MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
10-Q, 1998-05-14
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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 QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 1998
    COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 33-26322; 33-46827; 33-52254; 33-60290; 33-58303
 
                      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

Item 1. Financial Statements.




MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group,
Inc.)

BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                             March 31,         December 31,
                                                                               1998                1997
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
<S>                                                                      <C>                 <C>  
ASSETS
- ------
INVESTMENTS:                                                                                    
    Fixed maturity securities, at estimated fair value                                          
      (amortized cost:  1998 - $2,799,845; 1997 - $2,927,562)             $   2,874,689       $   3,008,608
    Equity securities, at estimated fair value                                                  
     (cost:  1998 - $114,564; 1997 - $72,599)                                   114,822              73,612
    Trading account securities, at estimated fair value                          16,923              15,625
    Real estate held-for-sale                                                    28,034              31,805
    Policy loans on insurance contracts                                       1,121,627           1,118,139
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------                       
       Total Investments                                                      4,156,095           4,247,789
                                                                    
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                                                        62,022              86,388
ACCRUED INVESTMENT INCOME                                                        80,292              78,224
DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS                                               367,096             365,105
FEDERAL INCOME TAXES - DEFERRED                                                   2,729                   -
REINSURANCE RECEIVABLES                                                           3,932               1,617
AFFILIATED RECEIVABLES - NET                                                        115                 166
RECEIVABLES FROM SECURITIES SOLD                                                  5,685              75,820
OTHER ASSETS                                                                     45,433              49,353
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS ASSETS                                                      9,990,628           9,149,119
                                                                         ---------------     --------------- 
TOTAL ASSETS                                                              $  14,714,027       $  14,053,581
                                                                         ===============     =============== 
</TABLE>                                                     
                                                                          
                                                                          
                                                                          
                                                                          
See notes to finanical statements.
(continued)
<PAGE>

MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group,
Inc.)

BALANCE SHEETS
(Continued) (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                             March 31,         December 31,
                                                                               1998                1997
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------                  
<S>                                                                      <C>                 <C>       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
- ------------------------------------
LIABILITIES:                                                                                    
 POLICY LIABILITIES AND ACCRUALS:                          
        Policyholders' account balances                                   $   4,067,965       $   4,188,110
        Claims and claims settlement expenses                                    64,445              50,574
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------                       
          Total policy liabilities and accruals                               4,132,410           4,238,684
                                                                                                
 OTHER POLICYHOLDER FUNDS                                                        19,064              27,160
 LIABILITY FOR GUARANTY FUND ASSESSMENTS                                         14,230              15,734
 FEDERAL INCOME TAXES - DEFERRED                                                      -               1,183
 FEDERAL INCOME TAXES - CURRENT                                                  15,248              24,438
 PAYABLE FOR SECURITIES PURCHASED                                                11,556              95,135
 OTHER LIABILITIES                                                               57,655              54,434
 SEPARATE ACCOUNTS LIABILITES                                                 9,990,628           9,149,119
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
          Total Liabilities                                                  14,240,791          13,605,527
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY:                                                                           
 Common stock, $10 par value - 200,000 shares                                                   
    authorized, issued and outstanding                                            2,000               2,000
 Additional paid-in capital                                                     347,324             347,324
 Retained earnings                                                              107,689              80,735
 Accumulated other comprehensive income                                          16,223              17,995
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
          Total Stockholder's Equity                                            473,236             448,054
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY                                $  14,714,027       $  14,053,581
                                                                         ===============     ===============
</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
                                                                                       March 31,        
                                                                         -----------------------------------               
                                                                              1998                 1997
                                                                         ---------------     --------------- 
<S>                                                                      <C>                 <C>
REVENUES:                                                                                       
 Investment revenue:                                                                            
  Net investment income                                                   $      70,998       $      79,638
  Net realized investment gains                                                  10,458               5,785
 Policy charge revenue                                                           48,045              41,116
                                                                         ---------------     --------------- 
   Total Revenues                                                               129,501             126,538
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
BENEFITS AND EXPENSES:                                                                          
 Interest credited to policyholders' account balances                            50,319              53,106
 Market value adjustment expense                                                  1,392                 943
 Policy benefits (net of reinsurance recoveries:  1998 - $3,741                                 
  1997 - $2,937)                                                                  7,732               6,756
 Reinsurance premium ceded                                                        4,870               4,360
 Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                               16,673              21,924
 Insurance expenses and taxes                                                    12,272              11,777
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
   Total Benefits and Expenses                                                   93,258              98,866
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
                                                                                                
   Earnings Before Federal Income Tax Provision                                  36,243              27,673
                                                                                                
FEDERAL INCOME TAX PROVISION (BENEFIT):                                                         
 Current                                                                         12,248               9,934
 Deferred                                                                        (2,959)             (1,879)
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
   Total Federal Income Tax Provision                                             9,289               8,055
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
NET EARNINGS                                                              $      26,954       $      19,617
                                                                         ===============     ===============
</TABLE>







See notes to financial statements.
<PAGE>


MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch Insurance Group,
Inc.)

STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                                                       March 31,
                                                                         ----------------------------------- 
                                                                               1998                 1997
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
<S>                                                                      <C>                 <C>        
NET EARNINGS                                                              $      26,954       $      19,617
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX:                                                         
                                                                                                
 Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment securities:                                        
   Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period                3,447             (47,261)
   Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net earnings               (10,404)             (5,451)
                                                                         ---------------     --------------- 
   Net unrealized losses on investment securities                                (6,957)            (52,712)
                                                                                                
   Adjustments for:                                                                             
              Policyholder liabilities                                            4,148              30,993
              Deferred policy acquisition costs                                      83               7,731
                                                                                                
 Income tax benefit related to items of                                                         
   other comprehensive income                                                       954               4,896
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
 Other comprehensive income, net of tax                                          (1,772)             (9,092)
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME                                                      $      25,182       $      10,525
                                                                         ===============     ===============
</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>
                                                                                                     Accumulated      
                                                                 Additional                             other             Total
                                                  Common           paid-in           Retained       comprehensive     stockholder's
                                                  stock            capital           earnings          income             equity
                                             ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   ---------------
<S>                                          <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>               <C>         
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 1997                      $       2,000     $     402,937     $      79,387     $       5,496     $     489,820
                                                                                                                          
 Dividend to Parent                                                   (55,613)          (79,387)                           (135,000)
                                                                                                                          
 Net earnings                                                                            80,735                              80,735
                                                                                                                          
 Other comprehensive income, net of tax                                                                    12,499            12,499
                                             ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   ---------------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1997                            2,000           347,324            80,735            17,995           448,054
                                                                                                                          
 Net earnings                                                                            26,954                              26,954
                                                                                                                         
 Other comprehensive income, net of tax                                                                    (1,772)           (1,772)
                                             ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   ---------------   ---------------
BALANCE, MARCH 31, 1998                       $       2,000     $     347,324     $     107,689     $      16,223     $     473,236
                                             ===============   ===============   ===============   ===============   ===============
</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>


                                                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                                                       March 31,
                                                                         -----------------------------------
                                                                               1998                1997
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
<S>                                                                      <C>                 <C> 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:                                                                           
 Net earnings                                                             $      26,954       $      19,617
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash and cash                                    
       equivalents provided (used) by operating activities:
   Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs                             16,673              21,924
   Capitalization of policy acquisition costs                                   (18,581)            (15,739)
   Amortization, (accretion) and depreciation of investments                     (2,115)               (681)
   Net realized investment gains                                                (10,458)             (5,785)
   Interest credited to policyholders' account balances                          50,319              53,106
   Benefit for deferred Federal income tax                                       (2,959)             (1,879)
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                                               
    Accrued investment income                                                    (2,068)               (544)
    Affiliated receivables / payables                                                51               6,363
    Claims and claims settlement expenses                                        13,871               4,978
    Federal income taxes - current                                               (9,190)             (8,034)
    Other policyholder funds                                                     (8,096)             (1,952)
   Liability for guaranty fund assessments                                       (1,144)               (563)
   Policy loans on insurance contracts                                           (3,488)             (2,997)
   Trading account securities                                                       (40)                  -
   Other, net                                                                     4,826              (2,434)
                                                                         ---------------      --------------
      Net cash and cash equivalents provided by operating activities             54,555              65,380
                                                                         ---------------      --------------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:                                                                           
 Sales of available-for-sale securities                                         285,119              169,387
 Maturities of available-for-sale securities                                    149,017              198,900
 Purchases of available-for-sale securities                                    (357,603)            (271,883)
 Mortgage loans principal payments received                                           -               30,027
 Sales of real estate held-for-sale                                              10,862                    -
 Recapture of investment in Separate Accounts                                         -                9,221
 Investment in Separate Accounts                                                      -                  (21)
                                                                         ---------------      ---------------
       Net cash and cash equivalents provided by investing activities            87,395              135,631
                                                                         ---------------      ---------------
</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
(Continued) (Dollars in Thousands) (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                Three Months Ended
                                                                                      March 31,
                                                                         -----------------------------------
                                                                              1998                 1997
                                                                         ----------------    --------------- 
<S>                                                                      <C>                 <C>    
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:                                                                          
 Policyholders' account balances:                                                              
  Deposits                                                                $     234,970       $     216,319
  Withdrawals (including transfers to/from Separate Accounts)                  (401,286)           (328,760)
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
   Net cash and cash equivalents used by financing activities                  (166,316)           (112,441)
                                                                         ---------------     --------------- 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                            (24,366)             88,570
                                                                                               
