Registration No. 333-81501
Registration No. 811-1705
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM N-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [ ]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 [ X ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. ___ [ ]
AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [ X ]
Amendment No. 77
(Check appropriate box or boxes)
--------------------------------
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
of
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
(Exact Name of Registrant)
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THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
(Name of Depositor)
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104
(Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices)
Depositor's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 554-1234
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MARY JOAN HOENE
VICE PRESIDENT AND COUNSEL
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104
(Names and Addresses of Agents for Service)
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Please send copies of all communications to:
PETER E. PANARITES
Freedman, Levy, Kroll & Simonds
1050 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 825
Washington, D.C. 20036
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Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable
after effectiveness of the Registration Statement.
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check
appropriate box):
[ ] Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485.
[ ] On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485.
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485.
[ ] On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485.
[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
[ ] On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) of Rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
[ ] This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for
previously filed post-effective amendment.
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Title of Securities Being Registered:
Units of interest in Separate Account under variable annuity
contracts.
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date
or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant
shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commissioner, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a)
may determine.
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EQUI-VEST(Reg. TM)
A combination variable and fixed deferred
annuity contract
PROSPECTUS DATED , 1999
Please read and keep this prospectus for future reference. It contains important
information that you should know before purchasing, or taking any other action
under your contract. Also, at the end of this prospectus you will find attached
the prospectuses for The Hudson River Trust and EQ Advisors Trust which contain
important information about their Portfolios.
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WHAT IS EQUI-VEST?
EQUI-VEST is a deferred annuity contract issued by The Equitable Life Assurance
Society of the United States. It provides for the accumulation of retirement
savings and for income. The contract also offers death benefit protection and a
number of payout options. You invest to accumulate value on a tax-deferred basis
in one or more of our variable investment options, our guaranteed interest
option or in our fixed maturity options ("investment options"). This contract
may not currently be available in all states.
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VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS
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FIXED INCOME OPTIONS:
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Domestic Fixed Income Aggressive Fixed Income
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o Alliance Money Market o Alliance High Yield
o Alliance Intermediate
Government Securities
o Alliance Quality Bond
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EQUITY OPTIONS:
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DOMESTIC EQUITY
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o T. Rowe Price Equity Income o Alliance Equity Index
o EQ/Putnam Growth & o Merrill Lynch Basic Value
Income Value Equity
o Alliance Growth & Income o Alliance Common Stock
o EQ/Alliance Premier Growth o MFS Growth with Income
o Capital Guardian Research o MFS Research
o Capital Guardian U.S.
Equity
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INTERNATIONAL EQUITY
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o Alliance Global o T. Rowe Price International
Stock
o Alliance International
o Morgan Stanley Emerging
Markets Equity
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AGGRESSIVE EQUITY
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o Alliance Aggressive Stock o Alliance Small Cap Growth
o EQ/Evergreen o MFS Emerging Growth
Companies
o Warburg Pincus Small
Company Value
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ASSET ALLOCATION OPTIONS:
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o Alliance Conservative o EQ/Evergreen Foundation
Investors o Alliance Growth Investors
o EQ/Putnam Balanced o Merrill Lynch World Strategy
o Alliance Balanced
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You allocate amounts to any of the variable investment options, subject to any
restrictions. Each variable investment option is a subaccount of our Separate
Account A. Each variable investment option, in turn, invests in a corresponding
securities portfolio ("Portfolio") of The Hudson River Trust or EQ Advisors
Trust. Your investment results in a variable investment option will depend on
the investment performance of the related Portfolio.
GUARANTEED INTEREST OPTION. You may allocate amounts to the guaranteed interest
option. This option is part of our general account and pays interest at
guaranteed rates.
FIXED MATURITY OPTIONS. You may allocate amounts to one or more fixed maturity
options. These amounts will receive a fixed rate of interest for a specified
period. Interest is earned at a guaranteed rate we set. We make a market value
adjustment (up or down) if you make transfers or withdrawals from a fixed
maturity option before its maturity date.
TYPES OF CONTRACTS. We offer the contracts for use as:
o A nonqualified annuity ("NQ") for after-tax contributions only
o An individual retirement annuity ("IRA"), Traditional IRA or Roth IRA ("Roth
IRA")
o A Traditional IRA as a conduit to hold rollover distributions ("QP IRA")
from a qualified plan or a Tax-Sheltered Annuity ("TSA")
Minimum contribution amounts ranging from $50 to $2,500 are required to purchase
a contract. The minimum amount required depends on the type of contract, NQ, IRA
or QP IRA, purchased.
Registration statements relating to this offering have been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The statement of additional
information ("SAI") dated , 1999, is a part of one of the registration
statements. The SAI is available free of charge. You may request one by writing
to our Processing Office or calling 1(800) 628-6673. The SAI has been
incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This prospectus and the SAI can
also be obtained from the SEC's Web site at http://www.sec.gov. The table of
contents for the SAI appears at the back of this prospectus.
THE SEC HAS NOT APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS ACCURATE OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE. THE CONTRACTS ARE NOT INSURED BY THE FDIC OR ANY OTHER AGENCY.
THEY ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF ANY BANK AND ARE NOT BANK
GUARANTEED. THEY ARE SUBJECT TO INVESTMENT RISKS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
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2 CONTENTS OF THIS PROSPECTUS
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Contents of this prospectus
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EQUI-VEST(TM)
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Index of key words and phrases 4
Who is Equitable Life? 5
How to reach us 6
EQUI-VEST at a glance - key features 9
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FEE TABLE 12
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Examples 15
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1
CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS 17
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How you can purchase and contribute to your contract 17
Owner and annuitant requirements 19
How you can make your contributions 19
What are your investment options under the contract? 19
Selecting your investment method 23
Allocating your contributions 24
Your right to cancel within a certain number of days 24
Death benefit 25
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2
DETERMINING YOUR CONTRACT'S VALUE 26
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Your account value 26
Your contract's value in the variable investment options 26
Your contract's value in the guaranteed interest option 26
Your contract's value in the fixed maturity options 26
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"We," "our" and "us" refer to Equitable Life.
When we address the reader of this prospectus with words such as "you" and
"your," we mean the person who has the right or responsibility that the
prospectus is discussing at that point. This is usually the contract owner.
When we use the word "contract" it also includes certificates that are issued
under group contracts in some states.
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CONTENTS OF THIS PROSPECTUS 3
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3
TRANSFERRING YOUR MONEY AMONG
INVESTMENT OPTIONS 27
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Transferring your account value 27
Automatic transfer options-investment simplifier 27
Rebalancing your account value 28
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4
ACCESSING YOUR MONEY 29
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Withdrawing your account value 29
Surrender of your contract to receive its cash value 30
When we may terminate your contract 30
When to expect payments 30
Choosing your annuity payout options 31
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5
CHARGES AND EXPENSES 33
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Charges that Equitable Life deducts 33
Charges that the trusts deduct 37
Group or sponsored arrangements 37
Other distribution arrangements 38
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6
PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFIT 39
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Your beneficiary and payment of benefit 39
How death benefit payment is made 39
Beneficiary continuation option under
Traditional IRA and QP IRA contracts 40
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7
TAX INFORMATION 41
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Overview 41
Transfers among investment options 41
Taxation of nonqualified annuities 41
Special rules for NQ contracts issued in Puerto Rico 42
Individual retirement arrangements ("IRAs") 43
Federal and state income tax withholding and
information reporting 56
Impact of taxes to Equitable Life 57
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8
MORE INFORMATION 58
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About our Separate Account A 58
About The Hudson River Trust and EQ Advisors Trust 58
About our fixed maturity options 59
About the general account 61
About other methods of payment 61
Dates and prices at which contract events occur 61
About your voting rights 62
About our year 2000 progress 63
About legal proceedings 63
About our independent accountants 64
Transfers of ownership, collateral assignments, loans,
and borrowing 64
Distribution of the contracts 64
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9
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE 65
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Benchmarks 65
Communicating performance data 75
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10
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY
REFERENCE 77
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APPENDICES
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I -- Condensed financial information A-1
II -- Market value adjustment example B-1
III -- Death benefit example C-1
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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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4 INDEX OF KEY WORDS AND PHRASES
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Index of key words and
phrases
This index should help you locate more information on the terms used in this
prospectus.
Page
account value 26
annuitant 18
annuity payout options 31
beneficiary 39
business day 61
cash value 26
conduit IRA 47
contract date 10
contract date anniversary 10
contract year 10
contributions 17
Contributions to Roth IRAs
Regular contribution 53
Rollover contributions 53
Conversion contributions 54
Direct custodian-to-custodian
transfers 53
Contributions to Traditional IRAs
Regular contributions 44
Rollover contributions 46
Direct custodian-to-custodian
transfers 46
fixed maturity amount 22
fixed maturity options 22
guaranteed interest option 22
Page
IRA cover
IRS 41
investment options 19
market adjusted amount 23
market value adjustment 23
maturity value 22
NQ cover
Portfolio cover
Processing Office 6
QP IRAs cover
ratcheted death benefit 25
rate to maturity 22
recharacterized 46
regular contribution 45
Required Beginning Date 47
Roth IRA cover
SAI cover
SEC cover
Substitution 58
TOPS 6
Traditional IRA cover
TSA cover
unit 26
unit investment trust 58
variable investment options 19
To make this prospectus easier to read, we sometimes use different words than in
the contract. This is illustrated below. Although we do use different words,
they have the same meaning in this prospectus as in the contract or supplemental
materials. Your Equitable associate can provide further explanation about your
contract.
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PROSPECTUS CONTRACT OR SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS
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fixed maturity options Guarantee Periods or Fixed Maturity Accounts
variable investment options Investment Funds or Investment Divisions
account value Annuity Account Value
rate to maturity Guaranteed Rates
guaranteed interest option Guaranteed Interest Account
unit accumulation unit
unit value accumulation unit value
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WHO IS EQUITABLE LIFE? 5
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Who is Equitable Life?
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We are The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States ("Equitable
Life"), a New York stock life insurance corporation. We have been doing business
since 1859. Equitable Life is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Equitable
Companies Incorporated ("Equitable Companies"), whose majority shareholder is
AXA, a French holding company for an international group of insurance and
related financial services companies. As a majority shareholder, and under its
other arrangements with Equitable Life and Equitable Life's parent, AXA
exercises significant influence over the operations and capital structure of
Equitable Life and its parent. No company other than Equitable Life, however,
has any legal responsibility to pay amounts that Equitable Life owes under the
contracts. During 1999, Equitable Companies plans to change its name to AXA
Financial, Inc.
Equitable Companies and its consolidated subsidiaries managed approximately
$390.8 billion in assets as of June 30, 1999. For over 100 years Equitable Life
has been among the largest insurance companies in the United States. We are
licensed to sell life insurance and annuities in all fifty states, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Our home office is
located at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10104.
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6 WHO IS EQUITABLE LIFE?
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HOW TO REACH US
You may communicate with our Processing Office as listed below for any of the
following purposes:
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FOR NQ AND IRA OWNERS WHO SEND
CONTRIBUTIONS INDIVIDUALLY BY REGULAR MAIL:
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Equitable Life
EQUI-VEST
Individual Collections
P.O. Box 13459
Newark, NJ 07188-0459
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FOR NQ AND IRA OWNERS WHO SEND
CONTRIBUTIONS INDIVIDUALLY BY EXPRESS
DELIVERY:
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Equitable Life
c/o First Chicago National Processing Center
300 Harmon Meadow Boulevard, 3rd Floor
Secaucus, NJ 07094
Attn: Box 13459
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FOR ALL OTHER COMMUNICATIONS (E.G., REQUESTS FOR TRANSFERS, WITHDRAWALS, OR
REQUIRED NOTICES) SENT BY REGULAR MAIL:
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Equitable Life
EQUI-VEST
P.O. Box 2996
New York, NY 10116-2996
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FOR ALL OTHER COMMUNICATIONS (E.G.,
REQUESTS FOR TRANSFERS, WITHDRAWALS, OR
REQUIRED NOTICES) SENT BY EXPRESS DELIVERY:
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Equitable Life
EQUI-VEST
200 Plaza Drive, 2nd Floor
Secaucus, NJ 07094
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FOR NQ AND IRA CONTRIBUTIONS REMITTED BY
EMPLOYERS AND SENT BY REGULAR MAIL:
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Equitable Life
EQUI-VEST
Unit Collections
P.O. Box 13463
Newark, New Jersey 07188-0463
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FOR NQ AND IRA CONTRIBUTIONS REMITTED BY
EMPLOYERS AND SENT BY EXPRESS DELIVERY:
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Equitable Life
c/o First Chicago National Processing Center
300 Harmon Meadow Boulevard, 3rd Floor
Secaucus, NJ 07094
Attn: Box 13463
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REPORTS WE PROVIDE:
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o written confirmation of financial transactions;
o annual statement of your contract values as of the close of the calendar
year;
o statement of your contract values as of the last day of the contract year.
We reserve the right to change the frequency of these reports.
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TELEPHONE OPERATED PROGRAM SUPPORT
("TOPS") SYSTEM:
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TOPS is designed to provide you with up-to-date information via touch-tone
telephone. You can obtain information on:
o your current account value;
o your current allocation percentages;
o the number of units you have in the variable investment options; and
o unit values.
<PAGE>
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WHO IS EQUITABLE LIFE? 7
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You can also:
o change your allocation percentages and/or transfer among the variable
investment options and the guaranteed interest option;
o elect the investment simplifier; and
o change your personal identification number ("PIN").
TOPS is normally available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, by calling
toll-free 1 (800) 755-7777. Of course, for reasons beyond our control, the
service may sometimes be unavailable.
We have established procedures to reasonably confirm that the instructions
communicated by telephone are genuine. For example, we will require certain
personal identification information before we will act on telephone instructions
and we will provide written confirmation of your transfers. We will not be
liable for following telephone instructions we reasonably believe to be genuine.
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BY INTERNET:
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You can also access information about your contract on the Internet. Please
visit our Web site at http://www.equitable.com, and click on EQAccess.
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CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE:
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You may also use our toll-free number 1 (800) 628-6673 to speak with one of our
customer service representatives. Our customer service representatives are
available on each business day Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00
p.m., and on Fridays until 5:00 p.m. Eastern time.
You should send all contributions, notices, and requests to our Processing
Office at an address above.
WE REQUIRE THAT THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF COMMUNICATIONS BE ON SPECIFIC FORMS WE
PROVIDE FOR THAT PURPOSE:
(1) conversion of your Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA;
(2) cancellation of your Roth IRA and return to a Traditional IRA contract;
(3) election of the automatic investment program;
(4) election of the investment simplifier;
(5) election of the automatic NQ deposit service;
(6) election of the rebalancing program;
(7) election of required minimum distribution option;
(8) tax withholding election;
(9) election of beneficiary continuation option;
(10) request for a transfer/rollover of assets or 1035 exchange to another
carrier; and
(11) contract surrender and withdrawal requests.
WE ALSO HAVE SPECIFIC FORMS THAT WE RECOMMEND YOU USE FOR THE FOLLOWING TYPES
OF REQUESTS:
(1) address changes;
(2) beneficiary changes;
(3) transfers among investment options; and
(4) change of ownership.
TO CHANGE OR CANCEL ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WE REQUIRE WRITTEN NOTIFICATION
GENERALLY AT LEAST SEVEN CALENDAR DAYS BEFORE THE NEXT SCHEDULED TRANSACTION:
(1) automatic investment program;
(2) investment simplifier; and
(3) rebalancing program.
You must sign and date all these requests. Any written request that is not on
one of our forms must include your name and your contract number along with
adequate details about the notice you wish to give or the action you wish us to
take.
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8 WHO IS EQUITABLE LIFE?
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SIGNATURES:
The proper person to sign forms, notices and requests would normally be the
owner.
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EQUI-VEST AT A GLANCE - - KEY FEATURES 9
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EQUI-VEST at a glance --
key features
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<TABLE>
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PROFESSIONAL EQUI-VEST's variable investment options invest in 30 different Portfolios managed by
INVESTMENT professional investment advisers.
MANAGEMENT
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GUARANTEED INTEREST o Principal and interest guarantees
OPTION o Interest rates set periodically
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FIXED MATURITY o 10 fixed maturity options with maturities ranging from
OPTIONS approximately 1 to 10 years.
o Each fixed maturity option offers a guarantee of principal and interest rate if you hold
it to maturity.
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If you make withdrawals or transfers from a fixed maturity option before maturity, there will be a market
value adjustment due to differences in interest rates. This may increase or decrease any value that you
have left in that fixed maturity option. If you surrender your contract, a market value adjustment may
also apply.
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TAX ADVANTAGES o ON EARNINGS INSIDE THE No tax on any dividends, interest or capital gains until you
CONTRACT make withdrawals from your contract or receive annuity payments.
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o ON TRANSFERS INSIDE THE No tax on transfers among investment options.
CONTRACT
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If you are buying a contract to fund a retirement plan that already provides tax deferral under the
Internal Revenue Code (any type of IRA) you should do so for the contract's features and benefits other
than tax deferral. In such situations, the tax deferral of the contract does not provide additional
benefits.
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MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION o NQ:
AMOUNTS - $1,000 (initial) or $50 (initial for payroll deduction); $50 (additional).
o Traditional IRA and Roth IRA:
- $50 (initial and additional).
o QP IRA:
- $2,500 each rollover amount.
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Maximum contribution limits may apply.
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DEATH BENEFIT PROTECTION The contract provides a death benefit for the beneficiary should the annuitant die. The
death benefit is equal to the highest of the following:
o the account value, or
o the minimum death benefit, or
o if elected, the optional ratcheted death benefit.
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10 EQUI-VEST AT A GLANCE -- KEY FEATURES
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ACCESS TO YOUR MONEY o Lump sum withdrawals
o Withdrawals on a periodic basis
o Contract surrender
You may be subject to a withdrawal charge for certain
withdrawals. You may also incur income tax and a penalty
tax.
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PAYOUT ALTERNATIVES o Annuity payout options
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ADDITIONAL FEATURES o Dollar-cost averaging by automatic transfers
-- Interest sweep option
-- Fixed-dollar option
o Automatic investment program
o Account value rebalancing (quarterly, semiannually, and
annually)
o No charge on transfers among investment
options
o Waiver of withdrawal charge for disability,
confinement to a nursing home, and terminal illness
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FEES AND CHARGES o Daily charge on amounts invested in variable
investment options for mortality and expense risks and
other expenses at an annual rate of 1.20%.
o If your account value at the end of the contract year
is less than $25,000 for NQ contracts (or less than
$20,000 for IRA contracts), we deduct an annual
administrative charge equal to $30 or during the first
two contract years 2% of your account value, if less
($65 maximum). If your account value is $25,000 or more
for NQ contracts (or $20,000 or more for IRA
contracts), we will not deduct the charge.
o Charge for third-party transfer (such as in the case of
a trustee-to-trustee transfer for an IRA contract) or
exchange (if your contract is exchanged for a contract
issued by another insurance company) - $25 currently
($65 maximum) per occurrence.
o No sales charge deducted when you make contributions.
o We deduct a charge equal to 6% of contributions that
have been withdrawn if such contributions were made in
the current and five prior contract years. There is no
charge in any contract year in which the amount
withdrawn does not exceed 15% of your account value at
the time of your withdrawal request minus prior
withdrawals in that contract year. Under certain
circumstances the withdrawal charge will not apply.
They are discussed under "Charges and expenses" later
in this prospectus.
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The 12-month period beginning on your contract date and
each 12-month period after that date is a "contract
year." The end of each 12-month period is your "contract
date anniversary." The "contract date" is the effective
date of a contract. This usually is the business day we
receive your initial contribution. Your contract date
will be shown in your contract.
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EQUI-VEST AT A GLANCE -- KEY FEATURES 11
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FEES AND CHARGES o We deduct an annual charge equal to 0.15% of the account
(CONTINUED) value on each contract date anniversary if you elect
the optional ratcheted death benefit.
o We deduct a charge for taxes such as premium taxes that
may be imposed in your state. The charge is generally
deducted from the amount applied to an annuity payout
option.
o We generally deduct a $350 annuity administrative fee
from amounts applied to purchase certain life annuity
payout options.
o Annual expenses of The Hudson River Trust and EQ
Advisors Trust Portfolios are calculated as a
percentage of the average daily net assets invested in
each Portfolio. These expenses include management and
advisory fees ranging from 0.31% to 1.15% annually,
12b-1 fees of 0.25% annually, and other expenses.
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ANNUITANT NQ 0 - 79
ISSUE AGES QP IRA 0 - 79
Traditional IRA 0 - 70
Roth IRA 0 - 79
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THE ABOVE IS NOT A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF ALL MATERIAL PROVISIONS OF THE
CONTRACT. IN SOME CASES RESTRICTIONS OR EXCEPTIONS APPLY. MAXIMUM EXPENSE
LIMITATIONS APPLY TO CERTAIN VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS, AND RIGHTS ARE
RESERVED TO CHANGE OR WAIVE CERTAIN CHARGES WITHIN SPECIFIED LIMITS. FOR
TRADITIONAL IRAS, THE MAXIMUM ISSUE AGE IS 70, BUT WE WILL ISSUE UP TO AGE 79 IF
IT IS A ROLLOVER CONTRIBUTION. FOR ALL OTHER IRAS WE WILL ISSUE CONTRACTS UP TO
ANNUITANT AGES 80-83 WITH OUR PRIOR APPROVAL. ALSO, ALL FEATURES OF THE CONTRACT
ARE NOT NECESSARILY AVAILABLE IN YOUR STATE OR AT CERTAIN AGES.
For more detailed information we urge you to read the contents of this
prospectus, as well as your contract. Please feel free to speak with your
Equitable associate, or call us, if you have any questions.
<PAGE>
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12 FEE TABLE
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Fee Table
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The fee table below will help you understand the various charges and expenses
that apply to your contract. The table reflects charges you will directly incur
under the contract, as well as charges and expenses of the Portfolios that you
will bear indirectly. Charges for taxes, such as premium taxes, may also apply.
Also, an annuity administrative fee may apply when your annuity payments are to
begin. Each of the charges and expenses is more fully described under "Charges
and expenses" later in this prospectus. For a complete description of Portfolio
charges and expenses, please see the attached prospectuses for The Hudson River
Trust and EQ Advisors Trust.
The guaranteed interest option and fixed maturity options are not covered by the
fee table and examples. However, the annual administrative charge, the
withdrawal charge, the optional ratcheted death benefit charge, and the
third-party transfer or exchange charge do apply to the guaranteed interest
option and fixed maturity options. Also, an administrative fee may apply when
your annuity payments are to begin. A market value adjustment (up or down) may
apply as a result of a withdrawal, transfer or surrender of amounts from a fixed
maturity option.
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CHARGES WE DEDUCT FROM YOUR VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS (SEPARATE ACCOUNT A)
EXPRESSED AS AN ANNUAL PERCENTAGE OF DAILY NET ASSETS
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Mortality and expense risk(1) 0.95%
Other expenses 0.25%
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Total Separate Account A annual expenses(2) 1.20%
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CHARGES WE DEDUCT FROM YOUR ACCOUNT VALUE ON EACH CONTRACT DATE ANNIVERSARY
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Annual administrative charge(3)
If your account value on a contract date anniversary is less than
$25,000 for NQ contracts (or less than $20,000 for IRA contracts) $30
If your account value on a contract date anniversary is $25,000 or more for
NQ contracts (or $20,000 or more for IRA contracts) $ 0
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CHARGES WE DEDUCT FROM YOUR ACCOUNT VALUE AT THE TIME YOU REQUEST CERTAIN
TRANSACTIONS
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Maximum withdrawal charge(4) 6%
Charge for third-party transfer or exchange(5) $25 for each occurrence
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CHARGES WE DEDUCT FROM YOUR ACCOUNT VALUE EACH YEAR IF YOU ELECT THE OPTIONAL
BENEFIT
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Optional ratcheted death benefit charge (as a percentage of your account value
this charge is deducted annually on each contract date anniversary) 0.15%
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<PAGE>
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FEE TABLE 13
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THE HUDSON RIVER TRUST ANNUAL EXPENSES
(AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS IN EACH PORTFOLIO)
<TABLE>
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TOTAL
ANNUAL
INVESTMENT EXPENSES
MANAGEMENT & OTHER (AFTER EXPENSE
ADVISORY FEES 12B-1 FEE(6) EXPENSES LIMITATION)(6)(7)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Aggressive Stock 0.54% 0.25% 0.03% 0.82%
Alliance Balanced 0.41% 0.25% 0.04% 0.70%
Alliance Common Stock 0.36% 0.25% 0.03% 0.64%
Alliance Conservative Investors 0.48% 0.25% 0.05% 0.78%
Alliance Equity Index 0.31% 0.25% 0.03% 0.59%
Alliance Global 0.64% 0.25% 0.07% 0.96%
Alliance Growth & Income 0.55% 0.25% 0.03% 0.83%
Alliance Growth Investors 0.51% 0.25% 0.04% 0.80%
Alliance High Yield 0.60% 0.25% 0.03% 0.88%
Alliance Intermediate Government Securities 0.50% 0.25% 0.05% 0.80%
Alliance International 0.90% 0.25% 0.16% 1.31%
Alliance Money Market 0.35% 0.25% 0.02% 0.62%
Alliance Quality Bond 0.53% 0.25% 0.03% 0.81%
Alliance Small Cap Growth 0.90% 0.24% 0.06% 1.20%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ ADVISORS TRUST ANNUAL EXPENSES
(AS A PERCENTAGE OF AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS IN EACH PORTFOLIO)
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL
OTHER ANNUAL
INVESTMENT EXPENSES EXPENSES
MANAGEMENT & (AFTER EXPENSE (AFTER EXPENSE
ADVISORY FEES 12B-1 FEE(6) LIMITATION)(8) LIMITATION)(8)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
EQ/Alliance Premier Growth 0.90% 0.25% 0.00% 1.15%
Capital Guardian Research 0.65% 0.25% 0.05% 0.95%
Capital Guardian U.S. Equity 0.65% 0.25% 0.05% 0.95%
EQ/Evergreen 0.75% 0.25% 0.05% 1.05%
EQ/Evergreen Foundation 0.63% 0.25% 0.07% 0.95%
MFS Emerging Growth Companies 0.55% 0.25% 0.05% 0.85%
MFS Growth with Income 0.55% 0.25% 0.05% 0.85%
MFS Research 0.55% 0.25% 0.05% 0.85%
Merrill Lynch Basic Value Equity 0.55% 0.25% 0.05% 0.85%
Merrill Lynch World Strategy 0.70% 0.25% 0.25% 1.20%
Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Equity 1.15% 0.25% 0.35% 1.75%
EQ/Putnam Balanced 0.55% 0.25% 0.10% 0.90%
EQ/Putnam Growth & Income Value 0.55% 0.25% 0.05% 0.85%
T. Rowe Price Equity Income 0.55% 0.25% 0.05% 0.85%
T. Rowe Price International Stock 0.75% 0.25% 0.20% 1.20%
Warburg Pincus Small Company Value 0.65% 0.25% 0.10% 1.00%
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 FEE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
(1) A portion of this charge is for providing the death benefit.
