<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 16, 1996
Registration No. 33-65243
________________________________________________________________________________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington DC 20549
___________________________________
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1
to
FORM S-6
Registration Statement
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
___________________________________
VARIABLE ACCOUNT C
OF FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(Exact name of trust)
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(formerly Western Life Insurance Company)
(Name of Depositor)
500 Bielenberg Drive
Woodbury, Minnesota 55125
(Complete address of depositor's principal executive offices)
_______________________________________
RHONDA J. SCHWARTZ, ESQ.
P. O. Box 64284
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164
(Name and complete address of agent for service)
_______________________________________
Securities Registered: Interests in Variable Account C pursuant to variable
life insurance policies
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate line):
_____ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485.
_____ On ___________ pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485.
__X__ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485.
_____ On ___________ pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485.
_______________________________________
This filing is made pursuant to Rules 6c-3 and 6e-3(T)
under the Investment Company Act of 1940
<PAGE>
Registrant elects to be governed by Rule 6e-3(T)(b)(13)(i)(A) under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 with respect to the Policies described in the
Prospectus.
___________________________________
An indefinite amount of the securities being offered has been registered
pursuant to a declaration under Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of
1940, set out in the Form S-6 Registration Statement contained in File No. 33-
03919. The registrant filed its Rule 24f-2 notice for the year ended December
31, 1994 on February 27, 1995.
____________________________________
The registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement under the Securities
Act of 1933 on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective
date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically
states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in
accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until this
Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission,
acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
<PAGE>
VARIABLE ACCOUNT C
OF
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
ITEMS OF
FORM N-8B-2 CAPTIONS IN PROSPECTUS
- ----------- ----------------------
1, 2 Cover Page; The Separate Account
and Fortis Series Fund, Inc.
--The Separate Account
3 Inapplicable
4 Distribution of the Policies
5, 6 The Separate Account and Fortis Series
Fund, Inc.; State Regulation
7, 8 Not Required*
9 Inapplicable
10(a), (b) Other Policy Provisions
10(c), (d) Summary -- Right to Return a Policy and
Surrenders; Policy Benefits--Death
Benefit, Death Benefit Options,
Changes in Face Amount; Payment and
Allocation of Premiums--Allocation of
Premiums and Policy Value; Rights
Reserved by Fortis Benefits; Loan
Privileges; Surrender and Partial
Withdrawal; Appendix A--Optional
Income Plans
10(e) Payment and Allocation of Premiums--
Policy Lapse and Reinstatement
10(f) Voting Privileges
10(g)(1)-(3), 10(h)(1)-(3) Rights Reserved by Fortis Benefits
10(g)(4), 10(h)(4) Inapplicable or Not Required*
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ITEMS OF
FORM N-8B-2 CAPTIONS IN PROSPECTUS
- ----------- ----------------------
10(i) Policy Benefits--Change in Death Benefit
Options, Premium Based Bonuses and
Cash Value Bonuses; Policy Split
Option; Payment and Allocation of
Premiums--Issuance of a Policy,
Premiums; The General Account;
Optional Insurance Benefits
11, 12(a), (d), (e) Cover Page; The Separate Account and
Fortis Series Fund, Inc.; Distribution of
the Policies
12(b), (c) Not Required* or Inapplicable
13(a) - (f) Charges and Deductions; Other Policy
Provisions; The General Account;
Surrender; Loan Privileges; Payment and
Allocation of Premiums--Allocation of
Premiums and Policy Values; Appendix B
13(g) Not Required*
14, 15 Payment and Allocation of Premiums;
Summary--How to Exercise Your Rights
Under a Policy; Distribution of the
Policies
16 The Separate Account and Fortis
Series Fund, Inc.
17(a), (b) Captions referenced under Items 10(c)
and (d) above
17(c) Inapplicable
18(a) The Separate Account and Fortis Series
Fund, Inc.
18(b), (c) Inapplicable
18(d) Not Required*
19 Reports
20(a) Rights Reserved by Fortis Benefits
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ITEMS OF
FORM N-8B-2 CAPTIONS IN PROSPECTUS
- ----------- ----------------------
20(b) - (f) Inapplicable or Not Required*
21(a), (b) Loan Privileges
21(c) Not Required*
22 Inapplicable
23 Distribution of the Policies
24 Inapplicable
25 Summary--Fortis Benefits/Fortis Financial
Group Member
26 Not Required*
27 - 29 Summary--Fortis Benefits/Fortis Financial
Group Member; Management
30 - 34 Inapplicable or Not Required*
35 State Regulation
36, 37 Inapplicable
38, 39 Distribution of the Policies
40(a) Charges and Deductions
40(b), 41(a) Distribution of the Policies
41(b) - 43 Inapplicable or Not Required*
44 The Separate Account and Fortis Series
Fund, Inc.; Policy Benefits -- Policy
Value, Calculation of Separate Account
Policy Value, Separate Account Net
Investment Return; Appendix B; Payment
and Allocation of Premiums--Issuance of a
Policy, Premium; Charges and Deductions
45 Inapplicable
<PAGE>
ITEMS OF
FORM N-8B-2 CAPTIONS IN PROSPECTUS
- ----------- ----------------------
46 Captions referenced under Items 10(c),
10(d) and 44 above
47 - 49 Inapplicable
50 The Separate Account and Fortis Series
Fund, Inc.-- The Separate Account; Loan
Privileges; Payment and Allocation of
Premiums--Policy Lapse and Reinstatement
51(a), (c), (g), (i), (j) Summary--Fortis Benefits/Fortis Financial
Group Member; Cover Page; Other Policy
Provisions; Policy Benefits; Appendix
A; Payment and Allocation of Premiums--
Policy Lapse and Reinstatement, Issuance
of a Policy, Premiums; Charges and
Deductions--Monthly Deduction From Policy
Value; Appendix B; Financial Statements;
Distribution of Policies
51(b), (h) Not Required*
52(a), (c) Rights Reserved by Fortis Benefits; The
Separate Account and Fortis Series Fund,
Inc.--The Separate Account
52(b), (d) Inapplicable
53(a) Federal Tax Matters
53(b) - 54 Inapplicable
55 Not Required;* See Appendix B
56 - 59 Not Required*
___________________________
* Not required pursuant to either Instruction 1(a) as to the Prospectus as
set out in Form S-6 or the administrative practice of the Commission and its
staff of adapting the disclosure requirements of the Commission's registration
statement forms in recognition of the differences between variable life
insurance policies and other periodic payment plan certificates issued by
investment companies and between separate accounts organized as management
companies and as unit investment trusts.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
WALL STREET MAILING STREET ADDRESS: TELEPHONE: 1-(800) 800-2638
SURVIVOR SERIES ADDRESS: 500 BIELENBERG DRIVE EXTENSION 3028
(Flexible Premium P.O. BOX 64284 WOODBURY
Survivorship ST. PAUL MINNESOTA 55125
Variable Life MINNESOTA 55164
Insurance Policies)
</TABLE>
The flexible premium survivorship variable life
insurance Policies offered by this Prospectus are issued
by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company and are designed to
provide (1) lifetime insurance protection on the joint
lives of two insureds and (2) flexibility in connection
with premium payments and death benefits. This
flexibility allows an owner of a Policy to provide for
changing insurance needs with a single insurance policy.
The minimum Face Amount for a Policy is $100,000 and the
smallest initial annual premium is generally $2,000.
There are four face amount bands. The face amount band
of the Policy affects the level of policy value bonuses
which may be paid, and the level of the policy issuance
expense charge. Policies with a minimum face amount of
$5,000,000 are Band 4 Policies; Policies with a minimum
face amount of $1,000,000 are Band 3 Policies; Policies
with a minimum face amount of $500,000 are Band 2
Policies; while Policies with a face amount of less than
$500,000 are Band 1 Policies.
The Policy provides for a death benefit payable upon the
death of the second to die of the two insured persons.
There is no benefit payable on the death of the first
insured to die. With respect to the Policy Value
available for investment under a Policy, the Policy
owner may elect to receive a rate of return based on one
or more of the separate investment portfolios of Fortis
Series Fund, Inc. There is no guaranteed minimum Policy
Value with respect to these portfolios, and the Policy
owner bears the entire investment risk that this
PROSPECTUS DATED
value (or the Surrender Value) may decline to zero.
Alternatively, a Policy owner may, with respect to all
or , 1996
part of the Policy Value, elect to receive fixed rates
of return.
The Policy may be fully surrendered at any time for its
Surrender Value. See "Surrender and Partial Withdrawal."
Generally after the first Policy year, the Policy owner
may make a partial withdrawal of Surrender Value once a
year. The Policy owner also may take out Policy loans
and has considerable flexibility to vary the frequency
and amount of premium payments. Payment of Planned
Periodic Premiums will not necessarily keep a Policy
from lapsing if the Surrender Value is exhausted.
However, the Policy is guaranteed to stay in force if
certain Minimum Premium payments are made. The Policy
owner can select a guarantee period of 10 years, 20
years or to the younger joint insured's Age 85. If the
younger joint insured is Age 65 or over at issue, the
guarantee period is to the policy anniversary following
the younger insured's Age 75 (or for 5 years if age 71
or more at issue). The guarantee period if either
insured is rated for higher mortality risk at issue is 5
years.
This prospectus contains detailed information about
these and other Policy features, including certain
restrictions and limitations which apply. This
Prospectus also discusses the way in which the return
earned
[LOGO]
by the Policy Value can affect a Policy's death benefit
and Surrender Value.
As in the case of other life insurance policies, it may
not be advantageous to purchase flexible premium
survivorship variable life insurance as a replacement
for, or in addition to, an existing flexible premium
variable or other life insurance policy.
THESE POLICIES ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, NOR
ARE THEY GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK, CREDIT
UNION, BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.
THEY ARE NOT FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE
BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY; AND INVOLVE INVESTMENT
RISKS, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
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 IS NOT VALID UNLESS
PRECEDED OR ACCOMPANIED BY THE CURRENT PROSPECTUS FOR
FORTIS SERIES FUND, INC., WHICH CONTAINS ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION ABOUT THAT ENTITY.
THIS PROSPECTUS SHOULD BE READ AND RETAINED FOR FUTURE
REFERENCE.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
<S> <C>
Index of Defined Words and Phrases...................................... 4
Summary................................................................. 5
- Fortis Benefits/Fortis Financial Group Member..................... 5
- Payment of Premiums............................................... 5
- Guaranteed Death Benefit.......................................... 5
- Allocation of Premiums Among Various Alternatives................. 5
- Policy Value; Premium Based Bonuses; Policy Value Bonuses......... 6
- Surrenders........................................................ 6
- Charges........................................................... 7
- Death Benefit..................................................... 7
- Optional Insurance Benefits....................................... 8
- Benefit at Maturity............................................... 8
- Policy Loans...................................................... 8
- Settlement Options................................................ 8
- Taxes............................................................. 8
- Right to Return a Policy.......................................... 8
- How to Exercise Your Rights Under a Policy........................ 8
The Separate Account and Fortis Series Fund, Inc........................ 9
- The Separate Account.............................................. 9
- Financial and Performance Information............................. 9
- Fortis Series Fund, Inc........................................... 10
Policy Benefits......................................................... 11
- Death Benefit..................................................... 11
- Death Benefit Options............................................. 11
- Second-to-Die Rider............................................... 11
- Accelerated Benefit Rider......................................... 11
- Changes in Face Amount............................................ 12
- Change in Death Benefit Option.................................... 13
- Policy Split Option............................................... 13
- Policy Value...................................................... 14
- Premium Based Bonuses and Policy Value Bonuses.................... 14
- Calculation of Separate Account Policy Value...................... 16
- Separate Account Net Investment Return............................ 16
Payment and Allocation of Premiums...................................... 16
- Issuance of a Policy.............................................. 16
- Premiums.......................................................... 17
- Allocation of Premiums and Policy Value........................... 17
- Guaranteed Death Benefit.......................................... 18
- Policy Lapse and Reinstatement.................................... 19
Charges and Deductions.................................................. 19
- Premium Tax and Sales Charges; Policy Issuance Expense Charges.... 19
- Monthly Deduction from Policy Value............................... 21
- Charge for Mortality and Expense Risks............................ 22
- Miscellaneous..................................................... 22
- Guarantee of Certain Charges...................................... 23
Loan Privileges......................................................... 23
- Rate Charged on Policy Loans...................................... 23
- Credited Rate for Policy Loans.................................... 23
- Effect of a Policy Loan........................................... 23
- Repayment of a Loan............................................... 23
Surrender and Partial Withdrawal........................................ 24
Rights Reserved by Fortis Benefits...................................... 24
- Payment and Deferment............................................. 24
Distribution of the Policies............................................ 25
Federal Tax Matters..................................................... 25
- Tax Status of the Policy.......................................... 25
- Tax Status of Additional Insured Rider............................ 26
- Taxation of Policy Benefits....................................... 26
- Taxation of Fortis Benefits....................................... 27
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
<S> <C>
Other Policy Provisions................................................. 27
Management.............................................................. 29
Voting Privileges....................................................... 30
Reports................................................................. 30
State Regulation........................................................ 30
Legal Matters........................................................... 30
Experts................................................................. 30
Ratings and Rankings.................................................... 31
Financial Statements.................................................... 31
Appendix A.............................................................. A-1
- Optional Income Plans............................................. A-1
- Optional Insurance Benefits....................................... A-1
Appendix B.............................................................. B-1
- Illustrations of Death Benefits, Policy Values, Surrender Values
and Accumulated Premium.......................................... B-1
Appendix C.............................................................. C-1
- The General Account............................................... C-1
- General Description............................................... C-1
- General Account Policy Value...................................... C-1
- Transfers, Surrenders and Policy Loans............................ C-1
Telephone Transfer Authorization Form
Transfer Request Form
Change of Premium Allocation Form
Pre-Authorized Check Plan Authorization Agreement
Privileged Account Service Application
Request for Dollar Cost Averaging Form
Life Insurance Section 1035 Exchange Form
Specify Monthly Deductions Plan
</TABLE>
THE POLICIES ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN ALL STATES. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFERING MAY NOT
LAWFULLY BE MADE. FORTIS BENEFITS DOES NOT AUTHORIZE ANY INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATION REGARDING THE OFFERING DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS WHICH IS NOT
INCLUDED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY SUPPLEMENT THERETO OR IN ANY SUPPLEMENTAL
SALES MATERIAL AUTHORIZED BY FORTIS BENEFITS.
The purpose of the Policies is to provide insurance protection for the
beneficiary named therein. No claim is made that the Policies are in any way
similar or comparable to a systematic investment plan of a mutual fund.
<PAGE>
INDEX OF DEFINED WORDS AND PHRASES
Below are listed words and phrases used in this Prospectus, together with the
page or pages of this Prospectus on which each is defined or explained.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
<S> <C>
Age...................................................................................................... 34
Alternative Death Benefit................................................................................ 12
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge......................................................................... 22
Date of Receipt.......................................................................................... 33
Death Benefit Option A (Option "A")...................................................................... 12
Death Benefit Option B (Option "B")...................................................................... 12
Face Amount.............................................................................................. 17
Fortis Benefits.......................................................................................... 5
Fortis Series............................................................................................ 12
General Account.......................................................................................... D-1
Grace Period............................................................................................. 21
Guaranteed Death Benefit................................................................................. 5
Guideline Annual Premium................................................................................. 23
Home Office.............................................................................................. 9
Minimum Premium.......................................................................................... 19
Monthly Deduction........................................................................................ 25
Monthly Anniversary...................................................................................... 18
Net Amount at Risk....................................................................................... 25
Net Cash Value........................................................................................... 21
NYSE..................................................................................................... 17
Planned Periodic Premium................................................................................. 18
Policy Anniversary....................................................................................... 18
Policy Band..............................................................................................
Policy Date.............................................................................................. 18
Policy Value............................................................................................. 15
Policy Value Bonuses..................................................................................... 16
Portfolio................................................................................................ 12
Premium Based Bonuses....................................................................................
Pro Rata Basis........................................................................................... 25
Separate Account......................................................................................... 9
Subaccount............................................................................................... 10
Surrender Charge......................................................................................... 24
Surrender Value.......................................................................................... 7
Valuation Date........................................................................................... 17
Valuation Period......................................................................................... 17
1940 Act................................................................................................. 12
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE>
SUMMARY
FORTIS BENEFITS/FORTIS FINANCIAL GROUP MEMBER
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company ("Fortis Benefits"), the issuer of the
Policies, was founded in 1910. At the end of 1995, Fortis Benefits had
approximately $ of total life insurance in force. Fortis Benefits is a
Minnesota Corporation and is qualified to sell life insurance and annuity
contracts in the District of Columbia and in all states except New York. Fortis
Benefits is an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortis, Inc., which is
itself indirectly owned 50% by Fortis AMEV and 50% by Fortis AG. Fortis, Inc.
manages the United States operations for these two companies.
Fortis Benefits is a member of the Fortis Financial Group, a joint effort by
Fortis Benefits, Fortis Advisers, Inc., Fortis Investors, Inc., and Time
Insurance Company, offering financial products through the management, marketing
and servicing of mutual funds, annuities, and life insurance products.
Fortis AMEV is a diversified financial services company headquartered in
Utrecht, the Netherlands, where its insurance operations began in 1847. Fortis
AG is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Brussels,
Belgium, where its insurance operations began in 1824. Fortis AMEV and Fortis AG
have merged their operating companies under the trade name of Fortis. The Fortis
group of companies is active in insurance, banking and financial services, and
real estate development in the Netherlands, Belgium, the United States, Western
Europe, and the Pacific Rim. Fortis had approximately $ billion in assets as
of year-end 1995.
All of the guarantees and commitments under the Policies are general obligations
of Fortis Benefits, regardless of whether the Policy Value has been allocated to
the Separate Account or to the General Account. None of Fortis Benefits'
affiliated companies has any legal obligation to back Fortis Benefits'
obligations under the Policies.
Best's Insurance Reports, Life-Health Edition 1995, assigned Fortis Benefits one
of its highest ratings, A+ (Superior) as of December 31, 1994, for financial
position and operating performance. Fortis Benefits has a rating of AA from
Standard & Poor's. As defined by Standard & Poor's, insurers rated AA offer
"excellent financial security". These ratings represent such rating agencies'
independent opinion of Fortis Benefits' financial strength and ability to meet
policyholder obligations, but have no relevance to the performance and quality
of the assets in Subaccounts of the Separate Account.
PAYMENT OF PREMIUMS
At the time of Policy issuance, the Planned Periodic Premium must be, on an
annualized basis, at least the greater of (1) $2,000, or (2) twelve monthly
Minimum Premiums. The Planned Periodic Premiums are assumed to be level in the
first Policy year. If the Planned Periodic Premium is paid monthly, the initial
premium must at least equal two months' Planned Periodic Premiums. If the
planned premium is on a different frequency, the initial premium must at least
equal all monthly Minimum Premiums to the next billing date. Thereafter, subject
to the limitations described under "Payment and Allocation of Premiums--
Premiums," premium payments may be made at any time and in any amount. All
Policies will specify a Planned Periodic Premium, but payment of this is
optional, except to the extent described above with respect to the initial
premium payment.
GUARANTEED DEATH BENEFIT
A Policy is guaranteed to stay in force if, as of each Monthly Anniversary, (1)
the cumulative amount of premiums paid to date, less the cumulative amount of
partial withdrawals taken by the policy owner, less the amount of any
outstanding Policy loans, at least equals (2) the cumulative monthly Minimum
Premiums for Policy months up to and including that beginning on that Monthly
Anniversary. For purposes of this calculation, premiums paid in any Policy year,
Minimum Premiums, and partial withdrawals are assumed to accumulate at an
effective annual rate of 4%. For this purpose premiums and Minimum Premiums for
any policy year are assumed to commence accumulating interest at the beginning
of the Policy year in which they are paid. Partial withdrawals are assumed to be
taken at the end of the policy year in which they are taken or at the end of the
current monthly anniversary, if earlier. The Policy is guaranteed to stay in
force if certain Minimum Premium payments are made. The Policy owner can select
a guarantee period of 10 years, 20 years or to the younger joint insured's age
85. If the younger joint insured is Age 65 or over at issue, the guarantee
period is to the policy anniversary following the younger insured's Age 75 (or
for 5 years if Age 71 or more at issue). The guarantee period if either insured
is rated for higher mortality risk at issue is 5 years. This guarantee period is
provided by rider. Subject to these conditions, there is in effect a "Guaranteed
Death Benefit" in the amount of the Policy's then-current Face Amount and any
term insurance riders. The initial monthly Minimum Premiums are specified in
each Policy, and additional Minimum Premium payments will be necessary to keep
this guarantee in effect if the Face Amount of the Policy or rider benefits are
increased. See "Guaranteed Death Benefit" under "Payment and Allocation of
Premiums--Premiums."
If the Guaranteed Death Benefit Rider is not in effect, a Policy will lapse if
the Net Cash Value becomes insufficient to pay the continuing charges and
deductions. See "Payment and Allocation of Premiums-- Policy Lapse and
Reinstatement" and "Charges and Deductions." Premium payments in excess of the
Planned Periodic Premium payments may therefore be necessary to keep a Policy in
force.
ALLOCATION OF PREMIUMS AMONG VARIOUS ALTERNATIVES
The owner of a Policy may allocate premiums paid under a Policy to one or more
of the Subaccounts of Variable Account C, a separate investment account of
Fortis Benefits (see "The Separate Account and Fortis Series Fund, Inc.") and/or
to Fortis Benefits' General Account. The assets in each of the current
Subaccounts are invested in a separate class (or series) of stock of Fortis
Series Fund, Inc. ("Fortis Series"), a "series" type of mutual fund. Each class
of stock represents a separate investment Portfolio within Fortis Series. The
investment Portfolios of Fortis Series which are currently available are the
Aggressive Growth Series, International Stock Series, the Growth Stock Series,
the Global Growth Series, Blue Chip Stock Series, S&P 500 Index Series, the
Growth and Income Series, Value Stock Series, the Global Asset Allocation
Series, the Asset Allocation Series, the High Yield Series, the Global Bond
Series, the Diversified Income Series, the U.S. Government Securities Series and
the Money Market
5
<PAGE>
Series. Premiums allocated to the General Account are held as part of Fortis
Benefits' general investment assets. See Appendix D--"The General Account."
Each Portfolio has a different investment objective and is managed by Fortis
Advisers, Inc. For providing investment management services to the Portfolios,
Fortis Advisers, Inc. currently receives a fee from the Funds at an annual rate
as follows: for Aggressive Growth Series, .7% of the first $100 million of
average daily net assets and .6% thereafter; for International Stock Series,
.85% of the first $100 million of such assets, and .8% thereafter; for Global
Growth Series, .7% of the first $500 million of average daily net assets, and
.6% thereafter; for Growth Stock Series and for Growth & Income Series, .7% of
the first $100 million of average daily net assets, and .6% thereafter; for Blue
Chip Stock Series .9% of the first $100 million of average daily net assets; and
.85% thereafter; for S&P 500 Index Series .4% of average daily net assets; for
Value Series .7% of the first $100 million of average daily net assets, and .6%
thereafer; for Global Asset Allocation Series, .9% of the first $100 million of
such assets, and .85% thereafter; for Asset Allocation Series and High Yield
Series, .5% of the first $250 million of average daily net assets, and .45%
thereafter; for Global Bond Series, .75% of the first $100 million of such
assets, and .65% thereafter; for Diversified Income Series and U.S. Government
Securities Series .5% of the first $50 million of average daily net assets, and
.45% thereafter; for Money Market Series, .3% of the first $500 million of
average daily net assets, and .25% thereafter. The Portfolios also bear most of
their other expenses.
The International Stock Series, the Blue Chip Stock Series, the S&P 500 Index
Series the Global Asset Allocation Series and the Global Bond Series has each
retained a sub-adviser to provide investment research, advice and supervision
subject to the general control of Fortis Advisers, Inc. Lazard Freres Asset
Management is the sub-adviser of the International Stock Series; T. Rowe Price
Associates, Inc. is the sub-adviser of the Blue Chip Stock Series; The Dreyfus
Corporation is the sub-adviser of the S&P 500 Index Series; Morgan Stanley Asset
Management Limited is the sub-adviser of the Global Asset Allocation Series; and
Warburg Investment Management International Ltd. is the sub-adviser of the
Global Bond Series.
From its advisory fee, Fortis Advisers, Inc. pays the sub-advisers a fee at an
annual rate as follows: For International Stock Series, .45% of the first $100
million of such Series' average daily net assets, and .375% thereafter; for Blue
Chip Stock Series .5% of the first $100 million of average daily net assets, and
.45% thereafter; for S&P 500 Index Series .17% of average daily net assets; for
Global Asset Allocation Series, .5% of the first $100 million of such assets,
and .4% thereafter; and for the Global Bond Series, .35% of the first $100
million of such assets, and .225% thereafter.
For a full description of the Portfolios, see the prospectus for Fortis Series
which accompanies this Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information
referred to therein.
A Policy owner may change allocations of future premiums at any time without
charge by submitting a written request in form acceptable to Fortis Benefits,
subject to certain limitations. See "Payment and Allocation of
Premium--Allocation of Premiums and Policy Value." Because investment
performance of a Subaccount (unlike that of the General Account) is not
guaranteed by Fortis Benefits, allocation of premiums to a Subaccount increases
the amount of the investment risk to the Policy owner, and allocation to the
General Account decreases such risk. However, the potential benefit of the
General Account is limited to the guaranteed return, plus any discretionary
return declared by Fortis Benefits.
