SUN LIFE ASSURANCE CO OF CANADA US
10-K, 1997-03-31
LIFE INSURANCE
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                              -------------------
 
                                   FORM 10-K
 
                ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
             For the fiscal year ended           Commission file numbers
                 DECEMBER 31, 1996             2-99959, 33-29851, 33-31711,
                                               33-41858, 33-43008, 33-58853
                                                      AND 333-11699
 
                              -------------------
 
                  SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
         --------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
                          DELAWARE                          04-2461439
          ----------------------------------------     --------------------
              (State or other jurisdiction of            (I.R.S. Employer
               incorporation or organization)          Identification No.)
 
                ONE SUN LIFE EXECUTIVE PARK,
               WELLESLEY HILLS, MASSACHUSETTS                 02181
               -----------------------------             ---------------
                   (Address of principal
                     executive offices)                     (Zip Code)
 
       Registrant's telephone number, including area code (617) 237-6030
 
                              -------------------
 
          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
                                                 NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE
               TITLE OF EACH CLASS                ON WHICH REGISTERED
          ------------------------------     ------------------------------
                       None
 
          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
 
                                      None
                                 --------------
                                (TITLE OF CLASS)
 
                                 --------------
                                (TITLE OF CLASS)
                              -------------------
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12  months (or  for such shorter  period that  the registrant was
required to  file  such  reports), and  (2)  has  been subject  to  such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes _X_ No ____
 
Registrant has no voting stock outstanding held by non-affiliates.
 
Registrant  has 5,900 shares of common stock  outstanding on March 28, 1997, all
of which are owned by
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada.
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                     PART I
 
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS.
 
The  Registrant is a stock life insurance company incorporated under the laws of
Delaware on January 12,  1970. Its Executive Office  mailing address is One  Sun
Life  Executive Park, Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02181, Tel. (617) 237-6030.
It has  obtained authorization  to do  business in  48 states,  the District  of
Columbia  and Puerto Rico and it is anticipated that it will be authorized to do
business  in  all  states  except   New  York.  The  Registrant's   wholly-owned
subsidiaries  include Sun Life Insurance and  Annuity Company of New York, which
issues individual  fixed and  combination fixed/variable  annuity contracts  and
group  life  and  long-term  disability  insurance  in  New  York; Massachusetts
Casualty Insurance Company,  a life  and accident and  health insurance  company
which  currently  issues  only individual  disability  insurance  contracts; Sun
Investment Services Company, a registered broker-dealer and investment  adviser;
New London Trust, F.S.B., a federally chartered savings bank; Sun Life Financial
Services  Limited,  which  provides  off-shore  administrative  services  to the
Registrant and Sun Life  Assurance Company of Canada;  and Sun Benefit  Services
Company, Inc., which receives renewal commissions on a disability product. Other
wholly-owned  subsidiaries  which  are currently  inactive  include  Sun Capital
Advisers,  Inc.,  a   registered  investment  adviser   and  Sun  Life   Finance
Corporation.
 
The  Registrant owns 94.8% of the  outstanding shares of Massachusetts Financial
Services Company  (MFS). The  Registrant previously  owned 100%  of the  shares.
During  1996, MFS issued additional shares  to officers of MFS, thereby reducing
the Registrant's ownership to 94.8%.
 
The Registrant is  a wholly-owned subsidiary  of Sun Life  Assurance Company  of
Canada,  150  King Street  West, Toronto,  Ontario,  Canada. Sun  Life Assurance
Company of Canada is  a mutual life insurance  company incorporated pursuant  to
Act  of Parliament of Canada in 1865  and currently transacts business in all of
the Canadian provinces and territories, all states except New York, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Great Britain, Ireland, Hong Kong,
Bermuda and the Philippines.
 
GENERAL
 
The Registrant is currently  engaged in the sale  of individual and group  fixed
and variable annuities, and group pension contracts. These contracts are sold in
both  the  tax  qualified  and non-tax  qualified  markets.  These  products are
distributed  through  individual   insurance  agents,   insurance  brokers   and
broker-dealers.
 
The following table sets forth premiums and deposits by major product categories
for each of the last three years.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1996          1995          1994
                                                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                     <C>           <C>           <C>
                                                                                       (IN 000'S)
Individual insurance                                                    $    207,740  $    213,258  $    244,748
Individual annuities                                                          77,798        77,676       102,302
Group annuities                                                            1,772,158     1,534,015     1,626,581
                                                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                        $  2,057,696  $  1,824,949  $  1,973,631
                                                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
REINSURANCE
 
The  Registrant has  agreements with its  parent company which  provide that the
parent company  will  reinsure  the  mortality  risks  of  the  individual  life
insurance  contracts previously sold  by the Registrant.  Under these agreements
basic death  benefits  and supplementary  benefits  are reinsured  on  a  yearly
renewable   term   basis  and   coinsurance  basis,   respectively.  Reinsurance
transactions under these  agreements in 1996  had the effect  of decreasing  net
income from operations by $1,603,000.
 
Effective  January 1,  1991 the  Registrant entered  into an  agreement with the
parent company under which certain individual life insurance contracts issued by
the parent were  reinsured by the  Registrant on a  90% coinsurance basis.  Also
effective  January 1,  1991 the  Registrant entered  into an  agreement with the
parent which  provides that  the parent  will reinsure  the mortality  risks  in
excess  of  $500,000  per policy  for  the individual  life  insurance contracts
assumed by the Registrant  in the reinsurance  agreement described above.  Death
benefits are reinsured on a yearly renewable term basis.
 
                                       1
<PAGE>
These  agreements  had  the  effect  of  increasing  income  from  operations by
approximately $35,161,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996.
 
The life reinsurance assumed agreement requires the reinsurer to withhold  funds
in amounts equal to the reserves assumed.
 
The  Registrant also has  executed a reinsurance  agreement with an unaffiliated
company  which  provides  reinsurance  of  certain  individual  life   insurance
contracts  on  a  modified  coinsurance basis  and  under  which  all deficiency
reserves are ceded.
 
RESERVES
 
In accordance  with the  life insurance  laws and  regulations under  which  the
Registrant  operates  it is  obligated to  carry on  its books,  as liabilities,
actuarially determined  reserves  to meet  its  obligations on  its  outstanding
contracts.  Reserves are based on mortality tables  in general use in the United
States and are computed to equal  amounts that, with additions from premiums  to
be  received, and with interest on  such reserves compounded annually at certain
assumed rates, will be sufficient to meet the Registrant's policy obligations at
their maturities or  in the  event of an  insured's death.  In the  accompanying
Financial  Statements these reserves are determined in accordance with statutory
regulations.
 
INVESTMENTS
 
Of the Registrant's total  assets of $13.8 billion  at December 31, 1996,  65.6%
consisted  of  unitized and  non-unitized  separate account  assets,  16.4% were
invested  in  bonds  and  similar   securities,  6.8%  in  mortgages,  1.0%   in
subsidiaries,  .7% in  real estate,  and the  remaining 9.5%  in cash  and other
assets.
 
COMPETITION
 
The Registrant is engaged  in a business that  is highly competitive because  of
the large number of stock and mutual life insurance companies and other entities
marketing  insurance products. The Registrant's  excellent financial ratings are
an important part of its competitive  position. Of the nearly 1,200  life/health
insurers  rated by A.M. Best as of December, 1996, the Registrant and its parent
company, Sun  Life Assurance  Company  of Canada,  were among  approximately  50
companies  assigned  A.M. Best's  highest rating  of A++  according to  the 1996
Best's Insurance Reports for  Life and Health Companies.  Standard & Poor's  and
Duff  and Phelps have also assigned the  Registrant and its parent company their
highest claims-paying ability ratings, AAA.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
The Registrant and  Sun Life  Assurance Company of  Canada have  entered into  a
Service Agreement which provides that the latter will furnish the Registrant, as
required,  with personnel as well  as certain services and  facilities on a cost
reimbursement basis.  As of  December 31,  1996 the  Registrant had  269  direct
employees who are employed at its Principal Executive Office in Wellesley Hills,
Massachusetts and at its Annuity Service Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
 
STATE REGULATION
 
The  Registrant is subject to  the laws of the  State of Delaware governing life
insurance companies  and  to regulation  by  the Commissioner  of  Insurance  of
Delaware.  An annual statement is filed with the Commissioner of Insurance on or
before March 1st in each year relating  to the operations of the Registrant  for
the  preceding year and its  financial condition on December  31st of such year.
Its books and records are subject  to review or examination by the  Commissioner
or  his agents at any time and a full examination of its operations is conducted
at periodic intervals.
 
The Registrant is  also subject  to the insurance  laws and  regulations of  the
other  states and jurisdictions in which it  is licensed to operate. The laws of
the  various   jurisdictions   establish   supervisory   agencies   with   broad
administrative powers with respect to licensing to transact business, overseeing
trade  practices, licensing agents, approving policy forms, establishing reserve
requirements, fixing maximum interest rates  on life insurance policy loans  and
minimum  rates for  accumulation of surrender  values, prescribing  the form and
content of required financial statements and  regulating the type and amount  of
investments permitted.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
Each  insurance  company  is  required  to  file  detailed  annual  reports with
supervisory agencies in each of the jurisdictions in which it does business  and
its  operations  and accounts  are subject  to examination  by such  agencies at
regular intervals.
 
In addition, many  states regulate affiliated  groups of insurers,  such as  the
Registrant,  its  parent and  its  affiliates, under  insurance  holding company
legislation. Under such  laws, inter-company  transfers of  assets and  dividend
payments from insurance subsidiaries may be subject to prior notice or approval,
depending  on  the  size of  such  transfers  and payments  in  relation  to the
financial positions of the companies involved.
 
Under insurance  guaranty fund  laws  in most  states, insurers  doing  business
therein  can  be  assessed (up  to  prescribed limits)  for  policyholder losses
incurred by insolvent  companies. The amount  of any future  assessments of  the
Registrant  under these  laws cannot be  reasonably estimated.  However, most of
these laws do provide that an assessment may be excused or deferred if it  would
threaten  an insurer's own financial strength  and may also permit the deduction
of all or a portion  of any such assessment from  any future premium or  similar
taxes payable.
 
Although  the  federal  government  generally  does  not  directly  regulate the
business of insurance, federal initiatives often have an impact on the  business
in  a  variety  of  ways.  Current  and  proposed  federal  measures  which  may
significantly affect the insurance business include employee benefit regulation,
removal of barriers preventing banks from engaging in the insurance business and
tax law changes affecting the taxation of insurance companies, the tax treatment
of insurance products  and its impact  on the relative  desirability of  various
personal investment vehicles.
 
ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES
 
The  Registrant occupies office space owned by  it and leased to its parent, Sun
Life Assurance Company of Canada, and certain unrelated parties for lease  terms
not exceeding five years.
 
ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
The  Registrant and  its subsidiaries  are engaged  in various  kinds of routine
litigation, which, in management's  judgment, is not  of material importance  to
their respective total assets.
 
ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
No matters were submitted by the Registrant to a vote of security holders during
the three months ended December 31, 1996.
 
                                    PART II
 
ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
The  Registrant is  a wholly-owned subsidiary  of Sun Life  Assurance Company of
Canada and as such there is no market for its common stock.
 
No dividends were paid in 1994, 1995 or 1996.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1996            1995            1994            1993            1992
                                   --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------
<S>                                <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
                                                                     (IN 000'S)
Revenues
  Premiums, annuity deposits and
   other revenue.................  $    2,131,939  $    1,883,901  $    1,997,525  $    2,443,310  $    1,339,282
  Net investment income and
   realized gains (losses).......         312,870         315,966         312,583         311,322         292,746
                                   --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------
                                        2,444,809       2,199,867       2,310,108       2,754,632       1,632,028
                                   --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------
Benefits and expenses
  Policyholder benefits                 2,149,145       1,995,208       2,102,290       2,515,320       1,426,756
  Other expenses                          175,342         150,937         186,892         232,365         229,004
                                   --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------
                                        2,324,487       2,146,145       2,289,182       2,747,685       1,655,760
                                   --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------
Operating gain (loss)                     120,322          53,722          20,926           6,947         (23,732)
Federal income tax expense
  (benefit)                                (2,702)         17,807          19,469           3,691         (15,360)
                                   --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------
Net income (loss)                  $      123,024  $       35,915  $        1,457  $        3,256  $       (8,372)
                                   --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------
                                   --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------
Assets                             $   13,759,005  $   12,359,683  $   10,117,822  $    9,179,090  $    7,474,407
                                   --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------
                                   --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------
Surplus notes                      $      315,000  $      650,000  $      335,000  $      335,000  $      265,000
                                   --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------
                                   --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
SEE NOTE 1 TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE EFFECT OF THE REINSURANCE AGREEMENTS
ON NET INCOME.
SEE NOTE 1 TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND
REPORTING.
 
ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS.
 
(1)  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
ASSETS
 
For management purposes it is the  Registrant's practice to segment its  general
account  to  facilitate the  matching of  assets  and liabilities;  however, all
general account assets stand behind all general account liabilities. A  majority
of   the  Registrant's  assets  are  income  producing  investments.  Particular
attention is paid to the quality of these assets.
 
The Registrant's bond holdings consist of a diversified portfolio of both public
and private issues.  It is the  Registrant's policy to  acquire only  investment
grade  securities. Private placements are rated internally with reference to the
National Association of Insurance  Commissioners ("NAIC") designation issued  by
the  NAIC Securities Valuation  Office. The overall  quality of the Registrant's
bond portfolio remains  high. At  December 31,  1996, 5.0%  of the  Registrant's
holdings  of bonds were rated below investment grade (i.e. below NAIC rating "1"
or "2"). Net unrealized gains on  below investment grade bonds were $837,435  at
December 31, 1996.
 
The Registrant holds real estate primarily because such investments historically
have  offered better  yields over the  long-term than  fixed income investments.
Real estate investments are used to enhance the yield of products with long-term
liability durations.  Properties  for which  market  value is  lower  than  cost
adjusted  for depreciation  (book value)  are reported  at market  value. During
1996, the change in the difference between  the market value and book value  for
properties reported at market value was $4,624,000.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
Significant  attention  has  been  given  to  insurance  companies'  exposure to
mortgage loans secured by real estate.  The Registrant had a mortgage  portfolio
of  $938,932,000 at December  31, 1996, representing 26.9%  of cash and invested
assets. At  December 31,  1995, mortgage  loans represented  26.5% of  cash  and
invested  assets. The Registrant underwrites commercial mortgages with a maximum
loan to value ratio of 75%. The Registrant as a rule invests only in  properties
that  are almost  fully leased.  The portfolio is  diversified by  region and by
property type. The level of arrears in the portfolio is substantially below  the
industry  average. At December 31, 1996, 0.45% of the Registrant's portfolio was
60 days or  more in arrears,  compared to the  most recent industry  delinquency
ratio  published by the American Council of Life Insurance of 2.51%. The expense
in the year  for the provision  for losses  and for losses  on foreclosures  was
$2,767,000.
 
During  1996, the Registrant purchased three limited partnership investments for
an aggregate total of $12,285,000 that were formed to own and operate  apartment
complexes  which  qualify for  low  income tax  credits.  The credits  are taken
annually over a ten year  period, but are fully vested  at the end of a  fifteen
year  compliance period. The Registrant also  committed to an additional limited
partnership interest for $10,180,000 in  1995. These investments are  classified
as other invested assets in the attached balance sheet.
 
In  the normal course of business,  the Registrant makes commitments to purchase
investments at  a  future date.  As  of December  31,  1996 the  Registrant  had
outstanding mortgage commitments of $9,800,000 which will be funded during 1997.
 
LIABILITIES
 
The  majority  of  the Registrant's  liabilities  consist of  reserves  for life
insurance and annuity contracts and deposit funds.
 
CAPITAL AND SURPLUS
 
Total capital stock and surplus of  the Registrant was $567,143,000 at  December
31, 1996. The Registrant issued surplus notes during 1995 totalling $315,000,000
to  an affiliate, Sun Canada Financial Co. The Registrant repaid $335,000,000 of
surplus notes to  its parent in  1996. During 1994,  the Registrant reduced  its
carrying  value  of  MCIC,  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary,  by  $18,397,000,  the
unamortized amount of  goodwill. The  reduction was  accounted for  as a  direct
charge to surplus. The Registrant's management considers its surplus position to
be adequate.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
1996 COMPARED TO 1995
 
Net  income  from operations  after dividends  and  before federal  income taxes
increased by $61.1 million for the year ending December 31, 1996 as compared  to
December  31, 1995. Net  income associated with  the reinsurance agreements with
the parent increased by $23.9 million in 1996. The net income improvement in the
reinsured  business  results  from   improved  mortality  experience,   improved
investment performance and fewer significant death claims in 1996 as compared to
1995.  Prior to  reinsurance, earnings from  the life line  of business remained
relatively flat. The  remaining $37.2  million increase is  attributable to  the
Company's  retirement  products  and  services line  of  business,  which market
combination fixed/variable  annuities and  group pension  guaranteed  investment
contracts.  The decline in interest  rates during 1995 resulted  in the split of
these combination fixed/variable annuity sales to change from 45% fixed and  55%
variable in 1995 to 25% fixed and 75% variable in 1996. In addition, total gross
sales  increased by $235.9  million in 1996  as compared to  1995. The declining
interest rate  environment and  strong market  performance in  1995 resulted  in
unrealized  gains on  assets held  in the  separate accounts,  which generated a
substantial increase in fees calculated as a percentage of the separate  account
net  assets, which  are then transferred  to the general  account. The declining
interest rates also resulted in increases in reserves due to the increase in the
market value  adjustment provision  of certain  fixed annuities.  The  resultant
reserve  increases were in excess of the  unrealized gains causing strain on the
1995 earnings. In 1996,  interest rates increased, resulting  in a reduction  in
the unrealized gains on assets held in the separate accounts and a corresponding
reduction in
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
reserves  and a  release of  some of  the reserve  strain incurred  in 1995. The
earnings on these market value adjusted products fluctuate as the change in  the
market  value of the assets do not move  in tandem with the change in the market
value of the liabilities.
 
Total income increased by $239.4 million for the year ended December 31, 1996 as
compared to December  31, 1995.  Sales of  combination fixed/variable  annuities
(net of annuitizations) increased by $282.7 million primarily due to an increase
in variable sales held in the separate accounts. This increase in variable sales
was driven by strong performance in the stock market. Reinsurance had the effect
of  increasing  income  by  approximately  $9.4  million.  Premiums  and annuity
considerations increased by  $8.2 million  reflecting increased  annuitizations.
Considerations  from supplementary contracts increased by $1.2 million. Sales of
group pension guaranteed investment contracts  decreased by $53 million as  this
market  remains highly competitive and sensitive  to small changes in guaranteed
interest rates. Net investment  income decreased by  $9.1 million, reflecting  a
decrease in the general account invested assets.
 
Benefits  and expenses increased  by $178.3 million for  the year ended December
31, 1996  as  compared to  December  31, 1995.  Reinsurance  had the  effect  of
decreasing  benefits and expenses by $14.5 million. Deaths, annuity payments and
surrender benefits and other funds withdrawals increased by $438.9 million as  a
result  of  increased  surrenders of  fixed  annuities for  which  interest rate
guarantee periods  have  expired  as  well  as  withdrawals  from  the  separate
accounts.  Policy  reserves  increased  by  $9.4  million,  reflecting increased
annuitizations and increased reserves for minimum death benefit guarantees.  The
decrease  in liability  for premium  and other  deposit funds  of $405.9 million
reflects lower  interest  rates and  higher  surrenders of  contracts  described
above.  Commissions increased by $21.8 million, reflecting the increase in total
sales of  combination fixed/variable  annuities. General  expenses increased  by
$2.6  million  reflecting an  increase in  salaries due  to staff  increases and
retainer fees.  Transfers  to separate  accounts  increased by  $126.8  million,
reflecting  increased  exchange activity  out of  the  general account  into the
separate accounts.
 
1995 COMPARED TO 1994
 
Net income  from operations  after  dividends and  before federal  income  taxes
increased  by $23.7 million for the year ending December 31, 1995 as compared to
December 31, 1994.  Reinsurance agreements  with the  parent had  the effect  of
increasing  net income by $40.9 million from a loss of $9.6 million in 1994 to a
gain of $31.3 million in  1995. The increase in  net income associated with  the
reinsurance  agreements is due to the lack of surplus strain associated with the
assumption of new contracts issued. No new contracts were assumed by the Company
beginning in 1994. The remaining decrease in net income from operations of $17.2
million is attributable to the  Company's retirement products and services  line
of  business,  which  markets  combination  fixed/variable  annuities  and group
pension guaranteed investment contracts. The declining interest rate environment
in 1995 resulted in  unrealized gains on assets  held in the separate  accounts,
which generated a substantial increase in fees calculated as a percentage of the
separate  account net assets, which are then transferred to the general account.
The declining interest rates also resulted  in increases in reserves due to  the
increase  in  the  market  value  adjustment  provision.  The  resultant reserve
increases were in  excess of  the unrealized gains  causing strain  on the  1995
earnings.  The earnings on these market value adjusted products fluctuate as the
change in the market value of the assets  do not move in tandem with the  change
in the market value of the liabilities.
 
Total income decreased by $119.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1995 as
compared  to December 31, 1994. Reinsurance  had the effect of decreasing income
by approximately $4.3 million. Premiums and annuity considerations decreased  by
$5.5  million, reflecting decreased group pension lottery sales of $22.1 million
partially offset by increased annuitizations. Considerations from  supplementary
contracts decreased by $1.8 million. Sales of combination fixed/variable (net of
annuitizations)  decreased  by $151.3  million,  reflecting the  decline  in the
interest rate  environment  during  1995.  Sales  of  group  pension  guaranteed
investment  contracts increased by $49.2 million  reflecting the transfer of the
parents' agent's pension  fund from the  parent to the  Company. Net  investment
income  and amortization of  the interest maintenance  reserve decreased by $5.6
million, primarily due to capital losses incurred late in 1994, which were  then
amortized through the interest maintenance reserve during 1995.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
Benefits  and expenses decreased by $143 million for the year ended December 31,
1994. Reinsurance had the  effect of decreasing benefits  and expenses by  $45.2
million.  Deaths,  annuity  payments  and  surrender  benefits  and  other  fund
withdrawals increased by $106.5 million as  a result of increased surrenders  of
fixed  annuities for which interest rate guarantee periods have expired, as well
as withdrawals from the  separate accounts. Policy  reserves decreased by  $16.7
million  primarily resulting from  increased reserves for  minimum death benefit
guarantees. The increase  in liability for  premium and other  deposit funds  of
$83.1  million reflects  fewer maturities of  contracts for  which the guarantee
periods have expired, and increased sales of group pension guaranteed investment
contracts described above. Commissions decreased by $5.5 million, reflecting the
decrease  in  total  sales  of  combination  fixed/variable  annuities.  General
expenses increased by $3.3 million, reflecting increased expenses allocated from
the  parent  and  increased  salaries due  to  staffing.  Transfers  to separate
accounts decreased by $268.8 million,  reflecting less exchange activity out  of
the  separate accounts into the general account and fewer variable annuity sales
transferred to the separate accounts.
 
(2)  LIQUIDITY
 
The Registrant's cash  inflow consists  primarily of premiums  on insurance  and
annuity  products, income  from investments, repayments  of investment principal
and sales of  investments. The Registrant's  cash outflow is  primarily to  meet
death  and other maturing insurance and annuity contract obligations, to pay out
on contract  terminations, to  fund  investment commitments  and to  pay  normal
operating  expenses and taxes.  Cash outflows are  met from the  normal net cash
inflows.
 
The Registrant  segments  its business  internally  and matches  projected  cash
inflows  and outflows within each segment. Targets for money market holdings are
established for each segment, which  in the aggregate meet  the day to day  cash
needs  of the  Registrant. If greater  liquidity is  required, government issued
bonds, which  are  highly liquid,  are  sold  to provide  the  necessary  funds.
Government   and  publicly  traded   corporate  bonds  comprise   65.9%  of  the
Registrant's long-term bond holdings.
 
Management believes that  the Registrant's  sources of liquidity  are more  than
adequate to meet its anticipated needs.
 
(3)  NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
During  1996, the Registrant received assurance from the Securities and Exchange
Commission that the Registrant,  as a wholly-owned subsidiary  of a mutual  life
insurance  company, would be permitted to  file financial statements on the NAIC
statutory basis  of  accounting.  Refer to  notes  1  and 19  to  the  financial
statements filed as Item 8 below.
 
ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
Financial  statements, in  the form  required by  Regulation S-X,  are set forth
below. The Registrant is  not subject to the  requirement to file  supplementary
financial data specified by Item 302 of Regulation S-K.
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
STATUTORY STATEMENTS OF ADMITTED ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND
CAPITAL STOCK AND SURPLUS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       DECEMBER 31,
                                                                              ------------------------------
                                                                                   1996            1995
                                                                              --------------  --------------
                                                                                        (IN 000'S)
<S>                                                                           <C>             <C>
ADMITTED ASSETS
    Bonds                                                                     $    2,258,858  $    2,706,067
    Preferred stock                                                                        0           1,149
    Mortgage loans                                                                   938,932       1,066,911
    Investments in subsidiaries                                                      144,043         138,282
    Real estate                                                                      100,385          95,574
    Other invested assets                                                             51,378          38,387
    Policy loans                                                                      40,554          38,355
    Cash                                                                               1,305         (20,280)
    Investment income due and accrued                                                 68,190          62,719
    Funds withheld on reinsurance assumed                                            878,798         741,091
    Due from separate accounts                                                       220,999         148,675
    Other assets                                                                      27,509          26,349
                                                                              --------------  --------------
    General account assets                                                         4,730,951       5,043,279
    Unitized separate account assets                                               6,919,219       5,275,808
    Non-unitized separate account assets                                           2,108,835       2,040,596
                                                                              --------------  --------------
    Total Assets                                                              $   13,759,005  $   12,359,683
                                                                              --------------  --------------
                                                                              --------------  --------------
LIABILITIES
    Policy reserves                                                           $    2,099,980  $    1,937,302
    Annuity and other deposits                                                     1,898,309       2,290,656
    Policy benefits in process of payment                                              2,677           5,884
    Accrued expenses and taxes                                                        57,719          44,114
    Other liabilities                                                                 63,987          36,080
    Due to (from) parent and affiliates--net                                         (41,326)       (130,502)
    Interest maintenance reserve                                                      28,676          25,218
    Asset valuation reserve                                                           53,911          42,099
                                                                              --------------  --------------
    General account liabilities                                                    4,163,933       4,250,851
    Unitized separate account liabilities                                          6,919,094       5,275,784
    Non-unitized separate account liabilities                                      2,108,835       2,040,596
                                                                              --------------  --------------
                                                                                  13,191,862      11,567,231
                                                                              --------------  --------------
CAPITAL STOCK AND SURPLUS
    Capital Stock Par value $1,000:
       Authorized, 10,000 shares;
        issued and outstanding, 5,900 shares                                           5,900           5,900
    Surplus                                                                          561,243         786,552
                                                                              --------------  --------------
    Total capital stock and surplus                                                  567,143         792,452
                                                                              --------------  --------------
    Total Liabilities, Capital Stock and Surplus                              $   13,759,005  $   12,359,683
                                                                              --------------  --------------
                                                                              --------------  --------------
</TABLE>
 
                  SEE NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
 
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
STATUTORY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                           ----------------------------------
                                              1996        1995        1994
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------
 <S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                       (IN 000'S)
 Premiums and annuity considerations       $  282,466  $  279,407  $  316,008
 Deposit-type funds                         1,775,230   1,545,542   1,647,623
 Considerations for supplementary
  contracts without life contingencies
  and dividend accumulations                    2,340       1,088       2,906
 Net investment income                        303,753     312,872     315,433
 Amortization of interest maintenance
  reserve                                       1,557       1,025       4,128
 Miscellaneous income                          71,903      57,864      30,988
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total                                      2,437,249   2,197,798   2,317,086
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------
 Death benefits                                12,394      15,317       4,836
 Annuity benefits                             146,654     140,497     135,256
 Surrender benefits and other fund
  withdrawals                               1,507,263   1,074,396     965,186
 Interest on policy or contract funds           2,205         739         572
 Payments on supplementary contracts
  without life contingencies and of
  dividend accumulations                        2,120       1,888       2,334
 Increase in aggregate reserves for life
  and accident and health policies and
  contracts                                   162,678     171,975     219,334
 Increase in liability for premium and
  other deposit funds                        (392,348)     13,553     (69,541)
 Increase in reserve for supplementary
  contracts without life contingencies
  and for dividend and coupon
  accumulations                                   327        (663)        714
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total                                      1,441,293   1,417,702   1,258,691
 Commissions on premiums and annuity
  considerations (direct business only)       109,894      88,037      93,576
 Commissions and expense allowances on
  reinsurance assumed                          18,910      22,012      59,085
 General insurance expenses                    37,206      34,580      31,243
 Insurance taxes, licenses and fees,
  excluding federal income taxes                8,431       7,685       5,638
 Increase in loading on and cost of
  collection in excess of loading on
  deferred and uncollected premiums               901      (1,377)     (2,650)
 Net transfers to Separate Account            678,663     551,784     820,671
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------
 Total                                      2,295,298   2,120,423   2,266,254
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------
 Net gain from operations before
  dividends to policyholders and federal
  income tax                                  141,951      77,375      50,832
 Dividends to policyholders                    29,189      25,722      22,928
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------
 Net gain from operations after dividends
  to policyholders and before federal
  income tax                                  112,762      51,653      27,904
 Federal income taxes incurred (excluding
  tax on capital gains)                        (2,702)     17,807      19,469
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------
 Net gain from operations after dividends
  to policyholders and federal income tax
  and before realized capital gains or
  (losses)                                    115,464      33,846       8,435
 Net realized capital gains or (losses)
  less capital gains tax and transferred
  to the interest maintenance reserve           7,560       2,069      (6,978)
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------
 NET INCOME                                $  123,024  $   35,915  $    1,457
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                  SEE NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
 
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
STATUTORY STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL STOCK AND SURPLUS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                            ----------------------------------
                                                               1996        1995        1994
                                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
<S>                                                         <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                                        (IN 000'S)
CAPITAL AND SURPLUS, BEGINNING OF YEAR                      $  792,452  $  455,489  $  483,188
                                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Net income                                                     123,024      35,915       1,457
Change in net unrealized capital gains or (losses)              (1,715)      2,009        (671)
Change in non-admitted assets and related items                     67      (2,270)     (1,485)
Change in asset valuation reserve                              (11,812)    (13,690)     (8,376)
Other changes in surplus in Separate Accounts Statement            100      (4,038)       (227)
Increase (decrease) in surplus notes                          (335,000)    315,000           0
Miscellaneous gains and losses in surplus                           27       4,037     (18,397)
                                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Net change in capital and surplus for the year                (225,309)    336,963     (27,699)
                                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
Capital and surplus, end of year                            $  567,143  $  792,452  $  455,489
                                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                            ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                  SEE NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
STATUTORY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                            -------------------------------------
                                               1996         1995         1994
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
 <S>                                        <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                         (IN 000'S)
 Cash Provided
   Premiums, annuity considerations and
     deposit funds received                 $ 2,059,577  $ 1,826,456  $ 2,287,695
   Considerations for supplementary
     contracts and dividend accumulations
     received                                     2,340        1,088        2,906
   Net investment income received               324,914      374,398      351,058
   Other income received                         88,295       25,348       30,989
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
 Total receipts                               2,475,126    2,227,290    2,672,648
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
   Benefits paid (other than dividends)       1,671,483    1,231,936    1,326,223
   Insurance expenses and taxes paid
     (other than federal income and
     capital gains taxes)                       172,015      150,463      187,699
   Net cash transfers to Separate Accounts      755,605      568,188      963,127
   Dividends paid to policyholders               22,689       17,722       13,303
   Federal income tax (recoveries)
     payments (excluding tax on capital
     gains)                                     (15,363)     (20,655)       2,976
   Other--net                                     2,205          739          572
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
 Total payments                               2,608,634    1,948,393    2,493,900
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
 Net cash from operations                      (133,508)     278,897      178,748
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
   Proceeds from long-term investments
     sold, matured or repaid (after
     deducting taxes on capital gains of
     $1,554,873 for 1996, $8,610,951 for
     1995 and $19,271,876 for 1994)           1,768,147    1,658,655    1,508,156
   Issuance (repayment) of surplus notes       (335,000)     315,000
   Other cash provided                          147,956      419,446       26,512
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
 Total cash provided                          1,581,103    2,393,101    1,534,668
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
 Cash Applied
   Cost of long-term investments acquired     1,318,880    1,749,714    1,442,155
   Other cash applied                           235,982      796,207      264,233
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
 Total cash applied                           1,554,862    2,545,921    1,706,388
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
 Net change in cash and short-term
   investments                                 (107,267)     126,077        7,028
 Cash and short-term investments:
 Beginning of year                              197,326       71,249       64,221
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
 End of year                                $    90,059  $   197,326  $    71,249
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
                                            -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                  SEE NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
 
GENERAL
 
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) (the "Company") is incorporated as a
life  insurance company and is currently engaged in the sale of individual fixed
and variable annuities,  group fixed  and variable annuities  and group  pension
contracts.  The Company  also underwrites a  block of  individual life insurance
business through  a reinsurance  contract with  its parent.  Sun Life  Assurance
Company of Canada (the "parent company") is a mutual life insurance company.
 
The Company, which is domiciled in the State of Delaware, prepares its financial
statements  in  accordance  with statutory  accounting  practices  prescribed or
permitted by the State of  Delaware Insurance Department. Prescribed  accounting
practices  include  practices  described in  a  variety of  publications  of the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners  (NAIC), as well as state  laws,
regulations  and  general administrative  rules. Permitted  accounting practices
encompass all accounting practices not  so prescribed. The permitted  accounting
practices  adopted by the Company are  not material to the financial statements.
Prior to 1996, statutory accounting  practices were recognized by the  insurance
industry   and  the  accounting  profession  as  generally  accepted  accounting
principles  for  mutual  life  insurance  companies  and  stock  life  insurance
companies  wholly owned by  mutual life insurance companies.  In April 1993, the
Financial Accounting  Standards Board  ("FASB")  issued an  interpretation  (the
"Interpretation"),  that became effective in 1996, that has changed the previous
practice of mutual life insurance companies (and stock life insurance  companies
that  are  wholly-owned subsidiaries  of mutual  life insurance  companies) with
respect to utilizing statutory basis financial statements for general  purposes,
in  that it will  no longer allow  such financial statements  to be described as
having been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
("GAAP"). Consequently, these financial  statements prepared in conformity  with
statutory  accounting  practices  as  described above,  vary  from  and  are not
intended to present the Company's  financial position and results of  operations
and  capital in conformity  with generally accepted  accounting principles. (See
Note 19 for  further discussion  relative to  the Company's  basis of  financial
statement  presentation.)  The  effects  on  the  financial  statements  of  the
variances between  the statutory  basis  of accounting  and GAAP,  although  not
reasonably determinable, are presumed to be material.
 
INVESTED ASSETS AND RELATED RESERVES
 
Bonds  are carried at  cost adjusted for  amortization of premium  or accrual of
discount. Investments in  non-insurance subsidiaries are  carried on the  equity
basis.  Investments  in insurance  subsidiaries are  carried at  their statutory
surplus values. Mortgage loans acquired at a premium or discount are carried  at
amortized values and other mortgage loans at the amounts of the unpaid balances.
Real  estate  investments  are  carried  at  the  lower  of  cost  adjusted  for
accumulated depreciation  or  appraised  value,  less  encumbrances.  Short-term
investments  are  carried  at  amortized cost,  which  approximates  fair value.
Depreciation of buildings and improvements is calculated using the straight-line
method over the estimated useful life of the property, generally 40 to 50 years.
 
POLICY AND CONTRACT RESERVES
 
The reserves for  life insurance  and annuity contracts,  developed by  accepted
actuarial  methods,  have  been  established  and  maintained  on  the  basis of
published mortality tables  using assumed interest  rates and valuation  methods
that  will  provide reserves  at least  as great  as those  required by  law and
contract provisions.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES: (CONTINUED):
INCOME AND EXPENSES
 
For life and  annuity contracts, premiums  are recognized as  revenues over  the
premium  paying period,  whereas commissions and  other costs  applicable to the
acquisition of new business are charged to operations as incurred.
 
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
 
The Company has  established unitized  separate accounts  applicable to  various
classes  of contracts providing for variable benefits. Contracts for which funds
are invested in separate accounts include variable life insurance and individual
and group qualified and non-qualified variable annuity contracts.
 
Assets and liabilities of the  separate accounts, representing net deposits  and
accumulated net investment earnings less fees, held primarily for the benefit of
contract  holders are  shown as separate  captions in  the financial statements.
Assets held in the separate accounts are carried at market values.
 
The Company has  also established  a non-unitized separate  account for  amounts
allocated  to the fixed  portion of certain  combination fixed/variable deferred
annuity contracts. The  assets of  this account  are available  to fund  general
account liabilities and general account assets are available to fund liabilities
of this account.
 
