<PAGE> 1
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 28, 1999
Registration Nos. 33-37577
811-5439
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
----------------------------------
FORM N-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Post-Effective Amendment No. 15
AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Amendment No. 73
VARIABLE ACCOUNT D
OF
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant)
----------------------------------
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(Name of Depositor)
500 Bielenberg Drive
Woodbury, Minnesota 55125
(Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices)
Depositor's Telephone Number, including Area Code:
651-738-5590
----------------------------------
RHONDA J. SCHWARTZ, ESQ.
500 Bielenberg Drive
Woodbury, Minnesota 55125
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the
effective date of this Registration Statement.
----------------------------------
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485.
-----
X on May 1, 2000 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485.
-----
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485.
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on pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485.
----- -----------------
If appropriate, check the following box:
This post-effective amendment designated a new effective date for
----- a previously filed post-effective amendment.
----------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
VARIABLE ACCOUNT D OF
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
Cross Reference Sheet Showing Location
of Information in Prospectus or
Statement of Additional Information
Form N-4 Prospectus Caption
-------- ------------------
1. Cover Page Cover Page
2. Definitions Special Terms Used in This
Prospectus
3. Synopsis of Highlights Summary of Contract Features
4. Condensed Financial Further Information About Fortis
Information Benefits
5. General Description of Cover Page; Summary of Certificate
Registrant, Depositor and Features; Fortis Benefits/Fortis
Portfolio Companies Financial Group Member; The Variable
Account; Series Fund; The Fixed Account;
Further Information About Fortis
Benefits
6. Deductions Summary of Contract Features; Charges
and Deductions
7. General Description of Accumulation Period; General Provisions
Variable Annuity Contracts
8. Annuity Period The Annuity Period
9. Death Benefit Summary of Contract Features;
Accumulation Period
10. Purchase and Contract Value Accumulation Period
11. Redemptions Summary of Contract Features; Total and
Partial Surrenders
12. Taxes Summary of Certificate Features; Federal
Tax Matters
13. Legal Proceedings None
14. Table of Contents of the Contents of the Statement of
Statement of Additional Additional Information
Information
Statement of Additional
Form N-4 Information Caption
--------- -----------------------
(cont'd.)
15. Cover Page Cover Page
16. Table of Contents Table of Contents
17. General Information and Ownership of Securities
History (in Prospectus)
18. Services Services
19. Purchase of Securities Reduction in Charges
Being Offered
20. Underwriters Services
21. Calculation of Performance Data Appendix A to Statement of
Additional Information
22. Annuity Payments Calculation of Annuity Payments
23. Financial Statements Variable Account
Financial Statements
<PAGE> 3
FORTIS
MASTERS
VARIABLE
ANNUITY
Contracts Under Flexible
Premium Deferred
Combination Variable and
Fixed Annuity Contracts
PROSPECTUS DATED
May 1, 2000
[FORTIS SOLID PARTNERS, FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS(SM) LOGO]
95961 (ED. 5/00)
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
MAILING STREET ADDRESS: PHONE: 1-800-800-2000
ADDRESS: 500 BIELENBERG DRIVE EXTENSION 3057
P.O. BOX 64272 WOODBURY
ST. PAUL MINNESOTA 55125
MINNESOTA 55164
</TABLE>
This prospectus describes interests under flexible premium, deferred combination
variable and fixed annuity contracts issued by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
("Fortis Benefits").
These contracts allow you to accumulate funds on a tax-deferred basis. You may
elect a guaranteed interest accumulation option through a fixed account, or a
variable return accumulation option through a variable account, or a combination
of these two options. You can choose among 10 different guarantee periods under
the guaranteed interest accumulation option, each of which has its own interest
rate which is guaranteed for the entire guarantee period.
Under the variable return accumulation option, you can choose among the
following investment portfolios (those portfolios which have a non-Fortis
subadvisor include the name of the subadvisor at the beginning of the portfolio
name):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Money Market Series Dreyfus -- S&P 500 Index Series
U.S. Government Securities Series T. Rowe Price -- Blue Chip Stock
Diversified Income Series Series
AIM -- Multisector Bond Series AIM -- Blue Chip Stock Series II
High Yield Series Lazard Freres -- International Stock
Morgan Stanley -- Global Asset Series
Allocation Series Dreyfus -- Mid Cap Stock Series
Asset Allocation Series Berger -- Small Cap Value Series
Federated -- American Leaders Series Global Growth Series
Value Series MFS -- Global Equity Series
MFS -- Capital Opportunities Series Alliance -- Large Cap Growth Series
Growth & Income Series MFS -- Investors Growth Series
Growth Stock Series
Aggressive Growth Series
</TABLE>
The accompanying prospectus for these investment portfolios describes the
investment objectives, policies, and risks of each of the portfolios.
This prospectus gives you information about the contracts that you should know
before investing. This prospectus must be accompanied by a current prospectus of
the available investment portfolios. These prospectuses should be read carefully
and kept for future reference.
A Statement of Additional Information, dated May 1, 2000, about certain aspects
of the contracts has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
is available, without charge, from Fortis Benefits at the address and phone
number printed above. The Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional
Information appears on page 25 of this prospectus.
THESE CONTRACTS ARE NOT OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK,
CREDIT UNION, BROKER-DEALER, OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTION. THEY ARE NOT
FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL
RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY. THEY INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING THE
POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE> 4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
<S> <C>
Special Terms Used in this Prospectus....................... 3
Information Concerning Fees and Charges..................... 4
Summary of Contract Features................................ 6
- Fortis Benefits/Fortis Financial Group Member........ 9
The Variable Account........................................ 9
Series Fund................................................. 9
The Fixed Account........................................... 10
- Guaranteed Interest Rates/Guarantee Periods.......... 10
- Market Value Adjustment.............................. 10
- Investments by Fortis Benefits....................... 11
Accumulation Period......................................... 11
- Issuance of a Contract and Purchase Payments......... 11
- Contract Value....................................... 12
- Allocation of Purchase Payments and Contract Value... 12
- Total and Partial Surrenders......................... 13
- Telephone Transactions............................... 14
- Benefit Payable on Death of Annuitant or Owner....... 14
The Annuity Period.......................................... 15
- Annuity Commencement Date............................ 15
- Commencement of Annuity Payments..................... 15
- Relationship Between Subaccount Investment
Performance and Amount of Variable Annuity Payments... 15
- Annuity Options...................................... 15
- Death of Annuitant or Other Payee.................... 16
Charges and Deductions...................................... 16
- Premium Taxes........................................ 16
- Charges Against the Variable Account................. 16
- Tax Charge........................................... 16
- Surrender Charge..................................... 16
- Miscellaneous........................................ 17
- Reduction of Charges................................. 17
General Provisions.......................................... 17
- The Contracts........................................ 17
- Postponement of Payment.............................. 18
- Misstatement of Age or Sex and Other Errors.......... 18
- Assignment........................................... 18
- Beneficiary.......................................... 18
- Reports.............................................. 18
Rights Reserved By Fortis Benefits.......................... 18
Distribution................................................ 18
Federal Tax Matters......................................... 19
Further Information about Fortis Benefits................... 21
- General.............................................. 21
- Ownership of Securities.............................. 21
- Selected Financial Data.............................. 21
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations................................. 22
Voting Privileges........................................... 23
Legal Matters............................................... 24
Other Information........................................... 24
Contents of Statement of Additional Information............. 24
Fortis Benefits Financial Statements........................ 24
Appendix A--Sample Market Value Adjustment Calculations..... A-1
Appendix B--Sample Death Benefit Calculations............... B-1
Appendix C--Explanation of Expense Calculations............. C-1
</TABLE>
THE CONTRACTS 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, THE RELATED STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, OR
ANY SUPPLEMENTS THERETO OR IN ANY SUPPLEMENTAL SALES MATERIAL AUTHORIZED BY
FORTIS BENEFITS.
<PAGE> 5
SPECIAL TERMS USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS
Accumulation PeriodThe time period under a contract between the contract issue
date and the annuity commencement date.
Accumulation Unit A unit of measure used to calculate the owners' interest in
the Variable Account during the Accumulation Period.
Annuitant A person during whose life annuity payments are to be made by
Fortis Benefits under the contract.
Annuity Period The time period following the Accumulation Period, during
which annuity payments are made by Fortis Benefits.
Annuity Unit A unit of measurement used to calculate variable annuity
payments.
Fixed Annuity An annuity option under which Fortis Benefits promises to pay
the Annuitant or any other payee Option that you designate
one or more fixed payments.
Market Value Adjustment
Positive or negative adjustment in fixed account value that
we make if such value is paid out more than fifteen days
before or after the end of a guarantee period in which it was
being held.
Non-Qualified Contracts
Contracts that do not qualify for the special federal income
tax treatment applicable in connection with certain
retirement plans.
Qualified ContractsContracts that do qualify for the special federal income tax
treatment applicable in connection with certain retirement
plans.
Series Fund Fortis Series Fund, Inc., a diversified, open-end management
investment company in which the Variable Account invests.
Seven Year The seventh anniversary of a contract issue date, and each
Anniversary subsequent seventh anniversary of that date.
Valuation Date All business days except, with respect to any subaccount,
days on which the related portfolio does not value its
shares. Generally, the portfolios value their shares on each
day the New York Stock Exchange is open.
Valuation Period The period that starts at the close of regular trading on the
New York Stock Exchange on a Valuation Date and ends at the
close of regular trading on the exchange on the next
succeeding Valuation Date.
Variable The segregated asset account referred to as Variable Account
D Account of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company established to
receive and invest purchase payments under contracts.
Variable Annuity Option
An annuity option under which Fortis Benefits promises to pay
the Annuitant or any other payee chosen by you one or more
payments which vary in amount in accordance with the net
investment experience of the subaccounts selected by the
Annuitant.
3
<PAGE> 6
INFORMATION CONCERNING FEES AND CHARGES
OWNER TRANSACTION CHARGES
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Front-End Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases................. 0%
Maximum Surrender Charge for Sales Expenses................. 7%(1)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF YEARS SURRENDER CHARGE AS A
SINCE PURCHASE PERCENTAGE OF
PAYMENT WAS CREDITED PURCHASE PAYMENT
-------------------- ---------------------
<S> <C>
Less than 1 7%
At least 1 but less than 2 6%
At least 2 but less than 3 5%
At least 3 but less than 4 4%
At least 4 but less than 5 3%
At least 5 but less than 6 2%
At least 6 but less than 7 1%
7 or more 0%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Other Surrender Fees........................................ 0%
Exchange Fee................................................ 0%
ANNUAL CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION CHARGE............................ $ 0
VARIABLE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES
(AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE ACCOUNT VALUE)
Mortality and Expense Risk Charge........................... 1.25%
Variable Account Administrative Charge...................... .10%
Total Variable Account Annual Expenses...................... 1.35%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------
(1) This charge does not apply in certain cases such as partial surrenders each
year of up to 10% of "new purchase payments" as defined under the heading
"Surrender Charge," or payment of a death benefit.
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT WITH RESPECT TO FIXED ACCOUNT
Surrenders and other withdrawals from the fixed account more than fifteen days
from the end of a guarantee period are subject to a Market Value Adjustment. The
Market Value Adjustment may increase or reduce the fixed account value. We
compute this adjustment according to a formula that we describe in more detail
under "Market Value Adjustment".
PORTFOLIO ANNUAL EXPENSES (a)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
U.S.
MONEY GOVERNMENT DIVERSIFIED GLOBAL ASSET ASSET AMERICAN
MARKET SECURITIES INCOME MULTI SECTOR HIGH YIELD ALLOCATION ALLOCATION LEADERS
SERIES SERIES SERIES BOND SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES
------ ---------- ----------- ------------ ---------- ------------ ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investment and Management
Fee...................... 0.30% 0.47% 0.47% 0.75% 0.50% 0.90% 0.47% 0.90%
Other Expenses............. 0.05% 0.05% 0.07% 0.15% 0.07% 0.12% 0.05% 0.35%
Total Fortis Series
Operating Expenses....... 0.35% 0.52% 0.54% 0.90% 0.57% 1.02% 0.52% 1.25%
<CAPTION>
CAPITAL GROWTH & S&P 500
VALUE OPPORTUNITIES INCOME INDEX
SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES
------ ------------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investment and Management
Fee...................... 0.70% 0.90% 0.63% 0.40%
Other Expenses............. 0.08% 0.35% 0.06% 0.06%
Total Fortis Series
Operating Expenses....... 0.78% 1.25% 0.69% 0.46%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BLUE
CHIP GLOBAL GLOBAL
BLUE CHIP STOCK INTERNATIONAL MID CAP SMALL CAP GROWTH EQUITY
STOCK SERIES SERIES II STOCK SERIES STOCK SERIES VALUE SERIES SERIES SERIES
------------ --------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investment and Management Fee........... 0.87% 0.95% 0.84% 0.90% 0.90% 0.70% 1.00%
Other Expenses.......................... 0.05% 0.35% 0.10% 0.28% 0.14% 0.07% 0.35%
Total Fortis Series Operating
Expenses.............................. 0.92% 1.30% 0.94% 1.18% 1.04% 0.77% 1.35%
<CAPTION>
LARGE
CAP INVESTORS GROWTH AGGRESSIVE
GROWTH GROWTH STOCK GROWTH
SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES
------ --------- ------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investment and Management Fee........... 0.90% 0.90% 0.61% 0.66%
Other Expenses.......................... 0.07% 0.35% 0.05% 0.06%
Total Fortis Series Operating
Expenses.............................. 0.97% 1.25% 0.66% 0.72%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------
(a) As a percentage of Series average net assets based on 1999 historical data,
except for that American Leaders, Capital Opportunities, Blue Chip Stock
Series II, Global Equity and Investors Growth, the amounts are based upon
estimates after reimbursement for the current fiscal year. The estimated
expenses for those portfolios prior to reimbursement is as follows; Global
Equity 1.40%, Investors Growth 1.30%, Capital Opportunities 1.30%, American
Leaders 1.30% and Blue Chip II 1.30%.
4
<PAGE> 7
EXAMPLES*
If you Surrender your contract in full at the end of any of the time periods
shown below, you would pay the following cumulative expenses on a $1,000
investment, assuming a 5% annual return on assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IF ALL AMOUNTS ARE INVESTED IN ONE PORTFOLIO: 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
--------------------------------------------- ------ ------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Money Market................................................ $80 $ 98 $118 $198
U.S. Government Securities.................................. 82 103 127 216
Diversified Income.......................................... 82 103 128 218
Multisector Bond............................................ 86 114 146 255
High Yield.................................................. 82 104 129 221
Global Asset Allocation..................................... 87 118 152 267
Asset Allocation............................................ 82 103 127 216
American Leaders............................................ 89 125 163 290
Value....................................................... 84 111 140 243
Capital Opportunities....................................... 89 125 163 290
Growth & Income............................................. 83 108 135 233
S&P 500 Index............................................... 81 101 123 209
Blue Chip Stock............................................. 86 115 147 257
Blue Chip Stock II.......................................... 90 126 166 295
International Stock......................................... 86 116 148 259
MidCap Stock Series......................................... 88 123 160 283
Small Cap Value Series...................................... 87 119 153 269
Global Growth............................................... 84 110 139 242
Global Equity............................................... 90 128 168 300
Large Cap Growth Series..................................... 86 116 149 262
Investors Growth Series..................................... 89 125 163 290
Growth Stock................................................ 83 107 134 230
Aggressive Growth........................................... 84 109 137 237
</TABLE>
If you commence an annuity payment option, or do not surrender your contract,
you would pay the following cumulative expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming
a 5% annual return on assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IF ALL AMOUNTS ARE INVESTED IN ONE PORTFOLIO: 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
--------------------------------------------- ------ ------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Money Market................................................ $17 $53 $ 91 $198
U.S. Government Securities.................................. 19 58 100 216
Diversified Income.......................................... 19 58 101 218
Multisector Bond............................................ 23 69 119 255
High Yield.................................................. 19 59 102 221
Global Asset Allocation..................................... 24 73 125 267
Asset Allocation............................................ 19 58 100 216
American Leaders............................................ 26 80 136 290
Value....................................................... 21 66 113 243
Capital Opportunities....................................... 26 80 136 290
Growth & Income............................................. 20 63 108 233
S&P 500 Index............................................... 18 56 96 209
Blue Chip Stock............................................. 23 70 120 257
Blue Chip Stock II.......................................... 27 81 139 295
International Stock......................................... 23 71 121 259
MidCap Stock Series......................................... 25 78 133 283
Small Cap Value Series...................................... 24 74 126 269
Global Growth............................................... 21 65 112 242
Global Equity............................................... 27 83 141 300
Large Cap Growth Series..................................... 23 71 122 262
Investors Growth Series..................................... 26 80 136 290
Growth Stock................................................ 20 62 107 230
Aggressive Growth........................................... 21 64 110 237
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------
* Does not include the effect of any Market Value Adjustment.
THE EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE
EXPENSES, AND ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
------------------------------
We have included the foregoing tables and examples to help you understand the
transaction and operating expenses we directly or indirectly impose under the
contracts and under the Series Fund. Please note, we will also deduct amounts
for state premium taxes or similar assessments where these deductions are
applicable.
See Appendix C for an explanation of the calculation of the amounts set forth
above.
5
<PAGE> 8
SUMMARY OF CONTRACT FEATURES
The following summary should be read in conjunction with the detailed
information in this prospectus. Variations from the information appearing in
this prospectus due to requirements particular to your state are described in
supplements which are attached to this prospectus, or in endorsements to the
contract as appropriate.
The contracts are designed to provide individuals with retirement benefits
through the accumulation of purchase payments on a fixed or variable basis, and
by the application of such accumulations to provide fixed or variable annuity
payments.
Depending on the state that you live in, the contract that is issued to you may
be as a part of a group contract or as an individual contract. Participation in
a group contract will be evidenced by the issuance of a certificate showing your
interest under the group contract. In other states, an individual contract will
be issued to you. Both the certificate and the contract are referred to as a
"contract" in this prospectus.
FREE LOOK
You have the right to examine a contract during a "free look" period after you
receive the contract and return it for a refund of the amount of the then
current contract value. However, in certain states where required by state law
the refund will be in the amount of all purchase payments that have been made,
without interest or appreciation or depreciation. The "free look" period is
generally 10 days unless a longer time is specified on the face page of your
contract.
PURCHASE PAYMENTS
The initial purchase payment under a contract must be at least $5,000 ($2,000
for a contract which is a part of a qualified plan). Additional purchase
payments under a contract must be at least $50. See "Issuance of a Contract and
Purchase Payments".
ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS
On the date that the contract is issued, the initial purchase payment is
allocated, as specified by you in the contract application, among one or more of
the portfolios, or to one or more of the guarantee periods in the fixed account,
or to a combination thereof. Subsequent purchase payments are allocated in the
same way, or pursuant to different allocation percentages that you may request
in writing.
VARIABLE ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Each of the subaccounts of the Variable Account invests in shares of a
corresponding portfolio of Series Fund. Contract value in each of the
subaccounts of the Variable Account will vary to reflect the investment
experience of each of the corresponding portfolios, as well as deductions for
certain charges.
Each portfolio has a separate and distinct investment objective and is managed
by Fortis Advisers, Inc. or a subadviser of Fortis Advisers, Inc. A full
description of the portfolios and their investment objectives, policies, risks
and expenses can be found in the current prospectus for Series Fund, which
accompanies this prospectus, and Series Fund Statement of Additional Information
which is available upon request from Fortis Benefits at the address and phone
number on the cover of this prospectus.
FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Any amount allocated by the owner to the fixed account earns a guaranteed
interest rate. The level of the guaranteed interest rate depends on the length
of the guarantee period selected by the owner. We currently make available ten
different guarantee periods, ranging from one to ten years.
If amounts are transferred, surrendered or otherwise paid out more than fifteen
days before or after the end of the applicable guarantee period, a Market Value
Adjustment will be applied to increase or decrease the amount of fixed account
value that is paid out. Accordingly, the Market Value Adjustment can result in
gains or losses to you.
THE FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTION IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR CONTRACTS ISSUED IN THE
STATES OF PENNSYLVANIA AND NEVADA.
For a more complete discussion of the fixed account investment options and the
Market Value Adjustment, see "The Fixed Account".
TRANSFERS
During the Accumulation Period, you can transfer all or part of your contract
value from one subaccount to another or into the fixed account and, subject to
any Market Value Adjustment, from one guarantee period to another or into a
subaccount. There is currently no charge for these transfers. We reserve the
right to restrict the frequency of or otherwise condition, terminate, or impose
charges upon, transfers from a subaccount during the Accumulation Period. During
the Annuity Period the person receiving annuity payments may make up to four
transfers (but not from a Fixed Annuity Option) during each year of the Annuity
Period. For a description of certain limitations on transfer rights, see
"Allocations of Purchase Payments and Contract Value--Transfers".
TOTAL OR PARTIAL SURRENDERS
Subject to certain conditions, all or part of the contract value may be
surrendered by you before the earlier of the Annuitant's death or the annuity
commencement date. Amounts surrendered may be subject to a surrender charge and,
in addition, amounts surrendered from the fixed account may be subject to a
Market Value Adjustment. See "Total and Partial Surrenders," "Surrender Charge"
and "Market Value Adjustment". Particular attention should be paid to the tax
implications of any surrender, including possible penalties for premature
distributions. See "Federal Tax Matters".
ANNUITY PAYMENTS
The contract provides several types of annuity benefits to you or to other
persons you properly designate to receive such payments, including Fixed and
Variable Annuity Options. The owner has considerable flexibility in choosing the
annuity commencement date. However, the tax implications of an annuity
commencement date must be carefully considered, including the possibility of
penalties for commencing benefits either too soon or too late. See "Annuity
Commencement Date," "Annuity Options" and "Federal Tax Matters" in this
prospectus and "Taxation Under Certain Retirement Plans" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
6
<PAGE> 9
DEATH BENEFIT
In the event that the Annuitant or owner dies prior to the annuity commencement
date, a death benefit is payable to the beneficiary. See "Benefit Payable on
Death of Annuitant or Owner".
LIMITATIONS IMPOSED BY RETIREMENT PLANS AND EMPLOYERS
Certain rights you would otherwise have under a contract may be limited by the
terms of any applicable employee benefit plan. These limitations may restrict
such things as total and partial surrenders, the amount or timing of purchase
payments that may be made, when annuity payments must start and the type of
annuity options that may be selected. Accordingly, you should familiarize
yourself with these and all other aspects of any retirement plan in connection
with which a contract is issued.
The record owner of the group variable annuity contract pursuant to which group
certificates will be issued will be a bank trustee whose sole function is to
hold record ownership of the contract or an employer (or the employer's
designee) in connection with an employee benefit plan. In the latter cases,
certain rights that an owner otherwise would have under a contract may be
reserved instead by the employer.
TAX IMPLICATIONS
The tax implications for you or any other persons who may receive payments under
a contract, and those of any related employee benefit plan can be quite
important. A brief discussion of some of these is set out under "Federal Tax
Matters" in this prospectus and "Taxation Under Certain Retirement Plans" in the
Statement of Additional Information, but such discussion is not comprehensive.
Therefore, you should consider these matters carefully and consult a qualified
tax adviser before making purchase payments or taking any other action in
connection with a contract or any related employee benefit plan. Failure to do
so could result in serious adverse tax consequences which might otherwise have
been avoided.
QUESTIONS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
Any question about procedures of the contract should be directed to your sales
representative, or Fortis Benefits' home office: P.O. Box 64272, St. Paul,
Minnesota, 55164: 1-800-800-2000, extension 3057. Purchase payments and written
requests should be mailed or delivered to the same home office address. All
communications should include the contract number, the owner's name and, if
different, the Annuitant's name. The number for telephone transfers is
1-800-800-2000 (extension 3057).
Any purchase payment or other communication, except a 10-day cancellation
notice, is deemed received at Fortis Benefit's home office on the actual date of
receipt there in proper form unless received (1) after the close of regular
trading on The New York Stock Exchange, or (2) on a date that is not a Valuation
Date. In either of these two cases, the date of receipt will be deemed to be the
next Valuation Date.
7
<PAGE> 10
FINANCIAL AND PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The information presented below reflects the Accumulation Unit information for
subaccounts of the Variable Account through December 31, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GLOBAL
MONEY U.S. GOV'T DIVERSIFIED MULTISECTOR HIGH ASSET ASSET
MARKET SECURITIES INCOME BOND YIELD ALLOCATION ALLOCATION
------ ---------- ----------- ----------- ----- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 1999
Accum Unit in Force........ 59,567,286 6,961,590 46,271,405 1,402,949 4,713,245 3,230,112 152,820,325
Accum Unit Values.......... $1.587 $17.823 $1.998 $12.092 $12.799 $16.150 $3.923
December 31, 1998
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 39,532,433 7,577,700 51,323,231 1,236,211 4,984,906 3,315,158 160,803,266
Accumulation Unit Values... $1.532 $18.421 $2.059 $13.254 $12.823 $16.513 $3.326
December 31, 1997
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 31,491,629 7,743,923 49,942,498 1,123,401 4,194,544 2,918,483 156,035,843
Accumulation Unit Values... $1.474617 $17.149938 $1.963344 $11.837281 $12.917282 $14.433538 $2.809839
December 31, 1996
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 36,220,947 9,635,092 55,653,680 1,088,043 3,337,604 2,330,884 154,525,474
Accumulation Unit Values... $1.418 $15.935 $1.801 $11.961 $11.928 $12.884 $2.368
January 1, 1996*
Accumulation Unit Values... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
December 31, 1995
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 26,915,975 10,989,914 59,213,865 574,142 2,321,419 1,117,596 148,700,081
Accumulation Unit Value.... $1.367 $15.805 $1.753 $11.743 $10.941 $11.590 $2.134
January 2, 1995*
Accumulation Unit Value.... -- -- -- 10.000 -- 10.000 --
December 31, 1994
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 30,697,754 12,271,738 62,744,615 -- 1,216,957 -- 137,642,102
Accumulation Unit Value.... $1.311 $13.483 $1.515 -- $9.834 -- $1.773
May 1, 1994*
Accumulation Unit Value.... -- -- -- -- 10.0000 -- --
December 31, 1993
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 21,315,022 15,601,818 56,005,709 -- -- -- 106,834,367
Accumulation Unit Value.... $1.278 $14.609 $1.621 -- -- -- $1.797
December 31, 1992
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 20,674,556 9,505,984 19,353,521 -- -- -- 49,688,937
Accumulation Unit Value.... $1.261 $13.529 $1.457 -- -- -- $1.664
May 1, 1992*
Accumulation Unit Value.... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
December 31, 1991
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 7,235,168.03 3,595,759.23 6,056,976.03 -- -- -- 17,772,322.83
Accumulation Unit Value.... $1.237 $12.921 $1.379 -- -- -- $1.577
December 31, 1990
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 5,632,146.27 747,992.12 2,352,517.74 -- -- -- 8,249,373.75
Accumulation Unit Value.... $1.183 $11.450 $1.219 -- -- -- $1.252
<CAPTION>
GROWTH & INTERNATIONAL GLOBAL GROWTH
VALUE INCOME S&P 500 BLUE CHIP STOCK GROWTH STOCK
----- -------- ------- --------- ------------- ------ ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 1999
Accum Unit in Force........ 4,744,081 10,994,926 14,134,177 9,671,577 5,344,248 9,640,858 114,976,011
Accum Unit Values.......... $15.875 $23.775 $22.189 $21.571 $19.711 $33.343 $5.925
December 31, 1998
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 4,869,102 12,171,938 10,440,486 7,548,794 4,751,940 11,754,865 136,042,148
Accumulation Unit Values... $14.768 $21.767 $18.689 $18.238 $16.113 $21.433 $3.870
December 31, 1997
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 3,402,217 11,003,248 5,491,818 4,149,587 4,239,821 13,725,612 156,975,866
Accumulation Unit Values... $13.651572 $19.487584 $14.786540 $14.429421 $14.021796 $19.507894 $3.296005
December 31, 1996
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 1,071,648 7,892,683 1,259,758 915,358 3,137,348 13,713,860 169,095,500
Accumulation Unit Values... $11.048 $15.468 $11.326 $11.520 $12.690 $18.510 $2.971
January 1, 1996*
Accumulation Unit Values... 10.000 10.000 10.000 -- -- --
December 31, 1995
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 4,204,164 1,157,064 10,769,830 160,247,280
Accumulation Unit Value.... $12.904 $11.271 $15.754 $2.587 $12.461
January 2, 1995*
Accumulation Unit Value.... -- 10.000 -- --
December 31, 1994
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 1,489,517 -- 10,055,959 148,657,108
Accumulation Unit Value.... $10.083 -- $12.236 $2.054
May 1, 1994*
Accumulation Unit Value.... 10.0000 -- -- --
December 31, 1993
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... -- -- 5,108,957 118,720,649
Accumulation Unit Value.... -- -- $12.784 $2.142
December 31, 1992
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... -- -- 698,720 79,582,321
Accumulation Unit Value.... -- -- $10.988 $1.996
May 1, 1992*
Accumulation Unit Value.... -- -- 10.0000 --
December 31, 1991
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... -- -- -- 42,946,178.33
Accumulation Unit Value.... -- -- -- $1.965
December 31, 1990
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... -- -- -- 14,690,313.64
Accumulation Unit Value.... -- -- $1.298 --
<CAPTION>
AGGRESSIVE MID CAP LARGE CAP SMALL CAP
GROWTH GROWTH GROWTH VALUE
---------- ------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 1999
Accum Unit in Force........ 6,379,981 1,441,402 3,962,830 2,496,974
Accum Unit Values.......... $32.680 $10.538 $14.754 $10.659
December 31, 1998
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 6,165,803 765,338 842,995 1,098,102
Accumulation Unit Values... $15.829 $9.625 $11.755 $9.367
December 31, 1997
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 6,551,677
Accumulation Unit Values... $13.241215
December 31, 1996
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 5,706,895
Accumulation Unit Values... $13.232
January 1, 1996*
Accumulation Unit Values...
December 31, 1995
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 3,033,587
Accumulation Unit Value....
January 2, 1995*
Accumulation Unit Value.... --
December 31, 1994
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... 1,115,647
Accumulation Unit Value.... $9.723
May 1, 1994*
Accumulation Unit Value.... $10.0000
December 31, 1993
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... -- --
Accumulation Unit Value.... --
December 31, 1992
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... --
Accumulation Unit Value.... --
May 1, 1992*
Accumulation Unit Value.... --
December 31, 1991
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... --
Accumulation Unit Value.... --
December 31, 1990
Accumulation Units in
Force.................... --
Accumulation Unit Value....
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------
* Accumulation Unit value at date of initial registration statement
effectiveness
8
<PAGE> 11
Audited financial statements of the Variable Account are included in the
Statement of Additional Information.
Advertising and other sales materials may include yield and total return figures
for the subaccounts of the Variable Account. These figures are based on
historical results and are not intended to indicate future performance. "Yield"
is the income generated by an investment in the subaccount over a period of time
specified in the advertisement. This rate of return is assumed to be earned over
a full year and is shown as a percentage of the investment. "Total Return" is
the total change in value of an investment in the subaccount over a period of
time specified in the advertisement. The rate of return shown would produce that
change in value over the specified period, if compounded annually. Yield figures
do not reflect the surrender charge and yield and total return figures do not
reflect premium tax charges. This makes the performance shown more favorable.
Financial information concerning Fortis Benefits is included in this prospectus
under "Additional Information About Fortis Benefits" and "Fortis Benefits
Financial Statements".
FORTIS BENEFITS/FORTIS FINANCIAL GROUP MEMBER
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company is the issuer of the contracts. At the end of
1999, Fortis Benefits had approximately $101 billion of total life insurance in
force. Fortis Benefits is a Minnesota corporation founded in 1910. It 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 (NL)N.V. and 50% by Fortis (B). Fortis, Inc. manages the United States
operations for these two companies.
Fortis Benefits is a member of the Fortis Financial Group. This group is a joint
effort by Fortis Benefits, Fortis Advisers, Inc., Fortis Investors, Inc., and
Fortis Insurance Company, to offer financial products through the management,
marketing, and servicing of mutual funds, annuities, and life insurance.
Fortis (NL)N.V. is a diversified financial services company headquartered in
Utrecht, The Netherlands, where its insurance operations began in 1847. Fortis
(B) is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Brussels,
Belgium, where its insurance operations began in 1824. Fortis (NL)N.V. and
Fortis (B) 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. The Fortis group of companies had
approximately $406 billion in assets at the end of 1999.
All of the guarantees and commitments under the contracts are general
obligations of Fortis Benefits regardless of whether you have allocated the
contract value to the Variable Account or to the fixed account. None of Fortis
Benefits' affiliated companies has any legal obligation to back Fortis Benefits'
obligations under the contracts.
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT
The Variable Account is a segregated investment account of Fortis Benefits.
Fortis Benefits established Variable Account D under Minnesota insurance law as
of October 14, 1987. The Variable Account is an integral part of Fortis
Benefits. However, the Variable Account is registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act
of 1940. Assets in the Variable Account representing reserves and liabilities
under these contracts and other variable annuity contracts issued by Fortis
Benefits will not be chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other
business of Fortis Benefits.
The Variable Account has subaccounts. The assets in each subaccount are invested
exclusively in a distinct class (or series) of stock issued by Series Fund, each
of which represents a separate investment portfolio within Series Fund. Income
and both realized and unrealized gains or losses from the assets of each
subaccount of the Variable Account are credited to or charged against that
subaccount without regard to income, gains or losses from any other subaccount
of the Variable Account or arising out of any other business we may conduct. We
may add or eliminate new subaccounts as new portfolios are added or are
eliminated.
SERIES FUND
Series Fund is a "series" type of mutual fund. Series Fund is registered with
the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Series Fund has served as the investment medium for the Variable Account since
the Variable Account began operations. Series Fund is also the investment medium
for the variable account of Fortis Benefits through which variable life
insurance policies are issued by Fortis Benefits. We do not foresee any conflict
between your interests and the interests of life insurance policy owners.
However, Series Fund's Board of Directors will monitor to identify any material,
irreconcilable conflicts which may develop. Series Fund's Board of Directors
will 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 Series Fund shares for the Variable
Account at their net asset value without any sales or redemption charges. These
shares are interests in the portfolios of Series Fund available for investment
by the Variable Account. Each portfolio corresponds to one of the subaccounts of
the Variable Account. The assets of each portfolio are separate from the assets
of other portfolios. In addition, each portfolio operates as a separate
investment portfolio whose investment performance has no effect on the
investment performance of any other portfolio.
We automatically reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions attributable
to contracts in shares of the portfolio from which they are received at the
portfolio's net asset value on the date paid. These dividends and distributions
will have the effect of reducing the net asset value of each share of the
corresponding portfolio and increasing, by an equivalent value, the number of
shares outstanding of the portfolio. However, the value of your interest in the
corresponding subaccount will not change as a result of any of these dividends
and distributions.
The portfolios of Series Fund available for investment by the Variable Account
are listed on the cover page of this prospectus.
A full description of the portfolios, their investment policies and
restrictions, the charges, the risks associated with investing in them, and
other aspects of their operations is contained in the
9
<PAGE> 12
prospectus for Series Fund accompanying this prospectus and in the Statement of
Additional Information for Series Fund. Additional copies of these documents may
be obtained from your sales representative or from our home office. The complete
risk disclosure in the prospectus for the Diversified Income Series, High Yield
Series, Asset Allocation Series, and Global Asset Allocation Series should be
read before selection of them for investment.
THE FIXED ACCOUNT
GUARANTEED INTEREST RATES/GUARANTEE PERIODS
Any amount you allocate to the fixed account earns a guaranteed interest rate
beginning on the date you make the allocation. The guaranteed interest rate
continues for the number of years you select, up to a maximum of ten years. At
the end of your guarantee period, your contract value, including accrued
interest, will be allocated to a new guarantee period of equal length. However,
you may reallocate your contract value to a different guarantee period (or
periods) or to one (or more) of the subaccounts of the Variable Account. If you
decide to reallocate your contract value, you must do so by sending us a written
request. We must receive your written request at least three business days
before the end of your guarantee period. The first day of your new guarantee
period (or other reallocation) will be the day after the end of your previous
guarantee period. We will notify you at least 45 days and not more than 75 days
before the end of your guarantee period.
We currently offer ten different guarantee periods. These guarantee periods
range in length from one to ten years. Each guarantee period has its own
guaranteed interest rate, which may differ from those for other guarantee
periods. From time to time we will, at our discretion, change the guaranteed
interest rate for future guarantee periods. These changes will not affect the
guaranteed interest rates we are paying on current guarantee periods. Please
note, when you allocate or transfer an amount to a guarantee period, a new
guarantee period begins running with respect to that amount. Therefore, the
amount you allocate will earn a guaranteed interest rate that will not change
until the end of that period. In addition, the guaranteed interest rate will
never be less than an effective annual rate of 4%.
We declare the guaranteed interest rates from time to time as market conditions
dictate. We advise you of the guaranteed interest rate for a chosen guarantee
period at the time we receive a purchase payment from you, or at the time we
execute a transfer you have requested, or at the time a guarantee period is
renewed.
We do not have a specific formula for establishing the guaranteed interest rates
for the guarantee periods. Guaranteed interest rates may be influenced by the
available interest rates on the investments we acquire with the amounts you
allocate for a particular guarantee period. Guaranteed interest rates do not
necessarily correspond to the available interest rates on the investments we
acquire with the amounts you allocate for a particular guarantee period. See
"Investments by Fortis Benefits". In addition, when we determine guaranteed
interest rates, we may consider: (1) the duration of a guarantee period, (2)
regulatory and tax requirements, (3) sales and administrative expenses we bear,
(4) risks we assume, (5) our profitability objectives, and (6) general economic
trends.
FORTIS BENEFITS' MANAGEMENT MAKES THE FINAL DETERMINATION OF THE GUARANTEED
INTEREST RATES WE DECLARE. WE CANNOT PREDICT OR ASSURE THE LEVEL OF ANY FUTURE
GUARANTEED INTEREST RATES IN EXCESS OF AN EFFECTIVE ANNUAL RATE OF 4%.
THE FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTION IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR CONTRACTS ISSUED IN THE
STATES OF PENNSYLVANIA AND NEVADA.
You may obtain information concerning the guaranteed interest rates that apply
to the various guarantee periods. You may obtain this information from our home
office or from your sales representative at any time.
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
Except as described below, we will apply a Market Value Adjustment to any fixed
account value that is:
- surrendered,
- transferred, or
- otherwise paid out
before the end of the guarantee period in which it is being held.
For example, we will apply a Market Value Adjustment to fixed account value that
we pay:
- as a death benefit pursuant to a contract,
- as an amount applied to an annuity option, and
- as an amount paid as a single sum in lieu of an annuity.
The Market Value Adjustment we apply may increase or decrease the fixed account
value that is withdrawn or transferred. We determine whether the fixed account
value is increased or decreased by performing a comparison of two guaranteed
interest rates.
The first rate we compare is the guaranteed interest rate for the fixed account
value that is withdrawn or transferred from the existing guarantee period. The
second rate we compare is the guaranteed interest rate we are then offering for
new guarantee periods with durations equal to the number of years remaining in
the existing guarantee period. After comparing these two rates, we determine
whether the fixed account value is increased or decreased as follows:
- If the first rate exceeds the second rate by more than 1/2%, the Market
Value Adjustment produces an increase in the fixed account value
withdrawn or transferred.
- If the first rate does not exceed the second rate by at least 1/2%, the
Market Value Adjustment produces a decrease in the fixed account value
withdrawn or transferred.
We will determine the Market Value Adjustment by multiplying the fixed account
value that is withdrawn or transferred from the existing guarantee period
(before deduction of any applicable surrender charge) by the following factor:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 + I n/12
------------ - 1
( 1 + J + .005 )
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE> 13
where,
- I is the guaranteed interest rate we credit to the fixed account value
that is withdrawn or transferred from the existing guarantee period.
- J is the guaranteed interest rate we are then offering for new guarantee
periods with durations equal to the number of years remaining in the
existing guarantee period (rounded up to the next higher number of
years).
- N is the number of months remaining in the existing guarantee period
(rounded up to the next higher number of months).
You will find sample Market Value Adjustment calculations in Appendix A.
We do not apply a Market Value Adjustment to withdrawals and transfers of fixed
account value under two exceptions. We describe these exceptions below.
We will not apply a Market Value Adjustment to fixed account value that we pay
out during a 30 day period that:
- begins 15 days before the end date of the guarantee period in which the
fixed account value was being held,
and that:
- ends 15 days after the end date of the guarantee period in which the
fixed account value was being held.
In addition, we will not apply a Market Value Adjustment to fixed account value
that is withdrawn or transferred from a guarantee period on a periodic,
automatic basis. This exception only applies to such withdrawals or transfers
under a formal Fortis Benefits program for the withdrawal or transfer of fixed
account value.
We may impose conditions and limitations on any formal Fortis Benefits program
for the withdrawal or transfer of fixed account value. Ask your Fortis Benefits
representative about the availability of such a program in your state. In
addition, if such a program is available in your state, your Fortis Benefits
representative can inform you about the conditions and limitations that may
apply to that program.
INVESTMENTS BY FORTIS BENEFITS
Fortis Benefits' legal obligations with respect to the fixed account are
supported by our general account assets. These general account assets also
support our obligations under other insurance and annuity contracts. Investments
purchased with amounts allocated to the fixed account are the property of Fortis
Benefits, and you have no legal rights in such investments. Subject to
applicable law, we have sole discretion over the investment of assets in our
general account and in the fixed account. Neither our general account nor the
fixed account is subject to registration under the Investment Company Act of
1940.
We will invest amounts in our general account, and amounts in the fixed account,
in compliance with applicable state insurance laws and regulations concerning
the nature and quality of investments for the general account. Within specified
limits and subject to certain standards and limitations, these laws generally
permit investment in:
- federal, state and municipal obligations,
- preferred and common stocks,
- corporate bonds,
- real estate mortgages,
- real estate, and
- certain other investments.
See "Fortis Benefits' Financial Statements" for information on our investments.
Investment management for amounts in our general account and in the fixed
account is provided to us by Fortis Advisors, Inc.
When we establish guaranteed interest rates, we will consider the available
return on the instruments in which we invest amounts allocated to the fixed
account. However, this return is only one of many factors we consider when we
establish the guaranteed interest rates. See "Guaranteed Interest
Rates/Guarantee Periods".
Generally, we expect to invest amounts allocated to the fixed account in debt
instruments. We expect that these debt instruments will approximately match our
liabilities with regard to the guarantee periods. We also expect that these debt
instruments will primarily include:
(1) securities issued by the United States Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities. These securities may or may not be guaranteed by the
United States Government;
(2) debt securities that, at the time of purchase, have an investment grade
within the four highest grades assigned by Moody's Investors Services, Inc.
("Moody's"), Standard & Poor's Corporation ("Standard & Poor's"), or any
other nationally recognized rating service. Moody's four highest grades are:
Aaa, Aa, A, and Baa. Standard & Poor's four highest grades are: AAA, AA, A,
and BBB;
(3) other debt instruments including, but not limited to, issues of, or
guaranteed by, banks or bank holding companies and corporations. Although
not rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's, we deem these obligations to have
an investment quality comparable to securities that may be purchased as
stated above;
(4) other evidences of indebtedness secured by mortgages or deeds of trust
representing liens upon real estate.
Except as required by applicable state insurance laws and regulations, we are
not obligated to invest amounts allocated to the fixed account according to any
particular strategy, See "Regulation and Reserves".
ACCUMULATION PERIOD
ISSUANCE OF A CONTRACT AND PURCHASE PAYMENTS
We reserve the right to reject any application for a contract or any purchase
payment for any reason. If we accept your issuing instructions in the form
received, we will credit the initial purchase payment within two Valuation Dates
after the later of (1) receipt of the issuing instructions or (2) receipt of the
initial purchase payment at our home office. If we cannot apply the
11
<PAGE> 14
initial purchase payment within five Valuation Dates after receipt because the
issuing instructions are incomplete, we will return the initial purchase payment
unless you consent to our retaining the initial purchase payment and applying it
as of the end of the Valuation Period in which the necessary requirements are
fulfilled. The initial purchase payment must be at least $5,000 ($2,000 for a
contract issued pursuant to a qualified plan).
The date that we apply the initial purchase payment to the purchase of the
contract is also the contract issue date. The contract issue date is the date
used to determine contract years, regardless of when we deliver the contract.
Our crediting of investment experience in the Variable Account, or a fixed rate
of return in the fixed account, generally begins as of the contract issue date.
We will accept additional purchase payments at any time after the contract issue
date and prior to the annuity commencement date, as long as the Annuitant is
living. You must transmit purchase payments (together with any required
information identifying the proper contracts and account to be credited with
purchase payments) to our home office. We apply additional purchase payments to
the contract, and add to the contract value as of the end of the Valuation
Period in which we receive the payments.
Each additional purchase payment under a contract must be at least $50. The
total of all purchase payments for all Fortis Benefits annuities having the same
owner or Annuitant, may not exceed $1 million (not more than $500,000 allocated
to the fixed account) without our prior approval. We reserve the right to modify
this limitation at any time.
You may make purchase payments in excess of the initial minimum by monthly draft
against a bank account if you have completed and returned to us a special
authorization form. You may get the form from your sales representative or from
our home office. We can also arrange for you to make purchase payments by wire
transfer, payroll deduction, military allotment, direct deposit and billing.
Purchase payments by check should be made payable to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company.
If the contract value is less than $1,000, we may cancel the contract on any
Valuation Date. We will notify you of our intention to cancel the contract at
least 90 days in advance of the cancellation date. If we do cancel your
contract, we consider such cancellation a full surrender of the contract.
CONTRACT VALUE
Contract value is the total of any Variable Account value in all the subaccounts
of the Variable Account, plus any fixed account value in all the guarantee
periods.
The contract does not guarantee a minimum Variable Account value. You bear the
entire investment risk for the contract value that you allocate to the Variable
Account.
Determination of Variable Account Value. A contract's Variable Account value is
based on the number of Accumulation Units and on Accumulation Unit values, which
are determined on each Valuation Date. The value of an Accumulation Unit for a
subaccount on any Valuation Date is equal to the previous value of that
subaccount's Accumulation Unit multiplied by that subaccount's net investment
factor (discussed directly below) for the Valuation Period ending on that
Valuation Date. At the end of any Valuation Period, a contract's Variable
Account value in a subaccount is equal to the number of Accumulation Units in
the subaccount times the value of one Accumulation Unit for that subaccount.
The number of Accumulation Units in each subaccount is equal to
- Accumulation Units purchased at the time that any purchase payments or
transferred amounts are allocated to the subaccount; less
- Accumulation Units redeemed to pay for the portion of any transfers from
or partial surrenders allocated to the subaccount; less
- Accumulation Units redeemed to pay charges under the contract.
Net Investment Factor. The net investment factor for a subaccount is determined
by dividing (1) the net asset value per share of the portfolio shares held by
the subaccount, determined at the end of the current Valuation Period, plus the
per share amount of any dividend or capital gains distribution made with respect
to the portfolio shares held by the subaccount during the current Valuation
Period, minus a per share charge for the increase, plus a per share credit for
the decrease, in any income taxes assessed which we determine to have resulted
from the investment operation of the subaccount or any other taxes which are
attributable to this contract, by (2) the net asset value per share of the
portfolio shares held in the subaccount as determined at the end of the previous
Valuation Period, and subtracting from that result a factor representing the
mortality risk, expense risk and administrative expense charge.
If a subaccount's net investment factor is greater than one, the subaccount's
Accumulation Unit value has increased. If a subaccount's net investment factor
is less than one, the subaccount's Accumulation Unit value has decreased.
Determination of Fixed Account Value. A contract's fixed account value is
guaranteed by Fortis Benefits. Therefore, we bear the investment risk with
respect to amounts allocated to the fixed account, except to the extent that (1)
we may vary the guaranteed interest rate for future guarantee periods (subject
to the 4% effective annual minimum) and (2) the Market Value Adjustment imposes
investment risks on you.
The contract's fixed account value on any Valuation Date is the sum of its fixed
account values in each guarantee period on that date. The fixed account value in
a guarantee period is equal to the following amounts, in each case increased by
accrued interest at the applicable guaranteed interest rate:
- The amount of purchase payments or transferred amounts allocated to the
guarantee period; less
- The amount of any transfers or surrenders out of the guarantee period.
ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS AND CONTRACT VALUE
Allocation of Purchase Payments. In your application for a contract, you may
allocate purchase payments, or portions of payments, to the:
- available subaccounts of the Variable Account, or
- to the guarantee periods in the fixed account, or
12
<PAGE> 15
- to a combination of the two previous options.
Percentages must be in whole numbers and the total allocation must equal 100%.
The percentage allocations for future purchase payments may be changed, without
charge, at any time by sending a written request to Fortis Benefits' home
office. Changes in the allocation of future purchase payments will be effective
on the date we receive your written request.
Transfers. You may transfer contract value:
- from one available subaccount to another available subaccount, or
- from one available subaccount to the fixed account, or
- from one guarantee period to another guarantee period, or
- from one guarantee period to an available subaccount
You must request transfers by (1) a written request to Fortis Benefits' home
office, or by (2) a telephone transfer as described below. Currently, we do not
charge for any transfer. However, transfers from a guarantee period that are (1)
more than 15 days before or 15 days after the expiration of the existing
guarantee period, or are (2) not a part of a formal Fortis Benefits program for
the transfer of fixed account value are subject to a Market Value Adjustment.
See "Market Value Adjustment".
The minimum transfer from a subaccount or guarantee period is the lesser of:
- $1,000, or
- all of the contract value in the subaccount or guarantee period.
However, we may permit a continuing request for transfers of lesser specified
amounts automatically on a periodic basis. We reserve the right to restrict the
frequency of transfers or to otherwise condition, terminate, or impose charges
(not to exceed $25 per transfer) upon transfers. Where you make all your
transfer requests at the same time, as part of one request, we will count all
transfers between and among the subaccounts of the Variable Account and the
fixed account as one transfer. We will execute the transfers, and determine all
values in connection with the transfers, at of the end of the Valuation Period
in which we receive the transfer request. The amount of any positive or negative
Market Value Adjustment will be added to or deducted from the transferred
amount.
Certain restrictions on very substantial allocations to any one subaccount are
set forth under "Limitations on Allocations" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
TOTAL AND PARTIAL SURRENDERS
Total Surrenders. You may surrender all of the cash surrender value at any time
during the life of the Annuitant and prior to the annuity commencement date. If
you choose to make a total surrender, you must do so by written request sent to
our home office. We reserve the right to require that the contract be returned
to us prior to making payment, although this will not affect our determination
of the amount of the cash surrender value. Cash surrender value is:
- the contract value at the end of the Valuation Period during which we
receive the written request for the total surrender at our home office,
less
- any applicable surrender charge, and
- after we have applied any Market Value Adjustment.
See "Surrender Charge" and "Market Value Adjustment".
We must receive written consent of all collateral assignees and irrevocable
beneficiaries prior to any total surrender. We will generally pay surrenders
from the Variable Account within seven days of the date of receipt by our home
office of the written request. However, we may postpone payments in certain
circumstances. See "Postponement of Payment".
The amount we pay upon total surrender of the cash surrender value (taking into
account any prior partial surrenders) may be more or less than the total
purchase payments you made. After a surrender of the cash surrender value or at
any time the contract value is zero, all rights of the owner, Annuitant, or any
other person will terminate.
Partial Surrenders. At any time during the life of the Annuitant and prior to
the annuity commencement date, you may surrender a portion of the fixed account
and/or the Variable Account. You must request partial surrender by a written
request sent to Fortis Benefits' home office. We will not accept a partial
surrender request from you unless the net proceeds payable to you, as a result
of the request, are at least $1,000. We will surrender the entire cash surrender
value under the contract if the total contract value in both the Variable
Account and fixed account would be less than $1,000 after the partial surrender.
You should specify the subaccounts of the Variable Account or guarantee periods
of the fixed account that you wish to partially surrender. If you do not
specify, we take the partial surrender from the subaccounts and from the
guarantee periods of the fixed account on a pro rata basis.
We will surrender Accumulation Units from the Variable Account and/ or dollar
amounts from the fixed account so that the total amount of the partial surrender
equals the dollar amount of the partial surrender request. We will reduce the
partial surrender by the amount of any applicable surrender charge. In addition,
if the surrender is from a guarantee period, we will reduce the amount payable
to you by any negative Market Value Adjustment, or we will increase the amount
payable to you by any positive Market Value Adjustment unless the surrender is
(1) within 15 days before or 15 days after the expiration of a guarantee period,
or (2) is a part of a formal Fortis Benefits program for the transfer or
withdrawal of fixed account value. The partial surrender will be effective at
the end of the Valuation Period in which we receive the written request for
partial surrender at our home office. Payments will generally be made within
seven days of the effective date of such request, although certain delays are
permitted. See "Postponement of Payment".
The Internal Revenue Code provides that a penalty tax will be imposed on certain
premature surrenders. For a discussion of this and other tax implications of
total and partial surrenders, including withholding requirements, see "Federal
Tax Matters". Also, under tax deferred annuity contracts pursuant to Sec-
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<PAGE> 16
tion 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, no distributions of voluntary salary
reduction amounts will be permitted prior to one of the following events:
attainment of age 59 1/2 by the employee or the employee's separation from
service, death, disability or hardship. (Hardship distributions will be limited
to the lesser of the amount of the hardship or the amount of salary reduction
contributions, exclusive of earnings thereon.)
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
You or your representative may make certain requests under the contract by
telephone if we have a written telephone authorization on file. These include
requests for (1) transfers, (2) withdrawals, and (3) changes in purchase payment
allocation instructions, dollar-cost averaging, portfolio rebalancing programs,
and systematic withdrawals. Our home office will employ reasonable procedures to
confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. These
procedures may include, among others, (1) requiring some form of personal
identification such as your address and social security number prior to acting
upon instructions received by telephone, (2) providing written confirmation of
such transactions, and/or (3) tape recording of telephone instructions. Your
request for telephone transactions authorizes us to record telephone calls. We
may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions if
we do not employ reasonable procedures. If we do employ reasonable procedures,
we will not be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
instructions. We reserve the right to place limits, including dollar limits, on
telephone transactions.
BENEFIT PAYABLE ON DEATH OF ANNUITANT OR OWNER
If the owner or Annuitant dies prior to the annuity commencement date, we will
pay a death benefit to the beneficiary. If more than one Annuitant has been
named, we will pay the death benefit payable upon the death of an Annuitant only
upon the death of the last survivor of the persons so named.
If the contract is issued on or after May 1, 1997 and in a state that has
approved the Enhanced Death Benefit Rider (check with your representative as to
its availability in your state), the death benefit will be equal to the greater
of (1), (2), or (3) as follows:
(1)(a) If an owner or the Annuitant dies before the date any owner or Annuitant
first reaches age 75, the accumulation of purchase payments made less all
prior surrenders and less any applicable prior negative Market Value
Adjustments less previously imposed surrender charges at an effective
annual rate of 3.0%. This amount may not exceed a maximum of two times
the following: purchase payments made less all prior surrenders and less
any applicable prior negative Market Value Adjustments less previously
imposed surrender charges. This amount is referred to as the "roll-up
amount".
or
(1)(b) If the Annuitant or owner dies on or after the date any owner or
Annuitant first reaches age 75, the roll-up amount as of the date that an
owner or Annuitant first reaches age 75, plus subsequent purchase
payments made, less subsequent surrenders and any subsequent negative
Market Value Adjustments less subsequently imposed surrender charges.
(2) The contract value adjusted by any applicable Market Value Adjustment as
of the date used for valuing the death benefit.
(3) The contract value adjusted by any Market Value Adjustment (less the
amount of any subsequent surrenders and surrender charges and negative
Market Value Adjustments in connection therewith), as of the contract's
Seven Year Anniversary immediately preceding the earlier of:
(a) the date of death of either the owner or Annuitant, or
(b) the date either first reaches his or her 75th birthday.
See Appendix B for Sample Death Benefit Calculations.
If the contract is issued prior to May 1, 1997, or on or after that date in a
state that has not approved the Enhanced Death Benefit rider, the death benefit
will be equal to the greater of (1), (2), or (3) as follows:
(1) The sum of all purchase payments made (less all prior surrenders and
previously-imposed surrender charges and prior negative Market Value
Adjustments);
(2) The contract value adjusted by any Market Value Adjustment, as of the date
used for valuing the death benefit; or
(3) The contract value adjusted by any Market Value Adjustment (less the amount
of any subsequent surrenders and surrender charges and negative Market Value
Adjustments in connection therewith), as of the contract's Seven Year
Anniversary immediately preceding the earlier of:
(a) the date of death of either the owner or Annuitant, or
(b) the date either first reaches his or her 75th birthday.
The value of the death benefit is determined as of the end of the Valuation
Period in which we receive, at our home office, proof of death and the written
request as to the manner of payment. Upon receipt of these items, the death
benefit generally will be paid within seven days. Under certain circumstances,
payment of the death benefit may be postponed. See "Postponement of Payment". If
we do not receive a written request for a settlement method, we will pay the
death benefit in a single sum, based on values determined at that time.
The beneficiary may (1) receive a single sum payment, which terminates the
contract, or (2) select an annuity option. If the beneficiary selects an annuity
option, he or she will have all the rights and privileges of a payee under the
contract. If the beneficiary desires an annuity option, the election should be
made within 60 days of the date the death benefit becomes payable. Failure to
make a timely election can result in unfavorable tax consequences. For further
information, see "Federal Tax Matters".
We accept any of the following as proof of death: (1) a copy of a certified
death certificate; (2) a copy of a certified decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction as to the finding of death; or (3) a written statement by a medical
doctor who attended the deceased at the time of death.
The Internal Revenue Code requires that a Non-Qualified Contract contain certain
provisions about an owner's death. We discuss these provisions below under
"Federal Tax Matters--Required Distributions for Non-Qualified Contracts". It is
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imperative that written notice of the death of the owner be promptly transmitted
to us at our home office, so that we can make arrangements for distribution of
the entire interest in the contract to the beneficiary in a manner that
satisfies the Internal Revenue Code requirements. Failure to satisfy these
requirements may result in the contract not being treated as an annuity contract
for federal income tax purposes with possible adverse tax consequences.
THE ANNUITY PERIOD
ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE
You may specify an annuity commencement date in your application. The annuity
commencement date marks the beginning of the period during which an Annuitant or
other payee designated by the owner receives annuity payments under the
contract. The annuity commencement date must be at least two years after the
contract issue date. You should consult your sales representative in this
regard.
The Internal Revenue Code may impose penalty taxes on amounts distributed either
too soon or too late depending on the type of retirement arrangement involved.
See "Federal Tax Matters". You should consider this carefully in selecting or
changing an annuity commencement date.
You must submit a written request in order to advance or defer the annuity
commencement date. Moreover, you must submit a written request during the
Annuitant's lifetime. We must receive the request at our home office at least 30
days before the then-scheduled annuity commencement date. The new annuity
commencement date must also be at least 30 days after we receive the written
request. You have no right to make any total or partial surrender during the
Annuity Period.
COMMENCEMENT OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS
We may pay the entire contract value, rather than apply the amount to an annuity
option if the contract value at the end of the Valuation Period which contains
the annuity commencement date is less than $1,000. We would make the payment in
a single sum to the Annuitant or other payee chosen by the owner and cancel the
contract. We would not impose any charge other than the premium tax charge.
Otherwise, we will apply (1) the fixed account value to provide a Fixed Annuity
Option and (2) the Variable Account value in any subaccount to provide a
Variable Annuity Option using the same subaccount, unless you have notified us
by written request to apply the fixed account value and Variable Account value
in different proportions. We must receive written request at our home office at
least 30 days before the annuity commencement date.