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:                                                                     
 Beginning of year                                                               86,388              94,991
                                                                         ---------------     ---------------
 End of period                                                            $      62,022       $     183,561
                                                                         ===============     ===============                      
                                                                                               
Supplementary Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:                                             
 Cash paid for:                                                                                
  Federal income taxes                                                    $      21,438       $      17,968
  Intercompany interest                                                             209                 175
</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 (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 unaudited condensed financial statements included herein have
been prepared by the Company 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. The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles and prevailing
industry practice requires management to make estimates that
affect the reported amounts and disclosure of contingencies in
the financial statements.  Actual  results could differ from
those estimates.  Results for the three month  periods ended
March 31, 1998 and 1997 are not necessarily indicative of annual
results. These unaudited financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto
included in the Company's 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K ("1997
Report").


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 March 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997, was
$277 million and $245 million, respectively. For the three month
periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, statutory net income was
$33.0 million and $17.8 million, respectively.


NOTE 3.  INVESTMENTS:

The Company's investments in debt and equity securities are
classified as either available-for-sale or trading and are
recorded at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on available-
for-sale securities are included in accumulated other
comprehensive income, which is a component of stockholder's
equity.  Unrealized gains and losses on trading account
securities are included in net realized investment gains.

The Company is required to adjust deferred policy acquisition
costs and certain policyholder liabilities associated with
available-for-sale securities. These adjustments are recorded in
the accumulated other comprehensive income component of
stockholder's equity and assume that the unrealized gain or loss
on available-for-sale securities was realized. These investments
primarily support in-force, universal life-type contracts. The
following reconciles the net unrealized investment gain recorded
in accumulated other comprehensive income at March 31, 1998 and
December 31, 1997:


                                              March 31,    December 31,
                                                1998          1997      
                                             -----------   -----------
                                                  (In Thousands)      
                                                                    
 Assets:                                                                 
  Fixed maturity securities                   $  74,844     $  81,046    
  Equity securities                                 258         1,013     
  Deferred policy acquisition costs              (5,369)       (5,452)   
                                             -----------   -----------
                                                 69,733        76,607    
                                                                         
 Liabilities:                                                            
  Policyholders' account balances                44,775        48,923    
  Federal income taxes - deferred                 8,735         9,689     
                                             -----------   -----------
                                                 53,510        58,612    
 Stockholder's equity:                       -----------   ----------- 
  Accumlated other comprehensive income       $  16,223     $  17,995    
                                             ===========   ===========

NOTE 4:  RECLASSIFICATIONS:

To facilitate comparisons with the current year, certain amounts
in the prior year have been reclassified.


During the third quarter 1997, the Company provided $15 million
initial funding for a trading portfolio, composed of convertible
debt and equity securities.  The net unrealized holding gains on
trading account securities earned during the first quarter 1998,
and included in net realized investment gains was $764.

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 1997
Financial Statements and Notes to Financial Statements and the
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations included in the 1997 Report.

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 deferred and amortized over the period in which the
Company anticipates holding those funds. In addition, the Company
incurs expenses associated with the maintenance of in-force
contracts.

Life insurance premiums and annuity deposits received in the
first three months of 1998 and 1997 were $273 million and $236
million, respectively.  The increase is attributable to increased
sales of the Company's variable products.  During the first
quarter 1998, variable annuity deposits increased $32.6 million
(or 17%) to $228 million and variable life insurance premiums
increased $9.7 million (or 33%) to $39.4 million.  Management
attributes the increase in variable product sales to the
continued strength of the U.S. equity markets.  During the first
quarter 1998, the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price
Index rose 14%, ending the quarter near its historical high
point. Future variable product sales could be negatively impacted 
if the equity markets enter a period of decline. Partially 
offsetting the increases in variable product sales was the 
reduction in modified guaranteed annuity sales which declined 
$3.7 million  (or 90%) to $4.1 million.  Sales volume of this 
product is reflective of the current interest rate environment 
and will generally increase and decrease in a direct relationship 
with changes in interest rates.  During the first quarter 1998, 
interest rates remained generally lower with medium term rates on 
U.S. Treasury securities at approximately 5.6%. This represents a 
97 basis point decrease from the first quarter 1997.

During the first three months of 1998, separate account assets
increased $842 million (or 9%) to $10 billion. The increase is
attributable to two factors. First, the separate accounts
benefited from strong underlying fund performance associated with
the generally rising equity markets. During the first three
months of 1998, separate account assets increased $775 million
due to price appreciation in the underlying funds supporting the
variable products. Second, net cash inflow to the variable
products contributed $67 million to the growth in separate
account assets.

