ThZeal - The Zeal

497K

Summary Prospectus

May 1, 2025

Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund

The Fund may offer Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 shares to separate accounts funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (Contracts) issued by affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies as well as qualified pension and retirement plans (Qualified Plans) and other qualified institutional investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). There are no exchange ticker symbols associated with shares of the Fund.

Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s prospectus, reports to shareholders, statement of additional information and other information about the Fund online at https://www.columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800.345.6611, by sending an email to serviceinquiries@columbiathreadneedle.com, or by contacting the participating insurance company or other financial intermediary through whom you hold your Fund shares. This Summary Prospectus incorporates by reference the Fund’s prospectus, dated May 1, 2025, and current Statement of Additional Information.

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

Investment Objective

Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund (the Fund) seeks to provide shareholders with long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay as an investor in the Fund. The table does not reflect any fees or expenses imposed by your Contract or Qualified Plan, which are disclosed in your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents. If the additional fees or expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
	Class 1	Class 2	Class 3
Management fees	0.87 %	0.87 %	0.87 %
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	0.00 %	0.25 %	0.13 %
Other expenses	0.04 %	0.04 %	0.04 %
Total annual Fund operating expenses(a)	0.91 %	1.16 %	1.04 %
Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements(b)	(0.07 %)	(0.07 %)	(0.07 %)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements	0.84 %	1.09 %	0.97 %

(a)

“Total annual Fund operating expenses” include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.

(b)

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC and certain of its affiliates have contractually agreed to waive fees and/or to reimburse expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment related expenses, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and infrequent and/or unusual expenses) through April 30, 2026, unless sooner terminated at the sole discretion of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Under this agreement, the Fund’s net operating expenses, subject to applicable exclusions, will not exceed the annual rates of 0.84% for Class 1, 1.09% for Class 2 and 0.965% for Class 3. Any difference in these annual rates relative to the annual rates noted in the last row of the above table (e.g., net expense ratios) are due to applicable exclusions under the agreement.

Example

The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:

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you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,

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your investment has a 5% return each year, and

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the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.

The example does not reflect any fees and expenses that apply to your Contract or Qualified Plan. Inclusion of these charges would increase expenses for all periods shown.

Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:

	1 year	3 years	5 years	10 years
Class 1 (whether or not shares are redeemed)	$86	$283	$497	$1,113
Class 2 (whether or not shares are redeemed)	$111	$362	$632	$1,403
Class 3 (whether or not shares are redeemed)	$99	$324	$567	$1,265

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 27% of the average value of its portfolio.

Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund

Principal Investment Strategies

Under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Fund’s net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) are invested in small cap companies. For these purposes, small cap companies are those that have a market capitalization, at the time of investment, that falls within the range of the Russell 2000® Value Index (the Index) or up to $2.5 billion, whichever is greater. The Fund may buy and hold stock in a company that is not included in the Index. The market capitalization range of the companies included within the Index was $5.2 million to $14.2 billion as of March 31, 2025. The market capitalization range and composition of companies in the Index are subject to change. The Fund may invest in any type of security, including common stocks and depositary receipts. The Fund may also invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its net assets in foreign investments. The Fund may at times emphasize one or more sectors in selecting its investments, including the financials and industrials sectors. The Fund also may invest in real estate investment trusts.

Multiple subadvisers provide the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio. Each of the subadvisers employs an active investment strategy that focuses on small cap companies in an attempt to take advantage of what are believed to be undervalued securities.

Principal Risks

An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Small-Cap Stock Risk, Value Securities Risk, Market Risk, and Multi-Adviser Risk, among others. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money. The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in the Fund will vary over time depending on the composition of the Fund's portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund.

Active Management Risk. Due to its active management, the Fund could underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.

Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts are receipts issued by a bank or trust company reflecting ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies. Some foreign securities are traded in the form of American Depositary Receipts and/or Global Depositary Receipts. Depositary receipts involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities, including those associated with an issuer’s (and any of its related companies’) country of organization and places of business operations, which may be related to the particular political, regulatory, economic, social and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations and actions, war, other conflicts, terrorism and disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics) occurring in the country and fluctuations in such country’s currency, as well as market risk tied to the underlying foreign company. In addition, holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting rights, may not have the same rights afforded to stockholders of a typical domestic company in the event of a corporate action, such as an acquisition, merger or rights offering, and may experience difficulty in receiving company stockholder communications. There is no guarantee that a financial institution will continue to sponsor a depositary receipt, or that a depositary receipt will continue to trade on an exchange, either of which could adversely affect the liquidity, availability and pricing of the depositary receipt. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates will affect the value of depositary receipts and, therefore, may affect the value of your investment in the Fund.

Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) Risk. Investments in ETFs have unique characteristics, including, but not limited to, the expense structure and additional expenses associated with investing in ETFs. ETFs are subject to, among other risks, tracking risk and passive and, in some cases, active investment risk. In addition, shareholders bear both their proportionate share of the Fund’s expenses, and indirectly the ETF’s expenses, incurred through the Fund’s ownership of the ETF. Because the expenses and costs of an underlying ETF are shared by its investors, redemptions by other investors in the ETF could result in decreased economies of scale and increased operating expenses for such ETF. The ETFs may not achieve their investment objective. The Fund, through its investment in ETFs, may not achieve its investment objective.

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to securities of foreign companies may involve heightened risks relative to investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Investing in securities of foreign companies subjects the Fund to the risks associated with an issuer’s (and any of its related companies’) country of organization and places of business operations, including risks related to political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations and actions, war, other conflicts, terrorism

Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund

and disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics) occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund’s income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund’s return on such securities. The performance of the Fund may also be negatively affected by fluctuations in a foreign currency's strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly to the extent the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly or below expectations, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance of an issuer may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters, military confrontations and actions, war, other conflicts, terrorism, disease/virus outbreaks, epidemics or other events, conditions and factors which may impair the value of your investment in the Fund.