(2) We reserve the right to increase the total Separate Account A annual
expenses, but they will not exceed a maximum of 2%.
(3) During the first two contract years this charge is equal to the lesser of
$30 or 2% of your account value if it applies. Thereafter, the charge is
$30 for each contract year. We reserve the right to waive or increase this
charge to an annual maximum of $65.
(4) This charge applies to any contributions withdrawn that were made in the
current and five prior contract years. This charge is deducted upon a
withdrawal of amounts in excess of the 15% free withdrawal amount.
Important exceptions and limitations may eliminate or reduce this charge.
(5) We reserve the right to increase this charge to a maximum of $65 for each
occurrence.
(6) The Class IB shares of The Hudson River Trust and EQ Advisors Trust are
subject to fees imposed under distribution plans (the "Rule 12b-1 Plans")
adopted by The Hudson River Trust and EQ Advisors Trust pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The 12b-1 fee
will not be increased for the life of the contracts. The Rule 12b-1 Plan
for the Alliance Small Cap Growth Portfolio provides that EQ Financial
Consultants, Inc. ("EQF") will receive an annual fee not to exceed the
lesser of (a) 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio
attributable to Class IB shares and (b) an amount that, when added to
certain other expenses of the Class IB shares, would result in the ratio
of expenses to average daily net assets attributable to Class IB shares
equaling 1.20%. Absent the expense limitation, the total annual expenses
for 1998 for the Alliance Small Cap Growth Portfolio would have been
1.21%.
(7) The fees and expenses shown for all Portfolios are for the year ended
December 31, 1998. The investment management and advisory fee for each
Portfolio of The Hudson River Trust may vary from year to year depending
upon the average daily net assets of the respective Portfolio. The
maximum investment management and advisory fees, however, cannot be
increased without a vote of that Portfolio's shareholders. See the
prospectus for The Hudson River Trust. The other direct operating
expenses will also fluctuate from year to year depending on actual
expenses.
The fees and expenses shown for Class IB shares of the Alliance Balanced
Portfolio and Alliance Quality Bond Portfolio are annualized for the year
ended December 31, 1998. These shares were first offered on July 8, 1998.
(8) The investment management and advisory fees for each Portfolio of EQ
Advisors Trust cannot be increased without a vote of that Portfolio's
shareholders. The amounts shown as "Other Expenses" will fluctuate from
year to year depending on actual expenses. However, EQF, EQ Advisors
Trust's manager, has entered into an expense limitation agreement with
respect to each Portfolio. Under this agreement EQF has agreed to waive
or limit its fees and assume other expenses. Under the expense limitation
agreement, total annual operating expenses of each Portfolio (other than
interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, capitalized expenditures,
extraordinary expenses and 12b-1 fees) are limited for the average daily
net assets of each Portfolio as follows: 0.60% for EQ/Putnam Growth &
Income Value, MFS Emerging Growth Companies, MFS Growth with Income, MFS
Research, Merrill Lynch Basic Value Equity, and T. Rowe Price Equity
Income; 0.65% for EQ/Putnam Balanced; 0.70% for Capital Guardian
Research, Capital Guardian U.S. Equity, and EQ/Evergreen Foundation;
0.75% for Warburg Pincus Small Company Value; 0.80% for EQ/Evergreen;
0.90% for EQ/Alliance Premier Growth; 0.95% for Merrill Lynch World
Strategy and T. Rowe Price International Stock; and 1.50% for Morgan
Stanley Emerging Markets Equity.
Absent the expense limitation, "Other Expenses" for 1998 on an annualized
basis for each of the Portfolios would have been as follows: 0.24% for MFS
Emerging Growth Companies, EQ/Putnam Growth & Income Value, and T. Rowe
Price Equity Income; 0.25% for MFS Research; 0.26% for Merrill Lynch Basic
Value Equity; 0.66% for Merrill Lynch World Strategy; 1.23% for Morgan
Stanley Emerging Markets Equity, 0.45% for EQ/Putnam Balanced; 0.40% for
T. Rowe Price International Stock; and 0.27% for Warburg Pincus Small
Company Value. For the following Portfolios, the "Other Expenses" for
1999, absent the expense limitation, are estimated to be as follows: 0.59%
for MFS Growth with Income; 0.74% for EQ/Alliance Premier Growth, Capital
Guardian Research, and Capital Guardian U.S. Equity; 0.76% for
EQ/Evergreen; 0.86% for EQ/Evergreen Foundation. Initial seed capital was
invested on December 31, 1998 for the EQ/Evergreen, EQ/Evergreen
Foundation, and MFS Growth with Income Portfolios. Initial seed capital
for EQ/Alliance Premier Growth, Capital Guardian Research, and Capital
Guardian U.S. Equity Portfolios was invested on April 30, 1999.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FEE TABLE 15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Each Portfolio may at a later date make a reimbursement to EQF for any of
the management fees waived or limited and other expenses assumed and paid
by EQF pursuant to the expense limitation agreement provided, that among
other things, such Portfolio has reached sufficient size to permit such
reimbursement to be made and provided that the Portfolio's current annual
operating expenses do not exceed the operating expense limit determined
for such Portfolio. For more information see the prospectus for Equitable
Advisors Trust.
EXAMPLES
The examples below show the expenses that a hypothetical contract owner would
pay in the situations illustrated. We assume a $1,000 contribution is invested
in one of the variable investment options listed, and a 5% annual return is
earned on the assets in that option. We also assume that the optional ratcheted
death benefit is not elected and there is no waiver of the withdrawal charge.(1)
The annual administrative charge is based on the charges that apply to a mix of
estimated contract sizes, resulting in an estimated administrative charge for
the purpose of these examples of $0.57 per $1,000. We calculate the annual
administrative charge by using the total actual annual administrative charges
for 1998 under total EQUI-VEST contracts that we issue as a percentage of the
total assets held under those EQUI-VEST contracts.
These examples should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses for each option. Actual expenses may be greater or less than those
shown. Similarly, the annual rate of return assumed in the examples is not an
estimate or guarantee of future investment performance.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF YOU SURRENDER YOUR CONTRACT AT THE END
OF EACH PERIOD SHOWN, THE EXPENSES
WOULD BE:
-------------------------------------------------
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE HUDSON RIVER TRUST OPTIONS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Aggressive Stock $ 74.14 $ 122.39 $ 173.42 $ 248.76
Alliance Balanced $ 73.04 $ 119.09 $ 167.90 $ 234.87
Alliance Common Stock $ 72.44 $ 117.29 $ 164.87 $ 228.34
Alliance Conservative Investors $ 73.84 $ 121.49 $ 171.92 $ 243.53
Alliance Equity Index $ 71.95 $ 115.78 $ 162.34 $ 222.86
Alliance Global $ 75.63 $ 126.89 $ 180.92 $ 262.76
Alliance Growth & Income $ 74.34 $ 122.99 $ 174.43 $ 248.91
Alliance Growth Investors $ 74.04 $ 122.09 $ 172.92 $ 245.69
Alliance High Yield $ 74.83 $ 124.49 $ 176.93 $ 254.26
Alliance Intermediate Government Securities $ 74.04 $ 122.09 $ 172.92 $ 245.69
Alliance International $ 79.12 $ 137.31 $ 198.22 $ 299.15
Alliance Money Market $ 72.24 $ 116.69 $ 163.86 $ 226.15
Alliance Quality Bond $ 74.24 $ 122.69 $ 173.92 $ 247.84
Alliance Small Cap Growth $ 78.02 $ 134.04 $ 192.81 $ 287.85
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF YOU DO NOT SURRENDER YOUR CONTRACT AT
THE END OF EACH PERIOD SHOWN, THE
EXPENSES WOULD BE:
------------------------------------------------
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE HUDSON RIVER TRUST OPTIONS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Aggressive Stock $ 21.69 $ 66.94 $ 114.78 $ 246.76
Alliance Balanced $ 20.54 $ 63.45 $ 108.93 $ 234.87
Alliance Common Stock $ 19.91 $ 61.54 $ 105.72 $ 228.34
Alliance Conservative Investors $ 21.38 $ 65.99 $ 113.19 $ 243.53
Alliance Equity Index $ 19.38 $ 59.95 $ 103.04 $ 222.86
Alliance Global $ 23.27 $ 71.69 $ 122.73 $ 262.76
Alliance Growth & Income $ 21.90 $ 67.57 $ 115.85 $ 248.91
Alliance Growth Investors $ 21.59 $ 66.62 $ 114.25 $ 245.69
Alliance High Yield $ 22.43 $ 69.16 $ 118.50 $ 254.26
Alliance Intermediate Government Securities $ 21.59 $ 66.62 $ 114.25 $ 245.69
Alliance International $ 26.94 $ 82.70 $ 141.06 $ 299.15
Alliance Money Market $ 19.70 $ 60.91 $ 104.65 $ 226.15
Alliance Quality Bond $ 21.80 $ 67.26 $ 115.32 $ 247.84
Alliance Small Cap Growth $ 25.79 $ 79.25 $ 135.33 $ 287.85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 FEE TABLE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF YOU SURRENDER YOUR CONTRACT AT THE END
OF EACH PERIOD SHOWN, THE EXPENSES
WOULD BE:
-------------------------------------------------
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ ADVISORS TRUST OPTIONS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
EQ/Alliance Premier Growth $ 77.52 $ 132.55 - -
Capital Guardian Research $ 75.53 $ 126.59 - -
Capital Guardian U.S. Equity $ 75.53 $ 126.59 - -
EQ/Evergreen $ 76.53 $ 129.57 - -
EQ/Evergreen Foundation $ 75.53 $ 126.59 - -
MFS Emerging Growth Companies $ 74.54 $ 123.59 $ 175.43 $ 251.05
MFS Growth with Income $ 74.54 $ 123.59 - -
MFS Research $ 74.54 $ 123.59 $ 175.43 $ 251.05
Merrill Lynch Basic Value Equity $ 74.54 $ 123.59 $ 175.43 $ 251.05
Merrill Lynch World Strategy $ 78.02 $ 134.04 $ 192.81 $ 287.85
Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Equity $ 83.50 $ 150.30 $ 219.60 $ 343.10
EQ/Putnam Balanced $ 75.03 $ 125.09 $ 177.93 $ 256.39
EQ/Putnam Growth & Income Value $ 74.54 $ 123.59 $ 175.43 $ 251.05
T. Rowe Price Equity Income $ 74.54 $ 123.59 $ 175.43 $ 251.05
T. Rowe Price International Stock $ 78.02 $ 134.04 $ 192.81 $ 287.85
Warburg Pincus Small Company Value $ 76.03 $ 128.08 $ 182.91 $ 266.98
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF YOU DO NOT SURRENDER YOUR CONTRACT AT
THE END OF EACH PERIOD SHOWN, THE
EXPENSES WOULD BE:
------------------------------------------------
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ ADVISORS TRUST OPTIONS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
EQ/Alliance Premier Growth $ 25.26 $ 77.67 - -
Capital Guardian Research $ 23.16 $ 71.37 - -
Capital Guardian U.S. Equity $ 23.16 $ 71.37 - -
EQ/Evergreen $ 24.21 $ 74.53 - -
EQ/Evergreen Foundation $ 23.16 $ 71.37 - -
MFS Emerging Growth Companies $ 22.11 $ 68.21 $ 116.91 $ 251.05
MFS Growth with Income $ 22.11 $ 68.21 - -
MFS Research $ 22.11 $ 68.21 $ 116.91 $ 251.05
Merrill Lynch Basic Value Equity $ 22.11 $ 68.21 $ 116.91 $ 251.05
Merrill Lynch World Strategy $ 25.79 $ 79.25 $ 135.33 $ 287.85
Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Equity $ 31.56 $ 96.43 $ 163.72 $ 343.10
EQ/Putnam Balanced $ 22.64 $ 69.79 $ 119.56 $ 256.39
EQ/Putnam Growth & Income Value $ 22.11 $ 68.21 $ 116.91 $ 251.05
T. Rowe Price Equity Income $ 22.11 $ 68.21 $ 116.91 $ 251.05
T. Rowe Price International Stock $ 25.79 $ 79.25 $ 135.33 $ 287.85
Warburg Pincus Small Company Value $ 23.69 $ 72.95 $ 124.84 $ 266.98
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) The amount accumulated from the $1,000 contribution could not be paid in
the form of an annuity payout option at the end of any of the periods
shown in the examples. This is because if the amount applied to purchase
an annuity payout option is less than $2,000, or the initial payment is
less than $20, we may pay the amount to you in a single sum instead of as
payments under an annuity payout option. See "Accessing your money."
IF YOU ELECT THE OPTIONAL RATCHETED DEATH BENEFIT:
The above examples do not reflect a charge for the optional ratcheted death
benefit. If you elect the optional ratcheted death benefit we will also deduct
an annual charge equal to 0.15% of your account value on each contract date
anniversary. Therefore, the expenses shown in the above examples would, in each
case, be increased by an amount not in excess of $1.57 in the first year and
$1.74 in the third year.
IF YOU ELECT AN ANNUITY PAYOUT OPTION:
Assuming an annuity payout option could be issued, (see Note (1) above), and you
elect a life annuity payout option, the expenses shown in the above example for
"if you do not surrender your contract" would, in each case, be increased by
$4.43 based on the average amount applied to annuity payout options in 1998. See
"Annuity administrative fee" under "Charges and expenses."
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Please see Appendix I at the end of this prospectus for the unit values and the
number of units outstanding as of the end of the period shown for each of the
variable investment options available as of December 31, 1998.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS 17
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW YOU CAN PURCHASE AND CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR CONTRACT
You may purchase a contract by making payments to us that we call
"contributions." We require a minimum contribution amount for each type of
contract purchased. The minimum contribution amount under our automatic
investment program is $20. We discuss the automatic investment program under
"About other methods of payment" under "More information" later in this
prospectus. The following table summarizes our rules regarding contributions to
your contract.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available for
Contract annuitant Minimum Source of Limitations on
type issue ages* contributions contributions contributions
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NQ 0 - 79 $1,000 (initial), o After-tax money. Not applicable.
$50 (additional)
o Paid to us by check
or transfer of contract
value in a tax deferred
exchange under Section
1035 of the Internal
Revenue Code.
o Paid to us by an
employer who establishes
a payroll deduction program.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traditional IRA 0 - 70 $50 (initial and o "Regular" traditional o For all types of IRAs,
additional) IRA contributions either regular IRA contributions
made by you or paid to may not exceed $2,000 for
us by an employer who a year.
establishes a payroll
deduction program. o No additional regular
IRA contributions in the
o Rollovers from a year you turn age 70 1/2
qualified plan. and thereafter.
o Rollovers from a TSA.
o Rollover and direct
o Rollovers from another transfer contributions
traditional individual after age 70 1/2 must be
retirement arrangement. net of required
minimum distributions.
o Direct
custodian-to-custodian
transfers from other
traditional individual
retirement arrangements.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVAILABLE FOR
CONTRACT ANNUITANT MINIMUM SOURCE OF LIMITATIONS ON
TYPE ISSUE AGES* CONTRIBUTIONS CONTRIBUTIONS CONTRIBUTIONS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Roth IRA 0 - 79 $50 (initial and o Regular after-tax o For all types of IRAs,
additional) contributions either regular IRA
made by you or paid to contributions may not
us by an employer who exceed $2,000 for a
establishes a payroll year.
deduction program.
o Contributions are
o Rollovers from another subject to income limits
Roth IRA. and other tax rules. See
"Tax information --
o Conversion rollovers Contributions to Roth
from a traditional IRA. IRAs."
o Direct transfers
from another Roth
IRA.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QP Traditional 0 - 79 $2,500 o Rollovers from a o Rollover contributions
IRA qualified plan. after age 70 1/2 must be
net of required
o Rollovers from a TSA. minimum distributions.
o The EQUI-VEST QP o Regular after-tax
Traditional IRA contract contributions are not
is intended to be a permitted.
conduit IRA. Only
rollovers from a
qualified plan or TSA
are permitted.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* For Traditional IRA's, the maximum issue age is 70, but we will issue up
to age 79 if the contribution is a rollover contribution. For all other
IRA's, we will issue contracts up to annuitant ages 80-83 with our prior
approval.
See "Tax information" for a more detailed discussion of sources of
contributions and certain contribution limitations. We may refuse to accept any
contribution if the sum of all contributions under all EQUI-VEST contracts with
the same annuitant would then total more than $1,000,000. We may also refuse to
accept any contribution if the sum of all contributions under all Equitable
Life annuity accumulation contracts that you own would then total more than
$2,500,000.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The "annuitant" is the person who is the measuring life for determining contract
benefits. The annuitant is not necessarily the contract owner.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For information on when contributions are credited see "Dates and prices at
which contract events occur" under "More information" later in this prospectus.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS 19
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OWNER AND ANNUITANT REQUIREMENTS
Under NQ contracts, the annuitant can be different than the owner.
Under any type of the IRA contract, the owner and annuitant must be the same
person.
HOW YOU CAN MAKE YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
Except as indicated below, contributions must be by check drawn on a U.S. bank
in U.S. dollars, and made payable to Equitable Life. We do not accept
third-party checks endorsed to us except for rollover contributions, tax-free
exchanges or trustee checks that involve no refund. All checks are subject to
our ability to collect the funds. We reserve the right to reject a payment if
it is received in an unacceptable form.
You may also make contributions by wire transfer or our automatic investment
program. See "About other methods of payment" under "More information" later in
this prospectus.
Your initial contribution must generally be accompanied by an application and
any other form we need to process the payments. If any information is missing
or unclear, we will try to obtain that information. If we are unable to obtain
all of the information we require within five business days after we receive an
incomplete application or form, we will inform the Equitable associate
submitting the application on your behalf. We will then return the contribution
to you unless you specifically direct us to keep your contribution until we
receive the required information.
Generally, you may make additional contributions at any time. You may do so in
single sum amounts, on a regular basis, or as your financial situation
permits.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Generally our "business day" is any day on which Equitable Life is open and the
New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 1035 EXCHANGES
You may apply the value of an existing nonqualified deferred annuity contract
(or life insurance or endowment contract) to purchase an NQ contract in a
tax-free exchange if you follow certain procedures as shown in the form that we
require you to use. Also see "Tax information" later in this prospectus.
WHAT ARE YOUR INVESTMENT OPTIONS UNDER THE CONTRACT?
Your investment options are the variable investment options, the guaranteed
interest option and the fixed maturity options.
VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Your investment results in any one of the 30 variable investment options will
depend on the investment performance of the underlying Portfolios. Listed
below are the currently available Portfolios, their investment objectives, and
their advisers.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can choose from among 30 variable investment options.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIOS OF THE HUDSON RIVER TRUST
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO NAME OBJECTIVE ADVISER
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Alliance Aggressive Stock Long-term growth of capital Alliance Capital Management L.P.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Balanced High return through a combination of current Alliance Capital Management L.P.
income and capital appreciation
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Common Stock Long-term growth of capital and increasing Alliance Capital Management L.P.
income
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Conservative Investors High total return without, in the adviser's Alliance Capital Management L.P.
opinion, undue risk to principal
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Equity Index Total return (before The Hudson River Trust and Alliance Capital Management L.P.
Separate Account A annual expenses) that
approximates the total return performance of the
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price
Index
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global Long-term growth of capital Alliance Capital Management L.P.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Growth & Income High total return through a combination of Alliance Capital Management L.P.
current income and capital appreciation
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Growth Investors High total return consistent with the adviser's Alliance Capital Management L.P.
determination of reasonable risk
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance High Yield High return by maximizing current income and, Alliance Capital Management L.P.
to the extent consistent with that objective,
capital appreciation
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Intermediate High current income consistent with relative Alliance Capital Management L.P.
Government Securities stability of principal
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance International Long-term growth of capital Alliance Capital Management L.P.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Money Market High level of current income while preserving Alliance Capital Management L.P.
assets and maintaining liquidity
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Quality Bond High current income consistent with preservation Alliance Capital Management L.P.
of capital
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Small Cap Growth Long-term growth of capital Alliance Capital Management L.P.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS 21
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIOS OF EQ ADVISORS TRUST
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO NAME OBJECTIVE ADVISER
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
EQ/Alliance Premier Growth Long-term growth of capital Alliance Capital Management L.P.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Guardian Research Long-term growth of capital Capital Guardian Trust Company
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Guardian U.S. Equity Long-term growth of capital Capital Guardian Trust Company
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/Evergreen Capital appreciation Evergreen Asset Management Corp.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/Evergreen Foundation In order of priority, reasonable income, Evergreen Asset Management Corp.
conservation of capital, and capital appreciation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS Emerging Growth Long-term growth of capital Massachusetts Financial Services Company
Companies
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS Growth with Income Reasonable current income and long-term Massachusetts Financial Services Company
growth of capital and income
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS Research Long-term growth of capital and future income Massachusetts Financial Services Company
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch Basic Value Equity Capital appreciation and, secondarily, income Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch World Strategy High total investment return Merrill Lynch Asset Management, L.P.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Emerging Long-term capital appreciation Morgan Stanley Asset Management
Markets Equity
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/Putnam Balanced Balanced investment Putnam Investment Management, Inc.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/Putnam Growth & Income Capital growth, current income is a secondary Putnam Investment Management, Inc.
Value objective
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Substantial dividend income and also capital T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
appreciation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price International Long-term growth of capital Rowe Price-Fleming International, Inc.
Stock
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Small Company Long-term capital appreciation Warburg Pincus Asset Management, Inc.
Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Other important information about the Portfolios is included in the separate
prospectuses for The Hudson River Trust and EQ Advisors Trust attached at the
end of this prospectus. See "Proposed substitution of Portfolios" under "More
information" for information regarding the proposed substitution of newly
created Portfolios of EQ Advisors Trust for the Portfolios of The Hudson River
Trust currently available under the variable investment options.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GUARANTEED INTEREST OPTION
The guaranteed interest option is part of our general account and pays interest
at guaranteed rates. We discuss our general account under "More information."
We assign an interest rate to each amount allocated to the guaranteed interest
option. This rate is guaranteed for a specified period, depending on when the
allocation is made. Therefore, different interest rates may apply to different
amounts in the guaranteed interest option.
We credit interest daily to amounts in the guaranteed interest option. There
are three levels of interest in effect at the same time in the guaranteed
interest option:
(1) the minimum interest rate guaranteed over the life of the contract,
(2) the yearly guaranteed interest rate for the calendar year, and
(3) the current interest rate.
We set current interest rates periodically, according to our procedures that we
have in effect at the time. All interest rates are effective annual rates, but
before deduction of annual administrative charges or any withdrawal charges.
The yearly guaranteed interest rate is 4% for 1999 and 4% for the year 2000.
The yearly rates we set will never be less than the minimum guaranteed interest
rate of 3% for the life of the contract. Current interest rates will never be
less than the yearly guaranteed interest rate.
FIXED MATURITY OPTIONS
We offer fixed maturity options with maturity dates ranging from one to ten
years. You can allocate your contributions to one or more of these fixed
maturity options. However, you may not allocate more than one contribution to
any one fixed maturity option. These amounts become part of our general account
assets. They will accumulate interest at the "rate to maturity" for each fixed
maturity option. The total amount you allocate to and accumulate in each fixed
maturity option is called the "fixed maturity amount." The fixed maturity
options are not available in contracts issued in Maryland. For contracts issued
in New York see "Charges and expenses" for information on withdrawal charges
when amounts are allocated to the fixed maturity options.
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Fixed maturity options range from one to ten years to maturity
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The rate to maturity you will receive for each fixed maturity option is the
rate to maturity in effect for new contributions allocated to that fixed
maturity option on the date we apply your contribution. This rate will never be
less than 3%. If you make any withdrawals or transfers from a fixed maturity
option before the maturity date, we will make a market value adjustment that
may increase or decrease any fixed maturity amount you have left in that fixed
maturity option. We discuss the market value adjustment below and in greater
detail later in this prospectus under "More information."
On the maturity date of a fixed maturity option your fixed maturity amount,
assuming you have not made any withdrawals or transfers, will equal your
contribution to that fixed maturity option plus interest, at the rate to
maturity for that contribution, to the date of the calculation. This is the
fixed maturity option's "maturity value." Before maturity, the current value we
will report for your fixed maturity amount will reflect a market value
adjustment. Your current value will reflect the market value adjustment that we
would make if you were to withdraw all of your fixed maturity amounts on the
date of the report. We call this your "market adjusted amount."
FIXED MATURITY OPTIONS AND MATURITY DATES. We currently offer fixed maturity
options ending on June 15th for each of the maturity years 2000 through 2009.
See "Allocating your contributions" below. As fixed maturity options expire, we
expect to add maturity years so that generally 10 fixed maturity options are
available at any time.
We will not accept allocations to a fixed maturity option if on the date the
contribution is to be applied:
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CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS 23
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o you previously allocated a contribution or made a transfer to the same
fixed maturity option; or
o the rate to maturity is 3%; or
o the fixed maturity option's maturity date is within the current calendar
year; or
o the fixed maturity option's maturity date is later than the date annuity
payments are to begin.
