<PAGE>
AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH 15, 1999
REGISTRATION NO. 33-43773
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
---------------------
FORM N-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. / /
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 14 /X/
AND
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
AMENDMENT NO. 15 /X/
(CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX OR BOXES)
------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT)
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY
(NAME OF DEPOSITOR)
800 SCUDDERS MILL ROAD
PLAINSBORO, NEW JERSEY 08536
(609) 282-1429
(ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
--------------------------
BARRY G. SKOLNICK, ESQ.
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL
MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
800 SCUDDERS MILL ROAD
PLAINSBORO, NEW JERSEY 08536
COPY TO:
STEPHEN E. ROTH, ESQ.
KIMBERLY J. SMITH, ESQ.
SUTHERLAND ASBILL & BRENNAN LLP
1275 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20004-2415
------------------------
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate
space):
/ / immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
/X/ on April 14, 1999 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
(date)
/ / 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
/ / on _______________pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
(date)
If appropriate, check the following box:
/X/ this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a
previously filed post-effective amendment.
Title of Securities Being Registered: Units of Interest in Flexible Premium
Individual Deferred Variable Annuity Contracts.
EXHIBIT INDEX CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE C-11
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
PART A, THE PROSPECTUS, IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO THE PROSPECTUS INCLUDED
IN REGISTRANT'S POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 12 TO FORM N-4, REGISTRATION NO.
33-43773 FILED ON MAY 1, 1998.
A SUPPLEMENT TO THE PROSPECTUS IS ALSO INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO THE
SUPPLEMENT TO THE PROSPECTUS INCLUDED IN REGISTRANT'S POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT
NO. 13 TO FORM N-4, REGISTRATION NO. 33-43773 FILED ON JANUARY 15, 1999.
PART B, THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO
THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN REGISTRANT'S
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 13 TO FORM N-4, REGISTRATION NO. 33-43773 FILED
ON JANUARY 15, 1999.
<PAGE>
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 24. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
(a) Financial Statements
(1) Financial Statements of Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account
A as of September 30, 1998; for the nine month period ended September 30,
1998; as of December 31, 1997; and for the two years ended December 31, 1997
and the Notes relating thereto will be filed by amendment
(2) Financial Statements of Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account
B as of September 30, 1998; for the nine month period ended September 30,
1998; as of December 31, 1997; and for the two years ended December 31, 1997
and the Notes relating thereto will be filed by amendment
(3) Financial Statements of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company as of September
30, 1998; for the nine month period ended September 30, 1998; for the nine
month period ended September 30, 1997; as of December 31, 1997; and for the
three years ended December 31, 1997 and the Notes relating thereto will be
filed by amendment
(4) Schedule of Life Insurance In Force for Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company
as of December 31, 1997
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENTAGE OF
CEDED TO ASSUMED AMOUNT
OTHER FROM OTHER ASSUMED
GROSS AMOUNT COMPANIES COMPANIES NET AMOUNT TO NET
------------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Life insurance
in force.................... 10,568,021 2,879,306 1,843,104 9,531,819 19%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
(b) Exhibits
(1) Resolution of the Board of Directors of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company
establishing the Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account A and
Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account B. Incorporated by
Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Form N-4,
Registration No. 33-43773 Filed December 10, 1996.
(2) Not Applicable
(3) Underwriting Agreement Between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. Incorporated by
Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Form N-4,
Registration No. 33-43773 Filed December 10, 1996.
(4) (a) Individual Variable Annuity Contract issued by Merrill Lynch Life Insurance
Company. Incorporated by Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment
No. 10 to Form N-4, Registration No. 33-43773 Filed December 10, 1996.
(b) Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Waiver
Endorsement. Incorporated by Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 10 to Form N-4, Registration No. 33-43773 Filed December 10,
1996.
(c) Individual Retirement Annuity Endorsement. Incorporated by Reference to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Form N-4, Registration No.
33-43773 Filed December 10, 1996.
(d) Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company Endorsement. Incorporated by Reference
to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Form N-4, Registration
No. 33-43773 Filed December 10, 1996.
(e) Individual Variable Annuity Contract (revised) issued by Merrill Lynch Life
Insurance Company (ML-VA-002) (Incorporated by Reference to Registrant's
Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Form N-4, Registration No. 33-43773 Filed
April 26, 1995).
