MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
10-Q, 1994-11-14
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<PAGE>   1
 
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
 
                                   FORM 10-Q
 
                QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
                FOR THE FISCAL QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1994
         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 33-26322; 33-46827; 33-52254; 33-60290
 
                      MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                           <C>
                   ARKANSAS                                     91-1325756
         (State or other jurisdiction                         (IRS Employer
      of incorporation or organization)                    Identification No.)
</TABLE>
 
                             800 SCUDDERS MILL ROAD
                          PLAINSBORO, NEW JERSEY 08536
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
                                 (609) 282-1429
              (Registrant's telephone number including area code)
 
     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
                             Yes  X           No
                                 ---             ---
                     APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
 
     Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
                                 COMMON 200,000
 
     REGISTRANT MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(1)(A)
AND (B) OF FORM 10-Q AND IS THEREFORE FILING THIS FORM WITH THE REDUCED
DISCLOSURE FORMAT.
 
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
PART I  Financial Information
 

<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group,
Inc.)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
===============================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSETS                                                                 September 30,          December 31,
- - ------                                                                      1994                   1993
                                                                       --------------         --------------        
<S>                                                                   <C>                     <C>
INVESTMENTS:                                                                                       
Fixed maturity securities available for sale, at estimated fair value                              
 (amortized cost:  1994 - $4,121,412; 1993 - $5,369,236)               $   4,042,858           $   5,597,359
Fixed maturity securities held for trading, at estimated fair value                                
 (amortized cost:  1994 - $146,735; 1993 - $140,635)                         141,649                 144,035
Equity securities available for sale, at estimated fair value                                      
 (cost:  1994 - $8,965; 1993 - $24,424)                                       10,605                  24,970
Equity securities held for trading, at estimated fair value                                        
 (cost:  1994 - $11,336; 1993 - $19,694)                                      11,568                  20,585
Mortgage loans on real estate                                                153,663                 191,214
Real estate available for sale                                                24,557                  29,761
Policy loans on insurance contracts                                          969,130                 924,579
                                                                       -------------           -------------                
 Total Investments                                                         5,354,030               6,932,503
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                                     96,797                 122,218
ACCRUED INVESTMENT INCOME                                                    101,782                 120,337
DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS                                            434,623                 318,903
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES - DEFERRED                                               46,026                  16,878
REINSURANCE RECEIVABLES                                                        1,960                   1,190
RECEIVABLES FROM AFFILIATES - NET                                              3,605                     789
OTHER ASSETS                                                                  31,818                  21,481
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS ASSETS                                                   5,783,660               4,715,278
                                                                       -------------           -------------    
                                                                                                   
TOTAL ASSETS                                                           $  11,854,301           $  12,249,577
                                                                       =============           =============                 











See notes to financial statements.                          (Continued)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group,
Inc.)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE SHEETS
(Concluded) (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
===============================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY                                  September 30,            December 31,
- - ------------------------------------                                        1994                    1993          
                                                                      --------------          --------------
<S>                                                                   <C>                     <C>          
LIABILITIES:                                                                                                 
POLICY LIABILITIES AND ACCRUALS:
  Policyholders' account balances                                      $   5,272,934           $   6,691,811
  Claims and claims settlement expenses                                       25,711                  20,295
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
   Total policy liabilities and accruals                                   5,298,645               6,712,106
                                                                                                   
OTHER POLICYHOLDER FUNDS                                                      13,413                  28,768
LIABILITY FOR GUARANTY FUND ASSESSMENTS                                       25,113                  28,083
OTHER LIABILITIES                                                             49,302                  68,165
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES - CURRENT                                                 9,213                  10,122
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS LIABILITIES                                              5,768,122               4,715,278
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
   Total Liabilities                                                      11,163,808              11,562,522
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:                                                                              
 Common stock, $10 par value - 200,000 shares                                                      
    authorized, issued and outstanding                                         2,000                   2,000
 Additional paid-in capital                                                  637,590                 637,590
 Retained earnings                                                            88,294                  47,860
 Net unrealized investment loss                                              (37,391)                   (395)
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
  Total Stockholder's Equity                                                 690,493                 687,055
                                                                       -------------           -------------    
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY                             $  11,854,301           $  12,249,577
                                                                       =============           =============                 










