FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
THE PRUDENTIAL SERIES FUND, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares........................................4
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties.............................8
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses and Proxy Statements; Voting.................11
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information............................13
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses.........................................15
ARTICLE VI. Diversification and Qualification.........................16
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts and Compliance With
Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order .................19
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification ..........................................21
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law............................................31
ARTICLE X. Termination...............................................31
ARTICLE XI. Notices...................................................34
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous.............................................35
SCHEDULE A Contracts.................................................39
SCHEDULE B Designated Portfolios.....................................40
SCHEDULE C Expenses..................................................41
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
PREFERRED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK,
THE PRUDENTIAL SERIES FUND, INC.,
THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA,
and
PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of this 15th day of
December, 2000, by and among PREFERRED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
(hereinafter "Preferred"), a New York life insurance company, on its own behalf
and on behalf of its SEPARATE ACCOUNTS (the "Accounts"); THE PRUDENTIAL SERIES
FUND, INC., an open-end management investment company organized under the laws
of Maryland (hereinafter the "Fund"); THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF
AMERICA (hereinafter the "Adviser"), a New Jersey mutual insurance company; and
PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC (hereinafter the "Distributor"), a
Delaware limited liability company.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management
investment company and is available to act as the investment vehicle for
separate accounts established for variable life insurance policies and/or
variable annuity contracts (collectively, the "Variable Insurance Products") to
be offered by insurance companies, including Preferred, which have entered into
participation agreements similar to this Agreement (hereinafter "Participating
Insurance Companies"); and
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into several
series of shares, each designated a "Portfolio" and representing the interest in
a particular managed portfolio of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission (hereinafter the "SEC"), dated March 5, 1999 (File No.
IC-23728), granting Participating Insurance Companies and variable annuity and
variable life insurance separate accounts exemptions from the provisions of
sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, (hereinafter the "1940 Act") and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15)
thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to
and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of
life insurance companies that may or may not be affiliated with one another and
qualified pension and retirement plans ("Qualified Plans") (hereinafter the
"Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and shares of the Portfolio(s) are registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any applicable state
securities laws; and
WHEREAS, the Distributor is duly registered as a broker-dealer under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "1934 Act") and is a
member in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(the "NASD"); and
WHEREAS, Preferred has registered certain variable annuity contracts
supported wholly or partially by the Account (the "Contracts") under the 1933
Act and said Contracts are listed in Schedule A attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time by mutual
written agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of Preferred
on February 26, 1988, under the insurance laws of the State of New York, to set
aside and invest assets attributable to the Contracts; and
WHEREAS, Preferred has registered the Account as a unit investment
trust under the 1940 Act and has registered the securities deemed to be issued
by the Account under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, Preferred intends to purchase shares in the Portfolio(s) listed in
Schedule B attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, as such
Schedule may be amended from time to time by mutual written agreement (the
"Designated Portfolio(s)"), on behalf of the Account to fund the Contracts, and
the Fund is authorized to sell such shares to unit investment trusts such as the
Account at net asset value; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Account also intends to purchase shares in other open-end
investment companies or series thereof not affiliated with the Fund (the
"Unaffiliated Funds") on behalf of the Account to fund the Contracts;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, Preferred,
the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares.
-------------------
1.1. The Fund agrees to sell to Preferred those shares of the
Designated Portfolio(s) which the Account orders, executing such orders on each
Business Day at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or
its designee of the order for the shares of the Designated Portfolios. For
purposes of this Section 1.1, Preferred shall be the designee of the Fund for
receipt of such orders and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by
the Fund, provided that the Fund receives notice of any such order by 9:00 a.m.
Eastern time on the next following Business Day. "Business Day" shall mean any
day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the
Designated Portfolio calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the
SEC.
1.2. The Fund agrees to make shares of the Designated Portfolio(s)
available for purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by Preferred
and the Account on those days on which the Fund calculates its Designated
Portfolio(s)' net asset value pursuant to rules of the SEC, and the Fund shall
calculate such net asset value on each day which the New York Stock Exchange is
open for trading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors of the
Fund (hereinafter the "Board") may refuse to sell shares of any Designated
Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any
Designated Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Board
acting in good faith and in light of its fiduciary duties under federal and any
applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders of
such Designated Portfolio.
1.3. The Fund will not sell shares of the Designated Portfolio(s) to
any other Participating Insurance Company separate account unless an agreement
containing provisions the substance of which are the same as Sections 2.1
(except with respect to New York law), 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, and Article VII of this
Agreement is in effect to govern such sales.
1.4. The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, on Preferred's request, any
full or fractional shares of the Fund held by Preferred, executing such requests
on each Business Day at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the
Fund or its designee of the request for redemption. Requests for redemption
identified by Preferred, or its agent, as being in connection with surrenders,
annuitizations, transfers or death benefits under the Contracts, upon prior
written notice, may be executed within seven (7) calendar days after receipt by
the Fund or its designee of the requests for redemption. This Section 1.4 may be
amended, in writing, by the parties consistent with the requirements of the 1940
Act and interpretations thereof. For purposes of this Section 1.4, Preferred
shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of requests for redemption and
receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund, provided that the
Fund receives notice of any such request for redemption by 9:00 a.m. Eastern
time on the next following Business Day.
1.5. The Parties hereto acknowledge that the arrangement contemplated
by this Agreement is not exclusive; the Fund's shares may be sold to other
Participating Insurance Companies (subject to Section 1.3) and the cash value of
the Contracts may be invested in other investment companies.
1.6. Preferred shall pay for Fund shares by 3:00 p.m. Eastern time on
the next Business Day after an order to purchase Fund shares is made in
accordance with the provisions of Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in
federal funds transmitted by wire and/or by a credit for any shares redeemed the
same day as the purchase.
1.7. The Fund shall pay and transmit the proceeds of redemptions of
Fund shares by 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the next Business Day after a
redemption order is received in accordance with Section 1.4 hereof. Payment
shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire and/or a credit for any shares
purchased the same day as the redemption.
1.8. Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry
only. Stock certificates will not be issued to Preferred or the Account. Shares
purchased from the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for the Account
or the appropriate sub-account of the Account.