TRANSFERS OF POLICY VALUE. A Policy owner may transfer amounts among the
Subaccounts at any time. Transfers may also be made at any time from a
Subaccount to the General Account. The Policy owner, under Fortis Benefits'
current rules, may transfer up to 50% of any unloaned Policy Value in the
General Account to one or more Subaccounts. This transfer may be made only once
during the Policy Year.
For additional conditions and limitations on transfers, see "Payment and
Allocation of Premiums--Allocation of Premiums and Policy Value" and Appendix
C--"Transfers, Surrenders and Policy Loans."
POLICY VALUE; PREMIUM BASED BONUSES; POLICY VALUE BONUSES
POLICY VALUE. The "Policy Value" is the amount "at work" for the Policy owner
earning a return in the Separate Account and/or in the General Account at any
time. It is (1) the cumulative amount of premiums paid to date, (2) less any
withdrawals and less all deductions and charges imposed to date under the
Policy, (3) plus the cumulative amount of any Premium Based Bonuses and Policy
Value Bonuses, (4) plus the cumulative net amount of positive or negative
investment return earned to date on amounts allocated to the Separate Account
under the Policy, (5) plus the cumulative net amount of interest earned to date
on amounts held in the General Account under the Policy.
PREMIUM BASED BONUSES. In most states a bonus will be paid by Fortis Benefits
starting at the end of the seventh Policy year based on the average premium paid
by the Policy owner, the issue age of the younger insured, and the policy year
in which the bonus is paid. See "Policy Benefits--Premium Based Bonuses and
Policy Value Bonuses."
POLICY VALUE BONUSES. In most states Policy Value Bonuses will be paid by Fortis
Benefits on each Monthly Anniversary after the monthly deduction is made. The
amount of the Policy Value Bonus is based on the Policy Value and certain other
factors. The Policy Value Bonuses in effect partially offset the mortality and
expense risk charges. See "Charges and Deductions--Mortality and Expense Risk
Charges." After the 19th Policy year, Fortis Benefits currently intends to add
.35% to the annual rate for Policy Value Bonuses. This increase would
substantially offset any daily charge for premium taxes and sales charges that
was then being made. See "Policy Benefits--Premium Based Bonuses and Policy
Value Bonuses."
SURRENDERS
A Policy may be surrendered at any time for all of its Surrender Value, and part
of the Surrender Value may be withdrawn up to once a year, generally after the
first Policy year. See "Surrender and Partial Withdrawal." The Surrender Value
is the Policy Value, less the amount of the Surrender Charge (referred to
below), less the amount of any
6
<PAGE>
outstanding Policy loan and plus the amount of any policy loan interest paid for
future periods (see "Loan Privileges"). If Death Benefit Option A is in effect,
a partial withdrawal will reduce the Policy's Face Amount on a dollar-for-dollar
basis.
CHARGES
In addition to Fortis Series' expenses, the following charges are imposed under
the Policies:
PREMIUM TAX CHARGE. The current premium tax charge is 2.2% of all premium
payments. Rather than being deducted from premium payments, this charge is
currently assessed through periodic deductions from Policy Value, and any
balance of the current premium tax charge may be deducted as part of the
Surrender Charge referred to below. Periodic deductions for the current premium
tax charge will not exceed $0.78 per Policy each month, plus a daily deduction
at an annual rate of .1964% of the Policy's net assets in the Separate Account.
SALES CHARGES. The maximum total sales charge is 9% of premiums paid. Rather
than being deducted from premiums, sales charges are currently assessed through
periodic deductions from Policy Value, and any balance of the sales charges may
be deducted as a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge that would be included as part
of the Surrender Charge. The periodic deductions for sales charges will not
exceed $3.22 per Policy each month plus a daily deduction at an annual rate of
.8036% of the Policy's net assets in the Separate Account.
POLICY ISSUANCE EXPENSE CHARGES. A monthly Policy issuance expense charge at the
rates set out below will be deducted as part of the Monthly Deduction for the
first ten years following issuance of the Policy and also for ten years after a
Face Amount increase:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MONTHLY RATE PER $1,000 OF FACE
AMOUNT AT ISSUE (OR FACE AMOUNT
INCREASE)
-------------------------------
<S> <C>
Band 1... $ .10
Band 2... .08
Band 3... .05
Band 4... .03
</TABLE>
The Band does not change in the event of a subsequent face amount decrease. For
purposes of calculating this charge, the Face Amount at the time of issuance or
Face Amount increase is used to determine the Policy Band. Upon lapse or
surrender, any remaining uncollected charge is included as part of the surrender
charge.
SURRENDER CHARGE. The Surrender Charge is the sum of any Policy issuance
expense, premium tax and sales charges not previously deducted, as described
above. The Surrender Charge (a) is imposed only if the Policy is surrendered in
full or lapses before the tenth Policy Anniversary and (b) is subject to certain
maximums that decrease over time. See "Charges and Deductions--Premium Tax and
Sales Charges."
ADDITIONAL CHARGES AS A RESULT OF FACE AMOUNT INCREASES. If the Policy owner
requests a Face Amount increase, the Policy will be subject to additional
premium tax and sales charges and a charge for issuing the Face Amount increase.
These will be imposed at the same rates and in the same manner as described
above for the similar charges in connection with the original Policy. See
"Charges and Deductions--Premium Tax and Sales Charges" and "Policy Issuance
Expense Charges."
MONTHLY DEDUCTION. The Policy Value will be reduced by a Monthly Deduction equal
to the sum of (1) the monthly deduction referred to above under "Premium Tax
Charge" and "Sales Charges," (2) the charge for Policy issuance expenses
discussed above, (3) a monthly cost of insurance charge, (4) an administrative
expense charge, currently $6.00 per month, and (5) the monthly cost of any
optional insurance benefits added by rider. Fortis Benefits expects to derive no
profit from the charges set forth in (1), (2) and (4) above.
RISK CHARGE. A daily charge at an annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily net
assets attributable to Policies in each Subaccount of the Separate Account is
imposed to compensate Fortis Benefits for its assumption of certain mortality
and expense risks. See "Charges and Deductions--Charge for Mortality and Expense
Risks."
Subject to certain limitations, the charge for cost of insurance, the monthly
administrative expense charge, the premium tax charge, the charge for certain
optional insurance riders, and the amount of Minimum Premiums may be increased
in the future. Fortis Benefits also reserves the right to raise the current
premium tax charge assessed through periodic deductions to 3.0% and to impose
charges for other taxes that may be payable and are attributable to the
policies. Although it has no current plans to do so, Fortis Benefits reserves
the right to deduct up to 5% as a sales charge and up to 2.5% as a premium tax
charge directly from premiums. If Fortis Benefits does deduct these charges
directly from premiums, the premium tax and sales charges recoverable through
periodic deductions will be reduced by at least a corresponding amount. As to
charges that may be imposed or increased in the future, see generally "Charges
and Deductions."
DEATH BENEFIT
The Policy provides for the payment of a benefit upon the death of the Surviving
Insured pursuant to one of two options, as selected in advance by the Policy
owner. Under Death Benefit Option A, the death benefit is the Face Amount of the
Policy. Under Death Benefit Option B, the death benefit is the Face Amount of
the Policy plus the Policy Value on the date of death. If greater than the death
benefit otherwise payable under Option A or Option B, an Alternative Death
Benefit equal to a multiple (determined by the Age of the younger insured at
death) of the Policy Value will be paid. See "Policy Benefits--Death Benefit."
The death benefit payable will in any case be reduced by any outstanding Policy
loan and any due and unpaid charges accrued during the Grace Period.
Subject to certain limitations and conditions, the Policy owner may (1) increase
or, after the third Policy year, decrease the Face Amount of the Policy or (2)
after the third Policy year change the death benefit, once a year, from Option A
to Option B or from Option B to Option A. See "Changes in Face Amount" and
"Change in Death Benefit Option" under "Policy Benefits." Any increase in the
Face Amount or change in death benefit from Option A to Option B requires
additional evidence of insurability satisfactory to Fortis Benefits. An increase
in Face Amount requested by the Policy owner will result in additional charges.
See "Premium Tax and Sales Charges,""Policy Issuance Expense
7
<PAGE>
Charges" and "Monthly Deduction From Policy Value" under "Charges and
Deductions." A requested increase in Face Amount will also increase the monthly
Minimum Premiums. See "Minimum Premiums" under "Payment and Allocation of
Premiums--Premiums." Decreases in Face Amount result in a decrease in the
monthly Minimum Premium. See "Policy Benefits--Changes in Face Amount."
Subject to certain limits a Policy owner may take a portion of the initial
coverage on the Surviving Insured pursuant to our Second-To-Die term insurance
rider to the Policy. Coverage under the rider is generally less costly initially
than a comparable amount of coverage under the base Policy.
OPTIONAL INSURANCE BENEFITS
A Policy owner has the flexibility to add optional insurance benefits by rider,
to the extent available in the Policy owner's state. These optional benefits are
described in Appendix A--"Optional Insurance Benefits."
BENEFIT AT MATURITY
Unless the Policy owner exercises an option to extend the maturity date of the
Policy, the Policy matures on the date the younger insured reaches, or would
have reached, Age 100. See "Other Policy Provisions--Option to Extend the
Maturity Date." When the Policy matures, the Policy Value, less the amount of
any outstanding Policy loan, will be paid to the Policy owner, upon return of
the Policy.
POLICY LOANS
A Policy owner may in general borrow up to 90% of the difference between the
Policy Value and the amount of any then-applicable Surrender Charge. After the
later of 12 years, or the younger insured's Age 70, the Policy owner may borrow
up to 100% of such difference. The interest rate credited on loaned amounts is
4%, and the interest rate charged on loans is 5.66% per year, payable in
advance, except to the extent that certain Policy owners may qualify for a lower
loan interest rate. See "Loan Privileges."
SETTLEMENT OPTIONS
Any amount payable on death of the insured or other termination of a Policy may
be received in cash or pursuant to one of several "settlement" options, at the
election of the Policy owner or beneficiary. See Appendix A--"Optional Income
Plans."
TAXES
For federal income tax purposes, under current law, Fortis Benefits believes
that gains in Policy Value resulting from positive net investment returns will
not be taxed to Policy owners until such gains are distributed to them.
Policy loan interest generally is not deductible for federal income tax
purposes. In addition, certain Policy loans, Policy pledges, or Policy
assignments may constitute taxable distributions.
Also, certain changes under a Policy (such as changes in Face Amount, death
benefit option, and perhaps other changes) or payment of premiums in excess of
certain amounts may have significant tax consequences. Accordingly, Policy
owners are strongly encouraged to consult competent tax advisers in this regard.
For a brief discussion of these and certain other tax implications of owning a
Policy, see "Federal Tax Matters."
RIGHT TO RETURN A POLICY
The Policy owner may return the Policy by delivery or by mailing postmarked
within 10 days after receipt (except where the Policy or state law requires a
longer period), within 45 days after he or she signs Part I of the application
for insurance, or within 10 days after receipt of a Notice of Withdrawal Right,
whichever is the latest, and receive a refund within 7 days. Nevertheless, under
Fortis Benefits' current administrative practice, the Notice of Withdrawal Right
will continue to be accepted if its Date of Receipt is not more than 20 days
after Fortis Benefits releases the Policy to an active status in its processing
system, pursuant to its administrative and underwriting procedures. The amount
refunded will be the amount of premiums paid. See "Policy Benefits--Changes in
Face Amount" for a description of similar rights to cancel any increases in Face
Amount.
HOW TO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS UNDER A POLICY
To exercise rights under a Policy, the owner must follow the procedures stated
in the Policy. To request a loan, surrender, or partial withdrawal, the owner
must utilize forms prepared by Fortis Benefits for each purpose; and it is
recommended that Fortis Benefits' forms also be used for making any other change
or request. The forms are available from your sales representative or from
Fortis Benefits at its Home Office: P.O. Box 64582, St. Paul, MN 55164,
1-800-800-2638, extension 3028. Should a request be received for a loan,
surrender or partial withdrawal that is not on Fortis Benefits' form, the proper
form will be sent to the Policy owner, and, in the case of a total surrender,
the owner will usually be contacted, as well. The completed forms, as well as
any premium payments, loan and interest payments, and all other communications
should also be submitted to Fortis Benefits' Home Office.
If a Policy owner has submitted a telephone authorization form which has been
received by Fortis Benefits, transfers of Policy Value may be made by telephone.
The number to call for this purpose is 1-800-800-2638, extension 3028. A
Telephone Authorization Form is attached at the end of this Prospectus. Fortis
Benefits will not be responsible for, and the Policy owner will bear the risk of
loss from, oral instructions, including fraudulent instructions which are
reasonably believed to be genuine. Fortis Benefits will employ reasonable
procedures to confirm that telephone instructions are genuine, but if such
procedures are not deemed reasonable, Fortis Benefits may be liable for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. Fortis Benefits'
procedures are to verify address and social security number, tape record the
telephone call and provide written confirmation of the transaction. Fortis
Benefits reserves the right to modify, condition or terminate this telephone
privilege at any time without prior notice.
Fortis Benefits reserves the right to require return of the Policy with any
request which makes a change in the Policy. After effecting the requested
change, Fortis Benefits will deliver a revised Policy to the
8
<PAGE>
Policy owner. Currently, however, Fortis Benefits requires the Policy to be
returned only on maturity, total surrender or death of the Surviving Insured. If
the Policy owner is unable to return the Policy because it has been lost or
destroyed, Fortis Benefits will accept a written statement to that effect signed
by the Policy owner in lieu of return of the Policy.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, the foregoing Summary and the discussion
in the rest of this Prospectus assume that Net Cash Values are sufficient to pay
all charges deducted on Monthly Anniversaries and that no Policy loans have been
made.
THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT AND FORTIS SERIES FUND, INC.
THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT
The Separate Account, which is a segregated investment account of Fortis
Benefits, was established as Variable Account C by Fortis Benefits pursuant to
the insurance laws of Minnesota as of March 13, 1986. The Separate Account is
used to fund the Policies, as well as certain other variable life insurance
policies issued by Fortis Benefits. The assets allocated to the Separate Account
are the property of Fortis Benefits. Although the Separate Account is an
integral part of Fortis Benefits, the Separate Account is registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as a unit investment trust under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"). Registration does not involve
supervision of the management or investment practices or policies of the
Separate Account or of Fortis Benefits by the Commission.
All income, gains and losses, whether or not realized, from assets allocated to
the Separate Account are credited to or charged against the Separate Account
without regard to other income, gains or losses of Fortis Benefits. Each Policy
provides that assets in the Separate Account representing reserves for variable
life insurance policies shall not be chargeable with liabilities arising out of
any other business of Fortis Benefits. Fortis Benefits contributed funds to
establish various Subaccounts of the Separate Account and Fortis Benefits may
accumulate in the Separate Account proceeds from charges under the Policies and
other amounts in excess of the Separate Account assets representing Policy
reserves. Fortis Benefits may from time to time transfer to its general
investment assets any Separate Account assets in excess of amounts attributable
to Policy reserves.
The assets in each Subaccount are invested in a distinct class (or series) of
stock issued by Fortis Series, each representing a separate investment Portfolio
within Fortis Series. New Subaccounts may be added as new Portfolios are added
to Fortis Series and made available to Policy owners. Correspondingly, if any
Portfolios are eliminated from Fortis Series, Subaccounts may be eliminated from
the Separate Account.
FINANCIAL AND PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The information presented below reflects the accumulation unit information for
subaccounts of the Separate Account through December 31, 1995. Annual rates of
return reflect Fortis Series Fund's expenses and investment gains and losses.
They also reflect asset-based charges against the Separate Account, consisting
of the 1.00% mortality and expense risk charge and the .35% premium tax and
sales charge. They do not reflect other current policy fees nor the cost of
insurance or Surrender Charges (See "Charges and Deductions" for a full
description of these charges). These charges reduce the performance quoted. The
example below shows the effect of the performance quoted on death benefit and
cash values.
NET ANNUAL RATES OF RETURN FOR ACCUMULATION UNITS OF SUBACCOUNTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THROUGH
CALENDAR YEAR DECEMBER
THROUGH DECEMBER 31 31, 1994
INCEPTION ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -------
DATE 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1 YEAR
--------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Aggressive Growth............. 5/94 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A (2.65)% N/A
International Stock........... 1/95 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Global Growth................. 5/92 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 16.55% (4.11)% (4.11)%
Growth Stock.................. 10/86 10.03% 3.23% 34.94% (4.23)% 51.71% 1.78% 7.52% (3.95)% (3.59)%
Growth & Income............... 5/94 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 0.95% N/A
Global Asset Allocation....... 1/95 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Asset Allocation.............. 4/87 N/A 2.56% 22.25% 0.82% 26.16% 5.70% 8.51% (1.47)% (1.47)%
Global Bond................... 1/95 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
High Yield 5/94 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A (1.54)% N/A
Diversified Income............ 5/88 N/A N/A 10.98% 7.60% 13.33% 5.83% 11.44% (6.34)% (6.34)%
U.S. Gov't Securities......... 11/86 0.43% 5.17% 11.74% 6.67% 13.03% 4.90% 8.18% (7.54)% (7.54)%
Money Market.................. 11/86 4.57% 5.54% 8.17% 6.61% 4.69% 2.15% 1.57% 2.70% 2.70%
<CAPTION>
AVG
SINCE
3 YEARS 5 YEARS INCEPTION
-------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Aggressive Growth............. N/A N/A (2.65 )%
International Stock........... N/A N/A N/A
Global Growth................. N/A N/A 8.05 %
Growth Stock.................. 1.68 % 8.84 % 10.38 %
Growth & Income............... N/A N/A 0.95 %
Global Asset Allocation....... N/A N/A N/A
Asset Allocation.............. 4.16 % 7.53 % 6.90 %
Global Bond................... N/A N/A N/A
High Yield N/A N/A (1.54 )%
Diversified Income............ 3.37 % 6.14 % 6.70 %
U.S. Gov't Securities......... 1.61 % 4.81 % 5.20 %
Money Market.................. 2.14 % 3.53 % 4.46 %
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
Wall Street Series Last Survivor was not offered for sale prior to
.
9
<PAGE>
Example: If the insureds under the Policy were a male, Age 55, and a female, Age
53, and the Policy owner invested $10,000 annually in a Death Benefit Option A
Policy, it would have provided the following benefits as of December 31, 1995,
for the time periods and subaccounts indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ONE YEAR THREE YEARS
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
POLICY SURRENDER DEATH SURRENDER DEATH
VALUE VALUE BENEFIT POLICY VALUE VALUE BENEFIT
------------ --------- ------------- ------------ --------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Aggressive Growth.......................
International Stock.....................
Global Growth...........................
Growth Stock............................
Growth & Income.........................
Global Asset Allocation.................
Asset Allocation........................
Global Bond.............................
High Yield..............................
Diversified Income......................
U.S. Gov't Securities...................
Money Market............................
<CAPTION>
FIVE YEAR SINCE INCEPTION
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
POLICY SURRENDER DEATH SURRENDER DEATH
VALUE VALUE BENEFIT POLICY VALUE VALUE BENEFIT
------------ --------- ------------- ------------ --------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Aggressive Growth.......................
International Stock.....................
Global Growth...........................
Growth Stock............................
Growth & Income.........................
Global Asset Allocation.................
Asset Allocation........................
Global Bond.............................
High Yield..............................
Diversified Income......................
U.S. Gov't Securities...................
Money Market............................
</TABLE>
These benefits will differ for other insureds. They will differ according to
differences in investment allocation, premium timing and amount, death benefit
type and amount as well as Age and underwriting classification of the insureds.
Because the Policies are insurance policies, actual performance should always be
considered in context with the level of death benefit and cash values.
The performance data is historical; future performance will vary.
FORTIS SERIES FUND, INC.
Fortis Series is a "series" type of mutual fund which is registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as a diversified open-end management
investment company under the 1940 Act. Fortis Series has served as the
investment medium for the Separate Account since the Separate Account commenced
operations. Fortis Series is also an investment medium for Variable Account D of
Fortis Benefits, through which variable annuity contracts are issued. Although
Fortis Benefits does not foresee any material conflicts between the interests of
Policy owners and variable annuity contract owners, Fortis Series' Board of
Directors will monitor to identify any material irreconcilable conflicts that
may develop and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response.
If it becomes necessary for any separate account to replace shares of any
Portfolio with another investment, the Portfolio may have to liquidate
securities on a disadvantageous basis.
Fortis Benefits purchases and redeems Fortis Series shares for the Separate
Account at their net asset value without the imposition of any sales or
redemption charges. Such shares represent interests in the Portfolios of Fortis
Series, each of which corresponds to one of the Subaccounts of the Separate
Account. Any dividend or capital gain distributions received from a Portfolio
that are attributable to Policies will be reinvested in shares of that Portfolio
at net asset value as of the date paid. Such distributions will have the effect
of reducing the net asset value of each share of the Portfolio and increasing
the number of Portfolio shares outstanding. However, the total Policy Value in
the corresponding Subaccount will not change as a result of any such
distribution.
Fortis Series' Portfolios are the Aggressive Growth, International Stock Series,
Growth Stock, Global Growth, Blue Chip Stock, S&P 500 Index, Growth and Income,
Value, Global Asset Allocation Series, Asset Allocation, High Yield, Global Bond
Series, Diversified Income, U.S. Government Securities and Money Market Series.
A full description of the Portfolios, their investment policies and
restrictions, their charges, the risks attendant to investing in them, and other
aspects of their operations is contained in the prospectus for Fortis Series
accompanying the Prospectus and in the Statement of Additional Information
referred to therein. The complete risk disclosure in the Prospectus for the
Global Asset Allocation Series, Asset Allocation, the High Yield Series, and the
Diversified Income Series should be read before selection of them for Policy
investment.
10
<PAGE>
POLICY BENEFITS
DEATH BENEFIT
As long as the Policy remains in force, Fortis Benefits will, upon due proof of
the Surviving Insured's death and return of the Policy, pay the insurance
proceeds of the Policy to the named beneficiary. Fortis Benefits will pay
interest from the date of death to the date of commencement of any optional
income plan or to the date of distribution at a minimum of 3 1/2% per annum. See
Appendix A--"Optional Income Plans."
The insurance proceeds are: (1) the death benefit provided under Option A or
Option B, whichever is in effect on the date of death, plus (2) any additional
insurance on the Surviving Insured's life that is provided by rider, minus (3)
any outstanding Policy loan and any due and unpaid charges accruing during a
Grace Period, plus (4) any loan interest paid by the Policy owner for periods
beyond the date of death.
DEATH BENEFIT OPTIONS
The Policy owner selects one of the two below-described death benefit options in
the application and can, after the third Policy year, change the option once
each Policy year, by written request. See "Change in Death Benefit Option,"
below.
OPTION A. The death benefit is equal to the Face Amount of insurance.
OPTION B. The death benefit is equal to the Face Amount of insurance plus the
Policy Value at the date of the Surviving Insured's death.
ALTERNATIVE DEATH BENEFIT. Under either Option A or Option B, there is an
Alternative Death Benefit which applies if it provides a death benefit greater
than the death benefit option chosen. The Alternative Death Benefit is a
multiple of the Policy Value at the date of death as set forth in the table
below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ATTAINED AGE OF MULTIPLE OF
YOUNGER INSURED POLICY VALUE
---------------- ------------
<S> <C>
40 or less 2.50
45 2.15
50 1.85
55 1.50
60 1.30
65 1.20
70 1.15
75 1.05
80 1.05
85 1.05
90 1.05
95 1.00
</TABLE>
For Ages not listed, the progression between the listed Ages is constant.
Both Option A and Option B provide insurance protection, as well as possible
build-up of Policy Value. Under Option A, the insurance coverage remains level,
unless the Alternative Death Benefit applies. Under Option B, the insurance
coverage varies as the Policy Value changes.
For any Face Amount, the death benefit under Option B will be greater than or
equal to that under Option A, since the Policy Value is added to the Face Amount
and included in the death benefit under Option B but not under Option A.
However, the cost of insurance included in the Monthly Deduction (see "Charges
and Deductions--Monthly Deduction From Policy Value") will be greater, and thus
the accumulation of Policy Value will be lower, under Option B than under Option
A, assuming the same Face Amount and otherwise identical Policies. See Appendix
B--"Illustrations of Death Benefits, Policy Values, Surrender Values and
Accumulated Premiums."
SECOND-TO-DIE RIDER
Subject to certain limits, coverage payable on the death of the Surviving
Insured may be taken out under our Second-To-Die term insurance rider, rather
than taking out all of the coverage under Option A or Option B of the base
Policy described above. This rider is available only at the time a Policy is
first issued, and a charge will be deducted for it as part of each Monthly
Deduction.
Coverage under the Second-To-Die Rider is generally less costly initially than a
comparable amount of coverage obtained under the base Policy. However, the
Policy owners who intend to retain and make substantial premium payments under
their Policies, coverage under the base Policy will probably be more
economically advantageous over the long term.