We will make annuity payments under a Fixed or Variable Annuity Option on a
monthly basis to the Annuitant or other properly-designated payee, unless we
agree to a different payment schedule. If you name more than one person as an
Annuitant, you may elect to name one of such persons to be the sole Annuitant as
of the annuity commencement date. We reserve the right to change the frequency
of any annuity payment so that each payment will be at least $50 ($20 in Texas).
The amount of each annuity payment will depend on (1) the amount of contract
value applied to an annuity option, (2) the form of annuity selected, and (3)
the age of the Annuitant. For information concerning the relationship between
the Annuitant's sex and the amount of annuity payments, including special
requirements in connection with employee benefits plans, see "Calculations of
Annuity Payments' in the Statement of Additional Information. The Statement of
Additional Information also contains detailed information about how the amount
of each annuity payment is computed.
The dollar amount of any fixed annuity payments is specified during the entire
period of annuity payments according to the provisions of the annuity option
selected. The dollar amount of variable annuity payments varies during the
Annuity Period based on changes in Annuity Unit values for the subaccounts that
you choose to use in connection with your payments.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SUBACCOUNT INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE AND AMOUNT OF VARIABLE
ANNUITY PAYMENTS
The amount of an annuity payment depends on the average effective net investment
return of a subaccount during the period since the preceding payment as follows:
- if the return is higher than 4% annually, the Annuity Unit value will
increase, and the second payment will be higher than the first; and
- if the return is lower than 4% annually, the Annuity Unit value will
decrease, and the second payment will be lower than the first.
"Net investment return," for this purpose, refers to the subaccount's overall
investment performance after deduction of the mortality and expense risk and
administrative expense charges, which are assessed at an annual rate of 1.35%.
We guarantee that the amount of each variable annuity payment after the first
payment will not be affected by variations in our mortality experience or our
expenses.
Transfers. A person receiving annuity payments may make up to four transfers a
year among subaccounts. The current procedures for and conditions on these
transfers are the same as we describe above under "Allocation of Purchase
Payments and Contract Value--Transfers". We do not permit transfers from a Fixed
Annuity Option during the Annuity Period.
ANNUITY OPTIONS
You may select an annuity option or change a previous selection by written
request. We must receive your request at least 30 days before the annuity
commencement date. You may select one annuity form, although payments under that
form may be on a combination fixed and variable basis. If no annuity form
selection is in effect on the annuity commencement date, we usually
automatically apply Option B (described below), with payments guaranteed for ten
years. However, federal pension law may require that we make default payments
under certain retirement plans pursuant to plan provisions and/or federal law.
Tax laws and regulations may impose further restrictions to assure that the
primary purpose of the plan is distribution of the accumulated funds to the
employee.
Your contract offers the following options for fixed and variable annuity
payments. Under each of the options, we make payments as of the first Valuation
Date of each monthly period, starting with the annuity commencement date.
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Option A, Life Annuity. We do not make payments after the annuitant dies. It is
possible for the annuitant to receive only one payment under this option, if the
annuitant dies before the second payment is due.
Option B, Life Annuity with Payments Guaranteed for 10 Years to 20 Years. We
continue payments as long as the annuitant lives. If the annuitant dies before
we have made all of the guaranteed payments, we continue installments of the
guaranteed payments to the beneficiary.
Option C, Joint and Full Survivor Annuity. We continue payments as long as
either the annuitant or the joint annuitant is alive. We stop payments when both
the annuitant and the joint annuitant have died. It is possible for the payee or
payees to receive only one payment under this option if both annuitants die
before the second payment is due.
Option D, Joint and One-Half Contingent Survivor Annuity. We continue payments
as long as either the annuitant or the joint annuitant is alive. If the
annuitant dies first, we continue payments to the joint annuitant at one-half
the original amount. If the joint annuitant dies first, we continue payments to
the annuitant at the original full amount. We stop payments when both the
annuitant and the joint annuitant have died. It is possible for the payee or
payees to receive only one payment under this option if both annuitants die
before the second payment is due.
We also have other annuity options available. You can get information about them
from your sales representative or by calling or writing to our home office.
DEATH OF ANNUITANT OR OTHER PAYEE
Under most annuity forms offered by us, the amounts, if any, payable on the
death of the Annuitant during the Annuity Period are the continuation of annuity
payments for any remaining guarantee period or for the life of any joint
Annuitant. In all such cases, the person entitled to receive payments also
receives any rights and privileges under the annuity form in effect.
Additional rules applicable to such distributions under Non-Qualified Contracts
are described under "Federal Tax Matters--Required Distributions for
Non-Qualified Contracts". Though the rules there described do not apply to
contracts issued in connection with qualified plans, similar rules apply to the
plans themselves.
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS
PREMIUM TAXES
We deduct state premium taxes as follows:
- when imposed on purchase payments, we pay the amount on your behalf and
deduct the amount from your contract value upon (1) our payment of
surrender proceeds or death benefit or (2) annuitization of a contract,
or
- when imposed at the time annuity payments begin, we deduct the amount
from your contract value.
Applicable premium tax rates depend upon your place of residence. Rates can
change by legislation, administrative interpretations, or judicial acts.
CHARGES AGAINST THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT
Mortality and Expense Risk Charge. We assess each subaccount of the Variable
Account with a daily charge for mortality and expense risk. This charge is a
nominal annual rate of 1.25% of the average daily net assets of the Variable
Account. It consists of approximately .8% for mortality risk and approximately
.45% for expense risk. We guarantee not to increase this charge for the duration
of the contract. This charge is assessed during both the Accumulation Period and
the Annuity Period.
The mortality risk borne by us arises from our obligation to make annuity
payments (determined in accordance with the annuity tables and other provisions
contained in the contract) for the full life of all Annuitants regardless of how
long all Annuitants or any individual Annuitant might live. In addition, we bear
a mortality risk in that we guarantee to pay a death benefit upon the death of
an Annuitant or owner prior to the annuity commencement date. We do not impose a
surrender charge upon payment of a death benefit. This places a further
mortality risk on us.
The expense risk we assume is that actual expenses incurred in connection with
issuing and administering the contract will exceed the limits on administrative
charges set in the contract.
We bear the loss if the administrative charges and the mortality and expense
risk charge are insufficient to cover the expenses and costs assumed.
Conversely, we profit if the amount deducted proves more than sufficient.
Administrative Expense Charge. We assess each subaccount of the Variable Account
with a daily charge at an annual rate of .10% of the average daily net assets of
the subaccount. We assess this charge during both the Accumulation Period and
the Annuity Period. This charge helps cover administrative costs such as those
incurred in issuing contracts, establishing and maintaining the records relating
to contracts, making regulatory filings and furnishing confirmation notices,
voting materials and other communications, providing computer, actuarial and
accounting services, and processing contract transactions. There is no necessary
relationship between the amount of administrative charges assessed on a given
contract and the amount of expenses actually incurred for that contract.
TAX CHARGE
We currently impose no charge for taxes payable by us in connection with the
contract, other than for applicable premium taxes. We reserve the right to
impose a charge for any other taxes that may become payable by us in the future
for the contracts or the Variable Account.
The annual administrative charge and charges against the Variable Account
described above are for the purposes described. We may receive a profit as a
result of these charges.
SURRENDER CHARGE
We do not deduct a sales charge from purchase payments. We deduct surrender
charges on certain total or partial surrenders. We use the revenues from
surrender charges to partially pay our expenses in the sale of the contracts,
including (1) commissions, (2) promotional, distribution and marketing expenses,
and (3) costs of printing and distribution of prospectuses and sales material.
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Free Surrenders. You can withdraw the following amounts from the contract
without a surrender charge:
- Any purchase payments that we received more than seven years before the
surrender date and that you have not previously surrendered;
- Any earnings that you have not previously surrendered;
- In any contract year, up to 10% of the purchase payments that we received
less than seven years before the surrender date (whether or not you have
previously surrendered the purchase payments).
Earnings are deemed to be withdrawn first. After all earnings have been
withdrawn, all purchase payments not subject to a surrender charge are deemed to
be withdrawn. After all purchase payments not subject to a surrender charge have
been withdrawn, all purchase payments subject to a surrender charge are deemed
to be withdrawn.
We do not impose a surrender charge on (1) annuitization or (2) payment of a
single sum because less than the minimum required contract value is available to
provide an annuity at the annuity commencement date or (3) payment of any death
benefit.
In addition, we have an administrative policy to waive surrender charges for
full surrenders of contracts that have been in force for at least ten years if
the amount then subject to the surrender charge is less than 25% of the contract
value. We have offered these contracts since 1991. Therefore, we have made no
waivers. We reserve the right to change or terminate this practice at any time,
both for new and for previously issued contracts.
Amount of Surrender Charge. We only apply surrender charges if the amount being
withdrawn exceeds the sum of the amounts listed above under "Free Surrenders"
(that is, if the amount being withdrawn includes purchase payments made less
than seven years prior to the surrender date). The surrender charges are:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF YEARS SURRENDER CHARGE
SINCE PURCHASE AS A PERCENTAGE OF
PAYMENT WAS CREDITED PURCHASE PAYMENT
-------------------- ------------------
<S> <C>
Less than 1 7%
At least 1 but less than 2 6%
At least 2 but less than 3 5%
At least 3 but less than 4 4%
At least 4 but less than 5 3%
At least 5 but less than 6 2%
At least 6 but less than 7 1%
7 or more 0%
</TABLE>
We anticipate the surrender charge will not be sufficient to cover our
distribution expenses. To the extent that the surrender charge is insufficient,
we will pay such costs from our general account assets. These assets will
include any profit that we derive from the mortality and expense risk charge.
Nursing Care/Hospitalization Waiver of Surrender Charges. We do not deduct
surrender charges for a total or partial withdrawal:
- after a covered person has been confined in a hospital or skilled
health care facility for at least 60 consecutive days and the covered
person continues to be confined in the hospital or skilled care
facility when the request is made, or
- within 60 days following a covered person's discharge from a hospital
or skilled health care facility after confinement of at least 60
consecutive days.
Confinement must begin after the effective date of this provision.
Covered persons are the contract owner or owners and the spouse of any contract
owner if the spouse is the Annuitant. We will not waive surrender charges when a
confinement is due to (1) substance abuse, or (2) mental or personality
disorders without a demonstrable organic disease. We consider a degenerative
brain disease such as Alzheimer's Disease an organic disease.
We provide this nursing care/hospitalization waiver of surrender charges by
means of a rider to the contract. This rider has not been approved in all
states. When you apply for a contract, you should check with your Fortis
Benefits representative to determine if this rider is available in your state.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Variable Account invests in shares of the portfolios. Therefore, the net
assets of the Variable Account will reflect the investment advisory fees and
certain other expenses incurred by the portfolios and described in their
prospectus.
REDUCTION OF CHARGES
We will not impose a surrender charge under any contract owned by:
(A) Fortis, Inc. or its subsidiaries, and the following persons associated with
such companies, if at the contract issue date they are:
(1) officers and directors;
(2) employees; or
(3) spouses of any such persons or any of such persons' children,
grandchildren, parents, grandparents, or siblings--or spouses of any of
these persons;
(B) Series Fund directors, officers, or their spouses (or such persons'
children, grandchildren, parents or grandparents--or spouses of any such
persons); and
(C) representatives or employees (or their spouses) of Fortis Investors
(including agencies) or of other broker-dealers having a sales agreement
with Fortis Investors (or such persons' children, grandchildren, parents, or
grandparents--or spouses of any such persons).
GENERAL PROVISIONS
THE CONTRACTS
The entire contract includes any application, amendment, rider, endorsement, and
revised contract pages. Only an officer of Fortis Benefits can agree to change
or waive any provision of a contract. Any change or waiver must be in writing
and signed by an officer of Fortis Benefits.
The contracts are non-participating and do not share in dividends or earnings of
Fortis Benefits.
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POSTPONEMENT OF PAYMENT
We may defer for up to 15 days the payment of any amount attributable to a
purchase payment made by check to allow the check reasonable time to clear. For
a description of other circumstances in which amounts payable out of Variable
Account assets could be deferred, see "Postponement of Payments" in the
Statement of Additional Information. We may also defer payment of surrender
proceeds payable out of the fixed account for a period of up to 6 months.
MISSTATEMENT OF AGE OR SEX AND OTHER ERRORS
If the Annuitant's age or sex was misstated, we pay the amount that the purchase
payments paid would have purchased at the correct age and sex. If we make any
overpayment because of incorrect information about age or sex, or any other
miscalculation, we deduct the overpayment from the next payment due. We add
underpayments to the next payment. We credit or charge the amount of any
adjustment with interest at the rate of 4% annually.
ASSIGNMENT
Owners and payees may assign their rights and interests under a Qualified
Contract only in certain narrow circumstances referred to in the contract.
Owners and other payees may assign their rights and interests under
Non-Qualified Contracts, including their ownership rights.
We take no responsibility for the validity of any assignment. Owners and payees
must make a change in ownership rights in writing and send it to our home
office. The change will be effective on the date made, although we are not bound
by a change until the date we record it.
The rights under a contract are subject to any assignment of record at our home
office. An assignment or pledge of a contract may have adverse tax consequences.
See below under "Federal Tax Matters".
BENEFICIARY
You may name or change a beneficiary or a contingent beneficiary before the
annuity commencement date. You must send a written request of the change to
Fortis Benefits. Certain retirement programs may require spousal consent to name
or change a beneficiary. Applicable tax laws and regulations may limit the right
to name a beneficiary other than the spouse. We are not responsible for the
validity of any change. A change will take effect as of the date it is signed
but will not affect any payment we make or action we take before receiving the
written request. We also need the consent of any irrevocably named person before
making a requested change.
Upon the death of an owner or Annuitant prior to the annuity commencement date
the beneficiary will be deemed to be as follows:
- If there is any surviving owner, the surviving owner will be the
beneficiary (this overrides any other beneficiary designation).
- If there is no surviving owner, the beneficiary will be the beneficiary
designated by the owner.
- If there is no surviving owner and no surviving beneficiary who has been
designated by the owner, then the estate of the last surviving owner will
be the beneficiary.
REPORTS
We will mail to the owner (or to the person receiving payments during the
Annuity Period), at the last known address of record, any report and
communication required by applicable law or regulation. You should therefore
give us prompt written notice of any address change. This will include annual
audited financial statements of the Series Fund, but not necessarily of the
Variable Account or Fortis Benefits.
RIGHTS RESERVED BY FORTIS BENEFITS
We reserve the right to make certain changes if, in our judgment, they would
best serve the interests of owners and Annuitants or would be appropriate in
carrying out the purposes of the contracts. We will make any change only as
permitted by applicable laws. We will obtain your approval of the changes and
approval from any appropriate regulatory authority if required by law. Examples
of the changes we may make include:
- To operate the Variable Account in any form permitted under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 or in any other form permitted by law.
- To transfer any assets in any subaccount to another subaccount, or to one
or more separate accounts, or to the fixed account; or to add, combine,
or remove subaccounts in the Variable Account.
- To substitute, for the portfolio shares held in any subaccount, the
shares of another portfolio of Series Fund or the shares of another
investment company or any other investment permitted by law.
- To make any changes required by the Internal Revenue Code or by any other
applicable law in order to continue treatment of the contract as an
annuity.
- To change the time or time of day at which a Valuation Date is deemed to
have ended.
- To make any other necessary technical changes in the contract in order to
conform with any action the above provisions permit us to take, including
to change the way we assess charges, but without increasing as to any
then outstanding contract the aggregate amount of the types of charges
that we have guaranteed.
DISTRIBUTION
Fortis Investors, Inc. ("Fortis Investors") is the principal underwriter of the
contracts. The contracts will be sold by individuals who are licensed by state
insurance authorities to sell the contracts of Fortis Benefits, and (1) are
registered representatives of Fortis Investors, or (2) are registered
representatives of other broker-dealer firms or (3) are representatives of other
firms that are exempt from broker dealer regulation. Fortis Investors and any
other broker-dealer firms are (1) registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as broker-dealers, and (2)
members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
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Fortis Investors will pay an allowance to its registered representatives and
selling brokers in varying amounts. Fortis Investors does not expect the
allowances under normal circumstances to exceed 6.25% of purchase payments plus
a servicing fee of .25% of contract value per year, starting in the first
contract year.
We and Fortis Investors may, under certain flexible compensation arrangements,
pay lesser or greater selling allowances and larger or smaller 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
actuarial present values that are approximately equivalent to the amounts of the
selling allowances and service fees set forth above. Additionally, registered
representatives, broker-dealer firms and exempt firms may qualify for additional
compensation based upon meeting certain production standards. Fortis Investors
may charge back commissions paid to others if the contract upon which the
commission was paid is surrendered or cancelled within certain specified time
periods.
Fortis Benefits paid a total of $30,705,769, $32,874,801 and $48,774,402 to
Fortis Investors for annuity contract distribution services during 1997, 1998
and 1999, respectively, $5,091,431 in 1997 $5,389,151 in 1998 and $7,643,966 in
1999 was not reallowed to other broker-dealers or exempt firms. In the
distribution agreement, Fortis Benefits has agreed to indemnify Fortis Investors
(and its agents, employees, and controlling persons) for certain damages and
expenses, including those arising under federal securities laws.
Fortis Benefits or Fortis Investors may also provide additional compensation to
broker-dealers in connection with sales of contracts. Compensation may include
financial assistance to broker-dealers in connection with (1) conferences, (2)
sales or training programs for their employees, (3) seminars for the public, (4)
advertising, (5) sales campaigns regarding contracts, and (6) other
broker-dealer sponsored programs or events. Compensation may also include trips
taken by invited sales representatives and their family members to locations
within or without the United States for business meetings or seminars. Fortis
Benefits or Fortis Investors may pay travel expenses that arise from these
trips.
See Notes to Fortis Benefits' Financial Statements as to amounts it has paid to
Fortis, Inc. for various services.
Fortis Investors is an indirect subsidiary of Fortis (NL)N.V. and Fortis (B).
Fortis Investors is under common control with Fortis Benefits. Fortis Investors'
principal business address is the same as that of our home office. Fortis
Investors is not obligated to sell any specific amount of interests under the
contracts. $110,000,000 of interests in the fixed account and an indefinite
amount of interests in the Variable Account have been registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
FEDERAL TAX MATTERS
The following description is a general summary of the tax rules, primarily
related to federal income taxes. These rules are based on laws, regulations and
interpretations that are subject to change at any time. This summary is not
comprehensive. We do not intend it as tax advice. Federal estate and gift tax
considerations, as well as state and local taxes, may also be material. You
should consult a qualified tax adviser as to the tax implications of taking any
action under a contract or related retirement plan.
NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS
Section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code") governs the taxation of
annuities in general. Neither you nor any other person may exclude or deduct
purchase payments under Non-Qualified Contracts from gross income. However, you
are not currently taxed, until receipt, on any increase in the accumulated value
of a Non-Qualified Contract that results from (1) the investment performance of
the Variable Account, or (2) interest credited to the fixed account. Owners who
are not natural persons are taxed annually on any increase in the contract value
subject to exceptions. You may wish to discuss this with your tax adviser.
The following discussion applies generally to contracts owned by natural
persons.
In general, surrenders or partial withdrawals under contracts are taxed as
ordinary income to the extent of the accumulated income or gain under the
contract. If you assign or pledge any part of the value of a contract, you pay
on the value so pledged or assigned to the same extent as a partial withdrawal.
With respect to annuity payment options, the tax consequences may vary depending
on the option elected under the contract. Until the "investment in the contract"
is recovered, generally only the portion of the annuity payment that represents
the amount by which the contract value exceeds the "investment in the contract"
will be taxed. In general, "investment in the contract" is the aggregate amount
of purchase payments made. After recovery of an Annuitant's or other payee's
"investment in the contract," the full amount of any additional annuity payments
is taxable.
For variable annuity payments, in general, the taxable portion of each annuity
payment (prior to recovery of the "investment in the contract") is the amount of
the payment less the nontaxable portion. The nontaxable portion of each payment
is the "investment in the contract" divided by the total number of expected
annuity payments.
For fixed annuity payments, in general, prior to recovery of the "investment in
the contract," there is no tax on the amount of each payment that bears the same
ratio to that payment as the "investment in the contract" bears to the total
expected value of the annuity payments for the term of the payments. However,
the remainder of each annuity payment is taxable. The taxable portion of a
distribution (in the form of an annuity or a single sum payment) is taxed as
ordinary income.
For purposes of determining the amount of taxable income resulting from
distributions, all contracts and other annuity contracts we or our affiliates
issue to you within the same calendar year will be treated as if they were a
single contract.
You, or any other payee, will pay a 10% penalty on the taxable portion of a
"premature distribution." Generally, an amount is a "premature distribution"
unless the distribution is:
- made on or after you or another payee reach age 59 1/2, or is
- made to a beneficiary on or after your death, or is
- made upon your disability or that of another payee, or is
- part of a series of substantially equal annuity payments for your life or
life expectancy, or is
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<PAGE> 22
- part of a series of substantially equal annuity payments for the life or
life expectancy of you and your beneficiary.
Premature distributions may result, for example, from:
- an early annuity commencement date
- an early surrender or partial surrender of a contract
- an assignment of a contract
- the early death of an Annuitant other than you or another person
receiving annuity payments under the contract
If you transfer ownership of a contract, or designate an Annuitant or payee
other than yourself, you may have certain income or gift tax consequences that
are beyond the scope of this discussion. If you are contemplating any transfer
or assignment of a contract, you should contact a competent tax adviser.
REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS
In order that a Non-Qualified Contract be treated as an annuity contract for
federal income tax purposes, Section 72(s) of the Code requires:
- if any person receiving annuity payments dies on or after the annuity
commencement date but prior to the time the entire interest in the
contract has been distributed, the remaining portion of such interest
will be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of
distribution being used as of the date of the person's death; and
- if you die prior to the annuity commencement date, the entire interest in
the contract will be distributed:
- within five years after your death, or
- as annuity payments that will begin within one year of your death and
will be made over your designated beneficiary's life or over a period
not extending beyond the life expectancy of that beneficiary.
However, if the owner's designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse, the
surviving spouse may continue the contract as the new contract owner. Where the
owner or other person receiving payments is not a natural person, the required
distributions under Section 72(A) apply on the death of the primary Annuitant.
The Internal Revenue Service has not issued regulations interpreting the
requirements of Section 72(s) (although it has issued proposed regulations
interpreting similar requirements for qualified plans). We intend to review and
modify the contract if necessary to ensure that it complies with the
requirements of Section 72(s) when clarified by regulation or otherwise.
Generally, the above requirements will be satisfied with a single sum payment
where the death occurs prior to the annuity commencement date. A single sum
payment will be subject to proof of the owner's death. The beneficiary, however,
may elect by written request to receive an annuity option instead of a lump sum
payment. However, if the election is not made within 60 days of the date the
single sum death benefit otherwise becomes payable, the IRS may disregard the
election for tax purposes and tax the beneficiary as if a single sum payment had
been made.
QUALIFIED CONTRACTS
The contracts may be used with several types of tax-qualified plans. The tax
rules applicable to owners, Annuitants, and other payees vary according to the
type of plan and the terms and conditions of the plan itself. In general,
purchase payments made under a tax qualified plan on your behalf are excludable
from your gross income during the Accumulation Period. The portion, if any, of
any purchase payment that is not excluded from your gross income during the
Accumulation Period constitutes your "investment in the contract".
When annuity payments begin, you will receive back your "investment in the
contract" if any, as a tax-free return of capital. The Code provides which
portion of each payment is taxable and which portion is tax free. These rules
may vary depending on the type of tax qualified plan.
The contracts are available in connection with the following types of retirement
plans:
- Section 403(b) annuity plans for employees of certain tax-exempt
organizations and public education institutions;
- Section 401 or 403(a) qualified pension, profit-sharing, or annuity
plans;
- Individual retirement annuities ("IRAs") under Section 408(b);
- Simplified employee pension plans ("SEPs") under Section 408(k);
- SIMPLE IRA Plans under Section 408(p); and
- Section 457 unfunded deferred compensation plans of tax-exempt
organizations and private employer unfunded deferred compensation plans.
The tax implications of these plans are further discussed in the
Statement of Additional Information under the heading "Taxation Under
Certain Retirement Plans".
WITHHOLDING
Annuity payments and other amounts received under contracts are subject to
income tax withholding unless the recipient elects not to have taxes withheld.
The amounts withheld will vary among recipients depending on the tax status of
the individual and the type of payments from which taxes are withheld.
Despite the recipient's election, the Code may require withholding from certain
payments outside the United States. The Code may also require withholding from
certain distributions from certain types of qualified retirement plans, unless
the proceeds are transferred directly from the qualified plan to another
qualified retirement plan. Moreover, special "backup withholding" rules may
require us to disregard the recipient's election if the recipient fails to
supply us with a "TIN" or taxpayer identification number (social security number
for individuals), or if the Internal Revenue Service notifies us that the TIN
provided by the recipient is incorrect.
PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION
The United States Treasury Department has adopted regulations under Section
817(h) of the Code that set forth diversification requirements for investments
underlying Non-Qualified Con-
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<PAGE> 23
tracts. We believe that the investments will satisfy these requirements. Failure
to do so would result in immediate taxation to you or another person of all
income credited to Non-Qualified Contracts. Also, current regulations do not
provide guidance as to any circumstances in which control over allocation of
values among different investment alternatives may cause you or another person
receiving annuity payments to be treated as the owners of Variable Account
assets for tax purposes. We reserve the right to amend the contracts in any way
necessary to avoid any such result. The Treasury Department may establish
standards in this regard through regulations or rulings. Such standards may
apply only prospectively, although retroactive application is possible if the
Treasury Department considered such standards not to embody a new position.
CERTAIN EXCHANGES
Section 1035 of the Code provides generally that no gain or loss will be
recognized under the exchange of a life insurance or annuity contract for an
annuity contract. Thus, a properly completed exchange pursuant to the special
annuity contract exchange form we provide for this purpose is not generally a
taxable event under the Code. Moreover, your investment in the contract will be
the same as your investment in the product you exchanged out of.
Because of the complexity of these and other tax aspects in connection with an
exchange, you should consult a tax adviser before making any exchange.
TAX LAW RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING SECTION 403(b) PLANS
Section 403(b)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code restricts the distribution under
Section 403(b) annuity contracts of:
(1) elective contributions made for years beginning after December 31, 1988;
(2) earnings on those contributions; and
(3) earnings on amounts held as of December 31, 1988.
Distribution of these amounts may only occur upon death of the employee,
attainment of age 59 1/2, separation from service, disability, or financial
hardship. In addition, we may not distribute income attributable to elective
contributions made after December 31, 1988.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT FORTIS BENEFITS
GENERAL
We offer and sell insurance products, including fixed and variable life
insurance policies, fixed and variable annuity contracts, and group life,
accident and health insurance policies. We market our products to small business
and individuals through a national network of independent agents, brokers, and
financial institutions.
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
All of Fortis Benefits' outstanding shares are owned by Interfinancial, Inc.,
which is itself wholly owned by Fortis, Inc., both having an address of One
Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10005. Fortis, Inc., in turn, is wholly
owned by Fortis International, Inc., which is wholly owned by AMEV/VSB 1990
N.V., both of which share the same address with Fortis (NL) N.V., Archimedeslaan
10, 3584 BA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. AMEV/VSB 1990 N.V. is 50% owned by Fortis
(NL)N.V. and 50% owned, through certain subsidiaries, by Fortis (B), Boulevard
Emile Jacqmain 53, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following is a summary of certain financial data of Fortis Benefits. This
summary has been derived in part from the financial statements of Fortis
Benefits included elsewhere in this prospectus. You should read the following
along with these financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
-------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Premiums and policy charges......................... $1,403,292 $1,299,770 $1,238,006 $1,295,878 $1,232,329
Net investment income............................... 238,698 234,043 228,724 206,023 203,537
Net realized gains (losses) on investment........... 25,962 52,404 41,101 25,731 55,080
Other income........................................ 53,848 44,671 36,458 31,725 33,085
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL REVENUES...................................... $1,721,799 $1,630,888 $1,544,289 $1,559,357 $1,524,031
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Total benefits and expenses......................... $1,598,266 $1,538,604 $1,442,059 $1,470,066 $1,442,270
Federal Income taxes................................ 40,327 30,402 35,120 31,099 27,891
Net income.......................................... 83,206 61,882 67,110 58,192 53,870
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total assets........................................ $9,610,139 $7,598,196 $6,819,484 $5,951,876 $5,143,012
Total liabilities................................... 8,760,587 6,712,728 5,939,378 5,171,203 4,431,914
Total shareholder's equity.......................... 849,552 885,468 880,106 780,673 711,098
</TABLE>
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MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
1999 COMPARED TO 1998
REVENUES
The Company's major products are group disability and dental, group medical,
group life, and annuity and individual life insurance coverages sold through a
network of independent agents and brokers. In the fourth quarter of 1999, the
Company assumed a block of business from an affiliated Company, United Family
Life Insurance Company. This assumed business is primarily pre-need life
insurance designed to pre-fund funeral expenses and is sold as individual and
group life and annuity products. Pre-need business represents $36 million in
gross premium in 1999. Group disability and dental, group medical, group life,
annuity and individual life and pre-need represented 39%,32%, 18%, 8% and 3%,
respectively of premium in 1999 and 38%, 36%, 19%, 7% and 0% respectively in
1998. The Company had less capital gains from fixed income investments in 1999
as compared to 1998. During 1999, the Company decreased its common stock
holdings as a result of investment portfolio realignment which resulted in
equity gains.
The Company continues to match investment portfolio composition to liquidity
needs and capital requirements. Changes in interest rates during 1999 and 1998
resulted in recognition of realized gains and losses upon sales of securities.
BENEFITS
The total year-to-date policyholder benefit to premium ratio decreased to 80% in
1999 from 83% in 1998. The group disability and dental, group medical, group
life, annuity and individual life, and pre-need benefit to premium ratios for
the year ended December 31, were 83%, 80%, 70%, 94%, and 87% respectively in
1999 and 83%, 85%, 73%, 108% and 0% respectively in 1998. The group medical
business experienced a lower premium to benefit ratio due to rate increases and
better management of claims. Group life had improved mortality in 1999. The
annuity and individual life business also experienced strong market performance,
in addition to lower interest crediting on the Company's interest sensitive and
investment products.
EXPENSES
Commission rates have decreased from the levels in 1998. This is primarily due
to changes in the mix of business by product lines as well as the change in
first year versus renewal premiums.
The Company's general and administrative expense to premium ratio decreased
slightly to 22% in 1999 down from 23% in 1998. A principal reason for this
expense reduction is the combining of three group medical cost centers into one.
The Company continued to monitor expenses, striving to improve the expense to
premium ratio, while maintaining quality and timely services to policyholders.
1998 COMPARED TO 1997
REVENUES
The Company's major products are group disability and dental, group medical,
group life, and annuity and individual life insurance coverages sold through a
network of independent agents and brokers. 1998 total group disability and
dental, group medical, group life, and annuity and individual life premiums
represented 38%, 36%, 19% and 7% respectively of total premium in 1998 and 34%,
38%, 21% and 7% respectively in 1997. Strong group sales over the last three
quarters of 1997 and throughout 1998, in both the long term disability and
dental products is the primary reason for the increase in group disability and
dental premium. Additionally, short term disability products had a larger than
usual upswing in sales during the second and third quarters of 1998. The
decrease in group medical premium is the result of a decision in 1996 to
discontinue new sales of certain medical products coupled with higher than
normal lapses of current medical business.
The Company continues to match investment portfolio composition to liquidity
needs and capital requirements. Changes in interest rates during 1998 and 1997
resulted in recognition of realized gains and losses.
BENEFITS
The total year-to-date policyholder benefit to premium ratio remained relatively
flat increasing to 83% in 1998 from 82% in 1997. The group disability and
dental, group medical, group life, and annuity and individual life benefit to
premium ratios for the year ended December 31, were 83%, 85%, 73% and 108%
respectively in 1998 and 82%, 77%, 76% and 124% respectively in 1997. The group
medical business experienced a higher benefit to premium ratio due to higher
incurred benefits than anticipated. Group life experienced favorable
year-to-date experience in 1998 compared to 1997. The annuity and individual
life business also experienced lower mortality experience in 1998 compared to
1997, in addition to higher interest crediting on the Company's steadily
increasing policy base of interest sensitive and investment products.
EXPENSES
The Company's general and administrative expense to premium ratio has increased
slightly to 23% in 1998, up from 22% in 1997. Commission rates remained level
from 1997 to 1998.
MARKET RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Interest rate risk is the Company's primary market risk exposure. Substantial
and sustained increases and decreases in market interest rates can affect the
profitability of insurance products and market value of investments. The yield
realized on new investments generally increases or decreases in direct
relationship with interest rate changes. The market value of the Company's fixed
maturity and mortgage loan portfolios generally increases when interest rates
decrease, and decreases when interest rates increase.
Interest rate risk is monitored and controlled through asset/ liability
management. As part of the risk management process, different economic scenarios
are modeled, including cash flow testing required for insurance regulatory
purposes, to determine that existing assets are adequate to meet projected
liability cash flows. A major component of the Company's asset/liability
management program is structuring the investment portfolio with cash flow
characteristics consistent with the cash flow characteristics of the Company's
insurance liabilities. The Company uses computer models to perform simulations
of the
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<PAGE> 25
cash flow generated from existing insurance policies under various interest rate
scenarios. Information from these models is used in the determination of
interest crediting strategies and investment strategies. The asset/liability
management discipline includes strategies to minimize exposure to loss as market
interest rates change. On the basis of these analyses, management believes there
is no material solvency risk to the Company with respect to interest rate
movements up or down of 100 basis points from year-end levels.
Equity market risk exposure is not significant. Equity investments in the
general account are not material enough to threaten solvency and contractowners
bear the investment risk related to the variable products. Therefore, the risks
associated with the investments supporting the variable separate accounts are
assumed by contractowners, not by the Company. The Company provides certain
minimum death benefits that depend on the performance of the variable separate
accounts. Currently the majority of these death benefit risks are reinsured
which then protects the Company from adverse mortality experience and prolonged
capital market decline.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The market value of cash, short-term investments and publicly traded bonds and
stocks is at least equal to all policyholder reserves and liabilities. The
Company's portfolio is readily marketable and convertible to cash to a degree
sufficient to provide for short-term needs. The Company consistently monitors
its liability durations and invests assets accordingly. The Company has no
material commitments or off-balance sheet financing arrangements, which would
reduce sources of funds in the upcoming year.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has implemented risk-based
capital standards to determine the capital requirements of a life insurance
company based upon the risks inherent in its operations. These standards require
the computation of a risk-based capital amount which is then compared to a
company's actual total adjusted capital. Based upon current calculations using
these risk-based capital standards, the Company's percentage of total adjusted
capital is in excess of ratios, which would require regulatory attention.
The Company's fixed maturity investments consisted of 98% investment grade bonds
as of December 31, 1999 and the Company does not expect this percentage to
change significantly in the future.
YEAR 2000
Introduction. The Company relies heavily on information technology (IT) systems
to conduct its business. These IT systems include both internally developed and
vendor-supplied systems. The company also relies on the non-IT systems including
the embedded technology and facility related systems. In addition, the Company
has business relationships with numerous entities including but not limited to
financial institutions, financial intermediaries, third party administrators and
other critical vendors as well as regulators and customers. These entities are
themselves reliant on their IT systems to conduct their businesses. Therefore,
there is a supply chain of dependency among and between all involved entities.
State of Readiness. In 1997, the Fortis parent company organized a
multi-disciplinary Year 2000 Project Team (Team). The Company is part of the
Team. The Team consists of employees at each subsidiary, audit, legal and
outside consultants. The Team has developed and executed a comprehensive plan
(Plan) designed to make the Company's IT systems Year 2000 ready. The Plan
covered four stages including (i) inventory, (ii) assessment, (iii) programming,
and (iv) testing and certification. Programming, testing and certification of
all systems and applications were completed in December, 1999; therefore, the
Company has completed its Plan. The Company also inventoried its various
facility locations and the systems that related thereto, including embedded
technologies. These areas were also part of the Plan and were completed.
The Company identified third parties with which they have a material
relationship in both sending and receiving information from those entities, with
respect to current Year 2000 readiness. This action has also been completed as
part of the Plan.
Costs. The cost of the Company's portion of the Year 2000 project is estimated
at $26.9 million (pre-tax) and is being funded through operating cash flows.
Total Year 2000 project costs are based on management's best estimates, which
were derived utilizing numerous assumptions of future events, including the
continued availability of certain resources, third party modification plans and
other factors. Costs to upgrade and replace systems in the normal course of
business are not included in this estimate. For the year ended December 31,
1999, approximately $11.4 million (pre-tax) was expensed by the Company.
Risks. The Company limited the potential impact of the Year 2000 by monitoring
the progress of its own Year 2000 project and those of its critical external
relationship (both I/T and non-I/T) and by developing contingency/recovery
plans. Those contingency plans identified the mission critical systems and
relationships and put action plans in place to address a Year 2000 issue. To
date, none of the contingency plans have been implemented. In addition, no
significant Year 2000 issue has arisen which has had a material adverse effect
on the Company's results of operations, liquidity or financial condition
Contingency Plans. Consistent with prudent due diligence efforts, the Company
defined contingency plans aimed at ensuring the continuity of critical business
functions before and after December 31, 1999, should there have been or in the
future, be, an unexpected system failure. The Company developed plans that are
designed to reduce the negative impact on the Company, and provide methods of
returning to normal operations, if failure occurs.
VOTING PRIVILEGES
In accordance with our view of current applicable law, we will vote shares of
each of the portfolios attributable to a contract at regular and special
meetings of the shareholders of the portfolios. We will vote those shares in
proportion to instructions we receive from the persons having the voting
interest in the contract as of the record date for the corresponding portfolio
shareholders meeting. Owners have the voting interest during the Accumulation
Period, persons receiving annuity payments have the voting interest during the
Annuity Period, and beneficiaries have the voting interest after the death of
the Annuitant or owner. However, if the Investment Company Act of
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<PAGE> 26
1940 or any rules thereunder should be amended or if the present interpretation
thereof should change, and as a result we determine that we are permitted to
vote shares of the portfolios in our own right, we may elect to do so.
We determine the number of shares of a portfolio attributable to a contract as
follows:
- During the Accumulation Period, we divide the amount of contract value in
a subaccount by the net asset value of one share of the portfolio
corresponding to that subaccount. We make this calculation as of the
record date for the applicable portfolio.
- During the Annuity Period, or after the death of the Annuitant or owner,
we make a similar calculation. However, for subaccount value we use the
liability for future variable annuity payments allocable to that
subaccount as of the record date for the applicable portfolio. We
calculate the liability for future variable annuity payments on the basis
of the following on the record date:
- mortality assumptions,
- the assumed interest rate used in determining the number of Annuity Units
under the contract, and
- the applicable Annuity Unit value
During the Annuity Period, the number of votes attributable to a contract will
generally decrease since funds set aside to make the annuity payments will
decrease.
We will vote shares for which we have not received timely instructions, and any
shares attributable to excess amounts we have accumulated in the related
subaccount, in proportion to the voting instructions which we receive for all
contracts and other variable annuity contracts participating in a portfolio. To
the extent that we or any affiliated company holds any shares of a portfolio,
those shares will be voted in the same proportion as instructions for that
portfolio from all our policy holders holding voting interests in that
portfolio. Shares held by separate accounts other than the Variable Account will
in general be voted in accordance with instructions of owners in such other
separate accounts. This diminishes the relative voting influence of the
contracts.
Each person having a voting interest in a subaccount of the Variable Account
will receive proxy material, reports and other materials relating to the
appropriate portfolio. Under the procedures described above, these persons may
give instructions regarding:
- the election of the Board of Directors of the portfolios,
- ratification of the selection of a portfolio's independent auditors,
- the approval of the investment managers of a portfolio,
- changes in fundamental investment policies of a portfolio, and
- all other matters that are put to a vote of portfolio shareholders
LEGAL MATTERS
David A. Peterson, Esquire, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel with
our legal department has passed on the legality of the contracts described in
this prospectus. Messrs. Freedman, Levy, Kroll & Simonds, Washington, D.C., have
advised Fortis Benefits on certain federal securities law matters.
OTHER INFORMATION
We have filed Registration Statements with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, with respect to the
contracts discussed in this prospectus. We have not included in the prospectus
all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, amendments, and
exhibits thereto. We intend statements contained in this prospectus about the
content of the contracts and other legal instruments to be summaries. For a
complete statement of the terms of these documents, you should refer to the
instruments filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
A Statement of Additional Information is available upon request. Its contents
are as follows:
CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Fortis Benefits and the Variable Account.......
Calculation of Annuity Payments................
Postponement of Payments.......................
Services.......................................
- Safekeeping of Variable Account Assets.....
- Experts....................................
- Principal Underwriter......................
Taxation Under Certain Retirement Plans........
Withholding....................................
Other Information..............................
Variable Account Financial Statements..........
APPENDIX A--Performance Information............
</TABLE>
FORTIS BENEFITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements of Fortis Benefits that are included in this prospectus
should be considered primarily as bearing on our ability to meet our obligations
under the contracts. The contracts are not entitled to participate in our
earnings, dividends, or surplus.
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<PAGE> 27
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Board of Directors
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortis (B) and Fortis (NL)
N.V., as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the related statements of income,
changes in shareholder's equity and cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1999. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company at December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
[/s/ ERNST & YOUNG]
February 17, 2000
Minneapolis, Minnesota
F-1
<PAGE> 28
BALANCE SHEETS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31
------------------------
1999 1998
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Investments:
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost
1999--$2,802,697; 1998--$2,315,904).................... $2,706,372 $2,402,343
Equity securities, at fair value (cost 1999--$81,554;
1998--$141,947)........................................ 85,021 157,851
Mortgage loans on real estate, less allowance for possible
losses (1999 and 1998--$11,085)........................ 754,514 610,131
Policy loans.............................................. 83,439 74,950
Short-term investments.................................... 115,527 31,868
Real estate and other investments......................... 47,502 36,156
---------- ----------
3,792,375 3,313,299
Cash and cash equivalents................................... 18,670 668
Receivables:
Uncollected premiums...................................... 62,938 61,883
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses......... 23,471 14,853
Other..................................................... 19,406 17,641
---------- ----------
105,815 94,377
Accrued investment income................................... 55,464 42,831
Deferred policy acquisition costs........................... 430,192 331,938
Property and equipment at cost, less accumulated
depreciation.............................................. 25,118 30,712
Deferred federal income taxes............................... 52,467 17,904
Other assets................................................ 1,582 3,923
Due from affiliates......................................... 8,304 --
Assets held in separate accounts............................ 5,120,152 3,742,403
---------- ----------
Total assets................................................ $9,610,139 $7,578,055
========== ==========
</TABLE>
F-2
<PAGE> 29
BALANCE SHEETS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31
------------------------
1999 1998
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
POLICY RESERVES, LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
Policy reserves and liabilities:
Future policy benefit reserves:
Traditional and pre-need life insurance................ $1,106,269 $ 450,776
Interest sensitive and investment products............. 1,147,657 1,238,125
Accident and health.................................... 940,865 861,334
---------- ----------
3,194,791 2,550,235
Unearned revenues......................................... 28,673 13,393
Other policy claims and benefits payable.................. 265,486 255,350
Policyholder dividends payable............................ 7,939 8,189
---------- ----------
3,496,889 2,827,167
Accrued expenses.......................................... 59,409 57,860
Current income taxes payable.............................. 1,838 4,168
Other liabilities......................................... 120,110 86,226
Due to affiliates......................................... -- 9,479
Liabilities related to separate accounts.................. 5,082,341 3,707,687
---------- ----------
Total policy reserves and liabilities....................... 8,760,587 6,692,587
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholder's equity:
Common Stock, $5 par value:
Authorized, issued and outstanding shares--1,000,000... 5,000 5,000
Additional paid-in capital................................ 468,000 468,000
Retained earnings......................................... 427,811 344,605
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income............. (51,259) 67,863
---------- ----------
Total shareholder's equity.................................. 849,552 885,468
---------- ----------
Total policy reserves, liabilities and shareholder's
equity.................................................... $9,610,139 $7,578,055
========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-3
<PAGE> 30
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
--------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES
Insurance operations:
Traditional life insurance premiums....................... $ 301,377 $ 260,567 $ 269,540
Interest sensitive and investment product policy
charges................................................ 99,047 85,551 77,429
Accident and health insurance premiums.................... 1,002,867 953,652 891,037
---------- ---------- ----------
1,403,291 1,299,770 1,238,006
Net investment income....................................... 238,698 234,043 228,724
Net realized gains on investments........................... 25,962 52,404 41,101
Other income................................................ 53,848 44,671 36,458
---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues.............................................. 1,721,799 1,630,888 1,544,289
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Benefits to policyholders:
Traditional life insurance................................ 218,993 189,337 204,497
Interest sensitive investment products.................... 93,668 96,178 103,077
Accident and health claims................................ 812,149 798,036 707,113
---------- ---------- ----------
1,124,810 1,083,551 1,014,687
Policyholder dividends...................................... 3,114 3,486 2,935
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs........... 43,078 33,365 43,931
Insurance commissions....................................... 124,601 118,710 107,378
General and administrative expenses......................... 302,663 299,492 273,128
---------- ---------- ----------
Total benefits and expenses................................. 1,598,266 1,538,604 1,442,059
---------- ---------- ----------
Income before federal income taxes.......................... 123,533 92,284 102,230
Federal income taxes........................................ 40,327 30,402 35,120
---------- ---------- ----------
Net income.................................................. $ 83,206 $ 61,882 $ 67,110
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-4
<PAGE> 31
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCUMULATED
ADDITIONAL OTHER
COMMON PAID-IN RETAINED COMPREHENSIVE
TOTAL STOCK CAPITAL EARNINGS (LOSS) INCOME
--------- ------ ---------- -------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, January 1, 1997.................. $ 780,673 $5,000 $468,000 $265,613 $ 42,060
Comprehensive income:
Net income........................... 67,110 -- -- 67,110 --
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
on investments, net................ 32,323 -- -- -- 32,323
---------
Total Comprehensive income.............. 99,433
--------- ------ -------- -------- ---------
Balance, December 31, 1997................ 880,106 5,000 468,000 332,723 74,383
Comprehensive income:
Net income........................... 61,882 -- -- 61,882 --
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
on investments, net................ (6,520) -- -- -- (6,520)
---------
Total Comprehensive income.............. 55,362
Dividend................................ (50,000) -- -- (50,000) --
--------- ------ -------- -------- ---------
Balance, December 31, 1998................ 885,468 5,000 468,000 344,605 67,863
Comprehensive income:
Net income........................... 83,206 -- -- 83,206 --
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
on investments, net................ (119,122) -- -- -- (119,122)
---------
Total Comprehensive income.............. (35,916)
--------- ------ -------- -------- ---------
Balance, December 31, 1999................ $ 849,552 $5,000 $468,000 $427,811 $ (51,259)
========= ====== ======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-5
<PAGE> 32
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
-----------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income............................................... $ 83,206 $ 61,882 $ 67,110
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit
reserves for traditional, interest sensitive and
accident and health policies...................... 97,931 106,135 (2,496)
Increase (decrease) in other policy claims and
benefits and policyholder dividends payable....... 5,012 (2,514) 68,070
Provision for deferred federal income taxes......... 29,454 417 (6,449)
Decrease in income taxes payable.................... (2,330) (6,381) (6,875)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs... 43,078 33,365 43,931
Policy acquisition costs deferred................... (96,308) (73,147) (69,694)
Provision for mortgage loan losses.................. -- -- 1,388
Provision for depreciation.......................... 12,807 12,409 14,351
Write-off of investment............................. -- -- 3,000
Amortization of investment (discounts) premiums,
net............................................... 1,930 (3,200) (466)
Change in receivables, accrued investment income,
unearned premiums, accrued expenses and other
liabilities....................................... 27,227 (4,455) (2,720)
Net realized gains on sold investments.............. (25,962) (52,404) (41,101)
Other............................................... -- 169 (12,496)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities................ 176,045 72,276 55,553
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of fixed maturity investments.................. (1,654,104) (2,380,511) (3,611,770)
Sales and repayments of fixed maturity investments....... 1,675,488 2,428,207 3,378,898
(Increase) decrease in short-term investments............ (83,659) 38,669 112,280
Purchases of other investments........................... (305,889) (408,998) (209,771)
Sales of other investments............................... 353,267 352,873 205,084
Purchases of property and equipment...................... (7,213) (356) (4,242)
Cash received pursuant to reinsurance assumption
agreement.............................................. 3,374 -- --
Other.................................................... -- -- (617)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities...... (18,736) 29,884 (130,138)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Activities related to investment products:
Considerations received................................ 237,375 215,693 200,760
Surrenders and death benefits.......................... (416,537) (326,457) (190,361)
Interest credited to policyholders..................... 39,855 49,371 53,613
Dividend................................................. -- (50,000) --
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities...... (139,307) (111,393) 64,012
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents......... 18,002 (9,233) (10,573)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year........... 668 9,901 20,474
----------- ----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year................. $ 18,670 $ 668 $ 9,901
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-6
<PAGE> 33
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(IN THOUSANDS)
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Assets and liabilities transferred in reinsurance transactions (Note 8):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Non-Cash Assets Received:
Fixed maturities.......................................... $ 517,091
Other Investments......................................... 121,696
Other Assets.............................................. 12,763
Deferred Acquisition Costs................................ 35,882
---------
Total value of assets received.............................. $ 687,432
=========
Non-Cash Liabilities Assumed:
Future policy benefit reserves............................ $(685,932)
Claim reserves............................................ (4,874)
---------
Total Liabilities Assumed................................... $(690,806)
=========
</TABLE>
F-7
<PAGE> 34
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company (the Company) is an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of Fortis, Inc. (Fortis), which itself is an indirect, wholly-owned
subsidiary of Fortis (B) and Fortis (NL) N.V. The Company is incorporated in
Minnesota and distributes its products in all states except New York. The
Company's revenues are derived principally from group employee benefits products
and from individual life and annuity products.
Effective October 1, 1999, the Company assumed pre-need life insurance business
from an affiliate on a 100% co-insurance basis. These life insurance and annuity
products are marketed in connection with the advance funding of funeral
expenses. (See Note 8 "Reinsurance" for more information on this reinsurance
transaction.)
BASIS OF STATEMENT PRESENTATION
During 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
Board (SFAS) 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income. SFAS 130 establishes new rules
for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components;
however, the adoption of this SFAS had no impact on the Company's net income or
shareholder's equity. SFAS 130 requires unrealized gains or losses on the
Company's available-for-sale securities, which prior to adoption were reported
separately in shareholder's equity, to be included in other comprehensive
income. Prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the
requirements of SFAS 130.
Effective January 1, 1999, the Company adopted SOP 97-3, "Accounting by
Insurance and Other Enterprises for Insurance-Related Assessments". SOP 97-3
requires the estimation and recording of certain insurance-related assessments.
Because the Company previously recorded insurance-related assessments on this
basis, the adoption of SOP 97-3 had no impact on the results of operations or
financial position.
In June 1999, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 137,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities--Deferral of the
Effective Date of FAS 133", which deferred to January 1, 2001 the effective date
of the accounting and reporting requirements of SFAS 133. SFAS 133 establishes
accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain
derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities.
The adoption of SFAS 133 is not expected to have a material effect on the
Company's results of operations or financial position.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Company follows accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States which differ in certain respects from statutory accounting practices
prescribed or permitted by regulatory authorities. The more significant of these
principles are set forth below:
REVENUE RECOGNITION AND FUTURE POLICY BENEFIT RESERVES
Premiums for traditional life insurance and pre-need life products are
recognized as revenues when due over the premium-paying period. Reserves for
future policy benefits are computed using the net level method and include
investment yield, mortality, withdrawal, and other assumptions based on the
Company's experience, modified as necessary to reflect anticipated trends and to
include provisions for possible unfavorable deviations.
Revenues for interest sensitive and investment products consist of charges
assessed against policy account balances during the period for the cost of
insurance, policy administration, and surrender charges. Future policy benefit
reserves are computed under the retrospective deposit method and consist of
policy account balances before applicable surrender charges. Policy benefits
charged to expense during the period include amounts paid in excess of policy
account balances and interest credited to policy account balances. Interest
crediting rates for universal life and investment products ranged from 3.5% to
12% in 1999, and 2.5% to 8.75% in 1998 and 1997.
F-8
<PAGE> 35
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
A portion of the Company's pre-need life products provide an increasing future
benefit tied typically to the U.S. Consumer Price Index or a targeted growth
rate established at management's discretion. All pre-need life products that
have death benefit increases made at management's discretion are accounted for
as interest-sensitive life products.
Premiums for accident and health insurance products, including medical, long and
short-term disability and dental insurance products, are recognized as revenues
ratably over the contract period in proportion to the risk insured. Reserves for
future disability benefits are based on the 1987 Commissioners Group Disability
Table. The valuation interest rate is the Single Premium Immediate Annuity
valuation rate less 100 basis points. Claims in the first five years' are
modified based on the Company's actual experience.
CLAIMS AND BENEFITS PAYABLE
Other policy claims and benefits payable for reported and incurred but not
reported claims and related claims adjustment expenses are determined using
case-basis estimates and past experience. The methods of making such estimates
and establishing the related liabilities are continually reviewed and updated.
Any adjustments resulting therefrom are reflected in income currently.
DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS
The costs of acquiring new business, which vary with and are directly related to
the production of new business, are deferred to the extent recoverable and
amortized. For traditional and pre-need life insurance and long-term care
products (included as accident and health products), such costs are amortized
over the premium paying period. For interest sensitive and investment products,
such costs are amortized in relation to expected future gross profits.
Estimation of future gross profits requires significant management judgment and
are reviewed periodically. As excess amounts of deferred costs over future
premiums or gross profits are identified, such excess amounts are expensed.
INVESTMENTS
The Company's investment strategy is developed based on many factors including
insurance liability matching, rate of return, maturity, credit risk, tax
considerations and regulatory requirements.
All fixed maturity investments and all marketable equity securities are
classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value.
Changes in fair values of available for sale securities, after related deferred
income taxes and after adjustment for the changes in the pattern of amortization
of deferred policy acquisition costs and participating policyholder dividends,
are reported directly in shareholder's equity as accumulated other comprehensive
income and, accordingly, have no effect on net income. The unrealized
appreciation or depreciation is net of deferred policy acquisition cost
amortization and taxes that would have been required as a charge or credit to
income had such unrealized amounts been realized.
Mortgage loans constitute first liens on commercial real estate and other income
producing properties. The insurance statutes in Minnesota generally require that
the initial principal loaned not exceed 80% of the appraised value of the
property securing the loan. The Company's policy fully complies with this
statute. Mortgage loans on real estate are reported at amortized cost, less
allowance for possible losses. The change in the allowance for possible losses
is recorded with realized gains and losses on investments.
Policy loans are reported at their unpaid balance. Short term investments are at
cost which approximates fair value.
Real estate and other investments consist principally of property acquired in
satisfaction of debt and limited partnerships, respectively. Real estate is
recorded at cost less allowances for depreciation. The Company provides for
depreciation on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives. Other
investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
Realized gains and losses on sales of investments, and declines in value judged
to be other-than-temporary, are recognized on the specific identification basis.
Investment income is recorded as earned.
F-9
<PAGE> 36
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. The
Company provides for depreciation principally on the straight-line method over
the estimated useful lives of the related property. Depreciation expense was
$12,807,000, $12,409,000 and $14,351,000 for the year ended December 31, 1999,
1998 and 1997, respectively.
INCOME TAXES
Income taxes have been provided using the liability method. Deferred tax assets
and liabilities are determined based on the temporary differences between the
financial reporting and the tax bases and are measured using the enacted tax
rates.
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
Revenues and expenses related to the separate account assets and liabilities are
excluded from the amounts reported in the accompanying statements of income.
Assets and liabilities associated with the separate accounts relate to deposits
and annuity considerations for variable life and variable annuity products for
which the contract holder, rather than the Company, bears the investment risk.
Separate account assets are reported at fair value and represent funds held for
the exclusive benefit of the variable annuity and variable life insurance
contract owners.
The Company receives mortality and expense risk fees from the separate accounts.
The Company also deducts monthly cost of insurance charges, and receives minimum
death benefit guarantee fees and issue and administrative fees from the variable
life insurance separate accounts.
The Company makes contractual mortality assurances to the variable annuity
contract owners that the net assets of the separate accounts will not be
affected by future variations in the actual life expectancy experience of the
annuitants and beneficiaries from the mortality assumptions implicit in the
annuity contracts. The Company makes periodic fund transfers to, or withdrawals
from, the separate account assets for such actuarial adjustments for variable
annuities that are in the benefit payment period. The Company also guarantees
that the rates at which administrative fees are deducted from contract funds
will not exceed contractual maximums.
For variable life insurance, the Company guarantees that the rates at which
insurance charges and administrative fees are deducted from contract funds will
not exceed contractual maximums. The Company also guarantees that the death
benefit will continue payable at the initial level regardless of investment
performance so long as minimum premium payments are made.
GUARANTY FUND ASSESSMENTS
There are a number of insurance companies that are currently under regulatory
supervision. This may result in future assessments by state guaranty fund
associations to cover losses to policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated
companies. These assessments can be partially recovered through a reduction in
future premium taxes in some states. The Company believes it has adequately
provided for the impact of future assessments relating to current insolvencies.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The Company considers investments with a maturity at the date of their
acquisition of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These securities are
carried principally at amortized cost which approximates fair value.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income
which includes unrealized gains and losses on securities classified as
available-for-sale, net of the effect on deferred policy acquisition costs,
taxes and reclassification adjustment.
F-10
<PAGE> 37
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain amounts in the 1998 and 1997 financial statements have been reclassified
to conform to the 1999 presentation.
2. INVESTMENTS
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES
The following is a summary of the available-for-sale securities (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS GROSS
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
COST GAIN LOSS VALUE
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1999
Fixed maturities:
Governments................................ $ 309,402 $ 46 $ 8,934 $ 300,514
Public utilities........................... 237,579 341 10,375 227,545
Industrial and miscellaneous............... 2,208,281 7,020 81,412 2,133,889
Other...................................... 47,435 184 3,195 44,424
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total fixed maturities....................... 2,802,697 7,591 103,916 2,706,372
Equity securities............................ 81,554 5,825 2,358 85,021
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total........................................ $2,884,251 $ 13,416 $106,274 $2,791,393
========== ======== ======== ==========
DECEMBER 31, 1998
Fixed maturities:
Governments................................ $ 321,047 $ 5,994 $ 436 $ 326,605
Public utilities........................... 190,792 7,769 1,704 196,857
Industrial and miscellaneous............... 1,723,183 79,137 6,451 1,795,869
Other...................................... 80,882 2,181 51 83,012
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total fixed maturities....................... 2,315,904 95,081 8,642 2,402,343
Equity securities............................ 141,947 18,238 2,334 157,851
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total........................................ $2,457,851 $113,319 $ 10,976 $2,560,194
========== ======== ======== ==========
</TABLE>
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale investments in fixed
maturities at December 31, 1999, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in
thousands).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMORTIZED FAIR
COST VALUE
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Due in one year or less..................................... $ 62,675 $ 62,547
Due after one year through five years....................... 681,595 671,472
Due after five years through ten years...................... 912,713 881,953
Due after ten years......................................... 1,145,714 1,090,400
---------- ----------
Total....................................................... $2,802,697 $2,706,372
========== ==========
</TABLE>
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers
may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or
prepayment penalties.
F-11
<PAGE> 38
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
2. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
MORTGAGE LOANS
The Company has issued commercial mortgage loans on properties located
throughout the United States. Approximately 38% and 36% of outstanding principal
is concentrated in the states of New York, California and Florida, at December
31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. Loan commitments outstanding totaled
$12,350,000 at December 31, 1999.
