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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM
N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number
811-22127
Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Daniel J. Beckman
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210

Ryan C. Larrenaga, Esq.
c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210

(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(800)
 
345-6611
Date of fiscal year end:
Last Day of
 
December
Date of reporting period:
June 30, 2025
Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100
 
F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund
Class 1
FundLogo
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report | June 30, 2025
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the Fund) for the period of January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025. You can find additional information about the Fund at
columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature
. You can also request more information by contacting us at
1-800-345-6611.
What were the Fund costs for the reporting period?
(Based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
ClassCost of a $10,000 investmentCost paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment
Class 1
$
39
0.81
%
(a)
(a)
Annualized.
Key Fund Statistics
Fund net assets
$
391,440,546
Total number of portfolio holdings
170
Portfolio turnover for the reporting period
14%
Graphical Representation of Fund
 
Holdings
The tables below show the investment makeup of the Fund represented as a percentage of Fund net assets. Derivatives are excluded from the tables unless otherwise noted. The Fund's portfolio composition is subject to change.
Top Holdings
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.1.7
%
Belden, Inc.1.6
%
Ameris Bancorp1.5
%
Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida1.5
%
ICU Medical, Inc.1.4
%
REV Group, Inc.1.4
%
Mercury Systems, Inc.1.3
%
Valmont Industries, Inc.1.3
%
Hancock Whitney Corp.1.3
%
CareTrust REIT, Inc.1.2
%
Asset Categories
Graphical Representation - Allocation 1 Chart
Equity Sector Allocation
Graphical Representation - Allocation 2 Chart
Availability of Additional Information
For additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, federal tax information and proxy voting information, visit the Fund’s website included at the beginning of this report or scan the QR code below.
TSR - QR Code
Columbia Variable funds are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and managed by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC. Columbia Threadneedle Investments
®
(Columbia Threadneedle) is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies. All rights reserved.
© 2025 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.
Not FDIC or NCUA Insured • No Financial Institution Guarantee • May Lose Value
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund | Class 1
 
|
 
SSR7058_01_12_D01_(08/25)
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund
Class 2
FundLogo
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report | June 30, 2025
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the Fund) for the period of January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025. You can find additional information about the Fund at
columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature
. You can also request more information by contacting us at
1-800-345-6611.
What were the Fund costs for the reporting period?
(Based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
ClassCost of a $10,000 investmentCost paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment
Class 2
$
51
1.06
%
(a)
(a)
Annualized.
Key Fund Statistics
Fund net assets
$
391,440,546
Total number of portfolio holdings
170
Portfolio turnover for the reporting period
14%
Graphical Representation of Fund
 
Holdings
The tables below show the investment makeup of the Fund represented as a percentage of Fund net assets. Derivatives are excluded from the tables unless otherwise noted. The Fund's portfolio composition is subject to change.
Top Holdings
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.1.7
%
Belden, Inc.1.6
%
Ameris Bancorp1.5
%
Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida1.5
%
ICU Medical, Inc.1.4
%
REV Group, Inc.1.4
%
Mercury Systems, Inc.1.3
%
Valmont Industries, Inc.1.3
%
Hancock Whitney Corp.1.3
%
CareTrust REIT, Inc.1.2
%
Asset Categories
Graphical Representation - Allocation 1 Chart
Equity Sector Allocation
Graphical Representation - Allocation 2 Chart
Availability of Additional Information
For additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, federal tax information and proxy voting information, visit the Fund’s website included at the beginning of this report or scan the QR code below.
TSR - QR Code
Columbia Variable funds are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and managed by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC. Columbia Threadneedle Investments
®
(Columbia Threadneedle) is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies. All rights reserved.
© 2025 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.
Not FDIC or NCUA Insured • No Financial Institution Guarantee • May Lose Value
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund | Class 2
 
|
 
SSR7058_02_12_D01_(08/25)
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund
Class 3
FundLogo
Semi-Annual Shareholder Report | June 30, 2025
This semi-annual shareholder report contains important information about Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the Fund) for the period of January 1, 2025 to June 30, 2025. You can find additional information about the Fund at
columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature
. You can also request more information by contacting us at
1-800-345-6611.
What were the Fund costs for the reporting period?
(Based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
ClassCost of a $10,000 investmentCost paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment
Class 3
$
45
0.93
%
(a)
(a)
Annualized.
Key Fund Statistics
Fund net assets
$
391,440,546
Total number of portfolio holdings
170
Portfolio turnover for the reporting period
14%
Graphical Representation of Fund
 
Holdings
The tables below show the investment makeup of the Fund represented as a percentage of Fund net assets. Derivatives are excluded from the tables unless otherwise noted. The Fund's portfolio composition is subject to change.
Top Holdings
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.1.7
%
Belden, Inc.1.6
%
Ameris Bancorp1.5
%
Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida1.5
%
ICU Medical, Inc.1.4
%
REV Group, Inc.1.4
%
Mercury Systems, Inc.1.3
%
Valmont Industries, Inc.1.3
%
Hancock Whitney Corp.1.3
%
CareTrust REIT, Inc.1.2
%
Asset Categories
Graphical Representation - Allocation 1 Chart
Equity Sector Allocation
Graphical Representation - Allocation 2 Chart
Availability of Additional Information
For additional information about the Fund, including its prospectus, financial information, holdings, federal tax information and proxy voting information, visit the Fund’s website included at the beginning of this report or scan the QR code below.
TSR - QR Code
Columbia Variable funds are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and managed by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC. Columbia Threadneedle Investments
®
(Columbia Threadneedle) is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies. All rights reserved.
© 2025 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.
Not FDIC or NCUA Insured • No Financial Institution Guarantee • May Lose Value
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund | Class 3
 
|
 
SSR7058_03_12_D01_(08/25)

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable.


Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable.


Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable.


Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.


Item 6. Investments.

(a) The registrant’s “Schedule I – Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers” (as set forth in 17 CFR 210.12-12) is included in Item 7 of this Form N-CSR.

(b) Not applicable.


Item 7. Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for Open-End Management Investment Companies.


  
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund
Semi-Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
Please remember that you may not buy (nor will you own) shares of the Fund directly. The Fund is available through variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies as well as qualified pension and retirement plans. Please contact your financial advisor or insurance representative for more information.
 
Not FDIC or NCUA Insured
No Financial Institution Guarantee
May Lose Value

Table of Contents
 
3
10
11
12
14
16
23
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund | 2025

Portfolio of Investments
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
(Percentages represent value of investments compared to net assets)
Investments in securities
 
 
Common Stocks 97.0%
Issuer
Shares
Value ($)
Communication Services 0.8%
Media 0.8%
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Class A
68,122
3,040,285
Total Communication Services
3,040,285
Consumer Discretionary 9.2%
Automobile Components 1.2%
Gentherm, Inc.(a)
42,314
1,197,063
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (The)(a)
325,806
3,378,608
Total
4,575,671
Automobiles 0.2%
Winnebago Industries, Inc.
32,016
928,464
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 2.2%
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.
37,082
2,264,969
El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.(a)
91,238
1,004,530
Golden Entertainment, Inc.
40,533
1,192,886
Papa John’s International, Inc.
84,951
4,157,502
Total
8,619,887
Household Durables 1.9%
La-Z-Boy, Inc.
49,613
1,844,115
Taylor Morrison Home Corp., Class A(a)
50,404
3,095,814
Tri Pointe Homes, Inc.(a)
73,893
2,360,881
Total
7,300,810
Leisure Products 0.3%
YETI Holdings, Inc.(a)
39,574
1,247,373
Specialty Retail 1.3%
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
64,529
2,999,953
Foot Locker, Inc.(a)
43,194
1,058,253
Monro, Inc.
73,107
1,090,026
Total
5,148,232
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 2.1%
Capri Holdings Ltd.(a)
102,578
1,815,631
Oxford Industries, Inc.
23,898
961,894
Steven Madden Ltd.
80,765
1,936,745
VF Corp.
314,168
3,691,474
Total
8,405,744
Total Consumer Discretionary
36,226,181
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer
Shares
Value ($)
Consumer Staples 1.2%
Food Products 0.1%
TreeHouse Foods, Inc.(a)
30,690
596,000
Household Products 0.5%
Central Garden & Pet Co., Class A(a)
60,555
1,894,766
Personal Care Products 0.6%
Coty, Inc., Class A(a)
177,383
824,831
Edgewell Personal Care Co.
57,281
1,340,948
Total
2,165,779
Total Consumer Staples
4,656,545
Energy 4.1%
Energy Equipment & Services 1.2%
Expro Group Holdings NV(a)
182,386
1,566,696
Helmerich & Payne, Inc.
56,885
862,377
Innovex International, Inc.(a)
88,078
1,375,778
Valaris Ltd.(a)
18,305
770,823
Total
4,575,674
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 2.9%
Crescent Energy Co., Class A
236,864
2,037,030
Gulfport Energy Corp.(a)
16,561
3,331,576
Matador Resources Co.
35,618
1,699,691
Murphy Oil Corp.
98,415
2,214,338
PBF Energy, Inc., Class A
72,327
1,567,326
SM Energy Co.
22,201
548,587
Total
11,398,548
Total Energy
15,974,222
Financials 22.2%
Banks 18.9%
Ameris Bancorp
92,875
6,009,012
Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp.
71,509
2,236,802
Banc of California, Inc.
166,093
2,333,607
Cadence Bank
82,360
2,633,873
Columbia Banking System, Inc.
198,249
4,635,062
Community Financial System, Inc.
40,336
2,293,908
Eastern Bankshares, Inc.
161,675
2,468,777
Enterprise Financial Services Corp.
45,071
2,483,412
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025
3