1.9. The Fund shall furnish same day notice (by wire or telephone,
followed by written confirmation) to Preferred of any income, dividends or
capital gain distributions payable on the Designated Portfolio(s)' shares.
Preferred hereby elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain
distributions as are payable on the Designated Portfolio shares in additional
shares of that Designated Portfolio. Preferred reserves the right to revoke this
election and to receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions
in cash. The Fund shall notify Preferred by the end of the next following
Business Day of the number of shares so issued as payment of such dividends and
distributions.
1.10. The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each
Designated Portfolio available to Preferred on each Business Day as soon as
reasonably practical after the net asset value per share is calculated and shall
use its best efforts to make such net asset value per share available by 6:00
p.m. Eastern time. In the event of an error in the computation of a Designated
Portfolio's net asset value per share ("NAV") or any dividend or capital gain
distribution (each, a "pricing error"), the Adviser or the Fund shall
immediately notify Preferred as soon as possible after discovery of the error.
Such notification may be verbal, but shall be confirmed promptly in writing in
accordance with Article XI of this Agreement. A pricing error shall be corrected
as follows: (a) if the pricing error results in a difference between the
erroneous NAV and the correct NAV of less than $0.01 per share, then no
corrective action need be taken; (b) if the pricing error results in a
difference between the erroneous NAV and the correct NAV equal to or greater
than $0.01 per share, but less than 1/2 of 1% of the Designated Portfolio's NAV
at the time of the error, then the Adviser shall reimburse the Designated
Portfolio for any loss, after taking into consideration any positive effect of
such error; however, no adjustments to Contractowner accounts need be made; and
(c) if the pricing error results in a difference between the erroneous NAV and
the correct NAV equal to or greater than 1/2 of 1% of the Designated Portfolio's
NAV at the time of the error, then the Adviser shall reimburse the Designated
Portfolio for any loss (without taking into consideration any positive effect of
such error) and shall reimburse Preferred for the costs of adjustments made to
correct Contractowner accounts in accordance with the provisions of Schedule C.
If an adjustment is necessary to correct a material error which has caused
Contractowners to receive less than the amount to which they are entitled, the
number of shares of the applicable sub-account of such Contractowners will be
adjusted and the amount of any underpayments shall be credited by the Adviser to
Preferred for crediting of such amounts to the applicable Contractowners
accounts. Upon notification by the Adviser of any overpayment due to a material
error, Preferred shall promptly remit to Adviser any overpayment that has not
been paid to Contractowners. In no event shall Preferred be liable to
Contractowners for any such adjustments or underpayment amounts. A pricing error
within categories (b) or (c) above shall be deemed to be "materially incorrect"
or constitute a "material error" for purposes of this Agreement.
The standards set forth in this Section 1.10 are based on the Parties'
understanding of the views expressed by the staff of the SEC as of the date of
this Agreement. In the event the views of the SEC staff are later modified or
superseded by SEC or judicial interpretation, the parties shall amend the
foregoing provisions of this Agreement to comport with the appropriate
applicable standards, on terms mutually satisfactory to all Parties.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1. Preferred represents and warrants that the Contracts and the
securities deemed to be issued by the Account under the Contracts are or will be
registered under the 1933 Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws
and that the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all material respects with
state insurance suitability requirements. Preferred further represents and
warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing
under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established the Account
prior to any issuance or sale of units thereof as a segregated asset account
under New York law, and has registered the Account as a unit investment trust in
accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a segregated
investment account for the Contracts and that it will maintain such registration
for so long as any Contracts are outstanding as required by applicable law.
2.2. The Fund represents and warrants that Designated Portfolio(s)
shares sold pursuant to this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act,
duly authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with all applicable federal
securities laws including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the
1940 Act and that the Fund is and shall remain registered under the 1940 Act.
The Fund shall amend the registration statement for its shares under the 1933
Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the
continuous offering of its shares.
2.3. The Fund reserves the right to adopt a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act and to impose an asset-based or other charge to finance
distribution expenses as permitted by applicable law and regulation. In any
event, the Fund and Adviser agree to comply with applicable provisions and SEC
staff interpretations of the 1940 Act to assure that the investment advisory or
management fees paid to the Adviser by the Fund are in accordance with the
requirements of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the Fund decides to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund undertakes to have its
Board, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund, formulate and
approve any plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act to finance
distribution expenses.
2.4. The Fund represents and warrants that it will make every effort to
ensure that Designated Portfolio(s) shares will be sold in compliance with the
insurance laws of the State of New York and all applicable state insurance and
securities laws. The Fund shall register and qualify the shares for sale in
accordance with the laws of the various states if and to the extent required by
applicable law. Preferred and the Fund will endeavor to mutually cooperate with
respect to the implementation of any modifications necessitated by any change in
state insurance laws, regulations or interpretations of the foregoing that
affect the Designated Portfolio(s) (a "Law Change"), and to keep each other
informed of any Law Change that becomes known to either party. In the event of a
Law Change, the Fund agrees that, except in those circumstances where the Fund
has advised Preferred that its Board of Directors has determined that
implementation of a particular Law Change is not in the best interest of all of
the Fund's shareholders with an explanation regarding why such action is lawful,
any action required by a Law Change will be taken.
2.5. The Fund represents and warrants that it is lawfully organized and
validly existing under the laws of the State of Maryland and that it does and
will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.
2.6. The Adviser represents and warrants that it is and shall remain
duly registered under all applicable federal and state securities laws and that
it shall perform its obligations for the Fund in compliance in all material
respects with any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.7. The Distributor represents and warrants that it is and shall
remain duly registered under all applicable federal and state securities laws
and that it shall perform its obligations for the Fund in compliance in all
material respects with the laws of any applicable state and federal securities
laws.
2.8. The Fund and the Adviser represent and warrant that all of their
respective officers, employees, investment advisers, and other individuals or
entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are, and shall
continue to be at all times, covered by one or more blanket fidelity bonds or
similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the
minimal coverage required by Rule 17g-1 under the 1940 Act or related provisions
as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid bonds shall include
coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable bonding
company.
