<PAGE>
SUPPLEMENT DATED DECEMBER 2, 1996
TO
STRATEGIC VARIABLE LIFE PROSPECTUS
DATED MAY 1, 1996
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM VARIABLE WHOLE LIFE INSURANCE
ISSUED BY
MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT I AND
MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
Effective January 1, 1997 two different sales load schedules will apply to the
Policies. For all Policies issued under a Case installed on the
administration system prior to January 1, 1997, the sales load schedule on
Page 9 of the Prospectus will continue to apply. For all Policies issued
under a Case installed on the administration system ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1,
1997, a new sales load will apply SUBJECT TO STATE AVAILABILITY. In addition,
effective January 1, 1997, the maximum commissions paid under the Policies
will change.
SUBJECT TO STATE AVAILABILITY, THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS WILL APPLY TO POLICIES
ISSUED UNDER A CASE INSTALLED ON THE ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM ON OR AFTER JANUARY
1, 1997 AND WILL SUPERSEDE THE LANGUAGE CONTAINED ON PAGE 9 IN THE PROSPECTUS:
The sales load component of the premium deduction is based on the total
Initial Case Premium Paid for all Policies under a Case before installation on
the administration system. For Policies issued under a Case with an Initial
Case Premium Paid of less than $3,500,000, the sales load percentages will
decrease after the fifth Policy Year. For Policies issued under a Case with
an Initial Case Premium Paid of $3,500,000 or more, the sales load will not
change after the fifth Policy Year. Please note for Policies issued under a
Case with an Initial Case Premium Paid of less than $3,500,000, the premiums
are tracked on an annual cumulative basis for each Policy, and the year 1
through 5 sales load percentages will be higher on premium payments made
below the specified minimum annual planned Policy premium.
SALES LOAD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INITIAL CASE PREMIUM PAID YEARS 1-5 YEARS 6+
<S> <C> <C>
Less than $3,500,000
Less than or equal to the 18.00% 6.00%
Minimum Planned Policy Premium
Greater than the Minimum Planned 6.00% 6.00%
Policy Premium
Greater than or equal to $3,500,000 5.50% 5.50%
but less than $7,000,000
Greater than or equal to $7,000,000 3.25% 3.25%
but less than $10,000,000
Greater than or equal to $10,000,000 0.75% 0.75%
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
THE FOLLOWING APPLIES TO POLICIES ISSUED UNDER A CASE INSTALLED ON THE
ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 1997:
The sales load component of the premium deduction is based on the total
Initial Case Premium Paid for all Policies under a Case before installation on
the administration system. For Policies issued under a Case with an Initial
Case Premium Paid of less than $1,000,000, the sales load percentages will
decrease after the fifth Policy Year. For Policies issued under a Case with
an Initial Case Premium Paid of $1,000,000 or more, the sales load will not
change after the fifth Policy Year. Please note for Policies issued under a
Case with an Initial Case Premium Paid of less than $1,000,000, the premiums
are tracked on an annual cumulative basis for each policy, and the year 1
through 5 sales load percentages will be higher on premium payments made
below the specified minimum annual planned Policy premium.
SALES LOAD
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INITIAL CASE PREMIUM PAID YEARS 1-5 YEARS 6+
<S> <C> <C>
Less than $1,000,000
Less than or equal to the 18.00% 6.00%
Minimum Planned Policy Premium
Greater than the Minimum Planned 6.00% 6.00%
Policy Premium
Greater than or equal to $1,000,000 7.00% 7.00%
but less than $2,500,000
Greater than or equal to $2,500,000 5.50% 5.50%
but less than $5,000,000
Greater than or equal to $5,000,000 4.00% 4.00%
but less than $10,000,000
Greater than or equal to $10,000,000 3.25% 3.25%
</TABLE>
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1997 THE FOLLOWING COMMISSION SCHEDULE LANGUAGE
SUPERSEDES THAT CONTAINED ON PAGE 29 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
COMMISSIONS SCHEDULE. Agents or selling brokers receive commissions as a
percentage of the premium paid under Policies with total Initial Case Premium
Paid of less than $10,000,000. The commission percentage on these Policies is
based on the Initial Case Premium Paid for all Policies in a Case. It is not
affected by subsequent changes under the Case. The maximum commission
percentage paid under the Policies is 18% of premiums.