INVESTMENTS ON DEPOSIT
The Company had fixed maturities carried at $17,061,000 and $19,978,000 at
December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively, on deposit with various governmental
authorities as required by law.
INVESTMENT IN MANAGED DENTAL INITIATIVE
In 1997, the Company acquired a 99% ownership in a managed dental initiative
called Dental Health Alliance, Inc. (DHA). Based on an analysis of future DHA
profitability, the entire investment of $8,132,000 was written-off at December
31, 1997.
NET UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES)
The adjusted net unrealized gains (losses) on investments recorded in
accumulated other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, are set
forth below (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TAX
BEFORE-TAX (EXPENSE) NET-OF-TAX
AMOUNT BENEFIT AMOUNT
---------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1999
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale
investments........................................... $(168,542) $ 58,990 $(109,552)
Decrease in amortization of deferred policy acquisition
costs................................................. 9,142 (3,200) 5,942
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized
in net income......................................... (23,864) 8,352 (15,512)
--------- -------- ---------
Other comprehensive loss................................... $(183,264) $ 64,142 $(119,122)
========= ======== =========
DECEMBER 31, 1998
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale
investments........................................... $ 32,614 $(11,562) $ 21,052
Decrease in amortization of deferred policy acquisition
costs................................................. 414 (145) 269
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized
in net income......................................... (42,832) 14,991 (27,841)
--------- -------- ---------
Other comprehensive loss................................... $ (9,804) $ 3,284 $ (6,520)
========= ======== =========
DECEMBER 31, 1997
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale
investments........................................... $ 93,826 $(33,796) $ 60,030
Increase in amortization of deferred policy acquisition
costs................................................. (2,096) 771 (1,325)
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized
in net income......................................... (40,587) 14,205 (26,382)
--------- -------- ---------
Other comprehensive income................................. $ 51,143 $(18,820) $ 32,323
========= ======== =========
</TABLE>
F-12
<PAGE> 39
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
2. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
NET INVESTMENT INCOME AND NET REALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS
Major categories of net investment income and realized gains (losses) on
investments for each year were as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Fixed maturities............................................ $167,027 $160,163 $160,444
Equity securities........................................... 7,320 8,656 9,306
Mortgage loans on real estate............................... 57,684 57,031 54,662
Policy loans................................................ 5,272 4,653 4,144
Short-term investments...................................... 844 1,701 2,851
Real estate and other investments........................... 6,375 8,194 4,635
-------- -------- --------
244,522 240,398 236,042
Expenses.................................................... (5,824) (6,355) (7,318)
-------- -------- --------
$238,698 $234,043 $228,724
======== ======== ========
NET REALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS
Fixed maturities............................................ $ (9,750) $ 34,320 $ 13,827
Equity securities........................................... 33,613 8,512 26,760
Mortgage loans on real estate............................... -- (198) 301
Short-term investments...................................... -- 5 --
Real estate and other investments........................... 2,099 9,765 213
-------- -------- --------
$ 25,962 $ 52,404 $ 41,101
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
Proceeds from sales of investments in fixed maturities were $1,627,450,000,
$2,460,316,000 and $3,360,682,000 in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Gross
gains of $11,996,000, $44,360,000 and $30,860,000 and gross losses of
$21,746,000, $10,040,000 and $17,033,000 were realized on the sales in 1999,
1998 and 1997, respectively.
F-13
<PAGE> 40
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
3. DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS
The changes in deferred policy acquisition costs by product were as follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTEREST
TRADITIONAL SENSITIVE AND
AND PRE-NEED INVESTMENT ACCIDENT AND
LIFE PRODUCTS HEALTH TOTAL
------------ ------------- ------------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, January 1, 1998.................... $22,169 $264,383 $ 5,190 $291,742
Acquisition costs deferred................ -- 69,921 3,226 73,147
Acquisition costs amortized............... (7,609) (20,256) (5,500) (33,365)
Decreased amortization of deferred
acquisition costs from unrealized gains
on available-for-sale securities....... -- 414 -- 414
------- -------- ------- --------
Balance, December 31, 1998.................. 14,560 314,462 2,916 331,938
Acquisition costs deferred................ 33,783 81,016 17,391 132,190
Acquisition costs amortized............... (2,438) (38,831) (1,809) (43,078)
Decreased amortization of deferred
acquisition costs from unrealized gains
on available-for-sale securities....... -- 9,142 -- 9,142
------- -------- ------- --------
Balance, December 31, 1999.................. $45,905 $365,789 $18,498 $430,192
======= ======== ======= ========
</TABLE>
Included in total policy acquisition costs deferred in 1999 is $35,882,000 of
present value of future profits (PVP) and $1,416,000 of subsequent acquisition
costs resulting from the reinsurance assumption agreement with United Family
Life Insurance Company, an affiliate, which became effective October 1, 1999.
PVP is being amortized against the expected premium revenue of the pre-need life
insurance business assumed. See Note 8 "Reinsurance" for more information on
this reinsurance transaction.
During 1999, 1998 and 1997, the Company sold portions of its investment
portfolio and in accordance with FASB Statement 97, the recognition of the
realized net capital gains resulted in increased (decreased) amortization of
deferred acquisition costs of $(224,000), $3,357,000 and $732,000, respectively.
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of property and equipment at December 31 for each year follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Land........................................................ $ 1,900 $ 1,900
Building and improvements................................... 26,383 24,319
Furniture and equipment..................................... 76,604 87,714
-------- --------
104,887 113,933
Less accumulated depreciation............................... (79,769) (83,221)
-------- --------
Net property and equipment.................................. $ 25,118 $ 30,712
======== ========
</TABLE>
F-14
<PAGE> 41
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
5. ACCIDENT AND HEALTH RESERVES
Activity for the liability for unpaid accident and health claims is summarized
as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance as of January 1, net of reinsurance recoverables.... $1,061,883 $ 988,036 $947,711
Add: Incurred losses related to:
Current year.............................................. 824,949 826,009 773,316
Prior years............................................... (12,800) (27,973) (59,634)
---------- ---------- --------
Total incurred losses....................................... 812,149 798,036 713,682
Deduct: Paid losses related to:
Current year.............................................. 468,404 469,881 437,405
Prior years............................................... 266,025 254,308 235,952
---------- ---------- --------
Total paid losses........................................... 734,429 724,189 673,357
---------- ---------- --------
Balance as of December 31, net of reinsurance
recoverables.............................................. $1,139,603 $1,061,883 $988,036
========== ========== ========
</TABLE>
The table above compares to the amounts reported on the balance sheet in the
following respects: (1) the table above is presented net of ceded reinsurance
and the accident and health reserves reported on the balance sheet are gross of
ceded reinsurance; and (2) the table above includes accident and health benefits
payable which are included with other policy claims and benefits payable
reported on the balance sheet.
In each of the years presented above, the accident and health insurance line of
business experienced overall favorable development on claims reserves
established as of the previous year end. The favorable development was a result
of lower medical costs and a reduction of loss reserves due to lower than
anticipated inflation in medical costs.
The liability for unpaid accident and health claims includes $994,651,000,
$915,368,000 and $854,940,000 of total disability income reserves as of December
31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively, which were discounted for anticipated
interest earnings using a rate which varies by incurral year.
6. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The Company reports its taxable income in a consolidated federal income tax
return along with other affiliated subsidiaries of Fortis. Income tax expense or
credits are allocated among the affiliated subsidiaries by applying corporate
income tax rates to taxable income or loss determined on a separate return basis
according to a Tax Allocation Agreement.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial statement purposes and
for income tax purposes.
F-15
<PAGE> 42
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
6. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
The significant components of the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets
as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Separate account assets/liabilities....................... $ 60,716 $ 87,300
Reserves.................................................. 35,843 27,586
Claims and benefits payable............................... 7,964 8,089
Accrued liabilities....................................... 6,973 10,113
Unrealized Losses......................................... 32,500 --
Investments............................................... 4,549 3,861
Other..................................................... 6,755 2,723
-------- --------
Total deferred tax assets................................... 155,300 139,672
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred policy acquisition costs......................... 98,539 82,031
Unrealized gains.......................................... -- 35,591
Fixed assets.............................................. 2,963 3,150
Investments............................................... 1,171 982
Other..................................................... 160 14
-------- --------
Total deferred tax liabilities.............................. 102,833 121,768
-------- --------
Net deferred tax asset...................................... $ 52,467 $ 17,904
======== ========
</TABLE>
The Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for any portion of
the deferred tax asset that management believes will not be realized. In the
opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the Company will realize
the benefit of the deferred tax assets, and, therefore, no such valuation
allowance has been established.
The Company's tax expense (benefit) for the year ended December 31 is shown as
follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current..................................................... $10,873 $30,232 $41,569
Deferred.................................................... 29,454 170 (6,449)
------- ------- -------
$40,327 $30,402 $35,120
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Federal income tax payments and refunds resulted in net payments of $13,203,000,
$36,367,000 and $58,859,000 in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
The Company's effective income tax rate varied from the statutory federal income
tax rate as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Statutory income tax rate................................... 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
Other, net.................................................. (2.4) (2.1) (.6)
---- ---- ----
32.6% 32.9% 34.4%
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
F-16
<PAGE> 43
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
7. ASSETS HELD IN SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
Separate account assets at December 31 were as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Premium and annuity considerations for the variable annuity
products and variable universal life products for which
the contract holder, rather than the Company, bears the
investment risk........................................... $5,082,341 $3,707,687
Assets of the separate accounts owned by the Company, at
fair value................................................ 37,811 34,716
---------- ----------
$5,120,152 $3,742,403
========== ==========
</TABLE>
8. REINSURANCE
In the second quarter of 1996, First Fortis Life Insurance Company (First
Fortis), an affiliate, received approval from the New York State Insurance
Department for a reinsurance agreement with the Company. The agreement, which
became effective as of January 1, 1996, decreased First Fortis' long-term
disability reinsurance retention from a $10,000 net monthly benefit to a $2,000
net monthly benefit for claims incurred on and after January 1, 1996. The
Company has assumed $6,580,000, $5,601,000 and $5,742,000 of premium from First
Fortis in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The Company has assumed
$11,047,000, $9,315,000 and $5,452,000 of reserves in 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively, from First Fortis.
In the fourth quarter of 1999, United Family Life Insurance Company (UFL), an
affiliate, received approval from the state of Georgia for a reinsurance
agreement with the Company. The agreement, which became effective October 1,
1999, provided for the cession of substantially all of UFL's pre-need life
insurance business on a 100% co-insurance basis. The Company assumed
approximately $690,806,000 of reserves and received approximately $654,924,000
of cash, investments (primarily fixed maturities and mortgages) and other assets
as of October 1, 1999. The $35,882,000 ceding commission was capitalized as an
acquisition cost (as described in Note 3). During the period October 1, 1999 to
December 31, 1999, the Company assumed $31,523,000 of premium under the
contract.
The maximum amount that the Company retains on any one life is $1,000,000 of
life insurance including accidental death. Amounts in excess of $1,000,000 are
reinsured with other life insurance companies on a yearly renewable term basis.
Ceded reinsurance premiums for the year ended December 31 were as follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Life insurance.............................................. $ 6,246 $ 6,983 $ 8,159
Accident and health insurance............................... 17,803 13,862 13,712
------- ------- -------
$24,049 $20,845 $21,871
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Recoveries under reinsurance contracts for the year ended December 31 were as
follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Life insurance.............................................. $ 478 $ 4,549 $ 2,973
Accident and health insurance............................... 13,669 9,465 14,781
------- ------- -------
$14,147 $14,014 $17,754
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Reinsurance ceded would become a liability of the Company in the event the
reinsurers are unable to meet the obligations assumed under the reinsurance
agreement. To minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurance
insolvencies, the Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers
and monitors concentrations of credit risk arising from similar geographic
regions, activities or economic characteristics of the reinsurers.
F-17
<PAGE> 44
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
9. DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS
Dividend distributions to the parent are restricted as to the amount by state
regulatory requirements. The Company had $49,286,000 free from such restrictions
as of December 31, 1999. Distributions in excess of this amount would require
regulatory approval.
10. REGULATORY ACCOUNTING REQUIREMENTS
Statutory-basis financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting
practices prescribed or permitted by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
Prescribed statutory accounting practices include a variety of publications of
the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC"), as well as state
laws, regulations and general administrative rules. Permitted statutory
accounting practices encompass all accounting practices not so prescribed; such
practices may differ from state to state, may differ from company to company
within a state, and may change in the future.
In 1998, the NAIC adopted codified statutory accounting principles
("Codification") effective January 1, 2001. Codification will likely change, to
some extent, prescribed statutory accounting practices and may result in changes
to the accounting practices that the Company uses to prepare its statutory-basis
financial statements. Codification requires adoption by the various states
before it becomes the prescribed statutory basis of accounting for insurance
companies domesticated within those states. Minnesota has adopted Codification
effective January 1, 2001. Management has not yet determined the impact of
Codification to the Company's statutory-basis financial statements.
Insurance enterprises are required by State Insurance Departments to adhere to
minimum risk-based capital ("RBC") requirements developed by the NAIC. The
Company exceeds the minimum RBC requirements.
Reconciliations of net income and shareholder's equity on the basis of statutory
accounting to the related amounts presented in the accompanying statements were
as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHAREHOLDER'S
NET INCOME EQUITY
----------------------------- ---------------------
1999 1998 1997 1999 1998
-------- ------- -------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Based on statutory accounting practices........... $ 9,387 $14,841 $ 62,593 $ 497,858 $ 478,405
Deferred policy acquisition costs................. 54,049 39,782 25,763 430,192 331,938
Investment valuation differences.................. 953 745 (497) (103,361) 100,165
Deferred and uncollected premiums................. (4,637) 511 2,064 (13,188) (7,246)
Policy reserves................................... (20,070) (7,041) (19,363) (127,766) (156,889)
Commissions....................................... 79,067 -- (3,171) -- --
Current income taxes payable...................... (8,882) 925 6,450 (9,000) (10,920)
Deferred income taxes............................. (18,650) (417) 6,449 52,467 17,904
Realized gains on investments..................... 9 356 251 -- --
Realized gains (losses) transferred to the
Interest Maintenance Reserve (IMR), net of
tax............................................. (6,163) 22,748 9,644 -- --
Amortization of IMR, net of tax................... (8,565) (7,128) (6,315) -- --
Write-off of investment........................... -- (11,705) -- --
Pension expense................................... (1,475) 81 (4,153) (8,235) (6,440)
Property and equipment............................ -- -- -- 591 5,951
Interest maintenance reserve...................... -- -- -- 55,117 68,968
Asset valuation reserve........................... -- -- -- 72,940 90,986
Mortgage loans on real estate..................... -- -- -- -- (20,141)
Other, net........................................ 8,183 (3,521) (900) 1,937 (7,213)
-------- ------- -------- --------- ---------
As reported herein................................ $ 83,206 $61,882 $ 67,110 $ 849,552 $ 885,468
======== ======= ======== ========= =========
</TABLE>
F-18
<PAGE> 45
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
11. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATED COMPANIES
The Company receives various services from Fortis and its affiliates. These
services include assistance in benefit plan administration, corporate insurance,
accounting, tax, auditing, investment and other administrative functions. The
fees paid to Fortis, Inc. for these services for years ended December 31, 1999,
1998 and 1997, were $11,661,000, $13,077,000 and $12,015,000, respectively.
During 1997, Fortis, Inc. began providing information technology services to the
Company. Information technology expenses were $59,390,000, $55,910,000 and
$28,525,000 for years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
In conjunction with the marketing of its variable annuity products, the Company
paid $79,413,000, $72,638,000 and $72,105,000 in commissions to its affiliate,
Fortis Investors, Inc., for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
Administrative expenses allocated for the Company may be greater or less than
the expenses that would be incurred if the Company were operating on a separate
company basis.
12. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
VALUATION METHODS AND ASSUMPTIONS
The fair values for fixed maturity securities and equity securities are based on
quoted market prices, where available. For fixed maturity securities not
actively traded, fair values are estimated using values obtained from
independent pricing services or, in the case of private placements, are
estimated by discounting expected future cash flows using a current market rate
applicable to the yield, credit quality, and maturity of the investments.
Mortgage loans are reported at unpaid principal balance less allowances for
possible losses. The fair values of mortgage loans are estimated using
discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for
similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Mortgage loans with
similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations. The
carrying amount of policy loans reported in the Balance Sheet approximates fair
value. For short-term investments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate
of fair value. The fair values for the Company's policy reserves under the
investment products are determined using cash surrender value. Separate account
assets and liabilities are reported at their estimated fair values in the
Balance Sheet.
The fair values under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in
the Company's overall management of interest rate risk, such that the Company's
exposure to changing interest rates is minimized through the matching of
investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1999 DECEMBER 31, 1998
----------------------- -----------------------
CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR
AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Assets:
Investments:
Securities available-for-sale:
Fixed maturities.............................. $2,706,372 $2,706,372 $2,402,343 $2,402,343
Equity securities............................. 85,021 85,021 157,851 157,851
Mortgage loans on real estate...................... 754,514 741,397 610,131 662,984
Policy loans....................................... 83,439 83,439 74,950 74,950
Short-term investments............................. 115,527 115,527 31,868 31,868
Assets held in separate accounts................... 5,120,152 5,120,152 3,742,403 3,742,403
Liabilities:
Individual and group annuities (subject to
discretionary withdrawal)....................... $ 789,002 $ 763,861 $ 923,102 $ 894,019
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts........... 5,082,341 5,082,341 3,707,687 3,707,687
</TABLE>
F-19
<PAGE> 46
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is named as a defendant in a number of legal actions arising
primarily from claims made under insurance policies. These actions have been
considered in establishing policy benefit and loss reserves. Management and its
legal counsel are of the opinion that the settlement of these actions will not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of
operations.
14. RETIREMENT AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The Company is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortis, which sponsors a
defined benefit pension plan covering employees and certain agents who meet
eligibility requirements as to age and length of service. The benefits are based
on years of service and career compensation. Fortis Inc.'s funding policy is to
contribute annually the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income
tax purposes, and to charge each subsidiary an allocable amount based on its
employee census. Pension cost allocated to the Company amounted to approximately
$2,225,000, $1,627,000 and $1,594,000 for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
The Company participates in a contributory profit sharing plan, sponsored by
Fortis, covering employees and certain agents who meet eligibility requirements
as to age and length of service. Benefits are payable to participants on
retirement or disability and to the beneficiaries of participants in the event
of death. The first three percent of an employee's contribution is matched 200%
by the Company. The amount expensed was approximately $3,711,000, $3,610,000 and
$3,926,000 for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
In addition to retirement benefits, the Company participates in other health
care and life insurance benefit plans ("postretirement benefits") for retired
employees, sponsored by Fortis. Health care benefits, either through a Fortis
sponsored retiree plan for retirees under age 65 or through a cost offset for
individually purchased Medigap policies for retirees over age 65, are available
to employees who retire on or after January 1, 1993, at age 55 or older, with 15
years or more service. Life insurance, on a retiree pay all basis, is available
to those who retire on or after January 1, 1993.
There were no net postretirement benefit costs allocated to the Company for the
years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998. Costs allocated to the Company for the
year ended December 31, 1997 were $304,000, which includes the expected cost of
such benefits for newly eligible or vested employees, interest cost, gains and
losses arising from differences between actuarial assumptions and actual
experience, and amortization of the transition obligation. The Company made
contributions to the plans of approximately $19,000, $(5,200) and $20,000 in
1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively, as claims were incurred.
15. YEAR 2000 (UNAUDITED)
The Company utilizes Fortis and its computer systems to process Company
businesses. Fortis created a Year 2000 Project Office which was dedicated to
ensuring that all of the systems for Fortis and its subsidiaries and affiliates
were ready for year 2000. The estimated total cost of the Fortis Year 2000
Project was approximately $85 million. This cost reflects the total cost to the
Fortis U.S. companies (excluding the recent American Bankers Insurance Group
acquisition). The cost of the Company's portion is estimated at $26.9 million.
Approximately, $11.4 million was expensed by the Company in 1999.
As of December 20, 1999, 100% of the Mission Critical and non-Mission Critical
computer system lines of code that had been identified were renovated and tested
and were ready for year 2000. Although there have been several minor matters, as
of the date of this publication, no significant disruptions resulting from the
century date change have been detected in any of the mission critical systems.
The Company will continue to monitor the status of and exposure to any potential
Year 2000 issues.
F-20
<PAGE> 47
APPENDIX A--SAMPLE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT CALCULATIONS
The formula which will be used to determine the Market Value Adjustment is:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 + I n/12
------------ - 1
( 1 + J + .005 )
</TABLE>
Sample Calculation 1: Positive Adjustment
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Amount withdrawn or transferred $10,000
Existing Guarantee Period 7 years
Time of withdrawal or transfer beginning of 3rd year of Existing Guarantee Period
Guaranteed Interest Rate (I) 8%*
Guaranteed Interest Rate for new 5-year guarantee (J) 7%*
Remaining Guarantee Period (N) 60 months
Market Value Adjustment
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 + .08 60/12
$10,000 X -------------- - 1 = $234.73
[( 1 + .07 + .005 ) ]
</TABLE>
Amount transferred or withdrawn (adjusted for Market Value Adjustment):
$10,234.73
Sample Calculation 2: Negative Adjustment
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Amount withdrawn or transferred $10,000
Existing Guarantee Period 7 years
Time of withdrawal or transfer beginning of 3rd year of Existing Guarantee Period
Guaranteed Interest Rate (I) 8%*
Guaranteed Interest Rate for new 5-year guarantee (J) 9%*
Remaining Guarantee Period (N) 60 months
Market Value Adjustment:
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 + .08 60/12
$10,000 X -------------- - 1 = $666.42
[( 1 + .09 + .005 ) ]
</TABLE>
Amount transferred or withdrawn (adjusted for Market Value Adjustment):
$9,333.58
Sample Calculation 3: Negative Adjustment
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Amount withdrawn or transferred $10,000
Guarantee Period 7 years
Time of withdrawal or transfer beginning of 3rd year of Existing Guarantee Period
Guaranteed Interest Rate (I) 8%*
Guaranteed Interest Rate for new 5-year guarantee (J) 7.75%*
Remaining Guarantee Period (N) 60 months
Market Value Adjustment:
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 + .08 60/12
$10,000 X ---------------- - 1 = $114.94
[( 1 + .0775 + .005 ) ]
</TABLE>
Amount transferred or withdrawn (adjusted for Market Value Adjustment):
$9,885.06
- ------------------------------
* Assumed for illustrative purposes only.
A-1
<PAGE> 48
APPENDIX B--SAMPLE DEATH BENEFIT CALCULATIONS
(FOR CONTRACTS ISSUED ON AND AFTER MAY 1, 1997 WITH ENHANCED DEATH BENEFIT
RIDER)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2
DATE OF DEATH IS THE 3RD CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
a. Purchase Payments Made Prior to Date of Death, with 3%
accumulation $20,000 $20,000
b. Contract Value on Date of Death $17,000 $25,000
Death Benefit is larger of a, and b $20,000 $25,000
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE 3 EXAMPLE 4 EXAMPLE 5
DATE OF DEATH IS THE 8TH CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
a. Purchase Payments Made Prior to Date of Death, with 3%
accumulation $20,000 $20,000 $20,000
b. Contract Value on 7th Contract Anniversary $15,000 $30,000 $30,000
c. Contract Value on Date of Death $17,000 $25,000 $35,000
Death Benefit is larger of a, b, and c $20,000 $30,000 $35,000
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE 6 EXAMPLE 7 EXAMPLE 8
DATE OF DEATH IS THE 15TH CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
a. Purchase Payments Made Prior to Date of Death, with 3%
accumulation $20,000 $20,000 $20,000
b. Contract Value on 14th Contract Anniversary $15,000 $40,000 $40,000
c. Contract Value on Date of Death $17,000 $30,000 $50,000
Death Benefit is larger of a, b, and c $20,000 $40,000 $50,000
</TABLE>
The numbers do not include any Market Value Adjustments which might be
applicable to the death benefit amount.
B-1
<PAGE> 49
APPENDIX C--EXPLANATION OF EXPENSE CALCULATIONS
The expense for a given year is calculated by multiplying the projected
beginning of the year policy value by the total expense rate. The total expense
rate is the sum of the Variable Account expense rate plus the total Series Fund
expense rate plus the annual administrative charge rate.
The policy values are projected by assuming a single payment of $1,000 grows at
an annual rate equal to 5% reduced by the total expense rate described above.
For example, the 3 year expense for the Growth Stock Series is calculated as
follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Variable Account Annual Expenses 1.35%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Total Series Fund Operating Expenses .66%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
= Total Expense Rate 2.01%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Year 1 Beginning Policy Value = $1000.00
Year 1 Expense = 1000.00 X .0201 = $20.10
Year 2 Beginning Policy Value = $1029.9
Year 2 Expense = 1029.90 X .0201 = $20.70
Year 3 Beginning Policy Value = $1060.69
Year 3 Expense = 1060.69 X .0201 = $21.32
So the cumulative expenses for years 1-3 for the Growth Stock Series are equal
to: $20.10 + $20.70 + $21.32 = $62.12
If the contract is surrendered, the surrender charge is the surrender charge
percentage times the purchase payment minus the 10% free withdrawal amount:
Surrender Charge Percentage X (Initial Premium - 10% Free Withdrawal) =
Surrender Charge
0.05 X ($1000.00 - $100.00) = $45.00
So the total expense if surrendered is $62.12 + $45.00 = $107.12
C-1
<PAGE> 50
FORTIS
MASTERS+
VARIABLE
ANNUITY
Contracts Under Flexible
Premium Deferred
Combination Variable and
Fixed Annuity Contracts
PROSPECTUS DATED
May 1, 2000
[FORTIS SOLID PARTNERS, FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS(SM) LOGO]
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
MAILING ADDRESS: STREET ADDRESS: PHONE:
P.O. BOX 64272 500 BIELENBERG DRIVE 1-800-800-2000
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA 55164 WOODBURY, MINNESOTA 55125 EXTENSION 3057
</TABLE>
This prospectus describes interests under flexible premium deferred combination
variable and fixed annuity contracts issued by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
("Fortis Benefits").
These contracts allow you to accumulate funds on a tax-deferred basis. You may
elect a guaranteed interest accumulation option through a fixed account or a
variable return accumulation option through a variable account, or a combination
of these two options. Under the guaranteed interest accumulation option, you can
choose among ten different guarantee periods, each of which has its own interest
rate.
Under the variable return accumulation option, you can choose among one or more
of the following investment portfolios (those portfolios which have a non-Fortis
subadvisor includes the name of the subadvisor at the beginning of the portfolio
name):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Money Market Series T. Rowe Price -- Blue Chip Stock Series
U.S. Government Securities Series AIM -- Blue Chip Stock Series II
Diversified Income Series Lazard Freres -- International Stock
AIM -- Multisector Bond Series Series
High Yield Series Dreyfus -- Mid Cap Stock Series
Morgan Stanley -- Global Asset Allocation Berger -- Small Cap Value Series
Series Global Growth Series
Asset Allocation Series MFS -- Global Equity Series
Federated -- American Leaders Series Alliance -- Large Cap Growth Series
Value Series MFS -- Investors Growth Series
MFS -- Capital Opportunities Series Growth Stock Series
Growth & Income Series Aggressive Growth Series
Dreyfus -- S&P 500 Index Series
</TABLE>
The accompanying prospectuses for these investment portfolios describe the
investment objectives, policies and risks of each of the portfolios.
This prospectus gives you information about the contracts that you should know
before investing. This prospectus must be accompanied by a current prospectus of
the available investment portfolios. These prospectuses should be read carefully
and kept for future reference.
A Statement of Additional Information, dated May 1, 2000, about certain aspects
of the contracts has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
is available without charge from Fortis Benefits at the address and phone number
printed above. The Table of Contents for the Statement of Additional Information
appears on page 26 of this prospectus.
THESE CONTRACTS ARE NOT OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK,
CREDIT UNION, BROKER-DEALER OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTION. THEY ARE NOT
FEDERALLY INSURED BY THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, THE FEDERAL
RESERVE BOARD, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY. THEY INVOLVE INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING THE
POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE
ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE> 51
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
<S> <C>
Special Terms Used in this Prospectus....................... 3
Information Concerning Fees and Charges..................... 4
Summary of Contract Features................................ 6
- Fortis Benefits/Fortis Financial Group Member........ 9
The Variable Account........................................ 9
The Portfolios.............................................. 9
The Fixed Account........................................... 10
- Guaranteed Interest Rates/Guarantee Periods.......... 10
- Market Value Adjustment.............................. 10
- Investments by Fortis Benefits....................... 11
Accumulation Period......................................... 11
- Issuance of a Contract and Purchase Payments......... 11
- Contract Value....................................... 12
- Allocation of Purchase Payments and Contract Value... 13
- Total and Partial Surrenders......................... 13
- Telephone Transactions............................... 14
- Benefit Payable on Death of Contract Owner (or
Annuitant)............................................ 14
The Annuity Period.......................................... 15
- Annuity Commencement Date............................ 15
- Commencement of Annuity Payments..................... 15
- Relationship Between Subaccount Investment
Performance and Amount of Variable Annuity Payments... 15
- Annuity Options...................................... 15
- Death of Annuitant or Other Payee.................... 16
Charges and Deductions...................................... 16
- Premium Taxes........................................ 16
- Charges Against the Variable Account................. 16
- Tax Charge........................................... 16
- Surrender Charge..................................... 17
- Disability Waiver of Surrender Charges............... 17
- Miscellaneous........................................ 18
- Reduction of Charges................................. 18
General Provisions.......................................... 18
- The Contracts........................................ 18
- Postponement of Payment.............................. 18
- Misstatement of Age or Sex and Other Errors.......... 18
- Assignment........................................... 18
- Beneficiary.......................................... 18
- Reports.............................................. 19
Rights Reserved by Fortis Benefits.......................... 19
Distribution................................................ 19
Federal Tax Matters......................................... 19
Further Information About Fortis Benefits................... 21
- General.............................................. 21
- Ownership of Securities.............................. 21
- Selected Financial Data.............................. 22
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations................................. 22
Voting Privileges........................................... 24
Legal Matters............................................... 24
Other Information........................................... 24
Contents of Statement of Additional Information............. 25
Fortis Benefits Financial Statements........................ F-1
Appendix A--Sample Market Value Adjustment Calculations..... A-1
Appendix B--Sample Death Benefit Calculations............... B-1
Appendix C--Explanation Of Expense Calculations............. C-1
Appendix D--Pro Rata Adjustments............................ D-1
</TABLE>
THE CONTRACTS 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, THE RELATED STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, OR
ANY SUPPLEMENTS THERETO OR IN ANY SUPPLEMENTAL SALES MATERIAL AUTHORIZED BY
FORTIS BENEFITS.
<PAGE> 52
SPECIAL TERMS USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS
Accumulation Period
The time period under a contract between the contract issue
date and the annuity commencement date.
Accumulation Unit A unit of measure used to calculate the owners' interest in
the Variable Account during the Accumulation Period.
Annuitant A person during whose life annuity payments are to be made by
Fortis Benefits under the contract. The Annuitant is the
person named in the application for the contract. If such
person dies before the annuity commencement date and there is
an additional annuitant named in the application, the
additional annuitant shall become the Annuitant. If there is
no named additional annuitant, or the additional annuitant
has predeceased the Annuitant who is named in the
application, the owner, if he or she is a natural person,
shall become the Annuitant.
Annuity Period The time period following the Accumulation Period, during
which annuity payments are made by Fortis Benefits.
Annuity Unit A unit of measurement used to calculate variable annuity
payments.
Fixed Annuity Option
An annuity option under which Fortis Benefits promises to pay
the Annuitant or any other payee that you designate one or
more fixed payments.
Market Value Adjustment
Positive or negative adjustment in fixed account value that
we make if such value is paid out more than fifteen days
before or after the end of a guarantee period in which it was
being held.
Non-Qualified Contracts
Contracts that do not qualify for the special federal income
tax treatment applicable in connection with certain
retirement plans.
Qualified Contracts
Contracts that are qualified for the special federal income
tax treatment applicable in connection with certain
retirement plans.
Valuation Date All business days except, with respect to any subaccount,
days on which the related portfolio does not value its
shares. Generally, the portfolios value their shares on each
day the New York Stock Exchange is open.
Valuation Period The period that starts at the close of regular trading on the
New York Stock Exchange on a Valuation Date and ends at the
close of regular trading on the exchange on the next
succeeding Valuation Date.
Variable Account The segregated asset account referred to as Variable Account
D of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company established to receive
and invest purchase payments under contracts.
Variable Annuity Option
An annuity option under which Fortis Benefits promises to pay
the Annuitant or any other payee chosen by you one or more
payments which vary in amount in accordance with the net
investment experience of the subaccounts selected by the
Annuitant.
3
<PAGE> 53
INFORMATION CONCERNING FEES AND CHARGES
CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION CHARGES
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Front-End Sales Charge Imposed on Purchases................. 0%
Maximum Surrender Charge for Sales Expenses................. 7% (1)
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF YEARS SINCE SURRENDER CHARGE AS A
PURCHASE PAYMENT WAS CREDITED PERCENTAGE OF PURCHASE PAYMENT
- ----------------------------- ------------------------------
<S> <C>
Less than 2 7%
At least 2 but less than 4 6%
At least 4 but less than 5 5%
At least 5 but less than 6 3%
At least 6 but less than 7 1%
7 or more 0%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Other Surrender Fees........................................ 0%
Exchange Fee................................................ 0%
ANNUAL CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION CHARGE............................ $0
VARIABLE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES
(AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE ACCOUNT VALUE)
Mortality and Expense Risk Charge........................... 1.25%
Variable Account Administrative Charge...................... .10%
Total Variable Account Annual Expenses...................... 1.35%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------
(1) This charge does not apply in certain cases such as partial surrenders each
year of up to 10% of "new purchase payments" as defined under the heading
"Surrender Charge," or payment of a death benefit.
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT WITH RESPECT TO FIXED ACCOUNT
Surrenders and other withdrawals from the fixed account more than fifteen days
from the end of a guarantee period other than the one year guarantee period are
subject to a Market Value Adjustment. The Market Value Adjustment may increase
or reduce the fixed account value. We compute this adjustment according to a
formula that we describe in more detail under "Market Value Adjustment."
PORTFOLIO ANNUAL EXPENSES(a)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
U.S. MULTI GLOBAL
MONEY GOVERNMENT DIVERSIFIED SECTOR HIGH ASSET ASSET AMERICAN
MARKET SECURITIES INCOME BOND YIELD ALLOCATION ALLOCATION LEADERS VALUE
SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES
------ ---------- ----------- ---------- ------ ---------- ---------- ---------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investment Advisory and
Management Fee......... 0.30% 0.47% 0.47% 0.75% 0.50% 0.90% 0.47% 0.90% 0.70%
Other Expenses........... 0.05% 0.05% 0.07% 0.15% 0.07% 0.12% 0.05% 0.35% 0.06%
Total Fortis Series
Operating Expenses..... 0.35% 0.52% 0.54% 0.90% 0.57% 1.02% 0.52% 1.25% 0.78%
<CAPTION>
GROWTH
CAPITAL & S&P 500
OPPORTUNITIES INCOME INDEX
SERIES SERIES SERIES
------------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Investment Advisory and
Management Fee......... 0.90% 0.63% 0.40%
Other Expenses........... 0.35% 0.06% 0.06%
Total Fortis Series
Operating Expenses..... 1.25% 0.69% 0.46%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BLUE MID SMALL LARGE
CHIP BLUE CHIP CAP CAP GLOBAL GLOBAL CAP
STOCK STOCK INTERNATIONAL STOCK VALUE GROWTH EQUITY GROWTH
SERIES SERIES II STOCK SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES SERIES
------ ------------- ------------- ------ ------ ------ ---------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investment and Management Fee.......... 0.87% 0.95% 0.84% 0.90% 0.90% 0.70% 1.00% 0.90%
Other Expenses......................... 0.05% 0.35% 0.10% 0.28% 0.14% 0.07% 0.35% 0.07%
Total Fortis Series Operating
Expenses............................. 0.92% 1.30% 0.94% 1.18% 1.04% 0.77% 1.35% 0.97%
<CAPTION>
INVESTORS GROWTH AGGRESSIVE
GROWTH STOCK GROWTH
SERIES SERIES SERIES
---------- ------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Investment and Management Fee.......... 0.90% 0.61% 0.66%
Other Expenses......................... 0.35% 0.05% 0.06%
Total Fortis Series Operating
Expenses............................. 1.25% 0.66% 0.72%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------
(a) As a percentage of portfolio average net assets based on 1999 historical
data, except that for American Leaders, Capital Opportunities, Blue Chip
Stock Series II, Global Equity and Investors Growth, these amounts are based
upon estimates after reimbursement for the current fiscal year. The
estimated expenses for those portfolios prior to reimbursement is as
follows; Global Equity 1.40%, Investors Growth 1.30%, Capital Opportunities
1.30%, American Leaders 1.30% and Blue Chip II 1.30%.
4
<PAGE> 54
EXAMPLES*
If you surrender your contract in full at the end of any of the time periods
shown below, you would pay the following cumulative expenses on a $1,000
investment, assuming a 5% annual return on assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IF ALL AMOUNTS ARE INVESTED IN ONE PORTFOLIO: 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
--------------------------------------------- ------ ------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Money Market................................................ $80 $107 $136 $198
U.S. Government Securities.................................. 82 112 145 216
Diversified Income.......................................... 82 112 146 218
Multisector Bond............................................ 86 123 164 255
High Yield.................................................. 82 113 147 221
Global Asset Allocation..................................... 87 127 170 267
Asset Allocation............................................ 82 112 145 216
American Leaders............................................ 89 134 181 290
Value....................................................... 84 120 158 243
Capital Opportunities....................................... 89 134 181 290
Growth & Income............................................. 83 117 153 233
S&P 500 Index............................................... 81 110 141 209
Blue Chip Stock............................................. 86 124 165 257
Blue Chip Stock II.......................................... 90 135 184 295
International Stock......................................... 86 125 166 259
MidCap Stock Series......................................... 88 132 178 283
Small Cap Value Series...................................... 87 128 171 269
Global Growth............................................... 84 119 157 242
Global Equity............................................... 90 137 186 300
Large Cap Growth Series..................................... 86 125 167 262
Investors Growth Series..................................... 89 134 181 290
Growth Stock................................................ 83 116 152 230
Aggressive Growth........................................... 84 118 155 237
</TABLE>
If you commence an annuity payment option, or do not surrender your contract,
you would pay the following cumulative expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming
a 5% annual return on assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IF ALL AMOUNTS ARE INVESTED IN ONE PORTFOLIO: 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
--------------------------------------------- ------ ------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Money Market................................................ $17 $53 $ 91 $198
U.S. Government Securities.................................. 19 58 100 216
Diversified Income.......................................... 19 58 101 218
Multisector Bond............................................ 23 69 119 255
High Yield.................................................. 19 59 102 221
Global Asset Allocation..................................... 24 73 125 267
Asset Allocation............................................ 19 58 100 216
American Leaders............................................ 26 80 136 290
Value....................................................... 21 66 113 243
Capital Opportunities....................................... 26 80 136 290
Growth & Income............................................. 20 63 108 233
S&P 500 Index............................................... 18 56 96 209
Blue Chip Stock............................................. 23 70 120 257
Blue Chip Stock II.......................................... 27 81 139 295
International Stock......................................... 23 71 121 259
MidCap Stock Series......................................... 25 78 133 283
Small Cap Value Series...................................... 24 74 126 269
Global Growth............................................... 21 65 112 242
Global Equity............................................... 27 83 141 300
Large Cap Growth Series..................................... 23 71 122 262
Investors Growth Series..................................... 26 80 136 290
Growth Stock................................................ 20 62 107 230
Aggressive Growth........................................... 21 64 110 237
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------
* Does not include the effect of any Market Value Adjustment.
THE EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE
EXPENSES, AND ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN.
------------------------------
We have included the foregoing tables and examples to help you understand the
transaction and operating expenses we directly or indirectly impose under the
contracts and under the portfolios. We will also deduct amounts for state
premium taxes or similar assessments where these deductions are applicable.
See Appendix C for an explanation of the calculation of the amounts set forth
above.
5
<PAGE> 55
SUMMARY OF CONTRACT FEATURES
The following summary should be read in conjunction with the detailed
information in this prospectus. Variations from the information appearing in
this prospectus due to requirements particular to your state are described in
supplements which are attached to this prospectus, or in endorsements to the
contract as appropriate.
The contracts are designed to provide individuals with retirement benefits
through the accumulation of purchase payments on a fixed or variable basis, and
by the application of such accumulations to provide fixed or variable annuity
payments.
"We," "our," and "us" mean Fortis Benefits Insurance Company. "You" and "your"
mean a reader of this prospectus who is contemplating making purchase payments
or taking any other action in connection with a contract.
Depending on the state that you live in, the contract that is issued to you may
be as a part of a group contract or as an individual contract. Participation in
a group contract will be evidenced by the issuance of a certificate showing your
interest under the group contract. In other states, an individual contract will
be issued to you. Both the certificate and the contract are referred to as a
"contract" in this prospectus.
FREE LOOK
You have the right to examine a contract during a "free look" period after you
receive the contract and return it for a refund of the amount of the then
current contract value. However, in certain states where required by state law
the refund will be in the amount of all purchase payments that have been made,
without interest or appreciation or depreciation. The "free look" period is
generally 10 days unless a longer time is specified on the face page of your
contract.
PURCHASE PAYMENTS
The initial purchase payment under a contract must be at least $5,000 ($2,000
for a contract which is part of a qualified plan). Additional purchase payments
under a contract must be at least $50. See "Issuance of a Contract and Purchase
Payments."
ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS
On the date that the contract is issued, the initial purchase payment is
allocated, as specified by you in the contract application, among one or more of
the portfolios, or to one or more of the guarantee periods in the fixed account,
or to a combination thereof. Subsequent purchase payments are allocated in the
same way, or pursuant to different allocation percentages that you may request
in writing.
VARIABLE ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Each of the subaccounts of the Variable Account invests in shares of a
corresponding portfolio. Contract value in each of the subaccounts of the
Variable Account will vary to reflect the investment experience of each of the
corresponding portfolios, as well as deductions for certain charges.
Each portfolio has a separate and distinct investment objective and is managed
by Fortis Advisers, Inc. or a subadviser of Fortis Advisers, Inc. A full
description of the portfolios and their investment objectives, policies, risks
and expenses can be found in the current prospectus for the portfolios, which
accompanies this prospectus, and the portfolios' Statement of Additional
Information which is available upon request from Fortis Benefits at the address
and phone number on the cover of this prospectus.
FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Any amount allocated by the owner to the fixed account earns a guaranteed
interest rate. The level of the guaranteed interest rate depends on the length
of the guarantee period selected by the owner. We currently make available ten
different guarantee periods, ranging from one to ten years.
If amounts are transferred, surrendered or otherwise paid out more than fifteen
days before or after the end of the applicable guarantee period other than the
one-year guarantee period, a Market Value Adjustment will be applied to increase
or decrease the amount of fixed account value that is paid out. Accordingly, the
Market Value Adjustment can result in gains or losses to you. There is no Market
Value Adjustment for transfers or surrenders from the one-year guarantee period
of the fixed account.
THE FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTION IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR CONTRACTS ISSUED IN THE
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
For a more complete discussion of the fixed account investment options and the
Market Value Adjustment, see "The Fixed Account."
TRANSFERS
During the Accumulation Period, you can transfer all or part of your contract
value from one subaccount to another or into the fixed account and, subject to
any Market Value Adjustment, from one guarantee period to another or into a
subaccount. There is currently no charge for these transfers. We reserve the
right to restrict the frequency of or otherwise condition, terminate, or impose
charges upon, transfers from a subaccount during the Accumulation Period. During
the Annuity Period the person receiving annuity payments may make up to four
transfers (but not from a Fixed Annuity Option) during each year of the Annuity
Period. For a description of certain limitations on transfer rights, see
"Allocations of Purchase Payments and Contract Value--Transfers."
TOTAL OR PARTIAL SURRENDERS
Subject to certain conditions, all or part of the contract value may be
surrendered by you before the earlier of (1) the annuity commencement date, or
(2) if the owner is a non-natural person the Annuitant's death. Amounts
surrendered may be subject to a surrender charge and, in addition, amounts
surrendered from the fixed account may be subject to a Market Value Adjustment.
See "Total and Partial Surrenders," "Surrender Charge" and "Market Value
Adjustment." Particular attention should be paid to the tax implications of any
surrender, including possible penalties for premature distributions. See
"Federal Tax Matters."
ANNUITY PAYMENTS
The contract provides several types of annuity benefits to you or to other
persons you properly designate to receive such payments, including Fixed and
Variable Annuity Options. The owner has considerable flexibility in choosing the
annuity commencement date. However, the tax implications of an annuity
6
<PAGE> 56
commencement date must be carefully considered, including the possibility of
penalties for commencing benefits either too soon or too late. See "Annuity
Commencement Date," "Annuity Options" and "Federal Tax Matters" in this
prospectus and "Taxation Under Certain Retirement Plans" in the Statement of
Additional Information.
DEATH BENEFIT
In the event of the death of the owner, or the Annuitant if the owner is a
non-natural person, prior to the annuity commencement date, a death benefit is
payable to the beneficiary. See "Benefit Payable on Death of Contract Owner (or
Annuitant)."
LIMITATIONS IMPOSED BY RETIREMENT PLANS AND EMPLOYERS
Certain rights you would otherwise have under a contract may be limited by the
terms of any applicable employee benefit plan. These limitations may restrict
such things as total and partial surrenders, the amount or timing of purchase
payments that may be made, when annuity payments must start and the type of
annuity options that may be selected. Accordingly, you should familiarize
yourself with these and all other aspects of any retirement plan in connection
with which a contract is issued.
The record owner of the group variable annuity contract pursuant to which group
certificates will be issued will be a bank trustee whose sole function is to
hold record ownership of the contract or an employer (or the employer's
designee) in connection with an employee benefit plan. In the latter cases,
certain rights that an owner otherwise would have under a contract may be
reserved instead by the employer.
TAX IMPLICATIONS
The tax implications for you or any other persons who may receive payments under
a contract, and those of any related employee benefit plan can be quite
important. A brief discussion of some of these is set out under "Federal Tax
Matters" in this prospectus and "Taxation Under Certain Retirement Plans" in the
Statement of Additional Information, but such discussion is not comprehensive.
Therefore, you should consider these matters carefully and consult a qualified
tax adviser before making purchase payments or taking any other action in
connection with a contract or any related employee benefit plan. Failure to do
so could result in serious adverse tax consequences which might otherwise have
been avoided.
QUESTIONS AND OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
Any question about procedures of the contract should be directed to your sales
representative, or Fortis Benefits' home office: P.O. Box 64272, St. Paul,
Minnesota, 55164: 1-800-800-2000, extension 3057. Purchase payments and written
requests should be mailed or delivered to the same home office address. All
communications should include the contract number, the owner's name and, if
different, the Annuitant's name. The number for telephone transfers is
1-800-800-2000 (extension 3057).
Any purchase payment or other communication, except a 10-day cancellation
notice, is deemed received at Fortis Benefit's home office on the actual date of
receipt there in proper form unless received (1) after the close of regular
trading on The New York Stock Exchange, or (2) on a date that is not a Valuation
Date. In either of these two cases, the date of receipt will be deemed to be the
next Valuation Date.
7
<PAGE> 57
FINANCIAL AND PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The information presented below reflects the Accumulation Unit information for
subaccounts of the Variable Account through December 31, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GLOBAL
MONEY U.S. GOV'T DIVERSIFIED GLOBAL HIGH ASSET ASSET
MARKET SECURITIES INCOME BOND YIELD ALLOCATION ALLOCATION
------ ---------- ----------- ------ ----- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 1999
Accumulation Units in Force........ 59,567,286 6,961,590 46,271,405 1,402,949 4,713,245 152,820,325 3,230,112
Accumulation Unit Values........... $1,587 $17,823 $1,998 $12,092 $12,799 $3,923 $16,150
December 31, 1998
Accumulation Units in Force........ 39,532,433 7,577,700 51,323,231 1,236,211 4,984,906 3,315,158 160,803,266
Accumulation Unit Values........... $1.532 $18.421 $2.059 $13.254 $12.823 $16.313 $3.326
December 31, 1997
Accumulation Units in Force........ 31,491,629 7,743,923 49,942,498 1,123,401 4,194,544 2,918,483 156,035,843
Accumulation Unit Values........... $1.474617 $17.149938 $1.963344 $11.837281 $12.917282 $14.433538 $2.809839
December 31, 1996
Accumulation Units in Force........ 36,220,947 9,635,092 55,653,680 1,088,043 3,337,604 2,330,884 154,525,474
Accumulation Unit Values........... $1.418 $15.935 $1.801 $11.961 $11.928 $12.884 $2.368
January 1, 1996*
Accumulation Unit Values........... -- -- -- -- -- -- --
December 31, 1995
Accumulation Units in Force........ 26,915,975 10,989,914 59,213,865 574,142 2,321,419 1,117,596 148,700,081
Accumulation Unit Value............ $1.367 $15.805 $1.753 $11.743 $10.941 $11.590 $2.134
January 2, 1995*
Accumulation Unit Value............ -- -- -- $10.000 -- $10.000 --
December 31, 1994
Accumulation Units in Force........ 30,697,754 12,271,738 62,744,615 -- 1,216,957 -- 137,642,102
Accumulation Unit Value............ $1.311 $13.483 $1.515 -- -- $9.834 $1.773
May 1, 1994*
Accumulation Unit Value............ -- -- -- -- -- $10.0000 --
December 31, 1993
Accumulation Units in Force........ 21,315,022 15,601,818 56,005,709 -- -- -- 106,834,367
Accumulation Unit Value............ $1.278 $14.609 $1.621 -- -- -- $1.797
December 31, 1992
Accumulation Units in Force........ 20,674,556 9,505,984 19,353,521 -- -- -- 49,688,937
Accumulation Unit Value............ $1.261 $13.529 $1.457 -- -- -- $1.664
May 1, 1992*
Accumulation Unit Value............ -- -- -- -- -- -- --
December 31, 1991
Accumulation Units in Force........ 7,235,168.03 3,595,759.23 6,056,976.03 -- -- -- 17,772,322.83
Accumulation Unit Value............ $1.237 $12.921 $1.379 -- -- -- $1.577
December 31, 1990
Accumulation Units in Force........ 5,632,146.27 747,992.12 2,352,517.74 -- -- -- 8,249,373.75
Accumulation Unit Value............ $1.183 $11.450 $1.219 -- -- -- $1.252
<CAPTION>
GROWTH & INTERNATIONAL GLOBAL
VALUE INCOME S&P 500 BLUE CHIP STOCK GROWTH GROWTH STOCK
----- -------- ------- --------- ------------- ------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 1999
Accumulation Units in Force........ 4,744,081 10,994,926 14,134,177 9,671,527 9,640,858 114,976,011 5,344,248
Accumulation Unit Values........... $15,875 $23,775 $22,189 $21,571 $33,343 $5,925 $19,711
December 31, 1998
Accumulation Units in Force........ 4,869,102 12,171,938 10,440,486 7,548,794 4,751,940 11,744,865 136,042,148
Accumulation Unit Values........... $14.768 $21.767 $18.689 $18.238 $16.113 $21.433 $3.870
December 31, 1997
Accumulation Units in Force........ 3,402,217 11,003,248 5,491,818 4,149,587 4,239,821 13,725,612 156,975,866
Accumulation Unit Values........... $13.651572 $19.487584 $14.786540 $14.429421 $14.021796 $19.507894 $3.296005
December 31, 1996
Accumulation Units in Force........ 1,071,648 7,892,683 1,259,758 915,358 3,137,348 13,713,860 169,095,500
Accumulation Unit Values........... $11.048 $15.468 $11.326 $11.520 $12.690 $18.510 $2.971
January 1, 1996*
Accumulation Unit Values........... $10.000 $10.000 $10.000 -- -- --
December 31, 1995
Accumulation Units in Force........ 4,204,164 1,157,064 10,769,830 160,247,280
Accumulation Unit Value............ $12.904 $11.271 $15.754 $2.587
January 2, 1995*
Accumulation Unit Value............ -- $10.000 -- --
December 31, 1994
Accumulation Units in Force........ 1,489,517 -- 10,055,959 148,657,108
Accumulation Unit Value............ $10.083 -- $12.236 $2.054
May 1, 1994*
Accumulation Unit Value............ $10.0000 -- -- --
December 31, 1993
Accumulation Units in Force........ -- -- 5,108,957 118,720,649
Accumulation Unit Value............ -- -- $12.784 $2.142
December 31, 1992
Accumulation Units in Force........ -- -- 698,720 79,582,321
Accumulation Unit Value............ -- -- $10.988 $1.996
May 1, 1992*
Accumulation Unit Value............ -- -- 10.0000 --
December 31, 1991
Accumulation Units in Force........ -- -- -- 42,946,178.33
Accumulation Unit Value............ -- -- -- $1.965
December 31, 1990
Accumulation Units in Force........ -- -- -- 14,690,313.64
Accumulation Unit Value............ -- -- -- $1.298
<CAPTION>
AGGRESSIVE MID CAP LARGE CAP SMALL CAP
GROWTH GROWTH GROWTH VALUE
---------- ------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 1999
Accumulation Units in Force........ 6,379,981 1,441,402 3,962,830 2,496,974
Accumulation Unit Values........... $32,680 $10,538 $14,754 $10,659
December 31, 1998
Accumulation Units in Force........ 6,165,803 765,338 842,995 1,098,102
Accumulation Unit Values........... $15.829 $9.625 $11.755 $9.367
December 31, 1997
Accumulation Units in Force........ 6,551,677 -- -- --
Accumulation Unit Values........... $13.241215 -- -- --
December 31, 1996
Accumulation Units in Force........ 5,706,895 -- -- --
Accumulation Unit Values........... $13.232 -- -- --
January 1, 1996*
Accumulation Unit Values........... -- -- --
December 31, 1995
Accumulation Units in Force........ 3,033,587 -- -- --
Accumulation Unit Value............ $12.461 -- -- --
January 2, 1995*
Accumulation Unit Value............ -- -- -- --
December 31, 1994
Accumulation Units in Force........ 1,115,647 -- -- --
Accumulation Unit Value............ $9.723 -- -- --
May 1, 1994*
Accumulation Unit Value............ $10.0000 -- -- --
December 31, 1993
Accumulation Units in Force........ -- -- -- --
Accumulation Unit Value............ -- -- -- --
December 31, 1992
Accumulation Units in Force........ -- -- -- --
Accumulation Unit Value............ -- -- -- --
May 1, 1992*
Accumulation Unit Value............ -- -- -- --
December 31, 1991
Accumulation Units in Force........ -- -- -- --
Accumulation Unit Value............ -- -- -- --
December 31, 1990
Accumulation Units in Force........ -- -- -- --
Accumulation Unit Value............ -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------
* Accumulation Unit value at date of initial registration statement
effectiveness
8
<PAGE> 58
Audited financial statements of the Variable Account are included in the
Statement of Additional Information.
Advertising and other sales materials may include yield and total return figures
for the subaccounts of the Variable Account. These figures are based on
historical results and are not intended to indicate future performance. "Yield"
is the income generated by an investment in the subaccount over a period of time
specified in the advertisement. This rate of return is assumed to be earned over
a full year and is shown as a percentage of the investment. "Total Return" is
the total change in value of an investment in the subaccount over a period of
time specified in the advertisement. The rate of return shown would produce that
change in value over the specified period, if compounded annually. Yield figures
do not reflect the surrender charge and yield and total return figures do not
reflect premium tax charges. This makes the performance shown more favorable.
Financial information concerning Fortis Benefits is included in this prospectus
under "Additional Information About Fortis Benefits" and "Fortis Benefits
Financial Statements."
FORTIS BENEFITS/FORTIS FINANCIAL GROUP MEMBER
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company is the issuer of the contracts. At the end of
1999, Fortis Benefits had approximately $101 billion of total life insurance in
force. Fortis Benefits is a Minnesota corporation founded in 1910. It 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 (NL)N.V. and 50% by Fortis (B). Fortis, Inc. manages the United States
operations for these two companies.
Fortis Benefits is a member of the Fortis Financial Group. This group is a joint
effort by Fortis Benefits, Fortis Advisers, Inc., Fortis Investors, Inc., and
Fortis Insurance Company, to offer financial products through the management,
marketing, and servicing of mutual funds, annuities, and life insurance.
Fortis (NL)N.V. is a diversified financial services company headquartered in
Utrecht, The Netherlands, where its insurance operations began in 1847. Fortis
(B) is a diversified financial services company headquartered in Brussels,
Belgium, where its insurance operations began in 1824. Fortis (NL)N.V. and
Fortis (B) 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. The Fortis group of companies had
approximately $406 billion in assets at the end of 1999.
All of the guarantees and commitments under the contracts are general
obligations of Fortis Benefits regardless of whether you have allocated the
contract value to the Variable Account or to the fixed account. None of Fortis
Benefits' affiliated companies has any legal obligation to back Fortis Benefits'
obligations under the contracts.
THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT
The Variable Account is a segregated investment account of Fortis Benefits.
Fortis Benefits established Variable Account D under Minnesota insurance law as
of October 14, 1987. The Variable Account is an integral part of Fortis
Benefits. However, the Variable Account is registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company Act
of 1940. Assets in the Variable Account representing reserves and liabilities
under these contracts and other variable annuity contracts issued by Fortis
Benefits will not be chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other
business of Fortis Benefits.
The Variable Account has subaccounts. The assets in each subaccount are invested
exclusively in one of the portfolios listed on the first page of the prospectus,
each of which represents a separate investment portfolio. Income and both
realized and unrealized gains or losses from the assets of each subaccount of
the Variable Account are credited to or charged against that subaccount without
regard to income, gains or losses, from any other subaccount of the Variable
Account or arising out of any other business we may conduct. We may add or
eliminate new subaccounts as new portfolios are added or eliminated.
THE PORTFOLIOS
You may choose from among a number of different portfolios. Each portfolio is a
mutual fund available for purchase only as a funding vehicle for benefits under
variable life insurance and variable annuity products. These variable life
insurance and variable annuity products are issued by Fortis Benefits and by
other life insurance companies. Each portfolio corresponds to one of the
subaccounts of the Variable Account. The assets of each portfolio are separate
from the assets of other portfolios. In addition, each portfolio operates as a
separate investment portfolio whose investment performance has no effect on the
investment performance of any other portfolio. We offer more detailed
information for each investment portfolio. This information includes the
investment policies, investment restrictions, charges, and risks attendant to
investing in each portfolio. This information also includes other aspects of
each portfolio's operations. You may find this information in the current
prospectus for each portfolio. These portfolio prospectuses must accompany this
prospectus, and you should read them in conjunction with it. You may obtain a
copy of each prospectus from us, free of charge, by calling 1-800-800-2000, ext.
3057, or by writing P.O. Box 64272, St. Paul, Minnesota 55164.
As noted, the investment portfolios may be available to registered separate
accounts of other participating insurance companies. These portfolios may also
be available to the Variable Account and other separate accounts of Fortis
Benefits. Although Fortis Benefits does not anticipate any disadvantages to
this, there is a possibility that a material conflict may arise between the
interest of the Variable Account and one or more of the other separate accounts
participating in the portfolios. For example, a conflict may occur due to (1) a
change in law affecting the operations of variable life and variable annuity
separate accounts, (2) differences in the voting instructions of the contract
owners and those of other companies, or (3) some other reason. In the event of
conflict, Fortis Benefits will take any steps necessary to protect the contract
owners and variable annuity payees.
