- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MID-YEAR REPORT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
S E L I G M A N
M U T U A L
B E N E F I T
P L A N
J&WS
June 30, 1998
MBL Life
Assurance
Corporation
<PAGE>
TOTAL RETURNS*
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
Seligman Capital Sub-Account ............................ 13.24%
Seligman Cash Management Sub-Account..................... 0.42
Seligman Common Stock Sub-Account........................ 12.47
Seligman Fixed Income Securities Sub-Account............. 3.13
Seligman Income Sub-Account.............................. 5.09
- -------------------------
* Total returns of the Separate Account are based on the performance of five
portfolios of the Seligman Portfolios, Inc., the underlying investment
vehicle for the Seligman Mutual Benefit Plan, less separate account charges,
and are not annualized.
<PAGE>
SELIGMAN MBL LIFE ASSURANCE CORPORATION
MUTUAL 520 BROAD STREET A1ON
BENEFIT NEWARK, NJ 07102-3111
PLAN 1-800-435-3191
July 31, 1998
Dear Contract Owner:
As Manager of Seligman Portfolios, Inc., we are pleased to provide the
enclosed unaudited financial statements and accompanying information for the
Seligman Mutual Benefit Plan (the "Separate Account") and Seligman Portfolios,
Inc. for the six months ended June 30, 1998.
The US economy continued to grow throughout the first half of the year,
bringing the expansion into an unprecedented eighth year. Inflation remained
low, wages high, consumer spending strong, and the labor market tight. According
to the Conference Board, consumer confidence rose to a 29-year high in June,
reflecting these positive fundamentals. Further, the supply of consumer goods
kept pace with demand, which helped the economic expansion remain balanced.
Within the US equity market, the dominant investment trend in the first
half of 1998 continued to be a "flight to quality." Investors stressed the
importance of quality, liquidity, and safety. Consequently, the market remained
"narrow," with demand for large-capitalization growth stocks far outpacing
demand for their value counterparts, as well as for small-capitalization and
mid-capitalization stocks. The market effectively became two-tiered, as the 30
largest companies in the S&P 500 accounted for more than half of its gains.
Within the fixed-income markets, the Asian financial crisis began to impact the
bond market, as both foreign and domestic investors sought the safety and
quality of US Treasury securities. This sent yields down and prices up. Further,
the potential for slower economic growth, coupled with the Asian crisis,
effectively caused the Federal Reserve Board to leave short-term interest rates
unchanged in the first half of the year. The 30-year US Treasury bond yield
finished the period at 5.63% on June 30, down from 5.92% on December 31, 1997.
Looking ahead, while the Asian financial crisis only modestly affected the
US economy in the first half of 1998, we believe its full impact is yet to come.
This leads us to believe that the current benign business environment could
become less stable. Some early warning economic indicators started flashing
cautionary signals toward the end of the second quarter as the economy began to
decelerate. US corporate profits were being pressured, while several stock
indices moved to new highs. Although the basic fundamental case remains
positive, investor expectations, at least for the short term, seem to be on the
high side.
Thank you for your continued confidence in Seligman Mutual Benefit Plan.
Respectfully,
/s/ William C. Morris
William C. Morris
Chairman
J. & W. Seligman & Co. Incorporated
-- 1 --
<PAGE>
SELIGMAN MUTUAL BENEFIT PLAN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (unaudited) June 30, 1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
ASSETS
Investments in Seligman Portfolios, Inc.:
Seligman Capital Portfolio--247,583 shares at Net Asset Value of $20.62 (cost--$3,731,287)................. $ 5,105,156
Seligman Cash Management Portfolio--856,332 shares at Net Asset Value of $1.00
(cost--$856,332)........................................................................................ 856,332
Seligman Common Stock Portfolio--779,561 shares at Net Asset Value of $18.42 (cost--$12,636,546)........... 14,359,513
Seligman Bond Portfolio--151,349 shares at Net Asset Value of $10.63 (cost--$1,531,816).................... 1,608,844
Seligman Income Portfolio--333,166 shares at Net Asset Value of $11.41 (cost--$3,567,187).................. 3,801,428
-----------
TOTAL ASSETS.................................................................................................. 25,731,273
LIABILITIES
Due to MBL Life--Note 5....................................................................................... 63,586
-----------
NET ASSETS.................................................................................................... $25,667,687
===========
NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTABLE TO VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT OWNERS--Note 4........................................... $25,667,687
===========
</TABLE>
- -----------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SELIGMAN SELIGMAN
SELIGMAN CASH SELIGMAN FIXED INCOME SELIGMAN
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMMON STOCK SECURITIES INCOME
COMBINED SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT
--------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends......................... $ 27,437 $ -- $27,437 $ -- $ -- $ --
EXPENSES--Note 5:
Mortality and expense risk charges 159,085 30,960 6,317 87,618 10,535 23,655
---------- -------- ------- ---------- ------- --------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
(LOSS) ........................ (131,648) (30,960) 21,120 (87,618) (10,535) (23,655)
---------- -------- ------- ---------- ------- --------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN
(LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS--Note 6:
Net realized gain (loss) from
security transactions.......... 223,049 112,410 -- 102,261 25,138 (16,760)
Net increase in unrealized
appreciation of investments.... 2,430,690 538,162 -- 1,627,933 38,393 226,202
---------- -------- ------- ---------- ------- --------
NET GAIN ON INVESTMENTS........... 2,653,739 650,572 -- 1,730,194 63,531 209,442