2.9. The Fund will provide Preferred with as much advance notice as is
reasonably practicable of any material change affecting the Designated
Portfolio(s) (including, but not limited to, any material change in the
registration statement or prospectus affecting the Designated Portfolio(s)) and
any proxy solicitation affecting the Designated Portfolio(s) and consult with
Preferred in order to implement any such change in an orderly manner,
recognizing the expenses of changes and attempting to minimize such expenses by
implementing them in conjunction with regular annual updates of the prospectus
for the Contracts. The Fund agrees to share equitably in expenses incurred by
Preferred as a result of actions taken by the Fund, consistent with the
allocation of expenses contained in Schedule C attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference.
2.10. Preferred represents and warrants, for purposes other than
diversification under Section 817 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as
amended ("the Code"), that the Contracts are currently and at the time of
issuance will be treated as annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the
Code, and that it will make every effort to maintain such treatment and that it
will notify the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so treated
or that they might not be so treated in the future. In addition, Preferred
represents and warrants that the Account is a "segregated asset account" and
that interests in the Account are offered exclusively through the purchase of or
transfer into a "variable contract" within the meaning of such terms under
Section 817 of the Code and the regulations thereunder. Preferred will use every
effort to continue to meet such definitional requirements, and it will notify
the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser immediately upon having a reasonable
basis for believing that such requirements have ceased to be met or that they
might not be met in the future. Preferred represents and warrants that it will
not purchase Fund shares with assets derived from tax-qualified retirement plans
except, indirectly, through Contracts purchased in connection with such plans.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses and Proxy Statements; Voting.
-----------------------------------------
3.1. At least annually, the Adviser or Distributor shall provide
Preferred with as many copies of the Fund's current prospectus for the
Designated Portfolio(s) as Preferred may reasonably request for marketing
purposes (including distribution to Contractowners with respect to new sales of
a Contract), with expenses to be borne in accordance with Schedule C hereof. If
requested by Preferred in lieu thereof, the Adviser, Distributor or Fund shall
provide such documentation (including a camera-ready copy and computer diskette
of the current prospectus for the Designated Portfolio(s)) and other assistance
as is reasonably necessary in order for Preferred once each year (or more
frequently if the prospectuses for the Designated Portfolio(s) are amended) to
have the prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's prospectus for the
Designated Portfolio(s) printed together in one document. The Fund and Adviser
agree that the prospectus (and semi-annual and annual reports) for the
Designated Portfolio(s) will describe only the Designated Portfolio(s) and will
not name or describe any other portfolios or series that may be in the Fund
unless required by law.
3.2. If applicable state or federal laws or regulations require that
the Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") for the Fund be distributed to
all Contractowners, then the Fund, Distributor and/or the Adviser shall provide
Preferred with copies of the Fund's SAI or documentation thereof for the
Designated Portfolio(s) in such quantities, with expenses to be borne in
accordance with Schedule C hereof, as Preferred may reasonably require to permit
timely distribution thereof to Contractowners. The Adviser, Distributor and/or
the Fund shall also provide SAIs to any Contractowner or prospective owner who
requests such SAI from the Fund (although it is anticipated that such requests
will be made to Preferred).
3.3. The Fund, Distributor and/or Adviser shall provide Preferred with
copies of the Fund's proxy material, reports to stockholders and other
communications to stockholders for the Designated Portfolio(s) in such quantity,
with expenses to be borne in accordance with Schedule C hereof, as Preferred may
reasonably require to permit timely distribution thereof to Contractowners.
3.4. It is understood and agreed that, except with respect to
information regarding Preferred provided in writing by that party, Preferred
shall not be responsible for the content of the prospectus or SAI for the
Designated Portfolio(s). It is also understood and agreed that, except with
respect to information regarding the Fund, the Distributor, the Adviser or the
Designated Portfolio(s) provided in writing by the Fund, the Distributor or the
Adviser, neither the Fund, the Distributor nor Adviser are responsible for the
content of the prospectus or SAI for the Contracts.
3.5. If and to the extent required by law Preferred shall:
(i) solicit voting instructions from Contractowners;
(ii) vote the Designated Portfolio(s) shares held in
the Account in accordance with instructions
received from Contractowners: and
(iii) vote Designated Portfolio shares held in the Account
for which no instructions have been received in the
same proportion as Designated Portfolio(s) shares for
which instructions have been received from
Contractowners, so long as and to the extent that the
SEC continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require
pass-through voting privileges for variable contract
owners. Preferred reserves the right to vote Fund
shares held in any segregated asset account in its
own right, to the extent permitted by law.
3.6. Preferred shall be responsible for assuring that each of its
separate accounts holding shares of a Designated Portfolio calculates voting
privileges as directed by the Fund and agreed to by Preferred and the Fund. The
Fund agrees to promptly notify Preferred of any changes of interpretations or
amendments of the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order.
3.7. The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring
voting by shareholders, and in particular the Fund will either provide for
annual meetings (except insofar as the SEC may interpret Section 16 of the 1940
Act not to require such meetings) or, as the Fund currently intends, comply with
Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the Fund is not one of the trusts
described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as with Sections 16(a) and, if
and when applicable, 16(b). Further, the Fund will act in accordance with the
SEC's interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to
periodic elections of directors or trustees and with whatever rules the SEC may
promulgate with respect thereto.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information.
------------------------------
4.1. Preferred shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Fund or its designee, a copy of each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material that Preferred develops or proposes to use and in which the
Fund (or a Portfolio thereof), its Adviser or one of its sub-advisers or the
Distributor is named in connection with the Contracts, at least ten (10)
Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Fund
objects to such use within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such
material.
4.2. Preferred shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Fund in connection with the sale
of the Contracts other than the information or representations contained in the
registration statement, including the prospectus or SAI for the Fund shares, as
the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund, Distributor or
Adviser, except with the permission of the Fund, Distributor or Adviser.
4.3. The Fund or the Adviser shall furnish, or shall cause to be
furnished, to Preferred, a copy of each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which Preferred and/or its separate account(s) is named
at least ten (10) Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used
if Preferred objects to such use within five (5) Business Days after receipt of
such material.
4.4. The Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser shall not give any
information or make any representations on behalf of Preferred or concerning
Preferred, the Account, or the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in a registration statement, including the prospectus
or SAI for the Contracts, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by
Preferred or its designee, except with the permission of Preferred.
4.5. The Fund will provide to Preferred at least one complete copy of
all registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, sales literature and other
promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Designated
Portfolio(s) within a reasonable period of time following the filing of such
document(s) with the SEC or NASD or other regulatory authorities.
4.6. Preferred will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of
all registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, reports, solicitations for
voting instructions, sales literature and other promotional materials,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to the Contracts or the Account, within a
reasonable period of time following the filing of such document(s) with the SEC,
NASD, or other regulatory authority.
4.7. For purposes of Articles IV and VIII, the phrase "sales literature
and other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or
other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape
display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media; e.g.,
on-line networks such as the Internet or other electronic media), sales
literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, and shareholder reports, and proxy
materials (including solicitations for voting instructions) and any other
material constituting sales literature or advertising under the NASD rules, the
1933 Act or the 1940 Act.
4.8. At the request of any party to this Agreement, each other party
will make available to the other party's independent auditors and/or
representative of the appropriate regulatory agencies, all records, data and
access to operating procedures that may be reasonably requested in connection
with compliance and regulatory requirements related to this Agreement or any
party's obligations under this Agreement.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
5.1. The Fund and the Adviser shall pay no fee or other compensation to
Preferred under this Agreement, and Preferred shall pay no fee or other
compensation to the Fund or Adviser under this Agreement, although the parties
hereto will bear certain expenses in accordance with Schedule C, Articles III,
V, and other provisions of this Agreement.
5.2. All expenses incident to performance by the Fund, the Distributor
and the Adviser under this Agreement shall be paid by the appropriate party, as
further provided in Schedule C. The Fund shall see to it that all shares of the
Designated Portfolio(s) are registered and authorized for issuance in accordance
with applicable federal law and, if and to the extent required, in accordance
with applicable state laws prior to their sale.
5.3. The parties shall bear the expenses of routine annual distribution
(mailing costs) of the Fund's prospectus and distribution (mailing costs) of the
Fund's proxy materials and reports to owners of Contracts offered by Preferred,
in accordance with Schedule C.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification and Qualification.
---------------------------------
6.1. The Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser represent and warrant
that the Fund will at all times sell its shares and invest its assets in such a
manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as annuity contracts
under the Code, and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting the
scope of the foregoing, the Fund, Distributor and Adviser represent and warrant
that the Fund and each Designated Portfolio thereof will at all times comply
with Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation ss.1.817-5, as amended
from time to time, and any Treasury interpretations thereof, relating to the
diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance
contracts and any amendments or other modifications or successor provisions to
such Section or Regulations. The Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser agree
that shares of the Designated Portfolio(s) will be sold only to Participating
Insurance Companies and their separate accounts and to Qualified Plans.
6.2. No shares of any Designated Portfolio of the Fund will be sold
to the general public.
6.3. The Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser represent and warrant
that the Fund and each Designated Portfolio is currently qualified as a
Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code, and that each
Designated Portfolio will maintain such qualification (under Subchapter M or any
successor or similar provisions) as long as this Agreement is in effect.
6.4. The Fund, Distributor or Adviser will notify Preferred immediately
upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Fund or any Designated
Portfolio has ceased to comply with the aforesaid Section 817(h) diversification
or Subchapter M qualification requirements or might not so comply in the future.
6.5. Without in any way limiting the effect of Sections 8.2, 8.3 and
8.4 hereof and without in any way limiting or restricting any other remedies
available to Preferred, the Adviser or Distributor will pay all costs associated
with or arising out of any failure, or any anticipated or reasonably foreseeable
failure, of the Fund or any Designated Portfolio to comply with Sections 6.1,
6.2, or 6.3 hereof, including all costs associated with reasonable and
appropriate corrections or responses to any such failure; such costs may
include, but are not limited to, the costs involved in creating, organizing, and
registering a new investment company as a funding medium for the Contracts
and/or the costs of obtaining whatever regulatory authorizations are required to
substitute shares of another investment company for those of the failed
Portfolio (including but not limited to an order pursuant to Section 26(b) of
the 1940 Act).
6.6. Preferred agrees that if the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS")
asserts in writing in connection with any governmental audit or review of
Preferred or, to Preferred's knowledge, of any Contractowner that any Designated
Portfolio has failed to comply with the diversification requirements of Section
817(h) of the Code or Preferred otherwise becomes aware of any facts that could
give rise to any claim against the Fund, Distributor or Adviser as a result of
such a failure or alleged failure:
(a) Preferred shall promptly notify the Fund, the Distributor and
the Adviser of such assertion or potential
claim;
(b) Preferred shall consult with the Fund, the Distributor and the
Adviser as to how to minimize any liability that may arise as a result
of such failure or alleged failure;
(c) Preferred shall use its best efforts to minimize any liability of
the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser resulting from such failure,
including, without limitation, demonstrating, pursuant to Treasury
Regulations, Section 1.817-5(a)(2), to the commissioner of the IRS that
such failure was inadvertent;
(d) any written materials to be submitted by Preferred to the IRS, any
Contractowner or any other claimant in connection with any of the
foregoing proceedings or contests (including, without limitation, any
such materials to be submitted to the IRS pursuant to Treasury
Regulations, Section 1.817-5(a)(2)) shall be provided by Preferred to
the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser (together with any supporting
information or analysis) within at least two (2) business days prior to
submission;
(e) Preferred shall provide the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser
with such cooperation as the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser
shall reasonably request (including, without limitation, by permitting
the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser to review the relevant books
and records of Preferred) in order to facilitate review by the Fund,
the Distributor and the Adviser of any written submissions provided to
it or its assessment of the validity or amount of any claim against it
arising from such failure or alleged failure;
(f) Preferred shall not with respect to any claim of the IRS or any
Contractowner that would give rise to a claim against the Fund, the
Distributor and the Adviser (i) compromise or settle any claim, (ii)
accept any adjustment on audit, or (iii) forego any allowable
administrative or judicial appeals, without the express written consent
of the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld; provided that, Preferred shall not be required
to appeal any adverse judicial decision unless the Fund and the Adviser
shall have provided an opinion of independent counsel to the effect
that a reasonable basis exists for taking such appeal; and further
provided that the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser shall bear the
costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by
Preferred in complying with this clause (f).
ARTICLE VII.
Potential Conflicts and Compliance With Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7.1. The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict may
arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance
regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance,
tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter
ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance,
tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial
decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of
any Designated Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting
instructions given by variable annuity contract and variable life insurance
contract owners or by contract owners of different Participating Insurance
Companies; or (f) a decision by a Participating Insurance Company to disregard
the voting instructions of contract owners. The Board shall promptly inform
Preferred if it determines that an irreconcilable material conflict exists and
the implications thereof.
7.2. Preferred will report any potential or existing conflicts of which
it is aware to the Board. Preferred will assist the Board in carrying out its
responsibilities under the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by
providing the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to
consider any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation
by Preferred to inform the Board whenever contract owner voting instructions are
to be disregarded. Such responsibilities shall be carried out by Preferred with
a view only to the interests of its Contractowners.
7.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of
its directors who are not interested persons of the Fund, the Distributor, the
Adviser or any sub-adviser to any of the Designated Portfolios (the "Independent
Directors"), that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, Preferred and other
Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and to the extent
reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the Independent
Directors), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or eliminate the
irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1) withdrawing the
assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from the Fund or any
Designated Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, including (but not limited to) another portfolio of the Fund, or
submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote
of all affected contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of
any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance contract
owners, or variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance
Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected
contract owners the option of making such a change; and (2) establishing a new
registered management investment company or managed separate account.
7.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision
by Preferred to disregard Contractowner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, Preferred may
be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the Account's investment in the
Fund and terminate this Agreement; provided, however that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the Independent
Directors. Any such withdrawal and termination must take place within six (6)
months after the Fund gives written notice that this provision is being
implemented, and until the end of that six month period the Adviser, the
Distributor and the Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by
Preferred for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund.
7.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to Preferred conflicts with the
majority of other state regulators, then Preferred will withdraw the Account's
investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement within six months after the
Board informs Preferred in writing that it has determined that such decision has
created an irreconcilable material conflict; provided, however, that such
withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by the
foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board. Until the end of the foregoing six month
period, the Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by Preferred for
the purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund.
7.6. For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.5 of this Agreement, a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any
proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in
no event will the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium for the
Contracts. Preferred shall not be required by Section 7.3 to establish a new
funding medium for the Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote
of a majority of Contractowners affected by the irreconcilable material
conflict. In the event that the Board determines that any proposed action does
not adequately remedy any irreconcilable material conflict, then Preferred will
withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement
within six (6) months after the Board informs Preferred in writing of the
foregoing determination; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination
shall be limited to the extent required by any such material irreconcilable
conflict as determined by a majority of the Independent Directors.
7.7. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended,
or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the
1940 Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared
funding (as defined in the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms
and conditions materially different from those contained in the Mixed and Shared
Funding Exemptive Order, then (a) the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance
Companies, as appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply
with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the
extent such rules are applicable: and (b) Sections 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3,
7.4, and 7.5 of this Agreement shall continue in effect only to the extent that
terms and conditions substantially identical to such Sections are contained in
such Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1. Indemnification By Preferred
8.1(a). Preferred agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the
Distributor and the Adviser and each of their respective officers and directors
or trustees and each person, if any, who controls the Fund, Distributor or
Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.1) against any and all
losses, claims, expenses, damages and liabilities (including amounts paid in
settlement with the written consent of Preferred) or litigation (including
reasonable legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become
subject under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as
such losses, claims, expenses, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's
shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or
alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in
the registration statement or prospectus or SAI covering the
Contracts or contained in the Contracts or sales literature or
other promotional material for the Contracts (or any amendment
or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are
based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
provided that this Agreement to indemnify shall not apply as
to any -------- Indemnified Party if such statement or
omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in
writing to Preferred by or on behalf of the Adviser,
Distributor or Fund for use in the registration statement or
prospectus for the Contracts or in the Contracts or sales
literature or other promotional material (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing) or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or sales literature or
other promotional material of the Fund not supplied by
Preferred or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of
Preferred or persons under its control, with respect to the
sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund Shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in a registration statement,
prospectus, SAI, or sales literature or other promotional
material of the Fund, or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, if such a
statement or omission was made in reliance upon information
furnished in writing to the Fund by or on behalf of Preferred;
or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by Preferred to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by Preferred in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by Preferred, including without
limitation Section 2.10 and Section 6.6 hereof,
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.1(b) and
8.1(c) hereof.
8.1(b). Preferred shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities or
litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of
such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to
any of the Indemnified Parties.
8.1(c). Preferred shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified Preferred in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify Preferred of any
such claim shall not relieve Preferred from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision, except to the extent that Preferred
has been prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In case any such action is
brought against the Indemnified Parties, Preferred shall be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action. Preferred also
shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to
the party named in the action. After notice from Preferred to such party of
Preferred's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and
Preferred will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection
with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.1(d). The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify Preferred of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with
the issuance or sale of the Fund Shares or the Contracts or the operation of the
Fund.
8.2. Indemnification by the Adviser.
------------------------------
8.2(a). The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Preferred and
its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls Preferred
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2) against any and all losses, claims,
expenses, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the
written consent of the Adviser) or litigation (including reasonable legal and
other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any
statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or
settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the
Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
registration statement or prospectus or SAI or sales
literature or other promotional material of the Fund prepared
by the Fund, the Distributor or the Adviser (or any amendment
or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are
based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
provided that this Agreement to indemnify shall not apply as
to any -------- Indemnified Party if such statement or
omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in
writing to the Adviser, the Distributor or the Fund by or on
behalf of Preferred for use in the registration statement,
prospectus or SAI for the Fund or in sales literature or other
promotional material (or any amendment or supplement to any of
the foregoing) or otherwise for use in connection with the
sale of the Contracts or the Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus, SAI or sales literature or
other promotional material for the Contracts not supplied by
the Adviser or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct
of the Fund, the Distributor or the Adviser or persons under
their control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the
Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in a registration statement,
prospectus, SAI, or sales literature or other promotional
material covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statement or statements therein not
misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance
upon information furnished in writing to Preferred by or on
behalf of the Adviser, the Distributor or the Fund; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund, the Distributor
or the Adviser to provide the services and furnish the
materials under the terms of this Agreement (including a
failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise,
to comply with the diversification and other qualification
requirements specified in Article VI of this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Fund, the
Distributor or the Adviser in this Agreement or arise out of
or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by
the Adviser, the Distributor or the Fund; or
(vi) arise out of or result from the incorrect or untimely
calculation or reporting by the Fund, the Distributor or the
Adviser of the daily net asset value per share (subject to
Section 1.10 of this Agreement) or dividend or capital gain
distribution rate;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.2(b) and
8.2(c) hereof. This indemnification is in addition to and apart from the
responsibilities and obligations of the Adviser specified in Article VI hereof.
8.2(b). The Adviser shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities or
litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of
such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to
any of the Indemnified Parties.
8.2(c). The Adviser shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Adviser in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Adviser of any
such claim shall not relieve the Adviser from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision, except to the extent that the Adviser
has been prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In case any such action is
brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Adviser will be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Adviser also shall
be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the
party named in the action. After notice from the Adviser to such party of the
Adviser's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the
Adviser will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection
with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.2(d). Preferred agrees promptly to notify the Adviser of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers
or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the
operation of the Account.
8.3. Indemnification By the Fund.
---------------------------
8.3(a). The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Preferred and
its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls Preferred
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.3) against any and all losses, claims,
expenses, damages and liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the
written consent of the Fund) or litigation (including reasonable legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may be required to pay or become
subject under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as
such losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) or settlements, are related to the operations of the Fund and:
(i) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement (including a failure, whether unintentional or in
good faith or otherwise, to comply with the diversification
and other qualification requirements specified in Article VI
of this Agreement); or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Fund in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Fund; or
(iii) arise out of or result from the incorrect or untimely
calculation or reporting of the daily net asset value per
share (subject to Section 1.10 of this Agreement) or dividend
or capital gain distribution rate;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.3(b) and
8.3(c) hereof.
8.3(b). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities or
litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of
such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to
any of the Indemnified Parties.
8.3(c). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any
such claim shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to the
Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account
of this indemnification provision, except to the extent that the Fund has been
prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund shall also be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action. After notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to
assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund will not be
liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.3(d). Preferred agrees promptly to notify the Fund of the
commencement of any litigation or proceeding against itself or any of its
respective officers or directors in connection with the Agreement, the issuance
or sale of the Contracts, the operation of the Account, or the sale or
acquisition of shares of the Fund.
8.4. Indemnification by the Distributor.
----------------------------------
8.4(a). The Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Preferred
and its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls Preferred
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.4) against any and all losses, claims,
expenses, damages and liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the
written consent of the Distributor) or litigation (including reasonable legal
and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under
any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or
settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the
Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
registration statement or prospectus or SAI or sales
literature or other promotional material of the Fund prepared
by the Fund, Adviser or Distributor (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are
based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
provided that this Agreement to indemnify shall not apply as
to any Indemnified Party if -------- such statement or
omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in
writing to the Adviser, the Distributor or Fund by or on
behalf of Preferred for use in the registration statement or
SAI or prospectus for the Fund or in sales literature or other
promotional material (or any amendment or supplement to any of
the foregoing) or otherwise for use in connection with the
sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus, SAI, sales literature or
other promotional material for the Contracts not supplied by
the Distributor or persons under its control) or wrongful
conduct of the Fund, the Distributor or Adviser or persons
under their control, with respect to the sale or distribution
of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in a registration statement,
prospectus, SAI, sales literature or other promotional
material covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statement or statements therein not
misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance
upon information furnished in writing to Preferred by or on
behalf of the Adviser, the Distributor or Fund; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund, Adviser or
Distributor to provide the services and furnish the materials
under the terms of this Agreement (including a failure,
whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise, to comply
with the diversification and other qualification requirements
specified in Article VI of this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Fund, Adviser or
Distributor in this Agreement or arise out of or result from
any other material breach of this Agreement by the Fund,
Adviser or Distributor; or
(vi) arise out of or result from the incorrect or untimely
calculation or reporting of the daily net asset value per
share (subject to Section 1.10 of this Agreement) or dividend
or capital gain distribution rate;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.4(b) and
8.4(c) hereof. This indemnification is in addition to and apart from the
responsibilities and obligations of the Distributor specified in Article VI
hereof.
8.4(b). The Distributor shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities or
litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of
such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the
performance or such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to
any of the Indemnified Parties.
8.4(c) The Distributor shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Distributor in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Distributor of
any such claim shall not relieve the Distributor from any liability which it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than
on account of this indemnification provision, except to the extent that the
Distributor has been prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In case any such
action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Distributor will be
entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The
Distributor also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the Distributor
to such party of the Distributor's election to assume the defense thereof, the
Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by it, and the Distributor will not be liable to such party under this
Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party
independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs
of investigation.
8.4(d) Preferred agrees to promptly notify the Distributor of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers
or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the
operation of the Account.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law .
---------------
9.1. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey,
without regard to the New Jersey Conflict of Laws provisions.
9.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933,
1934 and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder,
including such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC
may grant (including, but not limited to, the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive
Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance
therewith.
ARTICLE X. Termination .
