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EXHIBIT (10)(c)
CONSENT OF BARRY G. SKOLNICK, ESQ.
I hereby consent to the reference to my name under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the prospectus included in Post-Effective Amendment No. 16 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-4 for certain variable annuity insurance
contracts issued through ML of New York Variable Annuity Separate Account A and
included in the prospectus included in Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the
Registration Statement on Form N-4 for certain variable annuity insurance
contracts issued through ML of New York Variable Annuity Separate Account B of
Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company, File Nos. 33-43654 and 33-45380.
/s/ BARRY G. SKOLNICK
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Barry G. Skolnick
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
July 7, 2000