---------- -------- ------- ---------- ------- --------
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS
RESULTING FROM
OPERATIONS..................... $2,522,091 $619,612 $21,120 $1,642,576 $52,996 $185,787
========== ======== ======= ========== ======= ========
</TABLE>
- -----------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
-- 2 --
<PAGE>
SELIGMAN MUTUAL BENEFIT PLAN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (unaudited)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SELIGMAN
SELIGMAN CAPITAL CASH MANAGEMENT
COMBINED SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT
----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
SIX MONTHS YEAR SIX MONTHS YEAR SIX MONTHS YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)........ $ (131,648) $ 2,654,416 $ (30,960) $ 253,619 $ 21,120 $ 56,371
Net realized gain (loss) from
security transactions............ 223,049 691,375 112,410 174,453 -- --
Net change in unrealized
appreciation/depreciation
of investments................... 2,430,690 730,823 538,162 439,252 -- --
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
NET INCREASE RESULTING
FROM OPERATIONS................. 2,522,091 4,076,614 619,612 867,324 21,120 56,371
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
FROM CONTRACT OWNERS'
TRANSACTIONS--Note 2:
Net transfers between
sub-accounts.................... -- -- -- 25,676 -- (128,958)
Redemptions and annuity benefits... (2,287,568) (5,090,047) (284,266) (775,000) (305,342) (394,409)
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING
FROM CONTRACT OWNERS'
TRANSACTIONS.................... (2,287,568) (5,090,047) (284,266) (749,324) (305,342) (523,367)
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(Increase) decrease in amount due
MBL Life--Note 5................ (12,811) (17,243) 1,227 (722) (16,784) (12,043)
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS.. 221,712 (1,030,676) 336,573 117,278 (301,006) (479,039)
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of Period................ 25,445,975 26,476,651 4,771,193 4,653,915 1,129,068 1,608,107
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
END OF PERIOD...................... $25,667,687 $25,445,975 $5,107,766 $4,771,193 $ 828,062 $1,129,068
=========== =========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
- -----------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
-- 3 --
<PAGE>
SELIGMAN MUTUAL BENEFIT PLAN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (unaudited) (continued)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SELIGMAN
SELIGMAN FIXED INCOME SELIGMAN
COMMON STOCK SECURITIES INCOME
SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT
------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------
SIX MONTHS YEAR SIX MONTHS YEAR SIX MONTHS YEAR
ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED
JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, DECEMBER 31,
1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1997
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)....... $ (87,618) $ 1,948,287 $ (10,535) $ 66,154 $ (23,655) $ 329,985
Net realized gain (loss) from
security transactions........... 102,261 468,410 25,138 26,105 (16,760) 22,407
Net change in unrealized
appreciation/depreciation
of investments.................. 1,627,933 108,473 38,393 52,972 226,202 130,126
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
NET INCREASE RESULTING
FROM OPERATIONS................. 1,642,576 2,525,170 52,996 145,231 185,787 482,518
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
FROM CONTRACT OWNERS'
TRANSACTIONS--Note 2:
Net transfers between
sub-accounts.................... 36,615 112,708 (36,615) (6,000) -- (3,426)
Redemptions and annuity benefits... (1,144,414) (2,588,960) (278,620) (466,113) (274,926) (865,565)
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
DECREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING
FROM CONTRACT OWNERS'
TRANSACTIONS.................... (1,107,799) (2,476,252) (315,235) (472,113) (274,926) (868,991)
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(Increase) decrease in amount due
MBL Life--Note 5................ 356 (2,507) (800) (327) 3,190 (1,644)
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS.. 535,133 46,411 (263,039) (327,209) (85,949) (388,117)
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of Period................ 13,800,998 13,754,587 1,863,334 2,190,543 3,881,382 4,269,499
----------- ----------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
END OF PERIOD...................... $14,336,131 $13,800,998 $1,600,295 $1,863,334 $3,795,433 $3,881,382
=========== =========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
- -----------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
-- 4 --
<PAGE>
SELIGMAN MUTUAL BENEFIT PLAN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. The Seligman Mutual Benefit Plan (the "Plan") is a unit investment trust
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and a separate
account of the MBL Life Assurance Corporation ("MBL Life") established under the
insurance laws of New Jersey. MBL Life provides for variable accumulation and
benefits under the Plan's contract by crediting annuity considerations to one or
more Variable Accumulation Sub-Accounts ("sub-account") within the Plan or the
Fixed Accumulation Account, as elected by the Contract Owner (see Notes 2 and
3). Significant accounting policies of the Plan are as follows:
a. Investments -- Investments are valued at net asset value. The Plan invests
exclusively in shares of the following five portfolios of Seligman
Portfolios, Inc. (the "Fund"), a series fund: Seligman Bond Portfolio
(formerly "Seligman Fixed Income Securities Portfolio"), Seligman Capital
Portfolio, Seligman Cash Management Portfolio, Seligman Common Stock
Portfolio, and Seligman Income Portfolio. Shares are purchased in each
portfolio, in accordance with the Contract Owner's allocation of net purchase
payments (see Notes 2 and 3), at the net asset value of such shares on the
date monies are received. Cost represents the aggregate of such purchases at
net asset value. Dividends from net investment income and capital gain
distributions are recognized on the ex-dividend date. Except for the Seligman
Cash Management Portfolio, which declares daily dividends, dividends and
capital gain distributions, if any, are declared annually.