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer
Shares
Value ($)
First BanCorp
51,868
2,286,860
First Merchants Corp.
53,273
2,040,356
Glacier Bancorp, Inc.
48,486
2,088,777
Hancock Whitney Corp.
89,196
5,119,850
National Bank Holdings Corp., Class A
78,173
2,940,087
Old National Bancorp
134,295
2,865,855
Pacific Premier Bancorp, Inc.
137,814
2,906,497
Peoples Bancorp, Inc.
15,929
486,472
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.
19,228
2,122,963
Renasant Corp.
67,254
2,416,436
Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida
212,620
5,872,564
SouthState Corp.
24,017
2,210,285
Stellar Bancorp, Inc.
78,575
2,198,529
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.(a)
84,465
6,706,521
United Community Banks, Inc.
63,627
1,895,448
WaFd, Inc.
71,008
2,079,114
WesBanco, Inc.
84,549
2,674,285
Total
74,005,352
Capital Markets 2.1%
Acadian Asset Management, Inc.
52,426
1,847,492
DigitalBridge Group, Inc.
428,876
4,438,867
Perella Weinberg Partners
109,665
2,129,694
Total
8,416,053
Financial Services 0.5%
MGIC Investment Corp.
68,360
1,903,143
Insurance 0.7%
Selective Insurance Group, Inc.
30,511
2,643,778
Total Financials
86,968,326
Health Care 6.7%
Biotechnology 0.8%
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)
97,349
872,247
Galapagos NV, ADR(a)
48,609
1,360,566
Geron Corp.(a)
695,620
980,824
Total
3,213,637
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer
Shares
Value ($)
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 3.8%
Angiodynamics, Inc.(a)
126,902
1,258,868
Haemonetics Corp.(a)
30,660
2,287,543
ICU Medical, Inc.(a)
42,947
5,675,446
Lantheus Holdings, Inc.(a)
28,588
2,340,214
QuidelOrtho Corp.(a)
118,953
3,428,225
Total
14,990,296
Health Care Providers & Services 1.5%
AdaptHealth Corp.(a)
378,071
3,565,209
NeoGenomics, Inc.(a)
207,841
1,519,318
Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc.(a)
52,305
750,577
Total
5,835,104
Pharmaceuticals 0.6%
ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(a)
36,073
2,353,763
Total Health Care
26,392,800
Industrials 22.3%
Aerospace & Defense 1.7%
AAR Corp.(a)
21,234
1,460,687
Mercury Systems, Inc.(a)
95,716
5,155,264
Total
6,615,951
Air Freight & Logistics 0.7%
GXO Logistics, Inc.(a)
15,880
773,356
HUB Group, Inc., Class A
53,900
1,801,877
Total
2,575,233
Building Products 4.0%
Apogee Enterprises, Inc.
80,998
3,288,519
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
10,385
1,686,939
AZZ, Inc.
46,616
4,404,280
Janus International Group, Inc.(a)
265,458
2,160,828
Quanex Building Products Corp.
99,586
1,882,176
Tecnoglass, Inc.
29,951
2,317,009
Total
15,739,751
Commercial Services & Supplies 1.8%
ABM Industries, Inc.
52,847
2,494,907
Brady Corp., Class A
30,375
2,064,589
OPENLANE, Inc.(a)
96,372
2,356,295
Total
6,915,791
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
4
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer
Shares
Value ($)
Construction & Engineering 1.8%
Granite Construction, Inc.
22,063
2,063,111
Valmont Industries, Inc.
15,697
5,126,169
Total
7,189,280
Electrical Equipment 1.3%
EnerSys
34,326
2,944,141
Thermon(a)
76,422
2,145,930
Total
5,090,071
Ground Transportation 0.9%
ArcBest Corp.
16,029
1,234,393
Marten Transport Ltd.
97,167
1,262,199
Werner Enterprises, Inc.
38,615
1,056,507
Total
3,553,099
Machinery 3.7%
Albany International Corp., Class A
29,846
2,093,100
Astec Industries, Inc.
18,845
785,648
Atmus Filtration Technologies, Inc.
58,184
2,119,061
Columbus McKinnon Corp.
54,513
832,413
Enerpac Tool Group Corp.
19,987
810,673
ESCO Technologies, Inc.
13,232
2,538,824
REV Group, Inc.
110,844
5,275,066
Total
14,454,785
Marine Transportation 1.0%
Kirby Corp.(a)
20,978
2,379,115
Matson, Inc.
13,781
1,534,514
Total
3,913,629
Passenger Airlines 0.6%
Alaska Air Group, Inc.(a)
45,370
2,244,908
Professional Services 3.4%
CSG Systems International, Inc.
35,786
2,337,184
Huron Consulting Group, Inc.(a)
16,744
2,302,970
Korn/Ferry International
30,715
2,252,331
MAXIMUS, Inc.
33,647
2,362,019
TriNet Group, Inc.
28,529
2,086,611
WNS Holdings Ltd.(a)
33,536
2,120,817
Total
13,461,932
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer
Shares
Value ($)
Trading Companies & Distributors 1.4%
Air Lease Corp.
35,907
2,100,200
Rush Enterprises, Inc., Class A
40,504
2,086,361
Titan Machinery, Inc.(a)
60,069
1,189,967
Total
5,376,528
Total Industrials
87,130,958
Information Technology 12.9%
Communications Equipment 1.5%
ADTRAN Holdings, Inc.(a)
213,356
1,913,803
Extreme Networks, Inc.(a)
139,589
2,505,623
Viavi Solutions, Inc.(a)
149,271
1,503,159
Total
5,922,585
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 5.0%
Avnet, Inc.
44,309
2,351,922
Belden, Inc.
52,508
6,080,426
Knowles Corp.(a)
120,615
2,125,236
Littelfuse, Inc.
12,563
2,848,409
nLight, Inc.(a)
55,555
1,093,322
Sanmina Corp.(a)
25,265
2,471,675
Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.
136,334
2,164,984
Vishay Precision Group, Inc.(a)
16,345
459,295
Total
19,595,269
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 4.6%
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.(a)
90,189
3,083,562
Ambarella, Inc.(a)
30,029
1,983,866
Diodes, Inc.(a)
40,401
2,136,809
Ichor Holdings Ltd.(a)
47,181
926,635
Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.
54,416
1,882,794
Rambus, Inc.(a)
20,291
1,299,030
Synaptics, Inc.(a)
40,581
2,630,460
Tower Semiconductor Ltd.(a)
54,698
2,371,158
Universal Display Corp.
9,843
1,520,350
Total
17,834,664
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025
5

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer
Shares
Value ($)
Software 1.8%
Cognyte Software Ltd.(a)
104,876
969,054
Five9, Inc.(a)
35,083
928,998
Progress Software Corp.
52,228
3,334,235
Verint Systems, Inc.(a)
90,937
1,788,731
Total
7,021,018
Total Information Technology
50,373,536
Materials 7.8%
Chemicals 2.9%
Ecovyst, Inc.(a)
235,224
1,935,893
Element Solutions, Inc.
96,047
2,175,465
Ingevity Corp.(a)
99,117
4,270,952
Orion SA
46,401
486,746
Sensient Technologies Corp.
25,862
2,547,924
Total
11,416,980
Containers & Packaging 2.4%
Greif, Inc., Class A
24,527
1,594,010
O-I Glass, Inc.(a)
241,636
3,561,714
Silgan Holdings, Inc.
80,205
4,345,507
Total
9,501,231
Metals & Mining 2.5%
Alamos Gold, Inc., Class A
117,006
3,107,679
Commercial Metals Co.
44,144
2,159,083
MP Materials Corp.(a)
115,573
3,845,114
Ryerson Holding Corp.
24,294
524,022
Total
9,635,898
Total Materials
30,554,109
Real Estate 6.9%
Health Care REITs 1.7%
CareTrust REIT, Inc.
152,998
4,681,739
Sila Realty Trust, Inc.
84,390
1,997,511
Total
6,679,250
Hotel & Resort REITs 0.7%
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
140,415
1,402,746
Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.
154,904
1,344,567
Total
2,747,313
Common Stocks (continued)
Issuer
Shares
Value ($)
Industrial REITs 1.4%
LXP Industrial Trust
260,332
2,150,342
STAG Industrial, Inc.
59,233
2,148,973
Terreno Realty Corp.
21,967
1,231,690
Total
5,531,005
Office REITs 0.7%
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., Class A
353,103
2,856,603
Residential REITs 1.1%
Elme Communities
125,048
1,988,263
UMH Properties, Inc.
129,274
2,170,511
Total
4,158,774
Retail REITs 0.7%
Kite Realty Group Trust
109,802
2,487,015
Specialized REITs 0.6%
Four Corners Property Trust, Inc.
90,230
2,428,089
Total Real Estate
26,888,049
Utilities 2.9%
Electric Utilities 1.7%
IDACORP, Inc.
18,943
2,186,969
OGE Energy Corp.
41,091
1,823,619
TXNM Energy, Inc.
48,973
2,758,159
Total
6,768,747
Gas Utilities 0.7%
New Jersey Resources Corp.
27,166
1,217,580
Spire, Inc.
21,034
1,535,272
Total
2,752,852
Multi-Utilities 0.5%
Northwestern Energy Group, Inc.
35,576
1,825,049
Total Utilities
11,346,648
Total Common Stocks
(Cost $371,206,762)
379,551,659
 