Fortis Benefits purchases and redeems portfolios' shares for the Variable
Account at their net asset value without any sales or redemption charges. We
automatically reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions attributable to
contracts in shares of the portfolio from which they are received at the
portfolio's net asset value on the date paid. These dividends and distributions
will have the effect of reducing the new asset value of each share of
9
<PAGE> 59
the corresponding portfolio and increasing, by an equivalent value, the number
of shares outstanding of the portfolio. However, the value of your interest in
the corresponding subaccount will not change as a result of any such dividends
and distributions.
The portfolios available for investment by the Variable Account are listed on
the cover page of this prospectus.
THE FIXED ACCOUNT
GUARANTEED INTEREST RATES/GUARANTEE PERIODS
Any amount you allocate to the fixed account earns a guaranteed interest rate
beginning on the date you make the allocation. The guaranteed interest rate
continues for the number of years you select, up to a maximum of ten years. At
the end of your guarantee period, your contract value, including accrued
interest, will be allocated to a new guarantee period of equal length. However,
you may reallocate your contract value to a different guarantee period (or
periods) or to one (or more) of the subaccounts of the Variable Account. If you
decide to reallocate your contract value, you must do so by sending us a written
request. We must receive your written request at least three business days
before the end of your guarantee period. The first day of your new guarantee
period (or other reallocation) will be the day after the end of your previous
guarantee period. We will notify you at least 45 days and not more than 75 days
before the end of your guarantee period.
We currently offer ten different guarantee periods. These guarantee periods
range in length from one to ten years. Each guarantee period has its own
guaranteed interest rate, which may differ from those for other guarantee
periods. From time to time we will, at our discretion, change the guaranteed
interest rate for future guarantee periods. These changes will not affect the
guaranteed interest rates we are paying on current guarantee periods. Please
note, when you allocate or transfer an amount to a guarantee period, a new
guarantee period begins running with respect to that amount. Therefore, the
amount you allocate will earn a guaranteed interest rate that will not change
until the end of that period. In addition, the guaranteed interest rate will
never be less than an effective annual rate of 3%.
We declare the guaranteed interest rates from time to time as market conditions
dictate. We advise you of the guaranteed interest rate for a chosen guarantee
period at the time we receive a purchase payment from you, or at the time we
execute a transfer you have requested, or at the time a guarantee period is
renewed.
We do not have a specific formula for establishing the guaranteed interest rates
for the guarantee periods. Guaranteed interest rates may be influenced by the
available interest rates on the investments we acquire with the amounts you
allocate for a particular guarantee period. Guaranteed interest rates do not
necessarily correspond to the available interest rates on the investments we
acquire with the amounts you allocate for a particular guarantee period. See
"Investments by Fortis Benefits". In addition, when we determine guaranteed
interest rates, we may consider: (1) the duration of a guarantee period, (2)
regulatory and tax requirements, (3) sales and administrative expenses we bear,
(4) risks we assume, (5) our profitability objectives, and (6) general economic
trends.
FORTIS BENEFITS' MANAGEMENT MAKES THE FINAL DETERMINATION OF THE GUARANTEED
INTEREST RATES WE DECLARE. WE CANNOT PREDICT OR ASSURE THE LEVEL OF ANY FUTURE
GUARANTEED INTEREST RATES IN EXCESS OF AN EFFECTIVE ANNUAL RATE OF 3%.
THE FIXED ACCOUNT INVESTMENT OPTION IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR CONTRACTS ISSUED IN THE
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA.
You may obtain information concerning the guaranteed interest rates that apply
to the various guarantee periods. You may obtain this information from our home
office or from your sales representative at any time.
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
Except as described below, we will apply a Market Value Adjustment to any fixed
account value that is:
- surrendered,
- transferred, or
- otherwise paid out
before the end of the guarantee period in which it is being held.
For example, we will apply a Market Value Adjustment to fixed account value that
we pay:
- as an amount applied to an annuity option, and
- as an amount paid as a single sum in lieu of an annuity.
The Market Value Adjustment we apply may increase or decrease the fixed account
value that is withdrawn or transferred. We determine whether the fixed account
value is increased or decreased by performing a comparison of two guaranteed
interest rates.
The first rate we compare is the guaranteed interest rate for the fixed account
value that is withdrawn or transferred from the existing guarantee period. The
second rate we compare is the guaranteed interest rate we are then offering for
new guarantee periods with durations equal to the number of years remaining in
the existing guarantee period. After comparing these two rates, we determine
whether the fixed account value is increased or decreased as follows:
- If the first rate exceeds the second rate by more than 1/2% (1/4% for
contracts issued in the state of Florida), the Market Value Adjustment
produces an increase in the fixed account value withdrawn or transferred.
- If the first rate does not exceed the second rate by at least 1/2% (1/4%
for contracts issued in the state of Florida), the Market Value
Adjustment produces a decrease in the fixed account value withdrawn or
transferred.
We will determine the Market Value Adjustment by multiplying the fixed account
value that is withdrawn or transferred from the existing guarantee period
(before deduction of any applicable surrender charge) by the following factor:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 + I n/12
------------ - 1
( 1 + J + .005 )
</TABLE>
where,
10
<PAGE> 60
- I is the guaranteed interest rate we credit to the fixed account value
that is withdrawn or transferred from the existing guarantee period.
- J is the guaranteed interest rate we are then offering for new guarantee
periods with durations equal to the number of years remaining in the
existing guarantee period (rounded up to the next higher number of
years).
- N is the number of months remaining in the existing guarantee period
(rounded up to the next higher number of months).
You will find sample Market Value Adjustment calculations in Appendix A.
We do not apply a Market Value Adjustment to withdrawals and transfers of fixed
account value under four exceptions. We describe these exceptions below.
(1) We will not apply a Market Value Adjustment to fixed account value that we
pay out as a death benefit pursuant to a contract.
(2) We will not apply a Market Value Adjustment to fixed account value that is
withdrawn or transferred from the one-year guarantee period.
(3) We will not apply a Market Value Adjustment to fixed account value that we
pay out during a 30 day period that:
- begins 15 days before the end date of the guarantee period in which the
fixed account value was being held,
and that:
- ends 15 days after the end date of the guarantee period in which the
fixed account value was being held.
(4) We will not apply a Market Value Adjustment to fixed account value that is
withdrawn or transferred from a guarantee period on a periodic, automatic
basis. This exception only applies to such withdrawals or transfers under a
formal Fortis Benefits program for the withdrawal or transfer of fixed
account value.
We may impose conditions and limitations on any formal Fortis Benefits program
for the withdrawal or transfer of fixed account value. Ask your Fortis Benefits
representative about the availability of such a program in your state. In
addition, if such a program is available in your state, your Fortis Benefits
representative can inform you about the conditions and limitations that may
apply to that program.
INVESTMENTS BY FORTIS BENEFITS
Fortis Benefits' legal obligations with respect to the fixed account are
supported by our general account assets. These general account assets also
support our obligations under other insurance and annuity contracts. Investments
purchased with amounts allocated to the fixed account are the property of Fortis
Benefits, and you have no legal rights in such investments. Subject to
applicable law, we have sole discretion over the investment of assets in our
general account and in the fixed account. Neither our general account nor the
fixed account is subject to registration under the Investment Company Act of
1940.
We will invest amounts in our general account, and amounts in the fixed account,
in compliance with applicable state insurance laws and regulations concerning
the nature and quality of investments for the general account. Within specified
limits and subject to certain standards and limitations, these laws generally
permit investment in:
- federal, state and municipal obligations,
- preferred and common stocks,
- corporate bonds,
- real estate mortgages,
- real estate, and
- certain other investments.
See "Fortis Benefits' Financial Statements" for information on our investments.
Investment management for amounts in our general account and in the fixed
account is provided to us by Fortis Advisors, Inc.
When we establish guaranteed interest rates, we will consider the available
return on the instruments in which we invest amounts allocated to the fixed
account. However, this return is only one of many factors we consider when we
establish the guaranteed interest rates. See "Guaranteed Interest
Rates/Guarantee Periods".
Generally, we expect to invest amounts allocated to the fixed account in debt
instruments. We expect that these debt instruments will approximately match our
liabilities with regard to the guarantee periods. We also expect that these debt
instruments will primarily include:
(1) securities issued by the United States Government or its agencies or
instrumentalities. These securities may or may not be guaranteed by the
United States Government;
(2) debt securities that, at the time of purchase, have an investment grade
within the four highest grades assigned by Moody's Investors Services, Inc.
("Moody's"), Standard & Poor's Corporation ("Standard & Poor's"), or any
other nationally recognized rating service. Moody's four highest grades are:
Aaa, Aa, A, and Baa. Standard & Poor's four highest grades are: AAA, AA, A,
and BBB;
(3) other debt instruments including, but not limited to, issues of, or
guaranteed by, banks or bank holding companies and corporations. Although
not rated by Moody's or Standard & Poor's, we deem these obligations to have
an investment quality comparable to securities that may be purchased as
stated above;
(4) other evidences of indebtedness secured by mortgages or deeds of trust
representing liens upon real estate.
Except as required by applicable state insurance laws and regulations, we are
not obligated to invest amounts allocated to the fixed account according to any
particular strategy, See "Regulation and Reserves".
ACCUMULATION PERIOD
ISSUANCE OF A CONTRACT AND PURCHASE PAYMENTS
We reserve the right to reject any application for a contract or any purchase
payment for any reason. If we accept your issuing
11
<PAGE> 61
instructions in the form received, we will credit the initial purchase payment
within two Valuation Dates after the later of (1) receipt of the issuing
instructions or (2) receipt of the initial purchase payment at our home office.
If we cannot apply the initial purchase payment within five Valuation Dates
after receipt because the issuing instructions are incomplete, we will return
the initial purchase payment unless you consent to our retaining the initial
purchase payment and applying it as of the end of the Valuation Period in which
the necessary requirements are fulfilled. The initial purchase payment must be
at least $5,000 ($2,000 for a contract issued pursuant to a qualified plan).
The date that we apply the initial purchase payment to the purchase of the
contract is also the contract issue date. The contract issue date is the date
used to determine contract years, regardless of when we deliver the contract.
Our crediting of investment experience in the Variable Account, or a fixed rate
of return in the fixed account, generally begins as of the contract issue date.
We will accept additional purchase payments at any time after the contract issue
date and prior to the annuity commencement date, as long as the Annuitant is
living. You must transmit purchase payments (together with any required
information identifying the proper contracts and accounts to be credited with
purchase payments) to our home office. We apply additional purchase payments to
the contract, and add to the contract value as of the end of the Valuation
Period in which we receive the payments.
Each additional purchase payment under a contract must be at least $50. The
total of all purchase payments for all Fortis Benefits annuities having the same
owner or Annuitant, may not exceed $1 million (not more than $500,000 allocated
to the fixed account) without our prior approval. We reserve the right to modify
this limitation at any time.
You may make purchase payments in excess of the initial minimum by monthly draft
against a bank account if you have completed and returned to us a special
authorization form. You may get the form from your sales representative or from
our home office. We can also arrange for you to make purchase payments by wire
transfer, payroll deduction, military allotment, direct deposit and billing.
Purchase payments by check should be made payable to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company.
If the contract value is less than $1,000, we may cancel the contract on any
Valuation Date. We will notify you of our intention to cancel the contract at
least 90 days in advance of the cancellation date. If we do cancel your
contract, we consider such cancellation a full surrender of the contract.
CONTRACT VALUE
Contract value is the total of any Variable Account value in all the subaccounts
of the Variable Account, plus any fixed account value in all the guarantee
periods.
The contract does not guarantee a minimum Variable Account value. You bear the
entire investment risk for the contract value that you allocate to the Variable
Account.
Determination of Variable Account Value. A contract's Variable Account value is
based on the number of Accumulation Units and on Accumulation Unit values, which
are determined on each Valuation Date. The value of an Accumulation Unit for a
subaccount on any Valuation Date is equal to the previous value of that
subaccount's Accumulation Unit multiplied by that subaccount's net investment
factor (discussed directly below) for the Valuation Period ending on that
Valuation Date. At the end of any Valuation Period, a contract's Variable
Account value in a subaccount is equal to the number of Accumulation Units in
the subaccount times the value of one Accumulation Unit for that subaccount.
The number of Accumulation Units in each subaccount is equal to:
- Accumulation Units purchased at the time that any purchase payments or
transferred amounts are allocated to the subaccount; less
- Accumulation Units redeemed to pay for the portion of any transfers from
or partial surrenders allocated to the subaccount; less
- Accumulation Units redeemed to pay charges under the contract.
Net Investment Factor. The net investment factor for a subaccount is determined
by dividing (1) the net asset value per share of the portfolio shares held by
the subaccount, determined at the end of the current Valuation Period, plus the
per share amount of any dividend or capital gains distribution made with respect
to the portfolio shares held by the subaccount during the current Valuation
Period, minus a per share charge for the increase, plus a per share credit for
the decrease, in any income taxes assessed which we determine to have resulted
from the investment operation of the subaccount or any other taxes which are
attributable to this contract, by (2) the net asset value per share of the
portfolio shares held in the subaccount as determined at the end of the previous
Valuation Period, and subtracting from that result a factor representing the
mortality risk, expense risk and administrative expense charge.
If a subaccount's net investment factor is greater than one, the subaccount's
Accumulation Unit value has increased. If a subaccount's net investment factor
is less than one, the subaccount's Accumulation Unit value has decreased.
Determination of Fixed Account Value. A contract's fixed account value is
guaranteed by Fortis Benefits. Therefore, we bear the investment risk with
respect to amounts allocated to the fixed account, except to the extent that (1)
we may vary the guaranteed interest rate for future guarantee periods (subject
to the 3% effective annual minimum) and (2) the Market Value Adjustment imposes
investment risks on you.
The contract's fixed account value on any Valuation Date is the sum of its fixed
account values in each guarantee period on that date. The fixed account value in
a guarantee period is equal to the following amounts, in each case increased by
accrued interest at the applicable guaranteed interest rate:
- The amount of purchase payments or transferred amounts allocated to the
guarantee period; less
- The amount of any transfers or surrenders out of the guarantee period.
12
<PAGE> 62
ALLOCATION OF PURCHASE PAYMENTS AND CONTRACT VALUE
Allocation of Purchase Payments. In your application for a contract, you may
allocate purchase payments, or portions of payments, to the:
- available subaccounts of the Variable Account, or
- to the guarantee periods in the fixed account, or
- to a combination of the two previous options.
Percentages must be in whole numbers and the total allocation must equal 100%.
The percentage allocations for future purchase payments may be changed, without
charge, at any time by sending a written request to Fortis Benefits' home
office. Changes in the allocation of future purchase payments will be effective
on the date we receive your written request.
Transfers. You may transfer contract value:
- from one available subaccount to another available subaccount, or
- from one available subaccount to the fixed account, or
- from one guarantee period to another guarantee period, or
- from one guarantee period to an available subaccount
You must request transfers by (1) a written request to Fortis Benefits' home
office, or by (2) a telephone transfer as described below. Currently, we do not
charge for any transfer. However, transfers from a guarantee period, other than
the one-year guarantee period, that are (1) more than 15 days before or 15 days
after the expiration of the existing guarantee period, or are (2) not a part of
a formal Fortis Benefits program for the transfer of fixed account value may be
subject to a Market Value Adjustment. See "Market Value Adjustment".
The minimum transfer from a subaccount or guarantee period is the lesser of:
- $1,000, or
- all of the contract value in the subaccount or guarantee period.
However, we may permit a continuing request for transfers of lesser specified
amounts automatically on a periodic basis. We reserve the right to restrict the
frequency of transfers or to otherwise condition, terminate, or impose charges
(not to exceed $25 per transfer) upon transfers. Where you make all your
transfer requests at the same time, as part of one request, we will count all
transfers between and among the subaccounts of the Variable Account and the
fixed account as one transfer. We will execute the transfers, and determine all
values in connection with the transfers, at of the end of the Valuation Period
in which we receive the transfer request. The amount of any positive or negative
Market Value Adjustment will be added to or deducted from the transferred
amount.
Certain restrictions on very substantial allocations to any one subaccount are
set forth under "Limitations on Allocations" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
TOTAL AND PARTIAL SURRENDERS
Total Surrenders. You may surrender all of the cash surrender value at any time
during the life of the Annuitant and prior to the annuity commencement date. If
you choose to make a total surrender, you must do so by written request sent to
our home office. We reserve the right to require that the contract be returned
to us prior to making payment, although this will not affect our determination
of the amount of the cash surrender value. Cash surrender value is:
- the contract value at the end of the Valuation Period during which we
receive the written request for the total surrender at our home office,
less
- any applicable surrender charge, and
- after we have applied any Market Value Adjustment.
See "Surrender Charge" and "Market Value Adjustment".
We must receive written consent of all collateral assignees and irrevocable
beneficiaries prior to any total surrender. We will generally pay surrenders
from the Variable Account within seven days of the date of receipt by our home
office of the written request. However, we may postpone payments in certain
circumstances. See "Postponement of Payment".
The amount we pay upon total surrender of the cash surrender value (taking into
account any prior partial surrenders) may be more or less than the total
purchase payments you made. After a surrender of the cash surrender value or at
any time the contract value is zero, all rights of the owner, Annuitant, or any
other person will terminate.
Partial Surrenders. At any time during the life of the Annuitant and prior to
the annuity commencement date, you may surrender a portion of the fixed account
and/or the Variable Account. You must request partial surrender by a written
request sent to Fortis Benefits' home office. We will not accept a partial
surrender request from you unless the net proceeds payable to you, as a result
of the request, are at least $1,000. We will surrender the entire cash surrender
value under the contract if the total contract value in both the Variable
Account and fixed account would be less than $1,000 after the partial surrender.
You should specify the subaccounts of the Variable Account or guarantee periods
of the fixed account that you wish to partially surrender. If you do not
specify, we take the partial surrender from the subaccounts and from the
guarantee periods of the fixed account on a pro rata basis.
We will surrender Accumulation Units from the Variable Account and/or dollar
amounts from the fixed account so that the total amount of the partial surrender
equals the dollar amount of the partial surrender request. We will reduce the
partial surrender by the amount of any applicable surrender charge. In addition,
if the surrender is from a guarantee period other than the one-year guarantee
period, we will reduce the amount payable to you by any negative Market Value
Adjustment, or we will increase the amount payable to you by any positive Market
Value Adjustment unless the surrender is (1) within 15 days before or 15 days
after the expiration of a guarantee period, or (2) is a part of a formal Fortis
Benefits program for the transfer or withdrawal of fixed account value. The
partial surrender will be effective at the end of the Valuation Period in which
we receive the written request for partial surrender at our home office.
Payments will generally be made within seven days of the effective date of such
request, although certain delays are permitted. See "Postponement of Payment".
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The Internal Revenue Code provides that a penalty tax will be imposed on certain
premature surrenders. For a discussion of this and other tax implications of
total and partial surrenders, including withholding requirements, see "Federal
Tax Matters". Also, under tax deferred annuity contracts pursuant to Section
403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, no distributions of voluntary salary
reduction amounts will be permitted prior to one of the following events:
attainment of age 59 1/2 by the employee or the employee's separation from
service, death, disability or hardship. (Hardship distributions will be limited
to the lesser of the amount of the hardship or the amount of salary reduction
contributions, exclusive of earnings thereon.)
TELEPHONE TRANSACTIONS
You or your representative may make certain requests under the contract by
telephone if we have a written telephone authorization on file. These include
requests for (1) transfers, (2) withdrawals, and (3) changes in purchase payment
allocation instructions, dollar-cost averaging, portfolio rebalancing programs
and systematic withdrawals. Our home office will employ reasonable procedures to
confirm that instructions communicated by telephone are genuine. These
procedures may include, among others, (1) requiring some form of personal
identification such as your address and social security number prior to acting
upon instructions received by telephone, (2) providing written confirmation of
such transactions, and/or (3) tape recording of telephone instructions. Your
request for telephone transactions authorizes us to record telephone calls. We
may be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions if
we do not employ reasonable procedures. If we do employ reasonable procedures,
we will not be liable for any losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent
instructions. We reserve the right to place limits, including dollar limits, on
telephone transactions.
BENEFIT PAYABLE ON DEATH OF CONTRACT OWNER (OR ANNUITANT)
If the owner dies prior to the annuity commencement date, we will pay a death
benefit to the beneficiary. If the contract owner is a non-natural person, we
will pay a death benefit upon the death of the Annuitant prior to the annuity
commencement date. In such case, if more than one Annuitant has been named, we
will pay the death benefit payable upon the death of an Annuitant only upon the
death of the last survivor of the persons so named.
The term "decedent" in the death benefit description below refers to the death
of the contract owner unless the contract owner is a non-natural person, in
which case it refers to the death of the Annuitant. Also, the death benefit
description refers to the age of the contract owner. If the contract owner is a
non-natural person, the relevant age will instead be that of the Annuitant.
Additionally, the death benefit description makes reference to "Pro Rata
Adjustments." A pro rata adjustment is calculated separately for each
withdrawal, creating a decrease in the death benefit proportional to the
decrease the withdrawal makes in the contract value. Pro rata adjustments are
made for amounts withdrawn for partial surrenders and any associated surrender
charge (which shall be deemed to be an amount withdrawn), but not for any
contract fee-related surrenders.
The death benefit will equal the greatest of (1), (2), or (3):
(1) The contract value as of the date used for valuing the death benefit.
(2) The highest Anniversary Value of each of the contract's anniversaries prior
to the earlier of: (1) the decedent's death, or (2) the owner's attainment
of age 75.
An Anniversary Value is equal to:
(a) the contract value on the anniversary, plus
(b) any purchase payments made since the anniversary, reduced by
(c) pro rata adjustments for any withdrawals made since the anniversary.
(3) If the decedent dies prior to the date the owner reaches age 75, the amount
of the death benefit is the lesser of (a) and (b), as follows:
(a) the sum of:
(i) the accumulation (without interest) of purchase payments, reduced by
pro rata adjustments for any withdrawals; plus
(ii) an amount equal to interest on such net accumulation value, as it is
adjusted for each applicable purchase payment and pro rata
adjustment, at an effective annual rate of 5.0%;
or
(b) 200% of (a)(i).
The resulting amount (the lesser of (a) and (b)) will be referred to as the
"Roll-Up Amount."
If the decedent dies on or after the date the owner reaches age 75, the
amount of the death benefit is equal to:
(a) the "Roll-Up Amount" as of the date the owner reached age 75; plus
(b) the accumulation (without interest) of purchase payments made on or
after the date the owner reached age 75; reduced by
(c) pro rata adjustments for any withdrawals made on or after the date the
owner reached age 75.
We describe the pro rata adjustments referred to above more fully in Appendix D
at the end of this prospectus.
See also Appendix A for sample death benefit calculations.
The value of the death benefit is determined as of the end of the Valuation
Period in which we receive, at our home office, proof of death and the written
request as to the manner of payment. Upon receipt of these items, the death
benefit generally will be paid within seven days. Under certain circumstances,
payment of the death benefit may be postponed. See "Postponement of Payment." If
we do not receive a written request for a settlement method, we will pay the
death benefit in a single sum, based on values determined at that time.
The beneficiary may (1) receive a single sum payment, which terminates the
contract, or (2) select an annuity option. If the beneficiary selects an annuity
option, he or she will have all the
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rights and privileges of a payee under the contract. If the beneficiary desires
an annuity option, the election should be made within 60 days of the date the
death benefit becomes payable. Failure to make a timely election can result in
unfavorable tax consequences. For further information, see "Federal Tax
Matters."
We accept any of the following as proof of death: (1) a copy of a certified
death certificate; (2) a copy of a certified decree of a court of competent
jurisdiction as to the finding of death; or (3) a written statement by a medical
doctor who attended the deceased at the time of death.
The Internal Revenue Code requires that a Non-Qualified Contract contain certain
provisions about an owner's death. We discuss these provisions below under
"Federal Tax Matters--Required Distributions for Non-Qualified Contracts." It is
imperative that written notice of the death of the owner be promptly transmitted
to us at our home office, so that we can make arrangements for distribution of
the entire interest in the contract to the beneficiary in a manner that
satisfies the Internal Revenue Code requirements. Failure to satisfy these
requirements may result in the contract not being treated as an annuity contract
for federal income tax purposes with possible adverse tax consequences.
THE ANNUITY PERIOD
ANNUITY COMMENCEMENT DATE
You may specify an annuity commencement date in your application. The annuity
commencement date marks the beginning of the period during which an Annuitant or
other payee designated by the owner receives annuity payments under the
contract. The annuity commencement date must be at least two years after the
contract issue date. You should consult your sales representative in this
regard.
The Internal Revenue Code may impose penalty taxes on amounts distributed either
too soon or too late depending on the type of retirement arrangement involved.
See "Federal Tax Matters". You should consider this carefully in selecting or
changing an annuity commencement date.
You must submit a written request in order to advance or defer the annuity
commencement date. We must receive the request at our home office at least 30
days before the then-scheduled annuity commencement date. The new annuity
commencement date must also be at least 30 days after we receive the written
request. You have no right to make any total or partial surrender during the
Annuity Period.
COMMENCEMENT OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS
We may pay the entire contract value, rather than apply the amount to an annuity
option if the contract value at the end of the Valuation Period which contains
the annuity commencement date is less than $1,000. We would make the payment in
a single sum to the Annuitant or other payee chosen by the owner and cancel the
contract. We would not impose any charge other than the premium tax charge.
Otherwise, we will apply (1) the fixed account value to provide a Fixed Annuity
Option and (2) the Variable Account value in any subaccount to provide a
Variable Annuity Option using the same subaccount, unless you have notified us
by written request to apply the fixed account value and Variable Account value
in different proportions. We must receive written request at our home office at
least 30 days before the annuity commencement date.
We will make annuity payments under a Fixed or Variable Annuity Option on a
monthly basis to the Annuitant or other properly-designated payee, unless we
agree to a different payment schedule. If you name more than one person as an
Annuitant, you may elect to name one of such persons to be the sole Annuitant as
of the annuity commencement date. We reserve the right to change the frequency
of any annuity payment so that each payment will be at least $50 ($20 in Texas).
The amount of each annuity payment will depend on (1) the amount of contract
value applied to an annuity option, (2) the form of annuity selected, and (3)
the age of the Annuitant. For information concerning the relationship between
the Annuitant's sex and the amount of annuity payments, including special
requirements in connection with employee benefits plans, see "Calculations of
Annuity Payments" in the Statement of Additional Information. The Statement of
Additional Information also contains detailed information about how the amount
of each annuity payment is computed.
The dollar amount of any fixed annuity payments is specified during the entire
period of annuity payments according to the provisions of the annuity option
selected. The dollar amount of variable annuity payments varies during the
Annuity Period based on changes in Annuity Unit values for the subaccounts that
you choose to use in connection with your payments.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SUBACCOUNT INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE AND AMOUNT OF VARIABLE
ANNUITY PAYMENTS
The amount of an annuity payment depends on the average effective net investment
return of a subaccount during the period since the preceding payment as follows:
- if the return is higher than 3% annually, the Annuity Unit value will
increase, and the second payment will be higher than the first; and
- if the return is lower than 3% annually, the Annuity Unit value will
decrease, and the second payment will be lower than the first.
"Net investment return," for this purpose, refers to the subaccount's overall
investment performance after deduction of the mortality and expense risk and
administrative expense charges, which are assessed at an annual rate of 1.35%.
We guarantee that the amount of each variable annuity payment after the first
payment will not be affected by variations in our mortality experience or our
expenses.
Transfers. A person receiving annuity payments may make up to four transfers a
year among subaccounts. The current procedures for and conditions on these
transfers are the same as we describe above under "Allocation of Purchase
Payments and Contract Value--Transfers". We do not permit transfers from a Fixed
Annuity Option during the Annuity Period.
ANNUITY OPTIONS
You may select an annuity option or change a previous selection by written
request. We must receive your request at least 30 days
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before the annuity commencement date. You may select one annuity form, although
payments under that form may be on a combination fixed and variable basis. If no
annuity form selection is in effect on the annuity commencement date, we usually
automatically apply Option B (described below), with payments guaranteed for ten
years. However, federal pension law may require that we make default payments
under certain retirement plans pursuant to plan provisions and/or federal law.
Tax laws and regulations may impose further restrictions to assure that the
primary purpose of the plan is distribution of the accumulated funds to the
employee.
Your contract offers the following options for fixed and variable annuity
payments. Under each of the options, we make payments as of the first Valuation
Date of each monthly period, starting with the annuity commencement date.
Option A, Life Annuity. We do not make payments after the annuitant dies. It is
possible for the annuitant to receive only one payment under this option, if the
annuitant dies before the second payment is due.
Option B, Life Annuity with Payments Guaranteed for 10 Years to 20 Years. We
continue payments as long as the annuitant lives. If the annuitant dies before
we have made all of the guaranteed payments, we continue installments of the
guaranteed payments to the beneficiary.
Option C, Joint and Full Survivor Annuity. We continue payments as long as
either the annuitant or the joint annuitant is alive. We stop payments when both
the annuitant and the joint annuitant have died. It is possible for the payee or
payees to receive only one payment under this option if both annuitants die
before the second payment is due.
Option D, Joint and One-Half Contingent Survivor Annuity. We continue payments
as long as either the annuitant or the joint annuitant is alive. If the
annuitant dies first, we continue payments to the joint annuitant at one-half
the original amount. If the joint annuitant dies first, we continue payments to
the annuitant at the original full amount. We stop payments when both the
annuitant and the joint annuitant have died. It is possible for the payee or
payees to receive only one payment under this option if both annuitants die
before the second payment is due.
We also have other annuity options available. You can get information about them
from your sales representative or by calling or writing to our home office.
DEATH OF ANNUITANT OR OTHER PAYEE
Under most annuity forms offered by us, the amounts, if any, payable on the
death of the Annuitant during the Annuity Period are the continuation of annuity
payments for any remaining guarantee period or for the life of any joint
Annuitant. In all such cases, the person entitled to receive payments also
receives any rights and privileges under the annuity form in effect.
Additional rules applicable to such distributions under Non-Qualified Contracts
are described under "Federal Tax Matters--Required Distributions for
Non-Qualified Contracts". Though the rules there described do not apply to
contracts issued in connection with qualified plans, similar rules apply to the
plans themselves.
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS
PREMIUM TAXES
We deduct state premium taxes as follows:
- when imposed on purchase payments, we pay the amount on your behalf and
deduct the amount from your contract value upon (1) our payment of
surrender proceeds or death benefit or (2) annuitization of a contract,
or
- when imposed at the time annuity payments begin, we deduct the amount
from your contract value.
Applicable premium tax rates depend upon your place of residence. Rates can
change by legislation, administrative interpretations, or judicial acts.
CHARGES AGAINST THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT
Mortality and Expense Risk Charge. We assess each subaccount of the Variable
Account with a daily charge for mortality and expense risk. This charge is a
nominal annual rate of 1.25% of the average daily net assets of the Variable
Account. It consists of approximately .8% for mortality risk and approximately
.45% for expense risk. We guarantee not to increase this charge for the duration
of the contract. This charge is assessed during both the Accumulation Period and
the Annuity Period.
The mortality risk borne by us arises from our obligation to make annuity
payments (determined in accordance with the annuity tables and other provisions
contained in the contract) for the full life of all Annuitants regardless of how
long all Annuitants or any individual Annuitant might live. In addition, we bear
a mortality risk in that we guarantee to pay a death benefit upon the death of
an Annuitant or owner prior to the annuity commencement date. We do not impose a
surrender charge upon payment of a death benefit. This places a further
mortality risk on us.
The expense risk we assume is that actual expenses incurred in connection with
issuing and administering the contract will exceed the limits on administrative
charges set in the contract.
We bear the loss if the administrative charges and the mortality and expense
risk charge are insufficient to cover the expenses and costs assumed.
Conversely, we profit if the amount deducted proves more than sufficient.
Administrative Expense Charge. We assess each subaccount of the Variable Account
with a daily charge at an annual rate of .10% of the average daily net assets of
the subaccount. We assess this charge during both the Accumulation Period and
the Annuity Period. This charge helps cover administrative costs such as those
incurred in issuing contracts, establishing and maintaining the records relating
to contracts, making regulatory filings and furnishing confirmation notices,
voting materials and other communications, providing computer, actuarial and
accounting services, and processing contract transactions. There is no necessary
relationship between the amount of administrative charges assessed on a given
contract and the amount of expenses actually incurred for that contract.
TAX CHARGE
We currently impose no charge for taxes payable by us in connection with the
contract, other than for applicable premium taxes.
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We reserve the right to impose a charge for any other taxes that may become
payable by us in the future for the contracts or the Variable Account.
The annual administrative charge and charges against the Variable Account
described above are for the purposes described. We may receive a profit as a
result of these charges.
SURRENDER CHARGE
We do not deduct a sales charge from purchase payments. We deduct surrender
charges on certain total or partial surrenders. We use the revenues from
surrender charges to partially pay our expenses in the sale of the contracts,
including (1) commissions, (2) promotional, distribution and marketing expenses,
and (3) costs of printing and distribution of prospectuses and sales material.
Free Surrenders. You can withdraw the following amounts from the contract
without a surrender charge:
- Any purchase payments that we received more than seven years before the
surrender date and that you have not previously surrendered;
- Any earnings that you have not previously surrendered;
- In any contract year, up to 10% of the purchase payments that we received
less than seven years before the surrender date (whether or not you have
previously surrendered the purchase payments).
Earnings are deemed to be withdrawn first. After all earnings have been
withdrawn, all purchase payments not subject to a surrender charge are deemed to
be withdrawn. After all purchase payments not subject to a surrender charge have
been withdrawn, all purchase payments subject to a surrender charge are deemed
to be withdrawn.
We do not impose a surrender charge on (1) annuitization or (2) payment of a
single sum because less than the minimum required contract value is available to
provide an annuity at the annuity commencement date or (3) payment of any death
benefit.
In addition, we have an administrative policy to waive surrender charges for
full surrenders of contracts that have been in force for at least ten years if
the amount then subject to the surrender charge is less than 25% of the contract
value. We have offered these contracts since 1991. Therefore, we have made no
waivers. We reserve the right to change or terminate this practice at any time,
both for new and for previously issued contracts.
Amount of Surrender Charge. We only apply surrender charges if the amount being
withdrawn exceeds the sum of the amounts listed above under "Free Surrenders"
(that is, if the amount being withdrawn includes purchase payments made less
than seven years prior to the surrender date). The surrender charges are:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF YEARS SURRENDER CHARGE
SINCE PURCHASE AS A PERCENTAGE OF
PAYMENT WAS APPLIED PURCHASE PAYMENT
------------------- ------------------
<S> <C>
Less than 2 7%
At least 2 but less than 4 6%
At least 4 but less than 5 5%
At least 5 but less than 6 3%
At least 6 but less than 7 1%
7 or more 0%
</TABLE>
We anticipate the surrender charge will not be sufficient to cover our
distribution expenses. To the extent that the surrender charge is insufficient,
we will pay such costs from our general account assets. These assets will
include any profit that we derive from the mortality and expense risk charge.
Nursing Care/Hospitalization Waiver of Surrender Charges. We do not deduct
surrender charges for a total or partial withdrawal:
- after a covered person has been confined in a hospital or skilled health
care facility for at least 60 consecutive days and the covered person
continues to be confined in the hospital or skilled care facility when
the request is made, or
- within 60 days following a covered person's discharge from a hospital or
skilled health care facility after confinement of at least 60 consecutive
days.
Confinement must begin after the effective date of this provision.
Covered persons are the contract owner or owners and the spouse of any contract
owner if the spouse is the Annuitant. We will not waive surrender charges when a
confinement is due to (1) substance abuse, or (2) mental or personality
disorders without a demonstrable organic disease. We consider a degenerative
brain disease such as Alzheimer's Disease an organic disease.
We provide this nursing care/hospitalization waiver of surrender charges by
means of a rider to the contract. This rider has not been approved in all
states. When you apply for a contract, you should check with your Fortis
Benefits representative to determine if this rider is available in your state.
DISABILITY WAIVER OF SURRENDER CHARGES
We will waive surrender charges on total or partial surrenders under the
following circumstances:
(1) if you become totally disabled after the contract is issued, or
(2) if the owner is a non-natural person, and the Annuitant becomes totally
disabled after the contract is issued.
However, waivers of surrender charges are subject to the following conditions:
(1) We will only waive surrender charges on total or partial surrenders of
purchase payments that were made prior to the owner's or the Annuitant's
total disability, and
(2) the owner's or the Annuitant's total disability must have begun before the
owner or the Annuitant has reached age 64, and
(3) the owner's or the Annuitant's total disability must have been continuous
for a period of twelve months or more.
This benefit terminates on the 65th birthday of the owner, or the 65th birthday
of the Annuitant if the owner is a non-natural person.
"Total Disability" means:
- the inability to engage in an occupation for compensation or profit.
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"Occupation" has one of two definitions. The applicable definition depends on
the length of the disability. "Occupation" is defined as:
(1) the inability to perform the substantial and material duties of the owner's
or the Annuitant's regular occupation during the first twelve months of
disability, and
(2) any job suited to the owner's or the Annuitant's education, training, or
experience after the first twelve months of disability.
We provide this "Disability Waiver of Surrender Charges" by attaching a rider to
the contract. This rider has not been approved in all states. You should check
with your sales representative to determine if this rider is available in your
state.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Variable Account invests in shares of the portfolios. Therefore, the net
assets of the Variable Account will reflect the investment advisory fees and
certain other expenses incurred by the portfolios and described in their
prospectus.
REDUCTION OF CHARGES
We will not impose a surrender charge under any contract owned by:
(A) Fortis, Inc. or its subsidiaries, and the following persons associated with
such companies, if at the contract issue date they are:
(1) officers and directors;
(2) employees; or
(3) spouses of any such persons or any of such persons' children,
grandchildren, parents, grandparents, or siblings--or spouses of any of
these persons;
(B) Series Fund directors, officers, or their spouses (or such persons'
children, grandchildren, parents or grandparents, or spouses of any such
persons); and
(C) representatives or employees (or their spouses) of Fortis Investors
(including agencies) or of other broker-dealers having a sales agreement
with Fortis Investors (or such persons' children, grandchildren, parents, or
grandparents, or spouses of any such persons).
GENERAL PROVISIONS
THE CONTRACTS
The entire contract includes any application, amendment, rider, endorsement, and
revised contract pages. Only an officer of Fortis Benefits can agree to change
or waive any provision of a contract. Any change or waiver must be in writing
and signed by an officer of Fortis Benefits.
The contracts are non-participating and do not share in dividends or earnings of
Fortis Benefits.
POSTPONEMENT OF PAYMENT
We may defer for up to 15 days the payment of any amount attributable to a
purchase payment made by check to allow the check reasonable time to clear. For
a description of other circumstances in which amounts payable out of Variable
Account assets could be deferred, see "Postponement of Payments" in the
Statement of Additional Information. We may also defer payment of surrender
proceeds payable out of the fixed account for a period of up to 6 months.
MISSTATEMENT OF AGE OR SEX AND OTHER ERRORS
If the Annuitant's age or sex was misstated, we pay the amount that the purchase
payments paid would have purchased at the correct age and sex. If we make any
overpayment because of incorrect information about age or sex, or any other
miscalculation, we deduct the overpayment from the next payment due. We add
underpayments to the next payment. We credit or charge the amount of any
adjustment with interest at the rate of 3% annually.
ASSIGNMENT
Owners and payees may assign their rights and interests under a Qualified
Contract only in certain narrow circumstances referred to in the contract.
Owners and other payees may assign their rights and interests under
Non-Qualified Contracts, including their ownership rights.
We take no responsibility for the validity of any assignment. Owners and payees
must make a change in ownership rights in writing and send it to our home
office. The change will be effective on the date made, although we are not bound
by a change until the date we record it.
The rights under a contract are subject to any assignment of record at our home
office. An assignment or pledge of a contract may have adverse tax consequences.
See below under "Federal Tax Matters".
BENEFICIARY
You may name or change a beneficiary or a contingent beneficiary before the
annuity commencement date. You must send a written request of the change to
Fortis Benefits. Certain retirement programs may require spousal consent to name
or change a beneficiary. Applicable tax laws and regulations may limit the right
to name a beneficiary other than the spouse. We are not responsible for the
validity of any change. A change will take effect as of the date it is signed
but will not affect any payments we make or action we take before receiving the
written request. We also need the consent of any irrevocably named person before
making a requested change.
Upon the death of an owner, or Annuitant, if the owner is a non-natural person,
prior to the annuity commencement date, the beneficiary will be deemed as
follows:
- If there is any surviving owner, the surviving owner will be the
beneficiary (this overrides any other beneficiary designation).
- If there is no surviving owner, the beneficiary will be the beneficiary
designated by the owner.
- If there is no surviving owner and no surviving beneficiary who has been
designated by the owner, then the estate of the last surviving owner will
be the beneficiary.
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REPORTS
We will mail to the owner (or to the person receiving payments during the
Annuity Period), at the last known address of record, any report and
communication required by any applicable law or regulation. You should therefore
give us prompt written notice of any address change. This will include annual
audited financial statements of the portfolios, but not necessarily of the
Variable Account or Fortis Benefits.
RIGHTS RESERVED BY FORTIS BENEFITS
We reserve the right to make certain changes if, in our judgment, they would
best serve the interests of owners and Annuitants or would be appropriate in
carrying out the purposes of the contracts. We will make any change only as
permitted by applicable laws. We will obtain your approval of the changes and
approval from any appropriate regulatory authority if required by law. Examples
of the changes we may make include:
- To operate the Variable Account in any form permitted under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 or in any other form permitted by law.
- To transfer any assets in any subaccount to another subaccount, or to one
or more separate accounts, or to the fixed account; or to add, combine,
or remove subaccounts in the Variable Account.
- To substitute, for the portfolio shares held in any subaccount, the
shares of another portfolio or the shares of another investment company
or any other investment permitted by law.
- To make any changes required by the Internal Revenue Code or by any other
applicable law in order to continue treatment of the contract as an
annuity.
- To change the time or time of day at which a Valuation Date is deemed to
have ended.
- To make any other necessary technical changes in the contract in order to
conform with any action the above provisions permit us to take, including
to change the way we assess charges, but without increasing as to any
then outstanding contract the aggregate amount of the types of charges
that we have guaranteed.
DISTRIBUTION
Fortis Investors, Inc. ("Fortis Investors") is the principal underwriter of the
contracts. The contracts will be sold by individuals who are licensed by state
insurance authorities to sell the contracts of Fortis Benefits, and (1) are
registered representatives of Fortis Investors, or (2) are registered
representatives of other broker-dealer firms or (3) are representatives of other
firms that are exempt from broker dealer regulation. Fortis Investors and any
other broker-dealer firms are (1) registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as broker-dealers, and (2)
members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Fortis Investors will pay an allowance to its registered representatives and
selling brokers in varying amounts. Fortis Investors does not expect the
allowances under normal circumstances to exceed 6.25% of purchase payments plus
a servicing fee of .25% of contract value per year, starting in the first
contract year.
Fortis Investors may, under certain flexible compensation arrangements, pay
lesser or greater selling allowances and larger or smaller 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
actuarial present values that are approximately equivalent to the amounts of the
selling allowances and service fees set forth above. Additionally, registered
representatives, broker-dealer firms and exempt firms may qualify for additional
compensation based upon meeting certain production standards. Fortis Investors
may charge back commissions paid to others if the contract upon which the
commission was paid is surrendered or cancelled within certain specified time
periods.
Fortis Benefits paid a total of $30,705,769, $32,874,801 and $48,774,402 to
Fortis Investors for annuity contract distribution services during 1997, 1998
and 1999, respectively, $5,091,431 in 1997, $5,389,151 in 1998 and $7,643,966 in
1999 was not reallowed to other broker-dealers or exempt firms. In the
distribution agreement, Fortis Benefits has agreed to indemnify Fortis Investors
(and its agents, employees, and controlling persons) for certain damages and
expenses, including those arising under federal securities laws.
Fortis Benefits or Fortis Investors may also provide additional compensation to
broker-dealers in connection with sales of contracts. Compensation may include
financial assistance to broker-dealers in connection with (1) conferences, (2)
sales or training programs for their employees, (3) seminars for the public, (4)
advertising, (5) sales campaigns regarding contracts, and (6) other
broker-dealer sponsored programs or events. Compensation may also include trips
taken by invited sales representatives and their family members to locations
within or without the United States for business meetings or seminars. Fortis
Benefits or Fortis Investors may pay travel expenses that arise from these
trips.
See Notes to Fortis Benefits' Financial Statements as to amounts it has paid to
Fortis, Inc. for various services.
Fortis Investors is an indirect subsidiary of Fortis (NL)N.V. and Fortis (B).
Fortis Investors is under common control with Fortis Benefits. Fortis Investors'
principal business address is the same as that of our home office. Fortis
Investors is not obligated to sell any specific amount of interests under the
contracts. $110,000,000 of interests in the fixed account and an indefinite
amount of interests in the Variable Account have been registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
FEDERAL TAX MATTERS
The following description is a general summary of the tax rules, primarily
related to federal income taxes. These rules are based on laws, regulations and
interpretations that are subject to change at any time. This summary is not
comprehensive. We do not intend it as tax advice. Federal estate and gift tax
considerations, as well as state and local taxes, may also be material. You
should consult a qualified tax adviser as to the tax implications of taking any
action under a contract or related retirement plan.
NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS
Section 72 of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code") governs the taxation of
annuities in general. Neither you nor any other person may exclude or deduct
purchase payments under
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<PAGE> 69
Non-Qualified Contracts from gross income. However, you are not currently taxed,
until receipt, on any increase in the accumulated value of a Non-Qualified
Contract that results from (1) the investment performance of the Variable
Account, or (2) interest credited to the fixed account. Owners who are not
natural persons ARE taxed annually on any increase in the contract value subject
to exceptions. You may wish to discuss this with your tax adviser.
The following discussion applies generally to contracts owned by natural
persons.
In general, surrenders or partial withdrawals under contracts are taxed as
ordinary income to the extent of the accumulated income or gain under the
contract. If you assign or pledge any part of the value of a contract, you pay
on the value so pledged or assigned to the same extent as a partial withdrawal.
With respect to annuity payment options, the tax consequences may vary depending
on the option elected under the contract. Until the "investment in the contract"
is recovered, generally only the portion of the annuity payment that represents
the amount by which the contract value exceeds the "investment in the contract"
will be taxed. In general, "investment in the contract" is the aggregate amount
of purchase payments made. After recovery of an Annuitant's or other payee's
"investment in the contract," the full amount of any additional annuity payments
is taxable.
For variable annuity payments, in general, the taxable portion of each annuity
payment (prior to recovery of the "investment in the contract") is the amount of
the payment less the nontaxable portion. The nontaxable portion of each payment
is the "investment in the contract" divided by the total number of expected
annuity payments.
For fixed annuity payments, in general, prior to recovery of the "investment in
the contract," there is no tax on the amount of each payment that bears the same
ratio to that payment as the "investment in the contract" bears to the total
expected value of the annuity payments for the term of the payments. However,
the remainder of each annuity payment is taxable. The taxable portion of a
distribution (in the form of an annuity or a single sum payment) is taxed as
ordinary income.
For purposes of determining the amount of taxable income resulting from
distributions, all contracts and other annuity contracts we or our affiliates
issue to you within the same calendar year will be treated as if they were a
single contract.
You, or any other payee, will pay a 10% penalty on the taxable portion of a
"premature distribution." Generally, an amount is a "premature distribution"
unless the distribution is:
- made on or after you or another payee reach age 59 1/2, or is
- made to a beneficiary on or after your death, or is
- made upon your disability or that of another payee, or is
- part of a series of substantially equal annuity payments for your life or
life expectancy, or is
- part of a series of substantially equal annuity payments for the life or
life expectancy of you AND your beneficiary.
Premature distributions may result, for example, from:
- an early annuity commencement date
- an early surrender or partial surrender of a contract
- an assignment of a contract
- the early death of an Annuitant other than you or another person
receiving annuity payments under the contract
If you transfer ownership of a contract, or designate an Annuitant or payee
other than yourself, you may have certain income or gift tax consequences that
are beyond the scope of this discussion. If you are contemplating any transfer
or assignment of a contract, you should contact a competent tax adviser.
REQUIRED DISTRIBUTIONS FOR NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS
In order that a Non-Qualified Contract be treated as an annuity contract for
federal income tax purposes, Section 72(s) of the Code requires:
- if any person receiving annuity payments dies on or after the annuity
commencement date but prior to the time the entire interest in the
contract has been distributed, the remaining portion of such interest
will be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of
distribution being used as of the date of the person's death; and
- if you die prior to the annuity commencement date, the entire interest in
the contract will be distributed:
- within five years after your death, or
- as annuity payments that will begin within one year of your death and
will be made over your designated beneficiary's life or over a period
not extending beyond the life expectancy of that beneficiary.
However, if the owner's designated beneficiary is the surviving spouse, the
surviving spouse may continue the contract as the new contract owner. Where the
owner or other person receiving payments is not a natural person, the required
distributions under Section 72(A) apply on the death of the primary Annuitant.
The Internal Revenue Service has not issued regulations interpreting the
requirements of Section 72(s) (although it has issued proposed regulations
interpreting similar requirements for qualified plans). We intend to review and
modify the contract if necessary to ensure that it complies with the
requirements of Section 72(s) when clarified by regulation or otherwise.
Generally, the above requirements will be satisfied with a single sum payment
where the death occurs prior to the annuity commencement date. A single sum
payment will be subject to proof of the owner's death. The beneficiary, however,
may elect by written request to receive an annuity option instead of a lump sum
payment. However, if the election is not made within 60 days of the date the
single sum death benefit otherwise becomes payable, the IRS may disregard the
election for tax purposes and tax the beneficiary as if a single sum payment had
been made.
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QUALIFIED CONTRACTS
The contracts may be used with several types of tax-qualified plans. The tax
rules applicable to owners, Annuitants, and other payees vary according to the
type of plan and the terms and conditions of the plan itself. In general,
purchase payments made under a tax qualified plan on your behalf are excludable
from your gross income during the Accumulation Period. The portion, if any, of
any purchase payment that is not excluded from your gross income during the
Accumulation Period constitutes your "investment in the contract".
When annuity payments begin, you will receive back your "investment in the
contract" if any, as a tax-free return of capital. The Code provides which
portion of each payment is taxable and which portion is tax free. These rules
may vary depending on the type of tax qualified plan.
The contracts are available in connection with the following types of retirement
plans:
- Section 403(b) annuity plans for employees of certain tax-exempt
organizations and public education institutions;
- Section 401 or 403(a) qualified pension, profit-sharing, or annuity
plans;
- Individual retirement annuities ("IRAs") under Section 408(b);
- Simplified employee pension plans ("SEPs") under Section 408(k);
- SIMPLE IRA Plans under Section 408(p); and
- Section 457 unfunded deferred compensation plans of tax-exempt
organizations and private employer unfunded deferred compensation plans.
The tax implications of these plans are further discussed in the Statement of
Additional Information under the heading "Taxation Under Certain Retirement
Plans".
WITHHOLDING
Annuity payments and other amounts received under contracts are subject to
income tax withholding unless the recipient elects not to have taxes withheld.
The amounts withheld will vary among recipients depending on the tax status of
the individual and the type of payments from which taxes are withheld.
Despite the recipient's election, the Code may require withholding from certain
payments outside the United States. The Code may also require withholding from
certain distributions from certain types of qualified retirement plans, unless
the proceeds are transferred directly from the qualified plan to another
qualified retirement plan. Moreover, special "backup withholding" rules may
require us to disregard the recipient's election if the recipient fails to
supply us with a "TIN" or taxpayer identification number (social security number
for individuals), or if the Internal Revenue Service notifies us that the TIN
provided by the recipient is incorrect.
PORTFOLIO DIVERSIFICATION
The United States Treasury Department has adopted regulations under Section
817(h) of the Code that set forth diversification requirements for investments
underlying Non-Qualified Contracts. We believe that the investments will satisfy
these requirements. Failure to do so would result in immediate taxation to you
or another person of all income credited to Non-Qualified Contracts. Also,
current regulations do not provide guidance as to any circumstances in which
control over allocation of values among different investment alternatives may
cause you or another person receiving annuity payments to be treated as the
owners of Variable Account assets for tax purposes. We reserve the right to
amend the contracts in any way necessary to avoid any such result. The Treasury
Department may establish standards in this regard through regulations or
rulings. Such standards may apply only prospectively, although retroactive
application is possible if the Treasury Department considered such standards not
to embody a new position.
CERTAIN EXCHANGES
Section 1035 of the Code provides generally that no gain or loss will be
recognized under the exchange of a life insurance or annuity contract for an
annuity contract. Thus, a properly completed exchange pursuant to the special
annuity contract exchange form we provide for this purpose is not generally a
taxable event under the Code. Moreover, your investment in the contract will be
the same as your investment in the product you exchanged out of.
Because of the complexity of these and other tax aspects in connection with an
exchange, you should consult a tax adviser before making any exchange.
TAX LAW RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING SECTION 403 PLANS
Section 403(b)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code restricts the distribution under
Section 403(b) annuity contracts of:
(1) elective contributions made for years beginning after December 31, 1988;
(2) earnings on those contributions; and
(3) earnings on amounts held as of December 31, 1988.
Distribution of these amounts may only occur upon death of the employee,
attainment of age 59 1/2, separation from service, disability, or financial
hardship. In addition, we may not distribute income attributable to elective
contributions made after December 31, 1988.
FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT FORTIS BENEFITS
GENERAL
We offer and sell insurance products, including fixed and variable life
insurance policies, fixed and variable annuity contracts, and group life,
accident and health insurance policies. We market our products to small
businesses and individuals through a national network of independent agents,
brokers, and financial institutions.
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
All of Fortis Benefits' outstanding shares are owned by Interfinancial, Inc.,
which is itself wholly owned by Fortis, Inc., both having an address of One
Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10005. Fortis, Inc., in turn is wholly
owned by Fortis International, Inc., which is wholly owned by AMEV/VSB 1990
N.V., both of which share the same address with N.V. AMEV., Archimedeslaan 10,
3584 BA, Utrecht, The Netherlands. AMEV/ VSB 1990 N.V. is 50% owned by Fortis
(NL)N.V. and 50% owned, through certain subsidiaries, by Fortis (B), Boulevard
Emile Jacqmain 53, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.
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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following is a summary of certain financial data of Fortis Benefits. This
summary has been derived in part from the financial statements of Fortis
Benefits included elsewhere in this prospectus. You should read the following
along with these financial statements.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS) 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
-------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
Premiums and policy charges......................... $1,403,291 $1,299,770 $1,238,006 $1,295,878 $1,232,329
Net investment income............................... 238,698 234,043 228,724 206,023 203,537
Net realized gains (losses) on investment........... 25,962 52,404 41,101 25,731 55,080
Other income........................................ 53,848 44,671 36,458 31,725 33,085
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
TOTAL REVENUES...................................... $1,721,799 $1,630,888 $1,544,289 $1,559,357 $1,524,031
========== ========== ========== ========== ==========
Total benefits and expenses......................... $1,598,266 $1,538,604 $1,442,059 $1,470,066 $1,442,270
Federal Income taxes................................ 40,327 30,402 35,120 31,099 27,891
Net income.......................................... 83,206 61,882 67,110 58,192 53,870
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Total assets........................................ $9,610,139 $7,578,055 $6,819,484 $5,951,876 $5,143,012
Total liabilities................................... 8,760,587 6,692,587 5,939,378 5,171,203 4,431,914
Total shareholder's equity.......................... 849,552 885,468 880,106 780,673 711,098
</TABLE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
1999 COMPARED TO 1998
REVENUES
The Company's major products are group disability and dental, group medical,
group life, and annuity and individual life insurance coverages sold through a
network of independent agents and brokers. In the fourth quarter of 1999, the
Company assumed a block of business from an affiliated Company, United Family
Life Insurance Company. This assumed business is primarily pre-need life
insurance designed to pre-fund funeral expenses and is sold as individual and
group life and annuity products. Pre-need business represents $36 million in
gross premium in 1999. Group disability and dental, group medical, group life,
annuity and individual life and pre-need represented 39%,32%, 18%, 8% and 3%,
respectively of premium in 1999 and 38%, 36%, 19%, 7% and 0% respectively in
1998. The Company had less capital gains from fixed income investments in 1999
as compared to 1998. During 1999, the Company decreased its common stock
holdings as a result of investment portfolio realignment which resulted in
equity gains.
The Company continues to match investment portfolio composition to liquidity
needs and capital requirements. Changes in interest rates during 1999 and 1998
resulted in recognition of realized gains and losses upon sales of securities.
BENEFITS
The total year-to-date policyholder benefit to premium ratio decreased to 80% in
1999 from 83% in 1998. The group disability and dental, group medical, group
life, annuity and individual life, and pre-need benefit to premium ratios for
the year ended December 31, were 83%, 80%, 70%, 94%, and 87% respectively in
1999 and 83%, 85%, 73%, 108% and 0% respectively in 1998. The group medical
business experienced a lower premium to benefit ratio due to rate increases and
better management of claims. Group life had improved mortality in 1999. The
annuity and individual life business also experienced strong market performance,
in addition to lower interest crediting on the Company's interest sensitive and
investment products.
EXPENSES
Commission rates have decreased from the levels in 1998. This is primarily due
to changes in the mix of business by product lines as well as the change in
first year versus renewal premiums.
The Company's general and administrative expense to premium ratio decreased
slightly to 22% in 1999 down from 23% in 1998. A principal reason for this
expense reduction is the combining of three group medical cost centers into one.
The Company continued to monitor expenses, striving to improve the expense to
premium ratio, while maintaining quality and timely services to policyholders.
1998 COMPARED TO 1997
REVENUES
The Company's major products are group disability and dental, group medical,
group life, and annuity and individual life insurance coverages sold through a
network of independent agents and brokers. 1998 total group disability and
dental, group medical, group life, and annuity and individual life premiums
represented 38%, 36%, 19% and 7% respectively of total premium in 1998 and 34%,
38%, 21% and 7% respectively in 1997. Strong group sales over the last three
quarters of 1997 and throughout 1998, in both the long term disability and
dental products is the primary reason for the increase in group disability and
dental premium. Additionally, short term disability products had a larger than
usual upswing in sales during the second and third quarters of 1998. The
decrease in group medical premium is the result of a decision in 1996 to
discontinue new sales of certain medical products coupled with higher than
normal lapses of current medical business.
The Company continues to match investment portfolio composition to liquidity
needs and capital requirements. Changes in
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<PAGE> 72
interest rates during 1998 and 1997 resulted in recognition of realized gains
and losses.
BENEFITS
The total year-to-date policyholder benefit to premium ratio remained relatively
flat increasing to 83% in 1998 from 82% in 1997. The group disability and
dental, group medical, group life, and annuity and individual life benefit to
premium ratios for the year ended December 31, were 83%, 85%, 73% and 108%
respectively in 1998 and 82%, 77%, 76% and 124% respectively in 1997. The group
medical business experienced a higher benefit to premium ratio due to higher
incurred benefits than anticipated. Group life experienced favorable
year-to-date experience in 1998 compared to 1997. The annuity and individual
life business also experienced lower mortality experience in 1998 compared to
1997, in addition to higher interest crediting on the Company's steadily
increasing policy base of interest sensitive and investment products.
EXPENSES
The Company's general and administrative expense to premium ratio has increased
slightly to 23% in 1998, up from 22% in 1997. Commission rates remained level
from 1997 to 1998.
MARKET RISK AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Interest rate risk is the Company's primary market risk exposure. Substantial
and sustained increases and decreases in market interest rates can affect the
profitability of insurance products and market value of investments. The yield
realized on new investments generally increases or decreases in direct
relationship with interest rate changes. The market value of the Company's fixed
maturity and mortgage loan portfolios generally increases when interest rates
decrease, and decreases when interest rates increase.
