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U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 24F-2
Annual Notice of Securities Sold
Pursuant to Rule 24f-2
Read instructions at end of Form before preparing Form.
Please print or type.
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1. Name and address of issuer: Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate
Account B
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
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2. Name of each series or class of funds for which this notice is filed:
NOT APPLICABLE
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3. Investment Company Act File Number: 811-6546
Securities Act File Number: 33-45379
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4. Last day of fiscal year for which this notice is filed:
December 31, 1996
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5. Check box if this notice is being filed more than 180 days after the
close of the issuer's fiscal year for purposes of reporting securities
sold after the close of the fiscal year but before termination of the
issuer's 24f-2 declaration [ ]:
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6. Date of termination of issuer's declaration under rule 24f-2(a)(1), if
applicable (see Instruction A.6):
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7. Number and amount of securities of the same class or series which had
been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 other than pursuant to
rule 24f-2 in a prior fiscal year, but which remained unsold at the
beginning of the fiscal year: NONE
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8. Number and amount of securities registered during the fiscal year other
than pursuant to rule 24f-2: NONE
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9. Number and aggregate sale price of securities sold during the fiscal
year: $1,559,526
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10. Number and aggregate sale price of securities sold during the fiscal
year in reliance upon registration pursuant to rule 24f-2: $1,559,526
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11. Number and aggregate sale price of securities issued during the fiscal
year in connection with dividend reinvestment plans, if applicable (see
Instruction B.7): NONE
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12. Calculation of registration fee:
(i) Aggregate sale price of securities sold
during the fiscal year in reliance on rule
24f-2 (from Item 10): $ 1,559,526
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(ii) Aggregate price of shares issued in
connection with dividend reinvestment
plans (from Item 11, if applicable): + $ 0
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(iii) Aggregate price of shares redeemed or
repurchased during the fiscal year (if
applicable): - $ 2,838,269
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(iv) Aggregate price of shares redeemed or
repurchased and previously applied as a
reduction to filing fees pursuant to rule
24e-2 (if applicable): + $ 0
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(v) Net aggregate price of securities sold and
issued during the fiscal year in reliance
on rule 24f-2 (line (i), plus line (ii),
less line (iii), plus line (iv)
(if applicable): ($ 1,278,743)
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(vi) Multiplier prescribed by Section 6(b) of the
Securities Act of 1933 or other applicable
law or regulation (see Instruction C.6):
x 1/3300
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(vii) Fee due [line (i) or line (v) multiplied by
line (vi)]: $ 00.00
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Instruction: Issuers should complete lines (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v) only
if the form is being filed within 60 days after the close of
the issuer's fiscal year. See Instruction C.3.
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13. Check box if fees are being remitted to the Commission's lockbox
depository as described in section 3a of the Commission's Rules of
Informal and Other Procedures (17 CFR 202.3a). [ ]
Date of mailing or wire transfer of filing fees to the Commission's
lockbox depository:
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SIGNATURES
This report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of
the issuer and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By (Signature and Title)*
/s/ Joseph E. Crowne, Jr. Chief Financial Officer
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Joseph E. Crowne, Jr. Chief Financial Officer
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Date February 25, 1997
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*Please print the name and title of the signing officer below the signature.
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[MERRILL LYNCH LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY]
February 25, 1997
Board of Directors
Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company
800 Scudders Mill Road
Plainsboro, New Jersey 08536
To the Board of Directors:
This opinion is furnished in connection with the registration of
variable annuity contracts under the Securities Act of 1933 ("1933 Act")
pursuant to the provisions of Rule 24f-2 ("Rule") under the Investment Company
Act of 1940. In rendering this opinion, I have reviewed such matters of fact and
issues of law as I have deemed necessary or appropriate.
During the year ended December 31, 1996, Merrill Lynch Life Insurance
Company ("Company") sold $1,559,526 of variable annuity contracts pursuant to
registration statements of the Merrill Lynch Life Variable Annuity Separate
Account B under the 1933 Act, File No. 33-45379. The registration of the
policies so sold is to be made definite by the filing of a Rule 24f-2 Notice in
accordance with the Rule.
In my opinion, the policies the registration of which is made definite
by the filing of the Notice were legally issued and are legal and binding
obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Edward W. Diffin, Jr.
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Edward W. Diffin, Jr.
Vice President and
Senior Counsel