------------
10.1. This Agreement shall terminate:
(a) at the option of any party, with or without cause, with
respect to some or all Designated Portfolios, upon sixty (60)
days advance written notice delivered to the other parties;
provided, however, that such notice shall not be given earlier
than six (6) months following the date of this Agreement; or
(b) at the option of Preferred by written notice to the other
parties with respect to any Designated Portfolio based upon
Preferred's determination that shares of such Designated
Portfolio are not reasonably available to meet the
requirements of the Contracts; or
(c) at the option of Preferred by written notice to the other
parties with respect to any Designated Portfolio in the event
any of the Designated Portfolio's shares are not registered,
issued or sold in accordance with applicable state and/or
federal law or such law precludes the use of such shares as
the underlying investment media of the Contracts issued or to
be issued by Preferred; or
(d) at the option of the Fund, Distributor or Adviser in the
event that formal administrative proceedings are instituted
against Preferred by the NASD, the SEC, the Insurance
Commissioner or like official of any state or any other
regulatory body regarding Preferred's duties under this
Agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts, the
operation of any Account, or the purchase of the Fund shares,
if, in each case, the Fund, Distributor or Adviser, as the
case may be, reasonably determines in its sole judgment
exercised in good faith, that any such administrative
proceedings will have a material adverse effect upon the
ability of Preferred to perform its obligations under this
Agreement; or
(e) at the option of Preferred in the event that formal
administrative proceedings are instituted against the Fund,
the Distributor or the Adviser by the NASD, the SEC, or any
state securities or insurance department or any other
regulatory body, if Preferred reasonably determines in its
sole judgment exercised in good faith, that any such
administrative proceedings will have a material adverse effect
upon the ability of the Fund, the Distributor or the Adviser
to perform their obligations under this Agreement; or
(f) at the option of Preferred by written notice to the Fund
with respect to any Designated Portfolio if Preferred
reasonably believes that the Designated Portfolio will fail to
meet the Section 817(h) diversification requirements or
Subchapter M qualifications specified in Article VI hereof; or
(g) at the option of either the Fund, the Distributor or the
Adviser, if (i) the Fund, Distributor or Adviser,
respectively, shall determine, in its sole judgment reasonably
exercised in good faith, that Preferred has suffered a
material adverse change in its business or financial condition
or is the subject of material adverse publicity and that
material adverse change or publicity will have a material
adverse impact on Preferred's ability to perform its
obligations under this Agreement, (ii) the Fund, Distributor
or Adviser notifies Preferred of that determination and its
intent to terminate this Agreement, and (iii) after
considering the actions taken by Preferred and any other
changes in circumstances since the giving of such a notice,
the determination of the Fund, Distributor or Adviser shall
continue to apply on the sixtieth (60th) day following the
giving of that notice, which sixtieth day shall be the
effective date of termination; or
(h) at the option of Preferred, if (i) Preferred shall
determine, in its sole judgment reasonably exercised in good
faith, that the Fund, Distributor or Adviser has suffered a
material adverse change in its business or financial condition
or is the subject of material adverse publicity and that
material adverse change or publicity will have a material
adverse impact on the Fund's, Distributor's or Adviser's
ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, (ii)
Preferred notifies the Fund, Distributor or Adviser, as
appropriate, of that determination and its intent to terminate
this Agreement, and (iii) after considering the actions taken
by the Fund, Distributor or Adviser and any other changes in
circumstances since the giving of such a notice, the
determination of Preferred shall continue to apply on the
sixtieth (60th) day following the giving of that notice, which
sixtieth day shall be the effective date of termination; or
(i) at the option of any non-defaulting party hereto in the
event of a material breach of this Agreement by any party
hereto (the "defaulting party") other than as described in
Section 10.1(a)-(j); provided, that the non-defaulting party
gives written notice thereof to the defaulting party, with
copies of such notice to all other non-defaulting parties, and
if such breach shall not have been remedied within thirty (30)
days after such written notice is given, then the
non-defaulting party giving such written notice may terminate
this Agreement by giving thirty (30) days written notice of
termination to the defaulting party; or
(j) at any time upon written agreement of all parties to this
Agreement.
10.2. Notice Requirement.
------------------
No termination of this Agreement shall be effective unless and until the party
terminating this Agreement gives prior written notice to all other parties of
its intent to terminate, which notice shall set forth the basis for the
termination. Furthermore,
(a) in the event any termination is based upon the provisions of
Article VII, or the provisions of Section 10.1(a), 10.1(g) or 10.1(h)
of this Agreement, the prior written notice shall be given in advance
of the effective date of termination as required by those provisions
unless such notice period is shortened by mutual written agreement of
the parties; (b) in the event any termination is based upon the
provisions of Section 10.1(d), 10.1(e) or 10.1(i) of this Agreement,
the prior written notice shall be given at least sixty (60) days before
the effective date of termination; and (c) in the event any termination
is based upon the provisions of Section 10.1(b), 10.1(c) or 10.1(f),
the prior written notice shall be given in advance of the effective
date of termination, which date shall be determined by the party
sending the notice.
10.3. Effect of Termination.
---------------------
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, other than as a result of a
failure by either the Fund or Preferred to meet Section 817(h) of the Code
diversification requirements, the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser shall,
at the option of Preferred, continue to make available additional shares of the
Designated Portfolio(s) pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
for all Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of this
Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing Contracts"). Specifically,
without limitation, the owners of the Existing Contracts shall be permitted to
reallocate investments in the Designated Portfolio(s), redeem investments in the
Designated Portfolio(s) and/or invest in the Designated Portfolio(s) upon the
making of additional purchase payments under the Existing Contracts. The parties
agree that this Section 10.3 shall not apply to any terminations under Article
VII and the effect of such Article VII terminations shall be governed by Article
VII of this Agreement.
10.4. Surviving Provisions. Notwithstanding any termination of this
Agreement, each party's obligations under Article VIII to indemnify other
parties shall survive and not be affected by any termination of this Agreement.
In addition, with respect to Existing Contracts, all provisions of this
Agreement shall also survive and not be affected by any termination of this
Agreement.
ARTICLE XI. Notices.
--------
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below
or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing
to the other parties.
If to the Fund:
The Prudential Series Fund, Inc.
Gateway Center Three
100 Mulberry Street, 4th Floor
Newark, NJ 07102-4077
Attention: Secretary
If to the Adviser:
The Prudential Insurance Company of America
751 Broad Street, 21st Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
Attention: Secretary
If to the Distributor:
Prudential Investment Management Services LLC
Gateway Center Three
100 Mulberry Street, 14th Floor
Newark, NJ 07102-4077
Attention: Secretary
If to Preferred:
Preferred Life Insurance Company of New York
Post Office Box 11129
Church Street Station
New York, New York 10286
Attention: Secretary
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous.