Interest rate risk is monitored and controlled through asset/ liability
management. As part of the risk management process, different economic scenarios
are modeled, including cash flow testing required for insurance regulatory
purposes, to determine that existing assets are adequate to meet projected
liability cash flows. A major component of the Company's asset/liability
management program is structuring the investment portfolio with cash flow
characteristics consistent with the cash flow characteristics of the Company's
insurance liabilities. The Company uses computer models to perform simulations
of the cash flow generated from existing insurance policies under various
interest rate scenarios. Information from these models is used in the
determination of interest crediting strategies and investment strategies. The
asset/liability management discipline includes strategies to minimize exposure
to loss as market interest rates change. On the basis of these analyses,
management believes there is no material solvency risk to the Company with
respect to interest rate movements up or down of 100 basis points from year-end
levels.
Equity market risk exposure is not significant. Equity investments in the
general account are not material enough to threaten solvency and contractowners
bear the investment risk related to the variable products. Therefore, the risks
associated with the investments supporting the variable separate accounts are
assumed by contractowners, not by the Company. The Company provides certain
minimum death benefits that depend on the performance of the variable separate
accounts. Currently the majority of these death benefit risks are reinsured
which then protects the Company from adverse mortality experience and prolonged
capital market decline.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The market value of cash, short-term investments and publicly traded bonds and
stocks is at least equal to all policyholder reserves and liabilities. The
Company's portfolio is readily marketable and convertible to cash to a degree
sufficient to provide for short-term needs. The Company consistently monitors
its liability durations and invests assets accordingly. The Company has no
material commitments or off-balance sheet financing arrangements, which would
reduce sources of funds in the upcoming year.
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has implemented risk-based
capital standards to determine the capital requirements of a life insurance
company based upon the risks inherent in its operations. These standards require
the computation of a risk-based capital amount which is then compared to a
company's actual total adjusted capital. Based upon current calculations using
these risk-based capital standards, the Company's percentage of total adjusted
capital is in excess of ratios, which would require regulatory attention.
The Company's fixed maturity investments consisted of 98% investment grade bonds
as of December 31, 1999 and the Company does not expect this percentage to
change significantly in the future.
YEAR 2000
Introduction. The Company relies heavily on information technology (IT) systems
to conduct its business. These IT systems include both internally developed and
vendor-supplied systems. The company also relies on the non-IT systems including
the embedded technology and facility related systems. In addition, the Company
has business relationships with numerous entities including but not limited to
financial institutions, financial intermediaries, third party administrators and
other critical vendors as well as regulators and customers. These entities are
themselves reliant on their IT systems to conduct their businesses. Therefore,
there is a supply chain of dependency among and between all involved entities.
State of Readiness. In 1997, the Fortis parent company organized a
multi-disciplinary Year 2000 Project Team (Team). The Company is part of the
Team. The Team consists of employees at each subsidiary, audit, legal and
outside consultants. The Team has developed and executed a comprehensive plan
(Plan) designed to make the Company's IT systems Year 2000 ready. The Plan
covered four stages including (i) inventory, (ii) assessment, (iii) programming,
and (iv) testing and certification. Programming, testing and certification of
all systems and applications were completed in December, 1999; therefore, the
Company has completed its Plan. The Company also inventoried its various
facility locations and the systems that related thereto, including embedded
technologies. These areas were also part of the Plan and were completed.
The Company identified third parties with which they have a material
relationship in both sending and receiving information
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<PAGE> 73
from those entities, with respect to current Year 2000 readiness. This action
has also been completed as part of the Plan.
Costs. The cost of the Company's portion of the Year 2000 project is estimated
at $26.9 million (pre-tax) and is being funded through operating cash flows.
Total Year 2000 project costs are based on management's best estimates, which
were derived utilizing numerous assumptions of future events, including the
continued availability of certain resources, third party modification plans and
other factors. Costs to upgrade and replace systems in the normal course of
business are not included in this estimate. For the year ended December 31,
1999, approximately $11.4 million (pre-tax) was expensed by the Company.
Risks. The Company limited the potential impact of the Year 2000 by monitoring
the progress of its own Year 2000 project and those of its critical external
relationship (both I/T and non-I/T) and by developing contingency/recovery
plans. Those contingency plans identified the mission critical systems and
relationships and put action plans in place to address a Year 2000 issue. To
date, none of the contingency plans have been implemented. In addition, no
significant Year 2000 issue has arisen which has had a material adverse effect
on the Company's results of operations, liquidity or financial condition
Contingency Plans. Consistent with prudent due diligence efforts, the Company
defined contingency plans aimed at ensuring the continuity of critical business
functions before and after December 31, 1999, should there have been or in the
future, be, an unexpected system failure. The Company developed plans that are
designed to reduce the negative impact on the Company, and provide methods of
returning to normal operations, if failure occurs.
VOTING PRIVILEGES
In accordance with our view of current applicable law, we will vote shares of
each of the portfolios attributable to a contract at regular and special
meetings of the shareholders of the portfolios. We will vote those shares in
proportion to instructions we receive from the persons having the voting
interest in the contract as of the record date for the corresponding portfolio
shareholders meeting. Owners have the voting interest during the Accumulation
Period, persons receiving annuity payments have the voting interest during the
Annuity Period, and beneficiaries have the voting interest after the death of
the Annuitant or owner. However, if the Investment Company Act of 1940 or any
rules thereunder should be amended or if the present interpretation thereof
should change, and as a result we determine that we are permitted to vote shares
of the portfolios in our own right, we may elect to do so.
We determine the number of shares of a portfolio attributable to a contract as
follows:
- During the Accumulation Period, we divide the amount of contract value in
a subaccount by the net asset value of one share of the portfolio
corresponding to that subaccount. We make this calculation as of the
record date for the applicable portfolio.
- During the Annuity Period, or after the death of the Annuitant or owner,
we make a similar calculation. However, for subaccount value we use the
liability for future variable annuity payments allocable to that
subaccount as of the record date for the applicable portfolio. We
calculate the liability for future variable annuity payments on the basis
of the following on the record date:
- mortality assumptions,
- the assumed interest rate used in determining the number of Annuity
Units under the contract, and
- the applicable Annuity Unit value
During the Annuity Period, the number of votes attributable to a contract will
generally decrease since funds set aside to make the annuity payments will
decrease.
We will vote shares for which we have not received timely instructions, and any
shares attributable to excess amounts we have accumulated in the related
subaccount, in proportion to the voting instructions which we receive for all
contracts and other variable annuity contracts participating in a portfolio. To
the extent that we or any affiliated company holds any shares of a portfolio,
those shares will be voted in the same proportion as instructions for that
portfolio from all our policy holders holding voting interests in that
portfolio. Shares held by separate accounts other than the Variable Account will
in general be voted in accordance with instructions of owners in such other
separate accounts. This diminishes the relative voting influence of the
contracts.
Each person having a voting interest in a subaccount of the Variable Account
will receive proxy material, reports and other materials relating to the
appropriate portfolio. Under the procedures described above, these persons may
give instructions regarding:
- the election of the Board of Directors of the portfolios,
- ratification of the selection of a portfolio's independent auditors,
- the approval of the investment managers of a portfolio,
- changes in fundamental investment policies of a portfolio, and
- all other matters that are put to a vote of portfolio shareholders
LEGAL MATTERS
David A. Peterson, Esquire, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel with
our legal department has passed on the legality of the contracts described in
this prospectus. Messrs. Freedman, Levy, Kroll & Simonds, Washington, D.C., have
advised Fortis Benefits on certain federal securities law matters.
OTHER INFORMATION
We have filed Registration Statements with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, with respect to the
contracts discussed in this prospectus. We have not included in the prospectus
all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, amendments, and
exhibits thereto. We intend statements contained in this prospectus about the
content of the contracts and other legal instruments to be summaries. For a
complete statement of the terms of these documents, you should refer to the
instruments filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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<PAGE> 74
A Statement of Additional Information is available upon request. Its contents
are as follows:
CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Fortis Benefits and the Variable Account.......
Calculation of Annuity Payments................
Postponement of Payments.......................
Services.......................................
- Safekeeping of Variable Account Assets.....
- Experts....................................
- Principal Underwriter......................
Taxation Under Certain Retirement Plans........
Withholding....................................
Other Information..............................
Variable Account Financial Statements..........
APPENDIX A--Performance Information............
</TABLE>
FORTIS BENEFITS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements of Fortis Benefits that are included in this prospectus
should be considered primarily as bearing on our ability to meet our obligations
under the contracts. The contracts are not entitled to participate in our
earnings, dividends or surplus.
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<PAGE> 75
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Board of Directors
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortis (B) and Fortis (NL)
N.V., as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the related statements of income,
changes in shareholder's equity and cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1999. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company at December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
[/s/ ERNST & YOUNG]
February 17, 2000
Minneapolis, Minnesota
F-1
<PAGE> 76
BALANCE SHEETS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31
------------------------
1999 1998
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Investments:
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost
1999--$2,802,697; 1998--$2,315,904).................... $2,706,372 $2,402,343
Equity securities, at fair value (cost 1999--$81,554;
1998--$141,947)........................................ 85,021 157,851
Mortgage loans on real estate, less allowance for possible
losses (1999 and 1998--$11,085)........................ 754,514 610,131
Policy loans.............................................. 83,439 74,950
Short-term investments.................................... 115,527 31,868
Real estate and other investments......................... 47,502 36,156
---------- ----------
3,792,375 3,313,299
Cash and cash equivalents................................... 18,670 668
Receivables:
Uncollected premiums...................................... 62,938 61,883
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses......... 23,471 14,853
Other..................................................... 19,406 17,641
---------- ----------
105,815 94,377
Accrued investment income................................... 55,464 42,831
Deferred policy acquisition costs........................... 430,192 331,938
Property and equipment at cost, less accumulated
depreciation.............................................. 25,118 30,712
Deferred federal income taxes............................... 52,467 17,904
Other assets................................................ 1,582 3,923
Due from affiliates......................................... 8,304 --
Assets held in separate accounts............................ 5,120,152 3,742,403
---------- ----------
Total assets................................................ $9,610,139 $7,578,055
========== ==========
</TABLE>
F-2
<PAGE> 77
BALANCE SHEETS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31
------------------------
1999 1998
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
POLICY RESERVES, LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
Policy reserves and liabilities:
Future policy benefit reserves:
Traditional and pre-need life insurance................ $1,106,269 $ 450,776
Interest sensitive and investment products............. 1,147,657 1,238,125
Accident and health.................................... 940,865 861,334
---------- ----------
3,194,791 2,550,235
Unearned revenues......................................... 28,673 13,393
Other policy claims and benefits payable.................. 265,486 255,350
Policyholder dividends payable............................ 7,939 8,189
---------- ----------
3,496,889 2,827,167
Accrued expenses.......................................... 59,409 57,860
Current income taxes payable.............................. 1,838 4,168
Other liabilities......................................... 120,110 86,226
Due to affiliates......................................... -- 9,479
Liabilities related to separate accounts.................. 5,082,341 3,707,687
---------- ----------
Total policy reserves and liabilities....................... 8,760,587 6,692,587
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholder's equity:
Common Stock, $5 par value:
Authorized, issued and outstanding shares--1,000,000... 5,000 5,000
Additional paid-in capital................................ 468,000 468,000
Retained earnings......................................... 427,811 344,605
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income............. (51,259) 67,863
---------- ----------
Total shareholder's equity.................................. 849,552 885,468
---------- ----------
Total policy reserves, liabilities and shareholder's
equity.................................................... $9,610,139 $7,578,055
========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-3
<PAGE> 78
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
--------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES
Insurance operations:
Traditional life insurance premiums....................... $ 301,377 $ 260,567 $ 269,540
Interest sensitive and investment product policy
charges................................................ 99,047 85,551 77,429
Accident and health insurance premiums.................... 1,002,867 953,652 891,037
---------- ---------- ----------
1,403,291 1,299,770 1,238,006
Net investment income....................................... 238,698 234,043 228,724
Net realized gains on investments........................... 25,962 52,404 41,101
Other income................................................ 53,848 44,671 36,458
---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues.............................................. 1,721,799 1,630,888 1,544,289
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Benefits to policyholders:
Traditional life insurance................................ 218,993 189,337 204,497
Interest sensitive investment products.................... 93,668 96,178 103,077
Accident and health claims................................ 812,149 798,036 707,113
---------- ---------- ----------
1,124,810 1,083,551 1,014,687
Policyholder dividends...................................... 3,114 3,486 2,935
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs........... 43,078 33,365 43,931
Insurance commissions....................................... 124,601 118,710 107,378
General and administrative expenses......................... 302,663 299,492 273,128
---------- ---------- ----------
Total benefits and expenses................................. 1,598,266 1,538,604 1,442,059
---------- ---------- ----------
Income before federal income taxes.......................... 123,533 92,284 102,230
Federal income taxes........................................ 40,327 30,402 35,120
---------- ---------- ----------
Net income.................................................. $ 83,206 $ 61,882 $ 67,110
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-4
<PAGE> 79
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCUMULATED
ADDITIONAL OTHER
COMMON PAID-IN RETAINED COMPREHENSIVE
TOTAL STOCK CAPITAL EARNINGS (LOSS) INCOME
--------- ------ ---------- -------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, January 1, 1997.................. $ 780,673 $5,000 $468,000 $265,613 $ 42,060
Comprehensive income:
Net income........................... 67,110 -- -- 67,110 --
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
on investments, net................ 32,323 -- -- -- 32,323
---------
Total Comprehensive income.............. 99,433
--------- ------ -------- -------- ---------
Balance, December 31, 1997................ 880,106 5,000 468,000 332,723 74,383
Comprehensive income:
Net income........................... 61,882 -- -- 61,882 --
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
on investments, net................ (6,520) -- -- -- (6,520)
---------
Total Comprehensive income.............. 55,362
Dividend................................ (50,000) -- -- (50,000) --
--------- ------ -------- -------- ---------
Balance, December 31, 1998................ 885,468 5,000 468,000 344,605 67,863
Comprehensive income:
Net income........................... 83,206 -- -- 83,206 --
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
on investments, net................ (119,122) -- -- -- (119,122)
---------
Total Comprehensive income.............. (35,916)
--------- ------ -------- -------- ---------
Balance, December 31, 1999................ $ 849,552 $5,000 $468,000 $427,811 $ (51,259)
========= ====== ======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-5
<PAGE> 80
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
-----------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income............................................... $ 83,206 $ 61,882 $ 67,110
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit
reserves for traditional, interest sensitive and
accident and health policies...................... 97,931 106,135 (2,496)
Increase (decrease) in other policy claims and
benefits and policyholder dividends payable....... 5,012 (2,514) 68,070
Provision for deferred federal income taxes......... 29,454 417 (6,449)
Decrease in income taxes payable.................... (2,330) (6,381) (6,875)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs... 43,078 33,365 43,931
Policy acquisition costs deferred................... (96,308) (73,147) (69,694)
Provision for mortgage loan losses.................. -- -- 1,388
Provision for depreciation.......................... 12,807 12,409 14,351
Write-off of investment............................. -- -- 3,000
Amortization of investment (discounts) premiums,
net............................................... 1,930 (3,200) (466)
Change in receivables, accrued investment income,
unearned premiums, accrued expenses and other
liabilities....................................... 27,227 (4,455) (2,720)
Net realized gains on sold investments.............. (25,962) (52,404) (41,101)
Other............................................... -- 169 (12,496)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities................ 176,045 72,276 55,553
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of fixed maturity investments.................. (1,654,104) (2,380,511) (3,611,770)
Sales and repayments of fixed maturity investments....... 1,675,488 2,428,207 3,378,898
(Increase) decrease in short-term investments............ (83,659) 38,669 112,280
Purchases of other investments........................... (305,889) (408,998) (209,771)
Sales of other investments............................... 353,267 352,873 205,084
Purchases of property and equipment...................... (7,213) (356) (4,242)
Cash received pursuant to reinsurance assumption
agreement.............................................. 3,374 -- --
Other.................................................... -- -- (617)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities...... (18,736) 29,884 (130,138)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Activities related to investment products:
Considerations received................................ 237,375 215,693 200,760
Surrenders and death benefits.......................... (416,537) (326,457) (190,361)
Interest credited to policyholders..................... 39,855 49,371 53,613
Dividend................................................. -- (50,000) --
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities...... (139,307) (111,393) 64,012
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents......... 18,002 (9,233) (10,573)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year........... 668 9,901 20,474
----------- ----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year................. $ 18,670 $ 668 $ 9,901
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-6
<PAGE> 81
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(IN THOUSANDS)
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Assets and liabilities transferred in reinsurance transactions (Note 8):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Non-Cash Assets Received:
Fixed maturities.......................................... $ 517,091
Other Investments......................................... 121,696
Other Assets.............................................. 12,763
Deferred Acquisition Costs................................ 35,882
---------
Total value of assets received.............................. $ 687,432
=========
Non-Cash Liabilities Assumed:
Future policy benefit reserves............................ $(685,932)
Claim reserves............................................ (4,874)
---------
Total Liabilities Assumed................................... $(690,806)
=========
</TABLE>
F-7
<PAGE> 82
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company (the Company) is an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of Fortis, Inc. (Fortis), which itself is an indirect, wholly-owned
subsidiary of Fortis (B) and Fortis (NL) N.V. The Company is incorporated in
Minnesota and distributes its products in all states except New York. The
Company's revenues are derived principally from group employee benefits products
and from individual life and annuity products.
Effective October 1, 1999, the Company assumed pre-need life insurance business
from an affiliate on a 100% co-insurance basis. These life insurance and annuity
products are marketed in connection with the advance funding of funeral
expenses. (See Note 8 "Reinsurance" for more information on this reinsurance
transaction.)
BASIS OF STATEMENT PRESENTATION
During 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
Board (SFAS) 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income. SFAS 130 establishes new rules
for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components;
however, the adoption of this SFAS had no impact on the Company's net income or
shareholder's equity. SFAS 130 requires unrealized gains or losses on the
Company's available-for-sale securities, which prior to adoption were reported
separately in shareholder's equity, to be included in other comprehensive
income. Prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the
requirements of SFAS 130.
Effective January 1, 1999, the Company adopted SOP 97-3, "Accounting by
Insurance and Other Enterprises for Insurance-Related Assessments". SOP 97-3
requires the estimation and recording of certain insurance-related assessments.
Because the Company previously recorded insurance-related assessments on this
basis, the adoption of SOP 97-3 had no impact on the results of operations or
financial position.
In June 1999, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 137,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities--Deferral of the
Effective Date of FAS 133", which deferred to January 1, 2001 the effective date
of the accounting and reporting requirements of SFAS 133. SFAS 133 establishes
accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain
derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities.
The adoption of SFAS 133 is not expected to have a material effect on the
Company's results of operations or financial position.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Company follows accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States which differ in certain respects from statutory accounting practices
prescribed or permitted by regulatory authorities. The more significant of these
principles are set forth below:
REVENUE RECOGNITION AND FUTURE POLICY BENEFIT RESERVES
Premiums for traditional life insurance and pre-need life products are
recognized as revenues when due over the premium-paying period. Reserves for
future policy benefits are computed using the net level method and include
investment yield, mortality, withdrawal, and other assumptions based on the
Company's experience, modified as necessary to reflect anticipated trends and to
include provisions for possible unfavorable deviations.
Revenues for interest sensitive and investment products consist of charges
assessed against policy account balances during the period for the cost of
insurance, policy administration, and surrender charges. Future policy benefit
reserves are computed under the retrospective deposit method and consist of
policy account balances before applicable surrender charges. Policy benefits
charged to expense during the period include amounts paid in excess of policy
account balances and interest credited to policy account balances. Interest
crediting rates for universal life and investment products ranged from 3.5% to
12% in 1999, and 2.5% to 8.75% in 1998 and 1997.
F-8
<PAGE> 83
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
A portion of the Company's pre-need life products provide an increasing future
benefit tied typically to the U.S. Consumer Price Index or a targeted growth
rate established at management's discretion. All pre-need life products that
have death benefit increases made at management's discretion are accounted for
as interest-sensitive life products.
Premiums for accident and health insurance products, including medical, long and
short-term disability and dental insurance products, are recognized as revenues
ratably over the contract period in proportion to the risk insured. Reserves for
future disability benefits are based on the 1987 Commissioners Group Disability
Table. The valuation interest rate is the Single Premium Immediate Annuity
valuation rate less 100 basis points. Claims in the first five years' are
modified based on the Company's actual experience.
CLAIMS AND BENEFITS PAYABLE
Other policy claims and benefits payable for reported and incurred but not
reported claims and related claims adjustment expenses are determined using
case-basis estimates and past experience. The methods of making such estimates
and establishing the related liabilities are continually reviewed and updated.
Any adjustments resulting therefrom are reflected in income currently.
DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS
The costs of acquiring new business, which vary with and are directly related to
the production of new business, are deferred to the extent recoverable and
amortized. For traditional and pre-need life insurance and long-term care
products (included as accident and health products), such costs are amortized
over the premium paying period. For interest sensitive and investment products,
such costs are amortized in relation to expected future gross profits.
Estimation of future gross profits requires significant management judgment and
are reviewed periodically. As excess amounts of deferred costs over future
premiums or gross profits are identified, such excess amounts are expensed.
INVESTMENTS
The Company's investment strategy is developed based on many factors including
insurance liability matching, rate of return, maturity, credit risk, tax
considerations and regulatory requirements.
All fixed maturity investments and all marketable equity securities are
classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value.
Changes in fair values of available for sale securities, after related deferred
income taxes and after adjustment for the changes in the pattern of amortization
of deferred policy acquisition costs and participating policyholder dividends,
are reported directly in shareholder's equity as accumulated other comprehensive
income and, accordingly, have no effect on net income. The unrealized
appreciation or depreciation is net of deferred policy acquisition cost
amortization and taxes that would have been required as a charge or credit to
income had such unrealized amounts been realized.
Mortgage loans constitute first liens on commercial real estate and other income
producing properties. The insurance statutes in Minnesota generally require that
the initial principal loaned not exceed 80% of the appraised value of the
property securing the loan. The Company's policy fully complies with this
statute. Mortgage loans on real estate are reported at amortized cost, less
allowance for possible losses. The change in the allowance for possible losses
is recorded with realized gains and losses on investments.
Policy loans are reported at their unpaid balance. Short term investments are at
cost which approximates fair value.
Real estate and other investments consist principally of property acquired in
satisfaction of debt and limited partnerships, respectively. Real estate is
recorded at cost less allowances for depreciation. The Company provides for
depreciation on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives. Other
investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
Realized gains and losses on sales of investments, and declines in value judged
to be other-than-temporary, are recognized on the specific identification basis.
Investment income is recorded as earned.
F-9
<PAGE> 84
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. The
Company provides for depreciation principally on the straight-line method over
the estimated useful lives of the related property. Depreciation expense was
$12,807,000, $12,409,000 and $14,351,000 for the year ended December 31, 1999,
1998 and 1997, respectively.
INCOME TAXES
Income taxes have been provided using the liability method. Deferred tax assets
and liabilities are determined based on the temporary differences between the
financial reporting and the tax bases and are measured using the enacted tax
rates.
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
Revenues and expenses related to the separate account assets and liabilities are
excluded from the amounts reported in the accompanying statements of income.
Assets and liabilities associated with the separate accounts relate to deposits
and annuity considerations for variable life and variable annuity products for
which the contract holder, rather than the Company, bears the investment risk.
Separate account assets are reported at fair value and represent funds held for
the exclusive benefit of the variable annuity and variable life insurance
contract owners.
The Company receives mortality and expense risk fees from the separate accounts.
The Company also deducts monthly cost of insurance charges, and receives minimum
death benefit guarantee fees and issue and administrative fees from the variable
life insurance separate accounts.
The Company makes contractual mortality assurances to the variable annuity
contract owners that the net assets of the separate accounts will not be
affected by future variations in the actual life expectancy experience of the
annuitants and beneficiaries from the mortality assumptions implicit in the
annuity contracts. The Company makes periodic fund transfers to, or withdrawals
from, the separate account assets for such actuarial adjustments for variable
annuities that are in the benefit payment period. The Company also guarantees
that the rates at which administrative fees are deducted from contract funds
will not exceed contractual maximums.
For variable life insurance, the Company guarantees that the rates at which
insurance charges and administrative fees are deducted from contract funds will
not exceed contractual maximums. The Company also guarantees that the death
benefit will continue payable at the initial level regardless of investment
performance so long as minimum premium payments are made.
GUARANTY FUND ASSESSMENTS
There are a number of insurance companies that are currently under regulatory
supervision. This may result in future assessments by state guaranty fund
associations to cover losses to policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated
companies. These assessments can be partially recovered through a reduction in
future premium taxes in some states. The Company believes it has adequately
provided for the impact of future assessments relating to current insolvencies.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The Company considers investments with a maturity at the date of their
acquisition of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These securities are
carried principally at amortized cost which approximates fair value.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income
which includes unrealized gains and losses on securities classified as
available-for-sale, net of the effect on deferred policy acquisition costs,
taxes and reclassification adjustment.
F-10
<PAGE> 85
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain amounts in the 1998 and 1997 financial statements have been reclassified
to conform to the 1999 presentation.
2. INVESTMENTS
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES
The following is a summary of the available-for-sale securities (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS GROSS
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
COST GAIN LOSS VALUE
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1999
Fixed maturities:
Governments................................ $ 309,402 $ 46 $ 8,934 $ 300,514
Public utilities........................... 237,579 341 10,375 227,545
Industrial and miscellaneous............... 2,208,281 7,020 81,412 2,133,889
Other...................................... 47,435 184 3,195 44,424
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total fixed maturities....................... 2,802,697 7,591 103,916 2,706,372
Equity securities............................ 81,554 5,825 2,358 85,021
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total........................................ $2,884,251 $ 13,416 $106,274 $2,791,393
========== ======== ======== ==========
DECEMBER 31, 1998
Fixed maturities:
Governments................................ $ 321,047 $ 5,994 $ 436 $ 326,605
Public utilities........................... 190,792 7,769 1,704 196,857
Industrial and miscellaneous............... 1,723,183 79,137 6,451 1,795,869
Other...................................... 80,882 2,181 51 83,012
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total fixed maturities....................... 2,315,904 95,081 8,642 2,402,343
Equity securities............................ 141,947 18,238 2,334 157,851
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total........................................ $2,457,851 $113,319 $ 10,976 $2,560,194
========== ======== ======== ==========
</TABLE>
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale investments in fixed
maturities at December 31, 1999, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in
thousands).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMORTIZED FAIR
COST VALUE
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Due in one year or less..................................... $ 62,675 $ 62,547
Due after one year through five years....................... 681,595 671,472
Due after five years through ten years...................... 912,713 881,953
Due after ten years......................................... 1,145,714 1,090,400
---------- ----------
Total....................................................... $2,802,697 $2,706,372
========== ==========
</TABLE>
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers
may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or
prepayment penalties.
F-11
<PAGE> 86
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
2. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
MORTGAGE LOANS
The Company has issued commercial mortgage loans on properties located
throughout the United States. Approximately 38% and 36% of outstanding principal
is concentrated in the states of New York, California and Florida, at December
31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. Loan commitments outstanding totaled
$12,350,000 at December 31, 1999.
INVESTMENTS ON DEPOSIT
The Company had fixed maturities carried at $17,061,000 and $19,978,000 at
December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively, on deposit with various governmental
authorities as required by law.
INVESTMENT IN MANAGED DENTAL INITIATIVE
In 1997, the Company acquired a 99% ownership in a managed dental initiative
called Dental Health Alliance, Inc. (DHA). Based on an analysis of future DHA
profitability, the entire investment of $8,132,000 was written-off at December
31, 1997.
NET UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES)
The adjusted net unrealized gains (losses) on investments recorded in
accumulated other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, are set
forth below (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TAX
BEFORE-TAX (EXPENSE) NET-OF-TAX
AMOUNT BENEFIT AMOUNT
---------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1999
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale
investments........................................... $(168,542) $ 58,990 $(109,552)
Decrease in amortization of deferred policy acquisition
costs................................................. 9,142 (3,200) 5,942
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized
in net income......................................... (23,864) 8,352 (15,512)
--------- -------- ---------
Other comprehensive loss................................... $(183,264) $ 64,142 $(119,122)
========= ======== =========
DECEMBER 31, 1998
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale
investments........................................... $ 32,614 $(11,562) $ 21,052
Decrease in amortization of deferred policy acquisition
costs................................................. 414 (145) 269
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized
in net income......................................... (42,832) 14,991 (27,841)
--------- -------- ---------
Other comprehensive loss................................... $ (9,804) $ 3,284 $ (6,520)
========= ======== =========
DECEMBER 31, 1997
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale
investments........................................... $ 93,826 $(33,796) $ 60,030
Increase in amortization of deferred policy acquisition
costs................................................. (2,096) 771 (1,325)
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized
in net income......................................... (40,587) 14,205 (26,382)
--------- -------- ---------
Other comprehensive income................................. $ 51,143 $(18,820) $ 32,323
========= ======== =========
</TABLE>
F-12
<PAGE> 87
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
2. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
NET INVESTMENT INCOME AND NET REALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS
Major categories of net investment income and realized gains (losses) on
investments for each year were as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Fixed maturities............................................ $167,027 $160,163 $160,444
Equity securities........................................... 7,320 8,656 9,306
Mortgage loans on real estate............................... 57,684 57,031 54,662
Policy loans................................................ 5,272 4,653 4,144
Short-term investments...................................... 844 1,701 2,851
Real estate and other investments........................... 6,375 8,194 4,635
-------- -------- --------
244,522 240,398 236,042
Expenses.................................................... (5,824) (6,355) (7,318)
-------- -------- --------
$238,698 $234,043 $228,724
======== ======== ========
NET REALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS
Fixed maturities............................................ $ (9,750) $ 34,320 $ 13,827
Equity securities........................................... 33,613 8,512 26,760
Mortgage loans on real estate............................... -- (198) 301
Short-term investments...................................... -- 5 --
Real estate and other investments........................... 2,099 9,765 213
-------- -------- --------
$ 25,962 $ 52,404 $ 41,101
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
Proceeds from sales of investments in fixed maturities were $1,627,450,000,
$2,460,316,000 and $3,360,682,000 in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Gross
gains of $11,996,000, $44,360,000 and $30,860,000 and gross losses of
$21,746,000, $10,040,000 and $17,033,000 were realized on the sales in 1999,
1998 and 1997, respectively.
F-13
<PAGE> 88
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
3. DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS
The changes in deferred policy acquisition costs by product were as follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTEREST
TRADITIONAL SENSITIVE AND
AND PRE-NEED INVESTMENT ACCIDENT AND
LIFE PRODUCTS HEALTH TOTAL
------------ ------------- ------------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, January 1, 1998.................... $22,169 $264,383 $ 5,190 $291,742
Acquisition costs deferred................ -- 69,921 3,226 73,147
Acquisition costs amortized............... (7,609) (20,256) (5,500) (33,365)
Decreased amortization of deferred
acquisition costs from unrealized gains
on available-for-sale securities....... -- 414 -- 414
------- -------- ------- --------
Balance, December 31, 1998.................. 14,560 314,462 2,916 331,938
Acquisition costs deferred................ 33,783 81,016 17,391 132,190
Acquisition costs amortized............... (2,438) (38,831) (1,809) (43,078)
Decreased amortization of deferred
acquisition costs from unrealized gains
on available-for-sale securities....... -- 9,142 -- 9,142
------- -------- ------- --------
Balance, December 31, 1999.................. $45,905 $365,789 $18,498 $430,192
======= ======== ======= ========
</TABLE>
Included in total policy acquisition costs deferred in 1999 is $35,882,000 of
present value of future profits (PVP) and $1,416,000 of subsequent acquisition
costs resulting from the reinsurance assumption agreement with United Family
Life Insurance Company, an affiliate, which became effective October 1, 1999.
PVP is being amortized against the expected premium revenue of the pre-need life
insurance business assumed. See Note 8 "Reinsurance" for more information on
this reinsurance transaction.
During 1999, 1998 and 1997, the Company sold portions of its investment
portfolio and in accordance with FASB Statement 97, the recognition of the
realized net capital gains resulted in increased (decreased) amortization of
deferred acquisition costs of $(224,000), $3,357,000 and $732,000, respectively.
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of property and equipment at December 31 for each year follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Land........................................................ $ 1,900 $ 1,900
Building and improvements................................... 26,383 24,319
Furniture and equipment..................................... 76,604 87,714
-------- --------
104,887 113,933
Less accumulated depreciation............................... (79,769) (83,221)
-------- --------
Net property and equipment.................................. $ 25,118 $ 30,712
======== ========
</TABLE>
F-14
<PAGE> 89
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
5. ACCIDENT AND HEALTH RESERVES
Activity for the liability for unpaid accident and health claims is summarized
as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance as of January 1, net of reinsurance recoverables.... $1,061,883 $ 988,036 $947,711
Add: Incurred losses related to:
Current year.............................................. 824,949 826,009 773,316
Prior years............................................... (12,800) (27,973) (59,634)
---------- ---------- --------
Total incurred losses....................................... 812,149 798,036 713,682
Deduct: Paid losses related to:
Current year.............................................. 468,404 469,881 437,405
Prior years............................................... 266,025 254,308 235,952
---------- ---------- --------
Total paid losses........................................... 734,429 724,189 673,357
---------- ---------- --------
Balance as of December 31, net of reinsurance
recoverables.............................................. $1,139,603 $1,061,883 $988,036
========== ========== ========
</TABLE>
The table above compares to the amounts reported on the balance sheet in the
following respects: (1) the table above is presented net of ceded reinsurance
and the accident and health reserves reported on the balance sheet are gross of
ceded reinsurance; and (2) the table above includes accident and health benefits
payable which are included with other policy claims and benefits payable
reported on the balance sheet.
In each of the years presented above, the accident and health insurance line of
business experienced overall favorable development on claims reserves
established as of the previous year end. The favorable development was a result
of lower medical costs and a reduction of loss reserves due to lower than
anticipated inflation in medical costs.
The liability for unpaid accident and health claims includes $994,651,000,
$915,368,000 and $854,940,000 of total disability income reserves as of December
31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively, which were discounted for anticipated
interest earnings using a rate which varies by incurral year.
6. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The Company reports its taxable income in a consolidated federal income tax
return along with other affiliated subsidiaries of Fortis. Income tax expense or
credits are allocated among the affiliated subsidiaries by applying corporate
income tax rates to taxable income or loss determined on a separate return basis
according to a Tax Allocation Agreement.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial statement purposes and
for income tax purposes.
F-15
<PAGE> 90
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
6. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
The significant components of the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets
as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Separate account assets/liabilities....................... $ 60,716 $ 87,300
Reserves.................................................. 35,843 27,586
Claims and benefits payable............................... 7,964 8,089
Accrued liabilities....................................... 6,973 10,113
Unrealized Losses......................................... 32,500 --
Investments............................................... 4,549 3,861
Other..................................................... 6,755 2,723
-------- --------
Total deferred tax assets................................... 155,300 139,672
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred policy acquisition costs......................... 98,539 82,031
Unrealized gains.......................................... -- 35,591
Fixed assets.............................................. 2,963 3,150
Investments............................................... 1,171 982
Other..................................................... 160 14
-------- --------
Total deferred tax liabilities.............................. 102,833 121,768
-------- --------
Net deferred tax asset...................................... $ 52,467 $ 17,904
======== ========
</TABLE>
The Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for any portion of
the deferred tax asset that management believes will not be realized. In the
opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the Company will realize
the benefit of the deferred tax assets, and, therefore, no such valuation
allowance has been established.
The Company's tax expense (benefit) for the year ended December 31 is shown as
follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current..................................................... $10,873 $30,232 $41,569
Deferred.................................................... 29,454 170 (6,449)
------- ------- -------
$40,327 $30,402 $35,120
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Federal income tax payments and refunds resulted in net payments of $13,203,000,
$36,367,000 and $58,859,000 in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
The Company's effective income tax rate varied from the statutory federal income
tax rate as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Statutory income tax rate................................... 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
Other, net.................................................. (2.4) (2.1) (.6)
---- ---- ----
32.6% 32.9% 34.4%
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
F-16
<PAGE> 91
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
7. ASSETS HELD IN SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
Separate account assets at December 31 were as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Premium and annuity considerations for the variable annuity
products and variable universal life products for which
the contract holder, rather than the Company, bears the
investment risk........................................... $5,082,341 $3,707,687
Assets of the separate accounts owned by the Company, at
fair value................................................ 37,811 34,716
---------- ----------
$5,120,152 $3,742,403
========== ==========
</TABLE>
8. REINSURANCE
In the second quarter of 1996, First Fortis Life Insurance Company (First
Fortis), an affiliate, received approval from the New York State Insurance
Department for a reinsurance agreement with the Company. The agreement, which
became effective as of January 1, 1996, decreased First Fortis' long-term
disability reinsurance retention from a $10,000 net monthly benefit to a $2,000
net monthly benefit for claims incurred on and after January 1, 1996. The
Company has assumed $6,580,000, $5,601,000 and $5,742,000 of premium from First
Fortis in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The Company has assumed
$11,047,000, $9,315,000 and $5,452,000 of reserves in 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively, from First Fortis.
In the fourth quarter of 1999, United Family Life Insurance Company (UFL), an
affiliate, received approval from the state of Georgia for a reinsurance
agreement with the Company. The agreement, which became effective October 1,
1999, provided for the cession of substantially all of UFL's pre-need life
insurance business on a 100% co-insurance basis. The Company assumed
approximately $690,806,000 of reserves and received approximately $654,924,000
of cash, investments (primarily fixed maturities and mortgages) and other assets
as of October 1, 1999. The $35,882,000 ceding commission was capitalized as an
acquisition cost (as described in Note 3). During the period October 1, 1999 to
December 31, 1999, the Company assumed $31,523,000 of premium under the
contract.
The maximum amount that the Company retains on any one life is $1,000,000 of
life insurance including accidental death. Amounts in excess of $1,000,000 are
reinsured with other life insurance companies on a yearly renewable term basis.
Ceded reinsurance premiums for the year ended December 31 were as follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Life insurance.............................................. $ 6,246 $ 6,983 $ 8,159
Accident and health insurance............................... 17,803 13,862 13,712
------- ------- -------
$24,049 $20,845 $21,871
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Recoveries under reinsurance contracts for the year ended December 31 were as
follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Life insurance.............................................. $ 478 $ 4,549 $ 2,973
Accident and health insurance............................... 13,669 9,465 14,781
------- ------- -------
$14,147 $14,014 $17,754
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Reinsurance ceded would become a liability of the Company in the event the
reinsurers are unable to meet the obligations assumed under the reinsurance
agreement. To minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurance
insolvencies, the Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers
and monitors concentrations of credit risk arising from similar geographic
regions, activities or economic characteristics of the reinsurers.
F-17
<PAGE> 92
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
9. DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS
Dividend distributions to the parent are restricted as to the amount by state
regulatory requirements. The Company had $49,286,000 free from such restrictions
as of December 31, 1999. Distributions in excess of this amount would require
regulatory approval.
10. REGULATORY ACCOUNTING REQUIREMENTS
Statutory-basis financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting
practices prescribed or permitted by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
Prescribed statutory accounting practices include a variety of publications of
the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC"), as well as state
laws, regulations and general administrative rules. Permitted statutory
accounting practices encompass all accounting practices not so prescribed; such
practices may differ from state to state, may differ from company to company
within a state, and may change in the future.
In 1998, the NAIC adopted codified statutory accounting principles
("Codification") effective January 1, 2001. Codification will likely change, to
some extent, prescribed statutory accounting practices and may result in changes
to the accounting practices that the Company uses to prepare its statutory-basis
financial statements. Codification requires adoption by the various states
before it becomes the prescribed statutory basis of accounting for insurance
companies domesticated within those states. Minnesota has adopted Codification
effective January 1, 2001. Management has not yet determined the impact of
Codification to the Company's statutory-basis financial statements.
Insurance enterprises are required by State Insurance Departments to adhere to
minimum risk-based capital ("RBC") requirements developed by the NAIC. The
Company exceeds the minimum RBC requirements.
Reconciliations of net income and shareholder's equity on the basis of statutory
accounting to the related amounts presented in the accompanying statements were
as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHAREHOLDER'S
NET INCOME EQUITY
----------------------------- ---------------------
1999 1998 1997 1999 1998
-------- ------- -------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Based on statutory accounting practices........... $ 9,387 $14,841 $ 62,593 $ 497,858 $ 478,405
Deferred policy acquisition costs................. 54,049 39,782 25,763 430,192 331,938
Investment valuation differences.................. 953 745 (497) (103,361) 100,165
Deferred and uncollected premiums................. (4,637) 511 2,064 (13,188) (7,246)
Policy reserves................................... (20,070) (7,041) (19,363) (127,766) (156,889)
Commissions....................................... 79,067 -- (3,171) -- --
Current income taxes payable...................... (8,882) 925 6,450 (9,000) (10,920)
Deferred income taxes............................. (18,650) (417) 6,449 52,467 17,904
Realized gains on investments..................... 9 356 251 -- --
Realized gains (losses) transferred to the
Interest Maintenance Reserve (IMR), net of
tax............................................. (6,163) 22,748 9,644 -- --
Amortization of IMR, net of tax................... (8,565) (7,128) (6,315) -- --
Write-off of investment........................... -- (11,705) -- --
Pension expense................................... (1,475) 81 (4,153) (8,235) (6,440)
Property and equipment............................ -- -- -- 591 5,951
Interest maintenance reserve...................... -- -- -- 55,117 68,968
Asset valuation reserve........................... -- -- -- 72,940 90,986
Mortgage loans on real estate..................... -- -- -- -- (20,141)
Other, net........................................ 8,183 (3,521) (900) 1,937 (7,213)
-------- ------- -------- --------- ---------
As reported herein................................ $ 83,206 $61,882 $ 67,110 $ 849,552 $ 885,468
======== ======= ======== ========= =========
</TABLE>
F-18
<PAGE> 93
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
11. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATED COMPANIES
The Company receives various services from Fortis and its affiliates. These
services include assistance in benefit plan administration, corporate insurance,
accounting, tax, auditing, investment and other administrative functions. The
fees paid to Fortis, Inc. for these services for years ended December 31, 1999,
1998 and 1997, were $11,661,000, $13,077,000 and $12,015,000, respectively.
During 1997, Fortis, Inc. began providing information technology services to the
Company. Information technology expenses were $59,390,000, $55,910,000 and
$28,525,000 for years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
In conjunction with the marketing of its variable annuity products, the Company
paid $79,413,000, $72,638,000 and $72,105,000 in commissions to its affiliate,
Fortis Investors, Inc., for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
Administrative expenses allocated for the Company may be greater or less than
the expenses that would be incurred if the Company were operating on a separate
company basis.
12. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
VALUATION METHODS AND ASSUMPTIONS
The fair values for fixed maturity securities and equity securities are based on
quoted market prices, where available. For fixed maturity securities not
actively traded, fair values are estimated using values obtained from
independent pricing services or, in the case of private placements, are
estimated by discounting expected future cash flows using a current market rate
applicable to the yield, credit quality, and maturity of the investments.
Mortgage loans are reported at unpaid principal balance less allowances for
possible losses. The fair values of mortgage loans are estimated using
discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for
similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Mortgage loans with
similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations. The
carrying amount of policy loans reported in the Balance Sheet approximates fair
value. For short-term investments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate
of fair value. The fair values for the Company's policy reserves under the
investment products are determined using cash surrender value. Separate account
assets and liabilities are reported at their estimated fair values in the
Balance Sheet.
The fair values under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in
the Company's overall management of interest rate risk, such that the Company's
exposure to changing interest rates is minimized through the matching of
investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1999 DECEMBER 31, 1998
----------------------- -----------------------
CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR
AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Assets:
Investments:
Securities available-for-sale:
Fixed maturities.............................. $2,706,372 $2,706,372 $2,402,343 $2,402,343
Equity securities............................. 85,021 85,021 157,851 157,851
Mortgage loans on real estate...................... 754,514 741,397 610,131 662,984
Policy loans....................................... 83,439 83,439 74,950 74,950
Short-term investments............................. 115,527 115,527 31,868 31,868
Assets held in separate accounts................... 5,120,152 5,120,152 3,742,403 3,742,403
Liabilities:
Individual and group annuities (subject to
discretionary withdrawal)....................... $ 789,002 $ 763,861 $ 923,102 $ 894,019
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts........... 5,082,341 5,082,341 3,707,687 3,707,687
</TABLE>
F-19
<PAGE> 94
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is named as a defendant in a number of legal actions arising
primarily from claims made under insurance policies. These actions have been
considered in establishing policy benefit and loss reserves. Management and its
legal counsel are of the opinion that the settlement of these actions will not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of
operations.
14. RETIREMENT AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The Company is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortis, which sponsors a
defined benefit pension plan covering employees and certain agents who meet
eligibility requirements as to age and length of service. The benefits are based
on years of service and career compensation. Fortis Inc.'s funding policy is to
contribute annually the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income
tax purposes, and to charge each subsidiary an allocable amount based on its
employee census. Pension cost allocated to the Company amounted to approximately
$2,225,000, $1,627,000 and $1,594,000 for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
The Company participates in a contributory profit sharing plan, sponsored by
Fortis, covering employees and certain agents who meet eligibility requirements
as to age and length of service. Benefits are payable to participants on
retirement or disability and to the beneficiaries of participants in the event
of death. The first three percent of an employee's contribution is matched 200%
by the Company. The amount expensed was approximately $3,711,000, $3,610,000 and
$3,926,000 for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
In addition to retirement benefits, the Company participates in other health
care and life insurance benefit plans ("postretirement benefits") for retired
employees, sponsored by Fortis. Health care benefits, either through a Fortis
sponsored retiree plan for retirees under age 65 or through a cost offset for
individually purchased Medigap policies for retirees over age 65, are available
to employees who retire on or after January 1, 1993, at age 55 or older, with 15
years or more service. Life insurance, on a retiree pay all basis, is available
to those who retire on or after January 1, 1993.
There were no net postretirement benefit costs allocated to the Company for the
years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998. Costs allocated to the Company for the
year ended December 31, 1997 were $304,000, which includes the expected cost of
such benefits for newly eligible or vested employees, interest cost, gains and
losses arising from differences between actuarial assumptions and actual
experience, and amortization of the transition obligation. The Company made
contributions to the plans of approximately $19,000, $(5,200) and $20,000 in
1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively, as claims were incurred.
15. YEAR 2000 (UNAUDITED)
The Company utilizes Fortis and its computer systems to process Company
businesses. Fortis created a Year 2000 Project Office which was dedicated to
ensuring that all of the systems for Fortis and its subsidiaries and affiliates
were ready for year 2000. The estimated total cost of the Fortis Year 2000
Project was approximately $85 million. This cost reflects the total cost to the
Fortis U.S. companies (excluding the recent American Bankers Insurance Group
acquisition). The cost of the Company's portion is estimated at $26.9 million.
Approximately, $11.4 million was expensed by the Company in 1999.
As of December 20, 1999, 100% of the Mission Critical and non-Mission Critical
computer system lines of code that had been identified were renovated and tested
and were ready for year 2000. Although there have been several minor matters, as
of the date of this publication, no significant disruptions resulting from the
century date change have been detected in any of the mission critical systems.
The Company will continue to monitor the status of and exposure to any potential
Year 2000 issues.
F-20
<PAGE> 95
APPENDIX A--SAMPLE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT CALCULATIONS
The formula which will be used to determine the Market Value Adjustment is:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 + I n/12
------------ - 1
( 1 + J + .005 )
</TABLE>
Sample Calculation 1: Positive Adjustment
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Amount withdrawn or transferred $10,000
Existing Guarantee Period 7 years
Time of withdrawal or transfer beginning of 3rd year of Existing Guarantee Period
Guaranteed Interest Rate (I) 8%*
Guaranteed Interest Rate for new 5-year guarantee (J) 7%*
Remaining Guarantee Period (N) 60 months
Market Value Adjustment
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 + .08 60/12
$10,000 X -------------- - 1 = $234.73
[( 1 + .07 + .005 ) ]
</TABLE>
Amount transferred or withdrawn (adjusted for Market Value Adjustment):
$10,234.73
Sample Calculation 2: Negative Adjustment
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Amount withdrawn or transferred $10,000
Existing Guarantee Period 7 years
Time of withdrawal or transfer beginning of 3rd year of Existing Guarantee Period
Guaranteed Interest Rate (I) 8%*
Guaranteed Interest Rate for new 5-year guarantee (J) 9%*
Remaining Guarantee Period (N) 60 months
Market Value Adjustment:
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 + .08 60/12 = --
$10,000 X -------------- - 1 $666.42
[( 1 + .09 + .005 ) ]
</TABLE>
Amount transferred or withdrawn (adjusted for Market Value Adjustment):
$9,333.58
Sample Calculation 3: Negative Adjustment
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Amount withdrawn or transferred $10,000
Guarantee Period 7 years
Time of withdrawal or transfer beginning of 3rd year of Existing Guarantee Period
Guaranteed Interest Rate (I) 8%*
Guaranteed Interest Rate for new 5-year guarantee (J) 7.75%*
Remaining Guarantee Period (N) 60 months
Market Value Adjustment:
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 + .08 60/12
$10,000 X ---------------- - 1 = $114.94
[( 1 + .0775 + .005 ) ]
</TABLE>
Amount transferred or withdrawn (adjusted for Market Value Adjustment):
$9,885.06
- ------------------------------
* Assumed for illustrative purposes only.
A-1
<PAGE> 96
(This page left blank intentionally)
<PAGE> 97
APPENDIX B--SAMPLE DEATH BENEFIT CALCULATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 EXAMPLE 3
DATE OF DEATH IS THE 3RD CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
a. Purchase Payments Made Prior to Death, accumulated at
5% $32,000 $32,000 $32,000
b. Contract Value on Date of Death $20,000 $36,000 $25,000
c. 1 Year Ratchet Option Value $35,000 $36,000 $31,000
Death Benefit is larger of a, b, and c $35,000 $36,000 $32,000
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 EXAMPLE 3
DATE OF DEATH IS THE 5TH CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
a. Purchase Payments Made Prior to Death, accumulated at
5% $34,000 $34,000 $34,000
b. Contract Value on Date of Death $38,000 $38,000 $28,000
c. 1 Year Ratchet Option Value $38,000 $40,000 $33,000
Death Benefit is larger of a, b, and c $38,000 $40,000 $34,000
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 EXAMPLE 3
DATE OF DEATH IS THE 10TH CONTRACT ANNIVERSARY --------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
a. Purchase Payments Made Prior to Death, accumulated at
5% $36,000 $36,000 $36,000
b. Contract Value on Date of Death $39,000 $34,000 $31,000
c. 1 Year Ratchet Option Value $39,000 $37,000 $32,000
Death Benefit is larger of a, b, and c $39,000 $37,000 $36,000
</TABLE>
B-1
<PAGE> 98
(This page left blank intentionally)
<PAGE> 99
APPENDIX C--EXPLANATION OF EXPENSE CALCULATIONS
The expense for a given year is calculated by multiplying the projected
beginning of the year policy value by the total expense rate. The total expense
rate is the sum of the variable account expense rate plus the total portfolio
expense rate plus the annual administrative charge rate.
The policy values are projected by assuming a single payment of $1,000 grows at
an annual rate equal to 5% reduced by the total expense rate described above.
For example, the 3 year expense for the Growth Stock Series is calculated as
follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Variable Account Annual Expenses 1.35%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Total Series Fund Operating Expenses .66%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
= Total Expense Rate 2.01%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Year 1 Beginning Policy Value = $1000.00
Year 1 Expense = $1000.00 X .0201 = $20.10
Year 2 Beginning Policy Value = $1029.90
Year 2 Expense = $1029.90 X 0.0201 = $20.70
Year 3 Beginning Policy Value = $1060.69
Year 3 Expense = $1060.69 X .0201 = $21.32
So the cumulative expenses for years 1-3 for the Growth Stock Series are equal
to:
$20.10 + $20.70 + $21.32 = $62.12
If the contract is surrendered, the surrender charge is the surrender charge
percentage times the purchase payment minus the 10% free withdrawal amount:
Surrender Charge Percentage X (Initial Premium - 10% Free Withdrawal) =
Surrender Charge
0.06 X ($1000.00 - $100.00) = $54.00
So the total expense if surrendered is $62.12 + $54.00 = $116.12
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APPENDIX D--PRO RATA ADJUSTMENTS
Pro rata adjustments are made for withdrawals in calculating the death benefit
payable under the contract. The benefit is described under the section of this
prospectus entitled "Benefit Payable on Death of Contract Owner or Annuitant".
A pro rata adjustment is calculated separately for each withdrawal, creating a
decrease in the death benefit proportional to the decrease the withdrawal makes
in the contract value. Pro rata adjustments are made for amounts withdrawn for
partial surrenders and surrender charges, but not for any contract fee-related
surrenders.
Under the death benefit set forth as (2) in "Benefit Payable on Death of
Contract Owner or Annuitant", the pro rata adjustment for a given withdrawal is
equal to:
(a) the withdrawn amount, divided by
(b) the contract value immediately before the amount was withdrawn, the
result multiplied by
(c) the quality equal to:
(i) the contract value on the anniversary, plus
(ii) purchase payments made since the anniversary and before
withdrawal, minus
(iii) pro rata adjustments for withdrawals made since the anniversary
and before the given withdrawal.
Under the death benefit set forth as (3) in "Benefit Payable on Death of
Contract Owner or Annuitant", the pro rata adjustment for a given withdrawal is
equal to:
(a) the withdrawn amount, divided by
(b) the contract value immediately before the amount was withdrawn, the
result multiplied by
(c) the quantity equal to:
(i) the "Roll-Up Amount" prior to the withdrawal, plus
(ii) any purchase payments made on or after the date either the
contract owner or Annuitant first reaches his or her 75th birthday
and before the given withdrawal, reduced by
(iii) pro rata adjustments for any withdrawals made on or after the date
either the contract owner or Annuitant first reaches his or her
75th birthday and before the given withdrawal.
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CERTIFICATES UNDER
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED
COMBINATION VARIABLE AND FIXED ANNUITY CONTRACTS
(MASTERS AND MASTERS +)
Issued by
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
MAY 1, 2000
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It is intended
that this Statement of Additional Information be read in conjunction with the
Prospectus for certificates under flexible premium deferred combination variable
and fixed annuity contracts ("Certificates"), dated May 1, 2000. A copy of the
Prospectus may be obtained without charge from Fortis Investors, Inc.
1-800-800-2000, mailing address: P.O. Box 64272, St. Paul, MN 55164. You have
the option of receiving benefits under a Certificate through Fortis Benefits'
Variable Account D or through Fortis Benefits' Fixed Account.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Fortis Benefits and the Variable Account......................................2
Calculation of Annuity Payments...............................................2
Postponement of Payments......................................................3
Services......................................................................3
o Safekeeping of Variable Account Assets....................................3
o Experts...................................................................4
o Principal Underwriter ....................................................4
Limitation on Allocations.....................................................4
Taxation Under Certain Retirement Plans.......................................4
Withholding...................................................................8
Other Information.............................................................9
Variable Account Financial Statements.........................................9
Appendix A -- Performance Information.......................................A-1
</TABLE>
In order to supplement the description in the Prospectus, the following provides
additional information about the Certificates and other matters which may be of
interest to you. Terms used in this Statement of Additional Information have the
same meanings as are defined in the Prospectus under the heading "Special Terms
Used in This Prospectus."
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FORTIS BENEFITS AND THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company, the issuer of the Certificates, is a
Minnesota corporation qualified to sell life insurance and annuity contracts in
the District of Columbia and in all states except New York. Fortis Benefits is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Interfinancial, Inc., a stock company organized under
the laws of Georgia, which itself is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortis, Inc.
Fortis, Inc. is a corporation based in New York, which manages the United States
operations of Fortis (NL) N.V. and Fortis (B).
Fortis (NL) N.V. has been in business since 1847 and is a publicly-traded,
multi-national insurance, real estate, and financial services group
headquartered in The Netherlands. It is one of the largest holding companies in
Europe, with subsidiary companies in twelve countries on four continents. Fortis
(NL) N.V. is the third largest insurance company in the Netherlands.
Fortis (B) is a multi-national insurance, real estate and financial services
firm that has been in business since 1824. It has subsidiary companies in eight
countries. Fortis (B) is one of the largest life insurance companies in Belgium.
Fortis (NL) N.V. and Fortis (B) have combined assets of approximately
$406 billion.
The assets allocated to the Variable Account are the exclusive property of
Fortis Benefits. Registration of the Variable Account under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 does not involve supervision of the management or investment
practices or policies of the Variable Account or of Fortis Benefits by the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Fortis Benefits may accumulate in the
Variable Account proceeds from charges under the Contracts and other amounts in
excess of the Variable Account assets representing reserves and liabilities
under Certificates and other variable annuity contracts issued by Fortis
Benefits. Fortis Benefits may from time to time transfer to its General Account
any of such excess amounts.
Best's Insurance Reports has assigned Fortis Benefits a rating of A (Excellent)
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 "very strong financial strength." These ratings represent such rating
agencies' independent opinion of Fortis Benefits' financial strength and ability
to meet policy holder obligations, but have no relevance to the performance and
quality of the assets in Subaccounts of the Variable Account.
CALCULATION OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS
FIXED ANNUITY OPTION
The amount of each annuity payment under a Fixed Annuity Option is fixed and
guaranteed by Fortis Benefits. Monthly fixed annuity payments will start as of
the end of the Valuation Period that contains the Annuity Commencement Date. At
that time, the Certificate Value, after any Market Value Adjustment, is computed
and that portion of the Certificate Value which will be applied to the Fixed
Annuity Option selected is determined. The amount of the first monthly payment
under the Fixed Annuity Option selected will be at least as large as would
result from using the annuity tables contained in the Certificate to apply such
amount of Certificate Value to the annuity form selected. The dollar amounts of
any fixed annuity payments after the first are specified during the entire
period of annuity payments according to the provisions of the annuity form
selected.
VARIABLE ANNUITY OPTION
Annuity Units. To the extent a Variable Annuity Option has been selected, we
convert the Accumulation Units for each Subaccount of the Variable Account into
Annuity Units for each Subaccount at their values determined as of the end of
the Valuation Period which contains the Annuity Commencement Date. As of such
time, any Fixed Account Value to be applied to a Variable Annuity Option is also
converted, after any Market Value Adjustment, to Annuity Units in the
Subaccounts selected based on the then-current Annuity Unit value. The initial
number of Annuity Units in each Subaccount is determined by dividing the amount
of the initial monthly variable annuity payment (see "Variable Annuity Option --
Variable Annuity Payments," below) allocable to that Subaccount by the value of
one Annuity Unit
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in that Subaccount as of the time of the conversion. The number of Annuity Units
for each Subaccount will remain constant, as long as an annuity remains in force
and the allocation among the Subaccounts has not changed.
The value of each Subaccount's Annuity Units will vary to reflect the investment
experience of the Subaccount as well as charges deducted from the Subaccount.
The value of each Subaccount's Annuity Units is equal to the prior value of the
Subaccount's Annuity Units multiplied by the net investment factor for that
Subaccount (discussed in the Prospectus under "Certificate Value") for the
Valuation Period ending on that Valuation Date, with an offset for the 4%
assumed interest rate used in the annuity tables of the Certificate.
Variable Annuity Payments. Variable annuity payments start at the end of the
Valuation Period that contains the Annuity Commencement Date, and will vary in
amount as the related Annuity Unit values vary. The amount of the first monthly
payment is shown on the annuity tables contained in the Certificate for each
$1,000 of Certificate Value applied to the Variable Annuity Option selected as
of the end of such Valuation Period. The first variable annuity payment is, in
effect, allocated among the Subaccounts in the same proportion as the
Certificate Value is allocated among the Subaccounts upon commencement of
annuity payments.
