MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE CO OF NORTH AMERICA SEP ACC A
485APOS, 1998-02-27
Previous: MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE CO OF NORTH AMERICA SEP ACC A, 485APOS, 1998-02-27
Next: SCANA CORP, U-3A-2, 1998-02-27



<PAGE>   1
   
       As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 1998
    

                                                       Registration No. 33-77878

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM N-4

             REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
   
                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 4

                    THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                OF NORTH AMERICA
                               SEPARATE ACCOUNT A,
                         formerly, NASL Variable Account
                           (Exact name of Registrant)

                   THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF
                                  NORTH AMERICA
            formerly, North American Security Life Insurance Company
                               (Name of Depositor)
    

                              116 Huntington Avenue
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02116
              (Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices)

   
                                 (617) 266-6004
               (Depositor's Telephone Number Including Area Code)
    

   
                                                             Copy to:           
           James D. Gallagher                        J. Sumner Jones, Esq.      
    Vice President, Secretary and                   Jones & Blouch, L.L.P.      
            General Counsel                   1025 Thomas Jefferson Street, N.W.
The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company             Washington, DC 20007       
           of North America                   
           73 Tremont Street
        Boston, Massachusetts  02108
  (Name and Address of Agent for Service)
    


   
    


It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

   
[ ] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 
[ ] on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485
[X] on May 1, 1998 pursuant to paragraph (a)(i) of Rule 485
    




<PAGE>   2
   
The Prospectus contained in this registration statement also relates to variable
annuity contracts covered by earlier registration statements under file no.
33-55712
    

<PAGE>   3
   
            THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA
                               SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
                  CROSS REFERENCE TO ITEMS REQUIRED BY FORM N-4
    

N-4 Item
Part A              Caption in Prospectus
- ------              ---------------------

1 ................  Cover Page

2 ................  Special Terms

3 ................  Summary

4 ................  Performance Data; Financial Statements

   
5 ................  General Information about The Manufacturers Life Insurance
                    Company of North America, The Manufacturers Life Insurance
                    Company of North America Separate Account A, and
                    Manufacturers Investment Trust
    

6 ................  Charges and Deductions; Withdrawal Charge; Reduction or
                    Elimination of Withdrawal Charge; Administration Fees;
                    Distribution Fee; Mortality and Expense Risk Charge; Taxes;
                    Appendix A; Appendix B

7 ................  Accumulation Provisions; Company Approval; Purchase
                    Payments; Accumulation Units; Net Investment Factor;
                    Transfers Among Investment Options; Telephone Transactions;
                    Special Transfer Services - Dollar Cost Averaging; Asset
                    Rebalancing Program; Withdrawals; Special Withdrawal
                    Services - the Income Plan; Contract Owner Inquiries; Other
                    Contract Provisions; Ownership; Beneficiary; Modification

8 ................  Annuity Provisions; General; Annuity Options; Determination
                    of Amount of the First Variable Annuity Payment; Annuity
                    Units and the Determination of Subsequent Variable Annuity
                    Payments; Transfers After Maturity Date

9 ................  Accumulation Provisions; Death Benefit Before Maturity Date;
                    Annuity Provisions; Death Benefit on or After Maturity Date

10 ...............  Accumulation Provisions; Purchase Payments; Accumulation
                    Units; Value of Accumulation Units; Net Investment Factor;
                    Distribution of Contracts

11 ...............  Withdrawals; Restrictions under the Texas Optional
                    Retirement Program; Accumulation Provisions; Purchase
                    Payments; Other Contract Provisions; Ten Day Right to Review


<PAGE>   4
12 ...............  Federal Tax Matters; Intro- duction; The Company's Tax
                    Status; Taxation of Annuities in General; Diversification
                    Requirements; Qualified Retirement Plans

13 ...............  Legal Proceedings

14 ...............  Statement of Additional Information - Table of Contents

                    Caption in Statement of
Part B              Additional Information
- ------              ----------------------

15 ...............  Cover Page

16 ...............  Table of Contents

17 ...............  General History and Information.

18 ...............  Services-Accountants; Services-Servicing Agent

19 ...............  Not Applicable

20 ...............  Services - Principal Underwriter

21 ...............  Performance Data

22 ...............  Not Applicable

23 ...............  Financial Statements



<PAGE>   5













                                     PART A



                      INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A PROSPECTUS






<PAGE>   6


   
  Annuity Service Office                                    Mailing Address
   116 Huntington Avenue                                 Post Office Box 9230
Boston, Massachusetts 02116                              Boston, Massachusetts
      (617) 266-6004                                          02205-9230
      (800) 344-1029

                    THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                       OF NORTH AMERICA SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
                                       OF
            THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA
    

                  FLEXIBLE PURCHASE PAYMENT INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED
                 COMBINATION FIXED AND VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT
                                NON-PARTICIPATING

   
     This Prospectus describes a flexible purchase payment individual deferred
combination fixed and variable annuity contract (the "contract") issued by The
Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America, formerly North American
Security Life Insurance Company ("the Company"), a stock life insurance company
the ultimate parent of which is The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company
("Manulife"). The contract is designed for use in connection with retirement
plans which may or may not qualify for special Federal income tax treatment. The
Company has also issued a class of variable annuity contract which is only
available in the states of Washington and Maryland ("prior contracts" "VV"
contracts). This Prospectus principally describes the contract but also
describes the VV contract. The principal differences between the contract
offered by this Prospectus and the VV contract relate to the death benefit
provisions (see "Appendix D - Prior Contracts" "VV Contracts").

     The contract provides for the accumulation of contract values and the
payment of annuity benefits on a variable and/or fixed basis. The contract
offers thirty-seven investment options: thirty-five variable and two fixed
accounts. The contract value during the accumulation period and annuity
payments, if selected on a variable basis, will vary according to the investment
performance of the sub-accounts of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of
North America Separate Account A, formerly NASL Variable Account (the "Variable
Account"). The Variable Account is a separate account established by the
Company. Purchase payments and earnings on those purchase payments may be
allocated to and transferred among one or more of thirty-five sub-accounts of
the Variable Account. The assets of each sub-account are invested in shares of
Manufacturers Investment Trust, formerly NASL Series Trust (the "Trust"), a
mutual fund having an investment portfolio for each sub-account of the Variable
Account (see the accompanying Prospectus of the Trust). Fixed contract values
may be accumulated under the one year fixed account investment option or the one
year dollar cost averaging fixed account investment option. Except as
specifically noted herein and as set forth under the caption "FIXED ACCOUNT
INVESTMENT OPTION" below, this Prospectus describes only the variable portion of
the contract.

     Shares of the Trust are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed or
endorsed by, any bank, and the shares are not Federally insured by the Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board, or any other agency.

     Additional information about the contract and the Variable Account is
contained in a Statement of Additional Information, dated the same date as this
Prospectus, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") and is incorporated herein by reference. The Statement of Additional
Information is available without charge upon request by writing the Company at
the above address or telephoning (800) 344-1029. In addition, the SEC maintains
a Web site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains the Statement of Additional
Information, material incorporated by reference, and other information regarding
registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The table of contents for the
Statement of Additional Information is included on page __ of this Prospectus.
    

PLEASE READ THIS PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY AND KEEP IT FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. IT
CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT AND THE VARIABLE PORTION OF THE
CONTRACT THAT A PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER SHOULD KNOW BEFORE INVESTING.

   
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SEC NOR HAS THE
SEC PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
    


<PAGE>   7

   
VIS25.PRO598                         The date of this Prospectus is May 1, 1998
    




                                       2
<PAGE>   8

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS



   
SPECIAL TERMS ...........................................................    3
SUMMARY..................................................................    5
TABLE OF ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES........................................   10
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE 
INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA, THE MANUFACTURERS 
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNT A AND 
MANUFACTURERS INVESTMENT TRUST...........................................    13
     The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America ..........    13
     The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America 
         Separate Account A .............................................    13
     Manufacturers Investment Trust.......................................   13
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT ..............................................   18
   ACCUMULATION PROVISIONS ...............................................   18
     Purchase Payments ...................................................   18
     Accumulation Units ..................................................   18
     Value of Accumulation Units .........................................   18
     Net Investment Factor ...............................................   19
     Transfers Among Investment Options ..................................   19
     Maximum Number of Investment Options.................................   19
     Telephone Transactions ..............................................   19
     Special Transfer Services - Dollar Cost Averaging....................   20
     Asset Rebalancing Program............................................   20
     Withdrawals..........................................................   20
     Telephone Redemptions ...............................................   21
     Special Withdrawal Services - the Income Plan .......................   21
     Loans................................................................   21
     Death Benefit Before Maturity Date...................................   22
   ANNUITY PROVISIONS ....................................................   23
     General .............................................................   23
     Annuity Options .....................................................   24
     Determination of Amount of the First Variable
        Annuity Payment...................................................   25
     Annuity Units and the Determination of
        Subsequent Variable Annuity Payments .............................   25
     Transfers After Maturity Date .......................................   25
     Death Benefit on or After Maturity Date..............................   26
     OTHER CONTRACT PROVISIONS ...........................................   26
     Ten Day Right to Review .............................................   26
     Ownership ...........................................................   26
     Annuitant ...........................................................   26
     Beneficiary .........................................................   27
     Modification ........................................................   27
     Company Approval ....................................................   27
     Misstatement and Proof of Age, Sex or Survival.......................   27
     Fixed Account Investment Option......................................   27
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS ...................................................   29
     Withdrawal Charges ..................................................   29
     Reduction or Elimination of Withdrawal Charges ......................   30
     Administration Fees..................................................   30
     Distribution Fee.....................................................   31
     Mortality and Expense Risk Charge ...................................   31
     Taxes ...............................................................   31
FEDERAL TAX MATTERS ......................................................   32
   INTRODUCTION ..........................................................   32
   THE COMPANY'S TAX STATUS ..............................................   32
   TAXATION OF ANNUITIES IN GENERAL ......................................   32
     Tax Deferral During Accumulation Period .............................   32
     Taxation of Partial and Full Withdrawals ............................   34
     Taxation of Annuity Payments ........................................   34
    



                                       2
<PAGE>   9
   
     Taxation of Death Benefit Proceeds ..................................   34
     Penalty Tax on Premature Distributions ..............................   35
     Aggregation of Contracts ............................................   35
   QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS ............................................   35
     Qualified Plan Types ................................................   36
     Roth IRAs............................................................   37
     Direct Rollovers ....................................................   38
   FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING.........................................   38
GENERAL MATTERS...........................................................   38
     Tax Deferral.........................................................   38
     Performance Data.....................................................   38
     Financial Statements.................................................   39
     Asset Allocation and Timing Services.................................   39
     Restrictions under the Texas Optional
          Retirement Program..............................................   39
     Distribution of Contracts ...........................................   39
     Contract Owner Inquiries.............................................   39
     Confirmation Statements..............................................   40
     Legal Proceedings ...................................................   40
     Other Information ...................................................   40
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-TABLE OF CONTENTS.....................   40
APPENDIX A:  EXAMPLES OF CALCULATION OF WITHDRAWAL CHARGE.................   41
APPENDIX B:  STATE PREMIUM TAXES..........................................   43
APPENDIX C:  MAXIMUM MATURITY AGES IN PENNSYLVANIA........................   44
APPENDIX D:  PRIOR CONTRACTS (VV CONTRACTS)...............................   45
    



                                       2
<PAGE>   10

                                  SPECIAL TERMS

     The following terms as used in this Prospectus have the indicated meanings:

     Accumulation Unit - A unit of measure that is used to calculate the value
of the variable portion of the contract before the maturity date.

     Annuitant - Any natural person or persons whose life is used to determine
the duration of annuity payments involving life contingencies. If the contract
owner names more than one person as an "annuitant," the second person named
shall be referred to as "co-annuitant." The "annuitant" and "co-annuitant" will
be referred to collectively as "annuitant." The "annuitant" is as designated on
the contract specification page or in the application, unless changed.

   
     Annuity Option - The method selected by the contract owner or as specified
in the contract if no selection is made for annuity payments made by the
Company.
    

     Annuity Service Office - The service office of the Company is P.O. Box
9230, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9230.

     Annuity Unit - A unit of measure that is used after the maturity date to
calculate variable annuity payments.

     Beneficiary - The person, persons or entity entitled to the death benefit
under the contract upon the death of a contract owner or, in certain
circumstances, an annuitant. The beneficiary is as specified in the application,
unless changed. If there is a surviving contract owner, that person will be
deemed the beneficiary.

     Contingent Beneficiary - The person, persons or entity to become the
beneficiary if the beneficiary is not alive. The contingent beneficiary is as
specified in the application, unless changed.

     Contract Anniversary - The anniversary of the contract date.

     Contract Date - The date of issue of the contract.

     Contract Value - The total of the investment account values and, if
applicable, any amount in the loan account attributable to the contract.

     Contract Year - The period of twelve consecutive months beginning on the
contract date or any anniversary thereof.

     Debt - Any amounts in the loan account attributable to the contract plus
any accrued loan interest. The loan provision is applicable to certain qualified
contracts only.

     Due Proof of Death - Due Proof of Death is required upon the death of the
contract owner or annuitant, as applicable. One of the following must be
received at the Annuity Service Office within one year of the date of death:

     (a)  A certified copy of a death certificate;
     (b)  A certified copy of a decree of a court of competent jurisdiction as
          to the finding of death; or
     (c)  Any other proof satisfactory to us.

Death Benefits will be paid within 7 days of receipt of due proof of death and
all required claim forms by the Company's Annuity Service Office.

     Fixed Annuity - An annuity option with payments which are predetermined and
guaranteed as to dollar amount.

     General Account - All the assets of the Company other than assets in
separate accounts.

     Investment Account - An account established by the Company which represents
a contract owner's interest in an investment option prior to the maturity date.

     Investment Account Value - The value of a contract owner's investment in an
investment account.

   
     Investment Options - The investment choices available to contract owners.
Currently, there are thirty-five variable account investment options two fixed
investment options under the contract.
    




                                       4
<PAGE>   11

     Loan Account - The portion of the general account that is used for
collateral when a loan is taken.

     Maturity Date - The date on which annuity benefits commence. The maturity
date is the date specified on the contract specifications page and is generally
the first day of the month following the later of the annuitant's 85th birthday
or the tenth contract anniversary, unless changed.

     Net Purchase Payment - The purchase payment less the amount of premium tax,
if any.

     Non-Qualified Contracts - Contracts which are not issued under qualified
plans.

     Owner or Contract Owner - The person, persons (co-owner) or entity entitled
to all of the ownership rights under the contract. The owner has the legal right
to make all changes in contractual designations where specifically permitted by
the contract. The owner is as specified in the application, unless changed.

     Portfolio or Trust Portfolio - A separate investment portfolio of the
Trust, a mutual fund in which the Variable Account invests, or of any successor
mutual fund.

     Purchase Payment - An amount paid by a contract owner to the Company as
consideration for the benefits provided by the contract.

     Qualified Contracts - Contracts issued under qualified plans.

   
     Qualified Plans - Retirement plans which receive favorable tax treatment
under Section 401, 403, 408 408A, or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code").
    

     Separate Account - A segregated account of the Company that is not
commingled with the Company's general assets and obligations.

     Sub-Account(s) - One or more of the sub-accounts of the Variable Account.
Each sub-account is invested in shares of a different Trust portfolio.

     Valuation Date - Any date on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for
business and the net asset value of a Trust portfolio is determined.

     Valuation Period - Any period from one valuation date to the next, measured
from the time on each such date that the net asset value of each portfolio is
determined.

     Variable Account - The Variable Account, which is a separate account of the
Company.

     Variable Annuity - An annuity option with payments which: (1) are not
predetermined or guaranteed as to dollar amount, and (2) vary in relation to the
investment experience of one or more specified sub-accounts.



                                       5
<PAGE>   12

                                     SUMMARY

   
     The Contract. The contract offered by this Prospectus is a flexible
purchase payment individual deferred combination fixed and variable annuity
contract. The contract provides for the accumulation of contract values and the
payment of annuity benefits on a variable and/or fixed basis.

     Retirement Plans. The contract may be issued pursuant to either
non-qualified retirement plans or plans qualifying for special income tax
treatment under the Code, such as individual retirement accounts and annuities,
including Roth IRAs, pension and profit-sharing plans for corporations and sole
proprietorships/partnerships ("H.R. 10" and "Keogh" plans), tax-sheltered
annuities, and state and local government deferred compensation plans (see
"QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS").

     Purchase Payments. A contract may be issued upon the making of an initial
purchase payment of $25,000 or more. Minimum subsequent purchase payments must
be $1,000, with an exception for qualified plans where minimum subsequent
purchase payments must be $30. Purchase payments may be made at any time, except
that if a purchase payment would cause the contract value to exceed $1,000,000,
or the contract value already exceeds $1,000,000, additional purchase payments
will be accepted only with the prior approval of the Company. The Company may,
at its option, cancel a contract at the end of any two consecutive contract
years in which no purchase payments have been made, if both (i) the total
purchase payments made over the life of the contract, less any withdrawals, are
less than $2,000; and (ii) the contract value at the end of such two year period
is less than $2,000. The cancellation of contract privileges may vary in certain
states in order to comply with the requirements of insurance laws and
regulations in such state (see "PURCHASE PAYMENTS").

     Investment Options. Purchase payments may be allocated among the
thirty-seven investment options currently available under the contract:
thirty-five variable account investment options two fixed investment options.
Due to current administrative capabilities, a contract owner is limited to a
maximum of seventeen investment options (including all fixed account investment
options) during the period prior to the maturity date of the contract. The
thirty-five investment options are the thirty-five sub-accounts of the Variable
Account, a separate account established by the Company. The sub-accounts invest
in corresponding portfolios of the Trust: the Pacific Rim Emerging Markets
Trust, the Science & Technology Trust, the International Small Cap Trust, the
Emerging Growth Trust, the Pilgrim Baxter Growth Trust, the Small/Mid Cap Trust,
the International Stock Trust, the Worldwide Growth Trust, the Global Equity
Trust, the Small Company Value Trust, the Equity Trust, the Growth Trust, the
Quantitative Equity Trust, the Blue Chip Growth Trust, the Real Estate
Securities Trust, the Value Trust, the International Growth and Income Trust,
the Growth and Income Trust, the Equity-Income Trust, the Balanced Trust, the
Aggressive Asset Allocation Trust, the High Yield Trust, the Moderate Asset
Allocation Trust, the Conservative Asset Allocation Trust, the Strategic Bond
Trust, the Global Government Bond Trust, the Capital Growth Bond Trust, the
Investment Quality Bond Trust, the U.S. Government Securities Trust, the Money
Market Trust, the Lifestyle Aggressive 1000 Trust, the Lifestyle Growth 820
Trust, the Lifestyle Balanced 640 Trust, the Lifestyle Moderate 460 Trust and
the Lifestyle Conservative 280 Trust (see the accompanying Prospectus of the
Trust). The contract value during the accumulation period and monthly annuity
payments, if selected on a variable basis, will reflect the investment
performance of the sub-accounts selected (see "THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA SEPARATE ACCOUNT A"). Purchase payments may also be
allocated to the one year fixed account investment option or the one year dollar
cost averaging account investment option. Under the fixed account investment
options, the Company guarantees the principal value of purchase payments and the
rate of interest credited to the investment account for the term of the
guarantee period. The portion of the contract value in the fixed account
investment options and monthly annuity payments, if selected on a fixed basis,
will reflect such interest and principal guarantees (see "FIXED ACCOUNT
INVESTMENT OPTION"). Subject to certain regulatory limitations, the Company may
elect to add, subtract or substitute investment options.

     Transfers. Prior to the maturity date, amounts may be transferred among the
investment options. After the maturity date, amounts may be transferred from one
sub-account to another. After the maturity date, transfers are not permitted
from variable annuity options to fixed annuity options or from fixed annuity
options to variable annuity options. There is no transaction charge for
transfers. Transfers from any investment account must be at least $300 or, if
less, the entire balance in the investment account. If, after the transfer the
amount remaining in the investment account of the contract from which the
transfer is made is less than $100, then the Company will transfer the entire
amount instead of the requested amount. The Company may impose certain
additional limitations on transfers (see "TRANSFERS AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS"
and "TRANSFERS AFTER MATURITY DATE"). Transfer privileges may also be used under
a special service offered by the Company to dollar cost average an investment in
the contract (see "SPECIAL TRANSFER SERVICES - DOLLAR COST AVERAGING").
    

     Withdrawals. Prior to the earlier of the maturity date or the death of the
contract owner, the owner may withdraw all or a portion of the contract value.
The amount withdrawn from any investment account must be at least $300 or, if
less, the entire 



                                       6
<PAGE>   13

   
balance of the investment account. If a partial withdrawal plus any applicable
withdrawal charge would reduce the contract value to less than $300, the
withdrawal request will be treated as a request to withdraw the entire contract
value. A withdrawal charge and an administration fee may be imposed (see
"WITHDRAWALS"). A withdrawal may be subject to income tax and a 10% penalty tax
(see "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS"). Withdrawal privileges may also be exercised
pursuant to the Company's systematic withdrawal plan service (see "SPECIAL
WITHDRAWAL SERVICES - THE INCOME PLAN").

     Loans. The Company offers a loan privilege to owners of contracts issued in
connection with Section 403(b) qualified plans that are not subject to Title I
of ERISA. Owners of such contracts may obtain loans using the contract as the
only security for the loan. The effective cost of a contract loan is 2% per year
of the amount borrowed (see "LOANS").

     Confirmation Statements. Owners will be sent confirmation statements for
certain transactions in their account. Owners should carefully review these
statements to verify their accuracy. Any mistakes should immediately be reported
to the Company's Annuity Service Office. If the owner fails to notify the
Company's Annuity Service Office of any mistake within 60 days of the mailing of
the confirmation statement, the owner will be deemed to have ratified the
transaction.
    

     Death Benefits. The Company will pay the death benefit described below
(which, as defined, is net of any debt) to the beneficiary if any contract owner
dies before the maturity date. If there is a surviving contract owner, that
contract owner will be deemed to be the beneficiary. No death benefit is payable
on the death of any annuitant, except that if any contract owner is not a
natural person, the death of any annuitant will be treated as the death of an
owner. The death benefit will be determined as of the date on which written
notice and proof of death and all required claim forms are received at the
Company's Annuity Service Office.

     If any contract owner dies on or prior to his or her 85th birthday and the
oldest owner had an attained age of less than 81 years on the contract date, the
death benefit will be the greater of: (a) the contract value or (b) the excess
of (i) over (ii), where (i) equals the sum of all purchase payments made,
accumulated daily at the equivalent of 5% per year starting on the date each
purchase payment is allocated to the contract, subject to a maximum accumulation
of two times each purchase payment, and (ii) equals the sum of any amounts
deducted in connection with partial withdrawals, accumulated daily at the
equivalent of 5% per year starting on the date each such deduction occurs,
subject to a maximum accumulation of two times each amount deducted.

   
     If any contract owner dies after his or her 85th birthday and the oldest
owner had an attained age of less than 81 years on the contract date, the death
benefit will be the greater of: (a) the contract value or (b) the excess of (i)
the sum of all purchase payments over (ii) the sum of any amounts deducted in
connection with partial withdrawals. If any contract owner dies and the oldest
owner had an attained age greater than 80 on the contract date, the death
benefit will be the contract value less any applicable withdrawal charges at the
time of payment of benefits. If there is any debt under the contract, the death
benefit equals the death benefit, as described above, less such debt (see "DEATH
BENEFIT BEFORE MATURITY DATE"). If the annuitant dies after the maturity date
and annuity payments have been selected based on an annuity option providing for
payments for a guaranteed period, the Company will make the remaining guaranteed
payments to the beneficiary. (see "DEATH BENEFIT ON OR AFTER MATURITY DATE").

See Appendix D for information on death benefit provisions applicable to certain
contracts no longer being issued and contracts issued in the States of
Washington and Maryland ("VV Contracts").

     Annuity Payments. The Company offers a variety of fixed and variable
annuity options. Periodic annuity payments will begin on the maturity date. The
contract owner selects the maturity date, frequency of payment and annuity
option (see "ANNUITY PROVISIONS").

     Ten Day Review. Within 10 days of receipt of a contract, the contract owner
may cancel the contract by returning it to the Company see "TEN DAY RIGHT TO
REVIEW").
    

     Charges and Deductions. The following table and Example are designed to
assist contract owners in understanding the various costs and expenses that
contract owners bear directly and indirectly. The table reflects expenses of the
separate account and the underlying portfolio company. In addition to the items
listed in the following table, premium taxes may be applicable to certain
contracts and the Company reserves the right to impose an annual $30 per
contract administration fee on contracts where the contract value is less than
$10,000 as a result of a partial withdrawal. The items listed under "Contract
Owner Transaction Expenses" and "Separate Account Annual Expenses" are more
completely described in this Prospectus (see "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS"). The
items listed under "Trust Annual Expenses" are described in detail in the
accompanying Trust Prospectus to which reference should be made.




                                       7
<PAGE>   14

CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES

   
Deferred sales load (as percentage of purchase payments)      None*
    

      NUMBER OF COMPLETE YEARS
    PURCHASE PAYMENT IN CONTRACT                WITHDRAWAL CHARGE PERCENTAGE

               0                                            3%
               1                                            3%
               2                                            3%
               3+                                           0%

   
* For contracts issued prior to November 1, 1996, a withdrawal charge was
imposed on withdrawals from contracts.
    

SEPARATE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average account value)

Mortality and expense risk fees.......................................... 1.25%
Administration fee ...................................................... 0.25%
Distribution fee......................................................... 0.15%

Total Separate Account Annual Expenses................................... 1.65%

TRUST ANNUAL EXPENSES
(as a percentage of Trust average net assets)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                       MANAGEMENT     OTHER       TOTAL TRUST
TRUST PORTFOLIO                           FEES       EXPENSES   ANNUAL EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>           <C>   
Pacific Rim Emerging Markets........    0.850%        0.570%        1.420%
Science & Technology................    1.100%        0.160%        1.260%
International Small Cap.............    1.100%        0.210%        1.310%
Emerging Growth.....................    1.050%        0.060%        1.110%
Pilgrim Baxter Growth...............    1.050%        0.130%        1.180%
Small/Mid Cap.......................    1.000%        0.050%        1.050%
International Stock.................    1.050%        0.330%        1.380%
Worldwide Growth....................    1.000%        0.320%        1.320%
Global Equity.......................    0.900%        0.110%        1.010%
Small Company Value.................    1.050%        0.100%*       1.150%
Equity..............................    0.750%        0.050%        0.800%
Growth..............................    0.850%        0.100%        0.950%
Quantitative Equity.................    0.700%        0.070%        0.770%
Blue Chip Growth....................    0.925%        0.050%        0.975%
Real Estate Securities..............    0.700%        0.070%        0.770%
Value...............................    0.800%        0.160%        0.960%
International Growth and Income.....    0.950%        0.170%        1.120%
Growth and Income...................    0.750%        0.040%        0.790%
Equity-Income.......................    0.800%        0.050%        0.850%
Balanced............................    0.800%        0.080%        0.880%
Aggressive Asset Allocation.........    0.750%        0.150%        0.900%
High Yield..........................    0.775%        0.110%        0.885%
Moderate Asset Allocation...........    0.750%        0.100%        0.850%
Conservative Asset Allocation.......    0.750%        0.140%        0.890%
Strategic Bond......................    0.775%        0.100%        0.875%
Global Government Bond..............    0.800%        0.130%        0.930%
Capital Growth Bond.................    0.650%        0.080%        0.730%
Investment Quality Bond.............    0.650%        0.090%        0.740%
    
</TABLE>



                                       8
<PAGE>   15
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   
                                      MANAGEMENT     OTHER         TOTAL TRUST
TRUST PORTFOLIO                          FEES       EXPENSES     ANNUAL EXPENSES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>        <C>             <C>   
U.S. Government Securities..........   0.650%       0.070%          0.720%
Money Market........................   0.500%       0.040%          0.540%
Lifestyle Aggressive 1000#..........       0%       1.116%**        1.116%
Lifestyle Growth 820#...............       0%       1.048%**        1.048%
Lifestyle Balanced 640#.............       0%       0.944%**        0.944%
Lifestyle Moderate 460#.............       0%       0.850%**        0.850%
Lifestyle Conservative 280#.........       0%       0.708%**        0.708%
    
</TABLE>

   
# Each Lifestyle Trust will invest in shares of the Underlying Portfolios.
Therefore, each Lifestyle Trust will, in addition to its own expenses, such as
certain Other Expenses, bear its pro rata share of the fees and expenses
incurred by the Underlying Portfolios and the investment return of each
Lifestyle Trust will be net of the Underlying Portfolio expenses.
    

* Based on estimates of payments to be made during the current fiscal year.

   
** Reflects expenses of the Underlying Portfolios. Manufacturers Securities
Services, LLC has voluntarily agreed to pay the expenses of each Lifestyle Trust
(excluding the expenses of the Underlying Portfolios). This voluntary expense
reimbursement may be terminated at any time. If such expense reimbursement was
not in effect, Total Trust Annual Expenses would be .04% higher (based on
expenses of the Lifestyle Trusts for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997) as
noted in the chart below:
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                     MANAGEMENT    OTHER         TOTAL TRUST
TRUST PORTFOLIO                         FEES      EXPENSES     ANNUAL EXPENSES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                  <C>                <C>        <C>             <C>   
Lifestyle Aggressive 1000...........    0%         1.156%          1.156%
Lifestyle Growth 820................    0%         1.088%          1.088%
Lifestyle Balanced 640..............    0%         0.984%          0.984%
Lifestyle Moderate 460..............    0%         0.890%          0.890%
Lifestyle Conservative 280..........    0%         0.748%          0.748%
    
</TABLE>

EXAMPLE
   
    

   
A contract owner would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,
assuming 5% annual return on assets, if the contract owner surrendered the
contract at the end of the applicable time period: (For contracts issued on or
after November 1, 1996, no withdrawal charges will be imposed upon surrender,
therefore, for such contracts please refer to the second table for expenses if
the contract owner surrendered at the end of the applicable time period.)
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
TRUST PORTFOLIO                   1 YEAR     3 YEARS      5 YEARS      10 YEARS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>             <C>   
Pacific Rim Emerging Markets.....   $59        $124         $161         $338
Science & Technology.............    57         119          153          323
International Small Cap..........    58         120          156          328
Emerging Growth..................    56         115          146          309
Pilgrim Baxter Growth............    56         117          149          316
Small/Mid Cap....................    55         113          143          303
International Stock..............    58         122          159          335
Worldwide Growth.................    58         121          156          329
Global Equity....................    55         112          141          299
Small Company Value*.............    56         116
Equity...........................    53         106          131          279
Growth...........................    54         110          138          293
Quantitative Equity..............    52         105          129          276
Blue Chip Growth.................    54         111          139          296
    
</TABLE>


                                       10

<PAGE>   16

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
TRUST PORTFOLIO                    1 YEAR     3 YEARS      5 YEARS    10 YEARS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Real Estate Securities...........    52          105         129         276
Value............................    54          110         139         294
Int'l Growth and Income..........    56          115         146         310
Growth and Income................    52          105         130         278
Equity-Income....................    53          107         133         284
Balanced.........................    53          108         135         287
Aggressive Asset Allocation......    54          109         136         289
High Yield.......................    53          108         135         287
Moderate Asset Allocation........    53          107         133         284
Conservative Asset Allocation....    53          108         135         288
Strategic Bond...................    53          108         134         286
Global Government Bond...........    54          109         137         291
Capital Growth Bond..............    52          104         127         272
Investment Quality Bond..........    52          104         128         273
U.S. Government Securities.......    52          103         127         271
Money Market.....................    50           98         117         252
Lifestyle Aggressive 1000........    56          115         146         310
Lifestyle Growth 820.............    55          113         143         303
Lifestyle Balanced 640...........    54          110         138         293
Lifestyle Moderate 460...........    53          107         133         284
Lifestyle Conservative 280.......    52          103         126         269
    
</TABLE>

   
* The Example of Expenses for the Small Company Value Trust contains figures
  for only 1 and 3 years since it is a newly created portfolio.
    

A contract owner would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment,
assuming 5% annual return on assets, if the contract owner annuitized as
provided in the contract or did not surrender the contract at the end of the
applicable time period:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
TRUST PORTFOLIO                       1 YEAR     3 YEARS     5 YEARS    10 YEARS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>         <C>         <C>         <C> 
Pacific Rim Emerging Markets........   $31         $95         $161        $338
Science & Technology................    29          90          153         323
International Small Cap.............    30          92          156         328
Emerging Growth.....................    28          86          146         309
Pilgrim Baxter Growth...............    29          88          149         316
Small/Mid Cap.......................    27          84          143         303
International Stock.................    31          94          159         335
Worldwide Growth....................    30          92          156         329
Global Equity.......................    27          83          141         299
Small Company Value*................    28          87
Equity..............................    25          76          131         279
Growth..............................    26          81          138         293
Quantitative Equity.................    25          75          129         276
Blue Chip Growth....................    27          82          139         296
Real Estate Securities..............    25          75          129         276
Value...............................    26          81          139         294
Int'l Growth and Income.............    28          86          146         310
Growth and Income...................    25          76          130         278
Equity-Income.......................    25          78          133         284
Balanced............................    26          79          135         287
Aggressive Asset Allocation.........    26          79          136         289
High Yield..........................    26          79          135         287
Moderate Asset Allocation...........    25          78          133         284
Conservative Asset Allocation.......    26          79          135         288
Strategic Bond......................    26          79          134         286
Global Government Bond..............    26          80          137         291
Capital Growth Bond.................    24          74          127         272
Investment Quality Bond.............    24          75          128         273
U.S. Government Securities..........    24          74          127         271
    
</TABLE>



                                       11
<PAGE>   17

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR     3 YEARS      5 YEARS    10 YEARS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>         <C>          <C>         <C>
Money Market........................   22          69           117         252
Lifestyle Aggressive 1000...........   28          86           146         310
Lifestyle Growth 820................   27          84           143         303
Lifestyle Balanced 640..............   26          81           138         293
Lifestyle Moderate 460..............   25          78           133         284
Lifestyle Conservative 280..........   24          74           126         269
    
</TABLE>


   
* The Example of Expenses for the Small Company Value Trust contains figures for
only one and three years since it is a newly created Trust.

     For purposes of presenting the foregoing Examples, the Company has made
certain assumptions mandated by the SEC. The Company has assumed that, where
applicable, the maximum sales load is deducted, that there are no transfers or
other transactions and that the "Other Expenses" line item under "Trust Annual
Expenses" will remain the same. Such assumptions, which are mandated by the SEC
in an attempt to provide prospective investors with standardized data with which
to compare various annuity contracts, do not take into account certain features
of the contract and prospective changes in the size of the Trust which may
operate to change the expenses borne by contract owners. Consequently, the
amounts listed in the Examples above should not be considered a representation
of past or future expenses and actual expenses borne by contract owners may be
greater or lesser than those shown.
    

   
    

     The above summary is qualified in its entirety by the detailed information
appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information
and the accompanying Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for the
Trust, to which reference should be made.

   
This Prospectus generally describes only the variable aspects of the contract,
except where fixed aspects are specifically mentioned.
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                   TABLE OF ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES

=========================================================================================================
SUB-ACCOUNT                 UNIT VALUE AT START OF    UNIT VALUE AT END OF YEAR    NUMBER OF UNITS AT END
                                     YEAR*                                                 OF YEAR
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                               <C>                        <C>                         <C>        
Pacific Rim Emerging 
Markets 1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Science & Technology
1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Small Cap
1996                              $12.500000                 $13.465203                  224,018.261
1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emerging Growth
1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pilgrim Baxter Growth
1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small/Mid Cap
1996                              $12.500000                 $13.188627                  587,704.824
1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Stock
1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Growth
1997
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>




                                       13
<PAGE>   18

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   
================================================================================================================
SUB-ACCOUNT                        UNIT VALUE AT START OF    UNIT VALUE AT END OF YEAR    NUMBER OF UNITS AT END
                                            YEAR*                                                 OF YEAR
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                                       <C>                        <C>                         <C>       
Global Equity
1994                                      $13.117996                 $12.153179                  49,050.593
1995                                       12.153179                  12.872711                 361,285.266
1996                                       12.872711                  14.257610                 622,699.384
1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Company Value
1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity
1994                                      $10.675585                 $10.965867                   36,324.491
1995                                       10.965867                  15.402974                  663,652.478
1996                                       15.402974                  18.199588                1,024,727.992
1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth
1996                                      $12.500000                 $13.711434                  136,813.299
1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quantitative Equity
1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Chip Growth 1994                     $ 9.145044                 $ 9.280989                   18,796.455
1995                                        9.280989                  11.551552                  274,368.201
1996                                       11.551552                  14.303631                  673,370.337
1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real Estate Securities
1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value
1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Growth & Income
1995
1996                                      $10.000000                 $10.528678                  178,852.062
1997                                       10.528678                  11.660474                  351,591.394
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth and Income
1994                                      $10.576574                 $10.436393                   24,644.881
1995                                       10.436393                  13.263871                  448,739.926
1996                                       13.263871                  16.024067                1,043,469.657
1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity-Income
1994                                      $10.844086                 $10.578121                   31,102.019
1995                                       10.578121                  12.870851                  375,815.524
1996                                       12.870851                  15.172018                  833,362.583
1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced
1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggressive Asset Allocation
1994                                      $10.444531                 $10.303433                    7,523.248
1995                                       10.303433                  12.443644                   67,382.620
1996                                       12.443644                  13.829135                  119,961.606
1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield
1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>



                                       14
<PAGE>   19


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
================================================================================================================
 SUB-ACCOUNT                        UNIT VALUE AT START OF   UNIT VALUE AT END OF YEAR    NUMBER OF UNITS AT END
                                             YEAR*                                                OF YEAR
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>                        <C>                         <C>       
 Moderate Asset Allocation
 1994                                      $10.269505                 $10.156264                  19,952.394
 1995                                       10.156264                  12.056663                 205,665.149
 1996                                       12.056663                  13.039212                 340,400.940
 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Conservative Asset Allocation
 1994
 1995                                      $10.124972                 $10.050011                   2,989.757
 1996                                       10.050011                  11.672867                 123,692.494
 1997                                       11.672867                  12.287873                 193,254.830
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Strategic Bond
 1994                                      $10.132498                 $ 9.897404                   9,621.542
 1995                                        9.897404                  11.607403                 146,877.133
 1996                                      11.607403                   13.093621                 470,296.507
 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Global Government Bond
 1994                                      $10.345362                 $10.262238                   6,324.370
 1995                                       10.262238                  12.434811                 108,887.995
 1996                                       12.434811                  13.821405                 236,432.653
 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Capital Growth Bond
 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Investment Quality Bond
 1994                                     $ 9.785855                  $ 9.713969                   5,980.272
 1995                                       9.713969                   11.417606                 143,843.254
 1996                                      11.417606                   11.519237                 359,256.707
 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 U.S. Government Securities
 1994                                      $10.033365                 $ 9.968713                  17,964.448
 1995                                        9.968713                  11.333420                 218,996.714
 1996                                       11.333420                  11.522857                 283,607.608
 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Money Market
 1994                                      $10.172129                 $10.290731                  46,595.747
 1995                                       10.290731                  10.692803                 282,116.623
 1996                                       10.692803                  11.048244                 516,160.781
 1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lifestyle Aggressive 1000
 1997                                      $12.500000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lifestyle Growth 820
 1997                                      $12.500000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lifestyle Balanced 640
 1997                                      $12.500000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lifestyle Moderate 460
 1997                                      $12.500000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lifestyle Conservative 280
 1997                                      $12.500000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>

   
* Units under this series of contracts were first credited under the
sub-accounts on August 9, 1994, except in the case of International Growth and
Income where units were first credited on January 9, 1995, Small/Mid Cap and
International Small Cap where units were first credited on March 4, 1996, Growth
where units were first credited on July 15, 1996, Pacific Rim Emerging Markets,
Science & Technology, Emerging Growth, Pilgrim Baxter Growth, International
Stock, Worldwide 
    




                                       15
<PAGE>   20

   
Growth, Quantitative Equity, Real Estate Securities, Value, Balanced, High
Yield, Capital Growth Bond, Lifestyle Aggressive, Lifestyle Growth, Lifestyle
Balanced, Lifestyle Moderate, Lifestyle Conservative where units were first
credited on January 1, 1997 and Small Company Value where units were first
credited on October 1, 1997.

+ See Appendix D for the TABLE OF ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES for certain contracts
issued in Maryland and Washington (VV contracts).


       GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
  OF NORTH AMERICA, THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
                       AND MANUFACTURERS INVESTMENT TRUST

THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA

     The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America, formerly North
American Security Life Insurance Company ("the Company") is a stock life
insurance company organized under the laws of Delaware in 1979. The Company's
principal office is located at 116 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts
02116. The ultimate parent of the Company is The Manufacturers Life Insurance
Company ("Manulife"), a Canadian mutual life insurance Company based in Toronto,
Canada. Prior to January 1, 1996, the Company was a wholly owned subsidiary of
North American Life Assurance Company ("NAL"), a Canadian mutual life insurance
company. On January 1, 1996 NAL and Manulife merged with the combined company
retaining the Manulife name.

     On January 20, 1998, the Board of Directors of Manulife asked the
management of Manulife to prepare a plan for conversion of Manulife from a
mutual life insurance company to an investor-owned, publicly-traded stock
company. Any demutualization plan for Manulife is subject to the approval of the
Manulife Board of Directors and Policyholders as well as regulatory approval.

THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
    

     The Company established the Variable Account on August 24, 1984 as a
separate account under Delaware law. The income, gains and losses, whether or
not realized, from assets of the Variable Account are, in accordance with the
contracts, credited to or charged against the Variable Account without regard to
other income, gains or losses of the Company. Nevertheless, all obligations
arising under the contracts are general corporate obligations of the Company.
Assets of the Variable Account may not be charged with liabilities arising out
of any other business of the Company.

   
     The Variable Account is registered with the SEC under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") as a unit investment trust. A
unit investment trust is a type of investment company which invests its assets
in specified securities, such as the shares of one or more investment companies.
Registration under the 1940 Act does not involve supervision by the SEC of the
management or investment policies or practices of the Variable Account. If
deemed by the Company to be in the best interests of persons having voting
rights under the contracts, the Variable Account may be operated as a management
company under the 1940 Act or it may be reregistered under such Act in the event
such registration is no longer required.

     There are currently thirty-five sub-accounts within the Variable Account.
The Company reserves the right, subject to compliance with applicable law, to
add other sub-accounts, eliminate existing sub-accounts, combine sub-accounts or
transfer assets in one sub-account to another sub-account established by the
Company or an affiliated company. The Company will not eliminate existing
sub-accounts or combine sub-accounts without the prior approval of the
appropriate state or Federal regulatory authorities.

MANUFACTURERS INVESTMENT TRUST

     The assets of each sub-account of the Variable Account are invested in
shares of a corresponding portfolio of the Trust. A description of each
portfolio is set forth below. The Trust is registered under the 1940 Act as an
open-end management investment company. Each of the portfolios is diversified
for purposes of the 1940 Act, except for the Global Government Bond Trust,
Emerging Growth Trust and the five Lifestyle Trusts which are non-diversified.
The Trust receives investment advisory services from Manufacturers Securities
Services, LLC, the successor to NASL Financial Services, Inc. ("MSS").
    



                                       16
<PAGE>   21

   
     The Trust currently has fifteen subadvisers who manage all of the
portfolios:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        SUBADVISER                                           SUBADVISER TO
        ----------                                           -------------
        <S>                                         <C>    


        Fidelity Management Trust Company           Equity Trust
                                                    Conservative Asset Allocation Trust
                                                    Moderate Asset Allocation Trust
                                                    Aggressive Asset Allocation Trust

        Founders Asset Management LLC               Growth Trust
                                                    Worldwide Growth Trust
                                                    Balanced Trust
                                                    International Small Cap Trust

        Fred Alger Management, Inc.                 Small/Mid Cap Trust

        J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.      International Growth and Income Trust

        Oechsle International Advisors, L.P.        Global Government Bond Trust

        Manufacturers Adviser Corporation           Pacific Rim Emerging Markets Trust
                                                    Quantitative Equity Trust
                                                    Real Estate Securities Trust
                                                    Capital Growth Bond Trust
                                                    Money Market Trust
                                                    Lifestyle Trusts

        Miller Anderson & Sherrerd, LLP             Value Trust
                                                    High Yield Trust

        Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc.        Global Equity Trust

        Pilgrim Baxter & Associates, Ltd.           Pilgrim Baxter Growth Trust

        Rosenberg Institutional Equity Management   Small Company Value Trust

        Rowe Price-Fleming International, Inc.      International Stock Trust

        T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.              Science & Technology Trust
                                                    Blue Chip Growth Trust
                                                    Equity-Income Trust

        Wellington Management Company LLP           Growth and Income Trust
                                                    Investment Quality Bond Trust

        Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc       U.S. Government Securities Trust
                                                    Strategic Bond Trust

        Warburg Asset Management, Inc.              Emerging Growth Trust
    
</TABLE>

     The following is a brief description of each portfolio:

     The PACIFIC RIM EMERGING MARKETS TRUST seeks long-term growth of capital by
investing in a diversified portfolio that is comprised primarily of common
stocks and equity-related securities of corporations domiciled in countries in
the Pacific Rim region.

     The SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY TRUST seeks long-term growth of capital. Current
income is incidental to the portfolio's objective.



                                       17
<PAGE>   22

     The INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP TRUST seeks capital appreciation by investing
primarily in securities issued by foreign companies which have total market
capitalization or annual revenues of $1 billion or less. These securities may
represent companies in both established and emerging economies throughout the
world.

     The EMERGING GROWTH TRUST seeks maximum capital appreciation by investing
primarily in a portfolio of equity securities of domestic companies. The
Emerging Growth Trust ordinarily will invest at least 65% of its total assets in
common stocks or warrants of emerging growth companies that represent attractive
opportunities for maximum capital appreciation.

     The PILGRIM BAXTER GROWTH TRUST seeks capital appreciation by investing in
companies believed by the subadviser to have an outlook for strong earnings
growth and the potential for significant capital appreciation.

     The SMALL/MID CAP TRUST seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
at least 65% of its total assets (except during temporary defensive periods) in
small/mid cap equity securities. As used herein small/mid cap equity securities
are equity securities of companies that, at the time of purchase, have total
market capitalization between $500 million and $5 billion.

     The INTERNATIONAL STOCK TRUST seeks long-term growth of capital by
investing primarily in common stocks of established, non-U.S. companies.

     The WORLDWIDE GROWTH TRUST seeks long-term growth of capital by normally
investing at least 65% of its total assets in equity securities of growth
companies in a variety of markets throughout the world.

     The GLOBAL EQUITY TRUST seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing
primarily in equity securities throughout the world, including U.S. issuers and
emerging markets.

   
     The SMALL COMPANY VALUE TRUST seeks long term growth of capital by
investing in equity securities of smaller companies which are traded principally
in the markets of the United States.

     The EQUITY TRUST seeks growth of capital by investing primarily in common
stocks of United States issuers and securities convertible into or carrying the
right to buy common stocks.
    

     The GROWTH TRUST seeks long-term growth of capital by investing at least
65% of the portfolio's total assets in the common stocks of well-established,
high-quality growth companies that the subadviser believes have the potential to
increase earnings faster than the rest of the market.

   
    

     The QUANTITATIVE EQUITY TRUST seeks to achieve intermediate and long-term
growth through capital appreciation and current income by investing in common
stocks and other equity securities of well established companies with promising
prospects for providing an above average rate of return.

     The BLUE CHIP GROWTH TRUST seeks to achieve long-term growth of capital
(current income is a secondary objective) and many of the stocks in the
portfolio are expected to pay dividends.

     The REAL ESTATE SECURITIES TRUST seeks to achieve a combination of
long-term capital appreciation and satisfactory current income by investing in
real estate related equity and debt securities.

     The VALUE TRUST seeks to realize an above-average total return over a
market cycle of three to five years, consistent with reasonable risk, by
investing primarily in common and preferred stocks, convertible securities,
rights and warrants to purchase common stocks, ADRs and other equity securities
of companies with equity capitalizations usually greater than $300 million.

   
     The INTERNATIONAL GROWTH AND INCOME TRUST seeks long-term growth of capital
and income by investing, under normal circumstances, at least 65% of its total
assets in equity securities of foreign issuers. The Portfolio may also invest in
debt securities of corporate or sovereign issuers rated A or higher by Moody's
Investor Services, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation or, if unrated, of
equivalent credit quality as determined by the subadviser.
    



                                       18
<PAGE>   23

     The GROWTH AND INCOME TRUST seeks long-term growth of capital and income,
consistent with prudent investment risk, by investing primarily in a diversified
portfolio of common stocks of United States issuers which the subadviser
believes are of high quality.

     The EQUITY-INCOME TRUST seeks to provide substantial dividend income and
also long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in dividend-paying
common stocks, particularly of established companies with favorable prospects
for both increasing dividends and capital appreciation.

     The BALANCED TRUST seeks current income and capital appreciation by
investing in a balanced portfolio of common stocks, U.S. and foreign government
obligations and a variety of corporate fixed-income securities.

     The HIGH YIELD TRUST seeks to realize an above-average total return over a
market cycle of three to five years, consistent with reasonable risk, by
investing primarily in high yield debt securities, including corporate bonds and
other fixed-income securities.

     The AUTOMATIC ASSET ALLOCATION TRUSTS seek the highest potential total
return consistent with a specified level of risk tolerance -- conservative,
moderate or aggressive -- by investing primarily in the kinds of securities in
which the Equity, Investment Quality Bond, U.S. Government Securities and Money
Market Trusts may invest.

   
                  - The AGGRESSIVE ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST seeks the highest
         total return consistent with an aggressive level of risk tolerance.
         This Trust attempts to limit the decline in portfolio value in very
         adverse market conditions to 15% over any three year period.

                  - The MODERATE ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST seeks the highest total
         return consistent with a moderate level of risk tolerance. This Trust
         attempts to limit the decline in portfolio value in very adverse market
         conditions to 10% over any three year period.

                  - The CONSERVATIVE ASSET ALLOCATION TRUST seeks the highest
         total return consistent with a conservative level of risk tolerance.
         This Trust attempts to limit the decline in portfolio value in very
         adverse market conditions to 5% over any three year period.
    

     The STRATEGIC BOND TRUST seeks a high level of total return consistent with
preservation of capital by giving its subadviser broad discretion to deploy the
portfolio's assets among certain segments of the fixed-income market as the
subadviser believes will best contribute to achievement of the portfolio's
investment objective.

     The GLOBAL GOVERNMENT BOND TRUST seeks a high level of total return by
placing primary emphasis on high current income and the preservation of capital
by investing primarily in a global portfolio of high-quality, fixed-income
securities of foreign and United States governmental entities and supranational
issuers.

