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File No. 333-16279
Filed under Rule 424(b)(3)
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Empire PrimElite
Deferred Variable Annuity Prospectus
May 1, 1998
First Golden American Life Insurance Company
of New York
May 1, 1998
Equi-Select Series Trust
May 1, 1998
The GCG Trust
February 27, 1998, as amended March 27, 1998
Travelers Series Fund Inc.
April 30, 1998
Greenwich Street Series Fund Inc.
April 30, 1998
Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series Inc.
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PE-1-NY 5.98
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FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
First Golden American Life Insurance Company of New York is a stock company
domiciled in New York, New York.
DEFERRED COMBINATION VARIABLE AND FIXED ANNUITY PROSPECTUS
EMPIRE PRIMELITE
This prospectus describes individual deferred variable annuity Contracts
(the "Contract") offered by First Golden American Life Insurance Company of
New York ("First Golden," "we," "our" or "us"). The Owner ("you" or "your")
purchases the Contract with an Initial Premium and is permitted to make
additional premium payments.
The Contract is funded by two accounts, Separate Account NY-B ("Account NY-
B") and the Fixed Account (collectively, the "Accounts").
Thirteen divisions of Account NY-B are currently available under the
Contract. The investments currently available through the divisions of Account
NY-B include mutual fund portfolios (the "Series") of the Equi-Select Series
Trust (the "ESS Trust"), Travelers Series Fund Inc. (the "Travelers Series
Fund"), Greenwich Street Series Fund Inc. (the "Greenwich Street Series Fund")
and Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series Inc. (the "Smith Barney Concert
Allocation Series"). Upon obtaining approval of regulatory authorities, the
three currently available Series of the ESS Trust will be replaced by similar
Series of The GCG Trust. The investments available through the Fixed Account
include various Fixed Allocations which we credit with fixed rates of interest
for the Guarantee Periods you select. We currently offer Guarantee Periods
with durations of 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years. We reserve the right at any time to
increase or decrease the number of Guarantee Periods offered. Not all
Guarantee Periods may be available for new allocations.
This prospectus describes the Contract and provides background information
regarding Account NY-B and the Fixed Account. The prospectuses for the ESS
Trust, The GCG Trust, Travelers Series Fund, Greenwich Street Series Fund and
Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series (individually, a "Fund," and
collectively, the "Funds"), which must accompany this prospectus, provide
information regarding investment activities and policies of the Funds.
You may allocate your premiums among the thirteen Divisions and the Fixed
Allocations available under the Contract in any way you choose, subject to
certain restrictions. You may change the allocation of your Accumulation Value
during a Contract Year free of charge. We reserve the right, however, to
assess a charge for each allocation change after the twelfth allocation change
in a Contract Year.
Your Accumulation Value in Account NY-B will vary in accordance with the
investment performance of the Divisions selected by you. Therefore, you bear
the entire investment risk for all amounts allocated to Account NY-B. You also
bear the investment risk with respect to surrenders, partial withdrawals,
transfers and annuitization from a Fixed Allocation prior to the end of the
applicable Guarantee Period. Such surrender, partial withdrawal, transfer or
annuitization may be subject to a Market Value Adjustment, which could have
the effect of either increasing or decreasing your Accumulation Value.
We will pay a death benefit to the Beneficiary if the Owner dies prior to
the Annuity Commencement Date or the Annuitant dies prior to the Annuity
Commencement Date when the Owner is other than an individual.
This prospectus describes your principal rights and limitations and sets
forth the information concerning the Accounts that investors should know
before investing. A Statement of Additional Information, dated May 1, 1998,
about Account NY-B has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") and is available without charge upon request. To obtain a copy of this
document call or write our Customer Service Center. The Table of Contents of
the Statement of Additional Information may be found on the last page of this
prospectus. The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated herein by
reference.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
CONTRACTS AND UNDERLYING SERIES SHARES WHICH FUND THE CONTRACTS ARE NOT
INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY OTHER AGENCY. THEY ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER
OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK AND ARE NOT BANK GUARANTEED. THEY ARE SUBJECT TO
MARKET FLUCTUATION, REINVESTMENT RISK AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTED.
PLEASE READ THIS PROSPECTUS AND KEEP IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. IT IS NOT
VALID UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY THE CURRENT PROSPECTUSES FOR THE ESS TRUST,
TRAVELERS SERIES FUND, GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND, SMITH BARNEY CONCERT
ALLOCATION SERIES AND THE GCG TRUST.
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<S> <C> <C> <C>
ISSUED BY: DISTRIBUTED BY: HOME OFFICE: ADMINISTERED AT:
First Golden American Life Directed Services, Inc. New York, New York Customer Service Center
Insurance Company of New York Wilmington, Delaware Mailing Address:
19801 230 Park Avenue, Suite 966
New York, NY 10169
1-800-963-9539
</TABLE>
PROSPECTUS DATED: MAY 1, 1998
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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PAGE
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DEFINITION OF TERMS........................................................ 1
SUMMARY OF CONTRACT........................................................ 3
FEE TABLE.................................................................. 6
CONDENSED FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION.................................. 10
Financial Statements..................................................... 10
Performance Related Information.......................................... 10
INTRODUCTION............................................................... 12
FACTS ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THE ACCOUNTS................................... 12
First Golden............................................................. 12
The ESS Trust, Travelers Series Fund, Greenwich Street
Series Fund and Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series.................. 12
Separate Account NY-B.................................................... 13
Account NY-B Divisions................................................... 13
Proposed Trust Consolidation............................................. 13
ESS Trust................................................................ 14
The GCG Trust............................................................ 15
Travelers Series Fund.................................................... 15
Greenwich Street Series Fund............................................. 16
Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series................................... 17
Changes Within Account NY-B.............................................. 18
The Fixed Account........................................................ 18
FACTS ABOUT THE CONTRACT................................................... 21
The Owner................................................................ 21
The Annuitant............................................................ 21
The Beneficiary.......................................................... 21
Change of Owner or Beneficiary........................................... 22
Availability of the Contract............................................. 22
Types of Contracts....................................................... 22
Your Right to Select or Change Contract Options.......................... 22
Premiums................................................................. 22
Making Additional Premium Payments....................................... 23
Crediting Premium Payments............................................... 23
Restrictions on Allocation of Premium Payments........................... 24
Your Right to Reallocate................................................. 24
Dollar Cost Averaging.................................................... 25
What Happens if a Division is Not Available.............................. 25
Your Accumulation Value.................................................. 26
Accumulation Value in Each Division...................................... 26
Measurement of Investment Experience..................................... 26
Cash Surrender Value..................................................... 27
Surrendering to Receive the Cash Surrender Value......................... 27
Partial Withdrawals...................................................... 28
Automatic Rebalancing.................................................... 30
Proceeds Payable to the Beneficiary...................................... 30
Death Benefit Options.................................................... 30
Reports to Owners........................................................ 31
When We Make Payments.................................................... 31
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CHARGES AND FEES......................................................... 32
Charge Deduction Division.............................................. 32
Charges Deducted from the Accumulation Value........................... 32
Charges Deducted from the Divisions.................................... 34
Trust Expenses......................................................... 34
CHOOSING YOUR ANNUITIZATION OPTIONS...................................... 34
Annuitization of Your Contract......................................... 34
Annuity Commencement Date Selection.................................... 35
Frequency Selection.................................................... 35
The Annuitization Options.............................................. 35
Payment When Named Person Dies......................................... 36
OTHER CONTRACT PROVISIONS................................................ 36
In Case of Errors in Application Information........................... 36
Contract Changes -- Applicable Tax Law................................. 37
Your Right to Cancel or Exchange Your Contract......................... 37
Other Contract Changes................................................. 37
Group or Sponsored Arrangements........................................ 37
Selling the Contract................................................... 38
REGULATORY INFORMATION................................................... 38
Voting Rights.......................................................... 38
State Regulation....................................................... 38
Legal Proceedings...................................................... 39
Legal Matters.......................................................... 39
Experts................................................................ 39
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF NEW YORK..................................................... 40
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations......................................................... 41
Directors and Executive Officers....................................... 46
FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS............................................... 51
Introduction........................................................... 51
Tax Status of First Golden............................................. 51
Taxation on Non-Qualified Annuities.................................... 51
IRA Contracts and Other Qualified Retirement Plans In General.......... 55
Federal Income Tax Withholding......................................... 59
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF NEW YORK..................................................... 60
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...................................... 79
Table of Contents...................................................... 79
Appendix A............................................................. A-1
Market Value Adjustment Examples....................................... A-1
</TABLE>
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH
SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE. NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN
THIS PROSPECTUS.
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DEFINITION OF TERMS
ACCOUNTS -- Separate Account NY-B and the Fixed Account.
ACCUMULATION VALUE -- The total amount invested under the Contract.
Initially, this amount is equal to the premium paid. Thereafter, the
Accumulation Value will reflect the premiums paid, investment experience of
the Divisions and interest credited to your Fixed Allocations, charges
deducted and any partial withdrawals.
ANNUAL RATCHET ENHANCED DEATH BENEFIT OPTION -- An enhanced death benefit
option that may be elected only at issue and only if the Owner or Annuitant
(when the Owner is other than an individual) is age 79 or younger. The
enhanced death benefit provided by this option is the highest Accumulation
Value on any Contract Anniversary on or prior to the Owner turning age 80, as
adjusted for additional premiums and partial withdrawals.
ANNUITANT -- The person designated by the Owner to be the measuring life in
determining Annuity Payments.
ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE -- The date on which Annuity Payments begin.
ANNUITY OPTIONS -- Options the Owner selects that determine the form and
amount of Annuity Payments.
ANNUITY PAYMENT -- The periodic payment an Owner receives. It may be either
a fixed or a variable amount based on the Annuity Option chosen.
ATTAINED AGE -- The Issue Age of the Owner or Annuitant plus the number of
full years elapsed since the Contract Date.
BENEFICIARY -- The person designated to receive benefits in the case of the
death of the Owner or the Annuitant (when the Owner is other than an
individual).
BUSINESS DAY -- Any day the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for
trading, exclusive of Federal holidays, or any day on which the SEC requires
that mutual funds, unit investment trusts or other investment portfolios be
valued.
CASH SURRENDER VALUE -- The amount the Owner receives upon surrender of the
Contract, including any Market Value Adjustment.
CHARGE DEDUCTION DIVISION -- The Division from which all charges are
deducted if so designated by you. The Charge Deduction Division currently is
the Money Market Division.
CONTINGENT ANNUITANT -- The person designated by the Owner who, upon the
Annuitant's death prior to the Annuity Commencement Date, becomes the
Annuitant.
CONTRACT -- The entire Contract consisting of the basic Contract and any
riders or endorsements.
CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY -- The anniversary of the Contract Date.
CONTRACT DATE -- The date on which we have received the Initial Premium and
upon which we begin determining the Contract values. It may or may not be the
same as the Issue Date. This date is used to determine Contract months,
processing dates, years and anniversaries.
CONTRACT PROCESSING DATES -- The days when we deduct certain charges from
the Accumulation Value. If the Contract Processing Date is not a Valuation
Date, it will be on the next succeeding Valuation Date. The Contract
Processing Dates will be once each year on the Contract Anniversary.
CONTRACT PROCESSING PERIOD -- The first Contract processing period begins
with the Contract Date and ends at the close of business on the first Contract
Processing Date. All subsequent Contract processing periods begin at the close
of business on the most recent Contract Processing Date and extend to the
close of business on the next Contract Processing Date. There is one Contract
processing period each year.
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CONTRACT YEAR -- The period between Contract anniversaries.
CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER -- Where service is provided to you. The mailing
address and telephone number of the Customer Service Center are shown on the
cover.
DIVISIONS -- The investment options available under Account NY-B.
ENDORSEMENTS -- An endorsement changes or adds provisions to the Contract.
EXPERIENCE FACTOR -- The factor which reflects the investment experience of
the portfolio in which a Division invests and also reflects the charges
assessed against the Division for a Valuation Period.
FIXED ACCOUNT -- An Account which contains all of our assets that support
Owner Fixed Allocations and any interest credited thereto.
FIXED ALLOCATION -- An amount allocated to the Fixed Account that is
credited with a Guaranteed Interest Rate for a specified Guarantee Period.
FREE LOOK PERIOD -- The period of time within which the Owner may examine
the Contract and return it for a refund.
GUARANTEED INTEREST RATE -- The effective annual interest rate which we will
credit for a specified Guarantee Period. The Guaranteed Interest Rate will
never be less than 3%.
GUARANTEE PERIOD -- The period of time for which a rate of interest is
guaranteed to be credited to a Fixed Allocation. We currently offer Guarantee
Periods with durations of 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years.
INDEX OF INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE -- The index that measures the performance of
a Division.
INITIAL PREMIUM -- The payment required to put a Contract into effect.
ISSUE AGE -- The Owner's or Annuitant's age on his or her last birthday on
or before the Contract Date.
ISSUE DATE -- The date the Contract is issued at our Customer Service
Center.
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT -- A positive or negative adjustment made to a Fixed
Allocation. It may apply to certain withdrawals and transfers, whether in
whole or in part, and annuitizations of all or part of a Fixed Allocation
prior to the end of a Guarantee Period.
MATURITY DATE -- The date on which a Guarantee Period matures.
OWNER -- The person who owns the Contract and is entitled to exercise all
rights under the Contract. This person's death also initiates payment of the
death benefit.
RIDER -- A rider amends the Contract, in certain instances adding benefits.
SPECIALLY DESIGNATED DIVISION -- The Division to which distributions from a
portfolio underlying a Division in which reinvestment is not available will be
allocated unless you specify otherwise. The Specially Designated Division
currently is the Money Market Division.
STANDARD DEATH BENEFIT OPTION -- The death benefit option that you will
receive under the Contract unless the Annual Ratchet Death Benefit Option is
elected. The death benefit provided by this option is equal to the greatest of
(i) Accumulation Value; (ii) total premium payments less any partial
withdrawals; and (iii) Cash Surrender Value.
VALUATION DATE -- The day at the end of a Valuation Period when each
Division is valued.
VALUATION PERIOD -- Each business day together with any non-business days
before it.
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SUMMARY OF CONTRACT
This prospectus has been designed to provide you with information regarding
the Contract and the Accounts which fund the Contract. Information concerning
the Series underlying the Divisions of Account NY-B and the Fixed Account is
set forth in the Funds' prospectuses.
This summary is intended to provide only a very brief overview of the more
significant aspects of the Contract. Further detail is provided in this
prospectus and in the Contract. The Contract, together with any riders or
endorsements, constitutes the entire agreement between you and us and should
be retained as part of your permanent records.
This prospectus has been designed to provide you with the necessary
information to make a decision on purchasing the Contract. You have a choice
of investments. We do not promise that your Accumulation Value will increase.
Depending on the investment experience of the Divisions and interest credited
to the Fixed Allocations in which you are invested, your Accumulation Value,
Cash Surrender Value and death benefit may increase or decrease on any day.
You bear the investment risk.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT
The Contract is designed to establish retirement benefits for two types of
purchasers. The first type of purchaser is one who is eligible to participate
in, and purchases a Contract for use with, a "qualified plan." A qualified
plan is an individual retirement annuity ("IRA") meeting the requirements of
section 408(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
an individual retirement annuity ("Roth IRA") meeting the requirements of
section 408A of the Code, or some other retirement plan meeting the respective
section of the Code ("qualified plan"). For a Contract funding a qualified
plan, distributions may be made to you to satisfy requirements imposed by
Federal tax law. The second type of purchaser is one who purchases a Contract
outside of a qualified plan ("non-qualified plan").
The Contract also offers a choice of Annuity Options to which you may apply
all or a portion of the Accumulation Value on the annuity commencement date or
the Cash Surrender Value upon surrender of the Contract. See Choosing Your
Annuity Options.
AVAILABILITY
We can issue a Contract if both the Annuitant and the Owner are not older
than age 85 and accept additional premium payments until either the Annuitant
or Owner reaches the Attained Age of 85 for non-qualified plans (age 70 for
qualified plans, except for rollover contributions and contributions to a Roth
IRA). The minimum Initial Premium is $10,000 for a non-qualified plan and
$1,500 for a qualified plan. We may change the minimum initial or additional
premium requirements for certain group or sponsored arrangements. See Other
Contract Provisions, Group or Sponsored Arrangements.
The minimum additional premium payment we will accept is $500 for a non-
qualified plan and $250 for a qualified plan. You must receive our prior
approval before making a premium payment that causes the Accumulation Value of
all annuities that you maintain with us to exceed $1,000,000.
THE DIVISIONS
Each of the thirteen Divisions of Account NY-B offered under this prospectus
invests in a mutual fund portfolio with its own distinct investment objectives
and policies. Each Division of Account NY-B invests in a corresponding Series
of the ESS Trust, managed by Directed Services, Inc. ("DSI") a corresponding
Series of the Travelers Series Fund, managed by Mutual Management Corp.
("MMC"), a corresponding Series of the Greenwich Street Series Fund, managed
by MMC or a corresponding Series of the Smith Barney Concert Allocation
Series, managed by MMC (MMC together with DSI, the "Managers"). Upon obtaining
approval of regulatory authorities, the three currently available Series of
the ESS Trust will be replaced by similar Series of the GCG Trust, also
managed by DSI. The Trusts and the Managers have retained several portfolio
managers to manage the assets of each Series. See Facts About the Company and
the Accounts, Account NY-B Divisions.
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HOW THE ACCUMULATION VALUE VARIES
The Accumulation Value in the Divisions varies each day based on investment
results. You bear the risk of poor investment performance and you receive the
benefits from favorable investment performance. The Accumulation Value also
reflects premium payments, charges deducted and partial withdrawals. See Facts
About the Contract, Accumulation Value in Each Division.
THE FIXED ACCOUNT
The investments available through the Fixed Account include various Fixed
Allocations which we credit with fixed rates of interest for the Guarantee
Periods you select. We reset the interest rates for new Guarantee Periods
periodically based on our sole discretion. We may offer Guarantee Periods from
one to ten years. We currently offer Guarantee Periods with durations of 1, 3,
5, 7 and 10 years.
You bear the investment risk with respect to surrenders, partial
withdrawals, transfers and annuitization from your Fixed Allocations. A
surrender, partial withdrawal, transfer or annuitization made prior to the end
of a Guarantee Period may be subject to a Market Value Adjustment, which could
have the effect of either increasing or decreasing your Accumulation Value. We
will not apply a Market Value Adjustment on a surrender, partial withdrawal,
transfer or annuitization made within 30 days prior to the Maturity Date of
the applicable Guarantee Period or certain transfers made in connection with
the dollar cost averaging program. Systematic withdrawals from a Fixed
Allocation also are not subject to a Market Value Adjustment.
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
We will apply a Market Value Adjustment, subject to certain exceptions, to a
surrender, partial withdrawal, transfer or annuitization from a Fixed
Allocation made prior to the end of a Guarantee Period. The Market Value
Adjustment does not apply to amounts invested in Account NY-B.
SURRENDERING YOUR CONTRACT
You may surrender the Contract and receive its Cash Surrender Value at any
time while both the Annuitant and Owner are living and before the Annuity
Commencement Date. See Facts About the Contract, Cash Surrender Value and
Surrendering to Receive the Cash Surrender Value.
TAKING PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS
After the Free Look Period, prior to the annuity commencement date and while
the Contract is in effect, you may take partial withdrawals from the
Accumulation Value of your Contract. You may elect in advance to take
systematic partial withdrawals on a monthly or quarterly basis. If you have an
IRA Contract, you may elect IRA partial withdrawals on a monthly, quarterly or
annual basis.
Partial withdrawals are subject to certain restrictions as defined in this
prospectus, including a surrender charge and a Market Value Adjustment.
Partial withdrawals above a specified percentage of your Accumulation Value
may be subject to a surrender charge. See Facts About the Contract, Partial
Withdrawals.
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING
Under this program, you may choose to have a specified dollar amount
transferred from either the Money Market Division or a Fixed Allocation with a
one year Guarantee Period to the other Divisions of Account NY-B on a monthly
basis with the objective of shielding your investment from short-term price
fluctuations. See Facts About the Contract, Dollar Cost Averaging.
YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT
You may cancel your Contract within the Free Look Period which is a ten day
period of time beginning once you receive the Contract. For purposes of
administering our allocation and certain other administrative
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rules, we deem this period to end 15 days after the Contract is mailed from
our Customer Service Center. Some states may require that we provide a longer
free look period. In some states we restrict the Initial Premium allocation
during the Free Look Period. See Other Contract Provisions, Your Right to
Cancel or Exchange Your Contract.
YOUR RIGHT TO CHANGE THE CONTRACT
The Contract may be changed to another annuity plan subject to our rules at
the time of the change. See Other Contract Provisions, Other Contract Changes.
DEATH BENEFIT OPTIONS
The Contract provides a death benefit to the beneficiary if the Owner dies
prior to the Annuity Commencement Date. Subject to our rules, there are two
death benefit options that may be available to you under the Contract: the
Standard Death Benefit Option and the Annual Ratchet Enhanced Death Benefit
Option. See Facts About the Contract, Death Benefit Options. We may offer a
reduced death benefit under certain group and sponsored arrangements. See
Other Contract Provisions, Group or Sponsored Arrangements.
DEDUCTIONS FOR CHARGES AND FEES
We invest the entire amount of the initial and any additional premium
payments in the Divisions and the Fixed Allocations you select, subject to
certain restrictions we impose. See Facts About the Contract, Restrictions on
Allocation of Premium Payments. We then may deduct an annual Contract fee from
your Accumulation Value; other charges, including the mortality and expense
risk charge and asset based administrative charge, are deducted from the
Account NY-B Divisions. See Fee Table, Other Contract Provisions, Charges and
Fees. We may reduce certain charges under group or sponsored arrangements. See
Other Contract Provisions, Group or Sponsored Arrangements. Unless you have
elected the Charge Deduction Division, charges are deducted proportionately
from all Account NY-B Divisions in which you are invested. If there is no
Accumulation Value in these Divisions, charges will be deducted from your
Fixed Allocations starting with Guarantee Periods nearest their Maturity Dates
until such charges have been deducted.
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The ultimate effect of Federal income taxes on the amounts held under an
annuity Contract, on Annuity Payments and on the economic benefits to the
Owner, Annuitant or Beneficiary depends on First Golden's tax status and upon
the tax status of the individuals concerned. In general, an Owner is not taxed
on increases in value under an annuity Contract until some form of
distribution is made under it. There may be tax penalties if you make a
withdrawal or surrender the Contract before reaching age 59 1/2. See Federal
Tax Considerations.
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FEE TABLE
TRANSACTION EXPENSES (/1/)
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (/2/) (imposed as a percentage of premium
payments withdrawn upon excess partial withdrawal or surrender): (/3/)
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COMPLETE YEARS ELAPSED SURRENDER
SINCE PREMIUM PAYMENT CHARGE
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0............................................................ 7%
1............................................................ 6%
2............................................................ 5%
3............................................................ 4%
4............................................................ 3%
5............................................................ 2%
6............................................................ 1%
7+........................................................... 0%
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Excess Allocation Charge............................................... $0(/4/)
ANNUAL CONTRACT FEES:
Administrative Charge.................................................. $30
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(Waived if the Accumulation Value equals or exceeds $100,000 at the end of the
Contract Year, or once the sum of premiums paid equals or exceeds $100,000.)
SEPARATE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES (percentage of assets in each
Division): (/5/)
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ENHANCED DEATH
STANDARD BENEFIT
-------- --------------
ANNUAL
RATCHET
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Mortality and Expense Risk Charge.................... 1.10% 1.25%
Asset Based Administrative Charge.................... 0.15% 0.15%
---- ----
Total Separate Account Expenses...................... 1.25% 1.40%
</TABLE>
THE ESS TRUST ANNUAL EXPENSES (prior to Trust Consolidation):
(as a percentage of the Average daily net assets of a Series)
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SERIES CURRENTLY MANAGEMENT OTHER TOTAL
AVAILABLE FEES (/6/) EXPENSES EXPENSES
---------------- ---------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OTC Portfolio.................................. 0.80% 0.19% 0.99%
Research Portfolio............................. 0.80% 0.16% 0.96%
Total Return Portfolio......................... 0.80% 0.17% 0.97%
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THE GCG TRUST ANNUAL EXPENSES
(as a percentage of the average daily net assets of a Series or on the
combined average daily net assets of the indicated groups of Series)
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OTHER EXPENSES TOTAL EXPENSES
SERIES ADDED UPON TRUST MANAGEMENT AFTER EXPENSE AFTER EXPENSE
CONSOLIDATION(/8/) FEES(/6/)(/10/) REIMBURSEMENTS(/7/)(/9/) REIMBURSEMENT(/9/)
----------------------- ----------------- ------------------------ ------------------
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Mid-Cap Growth
Series(/14/)......... 0.96% 0.01% 0.97%
Research Series......... 0.96% 0.00% 0.96%
Total Return Series..... 0.96% 0.01% 0.97%
</TABLE>
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TRAVELERS SERIES FUND EXPENSES:
(as a percentage of the average daily assets of a Series)
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OTHER TOTAL
SERIES FEES EXPENSES EXPENSES
------ ---- -------- --------
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Smith Barney Large Cap Value(/11/)................... 0.65% 0.04% 0.69%
Smith Barney International Equity.................... 0.90% 0.11% 1.01%
Smith Barney High Income............................. 0.60% 0.10% 0.70%
Smith Barney Money Market............................ 0.50% 0.15% 0.65%
</TABLE>
GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND(/12/) EXPENSES:
(as a percentage of the average daily net assets of a Series)
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OTHER TOTAL
SERIES FEES EXPENSES EXPENSES
------ ---- -------- --------
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Appreciation Portfolio.............................. 0.55% 0.25% 0.80%
</TABLE>
SMITH BARNEY CONCERT ALLOCATION SERIES ANNUAL EXPENSES:
(as a percentage of the daily net assets of a Series)
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MANAGEMENT
SERIES FEES OTHER EXPENSES(/13/) TOTAL EXPENSES(/13/)
------ ---------- ---------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Select High Growth Port-
folio.................. 0.35% 0.89% 1.24%
Select Growth Portfo-
lio.................... 0.35% 0.80% 1.15%
Select Balanced Portfo-
lio.................... 0.35% 0.75% 1.10%
Select Conservative
Portfolio.............. 0.35% 0.71% 1.06%
Select Income Portfo-
lio.................... 0.35% 0.65% 1.00%
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) A Market Value Adjustment, which may increase or decrease your
Accumulation Value, may apply to certain transactions. See Market Value
Adjustment.
(2) We also deduct a charge for premium taxes (which can range from 0% to
3.5% of premium) from your Accumulation Value upon surrender, excess
partial withdrawals or on the Annuity Commencement Date. See Premium
Taxes.
(3) For purposes of calculating the surrender charge for the excess partial
withdrawal, (i) we treat premium payments as being withdrawn on a first-
in first-out basis, and (ii) amounts withdrawn which are not considered
an excess partial withdrawal are not treated as a withdrawal of any
premium payments. See Charges Deducted from the Accumulation Value,
Surrender Charge for Excess Partial Withdrawals.
(4) We reserve the right to impose a charge in the future at a maximum of $25
or each allocation change in excess of twelve per Contract Year. See
Excess Allocation Charge.
(5) See Facts About the Contract, Death Benefit Options, for a description of
the Contract's Standard and Annual Ratchet Death Benefit Options.
(6) Fees decline as combined assets increase (see Account NY-B Divisions and
the Trust prospectuses for details).
(7) Other expenses generally consist of independent trustees' fees and
expenses and certain expenses associated with investing in international
markets.
(8) See Proposed Trust Consolidation, for details. Upon Trust Consolidation,
the ESS Trust will cease to exist and The GCG Trust Series, will be
substituted for the ESS Portfolios.
(9) Directed Services, Inc., ("DSI"), the manager of The GCG Trust ("GCG"),
has agreed voluntarily to reimburse expenses and waive management fees,
if necessary, to maintain total expenses at the level shown for the
Research Series. This agreement will remain in place through December 31,
1999, and after that time may be terminated at any time. Without this
agreement and based on current estimates, Total Expenses would be 0.98%
for the Research Series.
7
<PAGE>
(10) After Trust Consolidation, the assets of the Mid-Cap Growth Series
(formerly the OTC Portfolio), the Research Series and the Total Return
Series will be combined to determine the actual fee payable to DSI.
(11) Formerly known as Smith Barney Income and Growth Series.
(12) Formerly known as the Smith Barney Series Fund.
