| January 21, 2010 |
VIA EDGAR |
Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20549
| Re: | Rule 17g-1 Fidelity Bond Filing for the following investment companies (each, a “fund”) |
| Lazard Alternative Strategies Fund, L.L.C. (File No. 811-10415) | |
| Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund, Inc. (File Nos. 811-21511; 333-112768) | |
| Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. (File Nos. 811-8071; 333-22309) | |
| Lazard World Dividend & Income Fund, Inc. (File Nos. 811-21751; 333-124045) | |
| The Lazard Funds, Inc. (File Nos. 811-6312; 33-40682) |
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Enclosed for filing, pursuant to Rule 17g-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), please find the following information with respect to the above-captioned funds. Please note the following for the Commission's records:
1. A copy of a joint Investment Company Bond issued by Vigilant Insurance Company (the “Bond”), which lists the funds as insureds, is enclosed under Exhibit 99-1.
2. A certificate of the funds’ Assistant Secretary in which he attests to the authenticity and accuracy of resolutions adopted by the members of each fund’s Board of Directors/Managers (including those members who are not “interested persons,” as defined in the 1940 Act, of the fund) which authorize the purchase of a joint bond in a form and in an amount which is consistent with Rule 17g-1 under the 1940 Act, is enclosed under Exhibit 99-2.
3. The Bond premium has been paid for the coverage period from October 30, 2009 to October 30, 2010, and the Bond is written for a $8,750,000 limit of liability. Had each fund not been named as an insured under the Bond, each of the funds would have provided and maintained a separate bond in an amount at least equal to the amount listed in Schedule A, attached hereto.
4. A copy of the agreement among the funds entered into pursuant to paragraph (f) of Rule 17g-1 is enclosed under Exhibit 99-3.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Brian D. Simon
Brian D. Simon
Schedule A
| Fund |
Single Insured Bond Coverage |
|||
| Lazard Alternative Strategies Fund, L.L.C. | $ | 525,000 | ||
| Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund, Inc. | $ | 600,000 | ||
| Lazard World Dividend & Income Fund, Inc. | $ | 450,000 | ||
| Lazard Retirement Series, Inc. | $ | 1,250,000 | ||
| The Lazard Funds, Inc. | $ | 2,500,000 | ||