Any coverage under the Second-To-Die Rider is not considered in computing the
Alternative Death Benefit mentioned above. Therefore, if part of the coverage is
taken under the rider, the Alternative Death Benefit will apply at lower levels
of Policy Value than if all of the coverage had been taken out under the base
Policy. The Alternative Death Benefit, when it applies, has the effect of
automatically increasing the amount of insurance coverage under the base Policy
and, as a consequence, the amount deducted for cost of insurance. Accordingly,
it is more likely that such increases will occur if coverage is taken out under
the Second-To-Die Rider, rather that under the base Policy.
For a more complete discussion of the Second-To-Die Rider and factors you should
consider in determining whether to apply for it, see "Second-To-Die Rider" under
"Optional Insurance Benefits--Joint Term Life Insurance Riders" in Appendix A at
the end of this prospectus.
ACCELERATED BENEFIT RIDER
The Accelerated Benefit Rider will be issued as a part of all Policies issued in
a state that has approved such rider. The Accelerated Benefit Rider allows a
Policy owner to receive benefits from the Policy that would be otherwise payable
upon the death of an insured. The benefit may vary state-by-state and a Fortis
Benefits representative should be consulted as to whether, and to what extent,
the rider is available in any particular state.
The Accelerated Benefit Rider allows the Policy owner to elect an accelerated
payment of all or part of the death benefit under the Policy and any term
insurance rider that is less than two years prior to the original expiry or
maturity date. For any survivorship benefit the election can only be made after
the death of one of the joint insureds.
11
<PAGE>
The accelerated payment will be discounted for twelve months' interest and will
be reduced by any outstanding loan if not otherwise paid, multiplied by the
percentage of the eligible amount which is accelerated. The interest rate
discount will be equal to the lesser of (1) the applicable federal interest rate
determined under Section 846(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code; (2) the current
maximum statutory adjustable policy loan interest rate; or (3) 10%. Fortis
Benefits can furnish details about the amount of the benefit under the
Accelerated Benefit Rider available to an eligible Policy owner under a
particular Policy. The benefits paid under the Accelerated Benefit Rider are
available when Fortis Benefits has received written notice and satisfactory
proof (a certificate by a doctor) that the insured has a life expectancy of
twelve months or less due to an irreversible medical condition. The benefit will
be paid in a lump sum unless otherwise agreed to by Fortis Benefits.
The payment of a benefit must be approved in writing by any irrevocable
beneficiary and any collateral assignee. No benefit is available if the
insured's irreversible medical condition results from self-inflicted injury and
such injury occurs within the first two policy years (one year in Colorado and
North Dakota). If such injury occurs beyond such period, the amount that may be
requested may not include any part of the death benefit that was first effective
within a two year period (one year in Colorado and North Dakota) prior to such
injury.
All or part of the eligible amount may be accelerated under the Accelerated
Benefit Rider. If the death benefit is only partially accelerated, a Face Amount
at least equal to the minimum Face Amount required for the Policy or rider must
remain under the Policy or rider. The benefit payable must be at least
$2,500.00, or if smaller the entire eligible amount. If the entire eligible
amount is accelerated, the Policy or rider will terminate. If the entire
eligible amount is paid on the person who is insured under the base Policy, any
rider on the Policy that provides insurance on the life of any other person will
be administered according to the provisions in the rider concerning the death of
the person insured under the base Policy.
The maximum amount of any accelerated death benefit payable under a Policy and
all other policies issued by Fortis Benefits with an Accelerated Benefit Rider
is $500,000.
If only a portion of the eligible amount is paid, the Policy and/or rider will
remain in force. The amount of insurance, and the loan amount and Surrender
Value if the benefit is paid on the death benefit provided by the base Policy,
of the Policy or rider will be reduced as of the date of approval of the benefit
request by the percentage of the eligible amount which is accelerated. Future
monthly Minimum Premiums and cost of insurance will be adjusted as if (1) a loan
repayment were made equal to the reduction in the loan amount, (2) a withdrawal
were made equal to the reduction in Surrender Value, and (3) a Face Amount
decrease were made equal to the difference between the accelerated eligible
amount and the face amount decrease caused by withdrawal.
There is no charge for this rider provision as a part of your policy. However,
an administrative fee (not to exceed $300) will be charged at the time the
benefit is paid. The current fee is $50.
Fortis Benefits agrees that unless otherwise required by law, no benefit will be
paid if the Policy owner is required to elect it in order to meet the claims of
creditors or to obtain a government benefit. Receipt of payment of a benefit
under the Accelerated Benefit Rider may affect eligibility for government
sponsored benefit programs, such as Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income.
The rider can be terminated by request.
The Accelerated Benefit Rider is not a long term care rider or nursing home
insurance rider. The amount this rider pays may not be enough to cover medical,
nursing home or other bills. The benefit can be used for any purpose.
Having the Accelerated Benefit Rider as a part of the Policy has no adverse tax
consequences. However, electing to use it could. Although there currently are
proposed IRS regulations which would treat a benefit received under the
Accelerated Benefit Rider for income tax purposes like a death benefit received
by a beneficiary after the death of an insured, receipt of a benefit under the
Accelerated Benefit Rider may give rise to a Federal or State income tax. A
competent tax adviser should be consulted for further information.
CHANGES IN FACE AMOUNT
INCREASE. A Policy owner may at any time increase the Face Amount of a Policy,
subject to the conditions discussed below.
The minimum Face Amount increase is currently $5,000, and all other requirements
are as if the increase were a separate Policy. Increases in Face Amount may be
made only if the Surrender Value after the increase is large enough to cover at
least the Monthly Deduction for the Policy month following the increase. Any
increase may require that additional evidence of insurability be submitted to
Fortis Benefits. No Face Amount increase will be permitted if benefits are being
paid under the terms of a Waiver of Monthly Deductions Rider or the Waiver of
Selected Amount Rider. See Appendix A--"Optional Insurance Benefits." Fortis
Benefits reserves the right to establish different maximum or minimum amounts
for future Face Amount increases.
Following a Face Amount increase requested by the Policy owner, additional sales
and issuance charges will be applicable. See "Charges and Deductions--Premium
Tax and Sales Charges" and "Other Policy Issuance Expense Charges." An increase
in Face Amount requested by the Policy owner also will increase the monthly
Minimum Premium. See "Minimum Premiums" under "Payment and Allocation of
Premiums--Premiums."
The Policy owner may cancel the Face Amount increase. The cancellation request
must be delivered or mailed to Fortis Benefits by letter postmarked (1) within
10 days after receipt of a Policy schedule amendment reflecting any requested
Face Amount increase, (2) within 45 days after the Policy change application for
such increase is signed, or (3) within 10 days after receipt of a Notice of
Withdrawal Right, whichever is latest. Upon such a cancellation, Monthly
Deductions, including rider costs, arising from the increase are credited to the
Policy Value. No premiums paid will be refunded, except that Fortis Benefits
will promptly refund premiums to the extent necessary to cure any violation of
the then current maximum premium limitations under Section 7702 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
12
<PAGE>
(the "Code"). See "Payment and Allocations of Premiums--Premiums." The Surrender
Charge and the monthly Minimum Premium will be adjusted to the level they would
have been in the absence of the Face Amount increase.
Also, during the first two years following a Face Amount increase requested by a
Policy owner, the Policy owner may transfer all or part of the Policy Value to
the General Account without charge. See "Policy Value Transfers" under "Payment
and Allocation of Premiums--Allocation of Premiums and Policy Values." Such a
transfer to the General Account could be made, for example, in the amount of any
premiums paid which are deemed attributable to the increase. See "Charges and
Deductions--Premium Tax and Sales Charges" and "Other Policy Issuance Expense
Charges" regarding the method of such attribution.
DECREASE. After the third Policy year, the Policy owner may request a decrease
in the Face Amount of the Policy. Also, no face amount decrease is allowed in
the first year following a Face Amount increase requested by the Policy owner.
The Face Amount remaining in force after any requested decrease may not be less
than $100,000. No decrease in the Face Amount will be permitted if it would
result in any violation of the then current maximum premium limitations under
Section 7702 of the Code. The monthly Minimum Premium will also be reduced. See
"Minimum Premiums" under "Payment and Allocation of Premiums--Premiums."
EFFECTIVE DATE. Any Face Amount increase or decrease will become effective on
the Monthly Anniversary on or next following (1) the Date of Receipt of the
request or (2) if evidence of insurability is required, the date Fortis Benefits
approves the request. Nevertheless, there will be no insurance coverage under
any change in Face Amount or other change in benefits requiring evidence of
insurability, unless, at the time of delivery of a Policy schedule amendment
reflecting the change in benefits, the insureds' health remain as stated in the
application for the change.
Commencing on its effective date, a change in the Face Amount generally will
also affect the Net Amount at Risk and may affect the insureds' rate class, both
of which affect a Policy owner's monthly cost of insurance charge. (Net Amount
at Risk is the difference in amount between the death benefit and the Policy
Value.) See "Rate Class" under "Charges and Deductions--Monthly Deduction from
Policy Value." This in turn can affect the level of subsequent Policy Values and
death benefits.
CHANGE IN DEATH BENEFIT OPTION
After the third Policy year, the death benefit option in effect may be changed
once each Policy year by sending a written request in form acceptable to Fortis
Benefits at its Home Office. The effective date of any such change will be the
Monthly Anniversary on or following (1) the Date of Receipt of the request or
(2) if evidence of insurability is required, approval by Fortis Benefits.
A change from Option A to Option B requires evidence of insurability and results
in an automatic reduction in the Face Amount by the amount of Policy Value on
the effective date of the change. This change may not be made if it would result
in a Face Amount which is less than the minimum Face Amount, which is $100,000.
Nor will a change in death benefit option be permitted if it results in any
violation of the then current maximum premium limitations under Section 7702 of
the Code. See "Payment and Allocation of Premiums-- Premiums."
A change from Option A to Option B will not alter the death benefit at the time
of the change, but will affect the determination of the death benefit from then
on. Since, from then on, the Policy Value will be added to the new Face Amount,
the death benefit will vary with the Policy Value. Moreover, under Option B, the
Net Amount at Risk will not vary unless the Alternative Death Benefit is in
effect. Therefore, after a change from Option A to Option B, the cost of
insurance will generally be higher if the Policy Value increases, but lower if
the Policy Value decreases. See "Charges and Deductions--Monthly Deductions From
Policy Value."
Although a change from Option A to Option B results in an automatic reduction in
Face Amount, it will not result in any change in the charges for premium tax,
sales or issuance expenses or in the monthly Minimum Premium.
If the death benefit option changes from Option B to Option A, the Face Amount
will be increased by the amount of the Policy Value on the effective date of the
change. The death benefit will not be altered at the time of the change.
However, the change in death benefit option will continue to affect the
determination of the death benefit from then on, because the Policy Value will
no longer be added to the Face Amount in determining the death benefit.
Therefore, after a change from Option B to Option A, the cost of insurance
charges will generally be lower if the Policy Value increases but higher if the
Policy Value decreases. See "Charges and Deductions--Monthly Deductions From
Policy Value."
Although a change from Option B to Option A results in an automatic increase in
the Face Amount of a Policy, no additional sales charge or expense charge will
be imposed as a result of such a change, and no evidence of insurability will be
required. Nor will there be any change in the monthly Minimum Premium under a
Policy or any right to a refund of charges upon cancellation of the Face Amount
increase.
POLICY SPLIT OPTION
POLICY SPLIT OPTION. The Policy owner may elect to split the Policy and purchase
two individual Fortis Benefits VUL policies; one on the life of each insured.
This election may be exercised only by written notice to Fortis Benefits' Home
Office within 180 days following either: (1) The date of entry of a final decree
of divorce with respect to the joint insureds; or (2) The effective date of a
change in the Federal estate tax laws that would reduce or eliminate the
unlimited marital deduction; or (3) Written confirmation of a dissolution of a
business partnership or closely held corporation in which the joint insureds are
partners or shareholders.
There is a 60-day waiting period after divorce or business dissolution before
the option can be elected. The new policies will be issued subject to the
following terms and conditions:
1. There will be no new evidence of insurability required.
2. Premiums, charges, and bonuses for the new policies will be based on each
insured's attained age and current rate class.
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<PAGE>
3. As of the effective date of the Policy split policy value, and the Face
Amount of the Policy, excluding any riders, will be divided equally between
the new policies, unless a different percentage is specified in the Policy
schedule for the Policy. An unequal split is allowed only at the discretion
of Fortis Benefits upon issuance of the Policy.
4. Loans must be paid at the time of the Policy division.
5. In no event may the combined death benefits of the new policies exceed that
provided under the Policy. A withdrawal of policy value from the Policy will
be made to prevent this from occurring.
6. Riders on the new policies will be allowed at the discretion of Fortis
Benefits, and only if evidence of insurability is provided.
7. The owner and beneficiary of the new policies will be the same as under the
Policy, unless the Policy owner specifies otherwise.
8. Any existing incontestable or suicide period under the Policy will continue
under the two new policies.
The Policy Split Option is not available if any of the following apply when
exercise of the option is sought:
1. Either insured is deceased or considered "uninsurable" pursuant to Fortis
Benefits' underwriting guidelines.
2. The combined rating of the insureds, as indicated in the Policy schedule, is
more than Table 4.
3. Either insured is older than the issue age of the new policy's maximum issue
age.
4. The Policy is in the grace period.
5. The Policy is receiving benefits from any disability rider.
Exercise of this option is treated as a taxable transaction. The Policy owner
should consult a tax adviser before exercising this option.
POLICY VALUE
The total Policy Value at any time is the sum of the Policy Values in the
General Account (see Appendix D--"The General Account" and "Loan Privileges")
and the Subaccounts of the Separate Account at such time.
The Policy Value in the Separate Account may increase or decrease on each
Valuation Date, depending on the investment return of the chosen Subaccounts.
See "Separate Account Net Investment Return," below. "Valuation Dates" are all
business days, except, with respect to any Subaccount, days on which the related
Fortis Series Portfolio does not value its shares. Valuations for any date other
than a Valuation Date will be determined as of the next Valuation Date.
PREMIUM BASED BONUSES AND POLICY VALUE BONUSES
PREMIUM BASED BONUSES. In most states a premium based bonus will be paid by
Fortis Benefits starting on the last day of the seventh and each subsequent
Policy year and continuing for the life of the Policy or, if earlier, the date
the young insured would have reached age 100. The amount of the bonus is a
percentage of the lesser of (a) or (b), the result divided by the number of
years that the Policy has been in force where: (a) is the sum of all premiums
paid less any withdrawals and loans; and (b) is the sum of all monthly Maximum
Bonus Premiums to date. The current percentages and durations are as follows:
CURRENT PREMIUM BASED BONUS PERCENTAGES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
END OF POLICY YEAR
-------------------
9
AND
LATER
TO
ORIGINAL
MATURITY
AGE OF DATE
YOUNGER INSURED OF
AT ISSUE 0-6 7 8 POLICY
- ------------------------- --- --- --- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
18-50.................... 0% 2% 4% 4 %
51-60.................... 0 2 4 7
61-70.................... 0 5 7 10
71-85.................... 0 5 5 5
</TABLE>
Maximum Bonus Premiums with respect to a policy or a benefit change generally is
the estimated premium payment which would keep the policy (a benefit change) in
force to the younger insured's Age 85, without regard to substandard risks or
riders. A Face Amount increase or decrease requested by the Policy owner will
cause an increase or decrease, respectively, in the size of future Maximum Bonus
Premiums.
Subject to the guaranteed minimums set forth below, Fortis Benefits reserves the
right in its sole discretion to reduce the rate of Premium Based Bonuses. Policy
owners will be given one year's notice before any such reduction takes effect.
Fortis Benefits guarantees Premium Based Bonuses for eligible Policies at
specified rates. The guaranteed rates are based on the younger insured's Age at
Policy issue, as follows:
14
<PAGE>
GUARANTEED PREMIUM BASED BONUSES PERCENTAGES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
END OF POLICY YEAR
-------------------
9
AND
LATER
TO
ORIGINAL
MATURITY
AGE OF DATE
YOUNGER INSURED OF
AT ISSUE 0-6 7 8 POLICY
- ------------------------- --- --- --- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
18-50.................... 0% 2% 4% 4 %
51-60.................... 0 2 4 7
61-70.................... 0 2 4 7
71-85.................... 0 2 4 5
</TABLE>
Premium Based Bonuses are offered or guaranteed only to the extent allowed by
the state in which the Policy is issued.
POLICY VALUE BONUSES. In most states Fortis Benefits intends to credit Policy
Value Bonuses on each monthly anniversary after the monthly deduction is made,
at an annual rate, as set forth below:
ANNUAL RATE OF POLICY VALUE BONUSES AS A PERCENT OF NET CASH VALUE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTION A ANNUAL BONUSES OPTION B ANNUAL BONUSES
--------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
SURRENDER VALUE BAND 1 BAND 2 BAND 3 BAND 4 BAND 1 BAND 2
- ---------------------------------------- ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 - $9,999 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
$10,000 - $49,999 0.00% 0.00% 0.05% 0.05% 0.30% 0.30%
$50,000 - $99,999 0.05% 0.05% 0.10% 0.10% 0.35% 0.35%
$100,000 + 0.10% 0.10% 0.15% 0.20% 0.40% 0.40%
<CAPTION>
SURRENDER VALUE BAND 3 BAND 4
- ---------------------------------------- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
$0 - $9,999 0.00% 0.00%
$10,000 - $49,999 0.35% 0.35%
$50,000 - $99,999 0.40% 0.40%
$100,000 + 0.45% 0.50%
</TABLE>
If the death benefit option is changed the rate is computed using the weighted
average of the rates based on the number of months each death benefit option is
in effect.
For purposes of calculating the Policy Value Bonus percentage, the average Face
Amount of the Policy from issuance to the point of the bonus payment will be
used to determine the Policy Band. For example, if the Policy had a Face Amount
of $1 million for 18 months, $500,000 for 60 months, and $2 million for 6
months, the policy has an average Face Amount of (18 x $1,000,000) + (60 x
$500,000) + (6 x $2,000,000) DIVIDED BY 84= $714,285, a Band 2 Policy.
Fortis Benefits intends to add .35% to the annual rate for Policy Value Bonuses
after the 19th Policy year. This increase is not guaranteed. To the extent
implemented, however, the increase would substantially offset any daily charge
for premium taxes and sales charges that is then being made.
Policy Value Bonuses are offered or guaranteed only to the extent allowed by the
state in which the Policy is issued.
ALLOCATION AND EFFECTS. Any Premium Based Bonus and Policy Value Bonus will be
allocated among the General Account and the Subaccounts of the Separate Account
on a Pro Rata Basis. Following such allocation, these amounts will be credited
with investment performance and otherwise be treated the same as any other
amounts allocated to the Subaccounts or the General Account, as the case may be.
Thus, for example, any Premium Based Bonus or Policy Value Bonus will increase
the Option B (but not the Option A) death benefit under the Policy. Under an
Option A death benefit, Premium Based Bonus and Policy Value Bonuses will result
in reduced cost of insurance charges.
15
<PAGE>
CALCULATION OF SEPARATE ACCOUNT POLICY VALUE
On each Valuation Date, the Policy Value in a Subaccount of the Separate Account
will be:
(1) The cumulative amount of premiums allocated to the Subaccount; plus
(2) The amount of all Premium Based Bonuses and Policy Value Bonuses credited to
the Subaccount (see "Policy Benefits-- Premium Based Bonuses and Policy
Value Bonuses"); plus
(3) All amounts transferred to the Subaccount from the General Account or from
another Subaccount; minus
(4) Any amounts transferred from the Subaccount to the General Account or to
another Subaccount; minus
(5) Any partial withdrawal from the Subaccount; minus
(6) The amount of any daily deductions for premium tax and sales charges (see
"Charges and Deductions -- Premium Tax and Sales Charges") allocated to the
Subaccount; minus
(7) The portion of the cumulative Monthly Deductions allocated to the Subaccount
(see "Charges and Deductions--Monthly Deductions From Policy Value" and
"Policy Issuance Expense Charges"); plus
(8) The cumulative net investment return (discussed below) on the amount of
Policy Value in the Subaccount from time to time.
The Policy's total Policy Value in the Separate Account is the sum of the Policy
Values in each Subaccount, which have no guaranteed minimum.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT NET INVESTMENT RETURN
The net asset value for each Fortis Series Portfolio is determined as of the
close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"), on each
Valuation Date. The net investment return for each Subaccount and all
transactions and calculations with respect to the Policies as of any Valuation
Date are determined as of that time.
Each Subaccount is credited with a rate of net investment return equal to its
gross rate of investment return during each Valuation Period less (1) an
adjustment for the Separate Account's charge for mortality and expense risks (at
an annual rate of 1.00%) and (2) a charge for Fortis Benefits' income taxes, if
any such tax charge becomes necessary in the future (see "Federal Tax
Matters--Taxation of Fortis Benefits"). Each Subaccount's gross rate of
investment return during a Valuation Period is the rate of increase or decrease
in the per share net asset value of the underlying Fortis Series Portfolio over
the Valuation Period, adjusted upward to take appropriate account of any
dividends or distributions paid by the Portfolio during this period.
A "Valuation Period" is the period between two successive Valuation Dates,
commencing at the close of regular trading on the NYSE on each Valuation Date
and ending at the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the next succeeding
Valuation Date. Depending primarily on the investment experience of the
underlying Portfolio, a Separate Account Subaccount's net investment return may
be either positive or negative during a Valuation Period. Subject to applicable
legal requirements, Fortis Benefits reserves the right to change the times of
day when values under a Policy are determined.
PAYMENT AND ALLOCATION OF PREMIUMS
ISSUANCE OF A POLICY
Individuals wishing to purchase a Policy must complete an application which will
be sent to Fortis Benefits' Home Office. Currently the minimum Face Amount of
insurance for which a Band 1 Policy may be issued is $100,000, $500,000 for a
Band 2 Policy, $1,000,000 for a Band 3 Policy, and $5,000,000 for a Band 4
Policy. A Policy will generally be issued to insureds Age 18-85 who supply
evidence of insurability satisfactory to Fortis Benefits.
Acceptance of an application is subject to Fortis Benefits' underwriting
guidelines and Policy approval procedures. Any premium payments for a Policy
that never goes into effect, or that is subsequently revoked, will be returned
without interest.
If the proposed insureds meet certain health requirements, Fortis Benefits will
issue temporary term life insurance to cover the period before the Policy goes
into effect. Temporary insurance will be issued only if the initial premium
payment has been paid with the application and the amount of temporary insurance
coverage will not exceed $250,000 under all applications for the proposed
insureds pending with Fortis Benefits and any other insurers. If a temporary
insurance benefit is paid, a premium for the amount of temporary coverage from
the date of its issue to the date of death will be charged. Temporary coverage
is subject to certain other conditions, including special limits for temporary
coverage of certain optional benefits provided by rider, and is for a maximum of
ninety days. Except as otherwise provided in any temporary insurance agreement,
there will be no insurance coverage under a Policy unless at the time the Policy
is delivered the insureds' health is the same as stated in the application.
The Policy Date is the date used to determine Policy Anniversaries and Monthly
Anniversaries, regardless of when the Policy is delivered. The Policy Date is
also when Monthly Deductions commence. When temporary insurance has been
provided, the Policy Date will ordinarily be the date of part I of the
application, except that if that date is the 29th through the 31st of any month,
the Policy Date will be the first of the next month. When no temporary insurance
has been provided, the Policy Date will ordinarily be three days after the date
the application is approved, except that if that date is the 29th through 31st
of any month, the Policy Date will be the first of the next month. A later
Policy Date will result in monthly deductions being taken out later and
investment performance on any premium payment being reflected in the Separate
Account later. A prospective purchaser may request a Policy Date later than that
which otherwise would apply, subject to Fortis Benefits' current administrative
policies. No interest or other return on premium payments will be credited prior
to the Policy Date, however.
Notwithstanding the general procedures outlined above, the purchaser may,
subject to Fortis Benefits' current administrative policies and state insurance
law requirements, request a Policy Date up to six months prior to the date the
Policy is issued, for the purpose of
16
<PAGE>
preserving a younger Age of an insured person under the Policy. In many cases, a
younger Age will result in a smaller monthly Minimum Premium, lower cost of
insurance rates and lower Surrender Charges. An earlier Policy Date will also
result in a correspondingly earlier commencement of Monthly Deductions and, in
some cases, lower Premium Based Bonuses. If an earlier Policy Date is requested,
all monthly Minimum Premiums commencing with that date, plus the amount of
initial premium payment that otherwise would be required, must be paid before
the Policy will be issued.
In other cases, unless otherwise requested, if an insured's birthday falls
between the date of an application and the date the Policy is approved, the
Policy Date will generally be set early enough to preserve the younger Age.
PREMIUMS
PAYMENT OF PREMIUMS. At the time of Policy issuance, the Planned Periodic
Premium must be, on an annualized basis, at least the greater of (1) $2,000, or
(2) twelve monthly Minimum Premiums. For purposes of this requirement, the
Planned Periodic Premiums are assumed to be level in the first policy year. The
initial premium payment must cover all monthly Minimum Premiums from the Policy
Date to the next billing date, generally after the Policy is mailed for
delivery, and must be paid before a Policy will take effect. If the Planned
Periodic Premium is paid monthly, at least two months' Planned Periodic Premiums
must be paid.