     The CAPITAL GROWTH BOND TRUST seeks to achieve growth of capital by
investing in medium-grade or better debt securities, with income as a secondary
consideration. The Capital Growth Bond Trust differs from most "bond" funds in
that its primary objective is capital appreciation, not income.

     The INVESTMENT QUALITY BOND TRUST seeks a high level of current income
consistent with the maintenance of principal and liquidity, by investing
primarily in a diversified portfolio of investment grade corporate bonds and
U.S. Government bonds with intermediate to longer term maturities. The portfolio
may also invest up to 20% of its assets in non-investment grade fixed income
securities.

     The U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES TRUST seeks a high level of current income
consistent with preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity, by
investing in debt obligations and mortgage-backed securities issued or
guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and
derivative securities such as collateralized mortgage obligations backed by such
securities.

     The MONEY MARKET TRUST seeks maximum current income consistent with
preservation of principal and liquidity by investing in high quality money
market instruments with maturities of 397 days or less issued primarily by
United States entities.



                                       19
<PAGE>   24

     The LIFESTYLE AGGRESSIVE 1000 TRUST seeks to provide long-term growth of
capital (current income is not a consideration) by investing 100% of the
Lifestyle Trust's assets in other portfolios of the Trust ("Underlying
Portfolios") which invest primarily in equity securities.

     The LIFESTYLE GROWTH 820 TRUST seeks to provide long-term growth of capital
with consideration also given to current income by investing approximately 20%
of the Lifestyle Trust's assets in Underlying Portfolios which invest primarily
in fixed income securities and approximately 80% of its assets in Underlying
Portfolios which invest primarily in equity securities.

     The LIFESTYLE BALANCED 640 TRUST seeks to provide a balance between a high
level of current income and growth of capital with a greater emphasis given to
capital growth by investing approximately 40% of the Lifestyle Trust's assets in
Underlying Portfolios which invest primarily in fixed income securities and
approximately 60% of its assets in Underlying Portfolios which invest primarily
in equity securities.

     The LIFESTYLE MODERATE 460 TRUST seeks to provide a balance between a high
level of current income and growth of capital with a greater emphasis given to
high income by investing approximately 60% of the Lifestyle Trust's assets in
Underlying Portfolios which invest primarily in fixed income securities and
approximately 40% of its assets in Underlying Portfolios which invest primarily
in equity securities.

     The LIFESTYLE CONSERVATIVE 280 TRUST seeks to provide a high level of
current income with some consideration also given to growth of capital by
investing approximately 80% of the Lifestyle Trust's assets in Underlying
Portfolios which invest primarily in fixed income securities and approximately
20% of its assets in Underlying Portfolios which invest primarily in equity
securities.

   
     In pursuing the Strategic Bond, High Yield and Investment Quality Bond
Trusts' investment objective, each portfolio expects to invest a portion of its
assets in high yield securities, commonly known as "junk bonds" which also
present a high degree of risk. The risks of these securities include price
volatility and risk of default in the payment of interest and principle. See
"Risk Factors Relating to High Yield Securities" contained in the Trust
Prospectus before investing in any of these Trusts.

     In pursuing the International Stock, International Small Cap, Global
Equity, Strategic Bond, International Growth and Income, High Yield and Global
Government Bond Trusts' investment objective, each portfolio may invest up to
100% of its assets in foreign securities which may present additional risks. See
"Foreign Securities" in the Trust Prospectus before investing in any of these
Trusts.

     If the shares of a Trust portfolio are no longer available for investment
or in the Company's judgment investment in a Trust portfolio becomes
inappropriate in view of the purposes of the Variable Account, the Company may
eliminate the shares of a portfolio and substitute shares of another portfolio
of the Trust or another open-end registered investment company. Substitution may
be made with respect to both existing investments and the investment of future
purchase payments. However, no such substitution will be made without notice to
the contract owner and prior approval of the SEC to the extent required by the
1940 Act.
    

     The Company will vote shares of the Trust portfolios held in the Variable
Account at meetings of shareholders of the Trust in accordance with voting
instructions received from the persons having the voting interest under the
contracts. The number of portfolio shares for which voting instructions may be
given will be determined by the Company in the manner described below, not more
than 90 days prior to the meeting of the Trust. Trust proxy material will be
distributed to each person having the voting interest under the contract
together with appropriate forms for giving voting instructions. Portfolio shares
held in the Variable Account that are attributable to contract owners and as to
which no timely instructions are received and portfolio shares held in the
Variable Account that are beneficially owned by the Company will be voted by the
Company in proportion to the instructions received.

     Prior to the maturity date, the person having the voting interest under a
contract is the contract owner and the number of votes as to each portfolio for
which voting instructions may be given is determined by dividing the value of
the investment account corresponding to the sub-account in which such portfolio
shares are held by the net asset value per share of that portfolio. After the
maturity date, the person having the voting interest under a contract is the
annuitant and the number of votes as to each portfolio for which voting
instructions may be given is determined by dividing the reserve for the contract
allocated to the sub-account in which such portfolio shares are held by the net
asset value per share of that portfolio. Generally, the number of votes tends to
decrease as annuity payments progress since the amount of reserves attributable
to a contract will usually decrease after commencement of



                                       20
<PAGE>   25

   
annuity payments. The Company reserves the right to make any changes in the
voting rights described above that may be permitted by the Federal securities
laws or regulations or interpretations of these laws or regulations.
    

     A full description of the Trust, including the investment objectives,
policies and restrictions of each of the portfolios is contained in the
Prospectus for the Trust which accompanies this Prospectus and should be read by
a prospective purchaser before investing.

                           DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT

ACCUMULATION PROVISIONS

PURCHASE PAYMENTS

     Purchase payments are paid to the Company at its Annuity Service Office.
The minimum initial purchase payment is $25,000. Minimum subsequent purchase
payments must be $1,000 with an exception for qualified plans where minimum
subsequent purchase payments must be $30. Purchase payments may be made at any
time. The Company may provide for purchase payments to be automatically
withdrawn from a contract owner's bank account on a periodic basis. If a
purchase payment would cause the contract value to exceed $1,000,000 or the
contract value already exceeds $1,000,000, additional purchase payments will be
accepted only with the prior approval of the Company.

     The Company may, at its option, cancel a contract at the end of any two
consecutive contract years in which no purchase payments have been made, if both
(i) the total purchase payments made over the life of the contract, less any
withdrawals, are less than $2,000; and (ii) the contract value at the end of
such two year period is less than $2,000. The cancellation of contract
privileges may vary in certain states in order to comply with the requirements
of insurance laws and regulations in such state. Upon cancellation the Company
will pay the contract owner the contract value computed as of the valuation
period during which the cancellation occurs less any debt and less the annual
$30 administration fee. The amount paid will be treated as a withdrawal for
Federal tax purposes and thus may be subject to income tax and to a 10% penalty
tax (see "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS").

     Purchase payments are allocated among the investment options in accordance
with the percentages designated by the contract owner. The contract owner may
change the allocation of subsequent purchase payments at any time upon written
notice to the Company or by telephone in accordance with the Company's telephone
transfer procedures.

ACCUMULATION UNITS

   
     The Company will establish an investment account for the contract owner for
each investment option to which such contract owner allocates purchase payments.
Purchase payments are credited to such investment accounts in the form of
accumulation units. The following discussion of accumulation units, the value of
accumulation units and the net investment factor formula pertains only to the
accumulation in the variable account investment options. The parallel discussion
regarding accumulations in the fixed account investment options appears
elsewhere in this Prospectus (see "FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTIONS"). The
number of accumulation units to be credited to each investment account is
determined by dividing the net purchase payment allocated to that investment
account by the value of an accumulation unit for that investment account for the
valuation period during which the purchase payment is received at the Company's
Annuity Service Office complete with all necessary information or, in the case
of the first purchase payment, pursuant to the procedures described below.

     Initial purchase payments received by mail will usually be credited in the
valuation period during which received at the Annuity Service Office, and in any
event not later than two business days after receipt of all information
necessary for processing issuance of the contract. The applicant will be
informed of any deficiencies preventing processing if the contract cannot be
issued and the purchase payment credited within two business days after receipt.
If the deficiencies are not remedied within five business days after receipt,
the purchase payment will be returned promptly to the applicant, unless the
applicant specifically consents to the Company's retaining the purchase payment
until all necessary information is received. Initial purchase payments received
by wire transfer from broker-dealers will be credited in the valuation period
during which received where such broker-dealers have made special arrangements
with the Company.
    

VALUE OF ACCUMULATION UNITS

     The value of accumulation units will vary from one valuation period to the
next depending upon the investment results of the particular sub-accounts to
which purchase payments are allocated. The value of an accumulation unit for
each sub-account was



                                       21
<PAGE>   26

   
arbitrarily set at $10 or $12.50 for the first valuation period under other
contracts issued by the Company. The value of an accumulation unit for any
subsequent valuation period is determined by multiplying the value of an
accumulation unit for the immediately preceding valuation period by the net
investment factor for such sub-account (described below) for the valuation
period for which the value is being determined.
    




                                       22
<PAGE>   27

NET INVESTMENT FACTOR

     The net investment factor is an index used to measure the investment
performance of a sub-account from one valuation period to the next. The net
investment factor for each sub-account for any valuation period is determined by
dividing (a) by (b) and subtracting (c) from the result:

     Where (a) is:

          (1) the net asset value per share of a portfolio share held in the
     sub-account determined at the end of the current valuation period, plus

          (2) the per share amount of any dividend or capital gain distributions
     made by the portfolio on shares held in the sub-account if the
     "ex-dividend" date occurs during the current valuation period.

     Where (b) is:

          the net asset value per share of a portfolio share held in the
     sub-account determined as of the end of the immediately preceding valuation
     period.

     Where (c) is:

   
          a factor representing the charges deducted from the sub-account on a
     daily basis for administrative expenses, a portion of the distribution
     expenses, and mortality and expense risks. Such factor is equal on an
     annual basis to 1.65% (0.25% for administrative expenses, 0.15% for
     distribution expenses and 1.25% for mortality and expense risks). The
     charges deducted from the sub-account reduced the value of the accumulation
     units for the sub-account.
    

     The net investment factor may be greater or less than or equal to one;
therefore, the value of an accumulation unit may increase, decrease or remain
the same.

TRANSFERS AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS

     Before the maturity date the contract owner may transfer amounts among the
investment options at any time and without charge upon written notice to the
Company or by telephone if the contract owner authorizes the Company in writing
to accept telephone transfer requests. Accumulation units will be canceled from
the investment account from which amounts are transferred and credited to the
investment account to which amounts are transferred. The Company will effect
such transfers so that the contract value on the date of the transfer will not
be affected by the transfer. The contract owner must transfer at least $300 or,
if less, the entire value of the investment account. If after the transfer the
amount remaining in the investment account is less than $100, then the Company
will transfer the entire amount instead of the requested amount. The Company
reserves the right to limit, upon notice, the maximum number of transfers a
contract owner may make to one per month or six at any time within a contract
year. In addition, the Company reserves the right to defer the transfer
privilege at any time that the Company is unable to purchase or redeem shares of
the Trust portfolios. The Company also reserves the right to modify or terminate
the transfer privilege at any time in accordance with applicable law.

MAXIMUM NUMBER OF INVESTMENT OPTIONS

   
     Due to current administrative capabilities, a contract owner is limited to
a maximum of seventeen investment options (including the one year fixed account
investment option) during the period prior to the maturity date of the contract
(the "Contract Period"). In calculating this limit for each contract owner,
investment options to which the contract owner has allocated purchase payments
at any time during the Contract Period will be counted toward the seventeen
maximum even if the contract owner no longer has contract value allocated to the
investment option.
    

TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS

     Contract owners are permitted to request transfers/redemptions by
telephone. The Company will not be liable for following instructions
communicated by telephone that it reasonably believes to be genuine. To be
permitted to request a transfer/redemption by telephone, a contract owner must
elect the option on the Application. (If a contract owner does not initially
elect an option in the Application form, they may request authorization by
executing an appropriate authorization form provided by the Company upon



                                       23
<PAGE>   28


request.) The Company will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that
instructions communicated by telephone are genuine and may only be liable for
any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions where it fails to
employ its procedures properly. Such procedures include the following. Upon
telephoning a request, contract owners will be asked to provide their account
number, and if not available, their social security number. For the contract
owner's and Company's protection, all conversations with contract owners will be
tape recorded. All telephone transactions will be followed by a confirmation
statement of the transaction.

SPECIAL TRANSFER SERVICES - DOLLAR COST AVERAGING

   
     The Company administers a Dollar Cost Averaging ("DCA") program which
enables an owner to pre-authorize a periodic exercise of the contractual
transfer rights described above. Owners entering into a DCA agreement instruct
the Company to transfer monthly a predetermined dollar amount from any
sub-account or the one year fixed account investment option to other
sub-accounts until the amount in the sub-account from which the transfer is made
or one year fixed account investment option is exhausted. Except in the states
of ______, a special one year fixed account investment option (the "One Year DCA
Account") may be established under the DCA program to make automatic monthly
transfers. In the first eleven months the amount transferred is equal to one
eleventh of the amount allocated to the One Year DCA Account and in the twelfth
month the remaining balance of the One Year DCA Account is transferred. Only
initial and subsequent net payments may be allocated to the One Year DCA
Account. The DCA program is generally suitable for owners making a substantial
deposit and who desire to control the risk of investing at the top of a market
cycle. The DCA program allows such investments to be made in equal installments
over time in an effort to reduce such risk. Owners interested in the DCA program
may elect to participate in the program on the application or by separate
application. Owners may obtain a separate application and full information
concerning the program and its restrictions from their securities dealer or the
Annuity Service Office. There is no charge for participation in the DCA program.
    

ASSET REBALANCING PROGRAM

   
     The Company administers an Asset Rebalancing Program which enables a
contract owner to indicate to the Company the percentage levels he or she would
like to maintain in particular portfolios. The contract owner's contract value
will be automatically rebalanced pursuant to the schedule described below to
maintain the indicated percentages by transfers among the portfolios. (The Fixed
Account Investment Options are not eligible for participation in the Asset
Rebalancing Program.) The entire value of the variable investment accounts must
be included in the Asset Rebalancing Program. Other investment programs, such as
the DCA program, or other transfers or withdrawals may not work in concert with
the Asset Rebalancing Program. Therefore, contract owners should monitor their
use of these other programs and any other transfers or withdrawals while the
Asset Rebalancing Program is being used. Contract owners interested in the Asset
Rebalancing Program may obtain a separate application and full information
concerning the program and its restrictions from their securities dealer or the
Annuity Service Office. There is no charge for participation in the Asset
Rebalancing Program.
    

     For rebalancing programs begun on or after October 1, 1996 asset
rebalancing will only be permitted on the following time schedules:

     (i)  quarterly on the 25th day of the last month of the quarter (or the
          next business day if the 25th is not a business day);
     (ii) semi-annually on June 25th or December 26th (or the next business day
          if these dates are not business days); or
     (iii) annually on December 26th (or the next business day if December 26th
          is not a business day).

Rebalancing will continue to take place on the last business day of every
calendar quarter for rebalancing programs begun prior to October 1, 1996.

WITHDRAWALS

   
     Prior to the earlier of the maturity date or the death of the contract
owner, the owner may withdraw all or a portion of the contract value upon
written request, complete with all necessary information to the Company's
Annuity Service Office. For certain qualified contracts, exercise of the
withdrawal right may require the consent of the qualified plan participant's
spouse under the Code and regulations promulgated by the Treasury Department. In
the case of a total withdrawal, the Company will pay the contract value as of
the date of receipt of the request at its Annuity Service Office, less the
annual $30 administration fee if applicable, any debt and any applicable
withdrawal charge, and the contract will be canceled. In the case of a partial
withdrawal, the Company will pay the amount requested and cancel that number of
accumulation units credited to each investment account necessary to equal the
amount withdrawn from each investment account plus any applicable withdrawal
charge deducted from such investment account (see "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS").
    


                                       24
<PAGE>   29

   
     When making a partial withdrawal, the contract owner should specify the
investment options from which the withdrawal is to be made. The amount requested
from an investment option may not exceed the value of that investment option
less any applicable withdrawal charge. If the contract owner does not specify
the investment options from which a partial withdrawal is to be taken, the
withdrawal will be taken from the variable account investment options until
exhausted and then from the fixed account investment options. If the partial
withdrawal is less than the total value in the variable account investment
options, the withdrawal will be taken pro rata from the variable account
investment options: taking from each such variable account investment option an
amount which bears the same relationship to the total amount withdrawn as the
value of such variable account investment option bears to the value of all the
contract owner's investments in variable account investment options. For rules
governing the order and manner of withdrawals from the fixed account investment
options (see "FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTIONS").
    

     There is no limit on the frequency of partial withdrawals; however, the
amount withdrawn must be at least $300 or, if less, the entire balance in the
investment option. If after the withdrawal (and deduction of any withdrawal
charge) the amount remaining in the investment option is less than $100, the
Company will treat the partial withdrawal as a withdrawal of the entire amount
held in the investment option. If a partial withdrawal plus any applicable
withdrawal charge would reduce the contract value to less than $300, the Company
will treat the partial withdrawal as a total withdrawal of the contract value.

   
     The amount of any withdrawal from the variable account investment options
will be paid promptly, and in any event within seven days of receipt of the
request, complete with all necessary information at the Company's Annuity
Service Office, except that the Company reserves the right to defer the right of
withdrawal or postpone payments for any period when: (1) the New York Stock
Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), (2)
trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted, (3) an emergency exists as
a result of which disposal of securities held in the Variable Account is not
reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable to determine the
value of the Variable Account's net assets, or (4) the SEC, by order, so permits
for the protection of security holders; provided that applicable rules and
regulations of the SEC shall govern as to whether the conditions described in
(2) and (3) exist.
    

     Withdrawals from the contract may be subject to income tax and a 10%
penalty tax. Withdrawals are permitted from contracts issued in connection with
Section 403(b) qualified plans only under limited circumstances. (see "FEDERAL
TAX MATTERS").

TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS

     The contract owner may request the option to withdraw a portion of the
contract value by telephone by completing the application described under
"Telephone Transactions" above. The Company reserves the right to impose maximum
withdrawal amounts and procedural requirements regarding this privilege. For
additional information on Telephone Redemptions, see "Telephone Transactions"
above.

SPECIAL WITHDRAWAL SERVICES - THE INCOME PLAN

   
     The Company administers an Income Plan ("IP") which enables a contract
owner to pre-authorize a periodic exercise of the contractual withdrawal rights
described above. Contract owners entering into an IP agreement instruct the
Company to withdraw a level dollar amount from specified investment options on a
periodic basis. The total of IP withdrawals in a contract year is limited to not
more than 10% of the purchase payments made to ensure that no withdrawal charge
will ever apply to an IP withdrawal. If an additional withdrawal is made from a
contract participating in an IP, the IP will terminate automatically and may be
reinstated only on or after the next contract anniversary pursuant to a new
application. The IP is not available to contracts participating in the dollar
cost averaging program or for which purchase payments are being automatically
deducted from a bank account on a periodic basis. IP withdrawals will be free of
withdrawal charges. IP withdrawals may, however, be subject to income tax and a
10% penalty tax (see "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS"). Contract owners interested in an IP
may obtain a separate application and full information concerning the program
and its restrictions from their securities dealer or the Annuity Service Office.
    

LOANS

   
     The Company offers a loan privilege only to owners of contracts issued in
connection with Section 403(b) qualified plans that are not subject to Title I
of ERISA. Owners of such contracts may obtain loans using the contract as the
only security for the loan. Loans are subject to provisions of the Code and to
applicable retirement program rules (collectively, "loan rules"). Tax advisors
and retirement plan fiduciaries should be consulted prior to exercising loan
privileges.
    



                                       25
<PAGE>   30

   
     Under the terms of the contract, the maximum loan value is equal to 80% of
the contract value, although loan rules may serve to reduce such maximum loan
value in some cases. The amount available for a loan at any given time is the
loan value less any outstanding debt. Debt equals the amount of any loans plus
accrued interest. Loans will be made only upon written request from the owner.
The Company will make loans within seven days of receiving a properly completed
loan application (applications are available from the Annuity Service Office),
subject to postponement under the same circumstances that payment of withdrawals
may be postponed (see "WITHDRAWALS").

     When an owner requests a loan, the Company will reduce the owner's
investment in the investment accounts and transfer the amount of the loan to the
loan account, a part of the Company's general account. The owner may designate
the investment accounts from which the loan is to be withdrawn. Absent such a
designation, the amount of the loan will be withdrawn from the investment
accounts in accordance with the rules for making partial withdrawals (see
"WITHDRAWALS"). The contract provides that owners may repay contract debt at any
time. Under applicable loan rules, loans generally must be repaid within five
years, repayments must be made at least quarterly and repayments must be made in
substantially equal amounts. When a loan is repaid, the amount of the repayment
will be transferred from the loan account to the investment accounts. The owner
may designate the investment accounts to which a repayment is to be allocated.
Otherwise, the repayment will be allocated in the same manner as the owner's
most recent purchase payment. On each contract anniversary, the Company will
transfer from the investment accounts to the loan account the amount by which
the debt on the contract exceeds the balance in the loan account.
    

     The Company charges interest of 6% per year on contract loans. Loan
interest is payable in arrears and, unless paid in cash, the accrued loan
interest is added to the amount of the debt and bears interest at 6% as well.
The Company credits interest with respect to amounts held in the loan account at
a rate of 4% per year. Consequently, the net cost of loans under the contract is
2%. If on any date debt under a contract exceeds the contract value, the
contract will be in default. In such case the owner will receive a notice
indicating the payment needed to bring the contract out of default and will have
a thirty-one day grace period within which to pay the default amount. If the
required payment is not made within the grace period, the contract may be
foreclosed (terminated without value).

   
     The amount of any debt will be deducted from the death benefit otherwise
payable under the contract (see "DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE MATURITY DATE"). In
addition, debt, whether or not repaid, will have a permanent effect on the
contract value because the investment results of the investment accounts will
apply only to the unborrowed portion of the contract value. The longer debt is
outstanding, the greater the effect is likely to be. The effect could be
favorable or unfavorable. If the investment results are greater than the rate
being credited on amounts held in the loan account while the debt is
outstanding, the contract value will not increase as rapidly as it would have if
no debt were outstanding. If investment results are below that rate, the
contract value will be higher than it would have been had no debt been
outstanding.
    

DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE MATURITY DATE

   
     In General. The following discussion applies principally to contracts that
are not issued in connection with qualified plans, i.e., a "non-qualified
contract." The requirements of the tax law applicable to qualified plans, and
the tax treatment of amounts held and distributed under such plans, are quite
complex. Accordingly, a prospective purchaser of the contract to be used in
connection with a qualified plan should seek competent legal and tax advice
regarding the suitability of the contract for the situation involved and the
requirements governing the distribution of benefits, including death benefits,
from a contract used in the plan. In particular, a prospective purchaser who
intends to use the contract in connection with a qualified plan should consider
that the contract provides a death benefit (described below) that could be
characterized as an incidental death benefit. There are limits on the amount of
incidental benefits that may be provided under certain qualified plans and the
provision of such benefits may result in currently taxable income to plan
participants (see "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS"). See APPENDIX D for information on
death benefit provisions applicable to certain contracts no longer being issued
and contracts issued in the States of Washington and Maryland ("VV contracts").
    

     Amount of Death Benefit. If any contract owner dies on or prior to his or
her 85th birthday and the oldest owner had an attained age of less than 81 years
on the contract date, the death benefit will be the greater of: (a) the contract
value or (b) the excess of (i) over (ii), where (i) equals the sum of all
purchase payments made, accumulated daily at the equivalent of 5% per year
starting on the date each purchase payment is allocated to the contract, subject
to a maximum accumulation of two times each purchase payment, and (ii) equals
the sum of any amounts deducted in connection with partial withdrawals,
accumulated daily at the equivalent of 5% per year starting on the date each
such deduction occurs, subject to a maximum accumulation of two times each
amount deducted.




                                       26
<PAGE>   31
     If any contract owner dies after his or her 85th birthday and the oldest
owner had an attained age of less than 81 years on the contract date, the death
benefit will be the greater of: (a) the contract value or (b) the excess of (i)
the sum of all purchase payments over (ii) the sum of any amounts deducted in
connection with partial withdrawals. If any contract owner dies and the oldest
owner had an attained age greater than 80 on the contract date, the death
benefit will be the contract value less any applicable withdrawal charges at the
time of payment of benefits.

     The determination of the death benefit will be made on the date written
notice and proof of death, as well as all required claims forms, are received at
the Company's Annuity Service Office. No person is entitled to the death benefit
until this time. In addition, partial withdrawals include amounts applied under
an annuity option under the contract. Also, amounts deducted in connection with
partial withdrawals include charges imposed on a partial withdrawal, but not
amounts charged to the contract in payment of the annual administration fee. If
there is any debt under the contract, the death benefit equals the death
benefit, as described above, less such debt.

     Payment of Death Benefit. The Company will pay the death benefit (which, as
defined above, is net of any debt) to the beneficiary if any contract owner dies
before the maturity date. If there is a surviving contract owner, that contract
owner will be deemed to be the beneficiary. No death benefit is payable on the
death of any annuitant, except that if any contract owner is not a natural
person, the death of any annuitant will be treated as the death of an owner. On
the death of the last surviving annuitant, the contract owner, if a natural
person, will become the annuitant unless the contract owner designates another
person as the annuitant.

     The death benefit may be taken in the form of a lump sum immediately. If
not taken immediately, the contract will continue subject to the following: (1)
The beneficiary will become the contract owner. (2) Any excess of the death
benefit over the contract value will be allocated to the owner's investment
accounts in proportion to their relative values on the date of the Company's
receipt at its Annuity Service Office of due proof of the owner's death. (3) No
additional purchase payments may be made. (4) If the beneficiary is not the
deceased's owner spouse, distribution of the contract owner's entire interest in
the contract must be made within five years of the owner's death, or
alternatively, distribution may be made as an annuity, under one of the annuity
options described below, which begins within one year of the owner's death and
is payable over the life of the beneficiary or over a period not extending
beyond the life expectancy of the beneficiary. Upon the death of the
beneficiary, the death benefit will equal the contract value which must be
distributed immediately in a single sum. (5) If the owner's spouse is the
beneficiary, the spouse continues the contract as the new owner. In such a case,
the distribution rules described in "(4)" applicable when a contract owner dies
will apply when the spouse, as the owner, dies. (6) If any contract owner dies
and the oldest owner had an attained age of less than 81 on the contract date,
withdrawal charges are not applied on payment of the death benefit (whether
taken through a partial or total withdrawal or applied under an annuity option).
If any contract owner dies and the oldest owner had an attained age greater than
80 on the contract date, withdrawal charges will be assessed only upon payment
of the death benefit (if such charges are otherwise applicable), so that if the
death benefit is paid in a subsequent year, a lower withdrawal charge will be
applicable.

     If any annuitant is changed and any contract owner is not a natural person,
the entire interest in the contract must be distributed to the contract owner
within five years.

     A substitution or addition of any contract owner may result in resetting
the death benefit to an amount equal to the contract value as of the date of the
change. For purposes of subsequent calculations of the death benefit prior to
the maturity date, the contract value on the date of the change will be treated
as a payment made on that date. In addition, all payments made and all amounts
deducted in connection with partial withdrawals prior to the date of the change
will not be considered in the determination of the death benefit. No such change
in death benefit will be made if the individual whose death will cause the death
benefit to be paid is the same after the change in ownership or if ownership is
transferred to the owner's spouse.

   
     Death benefits will be paid within seven days of the date the amount of the
death benefit is determined, as described above, subject to postponement under
the same circumstances that payment of withdrawals may be postponed (see
"WITHDRAWALS").
    

ANNUITY PROVISIONS

GENERAL

   
     The proceeds of the contract payable on death, withdrawal or the contract
maturity date may be applied to the annuity options described below, subject to
the distribution of death benefit provisions (see "DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE MATURITY
DATE").
    



                                       27
<PAGE>   32

   
     Generally, annuity benefits under the contract will begin on the maturity
date. The maturity date is the date specified on the contract specifications
page, unless changed. If no date is specified, the maturity date is the maximum
maturity date described below. The maximum maturity date is the first day of the
month following the later of the 85th birthday of the annuitant or the tenth
contract anniversary. See Appendix C for contracts issued in Pennsylvania. The
contract owner may specify a different maturity date at any time by written
request at least one month before both the previously specified and the new
maturity date. The new maturity date may not be later than the maximum maturity
date unless the Company consents. Maturity dates which occur at advanced ages,
e.g., past age 85, may in some circumstances have adverse income tax
consequences (see "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS"). Distributions from qualified contracts
may be required before the maturity date.
    

     The contract owner may select the frequency of annuity payments. However,
if the contract value at the maturity date is such that a monthly payment would
be less than $20, the Company may pay the contract value, less any debt, in one
lump sum to the annuitant on the maturity date.

ANNUITY OPTIONS

     Annuity benefits are available under the contract on a fixed or variable
basis, or any combination of fixed and variable bases. Upon purchase of the
contract, and on or before the maturity date, the contract owner may select one
or more of the annuity options described below on a fixed and/or variable basis
(except Option 5 which is available on a fixed basis only) or choose an
alternate form of settlement acceptable to the Company. If an annuity option is
not selected, the Company will provide as a default option variable annuity
payments in proportion to the Investment Account Value of each investment option
at the maturity date, such payments to be made for a period certain of 10 years
and continuing thereafter during the lifetime of the annuitant. Treasury
Department regulations may preclude the availability of certain annuity options
in connection with certain qualified contracts.

     The following annuity options are guaranteed in the contract.

     Option 1(a): Non-Refund Life Annuity - An annuity with payments during the
     lifetime of the annuitant. No payments are due after the death of the
     annuitant. Since there is no guarantee that any minimum number of payments
     will be made, an annuitant may receive only one payment if the annuitant
     dies prior to the date the second payment is due.

     Option 1(b): Life Annuity with Payments Guaranteed for 10 Years - An
     annuity with payments guaranteed for 10 years and continuing thereafter
     during the lifetime of the annuitant. Since payments are guaranteed for 10
     years, annuity payments will be made to the end of such period if the
     annuitant dies prior to the end of the tenth year.

     Option 2(a): Joint & Survivor Non-Refund Life Annuity - An annuity with
     payments during the lifetimes of the annuitant and a designated
     co-annuitant. No payments are due after the death of the last survivor of
     the annuitant and co-annuitant. Since there is no guarantee that any
     minimum number of payments will be made, an annuitant or co-annuitant may
     receive only one payment if the annuitant and co-annuitant die prior to the
     date the second payment is due.

     Option 2(b): Joint & Survivor Life Annuity with Payments Guaranteed for 10
     Years - An annuity with payments guaranteed for 10 years and continuing
     thereafter during the lifetimes of the annuitant and a designated
     co-annuitant. Since payments are guaranteed for 10 years, annuity payments
     will be made to the end of such period if both the annuitant and the
     co-annuitant die prior to the end of the tenth year.

     In addition to the foregoing annuity options which the Company is
contractually obligated to offer at all times, the Company currently offers the
following annuity options. The Company may cease offering the following annuity
options at any time and may offer other annuity options in the future.

     Option 3: Life annuity with Payments Guaranteed for 5, 15 or 20 Years - An
     Annuity with payments guaranteed for 5, 15 or 20 years and continuing
     thereafter during the lifetime of the annuitant. Since payments are
     guaranteed for the specific number of years, annuity payments will be made
     to the end of the last year of the 5, 15 or 20 year period.

     Option 4: Joint & Two-Thirds Survivor Non-Refund Life Annuity - An annuity
     with full payments during the joint lifetime of the annuitant and a
     designated co-annuitant and two-thirds payments during the lifetime of the
     survivor. Since there is no guarantee that any minimum number of payments
     will be made, an annuitant or co-annuitant may receive only one payment if
     the annuitant and co-annuitant die prior to the date the second payment is
     due.



                                       28
<PAGE>   33
     Option 5: Period Certain Only Annuity for 5, 10, 15 or 20 years - An
     annuity with payments for a 5, 10, 15 or 20 year period and no payments
     thereafter.

DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT OF THE FIRST VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENT

   
     The first variable annuity payment is determined by applying that portion
of the contract value used to purchase a variable annuity, measured as of a date
not more than ten business days prior to the maturity date (minus any applicable
premium taxes), to the annuity tables contained in the contract. (The amount of
the first and all subsequent fixed annuity payments is determined on the same
basis using the portion of the contract value used to purchase a fixed annuity.)
The rates contained in such tables depend upon the annuitant's sex and age (as
adjusted depending on the annuitant's year of birth) and the annuity option
selected, except for contracts issued in connection with certain employer
sponsored plans where sex-based tables may not be used. Under such tables, the
longer the life expectancy of the annuitant under any life annuity option or the
duration of any period for which payments are guaranteed under the option, the
smaller will be the amount of the first monthly variable annuity payment. The
rates are based on the 1983 Table A projected at Scale G, assume births in year
1942 and reflect an assumed interest rate of 3% per year. See APPENDIX D for
information on assumed interest rates applicable to certain contracts no longer
being issued and contracts issued in the states of Washington and Maryland (VV
contracts).
    

ANNUITY UNITS AND THE DETERMINATION OF SUBSEQUENT VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS

     Variable annuity payments subsequent to the first will be based on the
investment performance of the sub-accounts selected. The amount of such
subsequent payments is determined by dividing the amount of the first annuity
payment from each sub-account by the annuity unit value of such sub-account (as
of the same date the contract value to effect the annuity was determined) to
establish the number of annuity units which will thereafter be used to determine
payments. This number of annuity units for each sub-account is then multiplied
by the appropriate annuity unit value as of a uniformly applied date not more
than ten business days before the annuity payment is due, and the resulting
amounts for each sub-account are then totaled to arrive at the amount of the
payment to be made. The number of annuity units remains constant during the
annuity payment period.

     The value of an annuity unit for each sub-account for any valuation period
is determined by multiplying the annuity unit value for the immediately
preceding valuation period by the net investment factor for that sub-account
(see "NET INVESTMENT FACTOR") for the valuation period for which the annuity
unit value is being calculated and by a factor to neutralize the assumed
interest rate.

     A 3% assumed interest rate is built into the annuity tables in the contract
used to determine the first variable annuity payment. A higher assumption would
mean a larger first annuity payment, but more slowly rising subsequent payments
when actual investment performance exceeds the assumed rate, and more rapidly
falling subsequent payments when actual investment performance is less than the
assumed rate. A lower assumption would have the opposite effect. If the actual
net investment performance is 3% annually, annuity payments will be level.

TRANSFERS AFTER MATURITY DATE

     Once variable annuity payments have begun, the contract owner may transfer
all or part of the investment upon which such payments are based from one
sub-account to another. Transfers will be made upon notice to the Company at
least 30 days before the due date of the first annuity payment to which the
change will apply. Transfers after the maturity date will be made by converting
the number of annuity units being transferred to the number of annuity units of
the sub-account to which the transfer is made, so that the next annuity payment
if it were made at that time would be the same amount that it would have been
without the transfer. Thereafter, annuity payments will reflect changes in the
value of the new annuity units. The Company reserves the right to limit, upon
notice, the maximum number of transfers a contract owner may make per contract
year to four. Once annuity payments have commenced, no transfers may be made
from a fixed annuity option to a variable annuity option or from a variable
annuity option to a fixed annuity option. In addition, the Company reserves the
right to defer the transfer privilege at any time that the Company is unable to
purchase or redeem shares of the Trust portfolios. The Company also reserves the
right to modify or terminate the transfer privilege at any time in accordance
with applicable law.




                                       29
<PAGE>   34

DEATH BENEFIT ON OR AFTER MATURITY DATE

     If annuity payments have been selected based on an annuity option providing
for payments for a guaranteed period, and the annuitant dies on or after the
maturity date, the Company will make the remaining guaranteed payments to the
beneficiary. Any remaining payments will be made as rapidly as under the method
of distribution being used as of the date of the annuitant's death. If no
beneficiary is living, the Company will commute any unpaid guaranteed payments
to a single sum (on the basis of the interest rate used in determining the
payments) and pay that single sum to the estate of the last to die of the
annuitant and the beneficiary.

OTHER CONTRACT PROVISIONS

TEN DAY RIGHT TO REVIEW

     The contract owner may cancel the contract by returning it to the Company's
Annuity Service Office or agent at any time within 10 days after receipt of the
contract. Within 7 days of receipt of the contract by the Company, the Company
will pay the contract value, less any debt, computed at the end of the valuation
period during which the contract is received by the Company, to the contract
owner.

   
     No withdrawal charge is imposed upon return of the contract within the ten
day right to review period. The ten day right to review may vary in certain
states in order to comply with the requirements of insurance laws and
regulations in such states. When the contract is issued as an individual
retirement annuity under the Code Sections 408 or 408A, during the first 7 days
of the 10 day period, the Company will return all purchase payments if this is
greater than the amount otherwise payable.
    

OWNERSHIP

     The contract owner is the person entitled to exercise all rights under the
contract. Prior to the maturity date, the contract owner is the person
designated in the contract specifications page or as subsequently named. On and
after the maturity date, the annuitant is the contract owner. If amounts become
payable to any beneficiary under the contract, the beneficiary is the contract
owner.

   
     In the case of non-qualified contracts, ownership of the contract may be
changed or the contract may be collaterally assigned at any time prior to the
maturity date, subject to the rights of any irrevocable beneficiary. Assigning a
contract, or changing the ownership of a contract, may be treated as a
distribution of the contract value for Federal tax purposes (see "FEDERAL TAX
MATTERS"). A change of any contract owner may result in resetting the death
benefit to an amount equal to the contract value as of the date of the change
and treating such value as a purchase payment made on that date for purposes of
computing the amount of the death benefit (see "DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE MATURITY
DATE").
    

     Any change of ownership or assignment must be made in writing. Any change
must be approved by the Company. Any assignment and any change, if approved,
will be effective as of the date the Company receives the request at its Annuity
Service Office. The Company assumes no liability for any payments made or
actions taken before a change is approved or an assignment is accepted or
responsibility for the validity or sufficiency of any assignment. An absolute
assignment will revoke the interest of any revocable beneficiary.

   
     In the case of qualified contracts, ownership of the contract generally may
not be transferred except by the trustee of an exempt employees' trust which is
part of a retirement plan qualified under Section 401 of the Code or as
otherwise permitted by applicable Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regulations.
Subject to the foregoing, a qualified contract may not be sold, assigned,
transferred, discounted or pledged as collateral for a loan or as security for
the performance of an obligation or for any other purpose to any person other
than the Company.
    

ANNUITANT

     The annuitant is any natural person or persons whose life is used to
determine the duration of annuity payments involving life contingencies. If the
contract owner names more than one person as an "annuitant," the second person
named shall be referred to as "co-annuitant." The annuitant is as designated on
the contract specifications page or in the application, unless changed.

     On the death of the annuitant, the co-annuitant, if living, becomes the
annuitant. If there is no living co-annuitant, the owner becomes the annuitant.
In the case of certain qualified contracts, there are limitations on the ability
to designate and change the annuitant and the co-annuitant.



                                       30
<PAGE>   35

BENEFICIARY

         The beneficiary is the person, persons or entity designated in the
contract specifications page or as subsequently named. However, if there is a
surviving contract owner, that person will be treated as the beneficiary. The
beneficiary may be changed subject to the rights of any irrevocable beneficiary.
Any change must be made in writing, approved by the Company and if approved,
will be effective as of the date on which written. The Company assumes no
liability for any payments made or actions taken before the change is approved.
If no beneficiary is living, the contingent beneficiary will be the beneficiary.
The interest of any beneficiary is subject to that of any assignee. If no
beneficiary or contingent beneficiary is living, the beneficiary is the estate
of the deceased contract owner. In the case of certain qualified contracts,
regulations promulgated by the Treasury Department prescribe certain limitations
on the designation of a beneficiary.

MODIFICATION

   
         The contract may not be modified by the Company without the consent of
the contract owner, except as may be required to make it conform to any law or
regulation or ruling issued by a governmental agency. The provisions of the
contract shall be interpreted so as to comply with the requirements of Section
72(s) of the Code.
    

COMPANY APPROVAL

         The Company reserves the right to accept or reject any contract
application at its sole discretion.

MISSTATEMENT AND PROOF OF AGE, SEX OR SURVIVAL

         The Company may require proof of age, sex or survival of any person
upon whose age, sex or survival any payment depends. If the age or sex of the
annuitant has been misstated, the benefits will be those that would have been
provided for the annuitant's correct age and sex. If the Company has made
incorrect annuity payments, the amount of any underpayment will be paid
immediately and the amount of any overpayment will be deducted from future
annuity payments.

   
FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTIONS

         Securities Registration. Due to certain exemptive and exclusionary
provisions, interests in the fixed account investment options are not registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "1933 Act") and the Company's
general account is not registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act.
Accordingly, neither interests in the fixed account investment options nor the
general account are subject to the provisions or restrictions of the 1933 Act or
the 1940 Act and the staff of the SEC has not reviewed the disclosures in the
Prospectus relating thereto. Disclosures relating to interests in the fixed
account investment options and the general account, however, may be subject to
certain generally applicable provisions of the Federal securities laws relating
to the accuracy of statements made in a registration statement.
    

         Guarantee. Pursuant to a Guarantee Agreement dated March 31, 1996,
Manulife, the ultimate parent of the Company, unconditionally guarantees to the
Company on behalf of and for the benefit of the Company and owners of fixed
annuity contracts issued by the Company that it will, on demand, make funds
available to the Company for the timely payment of contractual claims under
fixed annuity contracts issued after June 27, 1984. This Guarantee covers the
fixed portion of the contracts described in this Prospectus. This Guarantee may
be terminated by Manulife on notice to the Company. Termination will not affect
Manulife's continuing liability with respect to all fixed annuity contracts
issued prior to the termination of the Guarantee except if: (i) the liability to
pay contractual claims under the contracts is assumed by another insurer or (ii)
the Company is sold and the buyer's guarantee is substituted for the Manulife
guarantee.

   
         Reinsurance. Effective June 30, 1995, the Company entered into a
Reinsurance Agreement with Peoples Security Life Insurance Company ("Peoples")
pursuant to which Peoples reinsures certain amounts with respect to the fixed
account portion of the contract described in this Prospectus. Under this
Reinsurance Agreement, the Company remains liable for the contractual
obligations of the contracts' fixed accounts and Peoples agrees to reimburse the
Company for certain amounts and obligations in connection with the fixed
accounts. Peoples contractual liability runs solely to the Company, and no
contract owner shall have any right of action against Peoples. Peoples is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Louisville, Kentucky based Providian Corporation, a
diversified financial services corporation.
    




                                       31
<PAGE>   36
   
         Investment Options. A one year fixed account investment option is
available under the contract. In addition, a one year dollar cost averaging
fixed investment account may be established under the Dollar Cost Averaging
("DCA") program to make automatic monthly transfers from a one year fixed
account to one or more variable investment options (see "SPECIAL TRANSFER
SERVICES-DOLLAR COST AVERAGING" for details). Under the fixed account investment
options, the Company guarantees the principal value of purchase payments and the
rate of interest credited to the investment account for the term of the
guarantee period. The portion of the contract value in a fixed account
investment option and monthly annuity payments if selected on a fixed basis,
will reflect such interest and principal guarantees. The guaranteed interest
rates on new amounts allocated or transferred to a fixed investment account are
determined from time-to-time by the Company in accordance with market
conditions. In no event will the guaranteed rate of interest be less than 3%.
Once an interest rate is guaranteed for a fixed investment account, it is
guaranteed for the duration of the guarantee period and may not be changed by
the Company.

         Investment Accounts. Contract owners may allocate purchase payments, or
make transfers from the variable investment options, to the one year fixed
account investment option at any time prior to the maturity date. The Company
establishes a separate investment account each time the contract owner allocates
or transfers amounts to the one year fixed account investment option. Amounts
may not be allocated to a fixed account investment option that would extend the
guarantee period beyond the maturity date.
    

         Renewals. At the end of a guarantee period, the contract owner may
establish a new investment account with a one year guarantee period at the then
current interest rate or transfer the amounts to a variable account investment
option, all without the imposition of any charge. In the case of renewals within
one year of the maturity date, the only fixed account investment option
available is to have interest accrued up to the maturity date at the then
current interest rate for one year guarantee periods.

         If the contract owner does not specify the renewal option desired, the
Company will select the one year fixed account investment option. In the case of
a renewal within one year of the maturity date, the Company will credit interest
up to the maturity date at the then current interest rate for one year guarantee
periods.

   
         Transfers. Prior to the maturity date, the contract owner may transfer
amounts from the fixed account investment option to the variable account
investment options at the end of the guaranteed period; however, amounts may be
transferred prior to the end of the guarantee period pursuant to the DCA
program.
    

         Where there are multiple investment accounts within the one year fixed
account investment option, amounts must be transferred from the one year fixed
account investment option on a first-in-first-out basis.

   
         Withdrawals. The contract owner may make total and partial withdrawals
of amounts held in the fixed account investment options at any time prior to the
maturity date or his or her death. Withdrawals from the fixed account investment
options will be made in the same manner and be subject to the same limitations
as set forth under "WITHDRAWALS" plus the following provisions also apply to
withdrawals from the fixed account investment options: (1) the Company reserves
the right to defer payment of amounts withdrawn from the fixed account
investment options for up to six months from the date it receives the written
withdrawal request (if a withdrawal is deferred for more than 30 days pursuant
to this right, the Company will pay interest on the amount deferred at a rate
not less than 3% per year (or such higher rate as may be required by the
applicable state or jurisdiction)); and (2) if there are multiple investment
accounts under the fixed account investment options, amounts must be withdrawn
from such accounts on a first-in-first-out basis.

         If the contract owner does not specify the investment options from
which a partial withdrawal is to be taken, a partial withdrawal will be taken
from the variable account investment options until exhausted and then from the
fixed account investment options. Such withdrawals will be made from the
investment options beginning with the shortest guarantee period. Within such
sequence, where there are multiple investment accounts within a fixed account
investment option, withdrawals will be made on a first-in-first out basis. For
this purpose, the one year DCA fixed account investment option is considered to
have a shorter guarantee period than the one year fixed account investment
option.

         Withdrawals from the contract may be subject to income tax and a 10%
penalty tax. Withdrawals are permitted from contracts issued in connection with
Section 403(b) qualified plans only under limited circumstances (see "FEDERAL
TAX MATTERS" below).
    

         Loans. The Company offers a loan privilege only to owners of contracts
issued in connection with Section 403(b) qualified plans that are not subject to
Title I of ERISA. Owners of such contracts may obtain loans using the contract
as the only security for




                                       32
<PAGE>   37

the loan. Owners of such contracts may borrow amounts allocated to the fixed
investment account in the same manner and subject to the same limitations as set
forth under "LOANS" above.

   
         Fixed Annuity Options. Subject to the distribution of death benefits
provisions (see "DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE MATURITY DATE" above), on death,
withdrawal or the maturity date of the contract, the proceeds may be applied to
a fixed annuity option (see "ANNUITY OPTIONS" above). The amount of each fixed
annuity payment is determined by applying the portion of the proceeds (less any
applicable premium taxes) applied to purchase the fixed annuity to the
appropriate table in the contract. If the table in use by the Company is more
favorable to the contract owner, the Company will substitute that table. The
Company guarantees the dollar amount of fixed annuity payments.
    

                             CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS

   
         Charges and deductions under the contracts are assessed against
purchase payments, contract values or annuity payments. Currently, there are no
deductions made from purchase payments, except for premium taxes in certain
states. In addition, there are deductions from and expenses paid out of the
assets of the Trust Portfolios that are described in the accompanying Prospectus
of the Trust.
    

WITHDRAWAL CHARGES

         If a withdrawal is made from the contract before the maturity date, a
withdrawal charge (contingent deferred sales charge) may be assessed against
amounts withdrawn attributable to purchase payments that have been in the
contract less than three complete contract years. (Effective November 1, 1996,
no withdrawal charge will be imposed on withdrawals from contracts issued on or
after November 1, 1996) There is never a withdrawal charge with respect to
earnings accumulated in the contract, certain other free withdrawal amounts
described below or purchase payments that have been in the contract more than
three complete contract years. In no event may the total withdrawal charges
exceed 3% of the amount invested. The amount of the withdrawal charge and when
it is assessed is discussed below:

         1. Each withdrawal from the contract is allocated first to the "free
withdrawal amount" and second to "unliquidated purchase payments". In any
contract year, the free withdrawal amount for that year is the greater of (1)
the excess of the contract value on the date of withdrawal over the unliquidated
purchase payments (the accumulated earnings on the contract) or (2) the excess
of (i) over (ii), where (i) is 10% of total purchase payments and (ii) is all
prior partial withdrawals in that contract year. Withdrawals allocated to the
free withdrawal amount may be withdrawn without the imposition of a withdrawal
charge. The free withdrawal amount will be applied to a requested withdrawal,
first, to withdrawals from variable account investment options and then to
withdrawals from the one year fixed account investment option.

         2. If a withdrawal is made for an amount in excess of the free
withdrawal amount, the excess will be allocated to purchase payments which will
be liquidated on a first-in first-out basis. On any withdrawal request, the
Company will liquidate purchase payments equal to the amount of the withdrawal
request which exceeds the free withdrawal amount in the order such purchase
payments were made: the oldest unliquidated purchase payment first, the next
purchase payment second, etc. until all purchase payments have been liquidated.

         3. Each purchase payment or portion thereof liquidated in connection
with a withdrawal request that has been in the contract for less than three
years is subject to a withdrawal charge of 3%.

         4. The withdrawal charge is deducted from the contract value remaining
after the contract owner is paid the amount requested, except in the case of a
complete withdrawal when it is deducted from the amount otherwise payable. In
the case of a partial withdrawal, the amount requested from an investment
account may not exceed the value of that investment account less any applicable
withdrawal charge.

         5. There is generally no withdrawal charge on distributions made as a
result of the death of the contract owner or, if applicable, the annuitant (see
"Death Benefit Before Maturity Date -- Amount of Death Benefit"), and no
withdrawal charges are imposed on the maturity date if the contract owner
annuitizes as provided in the contract.

         The amount collected from the withdrawal charge will be used to
reimburse the Company for the compensation paid to cover selling concessions to
broker-dealers, preparation of sales literature and other expenses related to
sales activity.

         For examples of calculation of the withdrawal charge, see Appendix A.




                                       33
<PAGE>   38


REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF WITHDRAWAL CHARGES

         The amount of the withdrawal charge on a contract may be reduced or
eliminated when sales of the contracts are made to individuals or to a group of
individuals in such a manner that results in savings of sales expenses. The
entitlement to such a reduction in the withdrawal charge will be determined by
the Company in the following manner:

         1. The size and type of group to which sales are to be made will be
considered. Generally, sales expenses for a larger group are smaller than for a
smaller group because of the ability to implement large numbers of contracts
with fewer sales contacts.

         2. The total amount of purchase payments to be received will be
considered. Per dollar sales expenses are likely to be less on larger purchase
payments than on smaller ones.