Gains   (losses)  from  mortality  experience  and  investment  experience,  not
applicable to contract owners,  are transferred to  (from) the general  account.
Accumulated  gains (losses)  that have  not been  transferred are  recorded as a
payable (receivable)  to (from)  the  general account.  Amounts payable  to  the
general  account of  the Company were  $220,999,000 in 1996  and $148,675,000 in
1995.
 
CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND REPORTING
 
During 1996, the  Company changed  its method  of accounting  and reporting  for
deposits  withdrawals, and benefits with  respect to unitized separate accounts.
Previously, deposits were  recorded as  direct increases in  liabilities of  the
separate  accounts  while  withdrawals  and  benefits  were  recorded  as direct
decreases in that liability. Effective for 1996, the Company recorded:  deposits
as  revenue in the general account; withdrawals  and benefits as expenses in the
general account; and the transfer of those funds between the general account and
the separate  account  are  reflected  as  an  expense  (income)  item.  Amounts
presented  for the years ended December 31,  1995 and 1994 have been restated to
conform to this presentation. The effect of this change was to increase revenues
and expenses by $1.4 billion in 1996, $878 million in 1995, and $988 million  in
1994;  there is no impact on net income  of the general account. This new method
of reporting  is  consistent with  the  accounting treatment  for  deposits  and
withdrawals  and benefits of  the non-unitized separate  account of the Company,
and is consistent with prescribed statutory accounting practices.
 
Prior to  1996,  dividends paid  to  the Company  by  its subsidiaries  and  the
undistributed  gains (losses) of those subsidiaries  were included in net income
of the Company. For Annual Statement reporting, dividends were (and continue  to
be)  reported  in net  income while  undistributed  gains (losses)  are reported
directly to  surplus (as  a  separate component  of  unassigned surplus).  As  a
result,  net income  as reported in  these financial statements  is $2.5 million
less than net income reported in the  Annual Statement in 1995 and $1.4  million
greater  than  the Annual  Statement in  1994. Effective  for 1996,  the Company
changed its method of accounting for investments in subsidiaries to conform with
the prescribed statutory  accounting practices  used in the  preparation of  its
Annual  Statement.  As a  result of  the change,  $5.7 million  in undistributed
losses of  subsidiaries  are  reported  directly  as  a  separate  component  of
unassigned  surplus rather than being included in  net income for the year ended
December 31,  1996.  The  amounts as  reported  in  prior years  have  not  been
restated.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES: (CONTINUED):
The Company has also revised the form of its statutory statements of operations,
changes  in capital  stock and  surplus, and  cash flow  in order  to match more
exactly the presentation used in the  preparation of its Annual Statement. As  a
result,  reclassifications have  been made in  the amounts reported  in 1995 and
1994 audited financial statements  to conform to the  presentation used for  the
1996  amounts. Other than as  described in the preceding  paragraph, none of the
changes have impacted net  income or statutory surplus  as reported in the  1995
and 1994 audited financial statements.
 
OTHER
 
Preparation  of the financial  statements requires management  to make estimates
and assumptions that  affect reported amounts  of assets, liabilities,  revenues
and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
2.  INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES:
The Company owns all of the outstanding shares of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity
Company  of New York (Sun Life (N.Y.)), Massachusetts Casualty Insurance Company
(MCIC), Sun  Investment Services  Company (Sunesco),  New London  Trust,  F.S.B.
(NLT),  Sun Life Financial Services Limited,  Inc. (SLFSL), Sun Benefit Services
Company, Inc. (Sunbesco), Sun Capital Advisers, Inc. (Sun Capital), and Sun Life
Finance Corporation (Sunfinco).
 
The Company  owns 94.8%  of the  outstanding shares  of Massachusetts  Financial
Services  Company (MFS). The Company previously owned 100% of the shares. During
1996, MFS issued  additional shares  to officers  of MFS,  thereby reducing  the
Company's ownership to 94.8%.
 
Sun  Life (N.Y.) is engaged in the sale of individual fixed and variable annuity
contracts and group life and disability insurance contracts in the State of  New
York.  MCIC is a life insurance  company which issues only individual disability
income policies. Sunesco is a  registered investment adviser and  broker-dealer.
NLT  is  a  federally chartered  savings  bank.  SLFSL serves  as  the marketing
administrator for the  distribution of the  Parent company's offshore  products.
Sun  Capital,  a  registered  investment  adviser,  Sunfinco,  and  Sunbesco are
currently inactive.
 
MFS, a registered investment adviser, serves as investment adviser to the mutual
funds in the MFS family of funds and certain mutual funds and separate  accounts
established  by  the Company,  and,  through a  subsidiary,  provides investment
advice to substantial private clients.
 
In 1994, the  Company reduced  its carrying value  of MCIC  by $18,397,000,  the
unamortized  amount of  goodwill. The  reduction was  accounted for  as a direct
charge to surplus.
 
On December 31, 1996, the Company issued to the parent a $58,000,000 note  which
is  scheduled for repayment on  February 15, 1997 at  an interest rate of 5.70%.
Also on December 31, 1996, the Company  was issued a $58,000,000 note by MFS  at
an  interest rate of 5.76% due on demand  on or after March 1, 1997. On December
31, 1996 and 1995 the Company had  an additional $20,000,000 in notes issued  by
MFS,  scheduled to mature in  2000. All of these notes  are reported as due from
parent and affiliates.
 
During 1996, 1995  and 1994, the  Company contributed capital  in the  following
amounts to its subsidiaries:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           1996           1995          1994
                                                                      --------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                   <C>             <C>           <C>
MCIC                                                                  $   10,000,000  $  6,000,000  $  6,000,000
SLFSL                                                                      1,500,000             0             0
</TABLE>
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
2.  INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES: (CONTINUED):
Summarized  combined financial information  of the Company's  subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 and for the years then ended, follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       DECEMBER 31,
                                                                         ----------------------------------------
                                                                             1996          1995          1994
                                                                         ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                                        (IN 000'S)
<S>                                                                      <C>           <C>           <C>
Intangible assets                                                        $      9,646  $     12,174  $     13,485
Other assets                                                                1,376,014     1,233,372     1,165,595
Liabilities                                                                (1,241,617)   (1,107,264)   (1,044,273)
                                                                         ------------  ------------  ------------
Total net assets                                                         $    144,043  $    138,282  $    134,807
                                                                         ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                         ------------  ------------  ------------
Total revenues                                                           $    717,280  $    570,794  $    495,097
Operating expenses                                                           (624,199)     (504,070)     (425,891)
Income tax expense                                                            (42,820)      (31,193)      (29,374)
                                                                         ------------  ------------  ------------
Net income                                                               $     50,261  $     35,531  $     39,832
                                                                         ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                         ------------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
3.  BONDS:
The amortized cost and  estimated fair value of  investments in debt  securities
are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                            ----------------------------------------------------
                                                                             GROSS        GROSS      ESTIMATED
                                                             AMORTIZED    UNREALIZED   UNREALIZED       FAIR
                                                                COST         GAINS      (LOSSES)       VALUE
                                                            ------------  -----------  -----------  ------------
 
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                                                 (IN 000'S)
Long-term Bonds:
    United States government and government agencies and
     authorities                                            $    267,756   $  12,272    $  (8,927)  $    271,101
    States, provinces and political subdivisions                   2,253          20           (0)         2,273
    Foreign governments                                           18,812       1,351           (0)        20,163
    Public utilities                                             415,641      24,728       (1,223)       439,146
    Transportation                                               167,937      14,107       (2,243)       179,801
    Finance                                                      290,025       7,912         (472)       297,465
    All other corporate bonds                                  1,007,680      42,338      (14,496)     1,035,522
                                                            ------------  -----------  -----------  ------------
        Total long-term bonds                                  2,170,104     102,728      (27,361)     2,245,471
Short-term bonds:
    U.S. Treasury Bills, bankers acceptances and
     commercial paper                                             88,754           0            0         88,754
                                                            ------------  -----------  -----------  ------------
                                                            $  2,258,858   $ 102,728    $ (27,361)  $  2,334,225
                                                            ------------  -----------  -----------  ------------
                                                            ------------  -----------  -----------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
3.  BONDS: (CONTINUED):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                          -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                           GROSS        GROSS       ESTIMATED
                                                           AMORTIZED    UNREALIZED    UNREALIZED       FAIR
                                                              COST         GAINS       (LOSSES)       VALUE
                                                          ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
 
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
                                                                               (IN 000'S)
Long-term Bonds:
    United States government and government agencies and
     authorities                                          $    467,597   $  22,783   $       (443) $    489,937
    States, provinces and political subdivisions                 2,252          81             (0)        2,333
    Foreign governments                                         38,303       4,551             (6)       42,848
    Public utilities                                           513,704      45,466           (203)      558,967
    Transportation                                             215,786      22,794         (2,221)      236,359
    Finance                                                    225,074      13,846            (84)      238,836
    All other corporate bonds                                1,025,745      67,371         (7,415)    1,085,701
                                                          ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
        Total long-term bonds                                2,488,461     176,892        (10,372)    2,654,981
Short-term bonds:
    U.S. Treasury Bills, bankers acceptances and
     commercial paper                                          217,606           0              0       217,606
                                                          ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
                                                          $  2,706,067   $ 176,892   $    (10,372) $  2,872,587
                                                          ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
                                                          ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
The  amortized cost and estimated  fair value of bonds  at December 31, 1996 and
1995 are shown below  by contractual maturity.  Expected maturities will  differ
from  contractual maturities  because borrowers  may have  the right  to call or
prepay obligations with or without call and/or prepayment penalties.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                                                       --------------------------
                                                                                        AMORTIZED     ESTIMATED
                                                                                           COST       FAIR VALUE
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>           <C>
                                                                                               (IN 000'S)
Maturities:
    Due in one year or less                                                            $    314,130  $    315,507
    Due after one year through five years                                                   743,215       751,858
    Due after five years through ten years                                                  268,376       280,153
    Due after ten years                                                                     714,504       775,051
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
                                                                                       $  2,040,225  $  2,122,569
    Mortgage-backed securities                                                              218,633       211,656
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
                                                                                       $  2,258,858  $  2,334,225
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                                                       --------------------------
                                                                                        AMORTIZED     ESTIMATED
                                                                                           COST       FAIR VALUE
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>           <C>
                                                                                               (IN 000'S)
Maturities:
    Due in one year or less                                                            $    558,775  $    561,119
    Due after one year through five years                                                   824,446       846,230
    Due after five years through ten years                                                  256,552       269,549
    Due after ten years                                                                     884,187     1,000,908
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
                                                                                          2,523,960     2,677,806
    Mortgage-backed securities                                                              182,107       194,781
                                                                                       $  2,706,067  $  2,872,587
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
                                                                                       ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
3.  BONDS: (CONTINUED):
Proceeds from  sales and  maturities of  investments in  debt securities  during
1996,  1995, and  1994 were $1,554,016,000,  $1,510,553,000, and $1,390,974,000,
gross gains were $16,975,000, $24,757,000, and $15,025,000 and gross losses were
$10,885,000, $5,742,000, and $30,041,000 , respectively.
 
Bonds included  above with  an amortized  cost of  approximately $2,060,000  and
$2,059,000  at December  31, 1996 and  1995, respectively, were  on deposit with
governmental authorities as required by law.
 
4.  SECURITIES LENDING:
The Company  has a  securities lending  program operated  on its  behalf by  the
Company's  primary  custodian,  Chemical Bank  of  New York.  The  custodian has
indemnified the Company against losses arising from this program. The total  par
value  of securities out on loan was $51,537,000 and $250,729,000 and the income
resulting from this  program was $137,000,  $2,000 and $26,000  at December  31,
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
5.  MORTGAGE LOANS:
The  Company invests  in commercial first  mortgage loans  throughout the United
States. The  Company  monitors  the  condition of  the  mortgage  loans  in  its
portfolio.  In those cases  where mortgages have  been restructured, appropriate
provisions have been made. In those cases where, in management's judgement,  the
mortgage loans' values are impaired, appropriate losses are recorded.
 
The  following  table  shows  the  geographical  distribution  of  the  mortgage
portfolio.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                         ------------------------
                                                                                            1996         1995
                                                                                         ----------  ------------
                                                                                                (IN 000'S)
<S>                                                                                      <C>         <C>
California                                                                               $  154,272  $    153,811
Massachusetts                                                                                79,929        83,999
Michigan                                                                                     57,119        69,125
New York                                                                                     67,742        81,480
Ohio                                                                                         75,405        83,915
Pennsylvania                                                                                115,584       141,468
Washington                                                                                   75,819        91,900
All other                                                                                   313,062       361,213
                                                                                         ----------  ------------
                                                                                         $  938,932  $  1,066,911
                                                                                         ----------  ------------
                                                                                         ----------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
The  Company  has  restructured   mortgage  loans  totalling  $29,261,000,   and
$49,846,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, against which there are
provisions  of  $5,893,000  and  $8,799,000  at  December  31,  1996  and  1995,
respectively.
 