YOUR CHOICES AT THE MATURITY DATE. We will notify you at least 45 days before
each of your fixed maturity options is scheduled to mature. At that time, you
may choose to have one of the following take place on the maturity date, as
long as none of the conditions listed above or in "Allocating your
contributions," below would apply:
(a) transfer the maturity value into another available fixed maturity option,
or into any of the variable investment options; or
(b) withdraw the maturity value (there may be a withdrawal charge).
If we do not receive your choice on or before the fixed maturity option's
maturity date, we will automatically transfer your maturity value into the
Alliance Money Market option, or another investment option if we are required
to do so by any state regulation. Such a case is the State of New York where a
different rule applies. See "Contracts issued in New York - fixed maturity
options."
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT. If you make any withdrawals (including transfers,
surrender or termination of your contract, or when we make deductions for
charges) from a fixed maturity option before it matures we will make a market
value adjustment, which will increase or decrease any fixed maturity amount you
have in that fixed maturity option. The amount of the adjustment will depend on
two factors:
(a) the difference between the rate to maturity that applies to the amount
being withdrawn and the rate to maturity in effect at that time for new
allocations to that same fixed maturity option, and
(b) the length of time remaining until the maturity date.
In general, if interest rates rise from the time that you originally allocate
an amount to a fixed maturity option to the time that you take a withdrawal,
the market value adjustment will be negative. Likewise, if interest rates drop
at the end of that time, the market value adjustment will be positive. Also,
the amount of the market value adjustment, either up or down, will be greater
the longer the time remaining until the fixed maturity option's maturity date.
Therefore, it is possible that the market value adjustment could greatly reduce
your value in the fixed maturity options, particularly in the fixed maturity
options with later maturity dates.
We provide an illustration of the market adjusted amount of specified maturity
values, an explanation of how we calculate the market value adjustment, and
information concerning our general account and investments purchased with
amounts allocated to the fixed maturity options, under "More information" later
in this prospectus. Appendix II to this prospectus provides an example of how
the market value adjustment is calculated.
SELECTING YOUR INVESTMENT METHOD
You choose either of the following two methods for selecting your investment
options:
o MAXIMUM INVESTMENT OPTIONS CHOICE. Under this method you may allocate
contributions or transfer funds to any of the available investment options
listed in A and B in the investment chart. You can make transfers whenever you
choose. However, there will be restrictions on the amount you can transfer out
of the guaranteed interest option listed in A.
o MAXIMUM TRANSFER FLEXIBILITY. Under this method you may allocate contributions
to any of the investment options listed in A in the investment options chart
and no transfer restrictions will apply.
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24 CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS
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INVESTMENT OPTIONS
A
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o Guaranteed Interest Option
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DOMESTIC EQUITY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o Alliance Common Stock o Alliance Global
o Alliance Equity Index o Alliance International
o Alliance Growth & Income o Morgan Stanley Emerging
o EQ/Alliance Premier Growth Markets Equity
o Capital Guardian Research o T. Rowe Price International
o Capital Guardian U.S. Equity Stock
o MFS Growth with Income
o MFS Research
o Merrill Lynch Basic Value
Equity
o EQ/Putnam Growth & Income
Value
o T. Rowe Price Equity Income
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ASSET ALLOCATION AGGRESSIVE EQUITY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o Alliance Balanced o Alliance Aggressive Stock
o EQ/Evergreen Foundation o Alliance Small Cap Growth
o Alliance Growth Investors o EQ/Evergreen
o Merrill Lynch World Strategy o MFS Emerging Growth
o EQ/Putnam Balanced Companies
o Warburg Pincus Small
Company Value
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B
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AGGRESSIVE FIXED INCOME
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o Alliance High Yield
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DOMESTIC FIXED INCOME ASSET ALLOCATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o Alliance Intermediate o Alliance Conservative
Government Securities Investors
o Alliance Money Market
o Alliance Quality Bond
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FIXED MATURITY OPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transfer restrictions apply as indicated above under "Fixed maturity
options and maturity dates."
ALLOCATING YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
Once you have made your investment method choice, you may allocate your
contributions to one or more, or all of the investment options that you have
chosen, subject to any restrictions under the investment method you chose.
However, you may not allocate more than one contribution to any one fixed
maturity option. Allocations must be in whole percentages and you may change
your allocation percentages at any time. However, the total of your allocations
must equal 100%. Once your contributions are allocated to the investment
options they become part of your account value. We discuss account value under
"Determining your contract's value." After your contract is issued, you may
request that we add or eliminate any variable investment options that result in
transfer restrictions. We reserve the right to deny your request. See
"Transferring your money among investment options."
YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL WITHIN A CERTAIN NUMBER OF DAYS
If for any reason you are not satisfied with your contract, you may return it
to us for a refund. To exercise this cancellation right you must mail the
contract directly to our Processing Office within 10 days after you receive it.
In some states, this "free look" period may be longer.
For contributions allocated to the variable investment options, your refund
will equal your contributions, reflecting any investment gain or loss that also
reflects the daily charges we deduct. For contributions allocated to the
guaranteed interest option, your refund will equal the amount of the
contributions but will not include interest. For contributions allocated to the
fixed maturity options, your refund will equal the amount of the contribution
allocated to the fixed maturity options reflecting any positive or negative
market value adjustments. Some states require that we refund the full amount of
your contribution (not including any investment gain or loss, interest, or
market value adjustment). For IRA contracts returned to us within seven days
after you receive it, we are required to refund the full amount of your
contribution.
We may require that you wait six months before you apply for a contract with us
again if:
o you cancel your contract during the free look period; or
o you change your mind before you receive your contract whether we have
received your contribution or not.
Please see "Tax information" for possible consequences of cancelling your
contract.
If you fully or partially convert an existing Traditional IRA contract to a
Roth IRA contract, you may cancel your Roth IRA contract and return to a
Traditional IRA contract. Our Processing Office, or your Equitable associate,
can provide
<PAGE>
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CONTRACT FEATURES AND BENEFITS 25
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you with the cancellation instructions. Ask for the form entitled "EQUI-VEST
Roth IRA Re-Characterization Form."
DEATH BENEFIT
Your contract provides a death benefit. The death benefit is equal to (i) your
account value, or (ii) the "minimum death benefit" or, if elected, (iii) the
ratcheted death benefit, whichever provides the highest amount. The minimum
death benefit is equal to your total contributions, less withdrawals and any
withdrawal charges, and any taxes that apply.
RATCHETED DEATH BENEFIT
For an additional fee you may elect the ratcheted death benefit. You may only
elect the ratcheted death benefit at the time you apply for a contract. Once
you elect this benefit, you may not cancel it as long as the contract is in
effect. On the contract date, your ratcheted death benefit equals your initial
contribution. Then, on each third contract date anniversary, until the
annuitant is age 90, we will determine your ratcheted death benefit by
comparing your current ratcheted death benefit to your account value on that
third contract date anniversary. If your account value is higher than your
ratcheted death benefit, we will increase your ratcheted death benefit to equal
your account value. On the other hand, if your account value on the third
contract date anniversary is less than your ratcheted death benefit, we will
not adjust your ratcheted death benefit either up or down.
If you make additional contributions, we will increase your current ratcheted
death benefit by the dollar amount of the contribution on the date the
contribution is allocated to your investment options. If you take a withdrawal
from your contract, we will adjust your death benefit on the date you take the
withdrawal.
Each withdrawal you make will reduce the amount of your current ratcheted death
benefit on a pro rata basis. Reduction on a pro rata basis means that we
calculate the percentage of your current account value that is being withdrawn
and we reduce your current ratcheted death benefit by that same percentage. For
example, if your account value is $30,000 and you withdraw $12,000, you have
withdrawn 40% of your account value. If your ratcheted death benefit was
$40,000 before the withdrawal, it would be reduced by $16,000 ($40,000 x .40)
and your new ratcheted death benefit after the withdrawal would be $24,000
($40,000 - $16,000).
See Appendix III for an example of how we calculate the death benefit.
<PAGE>
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26 DETERMINING YOUR CONTRACT'S VALUE
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2
Determining your contract's value
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YOUR ACCOUNT VALUE
Your "account value" is the total of the values you have in the (i) variable
investment options, (ii) guaranteed interest option, and (iii) the market
adjusted amounts you have in the fixed maturity options. These amounts are
subject to certain fees and charges discussed under "Charges and expenses."
Your contract also has a "cash value." At any time before annuity payments
begin, your contract's cash value is equal to the account value, less any
withdrawal charge that may apply, and less the total amount or a pro rata
portion of the annual administrative charge. Please see "Surrendering your
contract to receive its cash value" under "Accessing your money."
YOUR CONTRACT'S VALUE IN THE VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Each variable investment option invests in shares of a corresponding
Portfolio. Your value in each variable investment option is measured by
"units." The value of your units will increase or decrease as though you had
invested it in the corresponding Portfolio's shares directly. Your value,
however, will be reduced by the amount of the fees and charges that we deduct
under the contract.
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Units measure your value in each variable investment option.
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The unit value for each variable investment option depends on the investment
performance of that option minus daily charges for mortality and expense risks
and other expenses. On any day, your value in any variable investment option
equals the number of units credited to that option, adjusted for any units
deducted from your contract under that option, multiplied by that day's value
for one unit. The number of your contract units in any variable investment
option does not change unless you make additional contributions, make a
withdrawal, or transfer amounts among investment options. In addition, when we
deduct the withdrawal charge, the annual administrative charge, third-party
transfer or exchange charge, or the ratcheted death benefit charge, the number
of units credited to your contract will be reduced. A description of how unit
values are calculated is found in the SAI.
YOUR CONTRACT'S VALUE IN THE GUARANTEED INTEREST OPTION
Your value in the guaranteed interest option at any time will equal: your
contributions and transfers to that option, plus interest, minus withdrawals
and transfers out of the option, and charges we deduct.
YOUR CONTRACT'S VALUE IN THE FIXED MATURITY OPTIONS
Your value in each fixed maturity option at any time before the maturity date
is the market adjusted amount in each option. This is equivalent to your fixed
maturity amount increased or decreased by the market value adjustment. Your
value, therefore, may be higher or lower than your contributions (less
withdrawals) accumulated at the rate to maturity. At the maturity date, your
value in the fixed maturity option will equal its maturity value.
<PAGE>
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TRANSFERRING YOUR MONEY AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS 27
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3
Transferring your money among investment options
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSFERRING YOUR ACCOUNT VALUE
At any time before the date annuity payments are to begin, you can transfer
some or all of your account value among the investment options, subject to the
following:
o You must transfer at least $300 of account value or, if less, the entire
amount in the investment option. We may waive the $300 requirement.
o You may not transfer to a fixed maturity option in which you already have
value.
o You may not transfer to a fixed maturity option if its maturity date is
later than the date annuity payments are to begin.
o If you make transfers out of a fixed maturity option other than at its
maturity date the transfer may cause a market value adjustment.
o If you choose the maximum investment options choice method for selecting
investment options, the maximum amount you may transfer in any contract year
from the guaranteed interest option to any other investment option is (a)
25% of the amount you had in the guaranteed interest option on the last day
of the prior contract year or, if greater, (b) the total of all amounts you
transferred from the guaranteed interest option to any other investment
option in the prior contract year.
If you transfer money from another financial institution into the guaranteed
interest option during your first contract year, and if you have selected
maximum investment options choice, you may, during the balance of that contract
year, transfer up to 25% of such initial guaranteed interest option balance to
any other investment option.
Subject to the terms of your contract, upon advance notice, we may change or
establish additional restrictions on transfers among the investment options. A
transfer request does not change your percentages for allocating current or
future contributions among the investment options.
You may request a transfer in writing or by telephone using TOPS. You must send
in all signed written requests directly to our Processing Office.
Transfer requests should specify:
(1) the contract number,
(2) the dollar amounts to be transferred, and
(3) the investment options to and from which you are transferring.
We will confirm all transfers in writing.
AUTOMATIC TRANSFER OPTIONS
INVESTMENT SIMPLIFIER
You may choose from two automatic options for transferring amounts from the
guaranteed interest option to the variable investment options. The transfer
options are the "fixed-dollar option" and the "interest sweep." You may select
one or the other, but not both.
FIXED-DOLLAR OPTION. Under this option you may elect to have a fixed-dollar
amount transferred out of the guaranteed interest option and into the variable
investment options of your choice on a monthly basis. You can specify the
number of monthly transfers or instruct us to continue to make monthly
transfers until all available amounts in the guaranteed interest option have
been transferred out.
In order to elect the fixed-dollar option you must have a minimum of $5,000 in
the guaranteed interest option on the date we receive your election form at our
Processing Office. You also must elect to transfer at least $50 per month. The
fixed-dollar option is subject to the guaranteed interest option transfer
limitation described above.
The fixed-dollar option is a form of dollar-cost averaging. Dollar-cost
averaging allows you to gradually allocate amounts to the variable investment
options by periodically transferring approximately the same dollar amount to
the variable investment options you select. This will cause you to purchase
more units if the unit's value is low and fewer units if the unit's value is
high. Therefore, you may get a lower average cost per unit over the long term.
This plan of
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28 TRANSFERRING YOUR MONEY AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
investing, however, does not guarantee that you will earn a profit or be
protected against losses.
INTEREST SWEEP. Under the interest sweep, we will make transfers on a monthly
basis from amounts in the guaranteed interest option. The amount we will
transfer will be the interest credited to amounts you have in the guaranteed
interest option from the last business day of the prior month to the last
business day of the current month. You must have at least $7,500 in the
guaranteed interest option on the date we receive your election and on the last
business day of each month thereafter to participate in the interest sweep
option.
WHEN YOUR PARTICIPATION IN AN AUTOMATIC TRANSFER OPTION WILL END. Your
participation in an automatic transfer option will end:
o Under the fixed-dollar option, when either the number of designated monthly
transfers have been completed or the amount you have available in the
guaranteed interest option has been transferred out.
o Under the interest sweep, when the amount you have in the guaranteed
interest option falls below $7,500 (determined on the last business day of
the month) for two months in a row.
o Under either option, on the date we receive at our Processing Office, your
written request to cancel automatic transfers, or on the date your contract
terminates.
REBALANCING YOUR ACCOUNT VALUE
We currently offer a rebalancing program that you can use to automatically
reallocate your account value among the variable investment options. You must
tell us:
(a) the percentage you want invested in each variable investment option
(whole percentages only), and
(b) how often you want the rebalancing to occur (quarterly, semiannually, or
annually).
While your rebalancing program is in effect, we will transfer amounts among
each variable investment option so that the percentage of your account value
that you specify is invested in each option at the end of each rebalancing
date. You must rebalance your entire account value in the variable investment
options.
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Rebalancing does not assure a profit or protect against loss. You should
periodically review your allocation percentages as your needs change. You may
want to discuss the rebalancing program with your Equitable associate and/or
financial adviser before electing the program.
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You may elect the rebalancing program at any time. To be eligible, you must
have at least $5,000 of account value in the variable investment options.
Rebalancing is not available for amounts you have allocated in the guaranteed
interest option or in the fixed maturity options.
You may change your allocation instructions or cancel the program at any time.
<PAGE>
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ACCESSING YOUR MONEY 29
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4
Accessing your money
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITHDRAWING YOUR ACCOUNT VALUE
You have several ways to withdraw your account value before annuity payments
begin. The table below shows the methods available under each type of contract.
More information follows the table. For the tax consequences of taking
withdrawals, see "Tax information."
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METHOD OF WITHDRAWAL
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
MINIMUM
CONTRACT LUMP SUM SYSTEMATIC DISTRIBUTION
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
NQ Yes Yes No
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Traditional IRA Yes Yes Yes
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QP IRA Yes Yes Yes
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Roth IRA Yes Yes No
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
LUMP SUM WITHDRAWALS
(All Contracts)
You may take lump sum withdrawals from your account value at any time while the
annuitant is living and before annuity payments begin. The minimum amount you
may withdraw at any time is $300. If your account value is less than $500 after
a withdrawal, we may terminate your contract and pay you its cash value.
Lump sum withdrawals in excess of the 15% free withdrawal amount may be subject
to a withdrawal charge.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWALS
(All Contracts)
If you have at least $20,000 of account value in the variable investment
options and the guaranteed interest option you may elect systematic
withdrawals. You may elect to have your systematic withdrawals made on a
monthly or quarterly basis. The minimum amount you may take for each withdrawal
is $300. We will make the withdrawals on any day of the month that you select
as long as it is not later than the 28th day of the month. If you do not select
a date, your withdrawals will be made on the first day of the month. A check
for the amount of the withdrawal will be mailed to you or, if you prefer, we
will electronically transfer the money to your checking account.
You may withdraw either the amount of interest earned in the guaranteed
interest option or a fixed-dollar amount from either the variable investment
options or the guaranteed interest option. If you elect the interest option, a
minimum of $20,000 must be maintained in the guaranteed interest option. If you
elect the fixed-dollar option you do not have to maintain a minimum amount. You
may elect to have the amount of the withdrawal subtracted from your account
value in one of three ways:
(1) pro rata from more than one variable investment option (without using up
your total value in those options); or
(2) pro rata from more than one variable investment option (until your value
in those options is used up); or
(3) you may specify a dollar amount from only one variable investment option.
You can cancel the systematic withdrawal option at any time.
Amounts withdrawn in excess of the 15% free withdrawal amount may be subject to
a withdrawal charge.
MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION WITHDRAWALS
(Traditional IRA and QP IRA contracts - See "Tax information")
We offer the minimum distribution withdrawal option to help you meet required
minimum distributions under federal income tax rules. You may elect this option
in the year in which you reach age 70 1/2 and have account value in the
variable investment options and the guaranteed interest option of at least
$2,000. The minimum amount we will pay out is $300, or if less, your account
value. If your account value is less than $500 after the withdrawal, we may
terminate your contract and pay you its cash value. You elect the method you
want us to use to calculate your minimum distribution withdrawal from the
choices we offer. Currently, minimum distribution withdrawal payments will be
made annually.
Unless you specify otherwise, we will subtract your withdrawals on a pro rata
basis from your values in the variable investment options and the guaranteed
interest
<PAGE>
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30 ACCESSING YOUR MONEY
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option. If those amounts are insufficient, we will make up required amounts
from the fixed maturity options to the extent you have value in those options.
A market value adjustment may apply. We will calculate your payment each year
based on your account value at the end of each prior calendar year, based on
the method you choose.
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We will send to Traditional IRA and QP IRA owners a form outlining the minimum
distribution options available before you reach age 701/2 (if you have not
begun your annuity payments before that time).
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AUTOMATIC NQ DEPOSIT SERVICE
If you are receiving required minimum distribution payments from a Traditional
IRA or QP IRA contract you may use our automatic NQ deposit service.
Under this service we will automatically deposit the required minimum
distribution payment from your Traditional IRA or QP IRA contract directly into
an existing EQUI-VEST NQ or an existing EQUI-VEST Express NQ contract according
to your allocation instructions.
DEPOSIT OPTION FOR NQ CONTRACTS ONLY
You can elect the deposit option for your benefit while you live, or for the
benefit of your beneficiary.
Proceeds from your NQ contract can be deposited with us for a period you select
(including one for as long as the annuitant lives). We will hold the amounts in
our general account. We will credit interest on the amounts at a guaranteed
rate for the specified period. We will pay out the interest on the amount
deposited at least once each year.
If you elect this option for your benefit, you deposit the amount with us that
you would otherwise apply to an annuity payout option. If you elect this option
for your beneficiary before the annuitant's death, death benefit proceeds can
be left on deposit with us subject to certain restrictions, instead of being
paid out to the beneficiary.
Other restrictions apply to the deposit option. Your Equitable associate can
provide more information about this option, or you may call our Processing
Office.
SURRENDER OF YOUR CONTRACT TO RECEIVE ITS CASH VALUE
You may surrender your contract to receive its cash value at any time while the
annuitant is living and before you begin to receive annuity payments. For a
surrender to be effective, we must receive your written request and your
contract at our Processing Office. We will determine your cash value on the
date we receive the required information. All benefits under the contract will
terminate as of that date.
You may receive your cash value in a single sum payment or apply it to one or
more of the annuity payout options. See "Choosing your annuity payout options"
below. We will usually pay the cash value within seven calendar days, but we
may delay payment as described in "When to expect payments" below. For the tax
consequences of surrenders, see "Tax information."
WHEN WE MAY TERMINATE YOUR CONTRACT
We may terminate your contract and pay you the cash value if:
(1) your account value is less than $500 and you have not made contributions
to your contract for a period of three years; or
(2) you request a lump sum withdrawal that reduces your account value to an
amount less than $500; or
(3) you have not made any contributions within 120 days from your contract
date.
WHEN TO EXPECT PAYMENTS
Generally, we will fulfill requests for payments out of the variable investment
options within seven calendar days after the date of the transaction to which
the request relates. These transactions may include applying proceeds to a
variable annuity payout option, payment of a death benefit, payment of any
amount you withdraw (less any withdrawal charge) and, upon surrender or
termination, payment of the cash value. We may postpone such payments or
applying proceeds for any period during which:
<PAGE>
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ACCESSING YOUR MONEY 31
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(1) the New York Stock Exchange is closed or restricts trading,
(2) sales of securities or determination of the fair value of a variable
investment option's assets is not reasonably practicable because of an
emergency, or
(3) the SEC, by order, permits us to defer payment to protect people
remaining in the variable investment options.
We can defer payment of any portion of your values in the guaranteed interest
option and the fixed maturity options (other than for death benefits) for up to
six months while you are living. We also may defer payments for a reasonable
amount of time (not to exceed 15 days) while we are waiting for a contribution
check to clear.
All payments are made by check and are mailed to you (or the payee named in a
tax-free exchange) by U.S. mail, unless you request that we use an express
delivery service at your expense.
CHOOSING YOUR ANNUITY PAYOUT OPTIONS
EQUI-VEST offers you several choices for receiving retirement income. Each
choice enables you to receive fixed or, in some cases, variable annuity
payments.
You can choose from among the different forms of annuity payout options listed
below. Restrictions apply, depending on the type of contract you own.
ANNUITY PAYOUT OPTIONS
You can choose from among the following annuity payout options:
o Life annuity: An annuity that guarantees payments for the rest of the
annuitant's life. Payments end with the last monthly payment before the
annuitant's death. Because there is no continuation of benefits following
the annuitant's death with this payout option, it provides the highest
monthly payment of any of the life annuity options, so long as the annuitant
is living.
o Life annuity - period certain: An annuity that guarantees payments for the
rest of the annuitant's life. If the annuitant dies before the end of a
selected period of time ("period certain"), payments continue to the
beneficiary for the balance of the period certain. Under IRAs, the period
certain cannot exceed your life expectancy or the joint life expectancy of
you and your spouse.
o Life annuity - refund certain: An annuity that guarantees payments for the
rest of the annuitant's life. If the annuitant dies before the amount
applied to purchase the annuity option has been recovered, payments to the
beneficiary will continue until that amount has been recovered. This payout
option is available only as a fixed annuity.
o Period certain annuity: An annuity that guarantees payments for a specific
period of time, usually 5, 10, 15, or 20 years. This option does not
guarantee payments for the rest of the annuitant's life. It does not permit
any repayment of the unpaid principal, so you cannot elect to receive part
of the payments as a single sum payment with the rest paid in monthly
annuity payments. Currently, this payout option is available only as a fixed
annuity.
All of the above payout options are available as fixed annuities. With fixed
annuities, we guarantee fixed annuity payments that will be based either on the
tables of guaranteed annuity payments in your contract or on our then current
annuity rates, whichever is more favorable for you.
The life annuity, life annuity -- period certain, and life annuity -- refund
certain payout options are available on a single life or joint and survivor
life basis. The joint and survivor life annuity guarantees payments for the
rest of the annuitant's life and, after the annuitant's death, payments
continue to the survivor.
The following annuity payout options are available as variable annuities:
o Life annuity (except in New York)
o Life annuity -- period certain
o Joint and survivor life annuity (100% to survivor)
<PAGE>
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32 ACCESSING YOUR MONEY
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o Joint and survivor life period certain annuity (100% to survivor)
Variable annuities may be funded through your choice of variable investment
options investing in Portfolios of The Hudson River Trust. On or about October
1, 1999, these Portfolios will become Portfolios of EQ Advisors Trust. See
"Proposed substitution of Portfolios" under "About The Hudson River Trust and
EQ Advisors." The contract also offers a fixed annuity payout option that can
be elected in combination with the variable annuity payout options. The amount
of each variable annuity payment will fluctuate, depending upon the performance
of the variable investment options, and whether the actual rate of investment
return is higher or lower than an assumed base rate. Please see "Annuity unit
values" in the SAI.
We also make the variable annuity payout options available to owners of our
single premium deferred annuity ("SPDA") contract and certain other combination
fixed and variable annuity contracts. Such contractholders who are considering
purchasing a variable payout option should also review the information in this
prospectus relating to the variable investment options. The Hudson River Trust
prospectus (directly following this prospectus), and the sections of the SAI
which discuss the variable annuity payout option should also be reviewed.
We may offer other payout options not outlined here. Your Equitable associate
can provide details.
SELECTING AN ANNUITY PAYOUT OPTION
When you select a payout option, we will issue you a separate written agreement
confirming your right to receive annuity payments. Unless you choose a
different payout option, we will pay annuity payments under a life annuity with
a period certain of 10 years. We require you to return your contract before
annuity payments begin.
You can choose the date annuity payments are to begin. You can change the date
your annuity payments are to begin anytime before that date as long as you do
not choose a date later than the 28th day of any month. Also, that date may not
be later than the contract date anniversary that follows the annuitant's 90th
birthday. This may be different in some states.
Before your annuity payments are to begin, we will notify you by letter that
the annuity payout options are available. Once you have selected a payout
option and payments have begun, no change can be made, other than transfers (if
permitted in the future) among the variable investment options if a variable
annuity is selected.