Payments after the first will vary in amount and are determined on the first
Valuation Date of each subsequent monthly period. If the monthly payment under
the annuity form selected is based on the value of Annuity Units of a single
Subaccount, the monthly payment is found by multiplying the number of the
Certificate's Annuity Units for the Subaccount by the Annuity Unit value of such
Subaccount as of the first Valuation Date in each monthly period following the
Annuity Commencement Date. If the monthly payment under the Variable Annuity
Option selected is based upon the value of Annuity Units in more than one
Subaccount, this is repeated for each applicable Subaccount. The sum of these
payments is the variable annuity payment.
GENDER OF ANNUITANT
The amount of each annuity payment ordinarily will be higher for a male
Annuitant than for a female Annuitant with an otherwise identical Certificate.
This is because, statistically, females tend to have longer life expectancies
than males. However, there will be no differences between male and female
Annuitants in any jurisdiction, including Montana, where such differences are
not permitted. We will also make available Certificates with no such differences
in connection with certain employer-sponsored benefit plans. Employers should be
aware that, under most such plans, Certificates that make distinctions based on
gender are prohibited by law.
POSTPONEMENT OF PAYMENTS
With respect to amounts in the Subaccounts of the Variable Account, payment of
any amount due upon a total or partial surrender, death or under an annuity
option will ordinarily be made within seven days after all documents required
for such payment are received by Fortis Benefits at its Home Office. However,
Fortis Benefits may defer the determination, application or payment of any death
benefit, transfer, partial or total surrender or annuity payment, to the extent
dependent on Accumulation or Annuity Unit Values, for any period during which
the New York Stock Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday
closings) or trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted as determined
by the Securities and Exchange Commission, 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 the Certificate, or
for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission may by order
permit for the protection of investors.
SERVICES
SAFEKEEPING OF VARIABLE ACCOUNT ASSETS
Title to the assets of the Variable Account is held by Fortis Benefits. The
assets of the Variable Account are kept segregated and held separate and apart
from Fortis Benefits' other assets. Fortis Advisers, Inc., an affiliate of
Fortis
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<PAGE> 105
Benefits, maintains records of all purchases and redemptions of shares of Fortis
Series Fund, Inc. held by each of the Subaccounts of the Variable Account.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company at December 31,
1999 and 1998, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1999, and the statements of net assets of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D at December 31, 1999 and the related statements of changes in
net assets for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 1999,
appearing in the Prospectus, this Statement of Additional Information and
Registration Statement 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 authority as experts in accounting and
auditing.
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
Fortis Investors, Inc. ("Fortis Investors"), the principal underwriter of the
Certificates, is a Minnesota corporation and a member of the Securities
Investors Protection Corporation. The offering of the Certificates is
continuous, and Fortis Investors does not anticipate discontinuing the offering
of the Certificates, although it reserves the right to do so. Certificates
generally will be issued for Participants from ages zero to ninety in all states
except New York.
LIMITATIONS ON ALLOCATIONS
Under the Certificate, 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 interests of all investors participating in Fortis Series'
Portfolios: a Participant may not invest, allocate, transfer or exchange
Certificate Value into any Subaccount if the value allocated to the Subaccount
under the Certificate (and under any other insurance or annuity contracts
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.
TAXATION UNDER CERTAIN RETIREMENT PLANS
Federal income tax information concerning the purchase of Certificates for
specific types of retirement plans is set forth below. You should also refer to
"Federal Tax Matters" in the Prospectus. The tax information provided is not
comprehensive, and you should consult a qualified tax adviser before taking any
action in connection with a retirement plan.
SECTION 403(B) ANNUITIES FOR EMPLOYEES OF CERTAIN TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS
OR PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Purchase Payments. Under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code"),
payments made by certain employers (i.e., tax-exempt organizations meeting the
requirements of Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, or public educational
institutions) to purchase Certificates for their employees are excludible from
the gross income of employees to the extent that such aggregate purchase
payments do not exceed certain limitations prescribed by the Code. This is the
case whether the purchase payments are a result of voluntary salary reduction
amounts or employer contributions. Salary reduction payments are, however,
subject to FICA (social security) taxes.
Taxation of Distributions. Distributions from a Section 403(b) tax-deferred
annuity are taxed as ordinary income to the recipient as described under
"Federal Tax Matters" in the Prospectus. Taxable distributions received before
the employee attains age 59 1/2 generally are subject to a 10% penalty tax in
addition to regular income tax. Certain distributions are excepted from this
penalty tax, including distributions following the employee's death, disability,
separation from service after age 55, separation from service at any age if the
distribution is in the form of an annuity for the life (or life expectancy) of
the employee (or the employee and Beneficiary) and distributions not in excess
of
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<PAGE> 106
deductible medical expenses. In addition, no distributions of voluntary salary
reduction amounts will be permitted prior to one of the following events:
attainment of age 59 1/2 by the employee or the employee's separation from
service, death, disability or hardship. (Hardship distributions will be limited
to the lesser of the amount of the hardship or the amount of salary reduction
contributions, exclusive of earnings thereon.)
Required Distributions. Generally, distributions from Section 403(b) annuities
must commence not later than April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar
year in which the employee attains age 70 1/2, and such distributions must be
made over a period that does not exceed the life expectancy of the employee (or
the employee and Beneficiary). A penalty tax of 50% would be imposed on any
amount by which the minimum required distribution in any year exceeded the
amount actually distributed in that year. In addition, in the event that the
employee dies before his or her entire interest in the Certificate has been
distributed, the employee's entire interest must be distributed in accordance
with rules similar to those applicable upon the death of the Participant or
Payee in the case of a Non-Qualified Certificate, as described in the
Prospectus. Certain of these and other provisions are incorporated in a special
endorsement attached to Certificates that are intended to qualify under Section
403(b), and reference should be made to that endorsement for its complete terms.
Tax-Free Exchanges and Rollovers. The Code provides for the tax-free transfer of
one Section 403(b) annuity for another Section 403(b) annuity, and the IRS has
ruled (Revenue Ruling 90-24) that amounts transferred may qualify as tax-free
transfers under certain circumstances. In addition, Section 403(b)(8) of the
code permits tax-free rollovers from Section 403(b) programs to individual
retirement annuities or other Section 403(b) programs under certain
circumstances.
SECTION 401 QUALIFIED PENSION, PROFIT-SHARING OR ANNUITY PLANS
Purchase Payments. Subject to certain limitations prescribed by the Code,
purchase payments made by an employer (or a self-employed individual) under a
pension, profit-sharing or annuity plan qualified under Section 401 or Section
403(a) of the Code are generally deductible by the employer and excluded from
the taxable income of the employee for federal income tax purposes, whether made
under a salary reduction agreement or directly by employer contributions. Salary
reduction payments are, however, subject to FICA (social security) taxes.
Purchase payments made directly by an employee generally are made on an
after-tax basis.
Taxation of Distributions. Distributions from Certificates purchased under these
qualified plans are taxable as ordinary income, except to the extent allocable
to an employee's after-tax contributions, as described under "Federal Tax
Matters -- Qualified Plans," in the Prospectus. However, if an employee or other
payee receives a "lump sum" distribution, as defined in the Code, from an exempt
employees' trust, the taxable portion of the distribution may be subject to
special tax treatment. For most individuals receiving lump sum distributions
after attaining age 59 1/2, the rate of tax may be determined under a special
5-year income averaging provision. Those who attained age 50 by January 1, 1986
may instead elect to use a 10-year income averaging provision based on the
income tax rates in effect for 1986. Taxable distributions received prior to
attainment of age 59 1/2 under a Certificate purchased under a qualified plan
are subject to the same 10% penalty tax (and the same exceptions) as described
above with respect to Section 403(b) annuities.
Required Distributions. The minimum distribution requirements for these
qualified plans are generally the same as described above with respect to
Section 403(b) annuities.
Tax-Free Rollovers. If, within 60 days of receipt, an employee who receives a
single sum distribution transfers all of the taxable amount received to another
plan qualified under Section 401 or 403(a), or to an individual retirement
account or annuity as provided for under the Code, the transferred amount will
not be taxed in the year of distribution. Certain "partial" distributions may
also qualify for tax-free rollover treatment, but only if transferred to an
individual retirement account or annuity. However, income tax may be withheld
from the distribution unless the distribution is transferred directly from the
qualified plan to the individual retirement account or individual retirement
annuity.
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES
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Purchase Payments. Individuals may make contributions for individual retirement
annuity ("IRA") Contracts. Deductible contributions for any year may be made up
to the lesser of $2,000 or 100% of compensation for individuals who (1) are not
(and whose spouses are not) active participants in another retirement plan, (2)
are unmarried and have adjusted gross income of $25,000 or less, or (3) are
married and have adjusted gross income of $40,000 or less. An individual may
also establish an IRA for his or her spouse if they file a joint return for the
taxable year and his or her spouse earns less than the individual does for that
year. The annual purchase payments for both spouses' Contracts cannot exceed the
lesser of $4,000 or 100% of the couple's combined earned income, and no more
than $2,000 may be contributed to either spouse's IRA for any year. Individuals
who are active participants in other retirement plans and whose adjusted gross
income (with certain special adjustment) exceed the cut-off point ($25,000 for
unmarried, $40,000 for married persons filing jointly, and $0 for married
persons filing a separate return) by less than $10,000 are entitled to make
deductible IRA contributions in proportionately reduced amounts. For example, a
married individual who is an active participant in another retirement plan and
files a separate tax return is entitled to a partial IRA deduction if the
individual's adjusted gross income is less than $10,000 and no IRA deduction if
his or her adjusted gross income is equal to or greater than $10,000.
An individual may make non-deductible IRA contributions to the extent of (1) the
lesser of $2,000 ($4,000 in the case of a spousal IRA) or 100% of compensation
over (2) the IRA deductible contribution made with respect to the individual.
An individual may not make any contributions to his/her own IRA for the year in
which he/she reaches age 70 1/2 or for any year thereafter. Contributions to
a spouse's IRA may not be made for any year in which that spouse reaches
age 70 1/2 or for any year thereafter.
Taxation of Distributions. Distributions from IRA Contracts are taxed as
ordinary income to the recipient, although special rules exist for the tax-free
return of non-deductible contributions. In addition, taxable distributions
received under an IRA Contract prior to age 59 1/2 are subject to a 10% penalty
tax in addition to regular income tax. Certain distributions are exempted from
this penalty tax including distributions following the owner's death or
disability or distribution in the form of an annuity for the life (or life
expectancy) of the owner (or the owner and beneficiary), or distributions not in
excess of deductible medical expenses or certain distributions to pay health
insurance premiums after an extended period of unemployment.
Required Distributions. The minimum distribution requirements for IRAs are
generally the same as described above with respect to Section 403(b) annuities.
Certain of these and other provisions are incorporated in a special endorsement
attached to IRA Certificates, and reference should be made to that endorsement
for its complete terms.
Tax-Free Rollovers. The Code permits funds to be transferred in a tax-free
rollover from a qualified employer pension, profit-sharing, annuity, bond
purchase or tax-deferred annuity plan to an IRA Certificate if certain
conditions are met, and if the rollover of assets is completed within 60 days
after the distribution from the qualified plan is received. In addition, not
more frequently than once every twelve months, amounts may be rolled over
tax-free from one IRA to another, subject to the 60-day limitation and other
requirements. The once-per-year limitation on rollovers does not apply to direct
transfers of funds between IRA custodians or trustees.
SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION PLANS
Purchase Payments. Under Section 408(k) of the Code, employers may establish a
type of IRA plan referred to as a simplified employee pension plan (SEP).
Employer contributions to a SEP cannot exceed the lesser of $24,000 or 15% of
the employee's earned income. Employees of certain small employers may have
contributions made to a special kind of SEP (SARSEP) on their behalf on a salary
reduction basis if the SARSEP plan was in effect on December 31, 1996. These
salary reduction contributions may not exceed $10,500 in 2000, which is indexed
for inflation. Employees of tax-exempt organizations and state or local
government agencies have never been eligible for the salary reduction type of
SEP.
Taxation of Distributions. Generally, distribution payments from SEPs are
subject to the same distribution rules
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described above for IRAs.
Required Distributions. SEP distributions are subject to the same minimum
required distribution rules described above for IRAs.
Tax-Free Rollovers. Generally, rollovers and direct transfers may be made to and
from SEPs in the same manner as described above for IRAs, subject to the same
conditions and limitations. Rollovers to other IRAs, excluding SIMPLE IRAs are
also possible. Special rules apply if the rollover is from a SARSEP IRA.
SECTION 408(P) SIMPLE IRA PLANS
Purchase Payments: Under Section 408(p) of the Code, small employers may
establish a type of IRA plan referred to as a Savings Incentive Match Plan for
Employees (SIMPLE Plan). An employee may contribute annually through his or her
employer a pre-tax salary reduction contribution not to exceed the lesser of
$6,000 or 100% of compensation. The employer must annually either (1) match the
employee contribution dollar for dollar up to 3% of pay, or (2) make a 2% of pay
contribution for each eligible employee regardless of whether the employee makes
any salary reduction contribution. In two out of every five years, the employer
has the option to reduce the matching contribution as low as 1% of pay but
advance notice must be provided to employees.
Taxation of Distributions: Generally, distributions from SIMPLE IRA Plans are
subject to the same distribution rules described above for IRAs. However, if an
individual withdraws any amount from his SIMPLE IRA Plan within the first two
years of his or her commencement of participation in the employer's SIMPLE IRA
Plan, the 10% penalty tax for premature distribution, if such tax applies, will
be increased to 25%.
Required Distributions: SIMPLE distributions are subject to the same minimum
distribution rules described above for IRAs.
Tax-Free Rollovers: Generally, rollovers and direct transfers may be made to and
from SIMPLE IRAs in the same manner as described above for IRAs, subject to the
same conditions and limitations. Rollovers or transfers to other IRAs, other
than SIMPLE IRAs, are also possible but only after the second anniversary of
commencement of participation in the employer's SIMPLE IRA Plan.
SECTION 457 UNFUNDED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS OF PUBLIC EMPLOYERS
AND TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS
Purchase Payments. Under Section 457 of the Code, all individuals who perform
services for a state or local government or governmental agency may participate
in a deferred compensation program. Other tax-exempt employers may establish
unfunded deferred compensation plans under Section 457 for employees and/or
independent contractors.
Though not actually a qualified plan as that term is normally used, this type of
program allows individuals to defer the receipt of compensation that otherwise
would be currently payable and therefore to defer the payment of federal income
taxes on such amounts. Assuming that the program meets the requirements to be
considered an eligible deferred compensation plan (an "EDCP"), an individual may
contribute (and thereby defer from current income for tax purposes) the lesser
of $7,500 or 33-1/3% of the individual's includible compensation. (Includible
compensation means compensation from the employer which would be currently
includible in gross income for federal tax purposes.) In addition, during the
last three years before an individual attains normal retirement age, additional
"catch-up" deferrals are permitted.
The amounts which are deferred may be used by the employer to purchase the
Certificates offered by this Prospectus. The Certificate is owned by the
employer and is subject to the claims of the employer's creditors. The employee
has no rights or interest in the Certificate and is entitled only to payment in
accordance with the EDCP provisions.
Taxation of Distributions. Amounts received by an individual from an EDCP are
includible in gross income for the
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taxable year in which such amounts are paid or otherwise made available.
Distributions Before Separation from Service. Distributions generally are not
permitted under an EDCP prior to separation from service or reaching age 70 1/2,
except in cases of severe financial hardship. Hardship distributions are
includible in the gross income of the individual in the year in which paid.
Required Distributions. The distribution requirements for these qualified plans
are generally the same as described above with respect to Section 403(b)
annuities. However, if distributions do not commence before the employee's
death, the entire interest in the Certificate must be distributed within 15
years if the beneficiary is not the employee's surviving spouse.
Tax-Free Transfers. The Code permits the tax-free direct transfer of EDCP
amounts to another EDCP, subject to certain conditions. Any transfer must be
with employer consent
PRIVATE EMPLOYER UNFUNDED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS
Purchase Payments. Private taxable employers may establish unfunded,
non-qualified deferred compensation plans for a select group of management or
highly compensated employees and/or for independent contractors. Certain
arrangements of tax-exempt employers entered into prior August 16, 1986, and not
subsequently modified, are also subject to the rules for private taxable
employer deferred compensation plans discussed below. (Unfunded deferred
compensation plans of other tax-exempt employers are generally subject to the
requirements of Section 457.)
These types of programs allow individuals to defer receipt of up to 100% of
compensation which would otherwise be includible in income and therefore to
defer the payment of federal income taxes on such amounts. Purchase payments
made by the employer, however are not immediately deductible by the employer,
and the employer is currently taxed on any increase in Certificate Value.
Deferred compensation plans represent a contractual promise on the part of the
employer to pay current compensation at some future time. The Certificate is
owned by the employer and is subject to the claims of the employer's creditors.
The individual has no right or interest in the Certificate and is entitled only
to payment from the employer's general assets in accordance with plan
provisions.
Taxation of Distributions. Amounts received by an individual from a private
employer deferred compensation plan are includible in gross income for the
taxable year in which such amounts are paid or otherwise made available.
WITHHOLDING
Annuity payments and other amounts received under Certificates are subject to
income tax withholding unless the recipient elects not to have taxes withheld.
The amounts withheld will vary among recipients depending on the tax status of
the individual and the type of payments from which taxes are withheld.
Notwithstanding the recipient's election, withholding may be required with
respect to certain payments to be delivered outside the United States and, with
respect to certain distributions from certain types of qualified retirement
plans, unless the proceeds are transferred directly to another qualified
retirement plan. Moreover, special "backup withholding" rules may require Fortis
Benefits to disregard the recipient's election if the recipient fails to supply
Fortis Benefits with a "TIN" or taxpayer identification number (social security
number for individuals), or if the Internal Revenue Service notifies Fortis
Benefits that the TIN provided by the recipient is incorrect.
OTHER INFORMATION
Fortis Benefits relies upon an SEC No-action letter dated December 22, 1988
providing relief from certain restrictions provided in the Investment Company
Act of 1940 relative to restrictions on redemptions and it complies with its
conditions.
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VARIABLE ACCOUNT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<PAGE> 111
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
Board of Directors
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortis (B) and Fortis (NL)
N.V., as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the related statements of income,
changes in shareholder's equity and cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1999. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company at December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1999, in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
[/s/ ERNST & YOUNG]
February 17, 2000
Minneapolis, Minnesota
F-1
<PAGE> 112
BALANCE SHEETS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31
------------------------
1999 1998
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Investments:
Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost
1999--$2,802,697; 1998--$2,315,904).................... $2,706,372 $2,402,343
Equity securities, at fair value (cost 1999--$81,554;
1998--$141,947)........................................ 85,021 157,851
Mortgage loans on real estate, less allowance for possible
losses (1999 and 1998--$11,085)........................ 754,514 610,131
Policy loans.............................................. 83,439 74,950
Short-term investments.................................... 115,527 31,868
Real estate and other investments......................... 47,502 36,156
---------- ----------
3,792,375 3,313,299
Cash and cash equivalents................................... 18,670 668
Receivables:
Uncollected premiums...................................... 62,938 61,883
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid and paid losses......... 23,471 14,853
Other..................................................... 19,406 17,641
---------- ----------
105,815 94,377
Accrued investment income................................... 55,464 42,831
Deferred policy acquisition costs........................... 430,192 331,938
Property and equipment at cost, less accumulated
depreciation.............................................. 25,118 30,712
Deferred federal income taxes............................... 52,467 17,904
Other assets................................................ 1,582 3,923
Due from affiliates......................................... 8,304 --
Assets held in separate accounts............................ 5,120,152 3,742,403
---------- ----------
Total assets................................................ $9,610,139 $7,578,055
========== ==========
</TABLE>
F-2
<PAGE> 113
BALANCE SHEETS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31
------------------------
1999 1998
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
POLICY RESERVES, LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
Policy reserves and liabilities:
Future policy benefit reserves:
Traditional and pre-need life insurance................ $1,106,269 $ 450,776
Interest sensitive and investment products............. 1,147,657 1,238,125
Accident and health.................................... 940,865 861,334
---------- ----------
3,194,791 2,550,235
Unearned revenues......................................... 28,673 13,393
Other policy claims and benefits payable.................. 265,486 255,350
Policyholder dividends payable............................ 7,939 8,189
---------- ----------
3,496,889 2,827,167
Accrued expenses.......................................... 59,409 57,860
Current income taxes payable.............................. 1,838 4,168
Other liabilities......................................... 120,110 86,226
Due to affiliates......................................... -- 9,479
Liabilities related to separate accounts.................. 5,082,341 3,707,687
---------- ----------
Total policy reserves and liabilities....................... 8,760,587 6,692,587
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholder's equity:
Common Stock, $5 par value:
Authorized, issued and outstanding shares--1,000,000... 5,000 5,000
Additional paid-in capital................................ 468,000 468,000
Retained earnings......................................... 427,811 344,605
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income............. (51,259) 67,863
---------- ----------
Total shareholder's equity.................................. 849,552 885,468
---------- ----------
Total policy reserves, liabilities and shareholder's
equity.................................................... $9,610,139 $7,578,055
========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-3
<PAGE> 114
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
--------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES
Insurance operations:
Traditional life insurance premiums....................... $ 301,377 $ 260,567 $ 269,540
Interest sensitive and investment product policy
charges................................................ 99,047 85,551 77,429
Accident and health insurance premiums.................... 1,002,867 953,652 891,037
---------- ---------- ----------
1,403,291 1,299,770 1,238,006
Net investment income....................................... 238,698 234,043 228,724
Net realized gains on investments........................... 25,962 52,404 41,101
Other income................................................ 53,848 44,671 36,458
---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenues.............................................. 1,721,799 1,630,888 1,544,289
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
Benefits to policyholders:
Traditional life insurance................................ 218,993 189,337 204,497
Interest sensitive investment products.................... 93,668 96,178 103,077
Accident and health claims................................ 812,149 798,036 707,113
---------- ---------- ----------
1,124,810 1,083,551 1,014,687
Policyholder dividends...................................... 3,114 3,486 2,935
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs........... 43,078 33,365 43,931
Insurance commissions....................................... 124,601 118,710 107,378
General and administrative expenses......................... 302,663 299,492 273,128
---------- ---------- ----------
Total benefits and expenses................................. 1,598,266 1,538,604 1,442,059
---------- ---------- ----------
Income before federal income taxes.......................... 123,533 92,284 102,230
Federal income taxes........................................ 40,327 30,402 35,120
---------- ---------- ----------
Net income.................................................. $ 83,206 $ 61,882 $ 67,110
========== ========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-4
<PAGE> 115
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACCUMULATED
ADDITIONAL OTHER
COMMON PAID-IN RETAINED COMPREHENSIVE
TOTAL STOCK CAPITAL EARNINGS (LOSS) INCOME
--------- ------ ---------- -------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, January 1, 1997.................. $ 780,673 $5,000 $468,000 $265,613 $ 42,060
Comprehensive income:
Net income........................... 67,110 -- -- 67,110 --
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
on investments, net................ 32,323 -- -- -- 32,323
---------
Total Comprehensive income.............. 99,433
--------- ------ -------- -------- ---------
Balance, December 31, 1997................ 880,106 5,000 468,000 332,723 74,383
Comprehensive income:
Net income........................... 61,882 -- -- 61,882 --
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
on investments, net................ (6,520) -- -- -- (6,520)
---------
Total Comprehensive income.............. 55,362
Dividend................................ (50,000) -- -- (50,000) --
--------- ------ -------- -------- ---------
Balance, December 31, 1998................ 885,468 5,000 468,000 344,605 67,863
Comprehensive income:
Net income........................... 83,206 -- -- 83,206 --
Change in unrealized gains (losses)
on investments, net................ (119,122) -- -- -- (119,122)
---------
Total Comprehensive income.............. (35,916)
--------- ------ -------- -------- ---------
Balance, December 31, 1999................ $ 849,552 $5,000 $468,000 $427,811 $ (51,259)
========= ====== ======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-5
<PAGE> 116
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
-----------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income............................................... $ 83,206 $ 61,882 $ 67,110
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Increase (decrease) in future policy benefit
reserves for traditional, interest sensitive and
accident and health policies...................... 97,931 106,135 (2,496)
Increase (decrease) in other policy claims and
benefits and policyholder dividends payable....... 5,012 (2,514) 68,070
Provision for deferred federal income taxes......... 29,454 417 (6,449)
Decrease in income taxes payable.................... (2,330) (6,381) (6,875)
Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs... 43,078 33,365 43,931
Policy acquisition costs deferred................... (96,308) (73,147) (69,694)
Provision for mortgage loan losses.................. -- -- 1,388
Provision for depreciation.......................... 12,807 12,409 14,351
Write-off of investment............................. -- -- 3,000
Amortization of investment (discounts) premiums,
net............................................... 1,930 (3,200) (466)
Change in receivables, accrued investment income,
unearned premiums, accrued expenses and other
liabilities....................................... 27,227 (4,455) (2,720)
Net realized gains on sold investments.............. (25,962) (52,404) (41,101)
Other............................................... -- 169 (12,496)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash provided by operating activities................ 176,045 72,276 55,553
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of fixed maturity investments.................. (1,654,104) (2,380,511) (3,611,770)
Sales and repayments of fixed maturity investments....... 1,675,488 2,428,207 3,378,898
(Increase) decrease in short-term investments............ (83,659) 38,669 112,280
Purchases of other investments........................... (305,889) (408,998) (209,771)
Sales of other investments............................... 353,267 352,873 205,084
Purchases of property and equipment...................... (7,213) (356) (4,242)
Cash received pursuant to reinsurance assumption
agreement.............................................. 3,374 -- --
Other.................................................... -- -- (617)
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities...... (18,736) 29,884 (130,138)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Activities related to investment products:
Considerations received................................ 237,375 215,693 200,760
Surrenders and death benefits.......................... (416,537) (326,457) (190,361)
Interest credited to policyholders..................... 39,855 49,371 53,613
Dividend................................................. -- (50,000) --
----------- ----------- -----------
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities...... (139,307) (111,393) 64,012
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents......... 18,002 (9,233) (10,573)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year........... 668 9,901 20,474
----------- ----------- -----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year................. $ 18,670 $ 668 $ 9,901
=========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-6
<PAGE> 117
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(IN THOUSANDS)
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NON-CASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Assets and liabilities transferred in reinsurance transactions (Note 8):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Non-Cash Assets Received:
Fixed maturities.......................................... $ 517,091
Other Investments......................................... 121,696
Other Assets.............................................. 12,763
Deferred Acquisition Costs................................ 35,882
---------
Total value of assets received.............................. $ 687,432
=========
Non-Cash Liabilities Assumed:
Future policy benefit reserves............................ $(685,932)
Claim reserves............................................ (4,874)
---------
Total Liabilities Assumed................................... $(690,806)
=========
</TABLE>
F-7
<PAGE> 118
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company (the Company) is an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of Fortis, Inc. (Fortis), which itself is an indirect, wholly-owned
subsidiary of Fortis (B) and Fortis (NL) N.V. The Company is incorporated in
Minnesota and distributes its products in all states except New York. The
Company's revenues are derived principally from group employee benefits products
and from individual life and annuity products.
Effective October 1, 1999, the Company assumed pre-need life insurance business
from an affiliate on a 100% co-insurance basis. These life insurance and annuity
products are marketed in connection with the advance funding of funeral
expenses. (See Note 8 "Reinsurance" for more information on this reinsurance
transaction.)
BASIS OF STATEMENT PRESENTATION
During 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
Board (SFAS) 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income. SFAS 130 establishes new rules
for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components;
however, the adoption of this SFAS had no impact on the Company's net income or
shareholder's equity. SFAS 130 requires unrealized gains or losses on the
Company's available-for-sale securities, which prior to adoption were reported
separately in shareholder's equity, to be included in other comprehensive
income. Prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the
requirements of SFAS 130.
Effective January 1, 1999, the Company adopted SOP 97-3, "Accounting by
Insurance and Other Enterprises for Insurance-Related Assessments". SOP 97-3
requires the estimation and recording of certain insurance-related assessments.
Because the Company previously recorded insurance-related assessments on this
basis, the adoption of SOP 97-3 had no impact on the results of operations or
financial position.
In June 1999, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 137,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities--Deferral of the
Effective Date of FAS 133", which deferred to January 1, 2001 the effective date
of the accounting and reporting requirements of SFAS 133. SFAS 133 establishes
accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain
derivative instruments embedded in other contracts and for hedging activities.
The adoption of SFAS 133 is not expected to have a material effect on the
Company's results of operations or financial position.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Company follows accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States which differ in certain respects from statutory accounting practices
prescribed or permitted by regulatory authorities. The more significant of these
principles are set forth below:
REVENUE RECOGNITION AND FUTURE POLICY BENEFIT RESERVES
Premiums for traditional life insurance and pre-need life products are
recognized as revenues when due over the premium-paying period. Reserves for
future policy benefits are computed using the net level method and include
investment yield, mortality, withdrawal, and other assumptions based on the
Company's experience, modified as necessary to reflect anticipated trends and to
include provisions for possible unfavorable deviations.
Revenues for interest sensitive and investment products consist of charges
assessed against policy account balances during the period for the cost of
insurance, policy administration, and surrender charges. Future policy benefit
reserves are computed under the retrospective deposit method and consist of
policy account balances before applicable surrender charges. Policy benefits
charged to expense during the period include amounts paid in excess of policy
account balances and interest credited to policy account balances. Interest
crediting rates for universal life and investment products ranged from 3.5% to
12% in 1999, and 2.5% to 8.75% in 1998 and 1997.
F-8
<PAGE> 119
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
A portion of the Company's pre-need life products provide an increasing future
benefit tied typically to the U.S. Consumer Price Index or a targeted growth
rate established at management's discretion. All pre-need life products that
have death benefit increases made at management's discretion are accounted for
as interest-sensitive life products.
Premiums for accident and health insurance products, including medical, long and
short-term disability and dental insurance products, are recognized as revenues
ratably over the contract period in proportion to the risk insured. Reserves for
future disability benefits are based on the 1987 Commissioners Group Disability
Table. The valuation interest rate is the Single Premium Immediate Annuity
valuation rate less 100 basis points. Claims in the first five years' are
modified based on the Company's actual experience.
CLAIMS AND BENEFITS PAYABLE
Other policy claims and benefits payable for reported and incurred but not
reported claims and related claims adjustment expenses are determined using
case-basis estimates and past experience. The methods of making such estimates
and establishing the related liabilities are continually reviewed and updated.
Any adjustments resulting therefrom are reflected in income currently.
DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS
The costs of acquiring new business, which vary with and are directly related to
the production of new business, are deferred to the extent recoverable and
amortized. For traditional and pre-need life insurance and long-term care
products (included as accident and health products), such costs are amortized
over the premium paying period. For interest sensitive and investment products,
such costs are amortized in relation to expected future gross profits.
Estimation of future gross profits requires significant management judgment and
are reviewed periodically. As excess amounts of deferred costs over future
premiums or gross profits are identified, such excess amounts are expensed.
INVESTMENTS
The Company's investment strategy is developed based on many factors including
insurance liability matching, rate of return, maturity, credit risk, tax
considerations and regulatory requirements.
All fixed maturity investments and all marketable equity securities are
classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value.
Changes in fair values of available for sale securities, after related deferred
income taxes and after adjustment for the changes in the pattern of amortization
of deferred policy acquisition costs and participating policyholder dividends,
are reported directly in shareholder's equity as accumulated other comprehensive
income and, accordingly, have no effect on net income. The unrealized
appreciation or depreciation is net of deferred policy acquisition cost
amortization and taxes that would have been required as a charge or credit to
income had such unrealized amounts been realized.
Mortgage loans constitute first liens on commercial real estate and other income
producing properties. The insurance statutes in Minnesota generally require that
the initial principal loaned not exceed 80% of the appraised value of the
property securing the loan. The Company's policy fully complies with this
statute. Mortgage loans on real estate are reported at amortized cost, less
allowance for possible losses. The change in the allowance for possible losses
is recorded with realized gains and losses on investments.
Policy loans are reported at their unpaid balance. Short term investments are at
cost which approximates fair value.
Real estate and other investments consist principally of property acquired in
satisfaction of debt and limited partnerships, respectively. Real estate is
recorded at cost less allowances for depreciation. The Company provides for
depreciation on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives. Other
investments are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
Realized gains and losses on sales of investments, and declines in value judged
to be other-than-temporary, are recognized on the specific identification basis.
Investment income is recorded as earned.
F-9
<PAGE> 120
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. The
Company provides for depreciation principally on the straight-line method over
the estimated useful lives of the related property. Depreciation expense was
$12,807,000, $12,409,000 and $14,351,000 for the year ended December 31, 1999,
1998 and 1997, respectively.
INCOME TAXES
Income taxes have been provided using the liability method. Deferred tax assets
and liabilities are determined based on the temporary differences between the
financial reporting and the tax bases and are measured using the enacted tax
rates.
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
Revenues and expenses related to the separate account assets and liabilities are
excluded from the amounts reported in the accompanying statements of income.
Assets and liabilities associated with the separate accounts relate to deposits
and annuity considerations for variable life and variable annuity products for
which the contract holder, rather than the Company, bears the investment risk.
Separate account assets are reported at fair value and represent funds held for
the exclusive benefit of the variable annuity and variable life insurance
contract owners.
The Company receives mortality and expense risk fees from the separate accounts.
The Company also deducts monthly cost of insurance charges, and receives minimum
death benefit guarantee fees and issue and administrative fees from the variable
life insurance separate accounts.
The Company makes contractual mortality assurances to the variable annuity
contract owners that the net assets of the separate accounts will not be
affected by future variations in the actual life expectancy experience of the
annuitants and beneficiaries from the mortality assumptions implicit in the
annuity contracts. The Company makes periodic fund transfers to, or withdrawals
from, the separate account assets for such actuarial adjustments for variable
annuities that are in the benefit payment period. The Company also guarantees
that the rates at which administrative fees are deducted from contract funds
will not exceed contractual maximums.
For variable life insurance, the Company guarantees that the rates at which
insurance charges and administrative fees are deducted from contract funds will
not exceed contractual maximums. The Company also guarantees that the death
benefit will continue payable at the initial level regardless of investment
performance so long as minimum premium payments are made.
GUARANTY FUND ASSESSMENTS
There are a number of insurance companies that are currently under regulatory
supervision. This may result in future assessments by state guaranty fund
associations to cover losses to policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated
companies. These assessments can be partially recovered through a reduction in
future premium taxes in some states. The Company believes it has adequately
provided for the impact of future assessments relating to current insolvencies.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The Company considers investments with a maturity at the date of their
acquisition of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These securities are
carried principally at amortized cost which approximates fair value.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income
which includes unrealized gains and losses on securities classified as
available-for-sale, net of the effect on deferred policy acquisition costs,
taxes and reclassification adjustment.
F-10
<PAGE> 121
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
1. NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(CONTINUED)
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain amounts in the 1998 and 1997 financial statements have been reclassified
to conform to the 1999 presentation.
2. INVESTMENTS
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE SECURITIES
The following is a summary of the available-for-sale securities (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS GROSS
AMORTIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED FAIR
COST GAIN LOSS VALUE
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1999
Fixed maturities:
Governments................................ $ 309,402 $ 46 $ 8,934 $ 300,514
Public utilities........................... 237,579 341 10,375 227,545
Industrial and miscellaneous............... 2,208,281 7,020 81,412 2,133,889
Other...................................... 47,435 184 3,195 44,424
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total fixed maturities....................... 2,802,697 7,591 103,916 2,706,372
Equity securities............................ 81,554 5,825 2,358 85,021
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total........................................ $2,884,251 $ 13,416 $106,274 $2,791,393
========== ======== ======== ==========
DECEMBER 31, 1998
Fixed maturities:
Governments................................ $ 321,047 $ 5,994 $ 436 $ 326,605
Public utilities........................... 190,792 7,769 1,704 196,857
Industrial and miscellaneous............... 1,723,183 79,137 6,451 1,795,869
Other...................................... 80,882 2,181 51 83,012
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total fixed maturities....................... 2,315,904 95,081 8,642 2,402,343
Equity securities............................ 141,947 18,238 2,334 157,851
---------- -------- -------- ----------
Total........................................ $2,457,851 $113,319 $ 10,976 $2,560,194
========== ======== ======== ==========
</TABLE>
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale investments in fixed
maturities at December 31, 1999, by contractual maturity, are shown below (in
thousands).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMORTIZED FAIR
COST VALUE
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Due in one year or less..................................... $ 62,675 $ 62,547
Due after one year through five years....................... 681,595 671,472
Due after five years through ten years...................... 912,713 881,953
Due after ten years......................................... 1,145,714 1,090,400
---------- ----------
Total....................................................... $2,802,697 $2,706,372
========== ==========
</TABLE>
Expected maturities will differ from contractual maturities because borrowers
may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or
prepayment penalties.
F-11
<PAGE> 122
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
2. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
MORTGAGE LOANS
The Company has issued commercial mortgage loans on properties located
throughout the United States. Approximately 38% and 36% of outstanding principal
is concentrated in the states of New York, California and Florida, at December
31, 1999 and 1998, respectively. Loan commitments outstanding totaled
$12,350,000 at December 31, 1999.
INVESTMENTS ON DEPOSIT
The Company had fixed maturities carried at $17,061,000 and $19,978,000 at
December 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively, on deposit with various governmental
authorities as required by law.
INVESTMENT IN MANAGED DENTAL INITIATIVE
In 1997, the Company acquired a 99% ownership in a managed dental initiative
called Dental Health Alliance, Inc. (DHA). Based on an analysis of future DHA
profitability, the entire investment of $8,132,000 was written-off at December
31, 1997.
NET UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES)
The adjusted net unrealized gains (losses) on investments recorded in
accumulated other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, are set
forth below (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TAX
BEFORE-TAX (EXPENSE) NET-OF-TAX
AMOUNT BENEFIT AMOUNT
---------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
DECEMBER 31, 1999
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale
investments........................................... $(168,542) $ 58,990 $(109,552)
Decrease in amortization of deferred policy acquisition
costs................................................. 9,142 (3,200) 5,942
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized
in net income......................................... (23,864) 8,352 (15,512)
--------- -------- ---------
Other comprehensive loss................................... $(183,264) $ 64,142 $(119,122)
========= ======== =========
DECEMBER 31, 1998
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale
investments........................................... $ 32,614 $(11,562) $ 21,052
Decrease in amortization of deferred policy acquisition
costs................................................. 414 (145) 269
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized
in net income......................................... (42,832) 14,991 (27,841)
--------- -------- ---------
Other comprehensive loss................................... $ (9,804) $ 3,284 $ (6,520)
========= ======== =========
DECEMBER 31, 1997
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale
investments........................................... $ 93,826 $(33,796) $ 60,030
Increase in amortization of deferred policy acquisition
costs................................................. (2,096) 771 (1,325)
Reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized
in net income......................................... (40,587) 14,205 (26,382)
--------- -------- ---------
Other comprehensive income................................. $ 51,143 $(18,820) $ 32,323
========= ======== =========
</TABLE>
F-12
<PAGE> 123
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
2. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
NET INVESTMENT INCOME AND NET REALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS
Major categories of net investment income and realized gains (losses) on
investments for each year were as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
Fixed maturities............................................ $167,027 $160,163 $160,444
Equity securities........................................... 7,320 8,656 9,306
Mortgage loans on real estate............................... 57,684 57,031 54,662
Policy loans................................................ 5,272 4,653 4,144
Short-term investments...................................... 844 1,701 2,851
Real estate and other investments........................... 6,375 8,194 4,635
-------- -------- --------
244,522 240,398 236,042
Expenses.................................................... (5,824) (6,355) (7,318)
-------- -------- --------
$238,698 $234,043 $228,724
======== ======== ========
NET REALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS
Fixed maturities............................................ $ (9,750) $ 34,320 $ 13,827
Equity securities........................................... 33,613 8,512 26,760
Mortgage loans on real estate............................... -- (198) 301
Short-term investments...................................... -- 5 --
Real estate and other investments........................... 2,099 9,765 213
-------- -------- --------
$ 25,962 $ 52,404 $ 41,101
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
Proceeds from sales of investments in fixed maturities were $1,627,450,000,
$2,460,316,000 and $3,360,682,000 in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Gross
gains of $11,996,000, $44,360,000 and $30,860,000 and gross losses of
$21,746,000, $10,040,000 and $17,033,000 were realized on the sales in 1999,
1998 and 1997, respectively.
F-13
<PAGE> 124
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
3. DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS
The changes in deferred policy acquisition costs by product were as follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INTEREST
TRADITIONAL SENSITIVE AND
AND PRE-NEED INVESTMENT ACCIDENT AND
LIFE PRODUCTS HEALTH TOTAL
------------ ------------- ------------ --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, January 1, 1998.................... $22,169 $264,383 $ 5,190 $291,742
Acquisition costs deferred................ -- 69,921 3,226 73,147
Acquisition costs amortized............... (7,609) (20,256) (5,500) (33,365)
Decreased amortization of deferred
acquisition costs from unrealized gains
on available-for-sale securities....... -- 414 -- 414
------- -------- ------- --------
Balance, December 31, 1998.................. 14,560 314,462 2,916 331,938
Acquisition costs deferred................ 33,783 81,016 17,391 132,190
Acquisition costs amortized............... (2,438) (38,831) (1,809) (43,078)
Decreased amortization of deferred
acquisition costs from unrealized gains
on available-for-sale securities....... -- 9,142 -- 9,142
------- -------- ------- --------
Balance, December 31, 1999.................. $45,905 $365,789 $18,498 $430,192
======= ======== ======= ========
</TABLE>
Included in total policy acquisition costs deferred in 1999 is $35,882,000 of
present value of future profits (PVP) and $1,416,000 of subsequent acquisition
costs resulting from the reinsurance assumption agreement with United Family
Life Insurance Company, an affiliate, which became effective October 1, 1999.
PVP is being amortized against the expected premium revenue of the pre-need life
insurance business assumed. See Note 8 "Reinsurance" for more information on
this reinsurance transaction.
During 1999, 1998 and 1997, the Company sold portions of its investment
portfolio and in accordance with FASB Statement 97, the recognition of the
realized net capital gains resulted in increased (decreased) amortization of
deferred acquisition costs of $(224,000), $3,357,000 and $732,000, respectively.
4. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
A summary of property and equipment at December 31 for each year follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Land........................................................ $ 1,900 $ 1,900
Building and improvements................................... 26,383 24,319
Furniture and equipment..................................... 76,604 87,714
-------- --------
104,887 113,933
Less accumulated depreciation............................... (79,769) (83,221)
-------- --------
Net property and equipment.................................. $ 25,118 $ 30,712
======== ========
</TABLE>
F-14
<PAGE> 125
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
5. ACCIDENT AND HEALTH RESERVES
Activity for the liability for unpaid accident and health claims is summarized
as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31
------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
---------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance as of January 1, net of reinsurance recoverables.... $1,061,883 $ 988,036 $947,711
Add: Incurred losses related to:
Current year.............................................. 824,949 826,009 773,316
Prior years............................................... (12,800) (27,973) (59,634)
---------- ---------- --------
Total incurred losses....................................... 812,149 798,036 713,682
Deduct: Paid losses related to:
Current year.............................................. 468,404 469,881 437,405
Prior years............................................... 266,025 254,308 235,952
---------- ---------- --------
Total paid losses........................................... 734,429 724,189 673,357
---------- ---------- --------
Balance as of December 31, net of reinsurance
recoverables.............................................. $1,139,603 $1,061,883 $988,036
========== ========== ========
</TABLE>
The table above compares to the amounts reported on the balance sheet in the
following respects: (1) the table above is presented net of ceded reinsurance
and the accident and health reserves reported on the balance sheet are gross of
ceded reinsurance; and (2) the table above includes accident and health benefits
payable which are included with other policy claims and benefits payable
reported on the balance sheet.
In each of the years presented above, the accident and health insurance line of
business experienced overall favorable development on claims reserves
established as of the previous year end. The favorable development was a result
of lower medical costs and a reduction of loss reserves due to lower than
anticipated inflation in medical costs.
The liability for unpaid accident and health claims includes $994,651,000,
$915,368,000 and $854,940,000 of total disability income reserves as of December
31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively, which were discounted for anticipated
interest earnings using a rate which varies by incurral year.
6. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The Company reports its taxable income in a consolidated federal income tax
return along with other affiliated subsidiaries of Fortis. Income tax expense or
credits are allocated among the affiliated subsidiaries by applying corporate
income tax rates to taxable income or loss determined on a separate return basis
according to a Tax Allocation Agreement.
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial statement purposes and
for income tax purposes.
F-15
<PAGE> 126
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
6. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)
The significant components of the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets
as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Separate account assets/liabilities....................... $ 60,716 $ 87,300
Reserves.................................................. 35,843 27,586
Claims and benefits payable............................... 7,964 8,089
Accrued liabilities....................................... 6,973 10,113
Unrealized Losses......................................... 32,500 --
Investments............................................... 4,549 3,861
Other..................................................... 6,755 2,723
-------- --------
Total deferred tax assets................................... 155,300 139,672
Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred policy acquisition costs......................... 98,539 82,031
Unrealized gains.......................................... -- 35,591
Fixed assets.............................................. 2,963 3,150
Investments............................................... 1,171 982
Other..................................................... 160 14
-------- --------
Total deferred tax liabilities.............................. 102,833 121,768
-------- --------
Net deferred tax asset...................................... $ 52,467 $ 17,904
======== ========
</TABLE>
The Company is required to establish a valuation allowance for any portion of
the deferred tax asset that management believes will not be realized. In the
opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the Company will realize
the benefit of the deferred tax assets, and, therefore, no such valuation
allowance has been established.
The Company's tax expense (benefit) for the year ended December 31 is shown as
follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current..................................................... $10,873 $30,232 $41,569
Deferred.................................................... 29,454 170 (6,449)
------- ------- -------
$40,327 $30,402 $35,120
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Federal income tax payments and refunds resulted in net payments of $13,203,000,
$36,367,000 and $58,859,000 in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
The Company's effective income tax rate varied from the statutory federal income
tax rate as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Statutory income tax rate................................... 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
Other, net.................................................. (2.4) (2.1) (.6)
---- ---- ----
32.6% 32.9% 34.4%
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
F-16
<PAGE> 127
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
7. ASSETS HELD IN SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
Separate account assets at December 31 were as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Premium and annuity considerations for the variable annuity
products and variable universal life products for which
the contract holder, rather than the Company, bears the
investment risk........................................... $5,082,341 $3,707,687
Assets of the separate accounts owned by the Company, at
fair value................................................ 37,811 34,716
---------- ----------
$5,120,152 $3,742,403
========== ==========
</TABLE>
8. REINSURANCE
In the second quarter of 1996, First Fortis Life Insurance Company (First
Fortis), an affiliate, received approval from the New York State Insurance
Department for a reinsurance agreement with the Company. The agreement, which
became effective as of January 1, 1996, decreased First Fortis' long-term
disability reinsurance retention from a $10,000 net monthly benefit to a $2,000
net monthly benefit for claims incurred on and after January 1, 1996. The
Company has assumed $6,580,000, $5,601,000 and $5,742,000 of premium from First
Fortis in 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The Company has assumed
$11,047,000, $9,315,000 and $5,452,000 of reserves in 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively, from First Fortis.
In the fourth quarter of 1999, United Family Life Insurance Company (UFL), an
affiliate, received approval from the state of Georgia for a reinsurance
agreement with the Company. The agreement, which became effective October 1,
1999, provided for the cession of substantially all of UFL's pre-need life
insurance business on a 100% co-insurance basis. The Company assumed
approximately $690,806,000 of reserves and received approximately $654,924,000
of cash, investments (primarily fixed maturities and mortgages) and other assets
as of October 1, 1999. The $35,882,000 ceding commission was capitalized as an
acquisition cost (as described in Note 3). During the period October 1, 1999 to
December 31, 1999, the Company assumed $31,523,000 of premium under the
contract.
The maximum amount that the Company retains on any one life is $1,000,000 of
life insurance including accidental death. Amounts in excess of $1,000,000 are
reinsured with other life insurance companies on a yearly renewable term basis.
Ceded reinsurance premiums for the year ended December 31 were as follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Life insurance.............................................. $ 6,246 $ 6,983 $ 8,159
Accident and health insurance............................... 17,803 13,862 13,712
------- ------- -------
$24,049 $20,845 $21,871
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Recoveries under reinsurance contracts for the year ended December 31 were as
follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1999 1998 1997
------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Life insurance.............................................. $ 478 $ 4,549 $ 2,973
Accident and health insurance............................... 13,669 9,465 14,781
------- ------- -------
$14,147 $14,014 $17,754
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
Reinsurance ceded would become a liability of the Company in the event the
reinsurers are unable to meet the obligations assumed under the reinsurance
agreement. To minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurance
insolvencies, the Company evaluates the financial condition of its reinsurers
and monitors concentrations of credit risk arising from similar geographic
regions, activities or economic characteristics of the reinsurers.
F-17
<PAGE> 128
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
9. DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS
Dividend distributions to the parent are restricted as to the amount by state
regulatory requirements. The Company had $49,286,000 free from such restrictions
as of December 31, 1999. Distributions in excess of this amount would require
regulatory approval.
10. REGULATORY ACCOUNTING REQUIREMENTS
Statutory-basis financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting
practices prescribed or permitted by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.
Prescribed statutory accounting practices include a variety of publications of
the National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC"), as well as state
laws, regulations and general administrative rules. Permitted statutory
accounting practices encompass all accounting practices not so prescribed; such
practices may differ from state to state, may differ from company to company
within a state, and may change in the future.
In 1998, the NAIC adopted codified statutory accounting principles
("Codification") effective January 1, 2001. Codification will likely change, to
some extent, prescribed statutory accounting practices and may result in changes
to the accounting practices that the Company uses to prepare its statutory-basis
financial statements. Codification requires adoption by the various states
before it becomes the prescribed statutory basis of accounting for insurance
companies domesticated within those states. Minnesota has adopted Codification
effective January 1, 2001. Management has not yet determined the impact of
Codification to the Company's statutory-basis financial statements.
Insurance enterprises are required by State Insurance Departments to adhere to
minimum risk-based capital ("RBC") requirements developed by the NAIC. The
Company exceeds the minimum RBC requirements.
Reconciliations of net income and shareholder's equity on the basis of statutory
accounting to the related amounts presented in the accompanying statements were
as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHAREHOLDER'S
NET INCOME EQUITY
----------------------------- ---------------------
1999 1998 1997 1999 1998
-------- ------- -------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Based on statutory accounting practices........... $ 9,387 $14,841 $ 62,593 $ 497,858 $ 478,405
Deferred policy acquisition costs................. 54,049 39,782 25,763 430,192 331,938
Investment valuation differences.................. 953 745 (497) (103,361) 100,165
Deferred and uncollected premiums................. (4,637) 511 2,064 (13,188) (7,246)
Policy reserves................................... (20,070) (7,041) (19,363) (127,766) (156,889)
Commissions....................................... 79,067 -- (3,171) -- --
Current income taxes payable...................... (8,882) 925 6,450 (9,000) (10,920)
Deferred income taxes............................. (18,650) (417) 6,449 52,467 17,904
Realized gains on investments..................... 9 356 251 -- --
Realized gains (losses) transferred to the
Interest Maintenance Reserve (IMR), net of
tax............................................. (6,163) 22,748 9,644 -- --
Amortization of IMR, net of tax................... (8,565) (7,128) (6,315) -- --
Write-off of investment........................... -- (11,705) -- --
Pension expense................................... (1,475) 81 (4,153) (8,235) (6,440)
Property and equipment............................ -- -- -- 591 5,951
Interest maintenance reserve...................... -- -- -- 55,117 68,968
Asset valuation reserve........................... -- -- -- 72,940 90,986
Mortgage loans on real estate..................... -- -- -- -- (20,141)
Other, net........................................ 8,183 (3,521) (900) 1,937 (7,213)
-------- ------- -------- --------- ---------
As reported herein................................ $ 83,206 $61,882 $ 67,110 $ 849,552 $ 885,468
======== ======= ======== ========= =========
</TABLE>
F-18
<PAGE> 129
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
11. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATED COMPANIES
The Company receives various services from Fortis and its affiliates. These
services include assistance in benefit plan administration, corporate insurance,
accounting, tax, auditing, investment and other administrative functions. The
fees paid to Fortis, Inc. for these services for years ended December 31, 1999,
1998 and 1997, were $11,661,000, $13,077,000 and $12,015,000, respectively.
During 1997, Fortis, Inc. began providing information technology services to the
Company. Information technology expenses were $59,390,000, $55,910,000 and
$28,525,000 for years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
In conjunction with the marketing of its variable annuity products, the Company
paid $79,413,000, $72,638,000 and $72,105,000 in commissions to its affiliate,
Fortis Investors, Inc., for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
Administrative expenses allocated for the Company may be greater or less than
the expenses that would be incurred if the Company were operating on a separate
company basis.
12. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
VALUATION METHODS AND ASSUMPTIONS
The fair values for fixed maturity securities and equity securities are based on
quoted market prices, where available. For fixed maturity securities not
actively traded, fair values are estimated using values obtained from
independent pricing services or, in the case of private placements, are
estimated by discounting expected future cash flows using a current market rate
applicable to the yield, credit quality, and maturity of the investments.
Mortgage loans are reported at unpaid principal balance less allowances for
possible losses. The fair values of mortgage loans are estimated using
discounted cash flow analyses, using interest rates currently being offered for
similar loans to borrowers with similar credit ratings. Mortgage loans with
similar characteristics are aggregated for purposes of the calculations. The
carrying amount of policy loans reported in the Balance Sheet approximates fair
value. For short-term investments, the carrying amount is a reasonable estimate
of fair value. The fair values for the Company's policy reserves under the
investment products are determined using cash surrender value. Separate account
assets and liabilities are reported at their estimated fair values in the
Balance Sheet.
The fair values under all insurance contracts are taken into consideration in
the Company's overall management of interest rate risk, such that the Company's
exposure to changing interest rates is minimized through the matching of
investment maturities with amounts due under insurance contracts.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1999 DECEMBER 31, 1998
----------------------- -----------------------
CARRYING FAIR CARRYING FAIR
AMOUNT VALUE AMOUNT VALUE
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Assets:
Investments:
Securities available-for-sale:
Fixed maturities.............................. $2,706,372 $2,706,372 $2,402,343 $2,402,343
Equity securities............................. 85,021 85,021 157,851 157,851
Mortgage loans on real estate...................... 754,514 741,397 610,131 662,984
Policy loans....................................... 83,439 83,439 74,950 74,950
Short-term investments............................. 115,527 115,527 31,868 31,868
Assets held in separate accounts................... 5,120,152 5,120,152 3,742,403 3,742,403
Liabilities:
Individual and group annuities (subject to
discretionary withdrawal)....................... $ 789,002 $ 763,861 $ 923,102 $ 894,019
Liabilities related to Separate Accounts........... 5,082,341 5,082,341 3,707,687 3,707,687
</TABLE>
F-19
<PAGE> 130
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY (CONTINUED)
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is named as a defendant in a number of legal actions arising
primarily from claims made under insurance policies. These actions have been
considered in establishing policy benefit and loss reserves. Management and its
legal counsel are of the opinion that the settlement of these actions will not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of
operations.
14. RETIREMENT AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
The Company is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortis, which sponsors a
defined benefit pension plan covering employees and certain agents who meet
eligibility requirements as to age and length of service. The benefits are based
on years of service and career compensation. Fortis Inc.'s funding policy is to
contribute annually the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income
tax purposes, and to charge each subsidiary an allocable amount based on its
employee census. Pension cost allocated to the Company amounted to approximately
$2,225,000, $1,627,000 and $1,594,000 for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
The Company participates in a contributory profit sharing plan, sponsored by
Fortis, covering employees and certain agents who meet eligibility requirements
as to age and length of service. Benefits are payable to participants on
retirement or disability and to the beneficiaries of participants in the event
of death. The first three percent of an employee's contribution is matched 200%
by the Company. The amount expensed was approximately $3,711,000, $3,610,000 and
$3,926,000 for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
In addition to retirement benefits, the Company participates in other health
care and life insurance benefit plans ("postretirement benefits") for retired
employees, sponsored by Fortis. Health care benefits, either through a Fortis
sponsored retiree plan for retirees under age 65 or through a cost offset for
individually purchased Medigap policies for retirees over age 65, are available
to employees who retire on or after January 1, 1993, at age 55 or older, with 15
years or more service. Life insurance, on a retiree pay all basis, is available
to those who retire on or after January 1, 1993.
There were no net postretirement benefit costs allocated to the Company for the
years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998. Costs allocated to the Company for the
year ended December 31, 1997 were $304,000, which includes the expected cost of
such benefits for newly eligible or vested employees, interest cost, gains and
losses arising from differences between actuarial assumptions and actual
experience, and amortization of the transition obligation. The Company made
contributions to the plans of approximately $19,000, $(5,200) and $20,000 in
1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively, as claims were incurred.
15. YEAR 2000 (UNAUDITED)
The Company utilizes Fortis and its computer systems to process Company
businesses. Fortis created a Year 2000 Project Office which was dedicated to
ensuring that all of the systems for Fortis and its subsidiaries and affiliates
were ready for year 2000. The estimated total cost of the Fortis Year 2000
Project was approximately $85 million. This cost reflects the total cost to the
Fortis U.S. companies (excluding the recent American Bankers Insurance Group
acquisition). The cost of the Company's portion is estimated at $26.9 million.
Approximately, $11.4 million was expensed by the Company in 1999.
As of December 20, 1999, 100% of the Mission Critical and non-Mission Critical
computer system lines of code that had been identified were renovated and tested
and were ready for year 2000. Although there have been several minor matters, as
of the date of this publication, no significant disruptions resulting from the
century date change have been detected in any of the mission critical systems.
The Company will continue to monitor the status of and exposure to any potential
Year 2000 issues.
F-20
<PAGE> 131
Report of Independent Auditors
Board of Directors
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
We have audited the accompanying individual and combined statement of net assets
of the segregated subaccounts of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company Variable
Account D (comprised of, respectively, the Fortis Series Fund, Inc.'s Growth
Stock, U.S. Government Securities, Money Market, Asset Allocation, Diversified
Income, Global Growth, Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, High Yield, Global
Asset Allocation, Global Bond, International Stock, Value, S & P 500, Blue Chip
Stock, Mid Cap Stock, Large Cap Growth and Small Cap Value Subaccounts; the
Wells Fargo Variable Trust's Large Cap (formerly Norwest ValuGrowth), Corporate
Bond (formerly Norwest Income), Small Cap Stock (formerly Norwest Small Company
Stock), Income Equity (formerly Norwest Income Equity), Growth, Equity Value,
and Asset Allocation Subaccounts; the Scudder Variable Life Investment Fund's
International Subaccount; the AIM Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.'s V.I. Value
and V.I. International Equity Subaccounts; the Alliance Variable Product Series'
Money Market, International and Premier Growth Subaccounts; the SAFECO Resource
Series' Growth and Equity Subaccounts; the Federated Insurance Series' U.S.
