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ALLMERICA FINANACIAL LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
ENHANCED DEATH BENEFIT "EDB" RIDER
OVERVIEW:
The EDB Rider ("Rider") is an optional rider the Owner has selected. It provides
an enhanced Death Benefit, which guarantees [6%] growth, has an investment cap
and provides a ratchet.
APPLICABILITY:
The Rider is made a part of the contract to which it is attached and is
effective on the issue date.
BENEFIT:
The "Death Benefit" provision on [page XX] of the contract is replaced by the
following:
I. If an Owner, or an Annuitant if the Owner is a non-natural person, dies
before the Annuity Date and before his/her [80th] birthday, the Death
Benefit will be the greatest of:
(a) the Accumulated Value on the Effective Valuation Date increased for
any positive Market Value Adjustment ("MVA");
(b) gross payments accumulated daily at the "EDB Effective Annual
Yield" shown on the Specifications page, starting on the Effective
Valuation Date of each gross payment and ending on the date of
death, proportionately reduced for subsequent withdrawals; and
(c) the highest Accumulated Value on any contract anniversary prior to
the date of death, as determined after being increased for any
positive MVA and subsequent payments and proportionately reduced
for subsequent withdrawals.
Investment Cap - The value determined in section (b) above cannot exceed [200%]
of the total of gross payments, proportionately reduced for subsequent
withdrawals.
II. If an Owner, or an Annuitant if the Owner is a non-natural person, dies
before the Annuity Date but after his/her [80th] birthday, the Death
Benefit will be the greater of:
(a) the Accumulated Value on the Effective Valuation Date increased for
any positive MVA; or
(b) the Death Benefit, as calculated under Section I., that would have
been payable on the contract anniversary prior to the deceased's
[80th] birthday, increased for subsequent payments and
proportionately reduced for subsequent withdrawals.
FORM 3286-00
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PROPORTIONATE REDUCTION:
Sections I.(b), I.(c) and II.(b) refer to a proportionate reduction. This
proportionate reduction is calculated by multiplying the (b) or (c) value,
whichever is applicable, determined immediately prior to the withdrawal by the
following:
AMOUNT OF THE WITHDRAWAL
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Accumulated Value determined immediately prior to the withdrawal
CHARGE FOR BENEFIT:
While this Rider is in effect, the Company will assess the EDB Charge (see the
Specifications page).
TERMINATION:
This Rider will terminate on the earliest of the following:
(a) the Annuity Date;
(b) when a Death Benefit is payable and the contract is not continued
under a spousal takeover; or
(c) surrender of the contract.
Signed for the Company at Dover, Delaware
President Secretary
FORM 3286-00