The amount of the annuity payments will depend on
(1) the amount applied to purchase the annuity;
(2) the type of annuity chosen, and whether it is fixed or variable. If you
choose a variable annuity, we use an assumed base rate of either 5% or
3 1/2% to calculate the level of payments. We provide information about
the assumed base rate in the SAI;
(3) in the case of a life annuity, the annuitant's age (or the annuitant's and
joint annuitant's ages); and
(4) in certain instances, the sex of the annuitant(s).
In no event will you ever receive payments under a fixed option or an initial
payment under a variable option of less than the minimum amounts guaranteed by
the contract.
If, at the time you elect a payout option, the amount to be applied is less
than $2,000 or the initial payment under the form elected is less than $20
monthly, we reserve the right to pay the account value in a single sum rather
than as payments under the payout option chosen.
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CHARGES AND EXPENSES 33
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5
Charges and expenses
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CHARGES THAT EQUITABLE LIFE DEDUCTS
We deduct the following charges each day from the net assets of each variable
investment option. These charges are reflected in the unit values of each
variable investment option:
o A mortality and expense risks charge, which includes a death benefit charge
o A charge for other expenses
We deduct the following charges from your account value. When we deduct these
charges from your variable investment options, we reduce the number of units
credited to your contract:
o An annual administrative charge, if applicable
o Charge for third-party transfer or exchange
o At the time you make certain withdrawals or surrender your contract, or your
contract is terminated -- a withdrawal charge
o A ratcheted death benefit charge, if you elect the benefit
o At the time annuity payments are to begin -- charges for any state premium
or other applicable taxes. An annuity administrative fee may also apply
More information about these charges appears below.
MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISKS CHARGE
We deduct a daily charge from the net assets in each variable investment option
to compensate us for mortality and expense risks, including the death benefit.
The daily charge is equivalent to an annual rate of 0.95% of the net assets in
each variable investment option.
The mortality risk we assume is the risk that annuitants as a group will live
for a longer time than our actuarial tables predict. If that happens, we would
be paying more in annuity benefits than we planned. We also assume a risk that
the mortality assumptions reflected in our guaranteed annuity payment tables,
shown in each contract, will differ from actual mortality experience. We may
change the actuarial basis for our guaranteed annuity payment tables, but only
for new contributions and only at five year intervals from the contract date.
Lastly, we assume a mortality risk to the extent that at the time of death, the
guaranteed death benefit exceeds the cash value of the contract. In addition,
we waive any withdrawal charge upon payment of a death benefit.
The expense risk we assume is the risk that it will cost us more to issue and
administer the contracts than we expect.
To the extent that the mortality and expense risk charges are not needed to
cover the actual expenses incurred, they may be considered an indirect
reimbursement for certain sales and promotional expenses relating to the
contracts.
CHARGE FOR OTHER EXPENSES
We deduct this daily charge from the net assets in each variable investment
option. This charge, together with the annual administrative charge described
below, is for providing administrative and financial accounting services under
the contracts. The daily charge is equivalent to a maximum annual rate of 0.25%
of net assets in each variable investment option.
TOTAL MAXIMUM SEPARATE ACCOUNT A CHARGES. The total annual rate for Separate
Account A charges is 1.20%. We may increase or decrease this total annual rate,
but we may not increase it above a maximum rate of 2.00%. Any increase will
apply only to contributions you may make after the date of the change. Any
changes we make will reflect differences in costs and anticipated expenses, and
will not be unfairly discriminatory.
ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGE
We deduct an administrative charge from your account value on the last business
day of each contract year. We will deduct a pro rata portion of the charge if
you surrender your contract, elect an annuity payout option, or the annuitant
dies during the contract year. We deduct the charge if your account value on
the last business day of the contract year, is less than $25,000 under NQ and
QP IRA contracts and
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34 CHARGES AND EXPENSES
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$20,000 under Traditional IRA and Roth IRA contracts. If your account value on
such date is $25,000 or more for NQ and QP IRA ($20,000 or more for Traditional
IRA and Roth IRA) contracts, we do not deduct the charge. During the first two
contract years, the charge is equal to $30 or, if less, 2% of your current
account value. The charge is $30 for contract years three and later.
The charge is deducted pro rata from the variable investment options and the
guaranteed interest option. If those amounts are insufficient, we will make up
the required amounts from the fixed maturity options to the extent you have
value in those options, unless you tell us otherwise.
We may increase this charge if our administrative costs rise, but the charge
will never exceed $65 annually. We reserve the right to deduct this charge on a
quarterly, rather than annual basis.
CHARGE FOR THIRD-PARTY TRANSFER OR EXCHANGE
We impose a charge for making a direct transfer of amounts from your contract
to a third party, such as in the case of a trustee-to-trustee transfer for an
IRA contract, or if you request that your contract be exchanged for a contract
issued by another insurance company. In either case, we will deduct from your
account value any withdrawal charge that applies and a charge of $25 for each
direct transfer or exchange. We reserve the right to increase this charge to a
maximum of $65.
WITHDRAWAL CHARGE
A withdrawal charge may apply in three circumstances: (1) you make one or more
withdrawals during a contract year; (2) you surrender your contract to receive
its cash value; or (3) we terminate your contract. The amount of the charge
will depend on whether the free withdrawal amount applies, and the availability
of one or more exceptions.
In order to give you the exact dollar amount of the withdrawal you request, we
deduct the amount of the withdrawal and the amount of the withdrawal charge
from your account value. Any amount deducted to pay withdrawal charges is also
subject to a withdrawal charge. We deduct the withdrawal amount and the
withdrawal charge pro rata from the variable investment options and the
guaranteed interest option. If those amounts are insufficient, we will make up
the required amounts from the fixed maturity options to the extent you have
value in those options. If we deduct all or a portion of the withdrawal charge
from the fixed maturity options, a market value adjustment may apply.
The amount of the withdrawal charge we deduct is equal to 6% of contributions
withdrawn that were made in the current and five prior contract years. In the
case of surrenders, we will pay you the greater of (i) the account value after
any withdrawal charge has been imposed (cash value), or (ii) the free
withdrawal amount plus 94% of the remaining account value.
For purposes of calculating the withdrawal charge, amounts withdrawn up to the
free withdrawal amount are not considered a withdrawal of any contribution. We
also treat contributions that have been invested the longest as being withdrawn
first. We treat contributions as withdrawn before earnings for purposes of
calculating the withdrawal charge. However, the federal income tax rules treat
earnings under most NQ contracts as withdrawn first. See "Tax information."
We reserve the right to change the amount of the withdrawal charge, but it will
not exceed 6% of the contributions withdrawn.
Any change would not be unfairly discriminatory. We may also reduce the
withdrawal charge in order to comply with any state law requirement. See
"Contracts issued in New York -- fixed maturity options" below.
The withdrawal charge does not apply in the circumstances described below.
15% FREE WITHDRAWAL AMOUNT. Each contract year you can withdraw up to 15% of
your account value without paying a withdrawal charge. The 15% free withdrawal
amount is determined using your account value at the time you request a
withdrawal, minus any other withdrawals made during the contract year.
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CHARGES AND EXPENSES 35
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DEATH OR PURCHASE OF ANNUITY. The withdrawal charge does not apply:
o If the annuitant dies and a death benefit is payable to the beneficiary.
o If we receive a properly completed election form providing for the account
value to be used to buy a life contingent annuity or a non-life annuity with
a period certain for a term of at least ten years.
DISABILITY, TERMINAL ILLNESS, OR CONFINEMENT TO NURSING HOME. The withdrawal
charge also does not apply:
o If the annuitant has qualified to receive social security disability
benefits as certified by the Social Security Administration; or
o If we receive proof satisfactory to us (including certification by a
licensed physician) that the annuitant's life expectancy is six months or
less; or
o If the annuitant has been confined to a nursing home for more than 90 days
(or such other period, as required in your state) as verified by a licensed
physician. A nursing home for this purpose means one that is (a) approved by
Medicare as a provider of skilled nursing care service, or (b) licensed as a
skilled nursing home by the state or territory in which it is located (it
must be within the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Guam)
and meets all of the following:
- its main function is to provide skilled, intermediate, or custodial
nursing care;
- it provides continuous room and board to three or more persons;
- it is supervised by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse;
- it keeps daily medical records of each patient;
- it controls and records all medications dispensed; and
- its primary service is other than to provide housing for residents.
We reserve the right to impose a withdrawal charge, in accordance with your
contract and applicable state law, if the disability is caused by a preexisting
condition or a condition that began within 12 months of the contract date. Some
states may not permit us to waive the withdrawal charge in the above
circumstances, or may limit the circumstances for which the withdrawal charge
may be waived. Your Equitable associate can provide more information or you may
contact our Processing Office.
For Traditional IRA, QP IRA, and Roth IRA contracts the withdrawal charge also
does not apply:
o after six contract years and the annuitant is at least age 59 1/2; or
o if you request a refund of a contribution in excess of amounts allowed to be
contributed under the federal income tax rules within one month of the date
on which you made the contribution.
CONTRACTS ISSUED IN NEW YORK - FIXED MATURITY OPTIONS
For contracts issued in New York, the withdrawal charge that applies to
withdrawals taken from amounts in the fixed maturity options will never exceed
6%.
The withdrawal charge will be the greater of the charge determined by applying
the New York Declining Scale ("declining scale") and the New York Alternative
Scale ("alternative scale") method of accessing withdrawal charges, not to
exceed 6%. If you withdraw amounts that have been transferred from one fixed
maturity option to another, we use the alternative scale if it produces a
higher charge than the declining scale.
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36 CHARGES AND EXPENSES
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DECLINING SCALE ALTERNATIVE SCALE
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Year of in vestment in Year of transfer within
fixed maturity option* fixed maturity option*
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Within year 1 6% Within year 1 5%
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2 6% 2 4%
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3 5% 3 3%
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4 4% 4 2%
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5 3% 5 1%
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6 2% After year 5 0%
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After year 6 0% Not to exceed 1%
times the number of
years remaining in the
fixed maturity option,
rounded to the higher
number of years. In
other words, if 4.3
years remain, it would
be a 5% charge.
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* Measured from the contract date anniversary prior to the date of the
contribution or transfer.
In the following example we compare the withdrawal charge that would apply to a
withdrawal from a NQ, Traditional IRA or QP IRA contract that has an account
value of $10,000; $8,000 from a contribution made three years ago and $2,000
from positive investment performance.
o If you were to withdraw the total amount of the contribution within the
first six years after it was made the withdrawal charge that generally
applies would be $480 (6% of $8,000). However, if when you made your
contribution you allocated it to a fixed maturity option, the withdrawal
charge would be lower. According to the declining scale method described
above, the withdrawal charge would be limited to 5% of the $8,000, or $400
in the third year.
o The withdrawal charge may be different if when you made your contribution
three years ago, you allocated it to a fixed maturity option and then in
the third year, you transfer the amounts that apply to such contribution
to a new fixed maturity option. In this example we assume that there is
one year remaining in the new fixed maturity option. Because you made a
transfer among the fixed maturity options, the alternative scale may now
apply. Based on this alternative scale, a contribution that is transferred
will be subject to a 5% withdrawal charge if you withdraw that
contribution in the same year that you make the transfer. However, the
withdrawal charge may not exceed 1% for each year remaining in the new
fixed maturity option. Since, in this example, the time remaining in the
new fixed maturity option is one year, the withdrawal charge under the
alternative scale would be limited to 1%. Because New York regulations
permit us to use the greater of the declining scale or the alternative
scale, the withdrawal charge would be 5%, or $400, based on the declining
scale.
o The withdrawal charge may not exceed the charge that would normally apply
under the contract. Use of a New York scale can only result in a lower
charge. If your contribution has been in the contract for more than six
years and therefore would not have a withdrawal charge associated with it,
no withdrawal charge would apply.
o If you take a withdrawal from an investment option other than the fixed
maturity options, the amount available for withdrawal without a withdrawal
charge is reduced. It will be reduced by the amount of the contribution in
the fixed maturity options to which no withdrawal charge applies.
o As of any date on which 50% or more of your account value is held in fixed
maturity options, the free withdrawal amount is zero.
For contracts issued in New York, you should consider that on the maturity date
of a fixed maturity option if we have not received your instructions for
allocation of your maturity value, we will transfer your maturity value to the
fixed maturity option scheduled to mature next. If we are not offering other
fixed maturity options, we will transfer your maturity value to the Alliance
Money Market option.
The potential for lower withdrawal charges for withdrawals from the fixed
maturity options and the potential for a lower free withdrawal amount than
those that would normally apply, should be taken into account when deciding
whether to allocate amounts to, or transfer amounts to or from, the fixed
maturity options.
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CHARGES AND EXPENSES 37
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We will deduct the annual administrative charge and the withdrawal charge from
the variable investment options and the guaranteed interest option as discussed
above. If the amounts in those options are insufficient to cover the charges,
we reserve the right to deduct the charges from the fixed maturity options.
Charges deducted from the fixed maturity options are considered withdrawals
and, as such, will result in a market value adjustment.
CHARGES FOR STATE PREMIUM AND OTHER APPLICABLE TAXES
We deduct a charge for applicable taxes such as premium taxes that may be
imposed in your state. Generally, we deduct the charge from the amount applied
to provide an annuity payout option. The current tax charge that might be
imposed varies by state and ranges from 0% to 3.5% (1% in Puerto Rico and 5% in
the U.S. Virgin Islands).
We reserve the right to deduct any applicable charges for taxes such as premium
taxes from each contribution, or from withdrawals, or for surrender and
termination of your contract. If we have deducted any applicable charges from
contributions, we will not deduct a charge for the same taxes later. If,
however, an additional tax charge is later imposed upon us when you make a
withdrawal, or surrender your contract, or it is terminated, or you elect to
begin receiving annuity payments, we reserve the right to deduct a charge at
that time.
ANNUITY ADMINISTRATIVE FEE
We generally deduct a fee of up to $350 from the amount to be applied to
purchase a life annuity payout option.
OPTIONAL RATCHETED DEATH BENEFIT CHARGE
If you elect the optional ratcheted death benefit we deduct a charge annually
from your account value on each contract date anniversary. The charge is equal
to 0.15% of your account value on the contract date anniversary.
We will deduct this charge from your investment options beginning first with
your value in the guaranteed interest option. If there is not enough value in
the guaranteed interest option we will deduct all or a portion of the charge
from your value in the variable investment options next, followed by your value
in the fixed maturity options in order of the earliest maturity date(s) first.
A market value adjustment may apply.
CHARGES THAT THE TRUSTS DEDUCT
The Hudson River Trust and EQ Advisors Trust each deducts charges for the
following types of fees and expenses:
o Investment advisory fees ranging from 0.31% to 1.15%.
o 12b-1 fees of 0.25%.
o Operating expenses, such as trustees' fees, independent auditors' fees,
legal counsel fees, administrative service fees, custodian fees, and
liability insurance.
o Investment-related expenses, such as brokerage commissions.
These charges are reflected in the daily share price of each Portfolio. Since
shares of each trust are purchased at their net asset value, these fees and
expenses are, in effect, passed on to the variable investment options and are
reflected in their unit values. For more information about these charges,
please refer to the prospectuses for The Hudson River Trust and EQ Advisors
Trust following this prospectus.
GROUP OR SPONSORED ARRANGEMENTS
For certain group or sponsored arrangements, we may reduce the withdrawal
charge or the mortality and expense risks charge, or change the minimum
contribution requirements. We also may change the minimum death benefit or
offer variable investment options that invest in shares of The Hudson River
Trust or EQ Advisors Trust that are not subject to the 12b-1 fee. Group
arrangements include those in which a trustee or an employer, for example,
purchases contracts covering a group of individuals on a group basis. Group
arrangements are not available for Traditional IRA and Roth IRA contracts.
Sponsored arrangements include those in which an employer allows us to sell
contracts to its employees or retirees on an individual basis.
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38 CHARGES AND EXPENSES
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Our costs for sales, administration, and mortality generally vary with the size
and stability of the group or sponsoring organization, among other factors. We
take all these factors into account when reducing charges. To qualify for
reduced charges, a group or sponsored arrangement must meet certain
requirements, such as requirements for size and number of years in existence.
Group or sponsored arrangements that have been set up solely to buy contracts
or that have been in existence less than six months will not qualify for
reduced charges.
We also may establish different rates to maturity for the fixed maturity
options under different classes of contracts for group or sponsored
arrangements.
We will make these and any similar reductions according to our rules in effect
when we approve a contract for issue. We may change these rules from time to
time. Any variation will reflect differences in costs or services and will not
be unfairly discriminatory.
Group or sponsored arrangements may be governed by federal income tax rules,
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or both. We make no
representations with regard to the impact of these and other applicable laws on
such programs. We recommend that employers, trustees, and others purchasing or
making contracts available for purchase under such programs seek the advice of
their own legal and benefits advisers.
OTHER DISTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENTS
We may reduce or eliminate charges when sales are made in a manner that results
in savings of sales and administrative expenses, such as sales through persons
who are compensated by clients for recommending investments and who receive no
commission or reduced commissions in connection with the sale of the contracts.
We will not permit a reduction or elimination of charges where it will be
unfairly discriminatory.
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PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFIT 39
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6
Payment of death benefit
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YOUR BENEFICIARY AND PAYMENT OF BENEFIT
You designate your beneficiary when you apply for your contract. You may change
your beneficiary at any time by writing to our Processing Office. The change
will be effective on the date the written request for the change is received in
our Processing Office. We are not responsible for any beneficiary change
request that we do not receive.
We determine the amount of the death benefit as of the date we receive
satisfactory proof of the annuitant's death and any required instructions for
the method of payment. We describe the death benefit in "Contract features and
benefits" earlier in this prospectus.
On the date we determine the death benefit, your account value will be deducted
from the investment options. We will hold this amount in our general account
and credit it with interest at a rate not less than the rate required by law.
If you have transferred the value of another annuity contract that we issue to
your EQUI-VEST contract, the value of the other contract's minimum death
benefit calculated as of the time of the transfer will be included in the total
contributions for the purpose of calculating the minimum death benefit.
-------------------------
EFFECT OF THE ANNUITANT'S DEATH
If the annuitant dies before the annuity payments begin, we will pay the death
benefit to your beneficiary.
Generally, the death of the annuitant terminates the contract. However, a
beneficiary who is the surviving spouse of the owner/annuitant can choose to be
treated as the successor owner/annuitant and continue the contract. Only a
spouse can be a successor owner/annuitant.
For Traditional IRA and QP IRA contracts, a beneficiary
who is not a surviving spouse may be able to have
limited ownership as discussed under "Beneficiary continuation option under
Traditional IRA and QP IRA contracts" below.
WHEN AN NQ CONTRACT OWNER DIES BEFORE THE ANNUITANT
Under certain conditions the owner can change after the original owner's death.
When you are not the annuitant under an NQ contract and you die before annuity
payments begin, the beneficiary named to receive the death benefit upon the
annuitant's death will automatically become the successor owner. If you do not
want the beneficiary to be the successor owner, you should name a specific
successor owner. You may name a successor owner at any time by sending
satisfactory notice to our Processing Office.
Unless the surviving spouse of the owner who has died is the successor owner
for this purpose, the entire interest in the contract must be distributed under
the following rules:
o The cash value of the contract must be fully paid to the designated
beneficiary (new owner) by December 31st of the fifth calendar year after
your death.
o The successor owner may instead elect to receive the cash value as a life
annuity (or payments for a period certain of not longer than the new owner's
life expectancy). Payments must begin no later than December 31st following
the calendar year of the non-annuitant owner's death. Unless this
alternative is elected, we will pay any cash value on December 31st of the
fifth calendar year following the year of your death.
If the surviving spouse is the successor owner, the spouse may elect to
continue the contract. No distributions are required as long as the surviving
spouse and annuitant are living.
HOW DEATH BENEFIT PAYMENT IS MADE
We will pay the death benefit to the beneficiary in the form of the annuity
payout option you have chosen. If you have not chosen an annuity payout option
as of the time of the annuitant's death, the beneficiary will receive the death
benefit in a single sum. However, subject to any exceptions in the contract,
our rules and any applicable requirements under federal income tax rules, the
beneficiary may elect to apply the death benefit to one or more annuity payout
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40 PAYMENT OF DEATH BENEFIT
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options we offer at the time. See "Choosing your annuity payout options" under
"Accessing your money" earlier in this prospectus. Please note that if you are
both the contract owner and the annuitant, you may elect only a life annuity
or an annuity that does not extend beyond the life expectancy of the
beneficiary.
Single sum payments generally are paid through the Equitable Life Access
Account(TM), an interest bearing checking account. Beneficiaries have
immediate access to the proceeds by writing a check on the account. We pay
interest from the date the single sum is deposited into the Access Account
until the account is closed.
BENEFICIARY CONTINUATION OPTION UNDER TRADITIONAL IRA AND QP IRA CONTRACTS
Upon your death, a nonspouse beneficiary may generally elect to keep the
contract in your name and receive distributions under the contract instead of
the death benefit being paid in a single sum. The account value used to
provide the distributions will be increased to equal the amount of the death
benefit.
The beneficiary's choices depend in part on whether or not you were taking
required minimum distributions under the contract prior to your death.
(1) If you were taking required minimum distributions under the contract, the
distributions to the beneficiary must continue to be made at least as
rapidly as prior to your death.
(2) If you die before you must take required minimum distributions under the
contract, the beneficiary may begin taking minimum distributions under the
contract, but such withdrawals must be based on the beneficiary's life
expectancy. The withdrawals must begin by December 31st of the calendar
year following your death. If there is more than one beneficiary, the
shortest life expectancy must be used.
(3) The withdrawals must be taken annually. There will not be a withdrawal
charge for these withdrawals. The beneficiary along with his or her tax
adviser will be responsible for determining the amount of the withdrawals.
(4) The designated beneficiary must be a natural person and of legal age at the
time of election. The beneficiary must elect this option within 30 days
following the date we receive proof of your death. If no election is made
within 30 days to: (1) receive the death benefit, or (2) continue the
contract and take annual withdrawals as described above, or (3) defer
payment of the account value for five years, the death benefit will be paid
to the beneficiary according to our standard procedures.
(5) While the contract continues in your name, the beneficiary may transfer the
contract's account value among the investment options. However, additional
contributions will not be permitted and the death benefit provisions will
no longer be in effect. Although the only withdrawals that will be
permitted are minimum distribution withdrawals, the beneficiary may choose
at any time to withdraw all of the account value and no withdrawal charges
will apply.
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TAX INFORMATION 41
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7
Tax information
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OVERVIEW
In this part of the prospectus, we discuss the current federal income tax
rules that generally apply to EQUI-VEST contracts owned by United States
taxpayers. The tax rules can differ, depending on the type of contract,
whether NQ, Traditional IRA, QP IRA, or Roth IRA. Therefore, we discuss the
tax aspects of each type of contract separately.
Federal income tax rules include the United States laws in the Internal
Revenue Code, and Treasury Department Regulations and Internal Revenue Service
("IRS") interpretations of the Internal Revenue Code. These tax rules may
change. We cannot predict whether, when, or how these rules could change. Any
change could affect contracts purchased before the change.
We cannot provide detailed information on all tax aspects of the contracts.
Moreover, the tax aspects that apply to a particular person's contract may
vary depending on the facts applicable to that person. We do not discuss state
income and other state taxes, federal income tax and withholding rules for
non-U.S. taxpayers, or federal gift and estate taxes. Transfers of the
contract, rights under the contract, or payments under the contract may be
subject to gift or estate taxes. You should not rely only on this document,
but should consult your tax adviser before your purchase.
If you are buying a contract to fund a retirement plan that already provides
tax deferral under the Internal Revenue Code (any type of IRA) you should do
so for the contract's features and benefits other than tax deferral. In such
situations, the tax deferral of the contract does not provide additional
benefits.
TRANSFERS AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS
You can make transfers among investment options inside the contract without
triggering taxable income.
TAXATION OF NONQUALIFIED ANNUITIES
CONTRIBUTIONS
You may not deduct the amount of your contributions to a nonqualified annuity
contract.
CONTRACT EARNINGS
Generally, you are not taxed on contract earnings until you receive a
distribution from your contract, whether as a withdrawal or as an annuity
payment. However, earnings are taxable, even without a distribution:
o if a contract fails investment diversification requirements as specified in
federal income tax rules (these rules are based on or are similar to those
specified for mutual funds under securities laws);
o if you transfer a contract, for example, as a gift to someone other than
your spouse (or former spouse);
o if you use a contract as security for a loan (in this case, the amount
pledged will be treated as a distribution); and
o if the owner is other than an individual (such as a corporation,
partnership, trust, or other non-natural person).
All nonqualified deferred annuity contracts that Equitable Life and its
affiliates issue to you during the same calendar year are linked together and
treated as one contract for calculating the taxable amount of any distribution
from any of those contracts.
ANNUITY PAYMENTS
Once annuity payments begin, a portion of each payment is taxable as ordinary
income. You get back the remaining portion without paying taxes on it. This is
your "investment in the contract." Generally, your investment in the contract
equals the contributions you made, less any amounts you previously withdrew
that were not taxable.
For fixed annuity payments, the tax-free portion of each payment is determined
by (1) dividing your investment in the contract by the total amount you are
expected to receive out of the contract, and (2) multiplying the result by the
amount
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of the payment. For variable annuity payments, your investment in the contract
divided by the number of expected payments is your tax-free portion of each
payment.
Once you have received the amount of your investment in the contract, all
payments after that are fully taxable. If payments under a life annuity stop
because the annuitant dies, there is an income tax deduction for any
unrecovered investment in the contract.
PAYMENTS MADE BEFORE ANNUITY PAYMENTS BEGIN
If you make withdrawals before annuity payments begin under your contract,
they are taxable to you as ordinary income if there are earnings in the
contract. Generally, earnings are your account value less your investment in
the contract. If you withdraw an amount which is more than the earnings in the
contract as of the date of the withdrawal, the balance of the distribution is
treated as a return of your investment in the contract and is not taxable.
CONTRACTS PURCHASED THROUGH EXCHANGES
You may purchase your NQ contract through an exchange of another contract.