</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements.                                            
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group,
Inc.)
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
===============================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Nine Months Ended
                                                                                   September 30,               
                                                                      ---------------------------------------
                                                                           1994                     1993
                                                                      --------------           --------------                
<S>                                                                   <C>                     <C> 
REVENUES:                                                                                          
 Investment revenue:                                                                               
  Net investment income                                                $     333,167           $     454,415
  Net realized investment gains (losses)                                     (10,587)                 32,028
 Policy charge revenue                                                        83,211                  67,653
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
   Total Revenues                                                            405,791                 554,096
                                                                       -------------           -------------    
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES:                                                                             
 Interest credited to policyholders' account balances                        243,735                 357,398
 Market value adjustment expense                                               6,143                  18,946
 Policy benefits (net of reinsurance recoveries:  1994 - $4,647;                                   
  1993 - $5,282)                                                              12,353                  14,126
 Reinsurance premium ceded                                                    10,444                   9,362
 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                            53,624                  71,288
 Insurance expenses and taxes                                                 28,056                  36,533
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
   Total Benefits and Expenses                                               354,355                 507,653
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
                                                                                                   
   Earnings Before Federal Income Tax Provision                               51,436                  46,443
                                                                                                   
FEDERAL INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT):                                                            
 Current                                                                      20,229                  12,834
 Deferred                                                                     (9,227)                  2,902
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
   Total Federal Income Tax Provision                                         11,002                  15,736
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
NET EARNINGS                                                           $      40,434           $      30,707
                                                                       =============           =============                 



</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group,
Inc.)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
===============================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                Three Months Ended            
                                                                                     September 30,               
                                                                       --------------------------------------              
                                                                            1994                     1993
                                                                       --------------          --------------                
<S>                                                                   <C>                     <C>
REVENUES:                                                                                          
 Investment revenue:                                                                               
  Net investment income                                                $     102,149           $     141,169
  Net realized investment gains (losses)                                        (414)                 17,524
 Policy charge revenue                                                        29,370                  24,000
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
   Total Revenues                                                            131,105                 182,693
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES:                                                                             
 Interest credited to policyholders' account balances                         71,661                 105,545
 Market value adjustment expense                                                 631                  11,020
 Policy benefits (net of reinsurance recoveries:  1994 - $1,436;                                   
  1993 - $799)                                                                 4,289                   8,049
 Reinsurance premium ceded                                                     3,451                   3,150
 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                            17,338                  25,431
 Insurance expenses and taxes                                                  9,040                  11,278
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
   Total Benefits and Expenses                                               106,410                 164,473
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
                                                                                                   
   Earnings Before Federal Income Tax Provision                               24,695                  18,220
                                                                                                   
FEDERAL INCOME TAX PROVISION:                                                                      
 Current                                                                       9,212                   2,752
 Deferred                                                                     (7,466)                  3,494
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
   Total Federal Income Tax Provision                                          1,746                   6,246
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
NET EARNINGS                                                           $      22,949           $      11,974
                                                                       =============           =============                 



</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group,
Inc.)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
===============================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              Net                
                                                                 Additional                unrealized       Total
                                                      Common       paid-in     Retained    investment    stockholder's
                                                      stock        capital     earnings    gain (loss)     equity
                                                    ---------   ----------    ---------    ----------    ---------
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>              
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 1993                            $   2,000    $ 654,717    $ 102,873    $    2,884    $ 762,474
                                                                                                                                    
 Dividend to Parent                                         0      (17,127)    (102,873)            0     (120,000)
                                                                                                                                    
 Net earnings                                               0            0       47,860             0       47,860
                                                                                                                                    
 Net unrealized investment loss                             0            0            0        (3,279)      (3,279)
                                                    ---------    ---------    ---------    ----------    ---------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1993                              2,000      637,590       47,860          (395)     687,055
                                                                                                                  
 Net earnings                                               0            0       40,434             0       40,434
                                                                                                                                    
 Net unrealized investment loss                             0            0            0       (36,996)     (36,996)
                                                    ---------    ---------    ---------    ----------    ---------
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 1994                         $   2,000    $ 637,590    $  88,294    $  (37,391)   $ 690,493
                                                    =========    =========    =========    ==========    =========
                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                             
                
