<PAGE>
SUPPLEMENT DATED MAY 12, 1997
TO
STRATEGIC VARIABLE LIFE PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 1997
FLEXIBLE PREMIUM VARIABLE WHOLE LIFE INSURANCE
ISSUED BY
MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL VARIABLE LIFE SEPARATE ACCOUNT I AND
MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
The following Policy Performance Table supersedes and replaces the Table
contained on Page 19 in the Prospectus Dated May 1, 1997.
TABLE 2
POLICY PERFORMANCE
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1996
This table illustrates the performance information of a hypothetical Policy's
Account Value* assuming the following:
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<S> <C>
* The Policy was in force for the period illustrated; * 100% allocation to the respective Fund for each
* Current Fund Investment Management Fees and Direct period illustrated;
Operation Expenses, Separate Account Mortality and * The Insured is a male, issue age 50, nonsmoker;
Expense Risk Charge, Sales Load, State Premium Tax * An annual premium of $30,000 for 15 years;
Charge of 2%, DAC Tax Charge, Administrative Charge, * A Selected Face Amount of $825,000;
Charge for Cost of Insurance Protection, and Underwriting * Initial Case Premium Paid $1,000,000;
Charge**; * Full Underwriting and Death Benefit Option 1.
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<CAPTION>
Fund 1 5 10 Since
Year Years Years Inception
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
MML Equity -6.57% 7.95% 10.94% 13.07%
MML Blend -11.59% 3.89% 8.43% 9.41%
MML Managed Bond -20.17% -1.64% 4.27% 6.61%
MML Money Market -18.65% -4.29% 0.96% 3.11%
Oppenheimer Global Securities -8.72% 3.65% ----- 4.95%
Oppenheimer Capital Appreciation -6.41% 8.31% 13.09% 12.47%
Oppenheimer Growth -2.57% 9.82% 11.57% 11.42%
Oppenheimer Growth & Income 3.27% ----- ------ 9.41%
Oppenheimer Multiple Strategies -10.35% 3.77% ------ 7.27%
Oppenheimer High Income -10.53% 5.28% 10.64% 10.35%
Oppenheimer Strategic Bond -13.09% ----- ------ -2.49%
Oppenheimer Bond -18.92% -1.13% 4.75% 5.62%
Oppenheimer Money*** -18.57% -4.07% 1.16% 1.16%
Panorama LifeSpan Capital Appreciation -8.30% ----- ----- -10.28%
Panorama LifeSpan Balanced -11.99% ----- ----- -13.65%
Panorama LifeSpan Diversified Income -17.21% ----- ----- -16.84%
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* The performance information is based on the Policy's Account Value since
there are no surrender charges and we assume no Policy Debt.
** Historical investment results and current charges are used to determine
values; if guaranteed charges were used the results would be lower.
You may obtain a personalized illustration which reflects charges based on
your individual characteristics.
*** Although the Oppenheimer Money Fund commenced operations on 4/3/85, the
information necessary to calculate the performance information
is available only for the year 1987 and subsequent periods.