Government Securities II, High Income Bond Fund II, Utility II and American
Leaders II, Equity Income, Growth Strategies, International Equity, Money Fund,
Strategic Income and Small Cap Strategies Subaccounts; the Lexington Funds,
Inc.'s Natural Resources Trust and Emerging Markets Subaccounts; the MFS
Variable Insurance Trusts' Emerging Growth, High Income and World Government
Subaccounts; the Montgomery Variable Fund's Emerging Markets and Growth
Subaccounts; the Strong Variable Insurance Funds' Discovery II and International
II Subaccounts; the American Century Investments' VP Balanced and VP Growth
Subaccounts; the Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust's Worldwide Bond Fund and
Worldwide Hard Assets Fund Subaccounts; the Neuberger & Berman, Inc.'s AMT
Limited Maturity Bond and AMT Partners Subaccounts; and INVESCO, Inc.'s Health &
Sciences, Industrial Income and Technology Subaccounts) as of December 31, 1999,
and the related statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in
the period indicated therein. These financial statements are the responsibility
of the management of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
1
<PAGE> 132
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit
to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our
procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 1999 by
correspondence with the custodian. An audit also includes assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well
as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of each individual and combined
portfolio subaccounts of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company Variable Account D at
December 31, 1999, and the changes in their net assets for the periods described
in the first paragraph, in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 29, 2000
2
<PAGE> 133
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Net Assets
December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ATTRIBUTABLE TO
FORTIS BENEFITS
NET ASSETS AT INSURANCE
SHARES COST MARKET VALUE COMPANY
------ ---- ------------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investments in Fortis Series Fund, Inc.:
Growth Stock 15,672,161 $ 406,002,966 $ 707,418,737 $ -
U.S. Government Securities 12,737,718 136,773,169 128,984,676 -
Money Market 9,538,854 106,396,795 106,849,478 -
Asset Allocation 26,682,308 425,490,477 607,857,655 -
Diversified Income 8,600,239 100,510,063 93,808,829 -
Global Growth 9,706,559 147,811,043 337,030,166 -
Aggressive Growth 6,319,174 92,702,665 213,523,620 -
Growth & Income 12,021,236 183,252,188 263,748,319 -
High Yield 6,735,712 67,699,350 61,249,180 -
Global Asset Allocation 4,324,442 54,275,326 56,954,204 3,940,809
Global Bond 2,237,913 24,325,958 22,968,150 5,321,709
International Stock 6,073,337 81,846,610 108,925,301 -
Value 4,893,678 64,346,791 76,592,910 -
S & P 500 14,784,128 246,758,049 335,023,114 -
Blue Chip Stock 10,256,993 161,163,763 224,955,877 7,504,950
Mid Cap Stock 1,945,774 18,209,316 20,783,004 4,432,968
Large Cap Growth 4,680,799 59,003,601 70,461,944 6,251,291
Small Cap Value 3,225,681 31,077,238 32,919,462 4,238,029
Investments in Wells Fargo Variable Trust:
Large Cap 4,050,545 40,739,690 48,728,059 -
Corporate Bond 3,156,263 34,258,453 30,994,498 -
Small Cap Stock 1,074,572 13,693,860 19,439,003 -
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET ASSET VALUE FOR
ATTRIBUTABLE TO ACCUMULATION VARIABLE ANNUITY
VARIABLE UNITS CONTRACTS PER
ANNUITY CONTRACTS OUTSTANDING ACCUMULATION UNIT
----------------- ----------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Investments in Fortis Series Fund, Inc.:
Growth Stock $ 707,418,737 115,971,002 $ 6.10
U.S. Government Securities 128,984,676 7,442,096 17.33
Money Market 106,849,478 60,650,301 1.76
Asset Allocation 607,857,655 153,473,653 3.96
Diversified Income 93,808,830 46,409,349 2.02
Global Growth 337,030,166 10,278,210 32.79
Aggressive Growth 213,523,620 6,619,343 32.26
Growth & Income 263,748,319 11,205,593 23.54
High Yield 61,249,180 4,807,835 12.74
Global Asset Allocation 53,013,395 3,314,093 16.00
Global Bond 17,646,441 1,471,112 12.00
International Stock 108,925,301 5,644,969 19.30
Value 76,592,910 4,866,469 15.74
S & P 500 335,023,114 15,543,266 21.55
Blue Chip Stock 217,450,927 10,354,811 21.00
Mid Cap Stock 16,350,036 1,551,246 10.54
Large Cap Growth 64,210,653 4,359,013 14.73
Small Cap Value 28,681,433 2,690,372 10.66
Investments in Wells Fargo Variable Trust:
Large Cap 48,728,059 1,954,176 24.94
Corporate Bond 30,994,498 2,448,465 12.66
Small Cap Stock 19,439,003 870,214 22.34
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
3
<PAGE> 134
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Net Assets (continued)
December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ATTRIBUTABLE TO
FORTIS BENEFITS
NET ASSETS AT INSURANCE
SHARES COST MARKET VALUE COMPANY
------ ---- ------------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investments in Wells Fargo Variable Trust
(continued):
Income Equity 7,400,237 $ 107,406,245 $ 126,470,04 $ -
Growth 2,539 56,265 61,191 -
Equity Value 11,023 100,121 101,743 -
Asset Allocation 84,861 1,186,936 1,223,699 -
Investments in Scudder Variable Life:
International 547,080 7,253,523 11,127,614 -
Investment in AIM Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.:
AIM V.I. Value 756,044 21,147,149 25,327,469 -
AIM V.I. International Equity 199,073 4,158,238 5,830,853 -
Investments in Alliance Variable Product Series:
Money Market 16,161,244 16,160,538 16,161,244 -
International 88,927 1,832,465 1,936,820 -
Premier Growth 205,736 6,838,663 8,322,024 -
Investments in SAFECO Resource Series:
Growth 183,868 3,925,516 4,137,039 -
Equity 109,268 3,267,025 3,389,495 -
Investments in Federated Insurance Series:
U.S. Government Securities II 455,093 4,814,185 4,805,781 -
High Income Bond Fund II 845,175 8,655,518 8,654,583 -
Utility II 461,922 6,595,434 6,628,581 -
American Leaders II 1,870,730 38,660,395 38,948,608 -
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET ASSET VALUE FOR
ATTRIBUTABLE TO ACCUMULATION VARIABLE ANNUITY
VARIABLE UNITS CONTRACTS PER
ANNUITY CONTRACTS OUTSTANDING ACCUMULATION UNIT
----------------- ----------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Investments in Wells Fargo Variable Trust
(continued):
Income Equity $ 126,470,048 7,465,448 $16.94
Growth 61,191 5,570 10.99
Equity Value 101,743 10,275 9.90
Asset Allocation 1,223,699 116,844 10.47
Investments in Scudder Variable Life:
International 11,127,614 441,802 25.19
Investment in AIM Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.:
AIM V.I. Value 25,327,469 1,716,853 14.75
AIM V.I. International Equity 5,830,853 390,247 14.94
Investments in Alliance Variable Product Series:
Money Market 16,161,244 1,365,755 11.83
International 1,936,820 113,961 17.00
Premier Growth 8,322,024 272,720 30.51
Investments in SAFECO Resource Series:
Growth 4,137,039 258,197 16.02
Equity 3,389,495 206,128 16.44
Investments in Federated Insurance Series:
U.S. Government Securities II 4,805,781 465,254 10.33
High Income Bond Fund II 8,654,583 791,527 10.93
Utility II 6,628,581 629,267 10.53
American Leaders II 38,948,608 3,613,302 10.78
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
4
<PAGE> 135
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Net Assets (continued)
December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ATTRIBUTABLE TO
FORTIS BENEFITS
NET ASSETS AT INSURANCE
SHARES COST MARKET VALUE COMPANY
------ ---- ------------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investments in Federated Insurance Series
(continued):
Equity Income 1,474,421 $ 22,067,348 $ 24,003,571 $ -
Growth Strategies 792,112 18,089,489 24,460,416 -
International Equity 374,338 6,926,572 10,346,692 -
Money Fund 1,277,722 1,277,722 1,277,722 -
Strategic Income 58,027 585,569 601,736 -
Small Cap Strategies 85,827 1,018,538 1,193,860 -
Investments In Lexington Funds Inc.:
Natural Resources Trust 73,363 948,113 917,767 -
Emerging Markets 10,269 95,712 131,543 -
Investments in MFS Variable Insurance Trust:
Emerging Growth 589,180 13,640,689 22,353,487 -
High Income 714,393 8,281,282 8,208,374 -
World Government 2,769 27,894 27,774 -
Investments in Montgomery Variable Funds:
Emerging Markets 94,425 946,072 1,025,458 -
Growth 25,820 442,230 474,822 -
Investments in Strong Variable Insurance Funds:
Discovery II 24,189 229,073 275,276 -
International II 165,232 2,307,910 2,704,840 -
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET ASSET VALUE FOR
ATTRIBUTABLE TO ACCUMULATION VARIABLE ANNUITY
VARIABLE UNITS CONTRACTS PER
ANNUITY CONTRACTS OUTSTANDING ACCUMULATION UNIT
----------------- ----------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Investments in Federated Insurance Series
(continued):
Equity Income $ 24,003,571 2,050,104 $11.71
Growth Strategies 24,460,416 1,428,283 17.13
International Equity 10,346,692 588,884 17.57
Money Fund 1,277,722 123,772 10.32
Strategic Income 601,736 58,402 10.30
Small Cap Strategies 1,193,859 86,287 13.84
Investments In Lexington Funds Inc.:
Natural Resources Trust 917,767 78,556 11.68
Emerging Markets 131,543 9,772 13.46
Investments in MFS Variable Insurance Trust:
Emerging Growth 22,353,487 1,054,087 21.21
High Income 8,208,374 793,575 10.34
World Government 27,774 2,600 10.68
Investments in Montgomery Variable Funds:
Emerging Markets 1,025,458 95,471 10.74
Growth 474,822 23,740 20.00
Investments in Strong Variable Insurance Funds:
Discovery II 275,276 22,093 12.46
International II 2,704,840 169,164 15.99
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
5
<PAGE> 136
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Net Assets (continued)
December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ATTRIBUTABLE TO
FORTIS BENEFITS
NET ASSETS AT INSURANCE
SHARES COST MARKET VALUE COMPANY
------ ---- ------------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Investments in American Century Investments:
VP Balanced 190,403 $ 1,469,932 $ 1,483,239 $ -
VP Growth 50,032 588,549 742,475 -
Investments in Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust:
Worldwide Bond Fund 28,945 316,891 309,419 -
Worldwide Hard Assets Fund 74,633 800,476 817,979 -
Investments in Neuberger & Berman, Inc.:
AMT Limited Maturity Bond 41,132 548,565 544,591 -
AMT Partners 31,884 622,336 626,209 -
Investments in INVESCO, Inc.:
Health & Sciences 126,669 1,884,155 2,029,234 -
Industrial Income 41,089 821,665 863,284 -
Technology 343,137 9,743,408 12,740,687 -
-------------- -------------- -----------
Totals $2,822,075,777 $3,950,503,433 $31,689,756
============== ============== ===========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NET ASSET VALUE FOR
ATTRIBUTABLE TO ACCUMULATION VARIABLE ANNUITY
VARIABLE UNITS CONTRACTS PER
ANNUITY CONTRACTS OUTSTANDING ACCUMULATION UNIT
----------------- ----------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Investments in American Century Investments:
VP Balanced $ 1,483,239 92,929 $15.96
VP Growth 742,475 51,363 14.46
Investments in Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust:
Worldwide Bond Fund 309,419 28,632 10.81
Worldwide Hard Assets Fund 817,979 100,885 8.11
Investments in Neuberger & Berman, Inc.:
AMT Limited Maturity Bond 544,591 49,413 11.02
AMT Partners 626,209 45,246 13.84
Investments in INVESCO, Inc.:
Health & Sciences 2,029,234 124,157 16.34
Industrial Income 863,284 54,213 15.92
Technology 12,740,687 345,121 36.92
-------------- -----------
Totals $3,918,813,677 497,265,487
============== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
6
<PAGE> 137
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Year ended December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORTIS U.S.
FORTIS GROWTH GOVERNMENT FORTIS MONEY FORTIS ASSET
STOCK SECURITIES MARKET ALLOCATION
-------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 156,278,060 $ 7,341,601 $ 2,857,701 $ 52,954,375
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (7,253,321) (1,829,055) (1,055,231) (7,448,244)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 38,796,330 (473,995) 417,343 15,517,181
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year 64,391,185 (9,573,286) 566,889 32,399,647
-------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
operations 252,212,254 (4,534,735) 2,786,702 93,422,959
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 5,164,180 12,588,731 100,156,439 29,210,874
Redemption of Variable Account units (98,848,155) (22,667,841) (64,268,081) (58,609,370)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative
charges 7,253,321 1,829,055 1,055,231 7,448,244
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - - -
-------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions (86,430,654) (8,250,055) 36,943,589 (21,950,252)
Net assets at beginning of year 541,637,137 141,769,466 67,119,187 536,384,948
-------------- -------------- ------------- -------------
Net assets at end of year $ 707,418,737 $ 128,984,676 $ 106,849,478 $ 607,857,655
============== ============== ============= =============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORTIS FORTIS
DIVERSIFIED FORTIS GLOBAL AGGRESSIVE
INCOME GROWTH GROWTH
------------ -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 6,588,253 $ 6,231,012 $ 4,272,056
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (1,347,702) (3,494,668) (1,633,787)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (450,747) 27,458,315 8,003,910
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year (7,886,977) 93,670,078 97,554,749
------------ -------------- --------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
operations (3,097,173) 123,864,737 108,196,928
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 6,766,415 13,910,010 24,360,173
Redemption of Variable Account units (17,836,999) (66,121,442) (18,643,812)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative
charges 1,347,702 3,494,668 1,633,787
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - -
------------ -------------- --------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions (9,722,882) (48,716,764) 7,350,148
Net assets at beginning of year 106,628,884 261,882,193 97,976,544
------------ -------------- --------------
Net assets at end of year $ 93,808,829 $ 337,030,166 $ 213,523,620
============ ============== ==============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
7
<PAGE> 138
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
Year ended December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORTIS GLOBAL
FORTIS GROWTH & FORTIS HIGH ASSET FORTIS GLOBAL
INCOME YIELD ALLOCATION BOND
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 16,740,826 $ 5,638,326 $ 4,151,122 $ 934,589
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (3,525,734) (852,587) (725,621) (233,375)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 10,556,035 (540,865) 797,158 (163,594)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year (944,596) (4,416,777) (5,443,279) (2,534,224)
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 22,826,531 (171,903) (1,220,620) (1,996,604)
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 6,731,588 7,450,001 5,772,394 6,930,636
Redemption of Variable Account units (35,318,719) (11,427,963) (7,483,000) (4,592,843)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative
charges 3,525,734 852,587 725,621 233,375
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - (310,930) (224,878)
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions (25,061,397) (3,125,375) (1,295,915) 2,346,290
Net assets at beginning of year 265,983,185 64,546,458 59,470,739 22,618,464
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net assets at end of year $ 263,748,319 $ 61,249,180 $ 56,954,204 $ 22,968,150
============= ============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORTIS
INTERNATIONAL FORTIS
STOCK FORTIS VALUE S & P 500
------------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 118,653 $ 55,659 $ 47,291
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (1,171,613) (1,000,548) (3,567,274)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 2,066,505 1,028,902 2,830,868
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year 17,734,463 5,071,121 47,715,826
------------- ----------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 18,748,008 5,155,134 47,026,711
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 24,277,772 6,767,673 125,498,102
Redemption of Variable Account units (12,675,634) (8,924,070) (41,233,954)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative
charges 1,171,613 1,000,548 3,567,274
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - -
------------- ----------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 12,773,751 (1,155,849) 87,831,422
Net assets at beginning of year 77,403,542 72,593,625 200,164,981
------------- ----------- ------------
Net assets at end of year $ 108,925,301 $76,592,910 $335,023,114
============= =========== ============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
8
<PAGE> 139
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
Year ended December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORTIS BLUE FORTIS MID FORTIS LARGE FORTIS SMALL
CHIP STOCK CAP STOCK CAP GROWTH CAP VALUE
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 3,230,163 $ 21,642 $ 1,132,189 $ 1,423,506
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (2,402,586) (152,523) (451,055) (251,882)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 1,198,634 87,767 109,210 114,238
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year 30,746,993 2,028,045 9,195,175 1,783,939
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from 32,773,204 1,984,931 9,985,519 3,069,801
operations
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 49,470,137 8,507,383 45,928,848 17,798,817
Redemption of Variable Account units (5,494,982) (1,224,101) (706,824) (2,200,370)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative
charges 2,402,586 152,523 451,055 251,882
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company (109,184) (4,648) (105,952) (139,251)
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 46,268,557 7,431,157 45,567,127 15,711,078
Net assets at beginning of year 145,914,116 11,366,916 14,909,298 14,138,583
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net assets at end of year $ 224,955,877 $ 20,783,004 $ 70,461,944 $ 32,919,462
============= ============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WELLS FARGO WELLS FARGO WELLS FARGO
LARGE CAP CORPORATE BOND SMALL CAP
(FORMERLY (FORMERLY (FORMERLY
NORWEST NORWEST INCOME NORWEST SMALL
VALUGROWTH) EQUITY) COMPANY STOCK)
----------- ------------ ------------
OPERATIONS
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Dividend income $11,571,999 $ 1,501,450 $ -
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (531,353) (370,235) (177,088)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 879,862 (183,430) (410,559)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year (1,863,822) (2,049,455) 8,208,680
----------- ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from 10,056,686 (1,101,670) 7,621,033
operations
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 6,308,101 12,059,360 1,380,420
Redemption of Variable Account units (3,919,806) (2,490,066) (3,031,763)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative
charges 531,353 370,235 177,088
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - -
----------- ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 2,919,648 9,939,529 (1,474,255)
Net assets at beginning of year 35,751,725 22,156,639 13,292,225
----------- ------------ ------------
Net assets at end of year $48,728,059 $ 30,994,498 $ 19,439,003
=========== ============ ============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
9
<PAGE> 140
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
Year ended December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WELLS FARGO EQUITY
INCOME (FORMERLY WELLS FARGO
NORWEST INCOME WELLS FARGO WELLS FARGO ASSET
EQUITY) GROWTH * EQUITY VALUE * ALLOCATION *
-------------- ---------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 1,270,864 $ 7 $ 207 $ 8,345
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (1,528,635) (128) (253) (2,723)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 558,248 - - 87
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year 5,205,012 4,926 1,622 36,841
------------ ------- -------- ----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
operations 5,505,489 4,805 1,576 42,550
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 36,840,158 56,259 99,914 1,182,701
Redemption of Variable Account units (3,461,257) (1) - (4,275)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative
charges 1,528,635 128 253 2,723
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - - -
------------ ------- -------- ----------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 34,907,536 56,386 100,167 1,181,149
Net assets at beginning of year 86,057,023 - - -
------------ ------- -------- ----------
Net assets at end of year $126,470,048 $61,191 $101,743 $1,223,699
============ ======= ======== ==========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AIM V.I.
SCUDDER AIM V.I. INTERNATIONAL
INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY
------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 825,077 $ 410,251 $ 188,386
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (123,780) (194,130) (40,956)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 252,120 28,203 39,670
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year 3,033,017 3,720,163 1,649,575
----------- ----------- ----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from
operations 3,986,434 3,964,487 1,836,675
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 226,709 16,475,875 2,617,843
Redemption of Variable Account units (1,596,240) (279,283) (238,984)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative
charges 123,780 194,130 40,956
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - -
----------- ----------- ----------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions (1,245,751) 16,390,722 2,419,815
Net assets at beginning of year 8,386,931 4,972,260 1,574,363
----------- ----------- ----------
Net assets at end of year $11,127,614 $25,327,469 $5,830,853
=========== =========== ==========
</TABLE>
* For the period from September 20, 1999 to December 31, 1999.
See accompanying notes
10
<PAGE> 141
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
Year ended December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE ALLIANCE
MONEY ALLIANCE PREMIER SAFECO
MARKET INTERNATIONAL GROWTH GROWTH
--------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 980,514 $ 60,854 $ 99,520 $ -
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (93,511) (5,299) (35,830) (20,651)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments - 783,355 1,669,250 (539,748)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year (1,972) 85,364 257,229 702,775
--------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 885,031 924,274 1,990,169 142,376
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 200,368,900 61,396,606 13,223,689 4,984,999
Redemption of Variable Account units (201,747,571) (61,575,309) (15,623,413) (6,589,089)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges 93,511 5,299 35,830 20,651
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - - -
--------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions (1,285,160) (173,404) (2,363,894) (1,583,439)
Net assets at beginning of year 16,561,373 1,185,950 8,695,749 5,578,102
--------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net assets at end of year $ 16,161,244 $ 1,936,820 $ 8,322,024 $ 4,137,039
=============== ============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FEDERATED U.S. FEDERATED
SAFECO GOVERNMENT HIGH INCOME
EQUITY SECURITIES II BOND FUND II
----------- ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 179,477 $ 58,331 $ 384,300
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (15,168) (19,646) (42,973)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 137,678 (28,762) (136,499)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year (20,217) (19,403) (121,670)
----------- ------------ -------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 281,770 (9,480) 83,158
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 2,726,246 6,472,452 21,516,246
Redemption of Variable Account units (1,922,280) (2,731,024) (16,700,953)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges 15,168 19,646 42,973
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - -
----------- ------------ -------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 819,134 3,761,074 4,858,266
Net assets at beginning of year 2,288,591 1,054,187 3,713,159
----------- ------------ -------------
Net assets at end of year $ 3,389,495 $ 4,805,781 $ 8,654,583
=========== ============ =============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
11
<PAGE> 142
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
Year ended December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FEDERATED FEDERATED FEDERATED
FEDERATED AMERICAN EQUITY GROWTH
UTILITY II LEADERS II INCOME STRATEGIES *
------------ ------------- -------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 64,933 $ 459,974 $ 35,871 $ -
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (32,151) (183,354) (106,207) (90,114)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (5,840) (274,924) 1,692 10,040
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments during
the year (17,935) 111,282 1,936,223 6,370,927
------------ ------------- -------------- -------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 9,007 112,978 1,867,579 6,290,853
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 7,849,681 80,714,962 22,067,857 18,226,511
Redemption of Variable Account units (2,352,749) (43,728,259) (38,072) (147,062)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges 32,151 183,354 106,207 90,114
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - - -
------------ ------------- -------------- -------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 5,529,083 37,170,057 22,135,992 18,169,563
Net assets at beginning of year 1,090,491 1,665,573 - -
------------ ------------- -------------- -------------
Net assets at end of year $ 6,628,581 $ 38,948,608 $ 24,003,571 $ 24,460,416
============ ============= ============== =============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FEDERATED FEDERATED MONEY FEDERATED
INTERNATIONAL FUND* STRATEGIC
EQUITY* INCOME**
------------- ------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 10,135 $ 45,051 $ -
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (34,075) (12,240) (1,532)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (41) - 9
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments during
the year 3,420,120 - 16,167
------------- ------------ ----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 3,396,139 32,811 14,644
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 6,923,501 8,313,016 586,922
Redemption of Variable Account units (7,023) (7,080,345) (1,362)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges 34,075 12,240 1,532
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - -
------------- ------------ ----------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 6,950,553 1,244,911 587,092
Net assets at beginning of year - - -
------------- ------------ ----------
Net assets at end of year $ 10,346,692 $ 1,277,722 $ 601,736
============= ============ ==========
</TABLE>
* For the period from February 1, 1999 to December 31, 1999.
** For the period from June 1, 1999 to December 31, 1999.
See accompanying notes.
12
<PAGE> 143
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
Year ended December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LEXINGTON
FEDERATED NATURAL LEXINGTON MFS
SMALL CAP RESOURCES EMERGING EMERGING
STRATEGIES** TRUST MARKETS GROWTH
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ - $ 5,210 $ 275 $ -
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (2,128) (3,122) (293) (127,446)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 74 (87,178) 35,831 969,753
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year 175,321 128,261 25,869 7,798,184
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 173,267 43,171 61,682 8,640,491
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 1,018,966 2,156,000 135,498 14,159,113
Redemption of Variable Account units (501) (1,817,326) (124,824) (7,363,014)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges 2,128 3,122 293 127,446
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - - -
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 1,020,593 341,796 10,967 6,923,545
Net assets at beginning of year - 532,800 58,894 6,789,451
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Net assets at end of year $ 1,193,860 $ 917,767 $ 131,543 $ 22,353,487
============ =========== =========== ============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MONTGOMERY
MFS HIGH MFS WORLD EMERGING
INCOME GOVERNMENT MARKETS
----------- --------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 401,657 $ 14,302 $ 74
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (77,640) (707) (3,647)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (43,906) (24,456) 445,265
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year (31,441) (1,365) 74,782
----------- --------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 248,670 (12,226) 516,474
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 9,777,837 705,250 20,340,446
Redemption of Variable Account units (5,404,573) (990,963) (20,144,272)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges 77,640 707 3,647
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - -
----------- --------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 4,450,904 (285,006) 199,821
Net assets at beginning of year 3,508,800 325,006 309,163
----------- --------- ------------
Net assets at end of year $ 8,208,374 $ 27,774 $ 1,025,458
=========== ========= ============
</TABLE>
** For the period from June 1, 1999 to December 31, 1999.
See accompanying notes.
13
<PAGE> 144
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
Year ended December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STRONG STRONG AMERICAN
MONTGOMERY DISCOVERY INTERNATIONAL CENTURY VP
GROWTH FUND II II BALANCED
------------ ------------ ------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 5,201 $ 27,272 $ 1,845 $ 204,087
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (4,566) (963) (3,930) (6,370)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 233,717 (52,371) 606,345 11,391
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments during
the year (1,115) 39,168 395,740 (74,370)
------------ ------------ ------------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 233,237 13,106 1,000,000 134,738
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 3,986,865 1,505,925 17,404,182 713,675
Redemption of Variable Account units (4,518,176) (1,729,824) (16,023,839) (700,154)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges 4,566 963 3,930 6,370
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - - -
------------ ------------ ------------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions (526,745) (222,936) 1,384,273 19,891
Net assets at beginning of year 768,330 485,106 320,567 1,328,610
------------ ------------ ------------- -----------
Net assets at end of year $ 474,822 $ 275,276 $ 2,704,840 $ 1,483,239
============ ============ ============= ===========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VAN ECK
AMERICAN VAN ECK WORLDWIDE
CENTURY WORLDWIDE HARD
VP GROWTH BOND FUND ASSETS FUND
------------ ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ - $ 32,424 $ 5,800
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (1,427) (1,686) (3,390)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 74,376 (59,331) 19,792
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments during
the year 129,007 (13,943) 123,503
------------ ----------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 201,956 (42,536) 145,705
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 1,507,118 1,050,294 5,494,999
Redemption of Variable Account units (1,098,083) (1,582,123) (5,197,598)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges 1,427 1,686 3,390
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - -
------------ ----------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 410,462 (530,143) 300,791
Net assets at beginning of year 130,057 882,098 371,483
------------ ----------- ------------
Net assets at end of year $ 742,475 $ 309,419 $ 817,979
============ =========== ============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
14
<PAGE> 145
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
Year ended December 31, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NEUBERGER &
BERMAN AMT
LIMITED NEUBERGER & INVESCO
MATURITY BERMAN AMT HEALTH
BOND PARTNERS & SCIENCES
--------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 34,231 $ 22,384 $ 1,773
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (2,313) (3,261) (8,720)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (20,107) (5,353) 58,119
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments during the year (8,853) 32,264 (29,108)
--------- ---------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 2,958 46,034 22,064
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 578,191 597,368 4,368,976
Redemption of Variable Account units (714,271) (873,323) (4,238,621)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges 2,313 3,261 8,720
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - -
--------- ---------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions (133,767) (272,694) 139,075
Net assets at beginning of year 675,400 852,869 1,868,095
--------- ---------- ------------
Net assets at end of year $ 544,591 $ 626,209 $ 2,029,234
========= ========== ============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INVESCO COMBINED
INDUSTRIAL INVESCO VARIABLE
INCOME TECHNOLOGY ACCOUNT
----------- ------------ ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 15,560 $ - $ 288,944,665
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (3,233) (18,191) (42,331,871)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 50,003 1,995,638 114,341,208
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments during the year 22,334 2,842,497 414,351,155
----------- ------------ ---------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 84,664 4,819,944 775,305,157
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 1,629,081 24,971,634 1,142,010,519
Redemption of Variable Account units (1,394,230) (18,308,129) (945,768,190)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges 3,233 18,191 42,331,871
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - (894,843)
----------- ------------ ---------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 238,084 6,681,696 237,679,357
Net assets at beginning of year 540,536 1,239,047 2,937,518,919
----------- ------------ ---------------
Net assets at end of year $ 863,284 $ 12,740,687 $ 3,950,503,433
=========== ============ ===============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
15
<PAGE> 146
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Year ended December 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORTIS U.S.
FORTIS GROWTH GOVERNMENT FORTIS MONEY FORTIS ASSET
STOCK SECURITIES MARKET ALLOCATION
------------- -------------- ------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 26,467,526 $ 8,254,423 $ 2,881,782 $ 944,495
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (7,108,278) (1,819,718) (754,138) (6,446,486)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 34,160,134 378,287 317,058 5,833,283
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year 29,707,787 2,601,264 (332,026) 80,554,775
------------- -------------- ------------ --------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from 83,227,169 9,414,256 2,112,676 80,886,067
operations
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 8,096,970 29,320,325 56,925,744 38,225,062
Redemption of Variable Account units (83,484,018) (31,609,712) (41,411,119) (27,638,570)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative
charges 7,108,278 1,819,718 754,138 6,446,486
Funding of subaccount by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - - -
Redemption of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company investment
in subaccount - - - -
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - - -
------------- -------------- ------------ --------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions (68,278,770) (469,669) 16,268,763 17,032,978
Net assets at beginning of year 526,688,738 132,824,879 48,737,748 438,465,903
------------- -------------- ------------ --------------
Net assets at end of year $ 541,637,137 $ 141,769,466 $ 67,119,187 $ 536,384,948
============= ============== ============ ==============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORTIS FORTIS
DIVERSIFIED FORTIS GLOBAL AGGRESSIVE
INCOME GROWTH GROWTH
-------------- --------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 6,770,367 $ 295,915 $ 171,175
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (1,387,204) (3,706,532) (1,205,738)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 248,128 15,447,835 1,786,779
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year (806,741) 12,596,119 15,717,735
-------------- --------------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from 4,824,550 24,633,337 16,469,951
operations
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 11,808,123 5,585,488 6,778,089
Redemption of Variable Account units (9,454,092) (47,585,475) (13,235,104)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative
charges 1,387,204 3,706,532 1,205,738
Funding of subaccount by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - -
Redemption of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company investment
in subaccount - - -
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - -
-------------- --------------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 3,741,235 (38,293,455) (5,251,277)
Net assets at beginning of year 98,063,099 275,542,311 86,757,870
-------------- --------------- ------------
Net assets at end of year $ 106,628,884 $ 261,882,193 $ 97,976,544
============== =============== ============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
16
<PAGE> 147
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
Year ended December 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORTIS GLOBAL
FORTIS GROWTH FORTIS HIGH ASSET FORTIS GLOBAL
& INCOME YIELD ALLOCATION BOND
-------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 74,701 $ 5,211,819 $ 4,126,850 $ 963,909
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (3,367,889) (833,772) (659,482) (190,032)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 3,162,729 117,060 501,769 158,614
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year 26,107,816 (5,113,753) 3,060,304 1,473,210
-------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 25,977,357 (618,646) 7,029,441 2,405,701
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 34,565,822 17,120,211 9,260,170 6,259,719
Redemption of Variable Account units (12,370,869) (6,968,139) (3,266,333) (4,791,843)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative
charges 3,367,889 833,772 659,482 190,032
Funding of subaccount by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - - -
Redemption of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company investment in
subaccount - - - -
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - (265,877) (241,695)
-------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 25,562,842 10,985,844 6,387,442 1,416,213
Net assets at beginning of year 214,442,986 54,179,260 46,053,856 18,796,550
-------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net assets at end of year $ 265,983,185 $ 64,546,458 $ 59,470,739 $ 22,618,464
============== ============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORTIS
INTERNATIONAL FORTIS
STOCK FORTIS VALUE S & P 500
------------ ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 5,327,524 $ 1,608,314 $ 2,986,482
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (950,221) (871,723) (1,887,000)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 2,690,314 700,432 3,863,409
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year 2,473,473 2,820,051 29,200,375
------------ ------------ -------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 9,541,090 4,257,074 34,163,266
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 16,782,466 26,693,597 100,704,775
Redemption of Variable Account units (8,715,471) (5,550,357) (19,641,461)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative
charges 950,221 871,723 1,887,000
Funding of subaccount by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - -
Redemption of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company investment in
subaccount (4,534,143) (1,111,186) (6,137,363)
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - -
------------ ------------ -------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 4,483,073 20,903,777 76,812,951
Net assets at beginning of year 63,379,379 47,432,774 89,188,764
------------ ------------ -------------
Net assets at end of year $ 77,403,542 $ 72,593,625 $ 200,164,981
============ ============ =============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
17
<PAGE> 148
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
Year ended December 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORTIS BLUE FORTIS MID FORTIS LARGE FORTIS SMALL
CHIP STOCK CAP STOCK * CAP GROWTH * CAP VALUE *
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 2,429,183 $ 19,450 $ 3,827 $ 189,053
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (1,324,309) (22,225) (6,487) (41,502)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 368,440 (12,512) (8,719) (17,305)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year 23,595,863 545,643 2,263,168 58,284
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 25,069,177 530,356 2,251,789 188,530
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 57,253,131 6,896,405 8,728,546 10,421,155
Redemption of Variable Account units (2,538,109) (225,181) (226,237) (610,438)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges
1,324,309 22,225 6,487 41,502
Funding of subaccount by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - 4,150,000 4,150,000 4,150,000
Redemption of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company investment in
subaccount (182,209) - - -
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company (106,437) (6,889) (1,287) (52,166)
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 55,750,685 10,836,560 12,657,509 13,950,053
Net assets at beginning of year 65,094,254 - - -
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net assets at end of year $ 145,914,116 $ 11,366,916 $ 14,909,298 $ 14,138,583
============= ============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NORWEST NORWEST SMALL
NORWEST INTERMEDIATE COMPANY
VALUGROWTH BOND STOCK
------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 238,581 $ 1,098,033 $ 39,626
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (411,392) (207,725) (168,037)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 14,844 58,241 222,258
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year 5,752,937 (1,238,385) (2,310,701)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 5,594,970 (289,836) (2,216,854)
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 9,841,845 14,092,379 6,325,057
Redemption of Variable Account units (1,757,906) (1,034,235) (779,846)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges
411,392 207,725 168,037
Funding of subaccount by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - -
Redemption of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company investment in
subaccount - - (1,710,197)
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - -
------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 8,495,331 13,265,869 4,003,051
Net assets at beginning of year 21,661,424 9,180,606 11,506,028
------------ ------------ ------------
Net assets at end of year $ 35,751,725 $ 22,156,639 $ 13,292,225
============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
* For the period from May 1, 1998 to December 31, 1998.
See accompanying notes.
18
<PAGE> 149
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
Year ended December 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NORWEST AIM V.I.
INCOME SCUDDER AIM V.I. INTERNATIONAL
EQUITY INTERNATIONAL VALUE EQUITY
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 1,056,309 $ 896,543 $ 211,271 $ 12,369
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (888,643) (109,417) (18,617) (7,795)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 230,940 30,845 847 (627)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year 8,996,308 252,510 460,156 23,040
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 9,394,914 1,070,481 653,657 26,987
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 37,762,541 1,811,004 4,403,159 1,598,178
Redemption of Variable Account units (1,797,881) (788,697) (103,173) (58,597)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative
charges 888,643 109,417 18,617 7,795
Funding of subaccount by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - - -
Redemption of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company investment in
subaccount - - - -
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - - -
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 36,853,303 1,131,724 4,318,603 1,547,376
Net assets at beginning of year 39,808,806 6,184,726 - -
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net assets at end of year $ 86,057,023 $ 8,386,931 $ 4,972,260 $ 1,574,363
============ =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE ALLIANCE
MONEY ALLIANCE PREMIER
MARKET INTERNATIONAL GROWTH
------------- -------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 1,519,027 $ 275,640 $ 43,994
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (71,287) (9,699) (21,589)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments - 670,420 539,395
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year - (11,830) 1,207,289
------------- -------------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 1,447,740 924,531 1,769,089
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 275,790,809 112,885,826 44,398,125
Redemption of Variable Account units (267,800,970) (115,289,922) (39,496,646)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative
charges 71,287 9,699 21,589
Funding of subaccount by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - -
Redemption of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company investment in
subaccount - - -
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - -
------------- -------------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 8,061,126 (2,394,397) 4,923,068
Net assets at beginning of year 7,052,507 2,655,816 2,003,592
------------- -------------- ------------
Net assets at end of year $ 16,561,373 $ 1,185,950 $ 8,695,749
============= ============== ============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
19
<PAGE> 150
\
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
Year ended December 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FEDERATED U.S. FEDERATED
SAFECO SAFECO GOVERNMENT HIGH INCOME
GROWTH EQUITY SECURITIES II BOND FUND II
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 611,481 $ 107,105 $ 1,490 $ 145,006
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (23,023) (8,994) (3,497) (14,352)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (298,311) 106,229 38,761 102,512
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments during
the year 20,810 181,464 10,223 70,747
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 310,957 385,804 46,977 303,913
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 38,247,904 5,017,777 8,903,906 12,041,460
Redemption of Variable Account units (36,738,247) (4,563,051) (8,113,615) (11,229,632)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges 23,023 8,994 3,497 14,352
Funding of subaccount by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - - -
Redemption of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company investment in
subaccount - - - -
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - - -
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 1,532,680 463,720 793,788 826,180
Net assets at beginning of year 3,734,465 1,439,067 213,422 2,583,066
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
Net assets at end of year $ 5,578,102 $ 2,288,591 $ 1,054,187 $ 3,713,159
============ =========== =========== ============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LEXINGTON
FEDERATED NATURAL
FEDERATED AMERICAN RESOURCES
UTILITY II LEADERS II TRUST
---------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 17,235 $ 233,707 $ 43,384
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (3,159) (12,652) (3,193)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (30,623) 274,612 (119,305)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments during
the year 3,687 77,514 (105,350)
---------- ----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (12,860) 573,181 (184,464)
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 6,829,897 26,396,563 1,760,109
Redemption of Variable Account units (7,379,883) (28,510,268) (2,202,365)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges 3,159 12,652 3,193
Funding of subaccount by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - -
Redemption of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company investment in
subaccount - - -
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - -
---------- ----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions (546,827) (2,101,053) (439,063)
Net assets at beginning of year 1,650,178 3,193,445 1,156,327
---------- ----------- -----------
Net assets at end of year $1,090,491 $ 1,665,573 $ 532,800
========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
20
<PAGE> 151
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
Year ended December 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LEXINGTON MFS
EMERGING EMERGING MFS HIGH MFS WORLD
MARKETS GROWTH INCOME GOVERNMENT
----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 6,180 $ 14,899 $ 68,432 $ 1,291
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (496) (10,192) (4,620) (565)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (9,637) 533,200 (9,817) 3,733
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments during
the year (21,006) 819,762 (69,962) 1,201
----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (24,959) 1,357,669 (15,967) 5,660
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 1,654,144 29,085,014 5,754,624 1,429,924
Redemption of Variable Account units (2,210,494) (27,832,016) (2,913,514) (1,219,491)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges 496 10,192 4,620 565
Funding of subaccount by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - - -
Redemption of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company investment in
subaccount - - - -
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - - -
----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions (555,854) 1,263,190 2,845,730 210,998
Net assets at beginning of year 639,707 4,168,592 679,037 108,348
----------- ------------ ----------- -----------
Net assets at end of year $ 58,894 $ 6,789,451 $ 3,508,800 $ 325,006
=========== ============ =========== ===========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MONTGOMERY STRONG
EMERGING MONTGOMERY DISCOVERY
MARKETS GROWTH FUND II
----------- ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 1,019 $ 27,444 $ 28,115
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (2,277) (5,823) (2,038)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (251,784) 63,647 17,142
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments during
the year 12,116 (104,066) 17,556
----------- ------------ -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (240,926) (18,798) 60,775
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 3,568,166 958,991 8,735,012
Redemption of Variable Account units (3,677,901) (2,080,709) (8,549,511)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges 2,277 5,823 2,038
Funding of subaccount by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - -
Redemption of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company investment in
subaccount - - -
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - -
----------- ------------ -----------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions (107,458) (1,115,895) 187,539
Net assets at beginning of year 657,547 1,903,023 236,792
----------- ------------ -----------
Net assets at end of year $ 309,163 $ 768,330 $ 485,106
=========== ============ ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
21
<PAGE> 152
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
Year ended December 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMERICAN AMERICAN VAN ECK
STRONG CENTURY VP CENTURY WORLDWIDE
INTERNATIONAL II BALANCED VP GROWTH BOND FUND
---------------- ------------ ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 4,316 $ 97,253 $ 5,760 $ 7,031
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (1,711) (2,774) (2,218) (2,373)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 62,354 (77,370) 67,659 45,162
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year 9,766 86,667 32,986 5,746
------------- ------------ ------------ -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 74,725 103,776 104,187 55,566
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 11,439,550 3,176,516 22,191,371 3,619,169
Redemption of Variable Account units (11,526,224) (2,521,079) (22,309,476) (3,073,617)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges
1,711 2,774 2,218 2,373
Funding of subaccount by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - - -
Redemption of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company investment in
subaccount - - - -
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - - -
------------- ------------ ------------ -----------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions (84,963) 658,211 (115,887) 547,925
Net assets at beginning of year 330,805 566,623 141,757 278,607
------------- ------------ ------------ -----------
Net assets at end of year $ 320,567 $ 1,328,610 $ 130,057 $ 882,098
============= ============ ============ ===========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VAN ECK NEUBERGER &
WORLDWIDE BERMAN AMT NEUBERGER &
HARD ASSETS LIMITED BERMAN AMT
FUND MATURITY BOND PARTNERS
----------- ------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 146,361 $ 23,272 $ 123,635
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (3,044) (2,433) (4,346)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments (314,422) (4,949) (90,988)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year (47,362) 3,288 (45,410)
----------- ------------ -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (218,467) 19,178 (17,109)
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 4,113,612 1,490,835 1,326,782
Redemption of Variable Account units (4,849,914) (1,173,233) (1,051,703)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges
3,044 2,433 4,346
Funding of subaccount by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - -
Redemption of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company investment in
subaccount - - -
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - -
----------- ------------ -----------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions (733,258) 320,035 279,425
Net assets at beginning of year 1,323,208 336,187 590,553
----------- ------------ -----------
Net assets at end of year $ 371,483 $ 675,400 $ 852,869
=========== ============ ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
22
<PAGE> 153
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Statement of Changes in Net Assets (continued)
Year ended December 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INVESCO INVESCO COMBINED
HEALTH & INDUSTRIAL INVESCO VARIABLE
SCIENCES INCOME TECHNOLOGY ACCOUNT
------------ ------------ ----------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Dividend income $ 45,713 $ 25,527 $ 5,212 $ 75,909,596
Mortality and expense and administrative charges (4,325) (2,272) (2,193) (34,619,507)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments 83,990 (17,099) (30,307) 71,607,287
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
during the year 170,413 32,862 160,236 240,978,559
------------ ------------ ----------- ----------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations 295,791 39,018 132,948 353,875,395
CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS
Purchase of Variable Account units 5,191,549 1,055,446 4,726,295 1,169,049,337
Redemption of Variable Account units (3,777,233) (893,692) (3,791,287) (950,418,556)
Redemptions for mortality and expense and administrative charges
4,325 2,272 2,193 34,619,507
Funding of subaccount by Fortis Benefits Insurance Company - - - 12,450,000
Redemption of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company investment in
subaccount - - - (13,675,098)
Dividend income distribution to Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company - - - (674,351)
------------ ------------ ----------- ----------------
Net increase (decrease) from capital transactions 1,418,641 164,026 937,201 251,350,839
Net assets at beginning of year 153,663 337,492 168,898 2,332,292,685
------------ ------------ ----------- ----------------
Net assets at end of year $ 1,868,095 $ 540,536 $ 1,239,047 $ 2,937,518,919
============ ============ =========== ================
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
23
<PAGE> 154
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 1999
1. GENERAL
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
Variable Account D (the "Account") was established as a segregated asset account
of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company ("Fortis Benefits") on October 14, 1987
under Minnesota law. The Account is registered under the Investment Company Act
of 1940 as a unit investment trust. The variable annuity contracts are sold
under the names of EmPower Variable Annuity, Opportunity Variable Annuity, Wells
Fargo Passage Variable Annuity (formerly known as Norwest Passage Variable
Annuity), Masters Variable Annuity, Value Advantage Plus Variable Annuity and
Income Preferred Variable Annuity and Federated Triple Crown Variable Annuity.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The assets of the Account are segregated from Fortis Benefits' other assets. The
operations of the Account are part of Fortis Benefits. The following is a
summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Account
in the preparation of its financial statements.
INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Capital gain distributions from subaccounts are recorded on the ex-dividend date
and reinvested upon receipt.
INVESTMENT INCOME
Dividend income distributions from subaccounts are recorded on the ex-dividend
date and reinvested upon receipt.
24
<PAGE> 155
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of net assets at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of net increase and decrease
in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could
differ from these estimates.
3. INVESTMENTS
There were 61 subaccounts within the Account. Investment in shares of the Fortis
Series Fund, Inc. (the "Series") subaccounts are stated at market value, which
is based on the percentage owned by the Account of the net asset value for the
respective portfolios of these Series. The Series' net asset value is based on
market quotations of the securities held in the portfolio. Investments in the
other subaccounts are valued at the net asset (market) value per share at the
close of business on December 31, as reported by the respective mutual fund.
On September 20, 1999, the Norwest Series Funds changed its name to the Wells
Fargo Variable Trust. As a result of the change from Norwest to Wells Fargo, the
following funds changed names: The Norwest Select Income Equity Fund changed to
Wells Fargo Variable Trust Equity Income Fund, the Norwest Select Valugrowth
Fund changed to Wells Fargo Variable Trust Large Company Growth Fund, the
Norwest Income Fund changed to the Wells Fargo Variable Trust Corporate Bond
Fund, and the Norwest Select Small Company Stock Fund changed to the Wells Fargo
Variable Trust Small Cap Stock Fund.
The cost of investments sold and redeemed is determined on the average cost
method. Unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments represents the
Account's share of the subaccounts' undistributed net investment income,
undistributed realized gains or losses and unrealized appreciation or
depreciation.
25
<PAGE> 156
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
Purchases and sales of shares of the Fund are recorded on the trade date. The
number of shares and aggregate cost of purchases, including reinvested dividends
and realized capital gains, and aggregate cost of investments sold or redeemed
were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
----------------------------------------------------------
SHARES COST OF COST OF SALES/
PURCHASED SOLD PURCHASES REDEMPTIONS
--------- ---- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fortis Series Fund, Inc.:
Growth Stock 4,978,132 2,488,571 $161,442,240 $ 60,051,825
U.S. Government Securities 1,916,594 2,147,519 19,930,332 23,141,836
Money Market 9,210,743 5,738,592 103,104,140 63,850,738
Asset Allocation 4,015,172 2,762,388 82,165,249 43,092,189
Diversified Income 1,206,078 1,555,645 13,354,668 18,287,745
Global Growth 770,088 2,667,719 20,141,023 38,663,127
Aggressive Growth 1,237,296 784,771 28,632,229 10,639,902
Growth & Income 1,147,912 1,657,035 23,472,414 24,762,684
High Yield 1,396,065 1,176,380 13,088,327 11,968,830
Global Asset Allocation 730,517 535,027 10,234,446 6,996,772
Global Bond 728,969 425,728 8,090,103 4,981,315
International Stock 1,543,903 815,081 24,396,424 10,609,129
Value 449,284 605,528 6,823,332 7,895,168
S & P 500 6,179,339 2,022,842 125,545,450 38,403,086
Blue Chip Stock 2,679,741 277,993 52,655,703 4,405,532
Mid Cap Stock 891,979 125,899 8,528,073 1,140,982
Large Cap Growth 3,491,409 50,255 47,009,337 703,566
Small Cap Value 1,921,850 222,974 19,193,803 2,225,383
Wells Fargo Variable Trust:
Large Cap 467,130 240,704 17,880,099 3,039,944
Corporate Bond 1,120,765 230,185 13,560,810 2,673,496
Small Cap Stock 122,610 269,659 1,382,121 3,442,322
Income Equity 2,148,439 203,437 38,111,023 2,903,009
Growth 2,183 - 56,266 1
Equity Value 10,708 - 100,121 -
Asset Allocation 75,891 302 1,191,046 4,188
Scudder Variable Life Investment Fund:
International 14,987 101,879 1,051,785 1,344,120
AIM Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.:
V.I. Value Fund 563,265 9,554 16,886,126 251,080
V.I. International Equity 121,509 9,905 2,806,228 199,314
</TABLE>
26
<PAGE> 157
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
----------------------------------------------------------
SHARES COST OF COST OF SALES/
PURCHASED SOLD PURCHASES REDEMPTIONS
--------- ---- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Variable Product Series:
Money Market 200,370,409 201,747,571 $201,349,414 $201,747,571
International 3,557,215 3,535,060 61,457,460 60,791,954
Premier Growth 385,714 459,541 13,323,209 13,954,163
SAFECO Resource Series:
Growth 243,582 321,802 5,005,304 7,128,837
Equity 88,378 61,277 2,905,724 1,784,602
Federated Insurance Series:
U.S. Government Securities II 610,469 256,608 6,530,790 2,759,786
High Income Bond Fund II 2,064,857 1,597,032 21,900,547 16,837,452
American Leaders II 3,837,639 2,066,898 81,174,935 44,003,183
Equity Income 1,474,209 2,456 22,103,728 36,380
Growth Strategies 798,642 6,531 18,226,511 137,022
International Equity II 374,118 439 6,933,636 7,065
Utility II 548,821 163,128 7,914,617 2,358,588
Money II 8,313,351 7,080,345 8,358,067 7,080,345
Strategic Income II 58,160 138 586,922 1,353
Small Cap II 85,863 36 1,018,966 427
Lexington Funds, Inc.:
Natural Resources Trust 170,459 145,816 2,161,210 1,904,504
Emerging Markets 135,638 14,322 135,773 105,456
MFS Variable Insurance Trust:
Emerging Growth 249,835 301,231 14,159,112 6,393,261
High Income 455,613 466,550 10,179,495 5,448,479
World Government 67,910 96,403 719,554 1,015,419
Montgomery Variable Funds:
Emerging Markets 2,441,174 2,392,615 20,357,660 19,699,007
Growth 235,480 260,002 3,992,065 4,284,459
Strong Variable Insurance Funds:
Discovery II 150,502 167,330 1,533,197 1,782,195
International II 1,729,393 1,600,904 17,406,027 15,417,494
American Century Investments:
VP Balanced 90,380 88,096 917,761 688,763
VP Capital Appreciation 141,050 105,438 1,507,118 1,023,707
</TABLE>
27
<PAGE> 158
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999
----------------------------------------------------------
SHARES COST OF COST OF SALES/
PURCHASED SOLD PURCHASES REDEMPTIONS
--------- ---- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust:
Worldwide Bond Fund 96,979 142,677 $ 1,082,718 $ 1,641,454
Worldwide Hard Assets Fund 523,306 479,248 5,500,799 5,177,805
Neuberger & Berman, Inc.:
AMT Limited Maturity Bond 43,964 54,339 612,422 734,378
AMT Partners 30,511 44,921 619,752 878,676
INVESCO, Inc.:
Health & Sciences 289,246 284,870 4,370,749 4,180,502
Industrial Income 81,284 69,977 1,644,642 1,344,227
Technology 1,106,916 850,184 24,971,634 16,312,491
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
----------------------------------------------------------
SHARES COST OF COST OF SALES/
PURCHASED SOLD PURCHASES REDEMPTIONS
--------- ---- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Fortis Series Fund, Inc.:
Growth Stock 1,004,034 2,196,640 $ 34,564,496 $ 49,323,884
U.S. Government Securities 3,437,980 2,901,372 37,574,748 31,231,425
Money Market 5,363,997 3,716,023 59,807,526 41,094,061
Asset Allocation 2,001,168 1,458,017 39,169,557 21,805,287
Diversified Income 1,549,018 782,457 18,578,490 9,205,964
Global Growth 285,660 2,261,137 5,881,403 32,137,640
Aggressive Growth 487,885 901,804 6,949,264 11,448,325
Growth & Income 1,726,589 629,713 34,640,523 9,208,139
High Yield 2,152,596 667,421 22,332,030 6,851,079
Global Asset Allocation 936,706 250,285 13,387,020 3,303,440
Global Bond 631,500 440,320 7,223,628 4,874,924
International Stock 1,503,232 902,541 22,109,990 10,559,299
Value 1,993,402 477,833 28,301,911 5,961,110
S & P 500 6,188,109 1,534,358 103,691,257 21,915,415
Blue Chip Stock 3,595,998 155,356 59,682,314 2,458,315
Mid Cap Stock 1,205,928 26,346 11,055,855 244,582
Large Cap Growth 1,260,680 22,820 12,882,373 236,243
Small Cap Value 1,598,441 74,837 14,760,208 679,909
Norwest Select Fund:
ValuGrowth 660,500 120,742 10,080,966 1,743,062
Intermediate Bond 1,183,655 82,025 15,190,412 975,994
</TABLE>
28
<PAGE> 159
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
----------------------------------------------------------
SHARES COST OF COST OF SALES/
PURCHASED SOLD PURCHASES REDEMPTIONS
--------- ---- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Norwest Select Fund (continued):
Small Company Stock 517,603 197,617 $ 6,364,683 $ 2,267,785
Income Equity 2,588,219 119,655 38,818,850 1,566,941
Scudder Variable Life Investment Fund:
International 195,728 58,024 2,707,547 757,852
AIM Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.:
V.I. Value Fund 193,718 4,299 4,614,430 102,326
V.I. International Equity 83,290 3,047 1,610,547 59,224
Alliance Variable Product Series:
Money Market 277,309,836 267,800,970 277,309,836 267,800,970
International 6,931,865 7,035,341 113,161,466 114,619,502
Premier Growth 1,715,690 1,530,908 44,442,119 38,957,251
SAFECO Resource Series:
Growth 1,515,642 1,412,953 38,859,385 37,036,558
Equity 184,338 165,126 5,124,882 4,456,822
Federated Insurance Series:
U.S. Government Securities II 820,671 746,374 8,905,396 8,074,854
High Income Bond Fund II 1,126,285 1,022,148 12,186,466 11,127,120
Utility II 1,122,568 523,631 6,847,132 7,410,506
American Leaders II 1,344,922 1,430,779 26,630,270 28,235,656
Lexington Funds, Inc.:
Natural Resources Trust 126,536 155,785 1,803,493 2,321,670
Emerging Markets 200,566 261,939 1,660,324 2,220,131
MFS Variable Insurance Trust:
Emerging Growth 1,634,214 1,576,261 29,099,913 27,298,816
High Income 494,434 245,098 5,823,056 2,923,331
World Government 135,626 116,366 1,431,215 1,215,758
Montgomery Variable Funds:
Emerging Markets 454,651 469,946 3,569,185 3,929,685
Growth 63,835 140,023 986,435 2,017,062
Strong Variable Insurance Funds:
Discovery II 675,218 656,764 8,763,127 8,532,369
International II 1,257,834 1,256,817 11,443,866 11,463,870
American Century Investments:
VP Balanced 407,610 317,069 3,273,769 2,598,449
VP Growth 2,372,711 2,372,936 22,197,131 22,241,817
</TABLE>
29
<PAGE> 160
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
3. INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
----------------------------------------------------------
SHARES COST OF COST OF SALES/
PURCHASED SOLD PURCHASES REDEMPTIONS
--------- ---- --------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust:
Worldwide Bond Fund 305,599 259,118 $ 3,626,200 $ 3,028,455
Worldwide Hard Assets Fund 328,539 372,387 4,259,973 5,164,336
Neuberger & Berman, Inc.:
AMT Limited Maturity Bond 110,676 85,614 1,514,107 1,178,182
AMT Partners 73,345 56,959 1,450,417 1,142,691
INVESCO, Inc.:
Health & Sciences 396,457 288,098 5,237,262 3,693,243
Industrial Income 59,410 50,171 1,080,973 910,791
Technology 377,427 305,735 4,731,507 3,821,594
</TABLE>
Fortis Benefits' investment in the subaccounts represented the following number
of shares of the Funds held and aggregate cost of amounts invested at December
31, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COST OF
SHARES SHARES
------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Fortis Series Fund, Inc.:
Global Asset Allocation 299,219 $3,216,120
Global Bond 518,523 5,286,998
Blue Chip Stock 342,151 3,533,258
Mid Cap Stock 415,029 4,149,737
Large Cap Growth 415,274 4,183,997
Small Cap Value 415,310 4,142,723
</TABLE>
30
<PAGE> 161
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
4. ACCOUNT CHARGES
ADMINISTRATION CHARGE
A $35 annual contract administrative charge is deducted each contract year from
the value of each Opportunity Variable Annuity and Masters Variable Annuity and
$30 for each EmPower Variable Annuity, Wells Fargo Passage Variable Annuity and
Value Advantage Plus Variable Annuity on each anniversary of the contract date
and upon total surrender of the contract. This charge will be waived during the
accumulation period if the contract value at the end of the contract year (or
upon total surrender) is $25,000 or more for the Opportunity Variable Annuity,
Masters Variable Annuity and Wells Fargo Passage Variable Annuity and $100,000
for the EmPower Variable Annuity.
In addition, Fortis Benefits assesses each subaccount of the Opportunity
Variable Annuity, Masters Variable Annuity, Income Preferred Variable Annuity
and Federated Triple Crown Variable Annuity, a daily charge for administrative
expense at annual rate of 0.10% of the net assets. For the EmPower Variable
Annuity and Wells Fargo Passage Variable Annuity, the daily charge is assessed
at an annual rate of 0.15%.
MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE
Fortis Benefits assesses each subaccount of the Opportunity Variable Annuity,
Masters Variable Annuity and Wells Fargo Passage Variable Annuity a daily charge
for mortality and expense risk at an annual rate of 1.25% of the net assets. For
the EmPower Variable Annuity, the daily charge is assessed at an annual rate of
1.10%. For the Income Preferred Variable Annuity, the daily charge is assessed
at an annual rate of 1.85%. For the Value Advantage Plus Variable Annuity, the
mortality and expense risk charge is assessed at an annual rate of 0.45%. For
the Federated Triple Crown Variable Annuity, the mortality and expense risk
charge for contract owners less than 61 years old is 1.10%, and for contract
owners 61 years or older is 1.30%.
31
<PAGE> 162
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
4. ACCOUNT CHARGES (CONTINUED)
INVESTMENT RISK CHARGE
Fortis Benefits bears an investment risk associated with the Income Preferred
Variable Annuity in relation to the Guaranteed Payout Plan Benefit. With this
benefit Fortis bears the risk that investment performance is insufficient to
cover the guarantee of the return of purchase payment. Fortis assesses a daily
charge at an annual rate of .35% for this risk.
5. SURRENDER AND PREMIUM TAX CHARGES
FREE SURRENDERS
The following amounts can be withdrawn from the contract without a surrender
charge:
- Any purchase payments received more than five years prior to the
surrender date for Opportunity Variable Annuity and the Wells Fargo
Passage Variable Annuity, seven years for Masters Variable Annuity and
the Federated Triple Crown Variable Annuity, and nine years for Income
Preferred Variable Annuity and have not been previously surrendered.
- In any contract year, up to 10% of the purchase payments received less
than five years prior to the surrender date for Opportunity Variable
Annuity and Wells Fargo Passage Variable Annuity, seven years prior to
the surrender date for Masters Variable Annuity and the Federated
Triple Crown Variable Annuity, and nine years prior to the surrender
date for Income Preferred Variable Annuity
- For Masters Variable Annuity, Wells Fargo Passage Variable Annuity and
Federated Triple Crown Variable Annuity, any earnings that have not
been previously surrendered.
- For EmPower Variable Annuity and Value Advantage Plus Variable
Annuity, there is no surrender charge.