         3. Any prior or existing relationship with the Company will be
considered. Per contract sales expenses are likely to be less when there is a
prior or existing relationship because of the likelihood of implementing the
contract with fewer sales contacts.

         4. The level of commissions paid to selling broker-dealers will be
considered. Certain broker-dealers may offer the contract in connection with
financial planning programs offered on a fee for service basis. In view of the
financial planning fees, such broker-dealers may elect to receive lower
commissions for sales of the contracts, thereby reducing the Company's sales
expenses.

         5. There may be other circumstances of which the Company is not
presently aware, which could result in reduced sales expenses.

         If, after consideration of the foregoing factors, it is determined that
there will be a reduction in sales expenses, the Company will provide a
reduction in the withdrawal charge. The withdrawal charge will be eliminated
when a contract is issued to an officer, director or employee (or a relative
thereof) of the Company, Manulife, the Trust or any of their affiliates. In no
event will reduction or elimination of the withdrawal charge be permitted where
such reduction or elimination will be unfairly discriminatory to any person.

   
Withdrawal Charge Waiver in Connection with Clinton's Administration's Fiscal
Year 1999 Budget Proposal

         The Clinton administration's Fiscal Year 1999 Budget proposal dated
February 2, 1998 (the "1999 Budget Proposal") contains proposals to change the
1999 Budget Proposal will become law, if the 1999 Budget Proposal is enacted
substantially as proposed, withdrawal charges will be waived on purchase
payments made on or after February 2, 1998, provided such amounts are withdrawn
within 60 days of the date that the 1999 Budget Proposal becomes law. The
Company reserves the right to terminate this withdrawal charge waiver at any
time. If the waiver is terminated, purchase payments made from February 2, 1998
to the termination date of the waiver will not be subject to withdrawal charge
as provided above. This waiver does not affect a contract owner's right to
cancel a contract within the ten day right to review period (see "OTHER CONTRACT
PROVISIONS - Ten Day Right to Review"). Withdrawals may be subject to income tax
to the extent of earnings under the contract and, if made prior to age 59 1/2,
generally will be subject to a 10% IRS penalty tax (see "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS -
Taxation of Partial and Full Withdrawals").
    

ADMINISTRATION FEES

   
         A daily fee in an amount equal to 0.25% of the value of each variable
investment account on an annual basis is deducted from each sub-account as an
administration fee. The fee is designed to compensate the Company for the cost
of providing administrative services attributable to the contracts and the
operations of the Variable Account and the Company in connection with the
contracts. This asset based administration fee will not be deducted from the
fixed account investment option. The fee will be reflected in the contract value
as a proportionate reduction in the value of each variable investment account.
Because the administration fee is a percentage of assets rather than a flat
amount, larger contracts will in effect pay a higher proportion of the
administrative expenses than smaller contracts.
    

         Also, if the contract value falls below $10,000 as a result of a
partial withdrawal, the Company may deduct an annual administration fee of $30
as partial compensation for administrative expenses. The fee will be deducted on
the last day of each contract year. It will be withdrawn from each investment
option in the same proportion that the value of such investment option bears to
the contract value. If the entire contract value is withdrawn on other than the
last day of any contract year, the fee will be deducted from the amount paid.




                                       34
<PAGE>   39

         The Company does not expect to recover from the administration fees any
amount in excess of its accumulated administrative expenses. Even though
administrative expenses may increase, the Company guarantees that it will not
increase the amount of the administration fees.

DISTRIBUTION FEE

   
         A daily fee in an amount equal to 0.15% of the value of each variable
investment account on an annual basis is deducted from each sub-account as a
distribution fee. The fee is designed to compensate the Company for a portion of
the sales expenses it incurs with respect to the contracts. This asset based
distribution fee will not be deducted from the fixed account investment option.
The fee will be reflected in the contract value as a proportionate reduction in
the value of each variable investment account. Because the distribution fee is a
percentage of assets rather than a flat amount, larger contracts will in effect
pay a higher proportion of sales expenses than smaller contracts.
    

MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE

   
         The mortality risk assumed by the Company is the risk that annuitants
may live for a longer period of time than estimated. The Company assumes this
mortality risk by virtue of annuity rates incorporated into the contract which
cannot be changed. This assures each annuitant that his longevity will not have
an adverse effect on the amount of annuity payments. Also, the Company
guarantees that if the contract owner dies before the maturity date, it will pay
a death benefit (see "DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE MATURITY DATE"). The expense risk
assumed by the Company is the risk that the administration charges or withdrawal
charge may be insufficient to cover actual expenses.

         To compensate it for assuming these risks, the Company deducts from
each of the sub-accounts a daily charge in an amount equal to 1.25% of the value
of the variable investment accounts on an annual basis, consisting of .8% for
the mortality risk and .45% for the expense risk. The charge will be reflected
in the contract value as a proportionate reduction in the value of each variable
investment account. The rate of the mortality and expense risk charge cannot be
increased. If the charge is insufficient to cover the actual cost of the
mortality and expense risks undertaken, the Company will bear the loss.
Conversely, if the charge proves more than sufficient, the excess will be profit
to the Company and will be available for any proper corporate purpose including,
among other things, payment of distribution expenses. The mortality and expense
risk charge is not assessed against the fixed account investment option.
    

TAXES

         The Company reserves the right to charge, or provide for, certain taxes
against purchase payments, contract values or annuity payments. Such taxes may
include premium taxes or other taxes levied by any government entity which the
Company determines to have resulted from the (i) establishment or maintenance of
the Variable Account, (ii) receipt by the Company of purchase payments, (iii)
issuance of the contacts, or (iv) commencement or continuance of annuity
payments under the contracts. In addition, the Company will withhold taxes to
the extent required by applicable law.

   
         Except for residents of those states which apply premium taxes upon
receipt of purchase payments, premium taxes will be deducted from the contract
value used to provide for fixed or variable annuity payments. For residents of
those states which apply premium taxes upon receipt of purchase payments,
premium taxes will be deducted upon payment of any withdrawal benefits, upon any
annuitization, or payment of death benefits. The amount deducted will depend on
the premium tax assessed in the applicable state. State premium taxes currently
range from 0% to 3.5% depending on the jurisdiction and the tax status of the
contract and are subject to change by the legislature or other authority (see
"APPENDIX B: STATE PREMIUM TAXES").
    





                                       35
<PAGE>   40


                               FEDERAL TAX MATTERS

INTRODUCTION

   
         The following discussion of the Federal income tax treatment of the
contract is not exhaustive, does not purport to cover all situations, and is not
intended as tax advice. A qualified tax advisor should always be consulted with
regard to the application of law to individual circumstances. This discussion is
based on the Code, Treasury Department regulations, and interpretations existing
on the date of this Prospectus. These authorities, however, are subject to
change by Congress, the Treasury Department, and judicial decisions.

         The 1999 Budget Proposal dated February 2, 1998 contains proposals to
change the taxation of non-qualified annuity contracts. The 1999 Budget Proposal
proposes to tax exchanges of variable contracts for fixed contracts, exchanges
of fixed contracts for variable contracts, exchanges of variable contracts for
variable contracts and reallocation within variable contracts. Currently, owners
of annuity contracts may exchange their contracts for another annuity without
currently incurring tax, and reallocations among investment options are not
treated as a taxable exchange. In addition, the 1999 Budget Proposal proposes
that the contract owner's basis in annuity contracts be reduced annually by
1.25% of the cash value for purposes of determining the taxable gain on
surrenders, withdrawals, and all annuity payments except those made for life at
the rates guaranteed in the contract. Currently, basis in annuity contracts is
not reduced by this amount. The 1999 Budget Proposal states that it generally
would apply only to contracts issued after the date of first congressional
committee action, but that the new exchange and reallocation rules would also
apply to any existing contract that was materially changed. While it is
uncertain whether the Budget Proposal will become law, if the 1999 Budget
Proposal is enacted substantially as proposed, withdrawal charges will be waived
(see "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS - Reduction or Elimination of Withdrawal Charge").
    

         This discussion does not address state or local tax consequences
associated with the purchase of a contract. In addition, THE COMPANY MAKES NO
GUARANTEE REGARDING ANY TAX TREATMENT -- FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL -- OF ANY
CONTRACT OR OF ANY TRANSACTION INVOLVING A CONTRACT.

THE COMPANY'S TAX STATUS

   
         The Company is taxed as a life insurance company under the Code. Since
the operations of the Variable Account are a part of, and are taxed with, the
operations of the Company, the Variable Account is not separately taxed as a
"regulated investment company" under the Code. Under existing Federal income tax
laws, investment income and capital gains of the Variable Account are not taxed
to the extent they are applied under a contract. The Company does not anticipate
that it will incur any Federal income tax liability attributable to such income
and gains of the Variable Account, and therefore the Company does not intend to
make provision for any such taxes. If the Company is taxed on investment income
or capital gains of the Variable Account, then the Company may impose a charge
against the Variable Account in order to make provision for such taxes.
    

TAXATION OF ANNUITIES IN GENERAL

TAX DEFERRAL DURING ACCUMULATION PERIOD

   
         Under existing provisions of the Code, except as described below, any
increase in the contract value is generally not taxable to the contract owner or
annuitant until received, either in the form of annuity payments, as
contemplated by the contract, or in some other form of distribution. However,
certain requirements must be satisfied in order for this general rule to apply,
including: (1) the contract must be owned by an individual (or treated as owned
by an individual), (2) the investments of the Variable Account must be
"adequately diversified" in accordance with Treasury Department regulations, (3)
the Company, rather than the owner, must be considered the owner of the assets
of the Variable Account for Federal tax purposes, and (4) the contract must
provide for appropriate amortization, through annuity payments, of the
contract's purchase payments and earnings, e.g., the maturity date must not
occur at too advanced an age.

         Non-Natural Owners. As a general rule, deferred annuity contracts held
by "non-natural persons" such as a corporation, trust or other similar entity,
as opposed to a natural person, are not treated as annuity contracts for Federal
income tax purposes. The investment income on such contracts is taxed as
ordinary income that is received or accrued by the owner of the contract during
the taxable year. There are several exceptions to this general rule for
non-natural contract owners. 

    



                                       36
<PAGE>   41

First, contracts will generally be treated as held by a natural person if the
nominal owner is a trust or other entity which holds the contract as an agent
for a natural person. However, this special exception will not apply in the case
of any employer who is the nominal owner of an annuity contract under a
non-qualified deferred compensation arrangement for its employees.

         In addition, exceptions to the general rule for non-natural contract
owners will apply with respect to (1) contracts acquired by an estate of a
decedent by reason of the death of the decedent, (2) certain qualified
contracts, (3) certain contracts purchased by employers upon the termination of
certain qualified plans, (4) certain contracts used in connection with
structured settlement agreements, and (5) contracts purchased with a single
premium when the annuity starting date (as defined in the tax law) is no later
than a year from purchase of the annuity and substantially equal periodic
payments are made, not less frequently than annually, during the annuity period.

   
         Loss of Interest Deduction Where Contracts are Held by or for the
Benefit of Certain Non-Natural Persons. In the case of contracts issued after
June 8, 1997 to a nonnatural taxpayer (such as a corporation or a trust), or
held for the benefit of such an entity, recent changes in the tax law may result
in otherwise deductible interest no longer being deductible by the entity,
regardless of whether the interest relates to debt is used to purchase or carry
the contract. However, this interest deduction disallowance does not affect
contracts where the income on such contracts is treated as ordinary income that
is received or accrued by the owner during the taxable year. Entities that are
considering purchasing the contract, or entities that will be beneficiaries
under a contract, should consult a tax advisor.

         Diversification Requirements. For a contract to be treated as an
annuity for Federal income tax purposes, the investments of the Variable Account
must be "adequately diversified" in accordance with Treasury Department
Regulations. The Secretary of the Treasury has issued regulations which
prescribe standards for determining whether the investments of the Variable
Account are "adequately diversified." If the Variable Account failed to comply
with these diversification standards, a contract would not be treated as an
annuity contract for Federal income tax purposes and the contract owner would
generally be taxable currently on the excess of the contract value over the
premiums paid for the contract.

         Although the Company does not control the investments of the Trust, it
expects that the Trust will comply with such regulations so that the Variable
Account will be considered "adequately diversified."

         Ownership Treatment. In certain circumstances, a variable annuity
contract owner may be considered the owner, for Federal income tax purposes, of
the assets of the separate account used to support his or her contract. In those
circumstances, income and gains from such separate account assets would be
includible in the contract owner's gross income. The IRS has stated in published
rulings that a variable contract owner will be considered the owner of separate
account assets if the owner possesses incidents of ownership in those assets,
such as the ability to exercise investment control over the assets. In addition,
the Treasury Department announced, in connection with the issuance of
regulations concerning investment diversification, that those regulations "do
not provide guidance concerning the circumstances in which investor control of
the investments of a segregated asset account may cause the investor, rather
than the insurance company, to be treated as the owner of the assets in the
account." This announcement also stated that guidance would be issued by way of
regulations or rulings on the "extent to which Policyholders may direct their
investments to particular sub-accounts [of a separate account] without being
treated as owners of the underlying assets." As of the date of this Prospectus,
no such guidance has been issued.

         The ownership rights under this contract are similar to, but different
in certain respects from, those described by the IRS in rulings in which it was
determined that contract owners were not owners of separate account assets. For
example, the owner of this contract has the choice of many more investment
options to which to allocate premiums and contract values, and may be able to
transfer among investment options more frequently than in such rulings. These
differences could result in the contract owner being treated as the owner of the
assets of the Variable Account and thus subject to current taxation on the
income and gains from those assets. In addition, the Company does not know what
standards will be set forth in the regulations or rulings which the Treasury
Department has stated it expects to issue. The Company therefore reserves the
right to modify the contract as necessary to attempt to prevent the contract
owner from being considered the owner of the assets of the Variable Account.

         Delayed Maturity Dates. If the contract's maturity date occurs (or is
scheduled to occur) at a time when the annuitant has reached an advanced age,
e.g., past age 85, it is possible that the contract would not be treated as an
annuity for Federal income tax purposes. In that event, the income and gains
under the contract could be currently includible in the owner's income.

         The remainder of this discussion assumes that the contract will be
treated as an annuity contract for Federal income tax purposes and that the
Company will be treated as the owner of the Variable Account assets.
    




                                       37
<PAGE>   42

TAXATION OF PARTIAL AND FULL WITHDRAWALS

         In the case of a partial withdrawal, amounts received are includible in
income to the extent the contract value before the withdrawal exceeds the
"investment in the contract." In the case of a full withdrawal, amounts received
are includible in income to the extent they exceed the "investment in the
contract." For these purposes the investment in the contract at any time equals
the total of the purchase payments made under the contract to that time (to the
extent such payments were neither deductible when made nor excludible from
income as, for example, in the case of certain employer contributions to
qualified plans) less any amounts previously received from the contract which
were not included in income.

   
         Other than in the case of certain qualified contracts, any amount
received as a loan under a contract, and any assignment or pledge (or agreement
to assign or pledge) any portion of the contract value, is treated as a
withdrawal of such amount or portion. (Loans, assignments and pledges are
permitted only in limited circumstances under qualified contracts.) The
investment in the contract is increased by the amount includible in income with
respect to such assignment or pledge, though it is not affected by any other
aspect of the assignment or pledge (including its release). If an individual
transfers his or her interest in an annuity contract without adequate
consideration to a person other than the owner's spouse (or to a former spouse
incident to divorce), the owner will be taxed on the difference between the
"contract value" and the "investment in the contract" at the time of transfer.
In such case, the transferee's investment in the contract will be increased to
reflect the increase in the transferor's income.

         The contract provides a death benefit that in certain circumstances may
exceed the greater of the purchase payments and the contract value. As described
elsewhere in this Prospectus, the Company imposes certain charges with respect
to the death benefit. It is possible that those charges (or some portion
thereof) could be treated for Federal income tax purposes as a partial
withdrawal from the contract.
    

         There may be special income tax issues present in situations where the
owner and the annuitant are not the same person and are not married to one
another. A tax advisor should be consulted in those situations.

TAXATION OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS

   
         Normally, the portion of each annuity payment taxable as ordinary
income is equal to the excess of the payment over the exclusion amount. In the
case of variable annuity payments, the exclusion amount is the "investment in
the contract" (defined above) allocated to the variable annuity option, adjusted
for any period certain or refund feature, when payments begin to be made divided
by the number of payments expected to be made (determined by Treasury Department
regulations which take into account the annuitant's life expectancy and the form
of annuity benefit selected). In the case of fixed annuity payments, the
exclusion amount is the amount determined by multiplying (1) the payment by (2)
the ratio of the investment in the contract allocated to the fixed annuity
option, adjusted for any period certain or refund feature, to the total expected
value of annuity payments for the term of the contract (determined under
Treasury Department regulations). A simplified method of determining the taxable
portion of annuity payments applies to contracts issued in connection with
certain qualified plans other than IRAs.
    

         Once the total amount of the investment in the contract is excluded
using these ratios, annuity payments will be fully taxable. If annuity payments
cease because of the death of the annuitant and before the total amount of the
investment in the contract is recovered, the unrecovered amount generally will
be allowed as a deduction to the annuitant in his or her last taxable year.

TAXATION OF DEATH BENEFIT PROCEEDS

   
         Amounts may be distributed from a contract because of the death of an
owner or the annuitant. Prior to the maturity date, such death benefit proceeds
are includible in income as follows: (1) if distributed in a lump sum, they are
taxed in the same manner as a full withdrawal, as described above, or (2) if
distributed under an annuity option, they are taxed in the same manner as
annuity payments, as described above. After the maturity date, where a
guaranteed period exists under an annuity option and the annuitant dies before
the end of that period, payments made to the beneficiary for the remainder of
that period are includible in income as follows: (1) if received in a lump sum,
they are includible in income to the extent that they exceed the unrecovered
investment in the contract at that time, or (2) if distributed in accordance
with the existing annuity option selected, they are fully excludable from income
until the remaining investment in the contract is deemed to be recovered, and
all annuity payments thereafter are fully includible in income.
    




                                       38
<PAGE>   43

PENALTY TAX ON PREMATURE DISTRIBUTIONS

         There is a 10% penalty tax on the taxable amount of any payment from a
non-qualified contract unless the payment is: (a) received on or after the
contract owner reaches age 59 1/2; (b) attributable to the contract owner's
becoming disabled (as defined in the tax law); (c) made to a beneficiary on or
after the death of the contract owner or, if the contract owner is not an
individual, on or after the death of the primary annuitant (as defined in the
tax law); (d) made as a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not
less frequently than annually) for the life (or life expectancy) of the
annuitant or for the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the annuitant
and designated beneficiary (as defined in the tax law); (e) made under an
annuity contract purchased with a single premium when the annuity starting date
(as defined in the tax law) is no later than a year from purchase of the annuity
and substantially equal periodic payments are made, not less frequently than
annually, during the annuity period; or (f) made with respect to certain
annuities issued in connection with structured settlement agreements. (A similar
penalty tax, applicable to distributions from certain qualified contracts, is
discussed below.)

AGGREGATION OF CONTRACTS

   
         In certain circumstances, the amount of an annuity payment or a
withdrawal from a contract that is includible in income may be determined by
combining some or all of the non-qualified contracts owned by an individual. For
example, if a person purchases a contract offered by this Prospectus and also
purchases at approximately the same time an immediate annuity, the IRS may treat
the two contracts as one contract. In addition, if a person purchases two or
more deferred annuity contracts from the same insurance company (or its
affiliates) during any calendar year, all such contracts will be treated as one
contract. The effects of such aggregation are not clear; however, it could
affect the amount of a withdrawal or an annuity payment that is taxable and the
amount which might be subject to the penalty tax described above.
    

QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS

         The contracts are also designed for use in connection with certain
types of retirement plans which receive favorable treatment under the Code.
Numerous special tax rules apply to the participants in such qualified plans and
to the contracts used in connection with such qualified plans. Therefore, no
attempt is made in this Prospectus to provide more than general information
about use of the contract with the various types of qualified plans.

   
         The tax rules applicable to qualified plans vary according to the type
of plan and the terms and conditions of the plan itself. For example, for both
withdrawals and annuity payments under certain qualified contracts, there may be
no "investment in the contract" and the total amount received may be taxable.
Also, loans from qualified contracts, where allowed, are subject to a variety of
limitations, including restrictions as to the amount that may be borrowed, the
duration of the loan, and the manner in which the loan must be repaid. (Owners
should always consult their tax advisors and retirement plan fiduciaries prior
to exercising their loan privileges.) Both the amount of the contribution that
may be made, and the tax deduction or exclusion that the owner may claim for
such contribution, are limited under qualified plans. Those who are considering
the purchase of a contract in connection with a qualified plan should consider,
in evaluating the suitability of the contract, that the contract requires a
minimum initial purchase payment of $25,000. If this contract is used in
connection with a qualified plan, the owner and annuitant must be the same
individual. If a co-annuitant is named, all distributions made while the
annuitant is alive must be made to the annuitant. Also, if a co-annuitant is
named who is not the annuitant's spouse, the annuity options which are available
may be limited, depending on the difference in ages between the annuitant and
co-annuitant. Furthermore, the length of any guarantee period may be limited in
some circumstances to satisfy certain minimum distribution requirements under
the Code.
    

         In addition, special rules apply to the time at which distributions
must commence and the form in which the distributions must be paid. For example,
failure to comply with minimum distribution requirements applicable to qualified
plans will result in the imposition of an excise tax. This excise tax generally
equals 50% of the amount by which a minimum required distribution exceeds the
actual distribution from the qualified plan. In the case of IRAs, distributions
of minimum amounts (as specified in the tax law) must generally commence by
April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the owner
attains age 70 1/2. In the case of certain other qualified plans, distributions
of such minimum amounts must generally commence by the later of this date or
April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the employee
retires.

   
         There is also a 10% penalty tax on the taxable amount of any payment
from certain qualified contracts (but not Section 457 plans). (The amount of the
penalty tax is 25% of the taxable amount of any payment received from a "SIMPLE
retirement account" during the 2-year period beginning on the date the
individual first participated in any qualified salary reduction arrangement (as
defined in the tax law) maintained by the individual's employer.) There are
exceptions to this penalty tax which vary depending on the type of qualified
plan. In the case of an "Individual Retirement Annuity" or an "IRA", including
    



                                       39
<PAGE>   44
   
a "SIMPLE IRA," exceptions provide that the penalty tax does not apply to a
payment (a) received on or after the contract owner reaches age 59 1/2, (b)
received on or after the owner's death or because of the owner's disability (as
defined in the tax law), or (c) made as a series of substantially equal periodic
payments (not less frequently than annually) for the life (or life expectancy)
of the owner or for the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the owner
and designated beneficiary (as defined in the tax law). These exceptions, as
well as certain others not described herein, generally apply to taxable
distributions from other qualified plans (although, in the case of plans
qualified under Sections 401 and 403, exception "c" above for substantially
equal periodic payments applies only if the owner has separated from service).
In addition, the penalty tax does not apply to certain distributions from IRAs
taken after December 31, 1997 which are used for qualified first time home
purchases or for higher education expenses. Special conditions must be met to
quality for these two exceptions to the penalty tax. Owners wishing to take a
distribution from an IRA for these purposes should consult their tax advisor.
    

         When issued in connection with a qualified plan, a contract will be
amended as generally necessary to conform to the requirements of the plan.
However, contract owners, annuitants, and beneficiaries are cautioned that the
rights of any person to any benefits under qualified plans may be subject to the
terms and conditions of the plans themselves, regardless of the terms and
conditions of the contract. In addition, the Company shall not be bound by terms
and conditions of qualified plans to the extent such terms and conditions
contradict the contract, unless the Company consents.

QUALIFIED PLAN TYPES

         Following are brief descriptions of various types of qualified plans in
connection with which the Company may issue a contract.

   
         Individual Retirement Annuities. Section 408 of the Code permits
eligible individuals to contribute to an individual retirement program known as
an "Individual Retirement Annuity" or "IRA." IRAs are subject to limits on the
amounts that may be contributed, the persons who may be eligible and on the time
when distributions may commence. Also, distributions from certain other types of
qualified retirement plans may be "rolled over" on a tax-deferred basis into an
IRA. The contract may not, however be used in connection with an "Education IRA"
under Section 530 of the Code.
    

         IRAs generally may not provide life insurance coverage, but they may
provide a death benefit that equals the greater of the premiums paid and the
contract value. The contract provides a death benefit that in certain
circumstances may exceed the greater of the purchase payments and the contract
value. It is possible that the contract's death benefit could be viewed as
providing life insurance coverage with the result that the contract would not be
viewed as satisfying the requirements of an IRA.

         Simplified Employee Pensions (SEP-IRAs). Section 408(k) of the Code
allows employers to establish simplified employee pension plans for their
employees, using the employees' IRAs for such purposes, if certain criteria are
met. Under these plans the employer may, within specified limits, make
deductible contributions on behalf of the employees to IRAs. As discussed above
(see Individual Retirement Annuities), there is some uncertainty regarding the
treatment of the contract's death benefit for purposes of the tax rules
governing IRAs (which would include SEP-IRAs). Employers intending to use the
contract in connection with such plans should seek competent advice.

         SIMPLE IRAs. Section 408(p) of the Code permits certain small employers
to establish "SIMPLE retirement accounts," including SIMPLE IRAs, for their
employees. Under SIMPLE IRAs, certain deductible contributions are made by both
employees and employers. SIMPLE IRAs are subject to various requirements,
including limits on the amounts that may be contributed, the persons who may be
eligible, and the time when distributions may commence. As discussed above (see
Individual Retirement Annuities), there is some uncertainty regarding the proper
characterization of the contract's death benefit for purposes of the tax rules
governing IRAs (which would include SIMPLE IRAs). Employers intending to use the
contract in connection with such plans should seek competent advice.

         Corporate and Self-Employed ("H.R. 10" and "Keogh") Pension and
Profit-Sharing Plans. Sections 401(a) and 403(a) of the Code permit corporate
employers to establish various types of tax-favored retirement plans for
employees. The Self-Employed Individuals' Tax Retirement Act of 1962, as
amended, commonly referred to as "H.R. 10" or "Keogh", permits self-employed
individuals also to establish such tax-favored retirement plans for themselves
and their employees. Such retirement plans may permit the purchase of the
contracts in order to provide benefits under the plans. The contract provides a
death benefit that in certain circumstances may exceed the greater of the
purchase payments and the contract value. It is possible that such death benefit
could be characterized as an incidental death benefit. There are limitations on
the amount of incidental benefits that may be provided under pension and profit
sharing plans. In addition, the provision of such benefits may result in current
taxable income to participants. Employers intending to use the contract in
connection with such plans should seek competent advice.



                                       40
<PAGE>   45

   
         Tax-Sheltered Annuities. Section 403(b) of the Code permits public
school employees and employees of certain types of charitable, educational and
scientific organizations specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Code to have
their employers purchase annuity contracts for them and, subject to certain
limitations, to exclude the amount of purchase payments from gross income for
tax purposes. These annuity contracts are commonly referred to as "tax-sheltered
annuities". Purchasers of the contracts for such purposes should seek competent
advice as to eligibility, limitations on permissible amounts of purchase
payments and other tax consequences associated with the contracts. In
particular, purchasers should consider that the contract provides a death
benefit that in certain circumstances may exceed the greater of the purchase
payments and the contract value. It is possible that such death benefit could be
characterized as an incidental death benefit. If the death benefit were so
characterized, this could result in currently taxable income to purchasers. In
addition, there are limitations on the amount of incidental benefits that may be
provided under a tax-sheltered annuity. Even if the death benefit under the
contract were characterized as an incidental death benefit, it is unlikely to
violate those limits unless the purchaser also purchases a life insurance
contract as part of his or her tax-sheltered annuity plan.

         Tax-sheltered annuity contracts must contain restrictions on
withdrawals of (i) contributions made pursuant to a salary reduction agreement
in years beginning after December 31, 1988, (ii) earnings on those
contributions, and (iii) earnings after 1988 on amounts attributable to salary
reduction contributions (and earnings on those contributions) held as of the
last day of the year beginning before January 1, 1989. These amounts can be paid
only if the employee has reached age 59 1/2, separated from service, died, or
become disabled (within the meaning of the tax law), or in the case of hardship
(within the meaning of the tax law). Amounts permitted to be distributed in the
event of hardship are limited to actual contributions; earnings thereon cannot
be distributed on account of hardship. Amounts subject to the withdrawal
restrictions applicable to Section 403(b)(7) custodial accounts may be subject
to more stringent restrictions. (These limitations on withdrawals do not apply
to the extent the Company is directed to transfer some or all of the contract
value to the issuer of another tax-sheltered annuity or into a Section 403(b)(7)
custodial account.)

         Deferred Compensation Plans of State and Local Governments and
Tax-Exempt Organizations. Section 457 of the Code permits employees of state and
local governments and tax-exempt organizations to defer a portion of their
compensation without paying current taxes. The employees must be participants in
an eligible deferred compensation plan. Generally, a contract purchased by a
state or local government or a tax-exempt organization will not be treated as an
annuity contract for Federal income tax purposes. Those who intend to use the
contracts in connection with such plans should seek competent advice.

ROTH IRAS

         Recently enacted Section 408A of the Code permits eligible individuals
to contribute to a type of IRA known as a "Roth IRA." Roth IRAs differ from
other IRAs in several respects. Among the differences is that, although
contributions to a Roth IRA are not deductible, "qualified distributions" from a
Roth IRA will be excludable from income. Additionally, the eligibility and
mandatory distribution requirements for Roth IRAs differ from non-Roth IRAs.
Furthermore, a rollover may be made to a Roth IRA only if it is a "qualified
rollover contribution." A "qualified rollover contribution" is a rollover
contribution to a Roth IRA from another Roth IRA or from a non-Roth IRA, but
only if such rollover contribution meets the rollover requirements for IRAs
under Section 408(d)(3) of the Code. In the case of a qualified rollover
contribution or a transfer from a non-Roth IRA to a Roth IRA, any portion of the
amount rolled over which would be includible in gross income were it not part of
a qualified rollover contribution or a nontaxable transfer will be includible in
gross income. However, the 10 percent penalty tax on premature distributions
generally will not apply.

         All or part of amounts in a non-Roth IRA may be converted into a Roth
IRA. Such a conversion can be made without taking an actual distribution from
the IRA. For example, an individual may make a conversion by notifying the IRA
issuer or trustee, whichever is applicable. The conversion of an IRA to a Roth
IRA is a special type of qualified rollover distribution. Hence, the IRA
participant must be eligible to make a qualified rollover distribution in order
to convert an IRA to a Roth IRA. A conversion typically will result in the
inclusion of some or all of the IRA value in gross income, as described above.
Persons with adjusted gross incomes in excess of $100,000 or who are married and
file a separate return are not eligible to make a qualified rollover
contribution or a transfer in a taxable year from a non-Roth IRA to a Roth IRA.

         Any "qualified distribution" from a Roth IRA is excludible from gross
income. A "qualified distribution" is a payment or distribution which satisfies
two requirements. First, the payment or distribution must be (a) made after the
owner attains age 59 1/2, (b) made after the owner's death, (c) attributable to
the owner being disabled, or (d) a qualified first-time homebuyer distribution
within the meaning of Section 72(t)(2)(F) of the Code. Second, the payment or
distribution must be made in a taxable year that is at least five years after
(a) the first taxable year for which a contribution was made to any Roth IRA
established for the owner, or (b) in the case of a payment or distribution
properly allocable to a qualified rollover

    



                                       41
<PAGE>   46
   
contribution from a non-Roth IRA (or income allocable thereto), the taxable year
in which the rollover contribution was made. A distribution from a Roth IRA
which is not a qualified distribution is generally taxed in the same manner as a
distribution from non-Roth IRAs. Distributions from a Roth IRA need not commence
at age 70 1/2.

         As described above (see "Individual Retirement Annuities"), there is
some uncertainty regarding the proper characterization of the contract's death
benefit for purposes of the tax rules governing IRAs (which include Roth IRAs).
Persons intending to use the contract in connection with a Roth IRA should seek
competent advice.
    

DIRECT ROLLOVERS

   
         If the contract is used in connection with a retirement plan that is
qualified under Sections 401(a), 403(a), or 403(b) of the Code, any "eligible
rollover distribution" from the contract will be subject to "direct rollover"
and mandatory withholding requirements. An eligible rollover distribution
generally is any taxable distribution from such qualified plans, excluding
certain amounts such as (i) minimum distributions required under Section
401(a)(9) of the Code, and (ii) certain distributions for life, life expectancy,
or for 10 years or more which are part of a "series of substantially equal
periodic payments."

         Under these requirements, Federal income tax equal to 20% of the
eligible rollover distribution will be withheld from the amount of the
distribution. Unlike withholding on certain other amounts distributed from the
contract, discussed below, the owner cannot elect out of withholding with
respect to an eligible rollover distribution. However, this 20% withholding will
not apply if, instead of receiving the eligible rollover distribution, the
distributee elects to have it directly transferred to certain qualified plans.
Prior to receiving an eligible rollover distribution, a notice will be provided
explaining generally the direct rollover and mandatory withholding requirements
and how to avoid the 20% withholding by electing a direct rollover.
    

FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING

   
         The Company will withhold and remit to the U.S. Government a part of
the taxable portion of each distribution made under a contract unless the
distributee notifies the Company at or before the time of the distribution that
he or she elects not to have any amounts withheld. In certain circumstances, the
Company may be required to withhold tax. The withholding rates applicable to the
taxable portion of periodic annuity payments are the same as the withholding
rates generally applicable to payments of wages. In addition, the withholding
rate applicable to the taxable portion of non-periodic payments (including
withdrawals prior to the maturity date and rollovers from non-Roth IRAs to Roth
IRAs) is 10%. As discussed above, the withholding rate applicable to eligible
rollover distributions is 20%.
    

                                 GENERAL MATTERS

TAX DEFERRAL

   
         The status of the contract as an annuity generally allows all earnings
on the underlying investments to be tax-deferred until withdrawn or until
annuity payments begin (see "FEDERAL TAX MATTERS"). This tax deferred treatment
may be beneficial to contract owners in building assets in a long-term
investment program.
    

PERFORMANCE DATA

   
         Each of the sub-accounts may in its advertising and sales materials
quote total return figures. The sub-accounts may advertise both "standardized"
and "non-standardized" total return figures, although standardized figures will
always accompany non-standardized figures. Non-standardized total return figures
may be quoted assuming both (i) redemption at the end of the time period and
(ii) not assuming redemption at the end of the time period. Standardized figures
include total return figures from: (i) the inception date of the sub-account of
the Variable Account which invests in the portfolio or (ii) ten years, whichever
period is shorter. Non-standardized figures include total return numbers from:
(i) inception date of the portfolio or (ii) ten year, whichever period is
shorter. Such figures will always include the average annual total return for
recent one year and, when applicable, five and ten year periods and, where less
than ten years, the inception date of the sub-account, in the case of
standardized returns, and the inception date of the portfolio, in the case of
nonstandardized returns. Where the period since inception is less than one year,
the total return quoted will be the aggregate return for the period. The average
annual total return is the average annual compounded rate of return that equates
a purchase payment to the market value of such purchase payment on the last day
of the period for which such return is calculated. The aggregate total return is
the percentage change (not annualized) that equates a purchase payment to the
market value of such purchase payment on the last day of the period for which
such return is calculated. For
    



                                       42
<PAGE>   47

   
purposes of the calculations it is assumed that an initial payment of $1,000 is
made on the first day of the period for which the return is calculated. For
total return figures quoted for periods prior to the commencement of the
offering of the contract, standardized performance data will be the historical
performance of the Trust portfolio from the date the applicable sub-account of
the Variable Account first became available for investment under other contracts
offered by the Company, adjusted to reflect current contract charges. In the
case of non-standardized performance, performance figures will be the historical
performance of the Trust portfolio from the inception date of the portfolio (or
in the case of the Trust portfolios created in connection with the merger of
Manulife Series Fund, Inc. into the Trust, the inception date of the applicable
predecessor Manulife Series Fund portfolio), adjusted to reflect current
contract charges. Past performance figures quoted are not intended to indicate
future performance of any sub-account. More detailed information on the
computations is set forth in the Statement of Additional Information.
    

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

         Financial Statements for the Variable Account and the Company are
contained in the Statement of Additional Information.

ASSET ALLOCATION AND TIMING SERVICES

         The Company is aware that certain third parties are offering asset
allocation and timing services in connection with the contracts. In certain
cases the Company has agreed to honor transfer instructions from such asset
allocation and timing services where it has received powers of attorney, in a
form acceptable to it, from the contract owners participating in the service.
The COMPANY DOES NOT ENDORSE, APPROVE OR RECOMMEND SUCH SERVICES IN ANY WAY AND
CONTRACT OWNERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT FEES PAID FOR SUCH SERVICES ARE SEPARATE
AND IN ADDITION TO FEES PAID UNDER The CONTRACTS.

RESTRICTIONS UNDER THE TEXAS OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM

          Section 830.105 of the Texas Government Code permits participants in
the Texas Optional Retirement Program ("ORP") to withdraw their interest in a
variable annuity contract issued under the ORP only upon (1) termination of
employment in the Texas public institutions of higher education, (2) retirement,
(3) death, or (4) the participant's attainment of age 70 1/2. Accordingly,
before any amounts may be distributed from the contract, proof must be furnished
to the Company that one of these four events has occurred. The foregoing
restrictions on withdrawal do not apply in the event a participant in the ORP
transfers the contract value to another contract or another qualified custodian
during the period of participation in the ORP. Loans are not available under
contracts subject to the ORP.

DISTRIBUTION OF CONTRACTS

   
         MSS located at 73 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108, a
Delaware limited liability company controlled by the Company, is the principal
underwriter of the contracts in addition to providing advisory services to the
Trust. MSS is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 (the "1934 Act") and a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"). MSS has entered into a non-exclusive promotional
agent agreement with Wood Logan Associates, Inc. ("Wood Logan"). Wood Logan is a
broker-dealer registered under the 1934 Act and a member of the NASD. Wood Logan
is a wholly owned subsidiary of a holding company that is 62.5% owned by The
Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.), 22.5% owned by MRL Holding, LLC
and approximately 15% owned by the principals of Wood Logan. Sales of the
contracts will be made by registered representatives of broker-dealers
authorized by MSS to sell the contracts. Such registered representatives will
also be licensed insurance agents of the Company. Under the promotional agent
agreement, Wood Logan will recruit and provide sales training and licensing
assistance to such registered representatives. In addition, Wood Logan will
prepare sales and promotional materials for the Company's approval. MSS will pay
distribution compensation to selling brokers in varying amounts which under
normal circumstances are not expected to exceed 6% of purchase payments and
0.75% of the contract value per year beginning in the second contract year. MSS
may from time to time pay additional compensation pursuant to promotional
contests. Additionally, in some circumstances, MSS will provide reimbursement of
certain sales and marketing expenses. MSS will pay the promotional agent for
providing marketing support for the distribution of the contracts.
    

CONTRACT OWNER INQUIRIES

         All contract owner inquiries should be directed to the Company's
Annuity Service Office at P.O. Box 9230, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9230.




                                       43
<PAGE>   48

   
CONFIRMATION STATEMENTS

         Owners will be sent confirmation statements for certain transactions in
their account. Owners should carefully review these statements to verify their
accuracy. Any mistakes should immediately be reported to the Company's Annuity
Service Office. If the owner fails to notify the Company's Annuity Service
Office of any mistake within 60 days of the mailing of the confirmation
statement, the owner will be deemed to have ratified the transaction.
    

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   
         There are no legal proceedings to which the Variable Account is a party
or to which the assets of the Variable Account are subject. Neither the Company
nor MSS are involved in any litigation that is of material importance in
relation to their total assets or that relates to the Variable Account.
    

OTHER INFORMATION

   
         A registration statement has been filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act
with respect to the contracts described in this Prospectus. Not all the
information set forth in the registration statement, amendments and exhibits
thereto has been included in this Prospectus. Statements contained in this
Prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information concerning the content of
the contracts and other legal instruments are only summaries. For a complete
statement of the terms of these documents, reference should be made to the
instruments filed with the SEC.
    

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


   
General Information and History............................................  3
Performance Data...........................................................  3
Service
       Independent Auditors................................................  13
       Servicing Agent.....................................................  14
       Principal Underwriter...............................................  14
Cancellation of Contract...................................................  14
Financial Statements.......................................................  15
    





                                       44
<PAGE>   49


                                   APPENDIX A

                  EXAMPLES OF CALCULATION OF WITHDRAWAL CHARGE*

Example 1 - Assume a single payment of $50,000 is made into the contract, no
transfers are made, no additional payments are made and there are no partial
withdrawals. The table below illustrates four examples of the withdrawal charges
that would be imposed if the contract is completely withdrawn, based on
hypothetical contract values.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

    CONTRACT    HYPOTHETICAL        FREE         PURCHASE         WITHDRAWAL
      YEAR        CONTRACT       WITHDRAWAL      PAYMENTS           CHARGE
                    VALUE          AMOUNT       LIQUIDATED    -------------------
                                                              PERCENT      AMOUNT
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        <S>        <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>  
        1          55,000          5,000(a)       50,000         3%         1,500
        2          50,500          5,000(b)       45,500         3%         1,365
        3          60,000         10,000(c)       50,000         3%         1,500
        4          70,000         20,000(d)       50,000         0%             0

</TABLE>

(a)  During any contract year the free withdrawal amount is the greater of
     accumulated earnings, or 10% of the total purchase payments made under the
     contract less any prior partial withdrawals in that contract year. In the
     first contract year the earnings under the contract and 10% of purchase
     payments both equal $5,000. Consequently, on total withdrawal $5,000 is
     withdrawn free of the withdrawal charge, the entire $50,000 purchase
     payment is liquidated and the withdrawal charge is assessed against such
     liquidated purchase payment (contract value less free withdrawal amount).

(b)  In the example for the second contract year, the accumulated earnings of
     $500 is less than 10% of purchase payments, therefore the free withdrawal
     amount is equal to 10% of purchase payments ($50,000 X 10% = $5,000) and
     the withdrawal charge is only applied to purchase payments liquidated
     (contract value less free withdrawal amount).

(c)  In the example for the third contract year, the accumulated earnings of
     $10,000 is greater than 10% of purchase payments ($5,000), therefore the
     free withdrawal amount is equal to the accumulated earnings of $10,000 and
     the withdrawal charge is applied to the purchase payments liquidated
     (contract value less free withdrawal amount).

(d)  There is no withdrawal charge on any purchase payments liquidated that have
     been in the contract for at least 3 years.

Example 2 - Assume a single payment of $50,000 is made into the contract, no
transfers are made, no additional payments are made and there are a series of
four partial withdrawals made during the third contract year of $2,000, $5,000,
$7,000, and $8,000.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
     HYPOTHETICAL    PARTIAL         FREE        PURCHASE         WITHDRAWAL
       CONTRACT     WITHDRAWAL    WITHDRAWAL     PAYMENTS           CHARGE
         VALUE      REQUESTED       AMOUNT      LIQUIDATED    -------------------
                                                              PERCENT      AMOUNT
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        <S>            <C>          <C>            <C>            <C>        <C>  
        65,000         2,000        15,000(a)          0          3%           0
        49,000         5,000         3,000(b)      2,000          3%          60
        52,000         7,000         4,000(c)      3,000          3%          90
        44,000         8,000             0(d)      8,000          3%         240
</TABLE>
    

(a)  The free withdrawal amount during any contract year is the greater of the
     contract value less the unliquidated purchase payments (accumulated
     earnings), or 10% of purchase payments less 100% of all prior withdrawals
     in that contract year. For the first example, accumulated earnings of
     $15,000 is the free withdrawal amount since it is greater than 10% of
     purchase payments less prior withdrawals ($5,000-0). The amount requested
     ($2,000) is less than the free withdrawal amount so no purchase payments
     are liquidated and no withdrawal charge applies.

(b)  The contract has negative accumulated earnings ($49,000-$50,000), so the
     free withdrawal amount is limited to 10% of purchase payments less all
     prior withdrawals. Since $2,000 has already been withdrawn earlier in the
     current contract year, the remaining 



                                       45
<PAGE>   50


     free withdrawal amount during the third contract year is $3,000. The $5,000
     partial withdrawal will consist of $3,000 free of withdrawal charge, and
     the remaining $2,000 will be subject to a withdrawal charge and result in
     purchase payments being liquidated. The remaining unliquidated purchase
     payments are $48,000.

(c)  The contract has increased in value to $52,000. The unliquidated purchase
     payments are $48,000 so the accumulated earnings are $4,000, which is
     greater than 10% of purchase payments less prior withdrawals
     ($5,000-$2,000-$5,000[SMALLER THAN]0). Hence the free withdrawal amount is
     $4,000. Therefore, $3,000 of the $7,000 partial withdrawal will be subject
     to a withdrawal charge and result in purchase payments being liquidated.
     The remaining unliquidated purchase payments are $45,000.

(d)  The free withdrawal amount is zero since the contract has negative
     accumulated earnings ($44,000-$45,000) and the full 10% of purchase
     payments ($5,000) has already been utilized. The full amount of $8,000 will
     result in purchase payments being liquidated subject to a withdrawal
     charge. At the beginning of the next contract year the full 10% of purchase
     payments would be available again for withdrawal requests during that year.


* Effective November 1, 1996, no withdrawal charge will be imposed on
withdrawals from contracts issued on or after November 1, 1996.





                                       46
<PAGE>   51

                                   APPENDIX B

                               STATE PREMIUM TAXES

Premium taxes vary according to the state and are subject to change. In many
jurisdictions there is no tax at all. For current information, a tax adviser
should be consulted.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
                                                          TAX RATE
                                                --------------------------------  
                                                QUALIFIED          NON-QUALIFIED
STATE                                           CONTRACTS            CONTRACTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>                 <C>  
CALIFORNIA......................................    .50%                2.35%
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA............................   2.25%                2.25%
KENTUCKY........................................   2.00%                2.00%
MAINE...........................................    .00%                2.00%
NEVADA..........................................    .00%                3.50%
PUERTO RICO.....................................   1.00%                1.00%
SOUTH DAKOTA*...................................    .00%                1.25%
WEST VIRGINIA...................................   1.00%                1.00%
WYOMING.........................................    .00%                1.00%
</TABLE>


* Premium tax paid upon receipt of premium (no tax at annuitization if tax paid
on premium at issue).
    




                                       47
<PAGE>   52

                                   APPENDIX C

For all contracts issued in Pennsylvania the maximum maturity age based upon the
issue age of the annuitant is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             ISSUE AGE                                  MAXIMUM MATURITY AGE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             <S>                                                <C>
             70 or less                                           85
             71-75                                                86
             76-80                                                88
             81-85                                                90
             86-90                                                93
             91-93                                                96
             94-95                                                98
             96-97                                                99
             98-99                                               101
             100-101                                             102
             102                                                 103
             103                                                 104
             104                                                 105
             105                                                 106
</TABLE>

     It is required that the annuitant exercise a settlement annuity option no
later than the maximum maturity age stated above. For example an annuitant age
60 at issue must exercise a settlement option prior to the attainment of age 86.
The Company will use the issue age of the youngest named annuitant in the
determination of the required settlement option date.

     If contracts are issued with annuitants over age 96, a withdrawal charge
could be imposed if they terminate the contract rather than elect a settlement
option upon attainment of the maximum maturity age. This is a result of the
restrictions by Pennsylvania in combination with the 3-year withdrawal charge
schedule of the contract.



                                       48
<PAGE>   53

   
                                   APPENDIX D
                         PRIOR CONTRACTS (VV CONTRACTS)

PRIOR CONTRACTS

         This Appendix D sets forth the principal differences between the
contract offered by this Prospectus and a class of variable annuity contract
issued by the Company which is offered in the states of Washington and Maryland
("prior contracts" or "VV" contracts") and which were previously sold in other
states during the period ____ to ____. The principal differences between the
contract offered by this Prospectus and the VV contract relate to the death
benefit provisions.

DEATH BENEFIT PROVISIONS

Prior Contract Death Benefit Provisions

         The provisions governing death benefits under the prior contract are as
follows:

Death of Last Surviving Annuitant (Where the Annuitant Was Not an Owner)

         The Company will pay the minimum death benefit, less any debt, to the
beneficiary if (1) the annuitant dies before the maturity date, (2) the
annuitant is not an owner, (3) there is no surviving co-annuitant, and (4) no
owner of the contract is a non-natural person. (If any owner of the contract is
a non-natural person, the death or change of any annuitant is treated as the
death of an owner -- see "Death of Owner") The beneficiary (1) may elect to
receive payment (either as a lump sum or in accordance with any annuity option
described in the contract) or (2) may elect to continue the contract, as its
owner, with the contract value on the date due proof of death and all required
claim forms are received, equal to the minimum death benefit. An election to
receive the minimum death benefit under an annuity option must be made within 60
days after the date on which the death benefit first becomes payable (see
"Annuity Options"). (In general, a beneficiary who continues the contract will
nonetheless be treated for Federal income tax purposes as if he or she had
received the minimum death benefit.)

Death of Owner

         Deceased Owner (Who was the Last-Surviving Annuitant): The Company will
pay the minimum death benefit, less any debt, to the beneficiary if (1) an owner
dies before the maturity date, (2) the deceased owner is an annuitant, and (3)
there is no surviving co-annuitant. If the contract is a non-qualified contract,
after the owner's death, the beneficiary's entire interest must be distributed
within five years unless (1) the beneficiary elects to receive his or her
interest as an annuity which begins within one year of the owner's death and is
paid over the beneficiary's life or over a period not extending beyond the
beneficiary's life expectancy or (2) the beneficiary is the deceased owner's
surviving spouse and elects to continue the contract, as its owner, with the
contract value on the date due proof of death and all required claim forms are
received, equal to the minimum death benefit. An election to receive the minimum
death benefit as an annuity must be made within 60 days after the date on which
the death benefit first becomes payable (see "Annuity Options"). If the spouse
continues the contract, the distribution rules applicable when a contract owner
dies generally will apply when that spouse, as the owner, dies. For purposes of
this paragraph, in determining the minimum death benefit, withdrawal charges
(applicable when an annuitant either dies after the first of the month following
his or her 85th birthday or when the annuitant had attained age 81 or greater on
the contract date -- see "Minimum Death Benefit") will be taken into account,
but only when the minimum death benefit is paid and only if such charges would
have applied if the payment had been made to the deceased owner at that time.