The Company  has made  commitments of  mortgage loans  on real  estate into  the
future. The outstanding commitments for these mortgages amount to $9,800,000 and
$13,100,000 at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
6.  INVESTMENTS GAINS AND LOSSES:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                   -------------------------------
                                                                                     1996       1995       1994
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                             (IN 000'S)
<S>                                                                                <C>        <C>        <C>
Net realized gains (losses)
Bonds                                                                              $   5,631  $   3,935  $    (858)
Mortgage loans                                                                           763        292     (5,689)
Real estate                                                                              599        391       (334)
Other assets                                                                             567     (2,549)       (97)
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                   $   7,560  $   2,069  $  (6,978)
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
Changes in unrealized gains (losses):
Common stock of affiliates                                                         $  (5,739) $       0  $       0
Mortgage loans                                                                          (600)    (1,574)         0
Real estate                                                                            4,624      3,583       (671)
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                   $  (1,715) $   2,009  $    (671)
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                                   ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
Realized capital gains and losses on bonds and mortgages which relate to changes
in  levels of interest rates are charged  or credited to an interest maintenance
reserve (IMR) and amortized into income  over the remaining contractual life  of
the  security  sold. The  gross realized  capital gains  and losses  credited or
charged to the interest maintenance reserve were a credit of $7,710,000 in 1996,
a credit of $12,714,000 in 1995, and a charge of $14,070,000 in 1994. All  gains
and losses are transferred net of applicable taxes.
 
7.  NET INVESTMENT INCOME:
Net investment income consisted of:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                              ----------------------------------
                                                                                 1996        1995        1994
                                                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                                          (IN 000'S)
<S>                                                                           <C>         <C>         <C>
Interest income from bonds                                                    $  178,695  $  205,445  $  200,338
Income from investment in common stock of affiliates                              50,408      35,403      39,577
Interest income from mortgage loans                                               92,591      99,766     106,404
Real estate investment income                                                     16,249      14,979      12,950
Interest income from policy loans                                                  2,790       2,777       2,669
Other                                                                              1,710       2,672       1,212
                                                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
    Gross investment income                                                      342,443     361,042     363,150
Interest on surplus notes                                                        (23,061)    (31,813)    (31,150)
Investment expenses                                                              (15,629)    (16,357)    (16,567)
                                                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                              $  303,753  $  312,872  $  315,433
                                                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                              ----------  ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
8.  DERIVATIVES:
The  Company uses derivative instruments  for interest risk management purposes,
including hedges  against  specific  interest  rate risk  and  to  minimize  the
Company's  exposure  to fluctuations  in interest  rates.  The Company's  use of
derivatives has  included  U.S.  Treasury futures,  conventional  interest  rate
swaps, and forward spread lock interest rate swaps.
 
In  the case of interest rate futures, gains or losses on contracts that qualify
as hedges  are deferred  until the  earliest of  the completion  of the  hedging
transaction,  determination that the  transaction will no  longer take place, or
determination that the  hedge is  no longer  effective. Upon  completion of  the
hedge,  where it is  impractical to allocates gains  (losses) to specific hedged
assets or liabilities, gains  ( losses) are deferred  in IMR and amortized  over
the  remaining life of the hedged assets.  At December 31, 1996 and December 31,
1995 there were no futures contracts outstanding.
 
In the case of  interest rate and foreign  currency swap agreements and  forward
spread  lock interest rate swap agreements,  gains or losses on terminated swaps
are deferred in IMR and amortized over the shorter of the remaining life of  the
hedged asset or the remaining term of the swap contract. The net differential to
be paid or received on interest rate swaps is recorded monthly as interest rates
change.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         SWAPS OUTSTANDING
                                                                                       AT DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                                                 ---------------------------------
                                                                                      NOTIONAL       MARKET VALUE
                                                                                 PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS   OF POSITIONS
                                                                                 ------------------  -------------
                                                                                            (IN 000'S)
<S>                                                                              <C>                 <C>
Conventional interest rate swaps                                                    $    429,000       $  (2,443)
Foreign currency swap                                                                      2,100              70
Forward spread lock swaps                                                                 50,000             (50)
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         SWAPS OUTSTANDING
                                                                                       AT DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                                                 ---------------------------------
                                                                                      NOTIONAL       MARKET VALUE
                                                                                 PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS   OF POSITIONS
                                                                                 ------------------  -------------
                                                                                            (IN 000'S)
<S>                                                                              <C>                 <C>
Conventional interest rate swaps                                                    $    367,000       $   3,275
Foreign currency swap                                                                      2,745             290
Forward spread lock swaps                                                                 50,000             112
</TABLE>
 
The  market value is the estimated amount  that the Company would receive or pay
on termination  or sale,  taking into  account current  interest rates  and  the
current  creditworthiness  of  the  counterparties. The  Company  is  exposed to
potential credit loss  in the  event of non-performance  by counterparties.  The
counterparties are major financial institutions and management believes that the
risk of incurring losses related to credit risk is remote.
 
9.  LEVERAGED LEASES:
The  Company is a lessor in a  leveraged lease agreement entered into on October
21, 1994, under which equipment having an estimated economic life of 25-40 years
was leased for a term of 9.75 years. The Company's equity investment represented
22.9% of the purchase price of the equipment. The balance of the purchase  price
was  furnished by  third-party long-term  debt financing,  collateralized by the
equipment and non-recourse to  the Company. At  the end of  the lease term,  the
Master  Lessee  may  exercise a  fixed  price  purchase option  to  purchase the
equipment.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
9.  LEVERAGED LEASES: (CONTINUED):
The Company's net investment  in leveraged leases is  composed of the  following
elements:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         YEARS ENDED DECEMBER
                                                                                                 31,
                                                                                        ----------------------
                                                                                           1996        1995
                                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                                              (IN 000'S)
<S>                                                                                     <C>         <C>
Lease contracts receivable                                                              $  101,244  $  111,611
Less non-recourse debt                                                                     101,227    (111,594)
                                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                                                17          17
Estimated residual value of leased assets                                                   41,150      41,150
Less unearned and deferred income                                                          (11,501)    (13,132)
                                                                                        ----------  ----------
Investment in leveraged leases                                                              29,666      28,035
Less fees                                                                                     (188)       (213)
                                                                                        ----------  ----------
Net investment in leveraged leases                                                      $   29,478  $   27,822
                                                                                        ----------  ----------
                                                                                        ----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
The  net investment is  classified as other invested  assets in the accompanying
statements of admitted assets, liabilities, capital stock and surplus.
 
10. REINSURANCE:
The Company has agreements with the parent company which provide that the parent
company will  reinsure the  mortality  risks of  the individual  life  insurance
contracts  sold by the Company. Under  these agreements basic death benefits and
supplementary benefits  are  reinsured on  a  yearly renewable  term  basis  and
coinsurance basis, respectively. Reinsurance transactions under these agreements
had the effect of decreasing income from operations by approximately $1,603,000,
$2,184,000, and $2,138,000 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively.
 
Effective January 1, 1991, the Company entered into an agreement with the parent
company  under which certain  individual life insurance  contracts issued by the
parent company were reinsured by the  Company on a 90% coinsurance basis.  Also,
effective January 1, 1991, the Company entered into an agreement with the parent
company which provides that the parent company will reinsure the mortality risks
in  excess of  $500,000 per policy  for the individual  life insurance contracts
assumed by the Company in the reinsurance agreement described above. Such  death
benefits  are reinsured on  a yearly renewable term  basis. These agreements had
the effect of increasing income from operations by approximately $35,161,000 and
$11,821,000 for the years  ended December 31, 1996  and 1995, respectively,  and
decreasing  income by approximately $29,188,000 for  the year ended December 31,
1994. The life reinsurance assumed agreement requires the reinsurer to  withhold
funds in amounts equal to the reserves assumed.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
10. REINSURANCE: (CONTINUED):
The  following are summarized pro-forma results of operations of the Company for
the years  ended  December  31,  1996,  1995  and  1994  before  the  effect  of
reinsurance transactions with the parent company.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PRO-FORMA RESULTS PRE-REINSURANCE
                                                                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        ----------------------------------------
                                                                            1996          1995          1994
                                                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                                       (IN 000'S)
<S>                                                                     <C>           <C>           <C>
Income:
    Premiums, annuity deposits and other revenues                       $  1,858,145  $  1,619,337  $  2,053,408
    Net investment income and realized gains                                 312,870       315,967       312,582
                                                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
    Subtotal                                                               2,171,015     1,935,304     2,365,990
                                                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
Benefits and Expenses:
    Policyholder benefits                                                  1,928,720     1,760,917     2,183,282
    Other expenses                                                           155,531       130,302       130,456
                                                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
    Subtotal                                                               2,084,251     1,891,219     2,313,738
                                                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
Income from operations                                                  $     86,764  $     44,085  $     52,252
                                                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
                                                                        ------------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
The   Company  has  an  agreement  with  an  unrelated  company  which  provides
reinsurance of  certain  individual  life  insurance  contracts  on  a  modified
coinsurance  basis  and under  which all  deficiency  reserves related  to these
contracts are reinsured. Reinsurance transactions  under this agreement had  the
effect  of  decreasing  income  from  operations  by  $46,000  in  1996,  and by
$1,599,000 in 1995, and increasing income from operations by $1,854,404 in 1994.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
11. WITHDRAWAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ANNUITY ACTUARIAL RESERVES AND DEPOSIT
LIABILITIES:
Withdrawal characteristics  of  general  account and  separate  account  annuity
reserves and deposits:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                                                        ----------------------------
                                                                                            AMOUNT       % OF TOTAL
                                                                                        --------------  ------------
                                                                                                 (IN 000'S)
<S>                                                                                     <C>             <C>
Subject to discretionary withdrawal-with adjustment
    --with market value adjustment                                                      $    3,547,683       30.44%
    --at book value less surrender charges (surrender charge >5%)                            5,626,117       48.27
    --at book value (minimal or no charge or adjustment)                                     1,264,586       10.85
Not subject to discretionary withdrawal provision                                            1,218,157       10.44
                                                                                        --------------   ------
Total annuity actuarial reserves and deposit liabilities                                $   11,656,543      100.00%
                                                                                        --------------   ------
                                                                                        --------------   ------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                             DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                                                        ----------------------------
                                                                                            AMOUNT       % OF TOTAL
                                                                                        --------------  ------------
                                                                                                 (IN 000'S)
<S>                                                                                     <C>             <C>
Subject to discretionary withdrawal-with adjustment
    --with market value adjustment                                                      $    3,796,596       36.36%
    --at book value less surrender charges (surrender charge >5%)                            4,066,126       38.94
    --at book value (minimal or no charge or adjustment)                                     1,278,215       12.24
Not subject to discretionary withdrawal provision                                            1,301,259       12.46
                                                                                        --------------   ------
Total annuity actuarial reserves and deposit liabilities                                $   10,442,196      100.00%
                                                                                        --------------   ------
                                                                                        --------------   ------
</TABLE>
 
12. RETIREMENT PLANS:
The  Company participates with its parent  company in a non-contributory defined
benefit pension plan covering essentially all employees. The benefits are  based
on years of service and compensation.
 
The  funding policy  for the pension  plan is  to contribute an  amount which at
least satisfies the minimum amount required by ERISA. The Company is charged for
its share of the pension cost based upon its covered participants. Pension  plan
assets consist principally of separate accounts of the parent company.
 
The  Company's share of the  group's accrued pension cost  at December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994 was $446,000, $420,000, and $417,000, respectively. The  Company's
share  of net periodic pension cost was $27,000, $3,000, and $417,000, for 1996,
1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
The Company also participates with its parent and certain affiliates in a 401(k)
savings plan for  which substantially  all employees are  eligible. The  Company
matches,  up to specified amounts, employees' contributions to the plan. Company
contributions were $233,000, $185,000 and $152,000 for the years ended  December
31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively.
 
OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS:
 
In addition to pension benefits the Company provides certain health, dental, and
life  insurance benefits ("post-retirement benefits")  for retired employees and
dependents. Substantially all employees may  become eligible for these  benefits
if  they reach normal  retirement age while  working for the  Company, or retire
early upon satisfying an  alternate age plus  service condition. Life  insurance
benefits are generally set at a fixed amount.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
12. RETIREMENT PLANS: (CONTINUED):
Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards  ("SFAS") No. 106, "Employer's Accounting for Post-retirement Benefits
Other than Pensions.' SFAS No. 106 requires the Company to accrue the  estimated
cost  of  retiree  benefit  payments  during  the  years  the  employee provides
services. SFAS  No. 106  allows  recognition of  the  cumulative effect  of  the
liability  in the year of adoption or  the amortization of the obligation over a
period of up to 20 years. The  Company has elected to recognize this  obligation
of  approximately $400,000 over a period of  ten years. The Company's cash flows
are  not  affected  by  implementation  of  this  standard,  but  implementation
decreased  net income  by $209,000, $142,000,  and $114,000 for  the years ended
December 31, 1996,  1995 and  1994, respectively.  Effective June  5, 1996,  the
Company  made certain  changes regarding eligibility  and benefits  to its post-
retirement health benefits plans for retirees on or after that date. The  impact
of  these  changes  is  a  decrease of  1996  post-retirement  benefit  costs of
$599,000. The  Company's post-retirement  health care  plans currently  are  not
funded.
 
13. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
The  following table presents the carrying  amounts and estimated fair values of
the Company's financial instruments at December 31, 1996 and 1995:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                                       ---------------------------------------
                                                        CARRYING AMOUNT   ESTIMATED FAIR VALUE
                                                       -----------------  --------------------
                                                                     (IN 000'S)
<S>                                                    <C>                <C>
ASSETS
Bonds                                                    $   2,258,858       $    2,339,126
Mortgages                                                      938,932              958,909
LIABILITIES
Insurance reserves                                             122,606              122,606
Individual annuities                                           373,488              367,878
Pension products                                             1,911,284            1,922,602
Derivatives                                                         --               (2,423)
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DECEMBER 31, 1995
                                                       ---------------------------------------
                                                        CARRYING AMOUNT   ESTIMATED FAIR VALUE
                                                       -----------------  --------------------
                                                                     (IN 000'S)
<S>                                                    <C>                <C>
ASSETS
Bonds                                                    $   2,706,067       $    2,872,586
Mortgages                                                    1,066,911            1,111,895
LIABILITIES
Insurance reserves                                             124,066              124,066
Individual annuities                                           434,261              431,263
Pension products                                             2,227,882            2,265,386
Derivatives                                                         --                3,387
</TABLE>
 
The major  methods  and  assumptions  used in  estimating  the  fair  values  of
financial instruments are as follows:
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
13. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS: (CONTINUED):
The  fair values of short-term bonds are estimated to be the amortized cost. The
fair values of long-term bonds which  are publicly traded are based upon  market
prices  or dealer quotes. For privately  placed bonds, fair values are estimated
taking into account prices for publicly traded bonds of similar credit risk  and
maturity and repayment and liquidity characteristics.
 
The  fair values of the Company's general account reserves and liabilities under
investment-type contracts (insurance, annuity and pension contracts that do  not
involve  mortality or morbidity risks) are  estimated using discounted cash flow
analyses or surrender values. Those contracts that are deemed to have short-term
guarantees have a carrying amount equal to the estimated market value.
 
The fair values  of mortgages  are estimated  by discounting  future cash  flows
using  current rates  at which  similar loans  would be  made to  borrowers with
similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.
 
The fair  values of  derivative financial  instruments are  estimated using  the
process described in Note #8.
 
14. STATUTORY INVESTMENT VALUATION RESERVES:
The  asset  valuation  reserve  ("AVR")  provides  a  reserve  for  losses  from
investments in bonds,  stocks, mortgage  loans, real estate  and other  invested
assets with related increases or decreases being recorded directly to surplus.
 
Realized capital gains and losses on bonds and mortgages which relate to changes
in  levels of interest rates are charged  or credited to an interest maintenance
reserve ("IMR") and amortized into income over the remaining contractual life of
the security sold.
 
The tables shown below present changes in the major elements of the AVR and IMR.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              1996                  1995
                                                                      --------------------  --------------------
                                                                         AVR        IMR        AVR        IMR
                                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                           (IN 000'S)            (IN 000'S)
<S>                                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Balance, beginning of year                                            $  42,099  $  25,218  $  28,409  $  18,140
Realized investment gains (losses), net of tax                            3,160      5,011     (1,524)     7,977
Amortization of investment (gains) losses                                     0     (1,557)         0       (899)
Unrealized investment gains (losses)                                      1,502          0      3,650          0
Required by formula                                                       7,150          4     11,564          0
                                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Balance, end of year                                                  $  53,911  $  28,676  $  42,099  $  25,218
                                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
                                                                      ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
</TABLE>
 
15. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES:
The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax  return.
Federal  income  taxes  are calculated  for  the consolidated  group  based upon
amounts determined to be  payable as a result  of operations within the  current
year.  No provision is recognized for timing differences which may exist between
financial  statement  and  taxable  income.  Such  timing  differences   include
reserves,  depreciation and accrual  of market discount  on bonds. Cash payments
for  federal  income  taxes  were  approximately  $19,264,000,  $12,429,000  and
$43,200,000 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
16. SURPLUS NOTES AND NOTE RECEIVABLE:
The  Company had  issued and  outstanding surplus  notes to  its parent  with an
aggregate carrying value of $335,000,000 during the period 1982 through  January
16,  1996  at interest  rates  between 7.25%  and  10%. The  Company  repaid all
principal and interest associated with these surplus notes on January 16, 1996.
 
On December 19, 1995 the Company issued surplus notes totalling $315,000,000  to
an  affiliate, Sun  Canada Financial  Co., at  interest rates  between 5.75% and
7.25%.  Of  these  notes,  $157,500,000  will  mature  in  the  year  2007,  and
$157,500,000  will mature in the  year 2015. Interest on  these notes is payable
semi-annually.
 
Principal and interest on surplus notes are payable only to the extent that  the
Company  meets specified  requirements regarding  free surplus  exclusive of the
principal amount and accrued interest, if any, on these notes; and, in the  case
of   principal  repayments,   with  the   consent  of   the  Delaware  Insurance
Commissioner. In  addition, with  regard to  surplus notes  outstanding  through
January 16, 1996, subsequent to December 31, 1994 interest payments required the
consent  of  the  Delaware  Insurance  Commissioner.  Payment  of  principal and
interest on the notes issued in 1995 also requires the consents of the  Delaware
Insurance  Commissioner and Canadian  Office of the  Superintendent of Financial
Institutions.
 
During 1996, 1995  and 1994,  the Company  obtained the  required consents,  and
expensed  $23,061,000,  $31,813,000 and  $31,150,000 in  respect of  interest on
surplus notes for the years 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
 
On December  19,  1995, the  parent  borrowed  $120,000,000 at  5.6%  through  a
short-term  note from the Company maturing on  January 16, 1996. The note, which
is included in due from parent and  affiliates at December 31, 1995, was  repaid
in full by the parent at maturity.
 
17. MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE CONTRACTS:
The  Company has an  agreement with its  parent company which  provides that the
parent company will furnish, as requested, personnel as well as certain services
and facilities  on a  cost-reimbursement basis.  Expenses under  this  agreement
amounted  to  approximately  $20,192,000  in  1996,  $20,293,000  in  1995,  and
$18,452,000 in 1994.
 
18. RISK-BASED CAPITAL:
Effective December 31, 1993 the NAIC adopted risk-based capital requirements for
life insurance companies. The risk-based  capital requirements provide a  method
for  measuring the  minimum acceptable  amount of  adjusted capital  that a life
insurer should have, as determined under statutory accounting practices,  taking
into  account  the risk  characteristics of  its  investments and  products. The
Company has met the minimum risk-based capital requirements at December 31, 1996
and 1995.
 
19. ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES:
The financial  statements of  the Company  have been  prepared on  the basis  of
statutory  accounting practices,  which prior  to 1996,  were considered  by the
insurance industry and the accounting profession  to be in accordance with  GAAP
for  mutual life insurance companies.  The primary differences between statutory
accounting  practices  and  GAAP  are  described  as  follows.  Under  statutory
accounting  practices, financial statements are not consolidated and investments
in subsidiaries  are  shown  at  net  equity  value.  Accordingly,  the  assets,
liabilities  and results  of operations  of the  Company's subsidiaries  are not
consolidated  with   the  assets,   liabilities  and   results  of   operations,
respectively, of the Company. Changes in net equity value of the common stock of
the  Company's United States life  insurance subsidiaries are directly reflected
in the
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada)
 
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994
 
19. ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES: (CONTINUED):
Company's surplus. Changes in the  net equity value of  the common stock of  all
other  subsidiaries are directly reflected in the Company's Investment Valuation
Reserves. Dividends paid  by subsidiaries  to the  Company are  included in  the
Company's net investment income.
 
Other  differences between statutory  accounting practices and  GAAP include the
following: Statutory accounting practices do not recognize the following  assets
or  liabilities  which are  reflected under  GAAP-- deferred  policy acquisition
costs, deferred federal  income taxes and  statutory non-admitted assets.  Asset
Valuation  Reserves  and  Interest Maintenance  Reserves  are  established under
statutory accounting practices but not under GAAP. Methods for calculating  real
estate  depreciation and investment valuation  allowances differ under statutory
accounting practices  than  under  GAAP.  Actuarial  assumptions  and  reserving
methods  differ  under statutory  accounting  practices and  GAAP.  Premiums for
universal life  and  investment  type  products are  recognized  as  income  for
statutory purposes and as deposits to policyholders' accounts for GAAP.
 
Because   the  Company's  management  uses  financial  information  prepared  in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in Canada in the normal
course of business, the management of  the Company has determined that the  cost
of  complying with Statement No. 120 would exceed the benefits that the Company,
or the users  of its  financial statements would  experience. Consequently,  the
Company  has elected  not to  apply such standards  in the  preparation of these
financial statements.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
 
We  have  audited  the  accompanying statutory  statements  of  admitted assets,
liabilities, and capital  stock and  surplus of  Sun Life  Assurance Company  of
Canada  (U.S.)  as of  December 31,  1996  and 1995,  and the  related statutory
statements of operations, changes  in capital stock and  surplus, and cash  flow
for  each  of the  three  years in  the period  ended  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  audits  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted   auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits 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  signficant  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.
 
As  described more  fully in  Notes 1  and 19  to the  financial statements, the
Company  prepared  these   financial  statements   using  accounting   practices
prescribed  or permitted by  the Insurance Department of  the State of Delaware,
which practices  differ  from  generally  accepted  accounting  principles.  The
effects on the financial statements of the variances between the statutory basis
of  accounting  and  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  although  not
reasonably determinable, are presumed to be material.
 
In our opinion, the  financial statements referred to  above present fairly,  in
all  material respects, the admitted assets,  liabilities, and capital stock and
surplus of Sun Life Assurance  Company of Canada (U.S.)  as of Dcember 31,  1996
and  1995, and the results of  its operations and its cash  flow for each of the
three years in  the period ended  December 31,  1996 on the  basis of  accountng
described in Notes 1 and 19.
 
However,  because of the effects of the matter discussed in the second preceding
paragraph, in our  opinion, the financial  statements referred to  above do  not
present fairly, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, the
financial position of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) as of December
31,  1996 and 1995 or the results of its operations or its cash flow for each of
the three years in the period ended Decemeber 31, 1996.
 
In our previous report dated February 7, 1996, we expressed an opinion that  the
1995   and  1994  financial  statements,  prepared  using  accounting  practices
prescribed or permitted by  the Insurance Department of  the State of  Delaware,
presented  fairly, in all material respects,  the financial position of Sun Life
Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) as of  December 31, 1995, and the results  of
its operations, and its cash flow for the years ended December 31, 1995 and 1994
in  conformity with  generally accepted  accounting principles.  As described in
Notes 1  and 19  to the  financial  statements, pursuant  to the  provisions  of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 120, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING BY
MUTUAL  LIFE  INSURANCE ENTERPRISES  AND  BY INSURANCE  ENTERPRISES  FOR CERTAIN
LONG-DURATION PARTICIPATING  CONTRACTS,  financial  statements  of  mutual  life
insurance  enterprises (and stock life insurance companies that are wholly owned
subsidiaries of mutual life insurance companies) for periods ending on or before
December 15, 1996, prepared using  accounting practices prescribed or  permitted
by  insurance regulators,  are not  considered presentations  in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles when presented for comparative purposes
with the  enterprise's  financial  statements  for  periods  subsequent  to  the
effective  date of  Statement No. 120.  Accordingly, our present  opinion on the
presentation of  the  1995 and  1994  financial statements  in  accordance  with
generally accepted accounting principles, as presented herein, is different from
that expressed in our previous report.
 
