<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.4(XI)(A)
[LOGO OF SAGE LIFE ASSURANCE OF AMERICA, INC.]
ENHANCED DEATH BENEFIT RIDER
General
This Rider is made part of the Contract to which it is attached and is subject
to all of the applicable provisions in the Contract. It provides an additional
benefit, the "Enhanced Death Benefit" in the event of the death of the Covered
Person prior to the Income Date. The Covered Person is the person whose
death causes the death benefit to be paid.
Definitions
Benefit Rate: The Benefit Rate is the percentage used to determine the
Enhanced Death Benefit payable under this Rider. The Benefit Rate is shown
in the Contract Schedule.
Net Purchase Amount: On the Contract Date, the Net Purchase Amount is
equal to the Initial Purchase Payment. Thereafter, the Net Purchase Amount
is increased by any additional purchase payments. At the time of a
withdrawal, it is reduced in proportion to the reduction in Account Value
that results from the withdrawal.
Enhanced Death Benefit
If this Rider is in force and the Covered Person dies before the Income Date, we
will pay the Enhanced Death Benefit described below according to the Contract's
terms and conditions, including the "Proof of Death" provision. The amount of
the benefit is determined on the Business Day we receive proof of death. This
amount is equal to the Benefit Rate multiplied by the excess, if any, of the
Account Value over the Net Purchase Amount, up to the Maximum Benefit Amount
shown in the Contract Schedule.
Payment of Enhanced Death Benefit
The Enhanced Death Benefit will be paid to the person or persons entitled to
receive the death benefit according to the Contract upon receipt of written
proof of death.
Charge for this Rider
The charge for this Rider is calculated as a percentage of the Account Value on
the date of deduction. The charge is deducted in proportion to the Sub-Accounts
in which you are invested; we deduct it on the Contract Date and monthly
thereafter on the day we deduct asset-based charges. We will charge for each
Contract Year that the Rider is in effect. The charge for this Rider is shown
in the Contract Schedule.
Effective Date
The effective date of this Rider is the Contract Date of the Contract to which
it is attached.
1
DVA-EDB-9712
<PAGE>
Contract Continuation Option
If the Contract is being continued by the deceased Owner's spouse pursuant to
the Contract Continuation Option, he or she may also elect to continue this
Rider by notifying our Customer Service Center within 30 days of the Valuation
Date we receive proof of the Owner's death. If elected by the new Owner, this
Rider shall continue according to its terms and conditions, subject to our then
existing rules on eligibility and the following conditions:
1. For purposes of the "Net Purchase Amount" definition in this Rider,
the Net Purchase Amount upon continuation will be equal to the
beginning Account Value as determined in the Contract, subject to the
Maximum Continuation Amount shown in the Contract Schedule.
Thereafter, the Net Purchase Amount is increased by any additional
purchase payments. At the time of a withdrawal, it is reduced in
proportion to the reduction in Account Value that results from the
withdrawal.
2. For the purposes of the "Effective Date" provision in this Rider, the
effective date will be the Valuation Date that the new Owner elects to
continue this Rider.
3. The Benefit Rate and the charge for this Rider will be those then in
effect for the new Owner's attained age.
Termination
This Rider will terminate on the date of the first to occur of the following
events:
1. The Contract is surrendered or the entire Account Value is applied
under an Income Plan; and
2. The date of death of the Covered Person if (a) there is no spouse
eligible to continue the Contract Continuation Option, or (b) an
eligible spouse chooses not to continue the Contract under that
Option.
You cannot otherwise terminate this Rider.
Terms
All of the terms used in this Rider have the same meanings as in the Contract
unless otherwise clearly indicated in this Rider.
/s/ Ronald S. Scowby
------------------------------
Chairman
2
DVA-EDB-9712
