Summary Prospectus by Investment Company (Form 497K)

SUMMARY PROSPECTUS - MAY 1, 2026

Guardian Small-Mid Cap Core VIP Fund

This Summary Prospectus is intended for use in connection with variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. and is not intended for use by other investors. Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund's Statutory Prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Statutory Prospectus, reports to shareholders, and other information about the Fund, including the Fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI), online at https://guardianvpt.onlineprospectus.net/GuardianVPT/Prospectuses/. You can also obtain this information at no cost by calling 1-888-GUARDIAN (1-888-482-7342) (variable life insurance policy owners); or by calling 1-800-830-4147 (variable annuity contract owners); variable life insurance policy owners may also send an email request to [email protected]. You may also contact your financial intermediary. This Summary Prospectus incorporates by reference the Fund's Prospectus and SAI, each dated May 1, 2026, as may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks capital appreciation.

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table shows the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. The table does not reflect charges, fees or expenses that are, or may be, imposed under your variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy through which Fund shares are offered as an investment option. If those charges, fees or expenses were reflected, the fees and expenses shown in the table would be higher. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the fee table or example below. For information about these charges, fees and expenses, please refer to the applicable contract or policy prospectus.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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

¹​ "Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses" are indirect fees and expenses that the Fund incurs from investing in the shares in the shares of other investment companies. Please note that the amount of Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses shown in the above table may differ from the ratio of expenses to average net assets included in the "Financial Highlights" section of this Prospectus, which reflects the operating expenses of the Fund and does not include indirect expenses such as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.

Example

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same. This Example does not reflect charges, fees or expenses that are, or may be, imposed under your variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy, and would be higher if it did. The Example reflects contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements only for the duration of the current commitment, if applicable. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs. These costs, which are not reflected in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund's performance. As of the end of its most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 72% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus any borrowings for investment purposes (measured at the time of investment) in common stocks, or other investments that FIAM LLC (the "Subadviser") believes have similar economic characteristics, of small- and medium-capitalization companies. The Subadviser defines small- and medium-capitalization companies as companies with market capitalizations similar to companies in the Russell 2500® Index (the "Index") at the time of purchase. Although expected to change frequently, the market capitalization range of the Index was $4 million to $94 billion as of March 31, 2026.

The Subadviser invests principally in common stocks of domestic and foreign small-and medium-capitalization companies that it believes are underpriced yet have attractive growth prospects. A central aspect of the Subadviser's investment discipline is its emphasis on growth and valuation. The Subadviser utilizes a fundamental, bottom-up investment process, which focuses on companies with persistent, above-average earnings growth and strong financial characteristics. The Subadviser's investment process is built on the foundation of the Subadviser's extensive research coverage; the research team meets regularly with company management teams, and maintains active ratings, valuation work, price targets, and investment theses on a large portion of the U.S. small- and medium-capitalization universe. The Subadviser seeks to capture these insights and build an active portfolio of small- and medium-capitalization stocks with competitive growth and financial characteristics at attractive valuations.

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in equity securities of foreign issuers, including American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") and similar investments that are either U.S. dollar-denominated and/or traded on a U.S. stock exchange; as well as non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities traded on a foreign stock exchange.

The Subadviser may choose to sell or reduce position sizes for a number of reasons, including but not limited to: (i) the investment thesis has been realized which leads to less attractive valuation and/or the company has appreciated to a level where it no longer fits within the investment mandate; (ii) the investment case is less compelling than other new or existing ideas in the portfolio; or (iii) the investment thesis is no longer valid, and the stock no longer offers the excess return previously expected.

Principal Investment Risks

The risks summarized below are the principal risks of investing in the Fund. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund.

Market Risk. The financial and securities markets are very volatile and may be affected by political, regulatory, social, economic, and other global market developments and disruptions, including those arising out of geopolitical events, public health emergencies (such as the spread of infectious diseases, pandemics and epidemics), natural disasters, terrorism, and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. These events, or the threat or potential of one or more such events and developments, may negatively affect issuers, industries and markets worldwide and adversely affect the Fund and its investments. The market value of securities in which the Fund invests is based upon the market's perception of value and is not necessarily an objective measure of the securities' value. Changes to the market value of securities in which the Fund invests may be rapid and unpredictable. The price, value or liquidity of the Fund's investments may decline and will fluctuate, sometimes rapidly and unpredictably, in response to general market conditions (such as recessions, inflation, rapid interest rate changes, supply chain disruptions, tariffs and other restrictions on trade, such as sanctions) or other factors. Different sectors of the market, issuers, and security types may react differently to such developments.

Issuer Risk. The Fund's investments may be adversely affected by a number of factors that directly relate to the issuer of securities held by the Fund, such as its earnings prospects and overall financial position. In addition, an issuer in which the Fund invests, or to which it has exposure, may perform poorly because of poor management decisions or other events, conditions, or factors, which could also negatively affect the Fund.

Active Management Risk. The Fund is actively managed by the Subadviser. The Fund may actively and frequently trade portfolio securities, which may lead to higher transaction costs that may negatively affect the Fund's performance. There is no guarantee that the Subadviser's investment techniques, risk analysis, and judgment implemented in making

investment decisions for the Fund will be accurate or will produce the desired outcome. As a result, the Fund may be adversely affected and may underperform its benchmark index or funds with similar investment objectives.

Equity Securities Risk. The price or value of the Fund's investments in a company's equity securities, such as common or preferred stock, may rise or fall rapidly or unpredictably and are subject to real or perceived changes in the company's financial condition and overall market and economic conditions. Equity securities are normally more volatile than fixed-income investments. Common stocks generally represent the riskiest investment in a company and preferred stocks generally rank junior to a company's debt with respect to dividends, which the company may or may not declare.