Normally, exchanges of contracts are taxable events. The exchange will not be
taxable under Section 1035 of the Internal Revenue Code if:
o The contract that is the source of the funds you are using to purchase the
NQ contract is another nonqualified deferred annuity contract (or life
insurance or endowment contract).
o The owner and the annuitant are the same under the source contract and the
EQUI-VEST NQ contract. If you are using a life insurance or endowment
contract the owner and the insured must be the same on both sides of the
exchange transaction.
The tax basis of the source contract carries over to the EQUI-VEST NQ contract.
SURRENDERS
If you surrender or cancel the contract, the distribution is taxable as
ordinary income (not capital gain) to the extent it exceeds your investment in
the contract.
DEATH BENEFIT PAYMENTS MADE TO A BENEFICIARY AFTER YOUR DEATH
For the rules applicable to death benefits, see "Payment of death benefit" and
"When an NQ contract owner dies before the annuitant" earlier in this
prospectus. The tax treatment of a death benefit taken as a single sum is
generally the same as the tax treatment of a withdrawal from or surrender of
your contract. The tax treatment of a death benefit taken as annuity payments
is generally the same as the tax treatment of annuity payments under
your contract.
EARLY DISTRIBUTION PENALTY TAX
If you take distributions before you are age 59 1/2 a penalty tax of 10% of
the taxable portion of your distribution applies in addition to the income
tax. The extra penalty tax does not apply to pre-age 59 1/2 distributions
made:
o on or after your death; or
o because you are disabled (special federal income tax definition); or
o in the form of substantially equal periodic annuity payments for your life
(or life expectancy) or the joint lives (or joint life expectancy) of you
and a beneficiary.
SPECIAL RULES FOR NQ CONTRACTS ISSUED IN PUERTO RICO
Under current law we treat income from NQ contracts as U.S. source. A Puerto
Rico resident is subject to U.S. taxation on such U.S. source income. Only
Puerto Rico source income of Puerto Rico residents is excludable from U.S.
taxation. Income from NQ contracts is also subject to Puerto Rico tax. The
calculation of the taxable portion of amounts distributed from a contract may
differ in the two jurisdictions. Therefore, you might have to file both U.S.
and Puerto Rico tax returns, showing different amounts of income from the
contract for each tax return. Puerto Rico generally provides a credit against
Puerto Rico tax for U.S. tax paid. Depending on your
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personal situation and the timing of the different tax liabilities, you may
not be able to take full advantage of this credit.
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ARRANGEMENTS ("IRAS")
GENERAL
"IRA" stands for individual retirement arrangement. There are two basic types
of such arrangements, individual retirement accounts and individual retirement
annuities. In an individual retirement account, a trustee or custodian holds
the assets for the benefit of the IRA owner. The assets can include mutual
funds and certificates of deposit. In an individual retirement annuity, an
insurance company issues an annuity contract that serves as the IRA.
There are two basic types of IRAs, as follows:
o "Traditional IRAs," typically funded on a pre-tax basis including SEP-IRAs
and SIMPLE-IRAs, issued and funded in connection with employer-sponsored
retirement plans. EQUIT-VEST Traditional IRA and QP IRA are traditional
IRAs.
o Roth IRAs, first available in 1998, funded on an after-tax basis. EQUI-VEST
Roth IRA.
Regardless of the type of IRA, your ownership interest in the IRA cannot be
forfeited. You or your beneficiaries who survive you are the only ones who can
receive the IRA's benefits or payments.
You can hold your IRA assets in as many different accounts and annuities as
you would like, as long as you meet the rules for setting up and making
contributions to IRAs. However, if you own multiple IRAs, you may be required
to combine IRA values or contributions for tax purposes. For further
information about individual retirement arrangements, you can read Internal
Revenue Service Publication 590 ("Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)").
This publication is usually updated annually, and can be obtained from any IRS
district office or the IRS Web site (www.irs.ustreas.gov).
Equitable Life designs its traditional IRA contracts to qualify as "individual
retirement annuities" under Section 408(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. This
prospectus contains the information that the IRS requires you to have before
you purchase an IRA. This section of the prospectus covers some of the special
tax rules that apply to IRAs. The next section covers Roth IRAs. Education
IRAs are not discussed in this prospectus because they are not available in
individual retirement annuity form.
The EQUI-VEST IRA contract has been approved by the IRS as to form for use as
a Traditional IRA. We have submitted the Roth IRA version for formal IRS
approval. This IRS approval is a determination only as to the form of the
annuity. It does not represent a determination of the merits of the annuity as
an investment. The IRS approval does not address every feature possibly
available under the EQUI-VEST IRA contract.
CANCELLATION
You can cancel any version of the EQUI-VEST IRA contract (Traditional IRA, QP
IRA, or Roth IRA) by following the directions under "Your right to cancel
within a certain number of days" under "Contract features and benefits"
earlier in the prospectus. You can cancel an EQUI-VEST Roth IRA contract
issued as a result of a full or partial conversion of any EQUI-VEST
Traditional IRA contract by following the instructions in the "EQUI-VEST Roth
IRA Re-Characterization Form." The form is available from our Processing
Office or your Equitable associate. If you cancel a Traditional IRA or Roth
IRA contract, we may have to withhold tax, and we must report the transaction
to the IRS. A contract cancellation could have an unfavorable tax impact.
TRADITIONAL INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES
(TRADITIONAL IRAS)
CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRADITIONAL IRAS. Individuals may make three different types
of contributions to a traditional IRA:
o regular contributions out of earned income or compensation; or
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44 TAX INFORMATION
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o tax-free "rollover" contributions; or
o direct custodian-to-custodian transfers from other traditional IRAs
("direct transfers").
REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRADITIONAL IRAS.
The EQUI-VEST Traditional IRA is intended to receive regular contributions.
LIMITS ON CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRADITIONAL IRAS. Generally, $2,000 is the maximum
amount that you may contribute to all IRAs (including Roth IRAs) in any
taxable year. When your earnings are below $2,000, your earned income or
compensation for the year is the most you can contribute. This $2,000 limit
does not apply to rollover contributions or direct custodian-to-custodian
transfers into a traditional IRA. You cannot make regular contributions for
the tax year in which you reach age 70 1/2 or any tax year after that.
SPECIAL RULES FOR SPOUSES. If you are married and file a joint income tax
return, you and your spouse may combine your compensation to determine the
amount of regular contributions you are permitted to make to traditional IRAs
(and Roth IRAs discussed below). Even if one spouse has no compensation or
compensation under $2,000, married individuals filing jointly can contribute
up to $4,000 for any taxable year to any combination of traditional IRAs and
Roth IRAs. (Any contributions to Roth IRAs reduce the ability to contribute to
traditional IRAs and vice versa.) The maximum amount may be less if earned
income is less and the other spouse has made IRA contributions. No more than a
combined total of $2,000 can be contributed annually to either spouse's
traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs. Each spouse owns his or her traditional IRAs
and Roth IRAs even if the other spouse funded the contributions. A working
spouse age 70 1/2 or over can contribute up to the lesser of $2,000 or 100%
of "earned income" to a traditional IRA for a nonworking spouse until the year
in which the nonworking spouse reaches age 70 1/2.
DEDUCTIBILITY OF CONTRIBUTIONS. The amount of traditional IRA contributions
that you can deduct for a tax year depends on whether you are covered by an
employer-sponsored tax-favored retirement plan, as defined under special
federal income tax rules. Your Form W-2 will indicate whether or not you are
covered by such a retirement plan.
IF YOU ARE NOT COVERED BY A RETIREMENT PLAN DURING ANY PART OF THE YEAR, you
can make fully deductible contributions to your traditional IRAs for each tax
year up to $2,000 or, if less, your earned income.
IF YOU ARE COVERED BY A RETIREMENT PLAN DURING ANY PART OF THE YEAR, and your
adjusted gross income (AGI) is BELOW THE LOWER DOLLAR FIGURE IN A PHASE-OUT
RANGE, you can make fully deductible contributions to your traditional IRAs.
For each tax year your fully deductible contribution can be up to $2,000 or,
if less, your earned income.
IF YOU ARE COVERED BY A RETIREMENT PLAN DURING ANY PART OF THE YEAR, and your
AGI falls within a PHASE-OUT RANGE, you can make partially deductible
contributions to your traditional IRAs.
IF YOU ARE COVERED BY A RETIREMENT PLAN DURING ANY PART OF THE YEAR, and your
AGI falls ABOVE THE HIGHER FIGURE IN THE PHASE-OUT RANGE, you may not deduct
any of your regular contributions to your traditional IRAs.
If you are single and covered by a retirement plan during any part of the
taxable year, the deduction for traditional IRA contributions phases out with
AGI between $31,000 and $41,000 in 1999. This range will increase every year
until 2005 when the range is $50,000-$60,000.
If you are married and file a joint return, and you are covered by a
retirement plan during any part of the taxable year, the deduction for
traditional IRA contributions phases out with AGI between $51,000 and $61,000
in 1999. This range will increase every year until 2007 when the range is
$80,000-$100,000.
Married individuals filing separately and living apart at all times are not
considered married for purposes of this deductible contribution calculation.
Generally, the active participation in an employer-sponsored retirement plan
of an individual is determined independently for each spouse.
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Where spouses have "married filing jointly" status, however, the maximum
deductible traditional IRA contribution for an individual who is not an active
participant (but whose spouse is an active participant) is phased out for
taxpayers with AGI of between $150,000 and $160,000.
To determine the deductible amount of the contribution in 1999, you determine
AGI and subtract $31,000 if you are single, or $51,000 if you are married and
file a joint return with your spouse. The resulting amount is your Excess AGI.
You then determine the limit on the deduction for traditional IRA
contributions using the following formula:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
($10,000-excess AGI) times $2,000 (or earned Equals the adjusted
- ------------------------------
divided by $10,000 x income, if less) = deductible
contribution
limit
</TABLE>
NONDEDUCTIBLE REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS. If you are not eligible to deduct part
or all of the traditional IRA contribution, you may still make nondeductible
contributions on which earnings will accumulate on a tax-deferred basis. The
combined deductible and nondeductible contributions to your traditional IRA
(or the nonworking spouse's traditional IRA) may not, however, exceed the
maximum $2,000 per person limit. See "Excess Contributions" below. You must
keep your own records of deductible and nondeductible contributions in order
to prevent double taxation on the distribution of previously taxed amounts.
See "Withdrawals, payments and transfers of funds out of traditional IRAs"
below.
If you are making nondeductible contributions in any taxable year, or you have
made nondeductible contributions to a traditional IRA in prior years and are
receiving distributions from any traditional IRA, you must file the required
information with the IRS. Moreover, if you are making nondeductible
traditional IRA contributions, you must retain all income tax returns and
records pertaining to such contributions until interests in all traditional
IRAs are fully distributed.
WHEN YOU CAN MAKE REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS. If you file your tax returns on a
calendar year basis like most taxpayers, you have until the April 15th return
filing deadline (without extensions) of the following calendar year to make
your regular contributions for a tax year.
EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS
Excess contributions to IRAs are subject to a 6% excise tax for the year in
which made and for each year after until withdrawn. The following are excess
contributions to IRAs:
o regular contributions of more than $2,000; or
o regular contributions of more than earned income for the year, if that
amount is under $2,000; or
o regular contributions to a traditional IRA made after you reach age
70 1/2; or
o rollover contributions of amounts which are not eligible to be rolled over.
For example, after-tax contributions to a qualified plan or minimum
distributions required to be made after age 70 1/2.
You can avoid the excise tax by withdrawing an excess contribution (rollover
or regular) before the due date (including extensions) for filing your federal
income tax return for the year. If it is an excess regular contribution, you
cannot take a tax deduction for the amount withdrawn. You do not have to
include the excess contribution withdrawn as part of your income. It is also
not subject to the 10% additional penalty tax on early distributions discussed
below under "Early distribution penalty tax." You do have to withdraw any
earnings that are attributed to the excess contribution. The withdrawn
earnings would be included in your gross income and could be subject to the
10% penalty tax.
Even after the due date for filing your return, you may withdraw an excess
rollover contribution, without income inclusion or 10% penalty, if:
(1) the rollover was from a qualified retirement plan to a traditional IRA;
(2) the excess contribution was due to incorrect information that the plan
provided; and
(3) you took no tax deduction for the excess contribution.
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46 TAX INFORMATION
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RECHARACTERIZATIONS
You may also change your mind about amounts contributed as Roth IRA funds to
traditional IRA funds, in accordance with special federal income tax rules, if
you use the forms we prescribe. This is referred to as having
"recharacterized" your contribution.
ROLLOVERS AND TRANSFERS
Rollover contributions may be made to a traditional IRA from these sources:
o qualified plans;
o TSAs (including Internal Revenue Code Section 403(b)(7) custodial
accounts); and
o other traditional IRAs.
Any amount contributed to a traditional IRA after you reach age 70 1/2 must
be net of your required minimum distribution for the year in which the
rollover or direct transfer contribution is made.
ROLLOVERS FROM QUALIFIED PLANS OR TSAS
There are two ways to do rollovers:
o Do it yourself
You actually receive a distribution that can be rolled over and you roll
it over to a traditional IRA within 60 days after the date you receive the
funds. The distribution from your qualified plan or TSA will be net of 20%
mandatory federal income tax withholding. If you want, you can replace the
withheld funds yourself and roll over the full amount.
o Direct rollover
You tell your qualified plan trustee or TSA issuer/custodian/fiduciary to
send the distribution directly to your traditional IRA issuer. Direct
rollovers are not subject to mandatory federal income tax withholding.
All distributions from a TSA or qualified plan are eligible
rollover distributions, unless the distribution is:
o only after-tax contributions you made to the plan; or
o "required minimum distributions" after age 70 1/2 or separation from
service; or
o substantially equal periodic payments made at least annually for your life
(or life expectancy) or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of
you and your designated beneficiary; or
o a hardship withdrawal; or
o substantially equal periodic payments made for a specified period of 10
years or more; or
o corrective distributions which fit specified technical tax rules; or
o loans that are treated as distributions; or
o a death benefit payment to a beneficiary who is not your surviving spouse;
or
o a qualified domestic relations order distribution to a beneficiary who is
not your current spouse or former spouse.
ROLLOVERS FROM TRADITIONAL IRAS TO TRADITIONAL IRAS
You may roll over amounts from one traditional IRA to one or more of your
other traditional IRAs if you complete the transaction within 60 days after
you receive the funds. You may make such a rollover only once in every
12-month period for the same funds. Trustee-to-trustee or
custodian-to-custodian direct transfers are not rollover transactions. You can
make these more frequently than once in every 12-month period.
The surviving spouse beneficiary of a deceased individual can roll over or
directly transfer an inherited traditional IRA to one or more other
traditional IRAs. Also, in some cases, traditional IRAs can be transferred on
a tax-free basis between spouses or former spouses as a result of a court
ordered divorce or separation decree.
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WITHDRAWALS, PAYMENTS AND TRANSFERS OF FUNDS OUT OF TRADITIONAL IRAS
NO FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW RESTRICTIONS ON WITHDRAWALS. You can withdraw any
or all of your funds from a traditional IRA at any time. You do not need to
wait for a special event like retirement.
TAXATION OF PAYMENTS. Earnings in traditional IRAs are not subject to federal
income tax until you or your beneficiary receive them. Taxable payments or
distributions include withdrawals from your contract, surrender of your
contract and annuity payments from your contract. Death benefits are also
taxable. Except as discussed below, the total amount of any distribution from
a traditional IRA must be included in your gross income as ordinary income.
If you have ever made nondeductible IRA contributions to any traditional IRA
(it does not have to be to this particular traditional IRA contract), those
contributions are recovered tax free when you get distributions from any
traditional IRA. You must keep permanent tax records of all of your
nondeductible contributions to traditional IRAs. At the end of any year in
which you have received a distribution from any traditional IRA, you calculate
the ratio of your total nondeductible traditional IRA contributions (less any
amounts previously withdrawn tax free) to the total account balances of all
traditional IRAs you own at the end of the year plus all traditional IRA
distributions made during the year. Multiply this by all distributions from
the traditional IRA during the year to determine the nontaxable portion of
each distribution.
In addition, a distribution is not taxable if:
o the amount received is a withdrawal of excess contributions, as described
under "Excess contributions" above; or
o the entire amount received is rolled over to another traditional IRA (see
"Rollovers and transfers" above); or
o in certain limited circumstances, where the traditional IRA acts as a
conduit, you roll over the entire amount into a qualified plan or TSA that
accepts rollover contributions. To get this conduit traditional IRA
treatment:
o the source of funds you used to establish the traditional IRA must have
been a rollover contribution from a qualified plan, and
o the entire amount received from the traditional IRA (including any earnings
on the rollover contribution) must be rolled over into another
qualified plan within 60 days of the date received.
Similar rules apply in the case of a TSA.
However, you may lose conduit treatment, if you make an eligible rollover
distribution contribution to a traditional IRA and you commingle this
contribution with other contributions. In that case, you may not be able to
roll over these eligible rollover distribution contributions and earnings to
another qualified plan or TSA at a future date.
Distributions from a traditional IRA are not eligible for favorable five-year
averaging (or, in some cases, ten-year averaging and long-term capital gain
treatment) available to certain distributions from qualified plans.
The EQUI-VEST QP IRA contract can be used as a conduit IRA however,
non-rollover contributions cannot be commingled.
REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS
LIFETIME REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS. You must start taking annual
distributions from your Traditional IRAs beginning at age 70 1/2.
WHEN YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE FIRST REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION. The first
required minimum distribution is for the calendar year in which you turn age
70 1/2. You have the choice to take this first required minimum distribution
during the calendar year you actually reach age 70 1/2, or to delay taking it
until the first three-month period in the next calendar year (January 1 -
April 1). Distributions must start no later than your "Required Beginning
Date," which is April 1st of the calendar year after the calendar year in which
you turn age 70 1/2. If you choose to delay taking the
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48 TAX INFORMATION
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first annual minimum distribution, then you will have to take two minimum
distributions in that year -- the delayed one for the first year and the one
actually for that year. Once minimum distributions begin, they must be made at
some time each year.
HOW YOU CALCULATE REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS. There are two approaches to
taking required minimum distributions -- "account-based" or "annuity-based."
Account-based method. If you choose an account-based method, you divide the
value of your traditional IRA as of December 31st of the past calendar year by
a life expectancy factor from IRS tables. This gives you the required minimum
distribution amount for that particular IRA for that year. The required
minimum distribution amount will vary each year as the account value and your
life expectancy factors change.
You have a choice of life expectancy factors, depending on whether you choose
a method based only on your life expectancy, or the joint life expectancies of
you and another individual. You can decide to "recalculate" your life
expectancy every year by using your current life expectancy factor. You can
decide instead to use the "term certain" method, where you reduce your life
expectancy by one every year after the initial year. If your spouse is your
designated beneficiary for the purpose of calculating annual account-based
required minimum distributions, you can also annually recalculate your
spouse's life expectancy if you want. If you choose someone who is not your
spouse as your designated beneficiary for the purpose of calculating annual
account-based required minimum distributions, you have to use the term certain
method of calculating that person's life expectancy. If you pick a nonspouse
designated beneficiary, you may also have to do another special calculation.
You can later apply your traditional IRA funds to a life annuity-based payout.
You can only do this if you already chose to recalculate your life expectancy
annually (and your spouse's life expectancy if you select a spousal joint
annuity). For example, if you anticipate selecting any form of life annuity
payout after you are age 70 1/2, you must have elected to recalculate life
expectancies.
Annuity-based method. If you choose an annuity-based method you do not have to
do annual calculations. You apply the account value to an annuity payout for
your life or the joint lives of you and a designated beneficiary, or for a
period certain not extending beyond applicable life expectancies.
DO YOU HAVE TO PICK THE SAME METHOD TO CALCULATE YOUR REQUIRED MINIMUM
DISTRIBUTIONS FOR ALL OF YOUR TRADITIONAL IRAS AND OTHER RETIREMENT PLANS?
No. If you want, you can choose a different method and a different beneficiary
for each of your traditional IRAs and other retirement plans. For example, you
can choose an annuity payout from one IRA, a different annuity payout from a
qualified plan, and an account-based annual withdrawal from another IRA.
WILL WE PAY YOU THE ANNUAL AMOUNT EVERY YEAR FROM YOUR TRADITIONAL IRA BASED
ON THE METHOD YOU CHOOSE? No, unless you affirmatively select an annuity
payout option or an account-based withdrawal option such as our minimum
distribution withdrawal option. Because the options we offer do not cover
every option permitted under federal income tax rules, you may prefer to do
your own required minimum distribution calculations for one or more of your
traditional IRAs.
WHAT IF YOU TAKE MORE THAN YOU NEED TO FOR ANY YEAR? The required minimum
distribution amount for your traditional IRAs is calculated on a year-by-year
basis. There are no carry-back or carry-forward provisions. Also, you cannot
apply required minimum distribution amounts you take from your qualified plans
to the amounts you have to take from your traditional IRAs and vice-versa.
However, the IRS will let you calculate the required minimum distribution for
each traditional IRA that you maintain, using the method that you picked for
that particular IRA. You can add these required minimum distribution amount
calculations together. As long as the total amount you take out every year
satisfies your overall traditional IRA required minimum distribution amount,
you may choose to take your annual
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required minimum distribution from any one or more Traditional IRAs that you
own.
WHAT IF YOU TAKE LESS THAN YOU NEED TO FOR ANY YEAR? Your IRA could be
disqualified, and you could have to pay tax on the entire value. Even if your
IRA is not disqualified, you could have to pay a 50% penalty tax on the
shortfall (required amount for traditional IRAs less amount actually taken). It
is your responsibility to meet the required minimum distribution rules. We will
remind you when our records show that your age 70 1/2 is approaching. If you
do not select a method with us, we will assume you are taking your required
minimum distribution from another traditional IRA that you own.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION PAYMENTS AFTER YOU DIE? If you die
after either (a) the start of annuity payments, or (b) your Required Beginning
Date, your beneficiary must receive payment of the remaining values in the
contract at least as rapidly as under the distribution method before your
death. In some circumstances, your surviving spouse may elect to become the
owner of the traditional IRA and halt distributions until he or she reaches age
70 1/2.
If you die before your Required Beginning Date and before annuity payments
begin, federal income tax rules require complete distribution of your entire
value in the contract within five years after your death. Payments to a
designated beneficiary over the beneficiary's life or over a period certain
that does not extend beyond the beneficiary's life expectancy are also
permitted, if these payments start within one year of your death. A surviving
spouse beneficiary can also (a) delay starting any payments until you would
have reached age 70 1/2 or (b) roll over your traditional IRA into his or her
own traditional IRA.
SUCCESSOR ANNUITANT AND OWNER
If your spouse is the sole primary beneficiary and elects to become the
successor annuitant and owner, no death benefit is payable until your
surviving spouse's death.
PAYMENTS TO A BENEFICIARY AFTER YOUR DEATH
IRA death benefits are taxed the same as IRA distributions.
BORROWING AND LOANS ARE PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS
You cannot get loans from a traditional IRA. You cannot use a traditional IRA
as collateral for a loan or other obligation. If you borrow against your IRA
or use it as collateral, its tax-favored status will be lost as of the first
day of the tax year in which this prohibited event occurs. If this happens,
you must include the value of the traditional IRA in your federal gross
income. Also, the early distribution penalty tax of 10% will apply if you have
not reached age 59 1/2 before the first day of that tax year.
EARLY DISTRIBUTION PENALTY TAX
A penalty tax of 10% of the taxable portion of a distribution applies to
distributions from a traditional IRA made before you reach age 59 1/2. The
extra penalty tax does not apply to pre-age 59 1/2 distributions made:
o on or after your death; or
o because you are disabled (special federal income tax definition); or
o to pay for certain extraordinary medical expenses (special federal income
tax definition); or
o to pay medical insurance premiums for unemployed individuals (special
federal income tax definition); or
o to pay certain first-time home buyer expenses (special federal income tax
definition); or
o to pay certain higher education expenses (special federal income tax
definition); or
o in the form of substantially equal periodic payments made at least annually
over your life (or your life expectancy), or over the joint lives of you
and your beneficiary (or your joint life expectancy) using an IRS-approved
distribution method.
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ILLUSTRATION OF GUARANTEED INTEREST RATES
In the following two tables, we provide information that the IRS requires us
to furnish to prospective IRA contract owners. In the tables we illustrate the
3% minimum guaranteed interest rate for contributions we assume are allocated
entirely to the guaranteed interest option. In Table I we assume a $1,000
contribution made annually on the contract date and on each anniversary after
that. We assume no withdrawals or transfers were made under the contract. In
Table II we assume a single initial contribution of $1,000, and no additional
contributions. We also assume no withdrawals or transfers. The 3% guaranteed
interest rate is in the contract.
The values shown assume the withdrawal charge applies. These values reflect
the effect of the annual administrative charge deducted at the end of each
contract year in which the account value is less than $20,000.
To find the appropriate value for the end of the contract year at any
particular age, you subtract the age (nearest birthday) at issue of the
contract from the current age and find the corresponding year in the table.
Years that correspond to a current age over 70, should be ignored, unless the
contract is a Roth IRA.
You should consider the information shown in the tables in light of your
present age. Also, with respect to Table I, you should consider your ability
to contribute $1,000 annually. Any change in the amounts contributed annually
in Table I, or in the amount of the single contribution in Table II would, of
course, change the results shown.