(13) The Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series, Select Portfolios, invest in
the shares of underlying Smith Barney mutual fund shares. Their
management fee is 0.35% and they have no expenses. The "Other Expenses"
shown are based on the expected weighted average of underlying fund
expense ratios (which includes a management fee and other expenses) as of
January 3, 1998. See the Fund Prospectus for information regarding the
equity/fixed income investment target expense ratios for the underlying
funds. Such ratios range from 0.50% to 1.29%.
(14) The OTC Portfolio prior to Trust Consolidation.
EXAMPLES:
The examples do not take into account any deduction for premium taxes.
Premium taxes currently range from 0% to 3.5% of premium payments. There may
be surrender charges if you choose to annuitize within the first three
Contract Years.
If at issue you elect the Annual Ratchet Enhanced Death Benefit Option and
you surrender your Contract at the end of the applicable time period, you
would pay the following expenses for each $1,000 of Initial Premium assuming a
5% annual return on assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIVISIONS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ONE YEAR THREE YEARS FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS
- ----------------------------- -------- ----------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OTC................................. $95.12 $127.21 $161.87 $280.66
Research............................ $94.82 $126.31 $160.36 $277.66
Total Return........................ $94.92 $126.61 $160.86 $278.66
Smith Barney Large Cap Value........ $92.11 $118.15 $146.72 $250.23
Smith Barney International Equity... $95.32 $127.81 $162.87 $282.65
Smith Barney High Income............ $92.21 $118.45 $147.23 $251.26
Smith Barney Money Market........... $91.71 $116.94 $144.68 $246.10
Appreciation........................ $93.22 $121.48 $152.30 $261.50
Select High Growth.................. $97.62 $134.69 $174.31 $305.27
Select Growth....................... $96.72 $132.01 $169.85 $296.49
Select Balanced..................... $96.22 $130.51 $167.36 $291.57
Select Conservative................. $95.82 $129.31 $165.37 $287.62
Select Income....................... $95.22 $127.51 $162.32 $281.65
<CAPTION>
DIVISIONS ADDED UPON TRUST
CONSOLIDATION
- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mid-Cap Growth*..................... $94.92 $126.61 $160.86 $278.66
Research............................ $94.82 $126.31 $160.36 $277.66
Total Return........................ $94.92 $126.61 $160.86 $278.66
</TABLE>
- ------------------
* The OTC Portfolio prior to Trust Consolidation.
8
<PAGE>
If at issue you elect the Annual Ratchet Enhanced Death Benefit Option and
you do not surrender your Contract or if you annuitize on the Annuity
Commencement Date, you would pay the following expenses for each $1,000 of
Initial Premium assuming a 5% annual return on assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DIVISIONS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE ONE YEAR THREE YEARS FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS
- ----------------------------- -------- ----------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OTC................................. $25.12 $77.21 $131.87 $280.66
Research............................ $24.82 $76.31 $130.36 $277.66
Total Return........................ $24.92 $76.61 $130.86 $278.66
Smith Barney Large Cap Value........ $22.11 $68.15 $116.72 $250.23
Smith Barney International Equity... $25.32 $77.81 $132.87 $282.65
Smith Barney High Income............ $22.21 $68.45 $117.23 $251.26
Smith Barney Money Market........... $21.71 $66.94 $114.68 $246.10
Appreciation........................ $23.22 $71.48 $122.30 $261.50
Select High Growth.................. $27.62 $84.69 $144.31 $305.27
Select Growth....................... $26.72 $82.01 $139.85 $296.49
Select Balanced..................... $26.22 $80.51 $137.36 $291.57
Select Conservative................. $25.82 $79.31 $135.37 $287.62
Select Income....................... $25.22 $77.51 $132.37 $281.65
<CAPTION>
DIVISIONS ADDED UPON TRUST
CONSOLIDATION ONE YEAR THREE YEARS FIVE YEARS TEN YEARS
- -------------------------- -------- ----------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mid-Cap Growth*..................... $24.92 $76.61 $130.86 $278.66
Research............................ $24.82 $76.31 $130.36 $277.66
Total Return........................ $24.92 $76.61 $130.86 $278.66
</TABLE>
- ------------------
* The OTC Portfolio prior to Trust Consolidation.
The purpose of the Fee Table is to assist you in understanding the various
costs and expenses that you will bear directly or indirectly. For purposes of
computing the annual per Contract administrative charge, the dollar amounts
shown in the examples are based on an Initial Premium of $33,000.
The examples reflect the election at issue of the Annual Ratchet Enhanced
Death Benefit Option. If the Standard Death Benefit Option is elected, the
actual expenses incurred will be less than those represented in the Examples.
THIS EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE
EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN, SUBJECT TO
THE GUARANTEES UNDER THE CONTRACT.
9
<PAGE>
CONDENSED FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION
INDEX OF INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE
The following table gives the index of investment experience for each
Division of Account NY-B available under the Contract for each death benefit
option. The Divisions became available on May 6, 1997 and started with the
index of investment experience as shown below. The index of investment
experience is equal to the value of a unit for each Division of the Account.
The total investment value of each Division as of the end of 1997 is shown in
the right hand columns.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL INVESTMENT VALUE
INDEX OF INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE IN THOUSANDS
------------------------------- -------------------------
ANNUAL ANNUAL
STANDARD RATCHET STANDARD RATCHET
--------------- --------------- ----------- -----------
DIVISION 5/6/97 12/31/97 5/6/97 12/31/97 12/31/97 12/31/97
- -------- ------ -------- ------ -------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OTC..................... $15.76 $18.64 $15.68 $18.52 $ 26 $ 43
Research................ $16.72 $18.95 $16.66 $18.87 $ 76 $174
Total Return............ $14.36 $16.18 $14.31 $16.10 $ 39 $191
Large Cap Value......... $15.64 $17.84 $15.60 $17.77 $ 78 $256
International Equity.... $13.79 $13.65 $13.75 $13.59 $ 14 $ 68
High Income............. $12.53 $13.77 $12.49 $13.72 $ 26 $ 28
Money Market............ $10.75 $11.02 $10.71 $10.97 $179 $402
Appreciation............ $12.35 $14.05 $12.33 $14.01 $131 $225
Select High Growth...... $ 9.96 $10.89 $ 9.95 $10.87 -- $210
Select Growth........... $10.04 $11.06 $10.03 $11.05 $ 4 $697
Select Balanced......... $10.21 $11.07 $10.20 $11.06 $307 $294
Select Conservative..... $10.19 $11.08 $10.18 $11.07 $363 --
Select Income........... $10.19 $11.04 $10.18 $11.03 -- --
</TABLE>
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The audited financial statements of Separate Account NY-B for the year ended
December 31, 1997 (as well as the auditors' report thereon) appear in the
Statement of Additional Information. The audited financial statements of First
Golden prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996 (as well as the auditors'
report thereon) are contained in the Prospectus.
PERFORMANCE RELATED INFORMATION
Performance information for the Divisions of Account NY-B, including the
yields, standard annual total returns and other nonstandard measures of
performance may appear in reports and promotional literature to current or
prospective Owners. Such performance data will be computed, or accompanied by
performance data computed, in accordance with standards defined by the SEC.
Current yield for the Money Market Division will be based on income received
by a hypothetical investment over a given 7-day period (less expenses accrued
during the period), and then "annualized" (i.e., assuming that the 7-day yield
would be received for 52 weeks, stated in terms of an annual percentage return
on the investment). "Effective yield" for the Money Market Division is
calculated in a manner similar to that used to calculate yield, but when
annualized, the income earned by the investment is assumed to be reinvested.
The "effective yield" will be slightly higher than the "yield" because of the
compounding effect of earnings.
For the remaining Divisions, quotations of yield will be based on all
investment income per unit (Accumulation Value divided by the index of
investment experience, see Facts About the Contract, Measurement of Investment
Experience, Index of Investment Experience and Unit Value) earned during a
given 30-day period, less expenses accrued during the period ("net investment
income"). Quotations of average annual total return
10
<PAGE>
for any Division will be expressed in terms of the average annual compounded
rate of return on a hypothetical investment in a Contract over a period of
one, five, and ten years (or, if less, up to the life of the Division), and
will reflect the deduction of the applicable surrender charge, the
administrative charge and the applicable mortality and expense risk charge.
See Charges and Fees. Quotations of total return may simultaneously be shown
for other periods that do not take into account certain contractual charges,
such as the surrender charge.
Performance information for a Division may be compared, in reports and
promotional literature, to: (i) the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index ("S&P
500"), Dow Jones Industrial Average ("DJIA"), Donoghue Money Market
Institutional Averages, or other indices measuring performance of a pertinent
group of securities so that investors may compare a Division's results with
those of a group of securities widely regarded by investors as representative
of the securities markets in general; (ii) other variable annuity separate
accounts or other investment products tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, a
widely used independent research firm which ranks mutual funds and other
investment companies by overall performance, investment objectives, and
assets, or tracked by other ratings services, including VARDS, companies,
publications, or persons who rank separate accounts or other investment
products on overall performance or other criteria; and (iii) the Consumer
Price Index (measure for inflation) to assess the real rate of return from an
investment in the Contract. Unmanaged indices may assume the reinvestment of
dividends but generally do not reflect deductions for administrative and
management costs and expenses.
Performance information for any Division reflects only the performance of a
hypothetical Contract under which the Accumulation Value is allocated to a
Division during a particular time period on which the calculations are based.
Performance information should be considered in light of the investment
objectives and policies, characteristics and quality of the portfolio of the
Series of the respective Fund in which the Division invests and the market
conditions during the given time period, and should not be considered as a
representation of what may be achieved in the future. For a description of the
methods used to determine yield and total return for the Divisions, see the
Statement of Additional Information.
Reports and promotional literature may also contain other information
including the ranking of any Division derived from rankings of variable
annuity separate accounts or other investment products tracked by Lipper
Analytical Services or by rating services, companies, publications, or other
persons who rank separate accounts or other investment products on overall
performance or other criteria. First Golden may, from time to time, include in
its advertising and sales materials, tax deferred compounding charts and other
hypothetical illustrations, which may include comparisons of currently taxable
and tax deferred investment programs, based on selected tax brackets.
11
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION
The following information describes the Contract and the Accounts which fund
the Contract, Account NY-B and the Fixed Account. Account NY-B invests in
mutual fund portfolios of the Funds. The Fixed Account contains all of the
assets that support Owner Fixed Allocations which we credit with Guaranteed
Interest Rates for the Guarantee Periods you select.
FACTS ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THE ACCOUNTS
FIRST GOLDEN
First Golden American Life Insurance Company of New York ("First Golden" or
the "Company") is a stock life insurance company organized under the laws of
the State of New York. First Golden is a wholly owned subsidiary of Golden
American Life Insurance Company ("Golden American"). Golden American, in turn,
is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Equitable of Iowa Companies, Inc.
("Equitable of Iowa") which, in turn, is a wholly owned subsidiary of ING
Groep, N.V. ("ING"). First Golden is authorized to do business in the states
of New York and Delaware. First Golden offers variable annuities.
Equitable of Iowa is the holding company for Equitable Life Insurance
Company of Iowa, USG Annuity & Life Company, Locust Street Securities, Inc.,
Equitable American Insurance Company, Directed Services, Inc. ("DSI"), and
Golden American. On October 24, 1997, ING acquired all interest in Equitable
of Iowa and its subsidiaries, including First Golden. ING, based in the
Netherlands, is a global financial services holding company with over $307
billion in assets.
THE ESS TRUST, TRAVELERS SERIES FUND, GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND AND SMITH
BARNEY CONCERT ALLOCATION SERIES
The Travelers Series Fund, the Greenwich Street Series Fund and the Smith
Barney Concert Allocation Series are open-end management investment companies,
more commonly called mutual funds. The Travelers Series Fund and the Greenwich
Street Series Fund shares may also be available to other separate accounts
funding variable insurance products offered by First Golden. This is called
"mixed funding."
The Travelers Series Fund, the Greenwich Street Series Fund and the Smith
Barney Concert Allocation Series may also sell their shares to separate
accounts of other insurance companies, both affiliated and not affiliated with
First Golden. This is called "shared funding." Although we do not anticipate
any inherent difficulties arising from either mixed or shared funding, it is
theoretically possible that, due to differences in tax treatment or other
considerations, the interest of Owners of various Contracts participating in
the Travelers Series Fund or the Greenwich Street Series Fund might at
sometime be in conflict. The Boards of the Travelers Series Fund, the
Greenwich Street Series Fund and the Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series
and we and any other insurance companies participating in the Travelers Series
Fund, the Greenwich Street Series Fund or the Smith Barney Concert Allocation
Series are required to monitor events to identify any material conflicts that
arise from the use of the Travelers Series Fund, the Greenwich Street Series
Fund or the Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series for mixed and/or shared
funding or between various policy Owners and pension and retirement plans. For
more information about the risks of mixed and shared funding, please refer to
the Travelers Series Fund, the Greenwich Street Series Fund and the Smith
Barney Concert Allocation Series prospectuses.
The ESS Trust is also an open-end management investment company. Currently,
the ESS Trust's shares are not available to separate accounts of other
insurance companies except affiliated insurance companies such as First
Golden.
You will find complete information about the ESS Trust, the Travelers Series
Fund, the Greenwich Street Series Fund, the Smith Barney Concert Allocation
Series and The GCG Trust, including the risks associated with each Series, in
the accompanying Funds' prospectuses. You should read them carefully in
conjunction with this
12
<PAGE>
prospectus before investing. Additional copies of the Funds' prospectuses may
be obtained by contacting our Customer Service Center.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT NY-B
All obligations under the Contract are general obligations of First Golden.
Account NY-B is a separate investment account used to support our variable
annuity Contracts and for other purposes as permitted by applicable laws and
regulations. The assets of Account NY-B are kept separate from our general
account and any other separate accounts we may have. We may offer other
variable annuity Contracts investing in Account NY-B which are not discussed
in this prospectus. Account NY-B may also invest in other series which are not
available to the Contract described in this prospectus.
We own all the assets in Account NY-B. Income and realized and unrealized
gains or losses from assets in the account are credited to or charged against
that account without regard to other income, gains or losses in our other
investment accounts. As required, the assets in Account NY-B are at least
equal to the reserves and other liabilities of that account. These assets may
not be charged with liabilities from any other business we conduct.
They may, however, be subject to liabilities arising from Divisions whose
assets are attributable to other variable annuity Contracts supported by
Account NY-B. If the assets exceed the required reserves and other
liabilities, we may transfer the excess to our general account.
Account NY-B was established on June 13, 1996 to invest in mutual funds,
unit investment trusts or other investment portfolios which we determine to be
suitable for the Contract's purposes. Account NY-B is treated as a unit
investment trust under Federal securities laws. It is registered with the SEC
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") as an investment
company and meets the definition of a separate account under the Federal
securities laws. It is governed by the laws of the state of New York, our
state of domicile. Registration with the SEC does not involve any supervision
by the SEC of the management or investment policies or practices of Account
NY-B.
ACCOUNT NY-B DIVISIONS
Account NY-B is divided into Divisions. Currently, each Division of Account
NY-B offered under this prospectus invests in a portfolio of the ESS Trust,
Travelers Series Fund, Greenwich Street Series Fund or the Smith Barney
Concert Allocation Series. DSI serves as the Manager to each Series of the ESS
Trust, MMC serves as Manager to each Series of the Travelers Series Fund and
the Greenwich Street Series Fund and MMC also serves as Manager to each Series
of the Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series. MMC was formerly known as Smith
Barney Mutual Funds Management, Inc. See the Funds' prospectuses for details.
The ESS Trust and DSI have retained several portfolio managers to manage the
assets of each Series of the Trust. There may be restrictions on the amount of
the allocation to certain Divisions based on state laws and regulations. The
investment objectives of the various Series in the Funds are described below.
There is no guarantee that any portfolio or Series will meet its investment
objectives. Meeting objectives depends on various factors, including, in
certain cases, how well the portfolio managers anticipate changing economic
and market conditions.
DSI and MMC provide the overall business management and administrative
services necessary for the Series' operation and provide or procure the
services and information necessary to the proper conduct of the business of
the Series. See the Funds' prospectuses for details.
Each Fund pays its respective Manager for its services a fee, payable
monthly, based on the annual rates of the average daily net assets of the
Series shown in the fee tables. DSI (and not the Fund) pays each portfolio
manager a monthly fee for managing the assets of the Series.
PROPOSED TRUST CONSOLIDATION
The ESS Trust has been established as one of the funding vehicles for the
Contracts offered. The ESS Trust is an open-end management company and since
January 1, 1998 has been managed by DSI, which is a wholly
13
<PAGE>
owned subsidiary of Equitable of Iowa. DSI also manages The GCG Trust ("GCG"),
which is also an open-end management company. From its inception through
December 31, 1997, the ESS Trust was managed by Equitable Investment Services,
Inc., an affiliate of DSI. In an effort to consolidate the operations of GCG
and the ESS Trust ("Trust Consolidation"), the affiliated insurance companies
of Equitable of Iowa (the "Companies") filed an application with the
Securities and Exchange Commission requesting permission via an order to
substitute shares of each Series of the ESS Trust with shares of similar
Series of GCG (the "Substitution"). The table below identifies the ESS Trust
Portfolios currently available under the contract and The GCG Trust Series
substituted for each. The Substitution of shares will reduce operating
expenses and create larger economies of scale from which a further reduction
of expenses is anticipated. Contact Owners will benefit directly from any
reduction of Trust expenses in Series offered by the Contract. CONTRACT OWNERS
WILL NOT BEAR ANY EXPENSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SUBSTITUTION.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQUI-SELECT SERIES
TRUST REPLACED THE GCG TRUST SUBSTITUTE
PORTFOLIO SERIES
------------------ ------------------------
<S> <C>
OTC Portfolio Mid-Cap Growth Series
Research Portfolio Research Series
Total Return Portfolio Total Return Series
</TABLE>
Upon obtaining the requested order for substitution from the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and subject to any required prior approval by applicable
insurance authorities, the Companies will effect the Substitution by
simultaneously placing an order for each Investment Option to redeem the
shares of the Series (which may also be referred to as a Portfolio) of the ESS
Trust and an order for each Division to purchase shares of the designated
respective Series of GCG. After the Trust Consolidation has occurred, the
Customer Service Center will send affected Contract Owners a notice within
five days.
ESS TRUST
The Trust is intended to meet differing investment objectives with its
currently available separate Portfolios. DSI has retained a Sub-Adviser for
the OTC, Research and Total Return Portfolios to make investment decisions and
place orders. The Sub-Adviser for the Portfolios is Massachusetts Financial
Services Company. See "Management of the Trust" in the ESS Trust Prospectus,
which accompanies this Prospectus, for additional information concerning DSI
and the Sub-Adviser, including a description of advisory and sub-advisory
fees. Purchasers should read this Prospectus and the Prospectus for the Trust
carefully before investing.
While a brief summary of the investment objectives of the currently
available Portfolios is set forth below, more comprehensive information,
including a discussion of potential risks, is found in the current Prospectus
for the ESS Trust which is included with this Prospectus. Additional
Prospectuses and the Statement of Additional Information can be obtained by
calling or writing the Company's Administrative Office.
The investment objectives of the currently available Portfolios are as
follows:
OTC PORTFOLIO. The investment objective of the OTC Portfolio is to seek to
obtain long-term growth of capital. The Portfolio seeks to achieve its
objective by investing at least 65% of its total assets, under normal
circumstances, in securities principally traded on the over-the-counter (OTC)
securities market. At the time of Trust Consolidation, shares of the OTC
Portfolio will be replaced by shares of the Mid-Cap Growth Series of GCG.
RESEARCH PORTFOLIO. The Research Portfolio seeks to provide long-term growth
of capital and future income by investing a substantial portion of its assets
in the common stocks or securities convertible into common stocks of companies
believed to possess better than average prospects for long-term growth. A
smaller proportion of the assets may be invested in bonds, short- term
obligations, preferred stocks or common stocks whose principal characteristic
is income production rather than growth. The portfolio securities of the
Research Portfolio are selected by the investment research analysts in the
Equity Research Group of the Sub-Adviser. The
14
<PAGE>
Portfolio's assets are allocated to industry groups (e.g. within the health
care sector, the managed care, drug and medical supply industries). The
allocation by sector and industry is determined by the analysts acting
together as a group. At the time of Trust Consolidation, shares of the
Research Portfolio will be replaced by shares of the Research Series of GCG.
TOTAL RETURN PORTFOLIO. The Total Return Portfolio primarily seeks to obtain
above-average income (compared to a portfolio entirely invested in equity
securities) consistent with the prudent employment of capital. While current
income is the primary objective, the Portfolio believes that there should also
be a reasonable opportunity for growth of capital and income since many
securities offering a better than average yield may also possess growth
potential. Generally, at least 40% of the Portfolio's assets will be invested
in equity securities. At the time of Trust Consolidation, shares of the Total
Return Portfolio will be replaced by shares of the Total Return Series of GCG.
THE GCG TRUST
As part of Trust Consolidation, the OTC, Research and Total Return
Portfolios of the ESS Trust will be respectively replaced by shares of the
following GCG Series:
MID-CAP GROWTH SERIES. The Mid-Cap Growth Series seeks long-term growth of
capital by investing primarily in securities of companies that are traded
principally on the over-the-counter ("OTC") market. The Portfolio Manager to
the GCG Mid-Cap Growth Series is Massachusetts Financial Services Company.
RESEARCH SERIES. The Research Series seeks long-term growth of capital and
future income. The Series seeks to achieve these objectives by investing
primarily in common stocks or securities convertible into common stocks of
companies believed to possess better than average prospects for long-term
growth. The Portfolio Manager to the GCG Research Series is Massachusetts
Financial Services Company.
TOTAL RETURN SERIES. The Total Return Series seeks above average income
consistent with prudent employment of capital. The Series seeks to achieve its
objective by investing primarily in equity securities. The Portfolio Manager
to the GCG Total Return Series is Massachusetts Financial Services Company.
The GCG Trust's shares may also be available to certain separate accounts
funding variable life insurance policies. This is called "mixed funding." The
GCG Trust may also sell its shares to separate accounts of other insurance
companies, both affiliated and not affiliated with First Golden. This is
called "shared funding." After The GCG Trust receives the requisite order from
the SEC, shares of The GCG Trust may also be sold to certain qualified plans
and retirement plans. First Golden does not anticipate any inherent
difficulties arising from the mixed and/or shared funding or sales to pension
or retirement plans by The GCG Trust. However, there is a possibility that due
to differences in tax treatment or other considerations, the interests of
owners of various contracts participating in The GCG Trust may conflict. The
Board of Trustees of The GCG Trust, DSI and we and any other insurance
companies participating in the Trust are required to monitor events in order
to identify any material conflicts that arise from the use of The GCG Trust
for mixed and/or shared funding between various policy owners and pension and
retirement plans. In the event of a material conflict, the Company will take
the necessary steps including removing the Separate Account from The GCG
Trust, to resolve the matter.
While a brief summary of the investment objectives of the Series that will
be available upon Trust Consolidation is set forth above, more comprehensive
information, including a discussion of potential risks, is found in the
current Prospectus for The GCG Trust, which is included in this prospectus.
Additional Prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information can be
obtained by calling or writing the Company's Administrative Office.
TRAVELERS SERIES FUND
The Travelers Series Fund is an investment company underlying certain
variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts. The Fund is managed by
MMC. MMC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Salomon Smith
15
<PAGE>
Barney Holdings Inc. Solomon Smith Barney Holdings Inc. is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Travelers Group Inc., which is a financial services holding
company engaged, through its subsidiaries, principally in four business
segments: investment services, including asset management, consumer finance
services, life insurance services and property & casualty insurance services.
While a brief summary of the investment objectives is set forth below, more
comprehensive information, including a discussion of potential risks, is found
in the current Prospectus for the Fund, which is included with this
Prospectus. Additional Prospectuses and the Statement of Additional
Information can be obtained by calling or writing the Company's Administrative
Office.
The Fund is intended to meet differing investment objectives with its
currently available separate Portfolios.
The investment objectives of the Portfolios are as follows:
LARGE CAP VALUE PORTFOLIO. The Large Cap Value Portfolio, formerly known as
the Smith Barney Income and Growth Portfolio, seeks current income and long-
term growth of income and capital by investing primarily, but not exclusively,
in common stocks. The Portfolio invests primarily in common stocks offering a
current return from dividends and in interest-paying debt obligations (such as
U.S. Government Securities, investment grade bonds and debentures) and high
quality short-term debt obligations (such as commercial paper and repurchase
agreements collateralized by U.S. Government Securities with broker/dealers or
other financial institutions.)
INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO. The International Equity Portfolio seeks
total return on its assets from growth of capital and income. The Portfolio
seeks to achieve its objective by investing at least 65% of its assets in a
diversified portfolio of equity securities of established non-U.S. issuers.
Investing in foreign securities generally involves risks not ordinarily
associated with investing in securities of domestic issuers. Purchasers are
cautioned to read "Special Investment Techniques and Risk Considerations--
Foreign Securities" in the Fund Prospectus.
HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO. The High Income Portfolio seeks high current income.
Capital appreciation is a secondary objective. The Portfolio seeks to achieve
its investment objectives by investing, under normal circumstances, at least
65% of its assets in high-yielding corporate debt obligations and preferred
stock. The Portfolio invests significantly in lower rated and unrated
corporate debt securities, commonly known as "junk bonds" and involve a
significant degree of risk. (See "The Fund's Investment Program--Smith Barney
High Income Portfolio" in the Fund Prospectus.) Prior to investing in this
Portfolio, Contact owners are cautioned to read the section entitled "Special
Investment Techniques and Risk Considerations--Lower-Quality and Non-Rated
Securities" in the Fund Prospectus. The Portfolio may invest up to 20% of its
assets in the securities of foreign issuers that are denominated in currencies
other than the U.S. dollar and may invest without limitation in securities of
foreign issuers that are denominated in U.S. dollars. Investing in foreign
securities generally involves risks not ordinarily associated with investing
in securities of domestic issuers. Contract owners are cautioned to read
"Special Investment Techniques and Risk Considerations--Foreign Securities" in
the Fund Prospectus.
MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO. The Money Market Portfolio seeks maximum current
income and preservation of capital. The Portfolio seeks to achieve its
objectives by investing in bank obligations and high quality commercial paper,
corporate obligations and municipal obligations, in addition to U.S.
Government Securities and related repurchase agreements. An investment in this
Portfolio is neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. In
addition, there is no assurance that the Portfolio will be able to maintain a
stable net asset value of $1.00 per share on a continuous basis.
GREENWICH STREET SERIES FUND
The Greenwich Street Series Fund, formerly known as the Smith Barney Series
Fund, is a diversified, open-end management investment company. MMC is the
investment adviser to the Appreciation Portfolio (see "Travelers Series Fund"
above information pertaining to MMC).
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The Greenwich Street Series Fund has ten Portfolios, one of which is
currently available in connection with the Contracts. While a brief summary of
the investment objective is set forth below, more comprehensive information,
including a discussion of potential risks, is found in the current Prospectus
for Greenwich Street Series Fund, which is included with this Prospectus.
Additional Prospectuses and the Statement of Additional Information can be
obtained by calling or writing the Company's Administrative Office.
The investment objective of the Portfolio is as follows:
APPRECIATION PORTFOLIO. The Appreciation Portfolio's goal is long-term
appreciation of capital. The Portfolio will attempt to achieve its goal by
investing primarily in equity and equity-related securities that are believed
to afford attractive opportunities for appreciation. Under normal market
conditions, substantially all--but not less than 65%--of the Portfolio's
assets will consist of common stocks, but the Portfolio also may hold
securities convertible into common stocks and warrants.
SMITH BARNEY CONCERT ALLOCATION SERIES
Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series is an open-end, non-diversified
management investment company. MMC serves as investment manager to each
portfolio in the Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series (the "Select
Portfolios"). MMC is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Travelers Group
Inc. Each Select Portfolio of Concert Series seeks to achieve its investment
objective by investing in a diverse mix of "Underlying Smith Barney Funds"
("fund of funds" structure), which consist of open-end management investment
companies or series thereof for which Smith Barney Inc. ("Smith Barney") now
or in the future acts as principal underwriter or for which Smith Barney, MMC,
Travelers Investment Management Company ("TIMC") or Smith Barney Strategy
Advisers Inc. now or in the future acts as investment adviser. See the
Prospectus for the Select Portfolios of Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series
for more information concerning the fund of funds structure. The fund of funds
structure is different from the investment structure of most investment
options available for a variable annuity contract. Such a structure involves
additional income tax risks (see "Federal Tax Considerations").