         Deceased Owner (Who was Not the Last-Surviving Annuitant and There Are
No Surviving Owners): If (1) an owner dies before the maturity date, (2) any
annuitant survives, and (3) there are no surviving owners, the Company will
transfer the interest in the contract to the successor owner. If the contract is
a non-qualified contract, after the owner's death, the successor owner's entire
interest in the contract must be distributed within five years unless (1) the
successor owner elects to receive payment of the interest in the contract as an
annuity which begins within one year of the owner's death and is paid over the
successor owner's life or over a period not extending beyond the successor
owner's life expectancy or (2) the successor owner is the deceased owner's
surviving spouse and elects to continue the contract, as its owner, with the
contract value on the date due proof of death and all required claim forms are
received, equal to the interest in the contract. An election to receive the
interest in the contract as an annuity must be made within 60 days after the
date on which the death benefit first becomes payable (see "Annuity Options").
If the spouse continues the contract, the distribution rules applicable when a
contract owner dies generally will apply when that spouse, as the owner, dies.
If the deceased Owner had not attained age 81 on the contract date, the interest
in the contract equals the contract value. If the deceased Owner had attained
age 81 on the contract date, the interest in the contract also equals the
contract value, but such interest may be subject to applicable withdrawal
charges when any amounts are actually paid (see "Withdrawals"). The
    





                                       49
<PAGE>   54


   
successor owner's right to the interest in the contract does not affect the
annuitant designations in the contract, although the successor owner may change
such designations after acquiring the interest in the contract.

         Deceased Owner (Who was Not the Last-Surviving Annuitant and There Are
Surviving Owners): If (1) an owner dies before the maturity date, (2) any
annuitant survives, and (3) there is a surviving owner, the Company will
transfer the interest in the contract to the surviving owner. The amount of this
interest and the rights and restrictions attendant to this transfer are the same
as those described in the immediately preceding paragraph, except that
"surviving owner" should be substituted for "successor owner," wherever these
terms appear.

         Non-Natural Owners: If any owner of a non-qualified contract is not an
individual, the death or change of any annuitant will be treated as the death of
an owner (who was not the last-surviving annuitant), unless the last-surviving
annuitant has actually died in which case the death will be treated as the death
of an owner (who is the last-surviving annuitant).

         Application of Distributed Amounts Towards the Purchase of a New
Contract: A beneficiary, successor owner, or surviving owner, as the case may
be, may apply amounts required to be distributed towards the purchase of a new
contract. In general, if such distributed amounts are so applied, the
beneficiary, successor owner, or surviving owner will be treated for Federal
income tax purposes as if he or she had received these distributed amounts.

Minimum Death Benefit

         If the last surviving annuitant dies on or before the first of the
month following his or her 85th birthday and had an attained age of less than 81
years on the contract date, the minimum death benefit will be equal to the
greater of: (a) the contract value on the date due proof of death and all
required claim forms are received at the Company's Annuity Service Office, or
(b) the excess of (i) the sum of each purchase payment accumulated daily, at the
equivalent of 5% per year, starting on the date each purchase payment is
allocated to the Contract, with a maximum accumulation of two times each
purchase payment, over (ii) the sum of each withdrawal or annuitized amount,
including any applicable withdrawal charges, accumulated daily at a rate
equivalent to 5% per year, starting as of the date of each such withdrawal or
annuitization, with a maximum accumulation of two times each such withdrawal or
annuitization amount. If the last surviving annuitant dies after the first of
the month following his or her 85th birthday and had an attained age of less
than 81 years on the contract date, the minimum death benefit will be equal to
the greater of: (a) the contract value on the date due proof of death and all
required claim forms are received at the Company's Annuity Service Office, or
(b) the excess of (i) the sum of all purchase payments over (ii) the sum of any
amounts deducted in connection with partial withdrawals. If the last surviving
annuitant dies and the Annuitant had an attained age of 81 or greater on the
contract date, the minimum death benefit payable on due proof of death and
receipt of all required claim forms will equal the amount payable on total
withdrawal.

OTHER CONTRACT PROVISIONS

Annuity Tables Assumed Interest Rate

         A 4% assumed interest rate is built into the annuity tables in the
prior contract used to determine the first variable annuity payment to be made
under that contract.
    

                        TABLE OF ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   
=================================================================================================================
SUB-ACCOUNT                       UNIT VALUE AT START OF     UNIT VALUE AT END OF YEAR     NUMBER OF UNITS AT END
                                           YEAR*                                                  OF YEAR
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>                         <C>                        <C>
Pacific Rim Emerging Markets
1997
                                             $                           $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Science & Technology
1997                                         $                           $                           $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Small Cap
1996                                    $12.500000                   $13.465203                 233,342.969
1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emerging Growth
1997                                         $                           $                           $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pilgrim Baxter Growth
1997                                         $                           $                           $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small/Mid Cap
    
</TABLE>



                                       50
<PAGE>   55
<TABLE>
   
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                                     <C>                         <C>                        <C>        
1996                                    $12.500000                  $13.188627                 283,880.941
1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Stock
1997                                         $                           $                           $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-ACCOUNT                       UNIT VALUE AT START OF     UNIT VALUE AT END OF YEAR     NUMBER OF UNITS AT END
                                            YEAR*                                                  OF YEAR
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Growth
1997                                         $                           $                           $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Equity
1994                                    $13.117996                  $12.153179                  49,050.593
1995                                     12.153179                   12.872711                 361,285.266
1996                                     12.872711                   14.257610               2,854,082.412
1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Company Value
1997                                         $                           $                           $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity
1994                                    $10.675585                  $10.965867                  36,324.491
1995                                     10.965867                   15.402974                 663,652.478
1996                                     15.402974                   18.199588               2,871,862.671
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth
1996                                    $12.500000                  $13.711434                  59,459.482
1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quantitative Equity
1997                                         $                           $                           $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Chip Growth
1994                                     $9.145044                   $9.280989                  18,796.455
1995                                      9.280989                   11.551552                 274,368.201
1996                                     11.551552                   14.303631               1,496,909.237
1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real Estate Securities
1997                                         $                           $                           $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value
1997                                         $                           $                           $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Growth & Income
1995
1996                                     $10.00000                  $10.528678                 178,852.062
1997                                     10.528678                   11.660474                 687,006.606
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth and Income
1994                                    $10.576574                  $10.436393                  24,644.881
1995                                     10.436393                   13.263871                 448,739.926
1996                                     13.263871                   16.024067               2,888,470.321
1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity-Income
1994                                    $10.844086                  $10.578121                  31,102.019
1995                                     10.578121                   12.870851                 375,815.524
1996                                     12.870851                   15.172018               2,075,876.729
1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced
1997                                         $                           $                           $
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggressive Asset Allocation
1994                                    $10.444531                  $10.303433                   7,523.248
1995                                     10.303433                   12.443644                  67,382.620
1996                                     12.443644                   13.829135                 407,378.669
1997

    
</TABLE>




                                       51



<PAGE>   56

<TABLE>

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                                     <C>                         <C>                         <C>       
   
Moderate Asset Allocation
1994                                    $10.269505                  $10.156264                  19,952.394
1995                                     10.156264                   12.056663                 205,665.149
1996                                     12.056663                   13.039212               1,358,995.894
1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
</TABLE>




                                       52
<PAGE>   57

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   
==================================================================================================================
 SUB-ACCOUNT                       UNIT VALUE AT START OF     UNIT VALUE AT END OF YEAR     NUMBER OF UNITS AT END
                                            YEAR*                                                  OF YEAR
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                         <C>                           <C>      
 Conservative Asset Allocation
 1994
 1995                                    $10.124972                  $10.050011                    2,989.757
 1996                                     10.050011                   11.672867                  123,692.494
 1997                                     11.672867                   12.287873                  661,002.839
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Strategic Bond
 1994                                    $10.132498                   $9.897404                    9,621.542
 1995                                      9.897404                   11.607403                  146,877.133
 1996                                     11.607403                   13.093621                  687,006.604
 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Global Government Bond
 1994                                    $10.345362                  $10.262238                    6,324.370
 1995                                     10.262238                   12.434811                  108,887.995
 1996                                     12.434811                   13.821405                1,152,443.822
 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Capital Growth Bond
 1997                                         $                           $                           $
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Investment Quality Bond
 1994                                     $9.785855                   $9.713969                    5,980.272
 1995                                      9.713969                    11.417606                 143,843.254
 1996                                     11.417606                   11.519237                  727,979.095
 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 U.S. Government Securities
 1994                                    $10.033365                   $9.968713                   17,964.448
 1995                                      9.968713                   11.333420                  218,996.714
 1996                                     11.333420                   11.522857                  909,658.556
 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Money Market
 1994                                    $10.172129                  $10.290731                   46,595.747
 1995                                     10.290731                   10.692803                  282,116.623
 1996                                     10.692803                   11.048244                1,414,861.094
 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lifestyle Aggressive 1000
   1997                                  $12.500000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lifestyle Growth 820
   1997                                  $12.500000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lifestyle Balanced 640
   1997                                  $12.500000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lifestyle Moderate 460
   1997                                  $12.500000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Lifestyle Conservative 280
   1997                                  $12.500000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    

</TABLE>

   
* Units under each series of contracts were first credited under the
sub-accounts on August 9, 1994, except in the case of International Growth and
Income where units were first credited on January 9, 1995, Small/Mid Cap and
International Small Cap where units were first credited on March 4, 1996, Growth
where units were first credited on July 15, 1996, Pacific Rim Emerging Markets,
Science & Technology, Pilgrim Baxter Growth, International Stock, Worldwide
Growth, Quantitative Equity, Real Estate Securities, Value, Balanced and Capital
Growth Bond, Lifestyle Aggressive, Lifestyle Growth, Lifestyle Balanced,
Lifestyle Moderate, Lifestyle Conservative where units were first credited on
January 2, 1997 and Small Company Value where units were first credited on
October 1, 1997.
    



                                       53




<PAGE>   58
      
                                     PART B


                           INFORMATION REQUIRED IN A

                      STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

<PAGE>   59

                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
================================================================================
   
  THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
    
================================================================================

                                       OF

   
            THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA
    

                  FLEXIBLE PURCHASE PAYMENT INDIVIDUAL DEFERRED
                            VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT
                                NON-PARTICIPATING





   
     This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It contains
information in addition to that described in the Prospectus and should be read
in conjunction with the Prospectus dated the same date as this Statement of
Additional Information. The Prospectus may be obtained by writing The
Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America at the Annuity Service
Office, P.O. Box 9230, Boston, Massachusetts 02205-9230 or telephoning (617)
266-6008.
    

   
      The date of this Statement of Additional Information is May 1, 1998.
    


   
           The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America
                              116 Huntington Avenue
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02116
                                 (617) 266-6008
    



================================================================================


   
V1525.SAI 598
    
<PAGE>   60



                       STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
General Information and History.......................................  3
Performance Data......................................................  3
Service
       Independent Auditors...........................................  13
       Servicing Agent................................................  14
       Principal Underwriter..........................................  14
Cancellation of Contract..............................................  14
Financial Statements..................................................  15
    

                                       3
<PAGE>   61



                         GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

   
     The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America Separate Account
A (the "Variable Account") is a separate investment account of The Manufacturers
Life Insurance Company of North America (the "Company"), a stock life insurance
company organized under the laws of Delaware in 1979. The ultimate parent of the
Company is The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company ("Manulife"), a Canadian
mutual life insurance Company based in Toronto, Canada. Prior to January 1,
1996, the Company was a wholly owned subsidiary of North American Life Assurance
Company ("NAL"), a Canadian mutual life insurance company. On January 1, 1996
NAL and Manulife merged with the combined company retaining the Manulife name.

     On January 20, 1998, the Board of Directors of Manulife asked the
management of Manulife to prepare a plan for conversion of Manulife from a
mutual life insurance company to an investor-owned, publicly-traded stock
company. Any demutualization plan for Manulife is subject to the approval of the
Manulife Board of Directors and policyholders as well as regulatory approval.
    

                                PERFORMANCE DATA

   
     Each of the sub-accounts may in its advertising and sales materials quote
total return figures. The sub-accounts may advertise both "standardized" and
"non-standardized" total return figures, although standardized figures will
always accompany non-standardized figures. Non-standardized total return figures
may be quoted assuming both (i) redemption at the end of the time period and
(ii) not assuming redemption at the end of the time period. Standardized figures
include total return figures from: (i) the inception date of the sub-account of
the Variable Account which invests in the portfolio or (ii) ten years, whichever
period is shorter. Non-standardized figures include total return numbers from:
(i) inception date of the portfolio or (ii) ten years, whichever period is
shorter. Such figures will always include the average annual total return for
recent one year and, when applicable, five and ten year periods and, where less
than ten years, the inception date of the sub-account, in the case of
standardized returns, and the inception date of the portfolio, in the case of
nonstandardized returns. Where the period since inception is less than one year,
the total return quoted will be the aggregate return for the period. The average
annual total return is the average annual compounded rate of return that equates
a purchase payment to the market value of such purchase payment on the last day
of the period for which such return is calculated. The aggregate total return is
the percentage change (not annualized) that equates a purchase payment to the
market value of such purchase payment on the last day of the period for which
such return is calculated. For purposes of the calculations it is assumed that
an initial payment of $1,000 is made on the first day of the period for which
the return is calculated.
    

   
     In calculating standardized return figures, all recurring charges (all
asset charges (mortality and expense risk fees, administrative fees, and
distribution fees)) are reflected, and the asset charges are reflected in
changes in unit values. Standardized total return figures will be quoted
assuming redemption at the end of the period. Non-standardized total return
figures reflecting redemption at the end of the time period are calculated on
the same basis as the standardized returns. Non-standardized total return
figures not reflecting redemption at the end of the time period are calculated
on the same basis as the standardized returns except that the calculations
assume no redemption at the end of the period and do not reflect deduction of
the annual contract fee. The Company believes such non-standardized figures not
reflecting redemptions at the end of the time period are useful to contract
owners who wish to assess the performance of an ongoing contract of the size
that is meaningful to the individual contract owner.
    

   
     For total return figures quoted for periods prior to the commencement of
the offering of the contract, standardized performance data will be the
historical performance of the Trust portfolio from the date the applicable
sub-account of the Variable Account first became available for investment under
other contracts offered by the Company, adjusted to reflect current contract
charges. In the case of non-standardized performance, performance figures will
be the historical performance of the Trust portfolio from the inception date of
the portfolio (or in the case of the Trust portfolios created in connection with
the merger of Manulife Series Fund, Inc
    

                                       4
<PAGE>   62

   

                STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN FIGURES
                       CALCULATED AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
                  FOR CONTACTS ISSUED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=====================================================================================================
TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR       5 YEAR    SINCE INCEPTION OR 10    INCEPTION DATE*
                                                              YEARS, WHICHEVER IS
                                                                    SHORTER
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>              <C>                     <C>
Pacific Rim Emerging Markets          N/A           N/A             -36.37%                 1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Science & Technology                  N/A           N/A               5.94                  1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Small Cap              -3.54%         N/A               2.11                  3/04/96
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emerging Growth                       N/A           N/A              13.30                  1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pilgrim Baxter Growth                 N/A           N/A              -4.28                  1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small/Mid Cap                        10.37          N/A               8.78                  3/04/96
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Stock                   N/A           N/A              -1.76                  1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Growth                      N/A           N/A               8.45                  1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Equity                        15.82         12.77%             7.96                  3/18/88
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Company Value                   N/A           N/A              -7.43                  10/1/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity                               14.30         16.86             13.26(T)               6/18/85
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth                               20.30          N/A              21.05                  7/15/96
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quantitative Equity                   N/A           N/A              25.54                  1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Chip Growth                     21.86         11.26             10.96                 12/11/92
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real Estate Securities                N/A           N/A              16.30                  1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value                                 N/A           N/A              17.16                  1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Int'l Growth & Income                -4.37          N/A               3.75                  1/09/95
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth and Income                    27.66         16.96             15.33                  4/23/91
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity-Income                        24.59          N/A              15.58                  2/19/93
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced                              N/A           N/A              13.59                  1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggressive Asset Allocation          14.15         10.75              8.30                  8/03/89
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield                            N/A           N/A               7.85                  1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moderate Asset Allocation            10.98          8.92              7.29                  8/03/89
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conservative Asset                    6.63          6.77              6.00                  8/03/89
Allocation
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic Bond                        6.19          N/A               7.62                  2/19/93
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Government Bond               -1.48          8.16              7.09                  3/18/88
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    

                                       5
<PAGE>   63



   
<TABLE>
=====================================================================================================
<CAPTION>
TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR        5 YEAR    SINCE INCEPTION OR 10    INCEPTION DATE*
                                                              YEARS, WHICHEVER IS
                                                                    SHORTER
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>               <C>                   <C>
Capital Growth Bond                   N/A           N/A               4.61                 1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Quality Bond               5.02          5.38              4.02(T)              6/18/85
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Securities            3.80          4.87              5.49                 3/18/88
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Money Market                          0.63          2.76              3.72(T)              6/18/85
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Aggressive 1000             N/A           N/A               7.59                 1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Growth 820                  N/A           N/A              10.07                 1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Balanced 640                N/A           N/A              10.16                 1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Moderate 460                N/A           N/A               9.58                 1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Conservative 280            N/A           N/A               7.86                 1/01/97
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    

   
*   Inception date of the subaccount of the Variable Account which invests in 
    the portfolio.
    

   
(T) 10 year average annual return.
    


   
              NON-STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN FIGURES
               (ASSUMING REDEMPTION AT THE END OF THE TIME PERIOD)
                       CALCULATED AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
                  FOR CONTACTS ISSUED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================
TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR               5 YEAR        SINCE INCEPTION OR 10   INCEPTION DATE OF
                                                                         YEARS, WHICHEVER IS        PORTFOLIO
                                                                               SHORTER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                   <C>                   <C>                        <C>
Pacific Rim Emerging                -36.84%                N/A                  -9.51%                     10/4/94
Markets*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Science & Technology                  N/A                  N/A                   5.94                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Small Cap              -3.54                 N/A                   2.11                      3/04/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emerging Growth                       N/A                  N/A                  13.30                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pilgrim Baxter Growth                 N/A                  N/A                  -4.28                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small/Mid Cap                        10.37                 N/A                   8.78                      3/04/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Stock                   N/A                  N/A                  -1.76                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Growth                      N/A                  N/A                   8.45                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Equity                        15.82                12.77%                 7.96                      3/18/88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Company Value                   N/A                  N/A                  -7.43                      10/1/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity                               14.30                16.86                 13.26(T)                   6/18/85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    

                                       6
<PAGE>   64



   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================
TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR               5 YEAR        SINCE INCEPTION OR 10   INCEPTION DATE OF
                                                                         YEARS, WHICHEVER IS        PORTFOLIO
                                                                               SHORTER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                   <C>                   <C>                       <C>
Growth                               20.30                 N/A                  21.05                      7/15/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quantitative Equity*                 24.71                14.63                 13.23(T)                   4/30/87
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Chip Growth                     21.86                11.26                 10.96                     12/11/92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real Estate Securities*              13.47                15.05                 13.98(T)                   4/30/87
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value                                 N/A                  N/A                  17.16                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Int'l Growth & Income                -4.37                 N/A                   3.75                      1/09/95
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth and Income                    27.66                16.96                 15.33                      4/23/91
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity-Income                        24.59                 N/A                  15.58                      2/19/93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced                              N/A                  N/A                  13.59                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggressive Asset Allocation          14.15                10.75                  8.30                      8/03/89
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield                            N/A                  N/A                   7.85                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moderate Asset Allocation            10.98                 8.92                  7.29                      8/03/89
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conservative Asset                    6.63                 6.77                  6.00                      8/03/89
Allocation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic Bond                        6.19                 N/A                   7.62                      2/19/93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Government Bond               -1.48                 8.16                  7.09                      3/18/88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Growth Bond*                  4.03                 5.43                  6.75(T)                   6/26/84
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Quality Bond               5.02                 5.38                  4.02(T)                   6/18/85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Securities            3.80                 4.87                  5.49                      3/18/88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Money Market                          0.63                 2.76                  3.72(T)                   6/18/85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Aggressive 1000             N/A                  N/A                   7.59                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Growth 820                  N/A                  N/A                  10.07                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Balanced 640                N/A                  N/A                  10.16                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Moderate 460                N/A                  N/A                   9.58                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Conservative 280            N/A                  N/A                   7.86                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    

   
(T) 10 year average annual return.
    

   
*On December 31, 1996, Manulife Series Fund, Inc. merged with the Trust.
Performance presented for these sub-accounts is based upon the performance of
the respective predecessor Manulife Series Fund, Inc. portfolio for periods
prior to December 31, 1996. Performance for each of these sub-accounts is based
on the historical expenses and performance of the predecessor Manulife Series
Fund, Inc. portfolio, adjusted to reflect current contract charges, and,
therefore, does not reflect for periods prior to December 31, 1996 the current
Trust portfolio expenses that an investor would incur as a holder of units of
the sub-account.
    
                                       7
<PAGE>   65

   
              NON-STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN FIGURES
             (ASSUMING NO REDEMPTION AT THE END OF THE TIME PERIOD)
                       CALCULATED AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
                  FOR CONTACTS ISSUED PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    



   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================
TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR               5 YEAR        SINCE INCEPTION OR 10   INCEPTION DATE OF
                                                                         YEARS, WHICHEVER IS        PORTFOLIO
                                                                               SHORTER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                   <C>                   <C>                        <C>
Pacific Rim Emerging                -35.20%                N/A                  -9.51%                     10/4/94
Markets*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Science & Technology                  N/A                  N/A                   8.91                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Small Cap              -0.86                 N/A                   3.66                      3/04/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emerging Growth                       N/A                  N/A                  16.30                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pilgrim Baxter Growth                 N/A                  N/A                  -1.63                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small/Mid Cap                        13.37                 N/A                  10.30                      3/04/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Stock                   N/A                  N/A                   0.97                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Growth                      N/A                  N/A                  11.45                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Equity                        18.82                12.77%                 7.96                      3/18/88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Company Value                   N/A                  N/A                  -4.87                      10/1/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity                               17.30                16.86                 13.26(T)                   6/18/85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth                               23.30                 N/A                  22.92                      7/15/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quantitative Equity*                 27.71                14.63                 13.23(T)                   4/30/87
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Chip Growth                     24.86                11.26                 10.96                     12/11/92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real Estate Securities*              16.47                15.05                 13.98(T)                   4/30/87
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value                                 N/A                  N/A                  20.16                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Int'l Growth & Income                -1.72                 N/A                   4.68                      1/09/95
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth and Income                    30.66                16.96                 15.33                      4/23/91
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity-Income                        27.59                 N/A                  15.58                      2/19/93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced                              N/A                  N/A                  16.59                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggressive Asset Allocation          17.15                10.75                  8.30                      8/03/89
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield                            N/A                  N/A                  10.85                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moderate Asset Allocation            13.98                 8.92                  7.29                      8/03/89
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conservative Asset                    9.61                 6.77                  6.00                      8/03/89
Allocation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    
                                       8
<PAGE>   66

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================
TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR               5 YEAR        SINCE INCEPTION OR 10   INCEPTION DATE OF
                                                                         YEARS, WHICHEVER IS        PORTFOLIO
                                                                               SHORTER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                   <C>                   <C>                        <C>
Strategic Bond                        9.16                 N/A                   7.62                      2/19/93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Government Bond                1.26                 8.16                  7.09                      3/18/88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Growth Bond*                  6.94                 5.43                  6.75(T)                   6/26/84
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Quality Bond               7.96                 5.38                  4.02(T)                   6/18/85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Securities            6.70                 4.87                  5.49                      3/18/88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Money Market                          3.43                 2.76                  3.72(T)                   6/18/85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Aggressive 1000             N/A                  N/A                  10.59                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Growth 820                  N/A                  N/A                  13.07                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Balanced 640                N/A                  N/A                  13.16                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Moderate 460                N/A                  N/A                  12.58                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Conservative 280            N/A                  N/A                  10.86                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    

   
(T) 10 year average annual return.
    

   
* On December 31, 1996, Manulife Series Fund, Inc. merged with the Trust.
Performance presented for these sub-accounts is based upon the performance of
the respective predecessor Manulife Series Fund, Inc. portfolio for periods
prior to December 31, 1996. Performance for each of these sub-accounts is based
on the historical expenses and performance of the predecessor Manulife Series
Fund, Inc. portfolio, adjusted to reflect current contract charges, and,
therefore, does not reflect for periods prior to December 31, 1996 the current
Trust portfolio expenses that an investor would incur as a holder of units of
the sub-account.
    

   
                STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN FIGURES
                       CALCULATED AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
                   FOR CONTACTS ISSUED AFTER NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================
TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR               5 YEAR        SINCE INCEPTION OR 10    INCEPTION DATE*
                                                                         YEARS, WHICHEVER IS
                                                                               SHORTER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                   <C>                 <C>                          <C>
Pacific Rim Emerging Markets          N/A                  N/A                 -34.72%                     1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Science & Technology                  N/A                  N/A                   8.91                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Small Cap              -0.86%                N/A                   3.66                      3/04/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emerging Growth                       N/A                  N/A                  16.30                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pilgrim Baxter Growth                 N/A                  N/A                  -1.63                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small/Mid Cap                        13.37                 N/A                  10.30                      3/04/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Stock                   N/A                  N/A                   0.97                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Growth                      N/A                  N/A                  11.45                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    


                                       9
<PAGE>   67

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================
TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR               5 YEAR        SINCE INCEPTION OR 10    INCEPTION DATE*
                                                                         YEARS, WHICHEVER IS
                                                                               SHORTER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                   <C>                   <C>                       <C>
Global Equity                        18.82                12.77%                 7.96                      3/18/88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Company Value                   N/A                  N/A                  -4.87                      10/1/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity                               17.30                16.86                 13.26(T)                   6/18/85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth                               23.30                 N/A                  22.92                      7/15/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quantitative Equity                   N/A                  N/A                  28.54                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Chip Growth                     24.86                11.26                 10.96                     12/11/92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real Estate Securities                N/A                  N/A                  19.30                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value                                 N/A                  N/A                  20.16                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Int'l Growth & Income                -1.72                 N/A                   4.68                      1/09/95
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth and Income                    30.66                16.96                 15.33                      4/23/91
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity-Income                        27.59                 N/A                  15.58                      2/19/93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced                              N/A                  N/A                  16.59                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggressive Asset Allocation          17.15                10.75                  8.30                      8/03/89
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield                            N/A                  N/A                  10.85                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moderate Asset Allocation            13.98                 8.92                  7.29                      8/03/89
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conservative Asset                    9.61                 6.77                  6.00                      8/03/89
Allocation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic Bond                        9.16                 N/A                   7.62                      2/19/93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Government Bond                1.26                 8.16                  7.09                      3/18/88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Growth Bond                   N/A                  N/A                   7.54                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Quality Bond               7.96                 5.38                  4.02(T)                   6/18/85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Securities            6.70                 4.87                  5.49                      3/18/88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Money Market                          3.43                 2.76                  3.72(T)                   6/18/85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    

                                       10
<PAGE>   68




   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================
TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR               5 YEAR        SINCE INCEPTION OR 10    INCEPTION DATE*
                                                                         YEARS, WHICHEVER IS
                                                                               SHORTER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>                  <C>                  <C>                        <C>
Lifestyle Aggressive 1000             N/A                  N/A                  10.59                      1/01/97
  1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Growth 820                  N/A                  N/A                  13.07                      1/01/97
  1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Balanced 640                N/A                  N/A                  13.16                      1/01/97
  1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Moderate 460                N/A                  N/A                  12.58                      1/01/97
  1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Conservative 280            N/A                  N/A                  10.86                      1/01/97
  1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    

   
*  Inception date of the subaccount of the Variable Account which invests in
   the portfolio.
    

   
(T) 10 year average annual return.
    

   
              NON-STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN FIGURES
               (ASSUMING REDEMPTION AT THE END OF THE TIME PERIOD)
                       CALCULATED AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
                   FOR CONTACTS ISSUED AFTER NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================
TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR               5 YEAR        SINCE INCEPTION OR 10   INCEPTION DATE OF
                                                                         YEARS, WHICHEVER IS        PORTFOLIO
                                                                               SHORTER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                   <C>                   <C>                        <C>
Pacific Rim Emerging                -35.20%                N/A                  -9.51%                     10/4/94
Markets*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Science & Technology                  N/A                  N/A                   8.91                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Small Cap              -0.86                 N/A                   3.66                      3/04/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emerging Growth                       N/A                  N/A                  16.30                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pilgrim Baxter Growth                 N/A                  N/A                  -1.63                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small/Mid Cap                        13.37                 N/A                  10.30                      3/04/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Stock                   N/A                  N/A                   0.97                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Growth                      N/A                  N/A                  11.45                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Equity                        18.82                12.77%                 7.96                      3/18/88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Company Value                   N/A                  N/A                  -4.87                      10/1/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity                               17.30                16.86                 13.26(T)                   6/18/85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth                               23.30                 N/A                  22.92                      7/15/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quantitative Equity*                 27.71                14.63                 13.23(T)                   4/30/87
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Chip Growth                     24.86                11.26                 10.96                     12/11/92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    

                                       11

<PAGE>   69


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================
TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR               5 YEAR        SINCE INCEPTION OR 10   INCEPTION DATE OF
                                                                         YEARS, WHICHEVER IS        PORTFOLIO
                                                                               SHORTER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                   <C>                   <C>                        <C>
Real Estate Securities*              16.47                15.05                 13.98(T)                   4/30/87
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value                                 N/A                  N/A                  20.16                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Int'l Growth & Income                -1.72                 N/A                   4.68                      1/09/95
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth and Income                    30.66                16.96                 15.33                      4/23/91
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity-Income                        27.59                 N/A                  15.58                      2/19/93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced                              N/A                  N/A                  16.59                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggressive Asset Allocation          17.15                10.75                  8.30                      8/03/89
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield                            N/A                  N/A                  10.85                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moderate Asset Allocation            13.98                 8.92                  7.29                      8/03/89
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conservative Asset                    9.61                 6.77                  6.00                      8/03/89
Allocation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic Bond                        9.16                 N/A                   7.62                      2/19/93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Government Bond                1.26                 8.16                  7.09                      3/18/88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Growth Bond*                  6.94                 5.43                  6.75(T)                   6/26/84
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Quality Bond               7.96                 5.38                  4.02(T)                   6/18/85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Securities            6.70                 4.87                  5.49                      3/18/88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Money Market                          3.43                 2.76                  3.72(T)                   6/18/85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Aggressive 1000             N/A                  N/A                  10.59                      1/01/97
  1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Growth 820                  N/A                  N/A                  13.07                      1/01/97
  1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Balanced 640                N/A                  N/A                  13.16                      1/01/97
  1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Moderate 460                N/A                  N/A                  12.58                      1/01/97
  1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Conservative 280            N/A                  N/A                  10.86                      1/01/97
  1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    

   
(T) 10 year average annual return.
    

   
*On December 31, 1996, Manulife Series Fund, Inc. merged with the Trust.
Performance presented for these sub-accounts is based upon the performance of
the respective predecessor Manulife Series Fund portfolio for periods prior to
December 31, 1996. Performance for each of these sub-accounts is based on the
historical expenses and performance of the predecessor Manulife Series 
    

                                       12
<PAGE>   70


   
Fund portfolio, adjusted to reflect current contract charges, and, therefore,
does not reflect for periods prior to December 31, 1996 the current Trust
portfolio expenses that an investor would incur as a holder of units of the
sub-account.
    

                                       13
<PAGE>   71



   
              NON-STANDARDIZED AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN FIGURES
             (ASSUMING NO REDEMPTION AT THE END OF THE TIME PERIOD)
                       CALCULATED AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
                   FOR CONTACTS ISSUED AFTER NOVEMBER 1, 1996
    


   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================
TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR               5 YEAR        SINCE INCEPTION OR 10   INCEPTION DATE OF
                                                                         YEARS, WHICHEVER IS        PORTFOLIO
                                                                               SHORTER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                   <C>                   <C>                        <C>
Pacific Rim Emerging                -35.20%                N/A                  -9.51%                     10/4/94
Markets*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Science & Technology                  N/A                  N/A                   8.91                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Small Cap              -0.86                 N/A                   3.66                      3/04/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emerging Growth                       N/A                  N/A                  16.30                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pilgrim Baxter Growth                 N/A                  N/A                  -1.63                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small/Mid Cap                        13.37                 N/A                  10.30                      3/04/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Stock                   N/A                  N/A                   0.97                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Growth                      N/A                  N/A                  11.45                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global Equity                        18.82                12.77%                 7.96                      3/18/88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Company Value                   N/A                  N/A                  -4.87                      10/1/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity                               17.30                16.86                 13.26(T)                   6/18/85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth                               23.30                 N/A                  22.92                      7/15/96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quantitative Equity*                 27.71                14.63                 13.23(T)                   4/30/87
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blue Chip Growth                     24.86                11.26                 10.96                     12/11/92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real Estate Securities*              16.47                15.05                 13.98(T)                   4/30/87
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Value                                 N/A                  N/A                  20.16                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Int'l Growth & Income                -1.72                 N/A                   4.68                      1/09/95
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth and Income                    30.66                16.96                 15.33                      4/23/91
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity-Income                        27.59                 N/A                  15.58                      2/19/93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balanced                              N/A                  N/A                  16.59                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aggressive Asset Allocation          17.15                10.75                  8.30                      8/03/89
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Yield                            N/A                  N/A                  10.85                      1/01/97
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moderate Asset Allocation            13.98                 8.92                  7.29                      8/03/89
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conservative Asset                    9.61                 6.77                  6.00                      8/03/89
Allocation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic Bond                        9.16                 N/A                   7.62                      2/19/93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    

                                       14
<PAGE>   72

   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================
TRUST PORTFOLIO                      1 YEAR               5 YEAR        SINCE INCEPTION OR 10   INCEPTION DATE OF
                                                                         YEARS, WHICHEVER IS        PORTFOLIO
                                                                               SHORTER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>                   <C>                   <C>                        <C>
Global Government Bond                1.26                 8.16                  7.09                      3/18/88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Growth Bond*                  6.94                 5.43                  6.75(T)                   6/26/84
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment Quality Bond               7.96                 5.38                  4.02(T)                   6/18/85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. Government Securities            6.70                 4.87                  5.49(T)                   3/18/88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Money Market                          3.43                 2.76                  3.72                      6/18/85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Aggressive 1000             N/A                  N/A                  10.59                      1/01/97
  1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Growth 820                  N/A                  N/A                  13.07                      1/01/97
  1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Balanced 640                N/A                  N/A                  13.16                      1/01/97
  1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Moderate 460                N/A                  N/A                  12.58                      1/01/97
  1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lifestyle Conservative 280            N/A                  N/A                  10.86                      1/01/97
  1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
    

   
(T) 10 year average annual return.
    

   
* On December 31, 1996, Manulife Series Fund, Inc. merged with the Trust.
Performance presented for these sub-accounts is based upon the performance of
the respective predecessor Manulife Series Fund, Inc. portfolio for periods
prior to December 31, 1996. Performance for each of these sub-accounts is based
on the historical expenses and performance of the predecessor Manulife Series
Fund, Inc. portfolio, adjusted to reflect current contract charges, and,
therefore, does not reflect for periods prior to December 31, 1996 the current
Trust portfolio expenses that an investor would incur as a holder of units of
the sub-account.
    

                                    * * * * *

     In addition to the non-standardized returns quoted above, each of the
sub-accounts may from time to time quote aggregate non-standardized total
returns calculated in the same manner as set forth above for other time periods.
From time to time the Trust may include in its advertising and sales literature
general discussions of economic theories, including but not limited to,
discussions on how demographic and political trends can affect the financial
markets. Further, the Trust may also include in its advertising and sales
literature specific information on each of the Trust's subadvisers, including
but not limited to, research capabilities of a subadviser, assets under
management, information relating to other clients of a subadviser, and other
generalized information.

                                    SERVICES

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

   
        The financial statements of the Company and the Variable Account at
December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for the years then ended appearing in this
Statement of Additional Information have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP,
independent auditors, as set forth in their reports thereon appearing elsewhere
herein, and are included in reliance upon such reports given upon the authority
of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. 
    

                                       15

<PAGE>   73

     The statutory balance sheet of the Company as of December 31, 1995 and the
related statutory statements of operations, changes in capital and deficit and
cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1995,
appearing in this Statement of Additional Information have been included herein
in reliance on the report (which report includes an adverse opinion as to
generally accepted accounting principles and an unqualified opinion as to
statutory accounting practices prescribed or permitted by the Insurance
Department of the State of Delaware), of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent
accountants, given on the authority of that firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.

     The statement of operations and changes in net assets of the Variable
Account for the year ended December 31, 1995, appearing in this Statement of
Additional Information has been included herein in reliance on the report of
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P., independent accountants, given on the authority of
that firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

     The financial statements of the Company which are included in the Statement
of Additional Information should be considered only as bearing on the ability of
the Company to meet its obligations under the contracts. They should not be
considered as bearing on the investment performance of the assets held in the
Variable Account.

SERVICING AGENT

   
     Computer Sciences Corporation Financial Services Group ("CSC FSG") provides
to the Company a computerized data processing recordkeeping system for variable
annuity administration. CSC FSG provides various daily, semimonthly, monthly,
semiannual and annual reports including: daily updates on accumulation unit
values, variable annuity participants and transactions, agent production and
commissions; semimonthly commission statements; monthly summaries of agent
production and daily transaction reports; semiannual statements for contract
owners; and annual contract owner tax reports. CSC FSG receives approximately
$7.80 per policy per year, plus certain other fees paid by the Company for the
services provided.
    

PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER

   
     Manufacturers Securities Services, LLC ("MSS"), the successor to NASL
Financial Services, Inc., a Delaware limited liability partnership controlled by
the Company, serves as principal underwriter of the contracts. Contracts are
offered on a continuous basis. The aggregate dollar amount of underwriting
commissions paid to MSS in 1997, 1996 and 1995 were $_______, $83,031,288 and
$68,782,161, respectively. MSS did not retain any of these amounts during such
periods.
    

   
CANCELLATION OF CONTRACT
    

         The Company may, at its option, cancel a contract at the end of any two
consecutive contract years in which no purchase payments by or on behalf of the
contract owner have been made, if both (i) the total purchase payments made for
the contract, less any withdrawals, are less than $2,000; and (ii) the contract
value at the end of such two year period is less than $2,000. The Company, as a
matter of administrative practice, will attempt to notify a contract owner prior
to such cancellation in order to allow the contract owner to make the necessary
purchase payment to keep the contract in force. The cancellation of contract
provisions may vary in certain states in order to comply with the requirements
of insurance laws and regulations in such states.


                                       16
<PAGE>   74
                                     PART C


                               OTHER INFORMATION
<PAGE>   75


Item 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS


          (a)  Financial Statements

   
               (1)  Financial Statements of the Registrant, The Manufacturers
                    Life Insurance Company of North America Separate Account A
                    (formerly NASL Variable Account) (Part B of the registration
                    statement) -- To be filed by amendment.
    

   
               (2)  Financial Statements of the Depositor, The Manufacturers
                    Life Insurance Company of North America (formerly North
                    American Security Life Insurance Company) (Part B of the
                    registration statement) -- To be filed by amendment.
    

          (b)  Exhibits

   
               (1)  (i)  Resolution of the Board of Directors of North American
                         Security Life Insurance Company establishing the NASL
                         Variable Account - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                         (b)(1)(i) to Form N-4, file number 33-76162, filed
                         February 25, 1998.
    

                    (ii) Resolution of the Board of Directors of North American
                         Security Life Insurance Company redesignating existing
                         sub-accounts and dividing the NASL Variable Account to
                         create additional sub-accounts, dated May 30, 1995 -
                         Previously filed as Exhibit (b)(1)(ii) to
                         post-effective amendment no. 2 to Form N-4 filed March
                         1, 1996.

   
                   (iii) Resolution of the Board of Directors of North American
                         Security Life Insurance Company redesignating existing
                         sub-accounts and dividing the NASL Variable Account to
                         create additional sub-accounts, dated September 30,
                         1996 -- Previously filed as Exhibit (b)(i)(iii) to
                         post-effective amendment no. 3 to Form N-4 filed
                         February 28, 1997.
    

   
                    (iv) Resolution of the Board of Directors of North American
                         Security Life Insurance Company redesignating existing
                         sub-accounts and dividing the NASL Variable Account to
                         create additional sub-accounts, dated September 30,
                         1996 -- Previously filed as Exhibit (b)(1)(iv) to
                         post-effective amendment no. 3 to Form N-4 filed
                         February 28, 1997.
    

   
                    (v)  Resolution of the Board of Directors of North American
                         Security Life Insurance Company redesignating existing
                         sub-accounts and dividing the NASL Variable Account to
                         create four additional sub-accounts, dated September
                         26, 1997 --Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                         (b)(1)(v) to Form N-4, file number 33-76162, February
                         25, 1998.
    
<PAGE>   76

               (2)  Agreements for custody of securities and similar investments
                    - Not Applicable.

   
               (3)  (i)  Underwriting Agreement between North American Security
                         Life Insurance Company (Depositor) and NASL Financial
                         Services, Inc. (Underwriter) -- Incorporated by
                         reference to Exhibit (b)(3)(i) to Form N-4, file number
                         33-76162, February 25, 1998.
    

   
                    (ii) Promotional Agent Agreement between NASL Financial
                         Services, Inc. (Underwriter), North American Security
                         Life Insurance Company (Depositor), Wood Logan
                         Associates, Inc. (Promotional Agent) and NAWL Holding
                         Company, Inc.-- Previously filed as Exhibit (b)(3)(ii)
                         to post-effective amendment no. 3 to Form N-4 filed
                         February 28, 1997.
    

   
                   (iii) Amendment to Promotional Agent Agreement -
                         Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(3)(iii) to
                         Form N-4, file number 33-76162, February 25, 1998.
    

   
                    (iv) Form of Selling Agreement between The Manufacturers
                         Life Insurance Company of North America, Manufacturers
                         Securities Services, LLC, Selling Broker-Dealer and
                         General Agent -- Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                         (b)(3)(iv) to Form N-4, file number 33-76162, filed
                         February 25, 1998.
    

   
               (4)  (i)(A)  Specimen Flexible Purchase Payment Individual 
                         Deferred Variable Annuity Contract, Non-Participating
                        (VIS25) - filed herewith.
    

   
                    (i)(B)  Specimen Flexible Purchase Payment Individual
                         Deferred Variable Annuity Contract, Non-Participating
                         (VV) - filed herewith.
    

   
                    (ii) Specimen Fixed Account Endorsement to Flexible Purchase
                         Payment Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contract,
                         Non-Participating (END.007.98) - filed herewith.
    

   
                    (iii) Specimen Individual Retirement Annuity Endorsement to
                         Flexible Purchase Payment Individual Deferred Variable
                         Annuity Contract, Non-Participating (ENDORSEMENT.001) -
                         filed herewith.
    

   
                    (iv) Specimen ERISA Tax-Sheltered Annuity Endorsement to
                         Flexible Purchase Payment Individual Deferred Variable
                         Annuity Contract, Non-Participating (END.002.97) -
                         filed herewith.
    


<PAGE>   77

   
                    (v)  Specimen Tax-Sheltered Annuity Endorsement to Flexible
                         Purchase Payment Individual Deferred Variable Annuity
                         Contract, Non-Participating (END.003.97) - filed
                         herewith.
    

   
                    (vi) Specimen Qualified Plan Endorsement Section 401 Plans
                         to Flexible Purchase Payment Individual Deferred
                         Variable Annuity Contract, Non-Participating
                         (END.004.97) - filed herewith.
    

   
               (5)  (i)  Specimen Application for Flexible Purchase Payment
                         Individual Deferred Combination Fixed and Variable
                         Annuity Contract, Non-Participating (VIS25) - filed
                         herewith.
    

   
                    (ii) Specimen Application for Flexible Purchase Payment
                         Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contract,
                         Non-Participating (VV) - filed herewith.
    

   
               (6)  (i)  Certificate of Incorporation of North American Security
                         Life Insurance Company -- Incorporated by reference to
                         Exhibit (3)(i) to Form 10Q of The Manufacturers Life
                         Insurance Company of North America, filed November 14,
                         1997.
    

   
                    (ii) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of
                         Incorporation of the Company, Name Change July 1984 --
                         Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(i)(a) to Form
                         10Q of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of
                         North America, filed November 14, 1997.
    

   
                   (iii) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of
                         Incorporation of the Company, Authorization of Capital
                         December 1994 --Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                         (3)(i)(b) to Form 10Q of The Manufacturers Life
                         Insurance Company of North America, filed November 14,
                         1997.
    

   
                    (iv) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of
                         Incorporation, Name change March 1997 -- Incorporated
                         by reference to Exhibit (3)(i)(a) to post effective
                         amendment no. 1 to Form S-1 on behalf of The
                         Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America,
                         file number 333-6011, filed October 9, 1997.
    

   
                    (v)  Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of
                         Incorporation of the Company, Registered Agent July
                         1997 -- Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(i)(c)
                         to Form 10Q of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company
                         of North America filed November 14, 1997.
    

   
                   (vii) Amended and Restated By-laws The Manufacturers Life
                         Insurance Company of North America --Incorporated by
                         reference to Exhibit (3)(ii) to Form 10Q of The
                         Manufacturers 


<PAGE>   78

                         Life Insurance Company of North America filed November
                         14, 1997.
    

   
               (7)  (i)  Contract of reinsurance in connection with the variable
                         annuity contracts being offered - Reinsurance and
                         Accounts Receivable Agreements between North American
                         Security Life Insurance Company and ITT Lyndon Life,
                         effective December 31, 1993, and Amendments thereto
                         effective January 1, 1994 and December 31, 1994 --
                         Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(7)(i) to Form
                         N-4, file number 33-76162, filed February 25, 1998.
    

   
                    (ii)(A) Contract of reinsurance in connection with the
                         variable annuity contracts being offered Variable
                         Annuity Guaranteed Death Benefit Reinsurance Contract
                         between North American Security Life Insurance Company
                         and Connecticut General Life Insurance Company,
                         effective July 1, 1995 (VIS25) - Previously filed as
                         Exhibit (b)(7)(ii) to post-effective amendment no. 2 to
                         Form N-4 filed March 1, 1996.
    

   
                    (ii)(B) Contract of reinsurance in connection with the
                         variable annuity contracts being offered Variable
                         Annuity Guaranteed Death Benefit Reinsurance Contract
                         between North American Security Life Insurance Company
                         and Connecticut General Life Insurance Company,
                         effective July 1, 1995 (VV) - Previously filed as
                         Exhibit (b)(7)(ii) to post-effective amendment no. 2 to
                         Form N-4 filed March 1, 1996.
    

                   (iii) Contract of reinsurance in connection with the
                         variable annuity contracts being offered Contract
                         between North American Security Life Insurance Company
                         and Swiss Re America, effective August 1, 1995
                         Previously filed as Exhibit (b)(7)(iii) to
                         post-effective amendment no. 2 to Form N-4 filed March
                         1, 1996.

               (8)  Other material contracts not made in the ordinary course of
                    business which are to be performed in whole or in part on or
                    after the date the registration statement is filed:

   
                    (i)  Form of Remote Service Agreement dated November 1, 1996
                         between North American Security Life Insurance Company
                         and CSC Continuum Inc. -- Previously filed as Exhibit
                         (b)(8)(i) to post-effective amendment no. 3 to Form N-4
                         filed February 28, 1997.
    

   
               (9)  (i)  Opinion of Counsel and consent to its use as to the
                         legality of the securities being registered (VIS25) --
                         filed herewith.
    

   
                    (ii) Opinion of Counsel and consent to its use as to the
                         legality of the securities being registered (VV) -
                         filed herewith.
    


<PAGE>   79

   
               (10) (i)  Written consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent
                         auditors -- To be filed by amendment.
    

   
                    (ii) Written consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P, independent
                         accountants -- To be filed by amendment.
    

               (11) All financial statements omitted from Item 23, Financial
                    Statements - Not Applicable

               (12) Agreements in consideration for providing initial capital
                    between or among Registrant, Depositor, Underwriter or
                    initial contract owners -- Not Applicable.

   
               (13) Schedule for computation of each performance quotation
                    provided in the Registration Statement in response to Item
                    21 -- Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(13) to Form
                    N-4, 33-76162 filed March 1, 1996.
    

   
               (14) Financial Data Schedule -- Not Applicable.
    

   
               (15) (i)  Power of Attorney - John D. Richardson (Chairman of the
                         Board of Directors, North American Security Life
                         Insurance Company) -- Incorporated by reference to
                         Exhibit (b)(15)(ii) to Form N-4, file number 33-76162,
                         filed April 29, 1997.
    

   
                    (ii) Power of Attorney - David W. Libbey (Principal
                         Financial Officer of North American Security Life
                         Insurance Company) --Incorporated by reference to
                         Exhibit (24)(ii) to Form 10Q of The Manufacturers Life
                         Insurance Company of North America filed November 14,
                         1997.
    

   
                   (iii) Power of Attorney - Peter Hutchison (Director, The
                         Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America)
                         -- Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(15)(iii) to
                         Form N-4, file number 33-76162, filed February 25,
                         1998.
    

Item 25. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE DEPOSITOR.

   
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OF THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH
AMERICA
    

   
Name and Principal
Business Address                  Position with Manulife North America
- ----------------                  ------------------------------------
    

   
John D. Richardson                Director and Chairman of the Board of
200 Bloor Street East             Directors
North Tower, 11th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
    

<PAGE>   80

Canada  M4W-1E5

   
Peter S. Hutchison                Director
200 Bloor Street East
North Tower, 7th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
Canada  M4W-1E5
    

   
John D. DesPrez III               President & Director
73 Tremont Street
Boston, MA  02108
    

   
James Boyle                       Vice President, Administration and Chief
116 Huntington Avenue             Administrative Officer
Boston, MA 02116
    

   
John G. Vrysen                    Vice President & Chief Actuary
73 Tremont Street
Boston, MA  02108
    

   
Hugh McHaffie                     Vice President, U.S. Annuities and Product
73 Tremont Street                 Development
Boston, MA 02108
    

   
Richard C. Hirtle                 Vice President, Strategic Development &
116 Huntington Avenue             Accumulating Life Products
Boston, MA 02116
    

James D. Gallagher                Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
73 Tremont Street
Boston, MA  02108

   
    

Janet Sweeney                     Vice President, Corporate Services
73 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108

   
Robert Boyda                      Vice President, Investment Management Services
73 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108
    

   
David W. Libbey                   Vice President, Treasurer & Chief
73 Tremont Street                 Financial Officer
Boston, MA 02108
    

Item 26.  PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH DEPOSITOR OR 
          REGISTRANT.