<PAGE>
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TAX INFORMATION 51
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE I
ACCOUNT VALUES AND CASH VALUES
(assuming $1,000 contributions made annually
at the beginning of the contract year)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3% Minimum Guarantee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Account Cash
Year End Value Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 $ 1,009.40 $ 954.89
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 $ 2,039.68 $ 1,929.54
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 $ 3,100.87 $ 2,933.43
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 $ 4,193.90 $ 3,967.43
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 $ 5,319.72 $ 5,032.45
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 $ 6,479.31 $ 6,129.42
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 $ 7,673.69 $ 7,313.69
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 $ 8,903.90 $ 8,543.90
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 $10,171.01 $ 9,811.01
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 $11,476.14 $11,116.14
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 $12,820.43 $12,460.43
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 $14,205.04 $13,845.04
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 $15,631.19 $15,271.19
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 $17,100.13 $16,740.13
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 $18,613.13 $18,253.13
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 $20,201.53 $19,841.53
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 $21,837.57 $21,477.57
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 $23,522.70 $23,162.70
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 $25,258.38 $24,898.38
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 $27,046.13 $26,686.13
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21 $28,887.52 $28,527.52
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 $30,784.14 $30,424.14
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23 $32,737.67 $32,377.67
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 $34,749.80 $34,389.80
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 $36,822.29 $36,462.29
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3% Minimum Guarantee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Account Cash
Year End Value Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26 $ 38,956.96 $ 38,596.96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27 $ 41,155.67 $ 40,795.67
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28 $ 43,420.34 $ 43,060.34
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29 $ 45,752.95 $ 45,392.95
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 $ 48,155.53 $ 47,795.53
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31 $ 50,630.20 $ 50,270.20
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32 $ 53,179.11 $ 52,819.11
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33 $ 55,804.48 $ 55,444.48
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34 $ 58,508.61 $ 58,148.61
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35 $ 61,293.87 $ 60,933.87
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36 $ 64,162.69 $ 63,802.69
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37 $ 67,117.57 $ 66,757.57
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38 $ 70,161.10 $ 69,801.10
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
39 $ 73,295.93 $ 72,935.93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 $ 76,524.81 $ 76,164.81
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41 $ 79,850.55 $ 79,490.55
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42 $ 83,276.07 $ 82,916.07
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43 $ 86,804.35 $ 86,444.35
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44 $ 90,438.48 $ 90,078.48
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45 $ 94,181.64 $ 93,821.64
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46 $ 98,037.08 $ 97,677.08
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47 $102,008.20 $101,648.20
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48 $106,098.44 $105,738.44
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
49 $110,311.40 $109,951.40
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 $114,650.74 $114,290.74
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
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52 TAX INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE II
ACCOUNT VALUES AND CASH VALUES
(assuming a single contribution of $1,000 and
no further contribution)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3% Minimum Guarantee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Account Cash
Year End Value Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 $1,009.40 $ 954.89
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 $1,018.89 $ 963.87
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 $1,019.46 $ 964.40
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 $1,020.04 $ 964.96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 $1,020.64 $ 965.53
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 $1,021.26 $ 966.11
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 $1,021.90 $1,021.90
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 $1,022.55 $1,022.55
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 $1,023.23 $1,023.23
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 $1,023.93 $1,023.93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11 $1,024.65 $1,024.65
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 $1,025.38 $1,025.38
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 $1,026.15 $1,026.15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14 $1,026.93 $1,026.93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15 $1,027.74 $1,027.74
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16 $1,028.57 $1,028.57
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17 $1,029.43 $1,029.43
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18 $1,030.31 $1,030.31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 $1,031.22 $1,031.22
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 $1,032.16 $1,032.16
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21 $1,033.12 $1,033.12
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22 $1,034.11 $1,034.11
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
23 $1,035.14 $1,035.14
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 $1,036.19 $1,036.19
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25 $1,037.28 $1,037.28
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3% Minimum Guarantee
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contract Account Cash
Year End Value Value
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26 $1,038.40 $1,038.40
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
27 $1,039.55 $1,039.55
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28 $1,040.73 $1,040.73
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
29 $1,041.96 $1,041.96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 $1,043.22 $1,043.22
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31 $1,044.51 $1,044.51
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32 $1,045.85 $1,045.85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
33 $1,047.22 $1,047.22
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
34 $1,048.64 $1,048.64
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
35 $1,050.10 $1,050.10
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36 $1,051.60 $1,051.60
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
37 $1,053.15 $1,053.15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
38 $1,054.74 $1,054.74
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
39 $1,056.39 $1,056.39
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 $1,058.08 $1,058.08
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
41 $1,059.82 $1,059.82
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
42 $1,061.61 $1,061.61
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
43 $1,063.46 $1,063.46
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44 $1,065.37 $1,065.37
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
45 $1,067.33 $1,067.33
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
46 $1,069.35 $1,069.35
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
47 $1,071.43 $1,071.43
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
48 $1,073.57 $1,073.57
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
49 $1,075.78 $1,075.78
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 $1,078.05 $1,078.05
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
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TAX INFORMATION 53
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ROTH INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES (ROTH IRAS)
This section of the prospectus covers some of the special tax rules that apply
to Roth IRAs. If the rules are the same as those that apply to the Traditional
IRA, we will refer you to the same topic under "Traditional IRAs."
The EQUI-VEST Roth IRA contracts are designed to qualify as Roth individual
retirement annuities under Sections 408A and 408(b) of the Internal Revenue
Code.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ROTH IRAS
Individuals may make four different types of contributions to a Roth IRA:
o regular after-tax contributions out of earnings; or
o taxable rollover contributions from Traditional IRAs ("conversion"
contributions); or
o tax-free rollover contributions from other Roth IRAs; or
o tax-free direct custodian-to-custodian transfers from other Roth IRAs
("direct transfers").
If you use the forms we require, we will also accept traditional IRA funds
which are subsequently recharacterized as Roth IRA funds following special
federal income tax rules.
REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS TO ROTH IRAS
LIMITS ON REGULAR CONTRIBUTIONS. Generally, $2,000 is the maximum amount that
you may contribute to all IRAs (including Roth IRAs) in any taxable year. This
$2,000 limit does not apply to rollover contributions or direct
custodian-to-custodian transfers into a Roth IRA. Any contributions to Roth
IRAs reduce your ability to contribute to traditional IRAs and vice versa.
When your earnings are below $2,000, your earned income or compensation for
the year is the most you can contribute. If you are married and file a joint
income tax return, you and your spouse may combine your compensation to
determine the amount of regular IRA and after-tax contributions you are
permitted to make to Roth IRAs and traditional IRAs. See the discussion above
under traditional IRAs.
With a Roth IRA, you can make regular contributions when you reach 70 1/2, as
long as you have sufficient earnings. But, you cannot make contributions for
any year that:
o your federal income tax filing status is "married filing jointly" and your
adjusted gross income is over $160,000; or,
o your federal income tax filing status is "single" and your adjusted gross
income is over $110,000.
However, you can make regular Roth IRA contributions in
reduced amounts when:
o your federal income tax filing status is "married filing jointly" and your
adjusted gross income is between $150,000 and $160,000; or
o your federal income tax filing status is "single" and your adjusted gross
income is between $95,000 and $110,000.
If you are married and filing separately and your adjusted gross income is
between $0 and $10,000 the amount of regular contribution you are permitted to
make is phased out. If your adjusted gross income is more than $10,000 you
cannot make a regular Roth IRA contribution.
WHEN YOU CAN MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS? Same as traditional IRAs.
DEDUCTIBILITY OF CONTRIBUTIONS. Roth IRA contributions are not tax deductible.
ROLLOVERS AND DIRECT TRANSFERS
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROLLOVER AND DIRECT TRANSFER TRANSACTIONS? You
may make rollover contributions to a Roth IRA from only two sources:
o another Roth IRA ("tax-free rollover contribution"); or
o another traditional IRA, including a SEP-IRA or SIMPLE-IRA, in a taxable
"conversion" rollover ("conversion contribution").
You may not make contributions to a Roth IRA from a qualified plan under
Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a TSA under Section 403(b) of
the Internal Revenue
<PAGE>
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54 TAX INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Code. You may make direct transfer contributions to a Roth IRA only from
another Roth IRA.
The difference between a rollover transaction and a direct transfer
transaction is the following. In a rollover transaction you actually take
possession of the funds rolled over, or are considered to have received them
under tax law in the case of a change from one type of plan to another. In a
direct transfer transaction, you never take possession of the funds, but
direct the first Roth IRA custodian, trustee, or issuer to transfer the first
Roth IRA funds directly to Equitable Life, as the Roth IRA issuer. You can
make direct transfer transactions only between identical plan types (for
example, Roth IRA to Roth IRA). You can also make rollover transactions
between identical plan types. However, you can only use rollover transactions
between different plan types (for example, traditional IRA to Roth IRA).
You may make both Roth IRA to Roth IRA rollover transactions and Roth IRA to
Roth IRA direct transfer transactions. This can be accomplished on a
completely tax-free basis. However, you may make Roth IRA to Roth IRA rollover
transactions only once in any 12-month period for the same funds.
Trustee-to-trustee or custodian-to-custodian direct transfers can be made more
frequently than once a year. Also, if you send us the rollover contribution to
apply it to a Roth IRA, you must do so within 60 days after you receive the
proceeds from the original IRA to get rollover treatment.
The surviving spouse beneficiary of a deceased individual can roll over or
directly transfer an inherited Roth IRA to one or more other Roth IRAs. In
some cases, Roth IRAs can be transferred on a tax-free basis between spouses
or former spouses as a result of a court-ordered divorce or separation decree.
CONVERSION CONTRIBUTIONS TO ROTH IRAS
In a conversion rollover transaction, you withdraw (or are considered to have
withdrawn) all or a portion of funds from a traditional IRA you maintain and
convert it to a Roth IRA within 60 days after you receive (or are considered
to have received) the traditional IRA proceeds. Unlike a rollover from a
traditional IRA to another traditional IRA, the conversion rollover
transaction is not tax-free. Instead, the distribution from the traditional
IRA is generally fully taxable. For this reason, we are required to withhold
10% federal income tax from the amount converted unless you elect out of such
withholding. (If you have ever made nondeductible regular IRA contributions to
any traditional IRA -- whether or not it is the traditional IRA you are
converting -- a pro rata portion of the distribution is tax-free.)
There is, however, no early distribution penalty tax on the Traditional IRA
withdrawal that you are converting to a Roth IRA, even if you are under age
59 1/2.
You cannot make conversion contributions to a Roth IRA for any taxable year in
which your adjusted gross income exceeds $100,000. (For this purpose, your
adjusted gross income is calculated without the gross income stemming from the
traditional IRA conversion.) You also cannot make conversion contributions to
a Roth IRA for any taxable year in which your federal income tax filing status
is "married filing separately."
Finally, you cannot make conversion contributions to a Roth IRA to the extent
that the funds in your traditional IRA are subject to the annual required
minimum distribution rule applicable to traditional IRAs beginning at age
70 1/2.
WITHDRAWALS, PAYMENTS AND TRANSFERS OF FUNDS OUT OF ROTH IRAS
NO FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAW RESTRICTIONS ON WITHDRAWALS. You can withdraw any
or all of your funds from a Roth IRA at any time; you do not need to wait for
a special event like retirement.
DISTRIBUTIONS FROM ROTH IRAS
Distributions include withdrawals from your contract, surrender and
termination of your contract and annuity payments from your contract. Death
benefits are also distributions.
The following distributions from Roth IRAs are free of income tax:
<PAGE>
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TAX INFORMATION 55
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o Rollovers from a Roth IRA to another Roth IRA;
o Direct transfers from a Roth IRA to another Roth IRA;
o "Qualified Distributions" from a Roth IRA; and
o Return of excess contributions or amounts recharacterized to a traditional
IRA.
QUALIFIED DISTRIBUTIONS FROM ROTH IRAS
Qualified distributions from Roth IRAs made because of one of the following
four qualifying events or reasons are not includable in income:
o you reach age 59 1/2; or
o you die; or
o you become disabled (special federal income tax definition); or
o your distribution is a "qualified first-time homebuyer distribution"
(special federal income tax definition; $10,000 lifetime total limit for
these distributions from all of your traditional and Roth IRAs).
You also have to meet a five-year aging period. A qualified distribution is
any distribution made after the five-taxable-year period beginning with the
first taxable year for which you made any contribution to any Roth IRA
(whether or not the one from which the distribution is being made). It is not
possible to have a tax-free qualified distribution before the year 2003
because of the five-year aging requirement.
NONQUALIFIED DISTRIBUTIONS FROM ROTH IRAS
Nonqualified distributions from Roth IRAs are distributions that do not meet
the qualifying event and five-year aging period tests described above. Such
distributions are potentially taxable as ordinary income. Nonqualified
distributions receive return-of-investment-first treatment. Only the
difference between the amount of the distribution and the amount of
contributions to all of your Roth IRAs is taxable. You have to reduce the
amount of contributions to all of your Roth IRAs to reflect any previous
tax-free recoveries.
You must keep your own records of regular and conversion contributions to all
Roth IRAs to assure appropriate taxation. You may have to file information on
your contributions to and distributions from any Roth IRA on your tax return.
You may have to retain all income tax returns and records pertaining to such
contributions and distributions until your interests in all Roth IRAs are
distributed.
Like traditional IRAs, taxable distributions from a Roth IRA are not entitled
to the special favorable five-year averaging method (or, in certain cases,
favorable ten-year averaging and long-term capital gain treatment) available
in certain cases to distributions from qualified plans.
REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS AT DEATH
Same as traditional IRA under "What are the required minimum distribution
payments after you die?" Lifetime required minimum distributions do not apply.
PAYMENTS TO A BENEFICIARY AFTER YOUR DEATH
Distributions to a beneficiary generally receive the same tax treatment as if
the distribution had been made to you.
BORROWING AND LOANS ARE PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS
Same as traditional IRA.
EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS
Same as traditional IRA, except that regular contributions made after age
70 1/2 are not "excess contributions."
Excess rollover contributions to Roth IRAs are contributions not eligible to
be rolled over (for example, conversion contributions from a traditional IRA
if your adjusted gross income is in excess of $100,000 in the conversion
year).
<PAGE>
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56 TAX INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You can withdraw or recharacterize any contribution to a Roth IRA before the
due date (including extensions) for filing your federal income tax return for
the tax year. If you do this, you must also withdraw or recharacterize any
earnings attributable to the contribution.
EARLY DISTRIBUTION PENALTY TAX
Same as traditional IRA.
For Roth IRAs, special penalty rules may apply to amounts withdrawn
attributable to 1998 conversion rollovers.
FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
We must withhold federal income tax from distributions from annuity contracts.
You may be able to elect out of this income tax withholding in some cases.
Generally, we do not have to withhold if your distributions are not taxable.
The rate of withholding will depend on the type of distribution and, in
certain cases, the amount of your distribution. Any income tax withheld is a
credit against your income tax liability. If you do not have sufficient income
tax withheld or do not make sufficient estimated income tax payments, you may
incur penalties under the estimated income tax rules.
You must file your request not to withhold in writing before the payment or
distribution is made. Our Processing Office will provide forms for this
purpose. You cannot elect out of withholding unless you provide us with your
correct taxpayer Identification Number and a United States residence address.
You cannot elect out of withholding if we are sending the payment out of the
United States.
You should note the following special situations:
o We might have to withhold on amounts we pay under a free look or
cancellation.
o We are generally required to withhold on conversion rollovers of
traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs, as it is considered a withdrawal from the
traditional IRA and is taxable.
o We are required to withhold on the gross amount of a distribution from a
Roth IRA unless you elect out of withholding. This may result in tax being
withheld even though the Roth IRA distribution is not taxable in whole or in
part.
Special withholding rules apply to foreign recipients and United States
citizens residing outside the United States. We do not discuss these rules
here. Certain states have indicated that state income tax withholding will
also apply to payments from the contracts made to residents. In some states,
you may elect out of state withholding, even if federal withholding applies.
Generally, an election out of federal withholding will also be considered an
election out of state withholding. If you need more information concerning a
particular state or any required forms, call our Processing Office at the
toll-free number.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING ON PERIODIC ANNUITY PAYMENTS
We withhold differently on "periodic" and "non-periodic" payments. For a
periodic annuity payment, for example, unless you specify a different number
of withholding exemptions, we withhold assuming that you are married and
claiming three withholding exemptions. If you do not give us your correct
Taxpayer Identification Number, we withhold as if you are single with no
exemptions.
Based on the assumption that you are married and claiming three withholding
exemptions, if you receive less than $14,700 in periodic annuity payments in
1999 your payments will generally be exempt from federal income tax
withholding. You could specify a different choice of withholding exemption or
request that tax be withheld. Your withholding election remains effective
unless and until you revoke it. You may revoke or change your withholding
election at any time.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING ON NON-PERIODIC ANNUITY PAYMENTS (WITHDRAWALS)
For a non-periodic distribution (total surrender, termination, or partial
withdrawal), we generally withhold at a flat 10%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAX INFORMATION 57
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rate. We apply that rate to the taxable amount in the case of nonqualified
contracts, and to the payment amount in the case of IRAs and Roth IRAs.
IMPACT OF TAXES TO EQUITABLE LIFE
The contracts provide that we may charge Separate Account A for taxes. We do
not now, but may in the future set up reserves for such taxes.
<PAGE>
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58 MORE INFORMATION
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8
More information
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT OUR SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
Each variable investment option is a subaccount of our Separate Account A. We
established Separate Account A in 1968 under special provisions of the New
York Insurance Law. These provisions prevent creditors from any other business
we conduct from reaching the assets we hold in our variable investment options
for owners of our variable annuity contracts. We are the legal owner of all of
the assets in Separate Account A and may withdraw any amounts that exceed our
reserves and other liabilities with respect to variable investment options
under our contracts. The results of Separate Account A's operations are
accounted for without regard to Equitable Life's other operations.
Separate Account A is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and
is classified by that act as a "unit investment trust." The SEC, however, does
not manage or supervise Equitable Life or Separate Account A.
Each subaccount (variable investment option) within Separate Account A invests
solely in Class IB shares issued by the corresponding Portfolios of The Hudson
River Trust and EQ Advisors Trust.
We reserve the right subject to compliance with laws that apply:
(1) to add variable investment options to, or to remove variable investment
options from, Separate Account A, or to add other separate accounts;
(2) to combine any two or more variable investment options;
(3) to transfer the assets we determine to be the shares of the class of
contracts to which the contracts belong from any variable investment
option to another variable investment option;
(4) to operate Separate Account A or any variable investment option as a
management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940
(in which case, charges and expenses that otherwise would be assessed
against an underlying mutual fund would be assessed against Separate
Account A or a variable investment option directly);
(5) to deregister Separate Account A under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(6) to restrict or eliminate any voting rights as to Separate Account A; and
(7) to cause one or more variable investment options to invest some or all of
their assets in one or more other trusts or investment companies.
ABOUT THE HUDSON RIVER TRUST AND EQ ADVISORS TRUST
The Hudson River Trust and EQ Advisors Trust are registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940. They are classified as "open-end management
investment companies," more commonly called mutual funds. Each trust issues
different shares relating to each Portfolio.
The Hudson River Trust and EQ Advisors Trust do not impose sales charges or
"loads" for buying and selling their shares. All dividends and other
distributions on a trust's shares are reinvested in full. The Boards of
Trustee of The Hudson River Trust and EQ Advisors Trust each may establish
additional Portfolios or eliminate existing Portfolios at any time. More
detailed information about The Hudson River Trust and EQ Advisors Trust, their
investment objectives, policies, restrictions, risks, expenses, the Rule 12b-1
plans relating to the Class IB shares of The Hudson River Trust and EQ
Advisors Trust, and other aspects of their operations, appears in their
prospectuses attached at the end of this prospectus, or in their SAIs which
are available upon request.
PROPOSED SUBSTITUTION OF PORTFOLIOS. We are asking the SEC to approve the
substitution of newly created Portfolios of the EQ Advisors Trust for each of
The Hudson River Trust Portfolios currently available under the variable
investment options (the "Substitution"). The EQ Advisors Trust Portfolios will
have substantially identical investment objectives, strategies, and policies
as those of The Hudson
<PAGE>
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MORE INFORMATION 59
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River Trust Portfolios they would replace. The assets of any Portfolio of The
Hudson River Trust underlying your contract would be transferred to the
substituted EQ Advisors Trust Portfolio.
We believe that this Substitution will be in your best interest because you
would have a single set of variable investment options with similar advisory
structures. You also will have a single EQ Advisors Trust prospectus for all
the Portfolios, rather than the two separate prospectuses you now receive. EQ
Financial Consultants Inc. will be the manager of the new EQ Advisors Trust
Portfolios, and Alliance Capital Management L.P. will continue to provide the
day-to-day advisory services to each of the new Portfolios.
You should note that:
o No action is required on your part. You will not need to vote a proxy, file
a new election, or take any other action if the SEC approves the
Substitution.
o The elections you have on file for allocating your account value and
contributions will remain unchanged until you direct us otherwise.
o We will bear all expenses directly relating to the Substitution
transaction.
o The management fees for the new Portfolios will be the same as those for
the corresponding Portfolios of The Hudson River Trust. Certain of the new
EQ Advisors Trust Portfolios may have slightly higher expense ratios.
o On the effective date of the Substitution transaction, your account value
(i.e., the units you own) in the variable investment options will be the
same as before the transaction.
o The Substitution will have no tax consequences for you.
Please review the EQ Advisors Trust prospectus that accompanies this
prospectus. It contains more information about EQ Advisors Trust, including
its management structure, advisory arrangements, and general fees and expenses
that will be of interest to you.
Subject to SEC approval, we expect the Substitution to be completed in the
fall of 1999. It will affect everyone who has a balance in The Hudson River
Trust Portfolios at that time. Of course, you may transfer your account value
among the investment options, as usual.
We will notify you when we receive SEC approval and the Substitution is
complete.
ABOUT OUR FIXED MATURITY OPTIONS
RATES TO MATURITY AND PRICE PER $100 OF MATURITY VALUE
We can determine the amount required to be allocated to one or more fixed
maturity options in order to produce specified maturity values. For example,
we can tell you how much you need to allocate per $100 of maturity value.
The rates to maturity for new allocations as of July 15, 1999 and the related
price per $100 of maturity value were as follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIXED MATURITY
OPTIONS
WITH JUNE 15TH
MATURITY DATE RATE TO MATURITY AS PRICE
OF OF PER $100 OF
MATURITY YEAR JULY 15, 1999 MATURITY VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 4.10% $ 96.38
2001 4.90% $ 91.23
2002 5.25% $ 86.13
2003 5.55% $ 80.93
2004 5.60% $ 76.49
2005 5.70% $ 72.03
2006 5.75% $ 67.93
2007 5.80% $ 63.99
2008 5.90% $ 59.98
2009 5.95% $ 56.37
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOW WE DETERMINE THE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
We use the following procedure to calculate the market value adjustment (up or
down) we make if you withdraw all of your value from a fixed maturity option
before its maturity date.
(1) We determine the market adjusted amount on the date of the withdrawal as
follows:
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60 MORE INFORMATION
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(a) We determine the fixed maturity amount that would be payable on the
maturity date, using the rate to maturity for the fixed maturity
option.
(b) We determine the period remaining in your fixed maturity option (based
on the withdrawal date) and convert it to fractional years based on
a 365-day year. For example, three years and 12 days becomes 3.0329.
(c) We determine the current rate to maturity that applies on the
withdrawal date to new allocations to the same fixed maturity
option.
(d) We determine the present value of the fixed maturity amount payable at
the maturity date, using the period determined in (b) and the rate
determined in (c).
(2) We determine the fixed maturity amount as of the current date.
(3) We subtract (2) from the result in (1)(d). The result is the market value
adjustment applicable to such fixed maturity option, which may be
positive or negative.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your market adjusted amount is the present value of the maturity value
discounted at the rate to maturity in effect for new contributions to that
same fixed maturity option on the date of the calculation.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you withdraw only a portion of the amount in a fixed maturity option, the
market value adjustment will be a percentage of the market value adjustment
that would have applied if you had withdrawn the entire value in that fixed
maturity option. This percentage is equal to the percentage of the value in
the fixed maturity option that you are withdrawing. Any withdrawal charges
that are deducted from a fixed maturity option will result in a market value
adjustment calculated in the same way. See Appendix II for an example.
For purposes of calculating the rate to maturity for new allocations to a
fixed maturity option (see (1)(c) above), we use the rate we have in effect
for new allocations to that fixed maturity option. We use this rate even if
new allocations to that option would not be accepted at that time. This rate
will not be less than 3%. If we do not have a rate to maturity in effect for a
fixed maturity option to which the "current rate to maturity" in (1)(c) above
would apply, we will use the rate at the next closest maturity date. If we are
no longer offering new fixed maturity options, the "current rate to maturity"
will be determined in accordance with our procedures then in effect. We
reserve the right to add up to 0.50% to the current rate in (1)(c) above for
purposes of calculating the market value adjustment only.
INVESTMENTS UNDER THE FIXED MATURITY OPTIONS
Amounts allocated to the fixed maturity options are held in a "nonunitized"
separate account we have established under the New York Insurance Law. This
separate account provides an additional measure of assurance that we will make
full payment of amounts due under the fixed maturity options. Under New York
Insurance Law, the portion of the separate account's assets equal to the
reserves and other contract liabilities relating to the contracts are not
chargeable with liabilities from any other business we may conduct. We own the
assets of the separate account, as well as any favorable investment
performance on those assets. You do not participate in the performance of the
assets held in this separate account. We may, subject to state law that
applies, transfer all assets allocated to the separate account to our general
account. We guarantee all benefits relating to your value in the fixed
maturity options, regardless of whether assets supporting fixed maturity
options are held in a separate account or our general account.
We have no specific formula for establishing the rates to maturity for the
fixed maturity options. We expect the rates to be influenced by, but not
necessarily correspond to, among other things, the yields that we can expect
to realize on the separate account's investments from time to time. Our
current plans are to invest in fixed-income obligations, including corporate
bonds, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities and government and agency
issues having durations in the aggregate consistent with those of the fixed
maturity options.
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MORE INFORMATION 61
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Although the above generally describes our plans for investing the assets
supporting our obligations under the fixed maturity options under the
contracts, we are not obligated to invest those assets according to any
particular plan except as we may be required to by state insurance laws. We
will not determine the rates to maturity we establish by the performance of
the nonunitized separate account.
ABOUT THE GENERAL ACCOUNT
Our general account supports all of our policy and contract guarantees,
including those that apply to the guaranteed interest option and the fixed
maturity options, as well as our general obligations.