Subject to Fortis Benefits' guidelines, each Policy owner will determine a
Planned Periodic Premium schedule that provides for the payment of level
premiums at specified intervals for the life of the Policy. (If desired, these
may be paid by means of automatic monthly drafts on the Policy owner's checking
account.) The Policy owner, however, is not required to pay premiums in
accordance with the Planned Periodic Premium schedule, except to the extent
described above with respect to the initial premium payment. THE PAYMENT OF
PLANNED PERIODIC PREMIUMS WILL NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE POLICY REMAINS IN FORCE.
Instead, the duration of the Policy depends upon the Net Cash Value. See
"Payment and Allocation of Premiums--Policy Lapse and Reinstatement."
Subject to the limitations described below, a Policy owner may make additional
premium payments at any time in any amount.
The total of all premiums paid may never exceed the then current maximum premium
limitations under Section 7702 of the Code. If at any time a premium is paid
that would result in any violation of the then current maximum premium
limitations, Fortis Benefits will accept only that portion of the premium that
will make total premiums equal to the limit. Fortis Benefits will promptly
refund any such excess, unless the Policy owner directs otherwise. Any amount so
refunded will include any positive net investment performance attributable to
such amount prior to refund. The amount of any positive net investment
performance refunded will constitute ordinary income to the Policy owner for
federal income tax purposes.
Fortis Benefits reserves the right to impose additional limits on the number or
amount of premium payments. Fortis Benefits currently has no intention of
imposing such limits except when the Alternative Death Benefit is in effect. See
"Policy Benefits--Death Benefit Options."
ALLOCATION OF PREMIUMS AND POLICY VALUE
ALLOCATION OF PREMIUMS. In the application for a Policy, the Policy owner
indicates the initial allocation of premiums among the General Account and the
Subaccounts of the Separate Account. (As discussed below, this allocation will
generally take effect 20 days following the date the Policy is mailed for
delivery to the Policy owner.) Allocation percentages must be in whole numbers.
The Policy owner may change the allocation of future premiums without charge at
any time (other than during any Grace Period) by submitting a written request in
a form acceptable to Fortis Benefits at its Home Office. The change will be
effective as of the Date of Receipt of such form.
The first premium payment will be allocated automatically to the General Account
as of the later of the Policy Date or Date of Receipt, and, assuming a Policy
goes into effect, will earn a return for the Policy owner. Any other premiums
will be allocated to the General Account as of the later of the Policy Date or
the Date of Receipt. These payments will be held in the General Account
generally until the twentieth day after the Policy is mailed for delivery. Then,
all premiums, plus any other amounts previously earned in the General Account,
will be re-allocated among the General Account and the Subaccounts in accordance
with the premium allocation percentage established by the Policy owner. (If the
Policy owner has not established such an allocation, the General Account will
continue to be used.) If either insured is in a substandard risk class, the
reallocation will occur on the twentieth day after the Date of Receipt by Fortis
Benefits of all items necessary under its administrative and underwriting
procedures to release the Policy to an active status in its processing system.
Each premium payment accepted after this reallocation is credited to the
Subaccounts or General Account as of the Date of Receipt. There is an exception
to this rule, however, with respect to any premium payments as to which
underwriting requirements apply or where Fortis Benefits obtains authorization
of the Policy owner to delay acceptance of the premium until permitted under
Section 7702 of the Code. In such cases, the premium is held in a non-interest
bearing account until it is allocated to the Subaccounts or General Account as
of the later of the Date of Receipt of the premium or the date of acceptance of
such premium by Fortis Benefits.
POLICY VALUE TRANSFERS. After the initial allocation of premiums has occurred,
and subject to the limitations described below, the Policy owner may transfer
Policy Value between the General Account and the Subaccounts of the Separate
Account and among the Subaccounts, except during any Grace Period.
Transfers from the General Account to the Separate Account are limited to one
transfer in each Policy Year, which currently may not be for more than 50% of
the General Account Policy Value at the date of transfer (excluding the amount
of any General Account Policy Value attributable to Policy loans). However, if
the unloaned General Account Policy Value at the date of transfer is less than
$1,000, the Policy owner may transfer the entire unloaned balance from the
General Account to
17
<PAGE>
the Separate Account. Fortis Benefits reserves the right to review these limits
on an annual basis and, subject to the limits in the Policy, to reduce them.
Fortis Benefits will determine all values in connection with a transfer as of
the Date of Receipt of the transfer request. Fortis Benefits may in its
discretion permit a continuing request for transfers of specified amounts
automatically on a periodic basis. Fortis Benefits reserves the right to
restrict the number and amount of transfers, but currently has no plans to
impose any such restrictions. At least four transfers per Policy year among the
Subaccounts or to the General Account will always be permitted. Fortis Benefits
will give Policy owners advance notice of any such restrictions.
Transfers are not taxable under current law. Except as discussed below, transfer
requests must be in writing, in a form acceptable to Fortis Benefits. Although
it currently has no plans to do so, Fortis Benefits may impose a charge of up to
$25 on transfers. Any such charge would be designed only to cover the
administrative cost of effecting transfers. Telephone transfers may be made if a
telephone authorization form has been received. See "Summary--How to Exercise
Your Rights Under a Policy."
In no event will Fortis Benefits restrict or prohibit any transfer of all Policy
Value to the General Account (1) during the first two Policy years, (2) within
the first two years after a Face Amount increase requested by the Policy owner,
or (3) within 60 days after the Policy owner receives notice of any material
change in a Portfolio's investment policy. Nor will any transfer charge be
imposed on such transfers, except that a charge may be imposed subsequent to the
first full transfer after issue, a Face Amount increase, or a change in
investment policy.
LIMITATION. Under the Policy, Fortis Benefits reserves the right to control the
amount of any assets in any investment alternative. Pursuant to this authority,
Fortis Benefits has established the following administrative procedures for the
protection of the interest of all investors participating in Fortis Series'
Portfolios: a Policy owner may not invest, allocate, transfer or exchange Policy
Value into any Subaccount if the value allocated to that Subaccount under the
Policy (and under any other insurance or annuity contract directly or indirectly
controlled by the same person, jointly or individually) would immediately
thereafter equal 25% or more of the related Fortis Series Portfolio's net
assets. Fortis Benefits reserves the right to modify these procedures at any
time.
GUARANTEED DEATH BENEFIT
GUARANTEED DEATH BENEFIT. A Policy is guaranteed to stay in force if, as of each
Monthly Anniversary, the cumulative amount of premiums paid to date, less the
amount of any outstanding Policy loans and cumulative partial withdrawals taken
by the Policy owner, at least equals the cumulative monthly Minimum Premiums for
Policy months up to and including that beginning on that Monthly Anniversary.
For purposes of this calculation, premiums paid in any Policy year, Minimum
Premiums, and partial withdrawals are assumed to accumulate at an effective
annual rate of 4%. For this purpose premiums and Minimum Premiums for any Policy
year are assumed to commence accumulating interest at the beginning of the
Policy year in which they are paid. Partial withdrawals are assumed to be taken
at the end of the year or at the end of the current monthly anniversary, if
earlier. This benefit is provided by the Guaranteed Death Benefit rider issued
as a part of all Policies issued in a state that has approved such rider. The
Policy owner can choose at issue a guarantee period of 10 years, 20 years, or to
Age 85 of the younger insured. The choice cannot be changed after the Policy is
issued. If the issue age of the younger insured is 65 or older, the guarantee
will be for the lesser of 10 years from the Policy Date or until the younger
insured's Age 75 (or for 5 years if the younger insured is Age 71 or more at
issue). The guarantee if either insured is rated for higher mortality is for
five years. There is no charge for the benefit in the first ten years. After the
tenth Policy year, the monthly charge for the 20 year guarantee is $.02 per
thousand dollars of Face Amount in effect under the Policy or under any
supplemental term insurance rider described in Appendix A, and $.04 per thousand
of such Face amount for the guarantee period to Age 85 of the younger insured.
The initial charge is set forth in the Policy schedule. A subsequent increase or
decrease in Face Amount will result in an increase or decrease, respectively, in
the level of charges for the Guaranteed Death Benefit. The same is true of the
addition or cancellation of any benefits under any supplemental term insurance
rider described in "Appendix A." The new charges will be set forth in the Policy
schedule amendment delivered following any change. If the Guaranteed Death
Benefit terminates for any reason, the charge for it will terminate at the same
time.
The minimum amount must be paid prior to the next Monthly Anniversary for the
rider to stay in force. Fortis Benefits will send the Policy owner a notice of
the minimum amount required to be paid. The Guaranteed Death Benefit will
terminate if at least this amount is not paid, or if the Date of Receipt by
Fortis Benefits of this amount is not prior to the next Monthly Anniversary. Any
Grace Period under the Policy will end on the date otherwise provided in the
Policy, but in no event earlier than the Monthly Anniversary following lapse of
the Guaranteed Death Benefit. Once the Guaranteed Death Benefit terminates, it
may not be reinstated.
MINIMUM PREMIUMS. For the 10 year and 20 year guarantee periods the monthly
Minimum Premium with respect to a Policy or benefit change generally is the
estimated monthly premium payment which would keep the Policy (or benefit
change) in force for 20 years based on (1) the insureds' then-current Ages, sex,
and smoking habits and (2) reasonable assumptions for interest, costs of
insurance, and other charges. If the guarantee period to Age 85 of the younger
insured is selected, the monthly Minimum Premium will be one that is sufficient
to keep the Policy in force for the extended guarantee period provided for by
the rider, based on the assumptions set out above. However, in the event the
premium requirements for a longer period are not met, the rider will stay in
force for the shorter guarantee period, i.e. 20 or 10 years so long as the
premium requirements for that shorter guarantee period continue to be met. If
the younger insured is Age 65 or over at issue, the monthly Minimum Premium will
be one that is sufficient to keep the Policy in force for 10 years. For insureds
rated for higher mortality, it will be reduced to one that is sufficient to keep
the Policy in force for five years. The smallest monthly Minimum Premium for a
Policy without substandard risks or optional riders is $25. Fortis
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Benefits reserves the right to change the monthly Minimum Premium, although any
such change would affect only subsequent increases in the monthly Minimum
Premium due to changes in benefits.
Starting with the Monthly Anniversary when any Face Amount increase requested by
the Policy owner becomes effective, the monthly Minimum Premium will include an
additional amount attributable to the increase above the Face Amount on which
the previous monthly Minimum Premium was computed.
Starting with the Monthly Anniversary when any Face Amount decrease requested by
the Policy owner becomes effective, the monthly Minimum Premium will be reduced
by an amount attributable to the decrease below the Face Amount on which the
previous monthly Minimum Premium was computed. (The Monthly Minimum Premium will
not be reduced for any prior periods, however.) If there have been no Face
Amount increases, the decrease in any subsequent monthly Minimum Premium will be
(1) the monthly Minimum Premium before the change, multiplied by (2) the
proportion that the decrease represents of the Face Amount before the change. If
there have been any Face Amount increases, the decrease will be deemed to reduce
the most recent increase first.
The initial monthly Minimum Premium that must be paid to ensure the availability
of the Guaranteed Death Benefit Rider is set forth in the Policy schedule
included in the Policy. Any increased or decreased monthly Minimum Premium for
these purposes will be set forth in a Policy schedule amendment delivered to the
Policy owner following the change. Except as otherwise discussed below, the
monthly Minimum Premium for the Face Amount or any Face Amount change will
include an amount necessary to support certain substandard rate class charges
and any optional insurance benefits pursuant to Policy riders. Accordingly, in
such cases any increase or decrease in optional benefits provided by rider will
result in a higher or lower monthly Minimum Premium. For this purpose, the
amount of additional monthly Minimum Premium attributable to an increase in
benefits will be based on the most recent rate class if an insured's rate class
has worsened. On the other hand, the monthly Minimum Premium will be reduced
starting with the first Monthly Anniversary after Fortis Benefits approves any
new rate class for an insured which is more favorable than that on which the
previous monthly Minimum Premium was based.
POLICY LAPSE AND REINSTATEMENT
LAPSE. A Policy may lapse if the Net Cash Value on any Monthly Anniversary is
insufficient to pay the Monthly Deduction. The "Net Cash Value" is the Policy
Value less any outstanding Policy loan, plus any loan interest paid for future
periods. Fortis Benefits will notify the Policy owner and any assignee of record
of any Net Cash Value shortfall unless the Guaranteed Death Benefit Rider is in
effect. If the Guaranteed Death Benefit Rider is in effect, we will still send
the notification if the Minimum Premium payment requirement has not been met.
See "Guaranteed Death Benefit" under "Payment and Allocation of
Premiums--Premiums," above. The Policy owner will have a Grace Period of 61 days
to make a premium payment sufficient to cover at least the amount of such
shortfall, plus any additional Monthly Deductions until the end of the Grace
Period. Failure to make a sufficient payment within the Grace Period will result
in termination of the Policy, with no remaining Surrender Value, except to the
extent otherwise provided pursuant to the Guaranteed Death Benefit Rider.
If the Surviving Insured dies during the Grace Period, the insurance proceeds
payable will be the Death Benefit in effect immediately prior to entering the
Grace Period, but any due and unpaid Monthly Deductions will be deducted from
the proceeds.
REINSTATEMENT. A lapsed Policy may be reinstated at any time within five years
after the end of the Grace Period while both joint insureds are alive (or if the
Policy lapsed after the first death, while the surviving insured is alive) and
before the maturity date by submitting the following items to Fortis Benefits:
(1) a written application for reinstatement; (2) evidence of insurability
satisfactory to Fortis Benefits; (3) a premium that, net of any premium charges
that Fortis Benefits may in the future deduct from premiums, at least equals the
sum of (a) an amount necessary to keep the Policy in force for at least the two
Policy months commencing with the effective date of reinstatement, which
consists of two Monthly Deductions and any increase in the Surrender Charge
attributable to such premium, and (b) the balance needed to cover any due and
unpaid Monthly Deductions through the end of the Grace Period.
Any Policy loan on the date of termination will be automatically canceled
(except in jurisdictions where such cancellation is not permitted) and in that
case need not otherwise be repaid or reinstated. The amount of Policy Value on
the date of reinstatement will be equal to the premium paid at reinstatement,
less any premium charge deducted from premiums, less the first Monthly Deduction
paid in accordance with (a) above, and less the amounts paid in accordance with
(b) above. This Policy Value will be allocated as the Policy owner requests or,
in the absence of a request, to the General Account. If the Policy loan must be
reinstated, the Policy Value will be increased by the amount of the loan, and
that portion of the Policy Value will be held in the General Account and
credited with interest at a rate of 4% per annum.
The date of reinstatement will be the first Monthly Anniversary on or following
approval of the application for reinstatement. The Guaranteed Death Benefit
Rider will not be reinstated. Following reinstatement, the Surrender Charge will
be reinstated and will be calculated using the original Policy Date and Face
Amount increase dates as appropriate. See "Charges and Deductions--Premium Tax
and Sales Charges; Policy Issuance Expense Charges." The Policy Issuance Expense
Charges will also be reinstated, but will be calculated using the reinstatement
date to determine the remaining period for which charges are payable.
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS
PREMIUM TAX AND SALES CHARGES
PREMIUM TAX CHARGES. Premium tax charges are not deducted from premium payments.
This allows more of each premium payment to be put to work earning a return for
the Policy owner. Currently, a premium tax charge in the amount of 2.2% of all
premium payments is assessed through monthly and daily deductions from Policy
Value, as described below. Any portion of such amount that is not recovered by
Fortis
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Benefits pursuant to the monthly and daily deductions may be deducted as part of
the Surrender Charge discussed below. The charge for premium taxes is to
reimburse Fortis Benefits for taxes on premiums and similar assessments that are
imposed by most, but not all, state and local governmental entities at various
rates. The charge for premium taxes is imposed on all Policies even though there
may be no premium tax assessed by the jurisdiction in which the Policy is
purchased. Rather, the current rate at which the charge is imposed is an average
rate that Fortis Benefits estimates will be paid on premiums in all
jurisdictions. In order to more fully reimburse itself for premium taxes or
similar charges that it has paid or expects to pay, Fortis Benefits reserves the
right to raise the current premium tax charge assessed through periodic
deductions to 3.0%. Fortis Benefits also reserves the right to assess a charge
for premium taxes directly from premiums to a maximum of 2.5%, in which case the
amount of premium tax charges recoverable through the periodic deductions
therefor would be reduced by at least a corresponding amount. Fortis Benefits
also reserves the right to impose charges for other taxes that may be payable
and are attributable to the policies. Fortis Benefits does not expect to make a
profit from the premium tax charge.
SALES CHARGES. A sales charge in the amount of 9% of all premium payments is
also assessed through the monthly and daily deductions from Policy Value. Any
amount of this sales charge that is not recovered by Fortis Benefits through
these deductions may be deducted as a Contingent Deferred Sales Charge that is
included as part of the Surrender Charge. It is not possible to state how long
it would take for the full sales charge to be recovered through these
deductions. First, the cumulative sales charge will increase with each new
premium payment, and the Policy owner has considerable flexibility to vary the
amount and timing of premium payments. Second, the actual dollar amount of the
daily deduction to recover the sales charge depends on a number of factors that
will differ for each Policy, including the amount of premium payments made, the
performance of the investment options the Policy owner chooses, the amount and
timing of Premium Based Bonuses and Policy Value Bonuses or loans and loan
repayments, and the Age, sex and rate class of the insureds.
Fortis Benefits reserves the right to deduct total sales charges from premium
payments, up to a maximum of 5%, in which case the amount of premium tax charges
recoverable through the periodic deductions therefor would be reduced by at
least a corresponding amount. The sales charges under the Policies help to
defray sales expenses, including sales commissions and the cost of prospectuses,
other sales material and advertising. The amount of sales charges deducted in
any year, however, cannot be specifically related to actual sales expenses for
that year. Fortis Benefits does not expect to recover all of its sales expenses
from the sales charges. The balance will be recovered from other sources,
including any profits attributable to cost of insurance and mortality and
expense risk charges under the Policies and Fortis Benefits' general assets and
surplus.
The aggregate monthly deduction for premium tax and sales charges total is $4.00
per policy (as part of the Monthly Deduction referred to below), and the daily
deduction for these purposes is at an annual rate of .35% of the value of the
Policy's net assets in the Separate Account. These monthly and daily deductions,
however, will be waived to the extent that the cumulative amount of all such
deductions and premium charges would exceed the current charge of 11.2% of all
premium payments made to date (or 12% if the premium tax charge were increased
to its 3% maximum). Any daily deductions after the nineteenth policy year for
sales charges and premium taxes would be substantially offset, assuming that
Fortis Benefits implements the full Policy Value Bonus in the 20th Policy year,
as currently planned. See "Policy Benefits--Premium Based Bonuses and Policy
Value Bonuses."
Any amount of premium tax charges and sales charges not recovered through the
monthly or daily deductions and premium charges are deducted, if at all, ONLY as
part of the Surrender Charge discussed below. The Surrender Charge (1) is
imposed only in the event the Policy lapses or is surrendered in full before the
twelfth Policy Anniversary and (2) is subject to an overall upper limit or "cap"
that decreases over time. Accordingly, Fortis Benefits' method of imposing
premium tax charges and sales charges under the Policies in many cases will
result in substantially less than the full amount of such charges being imposed.
POLICY ISSUANCE EXPENSE CHARGE
POLICY ISSUANCE EXPENSE CHARGES. A monthly policy issuance expense charge at the
rates set out below will be deducted as part of the Monthly Deduction for the
first ten Policy Years following issuance of the Policy:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MONTHLY RATE
PER $1,000 OF
FACE AMOUNT
-----------------
<S> <C>
Band 1.................................... .10
Band 2.................................... .08
Band 3.................................... .05
Band 4.................................... .03
</TABLE>
This charge also will be imposed for ten years following any requested Face
Amount increase, the additional "per thousand" charge being based on the dollar
amount of the increase. If the Policy is surrendered or lapses within ten years
after issuance or a Face Amount increase, all or part of the remaining Policy
issuance expense charge for such ten year period will be deducted as part of the
Surrender Charge.
This charge is designed primarily to compensate Fortis Benefits for underwriting
and other start-up expenses incurred in connection with issuing the Policy or
Face Amount increase. Such expenses include the cost of processing applications,
conducting medical examinations, determining insurability and the insureds' risk
class, and establishing Policy records (including computer set up costs). Fortis
Benefits does not expect its revenues from this charge to exceed its costs and
expenses of issuing and underwriting the Policies and Face Amount increases.
SURRENDER CHARGE.
SURRENDER CHARGE. A Surrender Charge may be assessed on lapse or full surrender
of a Policy before the tenth Policy Anniversary (or the tenth anniversary of a
Face Amount increase requested by the Policy owner). The Surrender Charge is (1)
any amount of the Policy issuance expense charge discussed below that has not
yet been recovered plus (2) any portion of the current premium tax charge and
the sales
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<PAGE>
charge referred to above that has not yet been collected through the monthly and
daily deductions therefor or through any deductions from premiums that Fortis
Benefits may make in the future for these purposes.
The entire Surrender Charge is subject to an overall upper limit or "cap" as set
forth in the table below. The table below also shows the amount by which the
overall cap is increased by a Face Amount increase requested by the Policy
owner. The overall cap (and each amount of increase therein) also decreases at a
constant rate on the first and each subsequent Policy Anniversary (or increase
anniversary, as the case may be) until it reaches zero on the tenth Policy
Anniversary (or increase anniversary). Accordingly, there will be no Surrender
Charge on surrenders or lapses as of the later of the tenth Policy Anniversary
or the tenth anniversary of any Face Amount increase.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ADJUSTED OVERALL "CAP" ON
AGE AT TIME OF SURRENDER CHARGE
POLICY ISSUANCE OR (PER THOUSAND DOLLARS
FACE AMOUNT OF FACE AMOUNT OR
INCREASE FACE AMOUNT INCREASE)
- ------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C>
18 - 24 1.90
25 - 29 3.30
30 - 34 4.50
35 - 39 6.00
40 - 44 8.25
45 - 49 10.75
50 - 54 14.25
55 - 59 19.00
60 - 64 25.20
65 - 69 33.60
70 - 85 41.00
</TABLE>
The Adjusted Age, for purposes of calculating the surrender charge cap, is the
Age of the younger insured plus 1/3 of the lesser of (a) the difference in Age
between the younger and older insured or (b) 20. If both insureds are over Age
80, the "cap" per thousand is $33.
No Surrender Charge is deducted upon a partial withdrawal of Policy Value or a
Face Amount decrease. However, when a Policy owner requests a Face Amount
decrease (or a partial withdrawal that results in a Face Amount decrease), a
portion of the overall "cap" referred to above is reduced: the portion of the
cap that is attributable to the cancelled Face Amount is reduced to the extent
that it exceeds the amount of the Surrender Charge then in effect that is
attributable to the cancelled Face Amount. For this purpose, the most recent
Face Amount increases are deemed to be cancelled first.
It is not possible to state, as a general matter, what the Surrender Charge will
be as a percentage of premiums paid. This is because the components of the
Surrender Charge vary based on factors other than the amount of premiums paid.
For example, the amount of the premium tax and sales charge that remains
uncollected at the time of surrender or lapse depends on such factors as the
period of time the Policy has been in force, the performance of the investment
options the Policy owner chooses, the amount and timing of any Premium Based
Bonuses, Policy Value Bonuses or loans and loan repayments, and the Age, sex,
and rate class of the insureds. Also, the overall Surrender Charge "cap"
referred to above is not based on the amount of premiums paid, but on the
Policy's Face Amount and the number of years since the Policy was issued.
MONTHLY DEDUCTION FROM POLICY VALUE
The Monthly Deduction from Policy Value includes (1) the monthly charges
described above under "Premium Tax and Sales Charges," (2) policy issuance
expense charges discussed above, (3) the cost of insurance charge, (4) certain
monthly administrative expense charges, and (5) the charge for optional
insurance benefits added by rider (see Appendix A--"Optional Insurance
Benefits"). The cost of insurance charges and monthly administrative expense
charges, are discussed separately in the paragraphs that follow.
The Monthly Deduction will be deducted as of each Monthly Anniversary commencing
with the Policy Date. The Monthly Deduction will be allocated among the General
Account and each Subaccount of the Separate Account selected by the Policy
owner. If no such selection is made, or if there are insufficient funds in the
selected subaccounts, then the allocation will be made in the proportion that
the Policy Value in the General Account (excluding the amount of any General
Account Policy Value attributable to Policy loans) and the Policy Value in each
Subaccount, respectively, bear to the Policy's total Policy Value (excluding the
amount of any General Account Policy Value attributable to Policy Loans) as of
the date of the transaction (that is, on a "Pro Rata Basis").
If any part of a Monthly Deduction is not made because of insufficient Policy
Value, and if the Policy nevertheless does not lapse, the undeducted amount will
be deducted on receipt of any subsequent premium payment.
COST OF INSURANCE. Because the cost of insurance depends upon a number of
variables, it can vary from month to month. Fortis Benefits will determine the
monthly cost of insurance charge by multiplying the applicable cost of insurance
rate or rates by the Net Amount at Risk for each Policy month. The Net Amount at
Risk for a Policy month is (1) the death benefit, divided by 1.00327374, at the
beginning of the Policy month, less (2) the Policy Value at the beginning of the
Policy month. Additional amounts may be charged if the rate class is less
favorable than standard.