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements.                               














<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group,
Inc.)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
===============================================================================

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Nine Months Ended
                                                                                     September 30,
                                                                       ------------------------------------- 
                                                                            1994                    1993
                                                                       -------------           -------------                
<S>                                                                   <C>                     <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                                                                              
 Net earnings                                                          $      40,434           $      30,707
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash and cash                                       
   equivalents provided (used) by operating activities:
   Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                          53,624                  71,288
   Capitalization of policy acquisition costs                                (90,955)                (56,268)
   Depreciation and amortization                                              (2,985)                  1,514
   Net realized investment (gains) losses                                     10,587                 (32,028)
   Interest credited to policyholders' account balances                      243,735                 357,398
   Provision (benefit) for deferred Federal income tax                        (9,227)                  2,902
  Cash and cash equivalents provided (used) by changes in                                          
   operating assets and liabilities:
   Accrued investment income                                                  18,555                  (8,075)
   Claims and claims settlement expenses                                       5,416                  13,785
   Federal income taxes - current                                               (909)                 12,835
   Other policyholder funds                                                  (15,355)                 35,618
   Liability for guaranty fund assessments                                    (2,970)                 (2,518)
   Receivable from affiliates - net                                           (2,816)                 (8,599)
  Change in policy loans                                                     (44,551)                (66,613)
  Change in investment trading securities                                        873                (126,578)
  Other, net                                                                 (29,897)                 33,846
   Net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating                 -------------           -------------                 
    activities                                                               173,559                 259,214
                                                                       -------------           -------------                  
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                                                             
 Fixed maturity securities sold                                              653,327                 326,864
 Fixed maturity securities matured                                         1,066,944               2,000,480
 Fixed maturity securities purchased                                        (467,420)             (1,518,487)
 Equity securities available for sale sold                                    16,876                   4,516
 Equity securities available for sale purchased                                    0                  (3,324)
 Mortgage loans on real estate principal payments received                    31,872                  20,543
 Real estate encumbrances paid off                                                 0                    (956)
 Real estate available for sale - improvements acquired                       (1,323)                      0
 Real estate available for sale sold                                           8,616                       0
 Investment in Separate Accounts                                             (15,076)                (20,000)
 Recapture of investment in Separate Accounts                                      0                   9,841
   Net cash and cash equivalents provided by investing                 -------------           -------------                 
     activities                                                            1,293,816                 819,477
                                                                       -------------           ------------
</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements                  (continued)
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group,
Inc.)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Concluded) (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
===============================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Nine Months Ended
                                                                                   September 30,
                                                                       -------------------------------------
                                                                            1994                     1993
                                                                       -------------           -------------               
<S>                                                                   <C>                     <C>  
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                                                              
 Policyholders' account balances:                                                                  
  Deposits                                                                   771,832                 464,029
  Withdrawals (includes transfers to Separate Accounts)                   (2,264,628)             (1,650,924)
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
   Net cash and cash equivalents used by financing activities             (1,492,796)             (1,186,895)
                                                                       -------------           -------------    
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                    (25,421)               (108,204)
                                                                                                   
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:                                                                         
 Beginning of year                                                           122,218                 172,124
                                                                       -------------           -------------                 
 End of period                                                         $      96,797           $      63,920
                                                                       =============           =============                 
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   
                                                                                                   








</TABLE>
See notes to financial statements
<PAGE>
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group,
Inc.)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 1994 (Unaudited)
===============================================================================

NOTE 1:  BASIS OF PRESENTATION:

Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company (the "Company") is a wholly-
owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc. ("MLIG").
The  Company  is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary  of  Merrill
Lynch & Co., Inc. ("Merrill Lynch & Co."). The Company sells life
insurance and annuity products, including variable life insurance
and variable annuities.