<PAGE>   81

   
THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
Manulife Corporate Organization as at December 31, 1997
The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (Canada)
    


   
<TABLE>
<S>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>   
1.     Cantay Holdings Inc. - Ontario (100%)

       2.     484551 Ontario Limited - Ontario (100%)

              3.     911164 Ontario Inc. - Ontario (100%)

4.     Churchill Lifestyles Corp. (100%)

5.     495603 Ontario Limited - Ontario (100%)

6.     1198183 Ontario Limited - Ontario (100%)

7.     1198184 Ontario Limited - Ontario (100%)

8.     1235434 Ontario Limited - Ontario (100%)

9.     576986 Ontario Inc. - Ontario (100%)

10.    Balmoral Developments Inc. - Ontario (100%)

11.    Manulife Bank of Canada - Canada (100%)

12.    Manulife Securities International Ltd. - Canada (100%)

13.    Family Realty First Corp. - Ontario (100%)

14.    NAL Resources Limited - Alberta (100%)

15.    Manulife International Capital Corporation Limited - Ontario (100%)
       16.    Regional Power Inc. - Ontario (100%)
              17.    La Regionale Power (Port Cartier) Inc. - Ontario (100%)
              18.    La Regionale Power Angliers Inc. - Ontario (100%)
              19.    Addalam Power Corporation - Philippines (100%)

20.    Peel-de Maisonneuve Investments Ltd. - Canada (100%)
       21.    2932121 Canada Inc. - Canada (100%)

22.    FNA Financial Inc. - Canada (100%)
       23.    NAL Trustco Inc. - Ontario (100%)
       24.    First North American Insurance Company - Canada (100%)
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>   82

   
<TABLE>
<S>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>   

       25.    Elliott & Page Limited - Ontario (100%)
       26.    Seamark Asset Management Ltd. - Canada (67.86%)
       27.    NAL Resources Management Limited - Canada (100%)
              28.    NAL Energy Inc. - Alberta (100%)

29.    ManuCab Ltd. - Canada (100%)
       30.    Plazcab Service Limited - Newfoundland (100%)

31.    Manufacturers Life Capital Corporation Inc. - Canada (100%)

32.    The North American Group Inc. - Ontario (100%)

33.    994744 Ontario Inc. - Ontario (100%)

34.    1268337 Ontario Inc. - Ontario (100%)

35.    3426505 Canada Inc. - Canada (100%)

36.    The Manufacturers Investment Corporation - Michigan (100%)
       37.    Manulife Reinsurance Corporation (U.S.A.) - Michigan (100%)
              38.    The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) - Michigan (100%)
                     1.     Dover Leasing Investments, LLC - Delaware (99%)
                     2.     The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of America - Michigan (100%)
                                   1.     Manulife Holding Corporation - Delaware (100%)
                                          1.     Manufacturers Adviser Corporation - Colorado (100%)
                                          2.     Succession Planning International, Inc. - Wisconsin (100%)
                                          3.     ManEquity, Inc. - Colorado (100%)
                                          4.     Manulife Property Management of Washington, D.C. Inc. - Washington, D.C. (100%)
                                          5.     Manulife Service Corporation - Colorado (100%)
                                          6.     Manulife Leasing Company, LLC - Delaware (80%)
                     3.     Capitol Bankers Life Insurance Company - Michigan (100%)
                     4.     Ennal, Inc. - Ohio (100%)
                     5.     Manulife-Wood Logan Holding Co. Inc. - Delaware (62.5%)
                            1.     Wood Logan Associates, Inc. - Connecticut (100%)
                                   1.     Wood Logan Distributors, Inc. - Connecticut (100%)
                                   2.     The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America - Delaware (100%)
                                          1.     Manufacturers Securities Services, LLC - Massachusetts (100%)

</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>   83

   
<TABLE>
<S>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>   

                                          2.     The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of New York - New York (100%)
                     1.     Manulife Reinsurance Limited - Bermuda (100%)
                            6.     MRL Holding, LLC - Delaware (99%)
                                   1.     Manulife-Wood Logan Holding Co. Inc. - Delaware (22.5%)
                     1.     MRL Holding, LLC - Delaware (1%)

1.     Manulife International Investment Management Limited - U.K. (100%)
       2.     Manulife International Fund Management Limited - U.K. (100%)

3.     WT(SW) Properties Ltd. - U.K. (100%)

       4.     Manulife Europe Ruckversicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft - Germany (100%)

       5.     Manulife International Holdings Limited - Bermuda (100%)
       6.     Manulife (International) Limited - Bermuda (100%)
              7.     Zhong Hong Life Insurance Co., Ltd. - China (51%)
              8.     The Manufacturers (Pacific Asia) Insurance Company Limited - H.K. (100%)
              9.     Newtime Consultants Limited - H.K. (100%)

10.    Manulife (International) Reinsurance Limited - Bermuda (100%)
       11.    Manulife (International) P & C Limited - Bermuda (100%)
       12.    Manufacturers P & C Limited - Barbados (100%)
       13.    Manufacturers Life Reinsurance Limited - Barbados (100%)

14.    Chinfon-Manulife Insurance Company Limited - Bermuda (100%)

15.    Manulife (Malaysia) SDN. BHD. - Malaysia (100%)

       16.    Manulife (Thailand) Ltd. - Thailand (100%)

       17.    Young Poong Manulife Insurance Company - Korea (100%)

       18.    Manulife Data Services Inc. - Barbados (100%)
              19.    Manulife Funds Direct (Barbados) Limited - Barbados (100%)
              20.    Manulife Funds Direct (Hong Kong) Limited - H.K. (100%)

21.    OUB Manulife Pte. Ltd. - Singapore (100%)

22.    Manulife Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited - H.K. (100%)

23.    ManuLife Financial Systems (Hong Kong) Limited - H.K. (100%)

24.    P.T. Asuransi Jiwa Dhamala ManuLife - Indonesia (51%)
       25.    P.T. AMP Panin Life - Indonesia (100%)
</TABLE>
    

<PAGE>   84

Item 27.  NUMBER OF CONTRACT OWNERS.

   
As of December 31, 1997, there were 1,104 qualified and 3,263 non-qualified
contracts for VIS25 and 630 qualified and 2,375 non-qualified contracts for VV
of the series offered hereby outstanding.
    

Item 28. INDEMNIFICATION.

Article 9 of the Articles of Incorporation of the Company provides as follows:

NINTH: A director of this corporation shall not be liable to the corporation or
its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director
except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not
permitted under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as the same
exists or may hereafter be amended. Any repeal or modification of the foregoing
sentence shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the
corporation existing hereunder with respect to any act or omission occurring
prior to such repeal or modification.

Article XIV of the By-laws of the Company provides as follows:

        Each Director or officer, whether or not then in office, shall be
indemnified by the Company against all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by
or imposed upon him or her, including legal fees, in connection with or
resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal or
administrative, in which he or she may become involved as a party or otherwise,
by reason of his or her being or having been a Director or officer of the
Company.

        (1) Indemnity will not be granted to any Director or officer with
respect to any claim, action, suit or proceeding which shall be brought against
such Director or officer by or in the right of the Company, and

        (2) Indemnification for amounts paid and expenses incurred in settling
such action, claim, suit or proceeding, will not be granted, until it shall be
determined by a disinterested majority of the Board of Directors or by a
majority of any disinterested committee or group of persons to whom the question
may be referred by the Board, that said Director or officer did indeed act in
good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not
adverse, to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any
criminal action or proceeding, had reasonably cause to believe that his or her
conduct was legal, and that the payment of such costs, expenses, penalties or
fines is in the interest of the Company, and not contrary to public policy or
other provisions of law.

        The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order,
settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendre or its equivalent, shall
not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith
and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not adverse, to
the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful.


<PAGE>   85

Indemnification shall be made by the corporation upon determination by a
disinterested majority of the Board of Directors or of a majority of any
disinterested committee or group or persons to whom the question may be referred
to by said Board, that the person did indeed act in good faith and in a manner
he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not adverse, to the best interests of
the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had
reasonably cause to believe that his or her conduct was legal.

        The foregoing right to indemnity shall not be exclusive of any other
rights to which such Director or officer may be entitled as a matter of law.

        The foregoing right to indemnity shall also extend to the estate of any
deceased Director or officer with respect to any such claim, action, suit or
proceeding in which such Director or officer or his or her estate may become
involved by reason of his or her having been a Director or officer of the
Company, and subject to the same conditions outlined above.

Section IX, paragraph D of the Promotional Agent Agreement among the Company
(referred to therein as "Security Life"), NASL Financial and Wood/Logan
(referred to therein as "Promotional Agent") provides as follows:

a.      NASL Financial and Security Life agree to indemnify and hold harmless
        Promotional Agent, its officers, directors and employees against any and
        all losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which they may become
        subject under the Securities Act of 1933 ("1933 Act"), the 1934 Act or
        other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or
        otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
        actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue
        statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or any omission
        or alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated or
        necessary to make the statements made not misleading in any registration
        statement for the Contracts filed pursuant to the 1933 Act or any
        prospectus included as a part thereof, as from time to time amended and
        supplemented, or any advertisement or sales literature approved in
        writing by NASL Financial or Security Life pursuant to Section VI,
        paragraph B of this Agreement.

b.      Promotional Agent agrees to indemnify and hold harmless NASL Financial
        and Security Life, their officers, directors and employees against any
        and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which they may become
        subject under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or other federal or state
        statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
        losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
        arise out of or are based upon: (i) any oral or written
        misrepresentation by Promotional Agent or its officers, directors,
        employees or agents unless such misrepresentation is contained in any
        registration statement for the Contracts or Fund shares, any prospectus
        included as a part thereof, as from time to time amended and
        supplemented, or any advertisement or sales literature approved in
        writing by NASL Financial pursuant to Section VI, paragraph B of this
        Agreement or, (ii) the failure of Promotional Agent or its officers,
        directors, employees or agents to comply with any applicable provisions
        of this Agreement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Registrant hereby makes the following undertaking
pursuant to Rule 484 under the Securities Act of 1933:

<PAGE>   86

        Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities
        Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
        persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or
        otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
        Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against
        public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
        In the event a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
        than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
        director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
        successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
        such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the
        securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion
        of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
        submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
        indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act
        and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


<PAGE>   87
Item 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS.

   
a.            Name of Investment Company             Capacity in which acting
              --------------------------             ------------------------

              Manufacturers Investment Trust         Investment Adviser

              The Manufacturers Life Insurance       Principal Underwriter
              Company of North America Separate
              Account A

              The Manufacturers Life Insurance       Principal Underwriter
              Company of North America Separate
              Account B

              The Manufacturers Life Insurance       Principal Underwriter
              Company of New York Separate
              Account A
    

   
b.   The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America is the 
managing member of Manufacturers Securities Services, LLC and has sole power to
act on behalf of Manufacturers Securities Services, LLC. The officers and
directors of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America are set
forth under Item 25.
    

c.   None.

Item 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS.

All books and records are maintained at 116 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116
and at 73 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02108.

Item 31.  MANAGEMENT SERVICES.

None.

Item 32. UNDERTAKINGS.

Representation of Insurer Pursuant to Section 26 of the Investment Company Act
of 1940

   
The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America (the "Company") hereby
represents that the fees and charges deducted under the contracts issued
pursuant to this registration statement, in the aggregate, are reasonable in
relation to the services rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred, and the
risks assumed by the Company.
    


<PAGE>   88
                                   SIGNATURES

   

     As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940, the Registrant, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America
Separate Account A, has caused this Amendment to the Registration Statement to
be signed on its behalf, in the City of Boston, and Commonwealth of
Massachusetts on this 26th day of February, 1998.
    


                                        THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                        OF NORTH AMERICA SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                               (Registrant)


                                    By: THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE 
                                        COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                               (Depositor)


                                    By: /s/ JOHN D. DESPREZ III
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                             John D. DesPrez III, President


Attest:

/s/ JAMES D. GALLAGHER
- -----------------------------------------
James D. Gallagher, Secretary

   

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Depositor has duly caused this Amendment to
the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned on the
26th day of February, 1998 in the City of Boston, and Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
    


                                        THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE 
                                        COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                               (Depositor)



                                    By: /s/ JOHN D. DESPREZ III
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                             John D. DesPrez III, President


Attest:

/s/ JAMES D. GALLAGHER
- -----------------------------------------
James D. Gallagher, Secretary


<PAGE>   89

     As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this amended Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities with the
Depositor and on the dates indicated.

 
SIGNATURE                       TITLE                          DATE
                                                                
                                                                 
/s/ JOHN D. DESPREZ III         Director and President         February 26, 1998
- ---------------------------     (Principal Executive           -----------------
John D. DesPrez III             Officer)                       (Date)   

                  
*                               Director                       February 26, 1998
- ---------------------------                                    -----------------
Peter S. Hutchison                                             (Date)


*                               Director and Chairman          February 26, 1998
- ---------------------------     of the Board                   -----------------
John D. Richardson                                             (Date)



/s/ DAVID W. LIBBEY             Vice President, Treasurer      February 26, 1998
- ---------------------------     and Chief Financial Officer    -----------------
David W. Libbey                 (Principal Financial Officer)  (Date)



*By: /s/ JAMES D. GALLAGHER                                    February 26, 1998
     ----------------------                                    -----------------
     James D. Gallagher                                        (Date)
     Attorney-in-Fact
     Pursuant to Powers
     of Attorney
    

<PAGE>   90

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

   
Exhibit No.                Description
- -----------                -----------


(4)(i)(A)           Specimen Flexible Purchase Payment Individual Deferred
                    Variable Annuity Contract, Non-Participating (VIS25)

(4)(i)(B)           Specimen Flexible Purchase Payment Individual Deferred
                    Variable Annuity Contract, Non-Participating (VV)

(4)(ii)             Specimen Fixed Account Endorsement to Flexible Purchase
                    Payment Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contract,
                    Non-Participating (END.007.98)

(4)(iii)            Specimen Individual Retirement Annuity Endorsement to
                    Flexible Purchase Payment Individual Deferred Variable
                    Annuity Contract, Non-Participating (ENDORSEMENT.001)

(4)(iv)             Specimen ERISA Tax-Sheltered Annuity Endorsement to Flexible
                    Purchase Payment Individual Deferred Variable Annuity
                    Contract, Non-Participating (END.002.97)

(4)(v)              Specimen Tax-Sheltered Annuity Endorsement to Flexible
                    Purchase Payment Individual Deferred Variable Annuity
                    Contract, Non-Participating (END.003.97)

(4)(vi)             Specimen Qualified Plan Endorsement Section 401 Plans to
                    Flexible Purchase Payment Individual Deferred Variable
                    Annuity Contract, Non-Participating (END.004.97)

(5)(i)              Specimen Application for Flexible Purchase Payment
                    Individual Deferred Combination Fixed and Variable Annuity
                    Contract, Non-Participating (VIS25)

(5)(ii)             Specimen Application for Flexible Purchase Payment
                    Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contract,
                    Non-Participating (VV)

(b)(9)(i)           Opinion of Counsel and consent to its use as to the legality
                    of the securities being registered (VIS25)

(b)(9)(ii)          Opinion of Counsel and consent to its use as to the legality
                    of the securities being registered (VV)
    

<PAGE>   1
THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  EXECUTIVE OFFICE:       ANNUITY SERVICE OFFICE:          HOME OFFICE
116 Huntington Avenue          P.O. Box 9230           Wilmington, Delaware
   Boston, MA 02116        Boston, MA 02205-9230
                               1-800-344-1029

                  This is a Legal Contract - read it carefully.

   We agree to pay the benefits of this Contract in accordance with its terms.

            This Contract is issued in consideration of the Payments.



                             TEN DAY RIGHT TO REVIEW

The Contract Owner may cancel the Contract by returning it to our Annuity
Service Office or agent at any time within 10 days after receipt of the
Contract. Within 7 days of receipt of the Contract by us, We will pay the
Contract Value, computed at the end of the valuation period during which the
Contract is received by us, to the Contract Owner.

When the Contract is issued as an individual retirement annuity, during the
first 7 days of this 10 day period, we will return the greater of (i) Contract
Value computed at the end of the valuation period during which the Contract is
received by us, or (ii) sum of all payments.

                 Signed for the Company at its Executive Office,
                  Boston, Massachusetts, on the Contract Date.

                DETAILS OF VARIABLE ACCOUNT PROVISIONS ON PAGE 8

                 Vice President                    President



                   Flexible Payment Deferred Variable Annuity
                                Non-Participating



ANNUITY PAYMENTS AND OTHER VALUES PROVIDED BY THIS CONTRACT WHEN BASED ON THE
INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE OF A SEPARATE ACCOUNT ARE VARIABLE AND NOT GUARANTEED AS
TO FIXED DOLLAR AMOUNT.

   
VISION.001
    
<PAGE>   2


INTRODUCTION

This is a flexible payment deferred variable annuity. This annuity provides that
the Contract Value will accumulate on a variable basis and annuity payments may
be either fixed or variable, or a combination of fixed and variable. The
Contract Value will vary with the investment performance of the Variable
Account.

If you select annuity payments on a variable basis, the payment amount will vary
with the investment performance of the Variable Account.

You must allocate Payments among one or more Investment Options. The Investment
Options are identified on the Contract Specifications Page.

<TABLE>

TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>

Contract Specifications Page                                                Page
<S>                                                                         <C>

PART 1 - DEFINITIONS ......................................................  1

PART 2 - GENERAL PROVISIONS ...............................................  2

PART 3 - OWNERSHIP ........................................................  4

PART 4 - BENEFITS .........................................................  5

PART 5 - PAYMENTS .........................................................  7

PART 6 - VARIABLE ACCOUNT PROVISIONS ......................................  7

PART 7 - ANNUITY PROVISIONS ...............................................  8

PART 8 - TRANSFERS ........................................................  9

PART 9 - WITHDRAWAL PROVISIONS ............................................ 10

PART 10 - FEES AND DEDUCTIONS ............................................. 11

PART 11 - LOAN PROVISION .................................................. 12

PART 12 - PAYMENT OF CONTRACT BENEFITS .................................... 12
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   3


                               SPECIFICATIONS PAGE

TYPE OF CONTRACT:            NON-QUALIFIED

CONTRACT DATE:                  11/06/1997     MATURITY DATE:        11/06/2017

INITIAL PURCHASE PAYMENT:     $ 100,000.00     CONTRACT NUMBER:       000000025

                                               GOVERNING LAW:                DE

INITIAL ALLOCATION OF NET 
  PURCHASE PAYMENT:                      (SEE REVERSE FOR ALL AVAILABLE OPTIONS)

INVESTMENT OPTIONS:                          INTEREST RATE:       GUARANTEED TO:

1 YEAR FIXED                       50.00%    4.00%                    11/06/1998

EQUITY                             50.00%

















                               -----------
TOTAL                             100.00%

OWNER:                          JOE OWNER        CO-OWNER:

ANNUITANT:                      JOE OWNER        AGE:                         77

CO-ANNUITANT:                                    BENEFICIARY:  SEE ATTACHED LIST


<PAGE>   4


                          AVAILABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS

FIXED INVESTMENT OPTIONS
      1 Year Fixed

VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS

     Pacific Rim Emerging Markets      Manufacturers Adviser Corporation
     Science & Technology              T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
     International Small Cap           Founders Asset Management, Inc.
     Emerging Growth                   Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc.
     Pilgrim Baxter Growth             Pilgrim Baxter & Associates
     Small/Mid Cap                     Fred Alger Management, Inc.
     International Stock               Rowe Price-Fleming International, Inc.
     Worldwide Growth                  Founders Asset Management, Inc.
     Global Equity                     Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc.
     Small Company Value               Rosenberg Institutional Equity Management
     Growth                            Founders Asset Management, Inc.
     Equity                            Fidelity Management Trust Company
     Quantitative Equity               Manufacturers Adviser Corporation
     Blue Chip Growth                  T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
     Real Estate Securities            Manufacturers Adviser Corporation
     Value                             Miller Anderson & Sherrerd, LLP
     International Growth & Income     J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
     Growth and Income                 Wellington Management Company, LLP
     Equity-Income                     T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
     Balanced                          Founders Asset Management, Inc.
     Aggressive Asset Allocation       Fidelity Management Trust Company
     High Yield                        Miller Anderson & Sherrerd, LLP
     Moderate Asset Allocation         Fidelity Management Trust Company
     Conservative Asset Allocation     Fidelity Management Trust Company
     Strategic Bond                    Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc.
     Global Government Bond            Oechsle International Advisors, L.P.
     Capital Growth Bond               Manufacturers Adviser Corporation
     Investment Quality Bond           Wellington Management Company, LLP
     U.S. Government Securities        Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc.
     Money Market                      Manufacturers Adviser Corporation
     Lifestyle Portfolios:             Manufacturers Adviser Corporation
          Conservative 280
          Moderate 460
          Balanced 640
          Growth 820
          Aggressive 1000


<PAGE>   5


                             BENEFICIARY INFORMATION


Please find below the Beneficiary Information for contract number, 000000025,
currently on file at The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America:

Kathy Owner


<PAGE>   6


                       FIXED INVESTMENT OPTION ENDORSEMENT

ALL CONTRACTS BEGINNING WITH FORM NUMBERS VEN10 AND VISION.001 TO WHICH THIS
ENDORSEMENT IS ATTACHED IS AMENDED AS FOLLOWS:


PART 1, DEFINITIONS, ACCUMULATION UNIT and INVESTMENT OPTIONS are replaced as
follows:

ACCUMULATION UNIT   A unit of measure that is used to calculate the value
                    of the variable portion of this Contract before the Maturity
                    Date.

INVESTMENT OPTIONS  The Investment Options made available under this Contract
                    are the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account and the fixed
                    interest rate options as shown on the Contract
                    Specifications Page and application.


PART 6 - VARIABLE ACCOUNT PROVISIONS, INVESTMENT ACCOUNT, is to be added as
follows:

INVESTMENT          ACCOUNT We will establish a separate Investment Account for
                    you for each variable Investment Option to which you
                    allocate amounts. The Investment Account represents the
                    number of your Accumulation Units in an Investment Option.

The FIXED ACCOUNT PROVISIONS are to be added as follows:

INVESTMENT ACCOUNT  We will establish a separate Investment Account for you each
                    time you allocate amounts to the fixed Investment Option.
                    Any amounts you allocate to the fixed Investment Option on
                    the same day will establish a new Investment Account.
                    Amounts invested in these Investment Accounts will earn
                    interest at the guaranteed rate in effect on the date the
                    amounts are allocated for the duration of the guarantee
                    period.

                    We will determine the guaranteed rate from time to time for
                    new allocations, but in no event will the minimum guaranteed
                    rate under a fixed Investment Account be less than 3%.

GUARANTEE PERIODS   The guarantee period will be the duration of the fixed
                    Investment Option measured from the date the amount is
                    allocated to the Investment Account. Amounts cannot be
                    allocated to a fixed Investment Option that would extend the
                    guarantee period beyond the Maturity Date.

RENEWALS            The renewal amount is the Investment Account Value at the
                    end of the particular guarantee period. The renewal amount
                    will be automatically renewed in the fixed Investment Option
                    at the end of the guarantee period, unless you specify
                    otherwise. If renewal in the fixed Investment Option would
                    result in the guarantee period for the fixed Investment
                    Account extending beyond the Maturity Date, the renewal
                    amount may not be renewed in the fixed Investment Option.

INVESTMENT ACCOUNT  The amount in the Investment Accounts will accumulate at a
VALUE               rate of interest determined by us and in effect on the date
                    the amount is allocated to the Investment Account. The
                    Investment Account Value is the accumulated value of the
                    amount invested in the Investment Account reduced by any
                    withdrawals, loans, transfers or charges taken from the
                    Investment Account.

   
ENDORSEMENT.025
    
<PAGE>   7


PART 8, TRANSFERS, is modified as follows:

TRANSFERS           The following paragraph is added following the first
                    paragraph:

                    Amounts may not be transferred from a fixed Investment
                    Account unless those amounts have been in the fixed
                    Investment Account for at least one year.


PART 9, WITHDRAWAL PROVISIONS, is modified as follows:

SUSPENSION OF       The following paragraph is added following the first 
PAYMENTS            paragraph:

                    We may defer the right of withdrawal from the fixed
                    Investment Accounts for not more than six months from the
                    day we receive written request and the Contract, if
                    required. If such payments are deferred 30 days or more, the
                    amount deferred will earn interest at a rate not less than
                    3% per year.

PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL  The following is added following the first paragraph:

                    If there are multiple Investment Accounts under a fixed
                    Investment Option, the requested amount from that Investment
                    Option must be withdrawn from those Investment Accounts on a
                    first-in-first-out basis. If you do not specify, the
                    requested amount will be withdrawn in the following order:

                      (a) Variable Investment Accounts on a pro rata basis,
                      (b) Fixed Investment Option on a first-in-first-out basis.

WITHDRAWAL CHARGE   The following is added preceding item (2):

                    The free withdrawal amount will be applied to your requested
                    withdrawal in the following order:

                      (a) Variable Investment Accounts on a pro rata basis,
                      (b) Fixed Investment Option on a first-in-first-out basis.

Endorsed on the Date of Issue of this Contract.


THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA



Vice-President


<PAGE>   8


                          WITHDRAWAL CHARGE ENDORSEMENT

PART 9, WITHDRAWAL PROVISIONS, PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL and WITHDRAWAL CHARGE, of all
contracts beginning with form numbers VEN10 and VISION.001 to which this
endorsement is attached are amended as follows:


PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL  The second paragraph is deleted.


WITHDRAWAL CHARGE   This section is replaced in its entirety, as follows:

                    If a withdrawal is made from the Contract before the
                    Maturity Date, no withdrawal charge will be assessed against
                    Payments.

Endorsed on the Date of Issue of this Contract.

THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA



Vice-President

   
ENDORSEMENT.030
    
<PAGE>   9


PART 1              DEFINITIONS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WE AND YOU          "We", "us", and "our" means The Manufacturers Life Insurance
                    Company of North America. "You" or "your" means the Owner of
                    this Contract.

ACCUMULATION UNIT   A unit of measure that is used to calculate the value of
                    your Contract before the Maturity Date.

ANNUITANT           Any individual person or persons whose life is
                    used to determine the duration of annuity payments involving
                    life contingencies. The Annuitant is as designated on the
                    Contract Specification Page and application, unless changed.

ANNUITY OPTION      The method selected by you for annuity payments made by us.

ANNUITY SERVICE     Any office designated by us for the receipt of Payments and
OFFICE              processing of Contract Owner requests.

ANNUITY UNIT        A unit of measure that is used after the Maturity Date to
                    calculate Variable Annuity payments.

BENEFICIARY         The person, persons, or entity to whom certain benefits are
                    payable following the death of an Owner, or in certain
                    circumstances, an Annuitant.

CONTINGENT          The person, persons or entity who becomes the Beneficiary if
BENEFICIARY         the Beneficiary is not alive.

CONTRACT            The anniversary of the Contract Date.
ANNIVERSARY         

CONTRACT DATE       The date of issue of the Contract as specified on the
                    Contract Specifications Page.

CONTRACT VALUE      The total of the Investment Account Values and, if
                    applicable, any amount in the Loan Account attributable to
                    the Contract.

CONTRACT YEAR       The period of twelve consecutive months beginning on the
                    Contract Date or any anniversary thereafter.

DEBT                Any amounts in the Loan Account attributable to the Contract
                    plus any accrued loan interest. The loan provision is
                    applicable to certain Qualified Contracts only.

FIXED ANNUITY       An Annuity Option with payments which are predetermined and
                    guaranteed as to dollar amount.

GENERAL             ACCOUNT All the assets of The Manufacturers Life Insurance
                    Company of North America other than assets in separate
                    accounts.

INTERNAL REVENUE    The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
CODE (IRC)          time, and any successor statute of similar purposes.

INVESTMENT ACCOUNT  An account established by us which represents your interest
                    in an Investment Option prior to the Maturity Date.

INVESTMENT ACCOUNT
VALUE               The value of your investment in an Investment Account.

INVESTMENT OPTIONS  The Investment Options made available under this Contract
                    are the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account as shown on the
                    Contract Specifications Page and application.

LOAN ACCOUNT
                    The portion of the General Account that is used for
                    collateral when a loan is taken.

                                       1

<PAGE>   10


MATURITY DATE       The date on which annuity benefits commence. It is the date
                    specified on the Contract Specifications Page, unless
                    changed.

NET PAYMENT         The Payment less the amount of premium tax, if any, deducted
                    from the Payment.

NON-QUALIFIED       Contracts which are not issued under Qualified Plans.
CONTRACTS          

OWNER OR CONTRACT   The person, persons or entity entitled to the ownership
OWNER               rights under this Contract. The Owner is as designated on
                    the Contract Specifications Page and application, unless
                    changed.
                    

PORTFOLIO OR TRUST  A separate portfolio of Manufacturers Investment Trust, a
PORTFOLIO           mutual fund in which the Variable Account invests, or any
                    successor mutual fund.
                    

PAYMENT             An amount paid to us by you as consideration for the
                    benefits provided by the Contract.

QUALIFIED CONTRACTS Contracts issued under Qualified Plans.

QUALIFIED PLANS     Retirement plans which receive favorable tax treatment under
                    section 401, 403, 408 or 457, of the Internal Revenue Code
                    of 1986, as amended.

SEPARATE ACCOUNT    A segregated account of The Manufacturers Life Insurance
                    Company of North America that is not commingled with our
                    general assets and obligations.

SUB-ACCOUNT(S)      One or more of the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account.
                    Each Sub-Account is invested in shares of a different Trust
                    Portfolio.

VALUATION DATE      Any date on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for
                    business and the net asset value of a Trust Portfolio is
                    determined.

 VALUATION PERIOD   Any period from one Valuation Date to the next, measured
                    from the time on each such date that the net asset value of
                    each Portfolio is determined.

 VARIABLE ACCOUNT   The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America
                    Separate Account A, which is a separate account of The
                    Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America.

 VARIABLE ANNUITY   An Annuity Option with payments which: (1) are not
                    predetermined or guaranteed as to dollar amount, and (2)
                    vary in relation to the investment experience of one or more
                    specified Sub-Accounts.


PART 2              GENERAL PROVISIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ENTIRE CONTRACT     The entire contract consists of this Contract, any Contract
                    endorsements, and a copy of the application if one is
                    attached to the Contract when issued. 

                    Only our President, Vice-President or Secretary may agree to
                    change or waive any provisions of the Contract. The change
                    or waiver must be in writing.

                    We will not change or modify this Contract without your
                    consent except as may be required to make it conform to any
                    applicable law or regulation or any ruling issued by a
                    government agency.

                    The benefits and values available under this Contract are
                    not less than the minimum required by any statute of the
                    state in which the Contract is issued. We have filed a
                    detailed statement of the method used to calculate the
                    benefits and values with the Department of Insurance in the
                    state in

                                       2

<PAGE>   11


                    which the Contract is issued, if required by law.

BENEFICIARY         The Beneficiary is as designated in the Contract
                    Specifications Page and application, unless changed.
                    However, if there is a surviving Owner, that person will be
                    treated as the Beneficiary. If no such Beneficiary is
                    living, the Beneficiary is the "Contingent Beneficiary". If
                    no Beneficiary or Contingent Beneficiary is living, the
                    Beneficiary is the estate of the deceased Owner.

CHANGE OF MATURITY  Prior to the Maturity Date, you may request in writing a
DATE                change of the Maturity Date. Any extension of the Maturity
                    Date will be subject to our prior approval.

ASSIGNMENT          You may assign this Contract at any time prior to the
                    Maturity Date. No assignment will be binding on us unless it
                    is written in a form acceptable to us and received at our
                    Annuity Service Office. We will not be liable for any
                    payments made or actions we take before the assignment is
                    accepted by us. An absolute assignment will revoke the
                    interest of any revocable Beneficiary. We will not be
                    responsible for the validity of any assignment.

CLAIMS OF CREDITORS To the extent permitted by law, no benefits payable under
                    this Contract will be subject to the claims of your, the
                    Beneficiary's or the Annuitant's creditors.

MISSTATEMENT AND    We may require proof of age, sex or survival of any person
PROOF OF AGE, SEX   upon whose age, sex or survival any payments depend. If the
                    age or sex of the Annuitant has been misstated, the benefits
                    will be those which the Payments would have provided for the
                    correct age and sex. If we have made incorrect annuity
                    payments, the amount of any underpayment will be paid
                    immediately. The amount of any overpayment will be deducted
                    from future annuity payments.

ADDITION, DELETION  We reserve the right, subject to compliance with applicable
OR SUBSTITUTION OF  law, to make additions to, deletions from, or substitutions
INVESTMENT OPTIONS  for the Portfolio shares that are held by the Variable
                    Account or that the Variable Account may purchase. We
                    reserve the right to eliminate the shares of any of the
                    eligible Portfolios and to substitute shares of another
                    Portfolio of the Trust, or of another open-end registered
                    investment company, if the shares of any eligible Portfolio
                    are no longer available for investment, or if in our
                    judgment further investment in any eligible Portfolio should
                    become inappropriate in view of the purposes of the Variable
                    Account. We will not substitute any shares attributable to
                    your interest in a Sub-Account without notice to you and
                    prior approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission to
                    the extent required by the Investment Company Act of 1940.
                    Nothing contained herein shall prevent the Variable Account
                    from purchasing other securities for other series or classes
                    of contracts, or from effecting a conversion between shares
                    of another open-end investment company.

                    We reserve the right, subject to compliance with applicable
                    law, to establish additional Sub-Accounts which would invest
                    in shares of a new Portfolio of the Trust or in shares of
                    another open-end investment company. We also reserve the
                    right, subject to compliance with applicable law, to
                    eliminate existing Sub-Accounts, to combine Sub-Accounts or
                    to transfer assets in a Sub-Account to another Separate
                    Account established by us or an affiliated company. In the
                    event of any such substitutions or changes, we may, by
                    appropriate endorsement, make such changes in this and other
                    Contracts as may be necessary or appropriate to reflect such
                    substitutions or changes. If deemed by us to be in the best
                    interests of persons having voting rights under the
                    Contracts, the Variable Account may be operated as a
                    management company under the Investment Company Act of 1940
                    or it may be deregistered under such Act in the event such
                    registration is no longer required.

                                       3

<PAGE>   12


 NON-PARTICIPATING  Your Contract is non-participating and will not share in our
                    profits or surplus earnings. We will pay no dividends on
                    your Contract.

 REPORTS            At least once each year we will send you a report containing
                    information required by the Investment Company Act of 1940
                    and applicable state law.

INSULATION          The portion of the assets of the Variable Account equal to
                    the reserves and other contract liabilities with respect to
                    such account are not chargeable with liabilities arising out
                    of any other business we may conduct. Moreover, the income,
                    gains and losses, realized or unrealized, from assets
                    allocated to the Variable Account shall be credited to or
                    charged against such account without regard to our other
                    income, gains or losses.

CURRENCY AND PLACE  All payments made to or by us shall be made in the lawful
OF PAYMENTS         currency of the United States of America at the Annuity
                    Service Office or elsewhere if we consent.

NOTICES AND         To be effective, all notices and elections you make under
ELECTIONS           this Contract must be in writing, signed by you and received
                    by us at our Annuity Service Office. Unless otherwise
                    provided in this Contract, all notices, requests and
                    elections will be effective when received by us, complete
                    with all necessary information and your signature, at our
                    Annuity Service Office.

GOVERNING LAW       This Contract will be governed by the laws of the
                    jurisdiction indicated on the Contract Specifications Page.

SECTION 72(s)       The provisions of the Contract shall be interpreted so as to
                    comply with the requirements of Section 72(s) of the
                    Internal Revenue Code.

PART 3              OWNERSHIP
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GENERAL             Before the Maturity Date, the Owner of this Contract shall
                    be the person, persons, or entity designated on the Contract
                    Specifications Page and application or the latest change
                    filed with us. On the Maturity Date, the Annuitant becomes
                    the Owner of the Contract. If amounts become payable to the
                    Beneficiary under the Contract, the Beneficiary becomes the
                    Owner of the Contract.

CHANGE OF OWNER,    Subject to the rights of an irrevocable Beneficiary, you may
ANNUITANT,          change the Owner, Annuitant, or Beneficiary by written
BENEFICIARY         request in a form acceptable to us and which is received at
                    our Annuity Service Office. The Annuitant may not be changed
                    after the Maturity Date. You need not send us the Contract
                    unless we request it. Any change must be approved by us. If
                    approved, any change in Beneficiary will take effect on the
                    date you signed the request. If approved, any change in
                    Owner or Annuitant will take effect on the date we received
                    the request at the Annuity Service Office. We will not be
                    liable for any payments or actions we take before the change
                    is approved.

                    The substitution or addition of any Owner may result in the
                    resetting of the Death Benefit to an amount equal to the
                    Contract Value as of the date of such change. For purposes
                    of subsequent calculations of the Death Benefit, described
                    in Part 4, Benefits, Death Benefit Before Maturity Date, the
                    Contract Value on the date of the change will be treated as
                    a Payment made on that date. In addition, all Payments made
                    and all amounts deducted in connection with Partial
                    Withdrawals prior to the date of the change of Owner will
                    not be considered in the determination of the Death Benefit.
                    This paragraph will not apply if (a) the individual whose
                    death will cause the Death Benefit to be paid is the same
                    after the change of Owner, or (b) if

                                       4

<PAGE>   13

                    Ownership is transferred to your spouse. If any Annuitant is
                    changed and any Owner is not an individual, the entire
                    interest in the Contract must be distributed to the Owner
                    within five years of the change.

PART 4              BENEFITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANNUITY BENEFITS    We will pay a monthly income to the Annuitant, if living, on
                    the Maturity Date. Payments can be fixed or variable, or a
                    combination of fixed and variable. Annuity benefits will
                    commence on the Maturity Date and continue for the period of
                    time provided for under the Annuity Option selected.

                    We may pay the Contract Value, less Debt, on the Maturity
                    Date in one lump sum if the monthly income is less than $20.

                    On or before the Maturity Date you must select how the
                    Contract Value will be used to provide the monthly income.
                    You may select a Fixed or Variable Annuity. Unless you
                    indicate otherwise, we will provide variable annuity
                    payments in proportion to the Investment Account Value of
                    each Investment Option at the Maturity Date. Annuity
                    Payments will continue for 10 years or the lifetime of the
                    Annuitant, if longer.

                    If a Variable Annuity is used, the amount of the first
                    monthly annuity payment will be obtained from the
                    appropriate option table under the "Payment of Contract
                    Benefits" section. Subsequent monthly annuity payments will
                    vary based on the investment experience of the
                    Sub-Account(s) used to effect the annuity. The method used
                    to calculate the amount of the initial and subsequent
                    payments is described under the "Variable Annuity Payments"
                    Section of Part 7.

                    If a Fixed Annuity is used, the portion of the Contract
                    Value used to effect a Fixed Annuity will be applied to the
                    appropriate table contained in this Contract. If the table
                    in use by us on the Maturity Date is more favorable to you,
                    we will use that table. We guarantee the dollar amount of
                    fixed annuity payments.


DEATH BENEFIT       A Death Benefit will be determined as of the date on which
BEFORE MATURITY     written notice and proof of death and all required claim
DATE                forms are received at the Company's Annuity Service Office
                    as follows:

                    1.   If any Owner dies on or prior to their 85th birthday
                         and the oldest Owner had an attained age of less than
                         81 years on the Contract Date, the Death Benefit will
                         be the greater of:

                         (a)  the Contract Value, or

                         (b)  the excess of (i) over (ii) where

                              (i)  equals the sum of each Payment accumulated
                                   daily, at the equivalent of 5% per year,
                                   starting on the date each Payment is
                                   allocated to the Contract, with a maximum
                                   accumulation of 2 times each Payment.
                                                                               
                              (ii) equals the sum of any amounts deducted in
                                   connection with partial withdrawals,
                                   accumulated daily at the equivalent of 5% per
                                   year, starting on the date each such
                                   deduction occurs, with a maximum accumulation
                                   of 2 times each amount deducted.
                             
                    2.   If any Owner dies after their 85th birthday and the
                         oldest Owner had an attained age of less than 81 years
                         on the Contract Date, the Death

                                       5
<PAGE>   14

                         Benefit will be determined as the greater of:

                         (a)  the Contract Value, or

                         (b)  the excess of (i) over (ii) where:

                              (i)  equals the sum of all Payments,             
                                                                               
                              (ii) equals the sum of any amounts deducted in
                                   connection with partial withdrawals.
                              
                    3.   If any Owner dies and the oldest Owner had an attained
                         age of 81 or greater on the Contract Date, the Death
                         Benefit will be the Contract Value less any applicable
                         Withdrawal Charges at the time of payment of benefits.

                    If there is any Debt, the Death Benefit equals the amount
                    described above less the Debt under the Contract.

                    Death Of Annuitant: On the death of the last surviving
                    Annuitant, the Owner becomes the new Annuitant, if the Owner
                    is an individual. If any Owner is not an individual the
                    death of any Annuitant is treated as the death of an Owner
                    and the Death Benefit will be determined by substituting the
                    Annuitant for the Owner as described below.

                    Death Of Owner: We will pay the Death Benefit to the
                    Beneficiary if any Owner dies prior to the Maturity Date.
                    The Death Benefit may be taken in one sum immediately, in
                    which case the Contract will terminate. If the Death Benefit
                    is not taken in one sum immediately, the Contract will
                    continue subject to the following provisions:

                         (a)  The Beneficiary becomes the Contract Owner.
                                                                         
                         (b)  The excess, if any, of the Death Benefit over the
                              Contract Value will be allocated to and among the
                              Investment Accounts in proportion to their values
                              as of the date on which the Death Benefit is
                              determined.
                                                                         
                         (c)  No additional Payments may be applied to the
                              Contract.
                                                                         
                         (d)  If the Beneficiary is not the deceased Owner's
                              spouse, the entire interest in the Contract must
                              be distributed under one of the following options:
                        
                              (i)  The entire interest in the Contract must be
                                   distributed over the life of the Beneficiary,
                                   or over a period not extending beyond the
                                   life expectancy of the Beneficiary, with
                                   distributions beginning within one year of
                                   the Owner's death; or
                                                                         
                              (ii) the entire interest in the Contract must be
                                   distributed within 5 years of the Owner's
                                   Death.
                               
                              If the Beneficiary dies before the distributions
                              required by (i) or (ii) are complete, the entire
                              remaining Contract Value must be distributed in a
                              lump sum immediately.
                             
                         (e)  If the Beneficiary is the deceased Owner's spouse,
                              the Contract will continue with the surviving
                              spouse as the new Owner. The surviving spouse may
                              name a new Beneficiary (and, if no Beneficiary is
                              so named, the surviving spouse's estate will be
                              the Beneficiary). Upon the death of the surviving
                              spouse, the Death Benefit will equal the Contract
                              Value at the time of the surviving spouse's death,
                              and the entire interest in the Contract must be
                              distributed to the new Beneficiary in accordance
                              with the provisions of (d) (i) or (d) (ii) above.

                                       6

<PAGE>   15

                                                               
                         (f)  Withdrawal Charges will be waived on any
                              withdrawals, unless the Death Benefit payable upon
                              the Owner's death was defined under provision 3.,
                              Death Benefit Before Maturity Date above. If the
                              Death Benefit was so defined, Withdrawal Charges
                              will be assessed at the time a withdrawal occurs.
                         
                         If there is more than one Beneficiary, the foregoing
                         provisions will independently apply to each
                         Beneficiary.
                         
DEATH BENEFIT ON OR      If annuity payments have been selected based on an
AFTER MATURITY DATE      Annuity Option providing for payments for a guaranteed
                         period, and the Annuitant dies on or after the Maturity
                         Date, we will make the remaining guaranteed payments to
                         the Beneficiary. Any remaining payments will be made as
                         rapidly as under the method of distribution being used
                         as of the date of the Annuitant's death. If no
                         Beneficiary is living, we will commute any unpaid
                         guaranteed payments to a single sum (on the basis of
                         the interest rate used in determining the payments) and
                         pay that single sum to the estate of the last to die of
                         the Annuitant and the Beneficiary.
                         
PROOF OF DEATH           Proof of death is required upon the death of the
                         Annuitant or the Owner. Proof of death is one of the
                         following received at the Annuity Service Office:
                                                               
                         (a)  A certified copy of a death certificate.       
                                                               
                         (b)  A certified copy of a decree of a court of 
                              competent jurisdiction as to the finding of death.
                                                                             
                         (c) Any other proof satisfactory to us.            
                         

PART 5                   PAYMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GENERAL                  All Payments under this Contract are payable at our
                         Annuity Service Office or such other place as we may
                         designate. The minimum initial Payment is $25,000.
                         Minimum subsequent Payments must be $1,000 with an
                         exception for qualified plans where minimum subsequent
                         Payments must be $30.00. Payments may be made at any
                         time. If a Payment would cause the Contract Value to
                         exceed $1,000,000, or the Contract Value already
                         exceeds $1,000,000, no additional Payments will be
                         accepted without our prior approval.

NONPAYMENT OF PAYMENTS   If, prior to the Maturity Date, no Payments are made
FOR TWO YEARS            for two consecutive Contract Years and if both:

                         (a) the total Payments made, less partial withdrawals,
                             are less than $2,000; and

                         (b) the Contract Value at the end of such two year
                             period is less than $2,000;

                         We may cancel the Contract and pay you the Contract
                         Value (measured as of the Valuation Period during which
                         the cancellation occurs), less the Debt and Annual
                         Administration Fee.

ALLOCATION OF NET        When we receive Payments, the Net Payments will be
PAYMENTS                 allocated among Investment Options in accordance with
                         the allocation percentages shown on the Contract
                         Specifications Page. You may change the allocation of
                         subsequent Net Payments at any time, without charge, by
                         giving us written notice.

                                       7
<PAGE>   16


PART 6                   VARIABLE ACCOUNT PROVISIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

INVESTMENT ACCOUNT       We will establish a separate Investment Account for you
                         for each Investment Option to which you allocate
                         amounts. The Investment Account represents the number
                         of your Accumulation Units in an Investment Option.

INVESTMENT ACCOUNT       The Investment Account Value of an Investment Account
VALUE                    is determined by (a) times (b) where: 

                         (a) equals the number of Accumulation Units credited 
                             to the Investment Account, and 

                         (b) equals the value of the appropriate Accumulation 
                             Unit.

ACCUMULATION UNITS       We will credit Net Payments to your Investment Accounts
                         in the form of Accumulation Units. The number of
                         Accumulation Units to be credited to each Investment
                         Account of the Contract will be determined by dividing
                         the Net Payment allocated to that Investment Account by
                         the Accumulation Unit value for that Investment
                         Account. Accumulation Units will be adjusted for any
                         transfers and will be canceled on payment of a Death
                         Benefit, withdrawal, maturity or assessment of certain
                         charges based on their value for the Valuation Period
                         in which such transaction occurs.

VALUE OF ACCUMULATION    The Accumulation Unit value for any Valuation Period is
UNIT                     determined by multiplying the Accumulation Unit value
                         for the immediately preceding Valuation Period by the
                         "net investment factor" for the Investment Account for
                         the Valuation Period for which the value is being
                         determined. The value of an Accumulation Unit may
                         increase, decrease or remain the same from one
                         Valuation Period to the next.


NET INVESTMENT FACTOR    The net investment factor for an Investment Account is
                         an index that measures the investment performance of a
                         Sub-Account from one Valuation Period to the next. The
                         net investment factor for any Valuation Period is
                         determined by dividing (a) by (b) and subtracting (c)
                         from the result where:

                         (a)  is the net result of:

                              (1)  the net asset value per share of a Portfolio
                                   share held in the Sub-Account determined as
                                   of the end of the current Valuation Period,
                                   plus

                              (2)  the per share amount of any dividend or
                                   capital gain distributions made by the
                                   Portfolio on shares held in the Sub-Account
                                   if the "ex-dividend" date occurs during the
                                   current Valuation Period, and

                         (b)  is the net asset value per share of a Portfolio
                              share held in the Sub-Account determined as of the
                              end of the immediately preceding Valuation Period,
                              and

                         (c)  is the Asset Fee as defined in Part 10, Fees and
                              Deductions.

                         The net investment factor may be greater or less than
                         or equal to one.


PART 7                   ANNUITY PROVISIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VARIABLE ANNUITY         The amount of the first variable annuity payment is
PAYMENTS                 determined by applying

                                       8

<PAGE>   17

                         the portion of the Contract Value used to effect a
                         Variable Annuity, measured as of a date not more than
                         10 business days prior to the Maturity Date (minus any
                         applicable premium taxes), to the appropriate tables(s)
                         contained in this Contract. If the table in use by us
                         on the Maturity Date is more favorable to you, we will
                         use that table. Subsequent payments will be based on
                         the investment performance of one or more Sub-Accounts
                         as you select. The amount of such payments is
                         determined by the number of Annuity Units credited for
                         each Sub- Account. Such number is determined by
                         dividing the portion of the first payment allocated to
                         that Sub-Account by the Annuity Unit value for that
                         Sub-Account determined as of the same date that the
                         Contract Value to effect annuity payments was
                         determined. This number of Annuity Units for each
                         Sub-Account is then multiplied by the appropriate
                         Annuity Unit value for each subsequent determination
                         date, which is a uniformly applied date not more than
                         10 business days before the payment is due.

MORTALITY AND EXPENSE    We guarantee that the dollar amount of each variable
GUARANTEE                annuity payment will not be affected by changes in
                         mortality and expense experience.


ANNUITY UNIT VALUE       The value of an Annuity Unit for each Sub-Account for
                         any Valuation Period is determined as follows:

                         (a)  The net investment factor for the Sub-Account for
                              the Valuation Period for which the Annuity Unit
                              value is being calculated is multiplied by the
                              value of the Annuity Unit for the preceding
                              Valuation Period; and

                         (b)  The result is adjusted to compensate for the
                              interest rate assumed in the tables used to
                              determine the first variable annuity payment.

                         The dollar value of Annuity Units may increase,
                         decrease or remain the same from one Valuation Period
                         to the next.

FIXED ANNUITY PAYMENTS   The amount of each fixed annuity payment is determined
                         by applying the portion of the Contract Value used to
                         effect a Fixed Annuity measured as of a date not more
                         than 10 business days prior to the Maturity Date (minus
                         any applicable premium taxes) to the appropriate table
                         contained in this Contract. If the table in use by us
                         on the Maturity Date is more favorable to you, we will
                         use that table.

                         We guarantee the dollar amount of fixed annuity
                         payments.

PART 8                   TRANSFERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSFERS                Before the Maturity Date you may transfer amounts among
                         Investment Accounts of the Contract. There is no
                         transaction charge for transfers. Amounts will be
                         canceled from the Investment Account from which amounts
                         are transferred and credited to the Investment Account
                         to which amounts are transferred. We will effect such
                         transfers so that the Contract Value on the date of
                         transfer will not be affected by the transfer. We
                         reserve the right to limit, upon notice, the maximum
                         number of transfers you may make per Contract Year to
                         one per month or six at any time within a Contract
                         Year. You must transfer at least $300 or, if less, the
                         entire amount in the Investment Account each time you
                         make a transfer. If, after the transfer, the amount
                         remaining in the Investment Account from which the
                         transfer is made is less than $100, then we will
                         transfer the entire amount instead of the requested
                         amount.

                                       9

<PAGE>   18

                         We reserve the right to defer the transfer privilege at
                         any time that we are unable to purchase or redeem
                         shares of the Trust Portfolios. In addition, in
                         accordance with applicable law, the Company reserves
                         the right to modify or terminate the transfer privilege
                         at any time.