-------------
12.1. Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses
of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information without the express written consent
of the affected party until such time as such information may come into the
public domain. Without limiting the foregoing, no party hereto shall disclose
any information that another party has designated as proprietary.
12.2. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
12.3. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
12.4. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid
by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement
shall not be affected thereby.
12.5. Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the
NASD and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the applicable Commissioners of Insurance with any information
or reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement which such
Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the variable annuity
operations of Preferred are being conducted in a manner consistent with the
States' Variable Annuity Regulations and any other applicable law or
regulations.
12.6. Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this
Agreement, or breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in a forum jointly
selected by the relevant parties (but if applicable law requires some other
forum, then such other forum) in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration
Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award
rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof.
12.7. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement
are cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and
obligations, at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under
state and federal laws.
12.8. This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder may
not be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of all parties
hereto.
12.9. Preferred agrees that the obligations assumed by the Fund,
Distributor and the Adviser pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in any
case to the Fund, Distributor and Adviser and their respective assets and
Preferred shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the
shareholders of the Fund, Distributor or the Adviser, the Directors, officers,
employees or agents of the Fund, Distributor or Adviser, or any of them.
12.10. The Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser agree that the
obligations assumed by Preferred pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in
any case to Preferred and its assets and neither the Fund, Distributor nor
Adviser shall seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders of
Preferred, the directors, officers, employees or agents of the Preferred, or any
of them.
12.11. No provision of this Agreement may be deemed or construed to
modify or supersede any contractual rights, duties, or indemnifications, as
between the Adviser and the Fund, and the Distributor and the Fund.
[The Remainder of this Page is Intentionally Blank]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date
specified below.
PREFERRED LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
By its authorized officer,
By: /s/ Suzanne J. Pepin
Title: Vice President
Date:
THE PRUDENTIAL SERIES FUND, INC.
By its authorized officer,
By: /s/ David R. Odenath, Jr.
Title: President
Date: 12-15-00
THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
By its authorized officer,
By: /s/ David R. Odenath, Jr.
Title:Senior Vice President
Date: 12-15-00
PRUDENTIAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES LLC
By its authorized officer,
By: /s/ Robert F. Gunia
Title: President
Date: 12-15-00
SCHEDULE A
Contracts
All Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts Issued By Preferred Life Variable
Account C
SCHEDULE B
Designated Portfolio(s)
Prudential Series Fund, Inc.--SP Jennison International Growth Portfolio
Prudential Series Fund, Inc.--SP Strategic Partners Focused Growth Portfolio
SCHEDULE C
EXPENSES
The Fund and/or the Distributor and/or Adviser, and Preferred will coordinate
the functions and pay the costs of the completing these functions based upon an
allocation of costs in the tables below. Costs shall be allocated to reflect the
Fund's share of the total costs determined according to the number of pages of
the Fund's respective portions of the documents.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ITEM FUNCTION PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR PARTY RESPONSIBLE
COORDINATION FOR EXPENSE
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Mutual Fund Prospectus Printing of combined Preferred Distributor
prospectuses responsible for pro
rata share of expense
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Fund, Distributor or Preferred Fund, Distributor or
Adviser shall supply Adviser, as
Preferred with such applicable
numbers of the Designated
Portfolio(s)
prospectus(es) as
Preferred shall
reasonably request
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Distribution (including Preferred Preferred
postage) to New and
Inforce Clients
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Distribution (including Preferred Preferred
postage) to Prospective
Clients
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Product Prospectus Printing and Distribution Preferred Preferred
for Inforce and
Prospective Clients
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
ITEM FUNCTION PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR PARTY RESPONSIBLE
COORDINATION FOR EXPENSE
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Mutual Fund Prospectus If Required by Fund, Fund, Distributor or Fund, Distributor or
Update & Distribution Distributor or Adviser Adviser Adviser
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
If Required by Preferred Preferred (Fund, Preferred
Distributor or Adviser to
provide Preferred with
document in PDF format)
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Product Prospectus Update & If Required by Fund, Preferred Fund, Distributor or
Distribution Distributor or Adviser Adviser
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
If Required by Preferred Preferred Preferred
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Mutual Fund SAI Printing Fund, Distributor or Fund, Distributor or
Adviser Adviser
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Distribution (including Preferred Preferred
postage)
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Product SAI Printing Preferred Preferred
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Distribution Preferred Preferred
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Proxy Material for Mutual Printing if proxy Fund, Distributor or Fund, Distributor or
Fund: required by Law Adviser Adviser
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Distribution (including Preferred Fund, Distributor or
labor) if proxy required Adviser
by Law
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Printing & distribution Preferred Preferred
if required by Preferred
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Mutual Fund Annual & Printing of reports Fund, Distributor or Fund, Distributor or
Semi-Annual Report Adviser (Designated Adviser
Portfolio only)
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Distribution Preferred Preferred
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
ITEM FUNCTION PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR PARTY RESPONSIBLE
COORDINATION FOR EXPENSE
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Other communication to New If Required by the Fund, Preferred Fund, Distributor or
and Prospective clients Distributor or Adviser Adviser
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
If Required by Preferred Preferred Preferred
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Other communication to Distribution (including Preferred Fund, Distributor or
inforce labor and printing) if Adviser
required by the Fund,
Distributor or Adviser
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Distribution (including Preferred Preferred
labor and printing)if
required by Preferred
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Errors in Share Price Cost of error to Preferred Fund or Adviser
calculation pursuant to participants
Section 1.10
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Cost of reasonable Preferred Fund or Adviser
expenses related to
administrative work to
correct error
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Operations of the Fund All operations and Fund, Distributor or Fund or Adviser
related expenses, Adviser
including the cost of
registration and
qualification of shares,
taxes on the issuance or
transfer of shares, cost
of management of the
business affairs of the
Fund, and expenses paid
or assumed by the fund
pursuant to any Rule
12b-1 plan
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
ITEM FUNCTION PARTY RESPONSIBLE FOR PARTY RESPONSIBLE
COORDINATION FOR EXPENSE
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
Operations of the Account Federal registration of Preferred Preferred
units of separate account
(24f-2 fees)
------------------------------ --------------------------- --------------------------- ----------------------
</TABLE>