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
6
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
Rights 0.0%
Issuer
Shares
Value ($)
Health Care 0.0%
Biotechnology 0.0%
Aduro Biotech CVR(a),(b),(c),(d)
4,550
2,230
Total Health Care
2,230
Total Rights
(Cost $—)
2,230
 
Money Market Funds 3.1%
 
Shares
Value ($)
Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund, 4.473%(e),(f)
12,127,783
12,125,357
Total Money Market Funds
(Cost $12,123,932)
12,125,357
Total Investments in Securities
(Cost: $383,330,694)
391,679,246
Other Assets & Liabilities, Net
(238,700
)
Net Assets
391,440,546
Notes to Portfolio of Investments 
(a)
Non-income producing investment.
(b)
Represents fair value as determined in good faith under procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2025, the total value of these securities amounted to $2,230, which represents less than 0.01% of total net assets.
(c)
Denotes a restricted security, which is subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale under federal securities laws. Disposal of a restricted investment may involve time-consuming negotiations and expenses, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult to achieve. Private placement securities are generally considered to be restricted, although certain of those securities may be traded between qualified institutional investors under the provisions of Section 4(a)(2) and Rule 144A. The Fund will not incur any registration costs upon such a trade. These securities are valued at fair value determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2025, the total market value of these securities amounted to $2,230, which represents less than 0.01% of total net assets. Additional information on these securities is as follows:
 
Security
Acquisition
Dates
Shares
Cost ($)
Value ($)
Aduro Biotech CVR
10/21/2021
4,550
2,230
 
(d)
Valuation based on significant unobservable inputs.
(e)
The rate shown is the seven-day current annualized yield at June 30, 2025.
(f)
Under Section 2(a)(3) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, an affiliated company is one in which the Fund owns 5% or more of the company’s outstanding voting securities, or a company which is under common ownership or control with the Fund. The value of the holdings and transactions in these affiliated companies during the period ended June 30, 2025 are as follows:
 
Affiliated issuers
Beginning
of period($)
Purchases($)
Sales($)
Net change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)($)
End of
period($)
Realized gain
(loss)($)
Dividends($)
End of
period shares
Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund, 4.473%
 
5,751,113
31,205,058
(24,832,207
)
1,393
12,125,357
(541
)
224,527
12,127,783
Abbreviation Legend 
ADR
American Depositary Receipt
CVR
Contingent Value Rights
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025
7

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
Fair value measurements  
The Fund categorizes its fair value measurements according to a three-level hierarchy that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by prioritizing that the most observable input be used when available. Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing an investment based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are those that reflect the Fund’s assumptions about the information market participants would use in pricing an investment. An investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is deemed significant to the asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement. The input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investments at that level. For example, certain U.S. government securities are generally high quality and liquid, however, they are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.
Fair value inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

 Level 1 — Valuations based on quoted prices for investments in active markets that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date.  Valuation adjustments are not applied to Level 1 investments.

 Level 2 — Valuations based on other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risks, etc.).

 Level 3 — Valuations based on significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions and judgment in determining the fair value of investments).
Inputs that are used in determining fair value of an investment may include price information, credit data, volatility statistics, and other factors. These inputs can be either observable or unobservable. The availability of observable inputs can vary between investments, and is affected by various factors such as the type of investment, and the volume and level of activity for that investment or similar investments in the marketplace. The inputs will be considered by the Investment Manager, along with any other relevant factors in the calculation of an investment’s fair value. The Fund uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, which may include periods of market dislocations. During these periods, the availability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many investments. This condition could cause an investment to be reclassified between the various levels within the hierarchy.
Investments falling into the Level 3 category, if any, are primarily supported by quoted prices from brokers and dealers participating in the market for those investments. However, these may be classified as Level 3 investments due to lack of market transparency and corroboration to support these quoted prices. Additionally, valuation models may be used as the pricing source for any remaining investments classified as Level 3. These models may rely on one or more significant unobservable inputs and/or significant assumptions by the Investment Manager. Inputs used in valuations may include, but are not limited to, financial statement analysis, capital account balances, discount rates and estimated cash flows, and comparable company data.
The Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board) has designated the Investment Manager, through its Valuation Committee (the Committee), as valuation designee, responsible for determining the fair value of the assets of the Fund for which market quotations are not readily available using valuation procedures approved by the Board. The Committee consists of voting and non-voting members from various groups within the Investment Manager’s organization, including operations and accounting, trading and investments, compliance, risk management and legal.
The Committee meets at least monthly to review and approve valuation matters, which may include a description of specific valuation determinations, data regarding pricing information received from approved pricing vendors and brokers and the results of Board-approved valuation policies and procedures (the Policies). The Policies address, among other things, instances when market quotations are or are not readily available, including recommendations of third party pricing vendors and a determination of appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require specific valuation determinations and assessment of fair value techniques; securities with a potential for stale pricing, including those that are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and the effectiveness of third party pricing vendors, including periodic reviews of vendors. The Committee meets more frequently, as needed, to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include the need to review back-testing results, review time-sensitive information or approve related valuation actions. Representatives of Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC report to the Board at each of its regularly scheduled meetings to discuss valuation matters and actions during the period, similar to those described earlier.
The following table is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at June 30, 2025: 
 
Level 1 ($)
Level 2 ($)
Level 3 ($)
Total ($)
Investments in Securities
Common Stocks
Communication Services
3,040,285
3,040,285
Consumer Discretionary
36,226,181
36,226,181
Consumer Staples
4,656,545
4,656,545
Energy
15,974,222
15,974,222
Financials
86,968,326
86,968,326
Health Care
26,392,800
26,392,800
Industrials
87,130,958
87,130,958
Information Technology
50,373,536
50,373,536
Materials
30,554,109
30,554,109
Real Estate
26,888,049
26,888,049
Utilities
11,346,648
11,346,648
Total Common Stocks
379,551,659
379,551,659
Rights
Health Care
2,230
2,230
Total Rights
2,230
2,230
Money Market Funds
12,125,357
12,125,357
Total Investments in Securities
391,677,016
2,230
391,679,246
See the Portfolio of Investments for all investment classifications not indicated in the table.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
8
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025

Portfolio of Investments (continued)
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
Fair value measurements   (continued)
The Fund does not hold any significant investments (greater than one percent of net assets) categorized as Level 3.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025
9

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
 
Assets
Investments in securities, at value
Unaffiliated issuers (cost $371,206,762)
$379,553,889
Affiliated issuers (cost $12,123,932)
12,125,357
Receivable for:
Capital shares sold
7,355
Dividends
498,740
Foreign tax reclaims
7,614
Expense reimbursement due from Investment Manager
3,252
Prepaid expenses
2,680
Total assets
392,198,887
Liabilities
Payable for:
Investments purchased
462,975
Capital shares redeemed
53,443
Management services fees
28,020
Distribution and/or service fees
902
Service fees
3,530
Compensation of chief compliance officer
38
Compensation of board members
1,797
Other expenses
31,112
Deferred compensation of board members
176,524
Total liabilities
758,341
Net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock
$391,440,546
Represented by
Trust capital
$391,440,546
Total - representing net assets applicable to outstanding capital stock
$391,440,546
Class 1
Net assets
$315,912,219
Shares outstanding
8,416,844
Net asset value per share
$37.53
Class 2
Net assets
$12,127,420
Shares outstanding
335,637
Net asset value per share
$36.13
Class 3
Net assets
$63,400,907
Shares outstanding
1,722,821
Net asset value per share
$36.80
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
10
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025

