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Exhibit 99-B.9
[Aetna Logo] Aetna Inc.
[Aetna Letterhead] 151 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, CT 06156-8975
J. Neil McMurdie
Counsel
AFS Law, TS31
(860) 273-1672
Fax: (860) 273-3227
December 13, 2000
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Attention: Filing Desk
RE: AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY AND ITS VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT B
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 20 TO REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM N-4
PROSPECTUS TITLE: AETNA VARIABLE ANNUITY
FILE NOS.: 333-56297 AND 811-02512
Gentlemen:
The undersigned serves as counsel to Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company,
a Connecticut life insurance company (the "Company"). It is my understanding
that the Company, as depositor, has registered an indefinite amount of
securities (the "Securities") under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities
Act") as provided in Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the
"Investment Company Act").
In connection with this opinion, I have reviewed the N-4 Registration
Statement, as amended to the date hereof, and this Post-Effective Amendment No.
20. I have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified
to my satisfaction, of such documents, trust records and other instruments I
have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of rendering this opinion.
For purposes of such examination, I have assumed the genuineness of all
signatures on original documents and the conformity to the original of all
copies.
I am admitted to practice law in Connecticut, and do not purport to be an
expert on the laws of any other state. My opinion herein as to any other law is
based upon a limited inquiry thereof which I have deemed appropriate under the
circumstances.
Based upon the foregoing, and, assuming the Securities are sold in accordance
with the provisions of the prospectus, I am of the opinion that the Securities
being registered will be legally issued and will represent binding obligations
of the Company.
I consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.
Sincerely,
/s/ J. Neil McMurdie
J. Neil McMurdie
Counsel