                         Once variable annuity payments have begun, you may
                         transfer all or part of the investment upon which your
                         variable annuity payments are based from one
                         Sub-Account to another. To do this, we will convert the
                         number of variable Annuity Units you hold in the
                         Sub-Account from which you are transferring to a number
                         of variable Annuity Units of the Sub-Account to which
                         you are transferring so that the amount of a variable
                         annuity payment, if it were made at that time, would
                         not be affected by the transfer. After that, your
                         variable annuity payments will reflect changes in the
                         values of your new variable Annuity Units. You must
                         give us notice at least 30 days before the due date of
                         the first variable annuity payment to which the
                         transfer will apply. We reserve the right to limit,
                         upon notice, the maximum number of transfers you may
                         make, per Contract Year after variable annuity payments
                         have begun, to four.

                         After the Maturity Date, transfers will not be allowed
                         from a fixed to a variable Annuity Option, or from a
                         variable to a fixed Annuity Option.

PART 9                   WITHDRAWAL PROVISIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CONTRACT VALUE           Your Contract Value is equal to the total of the
                         Investment Account Values and, if applicable, any
                         amount in the Loan Account attributable to the
                         Contract.

PAYMENTS OF WITHDRAWALS  You may withdraw part or all of the Contract Value,
                         less any Debt, at any time before the earlier of your
                         death or the Maturity Date by sending us a written
                         request. We will pay all withdrawals within seven days
                         of receipt at the Annuity Service Office subject to
                         postponement in certain circumstances, as specified
                         below.

SUSPENSION OF PAYMENTS   We may defer the right of withdrawal, or postpone the
                         date of payment, from the Investment Accounts for any
                         period when: (1) the New York Stock Exchange is closed
                         (other than customary weekend and holiday closings);
                         (2) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is
                         restricted; (3) an emergency exists as a result of
                         which disposal of securities held in the Variable
                         Account is not reasonably practicable or it is not
                         reasonably practicable to determine the value of the
                         Variable Account's net assets; or (4) the Securities
                         and Exchange Commission, by order, so permits for the
                         protection of security holders; provided that
                         applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and
                         Exchange Commission shall govern as to whether the
                         conditions described in (2) and (3) exist.

TOTAL WITHDRAWAL         Upon receipt of your request to withdraw all of your
                         Contract Value, we will terminate the Contract and pay
                         you the Contract Value less, any applicable Debt,
                         Withdrawal Charges and the Annual Administration Fee.

PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL       If you are withdrawing part of the Contract Value, you
                         should specify the amount that should be withdrawn from
                         each Investment Option of the Contract. If you do not
                         specify, the requested amount will be withdrawn from
                         the Investment Accounts on a pro rata basis.

                         We will deduct the Withdrawal Charge, if applicable,
                         from the Contract Value remaining after payment of the
                         requested amount.

                                       10

<PAGE>   19

 WITHDRAWAL CHARGE       If a withdrawal is made from the Contract before the
                         Maturity Date, a Withdrawal Charge (contingent deferred
                         sales charge) may be assessed against Payments that
                         have been in your Contract for less than 3 years. No
                         Withdrawal Charge will apply to Payments being
                         withdrawn that have been in the Contract for 3 or more
                         years. The amount of the Withdrawal Charge and when it
                         is assessed is discussed below:

                         (1)  The free withdrawal amount is defined as the
                              greater of:

                              (a)  the excess of the Contract Value on the date
                                   of withdrawal over the unliquidated Payments,
                                   or

                              (b)  the excess of (i) over (ii), where:

                                   (i)  equals 10% of total Payments,

                                   (ii) equals 100% of all prior partial
                                        withdrawals, in that Contract Year.

                              The free withdrawal amount may be withdrawn free
                              of a Withdrawal Charge.

                        (2)   If a withdrawal is made for an amount greater than
                              the free withdrawal amount, Payments will be
                              liquidated on a first-in-first-out basis. We will
                              liquidate Payments in the order such Payments were
                              made: the oldest unliquidated Payment first, the
                              next Payment second, etc...until all Payments have
                              been liquidated.

                        (3)   A 3% Withdrawal Charge will be assessed against
                              Payments liquidated that have been in the Contract
                              for less than 3 years.

                        (4)   The Withdrawal Charge is deducted from the
                              Contract Value remaining after you are paid the
                              amount requested, except in the case of a complete
                              withdrawal when it is deducted from the amount
                              otherwise payable. In the case of a partial
                              withdrawal, the amount requested from an
                              Investment Account may not exceed the value of
                              that Investment Account less any applicable
                              Withdrawal Charge.

                        (5)   In no event will the aggregate Withdrawal Charge
                              be greater than 3% of the total Payments made.

REQUENCY AND AMOUNT OF   You may make as many partial withdrawals as you wish.
PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL       Any withdrawal from an Investment Account of the
                         Contract must be at least $300 or the entire balance of
                         the Investment Account, if less. If after the
                         withdrawal, the amount remaining in the Investment
                         Account is less than $100, then we will consider the
                         withdrawal request to be a request for withdrawal of
                         the entire amount held in the Investment Account. If a
                         partial withdrawal would reduce the Contract Value to
                         less than $300, then we will treat the partial
                         withdrawal request as a total withdrawal of the
                         Contract Value.

PART 10                  FEES AND DEDUCTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASSET FEE                To compensate us for assuming mortality and expense
                         risks, and certain administration expenses, we deduct
                         from each Sub-Account a fee each Valuation Period at an
                         annual rate of 1.65%. A portion of this Asset Fee may
                         also be used to reimburse us for distribution expenses.
                         This fee is reflected in the Net Investment Factor used
                         to determine the value of Accumulation Units and
                         Annuity Units of the Contract.

ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION    We reserve the right to impose a $30 Annual
FEE                      Administration Fee on each 

                                       11

<PAGE>   20


                         Contract Anniversary prior to the Maturity Date any
                         time the Contract Value is less than $10,000 as a
                         result of a partial withdrawal. The Annual
                         Administration Fee will be withdrawn from each
                         Investment Option in the same proportion that the value
                         of the Investment Accounts of each Investment Option
                         bears to the Contract Value. If the Contract Value is
                         totally withdrawn on any date other than the Contract
                         Anniversary, we will deduct the full amount of the $30
                         Annual Administration Fee from the amount paid.

TAXES                    We reserve the right to charge certain taxes against
                         your Payments (either at the time of payment or
                         liquidation), Contract Value, payment of Death Benefits
                         or annuity payments, as appropriate. Such taxes may
                         include any premium taxes or other taxes levied by any
                         government entity which we, in our sole discretion,
                         determine have resulted from the establishment or
                         maintenance of the Variable Account, or from the
                         receipt by us of Payments, or from the issuance of this
                         Contract, or from the commencement or continuance of
                         annuity payments under this Contract.

PART 11                  LOAN PROVISION (CERTAIN QUALIFIED CONTRACTS ONLY)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GENERAL                  This loan provision applies only to certain Qualified
                         Contracts. All provisions and terms of a loan are
                         included in the Qualified Plan Endorsement, if
                         attached.

PART 12                  PAYMENT OF CONTRACT BENEFITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GENERAL                  Benefits payable under this Contract may be applied in
                         accordance with one or more of the Annuity Options
                         described below, subject to any restrictions of
                         Internal Revenue Code section 72(s)

ALTERNATE                ANNUITY OPTIONS Instead of settlement in accordance
                         with the Annuity Options described below, you may
                         choose an alternate form of settlement acceptable to
                         us.

DESCRIPTION OF ANNUITY   Option 1: Life Annuity
OPTIONS  
                         (a)  Life Non-Refund. We will make payments during the
                              lifetime of the Annuitant. No payments are due
                              after the death of the Annuitant.

                         (b)  Life 10-Year Certain. We will make payments for 10
                              years and after that during the lifetime of the
                              Annuitant. No payments are due after the death of
                              the Annuitant or, if later, the end of the 10-year
                              period certain.

                         Option 2: Joint and Survivor Life Annuity

                         The second Annuitant named shall be referred to as the
                         Co-Annuitant.

                         (a)  Joint and Survivor Non-Refund. We will make
                              payments during the joint lifetime of the
                              Annuitant and Co-Annuitant. Payments will then
                              continue during the remaining lifetime of the
                              survivor. No payments are due after the death of
                              the last survivor of the Annuitant and
                              Co-Annuitant.

                         (b)  Joint and Survivor with 10-Year Certain. We
                              will make payments for 10 





                                       12

<PAGE>   21
                              years and after that during the joint lifetime of
                              the Annuitant and Co-Annuitant. Payments will then
                              continue during the remaining lifetime of the
                              survivor. No payments are due after the death of
                              the survivor of the Annuitant and Co-Annuitant or,
                              if later, the end of the 10-year period certain.

ANNUITY PAYMENT RATES    The annuity payment rates on the attached tables show,
                         that for each $1,000 applied, the dollar amount of both
                         (a) the first monthly variable annuity payment based on
                         the assumed interest rate of 3% and (b) the monthly
                         fixed annuity payment, when this payment is based on
                         the minimum guaranteed interest rate of 3% per year.
                         The annuity payment rates for payments made on a less
                         frequent basis (quarterly, semiannual or annual) will
                         be quoted by us upon request. The annuity payment rates
                         are based on the 1983 Table A projected at Scale G with
                         interest at the rate of 3% per annum and assume births
                         in year 1942. The amount of each annuity payment will
                         depend upon the sex and adjusted age of the Annuitant,
                         the Co-Annuitant, if any, or other payee. The adjusted
                         age is determined from the actual age nearest birthday
                         at the time the first monthly annuity payment is due,
                         as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           CALENDAR YEAR OF BIRTH       ADJUSTMENT TO ACTUAL AGE
                           ----------------------       -----------------------
                                <S>                                <C>

                                1899 - 1905                        +6           
                                1906 - 1911                        +5           
                                1912 - 1918                        +4           
                                1919 - 1925                        +3           
                                1926 - 1932                        +2           
                                1933 - 1938                        +1           
                                1939 - 1945                        +0           
                                1946 - 1951                        -1           
                                1952 - 1958                        -2           
                                1959 - 1965                        -3           
                                1966 - 1972                        -4           
                                1973 - 1979                        -5           
                                1980 - 1986                        -6           
                                  1987+                            -7           
                         
</TABLE>

                         The dollar amount of annuity payment for any age or
                         combination of ages not shown following or for any
                         other form of Annuity Option agreed to by us will be
                         quoted on request.

                                       13

<PAGE>   22



                         AMOUNT OF FIRST MONTHLY PAYMENT

                           PER $1000 OF CONTRACT VALUE

                             OPTION 1: LIFE ANNUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                      Option 1(A): Non-Refund                                       Option 1(B): 10-Year Certain
       -----------------------------------------------------         ------------------------------------------------------
       Adjusted Age of                                               Adjusted Age of
          Annuitant            Male             Female                  Annuitant            Male              Female
       -----------------------------------------------------         ------------------------------------------------------
<S>           <C>              <C>               <C>                        <C>              <C>                <C> 
              55               4.23              3.83                       55               4.19               3.82
              60               4.64              4.15                       60               4.57               4.12
              65               5.20              4.57                       65               5.05               4.51
              70               5.94              5.13                       70               5.65               5.02
              75               6.91              5.91                       75               6.35               5.67
              80               8.21              6.98                       80               7.13               6.45
              85               9.94              8.47                       85               7.90               7.29
</TABLE>




                    OPTION 2: JOINT AND SURVIVOR LIFE ANNUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

     Option 2(A): Non-Refund
                                                                       Age of Co-Annuitant
          ----------------       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Adjusted
          Age of Male            10 Years        5 Years          Same              5 Years          10 Years
          Annuitant              Younger         Younger          Age               Older            Older
          ----------------       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>       <C>                    <C>             <C>              <C>               <C>              <C> 
          55                     3.24            3.38             3.53              3.69             3.83
          60                     3.40            3.58             3.78              3.98             4.16
          65                     3.61            3.85             4.10              4.36             4.61
          70                     3.88            4.19             4.53              4.88             5.20
          75                     4.23            4.64             5.10              5.57             6.00
          80                     4.70            5.26             5.88              6.51             7.06
          85                     5.34            6.09             6.94              7.76             8.43
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

     Option 2(B): 10 Year Certain
                                                                        Age of Co-Annuitant
          ----------------       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Adjusted
          Age of Male             10 Years         5 Years          Same              5 Years          10 Years
          Annuitant               Younger          Younger          Age               Older            Older
          ----------------       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>       <C>                     <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>              <C> 
          55                      3.24             3.38             3.53              3.69             3.83
          60                      3.40             3.58             3.78              3.98             4.16
          65                      3.61             3.85             4.10              4.36             4.59
          70                      3.88             4.18             4.52              4.86             5.16
          75                      4.23             4.63             5.07              5.50             5.86
          80                      4.68             5.21             5.78              6.30             6.69
          85                      5.27             5.95             6.62              7.18             7.56
          --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

                                       14

<PAGE>   23


     Monthly installments for ages not shown will be furnished on request



































                       This page intentionally left blank


                                       15

<PAGE>   24




















































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

THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>   25

Manulife Financial and the block design are registered service marks of The
Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it and its subsidiaries.


 .

<PAGE>   1


THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA

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

    EXECUTIVE OFFICE:     ANNUITY SERVICE OFFICE:        HOME OFFICE
  116 Huntington Avenue        P.O. Box 9230         Wilmington, Delaware
    Boston, MA 02116       Boston, MA 02205-9230
                               1-800-344-1029

                  This is a Legal Contract - Read it Carefully.

      We Agree to pay the benefits of this Contract in accordance with its
terms.

  This Contract is issued in consideration of the Application and the Purchase
Payments.

                             TEN DAY RIGHT TO REVIEW

The Contract Owner may cancel the Contract by returning it to our Annuity
Service Office or agent at any time within 10 days after receipt of the
Contract. Within 7 days of receipt of the Contract by us, we will pay to the
Contract Owner an amount equal to the sum of (i) the difference between the
Purchase Payments paid and the net Purchase Payments, and (ii) the Contract
Value computed at the end of the Valuation Period during which the Contract is
received by us.

When the Contract is issued as an individual retirement annuity, during the
first 7 days of this TEN DAY RIGHT TO REVIEW period, we will return all Purchase
Payments if this is greater than the amount payable under the TEN DAY RIGHT TO
REVIEW.

Signed for the Company at its Executive Office, Boston, Massachusetts, on the
Contract Date.

                DETAILS OF VARIABLE ACCOUNT PROVISIONS ON PAGE 8


                 Vice President                      President

               Flexible Purchase Payment Deferred Variable Annuity
                                Non-Participating

ANNUITY PAYMENTS AND OTHER VALUES PROVIDED BY THIS CONTRACT WHEN BASED ON THE
INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE OF A SEPARATE ACCOUNT ARE VARIABLE AND NOT GUARANTEED AS
TO FIXED DOLLAR AMOUNT.

   
VENIO
    

<PAGE>   2



INTRODUCTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a flexible purchase payment deferred variable annuity. This annuity
provides that the Contract Value will accumulate on a variable basis and annuity
payments may be either fixed or variable, or a combination of fixed and
variable. The Contract Value will vary with the investment performance of the
Variable Account.

If you select annuity payments on a variable basis, the payment amount will vary
with the investment performance of the Variable Account.

You must allocate Purchase Payments among one or more Investment Options. The
Investment Options are identified on the Application and on the Contract
Specifications Page.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                          Page

Contract Specifications Page

PART 1  - DEFINITIONS                                                       1
                     -----------------------------------------------------
PART 2  - GENERAL PROVISIONS                                                2
                            ----------------------------------------------
PART 3  - OWNERSHIP                                                         4
                   -------------------------------------------------------
PART 4  - BENEFITS                                                          5
                  --------------------------------------------------------
PART 5  - PURCHASE PAYMENTS                                                 7
                           -----------------------------------------------
PART 6  - VARIABLE ACCOUNT PROVISIONS                                       8
                                     -------------------------------------
PART 7  - ANNUITY PROVISIONS                                                9
                            ----------------------------------------------
PART 8  - TRANSFERS                                                         9
                   -------------------------------------------------------
PART 9  - WITHDRAWAL PROVISIONS                                             10
                               -------------------------------------------
PART 10 - FEES AND DEDUCTIONS                                               11
                             ---------------------------------------------
PART 11 - LOAN PROVISION                                                    12
                        --------------------------------------------------
PART 12 - PAYMENT OF CONTRACT BENEFITS                                      12
                                      ------------------------------------
<PAGE>   3


                               SPECIFICATIONS PAGE

TYPE OF CONTRACT:        NON-QUALIFIED
CONTRACT DATE:              11/06/1997      MATURITY DATE: 11/06/2017
INITIAL PURCHASE PAYMENT:            $      CONTRACT NUMBER:000000005
                            100,000.00

INITIAL ALLOCATION OF NET PURCHASE PAYMENT:      (SEE REVERSE FOR ALL 
                                                  AVAILABLE OPTIONS)

INVESTMENT OPTIONS:                   INTEREST RATE:           GUARANTEED TO:

1 YEAR FIXED                   50.00% 4.00%                      11/06/1998
EQUITY                         50.00%

















                                  ------------
TOTAL                                100.00%

OWNER:                         JOE OWNER       CO-OWNER:
ANNUITANT:                     JOE OWNER       AGE:                         77
CO-ANNUITANT:                                  BENEFICIARY:  SEE ATTACHED LIST


<PAGE>   4


                          AVAILABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS

FIXED INVESTMENT OPTIONS

    1 Year Fixed

VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS

    Pacific Rim Emerging Markets       Manufacturers Adviser Corporation
    Science & Technology               T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.   
    International Small Cap            Founders Asset Management, Inc.  
    Emerging Growth                    Warburg, Pincus Counsellors, Inc.
    Pilgrim Baxter Growth              Pilgrim Baxter & Associates      
    Small/Mid Cap                      Fred Alger Management, Inc.
    International Stock                Rowe Price-Fleming International, Inc.
    Worldwide Growth                   Founders Asset Management, Inc.
    Global Equity                      Morgan Stanley Asset Management Inc.
    Small Company Value                Rosenberg Institutional Equity Management
    Growth                             Founders Asset Management, Inc.
    Equity                             Fidelity Management Trust Company
    Quantitative Equity                Manufacturers Adviser Corporation
    Blue Chip Growth                   T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
    Real Estate Securities             Manufacturers Adviser Corporation
    Value                              Miller Anderson & Sherrerd, LLP
    International Growth & Income      J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc.
    Growth and Income                  Wellington Management Company, LLP
    Equity-Income                      T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
    Balanced                           Founders Asset Management, Inc.
    Aggressive Asset Allocation        Fidelity Management Trust Company
    High Yield                         Miller Anderson & Sherrerd, LLP
    Moderate Asset Allocation          Fidelity Management Trust Company
    Conservative Asset Allocation      Fidelity Management Trust Company
    Strategic Bond                     Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc.
    Global Government Bond             Oechsle International Advisors, L.P.
    Capital Growth Bond                Manufacturers Adviser Corporation
    Investment Quality Bond            Wellington Management Company, LLP
    U.S. Government Securities         Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc.
    Money Market                       Manufacturers Adviser Corporation
   
    Lifestyle Portfolios:              Manufacturers Adviser Corporation
        Conservative 280
        Moderate 460
        Balanced 640
        Growth 820
        Aggressive 1000


<PAGE>   5

                             BENEFICIARY INFORMATION

Please find below the Beneficiary Information for contract number, 000000005,
currently on file at The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North America:

Kathy Owner


<PAGE>   6





                          DEATH BENEFIT ENDORSEMENT

PART 4, BENEFITS, DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE MATURITY DATE of the Flexible Purchase
Payment Deferred Variable Annuity to which this endorsement is attached is
replaced as follows:

DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE     Minimum Death  Benefit.  The minimum death benefit
MATURITY DATE            is  payable  upon the death of the last  surviving
                         Annuitant  named  under the  Contract.  The age of
                         the  Annuitant  will  be the  age of the  youngest
                         Annuitant on the Contract Date.

                         1. If the Annuitant dies on or prior to the first of
                            the month following his or her 85th birthday and had
                            an attained age of less than 81 years on the
                            Contract Date, the minimum death benefit will be the
                            greater of:

                          (a) the  Contract  Value on the date due proof of
                                death  is  received  at the  Company's Annuity
                                Service Office, or

                          (b) the excess of (i) over (ii) where:
                       
                               (i) equals the sum of each Purchase Payment 
                                     accumulated daily, at the equivalent of 5%
                                     per year, starting on the date each 
                                     Purchase Payment is allocated to the
                                     Contract, with a maximum accumulation of 2 
                                     times each Purchase Payment, over

                               (ii)equals the sum of each withdrawal or
                                     annuitized amount, including any applicable
                                     withdrawal charges, accumulated daily at 
                                     the equivalent of 5% per year, starting as
                                     of the date of each such withdrawal or
                                     annuitization, with a maximum accumulation
                                     of 2 times each such withdrawal or 
                                     annuitized amount.

                        2.    If the Annuitant dies after the first of the month
                              following his or her 85th birthday and had an
                              attained age of less than 81 years on the Contract
                              Date, the minimum death benefit will be determined
                              as the greater of: 

                           (a) the Contract Value on the date due proof of death
                                 is received at the Company's Annuity Service
                                 Office, or

                           (b) the excess of (i) over (ii) where: 

                               (i) equals the sum of all Purchase Payments, over

h                              (ii)equals the sum of any amounts deducted in 
                                     connection with partial withdrawals.

                        3.    If the Annuitant dies and the Annuitant had an
                              attained age of 81 or greater on the Contract
                              Date, the minimum death benefit payable on due
                              proof of death will equal the amount payable on
                              total withdrawal.

                        Death of Annuitant (Where the Annuitant Was Not An
                        Owner). We will pay the minimum death benefit, less any
                        Debt, to the Beneficiary if the Annuitant is not an
                        Owner, the Annuitant dies before the Maturity Date,
                        there is no surviving Co-Annuitant, and all Owners are
                        individuals. The Beneficiary (1) may elect to receive
                        payment (either as a lump sum or in accordance with any
                        Annuity Option described in the Contract) or (2) may
                        continue the Contract, as its Owner, with the Contract
                        Value on the date of due proof of death equal to the
                        minimum death benefit.

                        Death of Owner (Who Was the Last-Surviving Annuitant).
                        If any Owner dies before the Maturity Date, the deceased
                        Owner is also the Annuitant, and there is no surviving
                        Co-Annuitant, we will pay the minimum death benefit,
                        less any Debt, to the Beneficiary. In the case of a
                        Non-Qualified Contract, after such Owner's death, the
                        beneficiary's entire interest must be

   
ENDORSEMENT.022
    

<PAGE>   7

                        distributed within five years unless (1) the Beneficiary
                        elects to receive his or her interest as an annuity
                        which begins within one year of the Owner's death and is
                        paid over the Beneficiary's life or over a period not
                        extending beyond the Beneficiary's life expectancy or
                        (2) the Beneficiary is the deceased Owner's surviving
                        spouse and elects to continue the Contract, as its
                        Owner, with the Contract Value on the date of due proof
                        of death equal to the minimum death benefit. For
                        purposes of this paragraph, in calculating the minimum
                        death benefit, the applicability of any withdrawal
                        charges (under subparagraph "3." of the definition of
                        "Minimum Death Benefit" above) will be made only if and
                        when the minimum death benefit is actually paid.

                        Death of Owner (Who Was Not the Last-Surviving
                        Annuitant). If any Owner dies before the Maturity Date
                        and any Annuitant survives, we will transfer the
                        interest in the Contract to the Successor Owner. If the
                        deceased Owner had not attained age 81 on the Contract
                        Date, the interest in the Contract equals the Contract
                        Value. If the deceased Owner had attained age 81 on the
                        Contract Date, the interest in the Contract also equals
                        the Contract Value, but such interest may be subject to
                        applicable withdrawal charges when any amounts are
                        actually paid. In the case of a Non-Qualified Contract,
                        after such Owner's death, the Successor Owner's entire
                        interest must be distributed within five years unless
                        (1) the Successor Owner elects to receive his or her
                        interest as an annuity which begins within one year of
                        the Owner's death and is paid over the Successor Owner's
                        life or over a period not extending beyond the Successor
                        Owner's life expectancy or (2) the Successor Owner is
                        the deceased Owner's surviving spouse and elects to
                        continue the Contract, as its Owner, with the Contract
                        Value on the date of due proof of death equal to the
                        interest in the Contract.

                        If there are surviving Owners, such surviving Owners
                        will be substituted for the Successor Owner in the
                        preceding paragraph. 

                        Non-Natural Owners. If any Owner of a Non-Qualified
                        Contract is not an individual, the death or change of
                        any Annuitant will be treated as the "Death of Owner
                        (Who Was Not the Last-Surviving Annuitant)," unless the
                        last-surviving Annuitant has actually died in which case
                        the death will be treated as the "Death of Owner (Who
                        Was the Last-Surviving Annuitant)."

Endorsed on the Date of Issue of this Contract.

THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA

Vice-President





ENDORSEMENT.022

<PAGE>   8


                       FIXED INVESTMENT OPTION ENDORSEMENT

All contracts beginning with form numbers VEN10 And VISION.001 To which this
Endorsement is attached is amended as follows:

PART 1, DEFINITIONS, ACCUMULATION UNIT and INVESTMENT OPTIONS are replaced as
follows:

ACCUMULATION UNIT       A unit of measure that is used to calculate the value of
                        the variable portion of this Contract before the 
                        Maturity Date.

INVESTMENT OPTIONS      The Investment Options made available under this 
                        Contract are the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account
                        and the fixed interest rate options as shown on the 
                        Contract Specifications Page and application.

PART 6 - VARIABLE ACCOUNT PROVISIONS, INVESTMENT ACCOUNT, is to be added as
follows:

INVESTMENT ACCOUNT      We will establish a separate Investment Account for you
                        for each variable Investment Option to which you
                        allocate amounts. The Investment Account represents the
                        number of your Accumulation Units in an Investment
                        Option.

The FIXED ACCOUNT PROVISIONS are to be added as follows:

INVESTMENT ACCOUNT      We will establish a separate Investment Account for you
                        each time you allocate amounts to the fixed Investment
                        Option. Any amounts you allocate to the fixed Investment
                        Option on the same day will establish a new Investment
                        Account. Amounts invested in these Investment Accounts
                        will earn interest at the guaranteed rate in effect on
                        the date the amounts are allocated for the duration of
                        the guarantee period.
                        
                        We will determine the guaranteed rate from time to time
                        for new allocations, but in no event will the minimum
                        guaranteed rate under a fixed Investment Account be less
                        than 3%.

GUARANTEE PERIODS       The guarantee period will be the duration of the fixed
                        Investment Option measured from the date the amount is
                        allocated to the Investment Account. Amounts cannot be
                        allocated to a fixed Investment Option that would extend
                        the guarantee period beyond the Maturity Date. Within 3
                        years of the Maturity Date, no payments may be applied
                        to the fixed Investment Option.

RENEWALS                The renewal amount is the Investment Account Value at
                        the end of the particular guarantee period. The renewal
                        amount will be automatically renewed in the fixed
                        Investment Option at the end of the guarantee period,
                        unless you specify otherwise. If renewal in the fixed
                        Investment Option would result in the guarantee period
                        for the fixed Investment Account extending beyond the
                        Maturity Date, the renewal amount may not be renewed in
                        the fixed Investment Option.

INVESTMENT ACCOUNT      The amount in the Investment Accounts will accumulate at
                        a rate of interest determined by us and in effect on the
                        date the amount is allocated to the Investment Account.
                        The Investment Account Value is the accumulated value of
                        the amount invested in the Investment Account reduced by
                        any withdrawals, loans, transfers or charges taken from
                        the Investment Account.


                                ENDORSEMENT.025

<PAGE>   9

                              Investment Account.

PART 8, TRANSFERS, is modified as follows:

TRANSFERS               The following paragraph is added after the second
                        paragraph:

                        Amounts may not be transferred from a fixed Investment
                        Account unless those amounts have been in the fixed
                        Investment Account for at least one year.

PART 9, WITHDRAWAL PROVISIONS, is modified as follows:

SUSPENSION OF PAYMENTS  The following paragraph is added following the first
                        paragraph:

                        We may defer the right of withdrawal from the fixed
                        Investment Accounts for not more than six months from
                        the day we receive written request and the Contract, if
                        required. If such payments are deferred 30 days or more,
                        the amount deferred will earn interest at a rate not
                        less than 3% per year.

TOTAL WITHDRAWAL        The following is added to the first paragraph: The
                        amount available upon Total Withdrawal will be provided
                        upon the Contract Owner's request.

PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL      The following is added following the first paragraph:

                        If there are multiple Investment Accounts under a fixed
                        Investment Option, the requested amount from that
                        Investment Option must be withdrawn from those
                        Investment Accounts on a first-in-first-out basis. If
                        you do not specify, the requested amount will be
                        withdrawn in the following order:

                         (a) Variable Investment Accounts on a pro rata basis,

                         (b) Fixed Investment Option on a first-in-first-out 
                             basis.

WITHDRAWAL CHARGE       The following is added preceding item (2):

                        The free withdrawal amount will be applied to your
                        requested withdrawal in the following order:

                         (a) Variable Investment Accounts on a pro rata basis,

                         (b) Fixed Investment Option on a first-in-first-out
                             basis.

Endorsed on the Date of Issue of this Contract.

THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA



Vice-President


                                ENDORSEMENT.025

<PAGE>   10



                       WITHDRAWAL CHARGE ENDORSEMENT

PART 9, WITHDRAWAL PROVISIONS, PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL and WITHDRAWAL CHARGE, of all
contracts beginning with form numbers VEN10 and VISION.001 to which this
endorsement is attached are amended as follows:

PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL      The second paragraph is deleted.

WITHDRAWAL CHARGE       This section is replaced in its entirety, as follows:

                        If a withdrawal is made from the Contract before the
                        Maturity Date, no withdrawal charge will be assessed
                        against Payments.

Endorsed on the Date of Issue of this Contract.

THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA


Vice-President


ENDORSEMENT.030

<PAGE>   11




PART 1                  DEFINITIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACCUMULATION UNIT       A unit of measure that is used to calculate the
                        value of your Contract before the Maturity Date.

ANNUITANT               Any natural person or persons whose life is used to
                        determine the duration of annuity payments involving
                        life contingencies. If you name more than one person as
                        an "Annuitant", the second person named shall be
                        referred to as "Co-Annuitant". All provisions based on
                        the date of death of the "Annuitant" will be based on
                        the date of death of the last to survive of the
                        "Annuitant" or "Co-Annuitant". The "Annuitant" and
                        "Co-Annuitant" will be collectively referred to as
                        "Annuitant" in this Contract. The Annuitant is as
                        specified in the Application, unless changed. ANNUITY
                        OPTION The method selected by you for annuity payments
                        made by us. Unless you indicate otherwise, we will
                        provide variable annuity payments which will continue
                        for 10 years or for the life of the Annuitant, if
                        longer.

ANNUITY SERVICE OFFICE  Any office designated by us for the receipt of Purchase
                        Payments and processing of Contract Owner requests.

ANNUITY UNIT            A unit of measure that is used after the Maturity Date
                        to calculate Variable Annuity payments.

BENEFICIARY             The person, persons or entity entitled to the death
                        benefit under this Contract upon the death of the
                        Annuitant. The Beneficiary is as specified in the
                        Application, unless changed.

CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY  The person, persons or entity to become the Beneficiary
                        if the Beneficiary is not alive. The Contingent
                        Beneficiary is as specified in the Application, unless
                        changed.

CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY    The anniversary of the Contract Date.

CONTRACT DATE           The date of issue of the Contract.

CONTRACT VALUE          The total of the Investment Account Values and, if
                        applicable, any amount in the Loan Account attributable
                        to the Contract.

CONTRACT YEAR           The period of twelve consecutive months beginning on the
                        Contract Date or any anniversary thereafter.

DEBT                    The amount of any Loan outstanding attributable to the
                        Contract plus any accrued loan interest. The loan
                        provision is applicable to certain Qualified Contracts
                        only.

FIXED ANNUITY           An Annuity Option with payments which are predetermined
                        and guaranteed as to dollar amount.

GENERAL ACCOUNT         All the assets of The Manufacturers Life Insurance
                        Company of North America other than assets in separate
                        accounts.

INVESTMENT ACCOUNT      An account established by us which represents your
                        interest in an Investment Option prior to the Maturity
                        Date.

INVESTMENT ACCOUNT      The value of your investment in an Investment Account.
VALUE 

INVESTMENT OPTIONS      The Investment Options available under this Contract are
                        the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account made available
                        to the Contract as shown on the Contract Specifications
                        Page.

LOAN ACCOUNT            The portion of the General Account that is used for
                        collateral when a loan is taken.


                                      1
<PAGE>   12

MATURITY DATE           The date on which annuity benefits commence. It is the
                        date specified on the Contract Specifications Page,
                        unless changed.

NET PURCHASE PAYMENT    The Purchase Payment less the amount of premium tax, if
                        any, deducted from the Purchase Payment.

NON-QUALIFIED           Contracts which are not issued under Qualified Plans.
CONTRACTS 

OWNER OR CONTRACT       The person, persons or entity entitled to the ownership
OWNER                   rights under this Contract. The Owner is as specified in
                        the Application, unless changed.

PORTFOLIO OR TRUST      A separate portfolio of Manufacturers Investment Trust,
PORTFOLIO               a mutual fund in which the Variable Account invests, 
                        or any successor mutual fund.

PURCHASE PAYMENT        An amount paid to us by you as consideration for the
                        benefits provided by the Contract.

QUALIFIED CONTRACTS     Contracts issued under Qualified Plans. 

QUALIFIED PLANS         Retirement Plans which receive favorable tax treatment
                        under section 401, 403, 408 or 457, of the Internal
                        Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

SEPARATE ACCOUNT        A segregated account of The Manufacturers Life Insurance
                        Company of North America that is not commingled with our
                        general assets and obligations.

SUB-ACCOUNT(S)          One or more of the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account.
                        Each Sub-Account is invested in shares of a different
                        Trust Portfolio.

SUCCESSOR OWNER         The person, persons or entity, to become the Owner if
                        the Owner dies prior to the Maturity Date. The Successor
                        Owner is as specified in the Application, unless
                        changed. If no Successor Owner is designated, or the
                        Successor Owner dies before the Owner, the Owner's
                        estate is the Successor Owner. 

VALUATION DATE          Any date on which the New York Stock Exchange is open
                        for business and the net asset value of a Trust
                        Portfolio is determined.

VALUATION PERIOD        Any period from one Valuation Date to the next, measured
                        from the time on each such date that the net asset value
                        of each Portfolio is determined.

VARIABLE ACCOUNT        The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North
                        America Separate Account A, which is a separate account
                        of The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company of North
                        America.

VARIABLE ANNUITY        An Annuity Option with payments which: (1) are not
                        predetermined or guaranteed as to dollar amount, and (2)
                        vary in relation to the investment experience of one or
                        more specified Sub-Accounts.

WE AND YOU              "We", "us" and "our" means The Manufacturers Life
                        Insurance Company of North America. "You" or "your"
                        means the Owner of this Contract.

PART 2                  GENERAL PROVISIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ENTIRE CONTRACT         This Contract and any Contract endorsements and attached
                        copy of the Application are the entire Contract. Only
                        our President, Vice-President or Secretary may agree to
                        change or waive any provisions of the Contract. The
                        change or waiver must be in writing.

                        We will not change or modify this Contract without your
                        consent except as may be required to make it conform to
                        any applicable law or regulation or

 
                                       2
<PAGE>   13

                        any ruling issued by a government agency. The benefits
                        and values available under this Contract are not less
                        than the minimum required by any statute of the state in
                        which the Contract is issued. We have filed a detailed
                        statement of the method used to calculate the benefits
                        and values with the Department of Insurance in the state
                        in which the Contract is issued, if required by law.

BENEFICIARY             The Beneficiary is the person, persons or entity to whom
                        benefits will be paid upon death of the Annuitant.
                        Unless otherwise indicated, the Beneficiary will be
                        revocable. A revocable Beneficiary may be changed by
                        you. If changed, the Beneficiary is as shown in the
                        latest change. Prior to the Maturity Date, if no
                        Beneficiary survives the Annuitant, you or your estate
                        will be the Beneficiary. The interest of any revocable
                        Beneficiary is subject to that of any assignee.

                        If more than one Beneficiary is designated, the interest
                        of a Beneficiary who dies before any other Beneficiary
                        will pass to the surviving Beneficiaries in proportion
                        to their share in the benefits unless otherwise
                        provided.

CHANGE IN MATURITY      Prior to the Maturity Date, you may change the Maturity
DATE                    Date by written request at least one month before both
                        the previously specified Maturity Date and the new
                        Maturity Date. After the election, the new Maturity Date
                        will become the Maturity Date. The maximum Maturity
                        Date, subject to applicable state law, will be the later
                        of the first of the month following the Annuitant's
                        eighty-fifth birthday or the first month following the
                        tenth Contract Anniversary. Any extension of the
                        Maturity Date beyond the maximum Maturity Date will be
                        allowed only with our prior approval.

ASSIGNMENT              You may assign this Contract at any time during the
                        lifetime of the Annuitant and prior to the Maturity
                        Date. No assignment will be binding on us unless it is
                        written in a form acceptable to us and received at our
                        Annuity Service Office. We will not be liable for any
                        payments made or actions we take before the assignment
                        is accepted by us. An absolute assignment will revoke
                        the interest of any revocable Beneficiary. We will not
                        be responsible for the validity of any assignment. A
                        Qualified Contract may not be assigned to any person
                        other than the employer.

CLAIMS OF CREDITORS     To the extent permitted by law, no payments under this
                        Contract will be subject to the claims of your, the
                        Beneficiary's or the Annuitant's creditors.

MISSTATEMENT AND        We may require proof of age or survival of any person
PROOF OF AGE OR         upon whose age or survival any payments depend. If the
SURVIVAL                age of the Annuitant has been misstated, the benefits
                        will be those which the Purchase Payments would have
                        provided for the correct age. If we have made incorrect
                        annuity payments, the amount of any underpayment will be
                        paid immediately. The amount of any overpayment will be
                        deducted from future annuity payments.

ADDITION, DELETION OR   We reserve the right, subject to compliance with
SUBSTITUTION OF         applicable law, to make additions to, deletions from, or
INVESTMENT OPTIONS      substitutions for the Portfolio shares that are held by
                        the Variable Account or that the Variable Account may 
                        purchase. We reserve the right to eliminate the shares
                        of any of the eligible Portfolios and to substitute
                        shares of another Portfolio of the Trust, or of another
                        open-end registered investment company, if the shares of
                        any eligible Portfolio are no longer available for
                        investment, or if in our judgment further investment in
                        any eligible Portfolio should become inappropriate in
                        view of the purposes of the Variable Account. We will
                        not substitute any shares attributable to your interest
                        in a Sub-Account without notice to you and prior
                        approval of the Securities and Exchange Commission to
                        the extent required by the Investment Company Act of
                        1940. Nothing contained herein shall prevent the
                        Variable Account from purchasing other securities for
                        other


                                       3

<PAGE>   14


                        series or classes of contracts, or from effecting a
                        conversion between shares of another open-end investment
                        company. We reserve the right, subject to compliance
                        with applicable law, to establish additional
                        Sub-Accounts which would invest in shares of a new
                        Portfolio of the Trust or in shares of another open-end
                        investment company. We also reserve the right, subject
                        to compliance with applicable law, to eliminate existing
                        Sub-Accounts, to combine Sub-Accounts or to transfer
                        assets in a Sub-Account to another Separate Account
                        established by us or an affiliated company. In the event
                        of any such substitutions or changes, we may, by
                        appropriate endorsement, make such changes in this and
                        other Contracts as may be necessary or appropriate to
                        reflect such substitutions or changes. If deemed by us
                        to be in the best interests of persons having voting
                        rights under the Contracts, the Variable Account may be
                        operated as a management company under the Investment
                        Company Act of 1940 or it may be deregistered under such
                        Act in the event such registration is no longer
                        required.

NON-PARTICIPATING       Your Contract is non-participating and will not share in
                        our profits or surplus earnings. We will pay no
                        dividends on your Contract.

REPORTS                 At least once each year we will send you a report
                        containing information required by the Investment
                        Company Act of 1940 and applicable state law.

INSULATION              The portion of the assets of the Variable Account equal
                        to the reserves and other contract liabilities with
                        respect to such account are not chargeable with
                        liabilities arising out of any other business we may
                        conduct. Moreover, the income, gains and losses,
                        realized or unrealized, from assets allocated to the
                        Variable Account shall be credited to or charged against
                        such account without regard to our other income, gains
                        or losses. 

OWNERSHIP OF ASSETS     We shall have exclusive and absolute ownership and
                        control of our assets, including the assets of the
                        Variable Account.

CURRENCY AND PLACE OF   All payments made to or by us shall be made in the
PAYMENTS                lawful currency of the United States of America.
                        Payments to us or by us shall be made at the Annuity
                        Service Office or elsewhere if we consent.

NOTICES AND ELECTIONS   To be effective, all notices and elections you make
                        under this Contract must be in writing, signed by you
                        and received by us at our Annuity Service Office. Unless
                        otherwise provided, all notices, requests and elections
                        will be effective when received by us, complete with all
                        necessary information and your signature, at our Annuity
                        Service Office.

GOVERNING LAW           This Contract will be governed by the laws of the
                        jurisdiction where your Application is signed.

PART 3                  OWNERSHIP
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL                 During the Annuitant's lifetime and prior to the
                        Maturity Date, the Owner of this Contract shall be the
                        person so named in the Application or the latest change
                        filed with us. On and after the Maturity Date, the
                        Annuitant is the Owner of the Contract. After the
                        Annuitant's death, the Beneficiary is the Owner of the
                        Contract.


CHANGE OF OWNER,        Subject to the rights of an irrevocable Beneficiary, you
ANNUITANT, BENEFICIARY  may change the Owner, Annuitant, or Beneficiary during
                        the Annuitant's lifetime by written request in a form
                        acceptable to us and which is received at our Annuity
                        Service Office. The Annuitant may not be changed after
                        the Maturity Date. You need not send us the Contract
                        unless we request it. Any change must

                                       4

<PAGE>   15


                        be approved by us. If approved, it will take effect on
                        the date you signed the request. We will not be liable
                        for any payments or actions we take before the change is
                        approved. In the case of the Qualified Contracts,
                        ownership of the Contract generally may not be
                        transferred except by the trustee of an exempt
                        employees' trust which is part of a retirement plan
                        qualified under section 401 of the Internal Revenue
                        Code. Subject to the foregoing, a Qualified Contract may
                        not be sold, assigned, transferred, discounted or
                        pledged as collateral for a loan or as security for the
                        performance of an obligation or for any other purpose to
                        any person other than the employer.

PART 4                  BENEFITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUITY BENEFITS        We will pay a monthly income to the Annuitant, if
                        living, on the Maturity Date. Payments can be fixed or
                        variable, or a combination of fixed and variable.
                        Annuity benefits will commence on the Maturity Date and
                        continue for the period of time provided for under the
                        Annuity Option selected. 

                        We may pay the Contract Value, less Debt, on the
                        Maturity Date in one lump sum if the monthly income is
                        less than $20.

                        On or before the Maturity Date you must select how the
                        Contract Value will be used to provide the monthly
                        income. You may select a Fixed or Variable Annuity.

                        If a Variable Annuity is used, the amount of the first
                        monthly annuity payment will be obtained from the
                        appropriate option table under the "Payment of Contract
                        Benefits" section. Subsequent monthly annuity payments
                        will vary based on the investment experience of the
                        Sub-Account(s) used to effect the annuity. The method
                        used to calculate the amount of the initial and
                        subsequent payments is described under the "Variable
                        Annuity Payments" Section of Part 7.

                        If a Fixed Annuity is used, the portion of the Contract
                        Value used to effect a Fixed Annuity will be applied to
                        the appropriate table contained in this Contract. If the
                        table in use by us on the Maturity Date is more
                        favorable to you, we will use that table. We guarantee
                        the dollar amount of fixed annuity payments.


                        If on the Maturity Date you have not selected an Annuity
                        Option, we will provide variable annuity payments which
                        will continue for ten years or for the life of the
                        Annuitant, if longer. Such variable annuity payments
                        will be based on the allocation of your Contract Value
                        among the Sub-Account(s) at the time the first variable
                        annuity payment is determined as described under the
                        "Variable Annuity Payments" Section of Part 7.

DEATH BENEFIT BEFORE    Minimum Death Benefit. The minimum death benefit is
MATURITY DATE           payable upon the death of the last surviving Annuitant
                        named under the Contract. The age of the Annuitant will
                        be the age of the youngest Annuitant on the Contract
                        Date.

                        i)    If the Annuitant dies on or prior to the first of
                              the month following his or her 85th birthday and
                              had an attained age of less than 81 years on the
                              Contract Date, the minimum death benefit will be
                              the greater of:

                              (1) the Contract Value on the date due proof of
                                    death is received at the Company's Annuity
                                    Service Office, or

                              (2)  the excess of:

                                       5
<PAGE>   16


                               (a) the sum of each Purchase Payment
                                     accumulated daily, at the equivalent of 5%
                                     per year, starting on the date each
                                     Purchase Payment is allocated to the
                                     Contract, with a maximum accumulation of 2
                                     times each Purchase Payment, over

                               (b) the sum of each withdrawal or annuitized
                                     amount, including any applicable withdrawal
                                     charges, accumulated daily at the
                                     equivalent of 5% per year, starting as of
                                     the date of each such withdrawal or
                                     annuitization, with a maximum accumulation
                                     of 2 times each such withdrawal or
                                     annuitized amount.

                        ii)   If the Annuitant dies after the first of the month
                              following his or her 85th birthday or had attained
                              age 81 or greater on the Contract Date, the
                              minimum death benefit payable on due proof of
                              death will equal the amount payable on total
                              withdrawal.

                        Death of Annuitant (Where The Annuitant Was Not An
                        Owner). We will pay the minimum death benefit, less any
                        Debt, to the Beneficiary if the Annuitant is not an
                        Owner, the Annuitant dies before the Maturity Date,
                        there is no surviving Co-Annuitant, and all Owners are
                        individuals. The Beneficiary (1) may elect to receive
                        payment (either as a lump sum or in accordance with any
                        Annuity Option described in the Contract) or (2) may
                        continue the Contract, as its Owner, with the Contract
                        Value on the date of due proof of death equal to the
                        minimum death benefit.

                        Death Of Owner (Who Was The Last-Surviving Annuitant).
                        If any Owner dies before the Maturity Date, the deceased
                        Owner is also the Annuitant, and there is no surviving
                        Co-Annuitant, we will pay the minimum death benefit,
                        less any Debt, to the Beneficiary. In the case of a
                        Non-Qualified Contract, after such Owner's death, the
                        beneficiary's entire interest must be distributed within
                        five years unless (1) the Beneficiary elects to receive
                        his or her interest as an annuity which begins within
                        one year of the Owner's death and is paid over the
                        Beneficiary's life or over a period not extending beyond
                        the Beneficiary's life expectancy or (2) the Beneficiary
                        is the deceased Owner's surviving spouse and elects to
                        continue the Contract, as its Owner, with the Contract
                        Value on the date of due proof of death equal to the
                        minimum death benefit. For purposes of this paragraph,
                        in calculating the minimum death benefit, the
                        applicability of any withdrawal charges (under
                        subparagraph "(ii)" of the definition of "Minimum Death
                        Benefit" above) will be made only if and when the
                        minimum death benefit is actually paid. 

                        Death Of Owner (Who Was Not The Last-Surviving
                        Annuitant). If any Owner dies before the Maturity Date
                        and any Annuitant survives, we will transfer the
                        interest in the Contract to the Successor Owner. If the
                        deceased Owner had not attained age 81 on the Contract
                        Date, the interest in the Contract equals the Contract
                        Value. If the deceased Owner had attained age 81 on the
                        Contract Date, the interest in the Contract also equals
                        the Contract Value, but such interest may be subject to
                        applicable withdrawal charges when any amounts are
                        actually paid. In the case of a Non-Qualified Contract,
                        after such Owner's death, the Successor Owner's entire
                        interest must be distributed within five years unless
                        (1) the Successor Owner elects to receive his or her
                        interest as an annuity which begins within one year of
                        the Owner's death and is paid over the Successor Owner's
                        life or over a period not extending beyond the Successor
                        Owner's life expectancy or (2) the Successor Owner is
                        the deceased Owner's surviving spouse and elects to
                        continue the Contract, as its Owner, with the Contract
                        Value on the date

                                       6
<PAGE>   17

                        of due proof of death equal to the interest in the
                        Contract.

                        If there are surviving Owners, such surviving Owners
                        will be substituted for the Successor Owner in the
                        preceding paragraph.

                        Non-Natural Owners. If any Owner of a Non-Qualified
                        Contract is not an individual, the death or change of
                        any Annuitant will be treated as the "Death of Owner
                        (Who Was Not the Last-Surviving Annuitant)," unless the
                        last-surviving Annuitant has actually died in which case
                        the death will be treated as the "Death of Owner (Who
                        Was the Last-Surviving Annuitant)."

DEATH BENEFIT ON OR     If annuity payments have been selected based on an
AFTER MATURITY DATE     Annuity Option providing for payments for a guaranteed
                        period, and the Annuitant dies on or after the Maturity
                        Date, we will make the remaining guaranteed payments to
                        the Beneficiary. Such payments will be made as rapidly
                        as under the method of distribution being used as of the
                        date of the Annuitant's death. If no Beneficiary is
                        living, we will commute any unpaid guaranteed payments
                        to a single sum (on the basis of the interest rate used
                        in determining the payments) and pay that single sum to
                        the estate of the last to die of the Annuitant and the
                        Beneficiary.

SECTION 72(s)           The provisions of Death Benefit Before Maturity Date and
                        Death Benefit on or After Maturity Date above, shall be
                        interpreted so as to comply with the requirements of
                        Section 72(s) of the Internal Revenue Code.

DUE PROOF OF DEATH      Due proof of death is required upon the death of the
                        Annuitant or the Owner. Due proof of death is one of the
                        following received at the Annuity Service Office within
                        1 year of the date of death:

                        (a) A certified copy of a death certificate.

                        (b) A certified copy of a decree of a court of competent
                              jurisdiction as to the finding of death.

                        (c) Any other proof satisfactory to us.

                        Death benefits will be paid within 7 days of receipt of
                        due proof of death, accompanied by appropriate
                        distribution instructions.

PART 5                  PURCHASE PAYMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL                 All Purchase Payments under this Contract are payable at
                        our Annuity Service Office or such other place as we may
                        designate.

                        The minimum initial Purchase Payment is $25,000. Minimum
                        subsequent Purchase Payments must be $1,000 with an
                        exception for qualified plans where minimum subsequent
                        Purchase Payments must be $30.00. Purchase Payments may
                        be made at any time. If a Purchase Payment would cause
                        the Contract Value to exceed $1,000,000, or the Contract
                        Value already exceeds $1,000,000, no additional Purchase
                        Payments will be accepted without our prior approval.