To fund all business activities, the Company maintains a high
quality and liquid investment portfolio. As of March 31, 1998,
the Company's assets included $2.4 billion of cash, short-term
investments and investment grade publicly traded fixed maturity
securities that could be liquidated if funds were required.

As of March 31, 1998, approximately $176 million (or 6.1%) 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).  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.

Comprehensive Income

For the three month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, the
Company reported comprehensive income of $25 million and $11
million, respectively.  A discussion of the results of operations
and changes in other comprehensive income follows:


Results of Operations

For the three month periods ended March 31, 1998 and 1997, the
Company reported net earnings of $27 million and $20 million,
respectively.

During the first quarter 1998, net investment income and interest
credited to policyholders' account balances declined by
approximately $9 million and $3 million, respectively, resulting
in a $6 million decrease in interest spread when compared to the
first quarter 1997. The reduction in net investment income is
primarily a result of the Company's fourth quarter 1997 dividend
payment to its stockholder,  declining fixed rate contracts in-
force and the declining yield on the company's fixed maturity
portfolio.  The reduction in interest credited to policyholders'
account balances is primarily attributable to the declining fixed
rate contracts in-force and the declining crediting rate on newly
issued  and renewal fixed rate contracts.  The declines in
investment yield and crediting rate are a result of the current
lower interest rate environment.

Net realized investment gains increased approximately $5 million
during the current three month period as compared to the same
period during 1997.  The increase is primarily due to the $7
million gain on the sale of one commercial real estate property.
Partially offsetting this gain was $1 million in credit-related
losses due to the sale of  fixed maturity securities of  Pacific
Rim issuers.

Policy charge revenue increased $7 million (or 17%) during the
first quarter 1998 as compared to the same period during 1997.
The increase in policy charge revenue is primarily attributable
to the increase in policyholders' variable account balances.
Average variable account balances increased $1.9 billion (or 25%)
during the first quarter 1998 as compared to the same period in
1997.  Asset based policy charges increased $6 million (or 24%)
consistent with the growth in separate account assets.  Non-asset
based policy charges increased $1 million (or 5%).

Policy benefits increased approximately $1 million to $8 million
during the current three month period from $7 million in the same
period during 1997.  The increase is primarily due to the
increase in variable life death claims.

Reinsurance premium ceded increased $0.5 million (or 12%) to $5
million during 1998.  This increase is attributable to the
combined effect of the increasing age of policyholders and
increased insurance in-force.

The market value adjustment expense is attributable to the
Company's modified guaranteed 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. The
market value adjustment expense has increased $0.4 million (or
48%) during the current three month period consistent with an
increase in surrender activity resulting from the lower interest
rate environment as compared to the same period in 1997.

Amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs decreased $5
million during the first quarter 1998 as compared to the same
period during 1997.  During the first quarter 1997, management
decided to pay trail commissions on certain in-force life
insurance contracts.  The revision to future gross profit
assumptions for that line of business resulted in a $6 million
increase in amortization.


Other Comprehensive Income

The Company reported a decrease in other comprehensive income of
$2 million during the first quarter 1998 as compared to a
decrease of $9 million during the first quarter 1997.

Other comprehensive income is impacted by the change in net
unrealized holding gains (losses) on investment securities and
the related adjustments to deferred policy acquisition costs,
policyholders' liabilities and deferred income taxes.  Generally,
the most significant factor that impacts net unrealized holding
gains (losses) on investment securities is changes in interest
rates.  At March 31, 1998, interest rates on medium term U.S.
Treasury securities remained relatively flat from December 31,
1997.  This compares to the approximately 53 basis point increase
from December 31, 1996 to March 31, 1997.  The change in net
unrealized holding gains (losses) has an inverse relationship to
changes in interest rates.
<PAGE>














                                      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.
 
            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, JR.
 
                                       -----------------------------------------
 
                                              Joseph E. Crowne, Jr.
                                            Senior Vice President and
                                            Chief Financial Officer
 
Date: May 14, 1998
 
                                       I-3
<PAGE>   5
                                EXHIBIT INDEX
                                -------------

Exhibit
  No.          Description
- -------        -----------

  27           Financial Data Schedule


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 7
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1998
<DEBT-HELD-FOR-SALE>                                 0
<DEBT-CARRYING-VALUE>                                0
<DEBT-MARKET-VALUE>                          2,874,689
<EQUITIES>                                     114,822
<MORTGAGE>                                           0
<REAL-ESTATE>                                   28,034
<TOTAL-INVEST>                               4,156,095
<CASH>                                          62,022
<RECOVER-REINSURE>                               3,932
<DEFERRED-ACQUISITION>                         367,096
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