The general account is subject to regulation and supervision by the Insurance
Department of the State of New York and to the insurance laws and regulations
of all jurisdictions where we are authorized to do business. Because of
exemptions and exclusionary provisions that apply, interests in the general
account have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, nor is the
general account an investment company under the Investment Company Act of
1940. However, the market value adjustment interests under the contracts are
registered under the Securities Act of 1933.
We have been advised that the staff of the SEC has not reviewed the portions
of this prospectus that relate to the general account (other than market value
adjustment interests). The disclosure with regard to general accounts,
however, may be subject to certain provisions of the federal securities laws
relating to the accuracy and completeness of statements made in prospectuses.
ABOUT OTHER METHODS OF PAYMENT
AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PROGRAM - FOR NQ, TRADITIONAL IRA, AND ROTH IRA CONTRACTS
You may use our automatic investment program, or "AIP," to have a specified
amount automatically deducted from a bank checking account, bank money market
account, or credit union checking account and contributed as an additional
contribution into an NQ, Traditional IRA, or Roth IRA contract on a monthly
basis.
AIP additional contributions may be allocated to any of the variable
investment options and the guaranteed interest option, but not the fixed
maturity options. Our minimum contribution amount requirement is $20. You
choose the day of the month you wish to have your account debited. However,
you may not choose a date later than the 28th day of the month.
You may cancel AIP at any time by notifying our Processing Office. We are not
responsible for any debits made to your account before the time written notice
of cancellation is received at our Processing Office.
PAYROLL DEDUCTION PROGRAM. You can authorize your employer to remit your IRA
contributions to us if your employer has a payroll deduction program. Those
contributions are still your contributions, not your employer's.
WIRE TRANSFERS. You may also send your contributions by wire transfer from
your bank.
DATES AND PRICES AT WHICH CONTRACT EVENTS OCCUR
We describe below the general rules for when, and at what prices, events under
your contract will occur. Other portions of this prospectus describe
circumstances that may cause exceptions. We generally do not repeat those
exceptions below.
BUSINESS DAY
Our business day is any day on which Equitable Life is open and the New York
Stock Exchange is open for trading. We are closed on national business
holidays including Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the Friday after
Thanksgiving. Additionally, we may choose to close on the day immediately
preceding or following a national business holiday or due to emergency
conditions. Our business day ends at 4:00 p.m., Eastern time for purposes of
determining the date when contributions are applied and any other transaction
requests
<PAGE>
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62 MORE INFORMATION
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are processed. Contributions will be applied and any other transaction
requests will be processed when they are received along with all the required
information unless another date applies as indicated below.
o If your contribution, transfer, or any other transaction request,
containing all the required information, reaches us on a non-business day
or after 4:00 p.m. on a business day, we will use the next business day.
o When a charge is to be deducted on a contract date anniversary that is a
non-business day, we will deduct the charge on the next business day.
o Quarterly rebalancing will be processed on a calendar year basis and
semiannual or annual rebalancing will be processed on the first business
day of the month. Rebalancing will not be done retroactively.
CONTRIBUTIONS AND TRANSFERS
o Contributions allocated to the variable investment options are invested at
the unit value next determined after the close of the business day.
o Contributions allocated to a fixed maturity option will receive the rate to
maturity in effect for that fixed maturity option on that business day.
o Contributions allocated to the guaranteed interest option will receive the
guaranteed interest rate in effect on that business day.
o If a fixed maturity option is scheduled to mature on June 15th and June
15th is a non-business day, that fixed maturity option will mature on the
prior business day.
o Transfers to or from variable investment options will be made at the unit
value next determined after the close of the business day.
o Transfers to the guaranteed interest option will receive the guaranteed
interest rate in effect on that business day.
o Transfers to a fixed maturity option will receive the rate to maturity in
effect for that fixed maturity option on that business day.
o Transfers out of a fixed maturity option will be at the market adjusted
amount on that business day.
o For the fixed-dollar option, the first monthly transfer will occur on the
last business day of the month in which we receive your election form at
our Processing Office.
o For the interest sweep, the first monthly transfer will occur on the last
business day of the month following the month that we receive your
election form at our Processing Office.
ABOUT YOUR VOTING RIGHTS
As the owner of the shares of The Hudson River Trust and EQ Advisors Trust we
have the right to vote on certain matters involving the Portfolios, such as:
o the election of trustees; or
o the formal approval of independent auditors selected for each trust; or
o any other matters described in the prospectuses for the trusts or requiring
a shareholders' vote under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
We will give contract owners the opportunity to instruct us how to vote the
number of shares attributable to their contracts if a shareholder vote is
taken. If we do not receive instructions in time from all contract owners, we
will vote the shares of a Portfolio for which no instructions have been
received in the same proportion as we vote shares of that Portfolio for which
we have received instructions. We will also vote any shares that we are
entitled to vote directly because of amounts we have in a Portfolio in the
same proportions that contract owners vote.
VOTING RIGHTS OF OTHERS
Currently, we control each trust. EQ Advisors Trust shares are sold only to
our separate accounts and an affiliated qualified plan trust. The Hudson River
Trust shares are also held by separate accounts of ours and by separate
accounts of insurance companies unaffiliated with us. Shares held by these
separate accounts will probably be voted according to the instructions of the
owners of insurance policies and
<PAGE>
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MORE INFORMATION 63
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contracts issued by those insurance companies. While this will dilute the
effect of the voting instructions of the contract owners, we currently do not
foresee any disadvantages because of this. The Hudson River Trust Board of
Trustees intends to monitor events in order to identify any material
irreconcilable conflicts that may arise and to determine what action, if any,
should be taken in response. If we believe that a response to any of those
events insufficiently protects our contract owners, we will see to it that
appropriate action is taken.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A VOTING RIGHTS
If actions relating to Separate Account A require contract owner approval,
contract owners will be entitled to one vote for each unit they have in the
variable investment options. Each contract owner who has elected a variable
annuity payout option may cast the number of votes equal to the dollar amount
of reserves we are holding for that annuity in a variable investment option
divided by the annuity unit value for that option. We will cast votes
attributable to any amounts we have in the variable investment options in the
same proportion as votes cast by contract owners.
CHANGES IN APPLICABLE LAW
The voting rights we describe in this prospectus are created under applicable
federal securities laws. To the extent that those laws or the regulations
published under those laws eliminate the necessity to submit matters for
approval by persons having voting rights in separate accounts of insurance
companies, we reserve the right to proceed in accordance with those laws or
regulations.
ABOUT OUR YEAR 2000 PROGRESS
Equitable Life relies upon various computer systems in order to administer
your contract and operate the investment options. Some of these systems belong
to service providers who are not affiliated with Equitable Life.
In 1995, Equitable Life began addressing the question of whether its computer
systems would recognize the year 2000 before, on or after January 1, 2000, and
Equitable Life has identified those of its systems critical to business
operations that were not year 2000 compliant. Equitable Life has completed the
work of modifying or replacing non-compliant systems and has confirmed,
through testing, that its systems are year 2000 compliant. Equitable Life has
contacted third-party vendors and service providers to seek confirmation that
they are acting to address the year 2000 issue with the goal of avoiding any
material adverse effect on services provided to contract owners and on
operations of the investment options. All third-party vendors and service
providers considered critical to Equitable Life's business, have provided us
confirmation of their year 2000 compliance or a satisfactory plan for
compliance. With respect to vendors and service providers considered
non-critical, we believe we are on schedule for substantially all such vendors
and service providers to be confirmed by September 30, 1999 as year 2000
compliant or the subject of a satisfactory plan for compliance. If such
confirmation is not received by September 30, 1999 the vendor or service
provider will be replaced, eliminated or the subject of contingency plans.
Additionally, Equitable Life has supplemented its existing business continuity
and disaster recovery plans to cover certain categories of contingencies that
could arise as a result of year 2000 related failures.
There are many risks associated with year 2000 issues, including the risk that
Equitable Life's computer systems will not operate as intended. Additionally,
there can be no assurance that the systems of third parties will be year 2000
compliant. Any significant unresolved difficulty related to the year 2000
compliance initiatives could result in an interruption in, or a failure of,
normal business operations and, accordingly, could have a material adverse
effect on our ability to administer your contract and operate the investment
options.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, the foregoing year 2000 discussion is
a "Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure" within the meaning of The Year 2000
Information and Readiness Disclosure Act, (P.L. 105-271) (1998).
<PAGE>
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64 MORE INFORMATION
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ABOUT LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Equitable Life and its affiliates are parties to various legal proceedings. In
our view, none of these proceedings is likely to have a material adverse
effect upon Separate Account A, our ability to meet our obligations under the
contracts, or the distribution of the contracts.
ABOUT OUR INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The financial statements of Equitable Life incorporated in this prospectus by
reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and
for the three years ended December 31, 1998, have been so incorporated in
reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants,
given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
TRANSFERS OF OWNERSHIP, COLLATERAL ASSIGNMENTS, LOANS, AND BORROWING
You can transfer ownership of an NQ contract at any time before annuity
payments begin. We will continue to treat you as the owner until we receive
written notification of any change at our Processing Office. You cannot assign
your NQ contract as collateral or security for a loan. Loans are also not
available under your NQ contract. In some cases, an assignment or change of
ownership may have adverse tax consequences. See "Tax information" earlier in
this prospectus.
You cannot assign or transfer ownership of a Traditional IRA, QP IRA or Roth
IRA contract except by surrender to us. Loans are not available and you cannot
assign Traditional IRA, QP IRA and Roth IRA contracts as security for a loan
or other obligation.
For limited transfers of ownership after the owner's death see "Payment of
death benefit" and "Beneficiary continuation option under Traditional IRA and
QP IRA contracts." You may direct the transfer of the values under your
Traditional IRA, QP IRA and Roth IRA contract to another similar arrangement.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE CONTRACTS
Equitable Financial Consultants, Inc. ("EQF"), an indirect, wholly owned
subsidiary of Equitable Life, is the distributor of the contracts and has
responsibility for sales and marketing functions for Separate Account A. EQF
serves as the principal underwriter of Separate Account A. EQF is registered
with the SEC as a broker-dealer and is a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. EQF's principal business address is 1290 Avenue of
the Americas, New York, NY 10104. Under a Distribution and Servicing Agreement
between EQF, Equitable life, and certain of Equitable Life's separate
accounts, including Separate Account A, Equitable Life paid EQF fees of
$325,380 for 1998 and $325,380 for 1997, as distributor of certain contracts
and as the principal underwriter of certain separate accounts, including
Separate Account A. By year end 1999, EQF plans to become AXA Advisors, LLC,
and will become a subsidiary of AXA Financial, Inc.
The contracts will be sold by registered representatives of EQF and its
affiliates, who are also our licensed insurance agents. EQF may also receive
compensation and reimbursement for its marketing services under the terms of
its distribution agreements with Equitable Life. The offering of the contracts
is intended to be continuous.
<PAGE>
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INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE 65
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9
Investment performance
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We provide the following tables to show five different measurements of the
investment performance of the variable investment options and/or the
Portfolios in which they invest. We include these tables because they may be
of general interest to you. THE RESULTS SHOWN REFLECT PAST PERFORMANCE. THEY
DO NOT INDICATE HOW THE VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS MAY PERFORM IN THE FUTURE.
THEY ALSO DO NOT REPRESENT THE RESULTS EARNED BY ANY PARTICULAR INVESTOR. YOUR
RESULTS WILL DIFFER.
Table 1 shows the average annual total return of the variable investment
options. Average annual total return is the annual rate of growth that would
be necessary to achieve the ending value of a contribution invested in the
variable investment options for the periods shown.
Table 2 shows the growth of a hypothetical $1,000 investment in the variable
investment options over the periods shown. Both Tables 1 and 2 take into
account all fees and charges under the contract, but do not reflect the
charges for any applicable taxes such as premium taxes, or any applicable
annuity administrative fee.
Tables 3, 4 and 5 show the rates of return of the variable investment options
on an annualized, cumulative, and year-by-year basis. These tables take into
account all fees and charges under the contract, but do not reflect the annual
administrative charge, any withdrawal charge, ratcheted death benefit charge,
charges for any applicable taxes such as premium taxes, or any applicable
annuity administrative fee. If the charges were reflected they would
effectively reduce the rates of return shown.
In all cases the results shown are based on the actual historical investment
experience of the Portfolios in which the variable investment options invest.
In some cases, the results shown relate to periods when the variable
investment options and/or the contracts were not available. In those cases, we
adjusted the results of the Portfolios to reflect the charges under the
contracts that would have applied had the investment options and/or contracts
been available. The contracts are being offered for the first time as of the
date of this prospectus.
In addition, we have adjusted the results prior to October 1996, when The
Hudson River Trust Class 1B shares were not available, to reflect the 12b-1
fees currently imposed. Finally, the results shown for the Alliance Money
Market, Alliance Balanced, Alliance Common Stock and Alliance Aggressive Stock
options for periods before those options were operated as part of a unit
investment trust reflect the results of the separate accounts that preceded
them. The "Since portfolio inception" figures for these options are based on
the date of inception of the preceding separate accounts. We have adjusted
these results to reflect the fee and expense structure in effect for Separate
Account A as a unit investment trust. See "The Reorganization" in the SAI for
additional information.
All rates of return presented are time-weighted and include reinvestment of
investment income, including interest and dividends.
BENCHMARKS
Tables 3 and 4 compare the performance of variable investment options to
market indices that serve as benchmarks. Market indices are not subject to any
charges for investment advisory fees, brokerage commission or other operating
expenses typically associated with a managed portfolio. Also, they do not
reflect other charges such as the mortality and expense risks and other
expense charges, administrative charge, or any withdrawal charge or optional
ratcheted death benefit charge, under the contracts. Comparisons with these
benchmarks, therefore, may be of limited use. We include them because they are
widely known and may help you to understand the universe of securities from
which each Portfolio is likely to select its holdings. Benchmark data reflect
the reinvestment of dividend income. The benchmarks include:
<PAGE>
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66 INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
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ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE STOCK: 50% Russell 2000 Index and 50%
Standard & Poor's Mid-Cap Total Return Index.
ALLIANCE BALANCED: 50% Standard & Poor's 500 and 50% Lehman
Government/Corporate Bond Index.
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK: Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
ALLIANCE CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS: 70% Lehman Treasury Bond
Composite Index and 30% Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
ALLIANCE EQUITY INDEX: Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
ALLIANCE GLOBAL: Morgan Stanley Capital International World Index.
ALLIANCE GROWTH & INCOME: 75% Standard & Poor's 500 Index
and 25% Value Line Convertibles Index.
ALLIANCE GROWTH INVESTORS: 30% Lehman Government/Corporate
Bond Index and 70% Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD: Merrill Lynch High Yield Master Index.
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES: Lehman
Intermediate Government Bond Index.
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL: Morgan Stanley Capital International
Europe, Australia, Far East Index.
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET: Salomon Brothers Three-Month T-Bill
Index.
ALLIANCE QUALITY BOND: Lehman Aggregate Bond Index.
ALLIANCE SMALL CAP GROWTH: Russell 2000 Growth Index.
EQ/ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH: Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
CAPITAL GUARDIAN RESEARCH: Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
CAPITAL GUARDIAN U.S. EQUITY: Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
EQ/EVERGREEN: Russell 2000 Index.
EQ/EVERGREEN FOUNDATION: 60% Standard & Poor's 500
Index/40% Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index.
MFS EMERGING GROWTH COMPANIES: Russell 2000 Index.
MFS GROWTH WITH INCOME: Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
MFS RESEARCH: Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE EQUITY: Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
MERRILL LYNCH STRATEGY: 36% Standard & Poor's 500 Index/24%
Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australia, Far East
Index/21% Salomon Brothers U.S. Treasury Bond 1 Year+ 14%
Salomon Brothers World Government Bond (excluding U.S.)/and
5% Three-Month U.S. Treasury Bill.
MORGAN STANLEY EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY: Morgan Stanley
Capital International Emerging Markets Free Price Return Index.
EQ/PUTNAM BALANCED: 60% Standard & Poor's 500 Index and 40%
Lehman Government/Corporate Bond Index.
EQ/PUTNAM GROWTH & INCOME VALUE: Standard & Poor's 500
Index.
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY INCOME: Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK: Morgan Stanley Capital
International Europe, Australia, Far East Index.
WARBURG PINCUS SMALL COMPANY VALUE: Russell 2000 Index.
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LIPPER SURVEY. The Lipper Variable Insurance Products Performance Analysis
Survey (Lipper Survey) records the performance of a large group of variable
annuity products, including managed separate accounts of insurance companies.
According to Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., (Lipper), the data are
presented net of investment management fees, direct operating expenses and
asset-based charges applicable under annuity contracts. Lipper data provide a
more accurate picture than market benchmarks of the EQUI-VEST performance
relative to other variable annuity products.
<PAGE>
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INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE 67
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TABLE 1
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN UNDER A CONTRACT SURRENDERED ON DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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LENGTH OF INVESTMENT PERIOD
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SINCE SINCE
1 3 5 10 OPTION PORTFOLIO
VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS YEAR YEARS YEARS YEARS INCEPTION* INCEPTION**
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Aggressive Stock (8.11)% 5.01% 6.70% 15.83% - -
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Alliance Balanced 8.28% 9.28% 5.84% 9.04% - -
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Alliance Common Stock 19.00% 22.14% 17.40% 15.12% - -
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Alliance Conservative Investors 4.40% 5.00% 4.37% - 4.47% 6.12%
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Alliance Equity Index 17.73% 22.16% - - 21.48% 19.84%
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Alliance Global 11.67% 10.30% 9.50% 11.27% 9.41% -
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Alliance Growth & Income 10.80% 17.02% 13.19% - 13.31% 12.12%
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Alliance Growth Investors 8.39% 10.25% 8.96% - 9.14% 12.55%
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Alliance High Yield (13.05)% 5.69% 5.20% 7.50% 5.15% -
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Alliance Intermediate Government Securities (1.24)% 0.61% 0.23% - 1.42% 3.06%
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Alliance International 1.36% (0.06)% - - 0.72% 1.85%
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Alliance Money Market (3.44)% (0.26)% 0.04% 1.51% - -
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Alliance Quality Bond (0.37)% 2.03% 1.65% - 1.70% 1.09%
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Alliance Small Cap Growth (12.29)% - - - (1.14)% 5.06%
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MFS Emerging Growth Companies 24.25% - - - 22.47% 27.59%
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MFS Research 14.16% - - - 13.63% 17.26%
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Merrill Lynch Basic Value Equity 2.53% - - - 6.00% 10.26%
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Merrill Lynch World Strategy (1.84)% - - - (2.62)% 0.35%
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Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Equity (32.94)% - - - (37.24)% (37.24)%
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E/Q Putnam Balanced 2.74% - - - 6.92% 8.89%
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E/Q Putnam Growth & Income Value 3.67% - - - 7.68% 10.55%
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T. Rowe Price Equity Income 0.22% - - - 9.00% 11.66%
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T. Rowe Price International Stock 4.47% - - - (1.72)% 0.42%
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Warburg Pincus Small Company Value (17.31)% - - - (6.07)% (2.16)%
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</TABLE>
* The variable investment option inception dates are: Alliance Aggressive
Stock (5/1/84), Alliance Balanced (5/1/84), Alliance Common Stock
(8/27/81), Alliance Conservative Investors (1/4/94), Alliance Equity
Index (6/1/94), Alliance Global (1/4/94), Alliance Growth & Income
(1/4/94), Alliance Growth Investors (1/4/94), Alliance High Yield
(1/4/94), Alliance Intermediate Government Securities (6/1/94), Alliance
International (9/1/95), Alliance Money Market (5/11/82), Alliance Quality
Bond (1/4/94), Alliance Small Cap Growth (6/2/97), MFS Emerging Growth
Companies (6/2/97), MFS Research (6/2/97), Merrill Lynch Basic Value
Equity (6/2/97), Merrill Lynch World Strategy (6/2/97), Morgan Stanley
Emerging Markets Equity (8/20/97), EQ/Putnam Balanced (6/2/97), EQ/Putnam
Growth & Income Value (6/2/97), T. Rowe Price Equity Income (6/2/97), T.
Rowe Price International Stock (6/2/97), Warburg Pincus Small Company
Value (6/2/97). The inception dates for the options that became available
on or after December 31, 1998 and are therefore not shown in this table
are: EQ/Evergreen, EQ/Evergreen Foundation, and MFS Growth with Income
(December 31, 1998), EQ/Alliance Premier Growth, Capital Guardian
Research, and Capital Guardian U.S. Equity (April 30, 1999.)
** The Portfolio inception dates are: Alliance Aggressive Stock (5/1/84),
Alliance Balanced (5/1/84), Alliance Common Stock (8/1/68), Alliance
Conservative Investors (10/2/89), Alliance Equity Index (3/1/94),
Alliance Global (8/27/87), Alliance
<PAGE>
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68 INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
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Growth & Income (10/1/93), Alliance Growth Investors (10/2/89), Alliance
High Yield (1/2/87), Alliance Intermediate Government Securities (4/1/91),
Alliance International (4/3/95), Alliance Money Market (5/11/82), Alliance
Quality Bond (10/1/93), Alliance Small Cap Growth (5/1/97), MFS Emerging
Growth Companies (5/1/97), MFS Research (5/1/97), Merrill Lynch Basic Value
Equity (5/1/97), Merrill Lynch World Strategy (5/1/97), Morgan Stanley
Emerging Markets Equity (8/20/97), EQ/Putnam Balanced (5/1/97), EQ/Putnam
Growth & Income Value (5/1/97), T. Rowe Price Equity Income (5/1/97), T.
Rowe Price International Stock (5/1/97), Warburg Pincus Small Company Value
(5/1/97). The inception dates for the Portfolios that became available on
or after December 31, 1998 and are therefore not shown in this table are:
EQ/Evergreen, EQ/Evergreen Foundation, and MFS Growth with Income (December
31, 1998), EQ/Alliance Premier Growth, Capital Guardian Research, and
Capital Guardian U.S. Equity (April 30, 1999.)