After the later of twenty years from issue or attained age 65 of the younger
insured, the cost of insurance charges will be calculated using an Adjusted Net
Amount at Risk. The Adjusted Net Amount at Risk is the lesser of (a) the Net
Amount at Risk or (b) a percentage of the remaining initial Face Amount of the
Policy. The percentage is 70% at attained age 65 of the younger insured and
grades down linearly to 50% at attained age 85 of the younger insured.
Cost of insurance charges for Face Amount increases will be calculated
separately using the same method described above.
If two Policies are otherwise identical, a Option A Policy will have a lower
death benefit, higher Policy Value, and lower cost of insurance charges than a
Option B Policy. Since the death benefit payable under Option A remains constant
while the death benefit payable under Option B varies with the Policy Value,
Policy Value increases will
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<PAGE>
generally reduce the Net Amount at Risk under Option A but not under Option B.
If the Net Amount at Risk is greater, the cost of insurance will be greater. If
the Alternative Death Benefit is in effect (see "Policy Benefits--Death Benefit
Options"), the cost of insurance will vary directly with the Policy Value under
both death benefit options. While both joint insureds are alive, the Alternative
Death Benefit multiple is determined based on the younger insured's Age.
Cost of insurance rates are based on the Issue Age, sex, duration and rate class
of each joint insured. The actual monthly cost of insurance deductions will be
based on Fortis Benefits' expectations as to future experience, and generally
increase each year as the Ages of the insureds increase. They will not, however,
be greater than the guaranteed cost of insurance rates set forth in the Policy.
The maximum cost of insurance rates for standard risk insureds will not exceed
the rates calculated from certain of the 1980 Commissioners Standard Ordinary
Mortality Tables and the sex, Age and rate class of each joint insured. The rate
class of each joint insured will affect the cost of insurance rate. These tables
set forth different mortality estimates for males and females and for smokers
and non-smokers. The maximum cost of insurance rates for a table-rated
substandard insured are based on a multiple (shown on the Policy schedule page)
of the above rates. Additional level amounts per thousand dollars of Face Amount
are charged if a substandard insured is assigned a flat extra rating.
Any change in the cost of insurance rates or charges will apply to all insureds
of the same Age, sex, duration and rate class.
Cost of insurance rates that differ as between male and female insureds are not
permitted under current law in Montana, and perhaps other states or in
connection with certain employee benefit arrangements. Employers should
therefore seek legal advice as to any questions they may have in this regard. To
the extent legally necessary, Fortis Benefits may make available gender-neutral
cost of insurance rates, and affected purchasers should inquire of their sales
representative whether these are currently available in their states. The
gender-neutral rates will be higher than those otherwise applicable to females
and lower than those otherwise applicable to males. Where gender-neutral rates
are required, Minimum Premiums also will be gender-neutral.
RATE CLASS. Fortis Benefits currently places insureds into a non-smoker rate
class or rate classes involving a higher mortality risk. For an otherwise
identical Policy, insureds in the non-smoker rate class will have a lower cost
of insurance than those in a rate class with a higher mortality risk.
If a Policy owner requests a Face Amount increase at a time when either insured
is in a less favorable rate class than previously, a higher cost of insurance
deduction will apply to that portion of the Net Amount at Risk attributable to
the increase. (This does not apply to Face Amount increases resulting
automatically from a change from Death Benefit Option B to Option A, as
described under "Policy Benefits--Change in Death Benefit Option.") When the
Alternative Death Benefit is in effect, the Net Amount at Risk can exceed the
Policy's Face Amount, in which case the rate used for such excess approximately
equals the blended rate for the other portion of the Net Amount at Risk. If an
insured's rate class improves, the lower cost of insurance deduction will apply
to the entire Net Amount at Risk, commencing on the Monthly Anniversary on or
after Fortis Benefits approves the new rate class.
Any change from smoker to non-smoker rate class will take effect on the next
Monthly Anniversary, and the resulting rates for the coverage under the base
policy will be applicable for the previous 12 months from the effective date of
the change. Such reduced rates for the previous 12 months will be implemented by
a refund credited at the effective date of the change.
For purposes of determining the cost of insurance charge, any decrease in the
Face Amount will reduce the Face Amount in the following order: (1) the Face
Amount provided by the most recent increase; (2) the next most recent increases
successively; and (3) the Face Amount when the Policy was issued.
MONTHLY ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGES. A monthly administrative charge of $6.00
per Policy will be deducted from Policy Value as part of the Monthly Deduction
for each Policy Month. Fortis Benefits reserves the right to change this
administrative charge, but it will never exceed $7.50 per month. Fortis Benefits
also reserves the right to impose an additional monthly administrative expense
charge of up to $.13 per thousand dollars of Face Amount then in force. These
charges compensate Fortis Benefits for expenses incurred in administering the
Policy.
Fortis Benefits does not expect its revenues from the monthly administrative
expense charges to exceed its costs and expenses in administering the Policies.
CHARGE FOR MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISKS
A daily charge is made for mortality and expense risks assumed by Fortis
Benefits. The charge is at an annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily value of
the net assets in the Separate Account that are attributable to the Policies.
The mortality risk assumed is that the insureds may live for a shorter period of
time than estimated. It also covers the risks underlying the first ten years of
the Guaranteed Death Benefit Rider and the Policy Split Option. See
"Premium--Guaranteed Death Benefits" and "Policy Split Option." The expense risk
assumed is that expenses incurred in issuing and administering the Policies will
be greater than estimated. Fortis Benefits will realize a gain if the charges
under the Policies prove to be more than sufficient to cover the actual costs of
its mortality and expense commitments. If the charges are not sufficient, the
loss will fall on Fortis Benefits.
MISCELLANEOUS
As discussed under "Payment and Allocation of Premiums--Allocation of Premiums
and Policy Value" and "Surrender and Partial Withdrawal," Fortis Benefits
reserves the right to impose charges to defray its administrative expenses in
effecting transfers of Policy Value and partial withdrawals. Fortis Benefits
currently has no plans to impose any such charges, which in any event would not
be designed to yield revenues to Fortis Benefits in excess of its costs of
effecting such transactions. Neither these charges nor any additional charges
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<PAGE>
referred to above under "Policy Issuance Expense Charge" and "Monthly Deduction
from Policy Value--Monthly Administrative Expense Charges" will be imposed if
such revenues, together with Fortis Benefits' revenues from all other
administrative and expense charges under the Policies, are expected to exceed
Fortis Benefits' total costs of issuing and administering the Policies.
CHARGE FOR INCOME TAXES. Currently, no charge is made against the Separate
Account for income taxes deemed attributable to the Policies. However, Fortis
Benefits may decide to make such a charge in the future.
GUARANTEE OF CERTAIN CHARGES
Fortis Benefits guarantees, and may not increase, the monthly and daily charges
for sales expenses and premium taxes; the maximum rates for premium tax and
sales charges deducted through such periodic charges; the maximum Surrender
Charge rates; the maximum monthly administrative expense charges; the rate of
the charge to cover the costs of issuing a Policy or a Face Amount increase; the
charge against the Separate Account for mortality and expense risks with respect
to the Policies; the maximum cost of insurance rates; and the maximum amount of
any charges for transfers or partial withdrawals of Policy Value. Fortis
Benefits reserves the right to change the monthly Minimum Premium. Any such
change will affect only subsequent increases in the monthly Minimum Premium due
to changes in benefits. Fortis Benefits also reserves the right to deduct
premium taxes and sales charges from premium payments, subject to guaranteed
maximums that may not be increased. Sales charges from periodic and premium
deductions will not exceed 9% of premiums.
LOAN PRIVILEGES
The Policy owner may borrow money from Fortis Benefits using the Policy as the
only security for the loan.
The maximum amount that may be borrowed at any time is 90% of the difference
between the Policy Value and the amount of any Surrender Charge then in effect.
After the later of 12 years from the issue date or the younger insured's Age 70,
it is 100% of such difference. Fortis Benefits will allocate a Policy loan among
the General Account and the Subaccounts of the Separate Account selected by the
Policy owner. If no selection is made then the allocation will be on a Pro Rata
Basis.
RATE CHARGED ON POLICY LOANS
Except as noted below, interest on Policy loans is charged at an effective
annual rate of 5.66% per year, payable annually in advance. If not paid when
due, loan interest at the same rate will be added to the loan. An amount equal
to the loan interest accrued to the end of the year will be taken from the
General Account and the Subaccounts on the same basis that the Monthly
Deductions are allocated, and transferred to the General Account.
Fortis Benefits will charge interest at a reduced effective annual rate of 3.85%
per year, payable in advance, if the Policy owner meets certain requirements.
Qualifying Policy owners may be charged the reduced interest rate on one Policy
loan in each Policy year of up to 10% of the Surrender Value as of the date of
the loan, provided that the generally applicable limitations on the overall
amount of Policy loans (described above) are not exceeded. A Policy owner
qualifies for this reduced interest rate if (1) the Policy is in the third or
subsequent Policy year and the Surrender Value is at least $10,000, or (2) in
any event, after the policy has been in force for at least 12 years. The 10%
limitation of such loans is increased to 15% of the Surrender Value for loans
obtained in Policy years in which the insured is age 59 1/2 or older.
CREDITED RATE FOR POLICY LOANS
As of the Date of Receipt at Fortis Benefits' Home Office of the loan request
form and assignment of the Policy for security, Policy Value equal to the
portion of the Policy loan allocated to each Subaccount will be transferred from
such Subaccount to the General Account. This amount, plus the portion of the
Policy loan allocable to Policy Value already being held in the General Account,
will be credited with interest at an effective rate of 4% per annum.
NO INTEREST IN ADDITION TO THAT REFERRED TO ABOVE WILL BE CREDITED TO LOANED
POLICY VALUES NOR WILL POLICY VALUES IN THE GENERAL ACCOUNT PARTICIPATE IN ANY
INVESTMENT EXPERIENCE APPLICABLE TO THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT.
EFFECT OF A POLICY LOAN
A loan, whether or not repaid, will have a permanent effect on Policy Value, to
the extent that the investment results of the Subaccounts differ from the
interest rate credited to loaned amounts. A loan may also have a permanent
effect on the amount of Premium Based Bonuses and Policy Value Bonuses paid; and
on the death benefit, since a Option B benefit varies with the Policy Value and
a Option A benefit may have resulted in an Alternative Death Benefit coming into
effect if no loans were made. A loan may also cause the termination of the
Guaranteed Death Benefit Rider.
A loan may also cause the Policy to lapse if projected earnings are not
achieved. Adverse tax consequences may result if the Policy lapses, matures or
is surrendered with loans outstanding. For Policies that are not modified
endowment contracts, loans will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of
the gain upon lapse, surrender or maturity. For Policies which are modified
endowment contracts, loans are taxable distributions when taken. See "Federal
Tax Matters--Taxation of Policy Benefits."
The loaned Policy Value on any Valuation Date will be the amount of the
outstanding loan plus any interest credited on loaned Policy Value which has not
yet been reallocated to the unloaned portion of the General Account or to the
Subaccounts of the Separate Account as of the Valuation Date. Interest credited
to loaned Policy Values will be reallocated upon each Policy Anniversary on the
same basis that the Monthly Deductions are allocated. Interest credited will
also be reallocated upon full repayment of the loan in the same manner as the
repayment is allocated.
REPAYMENT OF A LOAN
Indebtedness may be repaid in whole or in part any time before the Maturity Date
while the surviving insured is living. As of the Date of Receipt of the
repayment, unless the Policy owner specifies otherwise, loaned Policy Value
equal to the amount of the repayment will be
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reallocated among the unloaned portion of the General Account and the
Subaccounts of the Separate Account in the same proportion as premiums are then
being allocated to those accounts. The Policy owner must designate whether a
payment is intended as a loan payment or as a premium payment. Any payment for
which no designation is made will be treated as a premium payment.
SURRENDER AND PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL
Full surrender of the Policy for the Surrender Value may be made at any time
during the Surviving Insured's lifetime. A Surrender Charge will be deducted
from the Policy Value on any full surrender within twelve years after the Policy
Date. An additional amount of Surrender Charge may also be deducted on any full
surrender within twelve years after the date of any Face Amount increase above
the amount on which such charge was previously calculated. See "Surrender
Charge" under "Charges and Deductions--Premium Tax and Sales Charges." (This
does not apply to a Face Amount increase occurring automatically upon a change
from a Option B to a Option A death benefit.)
Partial withdrawals of Surrender Value may be made once each Policy year after
the first Policy year during the Surviving Insured's lifetime. The amount
withdrawn will be deducted from the General Account and the Subaccounts of the
Separate Account as selected by the Policy owner. If no selection is made then
the amount will be withdrawn on a Pro Rata Basis. Fortis Benefits reserves the
right to deduct a withdrawal charge from the proceeds of partial withdrawals,
although it has no current plans to do so. Any such charge would not be imposed
on a full surrender, would not be designed to yield a profit to Fortis Benefits,
and would not exceed $25 per withdrawal (or, if less, 2% of the amount
withdrawn).
When Death Benefit Option A is in effect, any partial withdrawal will reduce the
Face Amount and thus the death benefit, by the amount withdrawn. Such an
automatic reduction in Face Amount does not result in any change in the monthly
Minimum Premium, but may result in a distribution (as a further partial
withdrawal) of any additional amount necessary to comply with the maximum
premium limitation under Section 7702 of the Code. See "Payment and Allocation
of Premiums--Premiums."
When Death Benefit Option B is in effect, the amount withdrawn will not reduce
the Face Amount. However, the death benefit will be reduced by the amount
withdrawn, because Policy Value is reduced by the amount withdrawn. Under either
Option A or Option B, when the Alternative Death Benefit is in effect, a partial
withdrawal will reduce the death benefit by a greater amount than otherwise
would be the case.
A partial withdrawal may also cause the termination of any Guaranteed Death
Benefit Rider or reduce the amount of any Premium Based Bonuses and Policy Value
Bonuses.
A Policy owner will not be permitted to make any partial withdrawal that would
reduce the Face Amount of the Policy below the minimum Face Amount of $100,000.
If a request for a partial withdrawal is received that would reduce the Face
Amount below the minimum, Fortis Benefits will not implement the partial
withdrawal request, but will contact the Policy owner as to whether the request
should be disregarded, reduced to a smaller amount or changed to a request for a
full surrender.
Surrenders or partial withdrawals are made by sending a written request on
Fortis Benefits' form to its Home Office, together with the Policy, in the case
of total surrender. See "Summary--How to Exercise Your Rights Under a Policy."
The surrender or withdrawal, and any related automatic Face Amount reduction,
will be effective as of the Date of Receipt by Fortis Benefits of the request on
its form and, if required, the Policy.
RIGHTS RESERVED BY FORTIS BENEFITS
Fortis Benefits reserves the right to make certain changes if, in its judgement,
they would best serve the interests of the Policy owners or would be appropriate
in carrying out the purposes of the Policies. Any changes will be made only to
the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable laws. Also, when required
by law, Fortis Benefits will obtain Policy owner approval of the changes and
approval from any appropriate regulatory authority. Such approval may not be
required in all cases, however. Examples of the changes Fortis Benefits may make
include:
- To operate the Separate Account in any form permitted under the 1940 Act
or in any other form permitted by law.
- To take any action necessary to comply with or obtain and continue any
exemptions from the 1940 Act or otherwise to comply with laws, rules,
regulations, interpretations, holdings, order or rulings which necessarily
or appropriately must be complied with for the Policies to serve their
intended purposes.
- To transfer or limit any assets in any Subaccount to another Subaccount,
or to one or more separate accounts, or to the General Account; or to add,
combine or remove Subaccounts in the Separate Account.
- To substitute, for the Portfolio shares held in any Subaccount, the shares
of another Portfolio of Fortis Series or the shares of another investment
company or any other investment permitted by law.
- To make any other necessary technical changes in the Policy in order to
conform with any action the above provisions permit Fortis Benefits to
take, including to change the way Fortis Benefits assesses charges, but
without increasing as to any then outstanding Policy the aggregate amount
of the types of charges which Fortis Benefits has guaranteed. See "Charges
and Deductions--Guarantee of Certain Charges."
If any Portfolio materially changes its investment policy, a Policy owner will
have sixty days after receiving notice of the change to transfer all of the
Policy Value to the General Account, as described under "Payment and Allocation
of Premiums--Allocation of Premiums and Policy Value."
PAYMENT AND DEFERMENT
With respect to amounts in the Subaccounts of the Separate Account, payment of
the maturity proceeds, death benefit, accelerated death benefit, all or a
portion of the Surrender Value or a loan will ordinarily
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be made within five days after the Date of Receipt of all documents required for
such payment. Also, death benefit payments will be made only after all state
insurance law requirements (including receipt of any required tax waiver) are
satisfied.
However, Fortis Benefits may defer the determination, application or payment of
any death benefit, accelerated death benefit, loan, partial withdrawal,
surrender or any transfer of Policy Value for any period during which the New
York Stock Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday
closings), for any period during which any emergency exists as a result of which
it is not reasonably practicable for Fortis Benefits to determine the investment
experience for a Policy, or for such other periods as the Securities and
Exchange Commission may by order permit for the protection of Policy owners.
As with traditional life insurance, Fortis Benefits may delay payment of the
entire insurance proceeds or other Policy benefits if entitlement to payment is
being questioned. Fortis Benefits may also defer the payment of any amount
attributable to a premium payment made by check to allow the check reasonable
time to clear. To the extent permitted under the Policies and applicable state
insurance laws, Fortis Benefits may also defer payment of Policy loans, partial
withdrawals or other proceeds payable out of the General Account for a period of
up to 6 months, although no such deferrals will be made of amounts to be used to
pay premiums on insurance policies issued by Fortis Benefits.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE POLICIES
The Policies will be sold by individuals who, in addition to being licensed by
state insurance authorities to sell the policies of Fortis Benefits, are also
registered representatives of Fortis Investors, Inc. ("Investors"), the
principal underwriter of the Policies, or registered representatives of other
broker-dealer firms or representatives of firms that are exempt from
broker-dealer regulation. Investors and any such other broker-dealer firms are
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 as broker-dealers and are members of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Commissions and other compensation are paid by Fortis Benefits to Investors
under a distribution agreement entered into by them as of January 1, 1994 and
amended . As compensation for distributing the Policies, Fortis
Benefits pays Investors 90% of all premiums, regardless of when paid, up to the
first twelve monthly Minimum Premiums (and up to the amount of twelve months'
Minimum Premium attributable to Face Amount increases); and 4% of all other
premiums paid during the first six years after the Policy Date and 2% of such
excess premiums paid in Policy years seven through ten. Fortis Benefits also
pays Investors .25% of the unloaned Policy Value annually as a service fee from
the eleventh Policy year. Fortis Benefits also pays a general marketing
allowance to Fortis Investors equal to 20% of the first twelve monthly Minimum
Premiums, not to exceed an amount agreed to in advance by Fortis Benefits and
Fortis Investors ($1,840,000 in calendar year 1995 for all Variable Universal
Life Policies issued by Fortis Benefits). The Minimum Premiums for these
purposes are generally those used to determine availability of the Guaranteed
Death Benefit period to Age 85 of the younger insured, decreased by any term
conversion credit. Investors pays a selling allowance not in excess of those
amounts to other broker dealer firms or exempt firms who sell the Policies.
Fortis Benefits may, under certain flexible compensation arrangements, pay
Fortis Investors different selling allowances and service fees than as set forth
above, and Fortis Investors may in turn pay different selling allowances and
larger service fees to its registered representatives and other broker-dealer
firms than as set forth above. However, in such case, such flexible compensation
arrangements will have actuarially equivalent present values to the amounts of
the selling allowances and service fees set forth above. In many cases,
registered representatives, broker-dealers or exempt firms are eligible for
additional compensation, and general agents and managing general agents also
receive additional compensation, based on meeting certain production or
mortality experience standards. Commissions and other compensation do not,
however, represent a charge or deduction against Policies in addition to those
set forth under "Charges and Deductions." Such compensation for the Policies and
for all other variable universal life policies issued by Fortis Benefits totaled
$ for 1995, $24,147,115 for 1994, and $ for 1993. Commissions with
respect to premium payments which are refunded are returned. The distribution
agreement may be terminated by either party upon 60 days' notice to the other.
Investors is a Minnesota corporation engaged primarily in the sale of investment
company securities. Investors is the principal underwriter for the following
registered investment companies (in addition to the Separate Account and Fortis
Series): Variable Account D of Fortis Benefits, First Fortis Life Insurance
Company's Separate Account A and Variable Account C, Fortis Advantage
Portfolios, Inc., Fortis Capital Fund, Inc., Fortis Growth Fund, Inc., Fortis
Fiduciary Fund, Inc., Fortis Tax-Free Portfolios, Inc., Fortis Money Fund, Inc.,
Fortis Income Portfolios, Inc., Fortis Worldwide Portfolios, Inc., and Special
Portfolios, Inc. Investors' address is 500 Bielenberg Drive, Woodbury,
Minnesota, 55125.
Officers, directors, and employees of Fortis Benefits and Investors, together
with those of Fortis, Inc. and its other subsidiaries, are bonded pursuant to a
joint fidelity bond, in the amount of $5,000,000 per occurrence, in favor of
such companies.
FEDERAL TAX MATTERS
The following description is a brief summary of the tax rules, primarily related
to federal income and estate taxes, which in the opinion of Fortis Benefits are
currently in effect.
The following discussion is intended to provide a general description of the
federal income tax considerations associated with the Policy. It does not
purport either to be complete or to cover all situations; this discussion is not
intended to be taken as tax advice. Consult a qualified tax adviser for more
complete information. This discussion is based upon Fortis Benefits'
understanding of the present federal income tax laws as they are currently
interpreted by the Internal Revenue Service. No representation is made as to the
likelihood of continuation of the present federal income tax laws or of the
current interpretation by the Internal Revenue Service.
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TAX STATUS OF THE POLICY
Section 7702 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the "Code")
includes a definition of life insurance for federal income tax purposes. This
definition can be satisfied by complying with either of two tests set forth in
Section 7702. Although the secretary of the Treasury is authorized to prescribe
regulations interpreting the manner in which the tests under Section 7702 are to
be applied, such regulations have not been issued. In addition, the Technical
and Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988 (TAMRA) provides certain requirements
under Section 7702 of the Code for mortality and other expense charges of life
insurance contracts. The Treasury issued proposed regulations on mortality
charges in 1991. Guidance on these requirements is extremely limited, but Fortis
Benefits believes the Policies qualify as life insurance under the proposed
regulations.
If it is subsequently determined that a Policy does not satisfy Section 7702,
Fortis Benefits reserves the right to modify the Policy as appropriate, and to
the extent possible, to qualify it as a life insurance contract under Section
7702. If a Policy were determined not to be a life insurance contract for
Section 7702 purposes, such Policy would not provide any of the tax advantages
normally provided by a life policy.
Section 817(h) of the Code also authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury (the
"Treasury") to set standards by regulation or otherwise for investments of the
Separate Account to be "adequately diversified" in order for the Policy to be
treated as life insurance for federal tax purposes. The Separate Account,
through Fortis Series, intends to comply with the diversification requirements
prescribed in Regulations Section 1.817-5, which affect how the assets of Fortis
Series may be invested. Fortis Benefits believes that Fortis Series will be
operated in compliance with the requirements prescribed by the Treasury.
In connection with the issuance of the temporary regulations on diversification
requirements, the Treasury announced that such regulations do not provide
guidance concerning the extent to which Policy owners may direct their
investments to particular Subaccounts of the Separate Account. Additional
guidance may come from the Treasury in the future. In that case, the Treasury
might treat a Policy owner as the owner of assets of the Separate Account if a
Fortis Series Portfolio is too narrow in its investment strategy, even though it
technically meets the diversification requirements. It is not clear whether
Treasury's position, if promulgated, would be applied on a prospective basis
only. While Fortis Benefits believes that the investment strategies of the
Policy's Portfolios are sufficiently broad, it reserves the right to modify the
Policy as necessary to prevent the Policy owner from being considered the owner
of the assets of the Separate Account.
The following discussion assumes that the Policy will qualify as a life
insurance contract for federal income tax purposes.
TAX STATUS OF ADDITIONAL INSURED RIDER PLUS
The coverage under the Additional Insured Rider Plus for a non-family member is
not a qualified additional benefit as defined in Section 7702 of the Code. As a
result, the Monthly Deductions attributable to such coverage may be deemed to be
distributions from the policy for tax purposes. However, the benefit payable
under the rider should be excludible from the gross income of the beneficiary.
Before purchasing such coverage you should consult with a qualified tax adviser
for more complete information.
TAXATION OF POLICY BENEFITS
IN GENERAL. Fortis Benefits believes that the proceeds and Policy Value
increases of a Policy should be treated in a manner consistent with a
fixed-benefit life insurance policy for federal income tax purposes. Thus, the
death benefit under the Policy should be excludable from the gross income of the
beneficiary under Section 101(a)(1) of the Code.
The exchange of the Policy for another life insurance policy, the payment of a
premium, a change in Face Amount or death benefit option, an accelerated death
benefit payment, a transfer or assignment of a Policy, a Policy loan, a lapse
with an outstanding indebtedness, a partial withdrawal or the surrender of a
Policy may have tax consequences depending on the circumstances. Federal estate
and state and local estate, inheritance and other tax consequences of ownership
or receipt of Policy proceeds depend upon the circumstances of each owner or
beneficiary.
