Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I reset my password?

    From the main banner, select "Login" then "Forgot your password" and follow the instructions provided. You'll need your User ID, any one of your account numbers, and the answer to the question you created when you first created your Password. If you do not remember the answer to this question, please call us at 1-800-847-2424 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Central Time, Monday through Friday to have your Password reset.
  • How do I change my password?

    To change your current Password, simply log in to My Van Kampen using your current Password and select "My Account Information" from the navigation bar, then "Change Password". Your new Password must be between 6 and 16 characters in length and include at least 2 alpha and 2 numeric characters. Special characters (such as ! @ - _ . # $) can also be included. Please note that passwords are case sensitive. Please avoid using any part of your Social Security number, phone number or account number, a sequential number (i.e., 123456) or a single repeated number (444444).

  • How do I manage online account updates?

    • Address

      Shareholders with military or non-U.S. addresses should contact us for assistance with address changes. Some account registrations are not eligible for online address changes.

    • Automatic Investment Plan (AIP)

      Select an account, then "Account Options" to view your current plan, start a new plan, stop your plan, or make changes to the draft date, amount, or frequency of your AIP.

    • Distribution Options

      Select an account, then "Account Options" to view your current distribution options and make changes to them. You can have your distributions reinvested, paid in cash by check, or direct deposited to your bank account.

  • How do I suspend or change the amount of my automatic investment plan online?

    If you own a fund/account that is eligible for the automatic investment plan ("AIP"), you can establish and make changes to your AIP online. Log in to My Van Kampen, select an account from your Portfolio. If your account is eligible, you will see either "Add Option" or "Make Changes" next to the AIP. Select "Make Changes" to defer your draft or to change the amount or frequency of your draft. It typically takes three to five business days notice to make a change to your AIP, so be sure to request changes well in advance of the date your draft occurs.

    If your account is not eligible for online AIP setup or maintenance, please Contact Us for assistance.

  • How do I open an account?

    Follow these instructions to become a new investor with Van Kampen:

    • Talk to your financial advisor to identify your investment goals and the most appropriate investment for you. I'd like a financial advisor to contact me.
    • Read the fund's prospectus before investing in a new fund.
    • Complete a new account application with your financial professional. Different applications exist for voluntary accounts, retirement accounts and 529 plans.
    • Mail the application with a check. Make your check payable to the fund and mail it to the address provided on the application.
  • How do I Purchase, Exchange, Redeem Shares?

    Set up the option to purchase, exchange* or redeem* shares of your fund online.

    • Log in and select an account;
    • Click on the transaction you would like to make (Purchase, Exchange, Redeem); and
    • Follow the instructions provided to add the option to your account.

    Set up the option to purchase, exchange or redeem shares of your fund by mail.

    Once the transaction option is set up, select Purchase, Exchange or Redeem and follow the instructions provided to process a transaction. Note: If you set up new bank instructions on your account, redemptions will not be available for 15 days while we verify your bank account information.

    * Not available for 529 plan accounts or Van Kampen Senior Loan Fund.

  • How do I transfer ownership of my account (gift shares)?

    Typically, you must complete our Transfer Form—this includes having your signature "guaranteed" . Depending on your situation, additional documentation may be required. Contact Us for more information.

  • I legally changed my name. How do I change my name on my account?

    In order to change the name on your account, you will need EITHER:

    • A signature guaranteed letter of instruction indicating your new legal name signed with the statement "one and the same" as your former name bearing the signatures of both the name as it currently appears in the account registration AND your new legal name. - OR -
    • A letter of instruction indicating your new legal name signed with the statement "one and the same" as your former name bearing the signatures of both the name as it currently appears in the account registration AND your new legal name as it appears in the court documents AND a certified (within 120 days) copy of the court documents legally granting your name change (such as a marriage license or court decree).
  • What is a Signature Guarantee?

    Signature Guarantees are commonly used in the mutual fund industry. The guarantor verifies that the signature on a form or on a transaction request is the authentic signature of the person named. The guarantee carries certain warranties that limit liability and losses if a signature is not authentic.

  • How do I get a Signature Guarantee?

    A Signature Guarantee may be obtained from an authorized officer or signer of a financial institution with which you do business such as a:

    • Bank or trust company
    • Broker-dealer
    • Credit union
    • National securities exchange
    • Registered securities association or clearing agency
    • Savings and loan association
    • Federal savings bank

    A notary public cannot provide a signature guarantee.