Statement of Operations
Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
 
Net investment income
Income:
Dividends — unaffiliated issuers
$3,274,505
Dividends — affiliated issuers
224,527
Foreign taxes withheld
(1,721
)
Total income
3,497,311
Expenses:
Management services fees
1,675,756
Distribution and/or service fees
Class 2
15,256
Class 3
39,722
Service fees
23,388
Custodian fees
5,156
Printing and postage fees
10,421
Accounting services fees
15,837
Legal fees
9,805
Compensation of chief compliance officer
34
Compensation of board members
8,327
Deferred compensation of board members
(3,108
)
Other
6,165
Total expenses
1,806,759
Fees waived or expenses reimbursed by Investment Manager and its affiliates
(191,537
)
Total net expenses
1,615,222
Net investment income
1,882,089
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) — net
Net realized gain (loss) on:
Investments — unaffiliated issuers
(18,437,704
)
Investments — affiliated issuers
(541
)
Net realized loss
(18,438,245
)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments — unaffiliated issuers
(2,260,592
)
Investments — affiliated issuers
1,393
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(2,259,199
)
Net realized and unrealized loss
(20,697,444
)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations
$(18,815,355
)
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025
11

Statement of Changes in Net Assets
 
 
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2025
(Unaudited)
Year Ended
December 31, 2024
Operations
Net investment income
$1,882,089
$5,169,174
Net realized gain (loss)
(18,438,245
)
23,769,773
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(2,259,199
)
9,858,681
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
(18,815,355
)
38,797,628
Decrease in net assets from capital stock activity
(3,835,456
)
(229,540,758
)
Total decrease in net assets
(22,650,811
)
(190,743,130
)
Net assets at beginning of period
414,091,357
604,834,487
Net assets at end of period
$391,440,546
$414,091,357
 
 
Six Months Ended
Year Ended
 
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
December 31, 2024
 
Shares
Dollars ($)
Shares
Dollars ($)
Capital stock activity
Class 1
Shares sold
31,659
1,171,243
322,908
13,190,292
Shares redeemed
(32,315
)
(1,195,488
)
(6,125,105
)
(232,461,171
)
Net decrease
(656
)
(24,245
)
(5,802,197
)
(219,270,879
)
Class 2
Shares sold
21,591
771,200
27,763
997,833
Shares redeemed
(42,211
)
(1,503,962
)
(51,306
)
(1,835,119
)
Net decrease
(20,620
)
(732,762
)
(23,543
)
(837,286
)
Class 3
Shares sold
19,255
668,399
14,262
521,917
Shares redeemed
(103,132
)
(3,746,848
)
(268,868
)
(9,954,510
)
Net decrease
(83,877
)
(3,078,449
)
(254,606
)
(9,432,593
)
Total net decrease
(105,153
)
(3,835,456
)
(6,080,346
)
(229,540,758
)
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
12
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025

[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025
13

Financial Highlights
The following table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share of a class held for the periods shown. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. Total return assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Total return does not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract and/or Qualified Plan, as applicable; such fees and expenses would reduce the total returns for all periods shown. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The ratios of expenses and net investment income are annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. 
 
Net asset value,
beginning of
period
Net
investment
income
Net
realized
and
unrealized
gain (loss)
Total from
investment
operations
Class 1
Six Months Ended 6/30/2025 (Unaudited)
$39.31
0.19
(1.97
)
(1.78
)
Year Ended 12/31/2024
$36.41
0.39
2.51
2.90
Year Ended 12/31/2023
$32.69
0.37
3.35
3.72
Year Ended 12/31/2022
$37.55
0.19
(5.05
)
(4.86
)
Year Ended 12/31/2021
$30.28
0.12
7.15
7.27
Year Ended 12/31/2020
$29.04
0.16
1.08
1.24
Class 2
Six Months Ended 6/30/2025 (Unaudited)
$37.89
0.13
(1.89
)
(1.76
)
Year Ended 12/31/2024
$35.18
0.28
2.43
2.71
Year Ended 12/31/2023
$31.67
0.28
3.23
3.51
Year Ended 12/31/2022
$36.47
0.11
(4.91
)
(4.80
)
Year Ended 12/31/2021
$29.47
0.03
6.97
7.00
Year Ended 12/31/2020
$28.34
0.10
1.03
1.13
Class 3
Six Months Ended 6/30/2025 (Unaudited)
$38.57
0.16
(1.93
)
(1.77
)
Year Ended 12/31/2024
$35.77
0.33
2.47
2.80
Year Ended 12/31/2023
$32.15
0.32
3.30
3.62
Year Ended 12/31/2022
$36.98
0.15
(4.98
)
(4.83
)
Year Ended 12/31/2021
$29.85
0.07
7.06
7.13
Year Ended 12/31/2020
$28.67
0.13
1.05
1.18
 
Notes to Financial Highlights
(a)
In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund’s reported expense ratios.
(b)
Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
(c)
Ratios include interfund lending expense which is less than 0.01%.
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
14
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025

Financial Highlights (continued)
 
 
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return
Total gross
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a)
Total net
expense
ratio to
average
net assets(a),(b)
Net investment
income
ratio to
average
net assets
Portfolio
turnover
Net
assets,
end of
period
(000’s)
Class 1
Six Months Ended 6/30/2025 (Unaudited)
$37.53
(4.53%
)
0.91%
0.81%
1.01%
14%
$315,912
Year Ended 12/31/2024
$39.31
7.96%
0.91%
(c)
0.81%
(c)
1.02%
27%
$330,910
Year Ended 12/31/2023
$36.41
11.38%
0.89%
0.83%
1.10%
26%
$517,746
Year Ended 12/31/2022
$32.69
(12.94%
)
0.89%
0.87%
0.57%
23%
$509,055
Year Ended 12/31/2021
$37.55
24.01%
0.88%
(c)
0.88%
(c)
0.33%
104%
$651,132
Year Ended 12/31/2020
$30.28
4.27%
0.90%
0.88%
0.68%
91%
$661,480
Class 2
Six Months Ended 6/30/2025 (Unaudited)
$36.13
(4.65%
)
1.16%
1.06%
0.75%
14%
$12,127
Year Ended 12/31/2024
$37.89
7.70%
1.16%
(c)
1.06%
(c)
0.76%
27%
$13,499
Year Ended 12/31/2023
$35.18
11.08%
1.15%
1.08%
0.86%
26%
$13,363
Year Ended 12/31/2022
$31.67
(13.16%
)
1.14%
1.12%
0.34%
23%
$12,363
Year Ended 12/31/2021
$36.47
23.75%
1.14%
(c)
1.13%
(c)
0.10%
104%
$13,159
Year Ended 12/31/2020
$29.47
3.99%
1.15%
1.13%
0.41%
91%
$8,133
Class 3
Six Months Ended 6/30/2025 (Unaudited)
$36.80
(4.59%
)
1.03%
0.93%
0.87%
14%
$63,401
Year Ended 12/31/2024
$38.57
7.83%
1.04%
(c)
0.94%
(c)
0.88%
27%
$69,682
Year Ended 12/31/2023
$35.77
11.26%
1.02%
0.95%
0.98%
26%
$73,725
Year Ended 12/31/2022
$32.15
(13.06%
)
1.01%
0.99%
0.44%
23%
$72,319
Year Ended 12/31/2021
$36.98
23.89%
1.01%
(c)
1.01%
(c)
0.20%
104%
$92,957
Year Ended 12/31/2020
$29.85
4.12%
1.02%
1.01%
0.54%
91%
$89,057
The accompanying Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this statement.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025
15

Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
Note 1. Organization
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the Fund), a series of Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II (the Trust), is a diversified fund. The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
Fund shares
The Trust may issue an unlimited number of shares (without par value). The Fund offers Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 shares to separate accounts funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (collectively, Contracts) issued by affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies (Participating Insurance Companies) as well as qualified pension and retirement plans (Qualified Plans) and other qualified institutional investors (Qualified Investors) authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). You may not buy (nor will you own) shares of the Fund directly. You may invest by participating in a Qualified Plan or by buying a Contract and making allocations to the Fund. Although all share classes generally have identical voting, dividend and liquidation rights, each share class votes separately when required by the Trust’s organizational documents or by law. Different share classes pay different net investment income distribution amounts to the extent the expenses of such share classes differ, and distributions in liquidation will be proportional to the net asset value of each share class. Each share class has its own cost structure and other features.
Note 2. Summary of significant accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The Fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies (ASC 946). The financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
Segment reporting
The intent of ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting is to enable investors to better understand an entity’s overall performance and to assess its potential future cash flows through improved segment disclosures. The chief operating decision maker (CODM) for the Fund is Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC through its Investment Oversight Committee and Global Executive Group, which are responsible for assessing performance and making decisions about resource allocation. The CODM has determined that the Fund has a single operating segment because the CODM monitors the operating results of the Fund as a whole and the Fund’s long-term strategic asset allocation is pre-determined in accordance with the terms of its prospectus, based on a defined investment strategy which is executed by the Fund’s portfolio managers as a team. The financial information provided to and reviewed by the CODM is consistent with that presented within the Fund’s financial statements.
Security valuation
Equity securities listed on an exchange are valued at the closing price or last trade price on their primary exchange at the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange. Securities with a closing price not readily available or not listed on any exchange are valued at the mean between the closing bid and ask prices. Listed preferred stocks convertible into common stocks are valued using an evaluated price from a pricing service.
Foreign equity securities are valued based on the closing price or last trade price on their primary exchange at the close of business of the New York Stock Exchange. If any foreign equity security closing prices are not readily available, the securities are valued at the mean of the latest quoted bid and ask prices on such exchanges or markets. Foreign currency exchange rates are determined at the scheduled closing time of the New York Stock Exchange. Many securities markets and exchanges outside the U.S. close prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange; therefore, the closing prices for
16
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
securities in such markets or on such exchanges may not fully reflect events that occur after such close but before the close of the New York Stock Exchange. In those situations, foreign securities will be fair valued pursuant to a policy approved by the Board of Trustees. Under the policy, the Fund may utilize a third-party pricing service to determine these fair values. The third-party pricing service takes into account multiple factors, including relevant general and sector indices, currency fluctuations, depositary receipts, and futures, as applicable, to determine a good faith estimate that reasonably reflects the current market conditions as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange. The fair value of a security is likely to be different from the quoted or published price, if available.
Investments in open-end investment companies (other than exchange-traded funds (ETFs)), are valued at the latest net asset value reported by those companies as of the valuation time.
Investments for which market quotations are not readily available, or that have quotations which management believes are not reflective of market value or reliable, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. If a security or class of securities (such as foreign securities) is valued at fair value, such value is likely to be different from the quoted or published price for the security, if available.
The determination of fair value often requires significant judgment. To determine fair value, management may use assumptions including but not limited to future cash flows and estimated risk premiums. Multiple inputs from various sources may be used to determine fair value.
GAAP requires disclosure regarding the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value and any changes in valuation inputs or techniques. In addition, investments shall be disclosed by major category. This information is disclosed following the Fund’s Portfolio of Investments.
Security transactions
Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Cost is determined and gains (losses) are based upon the specific identification method for both financial statement and federal income tax purposes.
Income recognition
Corporate actions and dividend income are generally recorded net of any non-reclaimable tax withholdings, on the ex-dividend date or upon receipt of an ex-dividend notification in the case of certain foreign securities.
The Fund may receive distributions from holdings in equity securities, business development companies (BDCs), exchange-traded funds (ETFs), limited partnerships (LPs), other regulated investment companies (RICs), and real estate investment trusts (REITs), which report information as to the tax character of their distributions annually. These distributions are allocated to dividend income, capital gain and return of capital based on actual information reported. Return of capital is recorded as a reduction of the cost basis of securities held. If the Fund no longer owns the applicable securities, return of capital is recorded as a realized gain. With respect to REITs, to the extent actual information has not yet been reported, estimates for return of capital are made by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). The Investment Manager’s estimates are subsequently adjusted when the actual character of the distributions is disclosed by the REITs, which could result in a proportionate change in return of capital to shareholders.
Awards from class action litigation are recorded as a reduction of cost basis if the Fund still owns the applicable securities on the payment date. If the Fund no longer owns the applicable securities on the payment date, the proceeds are recorded as realized gains.
Expenses
General expenses of the Trust are allocated to the Fund and other funds of the Trust based upon relative net assets or other expense allocation methodologies determined by the nature of the expense. Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund. Expenses directly attributable to a specific class of shares are charged to that share class.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025
17

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
Determination of class net asset value
All income, expenses (other than class-specific expenses, which are charged to that share class, as shown in the Statement of Operations) and realized and unrealized gains (losses) are allocated to each class of the Fund on a daily basis, based on the relative net assets of each class, for purposes of determining the net asset value of each class.
Federal income tax status
The Fund is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, and the Fund does not expect to make regular distributions. The Fund will not be subject to federal income tax, and therefore, there is no provision for federal income taxes. The partners of the Fund are subject to tax on their distributive share of the Fund’s income and loss. The Fund’s net assets are reported at the partner-level for federal income tax purposes.
Management of the Fund has concluded that there are no significant uncertain tax positions in the Fund that would require recognition in the financial statements. However, management’s conclusion may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, new tax laws, regulations, and administrative interpretations (including relevant court decisions). Generally, the Fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Foreign taxes
The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes on income, gains on investments or currency repatriation, a portion of which may be recoverable. The Fund will accrue such taxes and recoveries, as applicable, based upon its current interpretation of tax rules and regulations that exist in the markets in which it invests.
Realized gains in certain countries may be subject to foreign taxes at the Fund level, based on statutory rates. The Fund accrues for such foreign taxes on realized and unrealized gains at the appropriate rate for each jurisdiction, as applicable. The amount, if any, is disclosed as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Guarantees and indemnifications
Under the Trust’s organizational documents and, in some cases, by contract, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust or its funds. In addition, certain of the Fund’s contracts with its service providers contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown since the amount of any future claims that may be made against the Fund cannot be determined, and the Fund has no historical basis for predicting the likelihood of any such claims.
Recent accounting pronouncements and regulatory updates
Accounting Standards Update 2023-09 Income Taxes (Topic 740)
In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09 Income Taxes (Topic 740) Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The amendments were issued to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures primarily related to rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. Management expects that the adoption of the amendments will not have a material impact on its financial statements.
Note 3. Fees and other transactions with affiliates
Management services fees
The Fund has entered into a Management Agreement with Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). Under the Management Agreement, the Investment Manager provides the Fund with investment research and advice, as well as administrative and accounting services. The Investment Manager is responsible for the ultimate oversight of investments made by the Fund. The Fund’s subadvisers (see Subadvisory agreements below) have the primary responsibility for the day-to-day
18
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
portfolio management of the Fund. The management services fee is an annual fee that is equal to a percentage of the Fund’s daily net assets that declines from 0.87% to 0.75% as the Fund’s net assets increase. The annualized effective management services fee rate for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was 0.87% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
Subadvisory agreements 
The Investment Manager has entered into Subadvisory Agreements with Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC and William Blair Investment Management, LLC, each of which subadvises a portion of the assets of the Fund. New investments in the Fund, net of redemptions, are allocated in accordance with the Investment Manager’s determination. Each subadviser’s proportionate share of investments in the Fund will vary due to market fluctuations. The Investment Manager compensates each subadviser to manage the investment of the Fund’s assets.
Compensation of Board members
Members of the Board of Trustees who are not officers or employees of the Investment Manager or Ameriprise Financial are compensated for their services to the Fund as disclosed in the Statement of Operations. Under a Deferred Compensation Plan (the Deferred Plan), these members of the Board of Trustees may elect to defer payment of up to 100% of their compensation. Deferred amounts are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in shares of certain funds managed by the Investment Manager. The Fund’s liability for these amounts is adjusted for market value changes and remains in the Fund until distributed in accordance with the Deferred Plan. All amounts payable under the Deferred Plan constitute a general unsecured obligation of the Fund. The expense for the Deferred Plan, which includes Trustees’ fees deferred during the current period as well as any gains or losses on the Trustees’ deferred compensation balances as a result of market fluctuations, is included in "Deferred compensation of board members" in the Statement of Operations.
Compensation of Chief Compliance Officer
The Board of Trustees has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer for the Fund in accordance with federal securities regulations. As disclosed in the Statement of Operations, a portion of the Chief Compliance Officer’s total compensation is allocated to the Fund, along with other allocations to affiliated registered investment companies managed by the Investment Manager and its affiliates, based on relative net assets.
Service fees
The Fund has entered into a Shareholder Services Agreement with Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent), an affiliate of the Investment Manager and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial. Under this agreement, the Fund pays a service fee equal to the payments made by the Transfer Agent to Participating Insurance Companies and other financial intermediaries (together, Participating Organizations) for services each such Participating Organization provides to its clients, customers and participants that are invested directly or indirectly in the Fund, up to a cap approved by the Board of Trustees from time to time. The annualized effective service fee rate for the six months ended June 30, 2025 was 0.01% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
The Transfer Agent may retain as compensation for its services revenues from fees for wire, telephone and redemption orders, account transcripts due the Transfer Agent from Fund shareholders and interest (net of bank charges) earned with respect to balances in accounts the Transfer Agent maintains in connection with its services to the Fund.
Distribution and/or service fees
The Fund has an agreement with the Distributor, an affiliate of the Investment Manager and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, for distribution services. Under a Plan and Agreement of Distribution, the Fund pays a fee at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class 2 shares and an annual rate of up to 0.125% of the Fund’s average daily net assets attributable to Class 3 shares. The Fund pays no distribution and service fees for Class 1 shares.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025
19

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
Expenses waived/reimbursed by the Investment Manager and its affiliates
The Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses described below) for the period(s) disclosed below, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Board of Trustees, so that the Fund’s net operating expenses, after giving effect to fees waived/expenses reimbursed and any balance credits and/or overdraft charges from the Fund’s custodian, do not exceed the following annual rate(s) as a percentage of the classes’ average daily net assets: 
 