Generally, the Policy owner will not be deemed to be in constructive receipt of
the Policy Value, including increments thereof, under the Policy until there is
a distribution. The tax consequences of a distribution from a Policy depend, in
part, on whether the Policy is classified as a "modified endowment contract"
under Section 7702A.
MODIFIED ENDOWMENT CONTRACTS. A Policy may be treated as a modified endowment
contract depending upon the amount of premiums paid for such Policy. The premium
limitation rules for determining whether a Policy will be treated as a modified
endowment contract are extremely complex. Moreover, due to the Policy's
flexibility, classification as a modified endowment contract will depend on the
circumstances of each Policy. Accordingly, a current or prospective Policy owner
is strongly advised to contact a competent tax adviser before purchasing a
Policy or paying a premium or making any other change in any existing Policy to
determine whether the Policy would be treated as a modified endowment contract.
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM MODIFIED ENDOWMENT CONTRACTS. Policies classified as modified
endowment contracts are subject to the following tax rules: First, all
distributions from such a Policy are treated as taxable up to an amount equal to
the excess (if any) of the Policy Value immediately before the distribution over
the investment in the Policy (described below) at such time. Second, loans taken
from or secured by such a Policy, and assignments as well as surrenders,
withdrawals and benefits paid at maturity, are treated as taxable distributions.
Third, a 10% additional income tax is imposed on the portion of any distribution
or deemed distribution from such a Policy that is included in income except
where the distribution, loan, assignment or pledge is made on or after the
Policy owner attains age 59 1/2, is attributable to the Policy owner becoming
disabled, or is a part of a series of substantially equal periodic payments for
the life of the Policy owner or the joint lives of the Policy owner and Policy
owner's beneficiary.
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DISTRIBUTIONS FROM POLICIES THAT ARE NOT MODIFIED ENDOWMENT CONTRACTS. The
distribution rules for Policies that are not modified endowment contracts are
the same as those that applied to all life insurance contracts before TAMRA was
enacted. Thus, distributions from Policies that are not classified as modified
endowment contracts are generally treated as first recovering the investment in
the Policy (see below) and then only after the return of all such investment in
the Policy as disbursing taxable income. An exception to this general rule
occurs in the case of a decrease in the Policy's death benefit or any other
change that reduces benefits under the Policy in the first 15 years after the
Policy is issued and that results in a cash distribution to the owner in order
for the Policy to continue complying with the Section 7702 definitional limits.
Such cash distribution will be taxed in whole or in part as ordinary income (to
the extent of any gain in the Policy) under rules prescribed in Section 7702.
Loans from Policies that are not modified endowment contracts are not treated as
distributions. Instead, such loans are treated as indebtedness of an owner.
In addition, upon a complete surrender or lapse of a Policy that is not a
modified endowment contract, or when benefits are paid at such a Policy's
maturity date, if the amount received plus the amount of indebtedness exceeds
the total investment in the Policy, the excess will generally be treated as
ordinary income.
Finally, neither distributions nor loans from Policies that are not modified
endowments are subject to the 10% additional income tax.
POLICY LOAN INTEREST. Generally, interest paid on any loan under a Policy which
is owned by an individual is not deductible. In addition, interest on any loan
under a Policy owned by a taxpayer and covering the life of any individual who
is an officer or is financially interested in the business carried on by that
taxpayer will not be tax deductible to the extent the aggregate amount of such
loans with respect to contracts covering such individual exceeds $50,000. There
is however pending legislation that would eliminate the deductibility of
interest paid even on loans $50,000 and under, with respect to both new and
previously issued policies.
No amount of Policy loan interest is, in any event, deductible if the Policy
were deemed for federal tax purposes to be a single premium life insurance
contract. The Policy owner should consult a tax adviser as to whether the Policy
would be so deemed.
INVESTMENT IN THE POLICY. Investment in the Policy means (i) the aggregate
amount of any premiums or other consideration paid for the Policy including the
amount of any loan received under the Policy to the extent that the loan is
included in the gross income of the Policy owner minus (ii) the aggregate amount
received under the Policy which was excluded from the gross income of the Policy
owner, except that the amount of any loan received under the policy which is
excluded from gross income shall be disregarded.
If there is a non-family member insured under the Additional Insured Rider Plus,
the Investment in the Policy is reduced by the total amount of Monthly
Deductions attributable to that insured.
MULTIPLE CONTRACTS. Under TAMRA, all modified endowment contracts that are
issued by Fortis Benefits or its affiliates, to the same Policy owner during a
calendar year are treated as one modified endowment contract for purposes of
determining the amount includible in gross income under Section 72(e) of the
Code.
EXCHANGES. TAMRA also provides that a life insurance contract received in
exchange for a Policy classified as a modified endowment contract will also be
treated as a modified endowment contract. Accordingly, a Policy owner should
consult a tax adviser before effecting an exchange of a Policy.
TAXATION OF FORTIS BENEFITS
Fortis Benefits does not initially expect to incur any federal income tax upon
the earnings or capital gains attributable to the Separate Account. Based upon
these expectations, no charge is currently being made against the Separate
Account for federal income taxes which may be attributable to the Separate
Account. If, however, Fortis Benefits determines that it may incur such taxes,
it may assess a charge against the Separate Account for those taxes, which would
reduce a Policy's net investment return.
Under present laws, Fortis Benefits may incur state and local taxes (in addition
to premium taxes) in several states. At present, these taxes are not
significant. If they increase, however, Fortis Benefits may decide to make
charges for such taxes or provisions for such taxes against the Separate
Account.
OTHER POLICY PROVISIONS
OWNER. The owner of a Policy is the individual or entity named as such in the
application for the Policy. The owner is entitled to exercise all rights under a
Policy, including the right to name a new owner or a successor who would become
the Policy owner if the owner should die before the Surviving Insured dies.
Otherwise the owner's estate would become the owner.
BENEFICIARY. The beneficiary is the person or persons to whom the insurance
proceeds are payable upon the Surviving Insured's death. The owner may name a
contingent beneficiary to become the beneficiary if all the beneficiaries die
while the Surviving Insured is alive. If no beneficiary or contingent
beneficiary is alive when the Surviving Insured dies, the owner (or the owner's
estate) will be the beneficiary. While the Surviving Insured is alive, the owner
may change any beneficiary or contingent beneficiary.
COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENT. The owner may assign a Policy as collateral. Rights under
the Policy will be transferred to the extent of the assignee's interest. Fortis
Benefits is not bound by an assignment or release thereof, unless it is in
writing and is recorded at its Home Office. Fortis Benefits is not responsible
for the validity of any assignment or release thereof.
DATE OF RECEIPT. The Date of Receipt by Fortis Benefits of any payment or other
communication is the actual date it is received at Fortis Benefits' Home Office
in proper form unless received (1) after the close of the NYSE, or (2) on a date
which is not a Valuation Date. In either of these two cases, the Date of Receipt
will be deemed to be the next Valuation Date.
DATE OF CERTAIN CHANGES. Changes in beneficiaries and successor owners and
assignments take effect as of the date the owner signed
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the change request, subject to any actions taken by Fortis Benefits prior to the
Date of Receipt of written notice of the change in form satisfactory to Fortis
Benefits or, in the case of an assignment, recording by Fortis Benefits.
SUICIDE. The insurance proceeds will not be paid if either insured commits
suicide within two years (one year in Colorado and North Dakota) from the Policy
Date. Instead, Fortis Benefits will pay the beneficiary an amount equal to all
premiums paid for the Policy, without interest, less any outstanding Policy
loan, plus any loan interest paid for periods beyond the date of death, and less
any partial withdrawals. If either insured commits suicide more than two years
after the Policy Date but within two years (one year in Colorado and North
Dakota) from the effective date of any reinstatement or increase in Face Amount
requested by the Policy owner, Fortis Benefits' liability with respect to such
increase or reinstatement will be limited to the cost of insurance attributable
to such increase or reinstatement since that date. In states where it is
required, the Policy owner is given the option to have the Policy reissued as an
individual policy on the Surviving Insured if the first death is a suicide. The
new policy will be on a form then available and will have the same effective
date as this Policy. This option is not available if the Surviving Insured is
considered uninsurable. Riders may be added if Fortis Benefits agrees to issue
such Riders.
AGE AND SEX. If either insured's Age or sex as stated in the application is not
correct, the death benefit under a Policy will be adjusted to reflect the amount
of insurance coverage which the most recent cost of insurance charges and
deductions for riders would have purchased at the correct Age and sex. As used
herein, "Age" is each insured's actual age on the most recent Policy
Anniversary.
INCONTESTABILITY. Fortis Benefits may contest the validity of a Policy, any Face
Amount increase, or any optional insurance benefit based on other misstatements
in the application therefor. However, any such statements will be considered
representations and not warranties. Fortis Benefits will not contest the
validity of a Policy after it has been in force during the lifetime of each
insured for two years from the Policy Date. Fortis Benefits will not contest the
validity of any optional insurance benefit, reinstatement or increase in Face
Amount after it has been in force during the lifetime of each insured for two
years from its effective date.
The Policy owner must notify Fortis Benefits of the death of the first joint
insured to die as soon as it is possible to do so. Failure to notify Fortis
Benefits of an insured's death will not prevent Fortis Benefits from contesting
the validity of the Policy should there be a basis upon which to do so.
OPTION TO EXTEND MATURITY DATE. This option is available as part of Policies
issued in a state that has approved the endorsement containing this provision.
This option allows the Policy owner to request a later maturity date, if the
Policy Value is at least $2,000. The request must be in writing and must be made
within 60 days of the current maturity date. If this option is exercised the
Policy owner will not be permitted to 1) make any further premium payments
except if necessary to prevent lapse of the Policy 2) make any Face Amount or
death benefit option changes or 3) make any partial withdrawals that would
reduce the Policy Value below $2,000.
Also, upon exercise of this option the following occurs: 1) The Death Benefit
becomes the Alternative Death Benefit (see "Death Benefit Options--Alternative
Death Benefit") 2) No further Premium Based Bonuses are credited 3) All
supplemental riders (including those in disability status) except the
Accelerated Benefit Rider terminate and 4) Any Policy loan will be charged
interest at an effective annual rate of 3.85% per year payable in advance.
DIVIDENDS. The Policies are nonparticipating. This means that they are not
eligible for dividends and they do not participate in any distribution of Fortis
Benefits' surplus.
ADDITIONAL CREDITS FOR CERTAIN GROUPS. The credits described below will be made
under Policies owned by Fortis, Inc., its subsidiaries, any individual who at
the time of purchase is an officer, director, employee, retiree or sales
representative of any such company, any Fortis Series director, any director of
any of the other mutual funds managed by Fortis Advisers, Inc., or a spouse or
child under Age 21 of any such person, or a representative or employee of a
broker-dealer that has a selling agreement with Fortis Investors, Inc. No credit
will be made for any Policy for which sales compensation is paid. Additionally,
in Fortis Benefits' discretion, certain charges may also be reduced or waived
for these categories of persons.
Fortis Benefits will credit 40% of the first year Planned Periodic Premium (not
to exceed the Maximum Bonus Premium for that year) and 25% of the sum of such
premium in the second Policy year. The first credit, after deduction of any
premium tax that Fortis Benefits may determine in the future to impose on
premium payments, will be applied as if it were a premium payment received on
the date the Policy is released by Fortis Benefits to an active status in its
processing system. The second credit will be applied similarly on the first
Policy Anniversary. The premium returned upon exercise of the Policy owner's
right to cancel a Policy will not include the amount of any credit.
Additionally, for a Face Amount increase, Fortis Benefits will credit 40% of the
first year Planned Periodic Premium (not to exceed the Maximum Bonus Premium
attributable to the Face Amount increase) attributable to the increase on the
effective date of such Face Amount increase if the Policy owner is at that time
a member of the above described group. On the first anniversary of such Face
Amount increase, 25% of such premium attributable to the Face Amount increase
still in effect will be credited to the Policy. These credits are granted only
if the Face Amount increase is at least $25,000 and the annualized planned
periodic premium is equal to twelve monthly Minimum Premiums for the entire
Policy. The credit is granted only on the portion of the Face Amount increase
that equals the excess of the current face amount over the largest face amount
that has ever been in force on the Policy.
If a Policy is issued in exchange for another policy or policies issued by
Fortis Benefits or Time Insurance Company within the last 5 years and Fortis
Benefits relies on the evidence of insurability previously provided, no credits
will be paid for the transferred Face Amount. If such exchange is made after 5
years, the credit is 50% of the amount above for the transferred coverage. The
full credit amount will be paid on any increase in Face Amount above the
transferred coverage.
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The foregoing program is subject to termination at any time without notice. All
variations will reflect differences in Fortis Benefits' expected commissions,
sales or administrative expenses or mortality experience with respect to the
group of persons to whom such variations apply. All such variations will be
pursuant to administrative rules and procedures established by Fortis Benefits
from time to time and will be designed to be fair, reasonable and
non-discriminatory with respect to each group of Policy owners.
PURCHASES BY LIFE INSURANCE POLICY HOLDERS. When issuing a Policy or increasing
the Face Amount for an insured who is already covered by one of its or Time
Insurance Company's life insurance policies, Fortis Benefits may rely on the
evidence of insurability previously provided, rather than relying on new
evidence, in which case, the suicide and contestability periods will run from
the original date of coverage. This procedure applies only to that portion of
the Policy's Face Amount which is not in excess of the amount of existing
insurance coverage, and the insurance will terminate when the new coverage
becomes effective.
If the value of an existing life insurance policy which was issued by Fortis
Benefits Insurance Company is transferred to a Policy, then neither the premium
tax charge nor the sales charge will be assessed against the amount transferred.
Also, for its or Time Insurance Company's term insurance policy holders, if the
term policy has been outstanding for at least one year, Fortis Benefits will
give the Policy owner a "conversion credit" in the amount of the lesser of the
prior twelve months' premiums on the term policy or 25% of the annualized
Planned Periodic Premium (not to exceed the Maximum Bonus Premium at the
attained Ages of the joint insureds) for the amount of Policy Face Amount
established by the conversion. The conversion credit will be applied as if it
were a premium payment received by us on the date the Policy is released by
Fortis Benefits to an active status in its processing system (or, in the case of
an existing Policy, on the effective date of the Face Amount increase). No
premium tax charges will be assessed against the conversion credit. The Policy's
Surrender Value and Policy loan value during the first year following the
conversion do not include the amount of the conversion credit, nor does the
amount paid upon an exercise of the Policy owner's right to cancel a Policy or
Face Amount increase.
The foregoing procedures are subject to Fortis Benefits' administrative rules as
in effect from time to time and may be terminated at any time.
MANAGEMENT
The directors and executive officers, to the extent responsible for variable
life insurance operations, of Fortis Benefits are listed below, together with
their principal occupations and business experience for the past five years:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
OFFICER-DIRECTORS
Robert Brian Pollock (4) President and Chief Executive Officer; before then
Senior Vice President--Life and Disability.
Thomas Michael Keller (5) Executive Vice President; before then Senior Vice
President of Fortis, Inc.
Dean C. Kopperud (1) Senior Vice President--also officer of affiliated
companies.
OTHER DIRECTORS
Allen Royal Freedman (2) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fortis,
Inc.
Henry Carroll Mackin (2) Executive Vice President of Fortis, Inc.
Arie Aristide Fakkert (3) Assistant General Manager of Fortis International
N.V.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Larry A. Medin (1) Senior Vice President--Sales; before then Senior
Vice President--Western Divisional Officer,
Colonial Grace, Inc.
Anthony J. Rotondi (1) Senior Vice President--Manufacturing and
Information Technology, also officer of affiliated
companies.
Rhonda Schwartz (1) Senior Vice President and General Counsel--Life
and Investment Products; before then Secretary and
General Counsel of Fortis, Inc.; before then
Norris, McLaughlin, Marcus--attorneys.
Michael John Peninger (4) Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Jon H. Nicholson (1) Vice President--Product Development and Marketing
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Address: Fortis Benefits Insurance Company, P.O. Box 64271, St. Paul, MN
55164. Fortis Benefits is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Time Insurance
Company, 515 West Wells, Milwaukee, WI 53201, which is itself wholly-owned
by Fortis, Inc.
(2) Address: Fortis, Inc., One Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, NY 10005.
Fortis, Inc. is wholly owned by Fortis International, N.V., which is itself
wholly owned by AMEV/VSB 1990 N.V. The latter two companies share the same
address as Fortis AMEV N.V. AMEV/VSB 1990 N.V. is 50% owned by Fortis AMEV
N.V. and 50% owned by Fortis AG, Boulevard Emile Jacqmain 53, Brussels,
Belgium.
(3) Address: Fortis AMEV, Archimedeslaan 10, 3584 BA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
(4) Address: 2323 Grand Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64108.
(5) Address: 515 West Wells, Milwaukee WI 53201.
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VOTING PRIVILEGES
In accordance with its view of current applicable law, Fortis Benefits will,
with respect to certain matters, vote each Subaccount's shares in the
corresponding Portfolio at regular and special meetings of the shareholders of
Fortis Series in proportion to instructions received from persons having the
voting interest in the corresponding Subaccount of the Separate Account.
However, if the 1940 Act or any rules thereunder should be amended or if the
present interpretation thereof should change, and as a result Fortis Benefits
determines that it is permitted to vote such shares of the Portfolios in its own
right, it may elect to do so.
Each Policy owner participating in a Subaccount will be entitled to cast one
vote with respect to that Subaccount for each $100 of Policy Value in that
Subaccount as of the date stock ownership is determined for the corresponding
Fortis Series shareholder meeting. (Fractional votes will be counted.) All
shares of the Portfolio held by that Subaccount will be voted in proportion to
the votes of Policy owners participating in the Subaccount. Shares held in other
separate accounts will in general be voted in accordance with instructions of
the participants therein. This tends to diminish the relative voting influence
of the Policies. Any shares of a Portfolio owned by Fortis Benefits in its
General Account or by affiliated companies of Fortis Benefits will be voted in
the same proportion as instructions for that Portfolio which are received from
persons having the voting interest in all separate accounts investing in Fortis
Series.
The Policy owners may give instructions regarding the election of the Board of
Directors of Fortis Series, ratification of the selection of its independent
auditors, the approval of the investment adviser of a Portfolio, changes in
fundamental investment policies of a Portfolio, and all other matters that are
put to a vote by Fortis Series shareholders.
Notwithstanding contrary Policy owner voting instructions, Fortis Benefits may
vote Portfolio shares in any manner necessary to enable any Portfolio to (1)
make or refrain from making any change in the investments or investment policies
of any Portfolio, if required by any insurance regulatory authority; (2) refrain
from making any change in the investment policies or any investment adviser or
principal underwriter of any Portfolio which may be initiated by Policy owners
or the Fortis Series Board of Directors, provided that Fortis Benefits'
disapproval of the change is reasonable and, in the case of a change in
investment policies or investment adviser, based on a good faith determination
that such change would be contrary to state law or otherwise inappropriate in
light of the Portfolio's objective and purposes; or (3) enter into or refrain
from entering into any advisory agreement or underwriting contract, if required
by any insurance regulatory authority. If Fortis Benefits does disregard Policy
owner voting instructions, an explanation of this action and the reasons for it
will be included in the next semi-annual report to Policy owners.
REPORTS
Policy owners will receive promptly statements of significant transactions such
as changes in Face Amount, changes in death benefit option, transfers among
Subaccounts, partial withdrawals, Policy loans, loan repayments, termination for
any reason, reinstatement, premium payments (except as noted below) and unpaid
loan interest added to loan principal. These transactions will also be
summarized in an annual statement sent to the Policy owner. The annual statement
will be as of a date not more than 60 days prior to mailing, and will also
summarize the following other items: premiums paid by use of a plan selected by
the Policy owner authorizing monthly withdrawals of premiums from the Policy
owner's checking account, paycheck or government payment during the annual
period, deductions of charges occurring during that annual period, any Premium
Based Bonuses and Policy Value Bonuses credited during that period and the
status of the death benefit, Policy Value (both total and net of any Surrender
Charge), amounts in the Subaccounts and General Account, and any Policy loan. In
addition, an owner will be sent semiannual reports containing financial
statements for Fortis Series, as required by the 1940 Act. Fortis Benefits'
current policy is to honor requests for statements of Policy values during a
Policy year, although Fortis Benefits reserves the right at any time to cease
offering or to charge for this service. Such statements may be requested through
the phone number on the cover of this Prospectus.
STATE REGULATION
Fortis Benefits is subject to regulation and supervision by the Commerce
Department of the State of Minnesota, which periodically examines its affairs.
It is also subject to the insurance laws and regulations of all jurisdictions
where it is authorized to do business. Fortis Benefits intends to satisfy the
necessary requirements to sell the policies in all states, other than New York,
as soon as possible.
LEGAL MATTERS
The legality of the Policies described in this Prospectus has been passed upon
by Douglas R. Lowe, Associate General Counsel of Fortis Benefits. Messrs.
Freedman, Levy, Kroll & Simonds, Washington, D.C., have advised Fortis Benefits
on certain federal securities law matters.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company and Fortis
Benefits Insurance Company Variable Account C appearing in this Prospectus have
been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their
reports thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon
such reports given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.
Actuarial matters included in this Prospectus have been examined by Renee C.
West, FSA, MAAA, Actuarial Officer, Individual Actuarial Department of Fortis
Benefits, as stated in her opinion filed as an exhibit to the registration
statement.
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RATINGS AND RANKINGS
Fortis Benefits may advertise its relative performance as compiled by outside
organizations. Following is a list of ratings services which may be referred to
in advertisements, along with the category in which the applicable Subaccount is
included:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RATING SERVICE CATEGORY
- -------------------------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C>
AGGRESSIVE GROWTH SUBACCOUNT
Morningstar Publications, Inc. aggressive growth
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. small company growth
INTERNATIONAL STOCK SUBACCOUNT
Morningstar Publications, Inc. international stock
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. international equity
GLOBAL GROWTH SUBACCOUNT
Morningstar Publications, Inc. international stock
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. global
GROWTH STOCK SUBACCOUNT
Morningstar Publications, Inc. growth
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. capital appreciation
GLOBAL ASSET ALLOCATION SUBACCOUNT
Morningstar Publications, Inc. balanced
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. global flexible
GROWTH AND INCOME SUBACCOUNT
Morningstar Publications, Inc. growth and income
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. growth and income
ASSET ALLOCATION SUBACCOUNT
Morningstar Publications, Inc. balanced
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. flexible portfolios
<CAPTION>
RATING SERVICE CATEGORY
- -------------------------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C>
HIGH YIELD SUBACCOUNT
Morningstar Publications, Inc. high yield
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. high current yield
GLOBAL BOND SUBACCOUNT
Morningstar Publications, Inc. international bond
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. world income
DIVERSIFIED INCOME SUBACCOUNT
Morningstar Publications, Inc. corporate bond
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. general bond
U.S. GOVERNMENT SUBACCOUNT
Morningstar Publications, Inc. U.S. government bond
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. U.S. government
MONEY MARKET SUBACCOUNT
Morningstar Publications, Inc. money market
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. money market
</TABLE>
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements of Fortis Benefits included in this Prospectus should
be considered only as bearing upon the ability of Fortis Benefits to meet its
obligations under the Policies.
Fortis Benefits generally reinsures risks for non-group insurance in excess of
$500,000 per insured with other insurance companies. See Notes and to Fortis
Benefits' financial statements.
TO BE ADDED BY AMENDMENT.
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<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
OPTIONAL INCOME PLANS
The insurance proceeds when the insured dies or the Surrender Value on the
maturity date or on full surrender of the Policy, instead of being paid in one
lump sum, may be applied under one or more of the following income plans. A tax
adviser should be consulted as to the differing tax consequences of each of
these plans. Values under the income plans do not depend upon the investment
experience of a separate account. Under options 3 or 4, unless a guaranteed
period or refund alternative is selected, it would be possible to receive only
one payment, in the case of the payee's early death.
OPTION 1. INTEREST PAYMENTS
Fortis Benefits will pay interest at twelve, six, three or one month intervals
for a specified period, as selected by the Policy owner. At the end of the
selected period, Fortis Benefits will pay the proceeds in a single sum or under
any other option selected when this option is chosen.
OPTION 2. PAYMENTS OF A FIXED AMOUNT OR FOR A FIXED PERIOD
Fortis Benefits will make payments in an amount the Policy owner selects when
choosing this option or equal payments for a period of from one to thirty years,
at the choice of the Policy owner. In either case, the Policy owner may request
payments at twelve, six, three or one month intervals.
OPTION 3. LIFE INCOME PAYMENTS
(1) Life Annuity: a monthly income during the lifetime of the payee; or
(2) Life Annuity with a Guaranteed Period: a monthly income with payments
guaranteed for either ten or twenty years, as the Policy owner chooses,
continuing during the payee's lifetime; or
(3) Refund Life Annuity: a monthly income with payments guaranteed for the
number of months determined by dividing the proceeds by the first monthly
payment. The payments continue during the payee's lifetime.
OPTION 4. JOINT LIFE INCOME PAYMENTS
The Policy owner names two payees to whom Fortis Benefits will pay a joint
monthly income during their joint lifetime. After either payee's death, Fortis
Benefits will make monthly payments equal to 2/3 of the joint monthly payment
during the survivor's lifetime.