The assets of each Select Portfolio are invested in certain Underlying Smith
Barney Funds, thus each Select Portfolio's performance is directly related to
the investment performance of the Underlying Smith Barney Funds held.
The investment objectives of the Select Portfolios are as follows:
SELECT HIGH GROWTH PORTFOLIO. The Select High Growth Portfolio's investment
objective is to seek capital appreciation.
SELECT GROWTH PORTFOLIO. The Select Growth Portfolio's investment objective
is to seek long-term growth of capital.
SELECT BALANCED PORTFOLIO. The Select Balanced Portfolio's investment
objective is to seek a balance of growth of capital and income.
SELECT CONSERVATIVE PORTFOLIO. The Select Conservative Portfolio's
investment objective is to seek income and, secondarily, long-term growth of
capital.
SELECT INCOME PORTFOLIO. The Select Income Portfolio's investment objective
is to seek high current income.
While a brief summary of the investment objectives of the Portfolios of ESS
Trust, The GCG Trust, Travelers Series Fund, Greenwich Street Series Fund and
Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series are set forth above, more comprehensive
information, including a discussion of potential risks, is found in the
current Prospectuses for each of the Funds, which are included with this
Prospectus. Additional Prospectuses and the
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Statements of Additional Information can be obtained by calling the Customer
Service Center or writing. Purchasers should read the Prospectuses carefully
before investing.
CHANGES WITHIN ACCOUNT NY-B
We may from time to time make additional Divisions available. These
Divisions will invest in investment portfolios we find suitable for the
Contract. We also have the right to eliminate investment Divisions from
Account NY-B, to combine two or more Divisions, or to substitute a new
portfolio for the portfolio in which a Division invests. A substitution may
become necessary if, in our judgment, a portfolio no longer suits the purposes
of the Contract. This may happen due to a change in laws or regulations, or a
change in a portfolio's investment objectives or restrictions, or because the
portfolio is no longer available for investment, or for some other reason. In
addition, we reserve the right to transfer assets of Account NY-B, which we
determine to be associated with the class of Contracts to which your Contract
belongs, to another account. If necessary, we will get prior approval from the
insurance department of our state of domicile before making such a
substitution or transfer. We will also get any required approval from the SEC
and any other required approvals before making such a substitution or
transfer. We will notify you as soon as practicable of any proposed changes.
When permitted by law, We reserve the right to:
(1) deregister Account NY-B under the 1940 Act;
(2) operate Account NY-B as a management company under the 1940 Act if it
is operating as a unit investment trust;
(3) restrict or eliminate any voting rights as to Account NY-B; and
(4) combine Account NY-B with other accounts.
THE FIXED ACCOUNT
Premium payments may be allocated to the Fixed Account at the time of the
Initial Premium payment or as subsequently made. In addition, all or part of
your Accumulation Value may be transferred to the Fixed Account. Assets
supporting amounts allocated to the Fixed Account are available to fund the
claims of all classes of our customers, Owners and other creditors. Interests
under your Contract relating to the Fixed Account are registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, but the Fixed Account is not registered under the 1940
Act.
SELECTING A GUARANTEE PERIOD
You may select one or more Fixed Allocations with specified Guarantee
Periods for investment. We currently offer Guarantee Periods with durations of
1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 years. We reserve the right at any time to decrease or
increase the number of Guarantee Periods offered. Not all Guarantee Periods
may be available for new allocations. Each Fixed Allocation will have a
Maturity Date corresponding to the last day of the calendar month of the
applicable Guarantee Period.
Your Accumulation Value in the Fixed Account equals the sum of your Fixed
Allocations plus the interest credited thereto, as adjusted for any partial
withdrawals, reallocations or other charges we may impose. Your Fixed
Allocation will be credited with the Guaranteed Interest Rate in effect on the
date we receive and accept your premium or reallocation of Accumulation Value.
The Guaranteed Interest Rate will be credited daily to yield the quoted
Guaranteed Interest Rate.
GUARANTEED INTEREST RATES
Each Guarantee Period will have an interest rate that is guaranteed. We do
not have a specific formula for establishing the Guaranteed Interest Rates for
the different Guarantee Periods. The determination made will be influenced by,
but not necessarily correspond to, interest rates available on fixed income
investments which we may acquire with the amounts we receive as premium
payments or reallocations of Accumulation Value under
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the Contracts. These amounts will be invested primarily in investment-grade
fixed income securities including: securities issued by the United States
Government or its agencies or instrumentalities, which issues may or may not
be guaranteed by the United States Government; debt securities that have an
investment grade rating, at the time of purchase, within the four highest
grades assigned by Moody's Investor Services, Inc. (Aaa, Aa, A or Baa),
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a Division of McGraw Hill, Cos., Inc.
(AAA, AA, A or BBB) or any other nationally recognized rating service;
mortgage-backed securities collateralized by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Association, the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Government
National Mortgage Association, or that have an investment grade rating at the
time of purchase within the four highest grades described above; other debt
investments; commercial paper; and cash or cash equivalents. You will have no
direct or indirect interest in these investments. We will also consider other
factors in determining the Guaranteed Interest Rates, including regulatory and
tax requirements, sales commissions and administrative expenses borne by us,
general economic trends and competitive factors. We cannot predict or
guarantee the level of future interest rates. However, no Fixed Allocation
will ever have a Guaranteed Interest Rate of less than 3% per year.
While the foregoing generally describes our investment strategy with respect
to the Fixed Account, we are not obligated to invest according to any
particular strategy, except as may be required by New York and other state
insurance laws.
TRANSFERS FROM A FIXED ALLOCATION
You may transfer your Accumulation Value from a Fixed Allocation to one or
more new Fixed Allocations with new Guarantee Periods of any length offered by
us or to the Divisions of Account NY-B. Unless you specify in writing the
Fixed Allocations from which such transfers will be made, we will transfer
amounts from the Fixed Allocations starting with the Guarantee Period nearest
its Maturity Date, until we have honored your transfer request.
Transfers from a Fixed Allocation made within 30 days prior to the Maturity
Date of the applicable Guarantee Period or pursuant to the dollar cost
averaging program will not be subject to a Market Value Adjustment. All other
transfers from your Fixed Allocations will be subject to a Market Value
Adjustment. The minimum amount that can be transferred to or from any Fixed
Allocation is $250. If a transfer request would reduce the Accumulation Value
remaining in your Fixed Allocation to less than $250, we will treat such
transfer request as a request to transfer the entire Accumulation Value in
such Fixed Allocation.
At the end of a Fixed Allocation's Guarantee Period, you may transfer
amounts in that Fixed Allocation to the Divisions and one or more new Fixed
Allocations with Guarantee Periods of any length then offered by us. You may
not, however, transfer amounts to any Fixed Allocation with a Guarantee Period
that extends beyond your Annuity Commencement Date.
At least 30 calendar days prior to a Maturity Date of any of your Fixed
Allocations, or earlier if required by state law, we will send you a notice of
the Guarantee Periods then available. Prior to the Maturity Date of your Fixed
Allocations you must notify us as to which Division or new Guarantee Period
you have selected. If timely instructions are not received, we will transfer
your Accumulation Value in the maturing Fixed Allocation to a Fixed Allocation
with a Guarantee Period equal in length to the expiring Guarantee Period. If
such Guarantee Period is not available or extends beyond your annuity
commencement date, we will transfer your Accumulation Value in the maturing
Fixed Allocation to the next shortest Guarantee Period which does not extend
beyond the Annuity Commencement Date. If no such Guarantee Period is
available, we will transfer your Accumulation Value to the Specially
Designated Division.
PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS FROM A FIXED ALLOCATION
Prior to the Annuity Commencement Date and while your Contract is in effect,
you may take partial withdrawals from the Accumulation Value in a Fixed
Allocation by sending satisfactory notice to our Customer Service Center. You
may make systematic withdrawals of interest earnings only from a Fixed
Allocation under our Systematic Partial Withdrawal Option. (See Partial
Withdrawals, Systematic Partial Withdrawal Option.)
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Systematic withdrawals from a Fixed Allocation are not permitted if such Fixed
Allocation participates in the dollar cost averaging program. Withdrawals from
a Fixed Allocation taken within 30 days prior to the Maturity Date and
systematic withdrawals are not subject to a Market Value Adjustment; however,
a surrender charge may be imposed. Withdrawals may have federal income tax
consequences, including a 10% penalty tax. See Surrender Charge, Surrender
Charge for Excess Partial Withdrawals and Federal Tax Considerations.
If you specify a Fixed Allocation from which your partial withdrawal will be
made, we will assess the partial withdrawal against that Fixed Allocation. If
you do not specify the investment option from which the partial withdrawal
will be taken, we will not assess your partial withdrawal against any Fixed
Allocations unless the partial withdrawal exceeds the Accumulation Value in
the Divisions of Account NY-B. If there is no Accumulation Value in those
Divisions, partial withdrawals will be deducted from your Fixed Allocations
starting with the Guarantee Periods nearest their Maturity Dates until we have
honored your request.
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
We will apply a Market Value Adjustment, determined by application of the
formula described below, in the following circumstances: (i) whenever you make
a withdrawal or transfer from a Fixed Allocation, other than withdrawals or
transfers made within 30 days prior to the Maturity Date of the applicable
Guarantee Period, systematic partial withdrawals, or pursuant to the dollar
cost averaging program; and (ii) on the Annuity Commencement Date with respect
to any Fixed Allocation having a Guarantee Period that does not end on or
within 30 days after the annuity commencement date.
The Market Value Adjustment is determined by multiplying the amount
withdrawn, transferred or annuitized by the following factor:
( (1 + I) ) (N//365/)
( -----------------)
( (1 + J + .0025) ) -1
Where "I" is the Index Rate for a Fixed Allocation as of the first day of
the applicable Guarantee Period; "J" is the Index Rate for new Fixed
Allocations with Guarantee Periods equal to the number of years remaining in
the Guarantee Period at the time of the withdrawal, transfer or annuitization;
and "N" is the remaining number of days in the Guarantee Period at the time of
the withdrawal, transfer or annuitization.
The Index Rate is the average of the Ask Yields for U.S. Treasury Strips as
reported by a national quoting service for the applicable maturity. The
average currently is based on the period from the 22nd day of the calendar
month two months prior to the calendar month of the Index Rate determination
to the 21st day of the calendar month immediately prior to the month of
determination. The applicable maturity is the maturity date for these U.S.
Treasury Strips on or next following the last day of the Guarantee Period. If
the Ask Yields are no longer available, the Index Rate will be determined
using a suitable replacement method approved where required.
We currently calculate the Index Rate once each calendar month. However, we
reserve the right to calculate the Index Rate more frequently than monthly,
but in no event will such Index Rate be based upon a period of less than 28
days.
The Market Value Adjustment may result in either an increase or decrease in
the Accumulation Value of your Fixed Allocation. If a full surrender, transfer
or annuitization from the Fixed Allocation has been requested, the balance of
the Market Value Adjustment will be added to or subtracted from the amount
surrendered, transferred or annuitized. If a partial withdrawal, transfer or
annuitization has been requested, the Market Value Adjustment will be
calculated on the total amount that must be withdrawn, transferred or
annuitized in order to provide the amount requested. If a negative Market
Value Adjustment exceeds the Accumulation Value in the Fixed Allocation, such
transaction will be considered a full surrender, transfer or annuitization.
The Appendix contains several examples which illustrate the application of the
Market Value Adjustment.
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FACTS ABOUT THE CONTRACT
THE OWNER
You are the Owner. You are also the Annuitant unless another Annuitant is
named in the application. You have the rights and options described in the
Contract. One or more persons may own the Contract. If there are multiple
Owners named, the age of the oldest Owner shall determine the applicable death
benefit.
Death of an Owner activates the death benefit provision. In the case of a
sole Owner who dies prior to the annuity commencement date, we will pay the
Beneficiary the death benefit when due. The sole Owner's estate will be the
Beneficiary if no Beneficiary designation is in effect, or if the designated
Beneficiary has predeceased the Owner. In the case of a joint Owner of the
Contract dying prior to the annuity commencement date, we will designate the
surviving Owner(s) as the Beneficiary(ies). This supersedes any previous
Beneficiary designation.
In the case where the Owner is a trust and a beneficial Owner of the trust
has been designated, the beneficial Owner will be treated as the Owner of the
Contract solely for the purpose of determining the death benefit provisions.
If a beneficial Owner is changed or added after the Contract Date, this will
be treated as a change of Owner for purposes of determining the death benefit.
See Change of Owner or Beneficiary. If no beneficial Owner of the Trust has
been designated, the availability of enhanced death benefits will be
determined by the age of the Annuitant at issue.
THE ANNUITANT
The Annuitant is the person designated by the Owner to be the measuring life
in determining Annuity Payments. The Owner will receive the annuity benefits
of the Contract if the Annuitant is living on the Annuity Commencement Date.
If the Annuitant dies before the Annuity Commencement Date, and a contingent
Annuitant has been named, the contingent Annuitant becomes the Annuitant
(unless the Owner is not an individual, in which case the death benefit
becomes payable). Once named, the Annuitant may not be changed at any time.
If there is no contingent Annuitant when the Annuitant dies prior to the
Annuity Commencement Date, the Owner will become the Annuitant. The Owner may
designate a new Annuitant within 60 days of the death of the Annuitant.
If there is no contingent Annuitant when the Annuitant dies prior to the
Annuity Commencement Date and the Owner is not an individual, we will pay the
Beneficiary the death benefit then due. The Beneficiary will be as provided in
the Beneficiary designation then in effect. If no Beneficiary designation is
in effect, or if there is no designated Beneficiary living, the Owner will be
the Beneficiary. If the Annuitant was the sole Owner and there is no
Beneficiary designation, the Annuitant's estate will be the Beneficiary.
Regardless of whether a death benefit is payable, if the Annuitant dies and
any Owner is not an individual, such death will trigger application of the
distribution rules imposed by Federal tax law.
THE BENEFICIARY
The Beneficiary is the person to whom we pay death benefit proceeds and who
becomes the successor Owner if the Owner dies prior to the annuity
commencement date. We pay death benefit proceeds to the primary Beneficiary
(unless there are joint Owners, in which case death proceeds are payable to
the surviving Owner(s)). See Proceeds Payable to the Beneficiary.
If the Beneficiary dies before the Annuitant or Owner, the death benefit
proceeds are paid to the contingent Beneficiary, if any. If there is no
surviving Beneficiary, we pay the death benefit proceeds to the Owner's
estate.
One or more persons may be named as Beneficiary or contingent Beneficiary.
In the case of more than one Beneficiary, unless otherwise specified, we will
assume any death benefit proceeds are to be paid in equal shares to the
surviving beneficiaries.
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You have the right to change beneficiaries during the Annuitant's lifetime
unless you have designated an irrevocable Beneficiary. When an irrevocable
Beneficiary has been designated, you and the irrevocable Beneficiary may have
to act together to exercise certain rights and options under the Contract.
CHANGE OF OWNER OR BENEFICIARY
During the Annuitant's lifetime and while your Contract is in effect, you
may transfer ownership of the Contract (if purchased in connection with a non-
qualified plan) subject to our published rules at the time of the change. A
change in Ownership may affect the amount of the death benefit and the
guaranteed death benefit. You may also change the Beneficiary. To make either
of these changes, you must send us written notice of the change in a form
satisfactory to us. The change will take effect as of the day the notice is
signed. The change will not affect any payment made or action taken by us
before recording the change at our Customer Service Center. See Federal Tax
Considerations, Transfer of Annuity Contracts, and Assignments.
AVAILABILITY OF THE CONTRACT
We can issue a Contract if both the Annuitant and the Owner are not older
than age 85.
TYPES OF CONTRACTS
QUALIFIED CONTRACTS
The Contract may be issued as an Individual Retirement Annuity or in
connection with an individual retirement account. In the latter case, the
Contract will be issued without an Individual Retirement Annuity endorsement,
and the rights of the participant under the Contract will be affected by the
terms and conditions of the particular individual retirement trust or
custodial account, and by provisions of the Code and the regulations
thereunder. For example, the individual retirement trust or custodial account
will impose minimum distribution rules, which may require distributions to
commence not later than April 1st of the calendar year following the calendar
year in which you attain age 70 1/2. For both Individual Retirement Annuities
and individual retirement accounts, the minimum Initial Premium is $1,500.
IF THE CONTRACT IS PURCHASED TO FUND A QUALIFIED PLAN, OTHER THAN A ROTH
IRA, DISTRIBUTION MUST COMMENCE NOT LATER THAN APRIL 1ST OF THE CALENDAR YEAR
FOLLOWING THE CALENDAR YEAR IN WHICH YOU ATTAIN AGE 70 1/2. IF YOU OWN MORE
THAN ONE QUALIFIED PLAN, YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR.
NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS
The Contract may fund any non-qualified plan. Non-qualified Contracts do not
qualify for any tax-favored treatment other than the benefits provided for by
annuities.
YOUR RIGHT TO SELECT OR CHANGE CONTRACT OPTIONS
Before the Annuity Commencement Date, you may change the Annuity
Commencement Date, frequency of Annuity Payments or the Annuity Option by
sending a written request to our Customer Service Center. The Annuitant may
not be changed at any time.
PREMIUMS
You purchase the Contract with an Initial Premium. After the end of the Free
Look Period, you may make additional premium payments. See Making Additional
Premium Payments. The minimum Initial Premium is $10,000 for a non-qualified
Contract and $1,500 for a qualified Contract.
You must receive our prior approval before making a premium payment that
causes the Accumulation Value of all annuities that you maintain with us to
exceed $1,000,000. We may change the minimum initial or
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additional premium requirements for certain group or sponsored arrangements.
See Group or Sponsored Arrangements.
QUALIFIED PLANS
For IRA Contracts, the annual premium on behalf of any individual Contract
may not exceed $2,000. Provided your spouse does not make a contribution to an
IRA, you may set up a spousal IRA even if your spouse has earned some
compensation during the year. The maximum deductible amount for a spousal IRA
program is the lesser of $2,250 or 100% of your compensation reduced by the
contribution (if any) made by you for the taxable year to your own IRA.
However, no more than $2,000 can go to either your or your spouse's IRA in any
one year. For example, $1,750 may go to your IRA and $500 to your spouse's
IRA. These maximums are not applicable if the premium is the result of a
rollover from another qualified plan.
For Roth IRA Contracts, the annual premium on behalf of any individual
Contract, together with the total amount of any contributions you have made to
any non-Roth IRAs (except for rollover contributions), may not exceed the
lesser of $2,000 or 100% of your compensation. Contributions to a Roth IRA are
subject to income limits. See IRA Contracts and Other Qualified Retirement
Plans in General.
WHERE TO MAKE PAYMENTS
Remit premium payments to our Customer Service Center. The address is shown
on the cover. We will send you a confirmation notice.
MAKING ADDITIONAL PREMIUM PAYMENTS
You may make additional premium payments after the end of the Free Look
Period. We can accept additional premium payments until either the Annuitant
or Owner reaches the Attained Age of 85 under non-qualified plans. For
qualified plans, no contributions may be made to an IRA Contract for the
taxable year in which you attain age 70 1/2 and thereafter (except for
rollover contributions). The minimum additional premium payment we will accept
is $500 for a non-qualified plan and $250 for a qualified plan.
CREDITING PREMIUM PAYMENTS
The Initial Premium will be accepted or rejected within two business days of
receipt by us if accompanied by information sufficient to permit us to
determine if we are able to issue a Contract. We may retain an Initial Premium
for up to five business days while attempting to obtain information sufficient
to enable us to issue the Contract. If we are unable to do so within five
business days, the applicant will be informed of the reasons for the delay and
the Initial Premium will be returned immediately unless the applicant consents
to our retaining the Initial Premium until we have received the information we
require. Thereafter, all additional premiums will be accepted on the day
received.
We will also accept, by agreement with broker-dealers and when permissible
in a state, transmittal of initial and additional premium payments by wire
order from the broker-dealer to our Customer Service Center. Such transmittals
must be accompanied by a simultaneous facsimile transmission of an
application. Contact our Customer Service Center to find out about state
availability and broker-dealer requirements.
Upon our acceptance of premium payments received via wire order and
accompanied by a facsimile of an application, we will issue the Contract,
allocate the premium payment according to your instructions, and invest the
payment at the value next determined following receipt. See Restrictions on
Allocation of Premium Payments. Wire orders not accompanied by an application
may be retained for up to five business days while we attempt to obtain
information sufficient to enable us to issue the Contract. If we are unable to
do so, our Customer Service Center will inform the broker-dealer, on behalf of
the applicant, of the reasons for the delay and return the premium payment
immediately to the broker-dealer for return to the applicant, unless the
applicant specifically consents to allow us to retain the premium payment
until our Customer Service Center receives the application.
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On the date we receive and accept your initial or additional premium
payment:
(1) We allocate the Initial Premium among the Divisions and Fixed
Allocations according to your instructions, subject to any
restrictions. See Restrictions on Allocation of Premium Payments. For
additional premium payments, the Accumulation Value will increase by
the amount of the premium. If we do not receive instructions from you,
the increase in the Accumulation Value will be allocated among the
Divisions in proportion to the amount of Accumulation Value in each
Division as of the date we receive and accept the additional premium
payment. If there is no Accumulation Value in the Divisions, the
increase in the Accumulation Value will be allocated to a Fixed
Allocation with the shortest Guarantee Period then available.
(2) For an Initial Premium, we calculate your applicable death benefit.
When an additional premium payment is made, we increase your applicable
death benefit in accordance with the death benefit option in effect for
your Contract.
Following receipt and acceptance of the application, and investment of the
premium payment, we will issue the Contract.
RESTRICTIONS ON ALLOCATION OF PREMIUM PAYMENTS
We may require that an Initial Premium designated for a Division of Account
NY-B be allocated to the Specially Designated Division during the Free Look
Period for Initial Premiums received. After the free look period, if your
Initial Premium was allocated to the Specially Designated Division, we will
transfer the Accumulation Value to the Divisions you previously selected based
on the index of investment experience next computed for each Division. See
Facts About the Contract, Measurement of Investment Experience, Index of
Investment Experience and Unit Value. Initial premiums designated for the
Fixed Account will be allocated to a Fixed Allocation with the Guarantee
Period you have chosen.
YOUR RIGHT TO REALLOCATE
You may reallocate your Accumulation Value among the Divisions and Fixed
Allocations at the end of the free look period. We currently do not assess a
charge for allocation changes made during a Contract Year. We reserve the
right, however, to assess a $25 charge for each allocation change after the
twelfth allocation change in a Contract Year. We require that each
reallocation of your Accumulation Value equal at least $250 or, if less, your
entire Accumulation Value within a Division or Fixed Allocation. We reserve
the right to limit, upon notice, the maximum number of reallocations you may
make within a Contract Year. In addition, we reserve the right to defer the
reallocation privilege at any time we are unable to purchase or redeem shares
of the ESS Trust, the Travelers Series Fund, the Greenwich Street Series Fund
or the Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series. We also reserve the right to
modify or terminate your right to reallocate your Accumulation Value at any
time in accordance with applicable law. Reallocations from the Fixed Account
are subject to the Market Value Adjustment unless taken as part of the dollar
cost averaging program or within 30 days prior to the Maturity Date of the
applicable Guarantee Period. To make a reallocation change, you must provide
us with satisfactory notice at our Customer Service Center.
We reserve the right to limit the number of reallocations of your
Accumulation Value among the Divisions and Fixed Allocations or refuse any
reallocation request if we believe that: (a) excessive trading by you or a
specific reallocation request may have a detrimental effect on unit values or
the share prices of the underlying Series; or (b) we are informed by the ESS
Trust, the Travelers Series Fund, the Greenwich Street Series Fund or the
Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series that the purchase or redemption of
shares is to be restricted because of excessive trading or a specific
reallocation or group of reallocations is deemed to have a detrimental effect
on share prices of the ESS Trust, the Travelers Series Fund, the Greenwich
Street Series Fund or the Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series.
Where permitted by law, we may accept your authorization of third party
reallocation on your behalf, subject to our rules. We may suspend or cancel
such acceptance at any time. We will notify you of any such
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suspension or cancellation. We may restrict the Divisions and Fixed
Allocations that will be available to you for reallocations of premiums during
any period in which you authorize such third party to act on your behalf. We
will give you prior notification of any such restrictions. However, we will
not enforce such restrictions if we are provided evidence satisfactory to us
that: (a) such third party has been appointed by a court of competent
jurisdiction to act on your behalf; or (b) such third party has been appointed
by you to act on your behalf for all your financial affairs.
Some restrictions may apply based on the free look provisions of the state
where the Contract is issued. See Your Right to Cancel or Exchange Your
Contract.
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING
If you have at least $10,000 of Accumulation Value in the Smith Barney Money
Market Division or a Fixed Allocation with a one year Guarantee Period, you
may elect the dollar cost averaging program and have a specified dollar amount
transferred from the Division or such Fixed Allocation on a monthly basis.
The main objective of dollar cost averaging is to attempt to shield your
investment from short-term price fluctuations. Since the same dollar amount is
transferred to other Divisions each month, more units are purchased in a
Division if the value per unit is low and less units are purchased if the
value per unit is high.
Therefore, a lower than average value per unit may be achieved over the long
term. This plan of investing allows investors to take advantage of market
fluctuations but does not assure a profit or protect against a loss in
declining markets.
Dollar cost averaging may be elected at issue or at a later date. The
minimum amount that may be transferred each month is $250. The maximum amount
which may be transferred is equal to your Accumulation Value in Liquid Asset
Division or a Fixed Allocation with a one year Guarantee Period when you elect
the dollar cost averaging program, divided by 12.
The transfer date will be the same calendar day each month as the Contract
Date. The dollar amount will be allocated to the Divisions in which you are
invested in proportion to your Accumulation Value in each Division unless you
specify otherwise. If, on any transfer date, your Accumulation Value is equal
to or less than the amount you have elected to have transferred, the entire
amount will be transferred and the program will end. You may change the
transfer amount once each Contract Year, or cancel this program by sending
satisfactory notice to our Customer Service Center at least seven days before
the next transfer date. Any allocation under this program will not be included
in determining if the excess allocation charge will apply. We currently do not
permit transfers under the dollar cost averaging program from Fixed
Allocations with other than one year Guarantee Periods. Transfers from a Fixed
Allocation under the dollar cost averaging program will not be subject to a
Market Value Adjustment. See Market Value Adjustment. A Fixed Allocation may
not participate simultaneously in both the dollar cost averaging program and
the Systematic Partial Withdrawal Option.
WHAT HAPPENS IF A DIVISION IS NOT AVAILABLE
When a distribution is made from an investment portfolio supporting a
Division of Account NY-B in which reinvestment is not available, we will
allocate the distribution, unless you specify otherwise, to the Specially
Designated Division.
Such a distribution can occur when (a) an investment portfolio matures, or
(b) a distribution from a portfolio or Division cannot be reinvested in the
portfolio or Division due to the unavailability of securities for acquisition.
When an investment portfolio matures, we will notify you in writing 30 days in
advance of that date. To elect an allocation of the distribution to other than
the Specially Designated Division, you must provide satisfactory notice to us
at least seven days prior to the date the portfolio matures. Such allocations
are not counted for purposes of the number of free allocation changes
permitted. When a distribution from a portfolio or Division
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<PAGE>
cannot be reinvested in the portfolio due to the unavailability of securities
for acquisition, we will notify you promptly after the allocation has
occurred. If, within 30 days, you allocate the Accumulation Value from the
Specially Designated Division to other Divisions or Fixed Allocations of your
choice, such allocations will not be included in determining if the excess
allocation charge will apply.
YOUR ACCUMULATION VALUE
Your Accumulation Value is the sum of the amounts in each of the Divisions
and the Fixed Allocations in which you are invested, and is the amount
available for investment at any time. You select the Divisions and Fixed
Allocations to which to allocate your Accumulation Value. We adjust your
Accumulation Value on each Valuation Date to reflect the Divisions' investment
performance and interest credited to your Fixed Allocations, any additional
premium payments or partial withdrawals since the previous Valuation Date, and
on each Contract processing date to reflect any deduction of the annual
Contract fee. Your Accumulation Value is applied to your choice of an Annuity
Option on the Annuity Commencement Date subject to our published rules at such
time. See Choosing an Income Plan.
ACCUMULATION VALUE IN EACH DIVISION
ON THE CONTRACT DATE
On the Contract Date, your Accumulation Value is allocated to each Division
as you have specified, unless the Contract is issued in a state that requires
the return of premium payments during the Free Look Period, in which case, the
portion of your Initial Premium not allocated to a Fixed Allocation will be
allocated to the Specially Designated Division during the Free Look Period.
