<PAGE>
EXHIBIT (8)(a)(1)
AMENDED SCHEDULE A TO PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN PUTNAM VARIABLE
TRUST, PUTNAM MUTUAL FUNDS CORP.
AND PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<PAGE>
AMENDED
SCHEDULE A
EFFECTIVE September 1, 2000
-----------------
ACCOUNTS, POLICIES AND PORTFOLIOS
SUBJECT TO THE PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Name of Separate Account and Date Policies Funded by Separate Account Portfolios Applicable to Policies
Established by Board of Directors
PFL Retirement Builder Variable PFL Life Insurance Company Policy Putnam VT Global Growth Fund
Annuity Account March 29, 1996 Form Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund
No. AV288-101-95-796 Putnam VT Growth Opportunities Fund
(including successor forms, addenda Putnam VT Money Market Fund
and endorsements - may vary by state Putnam VT New Value Fund
under marketing names: "Retirement
Income Builder Variable Annuity"
"Portfolio Select Variable Annuity"
(or successor marketing names)
---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
Separate Account VA I PFL Life Insurance Company Policy Putnam VT Diversified Income Fund
May 15, 2000 Form Putnam VT The George Putnam Fund of Boston
No. AV288-101-95-796 Putnam VT Growth and Income Fund
(including successor forms, addenda Putnam VT Income Fund
and endorsements - may vary by state Putnam VT Investors Fund
under marketing names: Putnam VT New Value Fund
"The U.S. Bancorp Investments Inc.
Principal-Plus Variable Annuity"
(or successor marketing names)
---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
PFL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY PUTNAM VARIABLE TRUST
By: /s/ Larry N. Norman By: /s/ John Verami
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Name: Larry N. Norman Name: John Verami
------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------
Title: President Title: Vice President
----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
Date: 10/9/2000 Date: 10/4/2000
------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PUTNAM RETAIL MANAGEMENT, INC.
By: /s/ Eric S. Levy
-----------------------------------------
Name: Eric S. Levy
---------------------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
--------------------------------------
Date: 10/2/2000
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