Contractual
expense cap
July 1, 2025
through
April 30, 2026 (%)
Voluntary
expense cap
May 1, 2025
through
June 30, 2025 (%)
Contractual
expense cap
prior to
May 1, 2025 (%)
Class 1
0.84
0.81
0.81
Class 2
1.09
1.06
1.06
Class 3
0.965
0.935
0.935
Under the agreement governing these fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangements, the following fees and expenses are excluded from the waiver/reimbursement commitment, and therefore will be paid by the Fund, if applicable: taxes (including foreign transaction taxes), expenses associated with investments in affiliated and non-affiliated pooled investment vehicles (including mutual funds and exchange-traded funds), transaction costs and brokerage commissions, costs related to any securities lending program, dividend expenses associated with securities sold short, inverse floater program fees and expenses, transaction charges and interest on borrowed money, interest, costs associated with shareholder meetings, infrequent and/or unusual expenses and any other expenses the exclusion of which is specifically approved by the Board of Trustees. This agreement may be modified or amended only with approval from the Investment Manager, certain of its affiliates and the Fund. Any fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed under the expense reimbursement arrangements described above are not recoverable by the Investment Manager or its affiliates in future periods.
Note 4. Portfolio information
The cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities, excluding short-term investments and derivatives, if any, aggregated to $54,938,568 and $62,719,262, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2025. The amount of purchase and sale activity impacts the portfolio turnover rate reported in the Financial Highlights.
Note 5. Affiliated money market fund
The Fund invests in Columbia Short-Term Cash Fund, an affiliated money market fund established for the exclusive use by the Fund and other affiliated funds (the Affiliated MMF). The income earned by the Fund from such investments is included as Dividends - affiliated issuers in the Statement of Operations. As an investing fund, the Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the Affiliated MMF. The Affiliated MMF prices its shares with a floating net asset value. The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted amendments to money market fund rules requiring institutional prime money market funds like the Affiliated MMF to be subject to a discretionary liquidity fee of up to 2% if the imposition of such a fee is determined to be in the best interest of the Affiliated MMF and to a mandatory liquidity fee if daily net redemptions exceed 5% of net assets.
Note 6. Interfund lending
Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund participates in a program (the Interfund Program) allowing each participating Columbia Fund (each, a Participating Fund) to lend money directly to and, except for closed-end funds and money market funds, borrow money directly from other Participating Funds for temporary purposes. The amounts eligible for borrowing and lending under the Interfund Program are subject to certain restrictions.
20
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
Interfund loans are subject to the risk that the borrowing fund could be unable to repay the loan when due, and a delay in repayment to the lending fund could result in lost opportunities and/or additional lending costs. The exemptive order is subject to conditions intended to mitigate conflicts of interest arising from the Investment Manager’s relationship with each Participating Fund.
The Fund did not borrow or lend money under the Interfund Program during the six months ended June 30, 2025.
Note 7. Line of credit
The Fund has access to a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citibank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. whereby the Fund may borrow for the temporary funding of shareholder redemptions or for other temporary or emergency purposes. Pursuant to an October 24, 2024 amendment and restatement, the credit facility, which is an agreement between the Fund and certain other funds managed by the Investment Manager or an affiliated investment manager, severally and not jointly, permits aggregate borrowings up to $900 million. Interest is currently charged to each participating fund based on its borrowings at a rate equal to the higher of (i) the federal funds effective rate, (ii) the secured overnight financing rate plus 0.10% and (iii) the overnight bank funding rate, plus 1.00% in each case. Each borrowing under the credit facility matures no later than 60 days after the date of borrowing. The Fund also pays a commitment fee equal to its pro rata share of the unused amount of the credit facility at a rate of 0.15% per annum. The commitment fee is included in other expenses in the Statement of Operations. This agreement expires annually in October unless extended or renewed. Prior to the October 24, 2024 amendment and restatement, the Fund had access to a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Citibank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. which permitted collective borrowings up to $900 million. Interest was charged to each participating fund based on its borrowings at a rate equal to the higher of (i) the federal funds effective rate, (ii) the secured overnight financing rate plus 0.10% and (iii) the overnight bank funding rate, plus 1.00% in each case.
The Fund had no borrowings during the six months ended June 30, 2025.
Note 8. Significant risks
Financials sector risk
The Fund is vulnerable to the particular risks that may affect companies in the financials sector. Companies in the financials sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk of regulatory change, decreased liquidity in credit markets and unstable interest rates. Such companies may have concentrated portfolios, such as a high level of loans to one or more industries or sectors, which makes them vulnerable to economic conditions that affect such industries or sectors. Performance of such companies may be affected by competitive pressures and exposure to investments, agreements and counterparties, including credit products that, under certain circumstances, may lead to losses (e.g., subprime loans). Companies in the financials sector are subject to extensive governmental regulation that may limit the amount and types of loans and other financial commitments they can make, and interest rates and fees that they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.
Industrials sector risk  
The Fund is vulnerable to the particular risks that may affect companies in the industrials sector. Companies in the industrials sector are subject to certain risks, including changes in supply and demand for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general, including decline in demand for such products due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including government regulation, world events, economic conditions and risks for environmental damage and product liability claims.
Market risk
The Fund may incur losses due to declines in the value of one or more securities in which it invests. These declines may be due to factors affecting a particular issuer, or the result of, among other things, political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the relevant market(s) more generally. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to price or value hard-to-value assets in thinly traded and closed markets and could cause significant
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025
21

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)
redemptions and operational challenges. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. These risks may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies worldwide. As a result, local, regional or global events such as terrorism, war, other conflicts, natural disasters, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other public health issues, recessions, depressions or other events – or the potential for such events – could have a significant negative impact on global economic and market conditions.
Shareholder concentration risk
At June 30, 2025, affiliated shareholders of record owned 100.0% of the outstanding shares of the Fund in one or more accounts. Fund shares sold to or redeemed by concentrated accounts may have a significant effect on the operations of the Fund. In the case of a large redemption, the Fund may be forced to sell investments at inopportune times, including its liquid positions, which may result in Fund losses and the Fund holding a higher percentage of less liquid positions. Large redemptions could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for non-redeeming Fund shareholders.
Small- and mid-cap company risk
Investments in small- and mid-capitalization companies (small- and mid-cap companies) often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies (larger companies) because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Note 9. Subsequent events
Management has evaluated the events and transactions that have occurred through the date the financial statements were issued and noted no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.
Note 10. Information regarding pending and settled legal proceedings
Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates are involved, in the normal course of business, in legal proceedings that include regulatory inquiries, arbitration and litigation (including class actions) concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their activities as part of a diversified financial services firm. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
There can be no assurance that these matters, or the adverse publicity associated with them, will not result in increased Fund redemptions, reduced sale of Fund shares or other adverse consequences to the Fund. Further, although we believe proceedings are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund, these proceedings are subject to uncertainties and, as such, it is inherently difficult to determine whether any loss is probable or even reasonably possible, or to reasonably estimate the amount of any loss that may result from such matters. An adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other relief, and may lead to further claims, examinations, adverse publicity or reputational damage, each of which could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations or financial condition of Ameriprise Financial or one or more of its affiliates that provide services to the Fund.
22
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025

Approval of Management and Subadvisory
Agreements
(Unaudited)
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the Investment Manager, and together with its domestic and global affiliates, Columbia Threadneedle Investments), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial), serves as the investment manager to Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the Fund).  Under a management agreement (the Management Agreement), the Investment Manager provides investment advice and other services to the Fund and other funds distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (collectively, the Funds). In addition, under the subadvisory agreements (the Subadvisory Agreements) between the Investment Manager and each of Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC and William Blair Investment Management, LLC (collectively, the Subadvisers), the Subadvisers provide portfolio management and related services for the Fund.
On an annual basis, the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the Board), including the independent Board members (the Independent Trustees), considers renewal of the Management Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreements (together, the Advisory Agreements).  The Investment Manager prepared detailed reports for the Board and its Contracts Committee (including its Contracts Subcommittee) in March, April and June 2025, including reports providing the results of analyses performed by a third-party data provider, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (Broadridge), and comprehensive responses by the Investment Manager to written requests for information by independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees (Independent Legal Counsel), to assist the Board in making this determination.  In addition, throughout the year, the Board (or its committees or subcommittees) regularly meets with portfolio management teams and senior management personnel and reviews information prepared by the Investment Manager addressing the services the Investment Manager provides and Fund performance.  The Board also accords appropriate weight to the work, deliberations and conclusions of the various committees (including their subcommittees), such as the Contracts Committee, the Investment Review Committee, the Audit Committee and the Compliance Committee in determining whether to continue the Advisory Agreements.
The Board, at its June 26, 2025 Board meeting (the June Meeting), considered the renewal of each of the Advisory Agreements for additional one-year terms.  At the June Meeting, Independent Legal Counsel reviewed with the Independent Trustees various factors relevant to the Board’s consideration of advisory and subadvisory agreements and the Board’s legal responsibilities related to such consideration.  The Independent Trustees considered such information as they, their legal counsel or the Investment Manager believed reasonably necessary to evaluate and to approve the continuation of each of the Advisory Agreements. Among other things, the information and factors considered included the following:

Information on the investment performance of the Fund relative to the performance of a group of mutual funds determined to be comparable to the Fund by Broadridge, as well as performance relative to one or more benchmarks;

Information on the Fund’s management fees and total expenses, including information comparing the Fund’s expenses to those of a group of comparable mutual funds, as determined by Broadridge;

The Investment Manager’s agreement to contractually limit or cap total operating expenses for the Fund so that total operating expenses (excluding certain fees and expenses, such as transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) would not exceed a specified annual rate, as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets;

Terms of the Advisory Agreements;

Subadvisory fees payable by the Investment Manager under the Subadvisory Agreements;

Descriptions of other agreements and arrangements with affiliates of the Investment Manager relating to the operations of the Fund, including agreements with respect to the provision of transfer agency and shareholder services to the Fund;

Descriptions of various services performed by the Investment Manager and the Subadvisers under the Advisory Agreements, including portfolio management and portfolio trading practices;

Information regarding any recently negotiated management fees of similarly-managed portfolios of other institutional clients of the Investment Manager;
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025
23

Approval of Management and Subadvisory
Agreements (continued)
(Unaudited) 

Information regarding the resources of the Investment Manager and Subadvisers, including information regarding senior management, portfolio managers and other personnel;

Information regarding the capabilities of the Investment Manager with respect to compliance monitoring services;

The profitability to the Investment Manager and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund; and

Report provided by the Board’s independent fee consultant, JDL Consultants, LLC (JDL).
Following an analysis and discussion of the foregoing, and the factors identified below, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, approved the renewal of each of the Advisory Agreements.
Nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Investment Manager and the Subadvisers
The Board analyzed various reports and presentations it had received detailing the services performed by the Investment Manager and the Subadvisers, as well as their history, expertise, resources and relative capabilities, and the qualifications of their personnel.
The Board specifically considered the many developments during recent years concerning the services provided by the Investment Manager, including, in particular, detailed information regarding the process employed for selecting and overseeing affiliated and unaffiliated subadvisers.  With respect to the Investment Manager, the Board also noted the organization and depth of the equity and credit research departments. The Board further observed the enhancements to the investment risk management department’s processes, systems and oversight over the past several years.  The Board also took into account the broad scope of services provided by the Investment Manager to each subadvised Fund, including, among other services, investment, risk and compliance oversight.  The Board also took into account the information it received concerning the Investment Manager’s ability to attract and retain key portfolio management personnel and that it has sufficient resources to provide competitive and adequate compensation to investment personnel.
In connection with the Board’s evaluation of the overall package of services provided by the Investment Manager, the Board also considered the nature, quality and range of administrative services provided to the Fund by the Investment Manager, as well as the achievements in 2024 in the performance of administrative services, and noted the various enhancements anticipated for 2025.  In evaluating the quality of services provided under the Advisory Agreements, the Board also took into account the organization and strength of the Fund’s and its service providers’ compliance programs.  The Board also reviewed the financial condition of the Investment Manager and its affiliates and each entity’s ability to carry out its responsibilities under the Management Agreement and the Fund’s other service agreements.
In addition, the Board discussed the acceptability of the terms of the Management Agreement (including the relatively broad scope of services required to be performed by the Investment Manager in addition to monitoring each Subadviser), noting that no changes were proposed from the forms of agreements previously approved. The Board also noted the wide array of legal and compliance services provided to the Fund under the Management Agreement.
The Board considered each Subadviser’s organizational strength and resources, portfolio management team depth and capabilities and investment process.  The Board also considered each Subadviser’s capability and wherewithal to carry out its responsibilities under the applicable Subadvisory Agreement.  In addition, the Board discussed the acceptability of the terms of the Subadvisory Agreements, including the scope of services required to be performed.  The Board noted that the terms of the Subadvisory Agreements are generally consistent with the terms of other subadvisory agreements for subadvisers who manage other funds managed by the Investment Manager.  It was observed that no changes were recommended to the Subadvisory Agreements. The Board took into account the Investment Manager’s representation that each Subadviser was in a position to provide quality services to the Fund. In this regard, the Board further observed the various services provided by the Investment Manager’s subadvisory oversight team.
24
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025

Approval of Management and Subadvisory
Agreements (continued)
(Unaudited) 
After reviewing these and related factors (including investment performance as discussed below), the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund under the Advisory Agreements supported the continuation of the Management Agreement and each of the Subadvisory Agreements.
Investment performance
The Board carefully reviewed the investment performance of the Fund, including detailed reports providing the results of analyses performed by each of the Investment Manager, Broadridge and JDL collectively showing, for various periods (including since manager inception): (i) the performance of the Fund, (ii) the Fund’s performance relative to peers and benchmarks and (iii) the net assets of the Fund.   The Board observed that Fund performance was well within the range of that of its peers.
Additionally, the Board reviewed the performance of each of the Subadvisers and the Investment Manager’s process for monitoring such Subadvisers’ performance.  The Board considered, in particular, management’s rationale for recommending the continued retention of each Subadviser and management’s representations that the Investment Manager’s profitability is not the key factor driving their recommendation to select, renew or terminate  a Subadviser.
The Board also reviewed a description of the third-party data provider’s methodology for identifying the Fund’s peer groups for purposes of performance and expense comparisons.
The Board also considered the Investment Manager’s and Subadvisers’ performance and reputation generally, and the Investment Manager’s evaluation of the contribution of each Subadviser to the Fund’s investment mandate.  After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the performance of the Fund, the Investment Manager and the Subadvisers, in light of other considerations, supported the continuation of the Management Agreement and each of the Subadvisory Agreements.
Comparative fees, costs of services provided and the profits realized by the Investment Manager and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund
The Board reviewed comparative fees and the costs of services provided under each of the Advisory Agreements.  The Board members considered detailed comparative information set forth in an annual report on fees and expenses, including, among other things, data (based on analyses conducted by Broadridge and JDL) showing a comparison of the Fund’s expenses with median expenses paid by funds in its comparative peer universe, as well as data showing the Fund’s contribution to the Investment Manager’s profitability.
The Board considered the reports of JDL, which assisted in the Board’s analysis of the Funds’ performance and expenses and the reasonableness of the Funds’ fee rates.  The Board accorded particular weight to the notion that a primary objective of the level of fees is to achieve a rational pricing model applied consistently across the various product lines in the Fund family, while assuring that the overall fees for each Fund (with certain exceptions) are generally in line with the current “pricing philosophy” such that Fund total expense ratios, in general, approximate or are lower than the median expense ratios of funds in the same Lipper comparison universe.  The Board took into account that the Fund’s total expense ratio (after considering proposed expense caps/waivers) approximated the peer universe’s median expense ratio.
Additionally, the Board reviewed the level of subadvisory fees paid to each Subadviser, noting that the fees are paid by the Investment Manager and do not impact the fees paid by the Fund.  The Board also reviewed advisory fee rates charged by other comparable mutual funds employing each Subadviser to provide comparable subadvisory services.  After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the levels of management fees, subadvisory fees and expenses of the Fund, in light of other considerations, supported the continuation of the Management Agreement and each of the Subadvisory Agreements.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025
25

Approval of Management and Subadvisory
Agreements (continued)
(Unaudited) 
The Board also considered the profitability of the Investment Manager and its affiliates in connection with the Investment Manager providing management services to the Fund.  Because the Subadvisory Agreements were negotiated at arm’s length by the Investment Manager, which is responsible for payments to the Subadvisers thereunder, the Board did not consider the profitability to each Subadviser from its relationship with the Fund.  With respect to the profitability of the Investment Manager and its affiliates, the Independent Trustees referred to information discussing the profitability to the Investment Manager and Ameriprise Financial from managing, operating and distributing the Funds. The Board considered that the profitability generated by the Investment Manager in 2024 had increased from 2023 levels due to a variety of factors, including the increased assets under management of the Funds. It also took into account the indirect economic benefits flowing to the Investment Manager or its affiliates in connection with managing or distributing the Funds, such as the enhanced ability to offer various other financial products to Ameriprise Financial customers, soft dollar benefits and overall reputational advantages. The Board noted that the fees paid by the Fund should permit the Investment Manager to offer competitive compensation to its personnel, make necessary investments in its business and earn an appropriate profit.  After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the costs of services provided and the profitability to the Investment Manager and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund supported the continuation of the Management Agreement and each of the Subadvisory Agreements.
Economies of scale
The Board considered the potential existence of economies of scale in the provision by the Investment Manager of services to the Fund, and whether those economies of scale were shared with the Fund through breakpoints in investment management fees or other means, such as expense limitation arrangements and additional investments by the Investment Manager in investment, trading, compliance and other resources.  The Board considered the economies of scale that might be realized as the Fund’s net asset level grows and took note of the extent to which Fund shareholders might also benefit from such growth.  In this regard, the Board took into account that management fees decline as Fund assets exceed various breakpoints, all of which have not been surpassed. The Board observed that the Management Agreement thus provides for breakpoints in the management fee rate schedule that allow opportunities for shareholders to realize lower fees as Fund assets grow and that there are additional opportunities through other means for sharing economies of scale with shareholders.
Conclusion
The Board reviewed all of the above considerations in reaching its decision to approve the continuation of the Management Agreement and each of the Subadvisory Agreements.  In reaching its conclusions, no single factor was determinative.
On June 26, 2025, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, determined that fees payable under each of the Advisory Agreements were fair and reasonable in light of the extent and quality of services provided and approved the renewal of each of the Advisory Agreements.
Board consideration and approval of the subadvisory agreement
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (the “Investment Manager,” and together with its domestic and global affiliates, “Columbia Threadneedle Investments”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc., serves as the investment manager to Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”). On March 27, 2025, the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of the Board members who are not interested persons of the Fund within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Independent Trustees”), upon the recommendation of the Investment Manager, unanimously approved a new Subadvisory Agreement (the “Subadvisory Agreement”) between the Investment Manager and Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC (“SBH”), with respect to the Fund. The Subadvisory Agreement would take effect upon the acquisition of SBH’s parent company, CI Financial Corp., by Mubadala Capital (the “Transaction”) that would result in an assignment of the existing subadvisory agreement and would therefore result in the existing agreement’s termination.
26
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025