NONPAYMENT OF PURCHASE  If, prior to the Maturity Date, no Purchase Payments are
PAYMENTS FOR TWO YEARS  made for two consecutive Contract Years and if both:

                        (a)   the total Purchase Payments made, less partial
                                withdrawals, are less than $2,000; and

                        (b)   the Contract Value at the end of such two year
                                period is less than $2,000; we may cancel the
                                Contract and pay you the Contract Value 
                                (measured as of the Valuation Period during 
                                which the cancellation occurs), less the Debt 
                                and administration fee.

                                       7
<PAGE>   18


ALLOCATION OF NET       When we receive Purchase Payments, the Net Purchase
PURCHASE PAYMENTS       Payments will be allocated among
                        Investment Options in accordance with the allocation
                        percentages shown in the Application. You may change the
                        allocation of subsequent Purchase Payments at any time,
                        without charge, by giving us written notice.

PART 6                  VARIABLE ACCOUNT PROVISIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT ACCOUNT      We will establish a separate Investment Account for you
                        for each Investment Option to which you allocate
                        amounts. The Investment Account represents the number of
                        your Accumulation Units in an Investment Option.

INVESTMENT ACCOUNT      The Investment Account Value of an Investment Account is
VALUE                   determined by 
                        (a) times (b) where:
                        (a) equals the number of Accumulation Units credited to
                              the Investment Account, and
                        (b) equals the value of the appropriate Accumulation 
                              Unit.

ACCUMULATION UNITS      We will credit Net Purchase Payments to your Investment
                        Accounts in the form of Accumulation Units. The number
                        of Accumulation Units to be credited to each Investment
                        Account of the Contract will be determined by dividing
                        the Net Purchase Payment allocated to that Investment
                        Account by the Accumulation Unit value for that
                        Investment Account. Accumulation Units will be adjusted
                        for any transfers and will be canceled on payment of a
                        death benefit, withdrawal, maturity or assessment of
                        certain charges based on their value for the Valuation
                        Period in which such transaction occurs. 

VALUE OF ACCUMULATION   The Accumulation Unit value for any Valuation Period is
UNIT                    determined by multiplying the Accumulation Unit value
                        for the immediately preceding Valuation Period by the
                        "net investment factor" for the Investment Account for
                        the Valuation Period for which the value is being
                        determined. The value of an Accumulation Unit may
                        increase, decrease or remain the same from one Valuation
                        Period to the next.

NET INVESTMENT FACTOR   The net investment factor for an Investment Account is
                        an index that measures the investment performance of a
                        Sub-Account from one Valuation Period to the next. The
                        net investment factor for any Valuation Period is
                        determined by dividing (a) by (b) and subtracting (c)
                        from the result where: 

                        (a) is the net result of: 

                             1) the net asset value per share of a Portfolio
                                share held in the Sub-Account determined as of
                                the end of the current Valuation Period, plus

                             2) The per share amount of any dividend or capital
                                gain distributions made by the Portfolio on 
                                shares held in the Sub-Account if the
                                "ex-dividend" date occurs during the current
                                Valuation Period, and

                        (b)   is the net asset value per share of a Portfolio
                                share held in the Sub-Account determined as of 
                                the end of the immediately preceding Valuation 
                                Period, and

                        (c)   is a factor representing the charges deducted from
                                the Sub-Account on a daily basis. Such factor is
                                equal on an annual basis to 1.65%.

                        The net investment factor may be greater or less than or
                        equal to one.

                                       8
<PAGE>   19


PART 7                  ANNUITY PROVISIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VARIABLE ANNUITY        The amount of the first variable annuity payment is
                        determined by applying the portion of the Contract Value
                        used to effect a Variable Annuity, measured as of a date
                        not more than 10 business days prior to the Maturity
                        Date (minus any applicable premium taxes), to the
                        appropriate tables(s) contained in this Contract. If the
                        table in use by us on the Maturity Date is more
                        favorable to you, we will use that table. Subsequent
                        payments will be based on the investment performance of
                        one or more Sub-Accounts as you select. The amount of
                        such payments is determined by the number of Annuity
                        Units credited for each Sub-Account. Such number is
                        determined by dividing the portion of the first payment
                        allocated to that Sub-Account by the Annuity Unit value
                        for that Sub-Account determined as of the same date that
                        the Contract Value to effect annuity payments was
                        determined. This number of Annuity Units for each
                        Sub-Account is then multiplied by the appropriate
                        Annuity Unit value for each subsequent determination
                        date, which is a uniformly applied date not more than 10
                        business days before the payment is due.

MORTALITY AND EXPENSE   We guarantee that the dollar amount of each variable
GUARANTEE               annuity payment will not be affected by changes in
                        mortality and expense experience.

ANNUITY UNIT VALUE      The value of an Annuity Unit for each Sub-Account for
                        any Valuation Period is determined as follows:

                        (a)   The net investment factor for the Sub-Account for
                                the Valuation Period for which the Annuity Unit
                                value is being calculated is multiplied by the
                                value of the Annuity Unit for the preceding
                                Valuation Period; and

                        (b)   The result is adjusted to compensate for the
                                interest rate assumed in the tables used to
                                determine the first variable annuity payment.

                        The dollar value of Annuity Units may increase, decrease
                        or remain the same from one Valuation Period to the
                        next.

FIXED ANNUITY PAYMENTS  The amount of each fixed annuity payment is determined
                        by applying the portion of the Contract Value used to
                        effect a Fixed Annuity measured as of a date not more
                        than 10 business days prior to the Maturity Date (minus
                        any applicable premium taxes) to the appropriate table
                        contained in this Contract. If the table in use by us on
                        the Maturity Date is more favorable to you, we will use
                        that table. We guarantee the dollar amount of fixed
                        annuity payments.

PART 8                  TRANSFERS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSFERS               Before the Maturity Date you may transfer amounts among
                        Investment Accounts of the Contract. There is no
                        transaction charge for transfers. Amounts will be
                        canceled from the Investment Account from which amounts
                        are transferred and credited to the Investment Account
                        to which amounts are transferred. We will effect such
                        transfers so that the Contract Value on the date of
                        transfer will not be affected by the transfer. We
                        reserve the right to limit, upon notice, the maximum
                        number of transfers you may make per Contract Year to
                        one per month or six at any time within a Contract Year.
                        You must transfer at least $300 or, if less, the entire
                        amount in the Investment Account each time you make a
                        transfer. If, after the transfer, the amount remaining
                        in the Investment Account from which the transfer is
                        made is less than $100, then we will transfer the entire
                        amount instead of the requested amount.


                                       9
<PAGE>   20

                        We reserve the right to defer the transfer privilege at
                        any time that we are unable to purchase or redeem shares
                        of the Trust Portfolios. In addition, in accordance with
                        applicable law, the company reserves the right to modify
                        or terminate the transfer privilege at any time.

                        Once variable annuity payments have begun, you may
                        transfer all or part of the investment upon which your
                        variable annuity payments are based from one Sub-Account
                        to another. To do this, we will convert the number of
                        variable Annuity Units you hold in the Sub-Account from
                        which you are transferring to a number of variable
                        Annuity Units of the Sub-Account to which you are
                        transferring so that the amount of a variable annuity
                        payment, if it were made at that time, would not be
                        affected by the transfer. After that, your variable
                        annuity payments will reflect changes in the values of
                        your new variable Annuity Units. You must give us notice
                        at least 30 days before the due date of the first
                        variable annuity payment to which the transfer will
                        apply. We reserve the right to limit, upon notice, the
                        maximum number of transfers you may make, per Contract
                        Year after variable annuity payments have begun, to
                        four.

PART 9                  WITHDRAWAL PROVISIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT VALUE          Your Contract Value is equal to the total of the
                        Investment Account Values and, if applicable, any amount
                        in the Loan Account attributable to the Contract.

PAYMENTS OF WITHDRAWALS You may withdraw part or all of the Contract Value, less
                        any Debt, at any time before the earlier of the death of
                        the Annuitant or the Maturity Date, by sending us a
                        written request. We will pay all withdrawals within
                        seven days of receipt at the Annuity Service Office
                        subject to postponement in certain circumstances, as
                        specified below. 

SUSPENSION OF PAYMENTS  We may defer the right of withdrawal, or postpone the
                        date of payment, from the Investment Accounts for any
                        period when: (1) the New York Stock Exchange is closed
                        (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2)
                        trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted;
                        (3) an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of
                        securities held in the Variable Account is not
                        reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably
                        practicable to determine the value of the Variable
                        Account's net assets; or (4) the Securities and Exchange
                        Commission, by order, so permits for the protection of
                        security holders; provided that applicable rules and
                        regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
                        shall govern as to whether the conditions described in
                        (2) and (3) exist. 

TOTAL WITHDRAWAL        If you are withdrawing all of the Contract Value, we
                        will deduct, if applicable, the Debt, the withdrawal
                        charge and the administration fee, if applicable, from
                        the amount otherwise payable.

PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL      If you are withdrawing part of the Contract Value, you
                        should specify the amount that should be withdrawn from
                        each Investment Option of the Contract. If you do not
                        specify, the requested amount will be withdrawn from the
                        Investment Accounts on a pro rata basis.

                        We will deduct the withdrawal charge, if applicable,
                        from the Contract Value remaining after payment of the
                        requested amount.

WITHDRAWAL CHARGE       If a withdrawal is made from the Contract before the
                        Maturity Date, a withdrawal charge (contingent deferred
                        sales charge) may be assessed

                                       10
<PAGE>   21



                        against Purchase Payments that have been in your
                        Contract for less than 3 years. No withdrawal charge
                        will apply to Purchase Payments being withdrawn that
                        have been in the Contract for 3 or more years. The
                        amount of the withdrawal charge and when it is assessed
                        is discussed below: 

                        1. The free withdrawal amount is defined as the greater
                           of:
                              
                             a) the excess of the Contract Value on the date of
                                withdrawal over the unliquidated Purchase
                                Payments, or

                             b) 10% of total Purchase Payments minus 100% of all
                                prior partial withdrawals, in that Contract 
                                Year.

                           The free withdrawal amount may be withdrawn free of a
                           withdrawal charge.

                        2. If a withdrawal is made for an amount greater than
                           the free withdrawal amount, Purchase Payments will
                           be liquidated on a first-in-first-out basis. We
                           will liquidate Purchase Payments in the order such
                           Purchase Payments were made: the oldest
                           unliquidated Purchase Payment first, the next
                           Purchase Payment second, etc...until all Purchase
                           Payments have been liquidated.

                        3. A 3% withdrawal charge will be assessed against
                           Purchase Payments liquidated that have been in the
                           Contract for less than 3 years.

                        4. The withdrawal charge is deducted from the
                           Contract Value remaining after you are paid the
                           amount requested, except in the case of a complete
                           withdrawal when it is deducted from the amount
                           otherwise payable. In the case of a partial
                           withdrawal, the amount requested from an
                           Investment Account may not exceed the value of
                           that Investment Account less any applicable
                           withdrawal charge.

                        5. In no event will the aggregate withdrawal charge
                           be greater than 3% of the total Purchase Payments
                           made.

FREQUENCY AND AMOUNT    You may make as many partial withdrawals as you wish.
OF PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL   Any withdrawal from an Investment Account of the 
                        Contract must be at least $300 or the entire balance of
                        the Investment Account, if less. If after the
                        withdrawal, the amount remaining in the Investment
                        Account is less than $100, then we will consider the
                        withdrawal request to be a request for withdrawal of the
                        entire amount held in the Investment Account. If a
                        partial withdrawal would reduce the Contract Value to
                        less than $300, then we will treat the partial
                        withdrawal request as a total withdrawal of the Contract
                        Value.

PART 10                 FEES AND DEDUCTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSET FEE               To compensate us for assuming mortality and expense
                        risks, certain administration expenses, and a proportion
                        of our distribution expenses, we deduct from each
                        Sub-Account a fee each Valuation Period at an annual
                        rate of 1.65%. This fee is reflected in the Net
                        Investment Factor used to determine the value of
                        Accumulation Units and Annuity Units of the Contract.


TAXES                   We reserve the right to charge certain taxes against
                        your Purchase Payments (either at the time of payment or
                        liquidation), Contract Value, payment of death benefits
                        or annuity payments, as appropriate. Such taxes may
                        include any premium taxes or other taxes levied by any
                        government entity which we, in our sole discretion,
                        determine have resulted from the establishment or
                        maintenance of the Variable Account, or from the receipt
                        by us of Purchase Payments, or from the issuance of this
                        Contract, or from the commencement or continuance of
                        annuity payments under this Contract.

                                       11
<PAGE>   22

ANNUAL ADMINISTRATION   We reserve the right to impose an annual $30
FEE                     administration fee on each Contract Anniversary prior to
                        the Maturity Date any time the Contract Value is less
                        than $10,000 as a result of a partial withdrawal. The
                        annual Administration Fee will be withdrawn from each
                        Investment Option in the same proportion that the value
                        of the Investment Accounts of each Investment Option
                        bears to the Contract Value. If the Contract Value is
                        totally withdrawn on any date other than the Contract
                        Anniversary, we will deduct the full amount of the $30
                        administration fee from the amount paid.

PART 11                 LOAN PROVISION (QUALIFIED CONTRACTS ONLY)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL                 This loan provision applies only to certain Qualified
                        Contracts. While this Contract is in force, you may
                        borrow using the Contract as the sole security for the
                        loan. We will usually make a loan within seven days
                        after we receive your request, subject to the suspension
                        of payment provision set forth in Part 9.


LOAN VALUE              The maximum loan value is 80% of the Contract Value. You
                        may borrow an amount up to the maximum loan value less
                        any existing Debt.

EFFECT OF THE LOAN      Your investment in each Investment Account will be
                        reduced by the amount withdrawn from that Investment
                        Account in connection with the loan and such amount will
                        be transferred to the Loan Account. Unless you request
                        otherwise, we will withdraw the amount of the loan from
                        each Investment Option in the same manner as partial
                        withdrawals. On each Contract Anniversary the excess of
                        the Debt over the amount in the Loan Account
                        attributable to your Contract will be transferred from
                        the Investment Accounts to the Loan Account. Any amounts
                        in the Loan Account will earn interest at 4% per annum.


LOAN INTEREST           The loan interest rate will be 6% per annum. Interest
                        will be payable in arrears on each Contract Anniversary.
                        Any interest not paid when due will be added to the Debt
                        and bear interest in the same manner.

REPAYMENT               You may repay  any Debt in whole or in part  while this
                        Contract is in force. An amount  equal to the amount of
                        loan repayment  will be transferred from the Loan
                        Account to the Investment Options in the same proportion
                        as Purchase  Payments are currently allocated, unless
                        you request otherwise. Loans must be repaid  within 5
                        years, except for loans to acquire a principal residence
                        for you or your family. Repayments  must be made at
                        least quarterly. 


GRACE PERIOD            If, on any date, the Debt exceeds the Contract Value,
                        then the Contract will be in default. In this case we
                        will send you a notice of default and tell you what
                        payment is needed to bring the Contract out of default.
                        You will have a 31-day grace period from the date of
                        mailing of such notice during which to pay the default
                        amount. If the required payment is not paid within the
                        grace period, the Contract will foreclose (terminate
                        without value).

PART 12                 PAYMENT OF CONTRACT BENEFITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL                 Benefits payable under this Contract may be applied in
                        accordance with one or more of the Annuity Options
                        described below.

ALTERNATE ANNUITY       Instead of settlement in accordance with the Annuity 
OPTIONS                 Options described below, you may choose an alternate
                        form of settlement acceptable to us.

                                       12
<PAGE>   23


DESCRIPTION OF ANNUITY  Option 1: Life Annuity
OPTIONS                 (a) Life Non-Refund. We will make payments during the
                              lifetime of the Annuitant. No payments are due
                              after the death of the Annuitant.

                        (b) Life 10-Year Certain. We will make payments for 10
                              years and after that during the lifetime of the
                              Annuitant. No payments are due after the death of
                              the Annuitant or, if later, the end of the 10-year
                              period certain.

                        Option 2: Joint and Survivor Life Annuity
                        (a) Joint and Survivor Non-Refund. We will make
                              payments during the joint lifetime of the
                              Annuitant and Co-Annuitant. Payments will then
                              continue during the remaining lifetime of the
                              survivor. No payments are due after the death of
                              the last survivor of the Annuitant and
                              Co-Annuitant.

                        (b) Joint and Survivor with 10-Year Certain. We will
                              make payments for 10 years and after that during
                              the joint lifetime of the Annuitant and
                              Co-Annuitant. Payments will then continue during
                              the remaining lifetime of the survivor. No
                              payments are due after the death of the survivor
                              of the Annuitant and Co-Annuitant or, if later,
                              the end of the 10-year period certain.

ANNUITY PAYMENT RATES   The annuity payment rates on the attached tables show,
                        that for each $1,000 applied, the dollar amount of both
                        (a) the first monthly variable annuity payment based on
                        the assumed interest rate of 4% and (b) the monthly
                        fixed annuity payment, when this payment is based on the
                        minimum guaranteed interest rate of 4% per year. The
                        annuity payment rates for payments made on a less
                        frequent basis (quarterly, semiannual or annual) will be
                        quoted by us upon request.

                        The annuity payment rates are based on the 1983 Table A
                        projected at Scale G with interest at the rate of 4% per
                        annum and assume births in year 1942. The amount of each
                        annuity payment will depend upon the adjusted age of the
                        Annuitant, the Co-Annuitant, if any, or other payee. The
                        adjusted age is determined from the actual age nearest
                        birthday at the time the first monthly annuity payment
                        is due, as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         CALENDAR YEAR OF BIRTH              ADJUSTMENT TO ACTUAL AGE
         ----------------------              ------------------------
              <S>                                       <C>
              1899 - 1905                               +6 
              1906 - 1911                               +5 
              1912 - 1918                               +4 
              1919 - 1925                               +3 
              1926 - 1932                               +2 
              1933 - 1938                               +1 
              1939 - 1945                               +0 
              1946 - 1951                               -1 
              1952 - 1958                               -2 
              1959 - 1965                               -3 
              1966 - 1972                               -4 
              1973 - 1979                               -5 
                 1980 +                                 -6 

</TABLE>

                        The dollar amount of annuity payment for any age or
                        combination of ages not shown following or for any other
                        form of Annuity Option agreed to by us will be quoted on
                        request.

                                       13

<PAGE>   24




                     AMOUNT OF FIRST MONTHLY ANNUITY PAYMENT
                    PER $1000 OF CONTRACT VALUE FOR AN OWNER
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                             OPTION 1: LIFE ANNUITY

                    Option 1(A): Non-Refund   Option 1(B): 10-Year Certain
                 ---------------------------  -----------------------------
                           Adjusted                     Adjusted
                            Age of                       Age of
                           Annuitant                    Annuitant
                 ---------------------------  -----------------------------
                         <S>    <C>                   <C>     <C>
                         55     4.83                  55      4.78
                         60     5.24                  60      5.15
                         65     5.79                  65      5.62
                         70     6.35                  70      6.21
                         75     7.51                  75      6.89
                         80     8.81                  80      7.65
                         85    10.57                  85      8.40

</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    OPTION 2: JOINT AND SURVIVOR LIFE ANNUITY
                             Option 2(A): Non-Refund

                  Adjusted                    Adjusted Age of Co-Annuitant
                Age of Oldest  10 Years      5 Years        Same
                  Annuitant     Younger      Younger         Age
                  ---------    --------      -------        ----
                     <S>           <C>          <C>         <C>
                     55            3.87         3.99        4.13
                     60            4.02         4.18        4.36
                     65            4.21         4.43        4.67
                     70            4.47         4.76        5.08
                     75            4.80         5.20        5.65
                     80            5.26         5.80        6.41
                     85            5.89         6.63        7.47
 
</TABLE>
                               
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Option 2(B): 10-Year Certain

                  Adjusted                        Adjusted Age of Co-Annuitant
                Age of Oldest  10 Years      5 Years        Same
                  Annuitant     Younger      Younger         Age
                  ---------    --------      -------        ----
                     <S>           <C>          <C>         <C>
                     55            3.87         3.99        4.13
                     60            4.02         4.18        4.36
                     65            4.21         4.43        4.66
                     70            4.46         4.75        5.07
                     75            4.80         5.18        5.61
                     80            5.24         5.75        6.30
                     85            5.82         6.47        7.13


</TABLE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly installments for ages not shown will be furnished on request.


                                       14

<PAGE>   25


                       This page intentionally left blank
<PAGE>   26


















































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

THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA

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

Manulife Financial and the block design are registered service marks of The
Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and are used by it and its subsidiaries.


<PAGE>   1


                            FIXED ACCOUNT ENDORSEMENT

PART 7, FIXED ACCOUNT PROVISIONS, INVESTMENT ACCOUNT of all contracts to which
this Endorsement is attached is replaced as follows:

  INVESTMENT ACCOUNT    We will establish a separate Investment Account for you
                        each time you allocate amounts to a fixed Investment
                        Option. Amounts invested in these Investment Accounts
                        will earn interest at the guaranteed rate in effect on
                        the date the amounts are allocated for the duration of
                        the guarantee period.

                        We will determine the guaranteed rate from time to time
                        for Net Payments, renewal amounts and amounts
                        transferred to a fixed Investment Option. In no event
                        will the minimum guaranteed rate under a fixed
                        Investment Account be less than 3%.


PART 7, FIXED ACCOUNT PROVISIONS, 1-YEAR DOLLAR COST AVERAGING OPTION is added
to all contracts to which this Endorsement is attached as follows:

  1-YEAR DOLLAR COST    The 1-Year DCA Investment Option may be elected by the
  AVERAGING (DCA)       Owner to make automatic monthly transfers from a 1-Year
  INVESTMENT OPTION     fixed Investment Account to one or more variable
                        Investment Options. Only initial and subsequent Net
                        Payments may be allocated to the 1-Year DCA Investment
                        Option. Amounts may not be transferred from other
                        Investment Options to the 1-Year DCA Investment Option.

                        The automatic monthly transfer amount, "DCA amount", is
                        determined as follows:

                        (a) In the first 11 months, the DCA amount will be equal
                        to 1/11 of the amount allocated to the 1-Year DCA
                        Investment Option.

                        (b) At the end of the 12th month, the DCA amount will be
                        equal to the remaining balance in the Investment
                        Account.




Endorsed on the Date of Issue of this Contract.

THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA



Vice-President






END.007.98                                                               SAMPLE

<PAGE>   1
                    INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITY ENDORSEMENT

Notwithstanding any provision contained therein to the contrary, the Contract to
which this Endorsement is attached is amended as follows:

OWNER AND ANNUITANT

1.   The Owner must be one individual and the Annuitant. Neither the Owner nor
     the Annuitant can be changed.

NONFORFEITABLE

2.   The Contract is established for the exclusive benefit of the Owner or his
     or her Beneficiaries and the interest of the Owner is nonforfeitable.

NONTRANSFERABLE

3.   The Owner may not assign, sell, transfer, discount or pledge this Contract
     as collateral for a loan or as security for the performance of any
     obligation or for any other purpose (other than a transfer incident to a
     divorce or separation instrument in accordance with IRC Section 408(d)(6))
     to any person other than us.

MAXIMUM PAYMENTS

4.   The maximum annual Payments shall not exceed the lesser of $2,000 or 100%
     of compensation unless (a) such Payment qualifies as a rollover
     contribution described in IRC Sections 408(d)(3), 402(c), 403(a)(4) or
     403(b)(8); or (b) such Payment qualifies as a contribution made in
     accordance with a Simplified Employee Pension Program as described in IRC
     Section 408(k).

     To the extent necessary to preserve qualification under the Internal
     Revenue Code, We may refund Payments. Any refund of Payments (other than
     those attributable to excess contributions) will be applied, before the
     close of the calendar year following the refund, toward future Payments or
     the purchase of additional benefits.

DISTRIBUTIONS DURING OWNER'S LIFE

5.   The Owner's entire interest in the Contract shall be distributed as
     required under IRC Section 408(b)(3) and applicable regulations. Unless
     deferral is otherwise permitted under applicable regulations, the Owner's
     entire interest shall be distributed no later than the "required beginning
     date," or shall be distributed beginning no later than the "required
     beginning date" over (a) the life of the Owner or the joint lives of the
     Owner and an individual who is his or her designated beneficiary (within
     the meaning of IRC Section 401(a)(9)), or (b) a period not extending beyond
     the life expectancy of the Owner, or joint life and last survivor
     expectancy of the Owner and the designated beneficiary.

     The "required beginning date" shall mean April 1 of the calendar year
     following the calendar year in which the Owner attains age 70 1/2.

     If the Owner's interest is to be distributed over a period greater than one
     year, then the amount to be distributed by December 31 of each year
     (including the year in which the required beginning date occurs) shall be
     determined in accordance with the requirements of IRC Section 401(a)(9),
     including the incidental death benefit requirements of IRC Section
     401(a)(9)(G), and the regulations thereunder, including the minimum
     distribution incidental benefit requirement of Proposed Treasury Regulation
     Section 1.401(a)(9)-2.

ANNUITY OPTIONS

   
ENDORSEMENT.001
    
<PAGE>   2

6.   Only Annuity Options 1 and 2 shall be offered unless We consent to the use
     of an additional option. Annuity Option 1(b) is not available for an Owner
     whose life expectancy is less than 10 years. Under Annuity Options 2(a) and
     2(b) the designated Co-Annuitant must be the Owner's spouse. Annuity Option
     2(b) is not available for an Owner and his or her spouse where the life
     expectancy of the Owner and such spouse is less than 10 years.

DISTRIBUTIONS AFTER OWNER'S DEATH

7.   If an Owner dies on or after the required beginning date (or if
     distributions have begun before the required beginning date as irrevocable
     annuity payments), the remaining portion of such interest (if any) shall be
     distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution in
     effect as of the Owner's death.

     If the Owner dies before the required beginning date and an irrevocable
     annuity distribution has not begun, the entire interest shall be
     distributed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth
     anniversary of the Owner's death, except that

          (a)  if the interest is payable to an individual who is the Owner's
               designated beneficiary, the designated beneficiary may elect to
               receive the entire interest over the life of the designated
               beneficiary or over a period not extending beyond the life
               expectancy of the designated beneficiary, commencing on or before
               December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the
               calendar year in which the Owner died; or

          (b)  if the designated beneficiary is the Owner's surviving spouse,
               the surviving spouse may elect to receive the entire interest
               over the life of the surviving spouse or over a period not
               extending beyond the life expectancy of the surviving spouse,
               commencing at any date prior to the later of

               (i)  December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the
                    calendar year in which the Owner died, and

               (ii) December 31 of the calendar year in which the Owner would
                    have attained age 70 1/2.

     If the surviving spouse dies before distributions begin, the limitations of
     this section shall be applied as if the surviving spouse were the Owner.

     An irrevocable election of the method of distribution by a designated
     beneficiary who is the surviving spouse must be made no later than the
     earlier of December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth
     anniversary of the Owner's death or the date distributions are required to
     begin pursuant to this provision (b).

     If the designated beneficiary is the Owner's surviving spouse, the spouse
     may irrevocably elect to treat the Contract as his or her own individual
     retirement arrangement (IRA). This election will be deemed to have been
     made if such surviving spouse (i) fails to elect that his or her interest
     will be distributed in accordance with one of the preceding provisions, or
     (ii) makes a rollover from the Contract.

     An irrevocable election of the method of distribution by a designated
     beneficiary who is not the surviving spouse must be made within one year of
     the Owner's death, and if no election is made, the entire interest will be
     distributed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth
     anniversary of the Owner's death.

     In the "Death Benefit Before Maturity Date" section of part 4 of the
     Contract, (a) the provision entitled "Death of Annuitant" is deleted; and
     (b) in the "Death of Owner" provision, the distribution requirements of
     provisions "(d)" and "(e)" are deleted. If, after the Owner's death, the
     designated beneficiary dies before the Maturity Date, no Death Benefit is
     payable.

LIFE EXPECTANCY CALCULATIONS

8.   Life expectancy is computed by use of the expected return multiples in
     Tables V and VI of Section 1.72-9 of the Income Tax Regulations.

     If benefits under the Contract are payable in accordance with an Annuity
     Option provided under the Contract, life expectancy shall not be
     recalculated. If benefits are payable under an alternate form acceptable to
     us, life expectan-

                                       2

<PAGE>   3

     cies shall not be recalculated unless annual recalculations are elected at 
     the time distributions are required to begin (a) by the Owner, or (b) for
     purposes of distributions beginning after the Owner's death, by the
     surviving spouse. Such an election shall be irrevocable as to the Owner or
     the surviving spouse, and shall apply to all subsequent years.

     The life expectancy of a non-spouse designated beneficiary (a) may not be
     recalculated, and (b) shall be calculated using the attained age of such
     designated beneficiary during the calendar year in which distributions are
     required to begin pursuant to this Endorsement. Payments for any subsequent
     calendar year shall be calculated based on such life expectancy reduced by
     one for each calendar year which has elapsed since the calendar year life
     expectancy was first calculated.

CANCELLATION FOR NONPAYMENT

9.   We may cancel the Contract for nonpayment of Payments and pay you the
     Contract Value (measured as of the Valuation Period during which the
     cancellation occurs), less the Administration Fee (if applicable), if 
     (a) prior to the Maturity Date, no Payments are made for two consecutive
     Contract Years; (b) the total Payments made, less any partial withdrawals,
     are less than $2,000; (c) the Contract Value at the end of such two-year
     period is less than $2,000; and (d) the paid-up annuity benefit at the
     Maturity Date at the end of such two-year period would be less than $20 per
     month.

IRC SECTION 72(s)

10.  All references in the Contract to IRC Section 72(s) are deleted.

Endorsed on the Date of Issue of this Contract.

THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA



Vice-President

                                       3

<PAGE>   1
                     ERISA TAX-SHELTERED ANNUITY ENDORSEMENT

Notwithstanding any provision contained therein to the contrary, the Contract to
which this Endorsement is attached is amended as follows:

OWNER AND ANNUITANT

1.   The Owner must be either an organization described in IRC Section
     403(b)(1)(A) or an employee of such an organization. If the Owner is an
     organization described in IRC Section 403(b)(1)(A), the term "Employee" as
     used in this Endorsement shall mean the individual employee for whose
     benefit the organization has established an annuity plan under IRC Section
     403(b). Such employee shall be the Annuitant. If the Owner is an employee
     of an organization described in IRC Section 403(b)(1)(A), the Annuitant
     must be the same employee.

     If this Contract is used as a funding mechanism for a rollover under IRC
     Sections 403(b) or 408(d)(3), the Owner must be one individual, that same
     individual must be the Annuitant, and the term "Employee" shall mean that
     individual.

     The Annuitant cannot be changed. Prior to the Maturity Date, the
     Co-Annuitant can be changed, but such change shall not require any
     distributions to be made under the Contract.

NONTRANSFERABLE

2.   The interest of the Employee in this Contract is non-transferable within
     the meaning of IRC Section 401(g) and applicable regulations and is
     nonforfeitable. In particular, the Contract may not be sold, assigned,
     discounted, or pledged as collateral for a loan or as security for the
     performance of any obligation or for any other purpose, to any person other
     than us.

PAYMENTS

3.   Payments must be made by an organization described in IRC Section
     403(b)(1)(A), except in the case of rollover contributions under IRC
     Sections 403(b)(8) and 408(d)(3). The Employee must be an employee of such
     organization.

     Payments made pursuant to a salary reduction agreement shall be limited to
     the extent provided in IRC Section 402(g). Payments shall not exceed the
     amount allowed by IRC Section 415.

REQUIRED BEGINNING DATE

4.   The Employee's entire interest in this Contract shall be distributed as
     required under IRC Section 403(b)(10) and applicable regulations.

     Except as otherwise provided by law, for years beginning after December 31,
     1996, the term "required beginning date" means April 1 of the calendar year
     following the later of (1) the calendar year in which the Employee attains
     age 70 1/2, or (2) the calendar year in which the Employee retires. 
     However, to the extent required by law, the required beginning date means
     April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the 
     Employee attains age 70 1/2 for an Employee who:

     (a)  is a 5-percent owner (as defined in IRC Section 416) of the

   
ENDORSEMENT.002.97
    
<PAGE>   2

          organization described in Section 1 of this Endorsement with respect
          to the plan year ending in the calendar year in which the Employee
          attains age 70 1/2; and

     (b)  is not in a governmental plan or a church plan (as defined in IRC
          Section 401(a)(9)(C)).

DISTRIBUTIONS DURING EMPLOYEE'S LIFE

5.   The Employee's entire interest shall be distributed no later than the
     required beginning date, or shall be distributed, beginning no later than
     the required beginning date, over (a) the life of the Employee or the joint
     lives of the Employee and an individual who is his or her designated
     beneficiary (within the meaning of IRC Section 401(a)(9), or (b) a period
     not extending beyond the life expectancy of the Employee, or the joint life
     and last survivor expectancy of the Employee and the designated
     beneficiary.

     If the Employee's interest is to be distributed over a period greater than
     one year, then the amount to be distributed by December 31 of each year
     (including the year in which the required beginning date occurs) shall be
     made in accordance with the requirements of IRC Section 401(a)(9),
     including the incidental death benefit requirements of IRC Section
     401(a)(9)(G), and the regulations thereunder, including the minimum
     distribution incidental benefit requirement of Proposed Treasury Regulation
     Section 1.401(a)(9)-2.

DEATH BENEFIT

6.   If, in the event of the Employee's death prior to the Maturity Date, the
     Death Benefit is not paid to the employer plan, it shall be paid to (1) the
     surviving spouse of the Employee in the form required by section 205 of the
     Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), unless the spouse
     elects otherwise in accordance with the requirements of such section 205 or
     applicable regulations; or (2) if there is no surviving spouse, or if the
     surviving spouse has consented in the manner required by section 205 of
     ERISA, or if the applicable regulations otherwise permit, to the
     Beneficiary under the Contract.

     In the "Death Benefit Before Maturity Date" section of part 4 of the
     Contract, the first sentence of the paragraph "Death of Annuitant" is
     deleted, and the second sentence is modified to read as follows: "If any
     Owner is not an individual, the death of the Annuitant (but not of the
     Co-Annuitant) is treated as the death of an Owner."

DISTRIBUTIONS AFTER EMPLOYEE'S DEATH

7.   If an Employee dies on or after the required beginning date (or if
     distributions have begun before the required beginning date as irrevocable
     annuity payments), the remaining portion of the Employee's interest (if
     any) shall be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of
     distribution in effect as of the Employee's death.

     If the Employee dies before the required beginning date and an irrevocable
     annuity distribution has not begun, the entire interest shall be
     distributed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth
     anniversary of the Employee's death, except that

     (a)  if the interest is payable to an individual who is the Employee's
          designated beneficiary, the designated beneficiary may elect to
          receive the entire interest over the life of the designated
          beneficiary or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy
          of the designated beneficiary, commencing on or before December 31 of
          the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the
          Employee died; or

     (b)  if the designated beneficiary is the Employee's surviving spouse, the
          surviving spouse may elect to receive the entire interest over the
          life of the surviving spouse or over a period not extending beyond the
          life expectancy of the surviving spouse, commencing at any date prior
          to the later of

          (i)  December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the
               calendar year in which the Employee died, and

          (ii) December 31 of the calendar year in which the Employee would have
               attained age 70 1/2.

                                       2

<PAGE>   3

               If the surviving spouse dies before distributions begin, the
               limitations of this section shall be applied as if the surviving
               spouse were the Employee.

               An irrevocable election of the method of distribution by a
               designated beneficiary who is the surviving spouse must be made
               no later than the earlier of December 31 of the calendar year
               containing the fifth anniversary of the Employee's death or the
               date distributions are required to begin pursuant to this
               provision (b). If no election is made, the entire interest will
               be distributed in accordance with the method of distribution in
               this provision (b).

          An irrevocable election of the method of distribution by a designated
          beneficiary who is not the surviving spouse must be made within one
          year of the Employee's death. If no election is made, the entire
          interest will be distributed by December 31 of the calendar year
          containing the fifth anniversary of the Employee's death.

     In the "Death of Owner" section of the "Death Benefit Before Maturity Date"
     part of the Contract, the distribution requirements of provisions "(d)" and
     "(e)" are deleted. If, after the Employee's death, the designated
     beneficiary dies before the Maturity Date, no Death Benefit is payable.

LIFE EXPECTANCY CALCULATIONS

8.   Life expectancy is computed by use of the expected return multiples in
     Tables V and VI of Section 1.72-9 of the Income Tax Regulations.

     If benefits under the Contract are payable in accordance with an Annuity
     Option provided under the Contract, life expectancy shall not be
     recalculated. If benefits are payable under an alternate form acceptable to
     us, life expectancies shall not be recalculated unless annual
     recalculations are elected at the time distributions are required to begin
     (a) by the Employee, or (b) for purposes of distributions beginning after
     the Employee's death, by the surviving spouse. Such an election shall be
     irrevocable as to the Employee or the surviving spouse, and shall apply to
     all subsequent years.

     The life expectancy of a non-spouse designated beneficiary (a) may not be
     recalculated, and (b) shall be calculated using the attained age of such
     designated beneficiary during the calendar year in which distributions are
     required to begin pursuant to this Endorsement. Payments for any subsequent
     calendar year shall be calculated based on such life expectancy reduced by
     one for each calendar year which has elapsed since the calendar year life
     in which expectancy was first calculated.

ANNUITY OPTIONS

9.   Except to the extent Treasury regulations allow us to offer different
     Annuity Options that are agreed to by us, only Annuity Options 1 and 2
     shall be available to an Employee. All Annuity Options must meet the
     requirements of IRC Section 403(b)(10), including the requirement that
     payments to persons other than Employees are incidental.

     Annuity Option 1(b) is not available for an Employee whose life expectancy
     is less than 10 years. Under Annuity Options 2(a) and 2(b), the designated
     Co-Annuitant must be the Employee's spouse. Annuity Option 2(b) is not
     available for an employee and his or her spouse where the life expectancy
     of the employee and such spouse is less than 10 years.

     Except as hereinafter provided, only Annuity Option 2(a) is available to a
     married Employee. A married Employee may elect another Annuity Option,
     provided his or her spouse consents in accordance with the requirements of
     section 205 of ERISA (and applicable regulations), or provided such
     election is otherwise permitted under such applicable regulations. An
     unmarried Employee will be deemed to have elected annuity Option 1(a)
     unless he or she makes a different election in the manner required under
     section 205 of ERISA (and applicable regulations).

ELECTIONS AND CONSENTS

                                       3

<PAGE>   4

10.  Elections and consents required by ERISA may be revoked in the form, time,
     and manner prescribed in section 205 of ERISA (and applicable regulations).
     All elections and consents required by ERISA shall adhere to the
     requirements of the applicable regulations interpreting section 205 of
     ERISA (or any other applicable law), including the requirements as to the
     timing of any elections or consents.

     If a withdrawal is permitted by the employer's plan, no withdrawal, partial
     or total, may be made without consent of the Employee and the Employee's
     spouse in the manner required by section 205 of ERISA (and applicable
     regulations), except to the extent that such consent is not required under
     such applicable regulations. Any withdrawal made must be made in the form
     required under section 205 of ERISA (and applicable regulations), unless
     the employee (and spouse, if applicable) makes an election in the form and
     manner permitted under such regulations, to receive the benefit in another
     form.

WITHDRAWAL OF SALARY REDUCTION CONTRIBUTIONS

11.  Withdrawals and other distributions attributable to contributions made
     pursuant to a salary reduction agreement after December 31, 1988, and the
     earnings on such contributions and on amounts held as of December 31, 1988,
     shall not be paid unless the Employee has reached age 59 1/2, separated
     from service, died, become disabled (within the meaning of IRC Section
     72(m)(7)) or incurred a hardship as determined by the organization
     described in Section 3 of this Endorsement; provided, that amounts
     permitted to be distributed in the event of hardship shall be limited to
     actual salary deferral contributions (excluding earnings thereon); and
     provided further that amounts may be distributed pursuant to a qualified
     domestic relations order to the extent permitted by IRC Section 414(p).

WITHDRAWAL OF CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT CONTRIBUTIONS

12.  Payments made by a nontaxable transfer from a custodial account qualifying
     under IRC Section 403(b)(7), and earnings of such amounts, shall not be
     paid or made available before the Employee dies, attains age 59 1/2,
     separates from service, becomes disabled (within the meaning of IRC Section
     72(m)(7)) or in the case of such amounts attributable to contributions made
     under the custodial account pursuant to a salary reduction agreement,
     encounters financial hardship; provided, that such amounts permitted to be
     paid or made available in the event of financial hardship shall be limited
     to amounts attributable to actual salary deferral contributions made under
     the custodial account (excluding earnings thereon); and provided further
     that amounts may be distributed pursuant to a qualified domestic relations
     order to the extent permitted by IRC Section 414(p).

MATURITY VALUE

13.  If the Employee's Contract Value is greater than $3,500, as determined on
     the first day of the month preceding the Maturity Date, in accordance with
     section 205 of ERISA (and applicable regulations), We will not exercise our
     right to pay the Contract Value of an employee on the Maturity Date in one
     lump sum in lieu of annuity benefits.

DIRECT ROLLOVERS

14.  This Section 14 applies to distributions made on or after January 1, 1993.
     A distributee may elect, at the time and in the manner prescribed by us, to
     have any portion of an eligible rollover distribution paid directly to an
     eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee in a direct rollover.

          An eligible rollover distribution is any distribution of all or any
          portion of the balance to the credit of the distributee, except that
          an eligible rollover distribution does not include (1) any
          distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic
          payments (not less frequently than annually) made for the life (or
          life expectancy) of the distributee or the joint lives (or joint life
          expectancies) of the distributee and the distributee's designated
          beneficiary, or for a specified period of ten years or more; (2) any
          distribution to the extent such distribution is required under IRC
          Section 401(a)(9); and (3) the portion of any distribution that is not
          includible in gross income (determined without regard to the exclusion
          for net unrealized appreciation with respect to employer securities).

                                       4

<PAGE>   5

          An eligible retirement plan is an annuity described in IRC Section
          403(b), an individual retirement account described in IRC Section
          408(a), or an individual retirement annuity described in IRC Section
          408(b), that accepts the distributee's eligible rollover distribution.
          However, in the case of an eligible rollover distribution to the
          surviving spouse, an eligible retirement plan is an individual
          retirement account or individual retirement annuity.

          A distributee includes an Employee or former Employee. In addition,
          the Employee's or former Employee's surviving spouse and the
          Employee's or former Employee's spouse or former spouse who is the
          alternative payee under a qualified domestic relations order, as
          defined in IRC Section 414(p), are distributees with regard to the
          interest of the spouse or former spouse. A direct rollover is a
          payment by the plan administrator or us to the eligible retirement
          plan specified by the distributee.

IRC SECTION 72(S)

15.  All references in the Contract to IRC Section 72(s) are deleted.

Endorsed on the Date of Issue of this Contract.

THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA




Vice-President

                                       5

<PAGE>   1



                        TAX-SHELTERED ANNUITY ENDORSEMENT

Notwithstanding any provision contained therein to the contrary, the Contract to
which this Endorsement is attached is amended as follows:

OWNER AND ANNUITANT

1.    The Owner must be either an organization described in IRC Section
      403(b)(1)(A) or an employee of such an organization. If the Owner is an
      organization described in IRC Section 403(b)(1)(A), the term "Employee" as
      used in this Endorsement shall mean the individual employee for whose
      benefit the organization has established an annuity plan under IRC Section
      403(b). Such employee shall be the Annuitant. If the Owner is an employee
      of an organization described in IRC Section 403(b)(1)(A), the Annuitant
      must be the same employee.

      If this Contract is used as a funding mechanism for a rollover under IRC
      Sections 403(b) or 408(d)(3), the Owner must be one individual, that same
      individual must be the Annuitant, and the term "Employee" shall mean that
      individual.

      The Annuitant cannot be changed. Prior to the Maturity Date, the
      Co-Annuitant can be changed, but such change shall not require any
      distributions to be made under the Contract. In the "Death Benefit Before
      Maturity Date" section of part 4 of the Contract, the first sentence of
      the paragraph "Death of Annuitant" is deleted, and the second sentence is
      modified to read as follows: "If any Owner is not an individual, the death
      of the Annuitant (but not of the Co-Annuitant) is treated as the death of
      an Owner."

NONTRANSFERABLE

2.    The interest of the Employee in this Contract is non-transferable within
      the meaning of IRC Section 401(g) and applicable regulations and is
      nonforfeitable. In particular, the Contract may not be sold, assigned,
      discounted, or pledged as collateral for a loan or as security for the
      performance of any obligation or for any other purpose, to any person
      other than us.

PAYMENTS

3.    Payments must be made by an organization described in IRC Section
      403(b)(1)(A), except in the case of rollover contributions under IRC
      Sections 403(b)(8) and 408(d)(3). The Employee must be an employee of such
      organization. Payments made pursuant to a salary reduction agreement shall
      be limited to the extent provided in IRC Section 402(g). Payments shall
      not exceed the amount allowed by IRC Section 415.

REQUIRED BEGINNING DATE

4.    The Employee's entire interest in this Contract shall be distributed as
      required under IRC Section 403(b)(10) and applicable regulations.

      Except as otherwise provided by law, for years beginning after December
      31, 1996, the term "required beginning date" means April 1 of the calendar
      year following the later of (1) the calendar year in which the Employee
      attains age 70 1/2, or (2) the calendar year in which the Employee
      retires. However, to the extent required by law, the required beginning
      date means April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in
      which the Employee attains age 70 1/2 for an Employee who:

      (a)   is a 5-percent owner (as defined in IRC Section 416) of the
            organization described in Section 1 of this Endorsement with respect
            to the plan year ending in the calendar year in which the Employee
            attains age 70 1/2; and


END.003.97                             1
<PAGE>   2



      (b)   is not in a governmental plan or a church plan (as defined in IRC
            Section 401(a)(9)(C)).


DISTRIBUTIONS DURING EMPLOYEE'S LIFE

5.    The Employee's entire interest shall be distributed no later than the
      required beginning date, or shall be distributed, beginning no later than
      the required beginning date, over (a) the life of the Employee or the
      joint lives of the Employee and an individual who is his or her designated
      beneficiary (within the meaning of IRC Section 401(a)(9), or (b) a period
      not extending beyond the life expectancy of the Employee, or the joint
      life and last survivor expectancy of the Employee and the designated
      beneficiary.

      If the Employee's interest is to be distributed over a period greater than
      one year, then the amount to be distributed by December 31 of each year
      (including the year in which the required beginning date occurs) shall be
      made in accordance with the requirements of IRC Section 401(a)(9),
      including the incidental death benefit requirements of IRC Section
      401(a)(9)(G), and the regulations thereunder, including the minimum
      distribution incidental benefit requirement of Proposed Treasury
      Regulation Section 1.401(a)(9)-2.

DISTRIBUTIONS AFTER EMPLOYEE'S DEATH

6.    If an Employee dies on or after the required beginning date (or if
      distributions have begun before the required beginning date as irrevocable
      annuity payments), the remaining portion of the Employee's interest (if
      any) shall be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of
      distribution in effect as of the Employee's death.

      If the Employee dies before the required beginning date and an irrevocable
      annuity distribution has not begun, the entire interest shall be
      distributed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth
      anniversary of the Employee's death, except that

      (a)   if the interest is payable to an individual who is the Employee's
            designated beneficiary, the designated beneficiary may elect to
            receive the entire interest over the life of the designated
            beneficiary or over a period not extending beyond the life
            expectancy of the designated beneficiary, commencing on or before
            December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar
            year in which the Employee died; or

      (b)   if the designated beneficiary is the Employee's surviving spouse,
            the surviving spouse may elect to receive the entire interest over
            the life of the surviving spouse or over a period not extending
            beyond the life expectancy of the surviving spouse, commencing at
            any date prior to the later of

                  (i)   December 31 of the calendar year immediately following
                        the calendar year in which the Employee died, and

                  (ii)  December 31 of the calendar year in which the Employee
                        would have attained age 70 1/2.

                  If the surviving spouse dies before distributions begin, the
                  limitations of this section shall be applied as if the
                  surviving spouse were the Employee.

                  An irrevocable election of the method of distribution by a
                  designated beneficiary who is the surviving spouse must be
                  made no later than the earlier of December 31 of the calendar
                  year containing the fifth anniversary of the Employee's death
                  or the date distributions are required to begin pursuant to
                  this provision (b). If no election is made, the entire
                  interest will be distributed in accordance with the method of
                  distribution in this provision (b).

            An irrevocable election of the method of distribution by a
            designated beneficiary who is not the surviving spouse must be made
            within one year of the Employee's death. If no election is made, the
            entire interest will be distributed by December 31 of the calendar
            year containing the fifth anniversary of the Employee's death.

      In the "Death of Owner" section of the "Death Benefit Before Maturity
      Date" part of the Contract, the distribution requirements of provisions
      "(d)" and "(e)" are deleted. If, after the Employee's death, the
      designated beneficiary



END.003.97                             2

<PAGE>   3

      dies before the Maturity Date, no Death Benefit is payable.

LIFE EXPECTANCY CALCULATIONS

7.    Life expectancy is computed by use of the expected return multiples in
      Tables V and VI of Section 1.72-9 of the Income Tax Regulations.

      If benefits under the Contract are payable in accordance with an Annuity
      Option provided under the Contract, life expectancy shall not be
      recalculated. If benefits are payable under an alternate form acceptable
      to us, life expectancies shall not be recalculated unless annual
      recalculations are elected at the time distributions are required to begin
      (a) by the Employee, or (b) for purposes of distributions beginning after
      the Employee's death, by the surviving spouse. Such an election shall be
      irrevocable as to the Employee or the surviving spouse, and shall apply to
      all subsequent years.

      The life expectancy of a non-spouse designated beneficiary (a) may not be
      recalculated, and (b) shall be calculated using the attained age of such
      designated beneficiary during the calendar year in which distributions are
      required to begin pursuant to this Endorsement. Payments for any
      subsequent calendar year shall be calculated based on such life expectancy
      reduced by one for each calendar year which has elapsed since the calendar
      year life in which expectancy was first calculated.

ANNUITY OPTIONS

8.    Except to the extent Treasury regulations allow us to offer different
      Annuity Options that are agreed to by us, only Annuity Options 1 and 2
      shall be available to an Employee. All Annuity Options must meet the
      requirements of IRC Section 403(b)(10), including the requirement that
      payments to persons other than Employees are incidental.

      Annuity Option 1(b) is not available for an Employee whose life expectancy
      is less than 10 years. Under Annuity Options 2(a) and 2(b), the designated
      Co-Annuitant must be the Employee's spouse. Annuity Option 2(b) is not
      available for an employee and his or her spouse where the life expectancy
      of the employee and such spouse is less than 10 years.