    Outside the United States

    If you are unable to obtain a Signature Guarantee through a financial institution, we will accept a witnessed signature, by an officer of the American Consulate Office in the country where you reside. The standard form for the witnessed signature—the Certificate of Acknowledgement of Execution of an Instrument—can be obtained from the U.S. Embassy.

  • What is a Medallion Signature Guarantee?

    The Medallion Signature Guarantee imprint or stamp indicates that a financial institution is a member of an authorized Medallion Signature Guarantee program and is an acceptable guarantor under the terms of that program. The Medallion stamp also certifies that the signature is genuine and has legally binding authority. The financial institution, as guarantor, is essentially telling the transfer agent they can rely on the guarantee because the financial institution warrants the signer of the document:

    • Is genuine
    • I an appropriate person to endorse or originate the instruction
    • If acting in capacity as agent, has the authority to act on behalf of the appropriate person
    • Has legal capacity to sign

    In certain situations, and because of these warranties, the presence of a Medallion signature guarantee will eliminate the need for additional documentation. For questions about your particular situation, Contact Us.

  • When will I receive my next account statement?

    Investment reports are mailed quarterly reflecting account activity for the prior three months, at the beginning of January, April, July and October, respectively.

    You will also receive confirmation statements any time there is transaction activity on your account, such as a non-systematic purchase or redemption, exchange, address change or other account option changes, or a new account. You may request a statement on demand or duplicate statement at any time via My Van Kampen, or by calling our 24-hour automated telephone system at 1-800-847-2424

  • How do I change the beneficiary on my Van Kampen IRA account?

    You must complete an IRA Change of Beneficiary Form.

  • How do I change the beneficiary(ies) on my Van Kampen TOD account?

    If your TOD account is subject to Van Kampen’s TOD rules, you may change the beneficiary(ies) by mailing a letter to Van Kampen Investor Services indicating that you would like to add or change the beneficiary(ies). Be sure to list each beneficiary's name, Social Security number, and date of birth as well as the fund and account number(s). You can also change your designated beneficiary(ies) by sending Van Kampen a completed Transfer on Death Registration Form.

  • How do I view or order information?

    • Order a Statement*

      Select "Duplicate Statements" to choose the type of statement you need.

    • View or Order a Tax Form*

      Select "Tax Information" to view forms that were produced for your account and order a copy.

    • Reorder Checks*

      Select an account that already has the check writing option and order another checkbook.

    * Not available for 529 plan accounts.

  • How do I access Account Information through Quicken®?

    Setting Up Your Quicken Access

    Create a new account in Quicken for each fund and account number you want to download. Please note:

    • When prompted for your account number on Quicken, enter the two or three-digit Van Kampen mutual fund number
      Van Kampen Open-End Funds
      Following is a list of all Van Kampen open-end funds and the Van Kampen Senior Loan Fund with their corresponding fund numbers. You must use the two- or three-digit fund number when downloading your Van Kampen account information to Quicken®.
      Fund Name A Shares B Shares C Shares
      2010 Retirement Strategy 236 N/A 336
      2015 Retirement Strategy 238 N/A 337
      2020 Retirement Strategy 239 N/A 344
      2025 Retirement Strategy 240 N/A 350
      2030 Retirement Strategy 241 N/A 351
      2035 Retirement Strategy 242 N/A 352
      2040 Retirement Strategy 244 N/A 354
      2045 Retirement Strategy 245 N/A 355
      2050 Retirement Strategy 248 N/A 356
      American Franchise 146 246 346
      American Value 453 553 653
      Asset Allocation Conservative 107 207 307
      Asset Allocation Growth 109 209 309
      Asset Allocation Moderate 119 219 319
      California Insured Tax Free 41 341 541
      Capital Growth 14 114 214
      Comstock 13 113 213
      Core Equity 143 243 343
      Core Growth 156 256 315
      Core Plus Fixed Income 122 222 322
      Corporate Bond 17 117 217
      Emerging Markets 455 555 655
      Enterprise 12 112 212
      Equity Growth 468 568 668
      Equity Premium Income 110 210 310
      Equity and Income 25 125 225
      Global Bond 35 135 335
      Global Equity Allocation 450 550 650
      Global Franchise 475 575 675
      Global Growth 55 155 255
      Global Tactical Asset Allocation 126 226 326
      Government Securities 29 129 229
      Growth and Income 21 121 221
      Harbor 11 111 211
      High Yield 28 128 228
      High Yield Municipal 50 150 250
      In Retirement Strategy 249 N/A 357
      Insured Tax Free Income 32 332 532
      Intermediate Term Muni Income 138 338 538
      International Advantage 185 285 385
      International Growth 34 134 234
      Leaders 200 300 400
      Limited Duration 30 130 230
      Mid Cap Growth 86 186 286
      Money Market 23 133 233
      Municipal Income 49 349 549
      New York Tax Free Income 235 325 425
      O'Shaughnessy All Cap Core Fund 768 868 968
      O'Shaughnessy Enhanced Dividend Fund 746 846 946
      O'Shaughnessy Global Fund 747 847 947
      O'Shaughnessy International Fund 758 858 958
      O'Shaughnessy Large Cap Growth Fund 749 849 949
      O'Shaughnessy Small/Mid Cap Growth Fund 748 848 948
      Pennsylvania Tax Free Income 58 358 558
      Real Estate Securities 89 189 289
      Small Cap Growth 147 247 347
      Small Cap Value 78 178 278
      Strategic Municipal Income 39 339 539
      Tax Free Money 88 N/A N/A
      Technology 77 177 277
      U.S. Mortgage 40 340 540
      Utility 184 384 584
      Value Opportunities 57 157 257
      Senior Loan 18 118 218
      or your four-digit 529 portfolio number
      Higher Education 529 Fund Portfolios
      Following is a list of all Higher Education 529 Fund Portfolios and their corresponding fund numbers. You must use the four-digit fund number when downloading account information to Quicken®.
      Fund Name A Shares B Shares C Shares S Shares
      Aggressive Portfolio 1 1101 1201 1301 1401
      Aggressive Portfolio 2 1104 1204 1304 1404
      Bond Portfolio 1112 1212 1312 1412
      Capital Growth Portfolio 1117 1217 1317 1417
      Comstock Portfolio 1115 1215 1315 1415
      Conservative Portfolio 1 1103 1203 1303 1403
      Conservative Portfolio 2 1106 1206 1306 1406
      Conservative Portfolio 3 1108 1208 1308 1408
      Conservative Portfolio 4 1109 1209 1309 1409
      Conservative Portfolio 5 1110 1210 1310 1410
      Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio 1122 1222 1322 1422
      Equity Portfolio 1111 1211 1311 1411
      Equity and Income Portfolio 1114 1214 1314 1414
      Global Franchise Portfolio 1119 1219 1319 1419
      Government Securities Portfolio 1121 1221 1321 1421
      International Growth Portfolio 1123 1223 1323 1423
      Mid Cap Growth Portfolio 1118 1218 1318 1418
      Moderate Portfolio 1 1102 1202 1302 1402
      Moderate Portfolio 2 1105 1205 1305 1405
      Moderate Portfolio 3 1107 1207 1307 1407
      S&P 500 Equity Index Portfolio 1126 1226 1326 1426
      Short Term Income Portfolio 1113 1213 1313 1413
      Small Cap Growth Portfolio 1125 1225 1325 1425
      Small Cap Value Portfolio 1116 1216 1316 1416
      U.S. Bond Market Index Portfolio 1127 1227 1327 1427
      followed by a comma, followed by your account number (do not include any zeroes at the beginning of your account number). Example: 12,1234567.
    • When prompted for your Customer ID number, enter your Vankampen.com User ID to access your account information.
    • Unit Investment Trust and closed-end fund accounts are not available for download to Quicken.
    • Only accounts held directly with Van Kampen are eligible for download to Quicken (dealer-held accounts are not eligible). Other restrictions may apply.
    • Transactions such as purchases, exchanges or redemptions are not currently available through Quicken; however, some transactions can be processed online through My Van Kampen.
    • Downloads of Van Kampen account information to Microsoft Money are not available.

    What You'll Need

    Your vankampen.com Password.
    If you haven't registered for a password, you need to do that first. Register now.

    Your Van Kampen Account Number.
    Check a recent statement for your 2-4 digit fund number and your account number.

    Your Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number.
    This is the tax identification number associated with your account for tax reporting purposes.

    Van Kampen fund account information is available through Quicken versions 2007 through 2009. Technical assistance for download issues is available through Quicken Support.

    Quicken is a registered trademark of Intuit, Inc.