Small-Capitalization Company Risk. The Fund's investments in small-capitalization companies may involve greater risks than those associated with mid- or large-capitalization companies. The securities issued by small-capitalization companies may be more speculative, less liquid, more volatile, and more vulnerable to economic, market and industry changes than mid- or large-capitalization companies for reasons that may include more limited financial and human resources, relatively short operating histories and limited product lines.

Mid-Capitalization Company Risk. Securities of mid-capitalization companies may be more speculative, volatile and less liquid than securities of large-capitalization companies. Mid-capitalization companies tend to have limited product and market diversification and financial resources, which may negatively affect their performance. In addition, mid-capitalization companies may have less experienced management and be more vulnerable to adverse developments than larger companies.

Sector Risk. To the extent the Fund's investments focus on one or more sectors of the economy, the Fund's performance will be particularly susceptible to conditions and developments relating to such sector(s). In addition, the Fund will be more exposed to price movements affecting companies in such sector(s) than a more broadly invested fund.

Growth Investment Style Risk. Different investment styles tend to perform differently and shift in and out of favor depending on changes in market and economic sentiment and conditions. Securities of "growth" companies may be more volatile than other stocks and may involve special risks. If the Subadviser's perception of a company's growth potential is not realized, the securities purchased may not perform as expected and may be out of favor for an extended period of time, reducing the Fund's returns. Thus, the Fund may underperform other equity funds that employ a different investment style.

Value Investment Style Risk. Different investment styles tend to perform differently and shift in and out of favor depending on changes in market and economic sentiment and conditions. The Fund invests in stocks believed by the Subadviser to be undervalued, but that may not realize their perceived value for extended periods of time or may never realize their perceived value. Thus, the Fund may underperform other equity funds that employ a different investment style.

Depositary Receipts Risk. Depositary receipts, including ADRs, or receipts issued by a bank, reflect ownership of underlying securities issued by foreign companies and involve risks similar to the risks associated with investments in foreign securities. There may be limited information available for depositary receipts, and holders of depositary receipts may have limited voting or other rights. Investments in depositary receipts may be less liquid and more volatile than the underlying securities in their primary trading market.

Foreign Investment and Currency Risk. Foreign investments, or exposure to foreign markets, present greater risks than investing in securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign securities are particularly susceptible to liquidity and valuation risk and may be especially volatile. These investments are subject to additional risks, including: smaller markets; differing reporting, accounting, and auditing standards; nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation; foreign currency fluctuations, currency blockage, or replacement; potential for default on sovereign debt; and political changes or diplomatic developments, which may include the imposition of economic sanctions, tariffs, or other measures by the United States or other governments and supranational organizations. Economic sanctions may be, and have been, imposed against certain countries, organizations, companies, entities and/or individuals. Certain foreign markets may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments (including regional and global, military or other conflicts), the imposition of economic sanctions, changes in international trading patterns, trade barriers (including tariffs) and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. Economic sanctions and other similar governmental actions or developments could, among other things, adversely impact the value and liquidity of the Fund's foreign investments and the Fund's ability to invest in foreign investments and thus make the Fund's investments in such securities less liquid or illiquid. The Fund's foreign investments that are denominated in or provide exposure to a foreign currency may be negatively affected by a decline in the foreign currency's value relative to the U.S. dollar. The value of foreign currencies may fluctuate quickly and significantly and may make the return on an investment increase or decrease, unrelated to the quality or performance of the investment itself. Foreign investments may also be subject to risk of loss

because of more or less foreign government regulation, less public information, and less stringent investor protections and disclosure standards.

Performance

The following information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Fund's performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund's average annual returns for the 1 year and since inception periods compare with those of a broad measure of market performance and an additional index. The Russell 3000® Index serves as the Fund's regulatory index and provides a broad measure of market performance. The Russell 2500 Index is the Fund's additional index and was selected to align more closely with the Fund's investment strategy and portfolio holdings. The Fund's past performance is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available at www.guardianlife.com or by calling the phone number on the back of the Prospectus. Variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy fees, expenses and charges are not reflected in the returns shown in the bar chart and table below. If they were, returns would be less than those shown.

The Fund replaced its subadviser and modified its principal investment strategies as of May 1, 2026. The past performance shown in the bar chart and table below prior to that date reflects the performance of the Fund's prior subadviser and principal investment strategies.

Annual Returns (by calendar year)

Highest Quarterly Return: 12.06% (4th Q 2023)
Lowest Quarterly Return: -15.52% (2nd Q 2022)

Average Annual Total Returns (for the periods ended December 31, 2025)

Management

Park Avenue Institutional Advisers LLC serves as the Fund's manager. FIAM LLC serves as the Fund's subadviser. The following person is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund:

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

The Fund offers its shares only as underlying investment options to variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies issued by The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. ("GIAC"). You choose investment options through your contract or policy. You do not purchase Fund shares directly from, or redeem Fund shares directly with, the Fund. Please refer to your contract or policy prospectus for more information regarding the purchase and sale of Fund shares.

Tax Information

No tax information is provided because the Fund's shareholders are separate accounts of GIAC. For information concerning the tax consequences applicable to your variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy, please refer to your contract or policy prospectus or consult with your tax advisor.

Financial Intermediary Compensation

If you purchase your variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, GIAC, the Fund or their affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of the contract or policy, the selection of the Fund and certain related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the contract or policy over another investment or annuity or insurance product, or to recommend the Fund over another investment option available under the contract or policy. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.

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