WITHDRAWAL OF SALARY REDUCTION CONTRIBUTIONS

9.    Withdrawals and other distributions attributable to contributions made
      pursuant to a salary reduction agreement after December 31, 1988, and the
      earnings on such contributions and on amounts held as of December 31,
      1988, shall not be paid unless the Employee has reached age 59 1/2,
      separated from service, died, become disabled (within the meaning of IRC
      Section 72(m)(7)) or incurred a hardship as determined by the organization
      described in Section 3 of this Endorsement; provided, that amounts
      permitted to be distributed in the event of hardship shall be limited to
      actual salary deferral contributions (excluding earnings thereon); and
      provided further that amounts may be distributed pursuant to a qualified
      domestic relations order to the extent permitted by IRC Section 414(p).


WITHDRAWAL OF CUSTODIAL ACCOUNT CONTRIBUTIONS

10.   Payments made by a nontaxable transfer from a custodial account qualifying
      under IRC Section 403(b)(7), and earnings of such amounts, shall not be
      paid or made available before the Employee dies, attains age 59 1/2,
      separates from service, becomes disabled (within the meaning of IRC
      Section 72(m)(7)) or in the case of such amounts attributable to
      contributions made under the custodial account pursuant to a salary
      reduction agreement, encounters financial hardship; provided, that such
      amounts permitted to be paid or made available in the event of financial
      hardship shall be limited to amounts attributable to actual salary
      deferral contributions made under the custodial account (excluding
      earnings thereon); and provided further that amounts may be distributed
      pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order to the extent permitted
      by IRC Section 414(p).


LOANS


END.003.97                             3

<PAGE>   4



11.   While this Contract is in force, an Employee may borrow using his or her
      interest in this Contract as the sole security for the loan. We will
      usually make a loan within seven days after We receive the request,
      subject to suspension of payment as set forth in part 10 of the Contract.

      The maximum loan value is 80% of the Contract Value for an Employee. An
      Employee may borrow an amount up to the lessor of:

      (a)   the maximum loan value less any existing Debt, or

      (b)   An amount which, when added to any existing Debt, does not exceed
            the lesser of:

            (i)   $50,000 (reduced by any excess of the highest outstanding Debt
                  during the one year period ending on the day before the date
                  on which the current loan is made, over the outstanding Debt
                  on the date the current loan is made), or

            (ii)  $10,000 or, if greater, one-half of the Contract Value.

      An Employee's investment in each Investment Account will be reduced by the
      amount withdrawn from that Investment Account in connection with the loan
      and such amount will be transferred to the Loan Account. Unless requested
      otherwise, We will withdraw the amount of the loan from each Investment
      Account in the same manner as partial withdrawals. If We withdraw part of
      the loan from an Employee's fixed Investment Account, a Market Value
      Charge may be applied. On each Contract Anniversary, the excess of the
      Debt over the amount in the Loan Account will be transferred from the
      Investments Accounts to the Loan Account. Any amounts in the Loan Account
      will earn interest at 4% per annum.

      Since the amount of a loan is removed from the Investments Accounts, a
      loan will have a permanent effect on the Contract Value. The longer the
      loan is outstanding, the greater the effect is likely to be.

      The loan interest rate will be 6% per annum. Interest will be payable in
      arrears on each Contract Anniversary. Any interest not paid when due will
      be added to the Debt and bear Interest in the same manner.

      An Employee may repay any Debt in whole or in part while the Contract is
      in force. An amount equal to the amount of the loan repayment will be
      transferred from the Loan Account to the Investment Accounts in the same
      proportion as Purchase Payments are currently allocated, unless the
      Employee requests otherwise. Loans must be repaid within 5 years, except
      for loans to acquire a principal residence for the Employee. Repayment
      must be in level amounts made at least quarterly.

      If, on any date, the Debt exceeds the Contract Value, then the Contract
      will be in default. In such case We will send the Employee a notice of
      default and tell him what payment is needed to cure the default. The
      Employee will have a 31-day grace period from the date of mailing of such
      notice during which to pay the default amount. If the required payment is
      not paid within the grace period, the Contract may be foreclosed
      (terminate without value).

DIRECT ROLLOVERS

12.   This Section 12 applies to distributions made on or after January 1, 1993.
      A distributee may elect, at the time and in the manner prescribed by us,
      to have any portion of an eligible rollover distribution paid directly to
      an eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee in a direct
      rollover.

      An eligible rollover distribution is any distribution of all or any
      portion of the balance to the credit of the distributee, except that an
      eligible rollover distribution does not include (1) any distribution that
      is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less
      frequently than annually) made for the life (or life expectancy) of the
      distributee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the
      distributee and the distributee's designated beneficiary, or for a
      specified period of ten years or more; (2) any distribution to the extent
      such distribution is required under IRC Section 401(a)(9); and (3) the
      portion of any distribution that is not includible in gross income
      (determined without regard to the exclusion for net unrealized
      appreciation with respect to employer securities).

      An eligible retirement plan is an annuity described in IRC Section 403(b),
      an individual retirement account described

END.003.97                             4

<PAGE>   5

      in IRC Section 408(a), or an individual retirement annuity described in
      IRC Section 408(b), that accepts the distributee's eligible rollover
      distribution. However, in the case of an eligible rollover distribution to
      the surviving spouse, an eligible retirement plan is an individual
      retirement account or individual retirement annuity.

      A distributee includes an Employee or former Employee. In addition, the
      Employee's or former Employee's surviving spouse and the Employee's or
      former Employee's spouse or former spouse who is the alternative payee
      under a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in IRC Section
      414(p), are distributees with regard to the interest of the spouse or
      former spouse.

      A direct rollover is a payment by the plan administrator or us to the
      eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee.



IRC SECTION 72(S)

13.   All references in the Contract to IRC Section 72(s) are deleted.

Endorsed on the Date of Issue of this Contract.

THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA

Vice-President



END.003.97                             5

<PAGE>   1

                  QUALIFIED PLAN ENDORSEMENT SECTION 401 PLANS

Notwithstanding any provision contained therein to the contrary, the Contract to
which this Endorsement is attached is amended as follows:

OWNER AND ANNUITANT

1.    The Owner of the Contract must be either a trustee of a qualified
      retirement plan under IRC Sections 401(a) or 403(a) or an employee covered
      by such a plan. If the Owner is a trustee, the term "Participant" as used
      in this Endorsement shall mean the individual employee for whose benefit
      the employer has established the plan. If the Owner is an employee, the
      term "Participant" shall mean the employee.

      In all cases, the Annuitant shall be the Participant and the Annuitant
      cannot be changed. Prior to the Maturity Date, the Co-Annuitant can be
      changed, but such change shall not require any distributions under the
      Contract.

NONTRANSFERABLE

2.    Ownership of this Contract may not be transferred except: (1) to the
      Participant; (2) to a trustee or successor trustee of a retirement plan
      qualified under IRC Sections 401(a) or 403(a); or (3) as otherwise
      permitted by applicable regulations of the Internal Revenue Service.

      If the Contract is transferred to the Participant, the Participant becomes
      the Owner of the Contract and thereafter may not assign, sell, transfer,
      or discount the Contract, or pledge it as collateral for a loan or as
      security for the performance of an obligation or for any other purpose,
      other than to us.

REQUIRED BEGINNING DATE

3.    The Participant's entire interest in the Contract shall be distributed as
      required by IRC Section 401(a)(9), and the regulations thereunder,
      including the minimum distribution incidental benefit requirement of Prop.
      Treas. Reg. Section 1.401(a)(9)-2.

      Except as otherwise provided by law, for years beginning after December
      31, 1996, the term "required beginning date" means April 1 of the calendar
      year following the later of (1) the calendar year in which the Employee
      attains age 70 1/2, or (2) the calendar year in which the Employee 
      retires. However, to the extent required by law, the required beginning
      date means April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in 
      which the Employee attains age 70 1/2 for an Employee who:

      (a)   is a 5-percent owner (as defined in IRC Section 416) of the
            organization described in Section 1 of this Endorsement with respect
            to the plan year ending in the calendar year in which the Employee
            attains age 70 1/2; and

      (b)   is not in a governmental plan or a church plan (as defined in IRC
            Section 401(a)(9)(C)).

      The requirements of Sections 3,4, and 6 of this Endorsement do not apply
      with respect to a benefit to which a proper designation is in effect under
      section 242(b)(2) of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982.

DISTRIBUTIONS DURING PARTICIPANT'S LIFE

4.    The Participant's entire interest shall be distributed no later than the
      required beginning date, or shall be distributed, beginning no later than
      the required beginning date over (a) the life of the Participant or the
      joint lives of the Participant and an individual who is his or her
      designated beneficiary (within the meaning of IRC Section 401(a)(9)), or
      (b) a period

   
ENDORSEMENT.004.97
    
<PAGE>   2

      not extending beyond the life expectancy of the f Participant, or the
      joint life and last survivor expectancy of the Participant and the
      designated beneficiary. If the Participant's interest is to be distributed
      over a period greater than one year, then the amount to be distributed by
      December 31 of each year (including the year in which the required
      beginning date occurs) shall be determined in accordance with the
      requirements of IRC Section 401(a)(9), including the incidental death
      benefit requirements of IRC Section 401(a)(9)(G), and the regulations
      thereunder, including the minimum distribution incidental benefit
      requirements of Proposed Treasury Regulation Section 1.401(a)(9)-2.


DEATH BENEFIT

5.    If, in the event of the Participant's death prior to the Maturity Date,
      the Death Benefit is not paid to the trustee of a retirement plan
      qualified under IRC Sections 401(a) or 403(a), it shall be paid to (1) the
      surviving spouse of the Participant in the form required by IRC Section
      417(c), unless the spouse elects otherwise in accordance with the
      requirements of IRC Section 417 or regulations promulgated thereunder, or
      (2) if there is no surviving spouse, or if the surviving spouse has
      consented in the manner required by IRC Section 417, or if regulations
      promulgated by the Treasury Department under IRC Section 417 otherwise
      permit, to the Beneficiary under the Contract.

      In the "Death Benefit Before Maturity Date" section of part 4 of the
      Contract, the first sentence of the paragraph "Death of Annuitant" is
      deleted, and the second sentence is modified to read as follows: "If any
      Owner is not an individual, the death of the Annuitant (but not of the
      Co-Annuitant) is treated as the death of an Owner."

DISTRIBUTIONS AFTER PARTICIPANT'S DEATH

6.    If the Participant dies on or after the required beginning date (or if
      distributions have begun before the required beginning date as irrevocable
      annuity payments), the remaining portion of the Participant's interest (if
      any) shall be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of
      distribution in effect as of the Participant's death.

      If the Participant dies before the required beginning date and an
      irrevocable annuity distribution has not begun, the entire interest shall
      be distributed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth
      anniversary of the Participant's death, except that

      (a)   if the interest is payable to an individual who is the Participant's
            designated beneficiary, the designated beneficiary may elect to
            receive the entire interest over the life of the designated
            beneficiary or over a period not extending beyond the life
            expectancy of the designated beneficiary, commencing on or before
            December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar
            year in which the Participant died; or

      (b)   if the designated beneficiary is the Participant's surviving spouse,
            the surviving spouse may elect to receive the entire interest over
            the life of the surviving spouse or over a period not extending
            beyond the life expectancy of the surviving spouse, commencing at
            any date prior to the later of

            (i)   December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the
                  calendar year in which the Participant died, and

            (ii)  December 31 of the calendar year in which the Participant
                  would have attained age 70 1/2.

            If the surviving spouse dies before distributions begin, the
            limitations of this section shall be applied as if the surviving
            spouse were the Participant.

            An irrevocable election of the method of distribution by a
            designated beneficiary who is the surviving spouse must be made no
            later than the earlier of December 31 of the calendar year
            containing the fifth anniversary of the Participant's death or the
            date distributions are required to begin pursuant to this provision
            (b). If no election is made, the entire interest will be distributed
            in accordance with the method of distribution in this provision (b).

            An irrevocable election of the method of distribution by a
            designated beneficiary who is not the surviving spouse must be made
            within one year of the Participant's death. If no election is made,
            the entire interest will be 


END.004.97                             2

<PAGE>   3

            distributed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth
            anniversary of the Participant's death.

            In the "Death of Owner" section of the "Death Benefit Before
            Maturity Date" part of the Contract, the distribution requirements
            of provisions "(d)" and "(e)" are deleted. If, after the
            Participant's death, the designated beneficiary dies before the
            Maturity Date, no Death Benefit is payable.

LIFE EXPECTANCY CALCULATIONS

7.    Life expectancy is computed by use of the expected return multiples in
      Tables V and VI of Section 1.72-9 of the Income Tax Regulations.

      If benefits under the Contract are payable in accordance with an Annuity
      Option provided under the Contract, life expectancy shall not be
      recalculated. If benefits are payable under an alternate form acceptable
      to us, life expectancies shall not be recalculated unless annual
      recalculations are elected at the time distributions are required to begin
      (a) by the Participant, or (b) for purposes of distributions beginning
      after the Participant's death, by the surviving spouse. Such an election
      shall be irrevocable as to the Participant or the surviving spouse, and
      shall apply to all subsequent years.

      The life expectancy of a non-spouse designated beneficiary (a) may not be
      recalculated, and (b) shall be calculated using the attained age of such
      designated beneficiary during the calendar year in which distributions are
      required to begin pursuant to this Endorsement. Payments for any
      subsequent calendar year shall be calculated based on such life expectancy
      reduced by one for each calendar year which has elapsed since the calendar
      year life in which expectancy was first calculated.

ANNUITY OPTIONS

8.    Except to the extent Treasury regulations allow us to offer different
      Annuity Options that are agreed to by us and are stated in the employer's
      plan, only Annuity Options 1 and 2 shall be available to the Participant.
      All Annuity Options must meet the requirements of IRC Section 401(a)(9),
      including the requirement of IRC Section 401(a)(9)(G) that payments to
      persons other than Participants are incidental.

      Annuity Option 1(b) is not available for a Participant whose life
      expectancy is less than 10 years. Under Annuity Option 2(a) and 2(b) the
      designated Co-Annuitant must be the Participant's spouse. Annuity Option
      2(b) is not available for a Participant and his or her spouse where the
      joint life expectancy of the Participant and such spouse is less than 10
      years.

      Except as hereinafter provided, only Annuity Option 2(a) is available to a
      married Participant. A married Participant may elect another Annuity
      Option, provided his or her spouse consents in accordance with the
      requirements of IRC Section 417 or provided such election is otherwise
      permitted under Treasury Regulations. An unmarried Participant will be
      deemed to have elected Annuity Option 1(a) unless he or she makes a
      different election in the manner required under IRC Section 417 (and
      applicable regulations).

ELECTIONS AND CONSENTS

9.    Elections and consents made pursuant to this Contract may be revoked in
      the form, time, and manner prescribed in IRC Section 417 (and applicable
      regulations). All elections and consents required by this Contract shall
      adhere to the requirements of the applicable regulations interpreting IRC
      Section 417 (or any other applicable law), including the requirements as
      to the timing of any elections or consents. No amount may be paid from the
      Contract in a lump sum unless such payment is allowed under both the
      retirement plan with regard to which the Contract is purchased and the
      Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. A Participant who is
      married must have the consent of his or her spouse to withdraw all or part
      of the Contract Value.


MATURITY VALUE


END.004.97                             3
<PAGE>   4

10.   If the Contract Value is greater than $3,500, as determined on the first
      day of the month preceding the Maturity Date, in accordance with the
      requirements of IRC Sections 411(a)(11) and 417 (and applicable
      regulations), We will not exercise our right to pay the Contract Value on
      the Maturity Date in one lump sum in lieu of annuity benefits.

DIRECT ROLLOVERS

11.   This Section 11 applies to distributions made on or after January 1, 1993.
      Notwithstanding any provision of the Contract to the contrary that would
      otherwise limit a distributee's election under this Section 11, a
      distributee may elect, at the time and in the manner prescribed by us, to
      have any portion of an eligible rollover distribution paid directly to an
      eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee in a direct
      rollover.

      An eligible rollover distribution is any distribution of all or any
      portion of the balance to the credit of the distributee, except that an
      eligible rollover distribution does not include: any distribution that is
      one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less
      frequently than annually) made for the life (or life expectancy) of the
      distributee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the
      distributee and the distributee's designated beneficiary, or for a
      specified period of ten years or more; any distribution to the extent such
      distribution is required under IRC Section 401(a)(9); and the portion of
      any distribution that is not includible in gross income (determined
      without regard to the exclusion for net unrealized appreciation with
      respect to employer securities).

      An eligible retirement plan is an individual retirement account described
      in IRC Section 408(a), an individual retirement annuity described in IRC
      Section 408(b), an annuity plan described in IRC Section 403(a), or a
      qualified trust described in IRC Section 401(a), that accepts the
      distributee's eligible rollover distribution. However, in the case of an
      eligible rollover distribution to the surviving spouse, an eligible
      retirement plan is an individual retirement account or individual
      retirement annuity.

      A distributee includes a Participant. In addition, the Participant's
      surviving spouse and the Participants's spouse or former spouse who is the
      alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in
      IRC Section 414(p), are distributees with regard to the interest of the
      spouse or former spouse.

      A direct rollover is a payment by us to the eligible retirement plan
      specified by the distributee.

IRC SECTION 72(S)

12.   All references in the Contract to IRC Section 72(s) are deleted from the
      Contract.

Endorsed on the Date of issue of this Contract.

THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA

Vice-President








END.004.97                             4
<PAGE>   5


<PAGE>   1
<TABLE>
<S>                     <C>         <C>                             <C>
====================================================================================================================================
Flexible Payment Deferred Variable Annuity Application. Payment (or original of exchange/transfer request) must accompany
Application. Please make check payable to THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA (the "Company") and address to:
P.O. BOX 9230 GMF, Boston, MA 02205-9230.

- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ----------------------------------------------------------------
1. OWNERS (APPLICANTS)                                              4. MY INVESTMENT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    
Name*                                                               Allocate payment with application of $____________ as indicated
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    below (must total 100%) (Minimum initial investment of $25,000.
        First           Middle           Last                       Allocation percentages must total 100%): 
Address
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % Manufacturers Adviser Pac Rim Emerging Mkts (038) 
        Street                                                                                                               
                                                                    ____ % T. Rowe Price Science & Technology (046)          
- ----------------------------------------------------------------                                                             
        City            State            Zip                        ____ % Founders Int'l Small Cap (036)                    
                                             _____ _____ _____                                                               
Sex [ ] M [ ] F              Date of Birth  |     |     |     |     ____ % Warburg Pincus Emerging Growth (050)              
                                            |_____|_____|_____|                                                              
                                             Month  Day   Year      ____ % Pilgrim Baxter Growth (052)                       
Daytime Phone Number: (    )  _____________________________                                                                  
 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __         __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __      ____ % Fred Alger Small/Mid Cap (041)                    
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |       |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |                                                              
|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|  or   |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|     ____ % Rowe Price-Fleming Int'l Stock (054)              
   Social Security Number                   Tax ID Number                                                                    
                                                                    ____ % Founders Worldwide Growth (056)                   
Client Brokerage Acct. # (If applicable):__________________                                                                  
                                                                    ____ % Morgan Stanley Global Equity (039)                
- ----------------------------------------------------------------                                                             
CO-OWNER (OPTIONAL)                                                 ____ % Rosenberg Small Company Value (121)               
- ----------------------------------------------------------------                                                             
                                                                    ____ % Fidelity Equity (031)                             
Name*                                                                                                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % Founders Growth (035)                             
        First           Middle           Last                                                                                
                                             _____ _____ _____      ____ % Manufacturers Adviser Quant Equity (053)          
Sex [ ] M [ ] F              Date of Birth  |     |     |     |                                                              
                                            |_____|_____|_____|     ____ % T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth (042)              
                                             Month  Day   Year                                                               
 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __         __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __      ____ % Manufacturers Adviser Real Estate Securities (057)
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |       |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |                                                              
|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|  or   |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|     ____ % Miller Anderson Value (055)                       
   Social Security Number                   Tax ID Number           
                                                                    ____ % J.P. Morgan Int'l Growth & Income (043)           
- ----------------------------------------------------------------                                                             
2. ANNUITANTS (IF DIFFERENT FROM OWNER)                             ____ % Wellington Management Growth & Income (047)       
- ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                    ____ % T. Rowe Price Equity-Income (037)                 
Name*                                                                                                                        
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % Founders Balanced (058)                           
        First           Middle           Last                                                                                
Address                                                             ____ % Fidelity Aggr Asset Alloc (034)                   
- ----------------------------------------------------------------                                                             
        Street                                                      ____ % Miller Anderson High Yield (059)                  
                                                                                                                             
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % Fidelity Mod Asset Allocation (033)                    
        City            State            Zip                                                                                 
                                             _____ _____ _____      ____ % Fidelity Cons Asset Allocation (032)                   
Sex [ ] M [ ] F              Date of Birth  |     |     |     |                                                              
                                            |_____|_____|_____|     ____ % Salomon Brothers Strategic Bond (045)             
                                             Month  Day   Year                                                               
 Daytime Phone Number: (    )  _____________________________        ____ % Oechsle Global Gov't Bond (040)                          
 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __                                                                                                         
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |                                        ____ % Manufacturers Adviser Capital Growth Bond (060)          
|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|                                                                                                        
   Social Security Number                                           ____ % Wellington Management Inv Quality Bond (048)             
                                                                                                                                    
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % Salomon Brothers U.S. Gov't Securities (044)             
CO-ANNUITANT (OPTIONAL)                                                                                                             
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % Manufacturers Adviser Money Market (049)                 
                                                                                                                                    
Name*                                                               FIXED ACCOUNTS                                                  
- ----------------------------------------------------------------                                                                    
        First           Middle           Last                       ____ % 1 Yr (051)**                                             
                                             _____ _____ _____                                                                      
Sex [ ] M [ ] F              Date of Birth  |     |     |     |     LIFESTYLE PORTFOLIOS                                            
                                            |_____|_____|_____|                                                                     
                                             Month  Day   Year      ____ % Cons 280 (184)                                           
 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __                                                                                                         
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |                                        ____ % Mod 460 (185)                                            
|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|                                                                                                        
   Social Security Number                                           ____ % Bal 640 (186)                                            
                                                                                                                                    
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % Growth 820 (187)                                         
3. BENEFICIARIES                                                                                                                    
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % Aggr 1000 (188)                                          
(Enclose signed letter if more information is required.)           
                                                                    ** Not available in WA.        
Name*                                                               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------     ----------------------------------------------------------------
        First       Middle       Last       Relationship            REMARKS                                                         
               _____ _____ _____    __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __      ----------------------------------------------------------------
Date of Birth |     |     |     |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |                                                                     
              |_____|_____|_____|  |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|                                                                     
               Month  Day   Year     Social Security Number         

Name*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
        First       Middle       Last       Relationship
               _____ _____ _____    __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 
Date of Birth |     |     |     |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
              |_____|_____|_____|  |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
               Month  Day   Year     Social Security Number

- ----------------------------------------------------------------
CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY
- ----------------------------------------------------------------

Name*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
        First       Middle       Last       Relationship
               _____ _____ _____    __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ 
Date of Birth |     |     |     |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
              |_____|_____|_____|  |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
               Month  Day   Year     Social Security Number

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VISION.APP.002               *Unless subsequently changed in accordance with terms of Contract issued.                          9/97
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   2

<TABLE>
<S>                    <C>                   <C>                 <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. TYPE OF PLAN (MUST BE COMPLETED)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[ ] Non-Qualified or   [ ] IRA Rollover      [ ] IRA Transfer    [ ] IRA  Tax Year____________
                       [ ] Profit Sharing    [ ] 401(k)          [ ] SEP IRA Tax Year_________
                       [ ] Money Purchase    [ ] Keogh (HR-10)   [ ] 403(b) Check if ERISA [ ]
                       [ ] Defined Benefit   [ ] 457             [ ] Other ___________________

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REPLACEMENT

Will this Annuity replace or change any other insurance or annuity? [ ] No  [ ] Yes

(State company and contract number in Remarks, and attach replacement forms.)

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6. SIGNATURES
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Irrevocable Beneficiary, if designated, must also sign application.)

STATEMENT OF APPLICANT: I/We agree that the Contract I/we have applied for shall not take effect
until the later of: (1) the issuance of the Contract, or (2) receipt by the Company at its Annuity
Service Office of the first payment required under the Contract. The information above is true and
complete to the best of my/our knowledge and belief and is correctly recorded. I/We agree to be
bound by the representations made in this application and acknowledge the receipt of an effective
Prospectus describing the Contract applied for. The Contract I/we have applied for is suitable for
my/our insurance investment objectives, financial situation and needs. When utilizing Check Plus or
the Income Plan, I/we agree that if any debit/transfer is erroneously received by the bank indi
cated on the enclosed voided check, or is not honored upon presentation, any accumulation units may
be canceled, and agree to hold the Company harmless from any loss due to such electronic
debits/transfers. I/We understand that unless I/we elect otherwise in the remarks section, the
Maturity Date will be the later of the Annuitant's 85th birthday, or 10 years from the Contract
Date.

I/WE UNDERSTAND THAT ANNUITY PAYMENTS AND OTHER VALUES PROVIDED BY THE CONTRACT APPLIED FOR, WHEN
BASED ON THE INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE OF A SEPARATE ACCOUNT, ARE VARIABLE AND NOT GUARANTEED AS TO
FIXED DOLLAR AMOUNT.


___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signed in (State)     Date Signed     Signature of Owner/Applicant     Signature of Co-Owner

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Annuitant        Signature of Co-Annuitant      Signature of Irrevocable Beneficiary
(if different from Owner)     (if different from Owner)      (if designated)


STATEMENT OF AGENT: Will this contract replace or change any existing life insurance or annuity in
this or any other company? [ ] Yes [ ] No If yes, please explain under Remarks. I certify I am
authorized and qualified to discuss the Contract herein applied for.



___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Agent            Print Full Name                Name of Firm

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Agent Number                  Agent Phone Number             State License ID Number







- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VISION.APP.002                                                                                   9/97
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>                               <C>
===================================================================================================

Indicate below each VENTURE VISION service option you wish to elect.

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7. CHECK PLUS - AUTOMATIC PURCHASE*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OWNER PLEASE INITIAL HERE __________ .

I authorize the Company to collect $________ (minimum $30) starting the month of _____________ by
initiating electronic debit entries to my account with the following frequency:
[ ] MONTHLY: [ ] 5th or [ ] or 20th [ ]
[ ] QUARTERLY (20th of Jan., April, July and Oct.)

(Please Attach a Voided Check/Withdrawal Slip.)

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. DOLLAR COST AVERAGING* (MINIMUM PAYMENT $6,000)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OWNER PLEASE INITIAL HERE __________ .

I authorize the Company to transfer an amount (minimum $100) each month as indicated below.
Transfers are available from all variable and the one-year fixed investment options. A maximum of
10% from the one-year fixed investment option may be transferred monthly.
Please make first transfer on _____/_____/_____.
                              Month  Day   Year
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Source Fund                       Destination Fund                  Amount
<S>                               <C>                               <C>
_______________________________   _______________________________   _____________________________
_______________________________   _______________________________   _____________________________
_______________________________   _______________________________   _____________________________
_______________________________   _______________________________   _____________________________
_______________________________   _______________________________   _____________________________

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9. INCOME PLAN* (MINIMUM PAYMENT $12,000)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OWNER PLEASE INITIAL HERE __________ .

I authorize withdrawals (minimum $100) from my Contract Value to commence as indicated below. A
maximum of 10% of payments may be withdrawn annually. When utilizing the Income Plan, I agree that
if any debit/transfer is erroneously received by the bank indicated on the enclosed voided check,
or is not honored upon presentation, any accumulation units may be canceled, and agree to hold the
Company harmless from any loss due to such electronic debits/transfers.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
From: ___________________________________________  $__________________________

From: ___________________________________________  $__________________________

From: ___________________________________________  $__________________________

From: ___________________________________________  $__________________________

From: ___________________________________________  $__________________________

Please indicate frequency: [ ] Monthly or [ ] Quarterly (January, April, July and October)
                           on the [ ] 7th [ ] 16th or [ ] 26th.
                           Please [ ] Withhold [ ] Do not withhold Federal Income Taxes

[    ] I wish to utilize Electronic Funds Transfer in the processing of my Income Plan. 
       Please attach a voided check, or, if different from owner, make check payable to:

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
First                   Middle                       Last

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Street                  City                         State                  Zip
(Please allow 7 business days for receipt of check.)

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vision.APP.002   *Unless subsequently changed in accordance with terms of Contract issued.    9/97
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Indicate below each VENTURE VISION service option you wish to elect.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. TELEPHONE TRANSFER AUTHORIZATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OWNER PLEASE INITIAL HERE __________ .

I authorize the Company to act on transfer instructions given by telephone from any person who can furnish proper
identification. Neither the Company nor any person authorized by the Company will be responsible for any claim,
loss, liability or expense in connection with a telephone transfer if the Company or such other person acted on
telephone transfer instructions in good faith in reliance on this authorization.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. TELEPHONE WITHDRAWAL AUTHORIZATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OWNER PLEASE INITIAL HERE __________ .

I authorize the Company to act on withdrawal instructions given from any person who can furnish proper
identification by telephone. Neither the Company nor any person authorized by the Company will be responsible for
any claim, loss, liability or expense in connection with a telephone withdrawal if the Company or such other person
acted on telephone withdrawal instructions in good faith in reliance on this authorization. The minimum withdrawal
amount is $1,000.

Withdrawal instructions may authorize Partial Withdrawals of up to $50,000.00 per account. (Full withdrawals are
not permitted by telephone.) The check may only be payable to the owner of record (who must be individual) and may
be mailed only to the address of record. The Company will not allow telephone withdrawals for the following
accounts: a) An account on which the address has been changed in the last 30 days, b) Accounts over which a person
has Power of Attorney, c) 403(b) accounts for which the owner is under 59 1/2, d) Custodial accounts, and e) Accounts
with Market Timers as owners.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. AUTOMATIC REBALANCING
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OWNER PLEASE INITIAL HERE __________ .

If marked, the policyholder's contract value, excluding amounts in the fixed account investment options, will be
automatically rebalanced to maintain the rebalancing percentage levels in the variable portfolios as selected
below, based on the current total value of the eligible portfolios on the day of rebalancing.

You may change the rebalancing percentages or terminate your participation in the program by providing the Company
with a completed Automatic Rebalancing Authorization form or by providing instructions via telephone to an
authorized Company representative prior to the day the rebalancing will occur.

If a policyholder elects to participate in Automatic Rebalancing, the total value of the variable portfolios must
be included in the program. Therefore, subsequent payments received and applied to portfolios in percentages
different from the current rebalancing allocation will be rebalanced at the next date of rebalancing unless the
subsequent payments are allocated to the fixed account investment options.

Rebalancing will occur on the 25th of the month (or next business day), please indicate frequency:

[ ] Quarterly [ ] Semi-Annually (June & December) [ ] Annually (December)

 ASSET ALLOCATIONS (must total 100%):

____ % Manufacturers Adviser Pac Rim Emerging Mkts (038)    ____ % Founders Balanced (058)
____ % T. Rowe Price Science & Technology (046)             ____ % Fidelity Aggr Asset Alloc (034)
____ % Founders Int'l Small Cap (036)                       ____ % Miller Anderson High Yield (059)
____ % Warburg Pincus Emerging Growth (050)                 ____ % Fidelity Mod Asset Alloc (033)
____ % Pilgrim Baxter Growth (052)                          ____ % Fidelity Cons Asset Alloc (032)
____ % Fred Alger Small/Mid Cap (041)                       ____ % Salomon Brothers Strategic Bond (045)
____ % Rowe Price-Fleming Int'l Stock (054)                 ____ % Oechsle Global Gov't Bond (040) 
____ % Founders Worldwide Growth (056)                      ____ % Manufacturers Adviser Capital Growth Bond (060) 
____ % Morgan Stanley Global Equity (039)                   ____ % Wellington Management Inv Quality Bond (048)    
____ % Rosenberg Small Company Value (121)                  ____ % Salomon Brothers U.S. Gov't Securities (044)    
____ % Fidelity Equity (031)                                ____ % Manufacturers Adviser Money Market (049)
____ % Founders Growth (035)
____ % Manufacturers Adviser Quant Equity (057)             LIFESTYLE PORTFOLIOS                                   
____ % T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth (042)                 ____ % Cons 280 (184)                                  
____ % Manufacturers Adviser Real Estate Securities (057)   ____ % Mod 460 (185)                                   
____ % Miller Anderson Value (055)                          ____ % Bal 640 (186)                                   
____ % J.P. Morgan Int'l Growth & Income (043)              ____ % Growth 820 (187)                                
____ % Wellington Management Growth & Income (047)          ____ % Aggr 1000 (188)                                 
____ % T. Rowe Price Equity-Income (037) 

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VISION.APP.002                                                                                                  9/97
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
<TABLE>
<S>                     <C>         <C>                             <C>
====================================================================================================================================
Flexible Purchase Payment Deferred Variable Annuity Application. Payment (or original of exchange/transfer request) must accompany
Application. Please make check payable to THE MANUFACTURERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA (the "Company") and address to:
P.O. BOX 9230 GMF, Boston, MA 02205-9230.

- ----------------------------------------------------------------   ----------------------------------------------------------------
1. OWNERS (APPLICANTS)                                             7. CONTINGENT BENEFICIARY
- ----------------------------------------------------------------   ----------------------------------------------------------------

Name*                                                              Name*
- ----------------------------------------------------------------   ---------------------------------------------------------------
        First           Middle           Last                              First       Middle       Last       Relationship
Address                                                                           _____ _____ _____    __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
- ----------------------------------------------------------------   Date of Birth |     |     |     |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
        Street                                                                   |_____|_____|_____|  |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
                                                                                  Month  Day   Year     Social Security Number
- ----------------------------------------------------------------                                                                    
        City            State            Zip                                                                                        
                                             _____ _____ _____      ----------------------------------------------------------------
Sex [ ] M [ ] F              Date of Birth  |     |     |     |     8. MY INVESTMENT
                                            |_____|_____|_____|     ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Month  Day   Year
                                                                    Allocate payment with application of $____________ as indicated
 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __         __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __      below (Minimum Initial Investment of $25,000. Allocation
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |       |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |     percentages must total 100%):
|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|  or   |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
   Social Security Number                   Tax ID Number           ____ % Manufacturers Adviser Pac Rim Emerging Mkts (038)

                                                                    ____ % T. Rowe Price Science & Technology (046)

- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % Founders Int'l Small Cap (036)
2. CO-OWNER (OPTIONAL)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % Warburg Pincus Emerging Growth (050)

Name*                                                               ____ % Pilgrim Baxter Growth (052)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
        First           Middle           Last                       ____ % Fred Alger Small/Mid Cap (041)
                                             _____ _____ _____
Sex [ ] M [ ] F              Date of Birth  |     |     |     |     ____ % Rowe Price-Fleming Int'l Stock (054)
                                            |_____|_____|_____|
                                             Month  Day   Year      ____ % Founders Worldwide Growth (056)
 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __         __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |       |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |     ____ % Morgan Stanley Global Equity (039)
|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|  or   |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
   Social Security Number                   Tax ID Number           ____ % Rosenberg Small Company Value (121)

- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % Fidelity Equity (031)
3. SUCCESSOR OWNER (OPTIONAL)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % Founders Growth (035)

Name*                                                               ____ % Manufacturers Adviser Quant Equity (053)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
        First           Middle           Last                       ____ % T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth (042)
                                             _____ _____ _____
Sex [ ] M [ ] F              Date of Birth  |     |     |     |     ____ % Manufacturers Adviser Real Estate Securities (057)
                                            |_____|_____|_____|
                                             Month  Day   Year      ____ % Miller Anderson Value (055)
 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __         __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |       |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |     ____ % J.P. Morgan Int'l Growth & Income (047)
|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|  or   |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
   Social Security Number                   Tax ID Number           ____ % Wellington Management Growth & Income (047)

- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % T. Rowe Price Equity-Income (037)
4. ANNUITANT* (IF DIFFERENT FROM OWNER)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % Founders Balanced (058)

Name*                                                               ____ % Fidelity Aggr Asset Alloc (034)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
        First           Middle           Last                       ____ % Miller Anderson High Yield (059)
Address
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % Fidelity Mod Asset Alloc (033)
        Street
                                                                    ____ % Fidelity Cons Asset Alloc (032)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
        City            State            Zip                        ____ % Salomon Brothers Strategic Bond (045)
                                             _____ _____ _____
Sex [ ] M [ ] F              Date of Birth  |     |     |     |     ____ % Oechsle Global Gov't Bond (040)
                                            |_____|_____|_____|
                                             Month  Day   Year      ____ % Manufacturers Adviser Capital Growth Bond (060)

 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __                                         ____ % Wellington Management Inv Quality Bond (048)
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|                                        ____ % Salomon Brothers U.S. Gov't Securities (044)
   Social Security Number
                                                                    ____ % Manufacturers Adviser Money Market (049)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
5. CO-ANNUITANT (OPTIONAL)                                          FIXED ACCOUNT
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    ____ % 1 Year (051)**
Name*
- ----------------------------------------------------------------    LIFESTYLE PORTFOLIOS
        First           Middle           Last
Address                                                             ____ % Cons 280 (184)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
        Street                                                      ____ % Mod 460 (185)

- ----------------------------------------------------------------    ____ % Bal 640 (186)
        City            State            Zip
                                             _____ _____ _____      ____ % Growth 820 (187)
Sex [ ] M [ ] F              Date of Birth  |     |     |     |
                                            |_____|_____|_____|     ____ % Aggr 1000 (188)
                                             Month  Day   Year
 __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __                                         ** Not available in WA.
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------
   Social Security Number                                           9. REMARKS

- ----------------------------------------------------------------
6. BENEFICIARIES                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------
(Enclose signed letter if more information is required.)

Name*
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
        First       Middle       Last       Relationship
               _____ _____ _____    __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Date of Birth |     |     |     |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
              |_____|_____|_____|  |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
               Month  Day   Year     Social Security Number

Name*                                                                                                                               
- ---------------------------------------------------------------                                                                     
        First       Middle       Last       Relationship                                                                            
               _____ _____ _____    __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __                                                                      
Date of Birth |     |     |     |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |                                                                     
              |_____|_____|_____|  |__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|__|
               Month  Day   Year     Social Security Number

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APP-VEN 10-2                 *Unless subsequently changed in accordance with terms of Contract issued.                          9/97
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   2

<TABLE>
<S>                    <C>                   <C>                 <C>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. TYPE OF PLAN (MUST BE COMPLETED)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[ ] Non-Qualified or   [ ] IRA Rollover      [ ] IRA Transfer    [ ] IRA  Tax Year____________
                       [ ] Profit Sharing    [ ] 401(k)          [ ] SEP IRA Tax Year_________
                       [ ] Money Purchase    [ ] Keogh (HR-10)   [ ] 403(b) 
                       [ ] Defined Benefit   [ ] 457             [ ] Other ___________________

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. Will the purchase of this Annuity replace or change any other insurance or annuity? [ ] No  [ ] Yes
    (If yes, state company, contract number in Remarks, and attach replacement forms.)
    If 10035 exchange or other transfer of assets, attach original exchange form or letter.

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. Has Annuitant or applicant(s) other annuities or insurance with the Company? [ ] No  [ ] Yes
    (If yes, list contract number in Remarks.)

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. Maturity Date______________________(mm/yy) Default is later of Annuitant's 85th birthday or the 
    10th contract anniversary.

- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF APPLICANT: It is hereby agreed that the Contract applied for shall not take effect
until the later of: (1) the issuance of the Contract, or (2) receipt by the Company at its Annuity
Service Office of the first payment required under the Contract. The foregoing information is true and
complete to the best of the applicant's knowledge and belief and is correctly recorded. The Proposed
Owner agrees to be bound by the representations herein and acknowledges the receipt of an effective
Prospectus describing the Contract applied for. The Contract applied for is suitable for
my insurance investment objectives, financial situation and needs. When utilizing Check Plus or
the Systematic Withdrawal Program, I/we agree that if any debit/transfer is erroneously received 
by the bank indicated on my voided check, or is not honored upon presentation, any accumulation units 
may be canceled, and agree to hold the Company harmless from any loss due to such electronic
debits/transfers. 

I UNDERSTAND THAT ANNUITY PAYMENTS AND OTHER VALUES PROVIDED BY THE CONTRACT APPLIED FOR, WHEN
BASED ON THE INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE OF A SEPARATE ACCOUNT, ARE VARIABLE AND NOT GUARANTEED AS TO
FIXED DOLLAR AMOUNT.


___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signed in (State)     Date Signed     Signature of Owner/Applicant     Signature of Co-Owner

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Annuitant        Signature of Co-Annuitant      Signature of Irrevocable Beneficiary
(if different from Owner)     (if different from Owner)      (if designated)


STATEMENT OF AGENT: Will this contract replace or change any existing life insurance or annuity in
this or any other company? [ ] Yes [ ] No If yes, please explain under Remarks. I certify I am
authorized and qualified to discuss the Contract herein applied for.



___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature of Agent            Agent Number         Print Full Name          Agency Number

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name of Firm                  Dealer Number        Agent Phone Number       State License ID Number


___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Brokerage Account Number



- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APP-VEN 10-2                                                                                   9/97
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   3


<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>                               <C>
====================================================================================================================
Initial below each VENTURE VISION service option you wish to elect.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. TELEPHONE TRANSFER AUTHORIZATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OWNER PLEASE INITIAL HERE __________ 

I authorize the Company to act on transfer instructions given by telephone from any person who can furnish proper
identification. Neither the Company nor any person authorized by the Company will be responsible for any claim,
loss, liability or expense in connection with a telephone transfer if the Company or such other person acted on
telephone transfer instructions in good faith in reliance on this authorization.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. TELEPHONE WITHDRAWAL AUTHORIZATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OWNER PLEASE INITIAL HERE __________ 

I authorize the Company to act on withdrawal instructions given from any person who can furnish proper
identification by telephone. Neither the Company nor any person authorized by the Company will be responsible for
any claim, loss, liability or expense in connection with a telephone withdrawal if the Company or such other person
acted on telephone withdrawal instructions in good faith in reliance on this authorization. The minimum withdrawal
amount is $1,000.

Withdrawal instructions may authorize Partial Withdrawals of up to $50,000 per account. (Full withdrawals are
not permitted by telephone.) The check may only be payable to the owner of record (who must be individual) and may
be mailed only to the address of record. The Company will not allow telephone withdrawals for the following
accounts: a) An account on which the address has been changed in the last 30 days, b) Accounts over which a person
has Power of Attorney, c) 403(b) accounts for which the owner is under 59 1/2, d) Custodial accounts, and e) Accounts
with Market Timers as owners.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. CHECK PLUS - AUTOMATIC PURCHASE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Owner please initial here __________ 

I authorize the Company to collect the amount indicated, on the due date specified, by
initiating electronic debit entries to my account. A balance must exist before the program can commence.
(PLEASE ATTACH A VOIDED CHECK.)
Electronic purchase payments to my Contract in the amount of $__________ are to commence during the 
month of ______________.
Minimum payments for Non-Qualified: $1,000. Minimum payments for Qualified: $30
Indicate frequency: [ ] Monthly: on the [ ] 5th or [ ] 20th OR [ ] Quarterly: (20th of January, April, July and October)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. DOLLAR COST AVERAGING PROGRAM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Owner please initial here __________ 

I authorize to have $__________ (minimum $100) over at least a one-year period transferred each month 
from the [ ] Money Market or [ ] U.S. Government Securities. Withdrawals should be made as follows:

<S>                               <C>                               <C>

     $_________________ to the ______________________________ portfolio 

     $_________________ to the ______________________________ portfolio 

     $_________________ to the ______________________________ portfolio 

[ ] Please make my first transaction on ___/___/___(mm/dd/yy) and monthly thereafter.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PROGRAM
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Owner please initial here __________ .
I authorize withdrawals (minimum $100) from my Contract Value to commence as indicated below. A
maximum of 20% of payments may be withdrawn annually. When utilizing the Systematic Withdrawel Program,
I agree that if any debit/transfer is erroneously received by the bank indicated on the enclosed voided check,
or is not honored upon presentation, any accumulation units may be canceled, and agree to hold the
Company harmless from any loss due to such electronic debits/transfers.
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
From: ___________________________________________  $__________________________

From: ___________________________________________  $__________________________

From: ___________________________________________  $__________________________


Please indicate frequency:
[ ] Monthly or [ ] Quarterly (January, April, July and October) on the [ ] 7th [ ] 16th or [ ] 26th.
Please [ ] Withhold [ ] Do not withhold Federal Income Taxes
[ ] I wish to utilize Electronic Funds Transfer in the processing of my Systematic WithdrawAl Program. 
Please attach a voided check or, if different from owner, make check payable to:

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
First                   Middle                       Last

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Street                  City                         State                  Zip
(Please allow 7 business days for receipt of check.)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APP-VEN 10-2                                                                                                    9/97

</TABLE>

<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<S>                                                         <C>
====================================================================================================================
Initial below each VENTURE VISION service option you wish to elect.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. AUTOMATIC REBALANCING
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OWNER PLEASE INITIAL HERE __________ 

If marked, the policyholder's contract value, excluding amounts in the fixed account investment options, will be
automatically rebalanced to maintain the rebalancing percentage levels in the variable portfolios as selected
below, based on the current total value of the eligible portfolios on the day of rebalancing.

You may change the rebalancing percentages or terminate your participation in the program by providing the Company
with a completed Automatic Rebalancing Authorization form or by providing instructions via telephone to an
authorized Company representative prior to the day the rebalancing will occur.

If a policyholder elects to participate in Automatic Rebalancing, the total value of the variable portfolios must
be included in the program. Therefore, subsequent payments received and applied to portfolios in percentages
different from the current rebalancing allocation will be rebalanced at the next date of rebalancing unless the
subsequent payments are allocated to the fixed account investment options.

Rebalancing will occur on the 25th of the month (or next business day), please indicate frequency:

[ ] Quarterly [ ] Semi-Annually (June & December) [ ] Annually (December)

 ASSET ALLOCATIONS (must total 100%):

____ % Manufacturers Adviser Pac Rim Emerging Mkts (038)    ____ % Founders Balanced (058)
____ % T. Rowe Price Science & Technology (046)             ____ % Fidelity Aggr Asset Alloc (034)
____ % Founders Int'l Small Cap (036)                       ____ % Miller Anderson High Yield (059)
____ % Warburg Pincus Emerging Growth (050)                 ____ % Fidelity Mod Asset Alloc (033)
____ % Pilgrim Baxter Growth (052)                          ____ % Fidelity Cons Asset Alloc (032)
____ % Fred Alger Small/Mid Cap (041)                       ____ % Salomon Brothers Strategic Bond (045)
____ % Rowe Price-Fleming Int'l Stock (054)                 ____ % Oechsle Global Gov't Bond (040) 
____ % Founders Worldwide Growth (056)                      ____ % Manufacturers Adviser Capital Growth Bond (060) 
____ % Morgan Stanley Global Equity (039)                   ____ % Wellington Management Inv Quality Bond (048)    
____ % Rosenberg Small Company Value (121)                  ____ % Salomon Brothers U.S. Gov't Securities (044)    
____ % Fidelity Equity (031)                                ____ % Manufacturers Adviser Money Market (049)
____ % Founders Growth (035)
____ % Manufacturers Adviser Quant Equity (053)             LIFESTYLE PORTFOLIOS                                   
____ % T. Rowe Price Blue Chip Growth (042)                 ____ % Cons 280 (184)                                  
____ % Manufacturers Adviser Real Estate Securities (057)   ____ % Mod 460 (185)                                   
____ % Miller Anderson Value (055)                          ____ % Bal 640 (186)                                   
____ % J.P. Morgan Int'l Growth & Income (043)              ____ % Growth 820 (187)                                
____ % Wellington Management Growth & Income (047)          ____ % Aggr 1000 (188)                                 
____ % T. Rowe Price Equity-Income (037) 

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APP-VEN 10-2                                                                                                    9/97
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1
NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY LIFE                                              [LOGO]
INSURANCE COMPANY


June 28, 1994

To whom it may concern,

This opinion is written in reference to the flexible purchase payment individual
deferred variable annuity contracts (the "Contracts") to be issued by North
American Security Life Insurance Company, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), with respect to which a Registration Statement on form N-4 (the
"Registration Statement") is being filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act").

As Assistant Counsel to the Company, I have examined such records and documents
and reviewed such questions of law as I deemed necessary for purposes of this
opinion.

     1.   The Company has been duly incorporated under the laws of the state of
          Delaware and is a validly existing corporation.

     2.   NASL Variable Account (the "Variable Account") is a separate account
          of the Company and is duly created and validly existing pursuant to
          Title 18, Section 2932(a) of the Delaware Code, as amended.

     3.   The portion of the assets to be held in the Variable Account equal to
          the reserves and other liabilities under the Contracts is not
          chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business the
          Company may conduct.

     4.   The Contracts, when issued in accordance with the prospectus contained
          in the effective Registration Statement and upon compliance with
          applicable local law, will be legal and binding obligations of the
          Company.

I consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

/s/ TRACY ANNE KANE

Tracy Anne Kane
Assistant Counsel



                                  Mailing Address
116 Huntington Avenue              P.O. Box 818           Toll-free 800-344-1029
Boston, Massachusetts 02116    Boston, MA 02117-0818                617-266-6004

       A wholly-owned subsidiary of North American Life Assurance Company,
                                established 1881

<PAGE>   1

NORTH AMERICAN SECURITY LIFE                                            [LOGO] 
INSURANCE COMPANY

March 3, 1993

To whom it may concern,

This opinion is written in reference to the flexible purchase payment individual
deferred variable annuity contracts (the "Contracts") to be issued by North
American Security Life Insurance Company, a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), with respect to which a Registration Statement on form N-4 (the
"Registration Statement") is being filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act").

As Counsel to the Company, I have examined such records and documents and
reviewed such questions of law as I deemed necessary for purposes of this
opinion.

     1.   The Company has been duly incorporated under the laws of the state of
          Delaware and is a validly existing corporation.

     2.   NASL Variable Account (the "Variable Account") is a separate account
          of the Company and is duly created and validly existing pursuant to
          Title 18, Section 2932(a) of the Delaware Code, as amended.

     3.   The portion of the assets to be held in the Variable Account equal to
          the reserves and other liabilities under the Contracts is not
          chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business the
          Company may conduct.

     4.   The Contracts, when issued in accordance with the prospectus contained
          in the effective Registration Statement and upon compliance with
          applicable local law, will be legal and binding obligations of the
          Company.

I consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

/s/ JEFFREY M. ULNESS

Jeffrey M. Ulness
Counsel
                                  Mailing Address
116 Huntington Avenue              P.O. Box 818          Toll-free 800-344-1029
Boston, Massachusetts 02116    Boston, MA 02117-0818               617-266-6004


       A wholly-owned subsidiary of North American Life Assurance Company,
                                established 1881


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission