SUN LIFE INSURANCE & ANNUITY CO OF NEW YORK
POS AM, 1998-04-28
LIFE INSURANCE
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<PAGE>
   
        As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 1998
    
                                                      REGISTRATION NO. 33-58482
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                              -------------------
   
                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 5
                                      TO
                                   FORM S-2
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
    
                              -------------------

               SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

           NEW YORK                                  04-2845273
 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                  (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
  INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                 IDENTIFICATION NO.)


                   80 BROAD STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004
                                 (212) 943-3855
 
         (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING
            AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
   
                                                          
                 MARGARET HANKARD                        COPIES TO:
        C/O SUN LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF            DAVID N. BROWN, ESQ.
                   CANADA (U.S.)                     COVINGTON & BURLING
         RETIREMENT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES        1201 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE N.W.
                  ONE COPLEY PLACE                       P.O. BOX 7566
           BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02116               WASHINGTON, D.C. 20044
                   (617) 348-9600                       (202) 662-5238
    
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
        INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)


<PAGE>

   
               SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
                        Post Effective Amendment No. 5 to
                       Registration Statement on Form S-2
                        Cross Reference Sheet Pursuant To
                           Regulation S-K, Item 501(b)
    
       Form S-2 Item Number
         and Caption                    Location in Prospectus; Caption
       --------------------             -------------------------------

 1. Forepart of the Registration        Cover Pages
    Statement and Outside Front
    Cover Page of Prospectus

 2. Inside Front and Outside Back       Cover Pages; Table of Contents
    Cover Pages of Prospectus

 3. Summary Information, Risk           Cover Pages (Summary); Expense
    Factors and Ratio of Earnings       Summary
    to Fixed Charges

 4. Use of Proceeds                     A Word About the Company, the
                                        Fixed Account, the Variable
                                        Account and the Series Fund

 5. Determination of Offering Price     Not Applicable

 6. Dilution                            Not Applicable

 7. Selling Security Holders            Not Applicable

 8. Plan of Distribution                Distribution of the Contracts

 9. Description of Securities to be     Cover Pages; A Word About the
    Registered                          Company, the Fixed Account, the
                                        Variable Account and the Series
                                        Fund; Purchase Payments and
                                        Contract Values During
                                        Accumulation Period; Cash
                                        Withdrawals, Withdrawal Charges
                                        and Market Value Adjustment;
                                        Other Contractual Provisions

10. Interests of Named Experts and      Not Applicable
    Counsel

11. Information with Respect to the     A Word About the Company, the
    Registrant                          Fixed Account, the Variable
                                        Account and the Series Fund;
                                        Other Contractual Provisions;
                                        Additional Information About the
                                        Company; The Company's Directors
                                        and Executive Officers; Legal
                                        Proceedings; Legal Matters;
                                        Financial Statements

12.  Incorporation of Certain           Cover Pages
     Information by Reference

13.  Disclosure of Commission           Not Applicable
     Position on Indemnification
     for Securities Act
     Liabilities
<PAGE>

                                     PART I

                       INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

   
Attached hereto and made a part hereof is the Prospectus dated May 1, 1998.
    
<PAGE>
   
                                                                      PROSPECTUS
                                                                     MAY 1, 1998
    
 
                                  REGATTA - NY
 
               --------------------------------------------------
 
    The individual deferred annuity contracts (the "Contracts") offered by this
Prospectus are designed for use in connection with personal retirement and
deferred compensation plans, some of which may qualify as retirement programs
under Sections 401, 403, or 408 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Contracts are
issued by Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York (the "Company"), a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) ("Sun
Life (U.S.)"), having its Principal Executive Offices at 80 Broad Street, New
York, New York, 10004, telephone (212) 943-3855 (Toll Free (800) 447-7569). The
Contracts provide that annuity payments will begin on a selected future date,
and provide for fixed and variable annuity payments as elected.
 
    Only one Purchase Payment will be accepted by the Company for each Contract.
The Purchase Payment must be at least $5,000 and the prior approval of the
Company is required before it will accept a Purchase Payment in excess of
$1,000,000.
 
   
    The Owner may elect to have Contract values accumulated on a fixed basis in
the Fixed Account, which pays interest at the applicable Guaranteed Interest
Rate(s) for the duration of the particular Guarantee Period(s) selected by the
Owner, or on a variable basis in Sun Life (N.Y.) Variable Account C (the
"Variable Account"), a separate account of the Company, or divided between the
Fixed Account and the Variable Account. The assets of the Variable Account are
divided into Sub-Accounts. Each Sub-Account uses its assets to purchase, at net
asset value, shares of a specific series of MFS/Sun Life Series Trust (the
"Series Fund"), a mutual fund registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940, and advised by Massachusetts Financial Services Company, an affiliate of
Sun Life (U.S.). Ten series are available for investment under the Contracts:
(1) Money Market Series; (2) High Yield Series; (3) Capital Appreciation Series;
(4) Government Securities Series; (5) World Governments Series; (6) Total Return
Series; (7) Managed Sectors Series; (8) Conservative Growth Series; (9)
Utilities Series; and (10) World Growth Series. The Series Fund pays its
investment adviser certain fees charged against the assets of each series.
Contract values allocated to the Variable Account and the amount of Variable
Annuity payments will vary to reflect the investment performance of the series
of the Series Fund selected by the Owner and the deduction of the Contract
charges described under "How the Contract Charges Are Assessed" on page 23. For
more information about the Series Fund, see "The Series Fund" on page 15 and the
accompanying Series Fund prospectus.
    
 
                                                        (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)
 
THE CONTRACTS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY,
ANY BANK, AND ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
   
THIS PROSPECTUS CONTAINS THE BASIC INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE INVESTING
IN A CONTRACT AND IS VALID ONLY WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY THE CURRENT PROSPECTUS OF
MFS/SUN LIFE SERIES TRUST. YOU SHOULD RETAIN THESE PROSPECTUSES FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
    
 
*ANY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS TO RECEIPT BY THE COMPANY MEANS RECEIPT AT ITS
ANNUITY SERVICE MAILING ADDRESS, 80 BROAD STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004.
<PAGE>
    If the Owner elects to have values accumulated on a fixed basis, the
Purchase Payment is allocated to one or more Guarantee Periods made available by
the Company in connection with the Fixed Account with durations of from one to
ten years, as selected by the Owner. The Fixed Account is the general account of
the Company (See "The Fixed Account" on page 13). The Company will credit
interest at a rate of not less than three percent (3%) per year, compounded
annually, to amounts allocated to the Fixed Account and guarantees these amounts
at various interest rates (the "Guaranteed Interest Rates") for the duration of
the Guarantee Period elected by the Owner, subject to the imposition of any
applicable withdrawal charge, Market Value Adjustment, or account administration
fee. The Company may not change a Guaranteed Interest Rate for the duration of
the Guarantee Period; however, Guaranteed Interest Rates applicable to
subsequent Guarantee Periods cannot be predicted and will be determined at the
sole discretion of the Company (subject to the minimum guarantee of three
percent (3%)). That part of the Contract relating to the Fixed Account is
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, but the Fixed Account is not
subject to the restrictions of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
   
    The Company does not deduct a sales charge from the Purchase Payment.
However, if any part of a Contract's Accumulation Account is withdrawn, a
withdrawal charge (contingent deferred sales charge) may be assessed by the
Company against the Participant's Account. This charge is intended to reimburse
the Company for expenses relating to the distribution of the Contracts. During
the first seven Contract Years up to ten percent (10%) of the Net Purchase
Payment may be withdrawn in each Contract Year on a non-cumulative basis without
the imposition of the withdrawal charge by the Company. Amounts withdrawn in
excess of such amount (adjusted by any applicable Market Value Adjustment with
respect to the Fixed Account) will be subject to a withdrawal charge ranging
from 6% to 0%. The withdrawal charge is not imposed after the end of the seventh
Contract Year (See "Withdrawal Charges" on page 21).
    
 
   
    In addition, any cash withdrawal of amounts allocated to the Fixed Account,
other than a withdrawal effective within 30 days prior to the Expiration Date of
the applicable Guarantee Period or the withdrawal of interest credited to a
Guarantee Amount during the current Contract Year, will be subject to a Market
Value Adjustment. The Market Value Adjustment will reflect the relationship
between the Current Rate (which is the Guaranteed Interest Rate currently
declared by the Company for Guarantee Periods equal to the balance of the
Guarantee Period applicable to the amount being withdrawn) and the Guaranteed
Interest Rate applicable to the amount being withdrawn. Generally, if the
Guaranteed Interest Rate is lower than the Current Rate, then the application of
the Market Value Adjustment will result in a lower payment upon withdrawal.
Similarly, if the Guaranteed Interest Rate is higher than the Current Rate, the
application of the Market Value Adjustment will result in a higher payment upon
withdrawal (See "Market Value Adjustment" on page 22).
    
 
    The Company reserves the right to defer the payment of amounts withdrawn
from the Fixed Account for a period not to exceed six months from the date
written request for such withdrawal is received by the Company.
 
   
    Special restrictions on withdrawals apply to Contracts used with Tax
Sheltered Annuities established pursuant to Section 403(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code (See "Section 403(b) Annuities" on page 21).
    
 
   
    In addition, under certain circumstances withdrawals may result in tax
penalties (See "Federal Tax Status"). For a discussion of cash withdrawals,
withdrawal charges and the Market Value Adjustment see "Cash Withdrawals,
Withdrawal Charges and Market Value Adjustment" on page 20.
    
 
   
    On each Contract Anniversary and on surrender of the Contract for full value
the Company will deduct an annual account administration fee ("Account Fee") of
$30 from the Contract's Accumulation Account. After the Annuity Commencement
Date the Account Fee will be deducted pro rata from each Variable Annuity
payment made during the year. The Account Fee may be waived by the Company under
certain circumstances. In addition, the Company makes a deduction from the
Variable Account at the end of each Valuation Period equal to an annual rate of
0.15% of the daily net assets of the Variable Account. These charges are to
reimburse the Company for administrative expenses related to the issue and
maintenance of the Contracts. (See "Administrative Charges" on page 24).
    
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
   
    The Company also deducts a mortality and expense risk charge at the end of
each Valuation Period equal to an annual rate of 1.25% of the daily net assets
of the Variable Account for mortality and expense risks assumed by the Company
(See "Mortality and Expense Risk Charge" on page 24).
    
 
    In the event of the death of the Annuitant prior to the Annuity Commencement
Date, the Company will pay a death benefit to the Beneficiary. If the death of
the Annuitant occurs on or after the Annuity Commencement Date, no death benefit
will be payable except as may be provided under the Annuity Option elected (See
"Death Benefit" on page 22).
 
   
    Annuity Payments will begin on the Annuity Commencement Date. The Owner
selects the Annuity Commencement Date, the frequency of annuity payments and the
Annuity Option (See "Annuity Provisions" on page 25).
    
 
   
    Premium taxes, if any, payable to any governmental entity will be charged
against the Contracts (See "Premium Taxes" on page 24).
    
 
   
    Subject to certain conditions, and during the Accumulation Period, the Owner
may transfer amounts among the Sub-Accounts or Guarantee Periods available under
the Contract. Transfers (except of interest credited during the current Contract
Year to the Guarantee Amount transferred) from or within the Fixed Account will
be subject to the Market Value Adjustment unless the transfer is effective
within 30 days prior to the Expiration Date of the amount transferred (See
"Transfer Privilege; Telephone Transfers; Restriction on Market Timers" on page
19).
    
 
    After the Annuity Commencement Date, the Payee may, subject to certain
restrictions, exchange the value of a designated number of Annuity Units of
particular Sub-Accounts then credited with respect to the particular Payee for
other Annuity Units, the value of which would be such that the dollar amount of
an annuity payment made on the date of the exchange would be unaffected by the
fact of the exchange (See "Exchange of Variable Annuity Units" on page 27).
 
   
    The Company will vote Series Fund shares held by the Sub-Accounts at
meetings of shareholders of the Series Fund or in connection with similar
solicitations, but will follow voting instructions received from persons having
the right to give voting instructions. The Owner is the person having the right
to give voting instructions prior to the Annuity Commencement Date. On or after
the Annuity Commencement Date the Payee is the person having such voting rights.
Any shares attributable to the Company and Series Fund shares for which no
timely voting instructions are received will be voted by the Company in the same
proportion as the shares for which instructions are received from persons having
such right (See "Voting of Series Fund Shares" on page 29).
    
 
   
    The Company will furnish Owners with certain reports and statements as
described under "Periodic Reports" on page 30. Such reports, other than
prospectuses, will not include the Company's financial statements.
    
 
   
    If the Owner is not satisfied with the Contract it may be returned to the
Company within ten days after it was delivered to the Owner. When the Company
receives the returned Contract it will be canceled and the value of the
Contract's Accumulation Account at the end of the Valuation Period during which
the Contract was received by the Company will be refunded.
    
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
   
    The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), as amended, and in accordance therewith
files reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission"). Such reports and other information can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities of the Commission at Room 1024, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. and at the Commission's Regional Offices
located at 75 Park Place, New York, New York and Northwest Atrium Center, 500
West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois. Copies of such materials
also can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450
Fifth Street,
    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
   
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a
Website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other
information about the Company. The Company files such documents with the
Commission at the following address: http://www.sec.gov.
    
 
    The Company has filed registration statements (the "Registration
Statements") with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 relating to
the Contracts offered by this Prospectus. This Prospectus has been filed as a
part of the Registration Statements and does not contain all of the information
set forth in the Registration Statements and exhibits thereto, and reference is
hereby made to such Registration Statements and exhibits for further information
relating to the Company and the Contracts. The Registration Statements and the
exhibits thereto may be inspected and copied, and copies can be obtained at
prescribed rates, in the manner set forth in the preceding paragraph.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
   
    The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997
heretofore filed by the Company with the Commission under the 1934 Act is
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.
    
 
   
    Any statement contained in a document incorporated herein by reference shall
be deemed modified or superseded hereby to the extent that a statement contained
in a later-filed document or herein shall modify or supersede such statement.
Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
    
 
   
    The Company will furnish, without charge, to each person to whom a copy of
this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a
copy of the document referred to above which has been incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus, other than exhibits to such document (unless such exhibits
are specifically incorporated by reference in this Prospectus). Requests for
such document should be directed to Steven I. Rosenthal, Accounting and
Administrative Officer, Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York, 80
Broad Street, New York, New York, 10004, telephone (212) 943-3855 or (800)
447-7569.
    
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                PAGE
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
Definitions                                                                                                           7
Expense Summary                                                                                                       9
Condensed Financial Information -- Accumulation Unit Values                                                          10
Performance Data                                                                                                     11
This Prospectus Is a Catalog of Facts                                                                                12
Uses of the Contracts                                                                                                12
A Word About the Company, the Fixed Account, the Variable Account and the Series Fund                                12
    The Company                                                                                                      12
    The Fixed Account                                                                                                13
    The Variable Account                                                                                             14
    The Series Fund                                                                                                  15
Purchase Payments and Contract Values During Accumulation Period                                                     16
    Purchase Payments                                                                                                16
    Variable Accumulation Value                                                                                      17
    Net Investment Factor                                                                                            17
    Fixed Accumulation Value                                                                                         18
    Guarantee Periods                                                                                                18
    Guaranteed Interest Rates                                                                                        18
    Transfer Privilege; Telephone Transfers; Restriction on Market Timers                                            19
Cash Withdrawals, Withdrawal Charges and Market Value Adjustment                                                     20
    Cash Withdrawals                                                                                                 20
    Withdrawal Charges                                                                                               21
    Section 403(b) Annuities                                                                                         21
    Market Value Adjustment                                                                                          22
Death Benefit                                                                                                        22
    Death Benefit Provided by the Contracts                                                                          22
    Election and Effective Date of Election                                                                          22
    Payment of Death Benefit                                                                                         23
    Amount of Death Benefit                                                                                          23
How the Contract Charges Are Assessed                                                                                23
    Administrative Charges                                                                                           24
    Premium Taxes                                                                                                    24
    Mortality and Expense Risk Charge                                                                                24
    Withdrawal Charges                                                                                               24
Annuity Provisions                                                                                                   25
    Annuity Commencement Date                                                                                        25
    Election--Change of Annuity Option                                                                               25
    Annuity Options                                                                                                  26
    Determination of Annuity Payments                                                                                26
    Fixed Annuity Payments                                                                                           27
    Variable Annuity Payments                                                                                        27
    Variable Annuity Unit Value                                                                                      27
    Exchange of Variable Annuity Units                                                                               27
    Annuity Payment Rates                                                                                            27
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
                         TABLE OF CONTENTS--(CONTINUED)
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                PAGE
<S>                                                                                                          <C>
Other Contract Provisions                                                                                            28
    Payment Limits                                                                                                   28
    Designation and Change of Beneficiary                                                                            28
    Exercise of Contract Rights                                                                                      28
    Change of Ownership                                                                                              28
    Death of Owner                                                                                                   29
    Voting of Series Fund Shares                                                                                     29
    Periodic Reports                                                                                                 30
    Substituted Securities                                                                                           30
    Change in Operation of Variable Account                                                                          30
    Splitting Units                                                                                                  30
    Modification                                                                                                     30
    Custodian                                                                                                        31
    Right to Return                                                                                                  31
Federal Tax Status                                                                                                   31
    Introduction                                                                                                     31
    Tax Treatment of the Company and the Variable Account                                                            31
    Taxation of Annuities in General                                                                                 31
    Qualified Retirement Plans                                                                                       33
    Pension and Profit-Sharing Plans                                                                                 33
    Tax-Sheltered Annuities                                                                                          34
    Individual Retirement Accounts                                                                                   34
Administration of the Contracts                                                                                      34
Distribution of the Contracts                                                                                        34
Additional Information About the Company                                                                             35
    Selected Financial Data                                                                                          35
    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations                            35
    Reinsurance                                                                                                      35
    Reserves                                                                                                         35
    Investments                                                                                                      36
    Competition                                                                                                      36
    Employees                                                                                                        36
    Properties                                                                                                       36
The Company's Directors and Executive Officers                                                                       36
State Regulation                                                                                                     39
Legal Proceedings                                                                                                    40
Accountants                                                                                                          40
Registration Statements                                                                                              40
Financial Statements                                                                                                 40
Appendix A--Illustrative Examples                                                                                    42
Appendix B--Withdrawals, Withdrawal Charges and the Market Value Adjustment                                          43
Appendix C--Calculation of Performance Data; Advertising and Sales Literature                                        45
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
                                  DEFINITIONS
 
    The following terms as used in this Prospectus have the indicated meanings:
 
    ACCOUNT VALUE:  The Variable Accumulation Value, if any, plus the Fixed
Accumulation Value, if any, of a Contract for any Valuation Period.
 
    ACCUMULATION ACCOUNT:  An account established for the Contract to which the
Net Purchase Payment is credited.
 
    ACCUMULATION PERIOD:  The period before the Annuity Commencement Date and
during the lifetime of the Annuitant.
 
    *ANNUITANT:  The person or persons named in the Contract and on whose life
the first annuity payment is to be made. If more than one person is so named,
all provisions of the Contract which are based on the death of the "Annuitant"
will be based on the date of death of the last surviving of the persons so
named. By example, the death benefit will become due only upon the death, prior
to the Annuity Commencement Date, of the last surviving of the persons so named.
Collectively, these persons are referred to in this Contract as "Annuitants."
The Owner is not permitted to name a "Co-Annuitant" under a Qualified Contract.
 
    *ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE:  The date on which the first annuity payment is
to be made.
 
    *ANNUITY OPTION:  The method for making annuity payments.
 
    ANNUITY UNIT:  A unit of measure used in the calculation of the amount of
the second and each subsequent Variable Annuity payment.
 
    *BENEFICIARY:  The person or entity having the right to receive the death
benefit set forth in the Contract, and, for Non-Qualified Contracts, who is the
"designated beneficiary" for purposes of Section 72(s) of the Internal Revenue
Code in the event of the Owner's death.
 
    COMPANY:  Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York.
 
   
    CONTRACT YEARS and CONTRACT ANNIVERSARIES:  The first Contract Year shall be
the period of 12 months plus a part of a month as measured from the date the
Contract is issued to the first day of the calendar month which follows the
calendar month of issue. All Contract Years and Anniversaries thereafter shall
be 12 month periods based upon such first day of the calendar month which
follows the calendar month of issue. If, for example, the Issue Date is in
March, the first Contract Year will be determined from the Issue Date but will
end on the last day of March in the following year; all other Contract Years and
all Contract Anniversaries will be measured from April 1.
    
 
    DUE PROOF OF DEATH:  An original certified copy of an official death
certificate, an original certified copy of a decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction as to the finding of death, or any other proof satisfactory to the
Company.
 
    EXPIRATION DATE:  The last day of a Guarantee Period.
 
   
    FIXED ACCOUNT:  Those assets of the Company which are allocated to a
non-unitized separate account established in conformance with New York law.
    
 
    FIXED ANNUITY:  An annuity with payments which do not vary as to dollar
amount.
 
    GUARANTEE AMOUNT:  Any portion of the Contract's Account Value allocated to
a particular Guarantee Period with a particular Expiration Date (including
interest earned thereon).
 
    GUARANTEE PERIOD:  The period for which a Guaranteed Interest Rate is
credited.
 
    GUARANTEED INTEREST RATE:  The rate of interest credited by the Company on a
compound annual basis during any Guarantee Period.
 
- ------------------------
   
*As specified in the Contract application, unless changed.
    
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
    ISSUE DATE:  The date on which the Contract becomes effective.
 
    NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACT:  A Contract used in connection with a retirement
plan which does not receive favorable federal income tax treatment under
Sections 401, 403, or 408 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"). The Contract must be owned by a natural person or by a trust or other
entity as agent for a natural person for the Contract to receive favorable
income tax treatment as an annuity.
 
    *OWNER:  The person, persons or entity entitled to the ownership rights
stated in the Contract and in whose name or names the Contract is issued.
 
    PAYEE:  The recipient of payments under the Contract. The term may include
an Annuitant or a Beneficiary who becomes entitled to benefits upon the death of
the Annuitant.
 
    PURCHASE PAYMENT (PAYMENT):  The amount paid to the Company by the Owner or
on behalf of the Owner as consideration for the benefits provided by the
Contract.
 
    QUALIFIED CONTRACT:  A Contract used in connection with a retirement plan
which receives favorable federal income tax treatment under Sections 401, 403,
or 408 of the Code.
 
    SERIES FUND:  MFS/Sun Life Series Trust.
 
   
    SEVEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY:  The seventh Contract Anniversary and each
succeeding Contract Anniversary occurring at any seven year interval thereafter;
for example, the 14th, 21st and 28th Contract Anniversaries.
    
 
    SUB-ACCOUNT:  That portion of the Variable Account which invests in shares
of a specific series or sub-series of the Series Fund.
 
    VALUATION PERIOD:  The period of time from one determination of Variable
Accumulation Unit and Annuity Unit values to the next subsequent determination
of these values. Such determination shall be made as of the close of the New
York Stock Exchange on each day the Exchange is open for trading and on such
other days on which there is a sufficient degree of trading in the portfolio
securities of the Variable Account so that the values of the Variable Account's
Accumulation Units and Annuity Units might be materially affected.
 
    VARIABLE ACCOUNT:  A separate account of the Company consisting of assets
set aside by the Company, the investment performance of which is kept separate
from that of the general assets of the Company.
 
    VARIABLE ACCUMULATION UNIT:  A unit of measure used in the calculation of
the value of the variable portion of a Contract's Accumulation Account.
 
    VARIABLE ANNUITY:  An annuity with payments which vary as to dollar amount
in relation to the investment performance of specified Sub-Accounts of the
Variable Account.
 
- ------------------------
   
*As specified in the Contract application, unless changed.
    
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
                                EXPENSE SUMMARY
 
   
    The purpose of the following table and Example is to help Owners and
prospective purchasers to understand the costs and expenses that are borne,
directly and indirectly, by Owners WHEN PURCHASE PAYMENTS ARE ALLOCATED TO THE
VARIABLE ACCOUNT. The table reflects expenses of the Variable Account and the
Series Fund. The information set forth should be considered together with the
narrative provided under the heading "How the Contract Charges Are Assessed" in
this Prospectus, and with the Series Fund's prospectus. In addition to the
expenses listed below, premium taxes may be applicable if the Owner is other
than a New York State resident.
    
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            CAPITAL
                                      MONEY       HIGH      APPRE-      GOVERNMENT        WORLD         TOTAL       MANAGED
CONTRACT OWNER                        MARKET     YIELD      CIATION     SECURITIES     GOVERNMENTS      RETURN      SECTORS
TRANSACTION EXPENSES                  SERIES     SERIES     SERIES        SERIES         SERIES         SERIES       SERIES
- -----------------------------------  --------   --------   ---------   ------------   -------------   ----------   ----------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>            <C>             <C>          <C>
Sales Load Imposed on Purchases        0          0          0            0               0            0            0
Deferred Sales Load (as a
 percentage of Account Value
 withdrawn)(1).....................
  Contract Year
    1..............................    6    %     6    %     6    %       6    %          6    %       6    %       6    %
    2..............................    6    %     6    %     6    %       6    %          6    %       6    %       6    %
    3..............................    5    %     5    %     5    %       5    %          5    %       5    %       5    %
    4..............................    5    %     5    %     5    %       5    %          5    %       5    %       5    %
    5..............................    4    %     4    %     4    %       4    %          4    %       4    %       4    %
    6..............................    4    %     4    %     4    %       4    %          4    %       4    %       4    %
    7..............................    3    %     3    %     3    %       3    %          3    %       3    %       3    %
    thereafter.....................    0    %     0    %     0    %       0    %          0    %       0    %       0    %
Exchange fee(2)....................   $0         $0         $0           $0              $0           $0           $0
 
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL ACCOUNT FEE                                                       $30 Per Contract
- -----------------------------------
SEPARATE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES
- -----------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>            <C>             <C>          <C>
(as a percentage of average
separate account assets)
Mortality and Expense Risk Fees....    1.25 %     1.25 %     1.25 %       1.25 %          1.25 %       1.25 %       1.25 %
Administrative Expense Charge......    0.15 %     0.15 %     0.15 %       0.15 %          0.15 %       0.15 %       0.15 %
Other Fees and Expenses of the
 Separate Account..................    0.00 %     0.00 %     0.00 %       0.00 %          0.00 %       0.00 %       0.00 %
Total Separate Account Annual
 Expenses..........................    1.40 %     1.40 %     1.40 %       1.40 %          1.40 %       1.40 %       1.40 %
<CAPTION>
SERIES FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES
- -----------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>            <C>             <C>          <C>
(as a percentage of Series Fund
average net assets)
Management Fees....................    0.50 %     0.75 %     0.73 %       0.55 %          0.75 %       0.66 %       0.74 %
Other Expenses.....................    0.07 %     0.09 %     0.05 %       0.08 %          0.16 %       0.05 %       0.08 %
Total Series Fund Annual
 Expenses..........................    0.57 %     0.84 %     0.78 %       0.63 %          0.91 %       0.71 %       0.82 %
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                      WORLD
CONTRACT OWNER                        CONSERVATIVE     UTILITIES      GROWTH
TRANSACTION EXPENSES                 GROWTH SERIES      SERIES        SERIES
- -----------------------------------  --------------   -----------   ----------
<S>                                  <C>              <C>           <C>
Sales Load Imposed on Purchases         0              0             0
Deferred Sales Load (as a
 percentage of Account Value
 withdrawn)(1).....................
  Contract Year
    1..............................     6    %         6    %        6    %
    2..............................     6    %         6    %        6    %
    3..............................     5    %         5    %        5    %
    4..............................     5    %         5    %        5    %
    5..............................     4    %         4    %        4    %
    6..............................     4    %         4    %        4    %
    7..............................     3    %         3    %        3    %
    thereafter.....................     0    %         0    %        0    %
Exchange fee(2)....................    $0             $0            $0
ANNUAL ACCOUNT FEE
- -----------------------------------
SEPARATE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES
- -----------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>              <C>           <C>
(as a percentage of average
separate account assets)
Mortality and Expense Risk Fees....     1.25 %         1.25 %        1.25 %
Administrative Expense Charge......     0.15 %         0.15 %        0.15 %
Other Fees and Expenses of the
 Separate Account..................     0.00 %         0.00 %        0.00 %
Total Separate Account Annual
 Expenses..........................     1.40 %         1.40 %        1.40 %
SERIES FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES
- -----------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>              <C>           <C>
(as a percentage of Series Fund
average net assets)
Management Fees....................     0.55 %         0.75 %        0.90 %
Other Expenses.....................     0.06 %         0.11 %        0.12 %
Total Series Fund Annual
 Expenses..........................     0.61 %         0.86 %        1.02 %
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------------
(1) A portion of the Account Value may be withdrawn each year without imposition
    of any withdrawal charge, and after a Purchase Payment has been held by the
    Company for seven years the entire Account Value may be withdrawn free of
    the withdrawal charge.
 
(2) A Market Value Adjustment may be imposed on amounts transferred from or
    within the Fixed Account.
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
   
                                    EXAMPLES
    
 
    If you surrender your Contract at the end of the applicable time period, you
would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual
return on assets:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         1 YEAR       3 YEARS      5 YEARS     10 YEARS
                                                                       -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Capital Appreciation Series                                             $      76    $     113    $     153    $     251
Conservative Growth Series                                              $      74    $     108    $     144    $     234
High Yield Series                                                       $      77    $     115    $     156    $     257
Government Securities Series                                            $      75    $     109    $     145    $     236
Managed Sectors Series                                                  $      77    $     114    $     155    $     256
Money Market Series                                                     $      74    $     107    $     142    $     230
Total Return Series                                                     $      75    $     111    $     149    $     244
World Governments Series                                                $      77    $     117    $     160    $     265
Utilities Series                                                        $      77    $     116    $     157    $     260
World Growth Series                                                     $      79    $     120    $     165    $     276
</TABLE>
    
 
    If you do not surrender your Contract, or if you annuitize at the end of the
applicable time period, you would pay the following expenses on a $1,000
investment, assuming a 5% annual return on assets:
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1 YEAR       3 YEARS      5 YEARS     10 YEARS
                                                                      -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                                                   <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Capital Appreciation Series                                            $      22    $      68    $     117    $     251
Conservative Growth Series                                             $      20    $      63    $     108    $     234
High Yield Series                                                      $      23    $      70    $     120    $     257
Government Securities Series                                           $      21    $      64    $     109    $     236
Managed Sectors Series                                                 $      23    $      69    $     119    $     255
Money Market Series                                                    $      20    $      62    $     106    $     230
Total Return Series                                                    $      21    $      66    $     113    $     244
World Governments Series                                               $      23    $      72    $     124    $     265
Utilities Series                                                       $      23    $      71    $     121    $     260
World Growth Series                                                    $      26    $      75    $     129    $     276
</TABLE>
    
 
   
    THE EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED TO BE REPRESENTATIONS OF PAST OR
FUTURE EXPENSES, AND ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LOWER THAN THOSE SHOWN.
    
 
          CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION -- ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES
 
    The following information should be read in conjunction with the Variable
Account's financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus, all of
which has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent certified public
accountants.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      PERIOD ENDED                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                      DECEMBER 31,    ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                          1993*           1994           1995           1996           1997
                                                     ---------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
 
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
CAPITAL APPRECIATION SERIES
 Unit Value
  Beginning of period..............................    $  10.0000     $     11.1751  $     10.6243  $     14.0890  $     16.8791
  End of period....................................    $  11.1751     $     10.6243  $     14.0890  $     16.8791  $     20.4955
 Units outstanding end of period...................        421,509     606,673           1,106,267      1,160,312      1,098,819
CONSERVATIVE GROWTH SERIES
 Unit Value
  Beginning of period..............................  $     10.0000    $      10.1522 $       9.9013 $      13.4205 $      16.5965
  End of period....................................  $     10.1522    $       9.9013 $      13.4205 $      16.5965 $      21.5979
 Units outstanding end of period...................        134,044          342,664        671,847        845,581        806,893
GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SERIES
 Unit Value
  Beginning of period..............................  $     10.0000    $      10.3577 $       9.9943 $      11.5958 $      11.6198
  End of period....................................  $     10.3577    $       9.9943 $      11.5958 $      11.6198 $      12.4617
 Units outstanding end of period...................        359,235          612,070        554,873        654,198        617,817
</TABLE>
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>
    CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION -- ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUES (CONTINUED)
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      PERIOD ENDED                     YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                      DECEMBER 31,    ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                          1993*           1994           1995           1996           1997
                                                     ---------------  -------------  -------------  -------------  -------------
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>
HIGH YIELD SERIES
 Unit Value
  Beginning of period..............................    $  10.0000     $     10.8857  $     10.4960  $     12.1149  $     13.3941
  End of period....................................    $  10.8857     $     10.4960  $     12.1149  $     13.3941  $     14.9542
 Units outstanding end of period...................        181,341     331,677             334,034        355,247        340,863
MANAGED SECTORS SERIES
 Unit Value
  Beginning of period..............................  $     10.0000    $      10.8495 $      10.4940 $      13.6882 $      15.8731
  End of period....................................  $     10.8495    $      10.4940 $      13.6882 $      15.8731 $      19.6663
 Units outstanding end of period...................         61,302          148,048        277,142        326,412        314,374
MONEY MARKET SERIES
 Unit Value
  Beginning of period..............................  $     10.0000    $      10.0901 $      10.3193 $      10.7318 $      11.1042
  End of period....................................  $     10.0901    $      10.3193 $      10.7318 $      11.1042 $      11.5063
 Units outstanding end of period...................        179,323          408,469        623,252        611,608        540,785
TOTAL RETURN SERIES
 Unit Value
  Beginning of period..............................  $     10.0000    $      10.5294 $      10.1491 $      12.6896 $      14.2737
  End of period....................................  $     10.5294    $      10.1491 $      12.6896 $      14.2737 $      17.1690
 Units outstanding end of period...................        592,068        1,063,839      1,365,757      1,567,221      1,439,364
UTILITIES SERIES
 Unit Value
  Beginning of period..............................     --            $      10.0000** $       9.6830 $      12.6438 $      15.0048
  End of period....................................     --            $       9.6830 $      12.6438 $      15.0048 $      19.6408
 Units outstanding end of period...................     --                    6,103         97,337        112,112        103,362
WORLD GOVERNMENTS SERIES
 Unit Value
  Beginning of period..............................  $     10.0000    $      11.2776 $      10.6229 $      12.1203 $      12.5096
  End of period....................................  $     11.2776    $      10.6229 $      12.1203 $      12.5096 $      13.9137
 Units outstanding end of period...................        137,181          238,927        268,890        321,322        277,498
WORLD GROWTH SERIES
 Unit Value
  Beginning of period..............................     --            $      10.0000** $       9.5906 $      10.9711 $      12.2345
  End of period....................................     --            $       9.5906 $      10.9711 $      12.2345 $      12.4194
 Units outstanding end of period...................     --                   35,096        251,193        406,783        384,999
</TABLE>
    
 
 *From April 1, 1993 (date of commencement of sales of the Contracts) to
  December 31, 1993.
**Unit value on the date of inception of the Sub-Account investing in the
  Series.
 
                                PERFORMANCE DATA
 
   
    From time to time the Variable Account may publish reports to shareholders,
sales literature and advertisements containing performance data relating to the
Sub-Accounts. Performance data will consist of total return quotations which
will always include quotations for the period subsequent to the date each Sub-
Account became available for investment under the Contracts, and for recent one
year and, when applicable, five and ten year periods. Such quotations for such
periods will be the average annual rates of return required for a Purchase
Payment of $1,000 to equal the actual variable accumulation value attributable
to such Purchase Payment on the last day of the period, after reflection of all
applicable withdrawal and Contract charges. In addition, the Variable Account
may calculate non-standardized rates of return that do not reflect withdrawal
charges and Contract charges. Results calculated without withdrawal charges
and/or Contract charges will be higher. Performance figures used by the Variable
Account are based on the actual historical performance of the Series Fund for
specified periods, and the figures are not intended to indicate future
performance. The Variable Account may also from time to time compare its
investment performance to various unmanaged indices or other variable annuities
and may refer to certain rating and other organizations in its marketing
materials. More detailed information on the computations is set forth in
Appendix C.
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>
                     THIS PROSPECTUS IS A CATALOG OF FACTS
 
   
    This Prospectus contains information about the Contracts which provide fixed
benefits, variable benefits or a combination of both. It describes the
Contracts' uses and objectives, their benefits and costs, and the rights and
privileges of the Owner. It also contains information about the Company, the
Variable Account, the Fixed Account and the Series Fund. This Prospectus has
been carefully prepared in non-technical language to help you decide whether the
purchase of a Contract will fit the needs of your retirement plan. We urge you
to read it carefully and retain it for future reference. The Contracts have
appropriate provisions relating to variable and fixed accumulation values and
variable and fixed annuity payments. A Variable Annuity and a Fixed Annuity have
certain similarities. Both provide that the Purchase Payment, minus certain
deductions, will be accumulated prior to the Annuity Commencement Date. After
the Annuity Commencement Date, annuity payments will be made to the Annuitant.
The Company assumes the mortality and expense risks under the Contracts, for
which it receives certain amounts. The significant difference between a Variable
Annuity and a Fixed Annuity is that under a Variable Annuity, all investment
risk is assumed by the Owner or Payee and the amounts of the annuity payments
vary with the investment performance of the Variable Account; under a Fixed
Annuity, the investment risk is assumed by the Company (except in the case of
early withdrawals (See "Cash Withdrawals" and "Market Value Adjustment")) and
the amounts of the annuity payments do not vary. However, the Owner bears the
risk that the Guaranteed Interest Rate to be credited on amounts allocated to
the Fixed Account may not exceed the minimum guaranteed rate of 3% for any
Guarantee Period.
    
 
   
                             USES OF THE CONTRACTS
    
 
   
    The Contracts are designed for use in connection with retirement plans which
meet the requirements of Section 401 (including Section 401(k)), Section 403,
Section 408(b), Section 408(c) or Section 408(k) of the Internal Revenue Code;
however the Company may discontinue offering new Contracts in connection with
certain types of qualified plans. Certain federal tax advantages are currently
available to retirement plans which qualify as (1) self-employed individuals'
retirement plans under Section 401; (2) corporate or association retirement
plans under Section 401; (3) annuity purchase plans sponsored by certain tax
exempt organizations or public school systems under Section 403(b); or (4)
individual retirement accounts, including employer or association of employees
individual retirement accounts under Section 408(c) and SEP-IRAs under Section
408(k) (See "Federal Tax Status").
    
 
   
    The Contracts are also designed to be used in connection with certain
non-tax-qualified retirement plans, such as payroll savings plans and such other
groups (trusteed or nontrusteed) as may be eligible under applicable law.
    
 
                           A WORD ABOUT THE COMPANY,
          THE FIXED ACCOUNT, THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT AND THE SERIES FUND
 
THE COMPANY
 
    The Company is a stock life insurance company incorporated under the laws of
New York on May 25, 1983. Its Home Office is located at 80 Broad Street, New
York, New York, 10004, telephone (212) 943-3855. The Company currently issues
individual fixed and combination fixed/variable annuity contracts and group life
and long-term disability insurance only in the State of New York.
 
   
    The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of
Canada (U.S.) ("Sun Life (U.S.)"), a stock life insurance company incorporated
in Delaware and having its Executive Office at One Sun Life Executive Park,
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02181. Sun Life (U.S.) is currently authorized to
do business in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, and it is
anticipated that it will be authorized to do business in all states except New
York. Sun Life (U.S.) issues life insurance policies and individual and group
annuities. Sun Life (U.S.)'s other active subsidiaries are Sun Capital Advisers,
Inc., a registered investment adviser, Clarendon Insurance Agency, Inc., a
registered broker-dealer that acts as the general distributor of the Contracts
and other annuity and life insurance contracts issued by the Company and Sun
Life (U.S.) and its affiliates, Sun Life U.S. Distributors, Inc., a registered
broker-dealer and investment adviser, New London Trust, F.S.B., a federally
chartered savings bank, Massachusetts Casualty Insurance Company, which issues
individual disability income policies, and Sun Life Financial Services Limited,
which provides off-shore administrative services to Sun Life (U.S.) and its
ultimate parent, Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada ("Sun Life (Canada)").
    
 
                                       12
<PAGE>
   
    Sun Life (U.S.) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company
of Canada (U.S.) Holdings, Inc. ("Life Holdco") which, on December 18, 1997
became a wholly owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada -- U.S.
Operations Holdings, Inc. ("U.S. Holdco"). U.S. Holdco is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Sun Life (Canada), 150 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Sun Life (Canada) is a mutual life insurance company incorporated pursuant to an
Act of Parliament of Canada in 1865, and currently transacts business in all
Canadian provinces and territories, all U.S. states except New York, the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Great Britain, Ireland,
Hong Kong, Bermuda and the Philippines.
    
 
THE FIXED ACCOUNT
 
   
    The Fixed Account consists of those assets of the Company which are
allocated to a non-unitized separate account established in conformance with New
York law. Any portion of the net Purchase Payment allocated by the Owner to a
Guarantee Period(s) will become part of the Fixed Account. Any obligation of the
Fixed Account will be paid first from assets of the non-unitized separate
account; if these assets are not sufficient to meet the obligation, any excess
will be charged against the Company's general account. A Purchase Payment will
be allocated to the extent elected by the Owner to Guarantee Periods available
in connection with the Fixed Account. In addition, all or part of the Contract's
Account Value may be transferred to Guarantee Periods available under the
Contract as described under "Transfer Privilege."
    
 
    The Company will invest the assets of the Fixed Account in those assets
chosen by the Company and allowed by the laws of the State of New York regarding
the nature and quality of investments that may be made by life insurance
companies and the percentage of their assets that may be committed to any
particular type of investment. In general, these laws permit investments, within
specified limits and subject to certain qualifications, in federal, state and
municipal obligations, corporate bonds, preferred and common stocks, real estate
mortgages, real estate and certain other investments.
 
   
    The Company intends to invest the assets of the Fixed Account primarily in
debt instruments as follows: (1) Securities issued by the U.S. Government or its
agencies or instrumentalities, which issues may or may not be guaranteed by the
U.S. Government; (2) Debt securities which have an investment grade, at the time
of purchase, within the four highest grades assigned by Moody's Investors
Services, Inc. (Aaa, Aa, A or Baa), Standard & Poor's Corporation (AAA, AA, A or
BBB) or any other nationally recognized rating service; (3) Other debt
instruments, including, but not limited to, issues of or guaranteed by banks or
bank holding companies and other corporations, which obligations, although not
rated by Moody's Investors Services, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Corporation, are
deemed by the Company's management to have an investment quality comparable to
securities which may be purchased as stated above; and (4) Other evidences of
indebtedness secured by mortgages or deeds of trust representing liens upon real
estate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may also invest a portion of
the Fixed Account in below investment grade debt instruments. Instruments rated
Baa and/or BBB or lower normally involve a higher risk of default and are less
liquid than higher rated instruments. If the rating of an investment grade debt
security held by the Company is subsequently downgraded to below investment
grade, the decision to retain or dispose of the security will be made based upon
the Company's evaluation of the individual circumstances surrounding the
downgrading and the prospects for continued deterioration, stabilization and/or
improvement.
    
 
    The Company is not obligated to invest amounts allocated to the Fixed
Account according to any particular strategy, except as may be required by
applicable state insurance laws. Investment income from such Fixed Account
assets will be allocated between the Company and all contracts participating in
the Fixed Account, including the Contracts offered by this Prospectus, in
accordance with the terms of such contracts.
 
   
    Fixed annuity payments made to Annuitants under the Contracts will not be
affected by the mortality experience (death rate) of persons receiving such
payments or of the general population. The Company assumes this "mortality risk"
by virtue of annuity rates incorporated in the Contracts which cannot be
changed. In addition, the Company guarantees that it will not increase charges
for maintenance of the Contracts, regardless of its actual expenses.
    
 
   
    Investment income from the Fixed Account allocated to the Company includes
compensation for mortality and expense risks and distribution expense risks
borne by the Company in connection with contracts participating in the Fixed
Account. The Company expects to derive a profit from such compensation. The
amount of investment income allocated to the Contracts will vary from Guarantee
Period to Guarantee Period in the sole discretion of the Company. However, the
Company guarantees that it will credit
    
 
                                       13
<PAGE>
   
interest at a rate of not less than three percent (3%) per year, compounded
annually, to amounts allocated to the Fixed Account under the Contract. The
Company may credit interest at a rate in excess of three percent (3%) per year;
however, the Company is not obligated to credit any interest in excess of three
percent (3%) per year. There is no specific formula for the determination of
excess interest credits. Such credits, if any, will be determined by the Company
based on information as to expected investment yields. Some of the factors that
the Company may consider in determining whether to credit interest to amounts
allocated to the Fixed Account and the amount thereof, are: general economic
trends; rates of return currently available and anticipated on the Company's
investments; regulatory and tax requirements; and competitive factors. The
Company's general investment strategy will be to invest amounts allocated to the
Fixed Account in investment-grade debt securities and mortgages using
immunization strategies with respect to the applicable Guarantee Periods. This
includes, with respect to investments and average terms of investments, using
dedication (cash flow matching) and/or duration matching to minimize the
Company's risk of not achieving the rates it is crediting under Guarantee
Periods in volatile interest rate environments. ANY INTEREST CREDITED TO AMOUNTS
ALLOCATED TO THE FIXED ACCOUNT IN EXCESS OF 3% PER YEAR WILL BE DETERMINED IN
THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE COMPANY. THE OWNER ASSUMES THE RISK THAT INTEREST
CREDITED ON AMOUNTS ALLOCATED TO THE FIXED ACCOUNT MAY NOT EXCEED THE MINIMUM
GUARANTEE OF 3% FOR ANY GIVEN YEAR.
    
 
   
    The Company is aware of no statutory limitations on the maximum amount of
interest it may credit, and the Company's Board of Directors has set no
limitations. However, inherent in the Company's exercise of discretion in this
regard is the equitable allocation of distributable earnings and surplus among
its various policyholders and contract owners and to its sole stockholder.
    
 
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT
 
   
    The basic objective of a variable annuity contract is to provide variable
annuity payments which will be to some degree responsive to changes in the
economic environment, including inflationary forces and changes in rates of
return available from various types of investments. The Contract is designed to
seek to accomplish this objective by providing that variable annuity payments
(1) will reflect the investment performance of the Variable Account with respect
to amounts allocated to the Variable Account before the Annuity Commencement
Date and (2) will reflect the investment performance of the Variable Account
after that date. Since the Variable Account is always fully invested in Series
Fund shares, its investment performance reflects the investment performance of
the Series Fund. Values of Series Fund shares held by the Variable Account
fluctuate and are subject to the risks of changing economic conditions as well
as the risk inherent in the ability of the Series Fund's management to make
necessary changes in its portfolios to anticipate changes in economic
conditions. Therefore, the Owner bears the entire investment risk that the basic
objectives of the Contract may not be realized, and that the adverse effects of
inflation may not be lessened and there can be no assurance that the aggregate
amount of Variable Annuity payments will equal or exceed the Purchase Payment
for the reasons described above or because of the premature death of a Payee.
    
 
   
    Another important feature of the Contracts related to their basic objective
is the Company's promise that the dollar amount of variable annuity payments
made during the lifetime of a Payee will not be adversely affected by the actual
mortality experience of the Company or by the actual expenses incurred by the
Company in excess of expense deductions provided for in the Contract.
    
 
   
    Sun Life (N.Y.) Variable Account C (the "Variable Account") was established
by the Company as a separate account on October 18, 1985 pursuant to a
resolution of its Board of Directors. Under New York insurance law and under the
Contracts, the income, gains or losses of the Variable Account are credited to
or charged against the assets of the Variable Account without regard to the
other income, gains, or losses of the Company. These assets are held in relation
to the Contracts described in this Prospectus and such other variable annuity
contracts as may be issued by the Company and designated by it as providing
benefits which vary in accordance with the investment performance of the
Variable Account. Although the assets maintained in the Variable Account will
not be charged with any liabilities arising out of any other business conducted
by the Company, all obligations arising under the Contracts, including the
promise to make annuity payments, are general corporate obligations of the
Company.
    
 
   
    The Variable Account meets the definition of a "separate account" under the
federal securities laws and is registered as a unit investment trust under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Registration with the Securities and Exchange
Commission does not involve supervision of the management or investment
practices or policies of the Variable Account or of the Company by the
Commission.
    
 
                                       14
<PAGE>
   
    The assets of the Variable Account are divided into Sub-Accounts. Each
Sub-Account invests exclusively in shares of a specific series of the Series
Fund. All amounts allocated by the Participant to the Variable Account will be
used to purchase Series Fund shares as designated by the Owner at their net
asset value. Any and all distributions made by the Series Fund with respect to
the shares held by the Variable Account will be reinvested to purchase
additional Series Fund shares at net asset value. Deductions from the Variable
Account for cash withdrawals, annuity payments, death benefits, Account Fees,
Contract charges against the assets of the Variable Account for the assumption
of mortality and expense risks and distribution expenses, and any applicable
taxes will, in effect, be made by redeeming the number of Series Fund shares at
their net asset value equal in total value to the amount to be deducted. The
Variable Account will be fully invested in Series Fund shares at all times.
    
 
THE SERIES FUND
 
    MFS/Sun Life Series Trust (the "Series Fund") is an open-end investment
management company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Currently shares of the Series Fund are also sold to other separate accounts
established by the Company and Sun Life (U.S.) in connection with individual and
group variable annuity contracts and single premium variable life insurance
contracts. In the future, shares of the Series Fund may be sold to other
separate accounts established by the Company or its affiliates to fund other
variable annuity or variable life insurance contracts. The Company and its
affiliates will be responsible for reporting to the Series Fund's Board of
Trustees any potential or existing conflicts between the interests of variable
annuity contract owners/participants and the interests of owners of variable
life insurance contracts that provide for investment in shares of the Series
Fund. The Board of Trustees, a majority of whom are not "interested persons" of
the Series Fund, as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940,
also intends to monitor the Series Fund to identify the existence of any such
irreconcilable material conflicts and to determine what action, if any, should
be taken by the Series Fund and/or the Company and its affiliates (see
"Management of the Series Fund" in the Series Fund prospectus).
 
   
    The Series Fund is composed of twenty-six independent portfolios of
securities, each of which has separate investment objectives and policies.
Shares of the Series Fund are issued in twenty-six series, each corresponding to
one of the portfolios; however, the Contracts provide for investment only in
shares of the ten series of the Series Fund described below. Additional
portfolios may be added to the Series Fund which may or may not be available for
investment by the Variable Account.
    
 
   
    (1) MONEY MARKET SERIES ("MMS") will seek maximum current income to the
extent consistent with stability of principal by investing exclusively in money
market instruments maturing in less than 13 months. An investment in this series
is neither insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government. There can be no
assurance that the series will be able to maintain a stable net asset value of
$1.00 per share.
    
 
   
    (2) HIGH YIELD SERIES ("HYS") will seek high current income and capital
appreciation by investing primarily in fixed income securities of U.S. and
foreign issuers which may be in the lower rated categories or unrated (commonly
known as "junk bonds") and which may include equity features. These securities
generally involve greater volatility of price and risk to principal and income
and less liquidity than securities in the higher rated categories. Any person
contemplating allocating Purchase Payments to the Sub-Account investing in
shares of the High Yield Series should carefully review the risk disclosure in
the Series Fund prospectus and consider the investment risks involved.
    
 
   
    (3) CAPITAL APPRECIATION SERIES ("CAS") will seek capital appreciation by
investing in securities of all types, with a major emphasis on common stocks.
    
 
   
    (4) GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SERIES ("GSS") will seek current income and
preservation of capital by investing in U.S. Government and Government-related
Securities.
    
 
   
    (5) WORLD GOVERNMENTS SERIES ("WGS") will seek moderate current income and
preservation and growth of capital by investing in a portfolio of U.S. and
Foreign Government Securities.
    
 
                                       15
<PAGE>
   
    (6) TOTAL RETURN SERIES ("TRS") seeks primarily to obtain above-average
income (compared to a portfolio entirely invested in equity securities)
consistent with prudent employment of capital. Its secondary objective is to
take advantage of opportunities for growth of capital and income. Assets will be
allocated and reallocated from time to time between money market, fixed income
and equity securities. Under normal market conditions, at least 25% of the Total
Return Series' assets will be invested in fixed income securities and at least
40% and no more than 75% of its assets will be invested in equity securities.
    
 
   
    (7) MANAGED SECTORS SERIES ("MSS") seeks capital appreciation by varying the
weighting of its portfolio of common stocks among certain industry sectors.
Dividend income, if any, is incidental to the objective of capital appreciation.
    
 
   
    (8) CONSERVATIVE GROWTH SERIES ("CGS") seeks long-term growth of capital and
future income while providing more current income than is normally obtainable
from a portfolio of only growth stocks by investing a substantial proportion of
its assets in the common stocks or securities convertible into common stocks of
companies believed to possess better than average prospects for long-term growth
and a smaller proportion of its assets in securities whose principal
characteristic is income production.
    
 
   
    (9) UTILITIES SERIES ("UTS") seeks capital growth and current income (income
above that available from a portfolio invested entirely in equity securities) by
investing, under normal market conditions, at least 65% of its assets in equity
and debt securities issued by both domestic and foreign utility companies.
    
 
   
    (10) WORLD GROWTH SERIES ("WGO") seeks capital appreciation by investing in
securities of companies worldwide growing at rates expected to be well above the
growth rate of the overall U.S. economy.
    
 
   
    The investment adviser of the Series Fund, Massachusetts Financial Services
Company ("MFS"), is paid fees by the Series Fund for its services pursuant to
investment advisory agreements. MFS, a Delaware corporation, is an affiliate of
Sun Life (U.S.). MFS also serves as investment adviser to each of the funds in
the MFS Family of Funds, and to certain other investment companies established
or distributed by MFS and/ or Sun Life (U.S.). MFS Institutional Advisors, Inc.,
a wholly-owned subsidiary of MFS, provides investment advice to substantial
private clients. MFS and its predecessor organizations have a history of money
management dating from 1924. MFS operates as an autonomous organization and the
obligation of performance with respect to the investment advisory and
underwriting agreements (including supervision of the sub-advisers noted below)
is solely that of MFS. Neither the Company nor Sun Life (U.S.) undertakes any
obligation in this regard.
    
 
    The investment advisory agreement for the World Growth Series permits MFS
from time to time to engage one or more sub-advisers to assist in the
performance of its services. MFS has engaged Foreign & Colonial Management
Limited ("FCM") and its subsidiary, Foreign & Colonial Emerging Markets Limited
("FCEM"), as sub-advisers to the World Growth Series.
 
   
    A more detailed description of the Series Fund, its management, its
investment objectives, policies and restrictions and its expenses may be found
in the accompanying current prospectus of the Series Fund and in the Series
Fund's Statement of Additional Information, which is available by calling
1-800-_____-_____.
    
 
        PURCHASE PAYMENTS AND CONTRACT VALUES DURING ACCUMULATION PERIOD
 
PURCHASE PAYMENTS
 
(1) PLACE, AMOUNT AND FREQUENCY
    The Purchase Payment is to be paid to the Company at its Annuity Service
Mailing Address. The Company will not accept a Purchase Payment which is less
than $5,000. In addition, the prior approval of the Company is required before
it will accept a Purchase Payment in excess of $1,000,000. Only one Purchase
Payment may be made per Contract. The Contract shall be continued automatically
in full force during the lifetime of the Annuitant until the Annuity
Commencement Date or until the Contract is surrendered.
 
    The completed application and the Purchase Payment are forwarded to the
Company for acceptance. Upon acceptance, the Contract is issued to the Owner and
the Purchase Payment is then credited to the Contract's Accumulation Account.
The Purchase Payment must be applied within two business days of receipt by the
Company of a completed application. The Company may retain the Purchase Payment
for up
 
                                       16
<PAGE>
   
to five business days while attempting to complete an incomplete application. If
the application cannot be made complete within five business days, the applicant
will be informed of the reasons for the delay and the Purchase Payment will be
returned immediately unless the applicant specifically consents to the Company's
retaining the Purchase Payment until the application is made complete.
Thereafter, the Purchase Payment must be applied to the Participant's Account
within two business days.
    
 
(2) ACCUMULATION ACCOUNT
 
    The Company will establish an Accumulation Account for each Contract and
will maintain the Accumulation Account during the Accumulation Period. The
Contract's Account Value for any Valuation Period is equal to the sum of the
variable accumulation value, if any, plus the fixed accumulation value, if any,
of the Contract's Accumulation Account for that Valuation Period.
 
(3) ALLOCATION OF NET PURCHASE PAYMENT
 
   
    The Net Purchase Payment is that portion of the Purchase Payment which
remains after deduction of any applicable premium tax or similar tax. The Net
Purchase Payment will be allocated either to Guarantee Periods available in
connection with the Fixed Account or to Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account or
to both Sub-Accounts and the Fixed Account in accordance with the allocation
factors specified by the Owner in the application.
    
 
VARIABLE ACCUMULATION VALUE
 
    The variable accumulation value, if any, for any Valuation Period is equal
to the sum of the value of all Variable Accumulation Units credited to the
Contract's Accumulation Account for such Valuation Period.
 
(1) CREDITING VARIABLE ACCUMULATION UNITS
 
   
    Upon receipt of the Purchase Payment by the Company, all or that portion, if
any, of the Net Purchase Payment to be allocated to the Sub-Accounts will be
credited to the Accumulation Account in the form of Variable Accumulation Units.
The number of particular Variable Accumulation Units to be credited is
determined by dividing the dollar amount allocated to a particular Sub-Account
by the Variable Accumulation Unit value for the particular Sub-Account for the
Valuation Period during which the Purchase Payment is received by the Company.
    
 
(2) VARIABLE ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE
 
   
    The Variable Accumulation Unit value for each Sub-Account was established at
$10.00 for the first Valuation Period of the particular Sub-Account. The
Variable Accumulation Unit value for a particular Sub-Account for any subsequent
Valuation Period is determined by methodology which is the mathematical
equivalent of multiplying the Variable Accumulation Unit value for the
particular Sub-Account for the immediately preceding Valuation Period by the Net
Investment Factor for the particular Sub-Account for such subsequent Valuation
Period. The Variable Accumulation Unit value for each Sub-Account for any
Valuation Period is the value determined as of the end of the particular
Valuation Period and may increase, decrease or remain the same from Valuation
Period to Valuation Period in accordance with the Net Investment Factor
described in (3) below. For a hypothetical example of the calculation of the
value of a Variable Accumulation Unit, see Appendix A.
    
 
   
(3) NET INVESTMENT FACTOR
    
 
   
    The Net Investment Factor is an index applied to measure the investment
performance of a Sub-Account from one Valuation Period to the next. The Net
Investment Factor may be greater than, less than or equal to one (1); therefore
the value of a Variable Accumulation Unit may increase, decrease or remain the
same.
    
 
    The Net Investment Factor for any Sub-Account for any Valuation Period is
determined by dividing (a) by (b) and then subtracting (c) from the result
where:
 
        (a) is the net result of:
 
           (1) the net asset value of a Series Fund share held in the
       Sub-Account determined as of the end of the Valuation Period, plus
 
                                       17
<PAGE>
           (2) the per share amount of any dividend or other distribution
       declared by the Series Fund on the shares held in the Sub-Account if the
       "ex-dividend" date occurs during the Valuation Period, plus or minus
 
           (3) a per share credit or charge with respect to any taxes paid or
       reserved for by the Company during the Valuation Period which are
       determined by the Company to be attributable to the operation of the
       Sub-Account (no federal income taxes are applicable under present law);
 
        (b) is the net asset value of a Series Fund share held in the
    Sub-Account determined as of the end of the preceding Valuation Period; and
 
        (c) is the asset charge factor determined by the Company for the
    Valuation Period to reflect the charges for assuming the mortality and
    expense risks and administrative expense risk.
 
FIXED ACCUMULATION VALUE
 
    The fixed accumulation value, if any, for any Valuation Period is equal to
the sum of the values of all Guarantee Amounts credited to the Contract's
Accumulation Account for such Valuation Period.
 
GUARANTEE PERIODS
 
   
    The Owner may elect one or more Guarantee Period(s) with durations of one to
ten years from among those made available by the Company. The period(s) elected
will determine the Guaranteed Interest Rate(s). The Purchase Payment, or the
portion thereof (or the amount transferred in accordance with the Transfer
Privilege) allocated to a particular Guarantee Period, less any applicable
premium taxes or similar taxes and any amounts subsequently withdrawn, will earn
interest at the Guaranteed Interest Rate during the Guarantee Period. Initial
Guarantee Periods begin on the Issue Date or, in the case of a transfer, on the
effective date of the transfer, and end the number of calendar years in the
Guarantee Period elected from the end of the calendar month in which the amount
was allocated to the Guarantee Period (the "Expiration Date"). Subsequent
Guarantee Periods begin on the first day following the Expiration Date.
    
 
   
    Any portion of a Contract's Account Value allocated to a particular
Guarantee Period with a particular Expiration Date (including interest earned
thereon) will be referred to herein as a "Guarantee Amount". Interest will be
credited daily at a rate equivalent to the compound annual rate. As a result of
renewals and transfers of portions of the Account Value described under
"Transfer Privilege" below, which will begin new Guarantee Periods, Guarantee
Amounts allocated to Guarantee Periods of the same duration may have different
Expiration Dates. Thus each Guarantee Amount will be treated separately for
purposes of determining any Market Value Adjustment (See "Market Value
Adjustment").
    
 
    The Company will notify the Owner in writing at least 45 and no more than 75
days prior to the Expiration Date for any Guarantee Amount. A new Guarantee
Period of the same duration as the previous Guarantee Period will commence
automatically at the end of the previous Guarantee Period unless the Company
receives, prior to the end of such Guarantee Period, a written election by the
Owner of a different Guarantee Period from among those being offered by the
Company at such time, or instructions to transfer all or a portion of the
Guarantee Amount to one or more Sub-Accounts in accordance with the Transfer
Privilege Provision.
 
GUARANTEED INTEREST RATES
 
    The Company periodically will establish an applicable Guaranteed Interest
Rate for each Guarantee Period offered by the Company. Current Guaranteed
Interest Rates may be changed by the Company frequently or infrequently
depending on interest rates available to the Company and other factors as
described below, but once established rates will be guaranteed for the duration
of the respective Guarantee Periods. However, Account Value withdrawn from the
Fixed Account will be subject to any applicable withdrawal charge and Account
Fee and may be subject to a Market Value Adjustment on withdrawal or surrender
(See "Market Value Adjustment").
 
   
    The Guaranteed Interest Rate will not be less than three percent (3%) per
year, compounded annually. The Company has no specific formula for determining
the rate of interest that it will declare as a Guaranteed Interest Rate, as
these rates will be reflective of interest rates available on the types of debt
instruments in which the Company intends to invest amounts allocated to the
Fixed Account (See "The Fixed Account"). In
    
 
                                       18
<PAGE>
addition, the Company's management may consider other factors in determining
Guaranteed Interest Rates for a particular duration including: regulatory and
tax requirements; sales commissions and administrative and distribution expenses
borne by the Company; general economic trends; and competitive factors. The
Owner bears the risk that the Guaranteed Interest Rate to be credited on amounts
allocated to the Fixed Account may not exceed the minimum guaranteed rate of
three percent (3%) for any Guarantee Period.
 
   
TRANSFER PRIVILEGE; TELEPHONE TRANSFERS; RESTRICTIONS ON MARKET TIMERS
    
 
    During the Accumulation Period the Owner may, upon written request received
by the Company, transfer all or part of the Account Value to one or more
Sub-Accounts or Guarantee Periods available under the Contract, subject to the
following conditions: (1) not more than 12 transfers may be made in any Contract
Year; (2) the amount being transferred from a Sub-Account may not be less than
$1,000, unless the total Account Value attributable to the Sub-Account is being
transferred; (3) any Account Value remaining in a Sub-Account may not be less
than $1,000; and (4) the total Account Value attributable to a Guarantee Amount
must be transferred; however, the transfer of interest credited to such
Guarantee Amount during the current Contract Year will not be subject to this
restriction. In addition, transfers of a Guarantee Amount (except interest
credited to such Guarantee Amount during the current Contract Year) will be
subject to the Market Value Adjustment described below unless the transfer is
effective within 30 days prior to the Expiration Date applicable to the
Guarantee Amount; and transfers involving Variable Accumulation Units shall be
subject to such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the Series Fund. A
transfer generally will be effective on the date the request for transfer is
received by the Company. Under current tax law, a transfer will not result in
any tax liability to the Owner.
 
   
    Transfers may be requested by the Participant either in writing or by
telephone. The telephone exchange privilege is made available to Participants
automatically without the Participant's election. The Company will employ
reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated to it by
telephone are genuine. Such procedures may include one or more of the following:
requesting identifying information, such as name, Contract number, Social
Security Number, and/or personal identification number; tape recording all
telephone transactions; or providing written confirmation thereof to both the
Participant and any agent of record, at the last address of record; or such
other procedures as the Company may deem reasonable. Although the Company's
failure to follow reasonable procedures may result in the Company's liability
for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transfers, the
Company will not be liable for following instructions communicated by telephone
which it reasonably believed to be genuine. Any losses incurred pursuant to
actions taken by the Company in reliance on telephone instructions reasonably
believed to be genuine shall be borne by the Participant.
    
 
   
    The Contracts are not designed for professional market timing organizations
or other entities using programmed and frequent transfers. Persons who wish to
employ such strategies should not purchase a Contract. Accordingly, transfers
may be subject to restrictions if exercised by a market timing firm or any other
third party authorized to initiate transfer transactions on behalf of multiple
Participants. In imposing such restrictions, the Company may, among other
things, not accept (1) the transfer instructions of any agent acting under a
power of attorney on behalf of more than one Participant, or (2) the transfer
instructions of individual Participants who have executed preauthorized transfer
forms that are submitted at the same time by market timing firms or other third
parties on behalf of more than one Participant. The Company will not impose any
such restrictions or otherwise modify transfer rights unless such action is
reasonably intended to prevent the use of such rights in a manner that will
disadvantage or potentially impair the Contract rights of other Participants.
    
 
   
    In addition, the Series Fund has reserved the right to temporarily or
permanently refuse exchange requests from the Variable Account if, in the
judgment of the Series Fund's investment adviser, a series would be unable to
invest effectively in accordance with its investment objective and policies, or
would otherwise potentially be adversely affected. In particular, a pattern of
exchanges that coincide with a "market timing" strategy may be disruptive to a
series and therefore may be refused. Accordingly, the Variable Account may not
be in a position to effectuate transfers and may refuse transfer requests
without prior notice. The Company also reserves the right, for similar reasons,
to refuse or delay exchange requests involving transfers to or from the Fixed
Account.
    
 
                                       19
<PAGE>
        CASH WITHDRAWALS, WITHDRAWAL CHARGES AND MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
 
CASH WITHDRAWALS
 
    At any time before the Annuity Commencement Date and during the lifetime of
the Annuitant, the Owner may elect to receive a cash withdrawal payment from the
Company. Any such election shall specify the amount of the withdrawal and will
be effective on the date that it is received by the Company. Amounts withdrawn
may not be redeposited.
 
    The Owner may request a full surrender or partial withdrawal. A full
surrender will result in a cash withdrawal payment equal to the Contract's
Account Value at the end of the Valuation Period during which the election
becomes effective less the Account Fee, plus or minus any applicable Market
Value Adjustment, and less any applicable withdrawal charge. A request for a
partial withdrawal will result in the cancellation of a portion of the
Contract's Account Value equal to the dollar amount of the cash withdrawal
payment, plus or minus any applicable Market Value Adjustment and plus any
applicable withdrawal charge. If a partial withdrawal is requested which would
leave an Account Value of less than the Account Fee, then such partial
withdrawal will be treated as a full surrender. The Account Fee and any
applicable Market Value Adjustment will be deducted from the Accumulation
Account before the application of any withdrawal charge.
 
    In the case of a partial withdrawal, the Owner may instruct the Company as
to the amounts to be withdrawn from each Sub-Account and/or Guarantee Amount. If
not so instructed, the Company will effect such withdrawal pro-rata from each
Sub-Account and Guarantee Amount in which the Contract's Accumulation Account is
invested at the end of the Valuation Period during which the withdrawal becomes
effective. ALL CASH WITHDRAWALS OF ANY GUARANTEE AMOUNT, EXCEPT THOSE EFFECTIVE
WITHIN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE OF SUCH GUARANTEE AMOUNT OR THE
WITHDRAWAL OF INTEREST CREDITED DURING THE CURRENT CONTRACT YEAR, WILL BE
SUBJECT TO THE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT.
 
    Cash withdrawals from a Sub-Account will result in the cancellation of
Variable Accumulation Units with an aggregate value on the effective date of the
withdrawal equal to the total amount by which the Sub-Account is reduced. The
cancellation of such units will be based on the Variable Accumulation Unit
values of the Sub-Account for the Valuation Period during which the cash
withdrawal is effective.
 
    The Company, upon request, will advise the Owner of the amounts that would
be payable in the event of a full surrender or partial withdrawal.
 
    Any cash withdrawal payment will be paid within seven days from the date the
election becomes effective, except as the Company may be permitted to defer such
payment in accordance with the Investment Company Act of 1940 and New York
insurance law. Deferral of amounts withdrawn from the Variable Account is
currently permissible only (1) for any period (a) during which the New York
Stock Exchange is closed other than customary week-end and holiday closings or
(b) during which trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted as
determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, (2) for any period during
which an emergency exists as a result of which (a) disposal of securities held
by the Series Fund is not reasonably practicable or (b) it is not reasonably
practicable to determine the value of the net assets of the Series Fund or (3)
for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission may by order
permit for the protection of security holders. The Company reserves the right to
defer the payment of amounts withdrawn from the Fixed Account for a period not
to exceed six months from the date written request for such withdrawal is
received by the Company.
 
    Since the Qualified Contracts offered by this Prospectus will be issued in
connection with retirement plans which meet the requirements of Sections 401,
403, and 408 of the Internal Revenue Code, reference should be made to the terms
of the particular retirement plan for any limitations or restrictions on cash
withdrawals. For special restrictions applicable to withdrawals from Contracts
used with Tax-Sheltered Annuities established pursuant to Section 403(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code, see "Section 403(b) Annuities" below.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>
   
    A cash withdrawal under either a Qualified Contract or Non-Qualified
Contract offered by this Prospectus also may result in a tax penalty. The tax
consequences of a cash withdrawal payment under both Qualified Contracts and
Non-Qualified Contracts should be carefully considered (See "Federal Tax
Status").
    
 
WITHDRAWAL CHARGES
 
   
    If a cash withdrawal is made, a withdrawal charge (i.e., a contingent
deferred sales charge) may be assessed by the Company. During the first seven
Contract Years, up to 10% of the Net Purchase Payment may be withdrawn in each
Contract Year on a non-cumulative basis without the imposition of the withdrawal
charge. Amounts withdrawn in excess of such amount (adjusted by any applicable
Market Value Adjustment) will be subject to a withdrawal charge assessed against
such excess amount as follows:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONTRACT YEAR      WITHDRAWAL CHARGE
- -------------  -------------------------
<S>            <C>
      1                       6%
      2                       6%
      3                       5%
      4                       5%
      5                       4%
      6                       4%
      7                       3%
 thereafter                   0%
</TABLE>
 
    The withdrawal charge is not imposed after the end of the seventh Contract
Year, nor is the withdrawal charge imposed upon payment of the death benefit or
upon amounts applied to purchase an annuity.
 
    The withdrawal charge is not assessed with respect to a Contract established
for the personal account of an employee of the Company or of any of its
affiliates, or of a licensed insurance agent engaged in distributing the
Contracts.
 
    In no event shall the aggregate withdrawal charges assessed against a
Contract exceed 9% of the Purchase Payment.
 
    For illustrative examples of withdrawals, surrenders, withdrawal charges and
the Market Value Adjustment, see Appendix B.
 
SECTION 403(B) ANNUITIES
 
   
    The Internal Revenue Code imposes restrictions on cash withdrawals from
Contracts used with Section 403(b) Annuities. In order for these Contracts to
receive tax deferred treatment, the Contract must provide that cash withdrawals
of amounts attributable to salary reduction contributions (other than
withdrawals of accumulation account value as of December 31, 1988 ("Pre-1989
Account Value")) may be made only when the Owner attains age 59 1/2, separates
from service with the employer, dies or becomes disabled (within the meaning of
Section 72(m)(7) of the Code). These restrictions apply to any growth or
interest on or after January 1, 1989 on Pre-1989 Account Value, salary reduction
contributions made on or after January 1, 1989, and any growth or interest on
such contributions ("Restricted Account Value").
    
 
    Withdrawals of Restricted Account Value are also permitted in cases of
financial hardship, but only to the extent of contributions; earnings on
contributions cannot be withdrawn for hardship reasons. While specific rules
defining hardship have not been issued by the Internal Revenue Service, it is
expected that to qualify for a hardship distribution, the Owner must have an
immediate and heavy bona fide financial need and lack other resources reasonably
available to satisfy the need. Hardship withdrawals (as well as certain other
premature withdrawals) will be subject to a 10% tax penalty, in addition to any
withdrawal charge applicable under the Contract (See "Federal Tax Status").
 
   
    Under the terms of a particular Section 403(b) plan, the Owner may be
entitled to transfer all or a portion of the Contract's Account Value to one or
more alternative funding options. Contract Owners should consult the documents
governing their plan and the person who administers the plan for information as
to such investment alternatives.
    
 
   
    For information on the federal income tax withholding rules that apply to
distributions from Qualified Contracts (including Section 403(b) Annuities) see
"Federal Tax Status."
    
 
                                       21
<PAGE>
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
 
    Any cash withdrawal of a Guarantee Amount, other than a withdrawal effective
within 30 days prior to the Expiration Date of the Guarantee Amount or the
withdrawal of interest credited on such Guarantee Amount during the current
Contract Year, will be subject to a Market Value Adjustment ("MVA") (for this
purpose, transfers, distributions on the death of the Owner and amounts applied
to purchase an annuity are treated as cash withdrawals). The MVA will be applied
to the amount being withdrawn after deduction of any applicable Account Fee and
before deduction of any applicable withdrawal charge.
 
    The MVA will reflect the relationship between the Current Rate (as defined
below) for the Guarantee Amount being withdrawn and the Guaranteed Interest Rate
applicable to the amount being withdrawn. It also reflects the time remaining in
the applicable Guarantee Period. Generally, if the Guaranteed Interest Rate is
lower than the applicable Current Rate, then the application of the MVA will
result in a lower payment upon withdrawal. Similarly, if the Guaranteed Interest
Rate is higher than the applicable Current Rate, the application of the MVA will
result in a higher payment upon withdrawal.
 
    The Market Value Adjustment is determined by the application of the
following formula:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<C>        <S>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                      N/12
           1 + I                 -1
        (  -------    )
           1 + J
</TABLE>
 
where,
 
    I is the Guaranteed Interest Rate being credited to the Guarantee Amount
subject to the Market Value Adjustment,
 
    J is the Guaranteed Interest Rate declared by the Company, as of the
effective date of the application of the Market Value Adjustment, for current
allocations to Guarantee Periods equal to the balance of the Guarantee Period of
the Guarantee Amount subject to the Market Value Adjustment, rounded to the next
higher number of complete years (the "Current Rate"), and
 
    N is the number of complete months remaining in the Guarantee Period of the
Guarantee Amount subject to the Market Value Adjustment.
 
    In the determination of J, if the Company currently does not offer the
applicable Guarantee Period, then the rate will be determined by linear
interpolation of the current rates for Guarantee Periods that are available.
 
    See Appendix B for examples of the application of the Market Value
Adjustment.
 
                                 DEATH BENEFIT
 
   
DEATH BENEFIT PROVIDED BY THE CONTRACTS
    
 
    In the event of the death of the Annuitant prior to the Annuity Commencement
Date, the Company will pay a death benefit to the Beneficiary. If there is no
designated Beneficiary living on the date of death of the Annuitant, the Company
will, upon receipt of Due Proof of Death of both the Annuitant and the
designated Beneficiary, pay the death benefit in one sum to the Owner or, if the
Annuitant was the Owner, to the estate of the deceased Owner/Annuitant. If the
death of the Annuitant occurs on or after the Annuity Commencement Date, no
death benefit will be payable under the Contract except as may be provided under
the Annuity Option elected.
 
ELECTION AND EFFECTIVE DATE OF ELECTION
    During the lifetime of the Annuitant and prior to the Annuity Commencement
Date, the Owner may elect to have the death benefit applied under one or more
Annuity Options to effect a Variable Annuity or a Fixed Annuity or a combination
of both for the Beneficiary as Payee after the death of the Annuitant. If no
election of a method of settlement of the death benefit by the Owner is in
effect on the date of death of the Annuitant, the Beneficiary may elect (a) to
receive the death benefit in the form of a single cash payment; or (b) to have
the death benefit applied under one or more of the Annuity Options (on the
Annuity Commencement Date
 
                                       22
<PAGE>
described under "Payment of Death Benefit") to effect a Variable Annuity or a
Fixed Annuity or a combination of both for the Beneficiary as Payee. Either
election described above may be made by filing with the Company a written
election in such form as `the Company may require. Any election of a method of
settlement of the death benefit by the Owner will become effective on the date
it is received by the Company. For the purposes of the Payment of Death Benefit
and Amount of Death Benefit sections below, any election of the method of
settlement of the death benefit by the Owner which is in effect on the date of
death of the Annuitant will be deemed effective on the date due proof of death
of the Annuitant is received by the Company. Any election of a method of
settlement of the death benefit by the Beneficiary will become effective on the
later of: (a) the date the election is received by the Company; or (b) the date
due proof of the death of the Annuitant is received by the Company. If an
election by the Beneficiary is not received by the Company within 60 days
following the date due proof of the death of the Annuitant is received by the
Company, the Beneficiary will be deemed to have elected a cash payment as of the
last day of the 60 day period.
 
    In all cases, no Owner or Beneficiary shall be entitled to exercise any
rights that would adversely affect the treatment of the Contract as an annuity
contract under the Internal Revenue Code. (See "Other Contractual
Provisions--Death of Owner").
 
PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFIT
   
    If the death benefit is to be paid in cash to the Beneficiary, payment will
be made within seven days of the date the election becomes effective or is
deemed to become effective, except as the Company may be permitted to defer any
such payment of amounts derived from the Variable Account in accordance with the
Investment Company Act of 1940. If the death benefit is to be paid in one lump
sum to the Owner or, if the Annuitant was the Owner, to the estate of the
deceased Owner/Annuitant, payment will be made within seven days of the date due
proof of the death of the Annuitant, the Owner and/or the designated
Beneficiary, as applicable, is received by the Company. If settlement under one
or more of the Annuity Options is elected the Annuity Commencement Date will be
the first day of the second calendar month following the effective date or the
deemed effective date of the election, and the Contract's Accumulation Account
will be maintained in effect until the Annuity Commencement Date.
    
 
AMOUNT OF DEATH BENEFIT
    The death benefit is determined as of the effective date or deemed effective
date of the death benefit election and is equal to the greatest of (1) the
Contract's Account Value for the Valuation Period during which the death benefit
election is effective or is deemed to become effective; (2) the Purchase
Payment, minus the sum of all partial withdrawals; (3) the Contract's Account
Value on the Seven Year Anniversary immediately preceding the date the death
benefit election is effective or is deemed to become effective, adjusted for any
subsequent partial withdrawals and charges; and (4) the amount that would have
been payable in the event of a full surrender of the Contract on the date the
death benefit election is effective or is deemed to become effective; or, if the
Annuitant is less than age 80 on the date of death, (5) the Contract's Account
Value on the Contract Anniversary immediately preceding the date the death
benefit election is effective or is deemed to become effective, adjusted for any
subsequent partial withdrawals and charges.
 
    If (2), (3), (4) or (5) is operative, the Contract's Account Value will be
increased by the excess of (2), (3), (4) or (5), as applicable, over (1) and the
increase will be allocated to the Sub-Accounts based on the respective values of
the Sub-Accounts on the date the amount of the death benefit is determined. If
no portion of the Account Value is allocated to the Sub-Accounts, the entire
increase will be allocated to the Sub-Account invested in the Money Market
Series of the Series Fund.
 
                     HOW THE CONTRACT CHARGES ARE ASSESSED
 
    As more fully described below, charges under the Contract offered by this
Prospectus are assessed in three ways: (1) as deductions for administrative
expenses and, if applicable, for premium taxes (currently, no premium taxes are
applicable in the State of New York); (2) as charges against the assets of the
Variable Account for the assumption of mortality and expense risks and
administrative expense charges; and (3) as withdrawal charges (contingent
deferred sales charges). In addition, certain deductions are made from the
assets of the Series Fund for investment management fees and expenses. These
fees and expenses are described in the Series Fund's prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>
ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES
    Each year on the Contract Anniversary, the Company deducts from the
Contract's Accumulation Account an annual account administration fee ("Account
Fee") of $30 as partial compensation for administrative expenses relating to the
issue and maintenance of the Contract. If the Contract is surrendered for its
full value on other than the Contract Anniversary, the Account Fee will be
deducted in full at the time of such surrender. The Account Fee will be deducted
on a pro rata basis from amounts allocated to each Guarantee Period and each
Sub-Account in which the Accumulation Account is invested at the time of such
deduction. The Account Fee will be waived by the Company when the entire Account
Value has been allocated to the Fixed Account during the entire previous
Contract Year or the Contract's Account Value is greater than $75,000 at the
time of such deduction. On the Annuity Commencement Date, the value of the
Accumulation Account will be reduced by a proportionate amount of the Account
Fee to reflect the time elapsed between the last Contract Anniversary and the
day before the Annuity Commencement Date. After the Annuity Commencement Date
the Account Fee will be deducted in equal amounts from each variable annuity
payment made during the year. No deduction will be made from fixed annuity
payments.
 
   
    The Company makes a deduction from the Variable Account at the end of each
Valuation Period (during both the Accumulation Period and after annuity payments
begin) at an effective annual rate of 0.15% to reimburse the Company for those
administrative expenses attributable to the Contracts and the Variable Account
which exceed the revenues received from the Account Fee. For a description of
administrative services provided see "Administration of the Contracts" on Page
34 of this Prospectus.
    
 
PREMIUM TAXES
    A deduction, when applicable, is made for premium or similar state or local
taxes. Currently, no premium taxes are applicable in the State of New York;
however, if an Owner or Payee is other than a New York State resident, a premium
tax ranging from 0% to 3.5% may be assessed, depending on the state of
residence. It is currently the policy of the Company to deduct any tax from the
amount applied to provide an annuity at the time annuity payments commence;
however, the Company reserves the right to deduct such taxes on or after the
date they are incurred.
 
MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE
    The mortality risk assumed by the Company arises from the contractual
obligation to continue to make annuity payments to each Annuitant regardless of
how long the Annuitant lives and regardless of how long all annuitants as a
group live. This assures each annuitant that neither the longevity of fellow
annuitants nor an improvement in the life expectancy generally will have an
adverse effect on the amount of any annuity payment received under the Contract.
The Company assumes this mortality risk by virtue of annuity rates incorporated
into the Contract which cannot be changed. The expense risk assumed by the
Company is the risk that the administrative charges assessed under the Contract
may be insufficient to cover the actual total administrative expenses incurred
by the Company.
 
   
    For assuming these risks, the Company makes a deduction from the Variable
Account at the end of each Valuation Period during both the Accumulation Period
and after annuity payments begin at an effective annual rate of 1.25%. If the
deduction is insufficient to cover the actual cost of the mortality and expense
risk undertaking, the Company will bear the loss. Conversely, if the deduction
proves more than sufficient, the excess will be profit to the Company and would
be available for any proper corporate purpose including, among other things,
payment of distribution expenses. The Company will recoup its expected costs
associated with registering and distributing the Contracts by the assessment of
the withdrawal charges (contingent deferred sales charges) and the distribution
expense charge described below. However, the withdrawal charges and distribution
expense charges may prove to be insufficient to cover actual distribution
expenses. If this is the case, the deficiency will be met from the Company's
general corporate funds which may include amounts derived from the mortality and
expense risk charges.
    
 
WITHDRAWAL CHARGES
 
   
    No deduction for sales charges is made from the Purchase Payment. However, a
withdrawal charge (contingent deferred sales charge) of up to 6% of certain
amounts withdrawn, when applicable, will be used to cover certain expenses
relating to the sale of the Contracts, including commissions paid to sales
personnel, the costs of preparation of sales literature and other promotional
costs and acquisition expenses (See "Cash Withdrawals" and "Withdrawal
Charges").
    
 
                                       24
<PAGE>
                               ANNUITY PROVISIONS
 
ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE
 
    Annuity payments will begin on the Annuity Commencement Date which is
selected by the Owner, at the time the Contract is applied for. The Annuity
Commencement Date may not be sooner than the first day of the second calendar
month following the Issue Date. The Annuity Commencement Date may be changed by
the Owner from time to time by written notice to the Company, provided that
notice of each change is received by the Company at least 30 days prior to the
then current Annuity Commencement Date and the new Annuity Commencement Date is
a date which is: (1) at least 30 days after the date notice of the change is
received by the Company; (2) the first day of a month; and (3) not later than
the first day of the first month following the Annuitant's 85th birthday, unless
otherwise restricted, in the case of a Qualified Contract, by the particular
retirement plan or by applicable law. In most situations, current law requires
that the Annuity Commencement Date under a Qualified Contract be no later than
April 1 following the year the Annuitant reaches age 70 1/2, and the terms of
the particular retirement plan may impose additional limitations. The Annuity
Commencement Date may also be changed by an election of an Annuity Option as
described in the Death Benefit section of this Prospectus.
 
    On the Annuity Commencement Date the Contract's Accumulation Account will be
cancelled and its adjusted value will be applied to provide an annuity under one
or more of the options described below. No withdrawal charge will be imposed
upon amounts applied to purchase an annuity. However, the Market Value
Adjustment may apply, as noted under "Determination of Amount." NO PAYMENTS MAY
BE REQUESTED UNDER THE CONTRACT'S CASH WITHDRAWAL PROVISIONS ON OR AFTER THE
ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE, AND NO CASH WITHDRAWAL WILL BE PERMITTED EXCEPT AS
MAY BE AVAILABLE UNDER THE ANNUITY OPTION ELECTED.
 
    Since the Contracts offered by this Prospectus may be issued in connection
with retirement plans which meet the requirements of Section 401, 403 or 408 of
the Internal Revenue Code, as well as certain non-qualified plans, reference
should be made to the terms of the particular plan for any limitations or
restrictions on the Annuity Commencement Date.
 
ELECTION--CHANGE OF ANNUITY OPTION
 
    During the lifetime of the Annuitant and prior to the Annuity Commencement
Date, the Owner may elect one or more of the Annuity Options described below, or
such other settlement option as may be agreed to by the Company, for the
Annuitant as Payee. The Owner may also change any election, but written notice
of any election or change of election must be received by the Company at least
30 days prior to the Annuity Commencement Date. If no election is in effect on
the 30th day prior to the Annuity Commencement Date, Annuity Option B, for a
Life Annuity with 120 monthly payments certain, will be deemed to have been
elected. If more than one person is named as "Annuitant" due to the designation
of a co-annuitant, the adjusted value of the Accumulation Account will be
applied under Annuity Option C, with the survivor benefit to be calculated in
accordance with such option using fifty percent (50%).
 
    Any election may specify the proportion of the adjusted value of the
Contract's Accumulation Account to be applied to provide a Fixed Annuity and a
Variable Annuity. In the event the election does not so specify, or if no
election is in effect on the 30th day prior to the Annuity Commencement Date,
then the portion of the adjusted value of the Contract's Accumulation Account to
be applied to provide a Fixed Annuity and a Variable Annuity will be determined
on a pro rata basis from the composition of the Accumulation Account on the
Annuity Commencement Date.
 
   
    Annuity Options may also be elected by the Owner or the Beneficiary as
provided in the "Death Benefit" section of this Prospectus.
    
 
    Reference should be made to the terms of a particular retirement plan and
any applicable legislation for any limitations or restrictions on the options
which may be elected.
 
    NO CHANGE OF ANNUITY OPTION IS PERMITTED AFTER THE ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT
DATE.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>
ANNUITY OPTIONS
 
   
    No lump sum settlement option is available under the Contracts. An Owner may
surrender a Contract prior to the Annuity Commencement Date; however, any
applicable surrender charge will be deducted from the cash withdrawal payment
and a Market Value Adjustment, if applicable, will be applied.
    
 
    Annuity Options A, B, C and D are available to provide either a Fixed
Annuity or a Variable Annuity. Annuity Option E is available only to provide a
Fixed Annuity.
 
    Annuity Option A.  Life Annuity:  Monthly payments during the lifetime of
the Payee. This option offers a higher level of monthly payments than Annuity
Options B or C because no further payments are payable after the death of the
Payee and there is no provision for a death benefit payable to a Beneficiary.
 
    Annuity Option B.  Life Annuity with 60, 120, 180 or 240 Monthly Payments
Certain:  Monthly payments during the lifetime of the Payee and in any event for
60, 120, 180 or 240 months certain as elected. The election of a longer period
certain results in smaller monthly payments than would be the case if a shorter
period certain were elected. In the event of the death of the Payee under this
option, the Contract provides that if there is no designated beneficiary
entitled to the remaining payments then living, the discounted value of the
remaining payments, if any, will be calculated and paid in one sum to the
deceased Payee's estate. In addition, any beneficiary who becomes entitled to
any remaining payments under this option may elect to receive the amounts due
under this option in one sum. The discounted value for variable annuity payments
will be based on interest compounded annually at the assumed interest rate of
4%. The discounted value for payments being made on a fixed basis will be based
on the interest rate initially used by the Company to determine the amount of
each payment.
 
    Annuity Option C.  Joint and Survivor Annuity:  Monthly payments payable
during the joint lifetime of the Payee and the designated second person and
during the lifetime of the survivor. During the lifetime of the survivor,
variable monthly payments, if any, will be determined using the percentage
chosen at the time of election of this option of the number of each type of
Annuity Unit credited to the Contract with respect to the Payee and fixed
monthly payments, if any, will be equal to the same percentage of the fixed
monthly payment payable during the joint lifetime of the Payee and the
designated second person.
 
    *Annuity Option D.  Monthly Payments for a Specified Period
Certain:  Monthly payments for a specified period of time (at least five years
but not exceeding 30 years), as elected. In the event of the death of the Payee
under this option, the Contract provides that, as described under Annuity Option
B above, in certain circumstances the discounted value of the remaining
payments, if any, will be calculated and paid in one sum.
 
    *Annuity Option E.  Fixed Payments:  The amount applied to provide fixed
payments in accordance with this option will be held by the Company at interest.
Fixed payments will be made in such amounts and at such times as may be agreed
upon with the Company and will continue until the amount held by the Company
with interest is exhausted. The final payment will be for the balance remaining
and may be less than the amount of each preceding payment. Interest will be
credited yearly on the amount remaining unpaid at a rate which shall be
determined by the Company from time to time but which shall not be less than 4%
per year, compounded annually. The rate so determined may be changed at any time
and as often as may be determined by the Company, provided, however, that the
rate may not be reduced more frequently than once during each calendar year.
 
DETERMINATION OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS
 
    On the Annuity Commencement Date the Contract's Accumulation Account will be
cancelled and its adjusted value will be applied to provide a Variable Annuity
or a Fixed Annuity or a combination of both. The adjusted value will be equal to
the Account Value for the Valuation Period which ends immediately preceding the
Annuity Commencement Date, reduced by a proportionate amount of the Account Fee
to reflect the time elapsed between the last Contract Anniversary and the day
before the Annuity Commencement Date, plus or minus any applicable Market Value
Adjustment and minus any applicable premium or similar taxes.
 
- ------------------------
   
*The election of this Annuity Option may result in the imposition of a penalty
tax.
    
 
                                       26
<PAGE>
    If the amount to be applied under any annuity option is less than $2,000, or
if the first annuity payment payable in accordance with such option is less than
$20, the Company will pay the amount to be applied in a single payment to the
Payee.
 
FIXED ANNUITY PAYMENTS
 
    The dollar amount of each fixed annuity payment will be determined in
accordance with the Annuity Payment Rates found in the Contract which are based
on a minimum guaranteed interest rate of 4% per year, or, if more favorable to
the Payee, in accordance with the Annuity Payment Rates published by the Company
and in use on the Annuity Commencement Date.
 
VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENTS
 
    The dollar amount of the first variable annuity payment will be determined
in accordance with the Annuity Payment Rates found in the Contract which are
based on an assumed interest rate of 4% per year. All variable annuity payments
other than the first are determined by means of Annuity Units credited to the
Contract. The number of Annuity Units to be credited in respect of a particular
Sub-Account is determined by dividing that portion of the first variable annuity
payment attributable to that Sub-Account by the Annuity Unit value of that
Sub-Account at the end of the Valuation Period which ends immediately preceding
the Annuity Commencement Date. The number of Annuity Units of each particular
Sub-Account credited to the Contract then remains fixed unless an exchange of
Annuity Units is made as described below. The dollar amount of each variable
annuity payment after the first may increase, decrease or remain constant, and
is equal to the sum of the amounts determined by multiplying the number of
Annuity Units of a particular Sub-Account credited to the Contract by the
Annuity Unit value for the particular Sub-Account for the Valuation Period which
ends immediately preceding the due date of each subsequent payment. If the net
investment return on the assets of the Variable Account is the same as the
assumed interest rate of 4% per year, variable annuity payments will remain
level. If the net investment return exceeds the assumed interest rate variable
annuity payments will increase and, conversely, if it is less than the assumed
interest rate the payments will decrease.
 
    For a hypothetical example of the calculation of a Variable Annuity Payment,
see Appendix A.
 
VARIABLE ANNUITY UNIT VALUE
 
    The Annuity Unit value for each Sub-Account was established at $10.00 for
the first Valuation Period of the particular Sub-Account. The Annuity Unit Value
for the particular Sub-Account for any subsequent Valuation Period is determined
by multiplying the Annuity Unit value for the particular Sub-Account for the
immediately preceding Valuation Period by the Net Investment Factor (See
"Variable Accumulation Value, Net Investment Factor") for the particular
Sub-Account for the current Valuation Period and then multiplying that product
by a factor to neutralize the assumed interest rate of 4% per year used to
establish the Annuity Payment Rates found in the Contract. The factor is
0.99989255 for a one day Valuation Period.
 
    For a hypothetical example of the calculation of the value of a Variable
Annuity Unit, see Appendix A.
 
EXCHANGE OF VARIABLE ANNUITY UNITS
 
    After the Annuity Commencement Date the Payee may, by filing a written
request with the Company, exchange the value of a designated number of Annuity
Units of particular Sub-Accounts then credited with respect to the particular
Payee into other Annuity Units, the value of which would be such that the dollar
amount of an annuity payment made on the date of the exchange would be
unaffected by the fact of the exchange. No more than twelve (12) exchanges may
be made within each Contract Year.
 
    Exchanges may be made only between Sub-Accounts. Exchanges will be made
using the Annuity Unit values for the Valuation Period during which any request
for exchange is received by the Company.
 
ANNUITY PAYMENT RATES
 
   
    The Contracts contain Annuity Payment Rates for each Annuity Option
described in this Prospectus. The rates show, for each $1,000 applied, the
dollar amount of: (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.
    
 
                                       27
<PAGE>
    The annuity payment rates may vary according to the Annuity Option elected
and the adjusted age of the Payee. The Contract also describes the method of
determining the adjusted age of the Payee. The mortality table used in
determining the annuity payment rates for Options A, B and C is the 1983
Individual Annuitant Mortality Table.
 
   
                           OTHER CONTRACT PROVISIONS
    
 
PAYMENT LIMITS
 
    Only one Purchase Payment may be made per Contract. The amount of the single
Purchase Payment must be at least $5,000. In addition, the prior approval of the
Company is required before it will accept a Purchase Payment in excess of
$1,000,000.
 
DESIGNATION AND CHANGE OF BENEFICIARY
 
    The beneficiary designation contained in the application will remain in
effect until changed. The interest of any Beneficiary is subject to the
particular Beneficiary surviving the Annuitant and, in the case of a Non-
Qualified Contract, the Owner as well.
 
    Subject to the rights of an irrevocably designated Beneficiary, the Owner
may change or revoke the designation of a Beneficiary at any time while the
Annuitant is living by filing with the Company a written beneficiary designation
or revocation in such form as the Company may require. The change or revocation
will not be binding upon the Company until it is received by the Company. When
it is so received the change or revocation will be effective as of the date on
which the beneficiary designation or revocation was signed, but the change or
revocation will be without prejudice to the Company on account of any payment
made or any action taken by the Company prior to receiving the change or
revocation.
 
    Reference should be made to the terms of a particular retirement plan and
any applicable legislation for any restrictions on the beneficiary designation.
 
EXERCISE OF CONTRACT RIGHTS
 
    The Owner is entitled to exercise all Contract rights and privileges without
the consent of the Beneficiary (other than an irrevocably designated
Beneficiary) or any other person. Such rights and privileges may be exercised
only during the lifetime of the Annuitant and prior to the Annuity Commencement
Date, except as otherwise provided in the Contract.
 
    The Annuitant becomes the Payee on and after the Annuity Commencement Date.
The Beneficiary becomes the Payee on the death of the Annuitant. Such Payees may
thereafter exercise such rights and privileges, if any, of ownership which
continue.
 
CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP
 
    Ownership of a Qualified Contract may not be transferred except to: (1) the
Annuitant; (2) a trustee or successor trustee of a pension or profit sharing
trust which is qualified under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code; (3) the
employer of the Annuitant provided that the Qualified Contract after transfer is
maintained under the terms of a retirement plan qualified under Section 403(a)
of the Internal Revenue Code for the benefit of the Annuitant; (4) the trustee
of an individual retirement account plan qualified under Section 408 of the
Internal Revenue Code for the benefit of the Owner; or (5) as otherwise
permitted from time to time by laws and regulations governing the retirement or
deferred compensation plans for which a Qualified Contract may be issued.
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.
 
    The Owner of a Non-Qualified Contract may change the ownership of the
Contract during the lifetime of the Annuitant and prior to the Annuity
Commencement Date, subject to the provisions of the Contract, although such
change may result in the imposition of tax (See "Federal Tax Status -- Taxation
of Annuities in General"). A change of ownership will not be binding upon the
Company until written notification is received by the Company. When such
notification is so received, the change will be effective as of the date on
which the request for change was signed by the Owner, but the change will be
without prejudice to the Company on account of any payment made or any action
taken by the Company prior to receiving the change.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>
DEATH OF OWNER
 
    If the Owner of a Non-Qualified Contract dies prior to the Annuitant and
before the Annuity Commencement Date, an amount equal to the death benefit
(determined in accordance with the Amount of Death Benefit provision, except
that the deemed effective date of the death benefit election will be the date
the Company receives Due Proof of Death of the Owner) must be distributed to the
Beneficiary, if then alive, either (1) within five years after the date of death
of the Owner, or (2) over some period not greater than the life or expected life
of the Beneficiary, with annuity payments beginning within one year after the
date of death of the Owner. The person named as the Beneficiary shall be
considered the designated beneficiary for the purposes of Section 72(s) of the
Internal Revenue Code and if no person then living has been so named, then the
Annuitant shall automatically be the designated beneficiary for this purpose.
 
    These mandatory distribution requirements will not apply when the designated
beneficiary is the spouse of the deceased Owner, if the spouse elects to
continue the Contract in the spouse's own name, as Owner. When the deceased
Owner was also the Annuitant, the surviving spouse (if the designated
beneficiary) may elect to be named as both Owner and Annuitant and continue the
Contract, but if that election is not made, the Death Benefit provision of the
Contract shall be controlling. In all other cases where the Owner and the
Annuitant are the same individual, the Death Benefit provision of the Contract
controls.
 
    If the Payee dies on or after the Annuity Commencement Date and before the
entire accumulation under the Contract has been distributed, the remaining
portion of such accumulation, if any, must be distributed at least as rapidly as
the method of distribution then in effect.
 
    In all cases, no Owner or Beneficiary shall be entitled to exercise any
rights that would adversely affect the treatment of the Contract as an annuity
contract under the Internal Revenue Code.
 
    Any distributions upon the death of the Owner of a Qualified Contract will
be subject to the laws and regulations governing the particular retirement or
deferred compensation plan in connection with which the Qualified Contract was
issued.
 
VOTING OF SERIES FUND SHARES
 
   
    The Company will vote Series Fund shares held by the Sub-Accounts at
meetings of shareholders of the Series Fund or in connection with similar
solicitations, but will follow voting instructions received from persons having
the right to give voting instructions. The Owner is the person having the right
to give voting instructions prior to the Annuity Commencement Date. On or after
the Annuity Commencement Date the Payee is the person having such voting rights.
Any shares attributable to the Company and Series Fund shares for which no
timely voting instructions are received will be voted by the Company in the same
proportion as the shares for which instructions are received from persons having
such voting rights.
    
 
   
    Owners of Qualified Contracts may be subject to other voting provisions of
the particular plan and of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Employees who
contribute to plans which are funded by the Contracts may be entitled to
instruct the Owners as to how to instruct the Company to vote the Series Fund
shares attributable to their contributions. Such plans may also provide the
additional extent, if any, to which the Owners shall follow the voting
instructions of persons with rights under the plans.
    
 
    Neither the Variable Account nor the Company is under any duty to provide
information concerning the voting instruction rights of persons who may have
such rights under plans, other than rights afforded by the Investment Company
Act of 1940, nor any duty to inquire as to the instructions received or the
authority of Owners or others to instruct the voting of Series Fund shares.
Except as the Variable Account or the Company has actual knowledge to the
contrary, the instructions given by Owners and Payees will be valid as they
affect the Variable Account, the Company and any others having voting
instruction rights with respect to the Variable Account.
 
    All Series Fund proxy material, together with an appropriate form to be used
to give voting instructions, will be provided to each person having the right to
give voting instructions at least ten days prior to each meeting of the
shareholders of the Series Fund. The number of Series Fund shares as to which
each such person is entitled to give instructions will be determined by the
Company on a date not more than 90 days prior to each such meeting. Prior to the
Annuity Commencement Date, the number of Series Fund shares as
 
                                       29
<PAGE>
to which voting instructions may be given to the Company is determined by
dividing the value of all of the Variable Accumulation Units of the particular
Sub-Account credited to the Contract's Accumulation Account by the net asset
value of one Series Fund share as of the same date. On or after the Annuity
Commencement Date, the number of Series Fund shares as to which such
instructions may be given by a Payee is determined by dividing the reserve held
by the Company in the Sub-Account for the Contract by the net asset value of a
Series Fund share as of the same date. After the Annuity Commencement Date, the
number of Series Fund shares as to which a Payee is entitled to give voting
instructions will generally decrease due to the decrease in the reserve.
 
PERIODIC REPORTS
 
    During the Accumulation Period the Company will send the Owner, at least
once during each Contract Year, a statement showing the number, type and value
of Accumulation Units credited to the Contract's Accumulation Account, the Fixed
Accumulation Value of such account, and the Contract's cash withdrawal value,
which statement shall be accurate as of a date not more than two months previous
to the date of mailing. In addition, the Owner will receive such reports or
prospectuses concerning the Variable Account and the Series Fund as may be
required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Securities Act of 1933.
The Company will also send such statements reflecting transactions in the
Contract's Accumulation Account as may be required by applicable laws, rules and
regulations.
 
    Upon request, the Company will provide the Owner with information regarding
fixed and variable accumulation values.
 
SUBSTITUTED SECURITIES
 
   
    Shares of any or all series of the Series Fund may not always be available
for purchase by the Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account or the Company may
decide that further investment in any such shares is no longer appropriate in
view of the purposes of the Variable Account or in view of legal, regulatory or
federal income tax restrictions. In either event, shares of another series or
shares of another registered open-end investment company or unit investment
trust may be substituted for Series Fund shares already purchased by the
Variable Account and/or as the security to be purchased in the future provided
that these substitutions have been approved by the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the Superintendent of Insurance of the State of New York, if
required by law. In the event of any substitution pursuant to this provision,
the Company may make appropriate endorsement to the Contract to reflect the
substitution.
    
 
CHANGE IN OPERATION OF VARIABLE ACCOUNT
 
    At the Company's election and subject to the prior approval of the
Superintendent of Insurance of the State of New York and to any necessary vote
by persons having the right to give instructions with respect to the voting of
Series Fund shares held by the Sub-Accounts, the Variable Account may be
operated as a management company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or it
may be deregistered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 in the event
registration is no longer required. Deregistration of the Variable Account
requires an order by the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the event of any
change in the operation of the Variable Account pursuant to this provision, the
Company, subject to the prior approval of the Superintendent of Insurance of the
State of New York, may make appropriate endorsement to the Contract to reflect
the change and take such other action as may be necessary and appropriate to
effect the change.
 
SPLITTING UNITS
 
   
    The Company reserves the right to split or combine the value of Variable
Accumulation Units, Annuity Units or any of them. In effecting any such change
of unit values, strict equity will be preserved and no change will have a
material effect on the benefits or other provisions of the Contracts.
    
 
MODIFICATION
 
   
    Upon notice to the Owner (or to the Payee during the annuity period), a
Contract may be modified by the Company if such modification: (i) is necessary
to make the Contract or the Variable Account comply with any law or regulation
issued by a governmental agency to which the Company or the Variable Account is
subject; or (ii) is necessary to assure continued qualification of the Contract
under the Internal Revenue Code or other federal or state laws relating to
retirement annuities or annuity contracts; or (iii) is necessary to
    
 
                                       30
<PAGE>
reflect a change in the operation of the Variable Account or the Sub-Account(s)
(See "Change in Operation of Variable Account"); or (iv) provides additional
Variable Account and/or fixed accumulation options. In the event of any such
modification, the Company may make appropriate endorsement in the Contract to
reflect such modification.
 
CUSTODIAN
 
   
    The Company is the custodian of the assets of the Variable Account. The
Company will purchase Series Fund shares at net asset value in connection with
amounts allocated to the Sub-Accounts in accordance with the instructions of the
Owner and redeem Series Fund shares at net asset value for the purpose of
meeting the contractual obligations of the Variable Account, paying charges
relative to the Variable Account or making adjustments for annuity reserves held
in the Variable Account.
    
 
RIGHT TO RETURN
 
    If the Owner is not satisfied with the Contract it may be returned by
mailing it to the Company within ten days after it was delivered to the Owner.
When the Company receives the returned Contract it will be cancelled and the
Contract's Account Value at the end of the Valuation Period during which the
Contract was received by the Company will be refunded to the Owner.
 
   
    With respect to Individual Retirement Accounts, under the Internal Revenue
Code an Owner establishing an Individual Retirement Account ("IRA") must be
furnished with a disclosure statement containing certain information about the
Contract and applicable legal requirements. This statement must be furnished on
or before the date the IRA is established. If the Owner is furnished with such
disclosure statement before the seventh day preceding the date the IRA is
established, the Owner will not have any right of revocation. If the disclosure
statement is furnished after the seventh day preceding the establishment of the
IRA, then the Owner may give a notice of revocation to the Company at any time
within seven days after the Issue Date. Upon such revocation, the Company will
refund the Purchase Payment made by the Owner. The foregoing right of revocation
with respect to an IRA is in addition to the return privilege set forth in the
preceding paragraph. The Company will allow an Owner establishing an IRA a "ten
day free-look," notwithstanding the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code .
    
 
                               FEDERAL TAX STATUS
 
INTRODUCTION
 
   
    The Contracts described in this Prospectus are designed for use in
connection with retirement plans that may or may not be qualified plans under
Sections 401, 403 or 408 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). The ultimate
effect of federal income taxes may depend upon the type of retirement plan for
which the Contract is purchased and a number of different factors. This
discussion is general in nature, is based upon the Company's understanding of
current federal income tax laws, and is not intended as tax advice. Congress has
the power to enact legislation affecting the tax treatment of annuity contracts,
and such legislation could be applied retroactively to Contracts purchased
before the date of enactment. Any person contemplating the purchase of a
Contract should consult a qualified tax adviser. THE COMPANY DOES NOT MAKE ANY
GUARANTEE REGARDING THE FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL TAX STATUS OF ANY CONTRACT OR
ANY TRANSACTION INVOLVING A CONTRACT.
    
 
TAX TREATMENT OF THE COMPANY AND THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT
 
   
    The Company is taxed as a life insurance company under the Code. The
operations of the Variable Account are accounted for separately from other
operations of the Company for purposes of federal income taxation, but the
Variable Account is not taxable as a regulated investment company or otherwise
as an entity separate from the Company. The income (consisting primarily of
interest, dividends and net capital gains) of the Variable Account is not
taxable to the Company to the extent that such income is applied to increase
reserves under contracts participating in the Variable Account, including the
Contracts.
    
 
TAXATION OF ANNUITIES IN GENERAL
 
    Purchase Payments made under Non-Qualified Contracts are not deductible from
the Owner's income for federal income tax purposes. Owners of Qualified
Contracts should consult a tax adviser regarding the tax treatment of Purchase
Payments.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>
   
    Generally, no taxes are imposed on the increase in the value of a Contract
held by an individual Owner until a distribution occurs, either as an annuity
payment or as a cash withdrawal or lump-sum payment prior to the Annuity
Commencement Date. However, corporate Owners and other Owners that are not
natural persons are subject to current taxation on the annual increase in the
value of a Non-Qualified Contract, unless the non-natural person holds the
Contract as agent for a natural person (e.g., a bank or other entity holds a
Contract as trustee under a trust agreement). The current taxation of annuities
held by non-natural persons does not apply to earnings accumulated under an
immediate annuity, which the Code defines as a single premium contract with an
annuity commencement date within one year of the date of purchase. Also, the
Internal Revenue Service could assert that Owners of both Qualified and
Non-Qualified Contracts annually receive and are subject to a tax on a deemed
distribution equal to the cost of any life insurance benefit provided by the
Contract.
    
 
   
    A partial cash withdrawal (i.e., a withdrawal of less than the entire value
of the Contract's Accumulation Account) from a Non-Qualified Contract before the
Annuity Commencement Date is treated first as a withdrawal from the increase in
the Accumulation Account's value, rather than as a return of the Purchase
Payment. The amount of the withdrawal allocable to this increase will be
includible in the Owner's income and subject to tax at ordinary income rates. If
a Contract is assigned or pledged as collateral for a loan, the amount assigned
or pledged must be treated as if it were withdrawn from the Contract.
    
 
    In the case of annuity payments under a Non-Qualified Contract after the
Annuity Commencement Date, a portion of each payment is treated as a nontaxable
return of the Purchase Payment. The nontaxable portion is determined by applying
to each annuity payment an "exclusion ratio," which, in general, is the ratio
that the total amount the Owner paid for the Contract bears to the Payee's
expected return under the Contract. The remainder of the payment is taxable at
ordinary income rates.
 
   
    The total amount that a Payee may exclude from income through application of
the "exclusion ratio" is limited to the amount the Owner paid for the Contract.
If the Annuitant survives for his or her full life expectancy, so that the Payee
recovers the entire amount paid for the Contract, any subsequent annuity payment
will be fully taxable as income. Conversely, if the Annuitant dies before the
Payee recovers the entire amount paid, the Payee will be allowed a deduction for
the amount of the unrecovered Purchase Payment.
    
 
    Taxable cash withdrawals and lump-sum payments from Non-Qualified Contracts
may be subject to a penalty tax equal to 10% of the amount treated as taxable
income. This 10% penalty also may apply to certain annuity payments. This
penalty will not apply in certain circumstances (such as where the distribution
is made upon the death of the Owner). The withdrawal penalty also does not apply
to distributions under an immediate annuity (as defined above).
 
    In the case of a Qualified Contract, distributions generally are taxable and
distributions made prior to age 59 1/2 are subject to a 10% penalty tax,
although this penalty tax will not apply in certain circumstances. Certain
distributions, known as "eligible rollover distributions," if rolled over to
certain other qualified retirement plans (either directly or after being
distributed to the Payee), are not taxable until distributed from the plan to
which they are rolled over. In general, an eligible rollover distribution is any
taxable distribution other than a distribution that is part of a series of
payments made for life or for a specified period of ten years or more. Owners,
Annuitants, Payees and Beneficiaries should seek qualified advice about the tax
consequences of distributions, withdrawals, payments and rollovers under the
retirement plans in connection with which the Contracts are purchased.
 
    If the Owner of a Non-Qualified Contract dies, the value of the Contract
generally must be distributed within a specified period (see "Other Contractual
Provisions -- Death of Owner"). For Contracts owned by non-natural persons, a
change in the Annuitant is treated as the death of the Owner.
 
    A purchaser of a Qualified Contract should refer to the terms of the
applicable retirement plan and consult a tax adviser regarding distribution
requirements upon the death of the Owner.
 
    A transfer of a Non-Qualified Contract by gift (other than to the Owner's
spouse) is treated as the receipt by the Owner of income in an amount equal to
the value of the Contract's Accumulation Account minus the total amount paid for
the Contract.
 
    The Company will withhold and remit to the U.S. government a part of the
taxable portion of each distribution made under a Non-Qualified Contract or
under a Qualified Contract issued in connection with an
 
                                       32
<PAGE>
individual retirement account unless the Owner or Payee provides his or her
taxpayer identification number to the Company and notifies the Company (in the
manner prescribed) before the time of the distribution that he or she chooses
not to have any amounts withheld.
 
   
    In the case of distributions from a Qualified Contract (other than
distributions from a Contract issued for use with an IRA), the Company or the
plan administrator must withhold and remit to the U.S. government 20% of each
distribution that is an eligible rollover distribution (as defined above) unless
the Owner or Payee elects to make a direct rollover of the distribution to
another qualified retirement plan that is eligible to receive the rollover. If a
distribution from a Qualified Contract is not an eligible rollover distribution,
then the Owner or Payee can choose not to have amounts withheld as described
above for Non-Qualified Contracts and individual retirement accounts.
    
 
    Amounts withheld from any distribution may be credited against the Owner's
or Payee's federal income tax liability for the year of the distribution.
 
    The Internal Revenue Service has issued regulations that prescribe
investment diversification requirements for mutual fund series underlying
nonqualified variable contracts. Contracts that do not comply with these
regulations do not qualify as annuities for income tax purposes, and therefore
the annual increase in the value of such contracts is subject to current
taxation. The Company believes that each series of the Series Fund complies with
the regulations.
 
    The preamble to the regulations states that the Service may promulgate
guidelines under which a variable contract will not be treated as an annuity for
tax purposes if the owner has excessive control over the investments underlying
the contract. It is not known whether such guidelines, if in fact promulgated,
would have retroactive effect. If guidelines are promulgated, the Company will
take any action (including modification of the Contract and/or the Variable
Account) necessary to comply with the guidelines.
 
    THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ONLY WHEN AN IMMEDIATE
ANNUITY CONTRACT AND A DEFERRED ANNUITY CONTRACT ARE PURCHASED TOGETHER: The
Company understands that the Treasury Department is in the process of
reconsidering the tax treatment of annuity payments under an immediate annuity
contract (as defined above) purchased together with a deferred annuity contract.
The Company believes that any adverse change in the existing tax treatment of
such immediate annuity contracts is likely to be prospective, that is, it would
not apply to contracts issued before such a change is announced. However, there
can be no assurance that any such change, if adopted, would not be applied
retroactively.
 
QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLANS
 
    The Qualified Contracts described in this Prospectus are designed for use
with several types of qualified retirement plans. The tax rules applicable to
participants in such qualified retirement plans vary according to the type of
plan and its terms and conditions. Therefore, no attempt is made herein to
provide more than general information about the use of the Qualified Contracts
with the various types of qualified retirement plans. Owners, Annuitants, Payees
and Beneficiaries are cautioned that the rights of any person to any benefits
under these plans may be subject to the terms and conditions of the plans
themselves, regardless of the terms and conditions of the Qualified Contracts
issued in connection therewith. In addition, Owners, Payees, Beneficiaries and
administrators of qualified retirement plans should consider and consult their
tax adviser concerning whether the Death Benefit payable under the Contract
affects the qualified status of their retirement plan. Following are brief
descriptions of various types of qualified retirement plans and the use of the
Qualified Contracts in connection therewith.
 
PENSION AND PROFIT-SHARING PLANS
 
    Sections 401(a), 401(k) and 403(a) of the Code permit business employers and
certain associations to establish various types of retirement plans for
employees. The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 eliminated most
differences between qualified retirement plans of corporations and those of
self-employed individuals. The Contract may be purchased by those who would have
been covered under the rules governing old H.R. 10 (Keogh) Plans as well as by
corporate plans. Such retirement plans may permit the purchase of the Qualified
Contracts to provide benefits under the plans. Employers intending to use the
Qualified Contracts in connection with such plans should seek qualified advice
in connection therewith.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>
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 purchase annuity contracts and, subject to
certain limitations, 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 Qualified Contracts for such
purposes should seek qualified advice as to eligibility, limitations on
permissible amounts of Purchase Payments and tax consequences of distributions.
Only one Purchase Payment per Contract will be accepted (See "Section 403(b)
Annuities").
 
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS
 
    Sections 219 and 408 of the Code permit eligible individuals to contribute
to an individual retirement program, including Simplified Employee Pension Plans
and Employer/Association of Employees Established Individual Retirement Account
Trusts, known as an Individual Retirement Account ("IRA"). These IRA's are
subject to limitations on the amount that may be contributed, the persons who
may be eligible, and on the time when distributions may commence. In addition,
certain distributions from some other types of retirement plans may be placed on
a tax-deferred basis in an IRA. Sale of the Contracts for use with IRA's may be
subject to special requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Service.
Purchasers of the Contracts for such purposes will be provided with such
supplementary information as may be required by the Internal Revenue Service or
other appropriate agency, and will have the right to revoke the Contract under
certain circumstances as described in the section of this Prospectus entitled
"Right to Return Contract."
 
                        ADMINISTRATION OF THE CONTRACTS
 
   
    The Company performs certain administrative functions relating to the
Contracts and the Variable Account. These functions include, but are not limited
to, maintaining the books and records of the Variable Account and the
Sub-Accounts; maintaining records of the name, address, taxpayer identification
number, Contract number, type of contract issued to each owner, the status of
each Contract's Accumulation Account, and other pertinent information necessary
to the administration and operation of the Contracts; processing Applications,
Purchase Payments, transfers and full and partial surrenders; issuing Contracts;
administering annuity payments; furnishing accounting and valuation services;
reconciling and depositing cash receipts; providing confirmations; providing
toll-free customer service lines; and furnishing telephonic transfer services.
The Company has entered into service agreements with Sun Life (U.S.), and Sun
Life Assurance Company of Canada ("Sun Life (Canada)"), under which Sun Life
(U.S.) and Sun Life (Canada) may provide the Company with certain services on a
cost reimbursement basis. These services include, but are not limited to,
accounting and investment services, systems support and development, pricing,
product development, actuarial, legal and compliance functions, marketing
services and staff training.
    
 
                         DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS
 
   
    The offering of the Contracts is continuous. The Contracts will be sold by
licensed insurance agents in the state of New York. Such agents will be
registered representatives of broker-dealers registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 who are members of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. and who have entered into distribution agreements with the Company
and the General Distributor, Clarendon Insurance Agency, Inc. ("Clarendon"), One
Sun Life Executive Park, Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02181, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Sun Life (U.S.). Clarendon is registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a broker-dealer
and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Clarendon also acts as the general distributor of certain other annuity
contracts issued by the Company and Sun Life (U.S.), and variable life insurance
contracts issued by Sun Life (U.S.). Commissions and other distribution expenses
will be paid by the Company on the sale of the Contracts and will not be more
than 6.36% of the Purchase Payment. Commissions will not be paid with respect to
Contracts established for the personal account of employees of the Company or
any of its affiliates, or of persons engaged in the distribution of the
Contracts. During 1995, 1996 and 1997 approximately $495,911, $201,950 and
$1,400, respectively, was paid to and retained by Clarendon in connection with
the distribution of the Contracts.
    
 
                                       34
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE (N.Y.) VARIABLE ACCOUNT C
 
STATEMENT OF CONDITION-- December 31, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 ASSETS:
    Investments in MFS/Sun Life Series Trust:          Shares        Cost         Value
                                                     ----------  ------------  ------------
 <S>                                                 <C>         <C>           <C>
     Capital Appreciation Series ("CAS")...........     882,087  $ 30,360,699  $ 35,405,613
     Conservative Growth Series ("CGS")............   1,295,269    34,704,531    42,940,657
     Emerging Growth Series ("EGS")................     681,030    11,019,764    12,260,633
     MFS/Foreign & Colonial Emerging Markets Equity
      Series ("FCE")...............................      33,079       417,127       365,050
     International Growth Series ("FCG")...........     181,128     1,963,413     2,023,598
     International Growth and Income Series
      ("FCI")......................................       8,954        89,940        86,391
     Government Securities Series ("GSS")..........     732,911     9,293,541     9,557,606
     High Yield Series ("HYS").....................   1,116,886    10,241,653    10,845,783
     Managed Sectors Series ("MSS")................     333,490     8,679,762     9,724,354
     Money Market Series ("MMS")...................  10,369,043    10,369,043    10,369,043
     Research Equity Series ("RES")................   1,008,519    18,031,161    19,596,299
     Research Growth and Income Series ("RGS").....      58,294       615,295       642,446
     Total Return Series ("TRS")...................   1,975,084    36,164,801    42,103,386
     Utilities Series ("UTS")......................     291,819     3,978,509     4,788,286
     Value Series ("VAL")..........................      48,111       648,694       670,376
     World Asset Allocation Series ("WAA").........     172,688     2,454,303     2,510,761
     World Governments Series ("WGS")..............     385,890     4,345,024     4,139,309
     World Growth Series ("WGO")...................     626,609     8,366,738     9,200,599
     World Total Return Series ("WTR").............     146,731     2,035,489     2,157,006
                                                                 ------------  ------------
                                                                 $193,779,487  $219,387,196
                                                                 ------------
                                                                 ------------
 LIABILITY:
     Payable to sponsor............................                                  70,058
                                                                               ------------
         Net Assets................................                            $219,317,138
                                                                               ------------
                                                                               ------------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 NET ASSETS:
 <S>                                  <C>        <C>       <C>           <C>           <C>
                                           Applicable to Owners of
                                          Deferred Variable Annuity
                                                 Contracts:
                                      ---------------------------------  Reserve for
                                                   Unit                   Variable
                                        Units     Value       Value       Annuities       Total
                                      ---------  --------  ------------  -----------   ------------
 Regatta-NY Contracts:
     CAS............................  1,098,819  $20.4955  $ 22,523,228  $   148,002   $ 22,671,230
     CGS............................    806,893   21.5979    17,425,443       82,762     17,508,205
     GSS............................    617,817   12.4617     7,698,704        6,946      7,705,650
     HYS............................    340,853   14.9542     5,110,044       19,915      5,129,959
     MSS............................    314,374   19.6663     6,182,560      --           6,182,560
     MMS............................    540,785   11.5063     6,218,779        1,677      6,220,456
     TRS............................  1,439,364   17.1690    24,708,258      675,018     25,383,276
     UTS............................    103,362   19.6408     2,030,553      --           2,030,553
     WGS............................    277,498   13.9137     3,399,315        3,604      3,402,919
     WGO............................    384,999   12.4194     5,357,337      --           5,357,337
                                                           ------------  -----------   ------------
                                                           $100,654,221  $   937,924   $101,592,145
                                                           ------------  -----------   ------------
 Regatta Gold-NY Contracts:
     CAS............................    933,956   13.6249  $ 12,725,326  $   --        $ 12,725,326
     CGS............................  1,722,218   14.6125    25,157,929      259,278     25,417,207
     EGS............................    966,583   12.6847    12,260,633      --          12,260,633
     FCE............................     41,861    8.7203       365,050      --             365,050
     FCG............................    188,749   10.7213     2,023,598      --           2,023,598
     FCI............................      9,227    9.3612        86,391      --              86,391
     GSS............................    168,798   10.9695     1,851,630      --           1,851,630
     HYS............................    482,767   11.8237     5,715,745      --           5,715,745
     MSS............................    251,868   14.0620     3,541,793      --           3,541,793
     MMS............................    395,655   10.4857     4,148,510      --           4,148,510
     RES............................  1,478,012   13.2588    19,596,299      --          19,596,299
     RGS............................     59,221   10.7234       642,446      --             642,446
     TRS............................  1,288,455   12.9446    16,675,070      --          16,675,070
     UTS............................    187,310   14.6470     2,757,733      --           2,757,733
     VAL............................     61,777   10.8511       670,376      --             670,376
     WAA............................    215,473   11.6505     2,510,761      --           2,510,761
     WGS............................     73,436   10.0221       736,156      --             736,156
     WGO............................    324,362   11.8491     3,843,263      --           3,843,263
     WTR............................    181,210   11.9033     2,157,006      --           2,157,006
                                                           ------------  -----------   ------------
                                                           $117,465,715  $   259,278   $117,724,993
                                                           ------------  -----------   ------------
         Net Assets......................................  $218,119,936  $ 1,197,202   $219,317,138
                                                           ------------  -----------   ------------
                                                           ------------  -----------   ------------
</TABLE>
 
                       See notes to financial statements
 
                                       42
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE (N.Y.) VARIABLE ACCOUNT C
 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS-- Year Ended December 31, 1997
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               CAS           CGS           EGS           FCE           FCG
                                           Sub-Account   Sub-Account   Sub-Account   Sub-Account   Sub-Account
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
 <S>                                       <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
 INCOME AND EXPENSES:
   Dividend income and capital gain
    distributions received...............  $2,541,693    $1,238,773    $   27,866     $     --     $   12,324
   Mortality and expense risk charges....     376,259       356,402        97,960        1,685         15,580
   Administrative charges................      45,151        42,768        11,755          202          1,869
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
       Net investment income (loss)......  $2,120,283    $  839,603    $  (81,849)    $ (1,887)    $   (5,125)
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
 REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES):
   Realized gains (losses) on investment
    transactions:
     Proceeds from sales.................  $5,288,509    $4,278,183    $1,275,667     $  1,790     $  138,047
     Cost of investments sold............   3,747,924     2,772,936     1,155,970        1,936        132,654
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
     Net realized gains (losses).........  $1,540,585    $1,505,247    $  119,697     $   (146)    $    5,393
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
   Net unrealized appreciation
    (depreciation) on investments:
     End of year.........................  $5,044,914    $8,236,126    $1,240,869     $(52,077)    $   60,185
     Beginning of year...................   3,141,305     3,353,456       (39,969)      --              3,206
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
       Change in unrealized appreciation
        (depreciation)...................  $1,903,609    $4,882,670    $1,280,838     $(52,077)    $   56,979
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
         Realized and unrealized gains
          (losses).......................  $3,444,194    $6,387,917    $1,400,535     $(52,223)    $   62,372
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
 INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM
  OPERATIONS.............................  $5,564,477    $7,227,520    $1,318,686     $(54,110)    $   57,247
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               FCI          GSS           HYS          MSS          MMS
                                           Sub-Account  Sub-Account   Sub-Account  Sub-Account  Sub-Account
                                           -----------  -----------   -----------  -----------  -----------
 <S>                                       <C>          <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
 INCOME AND EXPENSES:
   Dividend income and capital gain
    distributions received...............  $   --       $  614,036    $   493,671  $   817,957  $   497,893
   Mortality and expense risk charges....         246      112,368         98,617       99,618      125,289
   Administrative charges................           9       13,485         11,834       11,954       15,035
                                           -----------  -----------   -----------  -----------  -----------
       Net investment income (loss)......  $     (255 ) $  488,183    $   383,220  $   706,385  $   357,569
                                           -----------  -----------   -----------  -----------  -----------
 REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES):
   Realized gains (losses) on investment
    transactions:
     Proceeds from sales.................  $      244   $3,378,955    $ 2,520,627  $ 1,442,208  $14,593,369
     Cost of investments sold............         260    3,341,137      2,396,565    1,129,421   14,593,369
                                           -----------  -----------   -----------  -----------  -----------
     Net realized gains (losses).........  $      (16 ) $   37,818    $   124,062  $   312,787      --
                                           -----------  -----------   -----------  -----------  -----------
   Net unrealized appreciation
    (depreciation) on investments:
     End of year.........................  $   (3,549 ) $  264,065    $   604,130  $ 1,044,592  $   --
     Beginning of year...................      --          134,986        223,152      513,054      --
                                           -----------  -----------   -----------  -----------  -----------
       Change in unrealized appreciation
        (depreciation)...................  $   (3,549 ) $  129,079    $   380,978  $   531,538      --
                                           -----------  -----------   -----------  -----------  -----------
         Realized and unrealized gains
          (losses).......................  $   (3,565 ) $  166,897    $   505,040  $   844,325  $   --
                                           -----------  -----------   -----------  -----------  -----------
 INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM
  OPERATIONS.............................  $   (3,820 ) $  655,080    $   888,260  $ 1,550,710  $   357,569
                                           -----------  -----------   -----------  -----------  -----------
                                           -----------  -----------   -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                                       43
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE (N.Y.) VARIABLE ACCOUNT C
 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS -- continued
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               RES           RGS           TRS           UTS           VAL
                                           Sub-Account   Sub-Account   Sub-Account   Sub-Account   Sub-Account
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
 <S>                                       <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
 INCOME AND EXPENSES:
   Dividend income and capital gain
    distributions received...............  $  250,661    $   --        $3,176,698     $ 325,601    $    --
   Mortality and expense risk charges....     141,879         1,710       412,517        38,805           1,586
   Administrative charges................      17,026           205        49,502         4,657             191
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
       Net investment income (loss)......  $   91,756    $   (1,915)   $2,714,679     $ 282,139    $     (1,777)
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
 REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS:
   Realized gains (losses) on investment
    transactions:
     Proceeds from sales.................  $1,040,657    $   15,694    $4,894,617     $ 814,262    $    101,814
     Cost of investments sold............     875,510        15,314     4,014,252       685,996          97,187
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
       Net realized gains................  $  165,147    $      380    $  880,365     $ 128,266    $      4,627
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
   Net unrealized appreciation
    (depreciation) on investments:
     End of year.........................  $1,565,138    $   27,151    $5,938,585     $ 809,777    $     21,682
     Beginning of year...................     163,568        --         3,374,017       299,360         --
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
       Change in unrealized
        appreciation.....................  $1,401,570    $   27,151    $2,564,568     $ 510,417    $     21,682
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
         Realized and unrealized gains...  $1,566,717    $   27,531    $3,444,933     $ 638,683    $     26,309
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
 INCREASE IN NET ASSETS FROM
  OPERATIONS.............................  $1,658,473    $   25,616    $6,159,612     $ 920,822    $     24,532
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               WAA           WGS           WGO           WTR
                                           Sub-Account   Sub-Account   Sub-Account   Sub-Account      Total
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
 <S>                                       <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
 INCOME AND EXPENSES:
   Dividend income and capital gain
    distributions received...............  $   73,415    $  171,158    $  163,398     $ 15,895     $ 10,421,039
   Mortality and expense risk charges....      21,036        52,642        96,511       13,526        2,064,236
   Administrative charges................       2,525         6,316        11,581        1,623          247,688
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
       Net investment income.............  $   49,854    $  112,200    $   55,306     $    746     $  8,109,115
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
 REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES):
   Realized gains (losses) on investment
    transactions:
     Proceeds from sales.................  $  356,088    $  911,580    $1,545,220     $ 91,277       42,688,808
     Cost of investments sold............     336,558     1,019,262     1,301,270       82,404       37,699,925
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
       Net realized gains (losses).......  $   19,530    $ (107,682)   $  243,950     $  8,873     $  4,988,883
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
   Net unrealized appreciation
    (depreciation) on investments:
     End of year.........................  $   56,458    $ (205,715)   $  833,861     $121,517     $ 25,607,709
     Beginning of year...................      12,514      (106,483)      248,671        9,927       11,330,764
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
       Change in unrealized appreciation
        (depreciation)...................  $   43,944    $  (99,232)   $  585,190     $111,590     $ 14,276,945
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
         Realized and unrealized gains
          (losses).......................  $   63,474    $ (206,914)   $  829,140     $120,463     $ 19,265,828
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
 INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM
  OPERATIONS.............................  $  113,328    $  (94,714)   $  884,446     $121,209     $ 27,374,943
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
                                           -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------   ------------
</TABLE>
 
                       See notes to financial statements
 
                                       44
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE (N.Y.) VARIABLE ACCOUNT C
 
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     CAS                       CGS                       EGS
                                                 Sub-Account               Sub-Account               Sub-Account
                                           ------------------------  ------------------------  -----------------------
 <S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                  Year Ended                Year Ended               Year Ended
                                                 December 31,              December 31,             December 31,
                                           ------------------------  ------------------------  -----------------------
 
<CAPTION>
                                              1997         1996         1997         1996         1997        1996**
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
 <S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
 OPERATIONS:
   Net investment income (expense).......  $ 2,120,283  $ 1,236,544  $   839,603  $   283,282  $   (81,849) $   (9,735)
   Net realized gains (losses)...........    1,540,585    1,402,219    1,505,247      686,556      119,697      18,739
   Net unrealized gains (losses).........    1,903,609      955,359    4,882,670    1,857,593    1,280,838     (39,969)
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
       Increase (decrease) in net assets
        from operations..................  $ 5,564,477  $ 3,594,122  $ 7,227,520  $ 2,827,431  $ 1,318,686  $  (30,965)
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
 CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTIONS:
   Accumulation Activity:
     Purchase payments received..........  $ 5,437,094  $ 8,660,397  $12,920,177  $ 6,950,910  $ 5,109,875  $3,404,586
     Net transfers between Sub-Accounts
      and Fixed Account..................    2,074,585     (759,828)   6,398,425      873,302    2,532,138     178,813
     Withdrawals, surrenders,
      annuitizations and contract
      charges............................   (1,919,576)  (2,973,326)  (1,877,932)  (1,720,406)    (237,664)    (14,836)
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
       Net accumulation activity.........  $ 5,592,103  $ 4,927,243  $17,440,670  $ 6,103,806  $ 7,404,349  $3,568,563
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
   Annuitization Activity:
     Annuitizations......................  $   --       $   136,803  $   251,244  $    68,590  $   --       $   --
     Annuity payments and account fees...      (31,346)     (18,380)     (15,570)      (5,923)     --           --
     Adjustments to annuity reserve......       (2,576)      (6,355)     (12,192)      (3,052)     --           --
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
       Net annuitization activity........  $   (33,922) $   112,068  $   223,482  $    59,615  $   --       $   --
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
   Increase in net assets from contract
    owner transactions...................  $ 5,558,181  $ 5,039,311  $17,664,152  $ 6,163,421  $ 7,404,349  $3,568,563
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
     Increase in net assets..............  $11,122,658  $ 8,633,433  $24,891,672  $ 8,990,852  $ 8,723,035  $3,537,598
 NET ASSETS:
   Beginning of year.....................   24,273,898   15,640,465   18,033,740    9,042,888    3,537,598      --
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
   End of year...........................  $35,396,556  $24,273,898  $42,925,412  $18,033,740  $12,260,633  $3,537,598
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                           -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                  FCE
                                              Sub-Account
                                           ------------------
 <S>                                       <C>
                                               Year Ended
                                           December 31, 1997*
                                           ------------------
 
 <S>                                       <C>
 OPERATIONS:
   Net investment income (expense).......      $   (1,887)
   Net realized gains (losses)...........            (146)
   Net unrealized gains (losses).........         (52,077)
                                               ----------
       Increase (decrease) in net assets
        from operations..................      $  (54,110)
                                               ----------
 CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTIONS:
   Accumulation Activity:
     Purchase payments received..........      $  116,973
     Net transfers between Sub-Accounts
      and Fixed Account..................         302,187
     Withdrawals, surrenders,
      annuitizations and contract
      charges............................        --
                                               ----------
       Net accumulation activity.........      $  419,160
                                               ----------
   Annuitization Activity:
     Annuitizations......................      $ --
     Annuity payments and account fees...        --
     Adjustments to annuity reserve......        --
                                               ----------
       Net annuitization activity........      $ --
                                               ----------
   Increase in net assets from contract
    owner transactions...................      $  419,160
                                               ----------
     Increase in net assets..............      $  365,050
 NET ASSETS:
   Beginning of year.....................        --
                                               ----------
   End of year...........................      $  365,050
                                               ----------
                                               ----------
</TABLE>
 
 *For the period July 14, 1997 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
1997.
**For the period August 13, 1996 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
1996.
 
                       See notes to financial statements
 
                                       45
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE (N.Y.) VARIABLE ACCOUNT C
 
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS -- continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   FCG                  FCI                    GSS
                                               Sub-Account          Sub-Account            Sub-Account
                                           --------------------  ------------------   ----------------------
 <S>                                       <C>         <C>       <C>                  <C>         <C>
                                                                     Year Ended
                                                Year Ended          December 31,            Year Ended
                                               December 31,            1997**              December 31,
                                           --------------------  ------------------   ----------------------
 
<CAPTION>
                                              1997      1996*                            1997        1996
                                           ----------  --------                       ----------  ----------
 <S>                                       <C>         <C>       <C>                  <C>         <C>
 OPERATIONS:
   Net investment income (expense).......  $   (5,125) $ (1,435)      $   (255)       $  488,183  $  355,589
   Net realized gains (losses)...........       5,393       711            (16)           37,818      39,886
   Net unrealized gains (losses).........      56,979     3,206         (3,549)          129,079    (320,489)
                                           ----------  --------       --------        ----------  ----------
       Increase (decrease) in net assets
        from operations..................  $   57,247  $  2,482       $ (3,820)       $  655,080  $   74,986
                                           ----------  --------       --------        ----------  ----------
 CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTIONS:
   Accumulation Activity:
     Purchase payments received..........  $  680,068  $535,282       $ 53,676        $  901,461  $1,551,889
     Net transfers between Sub-Accounts
      and Fixed Account..................     731,375    49,397         36,535           537,631     606,593
     Withdrawals, surrenders,
      annuitizations and contract
      charges............................     (20,814)  (11,439)      --                (577,767)   (655,818)
                                           ----------  --------       --------        ----------  ----------
       Net accumulation activity.........  $1,390,629  $573,240       $ 90,211        $  861,325  $1,502,664
                                           ----------  --------       --------        ----------  ----------
   Annuitization Activity:
     Annuitizations......................  $   --      $  --          $--             $   --      $   --
     Annuity payments and account fees...      --         --          --                  (2,591)     (2,581)
     Adjustments to annuity reserve......      --         --          --                    (132)       (152)
                                           ----------  --------       --------        ----------  ----------
       Net annuitization activity........  $   --      $  --          $--             $   (2,723) $   (2,733)
                                           ----------  --------       --------        ----------  ----------
   Increase in net assets from contract
    owner transactions...................  $1,390,629  $573,240       $ 90,211        $  858,602  $1,499,931
                                           ----------  --------       --------        ----------  ----------
     Increase in net assets..............  $1,447,876  $575,722       $ 86,391        $1,513,682  $1,574,917
 NET ASSETS:
   Beginning of year.....................     575,722     --          --               8,043,598   6,468,681
                                           ----------  --------       --------        ----------  ----------
   End of year...........................  $2,023,598  $575,722       $ 86,391        $9,557,280  $8,043,598
                                           ----------  --------       --------        ----------  ----------
                                           ----------  --------       --------        ----------  ----------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                     HYS
                                                 Sub-Account
                                           -----------------------
 <S>                                       <C>          <C>
 
                                                 Year Ended
                                                December 31,
                                           -----------------------
                                              1997         1996
                                           -----------  ----------
 <S>                                       <C>          <C>
 OPERATIONS:
   Net investment income (expense).......  $   383,220  $  274,052
   Net realized gains (losses)...........      124,062     229,055
   Net unrealized gains (losses).........      380,978     (13,435)
                                           -----------  ----------
       Increase (decrease) in net assets
        from operations..................  $   888,260  $  489,672
                                           -----------  ----------
 CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTIONS:
   Accumulation Activity:
     Purchase payments received..........  $ 2,509,428  $2,175,861
     Net transfers between Sub-Accounts
      and Fixed Account..................    1,893,307     (46,281)
     Withdrawals, surrenders,
      annuitizations and contract
      charges............................     (421,568)   (738,718)
                                           -----------  ----------
       Net accumulation activity.........  $ 3,981,167  $1,390,862
                                           -----------  ----------
   Annuitization Activity:
     Annuitizations......................  $    20,734  $   --
     Annuity payments and account fees...       (1,137)     --
     Adjustments to annuity reserve......          (79)     --
                                           -----------  ----------
       Net annuitization activity........  $    19,518  $   --
                                           -----------  ----------
   Increase in net assets from contract
    owner transactions...................  $ 4,000,685  $1,390,862
                                           -----------  ----------
     Increase in net assets..............  $ 4,888,945  $1,880,534
 NET ASSETS:
   Beginning of year.....................    5,956,759   4,076,225
                                           -----------  ----------
   End of year...........................  $10,845,704  $5,956,759
                                           -----------  ----------
                                           -----------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
 *For the period August 13, 1996 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
1996.
**For the period August 11, 1997 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
1997.
 
                       See notes to financial statements
 
                                       46
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE (N.Y.) VARIABLE ACCOUNT C
 
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS -- continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    MSS                      MMS                       RES
                                                Sub-Account              Sub-Account               Sub-Account
                                           ----------------------  ------------------------  -----------------------
 <S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
                                                 Year Ended               Year Ended               Year Ended
                                                December 31,             December 31,             December 31,
                                           ----------------------  ------------------------  -----------------------
 
<CAPTION>
                                              1997        1996        1997         1996         1997        1996**
                                           ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
 <S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
 OPERATIONS:
   Net investment income (expense).......  $  706,385  $  492,034  $   357,569  $   247,368  $    91,756  $  (12,306)
   Net realized gains....................     312,787     193,953      --           --           165,147      13,199
   Net unrealized gains..................     531,538      71,876      --           --         1,401,570     163,568
                                           ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
   Increase in net assets from
    operations...........................  $1,550,710  $  757,863  $   357,569  $   247,368  $ 1,658,473  $  164,461
                                           ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
 CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTIONS:
   Accumulation Activity:
     Purchase payments received..........  $1,282,041  $2,103,015  $ 7,367,664  $ 7,525,727  $ 7,847,808  $3,950,551
     Net transfers between Sub-Accounts
      and Fixed Account..................   1,220,095     734,538   (4,368,281)  (3,679,992)   6,025,796     210,522
     Withdrawals, surrenders,
      annuitizations and contract
      charges............................    (587,414) (1,157,372)  (2,272,208)  (1,518,287)    (239,605)    (21,707)
                                           ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
       Net accumulation activity.........  $1,914,722  $1,680,181  $   727,175  $ 2,327,448  $13,633,999  $4,139,366
                                           ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
   Annuitization Activity:
     Annuitizations......................  $   --      $   --      $   --       $   --       $   --       $   --
     Annuity payments and account fees...      --          --             (643)        (646)     --           --
     Adjustments to annuity reserve......      --          --              (30)         (38)     --           --
                                           ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
       Net annuitization activity........  $   --      $   --      $      (673) $      (684) $   --       $   --
                                           ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
   Increase in net assets from contract
    owner transactions...................  $1,914,722  $1,680,181  $   726,502  $ 2,326,764  $13,633,999  $4,139,366
                                           ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
   Increase in net assets................  $3,465,432  $2,438,044  $ 1,084,071  $ 2,574,132  $15,292,472  $4,303,827
   NET ASSETS:
   Beginning of year.....................   6,258,921   3,820,877    9,284,895    6,710,763    4,303,827      --
                                           ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
   End of year...........................  $9,724,353  $6,258,921  $10,368,966  $ 9,284,895  $19,596,299  $4,303,827
                                           ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
                                           ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ----------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                  RGS
                                              Sub-Account
                                           ------------------
 <S>                                       <C>
                                               Year Ended
                                           December 31, 1997*
                                           ------------------
 
 <S>                                       <C>
 OPERATIONS:
   Net investment income (expense).......      $   (1,915)
   Net realized gains....................             380
   Net unrealized gains..................          27,151
                                               ----------
   Increase in net assets from
    operations...........................      $   25,616
                                               ----------
 CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTIONS:
   Accumulation Activity:
     Purchase payments received..........      $  403,727
     Net transfers between Sub-Accounts
      and Fixed Account..................         216,206
     Withdrawals, surrenders,
      annuitizations and contract
      charges............................          (3,103)
                                               ----------
       Net accumulation activity.........      $  616,830
                                               ----------
   Annuitization Activity:
     Annuitizations......................      $ --
     Annuity payments and account fees...        --
     Adjustments to annuity reserve......        --
                                               ----------
       Net annuitization activity........      $ --
                                               ----------
   Increase in net assets from contract
    owner transactions...................      $  616,830
                                               ----------
   Increase in net assets................      $  642,446
   NET ASSETS:
   Beginning of year.....................        --
                                               ----------
   End of year...........................      $  642,446
                                               ----------
                                               ----------
</TABLE>
 
 *For the period July 9, 1997 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 1997.
**For the period August 13, 1996 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
1996.
 
                       See notes to financial statements
 
                                       47
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE (N.Y.) VARIABLE ACCOUNT C
 
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS -- continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     TRS                      UTS                   VAL
                                                 Sub-Account              Sub-Account           Sub-Account
                                           ------------------------  ----------------------  ------------------
 <S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                                                                 Year Ended
                                                  Year Ended               Year Ended           December 31,
                                                 December 31,             December 31,             1997*
                                           ------------------------  ----------------------  ------------------
 
<CAPTION>
                                              1997         1996         1997        1996
                                           -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------
 <S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
 OPERATIONS:
   Net investment income (expense).......  $ 2,714,679  $ 1,201,901  $  282,139  $   52,486       $ (1,777)
   Net realized gains....................      880,365      390,349     128,266      64,789          4,627
   Net unrealized gains..................    2,564,568    1,084,968     510,417     178,657         21,682
                                           -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------       --------
       Increase in net assets from
        operations.......................  $ 6,159,612  $ 2,677,218  $  920,822  $  295,932       $ 24,532
                                           -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------       --------
 CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTIONS:
   Accumulation Activity:
     Purchase payments received..........  $ 7,910,254  $ 7,465,981  $1,252,037  $  766,463       $342,925
     Net transfers between Sub-Accounts
      and Fixed Account..................    4,487,309       67,782     674,611      12,346        302,919
     Withdrawals, surrenders,
      annuitizations and contract
      charges............................   (2,898,217)  (1,623,155)   (250,586)   (114,012)      --
                                           -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------       --------
       Net accumulation activity.........  $ 9,499,346  $ 5,910,608  $1,676,062  $  664,797       $645,844
                                           -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------       --------
   Annuitization Activity:
     Annuitizations......................  $   --       $   --       $   --      $   --           $--
     Annuity payments and account fees...      (68,443)     (59,327)     --          --           --
     Adjustments to annuity reserve......      (16,416)     (11,982)     --          --           --
                                           -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------       --------
       Net annuitization activity........  $   (84,859) $   (71,309) $   --      $   --           $--
                                           -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------       --------
   Increase in net assets from contract
    owner transactions...................  $ 9,414,487  $ 5,839,299  $1,676,062  $  664,797       $645,844
                                           -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------       --------
     Increase in net assets..............  $15,574,099  $ 8,516,517  $2,596,884  $  960,729       $670,376
 NET ASSETS:
   Beginning of year.....................   26,484,247   17,967,730   2,191,402   1,230,673       --
                                           -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------       --------
   End of year...........................  $42,058,346  $26,484,247  $4,788,286  $2,191,402       $670,376
                                           -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------       --------
                                           -----------  -----------  ----------  ----------       --------
 
<CAPTION>
                                                   WAA
                                               Sub-Account
                                           --------------------
 <S>                                       <C>         <C>
 
                                                Year Ended
                                               December 31,
                                           --------------------
                                              1997      1996**
                                           ----------  --------
 <S>                                       <C>         <C>
 OPERATIONS:
   Net investment income (expense).......  $   49,854  $   (877)
   Net realized gains....................      19,530       430
   Net unrealized gains..................      43,944    12,514
                                           ----------  --------
       Increase in net assets from
        operations.......................  $  113,328  $ 12,067
                                           ----------  --------
 CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTIONS:
   Accumulation Activity:
     Purchase payments received..........  $1,203,801  $401,856
     Net transfers between Sub-Accounts
      and Fixed Account..................     818,064     4,517
     Withdrawals, surrenders,
      annuitizations and contract
      charges............................     (42,361)     (511)
                                           ----------  --------
       Net accumulation activity.........  $1,979,504  $405,862
                                           ----------  --------
   Annuitization Activity:
     Annuitizations......................  $   --      $  --
     Annuity payments and account fees...      --         --
     Adjustments to annuity reserve......      --         --
                                           ----------  --------
       Net annuitization activity........  $   --      $  --
                                           ----------  --------
   Increase in net assets from contract
    owner transactions...................  $1,979,504  $405,862
                                           ----------  --------
     Increase in net assets..............  $2,092,832  $417,929
 NET ASSETS:
   Beginning of year.....................     417,929     --
                                           ----------  --------
   End of year...........................  $2,510,761  $417,929
                                           ----------  --------
                                           ----------  --------
</TABLE>
 
 *For the period July 14, 1997 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
1997.
**For the period August 29, 1996 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
1996.
 
                       See notes to financial statements
 
                                       48
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE (N.Y.) VARIABLE ACCOUNT C
 
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS -- continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    WGS                     WGO                    WTR
                                                Sub-Account             Sub-Account            Sub-Account
                                           ----------------------  ----------------------  --------------------
 <S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
                                                 Year Ended              Year Ended             Year Ended
                                                December 31,            December 31,           December 31,
                                           ----------------------  ----------------------  --------------------
 
<CAPTION>
                                              1997        1996        1997        1996        1997      1996+
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  --------
 <S>                                       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
 OPERATIONS:
   Net investment income (expense).......  $  112,200  $  439,482  $   55,306  $  225,121  $      746  $   (661)
   Net realized gains (losses)...........    (107,682)    (43,099)    243,950      86,529       8,873       334
   Net unrealized gains (losses).........     (99,232)   (259,815)    585,190      89,790     111,590     9,927
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  --------
       Increase (decrease) in net assets
        from operations..................  $  (94,714) $  136,568  $  884,446  $  401,440  $  121,209  $  9,600
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  --------
 CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTIONS:
   Accumulation Activity:
     Purchase payments received..........  $  298,940  $  706,389  $1,760,372  $2,327,475  $  837,139  $244,238
     Net transfers between Sub-Accounts
      and Fixed Account..................    (117,698)    444,392   1,155,858     914,961     955,063     4,753
     Withdrawals, surrenders,
      annuitizations and contract
      charges............................    (305,308)   (218,490)   (558,141)   (442,142)    (14,517)     (479)
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  --------
       Net accumulation activity.........  $ (124,066) $  932,291  $2,358,089  $2,800,294  $1,777,685  $248,512
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  --------
   Annuitization Activity:
     Annuitizations......................  $   --      $   --      $   --      $   --      $   --      $  --
     Annuity payments and account fees...      (2,160)     (2,242)     --          --          --         --
     Adjustments to annuity reserve......         (56)       (105)     --          --          --         --
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  --------
       Net annuitization activity........  $   (2,216) $   (2,347) $   --      $   --      $   --      $  --
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  --------
   Increase (decrease) in net assets from
    contract owner transactions..........  $ (126,282) $  929,944  $2,358,089  $2,800,294  $1,777,685  $248,512
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  --------
     Increase (decrease) in net assets...  $ (220,996) $1,066,512  $3,242,535  $3,201,734  $1,898,894  $258,112
 NET ASSETS:
   Beginning of year.....................   4,360,071   3,293,559   5,958,065   2,756,331     258,112     --
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  --------
   End of year...........................  $4,139,075  $4,360,071  $9,200,600  $5,958,065  $2,157,006  $258,112
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  --------
                                           ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  --------
 
<CAPTION>
 
                                                     Total
                                           --------------------------
 <S>                                       <C>           <C>
                                                   Year Ended
                                                  December 31,
                                           --------------------------
                                               1997          1996
                                           ------------  ------------
 <S>                                       <C>           <C>
 OPERATIONS:
   Net investment income (expense).......  $  8,109,115  $  4,782,845
   Net realized gains (losses)...........     4,988,883     3,083,650
   Net unrealized gains (losses).........    14,276,945     3,793,750
                                           ------------  ------------
       Increase (decrease) in net assets
        from operations..................  $ 27,374,943  $ 11,660,245
                                           ------------  ------------
 CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTIONS:
   Accumulation Activity:
     Purchase payments received..........  $ 58,235,460  $ 48,770,620
     Net transfers between Sub-Accounts
      and Fixed Account..................    25,876,125      (384,185)
     Withdrawals, surrenders,
      annuitizations and contract
      charges............................   (12,226,781)  (11,210,698)
                                           ------------  ------------
       Net accumulation activity.........  $ 71,884,804  $ 37,175,737
                                           ------------  ------------
   Annuitization Activity:
     Annuitizations......................       271,978  $    205,393
     Annuity payments and account fees...      (121,890)      (89,099)
     Adjustments to annuity reserve......       (31,481)      (21,684)
                                           ------------  ------------
       Net annuitization activity........  $    118,607  $     94,610
                                           ------------  ------------
   Increase (decrease) in net assets from
    contract owner transactions..........  $ 72,003,411  $ 37,270,347
                                           ------------  ------------
     Increase (decrease) in net assets...  $ 99,378,354  $ 48,930,592
 NET ASSETS:
   Beginning of year.....................   119,938,784    71,008,192
                                           ------------  ------------
   End of year...........................  $219,317,138  $119,938,784
                                           ------------  ------------
                                           ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
+For the period September 18, 1996 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
1996.
 
                       See notes to financial statements
 
                                       49
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE (N.Y.) VARIABLE ACCOUNT C
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
(1) ORGANIZATION
 
    Sun Life (N.Y.) Variable Account C (the "Variable Account"), a separate
account of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York, the Sponsor (a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.)), was
established on October 18, 1985 as a funding vehicle for the variable portion of
certain individual combination fixed/variable annuity contracts. Sale of the
Regatta-NY and Regatta Gold-NY contracts commenced on April 1, 1993 and August
1, 1996, respectively. The Variable Account is registered with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a unit
investment trust.
 
    The assets of the Variable Account are divided into Sub-Accounts. Each
Sub-Account is invested in shares of a specific series of MFS/Sun Life Series
Trust (the "Series Trust") as selected by contract owners. The Series Trust is
an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940. Massachusetts Financial Services Company, an affiliate of
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.), is investment adviser to the Series
Trust.
 
(2) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
GENERAL
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
INVESTMENT VALUATIONS
 
Investments in shares of the Series Trust are recorded at their net asset value.
Realized gains and losses on sales of shares of the Series Trust are determined
on the identified cost basis. Dividend income and capital gain distributions
received by the Sub-Accounts are reinvested in additional Series Trust shares
and are recognized on the ex-dividend date.
 
    Exchanges between Sub-Accounts requested by contract owners are recorded in
the new Sub-Account upon receipt of the redemption proceeds.
 
FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS
 
The operations of the Variable Account are part of the operations of the Sponsor
and are not taxed separately. The Variable Account is not taxed as a regulated
investment company. The Sponsor qualifies for the federal income tax treatment
granted to life insurance companies under Subchapter L of the Internal Revenue
Code. Under existing federal income tax law, investment income and capital gains
earned by the Variable Account on contract owner reserves are not subject to
tax.
 
(3) CONTRACT CHARGES
 
    A mortality and expense risk charge based on the value of the Variable
Account is deducted from the Variable Account at the end of each valuation
period for the mortality and expense risks assumed by the Sponsor. These
deductions are transferred periodically to the Sponsor. Currently, the deduction
is at an effective annual rate of 1.25%.
 
    Each year on the contract anniversary, an account administration fee
("Account Fee") of $30 is deducted from each contract's accumulation account.
After the annuity commencement date the Account Fee is deducted pro rata from
each variable annuity payment made during the year. In addition, a deduction is
made from the Variable Account at the end of each valuation period (during both
the accumulation period
 
                                       50
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE (N.Y.) VARIABLE ACCOUNT C
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- continued
 
(3) CONTRACT CHARGES (CONTINUED)
and after annuity payments begin) at an effective annual rate of 0.15% of the
daily net assets of the Variable Account. These charges are paid to the Sponsor
to reimburse it for administrative expenses which exceed the revenues received
from the Account Fee.
 
    The Sponsor does not deduct a sales charge from the purchase payments.
However, a withdrawal charge (contingent deferred sales charge) of up to 6% of
certain amounts withdrawn, when applicable, will be deducted to cover certain
expenses relating to the sale of the contracts. In no event shall the aggregate
withdrawal charges assessed exceed 9% of the purchase payment made under a
Regatta-NY contract or 6% of the aggregate purchase payments made under a
Regatta Gold-NY contract.
 
(4) ANNUITY RESERVES
 
    Annuity reserves are calculated using the 1983 Individual Annuitant
Mortality Table and an assumed interest rate of 4% for Regatta-NY contracts and
3% for Regatta Gold-NY contracts. Required adjustments to the reserves are
accomplished by transfers to or from the Sponsor.
 
                                       51
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE (N.Y.) VARIABLE ACCOUNT C
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- continued
 
(5) UNIT ACTIVITY FROM CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   UNITS TRANSFERRED
                                                                        BETWEEN         UNITS WITHDRAWN,
                            UNITS OUTSTANDING                         SUB-ACCOUNTS      SURRENDERED AND     UNITS OUTSTANDING
                            BEGINNING OF YEAR    UNITS PURCHASED   AND FIXED ACCOUNT       ANNUITIZED          END OF YEAR
                           --------------------  ----------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------------------
                                YEAR ENDED          YEAR ENDED         YEAR ENDED          YEAR ENDED           YEAR ENDED
                                 DEC. 31,            DEC. 31,           DEC. 31,            DEC. 31,             DEC. 31,
                           --------------------  ----------------  ------------------  ------------------  --------------------
                             1997       1996      1997     1996      1997      1996      1997      1996      1997       1996
                           ---------  ---------  -------  -------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ---------  ---------
<S><C>                     <C>        <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>
REGATTA (N.Y.)
 CONTRACTS:
- -------------------------
CAS Sub-Account........... 1,160,312  1,106,267    1,731  286,629    20,840   (41,266)  (84,064) (191,318) 1,098,819  1,160,312
CGS Sub-Account...........   845,581    671,847    1,750  240,454    30,673    48,286   (71,111) (115,006)   806,893    845,581
GSS Sub-Account...........   654,198    554,873    --      98,739     9,196    62,138   (45,577)  (61,552)   617,817    654,198
HYS Sub-Account...........   355,247    334,034    1,321   86,443     9,610    (7,920)  (25,325)  (57,328)   340,853    355,247
MSS Sub-Account...........   326,412    277,142    --      80,334    17,274    47,725   (29,312)  (78,789)   314,374    326,412
MMS Sub-Account...........   611,608    623,252       23  364,043   109,285  (237,318) (180,131) (138,369)   540,785    611,608
TRS Sub-Account........... 1,567,221  1,365,756    2,075  324,430    26,923    (4,270) (156,855) (118,695) 1,439,364  1,567,221
UTS Sub-Account...........   112,112     97,337    --      25,150     6,232    (2,207)  (14,982)   (8,168)   103,362    112,112
WGS Sub-Account...........   321,322    268,890    --      38,923   (23,467)   31,381   (20,357)  (17,872)   277,498    321,322
WGO Sub-Account...........   406,783    251,193    1,002  126,008    12,949    66,300   (35,735)  (36,718)   384,999    406,783
REGATTA GOLD (N.Y.)
 CONTRACTS
- -------------------------
CAS Sub-Account...........   401,401     --      429,277  407,434   129,225    (5,259)  (25,947)     (774)   933,956    401,401
CGS Sub-Account...........   347,210     --      981,150  330,331   431,451    17,455   (37,593)     (576) 1,722,218    347,210
EGS Sub-Account...........   335,404     --      442,404  320,269   209,941    16,544   (21,166)   (1,409)   966,583    335,404
FCE Sub-Account*..........    --         --       11,586    --       30,275     --        --        --        41,861     --
FCG Sub-Account...........    56,408     --       65,816   52,685    68,561     4,856    (2,036)   (1,133)   188,749     56,408
FCI Sub-Account**.........    --         --        5,355    --        3,872     --        --        --         9,227     --
GSS Sub-Account...........    40,062     --       87,840   47,450    44,641    (7,335)   (3,745)      (53)   168,798     40,062
HYS Sub-Account...........   109,992     --      220,099  105,694   157,860     4,469    (5,184)     (171)   482,767    109,992
MSS Sub-Account...........    92,171     --       97,276   89,182    65,953     3,307    (3,532)     (318)   251,868     92,171
MMS Sub-Account...........   244,386     --      720,359  356,116  (545,823)     (722)  (23,267) (111,008)   395,655    244,386
RES Sub-Account...........   386,810     --      639,173  369,786   471,183    19,046   (19,154)   (2,022) 1,478,012    386,810
RGS Sub-Account***........    --         --       36,514    --       23,014     --         (307)    --        59,221     --
TRS Sub-Account...........   321,897     --      669,097  309,797   333,800    12,703   (36,339)     (603) 1,288,455    321,897
UTS Sub-Account...........    45,474     --       99,515   42,136    42,677     3,338      (356)    --       187,310     45,474
VAL Sub-Account*..........    --         --       35,061    --       26,716     --        --        --        61,777     --
WAA Sub-Account...........    39,223     --      108,426   38,842    71,503       430    (3,679)      (49)   215,473     39,223
WGS Sub-Account...........    30,008     --       29,573   23,592    19,615     6,423    (5,760)       (7)    73,436     30,008
WGO Sub-Account...........    94,134     --      152,296   81,554    84,074    12,751    (6,142)     (171)   324,362     94,134
WTR Sub-Account...........    24,306     --       74,918   23,899    83,263       453    (1,277)      (46)   181,210     24,306
</TABLE>
 
  *For the period July 14, 1997 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
1997.
 
 **For the period August 11, 1997 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
1997.
 
***For the period July 9, 1997 (commencement of operations) to December 31,
1997.
 
                                       52
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
To the Contract Owners participating in Sun Life (N.Y.) Variable Account C
  and the Board of Directors of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New
York:
 
    We have audited the accompanying statement of condition of Sun Life (N.Y.)
Variable Account C (the "Variable Account") as of December 31, 1997, the related
statement of operations for the year then ended and the statements of changes in
net assets for the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996. These financial
statements are the responsibility of management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
    We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included
confirmation of securities held at December 31, 1997 by correspondence with the
custodian. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
    In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Variable Account as of December 31,
1997, the results of its operations and the changes in its net assets for the
respective stated periods in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
February 6, 1998
 
                                       53
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.))
STATUTORY STATEMENTS OF ADMITTED ASSETS, LIABILITIES AND CAPITAL STOCK AND
SURPLUS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 DECEMBER 31,
                                          --------------------------
                                              1997          1996
                                          ------------  ------------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>
ADMITTED ASSETS
General Account Assets:
    Bonds                                 $ 61,703,336  $ 77,142,619
    Mortgage loans on real estate           25,787,001    40,431,773
    Properties acquired in satisfaction
     of debt                                   --          1,377,041
    Policy loans                               636,277       651,332
    Cash and short-term investments         10,120,237     4,614,994
    Life insurance premiums and annuity
     considerations due and uncollected        791,011       421,112
    Accident and health premiums due and
     unpaid                                    158,858        69,672
    Investment income due and accrued        1,083,939     1,737,199
    Other assets                               497,790        14,668
                                          ------------  ------------
    General account assets                 100,778,449   126,460,410
Separate Account Assets:
    Unitized                               406,430,585   303,896,114
    Non-unitized                           116,889,545    87,676,015
                                          ------------  ------------
    Total Admitted Assets                 $624,098,579  $518,032,539
                                          ------------  ------------
                                          ------------  ------------
LIABILITIES
General Account Liabilities:
    Aggregate reserve for life policies
     and contracts                        $ 22,374,626  $ 20,404,586
    Aggregate reserve for accident and
     health policies                         7,414,000     4,185,000
    Policy and contract claims               1,912,737     1,107,333
    Liability for premium and other
     deposit funds                          31,341,254    61,747,147
    Interest maintenance reserve               885,581     1,173,961
    Commissions to agents due or accrued       521,106       217,449
    General expenses due or accrued            415,105       218,624
    Transfers from Separate Accounts due
     or accrued                             (7,224,058)   (1,689,278)
    Taxes, licenses and fees due or
     accrued                                   114,986        96,884
    Federal income taxes due or accrued      1,000,000       400,000
    Asset valuation reserve                  1,346,335     1,845,237
    Payable to parent, subsidiaries and
     affiliates                              1,266,475     1,614,355
    Other liabilities                          810,594       509,201
                                          ------------  ------------
    General account liabilities             62,178,741    91,830,499
Separate Account Liabilities:
    Unitized                               406,249,110   303,723,382
    Non-unitized                           116,889,545    87,676,015
                                          ------------  ------------
    Total liabilities                      585,317,396   483,229,896
                                          ------------  ------------
CAPITAL STOCK AND SURPLUS
    Capital Stock--Par value $1,000;
     authorized issued and outstanding;
     2,000 shares                            2,000,000     2,000,000
                                          ------------  ------------
    Gross paid in and contributed
     surplus                                29,500,000    29,500,000
    Group life contingency reserve fund        180,457       118,381
    Unassigned funds                         7,100,726     3,184,262
                                          ------------  ------------
    Total Surplus                           36,781,183    32,802,643
                                          ------------  ------------
    Capital Stock and Surplus               38,781,183    34,802,643
                                          ------------  ------------
    Total liabilities, capital stock and
     surplus                              $624,098,579  $518,032,539
                                          ------------  ------------
                                          ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                  SEE NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
                                       54
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
(Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company Of Canada (U.S.))
STATUTORY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          ----------------------------------------
                                              1997          1996          1995
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>           <C>
INCOME:
    Premiums and annuity considerations   $ 16,670,915  $ 11,581,817  $ 11,731,623
    Deposit-type funds                     122,789,862    72,121,136    73,714,439
    Net investment income                    8,824,668    12,313,903    18,450,106
    Amortization of interest maintenance
     reserve                                   519,001       704,763       753,351
    Net gain from operations from
     Separate Accounts                           8,743         8,101       --
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
      Total Income                         148,813,189    96,729,720   104,649,519
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES:
    Death benefits                           4,916,746     2,881,367     2,589,934
    Annuity benefits                         5,439,091     7,175,995     6,606,801
    Disability benefits and benefits
     under accident and health policies        939,635       464,615       233,549
    Surrender benefits and other fund
     withdrawals                           111,623,776   118,432,072   118,975,912
    Interest on policy or contract funds        75,069        83,323       --
    Increase in aggregate reserves for
     life and accident and health
     policies and contracts                  5,199,040     1,550,701     3,022,081
    Decrease in liability for premium
     and other deposit funds               (30,405,893)  (67,996,389)  (71,733,008)
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
      Total Benefits                        97,787,464    62,591,684    59,695,269
    Commissions on premiums and annuity
     considerations (direct business
     only)                                   5,582,738     3,047,358     3,212,849
    General insurance expenses               7,687,478     6,093,131     5,716,492
    Insurance taxes, licenses and fees,
     excluding federal income taxes            788,386       729,244       579,585
    Net transfers to Separate Accounts      31,479,097    19,487,747    32,047,554
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
      Total Benefits and Expenses          143,325,163    91,949,164   101,251,749
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
    Net gain from operations before
     dividends to policyholders and
     federal income taxes                    5,488,026     4,780,556     3,397,770
    Federal income taxes incurred
     (excluding tax on capital gains)        2,315,259     1,938,734     2,446,706
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
    Net gain from operations after
     dividends to policyholders and
     federal income taxes and before
     realized capital gains                  3,172,767     2,841,822       951,064
    Net realized capital gains (losses)
     less capital gains tax and
     transferred to the interest
     maintenance reserve                       183,262      (439,101)      (21,536)
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
NET INCOME                                $  3,356,029  $  2,402,721  $    929,528
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                  SEE NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
                                       55
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
(Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company Of Canada (U.S.))
STATUTORY STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN CAPITAL STOCK AND SURPLUS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          -------------------------------------
                                             1997         1996         1995
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>
CAPITAL AND SURPLUS, BEGINNING OF YEAR    $34,802,643  $31,964,414  $31,409,069
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
    Net income                              3,356,029    2,402,721      929,528
    Change in net unrealized capital
     gains (losses)                           138,000      702,000     (672,000)
    Change in nonadmitted assets and
     related items                            (14,391)      32,888       71,263
    Change in asset valuation reserve         498,902     (299,380)     226,554
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
    Net change in capital and surplus
     for the year                           3,978,540    2,838,229      555,345
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
CAPITAL AND SURPLUS, END OF YEAR          $38,781,183  $34,802,643  $31,964,414
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
                                          -----------  -----------  -----------
</TABLE>
 
                  SEE NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
(Wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.))
STATUTORY STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          ----------------------------------------
                                              1997          1996          1995
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                       <C>           <C>           <C>
CASH PROVIDED
    Premiums, annuity considerations and
     deposit funds received               $139,005,632  $ 83,598,181  $ 85,243,958
    Net investment income                    9,707,801    14,106,521    19,808,090
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
      Total receipts                       148,713,433    97,704,702   105,052,048
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
    Benefits paid                          122,170,301   128,975,968   128,129,129
    Insurance expenses and taxes paid       13,540,362     9,712,774     9,655,310
    Net cash transfers to separate
     accounts                               37,013,877    22,213,704    29,702,679
    Federal income tax payments
     (excluding tax on capital gains)        1,715,259     2,909,899     2,125,541
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
      Total payments                       174,439,799   163,812,345   169,612,659
    Net cash from operations               (25,726,366)  (66,107,643)  (64,560,611)
    Proceeds from long-term investments
     sold, matured or repaid (after
     deducting taxes on capital gains of
     $222,860 for 1997, $(112,405) for
     1996 and $324,248 for 1995)            59,132,310    86,583,714   123,662,512
    Other cash provided                        325,543     4,654,856       444,240
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
      Total cash provided                   59,457,853    91,238,570   124,106,752
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
CASH APPLIED
    Cost of long-term investments
     acquired                               27,369,138    28,654,582    51,631,901
    Other cash applied                         857,106       166,107     2,401,799
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
      Total cash applied                    28,226,244    28,820,689    54,033,700
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
      Net change in cash and short-term
       investments                           5,505,243    (3,689,762)    5,512,441
CASH AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS:
BEGINNING OF YEAR                            4,614,994     8,304,756     2,792,315
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
END OF YEAR                               $ 10,120,237  $  4,614,994  $  8,304,756
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
                                          ------------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
                  SEE NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
                                       57
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
(Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company Of Canada (U.S.))
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
1.  DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
 
GENERAL--
 
Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York (the "Company") is
incorporated as a life insurance company and is currently engaged in the sale of
individual fixed and variable annuities and group life and long-term disability
insurance. The parent company, Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (U.S.) (Sun
Life of Canada (U.S.)), is ultimately a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sun Life
Assurance Company of Canada (Sun Life (Canada)), a mutual life insurance
company.
 
    The Company, which is domiciled in the State of New York, prepares its
financial statements in accordance with statutory accounting practices
prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Department of the State of New York.
Prescribed accounting practices include a variety of publications of the
National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC"), as well as New York
State laws, regulations and general administrative rules. Permitted accounting
practices encompass all accounting practices not so prescribed. The permitted
accounting practices adopted by the Company are not material to the financial
statements. Prior to 1996, statutory accounting practices were recognized by the
insurance industry and the accounting profession as generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP") for mutual life insurance companies and stock
life insurance companies wholly owned by mutual life insurance companies. In
April of 1993, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an
interpretation (the "Interpretation") which became effective in 1996 that has
changed the previous practice of mutual life insurance companies (and stock life
insurance companies that are wholly owned subsidiaries of mutual life insurance
companies) with respect to utilizing statutory basis financial statements for
general purposes, in that it will no longer allow such financial statements to
be described as having been prepared in conformity with GAAP. Consequently,
these financial statements prepared in conformity with statutory accounting
practices as described above, vary from and are not intended to present the
Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flow in conformity
with GAAP. (See Note 16 for further discussion relative to the Company's basis
of financial statement presentation.) The effects on the financial statements of
the variances between the statutory basis of accounting and GAAP, although not
reasonably determinable, are presumed to be material.
 
INVESTED ASSETS--
 
Bonds are carried at cost adjusted for amortization of premium or accrual of
discount. Mortgage loans acquired at a premium or discount are carried at
amortized values and other mortgage loans at the amounts of the unpaid balances.
Real estate investments are carried at the lower of cost, adjusted for
accumulated depreciation, or appraised value less encumbrances. Short-term
investments are carried at amortized cost which approximates fair value.
Depreciation of buildings and improvements is calculated using the straight-line
method over the estimated useful life of the property, generally three to
sixteen years.
 
POLICY AND CONTRACT RESERVES--
 
The reserves for group life insurance, group long-term disability insurance and
annuity contracts, developed by accepted actuarial methods, have been
established and maintained on the basis of published mortality and morbidity
tables using assumed interest rates and valuation methods that will provide
reserves at least as great as those required by law and contract provisions.
 
INCOME AND EXPENSES--
 
For group life, group long-term disability and annuity contracts, premiums are
recognized as revenues over the premium paying period, whereas commissions and
other costs applicable to the acquisition of new business are charged to
operations as incurred.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
(Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company Of Canada (U.S.))
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
1.  DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING
POLICIES (CONTINUED):
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS--
 
The Company has established unitized separate accounts applicable to individual
qualified and non-qualified variable annuity contracts.
 
    Assets and liabilities of the separate accounts, representing net deposits
and accumulated net investment earnings less fees, held primarily for the
benefit of contract holders, are shown as separate captions in the statutory
financial statements. Assets held in the separate accounts are carried at market
values.
 
    The Company has also established a non-unitized separate account for amounts
allocated to the fixed portion of a certain combination fixed/variable deferred
annuity contract. The assets of this account are available to fund general
account liabilities and general account assets are available to fund liabilities
of this account.
 
    Gains (losses) from mortality experience and investment experience of the
separate accounts, not applicable to contract owners, are transferred to (from)
the general account. Accumulated gains (losses) that have not been transferred
are recorded as payable (receivable) to (from) the general account. Transfers
from separate accounts due or accrued amounted to $7,224,000 in 1997 and
$1,689,000 in 1996.
 
OTHER--
 
Preparation of the financial statements requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities,
revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
    Certain 1996 and 1995 amounts have been reclassified to conform to amounts
as presented in 1997.
 
2.  BONDS:
Investments in debt securities are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                          ------------------------------------------------
                                                         GROSS        GROSS      ESTIMATED
                                          AMORTIZED    UNREALIZED   UNREALIZED     FAIR
                                             COST        GAINS        LOSSES       VALUE
                                          ----------   ----------   ----------   ---------
                                                             (IN 000'S)
<S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Long-term bonds:
    United States Government and
     government agencies and authorities   $ 15,005      $  311        $-         $15,316
    Foreign governments                         523          16        -              539
    Public utilities                         12,126         341        -           12,467
    Finance                                   4,026          80        -            4,106
    All other corporate bonds                30,023         696          16        30,703
                                          ----------   ----------     -----      ---------
        Total long-term bonds                61,703       1,444          16        63,131
                                          ----------   ----------     -----      ---------
Short-term bonds:
    U.S. Treasury Bills, bankers
     acceptances and commercial paper         9,406       -            -            9,406
                                          ----------   ----------     -----      ---------
                                           $ 71,109      $1,444        $ 16       $72,537
                                          ----------   ----------     -----      ---------
                                          ----------   ----------     -----      ---------
</TABLE>
 
                                       59
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
(Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company Of Canada (U.S.))
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
2.  BONDS (CONTINUED):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                          ------------------------------------------------
                                                         GROSS        GROSS      ESTIMATED
                                          AMORTIZED    UNREALIZED   UNREALIZED     FAIR
                                             COST        GAINS        LOSSES       VALUE
                                          ----------   ----------   ----------   ---------
                                                             (IN 000'S)
<S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Long-term bonds:
    United States Government and
     government agencies and authorities   $  9,075      $  179        $-         $ 9,254
    Foreign governments                         530          14        -              544
    Public utilities                         19,997         434           8        20,423
    Transportation                              468          34        -              502
    Finance                                   9,643         182        -            9,825
    All other corporate bonds                37,430       1,149          33        38,546
                                          ----------   ----------     -----      ---------
        Total long-term bonds                77,143       1,992          41        79,094
Short-term bonds:
    U.S. Treasury Bills, bankers
     acceptances and commercial paper         4,507       -            -            4,507
                                          ----------   ----------     -----      ---------
                                           $ 81,650      $1,992        $ 41       $83,601
                                          ----------   ----------     -----      ---------
                                          ----------   ----------     -----      ---------
</TABLE>
 
    The amortized cost and estimated fair value of bonds at December 31, 1997 by
contractual maturity are shown below. Expected maturities will differ from
contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay
obligations with or without call and/or prepayment penalties.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                          -----------------------
                                          AMORTIZED   ESTIMATED
                                            COST      FAIR VALUE
                                          ---------  ------------
                                                (IN 000'S)
<S>                                       <C>        <C>
Maturities are:
    Due in one year or less                $21,723     $ 21,825
    Due after one year through five
     years                                  33,228       34,015
    Due after five years through ten
     years                                   2,386        2,499
    Due after ten years                      6,162        6,471
                                          ---------  ------------
        Subtotal                            63,499       64,810
                                          ---------  ------------
    Mortgage-backed securities               7,610        7,727
                                          ---------  ------------
                                           $71,109     $ 72,537
                                          ---------  ------------
                                          ---------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
    Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments in debt securities during
1997, 1996 and 1995 were $42,986,000, $76,431,000 and $111,448,000,
respectively. Gross gains of $395,000, $537,000 and $1,295,000 and gross losses
of $40,000, $183,000 and $335,000 were realized on such sales during 1997, 1996
and 1995, respectively.
 
    A bond, included above, with an amortized cost of approximately $408,000 and
$412,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, was on deposit with the
Superintendent of Insurance of the State of New York as required by law.
 
                                       60
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
(Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company Of Canada (U.S.))
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
3.  MORTGAGE LOANS:
The Company invests in commercial first mortgage loans throughout the United
States. The Company monitors the condition of the mortgage loans in its
portfolio. In those cases where mortgages have been restructured, appropriate
allowances for losses have been made. In those cases where, in management's
judgment, the mortgage loans' values are impaired, appropriate losses are
recorded.
 
    The following table shows the geographic distribution of the mortgage loan
portfolio at December 31:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           1997     1996
                                          -------  -------
                                             (IN 000'S)
 
<S>                                       <C>      <C>
New York                                  $ 4,375  $10,717
California                                  4,672    4,884
Massachusetts                               2,556    6,542
Ohio                                        1,308    3,445
Florida                                     3,313    3,795
All other                                   9,563   11,049
                                          -------  -------
                                          $25,787  $40,432
                                          -------  -------
                                          -------  -------
</TABLE>
 
    As of December 31, 1997, the Company has restructured mortgage loans
totaling $960,000 against which there are allowances for losses of $250,000.
 
4.  INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              YEARS ENDED
                                             DECEMBER 31,
                                          -------------------
                                          1997   1996   1995
                                          -----  -----  -----
                                              (IN 000'S)
<S>                                       <C>    <C>    <C>
Realized capital gains (losses):
    Mortgage loans                        $  (6) $(676) $  (1)
    Real estate                             288    -      (32)
                                          -----  -----  -----
                                            282   (676)   (33)
                                          -----  -----  -----
                                          -----  -----  -----
Changes in unrealized capital gains
 (losses) on mortgage loans               $ 138  $ 702  $(672)
                                          -----  -----  -----
                                          -----  -----  -----
</TABLE>
 
    Realized capital gains and losses on bonds and mortgages which relate to
changes in levels of interest rate risk are charged or credited to an interest
maintenance reserve ("IMR") and amortized into income over the remaining
contractual life of the security sold. The gross realized capital gains credited
to the interest maintenance reserve were $355,000, $354,000 and $960,000 in
1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. All gains are transferred net of applicable
income taxes.
 
                                       61
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
(Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company Of Canada (U.S.))
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
5.  NET INVESTMENT INCOME:
Net investment income consisted of the following for:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          -------------------------
                                           1997     1996     1995
                                          -------  -------  -------
                                                 (IN 000'S)
<S>                                       <C>      <C>      <C>
Interest income from bonds                $ 5,622  $ 8,576  $13,020
Interest income from mortgage loans         3,279    4,252    5,882
Real estate investment income (loss)          483      376      (52)
Other investment income (loss)                170      (93)     170
                                          -------  -------  -------
    Gross investment income                 9,554   13,111   19,020
Investment expenses                           729      797      570
                                          -------  -------  -------
Net investment income                     $ 8,825  $12,314  $18,450
                                          -------  -------  -------
                                          -------  -------  -------
</TABLE>
 
6.  REINSURANCE:
The Company has agreements with Sun Life (Canada) which provide that Sun Life
(Canada) will reinsure the mortality and morbidity risks of the group life
insurance contracts and group long-term disability contracts issued by the
Company. Under these agreements, basic death benefits and long-term disability
benefits are reinsured on a yearly renewable term basis. The agreements provide
that Sun Life (Canada) will reinsure the mortality risks in excess of $50,000
per policy for group life insurance contracts and $3,000 per policy per month
for the group long-term disability contracts ceded by the Company. Reinsurance
transactions under these agreements had the effect of increasing income from
operations by $139,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997, decreasing income
from operations by $500,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996 and increasing
income from operations by $652,000 for the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
    The group life and long-term disability reinsurance agreements require that
the reinsurer provide funds in amounts equal to the reserves ceded.
 
    The following are summarized proforma results of operations of the Company
for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 before the effect of
reinsurance transactions with Sun Life (Canada).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          ---------------------------
                                            1997     1996      1995
                                          --------  -------  --------
                                                  (IN 000'S)
<S>                                       <C>       <C>      <C>
Income:
    Premiums, annuity deposits and other
     revenues                             $142,915  $85,947  $ 86,819
    Net investment income                    9,343   13,019    19,204
                                          --------  -------  --------
    Subtotal                               152,258   98,966   106,023
                                          --------  -------  --------
Benefits and expenses:
    Policyholder benefits                  101,371   64,328    61,720
    Other expenses                          45,538   29,357    41,557
                                          --------  -------  --------
    Subtotal                               146,909   93,685   103,277
                                          --------  -------  --------
Income from operations                    $  5,349  $ 5,281  $  2,746
                                          --------  -------  --------
                                          --------  -------  --------
</TABLE>
 
                                       62
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
(Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company Of Canada (U.S.))
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
7.  WITHDRAWAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ANNUITY ACTUARIAL RESERVES AND DEPOSIT
LIABILITIES:
Withdrawal characteristics of general account and separate account annuity
reserves and deposits:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           DECEMBER 31, 1997
                                          --------------------
                                           AMOUNT   % OF TOTAL
                                          --------  ----------
                                               (IN 000'S)
<S>                                       <C>       <C>
Subject to discretionary withdrawal:
  --with market value adjustment          $120,764     21.40%
  --at book value less surrender charges
   (surrender charge > 5%)                  13,811      2.40
  --at book value (minimal or no charge
   or adjustment)                          410,484     72.70
Not subject to discretionary withdrawal
 provision                                  19,972      3.50
                                          --------  ----------
Total annuity actuarial reserves and
 deposit liabilities                      $565,031    100.00%
                                          --------  ----------
                                          --------  ----------
 
<CAPTION>
                                           DECEMBER 31, 1996
                                          --------------------
                                           AMOUNT   % OF TOTAL
                                          --------  ----------
                                               (IN 000'S)
<S>                                       <C>       <C>
Subject to discretionary withdrawal:
  --with market value adjustment          $ 92,135     19.60%
  --at book value less surrender charges
   (surrender charge > 5%)                  38,668      8.20
  --at book value (minimal or no
   surrender charge or adjustment)         318,886     67.90
Not subject to discretionary withdrawal
 provision                                  20,326      4.30
                                          --------  ----------
Total annuity actuarial reserves and
 deposit liabilities                      $470,015    100.00%
                                          --------  ----------
                                          --------  ----------
</TABLE>
 
8.  RETIREMENT PLANS:
The Company participates with Sun Life (Canada) and Sun Life of Canada (U.S.) in
a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering essentially all
employees. The benefits are based on years of service and compensation.
 
    The funding policy for the pension plan is to contribute an amount which at
least satisfies the minimum amount required by ERISA; the plan is currently
fully funded. The Company is charged for its share of the pension cost based
upon its covered participants. Pension plan assets consist principally of a
variable accumulation fund contract held in a separate account of Sun Life
(Canada).
 
    The Company's share of the group's accrued pension cost at December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995 was $211,000, $178,000 and $97,000, respectively. The
Company's share of net periodic pension cost was $33,000, $81,000 and $18,000
for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
 
    The Company also participates with Sun Life (Canada), Sun Life of Canada
(U.S.) and certain affiliates in a 401(k) savings plan for which substantially
all employees are eligible. The Company matches, up to specified amounts,
employees' contributions to the plan. Employer contributions were $28,000,
$27,000 and $21,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
 
OTHER POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
 
    In addition to pension benefits, the Company provides certain health, dental
and life insurance benefits ("post-retirement benefits") for retired employees
and dependents. Substantially all employees may become eligible for these
benefits if they reach normal retirement age while working for the Company, or
retire
 
                                       63
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
(Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company Of Canada (U.S.))
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
8.  RETIREMENT PLANS (CONTINUED):
early upon satisfying an alternate age plus service condition. Life insurance
benefits are generally set at a fixed amount. The expense recognized in the
financial statements relative to this plan was $16,000 in 1997, $8,000 in 1996
and $7,000 in 1995.
 
9.  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
The following table presents the carrying amounts and fair values of the
Company's financial instruments at December 31, 1997 and 1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1997                            1996
                                          -----------------------------   -----------------------------
                                             CARRYING                        CARRYING
                                              AMOUNT        FAIR VALUE        AMOUNT        FAIR VALUE
                                          --------------   ------------   --------------   ------------
                                                                   (IN 000'S)
<S>                                       <C>              <C>            <C>              <C>
ASSETS:
Bonds                                        $ 71,109        $ 72,537        $ 81,650        $   83,601
Mortgages                                      25,787          26,557          40,432            41,196
                                              -------      ------------   --------------   ------------
Total                                        $ 98,896        $ 99,094        $122,082        $  124,797
                                              -------      ------------   --------------   ------------
                                              -------      ------------   --------------   ------------
LIABILITIES:
Individual annuities                         $ 40,479        $ 38,177        $ 70,166        $   68,830
                                              -------      ------------   --------------   ------------
                                              -------      ------------   --------------   ------------
</TABLE>
 
    The major methods and assumptions used in estimating the fair values of
financial instruments are as follows:
 
    The fair values of short-term bonds are estimated to be the amortized cost.
The fair values of long-term bonds which are publicly traded are based upon
market prices or dealer quotes. For privately placed bonds, fair values are
estimated using prices for publicly traded bonds of similar credit risk,
maturity, repayment and liquidity characteristics.
 
    The fair values of the Company's general account reserves and liabilities
under investment-type contracts (insurance and annuity contracts that do not
involve mortality or morbidity risks) are estimated using discounted cash flow
analyses or surrender values. Those contracts that are deemed to have short-term
guarantees have a carrying amount equal to the estimated market value.
 
    The fair values of mortgages are estimated by discounting future cash flows
using current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with
similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities.
 
10. STATUTORY INVESTMENT VALUATION RESERVES:
The asset valuation reserve ("AVR") provides a reserve for losses from
investments in bonds, mortgage loans, real-estate and other invested assets with
related increases or decreases being recorded directly to surplus.
 
    Realized capital gains and losses on bonds and mortgages which relate to
changes in levels of interest rate risk are charged or credited to an IMR and
amortized into income over the remaining contractual life of the security sold.
 
                                       64
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
(Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company Of Canada (U.S.))
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
10. STATUTORY INVESTMENT VALUATION RESERVES (CONTINUED):
    The table shown below presents changes in the major elements of the AVR and
IMR.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               1997            1996
                                          --------------  --------------
                                           AVR     IMR     AVR     IMR
                                          ------  ------  ------  ------
                                            (IN 000'S)      (IN 000'S)
<S>                                       <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Balance, beginning of year                $1,845  $1,174  $1,546  $1,648
Net realized capital gains (losses), net
 of tax                                      183     231    (439)    230
Amortization of net investment gains        -       (519)   -       (704)
Unrealized investment gains                  138    -        702    -
Required by formula                         (820)   -         36    -
                                          ------  ------  ------  ------
Balance, end of year                      $1,346  $  886  $1,845  $1,174
                                          ------  ------  ------  ------
                                          ------  ------  ------  ------
</TABLE>
 
11. LIABILITY FOR UNPAID CLAIMS AND CLAIM ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES:
Activity in the liability for unpaid claims and claim adjustment expense is
summarized below (in 000's).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1997     1996     1995
                                                     -------  -------  -------
 <S>                                                 <C>      <C>      <C>
 Balance, January 1                                  $ 6,129  $ 4,320  $ 2,322
 Claims incurred                                       9,008    5,061    4,789
 Claims paid                                          (4,898)  (3,252)  (2,791)
                                                     -------  -------  -------
 Balance, December 31                                $10,239  $ 6,129  $ 4,320
                                                     -------  -------  -------
                                                     -------  -------  -------
</TABLE>
 
    The information presented above includes unpaid benefit claims and claim
adjustment expenses for the group life and group long-term disability contracts.
As of December 31, 1997, the unpaid claim and claim adjustment liability for
these contracts is included in Policy Reserves.
 
12. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES:
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with Sun Life of
Canada (U.S.) and other affiliates. Federal income taxes are calculated as if
the Company filed a return as a separate company. No provision is recognized for
timing differences which may exist between financial statement and taxable
income. Such differences include reserves, depreciation and accrual of market
discount on bonds. The Company made cash payments to Sun Life of Canada (U.S.)
of $1,938,000, $2,797,000 and $2,421,000 during 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.
 
13. LEASE COMMITMENTS:
The Company leases two separate facilities for its annuity operations and group
sales office. Both leases commenced in March 1994.
 
                                       65
<PAGE>
SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
(Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of Sun Life Assurance Company Of Canada (U.S.))
NOTES TO STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997, 1996 AND 1995
 
13. LEASE COMMITMENTS (CONTINUED):
    Future minimum lease commitments are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31,
 ------------------------------  AMOUNT
                                 ------
                                  (IN
                                 000'S)
 <S>                             <C>
 1998                            $ 354
 1999                              305
 2000                              237
 2001                              237
 2002                              237
 Thereafter                        275
                                 ------
 Total                           $1,645
                                 ------
                                 ------
</TABLE>
 
    Rent expense under these and prior leases in 1997, 1996 and 1995 amounted to
$348,000, $336,000 and $336,000, respectively.
 
14. MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE CONTRACTS:
The Company has agreements with Sun Life (Canada) which provide that Sun Life
(Canada) will furnish to the Company, as requested, personnel as well as certain
investment, actuarial and administrative services on a cost reimbursement basis.
Expenses under these agreements amounted to approximately $1,155,000 in 1997,
$1,866,000 in 1996 and $1,741,000 in 1995.
 
15. RISK-BASED CAPITAL:
Effective December 31, 1993, the NAIC adopted risk-based capital requirements
for life insurance companies. The risk-based capital requirements provide a
method for measuring the minimum acceptable amount of adjusted capital that a
life insurer should have, as determined under statutory accounting practices,
taking into account the risk characteristics of its investments and products.
The Company has met the minimum risk-based capital requirements at December 31,
1997 and 1996.
 
16. ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND PRINCIPLES:
The financial statements of the Company have been prepared on the basis of
statutory accounting practices which, prior to 1996, were considered by the
insurance industry and the accounting profession to be in accordance with GAAP
for mutual life insurance companies. The primary differences between statutory
accounting and GAAP are described as follows. Statutory accounting practices do
not recognize the following assets or liabilities which are reflected under
GAAP; deferred acquisition costs, deferred federal income taxes and statutory
non admitted assets. AVR and IMR are established under statutory accounting
practices but not under GAAP. Methods for calculating real estate depreciation
and investment valuation allowances differ under statutory accounting practices
and GAAP. Premiums for investment-type products are recognized as income for
statutory purposes and as deposits to policyholders' accounts for GAAP.
 
    Because the Company's management uses financial information prepared in
conformity with accounting policies generally accepted in Canada in the normal
course of business, the management of the Company has determined that the cost
of complying with Statement No. 120 would exceed the benefits that the Company,
or the users of its financial statements, would experience. Consequently, the
Company has elected not to apply such standards in the preparation of these
financial statements.
 
                                       66
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
 
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK
 
We have audited the accompanying statutory statements of admitted assets,
liabilities and capital stock and surplus of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity
Company of New York ("the Company") as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
related statutory statements of operations, changes in capital stock and
surplus, and cash flow for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1997. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
As described more fully in Notes 1 and 16 to the financial statements, the
Company prepared these financial statements using accounting practices
prescribed or permitted by the Insurance Department of the State of New York,
which practices differ from generally accepted accounting principles. The
effects on the financial statements of the variances between the statutory basis
of accounting and generally accepted accounting principles, although not
reasonably determinable, are presumed to be material.
 
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the admitted assets, liabilities and capital stock and
surplus of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York as of December 31,
1997 and 1996, and the results of its operations and its cash flow for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 on the basis of accounting
described in Notes 1 and 16.
 
However, because of the effects of the matter discussed in the second preceding
paragraph, in our opinion, the statutory financial statements referred to above
do not present fairly, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles, the financial position of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of
New York as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 or the results of its operations or
its cash flow for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997.
 
As management has stated in Note 16, because the Company's management uses
financial information prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in Canada in the normal course of business, the management of
Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York has determined that the cost
of complying with Statement No. 120, Accounting and Reporting by Mutual Life
Insurance Enterprises and by Insurance Enterprises for Certain Long-Duration
Participating Contracts, would exceed the benefits that the Company, or the
users of its financial statements would experience. Consequently, the Company
has elected not to apply such standards in the preparation of these financial
statements.
 
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
February 5, 1998
 
                                       67
<PAGE>
   
                                   APPENDIX A
                             ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES
    
 
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE OF VARIABLE ACCUMULATION UNIT VALUE CALCULATIONS:
 
    Suppose the net asset value of a Series Fund share at the end of the current
valuation period is $18.38; at the end of the immediately preceding valuation
period was $18.32; the Valuation Period is one day; and no dividends or
distributions caused Series Fund shares to go "ex-dividend" during the current
Valuation Period. $18.38 divided by $18.32 is 1.00327511. Subtracting the one
day risk factor for mortality and expense risks and the distribution expense
charge of .00003809 (the daily equivalent of the current maximum charge of 1.40%
on an annual basis) gives a net investment factor of 1.00323702. If the value of
the variable accumulation unit for the immediately preceding valuation period
had been 14.5645672, the value for the current valuation period would be
14.6117130 (14.5645672 X 1.00323702).
 
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE OF VARIABLE ANNUITY UNIT VALUE CALCULATIONS:
 
    Suppose the circumstances of the first example exist, and the value of an
annuity unit for the immediately preceding valuation period had been 12.3456789.
If the first variable annuity payment is determined by using an annuity payment
based on an assumed interest rate of 4% per year, the value of the annuity unit
for the current valuation period would be 12.3843113 (12.3456789 X 1.00323702
(the Net Investment Factor) X 0.99989255). 0.99989255 is the factor, for a one
day Valuation Period, that neutralizes the assumed interest rate of four percent
(4%) per year used to establish the Annuity Payment Rates found in the Contract.
 
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE OF VARIABLE ANNUITY PAYMENT CALCULATIONS:
 
    Suppose that a Contract's Accumulation Account is credited with 8,765.4321
variable accumulation units of a particular Sub-Account but is not credited with
any fixed accumulation units; that the variable accumulation unit value and the
annuity unit value for the particular Sub-Account for the valuation period which
ends immediately preceding the annuity commencement date are 14.5645672 and
12.3456789 respectively; that the annuity payment rate for the age and option
elected is $6.78 per $1,000; and that the annuity unit value on the day prior to
the second variable annuity payment date is 12.3843113. The first variable
annuity payment would be $865.57 (8,765.4321 X 14.5645672 X 6.78 divided by
1,000). The number of annuity units credited would be 70.1112 ($865.57 divided
by 12.3456789) and the second variable annuity payment would be $868.28 (70.1112
X 12.3843113).
 
                                       68
<PAGE>
                                   APPENDIX B
        WITHDRAWALS, WITHDRAWAL CHARGES AND THE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
 
PART 1: VARIABLE ACCOUNT (THE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO THE
VARIABLE ACCOUNT)
 
    These examples assume the following:
 
        1)  The Purchase Payment was $10,000
 
        2)  The date of full surrender or partial withdrawal occurs during the
    3rd Contract Year and
 
           a)  the Contract's Account Value is $12,000 and is attributable to
       the value of Variable Accumulation Units of one Sub-Account,
 
           b)  no previous partial withdrawals have been made.
 
EXAMPLE A--FULL SURRENDER:
 
        1)  10% or .10 of the Purchase Payment is available without imposition
    of a withdrawal charge: (.10 X $10,000 = $1,000).
 
        2)  The balance of the full surrender ($12,000 - $1,000 = $11,000) is
    subject to the withdrawal charge applicable during the 3rd Contract Year (5%
    or .05).
 
        3)  The amount of the withdrawal charge is .05 X $11,000 = $550.
 
        4)  The amount of the full surrender is $12,000. - $550 = $11,450.
 
EXAMPLE B--PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL (IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,000):
 
        1)  10% or .10 of the Purchase Payment is available without imposition
    of a withdrawal charge. (.10 X $10,000 = $1,000).
 
        2)  The balance of the partial withdrawal ($2,000 - $1,000 = $1,000) is
    subject to the withdrawal charge applicable during the 3rd Contract Year (5%
    or .05).
 
        3)  The amount of the withdrawal charge is equal to the amount required
    to complete the partial withdrawal ($2,000 - $1,000 = $1,000) divided by 1 -
    .05 or .95 less the amount required to complete the balance of the partial
    withdrawal.
 
        Withdrawal Charge = $1,000 - $1,000
                           .95
 
                        = $52.63
 
    In this example, in order for the Owner to receive the amount requested
($2,000), a gross withdrawal of $2052.63 must be processed with $52.63
representing the withdrawal charge calculated above.
 
PART 2--FIXED ACCOUNT--EXAMPLES OF THE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT (MVA)
 
    The MVA factor is:
 
<TABLE>
<C>        <S>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                      N/12
           1 + l                 -1
        (  -------    )
           1 + J
</TABLE>
 
    These examples assume the following:
 
        1)  the Guarantee Amount was allocated to a five year Guarantee Period
    with a Guaranteed Interest Rate of 6% or .06 (l).
 
        2)  the date of surrender is two years from the Expiration Date (N =
    24).
 
        3)  the value of the Guarantee Amount on the date of surrender is
    $11,910.16
 
        4)  the interest earned in the current Contract Year is $674.16.
 
        5)  no transfers or partial withdrawals affecting this Guarantee Amount
    have been made
 
        6)  withdrawal charges, if any, are calculated in the same manner as
            shown in the examples in Part 1.
 
                                       69
<PAGE>
EXAMPLE OF A NEGATIVE MVA:
 
    Assume that on the date of surrender, the current rate (J) is 8% or .08
 
<TABLE>
<C>                <C>        <S>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                    N/12
                                         1 + l                 -1
 The MVA factor =             (          -------    )
                                         1 + J
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>                <C>        <S>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                    24/12
                                         1 + .06               -1
                =             (          -------    )
                                         1 + .08
 
                =             (.981)(2) -1
 
                =             .963 -1
 
                =      -      .037
</TABLE>
 
    The value of the Guarantee Amount less interest credited to the Guarantee
Amount in the current Contract Year is multiplied by the MVA factor to determine
the MVA
 
                   ($11,910.16 - $674.16) X (-.037) = -$415.73
 
        -$415.73 represents the MVA that will be deducted from the value of the
    Guarantee Amount before the deduction of any withdrawal charge.
 