b. Federal Income Taxes -- The Plan does not provide for Federal income taxes
since the operations of the Plan form a part of, and are taxed with, the
total operations of MBL Life which is taxed as a "life insurance company"
under the Internal Revenue Code. Earnings and realized capital gains and
losses, if any, of the Plan attributable to the Contract Owners, are excluded
in the determination of the Federal income tax liability of MBL Life.
c. Estimates -- The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
2. On April 29, 1994, the Third Amended Plan of Rehabilitation (the "Plan of
Rehabilitation") of Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company in Rehabilitation
("Mutual Benefit Life"), was implemented. The Plan of Rehabilitation, as
confirmed by the Superior Court of New Jersey (the "Court"), reaffirmed the
status of the Account as a separate account. Pursuant to the terms of the Plan
of Rehabilitation, substantially all of the assets and liabilities of Mutual
Benefit Life were transferred to MBL Life. In addition, the assets and
liabilities of the Plan were transferred to a new separate account of MBL Life.
Also, as of April 29, 1994, the ownership of the stock of MBL Life was
transferred to a Trust, of which the New Jersey Commissioner of Banking and
Insurance (the "Commissioner") is the sole Trustee.
MBL Life has decided that it will not accept applications for new contracts nor
will it accept additional purchase payments under existing contracts, including
transfers from the Fixed Accumulation Account to any sub-account of the Plan. In
addition, requests for transfers of amounts to the Fixed Accumulation Account
from the Plan will not be accepted. Annuity payments which commenced prior to
July 16, 1991, and any death benefits payable, both before and after July 16,
1991, are unaffected and will continue to be paid under the terms of the Plan of
Rehabilitation. In addition, the Plan of Rehabilitation permits redemptions of
amounts from any sub-account of the Plan to continue, as requested, along with
transfers between sub-accounts within the Plan.
3. On July 15, 1998, MBL Life entered into an agreement with Anchor National
Life Insurance Company ("Anchor National"), a subsidiary of SunAmerica, Inc.,
pursuant to which Anchor National will purchase the individual life and
individual and group annuity businesses of MBL Life (the "Acquisition"). In
accordance with the Plan of Rehabilitation, the Acquisition is subject to
certain judicial and regulatory approvals. Assuming that the necessary approvals
are obtained, it is currently anticipated that the Acquisition will occur no
later than December 31, 1998. The Acquisition will effect a resolution to the
proceedings associated with the Plan of Rehabilitation.
As part of the resolution of the proceedings associated with the Plan of
Rehabilitation, MBL Life has indicated that it intends to seek a court order to
terminate the Plan. Pursuant to the proposed court order, contract owners will
be provided with adequate notice and disclosure regarding the termination of the
Plan.
4. The net assets of the Plan, attributable to Variable Annuity Contract Owners
at June 30, 1998, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNIT ACCUMULATION
VARIABLE ACCUMULATION SUB-ACCOUNT UNITS OWNED VALUE VALUE
--------------------------------- ----------- ------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Seligman Capital Sub-Account....................................... 140,092 $36.460 $5,107,766
Seligman Cash Management Sub-Account............................... 572,261 1.447 828,062
Seligman Common Stock Sub-Account.................................. 380,784 37.649 14,336,131
Seligman Fixed Income Securities Sub-Account....................... 91,419 17.505 1,600,295
Seligman Income Sub-Account........................................ 162,066 23.419 3,795,433
-----------
Net assets attributable to Variable Annuity Contract Owners........... $25,667,687
===========
</TABLE>
-- 5 --
<PAGE>
SELIGMAN MUTUAL BENEFIT PLAN
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited) (continued)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. A charge, at the annual rate of 1.25% of the asset value of each sub-account,
is made daily against Plan assets for mortality and expense risks assumed by MBL
Life and for provision of the minimum death benefit. Any portion of this charge,
retained in the Plan and due to MBL Life, participates ratably in the investment
performance of the Plan.