See Your Right to Cancel or Exchange Your Contract.
ON EACH VALUATION DATE
At the end of each subsequent Valuation Period, the amount of Accumulation
Value in each Division will be calculated as follows:
(1) We take the Accumulation Value in the Division at the end of the
preceding Valuation Period.
(2) We multiply (1) by the Division's net rate of return for the current
Valuation Period.
(3) We add (1) and (2).
(4) We add to (3) any additional premium payments allocated to the Division
during the current Valuation Period.
(5) We add or subtract allocations to or from that Division during the
current Valuation Period.
(6) We subtract from (5) any partial withdrawals and any associated charges
allocated to that Division during the current Valuation Period.
(7) We subtract from (6) the amounts allocated to that Division for: (a)
any Contract fees; and (b) any charge for premium taxes.
All amounts in (7) are allocated to each Division in the proportion that (6)
bears to the Accumulation Value in Account NY- B, unless the Charge Deduction
Division has been specified. See Charges Deducted from the Accumulation Value.
MEASUREMENT OF INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE
INDEX OF INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE AND UNIT VALUE
The investment experience of a Division is determined on each Valuation
Date. We use an index to measure changes in each Division's experience during
a Valuation Period. In most cases, we set the index at $10 when
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<PAGE>
the first investments in a Division are made, unless the underlying Series in
which the Division invests has been available under other contracts for some
period of time. See Condensed Financial Information, Index of Investment
Experience, for the initial index value for each Division when the Division
became available under the Contract. The index for a current Valuation Period
equals the index for the preceding Valuation Period multiplied by the
experience factor for the current Valuation Period.
We may express the value of amounts allocated to the Divisions in terms of
units. We determine the number of units for a given amount on a Valuation Date
by dividing the dollar value of that amount by the index of investment
experience for that date. The index of investment experience is equal to the
value of a unit.
HOW WE DETERMINE THE EXPERIENCE FACTOR
For Divisions of Account NY-B the experience factor reflects the investment
experience of the Series of the Fund in which a Division invests as well as
the charges assessed against the Division for a Valuation Period. The factor
is calculated as follows:
(1) We take the net asset value of the portfolio in which the Division
invests at the end of the current Valuation Period.
(2) We add to (1) the amount of any dividend or capital gains distribution
declared for the investment portfolio and reinvested in such portfolio
during the current Valuation Period. We subtract from that amount a
charge for our taxes, if any.
(3) We divide (2) by the net asset value of the portfolio at the end of the
preceding Valuation Period.
(4) We subtract the applicable daily mortality and expense risk charge from
each Division for each day in the valuation period.
(5) We subtract the daily asset based administrative charge from each
Division for each day in the valuation period.
Calculations for Divisions investing in a Series are made on a per share
basis.
NET RATE OF RETURN FOR A DIVISION
The net rate of return for a Division during a valuation period is the
experience factor for that Valuation Period minus one.
CASH SURRENDER VALUE
Your Contract's Cash Surrender Value fluctuates daily with the investment
results of the Divisions, interest credited to Fixed Allocations and any
Market Value Adjustment. We do not guarantee any minimum Cash Surrender Value.
On any date before the Annuity Commencement Date while the Contract is in
effect, the cash surrender value is calculated as follows:
(1) We take the Contract's Accumulation Value;
(2) We deduct from (1) any surrender charge and any charge for premium
taxes;
(3) We deduct from (2) any charges incurred but not yet deducted; and
(4) We adjust (3) for any Market Value Adjustment.
SURRENDERING TO RECEIVE THE CASH SURRENDER VALUE
The Contract may be surrendered by the Owner at any time while the Annuitant
is living and before the Annuity Commencement Date.
A surrender will be effective on the date your written request and the
Contract are received at our Customer Service Center. The Cash Surrender Value
is determined and all benefits under the Contract will then be
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<PAGE>
terminated, as of that date. You may receive the Cash Surrender Value in a
single sum payment or apply it under one or more Annuity Options. See The
Annuity Options. We will usually pay the Cash Surrender Value within seven
days but we may delay payment. See When We Make Payments.
PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS
Prior to the Annuity Commencement Date, while the Annuitant is living and
the Contract is in effect, you may take partial withdrawals from the
Accumulation Value by sending satisfactory notice to our Customer Service
Center. Unless you specify otherwise, the amount of the withdrawal, including
any surrender charge and Market Value Adjustment, will be taken in proportion
to the amount of Accumulation Value in each Division in which you are
invested. If there is no Accumulation Value in those Divisions, partial
withdrawals will be deducted from your Fixed Allocations starting with the
Guarantee Periods nearest their Maturity Dates until we have honored your
request.
There are three options available for selecting partial withdrawals, the
Conventional Partial Withdrawal Option, the Systematic Partial Withdrawal
Option and the IRA Partial Withdrawal Option. All three options are described
below. The maximum amount you may withdraw each Contract Year without
incurring a surrender charge is 15% of your Accumulation Value. See Surrender
Charge for Excess Partial Withdrawals. Partial withdrawals may not be repaid.
A partial withdrawal request for an amount in excess of 90% of the Cash
Surrender Value will be treated as a request to surrender the Contract.
CONVENTIONAL PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL OPTION
After the Free Look Period, you may take conventional partial withdrawals.
The minimum amount you may withdraw under this option is $1,000. A
conventional partial withdrawal from a Fixed Allocation may be subject to a
Market Value Adjustment.
SYSTEMATIC PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL OPTION
This option may be elected at the time you apply for a Contract, or at a
later date. This option may be elected to commence in a Contract Year where a
conventional partial withdrawal has been taken. However, it may not be elected
while the IRA Partial Withdrawal Option is in effect.
You may choose to receive systematic partial withdrawals on a monthly or
quarterly basis from your Accumulation Value in the Divisions or the Fixed
Allocations. The commencement of payments under this option may not be elected
to start sooner than 28 days after the Contract Issue Date. You select the
date of the quarter or month when the withdrawals will be made but no later
than the 28th day of the month. If no date is selected, the withdrawals will
be made on the same calendar day of each month as the Contract Date.
You may select a dollar amount or a percentage of the Accumulation Value
from the Divisions in which you are invested as the amount of your withdrawal
subject to the following maximums, but in no event can a payment be less than
$100:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FREQUENCY MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE
--------- ------------------
<S> <C>
Monthly................................................... 1.25%
Quarterly................................................. 3.75%
Annual.................................................... 15.00%
</TABLE>
If a dollar amount is selected and the amount to be systematically withdrawn
would exceed the applicable maximum percentage of your Accumulation Value on
the withdrawal date, the amount withdrawn will be reduced so that it equals
such percentage. For example, if a $500 monthly withdrawal was elected and on
the withdrawal date 1.25% of the Accumulation Value equaled $300, the
withdrawal amount would be reduced to $300. If a percentage is selected and
the amount to be systematically withdrawn based on that percentage would
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<PAGE>
be less than the minimum of $100, we would increase the amount to $100
provided it does not exceed the maximum percentage. If it is below the maximum
percentage we will send the minimum. If it is above the maximum percentage we
will send the amount and then cancel the option. For example, if you selected
1.0% to be systematically withdrawn on a monthly basis and that amount equaled
$90, and since $100 is less than 1.25% of the Accumulation Value, we would
send $100. If 1.0% equaled $75, and since $100 is more than 1.25% of the
Accumulation Value we would send $75 and then cancel the option. In such a
case, in order to receive systematic partial withdrawals in the future, you
would be required to submit a new notice to our Customer Service Center.
Systematic Partial Withdrawals from Fixed Allocations are limited to
interest earnings during the prior month or quarter, depending on whether you
have chosen a monthly or quarterly frequency, respectively. Systematic Partial
Withdrawals are not subject to a Market Value Adjustment. A Fixed Allocation,
however, may not participate simultaneously in both the dollar cost averaging
program and the Systematic Partial Withdrawal Option.
You may change the amount or percentage of your withdrawal once each
Contract Year or cancel this option at any time by sending satisfactory notice
to our Customer Service Center at least seven days prior to the next scheduled
withdrawal date. However, you may not change the amount or percentage of your
withdrawals in any Contract Year during which you have previously taken a
conventional partial withdrawal.
IRA PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL OPTION
If you have an IRA Contract and will attain age 70 1/2 in the current
calendar year, distributions may be made to you to satisfy requirements
imposed by Federal tax law. IRA partial withdrawals provide payout of amounts
required to be distributed by the Internal Revenue Service rules governing
mandatory distributions under qualified plans. See Federal Tax Considerations.
We will send you a notice before your distributions commence, and you may
elect this option at that time, or at a later date. You may not elect IRA
partial withdrawals while the Systematic Partial Withdrawal Option is in
effect. If you do not elect the IRA Partial Withdrawal Option, and
distributions are required by Federal tax law, distributions adequate to
satisfy the requirements imposed by Federal tax law may be made. Thus, if the
Systematic Partial Withdrawal Option is in effect, distributions under that
option must be adequate to satisfy the mandatory distribution rules imposed by
Federal tax law.
You may choose to receive IRA partial withdrawals on a monthly, quarterly or
annual frequency. You select the day of the month when the withdrawals will be
made, but it cannot be later than the 28th day of the month. If no date is
selected, the withdrawals will be made on the same calendar day of the month
as the Contract Date.
At your request, we will determine the amount that is required to be
withdrawn from your Contract each year based on the information you give us
and various choices you make. For information regarding the calculation and
choices you have to make, see the Statement of Additional Information. The
minimum dollar amount you can withdraw is $100. At the time we determine the
required partial withdrawal amount for a taxable year based on the frequency
you select, if that amount is less than $100, we will pay $100. At any time
where the partial withdrawal amount is greater than the Accumulation Value, we
will cancel the Contract and send you the amount of the Cash Surrender Value.
You may change the payment frequency of your withdrawals once each Contract
Year or cancel this option at any time by sending us satisfactory notice to
our Customer Service Center at least seven days prior to the next scheduled
withdrawal date.
An IRA partial withdrawal in excess of the amount allowed under the
Systematic Partial Withdrawal Option may be subject to a Market Value
Adjustment.
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<PAGE>
PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS IN GENERAL
CONSULT YOUR TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH
TAKING PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS. A partial withdrawal made before the taxpayer
reaches age 59 1/2 may result in imposition of a tax penalty of 10% of the
taxable portion withdrawn. See Federal Tax Considerations for more details.
AUTOMATIC REBALANCING
If you have at least $10,000 of Accumulation Value invested in the
Divisions, you may elect to participate in our automatic rebalancing program.
Automatic rebalancing provides you with an easy way to maintain the particular
asset allocation that you and your financial advisor have determined are most
suitable for your individual long-term investment goals. We do not charge a
fee for participating in our automatic rebalancing program.
Under the program you may elect to have all your allocations among the
Divisions rebalanced on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual calendar basis.
The minimum size of an allocation to a Division must be in full percentage
points. Rebalancing does not affect any amounts that you have allocated to the
Fixed Account. The program may be used in conjunction with the systematic
partial withdrawal option only where such withdrawals are taken pro rata.
Automatic rebalancing is not available if you participate in dollar cost
averaging. Automatic rebalancing will not take place during the free look
period.
To participate in automatic rebalancing you must submit to our Customer
Service Center written notice in a form satisfactory to us. We will begin the
program on the last Valuation Date of the applicable calendar period in which
we receive the notice. You may cancel the program at any time. The program
will automatically terminate if you choose to reallocate your Accumulation
Value among the Divisions or if you make an additional premium payment or
partial withdrawal on other than a pro rata basis. Additional premium payments
and partial withdrawals effected on a pro rata basis will not cause the
automatic rebalancing program to terminate.
PROCEEDS PAYABLE TO THE BENEFICIARY
If the Owner or the Annuitant (when the Owner is other than an individual)
dies prior to the annuity commencement date, we will pay the Beneficiary the
death benefit proceeds under the Contract. Such amount may be received in a
single sum or applied to any of the Annuity Options. See The Annuity Options.
If we do not receive a request to apply the death benefit proceeds to an
Annuity Option, a single sum distribution will be made. Any distributions from
non-qualified Contracts must comply with applicable Federal tax law
distribution requirements.
DEATH BENEFIT OPTIONS
Subject to our rules, there are two death benefit options that may be
elected by you at issue under the Contract: the Standard Death Benefit Option
and the Annual Ratchet Enhanced Death Benefit Option.
The Annual Ratchet Enhanced Death Benefit Option may only be elected at
issue and only if the Owner or Annuitant (when the Owner is other than an
individual) is age 79 or younger at issue.
We may offer a reduced death benefit under certain group and sponsored
arrangements. See Other Contract Provisions, Group or Sponsored Arrangements.
STANDARD DEATH BENEFIT OPTION
You will automatically receive the Standard Death Benefit Option unless you
elect the Annual Ratchet Enhanced Death Benefit. The Standard Death Benefit
Option for the Contract is equal to the greatest of: (i) your Accumulation
Value; (ii) total premiums less any partial withdrawals; and (iii) the Cash
Surrender Value.
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ANNUAL RATCHET ENHANCED DEATH BENEFIT OPTION
The Annual Ratchet Enhanced Death Benefit under the Contract, if elected, is
equal to the greatest of: (i) the Accumulation Value; (ii) total premium
payments less any partial withdrawals; (iii) the Cash Surrender Value; or (iv)
the following valuation:
(1) We take the enhanced death benefit from the prior Valuation Date. On
the Contract Date, the enhanced death benefit is equal to the Initial
Premium.
(2) We add to (1) any additional premiums paid since the prior Valuation
Date and subtract from (1) any partial withdrawals (including any
Market Value Adjustments and surrender charges incurred) taken since
the prior Valuation Date.
(3) On a Valuation Date that occurs on or prior to the Owner's Attained Age
80 which is also a Contract Anniversary, we set the enhanced death
benefit equal to the greater of (2) or the Accumulation Value as of
such date.
On all other Valuation Dates, the enhanced death benefit is equal to (2).
HOW TO CLAIM PAYMENTS TO BENEFICIARY
We must receive due proof of the death of the Owner or the Annuitant (if the
Owner is other than an individual) (such as an official death certificate) at
our Customer Service Center before we will make any payments to the
Beneficiary. We will calculate the death benefit as of the date we receive due
proof of death. The Beneficiary should contact our Customer Service Center for
instructions.
REPORTS TO OWNERS
We will send you a report once each calendar quarter within 31 days after
the end of each calendar quarter. The report will show the Accumulation Value,
the Cash Surrender Value, and the death benefit as of the end of the calendar
quarter. The report will also show the allocation of your Accumulation Value
as of such date and the amounts deducted from or added to the Accumulation
Value since the last report. The report will also include any other
information that may be currently required by the insurance supervisory
official of the jurisdiction in which the Contract is delivered.
We will also send you copies of any shareholder reports of the portfolios or
securities in which Account NY-B invests, as well as any other reports,
notices or documents required by law to be furnished to Owners.
WHEN WE MAKE PAYMENTS
We will generally pay death benefit proceeds and the cash surrender value
within seven days after our Customer Service Center receives all the
information needed to process the payment.
However, we may delay payment of amounts derived from the Divisions if it is
not practical for us to value or dispose of shares of Account NY-B because:
(1) The NYSE is closed for trading;
(2) The SEC determines that a state of emergency exists;
(3) An order or pronouncement of the SEC permits a delay for the protection
of Owners; or,
(4) The check used to pay the premium has not cleared through the banking
system. This may take up to 15 days.
During such times, as to amounts allocated to the Divisions, we may delay:
(1) Determination and payment of any Cash Surrender Value;
(2) Determination and payment of any death benefit if death occurs before
the Annuity Commencement Date;
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(3) Allocation changes of the Accumulation Value; or,
(4) Application under an Annuity Option of the Accumulation Value.
We reserve the right to delay payment of amounts from the Fixed Account for
up to six months.
CHARGES AND FEES
CHARGE DEDUCTION DIVISION
You may specify at issue if you wish to have all charges against the
Accumulation Value deducted from the Money Market Division. We call this the
Charge Deduction Division Option, and within this context refer to the Money
Market as the Charge Deduction Division. If you do not elect this option, or
if the amount of the charges is greater than the amount in the Division, the
charges will be deducted as discussed below. You may also choose to elect or
cancel this option while the Contract is in force by sending satisfactory
notice to our Customer Service Center.
CHARGES DEDUCTED FROM THE ACCUMULATION VALUE
We invest the entire amount of the initial and any additional premium
payments in the Divisions and the Fixed Allocations you select, subject to
certain restrictions. See Restrictions on Allocation of Premium Payments. We
then may deduct certain amounts from your Accumulation Value. We may reduce
certain fees and charges, including any surrender, administration, and
mortality and expense risk charges, under group or sponsored arrangements. See
Group or Sponsored Arrangements. Unless you have elected the Charge Deduction
Division, charges are deducted proportionately from all affected Divisions in
which you are invested. If there is no Accumulation Value in those Divisions,
we will deduct charges from your Fixed Allocations starting with the Guarantee
Periods nearest their Maturity Dates until such charges have been paid. The
charges we deduct are:
SURRENDER CHARGE
A contingent deferred sales charge ("Surrender Charge") is imposed as a
percentage of each premium payment if the Contract is surrendered or an excess
partial withdrawal is taken during the seven year period from the date we
receive and accept such premium payment. The percentage of premium payments
deducted at the time of surrender or excess partial withdrawal depends upon
the number of complete years that have elapsed since that premium payment was
made. We determine the surrender charge as a percentage of each premium
payment as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMPLETE YEARS ELAPSED
SINCE PREMIUM PAYMENT SURRENDER CHARGE
---------------------- ----------------
<S> <C>
0..................................................... 7%
1..................................................... 6%
2..................................................... 5%
3..................................................... 4%
4..................................................... 3%
5..................................................... 2%
6..................................................... 1%
7+.................................................... 0%
</TABLE>
SURRENDER CHARGE FOR EXCESS PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS
There is considered to be an excess partial withdrawal in any Contract Year
in which the amount withdrawn exceeds 15% of your Accumulation Value on the
date of the withdrawal minus any amount withdrawn during that Contract Year.
Where you are receiving systematic partial withdrawals, any combination of
conventional partial withdrawals taken and any systematic partial withdrawals
expected to be received in a Contract Year will be considered in determining
the amount of the excess partial withdrawal. Such a withdrawal will be
considered
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a partial surrender of the Contract and we will impose a surrender charge and
any associated premium tax. See Facts About the Contract, The Fixed Account,
Market Value Adjustment. Such charges will be deducted from the Accumulation
Value in proportion to the Accumulation Value in each Division or Fixed
Allocation from which the excess partial withdrawal was taken. In instances
where the excess partial withdrawal equals the entire Accumulation Value in
each such Division or Fixed Allocation, charges will be deducted
proportionately from all other Divisions and Fixed Allocations in which you
are invested.
For purposes of calculating the surrender charge for the excess partial
withdrawal, (i) we treat premium payments as being withdrawn on a first-in
first-out basis, and (ii) amounts withdrawn which are not considered an excess
partial withdrawal are not treated as a withdrawal of any premium payments.
Although we treat premium payments as being withdrawn before earnings for
purposes of calculating the surrender charge for excess partial withdrawals,
the Federal income tax law treats earnings as withdrawn first. See Federal Tax
Considerations, Taxation of Non-Qualified Annuities.
For example, the following assumes an Initial Premium payment of $10,000 and
additional premium payments of $10,000 in each of the second and third
Contract Years, for total premium payments under the Contract of $30,000. It
also assumes a partial withdrawal at the beginning of the fourth Contract Year
of 20% of the Accumulation Value of $35,000.
In this example, $5,250 ($35,000 x .15) is the maximum partial withdrawal
that may be withdrawn during the Contract Year without the imposition of a
surrender charge. The total partial withdrawal would be $7,000 ($35,000 x .2).
Therefore, $1,750 ($7,000-$5,250) is considered an excess partial withdrawal
of a part of the Initial Premium payment of $10,000 and would be subject to a
4% surrender charge of $70.00 ($1,750 x .04). This example does not take into
account any Market Value Adjustment or deduction of any premium taxes.
PREMIUM TAXES
We make a charge for state and local premium taxes in certain states which
can range from 0% to 3.5% of premium. The charge depends on the Owner's state
of residence. We reserve the right to change this amount to conform with
changes in the law or if the Owner changes state of residence.
Premium taxes are generally incurred on the annuity commencement date and a
charge for such premium taxes is then deducted from your Accumulation Value on
such date. However, some jurisdictions impose a premium tax at the time that
initial and additional premiums are paid, regardless of the Annuity
Commencement Date. In those states we may initially defer collection of the
amount of the charge for premium taxes from your Accumulation Value and deduct
it against Accumulation Value on surrender of the Contract, excess partial
withdrawals or on the Annuity Commencement Date.
ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE
The administrative charge is incurred at the beginning of the Contract
processing period and deducted at the end of each Contract processing period.
We deduct this charge when determining the Cash Surrender Value payable if you
surrender the Contract prior to the end of a Contract processing period. If
the Accumulation Value at the end of the Contract processing period equals or
exceeds $100,000 or the sum of the premiums paid equals or exceeds $100,000,
the charge is zero. Otherwise, the amount deducted is $30 per Contract Year.
See Asset Based Administrative Charge, below.
EXCESS ALLOCATION CHARGE
We currently do not assess a charge for allocation changes made during a
Contract Year. We reserve the right, however, to assess a $25 charge for each
allocation change after the twelfth allocation change in a Contract Year. This
amount represents the maximum we will charge. The charge would be deducted
from the Divisions and the Fixed Allocations from which each such reallocation
is made in proportion to the amount being transferred from each such Division
and Fixed Allocation unless you have chosen to use the Charge Deduction
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Division. Any allocations or transfers due to the election of dollar cost
averaging and reallocation under the provision What Happens if a Division is
Not Available will not be included in determining if the excess allocation
charge should apply.
CHARGES DEDUCTED FROM THE DIVISIONS
We deduct the charges described below to cover our costs and expenses,
services provided and risks assumed under the Contracts. We incur certain
costs and expenses for the distribution and administration of the Contracts,
for providing the benefits payable thereunder and for bearing various risks
thereunder. The amount of a charge will not necessarily correspond to the
costs associated with providing the services or benefits indicated by the
designation of the charge. For example, the Surrender Charge collected may not
fully cover all of the distribution expenses incurred by us. In the event that
there are any profits from fees and charges deducted under the Contract,
including but not limited to mortality and expense risk charges, such profits
could be used to finance the distribution of the Contracts.
MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE
The amount of the mortality and expense risk charge depends on the death
benefit option that has been elected. If the Standard Death Benefit Option is
elected, the charge is equivalent, on an annual basis, to 1.10% of the assets
in each Division. The charge is deducted on each Valuation Date at the rate of
.003030% for each day in the Valuation Period. If the Annual Ratchet Enhanced
Death Benefit is elected, the charge is equivalent, on an annual basis, to
1.25% of the assets in each Division. The charge is deducted on each Valuation
Date at the rate of .003446% for each day in the Valuation Period.
ASSET BASED ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE
We will deduct a daily administrative charge from the assets in each
Division. The daily charge is at a rate of 0.000411% (equivalent to an annual
rate of 0.15%) on the assets in each Division.
TRUST EXPENSES
There are fees and charges deducted from each Series of the ESS Trust, The
GCG Trust, the Travelers Series Fund, the Greenwich Street Series Fund and the
Smith Barney Concert Allocation Series. Please read the respective Trust
prospectus for details.
CHOOSING YOUR ANNUITIZATION OPTIONS
ANNUITIZATION OF YOUR CONTRACT
If the Annuitant and Owner are living on the Annuity Commencement Date, we
will begin making payments to the Owner under an income plan. We will make
these payments under the Annuity Option chosen. You may change an Annuity
Option by making a written request to us at least 30 days prior to the Annuity
Commencement Date of the Contract. The amount of the payments will be
determined by applying your Accumulation Value adjusted for any applicable
Market Value Adjustment on the Annuity Commencement Date in accordance with
The Annuity Options section below, subject to our published rules at such
time. See When We Make Payments.
You may also elect an Annuity Option on surrender of the Contract for its
Cash Surrender Value or you may choose one or more Annuity Options for the
payment of death benefit proceeds while it is in effect and before the Annuity
Commencement Date. If, at the time of the Owner's death or the Annuitant's
death (if the Owner is not an individual), no option has been chosen for
paying death benefit proceeds, the Beneficiary may choose an option within 60
days. In all events, payments of death benefit proceeds must comply with the
distribution requirements of applicable Federal tax law.
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The minimum monthly annuity income payment that we will make is $20. We may
require that a single sum payment be made if the Accumulation Value is less
than $2,000 or if the calculated monthly annuity income payment is less than
$20.
For each option we will issue a separate written agreement putting the
option into effect. Before we pay any annuity benefits, we require the return
of the Contract. If your Contract has been lost, we will require that you
complete and return the applicable Contract form. Various factors will affect
the level of annuity benefits including the Annuity Option chosen, the
applicable payment rate used and the investment results of the Divisions and
interest credited to the Fixed Allocations in which the Accumulation Value has
been invested.
Some annuity options may provide only for fixed payments. Fixed Annuity
Payments are regular payments, the amount of which is fixed and guaranteed by
us. The amount of the payments will depend only on the form and duration of
payments chosen, the age of the Annuitant or Beneficiary (and sex, where
appropriate), the total Accumulation Value applied to purchase the fixed
option, and the applicable payment rate.
Our approval is needed for any option where:
(1) The person named to receive payment is other than the Owner or
Beneficiary;
(2) The person named is not a natural person, such as a corporation; or
(3) Any income payment would be less than the minimum annuity income
payment allowed.
ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE SELECTION
You select the Annuity Commencement Date. You may select any date following
the fifth Contract Anniversary but before the Contract Processing Date in the
month following the Annuitant's 90th birthday. If, on the Annuity Commencement
Date, a Surrender Charge remains, the elected Annuity Option must include a
life annuity or a period certain of at least five years duration. If you do
not select a date, the annuity commencement date will be in the month
following the Annuitant's 90th birthday. If the Annuity Commencement Date
occurs when the Annuitant is at an advanced age, such as over age 85, it is
possible that the Contract will not be considered an annuity for Federal tax
purposes. See Federal Tax Considerations. For a Contract purchased in
connection with a qualified plan, other than a Roth IRA, distribution must
commence not later than April 1st of the calendar year following the calendar
year in which you attain age 70 1/2. Consult your tax advisor.
FREQUENCY SELECTION
You choose the frequency of the Annuity Payments. They may be monthly,
quarterly, semi-annually or annually. If we do not receive written notice from
you, the payments will be made monthly. There may be certain restrictions on
minimum payments that we will allow.
THE ANNUITIZATION OPTIONS
There are four options to choose from as shown below. Options 1 through 3
are fixed and option 4 may be fixed or variable. For a fixed option, the
Accumulation Value in the Divisions is transferred to the general account.
OPTION 1. INCOME FOR A FIXED PERIOD
Payment is made in equal installments for a fixed number of years based on
the Accumulation Value as of the annuity commencement date. We guarantee that
each monthly payment will be at least the amount set forth in the Contract.
Guaranteed amounts for annual, semi-annual and quarterly payments are
available upon request. Illustrations are available upon request. If the Cash
Surrender Value or Accumulation Value is applied under this option, a 10%
penalty tax may apply to the taxable portion of each income payment until the
Owner reaches age 59 1/2.
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OPTION 2. INCOME FOR LIFE
Payment is made in equal monthly installments and guaranteed for at least a
period certain. The period certain can be 10 or 20 years. Other periods
certain may be available on request. A refund certain may be chosen instead.
Under this arrangement, income is guaranteed until payments equal the amount
applied. If the person named lives beyond the guaranteed period, payments
continue until his or her death. We guarantee that each payment will be at
least the amount set forth in the Contract corresponding to the person's age
on his or her last birthday before the option's effective date. Amounts for
ages not shown in the Contract are available upon request.
OPTION 3. JOINT LIFE INCOME
This option is available if there are two persons named to receive payments.
At least one of the persons named must be either the Owner or Beneficiary of
the Contract. Monthly payments are guaranteed and are made as long as at least
one of the named persons is living. There is no minimum number of payments.
Monthly payment amounts are available upon request.
OPTION 4. ANNUITY PLAN
An amount can be used to buy any single premium annuity we offer on the
option's effective date.