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
(f) Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company Endorsement (ML008) (Incorporated by
Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to Form N-4,
Registration No. 33-43773 Filed April 26, 1995).
(g) Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company Individual Variable Annuity Contract
(ML-VA-001) (Incorporated by Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 7 to Form N-4, Registration No. 33-43773 Filed April 26,
1995).
(h) Guaranteed Minimum Income Benefit Rider. Incorporated by Reference to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to Form N-4, Registration No.
33-43773 Filed January 15, 1999.
(5) Not Applicable
(6) (a) Articles of Amendment, Restatement and Redomestication of the Articles of
Incorporation of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. Incorporated by
Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Form N-4,
Registration No. 33-43773 Filed December 10, 1996.
(b) Amended and Restated By-laws of Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company.
Incorporated by Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to
Form N-4, Registration No. 33-43773 Filed December 10, 1996.
(7) Not Applicable
(8) (a) Amended General Agency Agreement (Incorporated by Reference to Registrant's
Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to Form N-4, Registration No. 33-43773 Filed
April 28, 1994).
(b) Indemnity Agreement Between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Merrill
Lynch Life Agency, Inc. Incorporated by Reference to Registrant's
Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Form N-4, Registration No. 33-43773 Filed
December 10, 1996.
(c) Management Agreement Between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Merrill
Lynch Asset Management, Inc. Incorporated by Reference to Registrant's Post-
Effective Amendment No. 10 to Form N-4, Registration No. 33-43773 Filed
December 10, 1996.
(d) Agreement Between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch
Variable Series Funds, Inc. Relating to Maintaining Constant Net Asset Value
for the Reserve Assets Fund. (Incorporated by Reference to Registrant's
Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Form N-4, Registration No. 33-43773 Filed
December 10, 1996).
(e) Agreement Between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch
Variable Series Funds, Inc. Relating to Maintaining Constant Net Asset Value
for the Domestic Money Market Fund. (Incorporated by Reference to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Form N-4, Registration No.
33-43773 Filed December 10, 1996).
(f) Agreement Between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and Merrill Lynch
Variable Series Funds, Inc. Relating to Valuation and Purchase Procedures.
(Incorporated by Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 10
to Form N-4, Registration No. 33-43773 Filed December 10, 1996).
(g) Amended Service Agreement Between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company and
Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc. (Incorporated by Reference to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to Form N-4, Registration No.
33-43773 Filed April 28, 1994).
(h) Reimbursement Agreement Between Merrill Lynch Asset Management, Inc. and
Merrill Lynch Life Agency. (Incorporated by Reference to Registrant's
Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Form N-4, Registration No. 33-43773 Filed
December 10, 1996).
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
(i) Form of Participation Agreement Between Merrill Lynch Variable Series Funds,
Inc., Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company, ML Life Insurance Company of New
York, and Family Life Insurance Company (Incorporated by Reference to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to Form N-4, Registration No.
33-43773 Filed April 28, 1994).
(j) Form of Participation Agreement Between Merrill Lynch Variable Series Funds,
Inc. and Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated by Reference to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Form N-4, Registration No.
33-43773 Filed December 10, 1996).
(k) Participation Agreement By And Among AIM Variable Insurance Funds, Inc., AIM
Distributors, Inc., and Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. (Incorporated
by Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 11 to Form N-4,
Registration No. 33-43773 Filed April 23, 1997).
(l) Form of Participation Agreement Among Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company,
Alliance Capital Management L.P., and Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc.
(Incorporated by Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 10
to Form N-4, Registration No. 33-43773 Filed December 10, 1996).
(m) Form of Participation Agreement Among MFS Variable Insurance Trust, Merrill
Lynch Life Insurance Company, and Massachusetts Financial Services Company.
(Incorporated by Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 10
to Form N-4, Registration No. 33-43773 Filed December 10, 1996).
(n) Form of Participation Agreement Among Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company,
Hotchkis and Wiley Variable Trust, and Hotchkis and Wiley. Incorporated by
Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to Form N-4,
Registration No. 33-43773 Filed May 1, 1998.