Approval of Management and Subadvisory
Agreements (continued)
(Unaudited) 
At the March meeting, independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees (“Independent Legal Counsel”) reviewed with the Board the legal standards for consideration by directors/trustees of advisory and subadvisory agreements and referred to the various written materials and oral presentations received by the Board and its Investment Review Committee in connection with the Board’s evaluation of the proposed services of SBH.
The Independent Trustees noted the discussion relating to the renewal and approval of the advisory and subadvisory agreements for the Fund at the Contracts Committee and Board meetings in June 2024 (the “June Meeting”) and, in that connection, the discussion by Independent Legal Counsel of the Board’s responsibilities pursuant to Sections 15(c) and 36(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and the factors that should be considered in determining whether to approve or renew an investment management agreement and/or subadvisory agreement. Independent Legal Counsel further indicated that the Independent Trustees should take into account the variety of written materials and oral presentations they received at the March meeting as well as all of the information previously considered at the June Meeting regarding the proposed renewal of the Fund’s then-existing advisory and subadvisory agreements.
The Trustees held discussions with the Investment Manager and reviewed and considered various written materials and oral presentations in connection with the evaluation of SBH’s services, including the reports from management with respect to the fees and terms of the proposed Subadvisory Agreement and SBH’s investment strategy/style and performance and from the Compliance Committee, with respect to the code of ethics and compliance program of SBH. In considering the Subadvisory Agreement, the Board reviewed, among other things:

Terms of the Subadvisory Agreement;   

Subadvisory fees payable by the Investment Manager under the Subadvisory Agreement;

Description of the services performed by SBH for the Fund;

Information regarding the Transaction and the experience and resources of SBH, including information regarding senior management, portfolio managers, and other personnel;   

The profitability to the Investment Manager and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
The Board considered its analysis of the reports and presentations received by it, covering the services performed by SBH as a subadviser for the Fund. The Board considered the Investment Manager’s rationale for recommending the continued retention of SBH, and the process for monitoring SBH’s ongoing performance of services for the Fund. The Independent Trustees considered that no material portfolio management team, investment strategy/process or compliance-related changes were expected to occur as a result of the Transaction. The Independent Trustees considered that SBH had confirmed that there would not be any change to the nature or quality of the services provided as a result of the Transaction. The Independent Trustees noted that the proposed Subadvisory Agreement was substantially identical to the current subadvisory agreement and that no changes to subadvisory fees were proposed. The Independent Trustees also considered the fees and expenses of the Fund, the subadvisory fees paid to SBH and relevant comparisons thereof to those of peers and other Funds.
After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the expected nature, extent and quality of the services to be provided to the Fund supported the approval of the Subadvisory Agreement.
Investment Performance of SBH
The Board observed SBH’s performance for the Fund, including results versus the Fund’s benchmark and versus peers over various periods, specifically noting the Investment Manager’s view that it had met expectations.
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025
27

Approval of Management and Subadvisory
Agreements (continued)
(Unaudited) 
After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the performance of SBH, in light of other considerations, supported the approval of the Subadvisory Agreement.
Comparative Fees, Costs of Services Provided and Profitability
The Board reviewed the proposed level of subadvisory fees under the proposed Subadvisory Agreement, noting that no changes to subadvisory fees were being proposed. The Board considered that the proposed subadvisory fees payable to SBH would be paid by the Investment Manager and would not impact the fees paid by the Fund. The Board observed that the proposed subadvisory fees for SBH were within a reasonable range of subadvisory fees paid by the Investment Manager to the subadvisers of other Funds with similar strategies. The Trustees observed that management fees, which were not proposed to change, remained within the range of other peers and that the Fund’s expense ratio also remained within the range of other peers. The Trustees also took into account the Investment Manager’s view that the transaction would not adversely impact SBH’s ability to provide services to the Fund following the acquisition, including its level of quality and services provided to the Fund.
Because the Subadvisory Agreement was negotiated at arm’s length by the Investment Manager, which is responsible for payments to SBH thereunder, the Board did not consider the profitability to SBH from its relationship with the Fund.
After reviewing these and related factors, the Board concluded, within the context of their overall conclusions, that the proposed level of subadvisory fees, anticipated costs of services provided and the expected profitability to the Investment Manager and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund supported the approval of the Subadvisory Agreement.
Economies of Scale
The Board also considered the economies of scale that may be realized by the Investment Manager and its affiliates as the Fund grows and took note of the extent to which shareholders might also benefit from such growth. The Board took into account, in this regard, the significant oversight services provided by the Investment Manager to the Fund. The Board also observed that fees to be paid under the Subadvisory Agreement would not impact fees paid by the Fund (as subadvisory fees are paid by the Investment Manager and not the Fund). The Board observed that the Fund’s management agreement with the Investment Manager continues to provide for sharing of economies of scale as management fees decline as assets increase at pre-established breakpoints.
Conclusion
The Board reviewed all of the above considerations in reaching its decision to approve the Subadvisory Agreement. In reaching its conclusions, no single factor was determinative.
On March 27, 2025, after considering the factors described above relating to the Subadvisory Agreement between the Investment Manager and SBH, and taking into account all of the factors considered as part of the approval of the continuance of the current Subadvisory Agreement in June 2024, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, approved the proposed Subadvisory Agreement between the Investment Manager and SBH.
28
Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund  | 2025

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Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
  
Please read and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses for any fund carefully before investing. For Fund and other investment product prospectuses, which contain this and other important information, contact your financial advisor or insurance representative. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest. The Fund is distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and managed by Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments® (Columbia Threadneedle) is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies. All rights reserved. Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., 290 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210
© 2025 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC.
SAR7058_12_D01_(08/25)



Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for Open-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.


Item 9. Proxy Disclosures for Open-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.


Item 10. Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others of Open-End Management Investment Companies.

The fees and expenses of the independent trustees are included in "Compensation of board members" and "Deferred compensation of board members" on each Fund's Statement of Operations as part of the Registrant's financial statements filed under Item 7 of this Form N-CSR.  Additionally, the compensation paid by the Trust to the Chief Compliance Officer is included in "Compensation of chief compliance officer" on each Fund's Statement of Operations as part of the Registrant's financial statements filed under Item 7 of this Form N-CSR.


Item 11. Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Contract.

Statement regarding basis for approval of Investment Advisory Contract is included in Item 7 of this Form N-CSR.


Item 12. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.


Item 13. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.


Item 14. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.


Item 15. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors implemented since the registrant last provided disclosure as to such procedures in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K or Item 15 of Form N-CSR.


Item 16. Controls and Procedures.

(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, based on their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, have concluded that such controls and procedures are adequately designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in Form N-CSR is accumulated and communicated to the registrant’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) There was no change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Item 17. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.


Item 18. Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.

Not applicable.



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

(registrant) Columbia Funds Variable Series Trust II

By (Signature and Title) /s/ Daniel J. Beckman
Daniel J. Beckman, President and Principal Executive Officer

Date August 21, 2025

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By (Signature and Title) /s/ Daniel J. Beckman
Daniel J. Beckman, President and Principal Executive Officer

Date August 21, 2025

By (Signature and Title) /s/ Michael G. Clarke
Michael G. Clarke, Chief Financial Officer,
Principal Financial Officer and Senior Vice President

Date August 21, 2025

By (Signature and Title) /s/ Charles H. Chiesa
Charles H. Chiesa, Treasurer, Chief Accounting
Officer and Principal Financial Officer

Date August 21, 2025


ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

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