The  condensed  financial statements included  herein  have  been
prepared by the Company without audit, pursuant to the rules  and
regulations  of the Securities and Exchange Commission.   Certain
information   and  footnote  disclosures  normally  included   in
financial   statements  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles have been condensed  or  omitted
pursuant  to  such  rules and regulations.   In  the  opinion  of
management,  the unaudited financial statements presented  herein
include  all  adjustments (consisting only  of  normal  recurring
accruals)  necessary  for a fair presentation  of  the  financial
position  and  the  results  of  operations  in  accordance  with
generally   accepted  accounting  principles  for   the   periods
presented.  Results for the three and nine months ended September
30,  1994  and  1993  are not necessarily  indicative  of  annual
results.   To  facilitate comparison with  the  current  periods,
certain  amounts  in  the prior periods have  been  reclassified.
These   unaudited  financial  statements  should   be   read   in
conjunction  with the financial statements and the notes  thereto
included in the Company's 1993 Annual Report on Form 10-K  ("1993
Report").

The Company paid Federal income taxes of $21.1 million during the
first  nine  months of 1994. The Company did not pay any  Federal
income  taxes during the first nine months of 1993.  The  Company
paid  interest on affiliated borrowings of $0.6 million and  $0.3
million  for the nine months ended September 30, 1994  and  1993,
respectively.


NOTE 2.  STATUTORY ACCOUNTING PRACTICES:

The  Company  maintains  its  statutory  accounting  records   in
conformity  with accounting practices prescribed or permitted  by
the  Insurance  Department  of the  State  of  Arkansas  and  the
National   Association  of  Insurance  Commissioners.   Statutory
capital and surplus at September 30, 1994 and December 31,  1993,
was  $395.7  million and $374.2 million, respectively.   For  the
nine  months  ended  September 30, 1994 and 1993,  statutory  net
income was $15.2 million and $35.7 million, respectively.

<PAGE>
NOTE 3.  COMMITMENTS:

The  Company  had  previously entered  into  interest  rate  swap
contracts  for the purpose of minimizing exposure to fluctuations
in  interest rates of specific assets held.  Termination of these
commitments  as of September 30, 1994 would not have  a  material
effect on the financial condition of the Company.

Item  2   Management's  Narrative  Analysis  of  the  Results  of
Operations


This Management's Narrative Analysis of the Results of Operations
should  be  read  in conjunction with the accompanying  unaudited
financial statements and notes thereto, in addition to  the  1993
Financial  Statements and Notes to Financial Statements  and  the
Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition  and
Results of Operations filed in the 1993 Report.

Changes  in  revenues and expenses in most cases are similar  for
the  three  and  nine months periods. Therefore,  the  discussion
emphasizes  the comparison between the nine months  of  1994  and
1993,  with  additional information on the  three  month  periods
presented where appropriate.

Business Overview
- - -----------------
The  Company's earnings are principally derived from two sources;
the  net  investment income from investment of  fixed  rate  life
insurance  and  annuity  contract owner  deposits  less  interest
credited  to contract owners, commonly known as spread, and  fees
charged  to variable life insurance and variable annuity contract
owners.  The  costs  associated  with  acquiring  contract  owner
deposits  are  amortized over the period  in  which  the  Company
anticipates holding those funds. In addition, the Company  incurs
expenses associated with the maintenance of inforce contracts.

Life  insurance and annuity deposits received in the  first  nine
months  of 1994 increased $307.8 million to $771.8 million,  when
compared  to the same period in 1993. The increase was  primarily
attributable to sales of the Company's variable annuity product.

During  1994,  approximately  $1.892  billion  of  fixed deferred
annuity  liabilities will reach the expiration of their  interest
rate  guarantee period. This represents approximately 28% of  the
Company's  policy  liabilities and accruals as  of  December  31,
1993.  During the first nine months of 1994, approximately $1.599
billion  of these fixed deferred annuity liabilities reached  the
expiration  of  their  interest rate  guarantee  period.  At  the
expiration  of  an interest rate guarantee period,  the  contract
owner  has  an  option to either surrender the  contract  without
incurring a surrender charge, or to "renew" with an adjustment of
the interest crediting rate to the prevailing rate at the time of
renewal.  The Company has offered those contract owners  electing
to  surrender  the  opportunity to exchange  their  contract  for
either  a  variable  annuity  or market  value  adjusted  annuity
contract.  The  following table summarizes the  contract  owners'
selections  for the first nine months of 1994 and  for  the  year
<PAGE>
ended December 31, 1993:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                1994                                    1993 
                                                        --------------------                  ---------------------  
                                                        Amount             %                   Amount             %
                                                       ---------         ----                 ---------         ----    
                                                        (Dollars in Millions)
<S>                                                   <C>                <C>                 <C>                <C> 
Renewed with an adjustment to the 
 applicable interest crediting rate                    $     262          17%                 $     273          22%
Exchanged into either the variable annuity                                                                     
 product or the market value adjusted                                                                          
 annuity product offered by the Company                      735          45%                       453          36%
Surrendered                                                  602          38%                       543          42%
                                                       ---------         ----                 ---------         ---      
Total                                                  $   1,599         100%                 $   1,269         100%
                                                       =========         ====                 =========         ====          
</TABLE>
The  rates  of  renewal, exchange and surrender  experienced  are
consistent  with  management's expectations. For 1995  and  1996,
fixed   deferred  annuity  liabilities  which  will   reach   the
expiration  of their interest rate guarantee period will  decline
significantly from the 1993 and 1994 levels to $453.3 million and
$192.6 million, respectively.