PAYMENT WHEN NAMED PERSON DIES
When the person named to receive payment dies, we will pay any amounts still
due as provided by the option agreement. The amounts still due are determined
as follows:
(1) For option 1, or any remaining guaranteed payments under option 2,
payments will be continued. Under options 1 and 2, the discounted
values of the remaining guaranteed payments may be paid in a single
sum. This means we deduct the amount of the interest each remaining
guaranteed payment would have earned had it not been paid out early.
The discount interest rate is never less than 3% for option 1 and 3.50%
for option 2 per year. We will, however, base the discount interest
rate on the interest rate used to calculate the payments for options 1
and 2 if such payments were not based on the tables in the Contract.
(2) For option 3, no amounts are payable after both named persons have
died.
(3) For option 4, the annuity agreement will state the amount due, if any.
OTHER CONTRACT PROVISIONS
IN CASE OF ERRORS IN APPLICATION INFORMATION
If an age or sex given in the application or enrollment form is misstated,
the amounts payable or benefits provided by the Contract shall be those that
the premium payment would have bought at the correct age or sex.
SENDING NOTICE TO US
Any written notices, inquiries or requests should be sent to our Customer
Service Center. Please include your name, your Contract number and, if you are
not the Annuitant, the name of the Annuitant.
ASSIGNING THE CONTRACT AS COLLATERAL
You may assign a non-qualified Contract as collateral security for a loan or
other obligation. This does not change the Ownership. However, your rights and
any Beneficiary's rights are subject to the terms of the assignment. See
Transfer of Annuity Contracts, and Assignments. An assignment may have Federal
tax consequences. See Federal Tax Considerations.
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You must give us satisfactory written notice at our Customer Service Center
in order to make or release an assignment. We are not responsible for the
validity of any assignment.
NON-PARTICIPATING
The Contract does not participate in the divisible surplus of First Golden.
AUTHORITY TO MAKE AGREEMENTS
All agreements made by us must be signed by our president or a vice
president and by our secretary or an assistant secretary. No other person,
including an insurance agent or broker, can change any of the Contract's
terms, make any can change any of the Contract's terms, make any agreements
binding on us or extend the time for premium payments.
CONTRACT CHANGES -- APPLICABLE TAX LAW
We reserve the right to make changes in the Contract to the extent we deem
it necessary to continue to qualify the Contract as an annuity. Any such
changes will apply uniformly to all Contracts that are affected. You will be
given advance written notice of such changes.
YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL OR EXCHANGE YOUR CONTRACT
CANCELING YOUR CONTRACT
You may cancel your Contract within your Free Look Period, which is ten days
after you receive your Contract. For purposes of administering our allocation
and administrative rules, we deem this period to expire 15 days after the
Contract is mailed to you. Some states may require a longer Free Look Period.
If you decide to cancel, you may mail or deliver the Contract to our Customer
Service Center. We will refund the greater of the premium paid or the
Accumulation Value plus any charges we deducted; and the contract will be void
as of the effective date of cancellation. We may require your premiums
designated for investment in the Divisions of Account NY-B be allocated to the
Specially Designated Division during the Free Look Period. Premiums designated
for the Fixed Account will be allocated to a Fixed Allocation with the
Guarantee Period you have chosen. If you do not choose to exercise your right
to cancel during the Free Look Period, then at the end of the Free Look Period
your money will be invested in the Divisions chosen by you, based on the index
of investment experience next computed for each Division. See Facts About the
Contract, Measurement of Investment Experience, Index of Experience and Unit
Value.
EXCHANGING YOUR CONTRACT
For information regarding Section 1035 Exchanges, see Federal Tax
Considerations.
OTHER CONTRACT CHANGES
You may change the Contract to another annuity plan subject to our rules at
the time of the change.
GROUP OR SPONSORED ARRANGEMENTS
For certain group or sponsored arrangements, we may reduce any surrender,
administration, and mortality and expense risk charges. We may also change the
minimum initial and additional premium requirements, or offer a reduced death
benefit. Group arrangements include those in which a trustee or an employer,
for example, purchases Contracts covering a group of individuals on a group
basis. Sponsored arrangements include those in which an employer allows us to
sell Contracts to its employees on an individual basis.
Our costs for sales, administration, and mortality generally vary with the
size and stability of the group among other factors. We take all these factors
into account when reducing charges. To qualify for reduced
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charges, a group or sponsored arrangement must meet certain requirements,
including our requirements for size and number of years in existence. Group or
sponsored arrangements that have been set up solely to buy Contracts or that
have been in existence less than six months will not qualify for reduced
charges.
We will make these and any similar reductions according to our rules in
effect when an application or enrollment form for a Contract is approved. We
may change these rules from time to time. Any variation in the administrative
charge will reflect differences in costs or services and will not be unfairly
discriminatory.
SELLING THE CONTRACT
DSI is also principal underwriter and distributor of the Contract as well as
for any other Contracts issued through Account NY-B and any other separate
accounts of First Golden and Golden American. We pay DSI for acting as
principal underwriter under a distribution agreement. The offering of the
Contract will be continuous.
DSI has entered into and will continue to enter into sales agreements with
broker-dealers to solicit for the sale of the Contract through registered
representatives who are licensed to sell securities and variable insurance
products including variable annuities. These agreements provide that
applications for Contracts may be solicited by registered representatives of
the broker-dealers appointed by First Golden to sell its variable life
insurance and variable annuities. These broker-dealers are registered with the
SEC and are members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD"). The registered representatives are authorized under applicable state
regulations to sell variable life insurance and variable annuities. The
writing agent will receive commissions and expense allowances totaling up to
6.5% of any initial or additional premium payments made.
REGULATORY INFORMATION
VOTING RIGHTS
ACCOUNT NY-B
We will vote the shares of a Trust owned by Account NY-B according to your
instructions. However, if the Investment Company Act of 1940 or any related
regulations should change, or if interpretations of it or related regulations
should change, and we decide that we are permitted to vote the shares of a
trust in our own right, we may decide to do so.
We determine the number of shares that you have in a Division by dividing
the Contract's Accumulation Value in that Division by the net asset value of
one share of the portfolio in which a Division invests. Fractional votes will
be counted. We will determine the number of shares you can instruct us to vote
180 days or less before a Trust's meeting. We will ask you for voting
instructions by mail at least 10 days before the meeting.
If we do not get your instructions in time, we will vote the shares in the
same proportion as the instructions received from all Contracts in that
Division. We will also vote shares we hold in Account NY-B which are not
attributable to Owners in the same proportion.
STATE REGULATION
We are regulated and supervised by the Insurance Department of the State of
New York, which periodically examines our financial condition and operations.
We are also subject to the insurance laws and regulations of all jurisdictions
where we do business. The variable Contract offered by this prospectus has
been approved by the Insurance Department of the State of New York. We are
required to submit annual statements of our operations, including financial
statements, to the Insurance Departments of the various jurisdictions in which
we do business to determine solvency and compliance with state insurance laws
and regulations.
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LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company and its parent, like other insurance companies, are involved in
lawsuits, including class action lawsuits. In some class action and other
lawsuits involving insurers, substantial damages have been sought and/or
material settlement payments have been made. Although the outcome of any
litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company believes that at
the present time, there are no pending or threatened lawsuits that are
reasonably likely to have a material adverse impact on Separate Account NY-B
or the Company.
LEGAL MATTERS
The legal validity of the Contract described in this prospectus has been
passed on by Myles R. Tashman, Esquire, Executive Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary of First Golden. Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan LLP of
Washington, D.C. has provided advice on certain matters relating to Federal
securities laws.
EXPERTS
The audited financial statements of First Golden American Life Insurance
Company of New York and Separate Account NY-B, appearing or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information and the
Registration Statement have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent
auditors, as set forth in their reports thereon appearing or incorporated by
reference in this Prospectus, the Statement of Additional Information and the
Registration Statement and are included in reliance upon such reports given
upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
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MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW
YORK
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial data prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for First Golden should be read in
conjunction with financial statements and notes thereto included in this
Prospectus.
On October 24, 1997, PFHI Holdings, Inc. ("PFHI"), a wholly owned subsidiary
of ING Groep, N.V. ("ING") and a Delaware corporation, acquired all of the
outstanding capital stock of First Golden's parent, Equitable of Iowa
Companies, pursuant to a merger agreement. For financial statement purposes,
the change in control of First Golden was accounted for as a purchase
effective October 25, 1997. This merger results in a new basis of accounting
reflecting estimated fair values of assets and liabilities at that date. As a
result, the GAAP financial data presented below for the period subsequent to
October 24, 1997, is presented on the Post-Merger new basis of accounting,
while the financial statements for October 24, 1997 and prior periods are
presented on the Pre-Merger historical cost basis of accounting.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SELECTED GAAP BASIS
FINANCIAL DATA
(IN THOUSANDS)
-------------------------------------
POST-MERGER PRE-MERGER
------------ ------------------------
FOR THE
FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE
PERIOD JANUARY 1, PERIOD
OCTOBER 25, 1997 AUGUST 14,
1997 THROUGH THROUGH 1996 THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, OCTOBER 24, DECEMBER 31,
1997 1997 1996
------------ ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Annuity Product Charges.................. $ 8 $ 4 $ --
Net Income before Federal Income Tax..... $ 97 $953 $ 65
Net Income............................... $ 63 $666 $ 42
Total Assets............................. $33,927 N/A $24,976
Total Liabilities........................ $ 7,882 N/A $ 24
Total Stockholder's Equity............... $26,095 N/A $24,943
</TABLE>
The following selected financial data was prepared on the basis of statutory
accounting practices ("SAP"), which have been prescribed by the Department of
Insurance of the State of New York and the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners. These practices differ in certain respects from GAAP. The
selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and notes thereto included in this Prospectus, which describe the
differences between SAP and GAAP. See First Golden's Annual Report for more
detail.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SELECTED STATUTORY
FINANCIAL DATA
(IN THOUSANDS)
------------------
FOR THE
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1997
------------------
<S> <C>
Premiums and Annuity Considerations.......................... $ 2,514
Net Income (Loss) before Federal Income Tax.................. $ 635
Net Income (Loss)............................................ $ 439
Total Assets................................................. $32,965
Total Liabilities............................................ $ 7,541
Total Capital and Surplus.................................... $25,424
</TABLE>
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations should be read in conjunction with the GAAP Basis Financial
Statements and Notes to Financial Statements included herein.
First Golden, a wholly owned subsidiary of Golden American Life Insurance
Company ("Golden American" or the "Parent"), was incorporated on May 24, 1996.
First Golden's primary purpose is to offer insurance products in the State of
New York. On January 2, 1997 and December 23, 1997, First Golden became
licensed as a life insurance company in the states of New York and Delaware,
respectively. First Golden is authorized to do business only in the states of
New York and Delaware.
First Golden's primary business purpose is to offer variable insurance
products ("Contracts"). First Golden Contracts are funded by Separate Account
NY-B and were first offered to the public on March 25, 1997.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT. The current business and regulatory environment remains
challenging for the insurance industry. Increasing competition from
traditional insurance carriers as well as banks and mutual fund companies
offer consumers many choices. However, overall demand for variable products
remains strong for several reasons including: a strong stock market
performance over the last 4 years; relatively low interest rates; an aging
United States population that is increasingly concerned about retirement and
estate planning, as well as maintaining their standard of living in
retirement; potential reductions in government and employer-provided benefits
at retirement as well as lower public confidence in the adequacy of those
benefits.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
MERGER. On October 23, 1997, Equitable of Iowa Companies ("Equitable")
shareholders approved the Agreement and Plan of Merger ("Merger Agreement")
dated as of July 7, 1997, among Equitable, PFHI Holdings, Inc. ("PFHI"), and
ING Groep, N.V. ("ING"). On October 24, 1997, PFHI, a Delaware corporation,
acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Equitable pursuant to the
Merger Agreement. PFHI is a wholly owned subsidiary of ING, a global financial
services holding company based in The Netherlands. Equitable, an Iowa
corporation, in turn, owned all the outstanding capital stock of Equitable
Life Insurance Company of Iowa and Golden American and their wholly owned
subsidiaries. Equitable also owned all the outstanding capital stock of Locust
Street Securities, Inc., Equitable Investment Services, Inc., Directed
Services, Inc., Equitable of Iowa Companies Capital Trust, Equitable of Iowa
Companies Capital Trust II and Equitable of Iowa Securities Network, Inc. In
exchange for the outstanding capital stock of Equitable, ING paid total
consideration of approximately $2.1 billion in cash and stock plus the
assumption of approximately $400 million in debt according to the Merger
Agreement. As a result of the merger, Equitable was merged into PFHI which was
simultaneously renamed Equitable of Iowa Companies, Inc. ("EIC").
For financial statement purposes, the change in control of the Company through
the ING merger with EIC, was accounted for as a purchase effective October 25,
1997. This merger resulted in a new basis of accounting reflecting estimated
fair values of assets and liabilities at that date. As a result, the Company's
financial statements for the period subsequent to October 24, 1997, are
presented on the Post-Merger new basis of accounting, while the financial
statements for October 24, 1997 and prior periods are presented on the Pre-
Merger historical cost basis of accounting.
The purchase price was allocated to the companies mentioned previously.
Goodwill of $1.4 billion was established for the excess of the merger cost
over the fair value of the assets and liabilities of EIC with $96,000 pushed
down to the Company. The allocation of the purchase price to the Company was
$25.9 million. The cost of the acquisition is preliminary as it relates to
estimated expenses, and as a result, the allocation of the purchase price to
the Company may change. Goodwill resulting from the merger is being amortized
over 40 years on a straight-line basis. The carrying value will be reviewed
periodically for any indication of impairment in value.
The following analysis combines the Post-Merger and Pre-Merger activity for
1997 in order to compare to the results of 1996. Such a comparison does not
recognize the impact of the purchase accounting and goodwill amortization
except for the period after October 24, 1997.
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PREMIUMS. On March 25, 1997 and December 23, 1997, First Golden received
policy approvals in New York and Delaware, respectively. The Company reported
$7.3 million in variable annuity premiums during the year ending December 31,
1997.
Premiums, net of reinsurance, for variable products from two significant
broker/dealers for the year ended December 31, 1997, totaled $6.9 million, or
94.5% of premiums. One of these distributors sold 59.4% of the Company's
products in 1997. This distributor has indicated that it may discontinue the
sales relationship by the end of 1998.
REVENUES. Product charges from variable annuities totaled $12,000 in 1997. Net
investment income was $1,735,000 and $65,000 for the year ending December 31,
1997 and for the period December 17, 1996 through December 31, 1996,
respectively.
EXPENSES. The Company reported total insurance benefits and expenses of
$698,000 for the year ending December 31, 1997. Insurance benefits and
expenses consisted of interest credited to account balances, commissions,
general expenses, insurance taxes, amortization of deferred policy acquisition
expenses, goodwill and present value of in force acquired, net of deferred
policy acquisition costs. Interest credited to account values was $74,000 for
the year ending December 31, 1997. For the year ending December 31, 1997,
commissions, general expenses and insurance taxes were $312,000, $681,000 and
$109,000, respectively.
The Company's deferred policy acquisition costs ("DPAC") was eliminated as of
the merger date and an asset of $132,000 representing present value of in
force acquired ("PVIF") was established for policies in force at the merger
date. First Golden deferred $502,000 of expenses associated with the sale of
variable annuity contracts for the year ending December 31, 1997. These
acquisition costs are amortized in proportion to the expected gross profits.
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs was $20,000 for the year
ending December 31, 1997. The amortization of PVIF for the period October 25,
1997 through December 31, 1997 was $3,000. Based on current conditions and
assumptions as to the impact of future events on acquired policies in force,
the expected approximate net amortization for the next five years, relating to
the PVIF as of December 31, 1997 is $19,000 in 1998, $18,000 in 1999, $17,000
in 2000, $15,000 in 2001 and $13,000 in 2002. Certain expense estimates
inherent in the cost of the merger may change resulting in changes of the
allocation of the purchase price. If changes occur, the impact could result in
changes to PVIF and the related amortization and deferred taxes. Actual
amortization may vary based upon final purchase price allocation and changes
in assumptions and experience.
Amortization of goodwill during the period from the merger date to December
31, 1997 totaled approximately $1,000. Goodwill is being amortized on a
straight-line basis over 40 years and is expected to total approximately
$2,400 annually.
NET INCOME. Net income was $729,000 and $42,000 for the year ending December
31, 1997 and the period December 17, 1996 through December 31, 1997,
respectively.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
RATINGS. At December 31, 1997, the Company's ratings were at A+ by A.M. Best
Company and AA+ by Duff Phelps Inc.
INVESTMENTS. First Golden's assets are invested in accordance with applicable
laws. These laws govern the nature and the quality of investments that may be
made by life insurance companies and the percentage of their assets that may
be committed to any particular type of investment. In general, these laws
permit investments, within specified limits subject to certain qualifications,
in federal, state, and municipal obligations, corporate bonds, preferred or
common stocks, real estate mortgages, real estate and certain other
investments.
First Golden purchases investments in accordance with investment guidelines
that take into account investment quality, liquidity and diversification, and
invests primarily in investment grade securities. All of First Golden's assets
except for variable separate account assets are available to meet its
obligations under the Contracts.
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All of the Company's investments are carried at fair value in the Company's
financial statements. The increase in the carrying value of the Company's
investment portfolio included changes in unrealized appreciation and
depreciation of fixed maturity securities as well as a growth in the cost
basis of these securities. Growth in the cost basis of the Company's
investment portfolio resulted from the investment of premiums from the sale of
the fixed account option of the Company's variable insurance products. The
Company manages the growth of its insurance operations in order to maintain
adequate capital ratios.
Fixed Maturity Securities: At December 31, 1997, the Company had fixed
maturities with an amortized cost of $26.6 million and an estimated fair value
of $26.7 million. The individual securities in the Company's fixed maturities
portfolio (at amortized cost) include investment grade securities ($25.0
million or 94.0%), which include securities issued by the U.S. Government,
agencies and corporations that are rated at least BBB- by Standard & Poor's
Rating Services ("Standard & Poor's"), and below investment grade securities
($1.6 million or 6.0%), which are securities issued by corporations that are
rated BB+ to BB- by Standard & Poor's.
The Company classifies 100% of its securities as available for sale. Net
unrealized appreciation on fixed maturity securities of $151,000 was comprised
of gross appreciation of $183,000 and gross depreciation of $32,000. Net
unrealized holding losses on these securities, net of adjustments to DPAC and
deferred income taxes, increased stockholder's equity by $96,000 at December
31, 1997.
At December 31, 1997, the amortized cost value of the Company's total
investment in below investment grade securities was $1.6 million or 6.0% of
the Company's investment portfolio. The Company intends to purchase additional
below investment grade securities, but it does not expect the percentage of
its portfolio invested in below investment grade securities to exceed 10% of
its investment portfolio. At December 31, 1997, the yield at amortized cost on
the Company's below investment grade portfolio was 7.86% compared to 6.60% for
the Company's investment grade bond portfolio. The Company estimates the fair
value of its below investment grade portfolio was $1.57 million or 98.0% of
amortized cost value, at December 31, 1997.
Below investment grade securities have different characteristics than
investment grade corporate debt securities. Risk of loss upon default by the
borrower is significantly greater with respect to below investment grade
securities than with other corporate debt securities. Below investment grade
securities are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to other
creditors of the issuer. Also, issuers of below investment grade securities
usually have higher levels of debt and are more sensitive to adverse economic
conditions, such as recession or increasing interest rates, than are issuers
of investment grade securities. The Company attempts to reduce the overall
risk in its below investment grade portfolio, as in all of its investments,
through careful credit analysis, strict investment policy guidelines, and
diversification by company and by industry.
The Company analyzes its investment portfolio, including below investment
grade securities, at least quarterly in order to determine if its ability to
realize its carrying value on any investment has been impaired. For debt
securities, if impairment in value is determined to be other than temporary
(i.e. if it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due
according to the contractual terms of the security), the cost basis of the
impaired security is written down to fair value, which becomes the security's
new cost basis. The amount of the write-down is included in earnings as a
realized loss. Future events may occur, or additional or updated information
may be received, which may necessitate future write-downs of securities in the
Company's portfolio. Significant write-downs in the carrying value of
investments could materially adversely affect the Company's net income in
future periods.
During the year ended December 31, 1997, the amortized cost basis of the
Company's fixed maturity portfolio was reduced by $269,000 as a result of
scheduled principal repayments.
At December 31, 1997, no fixed maturity securities were deemed to have
impairments in value that are other than temporary. The Company's investment
portfolio had a combined yield at amortized cost of 6.57% at December 31,
1997.
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OTHER ASSETS. DPAC represents certain deferred costs of acquiring new
insurance business, principally commissions and other expenses related to the
production of new business subsequent to the merger. The Company's DPAC was
eliminated as of the merger date and an asset of $132,000 representing PVIF
was established for all policies in force at the merger date. PVIF is
amortized into income in proportion to the expected gross profits of in force
acquired in a manner similar to DPAC amortization. At December 31, 1997, PVIF
and DPAC were $126,000 and $189,000, respectively.
Goodwill totaling $96,000, representing the excess of the acquisition cost
over the fair value of net assets acquired, was established at the merger
date. Amortization of goodwill through December 31, 1997 was approximately
$1,000.
At December 31, 1997, the Company had $4.9 million of separate account assets.
At December 31, 1997, the Company had total assets of $33.9 million, an
increase of 36% over total assets at December 31, 1996.
Liabilities. At December 31, 1997, future policy benefits of $2.5 million were
established utilizing the retrospective deposit accounting method. Policy
reserves represent the premiums received plus accumulated interest less
mortality and administration charges. At December 31, 1997, the Company had
$4.9 million of separate account liabilities.
The Company's total liabilities were $7.8 million at December 31, 1997. The
increase from $25,000 at December 31, 1996 is primarily the result of an
increase in future policy benefits and separate account liabilities.
Liabilities will continue to show significant growth as the Company increases
its sales of variable annuities.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The liquidity requirements of the Company are met by cash flow from investment
income and premiums. The Company primarily uses funds for the payment of
annuity benefits, commissions, operating expenses and the purchase of new
investments. Additional sources of future cash flows will include maturities
of fixed maturity investments.
First Golden's principal office is located in New York, New York, where
certain of the Company's records are maintained. The 2,568 square feet of
office space is leased for a five year term.
On December 17, 1996, Golden American made capital contributions to First
Golden of $25 million. Of this amount, $2.0 million represented 200,000 shares
of common stock with a par value of $10.00 per share. The remaining $23.0
million was contributed as additional paid-in capital. First Golden believes
it will be able to fund the capital required for projected new business
primarily with existing capital and future capital contributions from its
Parent. First Golden expects to continue to receive capital contributions from
Golden American if necessary.
The Golden American board of directors has agreed by resolution to provide
funds as needed for the Company to maintain policyholders' surplus that meets
or exceeds the greater of: (1) the minimum capital adequacy standards to
maintain a level of capitalization necessary to meet A.M. Best Company's
guidelines or one level less than the one originally given to First Golden, or
(2) the New York State Insurance Department risk-based capital minimum
requirements as determined in accordance with New York statutory accounting
principles. No funds were transferred from Golden American in 1997.
First Golden is required to maintain a minimum capital and surplus of not less
than $4 million under the provisions of the insurance laws of the State of New
York in which it became licensed to sell insurance products on January 2,
1997.
Under the provisions of the insurance laws of the State of New York, First
Golden cannot distribute any dividends to its stockholder unless a notice of
its intention to declare a dividend and the amount of the dividend
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<PAGE>
has been filed not less than thirty days in advance of the proposed
declaration. The superintendent may disapprove the distribution by giving
written notice to the Company within thirty days after the filing should the
superintendent find that the financial condition of the Company does not
warrant the distribution.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners' ("NAIC's") risk-based
capital requirements require insurance companies to calculate and report
information under a risk-based capital formula. These requirements are
intended to allow insurance regulators to identify inadequately capitalized
insurance companies based upon the type and mixture of risks inherent in the
Company's operations. The formula includes components for asset risk,
liability risk, interest rate exposure and other factors. The Company has
complied with the NAIC's risk-based capital reporting requirements. Amounts
reported indicate the Company has total adjusted capital which is above all
required capital levels.
SEGMENT INFORMATION. First Golden's operations consist of one business
segment, the sale of insurance products. First Golden is not dependent upon
any single customer, however, two broker/dealers accounted for a significant
portion of its sales volume in 1997. One of these distributors sold 59.4% of
the Company's products in 1997. This Distributor has indicated that it may
discontinue the sales relationship by the end of 1998. All premiums are
generated from consumers in the states of New York and Delaware.
REINSURANCE. At December 31, 1997, First Golden had a reinsurance treaty with
a reinsurer covering a significant portion of the mortality risks under its
variable contracts with an unaffiliated reinsurer. First Golden remains liable
to the extent its reinsurer does not meet its obligation under the reinsurance
agreement.
YEAR 2000 PROJECT. Based on a study of its computer software and hardware,
First Golden's parent, Golden American, has determined its exposure to the
Year 2000 change of the century date issue. Management believes the Company's
systems are or will be substantially compliant by the Year 2000, and Golden
American has engaged external consultants to validate this assumption. The
only system known to be affected by this issue is a system maintained by an
affiliate who will incur the related costs to make the system compliant. To
mitigate the effect of outside influences and other dependencies relative to
the Year 2000, Golden American will continue to contact significant customers,
suppliers and other third parties. To the extent these third parties would be
unable to transact business in the Year 2000 and thereafter, the Company's
operations could be adversely affected.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Any forward-looking statements contained herein or in any other oral or
written statement by the Company or any of its officers, directors or
employees is qualified by the fact that actual results of the Company may
differ materially from such statement due to the following important factors,
among other risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business:
1. Prevailing interest rate levels and stock market performance, which may
affect the ability of the Company to sell its products, the market value of
the Company's investments and the lapse rate of the Company's policies,
notwithstanding product design features intended to enhance persistency of
the Company's products.
2. Changes in the federal income tax laws and regulations which may affect
the relative tax advantages of the Company's products.
3. Changes in the regulation of financial services, including bank sales
and underwriting of insurance products, which may affect the competitive
environment for the Company's products.
4. Increasing competition in the sale of the Company's products.
5. Other factors affecting the performance of the Company, including, but
not limited to, potential market conduct claims and other litigation,
insurance industry insolvencies, investment performance of the underlying
portfolios of the variable products, variable product design and sales
volume by significant sellers of the Company's variable products.
45
<PAGE>
OTHER INFORMATION
CERTAIN AGREEMENTS. On November 8, 1996, First Golden and Golden American
entered into an administrative service agreement pursuant to which Golden
American agreed to provide certain accounting, actuarial, tax, underwriting,
sales, management and other services to First Golden. Expenses incurred by
Golden American in relation to this service agreement will be reimbursed by
First Golden on an allocated cost basis. First Golden entered into a similar
agreement with another affiliate, Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa
("Equitable Life"), for additional services. For the year ended December 31,
1997, First Golden incurred expenses of $24,000 and $29,000 under the
agreements with Golden American and Equitable Life, respectively.
First Golden also entered into an agreement with ELSI, under which ELSI
performed investment advisory services. For the year ended December 31, 1997,
First Golden incurred expenses of $62,000 under this agreement, which was
terminated as of December 31, 1997.
Also on November 8, 1996, First Golden and DSI entered into a service
agreement pursuant to which First Golden has agreed to provide DSI certain of
its personnel to perform management, administrative and clerical services and
the use of certain of its facilities. First Golden expects to charge DSI for
such expenses and all other general and administrative costs, first on the
basis of direct charges when identifiable, and second allocated based on the
estimated amount of time spent by First Golden's employees on behalf of DSI.
As of December 31, 1997, no such charges have been billed to DSI.
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT. First Golden has entered into agreements with DSI to
perform services related to the distribution of its products. DSI acts as the
principal underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) of the variable insurance products
issued by First Golden. For the year ended December 31, 1997, commissions paid
by First Golden to DSI aggregated $408,000.
EMPLOYEES. During 1996, Golden American provided the support necessary for the
incorporation and licensing of First Golden. During 1997, First Golden had few
direct employees due to its small size and will continue to receive support
pursuant to various management services from DSI, Golden American and other
affiliates as described above under "Certain Agreements." The cost of these
services are allocated to First Golden.
Certain officers of First Golden are also officers of Golden American and DSI,
and certain officers of First Golden are also officers of EIC, Equitable Life
Insurance Company of Iowa and/or of Equitable of Iowa Securities Network, Inc.
See "Directors and Executive Officers."