For options 3 and 4, the amount of the monthly payments depends on the type of
income selected, the Ages of the payees on the settlement date and the amount of
the proceeds. The minimum amounts payable for selected Ages are set forth in the
Policy.
APPLICABLE RATES. The interest rate under options 1, 2, 3 and 4 above will
effectively be at least 3 1/2% per year. If option 1 is chosen, Fortis Benefits
may pay excess interest. If options 2, 3, or 4 are chosen and the monthly
payments are less than those provided by Fortis Benefits under settlement rates
that Fortis Benefits is then currently offering, Fortis Benefits will pay the
larger amount.
OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS. The Policy owner may also choose any other option
agreed to by Fortis Benefits. The Policy owner may also change or revoke a
choice of options under which payments have not yet commenced. If the Policy
owner does not choose an option before the insured dies, the beneficiary will
have the right to choose an option.
No payee has the right to change the settlement option chosen before the
insured's death. Payments may not be assigned or commuted.
If the payee dies before receiving all proceeds payable, Fortis Benefits will
pay any amount still due to the payee's estate. Fortis Benefits has the right to
pay the proceeds in a single sum if (1) the proceeds payable are less than
$2,000; or (2) payments under the settlement option chosen would be less than
$20 each. When an income plan starts, a separate contract will be issued
describing the terms of the plan, and the Policy must be returned to us at this
time. Specimen plans may be obtained from Fortis Benefits' Home Office and
reference should be made to these forms for further details.
OPTIONAL INSURANCE BENEFITS
Optional insurance benefit riders may be attached to a Policy, subject to
certain insurance underwriting requirements, approval in the state where the
Policy is sold, and the payment of additional charges. These riders are
described in general terms below. Limitations and conditions are contained in
the riders, and the description below is subject to the specific terms of the
riders. A prospective purchaser may obtain specimen riders from Fortis Benefits'
Home Office. The charges for these riders are deducted each month as part of the
Monthly Deduction from Policy Value.
A-1
<PAGE>
Any rider selected becomes a part of the Policy and is subject to all terms of
the Policy which are not inconsistent with the terms of the rider. Fortis
Benefits may decline to issue any optional insurance rider in its sole
discretion based on current underwriting guidelines and other regulatory
restrictions. Riders may be cancelled by Policy owners in accordance with the
procedures established by Fortis Benefits from time to time.
DISABILITY RIDERS. There are four disability benefit riders available under the
Policy. The Policy owner can select either an individual rider which insures
only one of the joint insureds, or a joint insured rider which provides a
benefit if either or both of the joint insureds becomes disabled. The Policy
owner can select either a Waiver of Selected Amount rider which provides for a
monthly payment to the Policy Value during disability or a Waiver of Monthly
Deductions rider which waives the monthly deduction during disability. The
Policy owner can only select one of these four riders.
If a joint insured rider is in effect and one of the joint insureds dies, the
joint insured rider will terminate and an individual rider on the Surviving
Insured will be issued in its place.
JOINT INSURED WAIVER OF MONTHLY DEDUCTIONS RIDER. If either or both of the joint
insureds are totally disabled for more than six months while this rider is in
effect, Fortis Benefits will waive subsequent Monthly Deductions, so long as the
total disability continues until Age 95 of the disabled insured. Any monthly
charges deducted after disability begins but before Fortis Benefits approves the
disability claim will be added to the Policy Value in a lump sum as of the date
of approval, based on the premium allocation percentage then in effect. For any
month that deductions are waived, otherwise applicable requirements to make
additional Minimum Premium payments will be waived. The rider does not cover
preexisting disabilities and terminates on the first Policy anniversary after
the younger insured reaches Age 60, except as to any disability commencing prior
to that time. The charges for this rider are based on the Net Amount at Risk
under a Policy from time to time and the insureds' Age and rate class. The rates
of charges for this rider are set forth in the Policy Schedule, and the rate at
which the charge is imposed increases from year to year. An increase or decrease
in the Net Amount at Risk, or the addition or cancellation of any benefits under
riders the charges for which are covered under this rider, will result in an
increase or decrease in the charges for this rider. The charges for this rider
will also be decreased if Fortis Benefits approves a more favorable rate class
for the insureds.
JOINT INSURED WAIVER OF SELECTED AMOUNT RIDER. If either or both of the joint
insureds is totally disabled for more than six months while this rider is in
effect, Fortis Benefits will apply a premium payment to the Policy on each
subsequent Monthly Anniversary and while that insured remains totally disabled
until Age 95 of the disabled insured.
The amount of the premium payment is equal to the Selected Amount chosen by the
applicant at the time of application, and shown in the Policy schedule. The
minimum Selected Amount that can be chosen is $25. The maximum Selected Amount
that can be chosen is the lesser of (1) the monthly Minimum Premium used for the
Guaranteed Death Benefit Rider's guarantee period to Age 85 or (2) $5,000. If
the Face Amount of the Policy is decreased so that the annualized benefit is
greater than the guideline annual premium, as defined by Section 7702 of the
Code, the benefit will be reduced.
The rider does not cover preexisting conditions and terminates on the first
Policy anniversary after the younger insured reaches Age 60, except as to any
disability commencing prior to that time. Monthly Deductions will be increased
to include the cost of the rider which is a specified percentage of the Selected
Amount based on the insureds' Age. In most states, the current charges will be
shown in the Policy schedule. The charges increase from year to year. Fortis
Benefits may change the rates, up to the guaranteed maximum rates set forth in
the rider.
INDIVIDUAL WAIVER OF MONTHLY DEDUCTIONS RIDER AND INDIVIDUAL WAIVER OF SELECTED
AMOUNT RIDER. These riders are in most respects similar to the corresponding
Joint Insured Waiver of Monthly Deductions Rider or Joint Insured Waiver of
Selected Amount Rider described above, except that the individual riders, rather
than covering both joint insureds, cover only one of the joint insureds, as
selected by the Policy owner in the application for the Policy. Also, the
individual rider terminates on the Policy anniversary after the individual
insured under the rider reaches Age 60.
JOINT TERM LIFE INSURANCE RIDERS. There are three different term life insurance
riders available to provide additional coverage on the lives of the joint
insureds. The Second-To-Die Rider provides a benefit upon the death of the
Surviving Insured. The First-To-Die Rider is payable upon the death of the first
joint insured. The Estate Protection Rider provides additional coverage in the
event that both joint insureds die during the first four Policy years.
The maximum combined rider coverage available on the life of any one of the
joint insureds under these riders is 7.25 times the face amount of the base
Policy. The maximum coverage under the Second-To-Die and the First-To-Die riders
is 6.0 times the Policy Face Amount. The maximum coverage under the estate
protection rider is 1.25 times the Policy Face Amount.
The charges for these riders increase from year to year. Fortis Benefits may
change the rates at which the charges for these riders are imposed, although the
resulting charges will not exceed the guaranteed maximum charges for the rider
set forth in the Policy schedule.
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<PAGE>
SECOND-TO-DIE RIDER. This rider provides coverage payable on the death of the
Surviving Insured until the younger insured's Age 100. The minimum face amount
of this rider is $100,000. It is available for issue on any Policy anniversary
up to Age 70 of the younger insured while both joint insureds are alive.
At any time before the earlier of the end of the tenth year after the rider is
issued, or the younger insured's 65th birthday, the Policy owner may exchange
all or part of the coverage under this rider for a Face Amount increase in the
same amount under the base Policy.
As discussed further below, coverage obtained under the Second-To-Die Rider is
generally less costly initially than a comparable amount of additional coverage
obtained under the base Policy. However, for Policy owners who intend to retain
and make substantial premium payments under their Policies, coverage under the
base Policy will probably be more economical over the long term.
Fortis Benefits permits exchanges of less than the full coverage under the
Second-To-Die Rider, subject to a $25,000 minimum. Such partial exchanges may be
elected only once each Policy year, as of the Policy Anniversary, and only if
remaining coverage on the joint insureds under the rider will be at least
$100,000.
Fortis Benefits will waive its usual requirements for evidence of insurability
with respect to the Face Amount increase, and the increase will be based on the
same rate class as the rider. The suicide and contestability periods will run
from the original date of the transferred coverage. The coverage under the rider
will terminate when the Face Amount increase becomes effective.
Except as noted above, a Face Amount increase implemented upon an exchange from
the Second-To-Die Rider will be subject to the same procedures and charges and
in all respects have the same effect as any other Face Amount increase.
The current rates of charges for coverage under the Second-To-Die Rider are
expected to be lower than the rates of the cost of insurance charges for a
comparable amount of coverage under the base Policy. The maximum guaranteed
charges for coverage under the Second-To-Die Rider, however, are the same as the
maximum guaranteed cost of insurance rates under the base Policy.
If coverage on the joint insureds is taken pursuant to the Second-To-Die Rider,
the monthly Minimum Premium will generally be lower (unless and until such
coverage is exchanged for a Face Amount increase as described above) than if the
same amount of Face Amount were purchased under the base Policy. This means that
a smaller amount of premiums will generally be required to maintain the
Guaranteed Death Benefit Rider. See "Minimum Premiums" under "Guaranteed Death
Benefit." Reduced premium payments, of course, will tend to result in lower
amounts of charges that are based on premium payments or a Policy's Policy
Value. See "Charges and Deductions." However, reducing the amount of premiums
paid under a Policy has a number of potential disadvantages: (1) the amount of
Policy Value available to participate in the investment performance of the
Separate Account or each a return in the General Account is reduced; (2) the tax
advantages afforded under the Policy to any such positive investment results or
return are correspondingly reduced; (3) the amount of any Premium Based Bonuses
and Policy Value Bonuses will be reduced; (4) under an Option A death benefit
the dollar amount of cost of insurance charges for the base Policy Face Amount
will be higher; (5) under an Option B death benefit, the amount of death benefit
proceeds will increase more slowly; (6) if less than the Minimum Premium is
paid, the likelihood that the Policy will lapse during the period of any
Guaranteed Death Benefit is increased; (7) payment of lower amounts of premiums
also increases the likelihood that the Policy will lapse during any period when
no Guaranteed Death Benefit is in effect under the Policy. Accordingly, we do
not recommend use of the Second-To-Die Rider solely as a means of paying lower
premiums.
Moreover, although, as discussed above, use of a Second-To-Die Rider can reduce
certain charges, this may not be in the Policy owner's long-term interest. For
example, the amount of cumulative premiums on which Premium Based Bonuses are
based is limited to the cumulative amount of Maximum Bonus Premiums. Because the
Maximum Bonus Premiums are not increased by any coverage under the Second-To-Die
Rider, taking coverage under that rider, rather than under the base Policy,
reduces the potential amount of Premium Based Bonuses. Similarly, Policy Value
Bonuses are based on the Policy's size band, which is not affected by the
Second-To-Die Rider. Accordingly, taking coverage under the rider, rather than
under the base Policy, can place the Policy in a smaller size band, thus
reducing somewhat the potential Policy Value Bonuses. Therefore, coverage under
the base Policy can be economically more advantageous, in the long run, for
Policy owners who plan to retain their coverage, especially for those whose
premiums are at least at the level of the Maximum Bonus Premium. On the other
hand, purchasers who require only temporary coverage or who wish to pay premiums
at relatively low levels should consider taking a portion of their coverage
under the Second-To-Die Rider. It should be noted, however, that the coverage
that is taken under the Second-To-Die Rider is not eligible for the Policy Split
Opinion.
FIRST-TO-DIE RIDER. This rider provides coverage upon the death of the first
joint insured. It is available for issue on any Policy anniversary up to Age 70
of the older insured while both joint insureds are alive. In most other respects
it is similar to the Second-To-Die Rider described above. The other significant
difference is that this rider cannot be exchanged or converted to coverage under
the base Policy or to another Fortis Benefit life insurance policy. It is not
available if the combined rating under the base Policy is in excess of 400% of
the standard rating.
ESTATE PROTECTION RIDER. This rider is available only at issuance of the Policy
for estate planning purposes, and cannot be converted or exchanged. The maximum
amount of coverage under the rider is 125% of the face amount of the base
policy. The minimum face amount is $100,000.
A-3
<PAGE>
The term of this rider is four years from the issue date of the Policy. Its
purpose is to provide an additional death benefit in the early Policy years in
order to pay any estate tax liability that may arise from having established
ownership of the Policy in a trust in anticipation of death.
ADDITIONAL INSURED RIDER PLUS
This rider provides fixed amounts of insurance until Age 95 on the life of one
or more persons other than the joint insureds who are members of the primary
insureds' immediate family, or individuals in whom the owner has an insurable
interest. In the event an insured under this rider is not a family member,
certain special tax rules will apply. For a brief description of these tax rules
see "Federal Tax Matters." The number of insureds that may be covered by this
rider is limited to five. Subject to Fortis Benefits' underwriting requirements,
coverage on persons not already insured may be added on a Policy Anniversary.
Combined coverage for all additional insureds under this rider may not exceed
six times the base Policy's Face Amount. Coverage on additional insureds will
automatically be reduced pro-rata, to the extent necessary to ensure that this
limit is not exceeded.
The charges increase from year to year. Fortis Benefits may change the rates at
which the charges for this rider are imposed, although the resulting charges
will not exceed the guaranteed maximum charges for this rider set forth in the
Policy schedule.
The Policy owner may convert the coverage on an additional insured to a variable
universal life insurance policy offered by us at any time before the later of
the end of the fifth Policy year or the additional insured's 65th birthday. The
conversion is not available more than 31 days after the death of the Surviving
Insured. Fortis Benefits permits conversion of less than the full coverage on an
additional insured. However, partial conversions are subject to a $25,000
minimum and may be elected only on the Policy Anniversary, and only if remaining
coverage on the additional insured under the Rider will be at least $25,000.
Fortis Benefits will waive its usual requirement for evidence of insurability
with respect to an amount of the new policy's Face Amount that is not in excess
of the amount of rider coverage canceled, and the new coverage will be based on
the same rate class as under the rider. The suicide and contestability periods
will run from the original date of the transferred coverage. The coverage under
the rider will terminate when the new coverage becomes effective. Any amounts
deducted for the rider coverage for periods beyond such time will be refunded.
Except as noted above, the customary procedures and charges for issuing a new
policy will apply to a conversion from the Additional Insured Rider Plus.
PRIMARY INSURED RIDER PLUS
This rider is in most respects similar to the Additional Insured Rider Plus
described immediately above, except that is provides fixed amounts of insurance
until Age 95 on the individual life of either of both of the joint insureds.
Also, this rider is available only at the time the Policy is first issued.
Combined coverage under this rider for all insureds may not exceed six times the
base Policy's Face Amount. Coverage will automatically be reduced pro-rata, to
the extent necessary to ensure that this limit is not exceeded.
A-4
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B--ILLUSTRATIONS OF DEATH BENEFITS, POLICY VALUES, SURRENDER VALUES AND
ACCUMULATED PREMIUMS
The tables on pages B-3 to B-6 illustrate the way in which a Policy's death
benefit, Policy Value and Surrender Value could vary over an extended period of
time, assuming that all premiums are allocated to the Subaccounts of the
Separate Account for the entire period shown and assuming hypothetical gross
investment rates of return for the underlying Fortis Series Portfolios (i.e.,
investment income and capital gains and losses, realized and unrealized)
equivalent to constant gross annual rates of 0%, 4%, 8% and 12%.
The tables are based on a Face Amount of $1,000,000 for a male Age 55 and a
female Age 53. Each illustration assumes that the insureds are in the non-smoker
underwriting risk classification. Illustrations for insureds in the smoker or a
substandard underwriting risk classification would show, for the same Age and
premium payments, lower Policy Values and, therefore, lower Surrender Values
and, for the Alternative Death Benefit and Death Benefit Type B, lower death
benefits. These values would be higher, however, for an otherwise comparable
Policy on the joint lives of a non-smoker female Age 55 and a male Age 53. An
otherwise comparable Policy using gender-neutral cost of insurance rates may
also show higher values than the Policies illustrated in the tables that follow.
The amounts shown for the death benefits, Policy Values and Surrender Values
take into account the deductions from premiums and the Monthly Deduction, as
well as the daily deductions from the Separate Account for premium tax, and
sales expenses equivalent to an annual rate of .35%, for mortality and expense
risks equivalent to an annual rate of 1.00% of the Policy Value in the Separate
Account, for assumed Portfolio investment advisory fees equivalent to an annual
rate of .62% and for other Portfolio operating expenses equivalent to an annual
rate of .08% of the average daily value of the aggregate net assets of the
Portfolio. (.62% is the average of the advisory fee rates paid by the currently
available Portfolios and .08% is the actual amount of other expenses that those
Portfolios incurred in 1995).
Taking account of the daily deductions for premium tax and sales expenses,
mortality and expense risks and assumed Portfolio operating expenses, the gross
annual investment rates of return of 0%, 4%, 8% and 12% correspond to actual (or
net) annual rates of: -2.05%, 1.95%, 5.95% and 9.95%, respectively.
The hypothetical returns in the tables do not reflect any charges for income
taxes against the Separate Account, since no such charges are currently made.
However, if in the future such charges are made, in order to produce the death
benefits, Policy Values and Surrender Values illustrated, the gross annual
investment rate of return would have to exceed 0%, 4%, 8% or 12% by a sufficient
amount to cover the tax charges. See "Federal Tax Matters--Taxation of Fortis
Benefits."
The second column of the tables shows the amount which would accumulate if each
year an amount equal to the sum of twelve monthly Minimum Premiums (calculated
using the Guarantee Death Benefit period to Age 85 of the younger insured) were
invested to earn interest, after taxes, at 5% compounded annually. The
difference between Policy Values and Surrender Values during the first eleven
Policy years, as shown in the tables, is the amount of Surrender Charge.
Upon request, Fortis Benefits will furnish an illustration reflecting the
proposed insureds' Age and sex, the Face Amount and premium amounts requested,
frequency of premium payments, the death benefit option and any available rider
requested.
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ILLUSTRATIONS OF DEATH BENEFITS, POLICY VALUES, SURRENDER
VALUES AND ACCUMULATED PREMIUMS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Illustrations Based on CURRENT Charge and Bonus Schedules:
Death Benefit Option A.............................................. B-2
Death Benefit Option B.............................................. B-3
Illustrations Based on GUARANTEED Charge and Bonus Schedules:
Death Benefit Option A.............................................. B-4
Death Benefit Option B.............................................. B-5
</TABLE>
B-1
<PAGE>
MALE ISSUE AGE 55, FEMALE ISSUE AGE 53
NONSMOKER UNDERWRITING RISK
FACE AMOUNT: $1,000,000--DEATH BENEFIT OPTION A
CURRENT CHARGE, POLICY VALUE BONUS AND PREMIUM BASED BONUS SCHEDULES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREMIUMS
ACCUMULATED AT
END OF POLICY 5% INTEREST DEATH POLICY SURRENDER DEATH POLICY SURRENDER
YEAR PER YEAR (1) BENEFIT VALUE VALUE BENEFIT VALUE VALUE
------ -------------- --------- ------ --------- --------- ------- ---------
0% (1)(2)(3)(4) 4% (1)(2)(3)(4)
---------------------------- -----------------------------
VALUES BASED ON ASSUMED HYPOTHETICAL GROSS ANNUAL INVESTMENT
RATES OF RETURN OF
------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 $
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
15
20
25
40
<CAPTION>
END OF POLICY DEATH POLICY SURRENDER DEATH POLICY SURRENDER
YEAR BENEFIT VALUE VALUE BENEFIT VALUE VALUE
------ --------- ------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
8% (1)(2)(3)(4) 12% (1)(2)(3)(4)
----------------------------- -------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
15
20
25
40
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Assumes annual premium of $10,000 paid in full at the beginning of each
Policy year. The values vary from those shown if the amount or frequency of
payments vary.
(2) Assumes that no Policy loan or partial withdrawal has been made and no
optional insurance riders have been selected. Zero values in the Death
Benefit column indicate Policy lapse in the absence of sufficient additional
premium payments.
(3) Reflects Premium Based Bonuses credited according to the following schedule:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
END OF POLICY YEAR
-----------------------
9
AND
LATER
TO
ORIGINAL
MATURITY
ISSUE AGE OF DATE OF
YOUNGEST INSURED 0-6 7 8 POLICY
---------------- ---- --- --- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
18-50 0% 2% 2% 4%
51-60 0 2 4 7
61-70 0 5 7 10
71-85 0 5 5 5
</TABLE>
(4) Reflects Policy Value Bonuses credited on each monthly Anniversary after the
monthly deduction is made according to the following schedule:
ANNUAL RATE OF POLICY VALUE BONUSES AS A PERCENT OF NET CASH VALUE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BAND 1
-------------------------
POLICY BAND 2 BAND 3 BAND 4
SURRENDER VALUE YEARS ----------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------
ON DATE OF POLICY YEARS 20 AND POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS
MONTHLY BONUS 1 - 19 LATER 1 - 19 20 AND LATER 1 - 19 20 AND LATER 1 - 19
- ----------------- ------------- --------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 - $9,999 .00% .35% .00% .35% .00% .35% .00%
$10,000 - $49,999 .00% .35% .00% .35% .05% .40% .05%
$50,000 - $99,999 .05% .40% .05% .40% .10% .45% .10%
$100,000 or more .10% .45% .10% .45% .15% .50% .20%
<CAPTION>
SURRENDER VALUE
ON DATE OF POLICY YEARS
MONTHLY BONUS 20 AND LATER
- ----------------- -------------
<S> <C>
$0 - $9,999 .35%
$10,000 - $49,999 .40%
$50,000 - $99,999 .45%
$100,000 or more .55%
</TABLE>
(5) Alternative Death Benefit applies: See "Policy Benefits--Death Benefit
Options" for further details.
IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE
ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE
OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND UPON A NUMBER OF FACTORS INCLUDING THE
PREMIUM AND POLICY VALUE ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER AND THE DIFFERENT RATES OF
RETURN OF THE PORTFOLIOS. THE DEATH BENEFIT, POLICY VALUE AND SURRENDER VALUE
FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL INVESTMENT RATES
OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 4%, 8%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, BUT FLUCTUATED
ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS OR IF ANY PREMIUMS
WERE ALLOCATED OR POLICY VALUE TRANSFERRED TO THE GENERAL ACCOUNT. NO
REPRESENTATIONS CAN BE MADE BY FORTIS BENEFITS OR FORTIS SERIES THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
B-2
<PAGE>
MALE ISSUE AGE 55, FEMALE ISSUE AGE 53
STANDARD NONSMOKER UNDERWRITING RISK
FACE AMOUNT: $1,000,000--DEATH BENEFIT OPTION B
CURRENT CHARGE, POLICY VALUE BONUS AND PREMIUM BASED BONUS SCHEDULES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREMIUMS
ACCUMULATED AT
END OF POLICY 5% INTEREST DEATH POLICY SURRENDER DEATH POLICY SURRENDER
YEAR PER YEAR (1) BENEFIT VALUE VALUE BENEFIT VALUE VALUE
------ -------------- --------- ------ --------- --------- ------- ---------
0% (1)(2)(3)(4) 4% (1)(2)(3)(4)
---------------------------- -----------------------------
VALUES BASED ON ASSUMED HYPOTHETICAL GROSS ANNUAL INVESTMENT
RATES OF RETURN OF
------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 $
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
15
20
25
40
<CAPTION>
END OF POLICY DEATH POLICY SURRENDER DEATH POLICY SURRENDER
YEAR BENEFIT VALUE VALUE BENEFIT VALUE VALUE
------ --------- ------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
8% (1)(2)(3)(4) 12% (1)(2)(3)(4)
----------------------------- -------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
15
20
25
40
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Assumes annual premium of $10,000 paid in full at the beginning of each
Policy year. The values vary from those shown if the amount or frequency of
payments vary.
(2) Assumes that no Policy loan or partial withdrawal has been made and no
optional insurance riders have been selected. Zero values in the Death
Benefit column indicate Policy lapse in the absence of sufficient additional
premium payments.
(3)
Reflects Premium Based Bonuses credited according to the following schedule:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
END OF POLICY YEAR
-----------------------
9
AND
LATER
TO
ORIGINAL
MATURITY
AGE OF DATE OF
YOUNGEST INSURED 0-6 7 8 POLICY
---------------- ---- --- --- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
18-50 0% 2% 2% 4%
51-60 0 2 4 7
61-70 0 5 7 10
71-85 0 5 5 5
</TABLE>
(4) Reflects Policy Value Bonuses credited on each monthly Anniversary after the
monthly deduction is made.
ANNUAL RATE OF CASH VALUE BONUSES AS A PERCENT OF NET CASH VALUE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BAND 1
-------------------------
POLICY BAND 2 BAND 3 BAND 4
SURRENDER VALUE YEARS ----------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------
ON DATE OF POLICY YEARS 20 AND POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS
MONTHLY BONUS 1 - 19 LATER 1 - 19 20 AND LATER 1 - 19 20 AND LATER 1 - 19
- ----------------- ------------- --------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 - $9,999 .00% .35% .00% .35% .00% .35% .00%
$10,000 - $44,999 .30% .65% .30% .65% .35% .70% .35%
$50,000 - $99,999 .35% .70% .35% .70% .40% .75% .40%
$100,000 or more .40% .75% .40% .75% .45% .80% .50%
<CAPTION>
SURRENDER VALUE
ON DATE OF POLICY YEARS
MONTHLY BONUS 20 AND LATER
- ----------------- -------------
<S> <C>
$0 - $9,999 .35%
$10,000 - $44,999 .70%
$50,000 - $99,999 .75%
$100,000 or more .85%
</TABLE>
(5) Alternative Death Benefit applies: See "Policy Benefits--Death Benefit
Options" for further details.
IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE
ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE
OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND UPON A NUMBER OF FACTORS INCLUDING THE
PREMIUM AND POLICY VALUE ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER AND THE DIFFERENT RATES OF
RETURN OF THE PORTFOLIOS. THE DEATH BENEFIT, POLICY VALUE AND SURRENDER VALUE
FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL INVESTMENT RATES
OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 4%, 8%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, BUT FLUCTUATED
ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS OR IF ANY PREMIUMS
WERE ALLOCATED OR POLICY VALUE TRANSFERRED TO THE GENERAL ACCOUNT. NO
REPRESENTATIONS CAN BE MADE BY FORTIS BENEFITS OR FORTIS SERIES THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
B-3
<PAGE>
MALE ISSUE AGE 55, FEMALE AGE 53
STANDARD NONSMOKER UNDERWRITING RISK
FACE AMOUNT: $1,000,000--DEATH BENEFIT OPTION A
GUARANTEED CHARGE, POLICY VALUE BONUS AND PREMIUM BASED BONUS SCHEDULES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREMIUMS
ACCUMULATED AT
END OF POLICY 5% INTEREST DEATH POLICY SURRENDER DEATH POLICY SURRENDER
YEAR PER YEAR (1) BENEFIT VALUE VALUE BENEFIT VALUE VALUE
------ -------------- --------- ------ --------- --------- ------ ---------
0% (1)(2)(3)(4) 4% (1)(2)(3)(4)
---------------------------- ----------------------------
VALUES BASED ON ASSUMED HYPOTHETICAL GROSS ANNUAL
INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN OF
-----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
15
20
25
40
<CAPTION>
END OF POLICY DEATH POLICY SURRENDER DEATH POLICY SURRENDER
YEAR BENEFIT VALUE VALUE BENEFIT VALUE VALUE
------ --------- ------ --------- --------- ------- ---------
8% (1)(2)(3)(4) 12% (1)(2)(3)(4)
---------------------------- -----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
15
20
25
40
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Assumes annual premium of $10,000 paid in full at the beginning of each
Policy year. The values vary from those shown if the amount or frequency of
payments vary.
(2) Assumes that no Policy loan or partial withdrawal has been made and no
optional insurance riders have been selected. Zero values in the Death
Benefit column indicate Policy lapse in the absence of sufficient additional
premium payments.
(3) Reflects Premium Based Bonuses credited according to the following schedule:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPTION A PERCENTAGES
END OF POLICY YEAR
-----------------------
9
AND
LATER
TO
ORIGINAL
MATURITY
AGE OF DATE OF
YOUNGEST INSURED 0-6 7 8 POLICY
---------------- ---- --- --- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
18-50 0% 2% 2% 4%%
51-60 0 2 4 7
61-70 0 2 4 7
71-85 0 2 4 5
</TABLE>
(4) Reflects Policy Value Bonuses credited on each monthly Anniversary after the
monthly deduction is made.
ANNUAL RATE OF CASH VALUE BONUSES AS A PERCENT OF NET CASH VALUE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BAND 1
-------------------------
POLICY BAND 2 BAND 3 BAND 4
SURRENDER VALUE YEARS ----------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------
ON DATE OF POLICY YEARS 20 AND POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS
MONTHLY BONUS 1 - 19 LATER 1 - 19 20 AND LATER 1 - 19 20 AND LATER 1 - 19
- ----------------- ------------- --------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 - $9,999 .00% .00% .00% .00% .00% .00% .00%
$10,000 - $49,999 .00% .00% .00% .00% .05% .05% .05%
$50,000 - $99,999 .05% .05% .05% .05% .10% .10% .10%
$100,000 or more .10% .10% .10% .10% .15% .15% .20%
<CAPTION>
SURRENDER VALUE
ON DATE OF POLICY YEARS
MONTHLY BONUS 20 AND LATER
- ----------------- -------------
<S> <C>
$0 - $9,999 .00%
$10,000 - $49,999 .05%
$50,000 - $99,999 .10%
$100,000 or more .20%
</TABLE>
IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE
ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE
OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND UPON A NUMBER OF FACTORS INCLUDING THE
PREMIUM AND POLICY VALUE ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER AND THE DIFFERENT RATES OF
RETURN OF THE PORTFOLIOS. THE DEATH BENEFIT, POLICY VALUE AND SURRENDER VALUE
FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL INVESTMENT RATES
OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 4%, 8%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, BUT FLUCTUATED
ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS OR IF ANY PREMIUMS
WERE ALLOCATED OR POLICY VALUE TRANSFERRED TO THE GENERAL ACCOUNT. NO
REPRESENTATIONS CAN BE MADE BY FORTIS BENEFITS OR FORTIS SERIES THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
B-4
<PAGE>
MALE ISSUE AGE 55, FEMALE ISSUE AGE 53
NONSMOKER UNDERWRITING RISK
FACE AMOUNT: $1,000,000--DEATH BENEFIT OPTION B
GUARANTEED CHARGE, POLICY VALUE BONUS AND PREMIUM BASED BONUS SCHEDULES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREMIUMS
ACCUMULATED AT
END OF POLICY 5% INTEREST DEATH POLICY SURRENDER DEATH POLICY SURRENDER
YEAR PER YEAR (1) BENEFIT VALUE VALUE BENEFIT VALUE VALUE
------ -------------- --------- ------ --------- --------- ------ ---------
0% (1)(2)(3)(4) 4% (1)(2)(3)(4)
---------------------------- ----------------------------
VALUES BASED ON ASSUMED HYPOTHETICAL GROSS ANNUAL
INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN OF
-----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 $
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
15
20
25
40
<CAPTION>
END OF POLICY DEATH POLICY SURRENDER DEATH POLICY SURRENDER
YEAR BENEFIT VALUE VALUE BENEFIT VALUE VALUE
------ --------- ------ --------- --------- ------- ---------
8% (1)(2)(3)(4) 12% (1)(2)(3)(4)
---------------------------- -----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
15
20
25
40
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) Assumes annual premium of $10,000 paid in full at the beginning of each
Policy year. The values vary from those shown if the amount or frequency of
payments vary.
(2) Assumes that no Policy loan or partial withdrawal has been made and no
optional insurance riders have been selected. Zero values in the Death
Benefit column indicate Policy lapse in the absence of sufficient additional
premium payments.
(3) Reflects Premium Based Bonuses credited according to the following schedule:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
END OF POLICY YEAR
-----------------------
9
AND
LATER
TO
ORIGINAL
MATURITY
AGE OF DATE OF
YOUNGEST INSURED 0-6 7 8 POLICY
---------------- ---- --- --- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
18-50 0% 2% 2% 4%
51-60 0 2 4 7
61-70 0 2 4 7
71-85 0 2 4 5
</TABLE>
(4) Reflects Policy Value Bonuses credited on each monthly Anniversary after the
monthly deduction is made.
ANNUAL RATE OF CASH VALUE BONUSES AS A PERCENT OF NET CASH VALUE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BAND 1
-------------------------
POLICY BAND 2 BAND 3 BAND 4
SURRENDER VALUE YEARS ----------------------------- ----------------------------- -------------
ON DATE OF POLICY YEARS 20 AND POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS POLICY YEARS
MONTHLY BONUS 1 - 19 LATER 1 - 19 20 AND LATER 1 - 19 20 AND LATER 1 - 19
- ----------------- ------------- --------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$0 - $9,999 .00% .00% .00% .00% .00% .00% .00%
$10,000 - $49,999 .30% .30% .30% .30% .35% .35% .35%
$50,000 - $99,999 .35% .35% .35% .35% .40% .40% .45%
$100,000 or more .40% .40% .40% .40% .45% .45% .50%
<CAPTION>
SURRENDER VALUE
ON DATE OF POLICY YEARS
MONTHLY BONUS 20 AND LATER
- ----------------- -------------
<S> <C>
$0 - $9,999 .00%
$10,000 - $49,999 .35%
$50,000 - $99,999 .45%
$100,000 or more .50%
</TABLE>
IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT THE HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN SHOWN ABOVE
ARE ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE DEEMED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR
FUTURE INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN. ACTUAL INVESTMENT RATES OF RETURN MAY BE MORE
OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN AND WILL DEPEND UPON A NUMBER OF FACTORS INCLUDING THE
PREMIUM AND POLICY VALUE ALLOCATIONS MADE BY AN OWNER AND THE DIFFERENT RATES OF
RETURN OF THE PORTFOLIOS. THE DEATH BENEFIT, POLICY VALUE AND SURRENDER VALUE
FOR A POLICY WOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE SHOWN IF THE ACTUAL INVESTMENT RATES
OF RETURN AVERAGED 0%, 4%, 8%, AND 12% OVER A PERIOD OF YEARS, BUT FLUCTUATED
ABOVE OR BELOW THOSE AVERAGES FOR INDIVIDUAL POLICY YEARS OR IF ANY PREMIUMS
WERE ALLOCATED OR POLICY VALUE TRANSFERRED TO THE GENERAL ACCOUNT. NO
REPRESENTATIONS CAN BE MADE BY FORTIS BENEFITS OR FORTIS SERIES THAT THESE
HYPOTHETICAL RATES OF RETURN CAN BE ACHIEVED FOR ANY ONE YEAR OR SUSTAINED OVER
ANY PERIOD OF TIME.
B-5
<PAGE>
APPENDIX C--THE GENERAL ACCOUNT
A POLICY OWNER MAY ALLOCATE PREMIUMS OR TRANSFER POLICY VALUE TO THE GENERAL
ACCOUNT, WHICH CONSISTS OF ALL FORTIS BENEFITS' ASSETS NOT HELD IN THE SEPARATE
ACCOUNT OR OTHER SEGREGATED ASSET ACCOUNTS. BECAUSE OF EXEMPTIVE AND
EXCLUSIONARY PROVISIONS, INTERESTS IN THE GENERAL ACCOUNT HAVE NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AND THE GENERAL ACCOUNT HAS NOT
BEEN REGISTERED AS AN INVESTMENT COMPANY UNDER THE 1940 ACT. ACCORDINGLY,
NEITHER THE GENERAL ACCOUNT NOR ANY INTERESTS THEREIN ARE GENERALLY SUBJECT TO
THE PROVISIONS OF THOSE ACTS AND FORTIS BENEFITS HAS BEEN ADVISED THAT THE STAFF
OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION HAS NOT REVIEWED THE DISCLOSURES IN
THIS PROSPECTUS RELATING TO THE GENERAL ACCOUNT. DISCLOSURES REGARDING THE
GENERAL ACCOUNT MAY, HOWEVER, BE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN GENERALLY APPLICABLE
PROVISIONS OF THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS RELATING TO THE ACCURACY AND
COMPLETENESS OF STATEMENTS MADE IN PROSPECTUSES.
This prospectus is generally intended to serve as a disclosure document only for
the aspects of the Policy involving the Separate Account and contains only
selected information regarding the General Account. More information regarding
the General Account may be obtained from Fortis Benefits' Home Office or from
your sales representatives.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Subject to applicable law, Fortis Benefits has sole discretion over the
investment of the assets of the General Account. Unlike the assets of the
Separate Account, the assets of the General Account are chargeable with
liabilities arising out of any other business of Fortis Benefits.
The allocation or transfer of amounts to the General Account does not entitle a
Policy owner to share in the investment experience of the General Account.
Instead, Fortis Benefits guarantees that Policy Value in the General Account
will accrue interest at an effective annual rate of at least 4%, independent of
the actual investment experience of the General Account. Fortis Benefits is not
obligated to credit interest at any higher rate, although Fortis Benefits, in
its sole discretion, may do so. The rates of interest actually credited to any
amount in the General Account from time to time may vary depending on when that
amount was first allocated to the General Account.
The Policy owner may select either Death Benefit Option A or B under the Policy
and may change such option or the Policy's Face Amount, subject to satisfactory
evidence of insurability where required and subject to all the conditions and
limitations applicable to such transactions generally. See "Policy Benefits."
GENERAL ACCOUNT POLICY VALUE
The Policy Value in the General Account will reflect the amount and frequency of
premium payments allocated to the General Account, the amount of interest and
any Premium Based Bonuses and Policy Value Bonuses credited to amounts in the
General Account, any partial withdrawals, or accelerated death benefit payments,
any transfers from or to the Separate Account, any Policy loans and the Monthly
Deduction imposed on amounts in the General Account in connection with the
Policy. Charges under a Policy are the same as when the Separate Account is
being used, except that no daily charges for mortality and expense risk or
premium tax and sales expenses are imposed on amounts of Policy Value in the
General Account. See "Charges and Deductions."
TRANSFERS, SURRENDERS AND POLICY LOANS
Amounts in the General Account are generally subject to the same rights and
limitations and will be subject to the same charges as are amounts allocated to
the Subaccounts of the Separate Account with respect to transfers, total
surrenders, partial withdrawals, and Policy loans. See "Payment and Allocation
of Premiums--Allocation of Premiums and Policy Value," "Loan Privileges," and
"Surrender and Partial Withdrawal." One exception is that transfers out of the
General Account are limited to one transfer in each Policy year, which may not
be for more than 50% of the Policy Value in the General Account (excluding the
amount of General Account Policy Value attributable to Policy loans) at the date
of transfer. However, if the unloaned General Account Policy Value at the date
of transfer is less than $1,000, the entire unloaned balance may be transferred
from the General Account to the Separate Account. See "Payment and Allocation of
Premiums--Allocation of Premiums and Policy Value." Fortis Benefits reserves the
right to review these limits on an annual basis and, subject to the limits in
the Policy, to reduce them.
C-1
<PAGE>
PART II
UNDERTAKING TO FILE REPORTS
Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission such supplementary and periodic
information, documents, and reports as may be prescribed by any rule or
regulation of the Commission heretofore or hereafter duly adopted pursuant to
authority conferred in that section.
UNDERTAKING PURSUANT TO RULE 484(b)(1)
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement incorporated as Exhibit 1.A(3)(a) to
this Registration Statement, Fortis Benefits has agreed to indemnify
Investors (and its agents, employees, and controlling persons) for damages
and expenses arising out of certain material misstatements and omissions in
connection with the offer and sale of the Policies, unless the misstatement
or omission was based on information supplied by Investors; provided,
however, that no such indemnity will be made to Investors or its controlling
persons for liabilities to which they would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of
their duties or by reason of reckless disregard of their obligations under
such agreement. The indemnity could apply to certain directors, officers or
controlling persons of the Separate Account by virtue of the fact that they
are also agents, employees or controlling persons of Investors. Also, Fortis
Benefits' By-Laws (see Article VII, Section 5 thereof, which is incorporated
herein by reference from Exhibit 1.A(6)(b) to registrant's Form S-6
registration Statement, File No. 33-03919, filed on March 17, 1986) provides
for indemnity and payment of expenses of Fortis Benefits' officers, directors
and employees in connection with certain legal proceedings, judgments, and
settlements arising by reasons of their service as such, all to the extent
and in the manner permitted by law.
Insofar as indemnification for any liability arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
Fortis Benefits or the Separate Account pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
or otherwise, Fortis Benefits and the Separate Account have been advised that
in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification
may be against public policy as expressed in the Act and may be, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by Fortis Benefits of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of Fortis Benefits or
the Separate Account 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, Fortis Benefits 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>
REPRESENTATIONS AND UNDERTAKINGS PURSUANT
TO RULE 6e-3(T)(b)(13)(iii)(F) UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Registrant makes the following representations:
(1) Section 6e-3(T)(b)(13)(iii)(F) is being relied upon.
(2) The level of the mortality, expense and guaranteed death
benefit risk charges is within the range of industry
practice for comparable flexible premium survivorship
variable life insurance policies and is reasonable in
relation to the risks assumed by Fortis Benefits under the
Policies.
(3) Fortis Benefits has concluded that a reasonable
likelihood exists that the distribution financing
arrangement of the Separate Account will benefit the
Separate Account and Policy owners and will keep and make
available to the Commission on request a memorandum setting
forth the basis of this representation; and the Separate
Account will invest only in management investment companies
which have undertaken to have a board of directors, a
majority of whom are not interested persons of the company,
formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance
distribution expenses.
The methodology used to support the representation made in paragraph (2)
above is based on an analysis of the Policy's internal pricing structure,
including the level of other expense charges, the absence of expense charges
for a number of Policy owner transactions and uncertainties in terms of
expense, mortality and investment factors and projected revenues. Registrant
undertakes to keep and make available to the Commission on request the
documents used to support the representations in paragraphs (2) and (3) above.
<PAGE>
CONTENTS OF REGISTRATION STATEMENT
This Registration Statement comprises the following papers and
documents:
Facing Sheet.
Cross-Reference Table.
Prospectus, consisting of ____ pages.
Undertaking to File Reports.
Undertaking pursuant to Rule 484(b)(1) under the Securities
Act of 1933.
Representations and Undertakings pursuant to Rule 6e-
3(T)(b)(13) (iii)(F) under the Investment Company Act of
1940.
Signatures.
Written Consents of the following persons:
Renee C. West, FSA, MAAA (to be filed by amendment).
Douglas R. Lowe, Esq. (filed with Exhibit 3 below).
Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors (to be filed by
amendment).
The following exhibits:
1A. (1) --Resolution of Board of Directors of Fortis
Benefits (under its prior name, Western Life
Insurance Company) effecting the establishment of
Variable Account C (incorporated by reference from
Exhibit 1.A(1) to registrant's Form S-6
Registration Statement, File No. 33-28551, filed
on May 5, 1989).
(2) --Not applicable
(3) --(a) Distribution Agreement between Fortis
Benefits and Fortis Investors, Inc. (incorporated
by reference from Exhibit No. 3(a) to Post-
Effective Amendment No. 9 to registrant's Form S-6
registration statement, File No. 33-28551, filed
April 29, 1994).
--(b) Form of Dealer Sales Agreement (incorporated
by reference from Post-Effective Amendment No. 12
to registrant's Form N-4 registration statement,
File No. 33-19421, filed December 22, 1994).
--(c) Schedule of sales commissions (incorporated
by reference from "Distribution of the Policies"
in the attached prospectus).
(4) --Not applicable
<PAGE>
(5) --(a) Specimen Flexible Premium Survivorship
Variable Life Insurance Policy (to be filed by
amendment).
--(b) Form of Guaranteed Benefit Rider,
Joint Insured Waiver of Monthly Deductions Rider,
Joint Insured Waiver of Selected Amount Rider,
Second-To-Die Rider, First-To-Die Rider, and
Estate Protector Rider (to be filed by amendment).
--(c) Form of Waiver of Monthly Deductions Rider
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1.A(5)(c)
to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to registrant's
Form S-6 Registration Statement, File No. 33-
28551, filed on August 18, 1989).
--(d) Form of Waiver of Selected Amount Rider and
Accelerated Death Benefit Rider (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 5(d) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 9 to the registrant's Form S-6
Registration Statement, File No. 33-28551, filed
April 29, 1994).
--(e) Form of Additional Insured Rider Plus Primary
Insured Rider Plus (incorporated by reference from Exhibit
5(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to registrant's
Form S-6 Registration Statement File No. 33-48266,
filed April 28, 1995).
(6) --(a) Articles of Incorporation of Fortis Benefits
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1.A(6)(a)
to the initial filing of registrant's Form S-6
Registration Statement, File No. 33-03919, filed
on March 17, 1986).
--(b) Bylaws of Fortis Benefits (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 1.A(6)(b) to the initial
filing of registrant's Form S-6 Registration
Statement, File No. 33-03919, filed on March 17,
1986).
--(c) Amendment to Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws dated November 21, 1991 (incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 1.A(6)(c) to registrant's
Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Form S-6
Registration Statement, File No. 33-28551, filed
on March 2, 1992).
(7) --Not applicable.
(8) --Not applicable.
(9) --Not applicable.
(10) --(a) Application Form for Flexible Premium
Survivorship Variable Life Insurance Policy and
Form of Temporary Insurance Agreement (to be filed
by amendment).
--(b) Policy Change Application, Transfer Request
Form, and Change of Premium Allocation Form
(incorporated by reference from Exhibit 1.A(10)(b)
to registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to
Form S-6 Registration Statement, File 33-28851,
filed on March 2, 1992).
<PAGE>
2. --See Exhibit 1.A(5) above.
3. --Opinion and consent of counsel as to the legality of
Securities being registered.
4. --Not applicable.
5. --Not applicable.
6. --Opinion and consent of actuary (to be filed by amendment).
7. --Forms of Notice of Cancellation Right and Request for
Cancellation pursuant to Rule 6e-3(T)(b)(13)(viii)
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (to be filed
by amendment).
8. --Method of computing exchange pursuant to Rule 6e-
3(T)(b)(13) (v)(B) under the Investment Company Act of
1940. (Not required because there will be no cash value
adjustments in connection with the right to transfer
Policy Value to the General Account, which registrant
intends to satisfy the requirements of said provision.)
9. --Undertaking of Fortis Benefits required by Rule 27d-2
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (part of
Exhibit 1.A(3)(a)).
10. --Memorandum of Certain Procedures with Respect to
Pricing and Processing of Transactions Pursuant to Rule
6e-3(T)(b)(12) (iii) (incorporated by reference from
Exhibit 10 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to
registrant's Form S-6 Registration Statement, File No.
33-03919, filed on April 28, 1989).
11. --Power of Attorney for Messrs, Freedman, Gaddy,
Mackin, Keller, Clayton, Mahoney, Clancy, Meler and
Greiter (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 11 to
registrant's Form S-6 Registration Statement, File No.
33-73138, filed on December 17, 1993).
12. --Statement of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
pursuant to Rule 27d-2 under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 (to be filed by amendment).
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, FORTIS BENEFITS
INSURANCE COMPANY has duly caused this amended Registration Statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, and its seal
to be hereunto affixed and attested all in the City of St. Paul, State of
Minnesota, this 16th day of February, 1996.
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Robert Brian Pollock
---------------------------------
Robert Brian Pollock, President
Attest: /s/ Douglas R. Lowe
-----------------------------
Douglas R. Lowe
Associate General Counsel --
Life and Investment Products
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities
indicated on February 16th, 1996.
/s/ Robert Brian Pollock
- ---------------------------------------------
Robert Brian Pollock, President and Director
(Chief Executive Officer)
/s/ Michael John Peninger
- ---------------------------------------------
Michael John Peninger, Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Director
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ Dean Conrad Kopperud
- ---------------------------------------------
Dean Conrad Kopperud, Director
*
--------------------------------------------
Allen Royal Freedman, Chairman of the Board
*
--------------------------------------------
Thomas Michael Keller, Director
--------------------------------------------
Arie Aristide Fakkert, Director
*
--------------------------------------------
Henry Carroll Mackin, Director
* By: /s/ Robert Brian Pollock
----------------------------------------
Robert Brian Pollock -- Attorney-in-Fact
<PAGE>
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant,
VARIABLE ACCOUNT C of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company, has duly caused this
amended Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized, and its seal to be hereunto affixed and attested, all
in the City of St. Paul, State of Minnesota this 16th day of February, 1996.
VARIABLE ACCOUNT C
OF FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
By: FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(Depositor)
By: /s/ Robert Brian Pollock
------------------------------------
Robert Brian Pollock, President
Attest: /s/ Douglas R. Lowe
------------------------------------
Douglas R. Lowe,
Associate General Counsel-
Life and Investment Products
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
PAGE(1)
3 Opinion and Consent of Counsel
- -------------------------------
Page numbers inserted in manually-signed copy only.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 3
<PAGE>
December 18, 1995
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
500 Bielenberg Drive
Woodbury, MN 55125
RE: Variable Account C of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Form S-6 Registration Statement For Fortis Last Survivor Policies
Dear Sirs:
This opinion in furnished in connection with the above filing as it relates
to the offering of flexible premium survivorship variable life insurance
policies ("Policies") by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company ("Fortis
Benefits"). Fortis Benefits Variable Account C (the "Account") was
established on March 13, 1986 by the board of directors of Fortis Benefits as
a separate account for assets designated to support the Policies, pursuant to
the provisions of Section 64A.14 of the Minnesota Statutes.
I have made such examination of the law and examined such corporate records
and other documents as in my judgment are necessary and appropriate to enable
me to render the following opinion that:
1. Fortis Benefits has been duly organized under the laws of the State of
Minnesota and is a validly existing corporation.
2. The Account is duly created and validly existing as a separate account
pursuant to the above cited provisions of Minnesota law.
3. The portion of the assets to be held in the Account equal to the
reserves and other liabilities under the Policies is not chargeable
with liabilities arising out of the other business Fortis Benefits
may conduct.
4. The Policies have been duly authorized by Fortis Benefits and when
issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement, as amended, will
constitute legal, validly issued and binding obligations of Fortis
Benefits in accordance with their terms.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of my name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement.
Sincerely,
/s/Douglas R. Lowe
Douglas R. Lowe
Vice President - Associate General Counsel
DRL:kmw