To  fund  all business activities, the Company maintains  a  high
quality  and  liquid investment portfolio. As  of  September  30,
1994,  the  Company's invested assets and cash  equivalents  less
policy loans on insurance contracts consist of approximately  75%
liquid or readily marketable securities.

As  of September 30, 1994, approximately $391.0 million (9.3%) of
the  Company's  fixed  maturity securities were  considered  non-
investment  grade.  The Company defines non-investment  grade  as
unsecured corporate debt obligations which do not have  a  rating
equivalent  to  Standard and Poor's BBB  or  higher  (or  similar
rating  agency),  and  are not guaranteed by  an  agency  of  the
federal   government.    Non-investment  grade   securities   are
speculative  and  are  subject  to  significantly  greater  risks
related  to the creditworthiness of the issuers and the liquidity
of the market for such securities. The Company carefully selects,
and closely monitors, such investments.


Results of Operations
- - ---------------------
For the nine month periods ended September 30, 1994 and 1993, the
Company reported net earnings of $40.4 million and $30.7 million,
respectively.  For  the three month periods ended  September  30,
1994  and  1993,  the Company reported $22.9  million  and  $12.0
million, respectively.

Net  investment  income and interest credited  to  policyholders'
account balances for the nine months ended September 30, 1994  as
compared   to   the  same  period  in  1993  have   declined   by
approximately  $121.2  million and $113.7 million,  respectively,
resulting  in  a $7.5 million reduction in interest  spread.  The
reductions  in  net  investment  income,  interest  credited   to
<PAGE>
policyholders' account balances and interest spread are primarily
attributable to the reduction in fixed rate contracts inforce.

The  Company experienced net realized investment losses of  $10.6
million during the current nine month period as compared  to  net
realized  investment gains of $32.0 million for the  same  period
during  1993.  During the first nine months  of  1994  there  was
significant  volatility in both the equity and debt markets  with
ending  values generally being lower at September 30,  1994  than
they  were at December 31, 1993. Reflecting the general  declines
in  value,  the  Company's trading portfolios  experienced  $11.6
million  of  realized and unrealized losses  during  the  current
period  as  compared to $6.0 million of realized  and  unrealized
gains  during the same period in 1993.  As well, dispositions  in
the  available  for  sale  portfolios resulted  in  substantially
reduced  net  realized investment gains during the  current  nine
month period as compared to the same period during 1993.

Policy  charge  revenue  increased  approximately  $15.6  million
during  the  current nine month period as compared  to  the  same
period  in 1993.  This increase is primarily attributable to  the
80%  increase in policyholders' account balances, as compared  to
December 31, 1993, of the variable annuity product.

The  market  value  adjustment expense  is  attributable  to  the
Company's  market value adjusted annuity product.  This  contract
provision  results  in  a  market value adjustment  to  the  cash
surrender  value of those contracts which are surrendered  before
the  expiration of their interest rate guarantee period.  Due  to
the  current  lower level of interest rates as  compared  to  the
average  guaranteed interest rate of the inforce contracts,  this
market  value adjustment generally has resulted in an expense  to
the  Company.  The  Company's market value adjusted  annuity  has
experienced a decrease in surrenders during the first nine months
of  1994 as compared to the same period during 1993. The decrease
in  surrender activity and the recent rise in interest rates  has
resulted  in  the  $12.8 million decrease  in  the  market  value
adjustment expense.

Policy  benefits decreased approximately $1.7 million from  $14.1
million  for  the first nine months of 1993 to $12.4 million  for
the  current  nine  month  period.  This  decrease  is  primarily
attributable  to  a  reduction  in mortality  claims  during  the
current  nine month period as compared to the same period  during
1993.

Reinsurance  premium ceded increased approximately  $1.0  million
from  $9.4 million during the first nine months of 1993 to  $10.4
million  for  the  current  period. This  increase  is  primarily
attributable  to  the  increase in average attained  age  of  the
Company's life insurance policyholders. As the average age of the
policyholders  increases the cost to the Company  of  reinsurance
increases.

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs declined  $17.7
million during the current period as compared to the same  period
during  1993.  The Company adjusts the amortization  of  deferred
policy  acquisition  costs  based on  realized  investment  gains
<PAGE>
recognized  on  normal  dispositions in the Company's  investment
portfolios. The decline in realized investment gains  during  the
current  nine month period as compared to the same period  during
1993  contributed  to the reduction in amortization  of  deferred
acquisition costs. Additionally, contributing to the decrease  in
amortization  is  a  decline in fixed annuity  contracts  inforce
partially  offset  by  the  increase  in  the  variable   annuity
contracts inforce.

Insurance  expenses and taxes decreased $8.5 million  during  the
current nine month period as compared to the same period in 1993.
Approximately $2.7 million of the decrease was attributable to  a
period   to   period  reduction  in  the  amount  of   allowances
established  for future assessments related to the rehabilitation
of  insolvent  and/or  impaired  life  insurance  companies.  The
remaining  reduction in expenses is attributable  to  operational
efficiencies  and  the completion during 1993 of  certain  policy
administration system enhancements.

The  Company's  effective federal income tax rate decreased  from
34%  during  the first nine months of 1993 to 21%  for  the  same
period  during  1994  principally as a  result  of  recording  an
adjustment  to  prior years tax liabilities  during  the  current
period.




                                       I-1
<PAGE>   3
 
PART II  Other Information
 
Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.
 
         Nothing to report.
 
Item 5.  Other Information.
 
         Nothing to report.
 
Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
 
         (a) Exhibits.
 
             Exhibit 27.
             Financial Data Schedule.
 
         (b) Reports on Form 8-K.
 
             None.
 
                                       I-2
<PAGE>   4
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
                                       MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
 
                                         /s/  JOSEPH E. CROWNE
                                       -------------------------------------
                                              Joseph E. Crowne
                                              Senior Vice President and
                                              Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: November 11, 1994
 
                                       I-3
<PAGE>   5



                                EXHIBIT INDEX
                                -------------



     EXHIBIT NO.             DESCRIPTION
     -----------             -----------

         27             Financial Data Schedule


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR THE QUARTER
ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1994, AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1994
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                         4,042,858
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                                  0
<EQUITIES>                                      22,173
<MORTGAGE>                                     153,663
<REAL-ESTATE>                                   24,557
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               5,354,030
<CASH>                                          96,797
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               1,960
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         434,623
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              11,854,301
<POLICY-LOSSES>                                 25,711
<UNEARNED-PREMIUMS>                                  0
<POLICY-OTHER>                                  13,413
<POLICY-HOLDER-FUNDS>                        5,272,934
<NOTES-PAYABLE>                                      0
<COMMON>                                         2,000
                                0
                                          0
<OTHER-SE>                                     688,493
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                11,854,301
                                           0
<INVESTMENT-INCOME>                            333,167
<INVESTMENT-GAINS>                             (10,587)
<OTHER-INCOME>                                  83,211
<BENEFITS>                                      12,353
<UNDERWRITING-AMORTIZATION>                     53,624
<UNDERWRITING-OTHER>                            28,056
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 51,436
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,002
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             40,434
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    40,434
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
<RESERVE-OPEN>                                       0
<PROVISION-CURRENT>                                  0
<PROVISION-PRIOR>                                    0
<PAYMENTS-CURRENT>                                   0
<PAYMENTS-PRIOR>                                     0
<RESERVE-CLOSE>                                      0
<CUMULATIVE-DEFICIENCY>                              0
        

</TABLE>


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