As  management  as stated  in  Note 19,  because  the Company's  management uses
financial  information  prepared  in   accordance  with  accounting   principles
generally accepted in Canada in the normal course of business, the management of
Sun  Life Assurance  Company of  Canada (U.S.) has  determined that  the cost of
complying with Statement No. 120 would exceed the benefits that the Company,  or
the  users  of its  financial  statements, would  experience.  Consequently, the
Company has elected  not to  apply such standards  in the  preparation of  these
financial statements.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
February 3, 1997
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
         FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
No  events  have occurred  which  are required  to be  reported  by Item  304 of
Regulation S-K.
 
                                    PART III
 
ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
The directors and principal officers of the Registrant are listed below,
together with information as to their ages, dates of election and principal
business occupations during the last five years (if other than their present
business occupations). Except as otherwise indicated, the directors and officers
of the Registrant who are associated with Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada
and/or its subsidiaries have been associated with Sun Life Assurance Company of
Canada for more than five years either in the position shown or in other
positions.
 
Richard B. Bailey, 70, Director (1983*)
500 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
 
He is a Director of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York and a
Director/Trustee of certain Funds in the MFS Family of Funds.
 
A. Keith Brodkin, 61, Director (1990*)
500 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
 
He is Chairman and a Director of Massachusetts Financial Services Company; a
Director of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York; and a
Director/Trustee and/or Officer of certain Funds in the MFS Family of Funds.
 
M. Colyer Crum, 64, Director (1986*)
Harvard Business School
104 West Cliff Street
Weston, MA 02163
 
He is a Professor Emeritus of the Harvard Business School and a Director of Sun
Life Assurance Company of Canada, Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New
York, Merrill Lynch Basic Value Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch Capital Fund, Inc.,
Merrill Lynch Natural Resources Trust, Merrill Lynch Ready Assets Trust, Merrill
Lynch Special Value Fund, Inc., Merrill Lynch U.S.A. Government Reserves,
Merrill Lynch U.S. Treasury Money Fund, MuniVest California Insured Fund, Inc.,
MuniVest Florida Fund, Inc., MuniVest Michigan Insured Fund, Inc., MuniVest New
Jersey Fund, Inc., MuniVest New York Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield Florida
Insured Fund, MuniYield Insured Fund II, Inc., MuniYield Michigan Insured Fund,
Inc., MuniYield New Jersey Insured Fund, Inc., MuniYield New York Insured Fund
III, Inc., MuniYield Pennsylvania Fund, Cambridge Bancorp and Cambridge Trust
Company. Prior to July 1996 he was a professor at the Harvard Business School.
 
John S. Lane, 62, Director (1991*)
150 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 1J9
 
He is Senior Vice President, Investments of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada
and a Director of Sun Investment Services Company, Sun Life Insurance and
Annuity Company of New York and Sun Capital Advisers, Inc.
 
- ---------
*  Year Elected Director
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
David D. Horn, 55, Senior Vice President and General Manager
and Director (1970, 1985*)
One Sun Life Executive Park Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02181
 
He is Senior Vice President and General Manager for the United States of Sun
Life Assurance Company of Canada; Chairman and President and a Director of Sun
Investment Services Company; President and a Director of Sun Benefit Services
Company, Inc., Sun Canada Financial Co., and Sun Life Financial Services
Limited; Senior Vice President and a Director of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity
Company of New York; Vice President and a Director of Sun Growth Variable
Annuity Fund, Inc.; a Director of Sun Capital Advisers, Inc; a Director of
Massachusetts Casualty Insurance Company; a Trustee of MFS/Sun Life Series
Trust; and a Member of the Boards of Managers of Money Market Variable Account,
High Yield Variable Account, Capital Appreciation Variable Account, Government
Securities Variable Account, Total Return Variable Account, Managed Sectors
Variable Account and World Governments Variable Account.
 
Angus A. MacNaughton, 65, Director (1985*)
950 Tower Lane, Metro Tower, Suite 1170
Foster City, California 94404
 
He is President of Genstar Investment Corporation and a Director of Sun Life
Assurance Company of Canada, Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York,
Canadian Pacific, Ltd., Stelco Inc. and Varian Associates, Inc.
 
John D. McNeil, 63, Chairman and Director (1982*)
150 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 1J9
 
He is Chairman and a Director of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada and Sun
Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York; a Director of Massachusetts
Financial Services Company; President and a Director of Sun Growth Variable
Annuity Fund, Inc.; Chairman and a Trustee of MFS/Sun Life Series Trust;
Chairman and a Member of the Boards of Managers of Money Market Variable
Account, High Yield Variable Account, Capital Appreciation Variable Account,
Government Securities Variable Account, Total Return Variable Account, Managed
Sectors Variable Account and World Governments Variable Account; and a Director
of Shell (Canada) Limited and Canadian Pacific, Ltd.
 
Donald A. Stewart, 50, President and Director (1996*)
150 King Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 1J9
 
He is President and a Director of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, Sun Life
Insurance and Annuity Company of New York; a Director of Massachusetts Casualty
Insurance Company, Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Spectrum United
Holdings, Inc., Sun Life Investment Management Limited and Sun Life of Canada UK
Holdings plc.
 
Robert A. Bonner, 52, Vice President, Pensions (1986)
One Sun Life Executive Park
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02181
 
He is Vice President, Pensions for the United States of Sun Life Assurance
Company of Canada.
 
Robert E. McGinness, 55, Vice President and Counsel (1983)
One Sun Life Executive Park
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02181
- ---------
*  Year Elected Director
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
He is Vice President and Counsel for the United States of Sun Life Assurance
Company of Canada; Vice President and Counsel and a director of Sun Investment
Services Company and Sun Benefit Services Company, Inc.; and a Director of New
London Trust, F.S.B. and Massachusetts Casualty Insurance Company.
 
S. Caesar Raboy, 60, Senior Vice President and Deputy General Manager and
Director (1991)
One Sun Life Executive Park
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02181
 
He is Senior Vice President and Deputy General Manager for the United States of
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada; Senior Vice President of Sun Life
Insurance and Annuity Company of New York; and Vice President and Director of
Sun Life Financial Services Limited.
 
C. James Prieur, 45, Vice President, Investments (1993)
One Sun Life Executive Park
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02181
 
He is Vice President, Investments for the United States of Sun Life Assurance
Company of Canada; Vice President, Investments of Sun Investment Services
Company; Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York; and Massachusetts
Casualty Insurance Company; and a Director of Sun Capital Advisers, Inc., New
London Trust, F.S.B. and Sun Canada Financial Co.
 
L. Brock Thomson, 55, Vice President and Treasurer (1974)
One Sun Life Executive Park
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02181
 
He is Vice President, Portfolio Management for the United States of Sun Life
Assurance Company of Canada; Vice President and Treasurer of Sun Investment
Services Company, Sun Benefit Services Company, Inc., Sun Life Insurance and
Annuity Company of New York and Sun Capital Advisers, Inc.; and Assistant
Treasurer of Massachusetts Casualty Insurance Company.
 
Robert P. Vrolyk, 43, Vice President and Actuary (1986)
One Sun Life Executive Park
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02181
 
He is Vice President, Finance for the United States of Sun Life Assurance
Company of Canada; Vice President, Controller and Actuary of Sun Life Insurance
and Annuity Company of New York; Vice President and a Director of Sun Canada
Financial Co.; and a Director of Massachusetts Casualty Insurance Company.
 
Margaret Sears Mead, 46, Assistant Vice President and Secretary (1996)
One Sun Life Executive Park
Wellesley Hills, MA 02181
 
She is Assistant Vice President and Counsel for the United States of Sun Life
Assurance Company of Canada and Assistant Vice President and Secretary of Sun
Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York.
 
The directors, officers and employees of the Company, are covered under a
commercial blanket bond and a liability policy.
 
- ---------
*  Year Elected Director
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
 
All of the executive officers of the Registrant also serve as officers of Sun
Life Assurance Company of Canada and receive no compensation directly from the
Registrant. Allocations have been made as to such officers time devoted to
duties as executive officers of the Registrant and its subsidiaries. The
allocated cash compensation of all executive officers of the Registrant as a
group for services rendered in all capacities to the Registrant and its
subsidiaries during 1996, totalled $936,945. The allocated compensation of the
named executive officers is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        ALLOCATED COMPENSATION
                                                                    -------------------------------   OTHER ALLOCATED
NAME/POSITION                                                         YEAR      SALARY      BONUS      COMPENSATION
- ------------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ---------  ---------  -----------------
<S>                                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
John D. McNeil                                                           1996  $  55,205  $  49,859
Chairman                                                                 1995  $  76,854  $  29,344
                                                                         1994  $  59,189  $  12,284
David D. Horn                                                            1996  $ 172,243  $  59,630      $   5,787
Senior Vice President                                                    1995  $ 176,800  $  52,728
and General Manager                                                      1994  $  68,985  $  22,995
Robert A. Bonner                                                         1996  $ 144,516  $  38,751      $   9,892
Vice President, Pensions                                                 1995  $ 134,227  $  24,824
                                                                         1994  $ 111,632  $  15,706
C. James Prieur                                                          1996  $  96,609  $  26,889
Vice President, Investments                                              1995  $  95,416  $  36,650
                                                                         1994  $  82,918  $  17,398
Robert Leach                                                             1996  $ 146,500  $  35,825
Vice President, Individual                                               1995  $ 138,500  $  25,371
Annuities                                                                1994  $ 132,248  $  13,500
</TABLE>
 
Directors of the Registrant who are also officers of Sun Life Assurance  Company
of  Canada  or  its affiliates  receive  no  compensation in  addition  to their
compensation as  officers  of  Sun  Life Assurance  Company  of  Canada  or  its
affiliates.  Messrs. Bailey,  Crum and  MacNaughton receive  compensation in the
amount of  $5,000  per year,  plus  $800 for  each  board or  committee  meeting
attended, plus expenses.
 
No  shares of the Registrant are owned by any executive officer or director. The
Registrant is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada,
150 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
 
ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
This item is  not applicable since  the Registrant is  wholly-owned by Sun  Life
Assurance Company of Canada.
 
ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
REINSURANCE
 
See discussion of Reinsurance in Item 1.
SERVICE CONTRACT
 
The  Registrant has an agreement with its parent company which provides that the
parent company will furnish, as requested, personnel as well as certain services
and facilities  on a  cost reimbursement  basis. Expenses  under this  agreement
amounted to approximately $20,192,000 in 1996.
 
LEASES
 
The Registrant leases office space to the parent company under lease agreements
with terms expiring in September, 1999 and options to extend the terms for each
of thirteen successive five year terms at fair market rental not to exceed 125%
of the fixed rent for the term which is ending. Rent received by the Registrant
under the leases for 1996 amounted to approximately $6,108,000.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
                                    PART IV
 
ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
(a) 1.  Financial statements (set forth in Item 8):
 
       -- Statutory Statements of Admitted Assets, Liabilities and Capital Stock
          and Surplus as of December 31, 1996 and December 31, 1995.
 
       --  Statutory Statements of Operations for  each of the three years ended
         December 31, 1996, December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994.
 
       -- Statutory Statements  of Capital  Stock and  Surplus for  each of  the
         three years ended December 31, 1996, December 31, 1995 and December 31,
         1994.
 
       --  Statutory Statements of Cash Flows for  each of the three years ended
         December 31, 1996, December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994.
 
       -- Notes to Financial Statements.
 
       -- Independent Auditors' Report.
 
(a) 2. Financial statement schedules (set forth below):
 
       -- Schedule I--Summary of Investments, Other than Investments in  Related
         Parties.
 
       -- Schedule VI--Reinsurance.
 
       -- Independent Auditors' Report.
 