PROPERTIES. First Golden's principal office is located at 230 Park Avenue,
Suite 966, New York, New York 10169, where certain of the Company's records
are maintained. The 2,568 square feet of office space is leased for a 5 year
term.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME (AGE) POSITIONS(S) WITH THE COMPANY
---------- -----------------------------
<S> <C>
Barnett Chernow (48) President and Director
Myles R. Tashman (55) Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and Director
Keith T. Glover (47) Executive Vice President
James R. McInnis (50) Executive Vice President
Carol V. Coleman (48) Director
Stephen J. Friedman (60) Director
Frederick S. Hubbell Director and Chairman
(47)
Bernard Levitt (72) Director
Roger R. Martin (66) Director
Andrew Kalinowski (53) Director
David L. Jacobson (48) Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Stephen J. Preston (40) Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary
Mary B. Wilkinson (41) Senior Vice President and Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer)
Marilyn Talman (51) Vice President, Associate Counsel and Assistant Secretary
</TABLE>
46
<PAGE>
Each director is elected to serve for one year or until the next annual
meeting of shareholders or until his or her successor is elected. Some
directors are directors of insurance company subsidiaries of First Golden's
parent, EIC.
The principal positions of First Golden's directors and senior executive
officers for the past five years are listed below:
Mr. Barnett Chernow became President of First Golden American Life Insurance
Company of New York ("First Golden") and Golden American in April, 1998. From
1996 to 1998, Mr. Chernow served as Executive Vice President of First Golden.
From 1993 to 1998, Mr. Chernow also served as Executive Vice President of
Golden American. From 1977 through 1993, he held various positions with
Reliance Insurance Companies and was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of United Pacific Life Insurance Company from 1984 through 1993. He
was elected to serve as a director of First Golden in June, 1996 and Golden
American in April, 1998.
Mr. Myles R. Tashman is Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary
and Director of First Golden. Since December, 1995, Mr. Tashman has also
served as Executive Vice President of Golden American. From 1986 through 1993,
he was Senior Vice President and General Counsel of United Pacific Life
Insurance Company. He was elected to serve as a director of First Golden in
June, 1996.
Mr. Keith T. Glover became Executive Vice President of First Golden and Golden
American in February, 1998. From 1991 to 1998, Mr. Glover served as Executive
Vice President of several First Golden affiliates: from 1996 to 1998,
Southland Life Insurance Company; from 1995 to 1996, ING FSI North America;
and from 1991 to 1994, Security Life of Denver. From 1994 to 1995, Mr. Glover
served as President of ING Insurance Services - ING America Life, another
First Golden affiliate.
Mr. James R. McInnis is Executive Vice President of First Golden since
December, 1997. From 1982 through November, 1997, he was with the Endeavor
Group and was President upon leaving.
Ms. Carol V. Coleman is a Director of First Golden, having been first
appointed in December, 1997. She is a financial recruiter with Vantage
Staffing since 1994. From 1991 through 1993, she was a consultant with
Executive Edge. She also served as a Chair of the Board for Typa Youth Program
Association from 1988 through 1990. Prior to that, she held various executive
and board positions with banking institutions.
Mr. Stephen J. Friedman is a Director of First Golden, having been first
appointed in June, 1996. Mr. Friedman is a partner of the law firm of
Debevoise & Plimpton in New York, NY since 1993. From 1988 through 1993, he
was Executive Vice President and General Counsel to Equitable Life Assurance
Society of the United States.
Mr. Frederick S. Hubbell is a Director and Chairman of First Golden, having
been appointed as a Director in December, 1997 and as Chairman in April, 1998.
He also serves as a Director, since August, 1996, and Chairman, since
September, 1996 of Golden American. He was appointed General Manager of ING
Financial Services International, North America, in October, 1997, and
President and Chief Executive Officer of the ING U.S. life and annuities
companies in April, 1998. Mr. Hubbell served as Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of Equitable of Iowa from 1991 until October, 1997. He also
has served as Chairman and President of Equitable Life Insurance Company of
Iowa from 1987 until October, 1997.
Mr. Bernard Levitt is a Director of First Golden, having been first appointed
in June, 1996. Until his retirement in 1990, Mr. Levitt was a life insurance
consultant with American Life Insurance Company or New York, since 1989.
Mr. Roger R. Martin is a Director of First Golden, having been first appointed
in June, 1996. Until his retirement in July, 1995, Mr. Martin was a Vice
President with Bear Sterns since 1984.
47
<PAGE>
Mr. Andrew Kalinowski is a Director of First Golden, having been first
appointed in June, 1996. Mr. Kalinowski is a Principal and the President of
Upstate Special Risk Services, Incorporated since 1974. He is also a
Principal, the Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of LifeMark
Securities Corporation since 1983, a Principal, Vice President and Secretary
of LifeMark Associates, Incorporated since 1993, and a Principal and Director
of LIFE Incorporated.
Mr. David L. Jacobson is Senior Vice President and Assistant Secretary of
First Golden. Since November, 1993, Mr. Jacobson has also served as Senior
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of Golden American. Since September,
1996, Mr. Jacobson has also served as Assistant Secretary of Equitable Life
and as Vice President of Equitable of Iowa Securities Network, Inc. From
April, 1974 through November, 1993, he held various positions with United
Pacific Life Insurance Company and was Vice President upon leaving.
Mr. Stephen J. Preston is Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary of First
Golden. Since December, 1993, Mr. Preston has served in an identical capacity
with Golden American. From September, 1993 through November, 1993, he was
Senior Vice President and Actuary for Mutual of America Insurance Company.
From July, 1987 through August, 1993, he held various positions with United
Pacific Life Insurance Company and was Vice President and Actuary upon
leaving.
Ms. Mary Bea Wilkinson is Senior Vice President and Treasurer of First Golden.
From November, 1993 through 1996, Ms. Wilkinson served as Senior Vice
President, Assistant Secretary and Treasurer of Golden American. From August,
1993 through October, 1993, she was an Assistant Vice President with CIGNA
Insurance Companies. From January, 1987 through July, 1993, she held various
positions with United Pacific Life Insurance Company and was Vice President
and Controller upon leaving.
Ms. Marilyn Talman is Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant
Secretary of First Golden. Since April, 1996, Ms. Talman has also served as
Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary for Golden
American. Since September, 1996, Ms. Talman has also served as Assistant
Secretary of Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa and as Vice President of
Equitable of Iowa Securities Network, Inc. From March, 1992 through March,
1994, she held various positions with Rodney Square Management Corp. and was
Vice President and General Counsel upon leaving.
48
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION TABLES AND OTHER INFORMATION
The following sets forth information with respect to the Chief Executive
Officer of First Golden as well as the annual salary and bonus for the next
five highly compensated executive officers for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1997. Certain executive officers of First Golden are also officers of DSI
and Golden American. The salaries of such individuals are allocated among
First Golden, DSI and Golden American. Executive officers of First Golden are
also officers of DSI and Golden American. The salaries of such individuals are
allocated among First Golden, DSI and Golden American DSI pursuant to an
arrangement among these companies.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth information with respect to the annual salary
and bonus for First Golden Chief Executive Officer and the next five most
highly compensated executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31,
1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION COMPENSATION
------------------- ------------------------
RESTRICTED SECURITIES
STOCK UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS(/1/) AWARDS(/2/) OPTIONS(/3/) COMPENSATION(/4/)
- --------------------------- ---- -------- ---------- ----------- ------------ -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Terry L. Kendall, ...... 1997 $362,833 $ 80,365 $644,844 16,000 $10,000
President and Chief
Executive Officer
Barnett Chernow, ....... 1997 $234,167 $ 31,859 $277,576 4,000 $ 5,000
Executive Vice President
Edward C. Wilson, ...... 1997 $ 80,383 $137,700 5,000
Executive Vice President
Myles R. Tashman, ...... 1997 $181,417 $ 25,000 $165,512 5,000 $ 5,000
Executive Vice
President, General
Counsel and Secretary
Stephen J. Preston, .... 1997 $160,758 $ 16,470 2,000
Senior Vice President
and Chief Actuary
Mary Bea Wilkenson, ... 1997 $141,234 $ 14,466 2,000
Senior Vice President
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) The amount shown relates to bonuses paid in 1997.
(2) Restricted stock awards granted to executive officers vested on October
24, 1997 with the change in control of Equitable of Iowa.
(3) Awards comprised of qualified and non-qualified stock options. All options
were granted with an exercise price equal to the then fair market value of
the underlying stock. All options vested with the change of control of
Equitable of Iowa and were cashed out for the difference between $68.00
and the exercise price.
(4) For 1997, this compensation includes payment to each named executive as
perquisite payments which are classified as taxable income and are
required to be applied to specific business expenses of the named
executive.
49
<PAGE>
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR (1997)
On October 24, 1997, in conjunction with the acquisition of Equitable of Iowa,
all outstanding options vested and were cashed out for the difference between
$68.00 and the exercise price. The table below represents the options granted
in 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL
REALIZABLE VALUE AT
ASSUMED ANNUAL
NUMBER OF % OF TOTAL RATES OF STOCK
SECURITIES OPTIONS PRICE APPRECIATION
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO FOR OPTION TERM(/4/)
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES EXERCISE EXPIRATION ---------------------
NAME GRANTED(/1/) IN FISCAL YEAR PRICE(/2/) DATE(/3/) 10%
- ---- ------------ -------------- ---------- ---------- 5% -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Terry L. Kendall........ 16,000 5.26 $47.875 2/12/2007 $481,733 $1,220,807
Barnett Chernow......... 4,000 1.32 $47.875 2/12/2007 $120,433 $ 305,202
Edward C. Wilson........ 5,000 1.64 $47.875 2/12/2007 $150,542 $ 381,502
Myles R. Tashman........ 5,000 1.64 $47.875 2/12/2007 $150,542 $ 381,502
Stephen J. Preston...... 2,000 0.66 $47.875 2/12/2007 $ 60,217 $ 152,601
Mary Bea Wilkenson...... 2,000 0.66 $47.875 2/12/2007 $ 60,217 $ 152,601
</TABLE>
- ------------------
(1) Stock options granted on February 12, 1997 by Equitable of Iowa to the
officers of Golden American had a five-year vesting period with 20%
exercisable after 3rd year, an additional 30% after 4th year, and the
final 50% after 5th year. The options vested with the change of control of
Equitable of Iowa.
(2) The exercise price was equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock
on the date of grant.
(3) Incentive Stock Options had a term of ten years. They were subject to
earlier termination in certain events related to termination of
employment.
(4) Total dollar gains based on indicated rates of appreciation of share price
over a ten-year term.
Employee Directors of First Golden receive no additional compensation for
serving as a director.
50
<PAGE>
FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
INTRODUCTION
The following discussion of the federal income tax treatment of the Contract
is not exhaustive, does not purport to cover all situations, and is not
intended as tax advice. The federal income tax treatment of the Contract is
unclear in certain circumstances, and a qualified tax adviser should always be
consulted with regard to the application of the tax law to individual
circumstances. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code"), Treasury Department regulations, and interpretations
existing on the date of this prospectus. These authorities, however, are
subject to change by Congress, the Treasury Department, and judicial
decisions.
This discussion does not address state or local tax consequences associated
with the purchase of the Contract. In addition, FIRST GOLDEN MAKES NO
GUARANTEE REGARDING ANY TAX TREATMENT--FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL--OF ANY
CONTRACT OR OF ANY TRANSACTION INVOLVING A CONTRACT.
TAX STATUS OF FIRST GOLDEN
First Golden is taxed as a life insurance company under the Code. Since the
operations of Account NY-B are a part of, and are taxed with, the operations
of First Golden, Account NY-B is not separately taxed as a "regulated
investment company" under the Code. Under existing federal income tax laws,
investment income and capital gains of Account NY-B are not taxed to First
Golden to the extent they are applied under a Contract. First Golden does not
anticipate that it will incur any federal income tax liability in Account NY-B
attributable to Contract obligations, and therefore First Golden does not
intend to make provision for any such taxes. If First Golden is taxed on
investment income or capital gains of Account NY-B, then First Golden may
impose a charge against Account NY-B, as appropriate, in order to make
provision for such taxes.
TAXATION OF NON-QUALIFIED ANNUITIES
TAX DEFERRAL DURING ACCUMULATION PERIOD
Under existing provisions of the Code, except as described below, any
increase in an Owner's Accumulation Value is generally not taxable to the
Owner until amounts are received from the Contract, either in the form of
annuity payments as contemplated by the Contract, or in some other form of
distribution. However, this rule allowing deferral applies only if (1) the
investments of Account NY-B are "adequately diversified" in accordance with
Treasury Department regulations, (2) First Golden, rather than the Owner, is
considered the owner of the assets of Account NY-B for federal income tax
purposes, and (3) the Contract is owned by an individual (or is treated as
owned by an individual). In addition to the foregoing, if the Contract's
annuity commencement date occurs at a time when the Annuitant is at an
advanced age, such as over age 85, it is possible that the Owner will be
taxable currently on the annual increase in the Accumulation Value.
Diversification Requirements. The Code and Treasury Department regulations
prescribe the manner in which the investments of a segregated asset account,
such as the Divisions of Account NY-B, are to be "adequately diversified." If
a Division of Account NY-B failed to comply with these diversification
standards, Contracts based on that segregated asset account would not be
treated as an annuity contract for federal income tax purposes and the Owner
would generally be taxable currently on the income on the contract (as defined
in the tax law) beginning with the period of non-diversification. First Golden
expects that the Divisions of Account NY-B will comply with the
diversification requirements prescribed by the Code and Treasury Department
regulations.
Ownership Treatment. In certain circumstances, variable annuity contract
owners may be considered the owners, for federal income tax purposes, of the
assets of a segregated asset account, such as the Divisions of Account NY-B,
used to support their contracts. In those circumstances, income and gains from
the segregated asset account would be includible in the contract owners' gross
income. The Internal Revenue Service (the
51
<PAGE>
"IRS") has stated in published rulings that a variable contract owner will be
considered the owner of the assets of a segregated asset account if the owner
possesses incidents of ownership in those assets, such as the ability to
exercise investment control over the assets. In addition, the Treasury
Department announced, in connection with the issuance of regulations
concerning investment diversification, that those regulations "do not provide
guidance concerning the circumstances in which investor control of the
investments of a segregated asset account may cause the investor, rather than
the insurance company, to be treated as the owner of the assets in the
account." This announcement also stated that guidance would be issued by way
of regulations or rulings on the "extent to which policyholders may direct
their investments to particular subaccounts (of a segregated asset account)
without being treated as owners of the underlying assets." As of the date of
this prospectus, no such guidance has been issued.
The ownership rights under the Contract are similar to, but different in
certain respects from, those described by the IRS in rulings in which it was
determined that contract owners were not owners of the assets of a segregated
asset account. For example, the Owner of this Contract has the choice of more
investment options to which to allocate purchase payments and the Accumulation
Value, and may be able to transfer among investment options more frequently,
than in such rulings. These differences could result in the Owner being
treated as the owner of all or a portion of the assets of Account NY-B.
Furthermore, under the Contract, the Owner may choose to invest in the
Select Portfolios of Concert Series, which in turn invest in regulated
investment companies which are available for investment to the general public
("fund of funds structure"). Section 817 of the Code and the Treasury
Regulations thereunder do not currently address variable contract
diversification in the context of such a fund of funds structure. Furthermore,
in consideration of this structure, it is unknown what level of investment
management must be exercised by the managers of the Portfolios of the
Investment Options and what amount of investment diversification of these
portfolios is required in order to preclude the existence of an unacceptable
level of owner control. As discussed above, if the Owner is deemed to possess
too much control over the assets of the Separate Account, the Contract would
not be given tax-deferred treatment and therefore the earnings allocable to
the Contract would be subject to federal income tax prior to receipt by the
Owner.
First Golden does not know what standards will be set forth in the
regulations or rulings which the Treasury Department has stated it expects to
issue. First Golden therefore reserves the right to modify the Contract as
necessary to attempt to prevent Contract Owners from being considered the
owners of the assets of Account NY-B. However, there is no assurance that such
efforts would be successful. Frequently, if the IRS or the Treasury Department
sets forth a new position which is adverse to taxpayers, the position is
applied on a prospective basis only. Thus, if the IRS or the Treasury
Department were to issue regulations or a ruling which treated an Owner of
this Contract as the owner of Account NY-B, that treatment might apply on a
prospective basis. However, if the regulations or ruling were not considered
to set forth a new position, an Owner might retroactively be determined to be
the owner of the assets of Account NY-B.
Non-Natural Owner. As a general rule, Contracts held by "non-natural
persons" such as a corporation, trust or other similar entity, as opposed to a
natural person, are not treated as annuity contracts for federal tax purposes.
The income on such Contracts (as defined in the tax law) is taxed as ordinary
income that is received or accrued by the Owner of the Contract during the
taxable year. There are several exceptions to this general rule for non-
natural owners. First, Contracts will generally be treated as held by a
natural person if the nominal Owner is a trust or other entity which holds the
Contract as an agent for a natural person. However, this special exception
will not apply in the case of any employer who is the nominal Owner of a
Contract under a non-qualified deferred compensation arrangement for its
employees.
In addition, exceptions to the general rule for non-natural Owners will
apply with respect to (1) Contracts acquired by an estate of a decedent by
reason of the death of the decedent, (2) certain Contracts issued in
connection with qualified retirement plans, (3) certain Contracts purchased by
employers upon the termination of certain qualified retirement plans,
including certain Roth IRA Contracts, (4) certain Contracts used in connection
with structured settlement agreements, and (5) Contracts purchased with a
single purchase payment when the
52
<PAGE>
annuity starting date (as defined in the tax law) is no later than a year from
purchase of the Contract and substantially equal periodic payments are made,
not less frequently than annually, during the annuity period.
The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Contract will be treated
as an annuity contract for federal income tax purposes.
TAXATION OF PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS AND SURRENDERS
In the case of a partial withdrawal prior to the annuity commencement date,
amounts received generally are includible in income to the extent the Owner's
Accumulation Value (determined without regard to any surrender charge, within
the meaning of the tax law) before the surrender exceeds his or her
"investment in the contract." In the case of a surrender of the Contract for
the cash surrender value, amounts received are includible in income to the
extent they exceed the "investment in the contract." For these purposes, the
investment in the contract at any time equals the total of the premium
payments made under the Contract to that time (to the extent such payments
were neither deductible when made nor excludable from income as, for example,
in the case of certain contributions to IRAs and other qualified retirement
plans) less any amounts previously received from the Contract which were not
includible in income.
In the case of systematic partial withdrawals, the amount of each withdrawal
will generally be taxed in the same manner as a partial withdrawal made prior
to the annuity commencement date, as described above. However, there is some
uncertainty regarding the tax treatment of systematic partial withdrawals, and
it is possible that additional amounts may be includible in income.
The Contract provides a death benefit that in certain circumstances may
exceed the greater of the premium payments and the Accumulation Value. As
described elsewhere in this prospectus, First Golden imposes certain charges
with respect to the death benefit. It is possible that some portion of those
charges could be treated for federal tax purposes as a partial withdrawal from
the Contract.
TAXATION OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS
Normally, the portion of each annuity payment taxable as ordinary income is
equal to the excess of the payment over the exclusion amount. In the case of
fixed annuity payments, the exclusion amount is the amount determined by
multiplying (1) the fixed annuity payment by (2) the ratio of the "investment
in the contract" (defined above), adjusted for any period certain or refund
feature, allocated to the fixed annuity option to the total expected amount of
fixed annuity payments for the period of the Contract (determined under
Treasury Department regulations). In the case of variable annuity payments,
the exclusion amount for each variable annuity payment is a specified dollar
amount equal to the investment in the contract allocated to the variable
annuity option when payments begin divided by the number of variable payments
expected to be made (determined by Treasury Department regulations).
Once the total amount of the investment in the contract is excluded using
these formulas, annuity payments will be fully taxable. If annuity payments
cease because of the death of the Annuitant and before the total amount of the
investment in the contract is recovered, the unrecovered amount generally will
be allowed as a deduction to the Annuitant or Beneficiary (depending upon the
circumstances).
TAXATION OF DEATH BENEFIT PROCEEDS
Prior to the annuity commencement date, amounts may be distributed from a
Contract because of the death of an Owner or, in certain circumstances, the
death of the Annuitant. Such death benefit proceeds are includible in income
as follows: (1) if distributed in a lump sum, they are taxed in the same
manner as a surrender, as described above, or (2) if distributed under an
annuity option, they are taxed in the same manner as annuity payments, as
described above. After the annuity commencement date, where a guaranteed
period exists under an annuity option and the Annuitant dies before the end of
that period, payments made to the Beneficiary for the remainder of that period
are includible in income as follows: (1) if received in a lump sum, they are
includible in
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income to the extent that they exceed the unrecovered investment in the
contract at that time, or (2) if distributed in accordance with the existing
annuity option selected, they are fully excludable from income until the
remaining investment in the contract is deemed to be recovered, and all
annuity payments thereafter are fully includible in income.
If certain amounts become payable in a lump sum from a Contract, such as the
death benefit, it is possible that such amounts might be viewed as
constructively received and thus subject to tax, even though not actually
received. A lump sum will not be constructively received if it is applied
under an annuity option within 60 days after the date on which it becomes
payable. (Any annuity option selected must comply with applicable mimimum
distribution requirements imposed by the Code.)
ASSIGNMENTS, PLEDGES, AND GRATUITOUS TRANSFERS
Other than in the case of Contracts issued as IRAs or in connection with
certain other qualified retirement plans (which generally cannot be assigned
or pledged), any assignment or pledge (or agreement to assign or pledge) of
any portion of the value of the Contract is treated for federal income tax
purposes as a partial withdrawal of such amount or portion. The investment in
the contract is increased by the amount includible as income with respect to
such assignment or pledge, though it is not affected by any other aspect of
the assignment or pledge (including its release). If an Owner transfers a
Contract without adequate consideration to a person other than the Owner's
spouse (or to a former spouse incident to divorce), the Owner will be taxed on
the difference between the cash surrender value (within the meaning of the tax
law) and the investment in the contract at the time of transfer. In such case,
the transferee's investment in the contract will be increased to reflect the
increase in the transferor's income.
SECTION 1035 EXCHANGES
Code section 1035 provides that no gain or loss is recognized when an
annuity contract is received in exchange for a life, endowment, or annuity
contract, provided that no cash or other property is received in the exchange
transaction. Special rules and procedures apply in order for an exchange to
meet the requirements of section 1035. Also, there are additional tax
considerations involved when the contracts are issued in connection with
qualified retirement plans. Prospective Owners of this Contract should consult
a tax advisor before entering into a section 1035 exchange (with respect to
non-qualified annuity contracts) or a trustee-to-trustee transfer or rollover
(with respect to qualified annuity contracts).
PENALTY TAX ON PREMATURE DISTRIBUTIONS
Where a Contract has not been issued as an IRA or in connection with another
qualified retirement plan, there generally is a 10% penalty tax on the taxable
amount of any payment from the Contract unless the payment is: (a) received on
or after the Owner reaches age 59 1/2; (b) attributable to the Owner's
becoming disabled (as defined in the tax law); (c) made on or after the death
of the Owner or, if the Owner is not an individual, on or after the death of
the primary annuitant (as defined in the tax law); (d) made as a series of
substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) for
the life (or life expectancy) of the Owner or the joint lives (or joint life
expectancies) of the Owner and a designated beneficiary (as defined in the tax
law), or (e) made under a Contract purchased with a single purchase payment
when the annuity starting date (as defined in the tax law) is no later than a
year from purchase of the Contract and substantially equal periodic payments
are made, not less frequently than annually, during the annuity period.
In the case of systematic partial withdrawals, it is unclear whether such
withdrawals will qualify for exception (d) above. (For reporting purposes, we
currently treat such withdrawals as if they do not qualify for this
exception). In addition, if withdrawals are of interest amounts only, as is
the case with systematic partial withdrawals from a Fixed Allocation,
exception (d) will not apply.
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AGGREGATION OF CONTRACTS
In certain circumstances, the amount of an annuity payment, withdrawal or
surrender from a Contract that is includible in income is determined by
combining some or all of the annuity contracts owned by an individual not
issued in connection with qualified retirement plans. For example, if a person
purchases two or more deferred annuity contracts from the same insurance
company (or its affiliates) during any calendar year, all such contracts will
be treated as one contract for purposes of determining whether any payment not
received as an annuity (including withdrawals and surrenders prior to the
annuity commencement date) is includible in income. In addition, if a person
purchases a Contract offered by this prospectus and also purchases at
approximately the same time an immediate annuity, the IRS may treat the two
contracts as one contract. The effects of such aggregation are not clear;
however, it could affect the time when income is taxable and the amount which
might be subject to the 10% penalty tax described above.
IRA CONTRACTS AND OTHER QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS IN GENERAL
In addition to issuing the Contracts as non-qualified annuities, First
Golden also currently issues the Contracts as IRAs. (As indicated above in
this prospectus, IRAs are referred to as "qualified plans.") First Golden may
also issue the Contracts in connection with certain other types of qualified
retirement plans which receive favorable treatment under the Code. Numerous
special tax rules apply to the owners under IRAs and other qualified
retirement plans and to the contracts used in connection with such plans.
These tax rules vary according to the type of plan and the terms and
conditions of the plan itself. For example, for both surrenders and annuity
payments under certain contracts issued in connection with qualified
retirement plans, there may be no "investment in the contract" and the total
amount received may be taxable. Also, special rules apply to the time at which
distributions must commence and the form in which the distributions must be
paid. Therefore, no attempt is made to provide more than general information
about the use of Contracts with the various types of qualified retirement
plans. A qualified tax advisor should be consulted before purchase of a
Contract in connection with a qualified retirement plan.
When issued in connection with a qualified retirement plan, a Contract will
be amended as necessary to conform to the requirements of the plan. However,
Owners, Annuitants, and Beneficiaries are cautioned that the rights of any
person to any benefits under qualified retirement plans may be subject to the
terms and conditions of the plans themselves, regardless of the terms and
conditions of the Contract. In addition, First Golden is not bound by terms
and conditions of qualified retirement plans to the extent such terms and
conditions contradict the Contract, unless First Golden consents.
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES
As indicated above, First Golden currently issues the Contract as an IRA. If
the Contract is used for this purpose, the Owner must be the Annuitant.
Premium Payments. Both the premium payments that may be paid, and the tax
deduction that an individual may claim for such premium payments, are limited
under an IRA. In general, the premium payments that may be made for an IRA for
any year are limited to the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of the individual's
earned income for the year. Also, with respect to an individual who has less
income than his or her spouse, premium payments may be made by that individual
to an IRA to the extent of the lesser of (1) $2,000, or (2) the sum of (i) the
compensation includible in the gross income of the individual's spouse for the
taxable year and (ii) the compensation includible in the gross income of the
individual's spouse for the taxable year reduced by the amount allowed as a
deduction for IRA contributions to such spouse. An excise tax is imposed on
IRA contributions that exceed the law's limits.
The deductible amount of the premium payments made for an IRA for any
taxable year (including a contract for a noncompensated spouse) is limited to
the amount of premium payments that may be paid for the contract for that
year, or a lesser amount where the individual or his or her spouse is an
active participant in certain qualified retirement plans. A single person who
is an active participant in a qualified retirement plan (including a
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qualified pension, profit-sharing, or annuity plan, a simplified employee
pension plan, or a "section 403(b)" annuity plan, as discussed below) and who
has adjusted gross income in excess of $35,000 may not deduct premium
payments, and such a person with adjusted gross income between $25,000 and
$35,000 may deduct only a portion of such payments. Also, married persons who
file a joint return, one of whom is an active participant in a qualified
retirement plan, and who have adjusted gross income in excess of $50,000 may
not deduct premium payments, and those with adjusted gross income between
$40,000 and $50,000 may deduct only a portion of such payments. Married
persons filing separately may not deduct premium payments if either the
taxpayer or the taxpayer's spouse is an active participant in a qualified
retirement plan.
In applying these and other rules applicable to an IRA, all individual
retirement accounts and IRAs owned by an individual are treated as one
contract, and all amounts distributed during any taxable year are treated as
one distribution.
Tax Deferral During Accumulation Period. Until distributions are made from
an IRA, increases in the Accumulation Value of the Contract are not taxed.
IRAs and individual retirement accounts (that may invest in this Contract)
generally may not invest in life insurance contracts, but an annuity contract
that is issued as an IRA (or that is purchased by an individual retirement
account) may provide a death benefit that equals the greater of the premiums
paid and the contract's cash value. The Contract provides a death benefit that
in certain circumstances may exceed the greater of the premium payments and
the Accumulation Value. It is possible that an enhanced death benefit could be
viewed as violating the prohibition on investment in life insurance contracts,
with the result that the Contract would not be viewed as satisfying the
requirements of an IRA and would not be a permissible investment for an
individual retirement account.
