Kaufmann Fund II

A Portfolio of Federated Hermes Insurance Series

A mutual fund seeking capital appreciation by investing principally in common stocks.

Not FDIC Insured ▪ May Lose Value ▪ No Bank Guarantee

CONTENTS

Fund Summary Information	1
What are the Fund’s Investment Strategies?	5
What are the Fund’s Principal Investments?	6
What are the Specific Risks of Investing in the Fund?	11
What Do Shares Cost?	15
How is the Fund Sold?	17
Payments to Insurance Companies	17
How to Purchase and Redeem Shares	17
Security and Privacy Protection	18
Account and Share Information	19
Who Manages the Fund?	21
Financial Information	23
Appendix A: Hypothetical Investment and Expense Information	25

Fund Summary Information

Federated Hermes Kaufmann Fund II (the “Fund”)

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

The Fund’s investment objective is capital appreciation.

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: FEES AND EXPENSES

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

	S
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	N/A
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of original purchase price or redemption proceeds, as applicable)	N/A
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends (and other Distributions) (as a percentage of offering price)	N/A
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed, if applicable)	N/A
Exchange Fee	N/A

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

	S
Management Fee	1.30%
Distribution (12b-1) Fee	0.25%
Other Expenses	0.27%1
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses	1.82%
Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	(0.02)%2
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements	1.80%

The Fund may incur and pay administrative service fees on its S class of up to a maximum amount of 0.25%. No such fees are currently incurred and paid by the S class of the Fund. The S class of the Fund will not incur and pay such fees until such time as approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”).

The Adviser and certain of its affiliates, on their own initiative, have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Effective May 1, 2024, total annual fund operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, extraordinary expenses, and proxy-related expenses, if any) paid by the Fund’s S class (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 1.79% (the “Fee Limit”) up to but not including the later of (the “Termination Date”): (a) May 1, 2025; or (b) the date of the Fund’s next effective Prospectus. While the Adviser and its affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Trustees.

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

1 Year	$185
3 Years	$572
5 Years	$985
10 Years	$2,137

Portfolio Turnover

RISK/RETURN SUMMARY: INVESTMENTS, RISKS and PERFORMANCE

What are the Fund’s Main Investment Strategies?

What are the Main Risks of Investing in the Fund?

All mutual funds take investment risks. Therefore, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The primary factors that may reduce the Fund’s returns include:

■ Custodial Services and Related Investment Costs. Custodial services and other costs relating to investment in international securities markets generally are more expensive due to differing settlement and clearance procedures than those of the United States. The inability of the Fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. In addition, security settlement and clearance procedures in some emerging market countries may not fully protect the Fund against loss of its assets.

■ Currency Risk. Exchange rates for currencies fluctuate daily. Foreign securities are normally denominated and traded in foreign currencies. As a result, the value of the Fund’s foreign investments and the value of the Shares may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar.

■ Risk of Investing in Derivative Contracts and Hybrid Instruments. Derivative contracts and hybrid instruments involve risks different from, or possibly greater than, risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Specific risk issues related to the use of such contracts and instruments include valuation issues, increased potential for losses and/or costs to the Fund and a potential reduction in gains to the Fund. Each of these issues is described in greater detail in this Prospectus. Derivative contracts and hybrid instruments may also involve other risks described in this Prospectus, such as stock market, credit, currency, liquidity and leverage risks.

■ Interest Rate Risk. Prices of fixed-income securities generally fall when interest rates rise. The longer the duration of a fixed-income security, the more susceptible it is to interest rate risk. Recent and potential future changes in monetary policy made by central banks and/or their governments are likely to affect the level of interest rates.

Performance: Bar Chart and Table

Risk/Return Bar Chart

The bar chart and performance table below reflect historical performance data for the Fund and are intended to help you analyze the Fund’s investment risks in light of its historical returns. The bar chart shows the variability of the Fund’s S class total returns on a calendar year-by-year basis. The Average Annual Total Return Table shows returns averaged over the stated periods, and includes comparative performance information. The Fund’s performance will fluctuate, and past performance is not necessarily an indication of future results. For current performance information, contact your insurance company.

Within the periods shown in the bar chart, the Fund’s S class highest quarterly return was 29.11% (quarter ended June 30, 2020). Its lowest quarterly return was (18.71)% (quarter ended June 30, 2022).

Average Annual Total Return Table

Return Before Taxes is shown for the Fund’s S class.

(For the Period Ended December 31, 2023)

Share Class	1 Year	5 Years	10 Years
S Class:
Return Before Taxes	14.93%	7.06%	8.39%
Russell Midcap® Growth Index1 (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	25.87%	13.82%	10.57%
Morningstar Variable Underlying Mid-Cap Growth Funds Average2	21.65%	12.74%	9.47%