Financial  Statement Schedules not included in  this Form 10-K have been omitted
because the required information either is not applicable or is presented in the
consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
                  SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
 
                                   SCHEDULE I
 
       SUMMARY OF INVESTMENTS, OTHER THAN INVESTMENTS IN RELATED PARTIES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       AMOUNT AT WHICH SHOWN IN
                   TYPE OF INVESTMENT                         COST         VALUE          THE BALANCE SHEET*
- --------------------------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  --------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>           <C>
Fixed maturities:
    Bonds:
    United States government and government agencies and
     authorities                                          $    267,756  $    271,101        $      267,756
States, municipalities and political subdivisions                2,253         2,273                 2,253
Foreign governments                                             18,812        20,163                18,812
Public utilities                                               415,641       439,146               415,641
Transportation                                                 167,937       179,801               167,937
Finance                                                        290,025       297,465               290,025
All other corporate bonds                                    1,007,680     1,035,522               949,680
                                                          ------------  ------------           -----------
    Total fixed maturities                                   2,107,104     2,245,471             2,112,104
                                                          ------------  ------------           -----------
Mortgage loans on real estate                                  938,932       --                    938,932
Real estate                                                     83,032       --                    76,994*
Real estate acquired in satisfaction of debt                    24,348       --                    23,391*
Other invested assets                                           51,378       --                     51,378
Policy loans                                                    40,554       --                     40,554
Short-term investments                                          88,754       --                     88,754
Total investments                                         $  3,397,102  $  2,245,471        $    3,332,107
                                                          ------------  ------------           -----------
                                                          ------------  ------------           -----------
</TABLE>
 
- ---------
*Net of provision for unrealized loses of $6,994
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
                  SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
                                  SCHEDULE VI
                                  REINSURANCE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                     % AMOUNT
                                                                                                      ASSUMED
                                                  CEDED TO OTHER     ASSUMED FROM                     TO NET
                                       DIRECT        COMPANIES      OTHER COMPANIES    NET AMOUNT     AMOUNT
                                    ------------  ---------------  -----------------  ------------  -----------
<S>                                 <C>           <C>              <C>                <C>           <C>
LIFE INSURANCE IN-FORCE (IN 000'S)
December 31, 1996                   $  1,225,073   $   6,134,462    $    11,400,640   $  5,266,178       216.5%
                                    ------------  ---------------  -----------------  ------------       -----
December 31, 1995                   $  1,277,888   $   6,580,848    $    12,011,507   $  6,708,547       179.0%
                                    ------------  ---------------  -----------------  ------------       -----
December 31, 1994                   $  1,342,863   $   6,957,308    $    12,584,516   $  6,970,071       180.6%
                                    ------------  ---------------  -----------------  ------------       -----
 
LIFE INSURANCE PREMIUMS (IN 000'S)
December 31, 1996                   $      5,686   $      12,054    $       214,099   $    202,045       106.0%
                                    ------------  ---------------  -----------------  ------------       -----
December 31, 1995                   $      6,051   $      10,258    $       217,449   $    213,242       101.9%
                                    ------------  ---------------  -----------------  ------------       -----
December 31, 1994                   $      6,490   $       8,327    $       246,571   $    244,734       100.8%
                                    ------------  ---------------  -----------------  ------------       -----
</TABLE>
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDER
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.)
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts
 
We  have audited the  statutory statements of  admitted assets, liabilities, and
capital stock  and  surplus of  Sun  Life  Assurance Company  of  Canada  (U.S.)
(wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada) as of December
31, 1996 and 1995 and the related statutory statements of operations, changes in
capital  stock and  surplus and  cash flow for  each of  the three  years in the
period ended  December  31, 1996,  and  have  issued our  report  thereon  dated
February  3, 1997 (which  report is included  elsewhere in this  Form 10-K). Our
audits also included the financial statement  schedules listed in Item 14 (a)  2
in  this Form  10-K. In  our opinion,  such financial  statement schedules, when
considered in  relation to  the basic  financial statements  taken as  a  whole,
present fairly in all material respects, the information therein set forth.
 
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 3, 1997
 
                                       35
<PAGE>
(A) 3 AND (C). EXHIBITS:
 
The  following Exhibits  are incorporated  herein by  reference unless otherwise
indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT NO.
- ---------------
<C>              <S>
       1         Underwriting Agreement (filed as Exhibit 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 2-99959)
                 and as Exhibit 1 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-2 (Reg. No.
                 33-29851)).
       3         Certificate of incorporation and by-laws (filed as Exhibits 3(a) and 3(b) to the Registration
                 Statements on Form S-1 (Reg. Nos. 2-99959 and 33-29851)).
       4         Combination Fixed/Variable Group Annuity Contracts and Certificates (filed as Exhibit 4 to Amendment
                 No. 2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 2-99959); as Exhibit 4 to Pre-Effective
                 Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-2 (Reg. No. 33-29851); as Exhibit 4 to the
                 Registration Statement on Form S-2 (Reg. No. 33-43008); as Exhibit 4 to Post-Effective Amendment No.
                 3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-2 (Reg. No. 33-43008); and as Exhibit 4 to Pre-Effective
                 Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 on Sun Life of Canada Variable Account F
                 (Reg. No. 333-05227)).
       5         Opinion re: Legality (filed as Exhibit 5 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1
                 (Reg. No. 2-99959); Exhibit 5 to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement on Form
                 S-2 (Reg. No. 33-29851); Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-2 (Reg. No. 33-31711); as
                 Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-2 (Reg. No. 33-43008) and as Exhibit 5 to the
                 Registration Statement on Form S-2 (Reg. No. 333-11699).
       8         Opinion re: Tax Matters (filed as Exhibit No. 8 to Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement on Form
                 S-1 (Reg. No. 2-99959).
      10         Service Agreement dated January 18, 1971, between Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada and Company
                 (filed as Exhibit 9(a) to Registration Statement on Form N-8B-2 of Sun Life of Canada (U.S.) Variable
                 Account D).
      22         Subsidiaries of the Registrant (filed herewith).
      24         Powers of attorney (filed herewith).
      27         Financial Data Schedule (filed herewith)
</TABLE>
 
(B)  REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
No reports have been filed on Form 8-K.
 
(D)  NO ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE FILED.
 
                                       36
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant  to the requirements of Section 13  or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the  Registrant, Sun Life Assurance  Company of Canada (U.S.),  has
duly  caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto
duly authorized.
                                          Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada
                                          (U.S.)
                                          (Registrant)
 
                                          By:*         /s/ JOHN D. MCNEIL
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                       John D. McNeil,
                                                           CHAIRMAN
 
                                          Date:          March 27, 1997
 
                                          --------------------------------------
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed  below by the  following persons  in the capacities  and on  the
dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<C>                                                     <S>                              <C>
                         NAME                                        TITLE                         DATE
- ------------------------------------------------------  -------------------------------  ------------------------
 
                 */s/ JOHN D. MCNEIL
     -------------------------------------------        Chairman and Director              Date: March 27, 1997
                    John D. McNeil                       (Principal Executive Officer)
 
                 /s/ ROBERT P. VROLYK                   Vice President and Actuary
     -------------------------------------------         (Principal Financial &            Date: March 27, 1997
                   Robert P. Vrolyk                      Accounting Officer)
 
                */s/ RICHARD B. BAILEY
     -------------------------------------------        Director                           Date: March 27, 1997
                  Richard B. Bailey
 
                */s/ A. KEITH BRODKIN
     -------------------------------------------        Director                           Date: March 27, 1997
                   A. Keith Brodkin
 
                  */s/ DAVID D. HORN
     -------------------------------------------        Senior Vice President and          Date: March 27, 1997
                    David D. Horn                        General Manager and Director
</TABLE>
 
- ---------
* By Margaret Sears Mead pursuant to Power of Attorney filed herewith.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>                                           <S>                        <C>
             */s/ JOHN S. LANE
- -------------------------------------------   Director                   Date: March 27, 1997
                John S. Lane
 
         */s/ ANGUS A. MACNAUGHTON
- -------------------------------------------   Director                   Date: March 27, 1997
            Angus A. MacNaughton
 
           */s/ DONALD A. STEWART
- -------------------------------------------   President and Director     Date: March 27, 1997
             Donald A. Stewart
 
            */s/ M. COLYER CRUM
- -------------------------------------------   Director                   Date: March 27, 1997
               M. Colyer Crum
 
            */s/ S. CAESAR RABOY
- -------------------------------------------   Senior Vice President and  Date: March 27, 1997
              S. Caesar Raboy                  Deputy General Manager
</TABLE>
 
- ---------
* By Margaret Sears Mead pursuant to Power of Attorney filed herewith.
 
                                       38


<PAGE>

                                                EXHIBIT 22

SUBSIDIARIES OF SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)

Massachusetts Financial Services Company, Delaware

Sun Investment Services Company, Delaware

Sun Benefit Services Company, Inc., Delaware

New London Trust F.S.B.*

Massachusetts Casualty Insurance Company, Massachusetts

Sun Life Finance Corporation, Delaware

Sun Capital Advisers, Inc., Delaware

Sun Life Financial Services Limited, Bermuda

- --------------------

* a federally chartered savings bank.


<PAGE>


                                                                   Exhibit 24



                     SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that Richard B. Bailey, whose signature 
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret Sears Mead, David D. Horn 
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the 
power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign the Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 of Sun Life 
Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) and any amendments thereto and to file the 
same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming 
all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may 
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.



                                           /s/ Richard B. Bailey
                                           ----------------------------
                                               Richard B. Bailey

March 22, 1997


<PAGE>


                                                                   Exhibit 24



                     SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that A. Keith Brodkin, whose signature 
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret Sears Mead, David D. Horn 
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the 
power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign the Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 of Sun Life 
Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) and any amendments thereto and to file the 
same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming 
all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may 
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.



                                           /s/ A. Keith Brodkin
                                           ----------------------------
                                               A. Keith Brodkin

March 26, 1997


<PAGE>


                                                                   Exhibit 24



                     SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that M. Colyer Crum, whose signature 
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret Sears Mead, David D. Horn 
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the 
power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign the Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 of Sun Life 
Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) and any amendments thereto and to file the 
same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming 
all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may 
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.



                                           /s/ M. Colyer Crum
                                           ----------------------------
                                               M. Colyer Crum

March 26, 1997


<PAGE>


                                                                   Exhibit 24



                     SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that David D. Horn, whose signature 
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret Sears Mead and David N. 
Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of 
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign the Annual Report on 
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 of Sun Life Assurance 
Company of Canada (U.S.) and any amendments thereto and to file the same, 
with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that 
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or 
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                           /s/ David D. Horn
                                           ----------------------------
                                               David D. Horn

March 21, 1997


<PAGE>


                                                                   Exhibit 24



                     SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that John S. Lane, whose signature 
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret Sears Mead, David D. Horn 
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the 
power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign the Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 of Sun Life 
Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) and any amendments thereto and to file the 
same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming 
all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may 
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.



                                           /s/ John S. Lane
                                           ----------------------------
                                               John S. Lane

March 21, 1997


<PAGE>


                                                                   Exhibit 24



                     SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that Angus A. MacNaughton, whose signature 
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret Sears Mead, David D. Horn 
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the 
power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign the Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 of Sun Life 
Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) and any amendments thereto and to file the 
same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming 
all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may 
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                           /s/ Angus A. MacNaughton
                                           ----------------------------
                                               Angus A. MacNaughton

March 20, 1997


<PAGE>


                                                                   Exhibit 24



                     SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that John D. McNeil, whose signature 
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret Sears Mead, David D. Horn 
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the 
power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign the Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 of Sun Life 
Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) and any amendments thereto and to file the 
same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming 
all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may 
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.



                                           /s/ John D. McNeil
                                           ----------------------------
                                               John D. McNeil

March 21, 1997


<PAGE>


                                                                   Exhibit 24



                     SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that S. Caesar Raboy, whose signature 
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret Sears Mead, David D. Horn 
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the 
power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign the Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 of Sun Life 
Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) and any amendments thereto and to file the 
same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming 
all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may 
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                           /s/ S. Caesar Raboy
                                           ----------------------------
                                               S. Caesar Raboy

March 21, 1997


<PAGE>


                                                                   Exhibit 24



                     SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF CANADA (U.S.)
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



    KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that Donald A. Stewart, whose signature 
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret Sears Mead, David D. Horn 
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the 
power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign the Annual 
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 of Sun Life 
Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) and any amendments thereto and to file the 
same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming 
all that each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may 
do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                                           /s/ Donald A. Stewart
                                           ----------------------------
                                               Donald A. Stewart

March 21, 1997


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the balance
sheet and statement of operations found on pages 3 and 5 of the company's Form
10Q for the year-to-date and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                 0
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                        2,258,858
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          2,334,225
<EQUITIES>                                           0
<MORTGAGE>                                     938,932
<REAL-ESTATE>                                  100,385
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               3,535,455
<CASH>                                           1,305
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                                   0
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                               0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              13,759,005
<POLICY-LOSSES>                              2,099,980
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                   2,677
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        1,898,309
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         5,900
<OTHER-SE>                                     561,243
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                13,759,005
                                   2,060,036
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            305,310
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                               7,560
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  71,903
<BENEFITS>                                   1,441,293
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                          0
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                           175,342
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                141,951
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (2,702)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            123,024
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   123,024
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
        

</TABLE>


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