Taxation of Distributions and Rollovers. If all premium payments made to an
IRA were deductible, all amounts distributed from the Contract are included in
the recipient's income when distributed. However, if nondeductible premium
payments were made to an IRA (within the limits allowed by the tax laws), a
portion of each distribution from the Contract typically is includible in
income when it is distributed. In such a case, any amount distributed as an
annuity payment or in a lump sum upon death or surrender is taxed as described
above in connection with such a distribution from a non-qualified contract,
treating as the investment in the contract the sum of the nondeductible
premium payments at the end of the taxable year in which the distribution
commences or is made (less any amounts previously distributed that were
excluded from income). Also, in such a case, any amount distributed upon a
partial withdrawal is partially includible in income. The includible amount is
the excess of the distribution over the exclusion amount, which in turn
generally equals the distribution multiplied by the ratio of the investment in
the contract to the Accumulation Value.
In any event, subject to the direct rollover and mandatory withholding
requirements (discussed below), amounts may be "rolled over" from certain
qualified retirement plans to an IRA (or from one IRA or individual retirement
account to an IRA) without incurring current income tax if certain conditions
are met. Only certain types of distributions to eligible individuals from
qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, and IRAs may be
rolled over.
Penalty Taxes. Subject to certain exceptions, a penalty tax is imposed on
distributions from an IRA equal to 10% of the amount of the distribution
includible in income. (Amounts rolled over from an IRA generally are
excludable from income.) The exceptions provide, however, that this penalty
tax does not apply to distributions made to the Owner (1) on or after age 59
1/2, (2) on or after death or because of disability (as defined in the tax
law), or (3) as part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments over
the life (or life expectancy) of the Owner or the joint lives (or joint life
expectancies) of the Owner and his or her beneficiary (as defined in the tax
law). In addition to the foregoing, failure to comply with a minimum
distribution requirement will result in the imposition of a penalty tax of 50%
of the amount by which a minimum required distribution exceeds the actual
distribution from an IRA. Under this requirement, distributions of minimum
amounts from an IRA as specified in the tax law must generally commence by
April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Owner
attains age 70 1/2.
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OTHER TYPES OF QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS
The following sections describe tax considerations of Contracts used in
connection with various types of qualified retirement plans other than IRAs.
First Golden does not currently offer all of the types of qualified retirement
plans described and may not offer them in the future. Prospective purchasers
of Contracts for use in connection with such qualified retirement plans should
therefore contact First Golden's Customer Service Center to ascertain the
availability of the Contract for qualified retirement plans at any given time.
Simplified Employee Pensions (SEP-IRAs). Section 408(k) of the Code allows
employers to establish simplified employee pension plans for their employees,
using the employees' IRAs for such purposes, if certain criteria are met.
Under these plans the employer may, within specified limits, make deductible
contributions on behalf of the employees to IRAs. As discussed above (see
Individual Retirement Annuities), there is some uncertainty regarding the
treatment of the Contract's enhanced death benefit for purposes of certain tax
rules governing IRAs (which would include SEP-IRAs). Employers intending to
use the contract in connection with such plans should seek competent advice.
SIMPLE IRAs. Section 408(p) of the Code permits certain small employers to
establish "SIMPLE retirement accounts," including SIMPLE IRAs, for their
employees. Under SIMPLE IRAs, certain deductible contributions are made by
both employees and employers. SIMPLE IRAs are subject to various requirements,
including limits on the amounts that may be contributed, the persons who may
be eligible, and the time when distributions may commence. As discussed above
(see Individual Retirement Annuities), there is some uncertainty regarding the
proper characterization of the Contract's enhanced death benefit for purposes
of certain tax rules governing IRAs (which would include SIMPLE IRAs).
Employers intending to use the contract in connection with a SIMPLE retirement
account should seek competent advice.
ROTH INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES (ROTH IRAs). First Golden currently
issues the Contract as a Roth IRA under Section 408A of the Code. If the
contract is used for this purpose, the Owner must be the Annuitant.
Premium Payments. All premium payments to a Roth IRA are limited and are
non-deductible. In general, premium payments to a Roth IRA in a taxable year
are limited to the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of an individual's earned income
less any contributions made to other IRAs, including both Roth and non Roth
IRAs, but excluding any rollover contributions to IRAs. Subject to coordinated
IRA contribution limits, contributions to a Roth IRA for an individual and a
spouse cannot exceed $4,000 or 100% of the individual's and spouse's earned
income, if less. The maximum contribution can be made if either of the
following applies: (a) for joint tax filers, their adjusted gross income is
$150,000 or less, or (b) for individual tax filers, their adjusted gross
income is $95,000 or less. For amounts over these adjusted gross incomes, the
contribution limit is reduced as follows: (a) for a joint tax filer, the
maximum is reduced by 20% of the excess adjusted gross income over $150,000
(no contributions over $160,000); (b) for an individual tax filer, the maximum
is reduced by 13.3% of the excess adjusted gross income over $95,000 (no
contributions over $110,000).
Conversions of Non-Roth IRA to a Roth IRA. A Roth IRA may be purchased with
amounts received as a qualified rollover ("Rollover Roth IRA") if the
following conditions are met: (a) when a rollover is from a non-Roth IRA, the
taxpayer must not be a married individual filing separately and the taxpayer's
adjusted gross income must not exceed $100,000; (b) rollovers must be made
within 60 days of receipt by the taxpayer; (c) minimum distributions from a
non-Roth IRA cannot be contributed to a Rollover Roth IRA; (d) an asset
received in a distribution may be sold and the proceeds put in a Rollover Roth
IRA; (e) all or part of a non-Roth IRA may be contributed to a Rollover Roth
IRA except an inherited IRA or a SIMPLE IRA; (f) a rollover contribution must
be designated in writing as such by the Owner at the time the rollover
contribution must be designated in writing as such by the Owner at the time
the rollover is made. Any distribution from a non-Roth IRA made within 60 days
to a Roth IRA is taxable in the year of the distribution. For rollovers or
conversions completed in 1998, taxable income due to the distribution may be
included evenly over 1998-2001 tax years.
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Rollovers from a Roth IRA to a Roth IRA. A rollover from a Roth IRA to a
Roth IRA may be accomplished if the following conditions are met: (a) the
rollover must be a direct rollover for the five year holding period of the
original Roth IRA to be preserved; (b) the rollover may be made for all or a
portion of the Roth IRA; (c) a rollover contribution must be designated as
such in writing at the time the rollover is made.
Taxation of Roth IRA Distributions. A distribution from a Roth IRA is not
subject to income tax or to the additional 10% penalty tax on premature
distributions if it is a "qualified distribution." A qualified distribution is
any payment or distribution from a Roth IRA which is made: (a) following the
end of the fifth taxable period (year) after a contribution or rollover is
made to a Roth IRA, and (b) on or after the Owner attains age 59 1/2, or made
to a beneficiary on or after the Owner's death, or as a result of the Owner
becoming disabled, or qualified first-time home buyer distribution (subject to
a $10,000 lifetime limit). Distributions not meeting these definitions are
"non-qualified distributions." Non-qualified distribution are treated as being
made from contributions to a Roth IRA to the extent the distribution, when
added to all previous distributions from a Roth IRA, does not exceed the sum
of contributions to a Roth IRA. A non-qualified distribution in excess of the
sum of contributions is subject to ordinary income tax in the year a
distribution is made. Such taxable distribution is also subject to a 10%
penalty tax unless the distribution is made under certain limited
circumstances.
Roth IRAs are not subject to required distributions at age 70 1/2.
Corporate and Self-Employed ("H.R. 10" or "Keogh") Pension and Profit-
Sharing Plans. Sections 401(a) and 403(a) of the Code permit corporate
employers to establish various types of tax-favored retirement plans for
employees. The Self-Employed Individuals' Tax Retirement Act of 1962, as
amended, commonly referred to as "H.R. 10" or "Keogh," permits self-employed
individuals also to establish such tax-favored retirement plans for themselves
and their employees. Such retirement plans may permit the purchase of the
Contract in order to provide benefits under the plans. The Contract provides a
death benefit that in certain circumstances may exceed the greater of the
premium payments and the Accumulation Value. It is possible that such death
benefit could be characterized as an incidental death benefit. There are
limitations on the amount of incidental benefits that may be provided under
pension and profit sharing plans. In addition, the provision of such benefits
may result in currently taxable income to participants. Employers intending to
use the Contract in connection with such plans should seek competent advice.
Section 403(b) Annuity Contracts. Section 403(b) of the Code permits public
school employees, employees of certain types of charitable, educational and
scientific organizations exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Code,
and employees of certain types of State educational organizations specified in
section 170(b)(l)(A)(ii), to have their employers purchase annuity contracts
for them and, subject to certain limitations, to exclude the amount of premium
payments from gross income for federal income tax purposes. Purchasers of the
Contracts for use as a "Section 403(b) Annuity Contract" should seek competent
advice as to eligibility, limitations on permissible amounts of premium
payments and other tax consequences associated with such contracts. In
particular, purchasers and their advisors should consider that this Contract
provides a death benefit that in certain circumstances may exceed the greater
of the premium payments and the Accumulation Value. It is possible that such
death benefit could be characterized as an incidental death benefit. If the
death benefit were so characterized, this could result in currently taxable
income to employees. In addition, there are limitations on the amount of
incidental death benefits that may be provided under a Section 403(b) Annuity
Contract. Even if the death benefit under the Contract were characterized as
an incidental death benefit, it is unlikely to violate those limits unless the
purchaser also purchases a life insurance contract as part of his or her
Section 403(b) Annuity Contract.
Section 403(b) Annuity Contracts contain restrictions on withdrawals of (i)
contributions made pursuant to a salary reduction agreement in years beginning
after December 31, 1988, (ii) earnings on those contributions, and (iii)
earnings after 1988 on amounts attributable to salary reduction contributions
(and earnings on those contributions) held as of the last year beginning
before January 1, 1989. These amounts can be paid only if the employee has
reached age 59 1/2, separated from service, died, become disabled (within the
meaning of the tax law), or in the case of hardship. Amounts permitted to be
distributed in the event of hardship are limited to actual
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contributions; earnings thereon cannot be distributed on account of hardship.
(These limitations on withdrawals do not apply to the extent First Golden is
directed to transfer some or all of the Accumulation Value as a tax-free
direct transfer to the issuer of another Section 403(b) Annuity Contract or
into a section 403(b)(7) custodial account subject to withdrawal restrictions
which are at least as stringent.)
Eligible Deferred Compensation Plans of State and Local Governments and Tax-
Exempt Organizations. Section 457 of the Code permits employees of state and
local governments and tax-exempt organizations to defer a portion of their
compensation without paying current federal income taxes. The employees must
be participants in an eligible deferred compensation plan. Generally, a
Contract purchased by a state or local government or a tax-exempt organization
will not be treated as an annuity contract for federal income tax purposes.
Those who intend to use the Contracts in connection with such plans should
seek competent advice.
DIRECT ROLLOVERS AND FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING FOR "ELIGIBLE ROLLOVER
DISTRIBUTIONS."
In the case of an annuity contract used in connection with a pension,
profit-sharing, or annuity plan qualified under sections 401(a) or 403(a) of
the Code, or that is a Section 403(b) Annuity Contract, any "eligible rollover
distribution" from the Contract will be subject to direct rollover and
mandatory withholding requirements. An eligible rollover distribution
generally is the taxable portion of any distribution from a qualified pension
plan under section 401(a) of the Code, qualified annuity plan under Section
403(a) of the Code, or Section 403(b) Annuity or custodial account, excluding
certain amounts (such as minimum distributions required under section
401(a)(9) of the Code and distributions which are part of a "series of
substantially equal periodic payments" made not less frequently than annually
for the life (or life expectancy) of the employee, or for the joint lives (or
joint life expectancies) of the employee and the employee's designated
beneficiary (within the meaning of the tax law), or for a specified period of
10 years or more).
Under these new requirements, federal income tax equal to 20% of the
eligible rollover distribution will be withheld from the amount of the
distribution. Unlike withholding on certain other amounts distributed from the
Contract, discussed below, the taxpayer cannot elect out of withholding with
respect to an eligible rollover distribution. However, this 20% withholding
will not apply to that portion of the eligible rollover distribution which,
instead of receiving, the taxpayer elects to have directly transferred to
certain eligible retirement plans (such as to this Contract when issued as an
IRA).
If this Contract is issued in connection with a pension, profit-sharing, or
annuity plan qualified under sections 401(a) or 403(a) of the Code, or is a
Section 403(b) Annuity Contract, then, prior to receiving an eligible rollover
distribution, the Owner will receive a notice (from the plan administrator or
First Golden) explaining generally the direct rollover and mandatory
withholding requirements and how to avoid the 20% withholding by electing a
direct transfer.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING
First Golden will withhold and remit to the federal government a part of the
taxable portion of each distribution made under the Contract unless the
distributee notifies First Golden at or before the time of the distribution
that he or she elects not to have any amounts withheld. In certain
circumstances, First Golden may be required to withhold tax, as explained
above. The withholding rates applicable to the taxable portion of periodic
annuity payments (other than eligible rollover distributions) are the same as
the withholding rates generally applicable to payments of wages. In addition,
the withholding rate applicable to the taxable portion of non-periodic
payments (including surrenders prior to the annuity commencement date) is 10%.
Regardless of whether you elect to have federal income tax withheld, you are
still liable for payment of federal income tax on the taxable portion of the
payment. As discussed above, the withholding rate applicable to eligible
rollover distributions is 20%.
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 WITH REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
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FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997
CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Auditors............................................. 62
Audited Financial Statements
Balance Sheets........................................................... 63
Statements of Income..................................................... 64
Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity............................ 65
Statements of Cash Flows................................................. 66
Notes to Financial Statements............................................ 67
</TABLE>
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors and Stockholder
First Golden American Life Insurance Company of New York
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of First Golden American Life
Insurance Company of New York as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and the related
statements of income, changes in stockholder's equity, and cash flows for the
periods from October 25, 1997 through December 31, 1997, January 1, 1997
through October 24, 1997, and December 17, 1996 (commencement of operations)
through December 31, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on
these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of First Golden American Life
Insurance Company of New York at December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results
of its operations and its cash flows for the Periods from October 25, 1997
through December 31, 1997, January 1, 1997 through October 24, 1997, and
December 17, 1996 through December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Des Moines, Iowa
February 12, 1998
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FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1997
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POST-MERGER PRE-MERGER
----------------- -----------------
DECEMBER 31, 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1996
----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available for sale, at fair value (cost:
1997--$26,570, 1996--$24,373)............................................................ $26,721 $24,220
Short-term investments.................................................................... 799 350
------- -------
Total investments.......................................................................... 27,520 24,570
Cash and cash equivalents.................................................................. 621 5
Accrued investment income.................................................................. 376 338
Deferred policy acquisition costs.......................................................... 189 --
Present value of in force acquired......................................................... 126 --
Current income taxes recoverable........................................................... 63 --
Deferred income tax asset.................................................................. -- 54
Property and equipment, less allowances for depreciation of $3 in 1997..................... 57 --
Goodwill, less accumulated amortization of $1 in 1997...................................... 95 --
Other assets............................................................................... 2 --
Separate account assets.................................................................... 4,878 --
------- -------
Total assets............................................................................... $33,927 $24,967
======= =======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Policy liabilities and accruals:
Future policy benefits:
Annuity products......................................................................... $ 2,506 --
Deferred income tax liability.............................................................. 247 --
Due to affiliates.......................................................................... 61 --
Other liabilities.......................................................................... 140 $ 1
Income taxes payable....................................................................... -- 23
Separate account liabilities............................................................... 4,878 --
Commitments and contingencies
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Preferred stock, par value $5,000 per share, authorized 6,000 shares...................... -- --
Common stock, par value $10 per share, authorized, issued and outstanding 200,000 shares.. 2,000 2,000
Additional paid-in capital................................................................ 23,936 23,000
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of fixed maturities................................ 96 (99)
Retained earnings......................................................................... 63 42
------- -------
Total stockholder's equity................................................................. 26,095 24,943
------- -------
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity................................................. $33,927 $24,967
- --------------------------------------------------
======= =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
63
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
DECEMBER 31, 1997
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POST-MERGER PRE-MERGER
-------------- -----------------------------
FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD
OCTOBER 25, JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 17,
1997 1997 1996*
THROUGH THROUGH THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, OCTOBER 24, DECEMBER 31,
1997 1997 1996
-------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES
Annuity product charges......................................................... $ 8 $ 4 --
Net investment income........................................................... 286 1,449 $65
Realized gains on investments................................................... 1 -- --
----- ------ ---
295 1,453 65
Insurance benefits and expenses:
Annuity benefits:
Interest credited to account balances.......................................... 26 48 --
Underwriting, acquisition and insurance expenses:
Commissions.................................................................... 45 267 --
General expenses............................................................... 220 461 --
Insurance taxes................................................................ 94 15 --
Policy acquisition costs deferred.............................................. (204) (298) --
Amortization:
Deferred policy acquisition costs............................................. 13 7 --
Present value of in force acquired............................................ 3 -- --
Goodwill...................................................................... 1 -- --
----- ------ ---
198 500 --
----- ------ ---
Income before income taxes....................................................... 97 953 65
Income taxes..................................................................... 34 287 23
----- ------ ---
Net income....................................................................... $ 63 $ 666 $42
- --------------------------------------------------
===== ====== ===
</TABLE>
- --------
*Commencement of operations on December 17, 1996.
See accompanying notes.
64
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
DECEMBER 31, 1997
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION
ADDITIONAL (DEPRECIATION) TOTAL
COMMON PAID-IN OF FIXED RETAINED STOCKHOLDER'S
STOCK CAPITAL MATURITIES EARNINGS EQUITY
------ ---------- -------------- -------- -------------
PRE-MERGER
-------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Capitalization of
Company by issuance of
common stock and
contribution of paid-in
capital*............... $2,000 $23,000 -- -- $25,000
Net income............. -- -- -- $ 42 42
Unrealized depreciation
of fixed maturities... -- -- $ (99) -- (99)
------ ------- ----- ---- -------
Balance at December 31,
1996................... 2,000 23,000 (99) 42 24,943
Net income............. -- -- -- 666 666
Unrealized depreciation
of fixed maturities... -- -- (130) -- (130)
------ ------- ----- ---- -------
Balance at October 24,
1997................... $2,000 $23,000 $(229) $708 $25,479
====== ======= ===== ==== =======
<CAPTION>
POST-MERGER
-------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at October 25,
1997................... $2,000 $23,936 -- -- $25,936
Net income............. -- -- -- $ 63 63
Unrealized appreciation
of fixed maturities... -- -- $ 96 -- 96
------ ------- ----- ---- -------
Balance at December 31,
1997................... $2,000 $23,936 $ 96 $ 63 $26,095
====== ======= ===== ==== =======
</TABLE>
- --------
*Commencement of operations on December 17, 1996.
See accompanying notes.
65
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
DECEMBER 31, 1997
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POST-MERGER PRE-MERGER
-------------- -----------------------------
FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD
OCTOBER 25, JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 17,
1997 1997 1996*
THROUGH THROUGH THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, OCTOBER 24, DECEMBER 31,
1997 1997 1996
-------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income....................... $ 63 $ 666 $ 42
Adjustments to reconcile net
income to net cash provided by
(used in) operations:
Adjustments related to annuity
products:
Interest credited to account
balances...................... 26 48 --
Charges for mortality and
administration................ -- (1) --
Decrease (increase) in accrued
investment income.............. 35 (73) (58)
Policy acquisition costs
deferred....................... (204) (298) --
Amortization of deferred policy
acquisition costs.............. 13 7 --
Amortization of present value of
in force acquired.............. 3 -- --
Net amortization of discount on
short-term investments......... -- -- (7)
Change in other assets, other
liabilities and accrued income
taxes.......................... (625) 739 24
Provision for depreciation and
amortization................... 12 17 --
Provision for deferred income
taxes.......................... 98 26 --
Realized gains on investments... (1) -- --
------- ------ --------
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities............ (580) 1,131 1
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Sale, maturity or repayment of
investments:
Fixed maturities--available for
sale........................... 556 226 --
Short-term investments.......... -- -- 25,255
------- ------ --------
556 226 25,255
Acquisition of investments:
Fixed maturities--available for
sale........................... (2,635) -- (24,653)
Short-term investments.......... (59) (390) (25,598)
------- ------ --------
(2,694) (390) (50,251)
Purchase of property and
equipment....................... (2) (64) --
------- ------ --------
Net cash used in investing
activities...................... (2,140) (228) (24,996)
======= ====== ========
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Capitalization of Company by
issuance of common stock and
contribution of paid-in
capital......................... -- -- 25,000
Receipts from investment
contracts credited to
policyholder account balances... 354 2,160 --
Return of policyholder account
balances on investment
contracts....................... (8) (15) --
Net reallocations to Separate
Account......................... (20) (38) --
------- ------ --------
Net cash provided by financing
activities...................... 326 2,107 25,000
------- ------ --------
Increase (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents................ (2,394) 3,010 5
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period............. 3,015 5 --
------- ------ --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end
of period....................... $ 621 $3,015 $ 5
======= ====== ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH
FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the period for
income taxes.................... -- $ 283 --
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
*Commencement of operations on December 17, 1996.
See accompanying notes.
66
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1997
1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Organization
First Golden American Life Insurance Company of New York ("First Golden" or
the "Company"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Golden American Life Insurance
Company ("Golden American" or the "Parent"), was incorporated on May 24, 1996.
Golden American is a wholly owned subsidiary of Equitable of Iowa Companies,
Inc. On December 17, 1996, Golden American provided capitalization in the
amount of $25,000,000 to First Golden. First Golden commenced investment
operations on December 17, 1996. On January 2, 1997 and December 23, 1997,
First Golden became licensed as a life insurance company under the laws of the
states of New York and Delaware, respectively. First Golden received policy
approvals on March 25, 1997 and December 23, 1997 in New York and Delaware,
respectively. See Note 7 for further information regarding related party
transactions.
On October 24, 1997, PFHI Holdings, Inc. ("PFHI"), a Delaware corporation,
acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of Equitable of Iowa Companies
("Equitable") pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger
("Merger Agreement") among Equitable, PFHI, and ING Groep, N.V. ("ING"). PFHI
is a wholly owned subsidiary of ING, a global financial services holding
company based in The Netherlands. As a result of the merger, Equitable was
merged into PFHI which was simultaneously renamed Equitable of Iowa Companies,
Inc. ("EIC"), a Delaware corporation. Refer to Note 5 for additional
information regarding the merger.
For financial statement purposes, the merger was accounted for as a purchase
effective October 25, 1997. The merger resulted in a new basis of accounting
reflecting estimated fair values of assets and liabilities. As a result, the
Company's financial statements for the period subsequent to October 24, 1997
are presented on the Post-Merger new basis of accounting, and financial
statements for October 24, 1997 and prior periods are presented on the Pre-
Merger historical cost basis of accounting.
Investments
The Company accounts for its investments under the Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in
Debt and Equity Securities," which requires fixed maturity securities to be
designated as either "available for sale," "held for investment" or "trading."
Sales of fixed maturities designated as "available for sale" are not
restricted by SFAS No. 115. Available for sale securities are reported at fair
value and unrealized gains and losses on these securities are included
directly in stockholder's equity after adjustment for related changes in
deferred policy acquisition costs ("DPAC"), present value of in force acquired
("PVIF"), policy reserves and deferred income taxes. At December 31, 1997 and
1996, all of the Company's fixed maturity securities are designated as
available for sale although the Company is not precluded from designating
fixed maturity securities as held for investment or trading at some future
date.
Securities determined to have a decline in value that is other than
temporary are written down to estimated fair value which becomes the
security's new cost basis by a charge to realized losses in the Company's
Statement of Income. Premiums and discounts are amortized/accrued utilizing
the scientific interest method which results in a constant yield over the
security's expected life. Amortization/accrual of premiums and discounts on
mortgage-backed securities incorporates a prepayment assumption to estimate
the securities' expected lives.
Short-term investments are reported at cost, adjusted for amortization of
premiums and accrual of discounts.
Fair Values
Estimated fair values, as reported herein, of publicly traded fixed maturity
securities are as reported by an independent pricing service. Fair values of
conventional mortgage-backed securities not actively traded in a
67
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
liquid market are estimated using a third party pricing system. This pricing
system uses a matrix calculation assuming a spread over U.S. Treasury bonds
based upon the expected average lives of the securities. Fair values of
private placement bonds are estimated using a matrix that assumes a spread
(based on interest rates and a risk assessment of the bonds) over U.S.
Treasury bonds. Realized gains and losses are determined on the basis of
specific identification and average cost methods for manager initiated and
issuer initiated disposals, respectively.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the statement of cash flows, the Company considers all
demand deposits and interest-bearing accounts not related to the investment
function to be cash equivalents. All interest-bearing accounts classified as
cash equivalents have original maturities of three months or less.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
Certain costs of acquiring new insurance business, principally commissions
and other expenses related to the production of new business, have been
deferred. Acquisition costs for variable annuity products are being amortized
generally in proportion to the present value (using the assumed crediting
rate) of expected future gross profits. This amortization is "unlocked" when
the Company revises its estimate of current or future gross profits to be
realized from a group of products. DPAC is adjusted to reflect the pro forma
impact of unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities the Company
has designated as "available for sale" under SFAS No. 115.
Present Value of In Force Acquired
As the result of the merger, a portion of the acquisition cost was allocated
to the right to receive future cash flows from the existing insurance
contracts. This allocated cost represents the PVIF which reflects the value of
those purchased policies calculated by discounting actuarially determined
expected future cash flows at the discount rate by the purchaser. Amortization
of PVIF is charged to expense in proportion to expected gross profits. This
amortization is "unlocked" when the Company revises its estimate of current or
future gross profits to be realized from the insurance contracts acquired.
PVIF is adjusted to reflect the pro forma impact of unrealized gains (losses)
on available for sale fixed maturities. See Note 5 for additional information
on PVIF resulting from the merger.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment include leasehold improvements and office furniture
and equipment and are not considered to be significant to the Company's
overall operations. Property and equipment are reported at cost less
allowances for depreciation. Depreciation expense is computed primarily on the
basis of the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
assets.
Goodwill
Goodwill was established as a result of the merger discussed previously and
is being amortized over 40 years on a straight-line basis. See Note 5 for
additional information on the merger.
Future Policy Benefits
Future policy benefits for the fixed interest division of the variable
products are established utilizing the retrospective deposit accounting
method. Policy reserves represent the premiums received plus accumulated
interest, less mortality and administration charges. Interest credited to
these policies ranged from 5.60% to 7.50% during 1997.
68
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
Separate Account
Assets and liabilities of the separate account reported in the accompanying
balance sheets represent funds that are separately administered principally
for variable annuity contracts. Contractholders, rather than the Company, bear
the investment risk for variable products. At the direction of the
Contractholders, the separate account invests the premiums from the sale of
variable annuity products in shares of specified mutual funds. The assets and
liabilities of the separate account are clearly identified and segregated from
other assets and liabilities of the Company. The portion of the separate
account assets applicable to variable annuity contracts cannot be charged with
liabilities arising out of any other business the Company may conduct.
Variable separate account assets carried at fair value of the underlying
investments generally represent Contractholder investment values maintained in
the accounts. Variable separate account liabilities represent account balances
for the variable annuity contracts invested in the separate account. Net
investment income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses related
to separate account assets are not reflected in the accompanying Statements of
Income.
Product charges recorded by the Company from variable annuity products
consist of charges applicable to each contract for mortality and expense risk,
contract administration and surrender charges.
Deferred Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets or liabilities are computed based on the difference
between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities
using the enacted marginal tax rate. Deferred tax assets or liabilities are
adjusted to reflect the pro forma impact of unrealized gains and losses on
fixed maturity securities the Company has designated as available for sale
under SFAS No. 115. Changes in deferred tax assets or liabilities resulting
from this SFAS No. 115 adjustment are charged or credited directly to
stockholder's equity. Deferred income tax expenses or credits reflected in the
Company's Statements of Income are based on the changes in the deferred tax
asset or liability from period to period (excluding the SFAS No. 115
adjustment).