    For a partial withdrawal of $2,000.00 from this Guarantee Amount, the MVA
would be
 
                    ($2,000.00 - $674.16) X (-.037) = -$49.06
 
        -$49.06 represents the MVA that will be deducted from the partial
    withdrawal amount before the deduction of any withdrawal charge.
 
EXAMPLE OF A POSITIVE MVA:
 
    Assume that on the date of surrender, the current rate (J) is 5% or .05.
 
<TABLE>
<C>                <C>        <S>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                    N/12
                                         1 + l                 -1
 The MVA factor =             (          -------    )
                                         1 + J
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<C>                <C>        <S>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
                                                    24/12
                                         1 + .06               -1
                =             (          -------    )
                                         1 + .05
 
                =             (1.010)(2) -1
 
                =             1.019 -1
 
                =             .019
</TABLE>
 
    The value of the Guarantee Amount less interest credited to the Guarantee
Amount in the current Contract Year is multiplied by the MVA factor to determine
the MVA
 
                   ($11,910.16 - $674.16) X .019 = $213.48
 
        $213.48 represents the MVA that would be added to the value of the
    Guarantee Amount before the deduction of any withdrawal charge.
 
    For a partial withdrawal of $2,000.00 from this Guarantee Amount, the MVA
would be
 
                    ($2,000.00 - $674.16) X .019 = $25.19
 
        $25.19 represents the MVA that will be added to the value of the partial
    withdrawal amount before the deduction of any withdrawal charge.
 
                                       70
<PAGE>
                                   APPENDIX C
                        CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE DATA
 
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN:
 
    The table below shows, for various Sub-Accounts of the Variable Account, the
Average Annual Total Return for the stated periods (or shorter period indicated
in the note below), based upon a hypothetical initial Purchase Payment of
$1,000, calculated in accordance with the formula set out below the table. For
purposes of determining these investment results, the actual investment
performance of each Series of MFS/Sun Life Series Trust is reflected from the
date such Series commenced operations ("Inception"), although the Contracts have
been offered only since March 1, 1993.
 
   
                          AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
                        PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1997
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           1 YEAR             5 YEAR                 10 YEAR                              DATE OF
                           PERIOD             PERIOD                  PERIOD             LIFE*           INCEPTION
                         -----------  ----------------------  ----------------------  -----------  ----------------------
<S>                      <C>          <C>                     <C>                     <C>          <C>
Capital Appreciation
 Series................     14.30%             15.08%                  16.10%             --          August 13, 1985
Conservative Growth
 Series................     22.65%             16.72%                  15.63%             --          December 5, 1986
Government Securities
 Series................       1.24%               4.21      %             6.84      %     --          August 12, 1985
High Yield Series......       5.43%               8.83      %             9.36      %     --          August 13, 1985
Managed Sectors
 Series................      16.90%              12.21      %           --                 15.76 %      May 27, 1988
Money Market Series....      (2.20)%              1.88      %             3.74      %     --          August 29, 1985
Total Return Series....      13.24%              11.37      %           --                 11.19 %      May 16, 1988
Utilities Series.......      23.60%             --                      --                 15.73 %   November 16, 1993
World Governments
 Series................      (7.53)%              4.04      %           --                  6.13 %      May 16, 1988
World Growth Series....       7.35%             --                      --                 10.32 %   November 16, 1993
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
*From Date of Inception, as the lifetimes of these series are less than the
 periods indicated.
 
The length of the period and the last day of each period used in the above table
are set out in the table heading and in the footnotes above. The Average Annual
Total Return for each period was determined by finding the average annual
compounded rate of return over each period that would equate the initial amount
invested to the ending redeemable value for that period, in accordance with the
following formula:
 
   
                               P(1 + T)(n) = ERV
    
 
<TABLE>
<C>        <C>        <S>
 Where: P      =      a hypothetical Purchase Payment of $1,000
        T      =      average annual total return for the period
        n      =      number of years
      ERV      =      redeemable value (as of the end of the period) of a
                      hypothetical $1,000 Purchase Payment made at the beginning of
                      the 1-year, 5-year, or 10-year period (or fractional portion
                      thereof)
</TABLE>
 
   The formula assumes that: 1) all recurring fees have been deducted from the
   Contract's Accumulation Account; 2) all applicable non-recurring Contract
   charges are deducted at the end of the period; and 3) there will be a full
   surrender at the end of the period.
 
    The $30 annual Account Fee will be allocated among the Sub-Accounts so that
each Sub-Account's allocated portion of the Account Fee is proportional to the
percentage of the number of Contracts that have amounts allocated to that
Sub-Account. Because the impact of Account Fees on a particular Contract may
 
                                       71
<PAGE>
differ from those assumed in the computation due to differences between actual
allocations and the assumed ones, the total return that would have been
experienced by an actual Contract over these same time periods may have been
different from that shown above.
 
NON-STANDARDIZED INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE:
 
    The Variable Account may illustrate its results over various periods and
compare its results to indices and other variable annuities in sales materials
including advertisements, brochures and reports. Such results may be computed on
a "cumulative" and/or "annualized" basis.
 
    "Cumulative" quotations are arrived at by calculating the change in the
Accumulation Unit value of a Sub-Account between the first and last day of the
base period being measured, and expressing the difference as a percentage of the
Accumulation Unit value at the beginning of the base period.
 
    "Annualized" quotations (described in the following table as "Compound
Growth Rate") are calculated by applying a formula which determines the level
rate of return which, if earned over the entire base period, would produce the
cumulative return.
 
                                       72
<PAGE>
                    NON-STANDARDIZED INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE:
   
$10,000 INVESTED IN                       ...WOULD HAVE GROWN TO THIS AMOUNT ON
THIS SUB-ACCOUNT UNDER A                            DECEMBER 31, 1997*
REGATTA-NY CONTRACT
THIS MANY YEARS AGO...
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            CAPITAL APPRECIATION SERIES                                      GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SERIES
           -------------------------------------------------------------             ---------------------------------------------
 NUMBER                                     CUMULATIVE       COMPOUND      NUMBER                                     CUMULATIVE
   OF                                         GROWTH          GROWTH         OF                                         GROWTH
  YEARS         PERIODS         AMOUNT         RATE            RATE         YEARS         PERIODS         AMOUNT         RATE
- ---------  -----------------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ---------  -----------------  -----------  -------------
<S>        <C>                <C>          <C>            <C>             <C>        <C>                <C>          <C>
    1      12/31/95-12/31/96  $ 11,980.32       19.80%          19.80%        1      12/31/95-12/31/96  $ 10,020.66        0.21%
    2      12/31/94-12/31/96  $ 15,887.20       58.87%          26.04%        2      12/31/94-12/31/96  $ 11,626.38       16.26%
    3      12/31/93-12/31/96  $ 15,104.16       51.04%          14.74%        3      12/31/93-12/31/96  $ 11,218.54       12.19%
    4      12/31/92-12/31/96  $ 17,579.46       75.79%          15.15%        4      12/31/92-12/31/96  $ 12,031.05       20.31%
    5      12/31/91-12/31/96  $ 19,699.93       97.00%          14.52%        5      12/31/91-12/31/96  $ 12,671.30       26.71%
   10      12/31/86-12/31/96  $ 37,752.31      277.52%          14.21%       10      12/31/86-12/31/96  $ 18,628.94       86.29%
  Life      8/13/85-12/31/96  $ 48,147.06      381.47%          14.79%      Life      8/12/85-12/31/96  $ 22,263.65      122.64%
 
<CAPTION>
 
                              MANAGED SECTORS SERIES                                              TOTAL RETURN SERIES
           -------------------------------------------------------------             ---------------------------------------------
 NUMBER                                     CUMULATIVE       COMPOUND      NUMBER                                     CUMULATIVE
   OF                                         GROWTH          GROWTH         OF                                         GROWTH
  YEARS         PERIODS         AMOUNT         RATE            RATE         YEARS         PERIODS         AMOUNT         RATE
- ---------  -----------------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ---------  -----------------  -----------  -------------
<S>        <C>                <C>          <C>            <C>             <C>        <C>                <C>          <C>
    1      12/31/95-12/31/96  $ 11,596.20       15.96%          15.96%        1      12/31/95-12/31/96  $ 11,248.28       12.48%
    2      12/31/94-12/31/96  $ 15,125.84       51.26%          22.99%        2      12/31/94-12/31/96  $ 14,064.02       40.64%
    3      12/31/93-12/31/96  $ 14,630.21       46.30%          13.52%        3      12/31/93-12/31/96  $ 13,556.07       35.56%
    4      12/31/92-12/31/96  $ 15,011.82       50.12%          10.69%        4      12/31/92-12/31/96  $ 15,120.96       51.21%
    5      12/31/91-12/31/96  $ 15,765.45       57.65%           9.53%        5      12/31/91-12/31/96  $ 16,190.51       61.91%
  Life      5/27/88-12/31/96  $ 33,134.16      231.34%          14.94%      Life      5/16/88-12/31/96  $ 23,884.91      138.85%
<CAPTION>
 
                            CONSERVATIVE GROWTH SERIES                                             UTILITIES SERIES
           -------------------------------------------------------------             ---------------------------------------------
 NUMBER                                     CUMULATIVE       COMPOUND      NUMBER                                     CUMULATIVE
   OF                                         GROWTH          GROWTH         OF                                         GROWTH
  YEARS         PERIODS         AMOUNT         RATE            RATE         YEARS         PERIODS         AMOUNT         RATE
- ---------  -----------------  -----------  -------------  --------------  ---------  -----------------  -----------  -------------
<S>        <C>                <C>          <C>            <C>             <C>        <C>                <C>          <C>
    1      12/31/95-12/31/96  $ 12,366.55       23.67%          23.67%        1      12/31/95-12/31/96  $ 11,867.33       18.67%
    2      12/31/94-12/31/96  $ 16,761.86       67.62%          29.47%        2      12/31/94-12/31/96  $ 15,496.11       54.96%
    3      12/31/93-12/31/96  $ 16,347.69       63.48%          17.80%
    4      12/31/92-12/31/96  $ 17,473.03       74.73%          14.97%
    5      12/31/91-12/31/96  $ 18,204.90       82.05%          12.73%
   10      12/31/86-12/31/96  $ 32,127.80      221.28%          12.38%
  Life      12/5/86-12/31/96  $ 32,080.54      220.81%          12.26%      Life     11/16/93-12/31/96  $ 14,525.95       45.26%
 
<CAPTION>
                                                            HIGH YIELD SERIES
                                      -------------------------------------------------------------
 NUMBER       COMPOUND      NUMBER                                     CUMULATIVE       COMPOUND
   OF          GROWTH         OF                                         GROWTH          GROWTH
  YEARS         RATE         YEARS         PERIODS         AMOUNT         RATE            RATE
- ---------  --------------  ---------  -----------------  -----------  -------------  --------------
<S>        <C>             <C>        <C>                <C>          <C>            <C>
    1             0.21%        1      12/31/95-12/31/96  $ 11,055.92       10.56%          10.56%
    2             7.83%        2      12/31/94-12/31/96  $ 12,761.18       27.61%          12.97%
    3             3.91%        3      12/31/93-12/31/96  $ 12,304.30       23.04%           7.16%
    4             4.73%        4      12/31/92-12/31/96  $ 14,287.09       42.87%           9.33%
    5             4.85%        5      12/31/91-12/31/96  $ 16,196.97       61.97%          10.13%
   10             6.42%       10      12/31/86-12/31/96  $ 21,966.38      119.66%           8.19%
  Life            7.28%      Life      8/13/85-12/31/96  $ 25,686.97      156.87%           8.63%
                                                        WORLD GOVERNMENTS SERIES
                                      -------------------------------------------------------------
 NUMBER       COMPOUND      NUMBER                                     CUMULATIVE       COMPOUND
   OF          GROWTH         OF                                         GROWTH          GROWTH
  YEARS         RATE         YEARS         PERIODS         AMOUNT         RATE            RATE
- ---------  --------------  ---------  -----------------  -----------  -------------  --------------
<S>        <C>             <C>        <C>                <C>          <C>            <C>
    1            12.48%        1      12/31/95-12/31/96  $ 10,321.22        3.21%           3.21%
    2            18.59%        2      12/31/94-12/31/96  $ 11,776.08       17.76%           8.52%
    3            10.67%        3      12/31/93-12/31/96  $ 11,092.43       10.92%           3.52%
    4            10.89%        4      12/31/92-12/31/96  $ 13,011.63       30.12%           6.80%
    5            10.12%        5      12/31/91-12/31/96  $ 12,908.42       29.08%           5.24%
  Life           10.61%      Life      5/16/88-12/31/96  $ 18,303.78       83.04%           7.25%
                                                           WORLD GROWTH SERIES
                                      -------------------------------------------------------------
 NUMBER       COMPOUND      NUMBER                                     CUMULATIVE       COMPOUND
   OF          GROWTH         OF                                         GROWTH          GROWTH
  YEARS         RATE         YEARS         PERIODS         AMOUNT         RATE            RATE
- ---------  --------------  ---------  -----------------  -----------  -------------  --------------
<S>        <C>             <C>        <C>                <C>          <C>            <C>
    1            18.67%        1      12/31/95-12/31/96  $ 11,151.61       11.52%          11.52%
    2            24.48%        2      12/31/94-12/31/96  $ 12,756.81       27.57%          12.95%
    3
    4
    5
   10
  Life           12.69%      Life     11/16/93-12/31/96  $ 13,752.25       37.52%          10.73%
</TABLE>
    
 
- ------------------------
   
*For purposes of determining these investment results, the actual investment
 performance of each Series of MFS/Sun Life Series Trust is reflected from the
 date such series commenced operations, although the Contracts have been offered
 only since March 1, 1993. The charges imposed under the Contracts against the
 assets of the Variable Account for mortality and expense risks and
 administrative expenses have been deducted. However, the annual Account Fee is
 not reflected and these examples do not assume surrender at the end of the
 period.
    
 
                                       73
<PAGE>
                        ADVERTISING AND SALES LITERATURE
 
    As set forth in the Prospectus, the Company may refer to the following
organizations (and others) in its marketing materials:
 
    A.M. BEST'S RATING SYSTEM is designed to evaluate the various factors
affecting the overall performance of an insurance company in order to provide an
opinion as to an insurance company's relative financial strength and ability to
meet its contractual obligations. The procedure includes both a quantitative and
qualitative review of each company.
 
    DUFF & PHELPS CREDIT RATING COMPANY's Insurance Company Claims Paying
Ability Rating is an independent evaluation by a nationally accredited rating
organization of an insurance company's ability to meet its future obligations
under the contracts and products it sells. The rating takes into account both
quantitative and qualitative factors.
 
    LIPPER VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS SERVICE is a
publisher of statistical data covering the investment company industry in the
United States and overseas. Lipper is recognized as the leading source of data
on open-end and closed-end funds. Lipper currently tracks the performance of
over 5,000 investment companies and publishes numerous specialized reports,
including reports on performance and portfolio analysis, fee and expense
analysis.
 
    STANDARD & POOR's insurance claims-paying ability rating is an opinion of an
operating insurance company's financial capacity to meet obligations of its
insurance policies in accordance with their terms.
 
   
    VARDS (Variable Annuity Research Data Service) provides a comprehensive
guide to variable annuity contract features and historical fund performance. The
service also provides a readily understandable analysis of the comparative
characteristics and market performance of funds included in variable contracts.
    
 
   
    MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICES, INC.'s insurance and claims-paying rating is a
system of rating an insurance company's financial strength, market leadership,
and ability to meet financial obligations. The purpose of Moody's ratings is to
provide investors with a simple system of gradation by which the relative
quality of insurance companies may be noted.
    
 
    STANDARD & POOR'S INDEX--broad-based measurement of changes in stock-market
conditions based on the average performance of 500 widely held common stocks;
commonly known as the Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500). The selection of stocks,
their relative weightings to reflect differences in the number of outstanding
shares, and publication of the index itself are services of Standard & Poor's
Corporation, a financial advisory, securities rating, and publishing firm. The
index tracks 400 industrial company stocks, 20 transportation stocks, 40
financial company stocks, and 40 public utilities.
 
    NASDAQ-OTC Price Index--this index is based on the National Association of
Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) and represents all domestic
over-the-counter stocks except those traded on exchanges and those having only
one market maker, a total of some 3,500 stocks. It is market value-weighted and
was introduced with a base of 100.00 on February 5, 1971.
 
    DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE (DJIA)--price-weighted average of 30 actively
traded blue chip stocks, primarily industrials, but including American Express
Company and American Telephone and Telegraph Company. Prepared and Published by
Dow Jones & Company, it is the oldest and most widely quoted of all the market
indicators. The average is quoted in points, not dollars.
 
    In its advertisements and other sales literature for the Variable Account
and the Series Fund, the Company intends to illustrate the advantages of the
Contracts in a number of ways:
 
    COMPOUND INTEREST ILLUSTRATIONS.  These will emphasize several advantages of
the variable annuity contract. For example, but not by way of limitation, the
literature may emphasize the potential savings through tax deferral and/or the
potential advantage of the Variable Account over the fixed account.
 
    DOLLAR COST AVERAGING ILLUSTRATIONS.  These illustrations will generally
discuss the price-leveling effect of making regular investments in the same
Sub-Accounts over a period of time to take advantage of the trends in market
prices of the portfolio securities purchased by those Sub-Accounts.
 
    SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PROGRAM.  A service provided by the Company, through
which the Owner may take any distribution allowed by Code Section 401(a)(9) in
the case of Qualified Contracts, or permitted under Code Section 72 in the case
of Non-Qualified Contracts, by way of a series of partial withdrawals.
Withdrawals under this program may be fully or partially includible in income
and may be subject to a 10% penalty tax. Consult your tax advisor.
 
    THE COMPANY'S ASSETS, SIZE.  The Company may discuss its general financial
condition (see, for example, the references to Standard & Poor's, Duff & Phelps
and A.M. Best Company above); it may refer to its assets; it may also discuss
its relative size and/or ranking among companies in the industry or among any
sub-classification of those companies, based upon recognized evaluation
criteria.
 
                                       74
<PAGE>
                                   SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
                                   OF NEW YORK
                                   80 BROAD STREET
                                   NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004
 
                                   TELEPHONE:
                                   (212) 943-3855
                                   (800) 447-7569
 
   
                                   GENERAL DISTRIBUTOR
                                   Clarendon Insurance Agency, Inc.
                                   One Sun Life Executive Park
                                   Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts 02181
    
 
                                   LEGAL COUNSEL
                                   Covington & Burling
                                   1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
                                   P.O. Box 7566
                                   Washington, D.C. 20044
 
                                   AUDITORS
                                   Deloitte & Touche LLP
                                   125 Summer Street
                                   Boston, Massachusetts 02110
   
REGNY-1 5/98
    
<PAGE>

                                     PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS.

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

     Not Applicable

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

     Article 5, Section 5.6 of the By-Laws of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity
Company of New York provides for indemnification of directors, officers and
employees as follows:

          "The Corporation may by action of the Board of Directors indemnify to
     the full extent and in the manner authorized by law any person made or
     threatened to be made a party to an action or proceeding, whether criminal,
     civil, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or
     she, his or her testator or intestate is or was a director, officer or
     employee of the Corporation or serves or served any other enterprise as a
     director, officer or employee at the request of the Corporation."


Item 16. Exhibits 

Exhibits:

Exhibit
Number           Description                        Method of Filing
- -------          -----------                        ----------------
   
 1           Form of Underwriting Agreement               *
    
 3(a)        Declaration of Intent and Charter            *
 3(b)        By-laws                                      *
   
 4           Form of Single Premium Combination
             Fixed/Variable Annuity Contract              *
    
   
 5           Opinion re: Legality                         **
    
   
23           Independent Auditors' Consent            Filed Herewith
    
24           Powers of Attorney                       Filed Herewith
   
    

   
*     Incorporated by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the
      Registration Statement of Sun Life (N.Y.) Variable Account C on Form N-4,
      File No. 333-05037.
    
   
**    Previously Filed
    
<PAGE>

Item 17.     Undertakings

     (a)     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

        (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

          (i)   To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
     Securities Act of 1933;

          (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
     the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
     represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
     registration statement;

          (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
     distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
     material change to such information in the registration statement;

          Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and a(1)(ii) do not apply
       if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the
       information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by
       those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant
       pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
       1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

        (2)     That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (3)     To remove from registration by means of a post- effective
     amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities 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 that 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>

                                   SIGNATURES
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 
Registrant, Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York, certifies 
that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the 
requirements for filing on Form S-2, and has duly caused this Amendment to
its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, 
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boston, Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts, on the 27th day of April, 1998.
    
                                Sun Life Insurance and Annuity
                                Company of New York

                                   (Registrant)


                                   By:*   /s/ JOHN D. McNEIL
                                         -------------------------
                                              John D. McNeil
                                              Chairman

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
   
    Signature                     Title                    Date
    ---------                     -----                    ----

                                  Chairman and
                                    Director
                                  (Principal
*    /s/ JOHN D. McNEIL        Executive Officer)      April 27, 1998
- ----------------------------
         John D. McNeil
    
   
                               Vice President,
                               Controller and
                              Actuary (Principal
                                  Financial &
*   /s/  ROBERT P. VROLYK      Accounting Officer)     April 27, 1998
- ------------------------------
         Robert P. Vrolyk
    
   
*   /s/  RICHARD B. BAILEY          Director           April 27, 1998
- ------------------------------
         Richard B. Bailey


- -------------------------
*    By Margaret Hankard pursuant to Power of Attorney filed herewith.
    


<PAGE>
   
    Signature                        Title                 Date
    ---------                        -----                 ----

*   /s/ M. COLYER CRUM              Director           April 27, 1998
- ---------------------------------
        M. Colyer Crum


*   /s/ DONALD A. STEWART           President and      April 27, 1998
- ---------------------------------   Director
        Donald A. Stewart


*   /s/ DAVID D. HORN               Director           April 27, 1998
- ---------------------------------
        David D. Horn


*   /s/ JOHN G. IRELAND             Director           April 27, 1998
- ---------------------------------
        John G. Ireland


*   /s/ EDWARD M. LAMONT            Director           April 27, 1998
- ---------------------------------
        Edward M. Lamont


*   /s/ JOHN S. LANE                Director           April 27, 1998
- ---------------------------------
        John S. Lane


*   /s/ ANGUS A. MacNAUGHTON        Director           April 27, 1998
- ---------------------------------
        Angus A. MacNaughton


- ---------------------------------   Director
        Peter R. O'Flinn


*   /s/ FIORAVANTE G. PERROTTA      Director           April 27, 1998
- ---------------------------------
        Fioravante G. Perrotta


*   /s/ RALPH F. PETERS             Director           April 27, 1998
- ---------------------------------
        Ralph F. Peters


*   /s/ C. JAMES PRIEUR             Director           April 27, 1998
- ---------------------------------
        C. James Prieur


*   /s/ S. CAESAR RABOY             Director           April 25, 1998
- ---------------------------------
        S. Caesar Raboy


*   /s/ FREDERICK B. WHITTEMORE     Director           April 27, 1998
- ---------------------------------
        Frederick B. Whittemore

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

*    By Margaret Hankard pursuant to Power of Attorney filed herewith. 
    

<PAGE>

                            EXHIBIT INDEX

   
Exhibit                                                          
Number                                                           
- -------
23       Independent Auditors' Consent
24       Powers of Attorney
    








   
    

<PAGE>
   
                                                                   Exhibit 23
    

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
   
    We consent to the use in this Post Effective Amendment No. 5 to the 
Registration Statement No. 33-58482 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company 
of New York on Form S-2 of our report dated February 6, 1998 accompanying the 
financial statements of Sun Life (N.Y.) Variable Account C and to the use of 
our report dated February 5, 1998 accompanying the statutory financial 
statements of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York appearing in 
the Prospectus, which is a part of such Amendment to the Registration 
Statement, and to the incorporation by reference of our report dated February 
5, 1998 appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Sun Life Insurance and 
Annuity Company of New York for the year neded December 31, 1997.
    
   
    We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Condensed 
Financial Information-Accumulation Unit Values" and "Accountants" in such 
Prospectus.
    



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
April 28, 1998

<PAGE>


                   SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that Robert P. Vrolyk, whose signature
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret E. Hankard, Margaret Sears Mead
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power
of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration
Statement on Form S-2 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York
(Reg. No. 33-58482), and any amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.



                                                       /s/ Robert P. Vrolyk
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                         Robert P. Vrolyk





March 23, 1998

<PAGE>



                  SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that Ralph F. Peters, whose signature
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret E. Hankard, Margaret Sears Mead
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power
of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration
Statement on Form S-2 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York
(Reg. No. 33-58482), and any amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.



                                                       /s/ Ralph F. Peters
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                         Ralph F. Peters





March 23, 1998
<PAGE>




                  SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that Edward M. Lamont, whose signature
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret E. Hankard, Margaret Sears Mead
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power
of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration
Statement on Form S-2 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York
(Reg. No. 33-58482), and any amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.



                                                       /s/ Edward M. Lamont
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                         Edward M. Lamont





March 23, 1998
<PAGE>





                  SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that Frederick B. Whittemore, whose
signature appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret E. Hankard, Margaret
Sears Mead and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each
with the power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign a
Registration Statement on Form S-2 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of
New York (Reg. No. 33-58482), and any amendments thereto, and to file the same,
with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.



                                                   /s/ Frederick B. Whittemore
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                      Frederick B. Whittemore





March 23, 1998
<PAGE>





                  SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that John G. Ireland, whose signature
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret E. Hankard, Margaret Sears Mead
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power
of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration
Statement on Form S-2 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York
(Reg. No. 33-58482), and any amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.



                                                      /s/ John G. Ireland
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                        John G. Ireland





March 23, 1998
<PAGE>





                  SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that John D. McNeil, whose signature appears
below, constitutes and appoints Margaret E. Hankard, Margaret Sears Mead and
David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration
Statement on Form S-2 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York
(Reg. No. 33-58482), and any amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.



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





March 23, 1998
<PAGE>





                  SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that John S. Lane, whose signature appears
below, constitutes and appoints Margaret E. Hankard, Margaret Sears Mead and
David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration
Statement on Form S-2 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York
(Reg. No. 33-58482), and any amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.



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





March 23, 1998
<PAGE>





                  SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that Fioravante G. Perrotta, whose signature
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret E. Hankard, Margaret Sears Mead
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power
of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration
Statement on Form S-2 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York
(Reg. No. 33-58482), and any amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.



                                                    /s/ Fioravante G. Perrotta
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                      Fioravante G. Perrotta





March 23, 1998
<PAGE>





                  SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that Donald A. Stewart, whose signature
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret E. Hankard, Margaret Sears Mead
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power
of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration
Statement on Form S-2 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York
(Reg. No. 33-58482), and any amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.



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





March 23, 1998
<PAGE>





                  SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that Angus A. MacNaughton, whose signature
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret E. Hankard, Margaret Sears Mead
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power
of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration
Statement on Form S-2 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York
(Reg. No. 33-58482), and any amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.



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





March 23, 1998
<PAGE>





                  SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that S. Caesar Raboy, whose signature
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret E. Hankard, Margaret Sears Mead
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power
of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration
Statement on Form S-2 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York
(Reg. No. 33-58482), and any amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.



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





March 23, 1998
<PAGE>





                  SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that M. Colyer Crum, whose signature appears
below, constitutes and appoints Margaret E. Hankard, Margaret Sears Mead and
David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration
Statement on Form S-2 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York
(Reg. No. 33-58482), and any amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.



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





March 23, 1998
<PAGE>





                  SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that David D. Horn, whose signature appears
below, constitutes and appoints Margaret E. Hankard, Margaret Sears Mead and
David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of
substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration
Statement on Form S-2 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York
(Reg. No. 33-58482), and any amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.



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





March 23, 1998
<PAGE>





                  SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that C. James Prieur, whose signature
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret E. Hankard, Margaret Sears Mead
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power
of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration
Statement on Form S-2 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York
(Reg. No. 33-58482), and any amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.



                                                      /s/ C. James Prieur
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                         C. James Prieur





March 23, 1998
<PAGE>





                  SUN LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY OF NEW YORK

                                  POWER OF ATTORNEY



     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that Richard B. Bailey, whose signature
appears below, constitutes and appoints Margaret E. Hankard, Margaret Sears Mead
and David N. Brown, and each of them, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power
of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration
Statement on Form S-2 of Sun Life Insurance and Annuity Company of New York
(Reg. No. 33-58482), and any amendments thereto, and to file the same, with
exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that
each of said attorneys-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause
to be done by virtue hereof.



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





March 23, 1998


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