(o) Form of Amendment to Participation Agreement Among Merrill Lynch Life
Insurance Company, Alliance Capital Management L.P., and Alliance Fund
Distributors, Inc. Incorporated by Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective
Amendment No. 12 to Form N-4, Registration No. 33-43773 Filed May 1, 1998.
(p) Form of Amendment to Participation Agreement Between Merrill Lynch Variable
Series Funds, Inc. and Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. Incorporated by
Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to Form N-4,
Registration No. 33-43773 Filed May 1, 1998.
(q) Form of Participation Agreement Between Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated and Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company. Incorporated by
Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to Form N-4,
Registration No. 33-43773 Filed May 1, 1998.
(9) Opinion of Barry G. Skolnick, Esq. and Consent to its use as to the legality
of the securities being registered. (Incorporated by Reference to
Registrant's Post-effective Amendment No. 10 to Form N-4, Registration No.
33-43773 Filed December 10, 1996).
(10) (a) Written Consent of Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP (to be filed by
amendment).
(b) Written Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors (to be filed
by amendment).
(c) Written Consent of Barry G. Skolnick, Esq. (to be filed by amendment).
(11) Not Applicable
(12) Not Applicable
(13) Schedule for Computation of Performance Quotations. (Incorporated by
Reference to Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to Form N-4,
Registration No. 33-43773 Filed December 10, 1996).
</TABLE>
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<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
(14) (a) Power of Attorney from Joseph E. Crowne, Jr. (Incorporated by Reference to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Form N-4, Registration No.
33-43773 Filed March 2, 1994).
(b) Power of Attorney from David M. Dunford (Incorporated by Reference to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Form N-4, Registration No.
33-43773 Filed March 2, 1994).
(c) Power of Attorney from John C.R. Hele (Incorporated by Reference to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Form N-4, Registration No.
33-43773 Filed March 2, 1994).
(d) Power of Attorney from Allen N. Jones (Incorporated by Reference to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Form N-4, Registration No.
33-43773 Filed March 2, 1994).
(e) Power of Attorney from Barry G. Skolnick (Incorporated by Reference to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Form N-4, Registration No.
33-43773 Filed March 2, 1994).
(f) Power of Attorney from Anthony J. Vespa (Incorporated by Reference to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Form N-4, Registration No.
33-43773 Filed March 2, 1994).
(g) Power of Attorney from Gail R. Farkas (Incorporated by Reference to
Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to Form N-4, Registration No.
33-43773 Filed April 25, 1996).
</TABLE>
ITEM 25. DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE DEPOSITOR*
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME PRINCIPAL BUSINESS ADDRESS POSITION WITH DEPOSITOR*
- --------------------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Joseph E. Crowne, Jr. 800 Scudders Mill Road Director, Senior Vice President, Chief
Plainsboro, NJ 08536 Financial Officer, Chief Actuary
and Treasurer.
David M. Dunford 800 Scudders Mill Road Director, Senior Vice President and
Plainsboro, NJ 08536 Chief Investment Officer.
Gail R. Farkas 800 Scudders Mill Road Director and Senior Vice President.
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Barry G. Skolnick 800 Scudders Mill Road Director, Senior Vice President,
Plainsboro, NJ 08536 General Counsel and Secretary.
Anthony J. Vespa 800 Scudders Mill Road Director, Chairman of the Board,
Plainsboro, NJ 08536 Chief Executive Officer and
President.
Deborah J. Adler 800 Scudders Mill Road Vice President and Actuary.
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Robert J. Boucher 1414 Main Street Senior Vice President, Variable Life
Springfield, MA 01102 Administration.
Michael P. Cogswell 800 Scudders Mill Road Vice President and Senior Counsel.
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Edward W. Diffin, Jr. 800 Scudders Mill Road Vice President and Senior Counsel.
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Linda Gillis 4804 Deer Lake Drive East Vice President and Assistant
Jacksonville, FL 32246 Secretary.
Diana Joyner 1414 Main Street Vice President.
Springfield, MA 01102
Peter P. Massa 4804 Deer Lake Drive East Vice President.
Jacksonville, FL 32246
</TABLE>
C-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME PRINCIPAL BUSINESS ADDRESS POSITION WITH DEPOSITOR*
- --------------------------- ------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Kelly A. O'Dea 800 Scudders Mill Road Vice President and Senior
Plainsboro, NJ 08536 Compliance Officer.
Robert Ostrander 800 Scudders Mill Road Vice President and Controller.
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Shelley K. Parker 1414 Main Street Vice President and Assistant
Springfield, MA 01102 Secretary.
Julia Raven 800 Scudders Mill Road Vice President.
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Lori M. Salvo 800 Scudders Mill Road Vice President and Senior Counsel.
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
John A. Shea 800 Scudders Mill Road Vice President.
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Frederick H. Steele 800 Scudders Mill Road Vice President.
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Tracy A. Bartoy 4804 Deer Lake Drive East Vice President and Assistant
Jacksonville, FL 32246 Secretary.
Robert J. Viamari 1414 Main Street Vice President and Assistant
Springfield, MA 01102 Secretary.
Chester Westergard 2200 Rodney Parham Road Vice President.
Suite 300
Little Rock, AR 72212
Denis G. Wuestman 800 Scudders Mill Road Vice President.
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Matthew J. Rider 800 Scudders Mill Road Vice President.
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Donald C. Stevens, III 800 Scudders Mill Road Vice President and Controller.
Plainsboro, NJ 08536
Amy S. Winston 800 Scudders Mill Road Vice President and Director of
Plainsboro, NJ 08536 Compliance.
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* Each director is elected to serve until the next annual shareholder meeting
or until his or her successor is elected and shall have qualified.
ITEM 26. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE DEPOSITOR OR
REGISTRANT
Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary
of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
A list of subsidiaries of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. ("ML & Co.") appears
below.
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
The following are subsidiaries of ML & Co. as of February 23, 1998 and the
states or jurisdictions in which they are organized. Indentation indicates the
principal parent of each subsidiary. Except as otherwise specified, in each case
ML & Co. owns, directly or indirectly, at least 99% of the voting securities of
each subsidiary. The names of particular subsidiaries have been omitted because,
considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, they would not constitute,
as of the end of the year covered by this report, a "significant subsidiary" as
that term is defined in Rule 1.02(w) of Regulation S-X under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
C-5
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATE OF
NAME JURISDICTION OF ENTITY
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C>
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc................................................................. Delaware
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated(1).................................. Delaware
Broadcort Capital Corp............................................................... Delaware
Merrill Lynch & Co., Canada Ltd...................................................... Ontario
Merrill Lynch Canada Inc........................................................... Nova Scotia
Merrill Lynch Life Agency Inc.(2).................................................... Washington
Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp.(3)......................................... Delaware
Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Co.......................................................... New Jersey
Merrill Lynch Capital Services, Inc.................................................... Delaware
Merrill Lynch Government Securities Inc................................................ Delaware
Merrill Lynch Money Markets Inc...................................................... Delaware
Merrill Lynch Group, Inc............................................................... Delaware
Mercury Asset Management Group Holdings PLC(4)....................................... England
Merrill Lynch Asset Management L.P.(5)............................................... Delaware
Merrill Lynch Capital Partners, Inc.................................................. Delaware
Merrill Lynch Futures Inc............................................................ Delaware
Merrill Lynch Group Holdings Limited................................................. Ireland
Merrill Lynch Capital Markets Bank Limited......................................... Ireland
Merrill Lynch Insurance Group, Inc................................................... Delaware
Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company............................................... Arkansas
ML Life Insurance Company of New York.............................................. New York
Merrill Lynch International Finance Corporation...................................... New York
Merrill Lynch International Bank Limited........................................... England
Merrill Lynch Bank (Suisse) S.A.................................................. Switzerland
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Capital Inc................................................... Delaware
Merrill Lynch National Financial..................................................... Utah
Merrill Lynch Trust Company(6)....................................................... New Jersey
Merrill Lynch Business Financial Services Inc...................................... Delaware
Merrill Lynch Credit Corporation................................................... Delaware
Merrill Lynch Investment Partners Inc................................................ Delaware
MLDP Holdings, Inc.(7)............................................................... Delaware
Merrill Lynch Derivative Products AG............................................... Switzerland
ML IBK Positions Inc................................................................. Delaware
Merrill Lynch Capital Corporation.................................................. Delaware
ML Leasing Equipment Corp.(8)........................................................ Delaware
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
Merrill Lynch International Incorporated............................................... Delaware
Merrill Lynch (Australasia) Pty Limited.............................................. New South Wales
Merrill Lynch International (Australia) Limited...................................... New South Wales
Merrill Lynch International Bank..................................................... United States
Merrill Lynch International Holdings Inc............................................. Delaware
Merrill Lynch Bank (Austria) Aktiengesellschaft A.G................................ Austria
Merrill Lynch Bank and Trust Company (Cayman) Limited.............................. Cayman Islands,
British West Indies
Merrill Lynch Capital Markets A.G.................................................. Switzerland
Merrill Lynch Europe PLC........................................................... England
Merrill Lynch Europe Holdings Limited............................................ England
Merrill Lynch International.................................................... England
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith (Brokers & Dealers) Limited................ England
</TABLE>
C-6
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATE OF
NAME JURISDICTION OF ENTITY
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C>
Merrill Lynch Europe Ltd........................................................... Cayman Islands,
British West Indies
Merrill Lynch France............................................................... France
Merrill Lynch Capital Markets (France) S.A....................................... France
Merrill Lynch Far East Limited..................................................... Hong Kong
Merrill Lynch Japan Incorporated..................................................... Cayman Islands,
British West Indies
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
(1) MLPF&S also conducts business as "Merrill Lynch & Co."
(2) Similarly named affiliates and subsidiaries that engage in the sale of life
insurance and annuity products are incorporated in various other
jurisdictions.
(3) The preferred stock of the corporation is owned by an unaffiliated group of
investors.
(4) Held through several intermediate holding companies.
(5) Merrill Lynch Asset Management L.P. is a limited partnership whose general
partner is Princeton Services, Inc. and whose limited partner is ML & Co.
(6) Similarly named affiliates and subsidiaries that provide trust and custodial
services are incorporated in various other jurisdictions.
(7) Merrill Lynch Group, Inc. owns 100% of this corporation's outstanding common
voting stock. 100% of the outstanding preferred voting stock is held by
outside parties.
(8) This corporation has more than 45 direct or indirect subsidiaries operating
in the United States and serving as either general partners or associate
general partners of limited partnerships.
ITEM 27. NUMBER OF CONTRACTS
The number of contracts in force as of March 5, 1999 was 90,856.
ITEM 28. INDEMNIFICATION
There is no indemnification of the principal underwriter, Merrill Lynch,
Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, with respect to the Contract.
The indemnity agreement between Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company
("Merrill Lynch Life") and its affiliate Merrill Lynch Life Agency, Inc.
("MLLA"), with respect to MLLA's general agency responsibilities on behalf of
Merrill Lynch Life and the Contract, provides:
Merrill Lynch Life will indemnify and hold harmless MLLA and all
persons associated with MLLA as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(21)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against all claims, losses,
liabilities and expenses, to include reasonable attorneys' fees, arising
out of the sale by MLLA of insurance products under the above-referenced
Agreement, provided that Merrill Lynch Life shall not be bound to
indemnify or hold harmless MLLA or its associated persons for claims,
losses, liabilities and expenses arising directly out of the willful
misconduct or negligence of MLLA or its associated persons.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registration pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a
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<PAGE>
court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by
it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
ITEM 29. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
(a) Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated also acts as
principal underwriter for the following additional funds: CBA Money Fund; CMA
Government Securities Fund; CMA Money Fund; CMA Tax-Exempt Fund; The Corporate
Fund Accumulation Program, Inc.; CMA Treasury Fund; CMA Multi-State Municipal
Series Trust; Corporate Income Fund; Defined Asset Funds--Municipal Insured
Series; Equity Investor Fund; The Fund of Stripped ("Zero") U.S. Treasury
Securities; The GNMA Investment Accumulation Program; Government Securities
Income Fund; International Bond Fund; The Merrill Lynch Fund of Stripped
("Zero") U.S. Treasury Securities; Merrill Lynch Trust for Government
Securities; Municipal Income Fund; Municipal Investment Trust Fund; and The
Municipal Fund Accumulation Program, Inc.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated also acts as principal
underwriter for the following additional accounts: Merrill Lynch Life Variable
Annuity Separate Account B; Merrill Lynch Life Variable Life Separate Account;
Merrill Lynch Life Variable Life Separate Account II; Merrill Lynch Life
Variable Annuity Separate Account; ML of New York Variable Life Separate
Account; ML of New York Variable Life Separate Account II; ML of New York
Variable Annuity Separate Account; ML of New York Variable Annuity Separate
Account A; and ML of New York Variable Annuity Separate Account B.
(b) The directors, president, treasurer and executive vice presidents of
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND PRINCIPAL
BUSINESS ADDRESS POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH UNDERWRITER
- ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Herbert M. Allison, Jr.* Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Thomas W. Davis Executive Vice President
Barry S. Friedberg* Executive Vice President
Edward L. Goldberg* Executive Vice President
Jerome P. Kenney* Executive Vice President
Theresa Lang* Senior Vice President and Treasurer
E. Stanley O'Neal Executive Vice President
Thomas H. Patrick* Executive Vice President
George A. Schieren Director, General Counsel and Senior Vice President
Winthrop H. Smith, Jr.* Executive Vice President
John L. Steffens* Director and Vice Chairman of the Board
Roger M. Vasey* Executive Vice President
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* World Financial Center, 250 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10281
(c) Not Applicable
ITEM 30. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
All accounts, books, and records required to be maintained by Section 31(a)
of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder are maintained by the
depositor at the principal executive offices at 800 Scudders Mill Road,
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536 and the Service Center at 4804 Deer Lake Drive
East, Jacksonville, Florida 32246.
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<PAGE>
ITEM 31. NOT APPLICABLE
ITEM 32. UNDERTAKINGS AND REPRESENTATIONS
(a) Registrant undertakes to file a post-effective amendment to the
Registrant Statement as frequently as is necessary to ensure that the audited
financial statements in the Registration Statement are never more than 16 months
old for so long as payments under the variable annuity contracts may be
accepted.
(b) Registrant undertakes to include either (1) as part of any application
to purchase a contract offered by the prospectus, a space that an applicant can
check to request a statement of additional information, or (2) a postcard or
similar written communications affixed to or included in the prospectus that the
applicant can remove to send for a statement of additional information.
(c) Registrant undertakes to deliver any statement of additional information
and any financial statements required to be made available under this Form
promptly upon written or oral request.
(d) Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company hereby represents that the fees and
charges deducted under the Contract, in the aggregate, are reasonable in
relation to the services rendered, the expenses expected to be incurred, and the
risks assumed by Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company.
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<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940, the Registrant, Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate Account A
certifies that it meets the requirements of Securities Act Rule 485(b) for
effectiveness of this Amendment and has caused this Amendment to be signed on
its behalf, in the City of Plainsboro, State of New Jersey, on the 15th day of
March, 1999.
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity
Separate Account A
(Registrant)
Attest: /s/ LIZETTE PENA ANTHONY By: /s/ EDWARD W. DIFFIN, JR.
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
Lizette Pena Anthony Edward W. Diffin, Jr.
Assistant Secretary Vice President of
Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company
Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company
(Depositor)
Attest: /s/ LIZETTE PENA ANTHONY By: /s/ EDWARD W. DIFFIN, JR.
------------------------------------ ------------------------------------
Lizette Pena Anthony Edward W. Diffin, Jr.
Assistant Secretary Vice President
</TABLE>
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment No.
14 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons
in the capacities indicated on March 15, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SIGNATURE TITLE
- ------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------
<C> <S>
* Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
------------------------------------------- Executive Officer
Anthony J. Vespa
* Director, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial
------------------------------------------- Officer, Chief Actuary and Treasurer
Joseph E. Crowne, Jr.
* Director, Senior Vice President, and Chief
------------------------------------------- Investment Officer
David M. Dunford
* Director and Senior Vice President
-------------------------------------------
Gail R. Farkas
* Director, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and
------------------------------------------- Secretary
Barry G. Skolnick
*By: /s/ MICHAEL P. COGSWELL Attorney-In-Fact
-------------------------------------------
Michael P. Cogswell
</TABLE>
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