Administration charges are made against the Contract Owner's account by
redemption of variable accumulation units.
6. Aggregate purchases and proceeds from the sales of investments for the six
months ended June 30, 1998, amounted to $351,695 and $2,770,911, respectively.
The net realized gain (loss) on sales of investments was calculated as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SELIGMAN SELIGMAN
SELIGMAN CASH SELIGMAN FIXED INCOME SELIGMAN
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMMON STOCK SECURITIES INCOME
COMBINED SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT
---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Proceeds from sales of investments.. $2,770,911 $315,226 $311,658 $1,428,477 $368,975 $346,575
Cost of investments sold............ 2,547,862 202,816 311,658 1,326,216 343,837 363,335
---------- --------- -------- ---------- -------- --------
Net realized gain (loss)
on investments................... $ 223,049 $112,410 $ -- $ 102,261 $ 25,138 $(16,760)
========== ========= ======== ========== ======== ========
</TABLE>
The net increase in unrealized appreciation was calculated as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SELIGMAN SELIGMAN
SELIGMAN CASH SELIGMAN FIXED INCOME SELIGMAN
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMMON STOCK SECURITIES INCOME
COMBINED SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT
---------- ----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unrealized appreciation
of investments:
Beginning of period................ $ 977,415 $ 835,707 $ -- $ 95,034 $ 38,635 $ 8,039
End of period...................... 3,408,105 1,373,869 -- 1,722,967 77,028 234,241
---------- --------- -------- ---------- -------- --------
Net increase in unrealized
appreciation of investments..... $2,430,690 $ 538,162 $ -- $1,627,933 $ 38,393 $226,202
========== ========= ======== ========== ======== ========
</TABLE>
7. The changes in the number of accumulation units outstanding were as follows
(see Note 2):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SELIGMAN SELIGMAN
SELIGMAN CASH SELIGMAN FIXED INCOME SELIGMAN
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT COMMON STOCK SECURITIES INCOME
SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT SUB-ACCOUNT
----------- ----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997
Balance at beginning of year.................... 173,135 1,151,458 492,347 138,915 215,733
Issued as a result of sub-account transfers..... 1,434 6,004 3,744 828 --
Redemptions and sub-account transfers........... (26,381) (373,931) (83,826) (29,967) (41,555)
------- --------- ------- ------- -------
Balance at end of year.......................... 148,188 783,531 412,265 109,776 174,178
======= ========= ======= ======= =======
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
Balance at beginning of period.................. 148,188 783,531 412,265 109,776 174,178
Issued as a result of sub-account transfers..... -- -- 6,156 360 310
Redemptions and sub-account transfers........... (8,096) (211,270) (37,637) (18,717) (12,422)
------- --------- ------- ------- -------
Balance at end of period........................ 140,092 572,261 380,784 91,419 162,066
======= ========= ======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
-- 6 --
<PAGE>
[MBL LIFE ASSURANCE CORPORATION LETTERHEAD]
August 12, 1998
Dear Contract Owner:
On July 15, 1998, MBL Life Assurance Corporation, issuer of the Seligman Mutual
Benefit Plan (the "Plan"), announced the proposed sale of most of its life
insurance and annuity businesses to Anchor National Life Insurance Company, a
subsidiary of SunAmerica, Inc. The transaction is subject to certain judicial
and regulatory approvals. Assuming the necessary approvals are obtained, it is
currently anticipated that the transaction will occur no later than
December 31, 1998.
As an MBL Life individual annuity Contract Owner, you will receive additional
detailed information about the proposed sale. In this letter, however, I
want to tell you how the sale will effect the Plan, and also note that you may
have, among other options, the opportunity to exchange your Plan account
tax-free for a product offered by one of the SunAmerica life companies.
The sale of MBL Life's insurance businesses will effect a resolution of the
Mutual Benefit Life Rehabilitation, probably in June of 1999. At that time, the
Plan will be dissolved. MBL Life will then begin the process of terminating
all business operations.
Before this happens, you will receive detailed information about the options
available to you. There will be adequate time to decide to exchange, transfer
or redeem your account. There is nothing that you need to do now.
In the meantime, we appreciate your continued support and welcome your comments
and observations. We thank you for your continued confidence in the Seligman
Mutual Benefit Plan. If you have any questions, please call your Customer
Service Representative at 1-800-435-3191.
Sincerely,
/s/William G. Clark
William G. Clark
Senior Vice President
Pension and Investment Products
MBL Life Assurance Corporation