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Small-Cap Stock Risk. Investments in small-capitalization companies (small-cap companies) often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies (larger companies) because small-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies, and securities of small-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.

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 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.

Multi-Adviser Risk. The Fund has multiple advisory firms that each manage a portion of the Fund’s net assets on a daily basis. Each adviser makes investment decisions independently from the other adviser(s). It is possible that the security selection process of one adviser will not complement or may conflict or even contradict that of the other adviser(s), including making off-setting trades that have no net effect to the Fund, but which may increase Fund expenses. As a result, the Fund's exposure to a given security, industry, sector or market capitalization could be smaller or larger than if the Fund were managed by a single adviser, which could adversely affect the Fund's performance.

Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and in securities of other companies (wherever organized) principally engaged in the real estate industry subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. In a rising interest rate environment, the stock prices of real estate-related investments may decline and the borrowing costs of these companies may increase. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended.

Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund

Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business in a related group of industries within one or more economic sectors, including the financials and industrials sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that group of industries or economic sector.

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Financials Sector. 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 the interest rates and fees they may charge. In addition, profitability of such companies is largely dependent upon the availability and the cost of capital.

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Industrials Sector. 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.

Value Securities Risk. Value securities are securities of companies that may have experienced, for example, adverse business, industry or other developments or may be subject to special risks that have caused the securities to be out of favor and, in turn, potentially undervalued. The market value of a portfolio security may not meet the perceived value assessment of that security as determined by the portfolio managers, or may decline in price, even though the securities are already believed to be undervalued by the portfolio managers. There is also a risk that it may take longer than expected for the value of these investments to rise to the perceived value as determined by the portfolio managers. In addition, value securities, at times, may not perform as well as growth securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time.

Performance Information

The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund’s Class 2 share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund’s returns for the periods shown with a broad measure of market performance, as well as another measure of performance for markets in which the Fund may invest.

Effective August 1, 2024, the Fund compares its performance to the Russell 3000® Index, a broad-based performance index, as required by new regulatory requirements. The Fund’s performance also continues to be compared to its prior benchmark, which management believes more closely represents the market sectors and/or asset classes in which the Fund primarily invests.

Except for differences in annual returns resulting from differences in expenses (where applicable), the share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.

The returns shown do not reflect any fees and expenses imposed under your Contract or Qualified Plan and would be lower if they did.

The Fund’s performance prior to May 2021 reflects returns achieved by one or more different subadvisers or a different allocation of the Fund’s assets among subadvisers. If the Fund’s current subadvisers had been in place for the prior periods, results shown may have been different.

The Fund’s past performance is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.

Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund

Year by Year Total Return (%) as of December 31 Each Year	Best and Worst Quarterly Returns During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart
	Best	4th Quarter 2020	32.45%
	Worst	1st Quarter 2020	-35.29%

Average Annual Total Returns (for periods ended December 31, 2024)

	Share Class Inception Date	1 Year	5 Years	10 Years
Class 1	05/03/2010	7.96%	6.24%	5.54%
Class 2	05/03/2010	7.70%	5.98%	5.28%
Class 3	08/14/2001	7.83%	6.11%	5.41%
Russell 2000® Value Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)		8.05%	7.29%	7.14%
Russell 3000® Index (reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or taxes)		23.81%	13.86%	12.55%

Fund Management

Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

Subadviser: Segall Bryant & Hamill, LLC (SBH)

Portfolio Management	Title	Role with Fund	Managed Fund Since
Mark Dickherber, CFA, CPA	Director of Small Cap Strategies of SBH	Co-Portfolio Manager	2014
Shaun Nicholson	Senior Portfolio Manager of SBH	Co-Portfolio Manager	2014

Subadviser: William Blair Investment Management, LLC (William Blair)

Portfolio Management	Title	Role with Fund	Managed Fund Since
William V. Heaphy, CFA	Head of the U.S. Value Equity Team and Portfolio Manager of William Blair	Co-Portfolio Manager	2021
Matthew Fleming, CFA	Portfolio Manager of William Blair	Co-Portfolio Manager	May 2024

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

The Fund is available for purchase through Contracts offered by the separate accounts of participating insurance companies or Qualified Plans or by other eligible investors authorized by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). Shares of the Fund may not be purchased or sold by individual owners of Contracts or Qualified Plans. If you are a Contract holder or Qualified Plan participant, please refer to your separate Contract prospectus or Qualified Plan disclosure documents for information about minimum investment requirements and how to purchase and redeem shares of the Fund on days the Fund is open for business.

Tax Information

The Fund expects to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and does not expect to make regular distributions (other than in redemption of Fund shares) to shareholders which are generally the participating insurance companies investing in the Fund through separate accounts or Qualified Plans or certain other eligible investors authorized by the Distributor. You should consult with the participating insurance company that issued your Contract, plan sponsor or other eligible investor through which your investment in the Fund is made regarding the U.S. federal income taxation of your investment.

Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

If you make allocations to the Fund, the Fund, its Distributor or other related companies may pay participating insurance companies or other financial intermediaries for the allocation (sale) of Fund shares and related services in connection with such allocations to the Fund. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the participating insurance company, other financial intermediary or your salesperson to recommend an allocation to the Fund over another fund or other investment option. Ask your financial advisor or salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

Variable Portfolio – Partners Small Cap Value Fund

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

The Fund is distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., 290 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210.

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