Dividend Restrictions
Under the provisions of the insurance laws of the State of New York, First
Golden cannot distribute any dividends to its stockholder unless a notice of
its intention to declare a dividend and the amount of the dividend has been
filed not less than thirty days in advance of the proposed declaration. The
superintendent may disapprove the distribution by giving written notice to the
Company within thirty days after the filing should the superintendent find
that the financial condition of the Company does not warrant the distribution.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions affecting the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Management is required to utilize historical experience and assumptions
about future events and circumstances in order to develop estimates of
material reported amounts and disclosures. Included among the material (or
potentially material) reported amounts and disclosures that require extensive
use of estimates and assumptions are (1) estimates of fair values of
investments in securities and other financial instruments, as well as fair
values of policyholder liabilities, (2) policyholder liabilities, (3) deferred
policy acquisition costs and present value of in force acquired, (4) fair
values of assets and liabilities recorded as a result of acquisition
transactions, (5) asset valuation allowances, (6) deferred tax benefits
(liabilities) and (7) estimates for commitments and contingencies including
legal matters, if a liability is anticipated and can be reasonably
69
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
estimated. Estimates and assumptions regarding all of the preceding are
inherently subject to change and are reassessed periodically. Changes in
estimates and assumptions could materially impact the financial statements.
Reclassification
Certain amounts in the 1996 financial statements have been reclassified to
conform to the 1997 financial statement presentation.
2. BASIS OF FINANCIAL REPORTING
The financial statements of the Company differ from related statutory-basis
financial statements principally as follows: (1) acquisition costs of
acquiring new business are deferred and amortized over the life of the
policies rather than charged to operations as incurred; (2) an asset
representing the present value of future cash flows from insurance contracts
acquired was established as a result of the merger and is amortized and
charged to expense; (3) future policy benefit reserves for the fixed interest
divisions of the variable products are based on full account values, rather
than the greater of cash surrender value or amounts derived from discounting
methodologies utilizing statutory interest rates; (4) reserves are reported
before reduction for reserve credits related to reinsurance ceded and a
receivable is established, net of an allowance for uncollectible amounts, for
these credits rather than presented net of these credits; (5) fixed maturity
investments are designated as "available for sale" and valued at fair value
with unrealized appreciation/depreciation, net of adjustments to deferred
income taxes (if applicable), present value of in force acquired and deferred
policy acquisition costs, credited/charged directly to stockholder's equity
rather than valued at amortized cost; (6) the carrying value of fixed maturity
securities is reduced to fair value by a charge to realized losses in the
Statement of Income when declines in carrying value are judged to be other
than temporary, rather than through the establishment of a formula-determined
statutory investment reserve (carried as a liability), changes in which are
charged directly to surplus; (7) deferred income taxes are provided for the
difference between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and
liabilities; (8) net realized gains or losses attributed to changes in the
level of interest rates in the market are recognized when the sale is
completed rather than deferred and amortized over the remaining life of the
fixed maturity security; (9) revenues for variable annuity products consist of
policy administration charges and surrender charges assessed rather than
premiums received; and (10) assets and liabilities are restated to fair values
when a change in ownership occurs, with provisions for goodwill and other
intangible assets, rather than continuing to be presented at historical cost.
70
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
A reconciliation of net income and stockholder's equity as reported to
regulatory authorities under statutory accounting principles to equivalent
amounts reported under generally accepted accounting principles is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POST-MERGER PRE-MERGER POST-MERGER
-------------- -------------- --------------------
NET INCOME STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
----------------------------- --------------------
FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD
OCTOBER 25, JANUARY 1,
1997 1997
THROUGH THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, OCTOBER 24,
1997 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1997
-------------- -------------- --------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
As reported under statutory accounting principles....................... $(142) $581 $25,424
Asset valuation reserve................................................. -- -- 54
Future policy benefits.................................................. 115 (179) (61)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of fixed maturities at fair
value.................................................................. -- -- 151
Change in investment basis as result of merger.......................... (1) -- 357
Deferred policy acquisition costs....................................... 191 291 189
Present value of in force acquired...................................... (3) -- 126
Goodwill................................................................ (1) -- 95
Deferred income taxes................................................... (98) (26) (247)
Other................................................................... 2 (1) 7
----- ---- -------
As reported herein...................................................... $ 63 $666 $26,095
==== ===== =======
</TABLE>
3. INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Investment Results
Major categories of net investment income are summarized below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POST-MERGER PRE-MERGER
-------------- -----------------------------
FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD
OCTOBER 25, JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 17,
1997 1997 1996
THROUGH THROUGH THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, OCTOBER 24, DECEMBER 31,
1997 1997 1996
-------------- -------------- --------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Fixed maturities.............................................................. $294 $1,449 $57
Short-term investments........................................................ 13 30 9
Other, net.................................................................... -- 2 --
---- ------ ---
Gross investment income....................................................... 307 1,481 66
Less investment expenses...................................................... (21) (32) (1)
---- ------ ---
Net investment income......................................................... $286 $1,449 $65
</TABLE>
For the period October 25, 1997 through December 31, 1997 realized gains of
$1,000 were recognized from the fixed maturities designated as available for
sale. No other realized gains or losses were recognized during the year.
The change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on fixed maturities
designated as available for sale at fair value for the period October 25, 1997
through December 31, 1997, the period January 1, 1997 through October 24, 1997
and the period December 17, 1996 through December 31, 1996 were $151,000,
$363,000 and ($153,000), respectively.
71
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
At December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996, amortized cost, gross unrealized
gains and losses and estimated fair values of the Company's fixed maturity
securities, all of which are designated as available for sale, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POST-MERGER
-----------------------------------------
GROSS GROSS ESTIMATED
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
COST GAINS LOSSES VALUE
--------- ---------- ---------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1997
-----------------
U.S. government and governmental
agencies and authorities:
Mortgage-backed securities...... $ 4,616 $ 9 -- $ 4,625
Other........................... 3,033 4 -- 3,037
Public utilities................. 1,000 10 -- 1,010
Investment grade corporate....... 16,324 160 -- 16,484
Below investment grade
corporate....................... 1,597 -- $ (32) 1,565
------- ---- ----- -------
Total............................ $26,570 $183 $ (32) $26,721
======= ==== ===== =======
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1996 PRE-MERGER
----------------- -----------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. government and governmental
agencies and authorities:
Mortgage-backed securities...... $ 4,870 $ 1 $ (36) $ 4,835
Other........................... 396 -- (2) 394
Public utilities................. 983 -- (5) 978
Investment grade corporate....... 16,046 -- (120) 15,926
Below investment grade
corporate....................... 2,078 15 (6) 2,087
------- ---- ----- -------
Total............................ $24,373 $ 16 $(169) $24,220
======= ==== ===== =======
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1997, net unrealized investment gains on fixed maturities
designated as available for sale totaled $151,000. This appreciation caused an
increase to stockholder's equity of $96,000 at December 31, 1997 (net of
deferred income taxes of $51,000 and adjustments of $1,000 and $3,000 to DPAC
and PVIF, respectively). Short-term investments with maturities of 30 days or
less have been excluded from the above schedules. Amortized cost approximates
fair values for these securities.
Amortized cost and estimated fair value of fixed maturity securities
designated as available for sale, by contractual maturity, at December 31,
1997, are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from contractual
maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations
with or without call or prepayment penalties.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POST-MERGER
------------------------
AMORTIZED ESTIMATED
DECEMBER 31, 1997 COST FAIR VALUE
----------------- ----------- -----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Due after one year through five years............. $ 1,631 $ 1,631
Due after five years through ten years............ 20,323 20,465
----------- -----------
21,954 22,096
Mortgage-backed securities........................ 4,616 4,625
----------- -----------
Total............................................. $ 26,570 $ 26,721
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
72
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
An analysis of sales, maturities and principal repayments of the Company's
fixed maturities portfolio is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS GROSS PROCEEDS
AMORTIZED REALIZED REALIZED FROM
COST GAINS LOSSES SALE
--------- -------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
For the period October 25, 1997
through
December 31, 1997:
Scheduled principal repayments, calls
and tenders.......................... $555 $ 1 -- $556
==== ==== ==== ====
For the period January 1, 1997 through
October 24, 1997:
Scheduled principal repayments, calls
and tenders.......................... $226 -- -- $226
==== ==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
For the period December 17, 1996 through December 31, 1996, the Company did
not have any sales, maturities or repayments of its fixed maturities
portfolio. During the year ended December 31, 1997, the amortized cost basis
of the Company's fixed maturity portfolio was reduced by $269,000 as a result
of scheduled principal repayments.
Investment Valuation Analysis: The Company analyzes its investment portfolio
at least quarterly in order to determine if the carrying value of any of its
investments has been impaired. The carrying value of fixed maturity securities
is written down to fair value by a charge to realized losses when an
impairment in value appears to be other than temporary. During 1997 and 1996,
no investments were identified as having an impairment other than temporary.
Investments on Deposit: At December 31, 1997 and 1996, affidavits of deposits
covering bonds with a par value of $400,000 were on deposit with regulatory
authorities pursuant to certain statutory requirements.
Investment Diversifications: The Company's investment policies related to its
investment portfolio require diversification by asset type, company and
industry and set limits on the amount which can be invested in an individual
issuer. Such policies are at least as restrictive as those set forth by
regulatory authorities. The following percentages relate to holdings at
December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996. Fixed maturity investments included
investments in basic industrials (31% in 1997, 33% in 1996), financial
companies (23% in 1997, 25% in 1996), various government bonds and government
or agency mortgage-backed securities (29% in 1997, 22% in 1996) and consumer
products (10% in 1997 and 1996).
No investment in any person or its affiliates (other than bonds issued by
agencies of the United States government) exceed ten percent of stockholder's
equity at December 31, 1997.
4. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments,"
requires disclosure of estimated fair value of all financial instruments,
including both assets and liabilities recognized and not recognized in a
Company's balance sheet, unless specifically exempted. SFAS No. 119,
"Disclosure about Derivative Financial Instruments and Fair Value of Financial
Instruments," requires additional disclosures about derivative financial
instruments. Most of the Company's investments, investment contracts and debt
fall within the standards' definition of a financial instrument. Fair values
for the Company's insurance contracts other than investment contracts are not
required to be disclosed. In cases where quoted market prices are not
available, estimated fair values are based on estimates using present value or
other valuation techniques. Those techniques are significantly affected by the
assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash
flows.
73
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
Accounting, actuarial and regulatory bodies are continuing to study the
methodologies to be used in developing fair value information, particularly as
it relates to such things as liabilities for insurance contracts. Accordingly,
care should be exercised in deriving conclusions about the Company's business
or financial condition based on the information presented herein.
The Company closely monitors the composition and yield of its invested
assets, the duration and interest credited on insurance liabilities and
resulting interest spreads and timing of cash flows. These amounts are taken
into consideration in the Company's overall management of interest rate risk,
which attempts to minimize exposure to changing interest rates through the
matching of investment cash flows with amounts expected to be due under the
insurance contracts. As discussed below, the Company has used discount rates
in its determination of fair values for its liabilities which are consistent
with market yields for related assets. The use of the asset market yield is
consistent with management's opinion that the risks inherent in its asset and
liability portfolios are similar. This assumption, however, might not result
in values consistent with those obtained through an actuarial appraisal of the
Company's business or values that might arise in a negotiated transaction.
The following compares carrying values as shown for financial reporting
purposes with estimated fair values:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31
-------------------------------------
1997 1996
------------------ ------------------
ESTIMATED ESTIMATED
CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR
VALUE VALUE VALUE VALUE
-------- --------- -------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Fixed maturities, available for
sale............................... $26,721 $26,721 $24,220 $24,220
Short-term investments.............. 799 799 350 350
Cash and cash equivalents........... 621 621 5 5
Separate account assets............. 4,878 4,878 -- --
LIABILITIES
Annuity products.................... 2,506 2,340 -- --
Separate account liabilities........ 4,878 4,569 -- --
</TABLE>
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating
fair values.
Fixed maturities: Estimated fair values of publicly traded securities are as
reported by an independent pricing service. Estimated fair values of
conventional mortgage-backed securities not actively traded in a liquid market
are estimated using a third party pricing system. This pricing system uses a
matrix calculation assuming a spread over U.S. Treasury bonds based upon the
expected average lives of the securities.
Short-term investments and cash and cash equivalents: Carrying values reported
in the Company's historical cost basis balance sheet approximate estimated
fair value for these instruments, due to their short-term nature.
Separate account assets: Separate account assets are based upon the quoted
fair values of the individual securities in the separate account.
Annuity Products: Estimated fair values of the Company's liabilities for
future policy benefits for the fixed interest division of the variable
products are based upon discounted cash flow calculations. Cash flows of
future policy benefits are discounted using the market yield rate of the
assets supporting these liabilities.
Separate account liabilities: Separate account liabilities are reported at
full account value in the Company's historical cost balance sheet. Estimated
fair values of separate account liabilities are based upon assumptions
74
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
using an estimated long-term average market rate of return to discount future
cash flows. The reduction in fair values for separate account liabilities
reflect the present value of future revenue from product and surrender
charges.
5. MERGER
Transaction
On October 23, 1997, Equitable shareholders approved the Merger Agreement
dated as of July 7, 1997, among Equitable, PFHI, and ING. On October 24, 1997,
PFHI, a Delaware corporation, acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of
Equitable pursuant to the Merger Agreement. PFHI is a wholly owned subsidiary
of ING, a global financial services holding company based in The Netherlands.
Equitable, an Iowa corporation, in turn, owned all the outstanding capital
stock of Equitable Life Insurance Company of Iowa and Golden American and
their wholly owned subsidiaries. Equitable also owned all the outstanding
capital stock of Locust Street Securities, Inc., Equitable Investment
Services, Inc., Directed Services, Inc., Equitable of Iowa Companies Capital
Trust, Equitable of Iowa Companies Capital Trust II and Equitable of Iowa
Securities Network, Inc. In exchange for the outstanding capital stock of
Equitable, ING paid total consideration of approximately $2.1 billion in cash
and stock plus the assumption of approximately $400 million in debt according
to the Merger Agreement. As a result of the merger, Equitable was merged into
PFHI which was simultaneously renamed Equitable of Iowa Companies, Inc.
("EIC"), a Delaware corporation. All costs of the merger, including expenses
to terminate certain benefit plans, were paid by EIC.
Accounting Treatment
The merger has been accounted for as a purchase resulting in a new basis of
accounting, reflecting estimated fair values for assets and liabilities at
October 24, 1997. The purchase price was allocated to EIC and its
subsidiaries. Goodwill was established for the excess of the merger cost over
the fair value of the net assets and pushed down to EIC and its subsidiaries
including Golden American and First Golden. The allocation of the purchase
price to First Golden was approximately $25,936,000. The cost of the
acquisition is preliminary as it relates to estimated expenses, and as a
result the allocation to the Company may change. The amount of goodwill was
$96,000 at the merger date and is being amortized over 40 years on a straight-
line basis. The carrying value of goodwill will be reviewed periodically for
any indication of impairment in value.
Present Value of In Force Acquired
As part of the merger, a portion of the acquisition cost was allocated to
the right to receive future cash flows from the insurance contracts existing
with the Company at the date of merger. This allocated cost represents the
present value of in force acquired reflecting the value of those purchased
policies calculated by discounting the actuarially determined expected future
cash flows at the discount rate determined by ING.
An analysis of the PVIF asset is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POST-MERGER
----------------------
FOR THE PERIOD
OCTOBER 25,
1997
THROUGH
DECEMBER 31,
1997
----------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C>
Beginning balance................................... $132
Imputed interest.................................... 3
Amortization........................................ (6)
Adjustment for unrealized gains on available for
sale securities.................................... (3)
----
Ending balance...................................... $126
====
</TABLE>
75
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
Interest is imputed on the unamortized balance of PVIF at a rate of 7.03%
for the period October 25, 1997 through December 31, 1997. The amortization of
PVIF, net of imputed interest, is charged to expense. PVIF is also adjusted
for the unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities; such
changes are included directly in stockholder's equity. Based on current
conditions and assumptions as to the impact of future events on acquired
policies in force, the expected approximate net amortization for the next five
years, relating to the PVIF as of December 31, 1997 is $19,000 in 1998,
$18,000 in 1999, $17,000 in 2000, $15,000 in 2001 and $13,000 in 2002. Actual
amortization may vary based upon final purchase price allocations and changes
in assumptions and experience.
6. INCOME TAXES
The Company will file a consolidated federal income tax return with Golden
American, also a life insurance company.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense included in the financial statements is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POST-MERGER PRE-MERGER
-------------- -----------------------------
FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD
OCTOBER 25, JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 17,
1997 1997 1996
THROUGH THROUGH THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, OCTOBER 24, DECEMBER 31,
1997 1997 1996
-------------- -------------- --------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current....................................................................... $(64) $261 $23
Deferred...................................................................... 98 26 --
---- ---- ---
$ 34 $287 $23
</TABLE>
The effective tax rate on income before income taxes is different from the
prevailing federal income tax rate. A reconciliation of this difference is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POST-MERGER PRE-MERGER
-------------- -----------------------------
FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD
OCTOBER 25, JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 17,
1997 1997 1996
THROUGH THROUGH THROUGH
DECEMBER 31, OCTOBER 24, DECEMBER 31,
1997 1997 1996
-------------- -------------- --------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Income before income taxes.................................................... $97 $953 $65
=== ==== ===
Income tax at federal statutory rate.......................................... $34 $334 $23
Tax effect (decrease) of:
Compensatory stock option and restricted stock expense....................... -- (35) --
Other items.................................................................. -- (12) --
--- ---- ---
Income tax expense............................................................ $34 $287 $23
</TABLE>
76
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
Deferred Income Taxes
The tax effect of temporary differences giving rise to the Company's
deferred income tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 1997 and 1996 is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POST-MERGER PRE-MERGER
----------- ----------
DECEMBER 31, 1997 1996
------------ ----------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Future policy benefits............................................................................. $ 22 --
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of available for sale fixed maturity securities............. -- $ 54
----- ----
22 54
Deferred tax liabilities:
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of available for sale fixed maturity securities............. (51) --
Fixed maturity securities.......................................................................... (134) --
Deferred policy acquisition costs.................................................................. (39) --
Present value of in force acquired................................................................. (45) --
----- ----
(269) --
----- ----
Deferred income tax asset (liability)................................................................ $(247) $ 54
===== ====
</TABLE>
7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
On December 17, 1996, Golden American contributed $25,000,000 to First
Golden, $2,000,000 in common stock (200,000 shares at $10 per share) and
$23,000,000 of additional capital. All expenses related to the incorporation
and licensing of First Golden were incurred by Golden American.
The Company has service agreements with Golden American, Equitable
Investment Services, Inc. ("EISI") and Equitable Life Insurance Company of
Iowa ("Equitable Life") in which Golden American, EISI and Equitable Life
provide administrative and financial related services. For the period October
25, 1997 through December 31, 1997, First Golden incurred expenses of $8,000
and $13,000 under the agreement with Golden American and Equitable Life,
respectively. General expenses of $16,000 and $16,000 were incurred by First
Golden under these agreements for Golden American and Equitable Life,
respectively, for the period January 1, 1997 through October 24, 1997. For the
period October 25, 1997 through December 31, 1997 and the period January 1,
1997 through October 24, 1997, payments to EISI for investment advisory
services were $11,000 and $51,000, respectively.
The Company has a service agreement with Directed Services, Inc. ("DSI", a
wholly owned subsidiary of Equitable of Iowa Companies, Inc.) under which it
will provide certain administrative services to DSI relating to customer
accounts. First Golden paid commissions and overrides to DSI totaling $141,000
and $267,000, for the period October 25, 1997 through December 31, 1997, and
the period January 1, 1997 through October 24, 1997, respectively.
The Golden American board of directors has agreed by resolution to provide
funds as needed for the Company to maintain policyholders' surplus that meets
or exceeds the greater of: (1) the minimum capital adequacy standards to
maintain a level of capitalization necessary to meet A.M. Best Company's
guidelines or one level less than the one originally given to First Golden, or
(2) the New York State Insurance Department risk-based capital minimum
requirements as determined in accordance with New York statutory accounting
principles. No funds were transferred from Golden American in 1997.
77
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1997
8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Reinsurance: At December 31, 1997, First Golden had a reinsurance treaty with
a reinsurer covering a significant portion of the mortality risks under its
variable contracts with an unaffiliated reinsurer. First Golden remains liable
to the extent its reinsurer does not meet its obligation under the reinsurance
agreement. At December 31, 1997, the Company has a payable of $1,000 for
reinsurance premiums. Included in the accompanying financial statements are
net considerations to the reinsurer of $1,000 for the period October 25, 1997
through December 31, 1997.
Litigation: The Company is not involved in any legal proceeding as of the date
of this report.
Leases: The Company has a lease for its home office space which expires
December 31, 2001. The office space was not occupied until 1997. The Company
also leases certain other equipment under an operating lease which expires in
1998. Rent expense for the year ended December 31, 1997 was $59,000. At
December 31, 1997, minimum rental payments due under the operating leases are
$78,000 in 1998, $76,000 in 1999, $76,000 in 2000 and $76,000 in 2001.
Vulnerability From Concentrations: The Company has various concentrations in
its investment portfolio (see Note 3 for further information). The Company's
asset growth, net investment income and cash flow are primarily generated from
the sale of variable products and associated future policy benefits. A
significant portion of the Company's sales is generated by two broker/dealers.
One of these distributors sold 59.4% of the Company's products in 1997. This
distributor has indicated that it may discontinue the sales relationship by
the end of 1998. Substantial changes in tax laws would make these products
less attractive to consumers, and extreme fluctuations in interest rates or
stock market returns which may result in higher lapse experience than assumed,
could cause a severe impact to the Company's financial condition.
Year 2000 Project (Unaudited): Based on a study of its computer software and
hardware, First Golden's parent, Golden American, has determined its exposure
to the Year 2000 change of the century date issue. Management believes the
Company's systems are or will be substantially compliant by the Year 2000, and
Golden American has engaged external consultants to validate this assumption.
The only system known to be affected by this issue is a system maintained by
an affiliate who will incur the related costs to make the system compliant. To
mitigate the effect of outside influences and other dependencies relative to
the Year 2000, Golden American will continue to contact significant customers,
suppliers and other third parties. To the extent these third parties would be
unable to transact business in the Year 2000 and thereafter, the Company's
operations could be adversely affected.
78
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ITEM PAGE
<S> <C>
INTRODUCTION.............................................................. 1
Description of First Golden American Life Insurance Company of New York... 1
Safekeeping of Assets..................................................... 1
The Administrator......................................................... 1
Independent Auditors...................................................... 2
Distribution of Contracts................................................. 2
Performance Information................................................... 2
IRA Partial Withdrawal Option............................................. 7
Other Information......................................................... 8
Financial Statements of Separate Account NY-B............................. 8
Appendix--Description of Bond Ratings..................................... A-1
</TABLE>
PLEASE TEAR OFF, COMPLETE AND RETURN THE FORM BELOW TO ORDER A FREE
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR THE CONTRACTS OFFERED UNDER THE
PROSPECTUS. ADDRESS THE FORM TO OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER, THE ADDRESS IS
SHOWN ON THE COVER.
...............................................................................
PLEASE SEND ME A FREE COPY OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR
SEPARATE ACCOUNT NY-B
PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE
_____________________________________
NAME:
_____________________________________
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:
_____________________________________
STREET ADDRESS:
_____________________________________
CITY, STATE, ZIP:
PE-1-NY 5/98
...............................................................................
79
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE #1: FULL SURRENDER -- EXAMPLE OF A NEGATIVE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
Assume $100,000 was allocated to a Fixed Allocation with a Guarantee Period
of ten years, a Guaranteed Interest Rate of 7.50%, an initial Index Rate ("I")
of 7.00%; that a full surrender is requested three years into the Guarantee
Period; that the then Index Rate for a seven year Guarantee Period ("J") is
8.0%; and that no prior transfers or partial withdrawals affecting this Fixed
Allocation have been made.
CALCULATE THE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
1. The Accumulation Value of the Fixed Allocation on the date of surrender
is $124,230 ($100,000 X 1.075/3/)
2. N = 2,555 (365 X 7)
[ ( ) ]
3. Market Value Adjustment = $124,230 X[ (1.07 ) (/2/,/555/365/ ] = $9,700
[ --------) ]
[ (1.0825 ) -1]
Therefore, the amount paid to you on full surrender ignoring any surrender
charge is $114,530 ($124,230 - $9,700).
EXAMPLE #2: FULL SURRENDER -- EXAMPLE OF A POSITIVE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
Assume $100,000 was allocated to a Fixed Allocation with a Guarantee Period
of ten years, a Guaranteed Interest Rate of 7.5%, an initial Index Rate ("I")
of 7.00%; that a full surrender is requested three years into the Guarantee
Period; that the then Index Rate for a seven year Guarantee Period ("J") is
6.0%; and that no prior transfers or partial withdrawals affecting this Fixed
Allocation have been made.
CALCULATE THE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
1. The Accumulation Value of the Fixed Allocation on the date of surrender
is $124,230 ($100,000 X 1.075)
2. N = 2,555 (365 X 7)
[ ( ) ]
3. Market Value Adjustment = $124,230 X[ ( 1.07 )(/2/,/555/365/ ] =$6,270
[ ( -------- ) ]
[ ( 1.0625 ) -1]
Therefore, the amount paid to you on full surrender ignoring any surrender
charge is $130,500 ($124,230 + $6,270).
EXAMPLE #3: PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL -- EXAMPLE OF A NEGATIVE MARKET VALUE
ADJUSTMENT
Assume $200,000 was allocated to a Fixed Allocation with a Guarantee Period
of ten years, a Guaranteed Interest Rate of 7.5%, an initial Index Rate ("I")
of 7.00%; that a partial withdrawal of $114,530 is requested three years into
the Guarantee period; that the then Index Rate ("J") for a seven year
Guarantee Period is 8.0%; and that no prior transfers or partial withdrawals
affecting this Fixed Allocation have been made.
First calculate the amount that must be withdrawn from the Fixed Allocation
to provide the amount requested.
1. The Accumulation Value of the Fixed Allocation on the date of withdrawal
is $248,459 ($200,000 X 1.075)
2. N = 2,555 (365 X 7)
[ ( )
3. Amount that must be withdrawn = [$114,530/( 1.07 )/2/,/555/365/]=$124,230
[ ( -------) ]
[ ( 1.0825 ) ]
Then calculate the Market Value Adjustment on that amount
[ ( ) ]
4. Market Value Adjustment = $124,230 X [ ( 1.07 ) (/2/,/555/365/ ]= $9,700
[ ( --------) ]
[ ( 1.0825 ) -1]
A1
<PAGE>
Therefore, the amount of the partial withdrawal paid to you is $114,530, as
requested. The Fixed Allocation will be reduced by the amount of the partial
withdrawal, $114,530, and also reduced by the Market Value Adjustment of
$9,700, for a total reduction in the Fixed Allocation of $124,230.
EXAMPLE #4: PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL -- EXAMPLE OF A POSITIVE MARKET VALUE
ADJUSTMENT
Assume $200,000 was allocated to a Fixed Allocation with a Guarantee Period
of ten years, a Guaranteed Interest Rate of 7.5%, an initial Index Rate of
7.0%; that a partial withdrawal of $130,500 requested three years into the
Guarantee Period; that the then Index Rate ("J") for a seven year Guarantee
Period is 6.0%; and that no prior transfers or partial withdrawals affecting
this Fixed Allocation have been made.
First calculate the amount that must be withdrawn from the Fixed Allocation
to provide the amount requested.
1. The Accumulation Value of Fixed Allocation on the date of surrender is
$248,459 ($200,000 X 1.075)
2. N = 2,555 (365 X 7)
3. Amount that must be withdrawn =
[ ( ) ]
[ $130,500/ ( 1.07 ) /2/,/555/365/ ] = $124,230
[ ( -------) ]
[ ( 1.0625 ) ]
Then calculate the Market Value Adjustment on that amount
4. Market Value Adjustment
[ ( ) ]
= $124,230 X [ ( 1.07 ) /2/,/555/365/ ] = $6,270
[ ( --------) ]
[ ((1.0625 ) -1]
Therefore, the amount of the partial withdrawal paid to you is $130,500, as
requested. The Fixed Allocation will be reduced by the amount of the partial
withdrawal, $130,500, but increased by the Market Value Adjustment of $6,270,
for a total reduction in the Fixed Allocation of $124,230.
A2
<PAGE>
FIRST GOLDEN AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
First Golden American Life Insurance Company of New York is a
stock company domiciled in New York, New York
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