32
<PAGE> 163
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
5. SURRENDER AND PREMIUM TAX CHARGES (CONTINUED)
AMOUNT OF SURRENDER CHARGE
Surrender charges apply only if the amount being withdrawn exceeds the sum of
the amounts listed above under Free Surrenders. The surrender charge is based on
a percentage of the amount of purchase payments surrendered. The percentage of
payments is set at 5% during the first five years on the Opportunity Variable
Annuity and Wells Fargo Passage Variable Annuity contracts with a sliding scale
down to zero by the end of the fifth year. The percentage is set at 7% during
the first seven years of the Masters Variable Annuity contracts, with a sliding
scale down to zero by the end of the seventh year. The percentage is set at 8%
during the first nine years of the Income Preferred Variable Annuity contracts,
with a sliding scale down to zero by the end of the ninth year.
PREMIUM TAXES
Where premium taxes or similar assessments are imposed by states or other
jurisdictions upon receipt of purchase payments, Fortis Benefits pays such taxes
on behalf of the contract owner and will deduct a charge for these amounts from
the contract value upon surrender, death of the annuitant or contract owner, or
annuitization of the contract. In jurisdictions where premium taxes or similar
assessments are imposed at the time annuity payments begin, Fortis Benefits will
deduct a charge on a pro rata basis from the contract value at that time.
Surrender and premium tax charges are included in redemptions and are paid
directly to Fortis Benefits. The surrender and premium tax charges collected by
Fortis Benefits were $6,252,617 and $4,332,105 in 1999 and 1998, respectively.
6. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
The operations of the Account form part of, and are taxed with, the operations
of Fortis Benefits, which is taxed as a life insurance company under the
Internal Revenue Code. As a result, the net asset value of the subaccounts are
not affected by income taxes on income distributions received by the
subaccounts.
33
<PAGE> 164
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
Variable Account D
Notes to Financial Statements (continued)
7. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Fortis Advisers, Inc. (Fortis Advisers), an affiliate of Fortis Benefits,
provides investment management services to Fortis Series Fund, Inc. in exchange
for investment advisory and management fees. Investment advisory and management
fees are based on each portfolio's daily net assets and decrease through reduced
percentages as average daily net assets increase. The fees represent an
investment expense to Fortis Series Fund, Inc. which reduces the portfolios' net
assets. The fees charged by Fortis Advisers are not available on an individual
variable account basis. Fees for all variable accounts to which Fortis Advisers
provided investment management services amounted to $21,779,394 and $17,790,513
in 1999 and 1998, respectively.
8. YEAR 2000 (UNAUDITED)
The Account has no computer systems of its own and is, therefore, dependent upon
the systems of its affiliates, including Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
(Fortis Benefits), Fortis Advisers (Advisers) and certain other third parties.
Fortis Benefits and Advisers utilize Fortis Inc. (Fortis) to process their
businesses. Fortis created a Year 2000 Project which was dedicated to ensuring
that all systems for Fortis and subsidiaries and affiliates were Year 2000
ready. The estimated total cost of Fortis Year 2000 Project was approximately
$85 million. There were no costs allocated to the Account, as amounts are only
allocated to the affiliated companies.
As of December 20, 1999, 100% of the Mission Critical and non-Mission Critical
computer system lines of code that had been identified were renovated and tested
and were Year 2000 ready. Although there have been several matters, as of the
date of this publication, no significant disruptions resulting from the century
date change have been detected in any of its Mission Critical systems. Fortis
will continue to monitor the status of and respond to any potential Year 2000
issue.
34
<PAGE> 165
APPENDIX A
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
In advertising and other sales material for the Contracts, yield and total
return information for the Subaccounts of the Separate Account may be included.
The information below provides investment results for the indicated Subaccounts
of the Separate Account. The results shown in this section are not an estimate
or guarantee of future investment performance, and do not represent the actual
experience of amounts invested by a particular Participant.
YIELD CALCULATIONS
Yield information for the Money Market Subaccount will be based on the seven
days ended on a specified date. It will be computed by determining the net
change, exclusive of capital changes, in the value of a hypothetical
pre-existing account (after the deduction of all asset based charges) having a
balance of one Accumulation Unit at the beginning of the period, subtracting a
proportionate amount of the annual administrative charge (based on average
Contract size), and dividing the difference by the value of the account at the
beginning of the base period to obtain the base period return, and multiplying
the base period return by (365/7), with the resulting yield figure carried to
the nearest hundredth of one percent. The seven day yield for the Money Market
Subaccount as of December 31, 1999 was 4.34%.
An effective yield may also be quoted for the Money Market Subaccount. Effective
yield is calculated by compounding the current yield as follows:
365/7
Effective Yield = [(Base Period Return + 1) ] - 1
The seven day effective yield for the Money Market Subaccount as of December 31,
1999 was 4.71%.
Yield information for the other Subaccounts will be based on the thirty days
ended on a specified date and carried to the nearest hundredth of a percent,
according to the following formula:
a - b 6
2 [ ( ----- +1 ) -1 ]
cd
Where: a = net investment income earned during the period by the Portfolio
whose shares are owned by the Subaccount.
b = expenses accrued for the period, including a proportionate amount
of the annual administrative charge (based on average Contract
size),
c = the average daily number of Accumulation Units outstanding during
the period, and
d = the offering price per Accumulation Unit at the end of the last
day of the period.
The following table sets forth yield figures for the thirty days ended December
31, 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUBACCOUNT YIELD
---------- -----
<S> <C>
U.S. Government Securities............................ 5.87%
Diversified Income.................................... 7.13%
High Yield............................................ 9.38%
Multisector Bond...................................... 4.06%
</TABLE>
A-1
<PAGE> 166
TOTAL RETURN CALCULATIONS
Total return information will be given for the one year and five year periods
ended on a specific date, provided that, if the registration statement has been
effective for a Subaccount only during a shorter period, then such shorter
period will be used.
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
Total average annual compounded rates of return for each period will be computed
to the nearest one hundredth of a percent, according to the following formula:
P(1 + T)n = CSV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial purchase payment of $1000,
T = average annual total return,
n = number of years, and
CSV = end of period Cash Surrender Value of hypothetical $1,000
purchase payment made at the beginning of the period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Subaccount One Year Period Five Year Period Ten Year Period Commencement to
Ended Dec 31, 1999 Ended Dec 31, 1999 Ended Dec 31, 1999 Dec 31, 1999
- ------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Growth Stock 49.60% 22.06% 14.91% 17.47%
U.S. Government Securities -6.75% 2.78% 2.71% 3.42%
Diversified Income -6.46% 2.71% 3.50% 4.18%
Asset Allocation 14.45% 15.30% 10.85% 12.67%
Global Growth 52.07% 20.59% N/A 15.32%
High Yield -3.69% 3.35% N/A 1.77%
Growth & Income 5.72% 16.93% N/A 14.94%
Aggressive Growth 102.96% 25.88% N/A 22.04%
Global Asset Allocation -5.70% 7.57% N/A 7.57%
Multisector Bond -12.27% 0.67% N/A 0.67%
International Stock 18.83% 12.43% N/A 12.43%
Value 4.00% N/A N/A 11.32%
S & P 500 15.23% N/A N/A 22.62%
Blue Chip 14.78% N/A N/A 21.64%
Mid Cap Stock 5.99% N/A N/A 1.12%
Large Cap Growth 22.01% N/A N/A 24.42%
Small Cap Value 10.28% N/A N/A 1.83%
</TABLE>
A-2
<PAGE> 167
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Total cumulative rates of return for each period will be computed to the nearest
one hundredth of a percent, according to the following formula:
CTR = CSV - P 100
-------
P
Where: P = a hypothetical initial purchase payment of $1,000,
CTR = cumulative total return, and
CSV = end of period Cash Surrender Value of hypothetical $1,000 purchase payment
made at the beginning of the period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Subaccount One Year Period Five Year Period Ten Year Period Commencement to
Ended Dec 31, 1999 Ended Dec 31, 1999 Ended Dec 31, 1999 Dec 31, 1999
- ------------------------------------ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Growth Stock 49.60% 170.96% 301.30% 457.50%
U.S. Government Securities -6.75% 14.68% 30.70% 43.23%
Diversified Income -6.46% 14.29% 41.04% 61.30%
Asset Allocation 14.45% 103.76% 180.10% 257.30%
Global Growth 52.07% 154.98% N/A 198.43%
High Yield -3.69% 17.91% N/A 10.49%
Growth & Income 5.72% 118.62% N/A 120.25%
Aggressive Growth 102.96% 216.11% N/A 209.30%
Global Asset Allocation -5.70% 44.40% N/A 44.40%
Multisector Bond -12.27% 3.42% N/A 342.00%
International Stock 18.83% 79.61% N/A 79.61%
Value 4.00% N/A N/A 48.25%
S & P 500 15.23% N/A N/A 111.39%
Blue Chip 14.78% N/A N/A 105.21%
Mid Cap Stock 5.99% N/A N/A 1.88%
Large Cap Growth 22.01% N/A N/A 44.04%
Small Cap Value 10.28% N/A N/A 3.08%
</TABLE>
Yield figures do not reflect any surrender charge, and yield and total return
figures do not reflect any premium tax charge. Yield and total return figures do
reflect the reimbursement of certain Fortis Series expenses. Current Fixed
Account effective annual rates of interest may also be quoted in advertising and
other sales materials, and these rates do not reflect any deductions or charges.
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>
PORTFOLIO NAME RATING SERVICE CATEGORY
- -------------- -------------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
International Stock Morningstar Publications, Inc. Foreign Stock
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. International Fund
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service International Stock
</TABLE>
A-3
<PAGE> 168
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PORTFOLIO NAME RATING SERVICE CATEGORY
- -------------- -------------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Global Growth Morningstar Publications, Inc. World Stock
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Global Fund
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service International Stock
Global Asset Morningstar Publications, Inc. International Hybrid
Allocation Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Global Flexible Portfolio
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service Balanced/International
Aggressive Growth Morningstar Publications, Inc. Small Growth
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Small Cap Fund
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service Aggressive Growth
Small Cap Value Morningstar Publications, Inc. Small Value
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Small Cap Fund
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service Small Company Funds
Growth Stock Morningstar Publications, Inc. Mid Cap Growth
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Mid Cap Fund
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service Growth
Mid Cap Stock Morningstar Publications, Inc. Mid Cap Blend
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Mid Cap Fund
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service All Equity Funds
Large Cap Growth Morningstar Publications, Inc. Large Blend
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Growth Fund
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service Growth
Blue Chip Stock Morningstar Publications, Inc. Large Blend
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Growth Fund
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service Growth
S&P 500 Index Morningstar Publications, Inc. Large Blend
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Index Fund
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service Growth and Income Funds
Growth & Income Morningstar Publications, Inc. Mid Cap Blend
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Growth & Income
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service Growth and Income
Value Subaccount Morningstar Publications, Inc. Large Blend
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Growth & Income
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service Equity-Income
Asset Allocation Morningstar Publications, Inc. Domestic Hybrid
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Flexible Portfolio
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service Balanced
Multisector Bond Morningstar Publications, Inc. International Bond
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Global Income
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service International Bonds
High Yield Morningstar Publications, Inc. High Yield Bond
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. High Current Yield
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service Corporate Bond High Yield
Diversified Income Morningstar Publications, Inc. Intermediate-Term Bond
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Corp Debt BBB Rated
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service Corporate Bond General Funds
</TABLE>
A-4
<PAGE> 169
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PORTFOLIO NAME RATING SERVICE CATEGORY
- -------------- -------------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
U.S. Government Morningstar Publications, Inc. Intermediate Government
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Intermediate U.S. Govt.
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service Government Bond General Funds
Money Market Morningstar Publications, Inc. Money Market
Subaccount Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. Money Market
Variable Annuity Research & Data Service Money Market
</TABLE>
A-5
<PAGE> 170
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
MAY 1, 2000
PROFILE This Profile is a summary of
some of the more important points that you should consider and
know before purchasing the MASTERS+ ANNUITY. This annuity is
more fully described in the prospectus which accompanies this
Profile. Please read the prospectus carefully.
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
1. THE ANNUITY CONTRACT
</TABLE>
Masters + Variable Annuity is a contract between you and Fortis Benefits
Insurance Company. It is designed to help you accumulate assets for your
retirement and other long term financial goals on a tax deferred basis.
Masters + offers you a diverse selection of money managers and investment
options. You may divide your money among the 18 investment portfolios of the
Fortis Series Fund and ten fixed account options of Fortis Benefits.
The investment portfolios offer professionally managed investment options
with goals ranging from capital preservation to aggressive growth. Your
choices are found on the next page. These portfolios are designed to provide
you with better potential return than the fixed accounts. Your investment,
however, is not guaranteed. The value of your Masters + contract can
fluctuate up or down based on your choices and you may experience a loss.
Masters + does provide you with a death benefit that protects your
beneficiaries from such loss.
The fixed accounts provide guaranteed interest rates set by Fortis Benefits
for periods from one to ten years. When you invest in these guarantee
periods, and leave the money in the contract until the end of the period,
your investment and the interest rates are guaranteed. If you make any
transfers or withdrawals of your investment before the end of the selected
period, your contract value may increase or decrease depending on interest
rate changes.
Like most annuities, this contract has two phases: the accumulation phase
and the income phase. During the accumulation phase, you invest money in
your contract. Your contract value is based on your investment choices. You
may withdraw money from your contract. However, as with most other
tax-deferred investments, you will pay taxes on earnings and untaxed
contributions when you withdraw them. You may also be subject to an IRS tax
penalty if you make withdrawals before age 59 1/2.
During the income phase, you can elect to receive regular payments from your
contract. Depending on your choice, these payments can be fixed in dollar
amount or can vary with investment performance. The amount of these income
payments also are determined by the amount you are able to accumulate during
the accumulation phase of your contract.
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
2. ANNUITY INCOME OPTIONS
(THE INCOME PHASE)
</TABLE>
You may select one of four annuity income options:
(1) monthly payments during your lifetime;
(2) monthly payments during your lifetime, but with payments continuing
to your beneficiary for a period from 10 to 20 years (as you
select) if you die before the end of the selected period;
(3) monthly payments during your lifetime and the lifetime of another
person you select; and
(4) monthly payments during your lifetime and the lifetime of another
person, with the payments being reduced by 1/2 when one of you
dies.
At the start of the income phase, you can choose to have the payments come
from the fixed account, the investment portfolios, or both. The dollar
amount of your payments coming from the fixed account will be fixed. The
payments from the investment portfolios you select will go up or down
depending on their performance. Once payments begin, you cannot change your
annuity option.
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
3. PURCHASING A MASTERS + VARIABLE ANNUITY
CONTRACT
</TABLE>
You can buy this contract through your registered representative who can
help you complete the proper forms. The minimum initial investment is $5,000
for non-qualified and $2,000 for qualified investments. You can make
additional contributions of at least $50 at any time during the accumulation
period. The minimum investment may be smaller for certain employer sponsored
plans.
[FORTIS(SM) LOGO]
<PAGE> 171
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
4. INVESTMENT OPTIONS
</TABLE>
You can invest your money in any of the following investment portfolios
which are described in the fund prospectus:
INTERNATIONAL STOCK
MFS - Global Equity
Fortis - Global Growth
Lazard - International Stock
Morgan Stanley - Global Asset Allocation
DOMESTIC STOCK
SMALL CAP Fortis - Aggressive Growth
Berger - Small Cap Value
MID CAP Fortis - Growth Stock
Dreyfus - Mid Cap Stock
LARGE CAP Alliance - Large Cap Growth
MFS - Investors Growth
AIM - Blue Chip Stock
MFS - Capital Opportunities
T. Rowe Price - Blue Chip Stock
Dreyfus - S & P 500 Index
Federated - American Leaders
Fortis - Value
Fortis - Growth & Income
Fortis - Asset Allocation
DOMESTIC BONDS
Fortis - High Yield
AIM - Multisector Bond
Fortis - Diversified Income
Fortis - U.S. Government Securities
CASH Fortis - Money Market
You may also choose to invest in the guaranteed fixed account. You can
choose among guarantee periods ranging from one to ten years, each with its
own interest rate. Once set, the rate will not change during the selected
period. These accounts (except for the one year period) have a feature known
as a market value adjustment (MVA). This means that if you transfer,
withdraw or begin an income phase from one of these accounts before the end
of the selected period, your contract value will be adjusted up or down
depending on current interest rates.
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
5. EXPENSES
</TABLE>
We deduct insurance charges equal to 1.35% annually of the average daily
value of your contract in the investment portfolios. As with other
professionally managed investments, there are also investment charges on
money in the investment portfolios, estimated to range from 0.35% to 1.25%.
If you decide to cancel your contract or take money out in excess of the
annual free withdrawal amount, there may be a withdrawal charge of a
percentage of your investment. The annual free withdrawal amount is 10% of
payments made plus any earnings. The withdrawal charge percentage declines
with each year the payment is in the contract as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
-----------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8+
-----------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
WITHDRAWAL
CHARGE 7% 7% 6% 6% 5% 3% 1% 0%
-----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
In a limited number of states, you may also be assessed a state premium tax
charge of up to 4%, depending upon the state. In these states, this tax will
be deducted when you cancel the contract, begin the income phase, or if a
death benefit is paid. In many states, there is no tax at all.
The following chart is designed to help you understand the expenses in your
contract. The column labeled "Total Annual Expenses" includes the total of
1.35% insurance charges and the investment management expenses for each
portfolio. The right side of the chart shows you two examples of the
expenses, in dollars, you could pay under the contract. The examples
illustrate the average cost per $1,000 invested, earning 5% annually and
withdrawals: (1) at the end of one year, and (2) at the end of ten years. In
the first example, the total annual expenses are assessed along with the
withdrawal charges. In the second example, the total annual expenses for the
ten years are shown but there is no withdrawal charge assessed. The premium
tax is assumed to be 0% for both examples. Please see the prospectus for
more complete examples.
<PAGE> 172
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL ANNUAL TOTAL ANNUAL TOTAL
INSURANCE INVESTMENT ANNUAL
PORTFOLIO EXPENSES EXPENSES EXPENSES EXAMPLES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M&E&A 1 YEAR 10 YEARS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INTERNATIONAL STOCK
MFS-Global Equity......................... 1.35% 1.35% 2.70% $90 $300
Fortis-Global Growth...................... 1.35% 0.77% 2.12% $84 $242
Lazard-International Stock................ 1.35% 0.94% 2.29% $86 $259
Morgan Stanley-Global Asset Allocation.... 1.35% 1.02% 2.37% $87 $267
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOMESTIC STOCK
SMALL CAP
Fortis - Aggressive Growth................ 1.35% 0.72% 2.07% $84 $237
Berger - Small Cap Value.................. 1.35% 1.04% 2.39% $87 $269
MID CAP
Fortis - Growth Stock..................... 1.35% 0.66% 2.01% $83 $230
Dreyfus - Mid Cap Stock................... 1.35% 1.18% 2.53% $88 $283
LARGE CAP
Alliance - Large Cap Growth............... 1.35% 0.97% 2.32% $86 $262
MFS - Investors Growth.................... 1.35% 1.25% 2.60% $89 $290
AIM - Blue Chip Stock..................... 1.35% 1.30% 2.65% $90 $295
MFS - Capital Opportunities............... 1.35% 1.25% 2.60% $89 $290
T. Rowe Price-Blue Chip Stock............. 1.35% 0.92% 2.27% $86 $257
Dreyfus - S&P 500 Index................... 1.35% 0.46% 1.81% $81 $209
Federated - American Leaders.............. 1.35% 1.25% 2.60% $89 $290
Fortis - Value............................ 1.35% 0.78% 2.13% $84 $243
Fortis - Growth & Income.................. 1.35% 0.69% 2.04% $83 $233
Fortis - Asset Allocation................. 1.35% 0.52% 1.87% $82 $216
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOMESTIC BOND
Fortis - High Yield....................... 1.35% 0.57% 1.92% $82 $221
AIM - Multisector Bond.................... 1.35% 0.90% 2.25% $86 $255
Fortis - Diversified Income............... 1.35% 0.54% 1.89% $82 $218
Fortis - U.S. Government Securities....... 1.35% 0.52% 1.87% $82 $216
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH
Fortis - Money Market..................... 1.35% 0.35% 1.70% $80 $198
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
6. TAXES
</TABLE>
Your earnings are not taxed until you withdraw them from the contract. If
you take money out during the accumulation phase, earnings come out first
and are taxable ordinary income. If you make a withdrawal prior to age
59 1/2, you may be charged a 10% federal tax penalty on that amount.
Payments during the income phase are considered partly a return of your
original investment and partly earnings. You will only be taxed on the
earnings portion. However, if your contract is funded with pretax or tax
deductible dollars (qualified plan contributions), then the entire payment
will be taxable.
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
7. ACCESS TO YOUR MONEY
</TABLE>
You can make withdrawals at any time during the accumulation phase. The
minimum amount you can withdraw is $1,000. Any payment invested in the
contract for more than seven years can be withdrawn without a charge. You
can withdraw up to 10% of your total investment each year plus earnings at
any time with no charge. All other withdrawals will be charged according to
the table shown in Section 5 "Expenses". If you withdraw from the fixed
account, your contract value may be subject to a market value adjustment.
You may also have to pay income tax and a tax penalty on any money you
withdraw.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS: You can have money automatically sent to you each
month during the accumulation phase of your contract. Systematic withdrawals
are available for amounts of $100 or more. Of course, withdrawals may be
taxable and subject to an IRS tax penalty.
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
8. PERFORMANCE
</TABLE>
The value of your contract will go up or down depending on the investment
portfolios you choose. The following chart shows the total return for each
investment portfolio for the time periods shown. Insurance charges,
investment management charges and all other expenses of the
<PAGE> 173
investment portfolio have been deducted from these numbers. These numbers do
not reflect any withdrawal charges which, if applied, would reduce the
performance. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INTERNATIONAL STOCK
Fortis - Global Growth 55.57% 9.87% 5.39% 17.50% 28.74% -4.28% 16.34% -- -- -- --
Lazard - International
Stock 22.33% 14.91% 10.49% 12.48% 12.83% -- -- -- -- -- --
Morgan Stanley - Global
Asset Allocation -2.20% 14.41% 11.99% 11.20% 15.90% -- -- -- -- -- --
DOMESTIC STOCK - SMALL
CAP
Fortis - Aggressive
Growth 106.46% 19.55% 0.06% 6.19% 28.15% -- -- -- -- -- --
Berger - Small Cap
Value* 13.79% -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
DOMESTIC STOCK - MID
CAP
Fortis - Growth Stock 53.09% 17.42% 10.91% 14.85% 25.96% -4.12% 7.32% 1.55% 51.44% -4.40% 34.66%
Dreyfus - Mid Cap
Stock* 9.48% -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
DOMESTIC STOCK - LARGE
CAP
Alliance - Large Cap
Growth* 25.52% -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
T. Rowe Price - Blue
Chip Stock 18.27% 26.39% 25.25% -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Dreyfus - S&P500 Index 18.72% 26.39% 30.55% -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Fortis - Value 7.50% 8.18% 23.56% -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Fortis - Growth &
Income 9.23% 11.70% 25.98% 19.87% 27.98% -- -- -- -- -- --
Fortis - Asset
Allocation 17.96% 18.36% 18.62% 10.99% 20.35% -1.65% 8.32% 5.50% 25.93% 0.64% 22.04%
DOMESTIC BONDS
Fortis - High Yield -0.19% -0.73% 8.29% 9.03% 11.26% -- -- -- -- -- --
Fortis - Diversified
Income -3.00% 4.88% 8.96% 2.74% 15.72% -6.50% 11.25% 5.64% 13.11% 7.40% 10.80%
Fortis - U.S.
Government Securities -3.25% 7.41% 7.62% 0.82% 17.22% -7.71% 7.98% 4.70% 12.85% 6.45% --
CASH
Fortis - Money Market 3.55% 3.90% 3.93% 3.75% 4.31% 2.52% 1.39% 1.97% 4.50% 6.42% 7.96%
</TABLE>
--------------------
* Inception date May 1, 1998; per the SEC, portfolio numbers must reflect an
entire year's performance.
Note: Masters Annuity was first offered for the sale on April 4, 1991.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
9. DEATH BENEFIT
</TABLE>
If you die during the accumulation phase, your contract beneficiary will
receive a death benefit. This death benefit will be the greater of three
amounts:
1) the value of your contract;
2) at the time of death, the highest anniversary contract value up to
your 75th birthday; plus (a) any money you put in since that
anniversary less (b) a proportionate reduction related to any money
you took out since that anniversary.
3) if you die before your 75th birthday, the value of all payments
accumulated at 5%, less an adjustment for any money you took out.
The maximum this amount can be is twice your adjusted payments. The
adjustments are equal to a proportionate reduction related to any
money you took out. If you die after age 75, the death benefit is
slightly different.
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
10. OTHER INFORMATION
</TABLE>
FREE LOOK PERIOD: You may cancel your contract within 10 days of receiving
it (or whatever period is required by your state). We will pay you the value
of your contract without imposing a withdrawal charge. This may be more or
less than the amount you invested. If required by law, we will return your
original payment.
NO PROBATE: In most cases, your beneficiary will receive the death benefit
when you die without going through probate.
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING: You can invest gradually with a regular amount of
money into your chosen investment portfolios from any of the portfolios, or
from the one year guarantee period of the fixed account. This can lower your
average cost per unit over time as compared to your cost on a single
purchase.
AUTOMATIC REBALANCING: You can maintain your asset allocation mix by asking
us to readjust your money on a periodic basis. This can help you keep your
investment in line with your goals.
NURSING HOME WAIVER: You will be able to take your money out without a
withdrawal charge if you are in a nursing home and meet certain conditions.
DISABILITY WAIVER: You will be able to take your money out without a
withdrawal charge if you are disabled and meet certain conditions.
<TABLE>
<C> <S> <C>
11. INQUIRIES
</TABLE>
If you need more information, please contact us at:
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company
P.O. Box 64272, St. Paul, MN 55164
800-800-2000, Ext. 3057
99249
<PAGE> 174
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND EXHIBITS
a. Financial Statements included in Part A:
With Respect to Fortis Benefits Insurance Company:
Report of Independent Auditors.
Balance Sheets for the years ended December 31, 1999 and 1998.
Statements of Income, Statements of Changes in Shareholder's Equity
and Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1999,
1998 and 1997.
Notes to Financial Statements.
Financial Statements included in Part B:
With Respect to Variable Account D of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company:
Report of Independent Auditors.
Statement of Net Assets for the year ended December 31, 1999.
Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the year ended December 31,
1999 and 1998.
Notes to Financial Statements.
b. Exhibits:
1. Resolution of the Board of Directors of Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company effecting the establishment of Variable Account D
(incorporated by reference from Form N-4 of Fortis Benefits and its
Variable Account D filed on December 31, 1987, File No. 33-19421).
2. Not applicable.
3. (a) Form of Principal Underwriter and Servicing Agreement
(incorporated by reference from Form N-4 registration statement
filed by Fortis Benefits and its Variable Account D on January
11, 1994, File No. 33-73986);
(b) Form of Amendment to Principal Underwriting Agreement
(incorporated by reference from Form N-4 Registration Statement
filed by Fortis Benefits and its Variable Account D on January
11, 1994, File No. 33-73986);
(c) Form of Dealer Sales Agreement (incorporated by reference from
Form N of Registration Statement of Fortis Benefits filed
December 22, 1994, File No. 33-19421);
4. (a) Form of Combination Fixed and Variable Group Annuity Contract
Including Contract Application Form (included as part of
Post-Effective Amendment to this form N-4 Registration Statement
filed March 2, 1992);
(b) Form of Certificate to be used in connection with Contract filed
as Exhibit 4 (a) (included as part of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 1 to this Form N-4 Registration Statement filed March 2,
1992);
(c) Form of Enhanced Variable Annuity Contract--filed as Exhibit 4(c)
(included as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to this Form
N-4 Registration Statement filed April 28, 1998);
(d) Form of Fixed and Variable Annuity Contract (included as part of
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to this Form N-4 Registration
Statement filed April 30, 1992);
(e) Form of IRA Endorsement (included as part of Pre-effective
Amendment No. 1 to this Form N-4 Registration Statement filed
March 28, 1991);
(f) Form of Section 403(b) Annuity Endorsement (included as part of
Pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to this Form N-4 Registration
Statement filed March 28, 1991);
(g) Form of Endorsement (filed as a part of Post-Effective Amendment
No. 8 to this Form N-4 registration statement filed April 27,
1995);
(h) Nursing Care/Hospitalization Waiver of Surrender Charge Rider
(incorporated by reference from Form N-4 Registration Statement
filed by Fortis Benefits and its Variable Account D on April 27,
1995, File No. 33-19421).
(i) Enhanced Death Benefit Rider--filed with this Form N-4 on
February 27, 1997.
<PAGE> 175
5. (a) Form of Application (including telephone transfer
authorization form) to be used in connection with Certificate
filed as Exhibit 4 (b) (included as part of Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to this Form N-4 Registration Statement filed
March 2, 1992);
(b) Form of Application (including telephone transfer authorization
form) to be used in connection with Contract filed as Exhibit 4
(c) (included as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to this
Form N-4 Registration Statement filed April 30, 1992);
(c) Annuity Contract Exchange Form (incorporated by reference from
1933 Act Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form N-4 registration
statement filed by Fortis Benefits and its Variable Account D on
April 18, 1988, File No. 33-19421).
6. (a) Articles of Incorporation of Fortis Benefits Insurance
Company (incorporated by reference from Form S-6 Registration
Statement of Fortis Benefits and its Variable Account C filed on
March 17, 1986, File No. 33-03919);
(b) By-laws of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company (incorporated by
reference from Form S-6 Registration Statement of Fortis Benefits
and its Variable Account C filed on March 17, 1986, File No.
33-03919);
(c) Amendment to Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws dated November
21, 1991 (included as part of Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
this Form N-4 Registration Statement filed March 2, 1992).
(d) Certificate of Amendment to Bylaws of depositor dated May 1,
1999 (incorporated by reference from Form 10-K of Fortis Benefits
Insurance Company filed March 29, 2000, File No. 33-37576).
7. None.
8. None.
9. Opinion and consent of Douglas R. Lowe, Esq., Assistant General
Counsel of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company, as to the legality of
the securities being registered (included as part of the original
filing of this Form N-4 Registration Statement filed on November 1,
1990).
10. (a) Consent of Ernst & Young LLP--filed herewith.
(b) Power of Attorney for Messrs. Freedman and Clayton (incorporated
by reference from Form S-6 Registration Statement of Fortis
Benefits and its Variable Account C filed on December 17, 1993,
File No. 33-73138).
11. Not applicable.
12. Not applicable.
13. Schedules of computation of each performance quotation provided in the
registration statement pursuant to Item 21--filed herewith.
14. Financial Data Schedules--filed previously.
<PAGE> 176
Item 25. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF FORTIS BENEFITS
The directors, executive officers, and, to the extent responsible for
variable insurance product operations, other officers of Fortis Benefits are
listed below.
Name and Principal
Business Address
- ------------------
Officer-Directors Offices with Depositor
- ----------------- ----------------------
Michael John Peninger (4) Executive Vice President (President-Group
Nonmedical)
Robert Brian Pollock (2) President and Chief Executive Officer
Benjamin Cutler (5) Executive Vice President-(President Fortis
Health)
Dean C. Kopperud (1) Executive Vice President--(President-FFG)
Other Directors
- ---------------
Allen Royal Freedman (2) Chairman of the Board
J. Kerry Clayton (2)
Arie Aristide Fakkert (3)
A.W. Feagin (6)
Other Officers
- --------------
Larry M. Cains (2) Treasurer
Peggy L. Ettestad (1) Senior Vice President - Life Operations
Rhonda J. Schwartz(1) Senior Vice President and General Counsel--
Life and Investment Products
Jon H. Nicholson (1) Senior Vice President--Annuities
Melinda S. Urion (1) Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
Dickson W. Lewis (1) Senior Vice President--Distribution and
Marketing
- ---------------------------
(1) Address: Fortis Benefits Insurance Company, P.O. Box 64271, St. Paul, MN
55164.
(2) Address: Fortis, Inc., One Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, NY 10005.
(3) Address: Fortis AMEV, Archmideslaan 10, 3584 BA Utrecht, The Netherlands.
(4) Address: 2323 Grand Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64108.
(5) Address: 515 West Wells, Milwaukee, WI 53201.
(6) Address: 10 Glenlake Parkway NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA 30328.
Item 26. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER CONTROL WITH THE DEPOSITOR
OR REGISTRANT
Variable Accounts C and D of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company are separate
accounts of Fortis Benefits. These separate accounts, certain separate accounts
assumed from St. Paul Life Insurance Company, and Fortis Series Fund, Inc. may
be deemed to be controlled by Fortis Benefits, although Fortis Benefits follows
voting instructions of variable insurance contract owners with respect to voting
on certain important matters in connection with these entities. All of these
entities are created under Minnesota law and are the funding media for variable
life insurance and annuity contracts issued or assumed by Fortis Benefits.
The chart indicating the persons controlled by or under common control with
Fortis Benefits is hereby incorporated by reference from the response to Item 26
in Post-Effective Amendment No. 24 to this Form N-4 registration statement filed
on April 28, 1994. Fortis Benefits has no subsidiaries.
Items 27. NUMBER OF CONTRACT OWNERS
As of April 1, 2000 there were 35,443 Certificate owners under
Contracts.
<PAGE> 177
Item 28. INDEMNIFICATION
Pursuant to the Principal Underwriter and Servicing Agreement filed as Exhibit
3(a) and (b) to this Registration Statement and incorporated herein by this
reference, Fortis Benefits has agreed to indemnify Fortis 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 Certificates, unless the misstatement or omission was based on
information supplied by Fortis Investors; provided, however, that no such
indemnity will be made to Fortis 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. This
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 Fortis Investors. Pursuant to the Principal
Underwriter and Servicing Agreement, Fortis Investors has agreed to indemnify
Variable Account D, Fortis Benefits, and each of its officers, directors and
controlling persons for damages and expenses (1) arising out of certain material
misstatements and omissions in connection with the offer and sale of the
Certificates, if the misstatement or omission was based on information furnished
by Fortis Investors or (2) otherwise arising out of Fortis Investors'
negligence, bad faith, willful misfeasance or reckless disregard of its
responsibilities. Pursuant to its Dealer Sales Agreements, a form of which is
filed as Exhibit 3(c) and (d) to this registration statement and is incorporated
herein by this reference, firms that sell the Certificates agree to indemnify
Fortis Benefits, Fortis Investors, the Separate Account, and their officers,
directors, employees, agents, and controlling persons from liabilities and
expenses arising out of the wrongful conduct or omissions of said selling firm
or its officers, directors, employees, controlling persons or agents.
Also, Fortis Benefit's By-Laws (see Article VI, Section 5 thereof, which is
incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 6(b) to this Registration
Statement) provide for indemnity and payment of expenses of Fortis Benefits's
officers, directors and employees in connection with certain legal proceedings,
judgments, and settlements arising by reason of their service as such, all to
the extent and in the manner permitted by law. Applicable Minnesota law
generally permits payment of such indemnification and expenses if the person
seeking indemnification has acted in good faith and in a manner that he
reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the Company and if such
person has received no improper personal benefit, and in a criminal proceeding,
if the person seeking indemnification also has no reasonable cause to believe
his conduct was unlawful.
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 is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other
than the payment by 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 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.
Item 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
(a) Fortis Investors, Inc. is the principal underwriter for Variable Account D.
Fortis Investors, Inc. also acts as the principal underwriter for the
following registered investment companies (in addition to Variable Account
D and Fortis Series Fund, Inc.): Variable Account C of Fortis Benefits,
Variable Account A of First Fortis Life Insurance
Company, Fortis Advantage Portfolios, Inc., Fortis Equity Portfolios, Inc.,
Fortis Fiduciary Fund, Inc., Fortis Growth Fund, Inc., Fortis Money
Portfolios, Inc., Fortis Tax-Free Portfolios, Inc., Fortis Income
Portfolios, Inc., and Special Portfolios, Inc.
<PAGE> 178
(b) The following table sets forth certain information regarding the officers
and directors of the principal underwriter, Fortis Investors, Inc.:
Name and Principal Positions and Offices
Business Address with Underwriter
- ------------------ ---------------------
Roger W. Arnold * Sr. Vice President
Robert W. Beltz, Jr. * Vice President and Director
Jeffrey R. Black * Business Development and
Sales Desk Officer
Mark C. Cadalbert* Compliance Officer
Tamara L. Fagely* Vice President
Joanne M. Herron* Assistant Treasurer
John E. Hite* Vice President and
Secretary
Carol M. Houghtby* Vice President, Treasurer and Director
Dean C. Kopperud* President and Director
Christine D. Pawlenty * Custom Solutions Group Officer
Mary B. Petersen * 2nd Vice President
Jennifer R. Relien* Assistant Secretary
- ------------------------
* Address: 500 Bielenberg Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125.
(c) None.
Item 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
The records required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-3 thereunder are maintained by
Fortis Benefits, Fortis Investors, Inc. and Fortis Advisers, Inc., at 500
Bielenberg Drive, Woodbury, Minnesota 55125.
Item 31. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
None.
Item 32. UNDERTAKINGS
The Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a) To file a post-effective amendment to this registration statement as
frequently as is necessary to ensure that the audited financial
statements in the registration statement are never more than 16 months
old for so long as payments under the variable annuity contracts may
be accepted;
(b) To include either (1) as part of any application to purchase a
Contract offered by the Prospectus, a space that an applicant can
check to request a Statement of Additional Information, or (2) a
toll-free phone number, postcard, or similar written communication
affixed to or included in the Prospectus that the applicant can call
or remove to send for a Statement of Additional Information;
(c) To deliver a Statement of Additional Information and any financial
statements required to be made available under this Form promptly upon
written or oral request.
Fortis Benefits Insurance Company represents:
(a) that the fees and charges imposed under the provisions of the Contract
covered by this registration statement, in the aggregate, are
reasonable in relation to the services to be rendered by the
Registrant associated with the Contracts, the expenses to be incurred
by the Registrant associated with the Contracts, and the risks assumed
by the Registrant associated with the Contracts.
The Registrant intends to rely on the no-action response dated November 28, 1988
from Ms. Angela C. Goelzer of the Commission staff to the American Council of
Life Insurance concerning the redeemability of Section 403(b) annuity contracts
and the Registrant has complied with the provisions of paragraphs (1)-(4)
thereof.
<PAGE> 179
SIGNATURES
As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940, the Registrant has caused this amended Registration Statement to be signed
on its behalf in the City of St. Paul, State of Minnesota on this 25th day of
April, 2000.
VARIABLE ACCOUNT D OF
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
(Registrant)
By: FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Robert Brian Pollock
---------------------------------------------
Robert Brian Pollock, President
FORTIS BENEFITS INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /d/ Robert Brian Pollock
---------------------------------------------
Robert Brian Pollock, President
As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons, in
the capacities indicated, on April 25, 2000.
Signature Title With Fortis Benefits
- --------- --------------------------
* Chairman of the Board
- ------------------------------------
Allen R. Freedman
* Director
- ------------------------------------
J. Kerry Clayton
Director
- ------------------------------------
Arie Aristide Fakkert
Director
- ------------------------------------
Alan W. Feagin
/s/ Dean C. Kopperud Director
- ------------------------------------
Dean C. Kopperud
/s/ Robert Brian Pollock President and Director
- ------------------------------------ (Chief Executive Officer)
Robert Brian Pollock
/s/ Michael John Peninger Director
- ------------------------------------
Michael John Peninger
/s/ Treasurer (Principal Accounting
- ------------------------------------ Officer and Principal Financial
Larry M. Cains Officer)
*By: /s/ Robert Brian Pollock
--------------------------------
Robert Brian Pollock
Attorney-in-Fact
<PAGE> 180
EXHIBIT INDEX
10(a) Consent of Independent Auditors
13 Schedules of Computation
<PAGE> 1
Consent of Independent Auditors
We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Statement of Additional Information and to the use of our report dated February
17, 2000 on the financial statements of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company and
our report dated March 29, 2000 on the financial statements of Fortis Benefits
Insurance Company Variable Account D in Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the
Registration Statement (Form N-4 No. 33-37577) and related Prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information of Fortis Benefits Insurance Company for the
registration of flexible premium deferred combination variable and fixed annuity
contracts.
/s/
Ernst & Young LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 27, 2000
<PAGE> 1
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES SUBACCOUNT
The subaccount's standardized yield for the 30 day period ended December
31, 1999 was computed by dividing the net investment income per accumulation
unit earned during the period by the maximum offering price per unit on the last
day of the period in accordance with the formula prescribed by the Securities
and Exchange Commission:
[(($590,233)) 6
2 * { ---------------------------- + 1] - 1} = 5.87%
[((6,961,590 * 17.823))
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ----------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown on the attached page, and adjusting for the annual administration charge,
the value of such investment at December 31, 1999 and the total return for the
one year period are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$932.54 $ 932.54 - $1,000
------------------ = -6.75%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumulative total return for five years ended December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,146.79 - $1,000
------------------ = 14.68%
$1,000
Cumulative total return for ten years ended December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,307.07-$1,000
---------------- = 30.70%
$1,000
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,432.30-$1,000
---------------- = 43.23%
$1,000
<PAGE> 2
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
Average annual total return for the current one year period, five year
period and since commencement of the subaccount are as follows:
One year ended December 31, 1999:
$ 932.54/$1,000 - 1 = -6.75%
Five years ended December 31, 1999:
1/5
($1,146.79/$1,000) - 1 = 2.78%
Ten years ended December 31, 1999:
1/10
($1,307.03/$1,000) - 1 = 2.71%
Since inception through December 31, 1999:
1/10.67
($1,492.10/$1,000) - 1 = 3.42%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
05/01/89 $10.000
12/31/89 10.756
12/31/90 11.454
12/31/91 12.922
12/31/92 13.529
12/31/93 14.609
12/31/94 13.484
12/31/95 15.805
12/31/96 15.935
12/31/97 17.150
12/31/98 18.421
12/31/99 17.823
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 3
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
DIVERSIFIED INCOME SUBACCOUNT
The subaccount's standardized yield for the 30 day period ended December
31, 1999 was computed by dividing the net investment income per accumulation
unit earned during the period by the maximum offering price per unit on the last
day of the period in accordance with the formula prescribed by the Securities
and Exchange Commission:
[(($540,936)) 6
2 * { ---------------------------- + 1] - 1} = 7.13%
[((46,271,405 * 1.998))
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of one
subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are calculated
for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated according to
the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown on the attached page, and adjusting for the annual administration charge,
the value of such investment at December 31, 1999 and the total return for the
one year period are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$ 935.37 $ 935.37 - $1,000
------------------- = -6.46%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumlative total return for five years ended December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,142.94 - $1,000
------------------ = 14.29%
$1,000
Cumlative total return for ten ended December 31, 1999, is as follows:
$1,410.35 - $1,000
------------------ = 41.04%
$1,000
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,613.00 - $1,000
------------------ = 61.30%
$1,000
<PAGE> 4
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
Average annual total return for the current one year period, five year
period and since commencement of the subaccount are as follows:
One year ended December 31, 1999:
$ 935.37/$1,000 - 1 = -6.46%
Five years ended December 31, 1999:
1/5
($1,142.94/$1,000) - 1 = 2.71%
Ten years ended December 31, 1999:
1/10
($1,410.35/$1,000) - 1 = 3.50%
Since inception through December 31, 1999:
1/11.67
($1,613.00/$1,000) - 1 = 4.18%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
05/01/88 $1.000
12/31/88 1.025
12/31/89 1.135
12/31/90 1.219
12/31/91 1.379
12/31/92 1.457
12/31/93 1.621
12/31/94 1.516
12/31/95 1.754
12/31/96 1.802
12/31/97 1.963
12/31/98 2.059
12/31/99 1.998
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 5
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
GROWTH STOCK SUBACCOUNT
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown on the attached page, and adjusting for the annual administration charge,
the value of such investment at December 31, 1999 and the total return for the
one year period are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$1,496.01 $1,496.01 - $1,000
------------------- = 49.60%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumlative total return for five years ended December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$2,709.62 - $1,000
------------------ = 170.96%
$1,000
Cumlative total return for ten years ended December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$4,013.03 - $1,000
------------------ = 301.30%
$1,000
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$5,575.00 - $1,000
------------------ = 457.50%
$1,000
<PAGE> 6
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
Average annual total return for the current one year period, five year
period and since commencement of the subaccount are as follows:
One year ended December 31, 1999:
$1,496.01/$1,000 - 1 = 49.60%
Five years ended December 31, 1999:
1/5
($2,709.62/$1,000) - 1 = 22.06%
Ten years ended December 31, 1999:
1/10
($4,013.03/$1,000) - 1 = 14.91%
Since inception through December 31, 1999:
1/11.67
($5,575.00/$1,000) - 1 = 17.47%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
05/01/88 $1.000
12/31/88 0.999
12/31/89 1.358
12/31/90 1.298
12/31/91 1.966
12/31/92 1.996
12/31/93 2.143
12/31/94 2.054
12/31/95 2.587
12/31/96 2.972
12/31/97 3.296
12/31/98 3.870
12/31/99 5.925
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 7
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
ASSET ALLOCATION SUBACCOUNT
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown on the attached page, and adjusting for the annual administration charge,
the value of such investment at December 31, 1999 and the total return for the
one year period are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$1,144.50 $1,144.50 - $1,000
------------------ = 14.45%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumlative total return for five years ended December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$2,037.63 - $1,000
------------------ = 103.76%
$1,000
Cumlative total return for five years ended December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$2,801.00 - $1,000
------------------ = 180.10%
$1,000
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$3,573.00 - $1,000
------------------ = 257.30%
$1,000
<PAGE> 8
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
Average annual total return for the current one year period, five year
period and since commencement of the subaccount are as follows:
One year ended December 31, 1999:
$1,144.50/$1,000 - 1 = 14.45%
Five years ended December 31, 1999:
1/5
($2,037.63/$1,000) - 1 = 15.30%
Ten years ended December 31, 1999:
1/10
($2,801.00/$1,000) - 1 = 10.85%
Since inception through December 31, 1999:
1/11.67
($3,573.00/$1,000) - 1 = 12.67%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
05/01/88 $1.000
12/31/88 1.020
12/31/89 1.245
12/31/90 1.253
12/31/91 1.578
12/31/92 1.665
12/31/93 1.797
12/31/94 1.773
12/31/95 2.134
12/31/96 2.369
12/31/97 2.810
12/31/98 3.326
12/31/99 3.923
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 9
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
GLOBAL GROWTH SUBACCOUNT
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown on the attached page, and adjusting for the annual administration charge,
the value of such investment at December 31, 1999 and the total return for the
one year period are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$1,520.69 $1,520.69 - $1,000
------------------ = 52.07%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumlative total return for five years ended December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$2,549.77 - $1,000
------------------ = 154.98%
$1,000
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$2,984.30 - $1,000
------------------ = 198.43%
$1,000
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
Average annual total return for the current one year period, five year
period and since commencement of the subaccount are as follows:
<PAGE> 10
One year ended December 31, 1999:
$1,520.69/$1,000 - 1 = 52.07%
Five years ended December 31, 1999:
1/5
($2,549.77/$1,000) - 1 = 20.59%
Since inception through December 31, 1999:
1/7.67
($2,984.30/$1,000) - 1 = 15.32%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
05/01/92 $10.000
12/31/92 10.989
12/31/93 12.784
12/31/94 12.237
12/31/95 15.754
12/31/96 18.511
12/31/97 19.508
12/31/98 21.433
12/31/99 33.343
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 11
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
MONEY MARKET SUBACCOUNT
The subaccount's standardized yield for the seven day period ended December
31, 1999 was computed by dividing 1 by the unit price for December 24, 1997,
then multiplying this by the unit price on December 31, 1999 to get a base
period return. The base period return is then multiplied by 365 days and then
divided by 7. This calculation for the seven day period ended December 31, 1999
was as follows:
((1 / 1.585156) x 1.586556) -1 = .000883 - Base Period Return
.000883 x (365 / 7) = .0434 or 4.34%
The compound or effective yield for this same period is calculated by taking the
base period return and adding 1, raising the sum to a power equal to 365 divided
by 7 and subtracting 1 from the result. This calculation for the seven day
period ended December 31, 1999 was as follows:
365/7
(.000883 + 1) -1 = .0471 or 4.71%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Date Unit Price
-------- ----------
<S> <C>
12/23/99 1.585156
12/31/99 1.586556
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 12
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
AGGRESSIVE GROWTH SUBACCOUNT
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown below, and adjusting for the annual administration charge, the value of
such investment at December 31, 1999 and the cumulative total return since
inception is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$2,029.57 $2,0229.57- $1,000
------------------ = 102.96%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumlative total return for five years ended December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$3,161.06 - $1,000
------------------ = 216.11%
$1,000
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$2,918.00 - $1,000
------------------ = 191.80%
$1,000
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
Average annual total return for the current one year period, five year
period and since commencement of the subaccount are as follows:
<PAGE> 13
One year ended December 31, 1999:
$2,029.57/$1,000 - 1 = 102.96%
Five years ended December 31, 1999:
1/5
($3,161.06/$1,000) - 1 = 25.88%
Since inception through December 31, 1999:
1/5.67
($2,918.30/$1,000) - 1 = 22.04%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
05/01/94 $10.000
12/31/94 9.796
12/31/95 12.461
12/31/96 13.233
12/31/97 13.241
12/31/98 15.829
12/31/99 32.680
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 14
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
GROWTH & INCOME SUBACCOUNT
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown below, and adjusting for the annual administration charge, the value of
such investment at December 31, 1999 and the cumulative total return since
inception is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$1,057.25 $1,057.25 - $1,000
------------------ = 5.72%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumlative total return for five years ended December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$2,186.20 - $1,000
------------------ = 118.62%
$1,000
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$2,202.50 - $1,000
------------------ = 120.25%
$1,000
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
Average annual total return for the current one year period, five year
period and since commencement of the subaccount are as follows:
<PAGE> 15
One year ended December 31, 1999:
$1,057.58/$1,000 - 1 = 5.72%
Five years ended December 31, 1999:
1/5
($2,186.20/$1,000) - 1 = 16.93%
Since inception through December 31, 1999:
1/5.67
($2,202.50/$1,000) - 1 = 14.94%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
05/01/94 $10.000
12/31/94 10.069
12/31/95 12.904
12/31/96 15.468
12/31/97 19.489
12/31/98 21.767
12/31/99 23.775
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 16
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
HIGH YIELD SUBACCOUNT
The subaccount's standardized yield for the 30 day period ended December
31, 1999 was computed by dividing the net investment income per accumulation
unit earned during the period by the maximum offering price per unit on the last
day of the period in accordance with the formula prescribed by the Securities
and Exchange Commission:
[ $462,770 6
2 * { ---------------------------- + 1] - 1} = 9.38%
[((4,713,245 * 12.799))
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown below, and adjusting for the annual administration charge, the value of
such investment at December 31, 1999 and the cumulative total return since
inception is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$963.13 $963.13 - $1,000
----------------- = -3.69%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumlative total return for five years ended December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,179.10 - $1,000
------------------ = 17.91%
$1,000
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,104.90 - $1,000
------------------ = 10.49%
$1,000
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
<PAGE> 17
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
Average annual total return for the current one year period, five year
period and since commencement of the subaccount are as follows:
One year ended December 31, 1999:
$963.13/$1,000 - 1 = -3.69%
Five years ended December 31, 1999:
1/5
($1,179.10/$1,000) - 1 = 3.35%
Since inception through December 31, 1999:
1/5.67
($1,104.90/$1,000) - 1 = 1.77%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
05/01/94 $10.000
12/31/94 9.452
12/31/95 10.941
12/31/96 11.929
12/31/97 12.917
12/31/98 12.823
12/31/99 12.799
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 18
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
GLOBAL ASSET ALLOCATION SUBACCOUNT
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown below, and adjusting for the annual administration charge, the value of
such investment at December 31, 1999 and the cumulative total return since
inception is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$943.02 $943.02 - $1,000
---------------- = -5.70%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumlative total return for five years ended December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,440.00 - $1,000
------------------ = 44.00%
$1,000
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,440.00 - $1,000
------------------ = 44.00%
$1,000
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
Average annual total return for the current one year period, five year
period and since commencement of the subaccount are as follows:
One year ended December 31, 1999:
<PAGE> 19
$943.02/$1,000 - 1 = -5.70%
Five years ended December 31, 1999:
1/5
($1,440.00/$1,000) - 1 = 7.57%
Since inception through December 31, 1999:
1/5
($1,440.00/$1,000) - 1 = 7.57%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
01/01/95 $10.000
12/31/95 11.590
12/31/96 12.888
12/31/97 14.434
12/31/98 16.513
12/31/99 16.150
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 20
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
INTERNATIONAL STOCK SUBACCOUNT
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown below, and adjusting for the annual administration charge, the value of
such investment at December 31, 1999 and the cumulative total return since
inception is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$1,188.30 $1,188.30 - $1,000
------------------ = 18.83%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumlative total return for five years ended December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,796.10 - $1,000
------------------ = 79.61%
$1,000
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,796.10 - $1,000
------------------ = 79.61%
$1,000
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
Average annual total return for the current one year period, five year
period and since commencement of the subaccount are as follows:
One year ended December 31, 1999:
<PAGE> 21
$1,188.30/$1,000 - 1 = 18.83%
Five years ended December 31, 1999:
1/5
($1,796.10/$1,000) - 1 = 12.43%
Since inception through December 31, 1999:
1/5
($1,796.10/$1,000) - 1 = 12.43%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
01/01/95 $10.000
12/31/95 11.272
12/31/96 12.691
12/31/97 14.022
12/31/98 16.113
12/31/99 19.711
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 22
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
MULTISECTOR BOND SUBACCOUNT
The subaccount's standardized yield for the 30 day period ended December
31, 1999 was computed by dividing the net investment income per accumulation
unit earned during the period by the maximum offering price per unit on the last
day of the period in accordance with the formula prescribed by the Securities
and Exchange Commission:
[ $56,856 6
2 * { ---------------------------- + 1] - 1} = 4.06%
[ ((1,402,948 * 13.254))
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown below, and adjusting for the annual administration charge, the value of
such investment at December 31, 1999 and the cumulative total return since
inception is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$877.33 $877.33 - $1,000
----------------- = -12.27%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumlative total return for five years ended December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,034.20 - $1,000
------------------ = 3.42%
$1,000
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,034.20 - $1,000
------------------ = 3.42%
$1,000
<PAGE> 23
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
Average annual total return for the current one year period, five year
period and since commencement of the subaccount are as follows:
One year ended December 31, 1999:
$877.33/$1,000 - 1 = -12.27%
Five years ended December 31, 1999:
1/5
($1,034.20/$1,000) - 1 = 0.67%
Since inception through December 31, 1999:
1/5
($1,034.20/$1,000) - 1 = 0.67%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
01/01/95 $10.000
12/31/95 11.743
12/31/96 11.962
12/31/97 11.837
12/31/98 13.254
12/31/99 12.092
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 24
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
VALUE SUBACCOUNT
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown below, and adjusting for the annual administration charge, the value of
such investment at December 31, 1999 and the cumulative total return since
inception is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$1,040.00 $1,040.00 - $1,000
------------------ = 4.00%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,482.50 - $1,000
------------------ = 48.25%
$1,000
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
One year ended December 31, 1999:
$1,040.00/$1,000 - 1 = 4.00%
<PAGE> 25
Average annual total return since inception of the subaccount through
December 31, 1999 is as follows:
1/3.67
($1,482.50/$1,000) - 1 = 11.32%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
05/01/96 $10.000
12/31/96 11.049
12/31/97 13.652
12/31/98 14.768
12/31/99 15.875
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 26
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
S & P 500 SUBACCOUNT
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown below, and adjusting for the annual administration charge, the value of
such investment at December 31, 1999 and the cumulative total return since
inception is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$1,152.28 $1,152.28 - $1,000
------------------ = 15.23%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$2,113.90 - $1,000
------------------ = 111.39%
$1,000
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
One year ended December 31, 1999:
$1,152.28/$1,000 - 1 = 15.23%
<PAGE> 27
Average annual total return since inception of the subaccount through
December 31, 1999 is as follows:
1/3.67
($2,113.90/$1,000) - 1 = 22.62%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
05/01/96 $10.000
12/31/96 11.327
12/31/97 14.787
12/31/98 18.689
12/31/99 22.189
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 28
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
BLUE CHIP SUBACCOUNT
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown below, and adjusting for the annual administration charge, the value of
such investment at December 31, 1999 and the cumulative total return since
inception is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$1,147.75 $1,147.75 - $1,000
------------------ = 14.78%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$2,052.10 - $1,000
------------------ = 105.21%
$1,000
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
One year ended December 31, 1999:
$1,147.75/$1,000 - 1 = 14.78%
<PAGE> 29
Average annual total return since inception of the subaccount through
December 31, 1999 is as follows:
1/3.67
($1,052.10/$1,000) - 1 = 21.64%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
05/01/96 $10.000
12/31/96 11.520
12/31/97 14.429
12/31/98 18.238
12/31/99 21.571
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 30
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
MID CAP STOCK SUBACCOUNT
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown below, and adjusting for the annual administration charge, the value of
such investment at December 31, 1999 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$1,059.86 $1,059.86 - $1,000
------------------ = 5.99%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,018.80 - $1,000
------------------ = 1.88%
$1,000
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
One year ended December 31, 1999:
$1,059.86/$1,000 - 1 = 5.99%
<PAGE> 31
Average annual total return since inception of the subaccount through
December 31, 1999 is as follows:
1/1.67
($1,018.80/$1,000) - 1 = 1.12%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
05/01/98 $10.000
12/31/98 9.625
12/31/99 10.538
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 32
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
LARGE CAP GROWTH SUBACCOUNT
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown below, and adjusting for the annual administration charge, the value of
such investment at December 31, 1999 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$1,220.13 $1,220.13 - $1,000
------------------ = 22.01%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,440.40 - $1,000
------------------ = 44.04%
$1,000
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
One year ended December 31, 1999:
$1,220.13/$1,000 - 1 = 22.01%
<PAGE> 33
Average annual total return since inception of the subaccount through
December 31, 1999 is as follows:
1/1.67
($1,440.40/$1,000) - 1 = 24.42%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
05/01/98 $10.000
12/31/98 11.755
12/31/99 14.754
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 34
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM DEFERRED VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT PERFORMANCE CALCULATION
SMALL CAP VALUE SUBACCOUNT
Total return is the percentage change between the public offering price of
one subaccount unit at the beginning of the period to the public offering price
of one subaccount unit at the end of the period. Ending total values are
calculated for any specific period and cumulative total returns are calculated
according to the following formula:
Cash Surrender Value - Initial Amount Invested
Total Return = ---------------------------------------------------------
Initial Amount Invested
Based on an initial investment made January 1, 1999 and unit information
shown below, and adjusting for the annual administration charge, the value of
such investment at December 31, 1999 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Ending Value Total Return
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
$1,102.83 $1,102.83 - $1,000
------------------ = 10.28%
$1,000
</TABLE>
Cumulative total return since inception through December 31, 1999, is as
follows:
$1,030.80 - $1,000
------------------ = 3.08%
$1,000
Average annual total return (T) equates the initial amount invested (P) to
the ending redeemable value (ERV) over the period (n) in accordance with the
formula prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission:
n
P(1 + T) = ERV
One year ended December 31, 1999:
$1,102.83/$1,000 - 1 = 10.28%
<PAGE> 35
Average annual total return since inception of the subaccount through
December 31, 1999 is as follows:
1/1.67
($1,030.80/$1,000) - 1 = 1.83%
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Unit Value Information
--------------------------
Unit
Date Value
-------- -------
<S> <C>
05/01/98 $10.000
12/31/98 9.367
12/31/99 10.659
</TABLE>