<PAGE>
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INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE 69
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TABLE 2
GROWTH OF $1,000 UNDER A CONTRACT SURRENDERED ON DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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LENGTH OF INVESTMENT PERIOD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SINCE
1 3 5 10 PORTFOLIO
VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS YEAR YEARS YEARS YEARS INCEPTION*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Aggressive Stock $ 918.94 $1,158.01 $1,383.14 $4,347.68 -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Balanced $1,082.81 $1,305.16 $1,328.30 $2,376.23 -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Common Stock $1,190.01 $1,822.21 $2,230.22 $4,089.48 -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Conservative Investors $1,043.96 $1,157.64 $1,238.46 - $1,732.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Equity Index $1,177.27 $1,822.90 - - $2,400.74
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global $1,116.68 $1,341.98 $1,574.10 $2,908.79 -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Growth & Income $1,107.95 $1,602.32 $1,858.21 - $1,823.68
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Growth Investors $1,083.87 $1,339.97 $1,535.49 - $2,984.94
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance High Yield $ 869.48 $1,180.45 $1,288.21 $2,060.20 -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Intermediate Government Securities $ 987.64 $1,018.39 $1,011.47 - $1,263.61
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance International $1,013.64 $ 998.33 - - $1,071.09
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Money Market $ 965.57 $ 992.22 $1,002.02 $1,162.00 -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Quality Bond $ 996.29 $1,062.24 $1,085.03 - $1,058.60
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Small Cap Growth $ 877.09 - - - $1,086.02
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS Emerging Growth Companies $1,242.46 - - - $1,502.59
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS Research $1,141.64 - - - $1,304.87
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch Basic Value Equity $1,025.29 - - - $1,177.38
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch World Strategy $ 981.56 - - - $1,005.94
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Equity $ 670.57 - - - $ 528.92
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E/Q Putnam Balanced $1,027.41 - - - $1,153.02
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E/Q Putnam Growth & Income Value $1,036.67 - - - $1,182.49
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price Equity Income $1,002.23 - - - $1,202.36
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price International Stock $1,044.72 - - - $1,007.09
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Small Company Value $ 826.91 - - - $ 964.11
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* Portfolio inception dates are shown in Table 1.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
70 INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE 3
ANNUALIZED RATES OF RETURN FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
portfolio
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years 20 years inception*
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE STOCK (1.19)% 9.12% 9.83% 17.17% - 15.80%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Mid-Cap Growth 12.16% 16.33% 14.87% 15.44% - 13.95%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 8.28% 17.77% 15.56% 16.49% - 15.78%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE BALANCED 16.43% 13.25% 9.22% 10.99% - 10.70%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Balanced 13.48% 15.79% 13.84% 12.97% - 13.56%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 19.02% 18.70% 16.88% 15.21% - 15.37%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK 27.55% 25.79% 20.17% 16.97% 17.03% 11.90%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Growth 22.86% 22.23% 18.63% 16.72% 16.30% 11.34%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 28.58% 28.23% 24.06% 19.21% 17.76% 12.75%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS 12.25% 9.11% 7.82% - - 8.42%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Income 14.20% 15.62% 14.31% - - 12.55%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 15.59% 14.45% 13.37% - - 12.08%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE EQUITY INDEX 26.25% 25.79% - - - 22.57%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper S&P 500 Index Funds 28.05% 27.67% - - - 24.31%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 28.58% 28.23% - - - 24.79%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GLOBAL 20.07% 14.24% 12.62% 13.16% - 10.92%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Global 14.34% 14.67% 11.98% 11.21% - 9.64%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 24.34% 17.77% 15.68% 10.66% - 9.55%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GROWTH & INCOME 19.13% 20.78% 16.13% - - 15.17%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Growth & Income 15.61% 21.25% 18.35% - - 17.89%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 20.10% 23.99% 21.07% - - 20.48%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GROWTH INVESTORS 16.54% 14.19% 12.11% - - 14.34%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Flexible Portfolio 14.20% 15.62% 14.31% - - 12.55%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 22.85% 22.69% 19.96% - - 15.55%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD (6.51)% 9.77% 8.42% 9.58% - 8.92%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper High Yield ( 0.44)% 8.21% 7.37% 9.34% - 8.97%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 3.66% 9.11% 9.01% 11.08% - 10.72%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT
SECURITIES 6.20% 4.73% 3.87% - - 5.56%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper U.S. Government 7.68% 6.21% 5.91% - - 7.25%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 8.49% 6.74% 6.45% - - 7.60%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL 8.99% 4.05% - - - 5.78%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper International 13.02% 9.94% - - - 10.74%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 20.00% 9.00% - - - 9.68%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET 3.82% 3.85% 3.66% 4.09% - 5.25%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Money Market 4.84% 4.87% 4.77% 5.20% - 6.34%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 5.05% 5.18% 5.11% 5.44% 6.41%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE 71
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE 3 (CONTINUED)
ANNUALIZED RATES OF RETURN FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since
portfolio
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years 20 years inception*
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE QUALITY BOND 7.13% 6.17% 5.24% - - 4.81%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Corporate Bond A-Rated 7.47% 6.38% 6.54% - - 6.21%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 8.69% 7.29% 7.27% - - 6.92%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE SMALL CAP GROWTH (5.69)% - - - - 10.63%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Small-Cap (0.33)% - - - - 16.72%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 1.23% - - - - 16.58%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS EMERGING GROWTH COMPANIES 32.90% - - - - 33.24%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Mid-Cap 15.97% - - - - 22.72%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark (2.54)% - - - - 14.53%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS RESEARCH 22.62% - - - - 22.95%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Growth 25.82% - - - - 28.73%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 28.58% - - - - 31.63%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE EQUITY 10.24% - - - - 15.93%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Growth & Income 15.54% - - - - 21.32%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 28.58% - - - - 31.63%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH WORLD STRATEGY 5.54% - - - - 5.66%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Global Flexible Portfolio 9.34% - - - - 11.15%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 19.55% - - - - 20.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MORGAN STANLEY EMERGING MARKETS
EQUITY (27.90)% - - - - (33.52)%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Emerging Markets (30.50)% - - - - (36.28)%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark (25.34)% - - - - (28.92)%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/PUTNAM BALANCED 10.47% - - - - 14.56%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Balanced 14.61% - - - - 17.83%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 21.36% - - - - 23.48%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/PUTNAM GROWTH & INCOME VALUE 11.47% - - - - 16.22%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Growth & Income 15.54% - - - - 21.32%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 28.58% - - - - 31.63%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY INCOME 7.76% - - - - 17.33%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Equity Income 10.76% - - - - 19.07%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 28.58% - - - - 31.63%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK 12.33% - - - - 5.74%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper International 12.17% - - - - 9.06%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 20.00% - - - - 13.43%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS SMALL COMPANY
VALUE (11.09)% - - - - 3.01%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Small-Cap 1.53% - - - - 16.77%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark (2.54)% - - - - 14.53%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* Portfolio inception dates are shown in Table 1.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
72 INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE 4
CUMULATIVE RATES OF RETURN FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SINCE
PORTFOLIO
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS 20 YEARS INCEPTION*
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE STOCK (1.19)% 29.95% 59.84% 387.82% - 759.93%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Mid-Cap Growth 12.16% 58.64% 102.73% 334.88% - 613.05%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 8.28% 63.35% 106.12% 360.30% - 759.55%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE BALANCED 16.43% 45.27% 55.44% 183.58% - 344.46%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Balanced 13.48% 55.60% 91.92% 240.69% - 553.21%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 19.02% 67.24% 118.08% 311.86% - 715.64%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK 27.55% 99.03% 150.65% 379.60% 2,223.36% 2,957.30%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Growth 22.86% 84.52% 138.97% 388.00% 2,185.68% 1,203.81%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 28.58% 110.85% 193.91% 479.62% 2,530.43% 3,755.68%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS 12.25% 29.91% 45.74% - - 111.22%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Income 14.20% 55.28% 97.15% - - 202.48%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 15.59% 49.92% 87.28% - - 187.40%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE EQUITY INDEX 26.25% 99.06% - - - 167.54%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper S&P 500 Index Funds 28.05% 108.12% - - - 186.34%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 28.58% 110.85% - - - 192.17%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GLOBAL 20.07% 49.10% 81.15% 244.24% - 224.14%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Global 14.34% 51.58% 77.94% 194.96% - 188.08%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 24.34% 63.34% 107.19% 175.31% - 181.57%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GROWTH & INCOME 19.13% 76.21% 111.23% - - 109.92%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Growth & Income 15.61% 79.05% 133.95% - - 139.10%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 20.10% 90.62% 160.09% - - 166.00%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GROWTH INVESTORS 16.54% 48.89% 77.08% - - 245.21%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Flexible Portfolio 14.20% 55.28% 97.15% - - 202.45%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 22.85% 84.68% 148.41% - - 280.88%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD (6.51)% 32.28% 49.83% 149.64% - 178.62%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper High Yield (0.44)% 26.80% 43.00% 145.62% - 182.21%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 3.66% 29.90% 53.96% 186.01% - 239.69%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE
GOVERNMENT SECURITIES 6.20% 14.86% 20.93% - - 52.12%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper U.S. Government 7.68% 19.84% 33.36% - - 72.35%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 8.49% 21.61% 36.71% - - 76.55%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL 8.99% 12.66% - - - 23.41%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper International 13.02% 33.62% - - - 47.74%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 20.00% 29.52% - - - 41.40%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET 3.82% 11.99% 19.68% 49.28% - 134.48%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Money Market 4.84% 15.34% 26.25% 66.09% - 178.83%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 5.05% 16.35% 28.27% 69.88% - 181.74%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE 73
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE 4 (CONTINUED)
CUMULATIVE RATES OF RETURN FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SINCE
PORTFOLIO
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS 20 YEARS INCEPTION*
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ALLIANCE QUALITY BOND 7.13% 19.67% 29.12% - - 28.00 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Corporate Bond A-Rated 7.47% 20.42% 37.37% - - 37.26 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 8.69% 23.51% 42.06% - - 42.14 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE SMALL CAP GROWTH (5.69)% - - - - 18.36 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Small-Cap (0.33)% - - - - 28.98 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 1.23% - - - - 29.23 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS EMERGING GROWTH COMPANIES 32.90% - - - - 61.42 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Mid-Cap 15.97% - - - - 42.16 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark (2.54)% - - - - 25.40 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS RESEARCH 22.62% - - - - 41.16 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Growth 25.82% - - - - 52.86 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 28.58% - - - - 57.60 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE EQUITY 10.24% - - - - 27.97 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Growth & Income 15.54% - - - - 15.59 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 28.58% - - - - 57.60 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH WORLD STRATEGY 5.54% - - - - 9.63 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Global Flexible Portfolio 9.34% - - - - 19.41 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 19.55% - - - - 33.33 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MORGAN STANLEY EMERGING MARKETS
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQUITY (27.90)% - - - - (42.71)%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Emerging Markets (30.50)% - - - - (45.67)%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark (25.34)% - - - - (36.71)%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/PUTNAM BALANCED 10.47% - - - - 25.46 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Balanced 14.61% - - - - 31.59 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 21.36% - - - - 42.22 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/PUTNAM GROWTH & INCOME VALUE 11.47% - - - - 28.50 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Growth & Income 15.54% - - - - 38.49 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 28.58% - - - - 57.60 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY INCOME 7.76% - - - - 30.56 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Equity Income 10.76% - - - - 33.92 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 28.58% - - - - 57.60 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK 12.33% - - - - 9.75 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper International 12.17% - - - - 15.88 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark 20.00% - - - - 23.42 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS SMALL COMPANY
VALUE (11.09)% - - - - (5.07)%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lipper Small-Cap 1.53% - - - - 29.95 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Benchmark (2.54)% - - - - 25.40 %
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* Portfolio inception dates are shown in Table 1.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
74 INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE 5
YEAR-BY-YEAR RATES OF RETURN
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1989 1990 1991 1992 1993
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Alliance Aggressive Stock 42.82% 5.52% 84.47% (4.61)% 15.08%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Balanced 24.66% (1.45)% 40.11% (4.26)% 10.71%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Common Stock 24.12% (9.36)% 35.86% 1.72% 23.07%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Conservative Investors 2.73%+ 4.88% 18.16% 4.27% 9.18%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Equity Index - - - - -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global 24.95% (7.49)% 28.72% (1.96)% 30.27%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Growth & Income - - - - (0.62)%+
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Growth Investors 3.63%+ 9.01% 46.85% 3.42% 13.63%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance High Yield 3.62% (2.54)% 22.72% 10.72% 21.42%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Intermediate Government
Securities - - 10.88%+ 4.08% 9.01%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance International - - - - -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Money Market 7.70% 6.80% 4.69% 2.07% 1.48%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Quality Bond - - - - (0.87)%+
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Small Cap Growth - - - - -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS Emerging Growth Companies - - - - -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS Research - - - - -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch Basic Value Equity - - - - -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch World Strategy - - - - -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets
Equity - - - - -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E/Q Putnam Balanced - - - - -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E/Q Putnam Growth & Income Value - - - - -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price Equity Income - - - - -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price International Stock - - - - -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Small Company
Value - - - - -
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Aggressive Stock (5.24)% 29.81% 20.44% 9.20% (1.19)%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Balanced (9.38)% 18.07% 10.07% 13.35% 16.43%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Common Stock (3.58)% 30.61% 22.50% 27.37% 27.55%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Conservative Investors (5.50)% 18.71% 3.68% 11.62% 12.25%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Equity Index (0.14)%+ 34.60% 20.64% 30.69% 26.25%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Global 3.71% 17.14% 12.96% 9.93% 20.07%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Growth & Income (2.02)% 22.34% 18.37% 24.95% 19.13%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Growth Investors (4.56)% 24.61% 10.99% 15.11% 16.54%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance High Yield (4.20)% 18.24% 21.15% 16.79% (6.51)%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Intermediate Government
Securities (5.77)% 11.73% 2.27% 5.76% 6.20%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance International - 9.54%+ 8.23% (4.49)% 8.99%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Money Market 2.53% 4.23% 3.81% 3.91% 3.82%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Quality Bond (6.49)% 15.38% 3.84% 7.58% 7.13%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alliance Small Cap Growth - - - 25.50%+ (5.69)%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS Emerging Growth Companies - - - 21.45%+ 32.90%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS Research - - - 15.12%+ 22.62%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch Basic Value Equity - - - 16.08%+ 10.24%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Merrill Lynch World Strategy - - - 3.87%+ 5.54%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets
Equity - - - (20.54)%+ (27.90)%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E/Q Putnam Balanced - - - 13.56%+ 10.47%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
E/Q Putnam Growth & Income Value - - - 15.28%+ 11.47%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price Equity Income - - - 21.15%+ 7.76%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price International Stock - - - (2.30)%+ 12.33%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Warburg Pincus Small Company
Value - - - 18.17%+ (11.09)%
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
* Returns for these Portfolios represent less than 12 months of
performance. The returns are as of each Portfolio inception date as shown
in Table 1.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE 75
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMUNICATING PERFORMANCE DATA
In reports or other communications to contract owners or in advertising
material, we may describe general economic and market conditions affecting our
variable investment options, and the Portfolios and may compare the
performance or ranking of those options and the Portfolios with:
o those of other insurance company separate accounts or mutual funds included
in the rankings prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar,
Inc., VARDS, or similar investment services that monitor the performance
of insurance company separate accounts or mutual funds;
o other appropriate indices of investment securities and averages for peer
universes of mutual funds; or
o data developed by us derived from such indices or averages.
We also may furnish to present or prospective contract owners advertisements
or other communications that include evaluations of a variable investment
option or Portfolio by nationally recognized financial publications. Examples
of such publications are:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barron's Money Management Letter
Morningstar's Variable Annuity Investment Dealers Digest
Sourcebook National Underwriter
Business Week Pension & Investments
Forbes USA Today
Fortune Investor's Business Daily
Institutional Investor The New York Times
Money The Wall Street Journal
Kiplinger's Personal Finance The Los Angeles Times
Financial Planning The Chicago Tribune
Investment Adviser
Investment Management Weekly
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Lipper compiles performance data for peer universes of funds with similar
investment objectives in its Lipper Survey. Morningstar, Inc. compiles similar
data in the Morningstar Variable Annuity/Life Report (Morningstar Report).
The Lipper Survey records performance data as reported to it by over 800
mutual funds underlying variable annuity and life insurance products. It
divides these actively managed portfolios into 25 categories by portfolio
objectives. The Lipper Survey contains two different universes, which reflect
different types of fees in performance data:
o The "separate account" universe reports performance data net of investment
management fees, direct operating expenses and asset-based charges
applicable under variable life and annuity contracts; and
o The "mutual fund" universe reports performance net only of investment
management fees and direct operating expenses, and therefore reflects only
charges that relate to the underlying mutual fund.
The Morningstar Variable Annuity/Life Report consists of nearly 700 variable
life and annuity funds, all of which report their data net of investment
management fees, direct operating expenses and separate account level charges.
VARDS is a monthly reporting service that monitors approximately 2,500
variable life and variable annuity funds on performance and account
information.
YIELD INFORMATION
Current yield for the Alliance Money Market option will be based on net changes
in a hypothetical investment over a given seven-day period, exclusive of
capital changes, and then "annualized" (assuming that the same seven-day result
would occur each week for 52 weeks). Current yield for the other options will
be based on net changes in a hypothetical investment over a given 30-day
period, exclusive of capital changes, and then "annualized" (assuming that the
same 30-day result would occur each month for 12 months).
"Effective yield" is calculated in a similar manner, but when annualized, any
income earned by the investment is assumed to be reinvested. The "effective
yield" will be slightly higher than the "current yield" because any earnings
are compounded weekly for the Alliance Money Market option. The yields and
effective yields assume the deduction of all contract charges and expenses
other than the annual administrative charge, withdrawal charge, optional
ratcheted
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
76 INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
death benefit charge, and any charge for taxes such as premium tax. For more
information, see "Alliance Money Market Option and other Yield information" in
the SAI.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE 77
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10
Incorporation of certain documents by reference
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equitable Life's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1998, a current report on Form 8-K dated April 9, 1999, and a quarterly report
on form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1999, are considered to be a part
of this prospectus because they are incorporated by reference.
After the date of this prospectus and before we terminate the offering of
the securities under this prospectus, all documents or reports we file with
the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") will be
considered to become part of this prospectus because they are incorporated by
reference.
Any statement contained in a document that is or becomes part of this
prospectus, will be considered changed or replaced for purposes of this
prospectus if a statement contained in this prospectus changes or is replaced.
Any statement that is considered to be a part of this prospectus because of
its incorporation, will be considered changed or replaced for the purpose of
this prospectus if a statement contained in any other subsequently filed
document that is considered to be part of this prospectus changes or replaces
that statement. After that, only the statement that is changed or replaced
will be considered to be part of this prospectus.
We file our Exchange Act documents and reports, including our annual and
quarterly reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, electronically according to
EDGAR under CIK No. 0000727920. The SEC maintains a Web site that contains
reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding
registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the site is
http://www.sec.gov.
Upon written or oral request, we will provide, free of charge, to each
person to whom this prospectus is delivered a copy of any or all of the
documents considered to be part of this prospectus because they are
incorporated herein. This does not include exhibits not specifically
incorporated by reference into the text of such documents. Requests for
documents should be directed to The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the
United States, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10104.
Attention: Corporate Secretary (telephone: (212) 554-1234).
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX I: CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION A-1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix I: Condensed financial information
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The contracts described in this prospectus are being offered for the first time
as of the date of this prospectus. The unit values and number of units
outstanding shown below are for another contract offered under Separate Account
A with the same asset based charge of 1.20%.
UNIT VALUES AND NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING AT YEAR END FOR EACH VARIABLE
INVESTMENT OPTION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31,
1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE HUDSON RIVER TRUST OPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE STOCK
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 90.25
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE BALANCED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 102.39
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 102.87
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 102.74
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE EQUITY INDEX
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 103.69
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GLOBAL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 98.37
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GROWTH & INCOME
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 102.73
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE GROWTH INVESTORS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 101.93
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 89.20
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 103.32
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A-2 APPENDIX I: CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNIT VALUES AND NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING AT YEAR END FOR EACH VARIABLE
INVESTMENT OPTION (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31,
1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 93.00
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 101.68
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE QUALITY BOND
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 103.62
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE SMALL CAP GROWTH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 86.94
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ ADVISORS TRUST OPTIONS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS EMERGING GROWTH COMPANIES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 103.53
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS RESEARCH
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 99.10
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE EQUITY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 97.91
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH WORLD STRATEGY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 94.96
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MORGAN STANLEY EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 81.49
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/PUTNAM BALANCED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 101.17
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX I: CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION A-3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNIT VALUES AND NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING AT YEAR END FOR EACH VARIABLE
INVESTMENT OPTION (CONTINUED)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DECEMBER 31,
1998
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/PUTNAM GROWTH & INCOME VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 100.60
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY INCOME
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 101.12
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 94.15
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS SMALL COMPANY VALUE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit value $ 82.88
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of units outstanding (000's) -
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX II: MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT EXAMPLE B-1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix II: Market value adjustment example
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The example below shows how the market value adjustment would be determined and
how it would be applied to a withdrawal, assuming that $100,000 had been
invested on June 14, 1999 to a fixed maturity option with a maturity date of
June 15, 2008 (i.e., nine years later) at a rate to maturity of 7.00%,
resulting in a maturity value at the maturity date of $183,846. We further
assume that a withdrawal of $50,000 is made four years later, on June 15, 2003.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assumed Rate to
maturity on June 15, 2003
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.00% 9.00%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS OF JUNE 15, 2003 (BEFORE WITHDRAWAL)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Market adjusted amount $144,048 $ 119,487
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Fixed maturity amount $131,080 $ 131,080
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Market value adjustment:
(1) - (2) $ 12,968 $ (11,593)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ON JUNE 15, 2003 (AFTER WITHDRAWAL)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Portion of market value adjustment associated
with withdrawal: (3) x [$50,000/(1)] $ 4,501 $ (4,851)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Reduction in fixed maturity amount
[$50,000 - (4)] $ 45,499 $ 54,851
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6) Fixed maturity amount (2) - (5) $ 85,581 $ 76,229
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(7) Maturity value $120,032 $ 106,915
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(8) Market adjusted amount of (7) $ 94,048 $ 69,487
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You should note that under this example if a withdrawal is made when rates have
increased from 7.00% to 9.00% (right column), a negative market value
adjustment is realized. On the other hand, if a withdrawal is made when rates
have decreased from 7.00% to 5.00% (left column), a positive market value
adjustment is realized.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPENDIX III: DEATH BENEFIT EXAMPLE C-1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appendix III: Death benefit example
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The death benefit under the contracts is equal to (i) the account value or,
(ii) the minimum death benefit (contributions, less withdrawals, and any
withdrawal charges and taxes that may apply) or, if elected, (iii) the optional
ratcheted death benefit, whichever provides the highest amount.
The following illustrates the death benefit calculation. Assuming $100,000 is
allocated to the variable investment options, no additional contributions, no
transfers and no withdrawals, the death benefit for an annuitant age 45 would
be calculated as follows:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
END OF
CONTRACT RATCHETED
YEAR ACCOUNT VALUE(1) CONTRIBUTION DEATH BENEFIT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 $105,000(2) $100,000 $100,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 $115,500(2) $100,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 $129,360(2) $129,360(2)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 $103,488 $129,360(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 $113,837 $129,360(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 $127,497 $129,360(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 $127,497 $129,360(3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 $133,872(2) $129,360
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 $147,259 $147,259(4)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The account values for contract years 1 through 9 are based on hypothetical
rates of return of 5.00%, 10.00%, 12.00%, (20.00)%, 10.00%, 12.00%, 0.00%, 5%
and 10%. We are using these rates solely to illustrate how the benefit is
determined. The return rates bear no relationship to past or future investment
results.
(1) If the optional ratcheted death benefit was not elected, the death
benefit on each contract date anniversary would be equal to the account
value, since it is higher than the contribution.
(2) If the optional ratcheted death benefit was elected at the end of
contract year 1, 2, 3 and 8, the death benefit will be equal to the
account value. Also in year 3, the ratcheted death benefit is increased
to equal the account value.
(3) At the end of contract years 4, 5, 6 and 7, the death benefit would be
equal to the ratcheted death benefit since it is higher than the account
value. Also, at the end of contract year six, no adjustment would be made
to the ratcheted death benefit, since the ratcheted death benefit is
higher than the account value.
(4) At the end of contract year 9, the ratcheted death benefit would be
increased to the account value, since the account value on the contract
date anniversary is higher than the current ratcheted death benefit.
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Required Minimum Distributions Option 2
Accumulation Unit Values 2
Calculation of Annuity Payments 3
The Reorganization 3
Custodian and Independent Accountants 4
Alliance Money Market Option Yield Information 4
Other Yield Information 5
Key Factors in Retirement Planning 5
Long-Term Market Trends 10
Financial Statements 12
HOW TO OBTAIN AN EQUI-VEST STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR SEPARATE
ACCOUNT A
Call 1-800-628-6673 or send this request form to:
EQUI-VEST
Processing Office
The Equitable Life
P.O. Box 2996
New York, NY 10116-2996
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Please send me an EQUI-VEST Statement of Additional Information dated ,
1999.
(Combination variable and fixed deferred annuity)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
City State Zip
888-1210
<PAGE>
EQUI-VEST(R) THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY
OF THE UNITED STATES
A Combination Variable and 1290 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
Fixed Deferred Annuity Contract NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10104
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED __________, 1999
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This statement of additional information ("SAI") is not a prospectus. It should
be read in conjunction with the related prospectus for EQUI-VEST, dated ____ __,
1999. That prospectus provides detailed information concerning the contracts and
the variable investment options, as well as the fixed maturity options, that
fund the contracts. Each variable investment option is a subaccount of Equitable
Life's Separate Account A. The fixed maturity options are part of Equitable
Life's general account. Definitions of special terms used in the SAI are found
in the prospectus.
A copy of the prospectus is available free of charge by writing the Processing
Office (P.O. Box 2996, New York, NY 10116-2996), by calling toll free,
1-800-628-6673, or by contacting your Equitable associate.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Required Minimum Distributions Option 2
Unit Values 2
Calculation of Annuity Payments 3
The Reorganization 3
Custodian and Independent Accountants 4
Alliance Money Market Option Yield Information 4
Other Yield Information 5
Key Factors in Retirement Planning 5
Long-Term Market Trends 10
Financial Statements 12
Copyright 1999
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States
New York, New York 10104
All rights reserved.
888-1210
Cat. No. 128131
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS OPTION
If you elect this feature designed for annuitants age 70 1/2 or older, described
in the prospectus, each year we calculate your minimum distribution based on the
account value as of December 31 of the prior calendar year and then calculate
the minimum distribution amount based on the various choices you make. This does
not apply to Roth IRA or NQ contracts.
You may choose whether the required minimum distribution will be calculated
based on your life expectancy alone, or based on the joint life expectancies of
you and your spouse. You may also choose (1) to have us recalculate your life
expectancy (or joint life expectancy) each year, or (2) not recalculate your
life expectancy. If you have chosen a joint life expectancy method of
calculation with your spouse, you may choose to either have both lives
recalculated or not recalculated.
When we recalculate life expectancy, that means that each calendar year we see
what each individual's life expectancy is under Treasury Regulations. If life
expectancy is not recalculated, it means that it is determined once, for the
initial year, and in every subsequent year that number is reduced by one more
year.
If you do not specify a method, IRS regulations require us to base a calculation
on your life expectancy alone, recalculating it each year. If you do not specify
that we should recalculate life expectancy, you cannot later apply your account
value to an annuity payout.
The minimum distribution calculation takes into account partial withdrawals made
during the current calendar year but prior to the date we determine your minimum
distribution amount, except that when the required minimum distribution is
elected in the year in which the annuitant attains age 71 1/2, no adjustment for
partial withdrawals will be made for any withdrawals made between January 1 and
April 1 of the year in which the election is made.
Please note that our required minimum distribution option does not provide for
all the flexibility provided by federal law. For example, federal law permits
you to recalculate your life expectancy and not your spouse's and to choose the
joint life expectancy method with a beneficiary other than your spouse. See your
tax adviser.
UNIT VALUES
Unit values are determined at the end of each "valuation period" for each of the
variable investment options. A valuation period is each business day together
with any consecutive preceding non-business day. The unit values for EQUI-VEST
may vary. The method of calculating unit values is set forth below.
The unit value for a variable investment option for any valuation period is
equal to the unit value for the preceding valuation period multiplied by the
"net investment factor" for the variable investment option for that valuation
period. The net investment factor is:
(a/b) - c
where:
(a) is the value of the variable investment option's shares of the corresponding
Portfolio at the end of the valuation period before giving effect to any
amounts allocated to or withdrawn from the variable investment options for
the valuation period. For this purpose, we use the share value reported to
us by The Hudson River Trust. This share value is after deduction for
investment advisory fees and direct expenses of The Hudson River Trust.
(b) is the value of the variable investment option's shares of the corresponding
Portfolio at the end of the preceding valuation period (after any amounts
allocated or withdrawn for that valuation period).
(c) is the daily Separate Account A asset charge for the expenses of the
contracts times the number of calendar days in the valuation period, plus
any charge for taxes or amounts set aside as a reserve for taxes.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CALCULATION OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS
The calculation of monthly annuity payments under a contract takes into account
the number of annuity units of each variable investment option credited under a
contract, their respective annuity unit values, and a net investment factor. The
annuity unit values used for EQUI-VEST may vary, although the method of
calculating annuity unit values set forth below applies to all contracts.
Annuity unit values will also vary by variable investment option.
For each valuation period, the adjusted net investment factor is equal to the
net investment factor for the variable investment option reduced for each day in
the valuation period by:
o .00013366 of the net investment factor for a contract with an assumed base
rate of net investment return of 5% a year; or
o .00009425 of the net investment factor for a contract with an assumed base
rate of net investment return of 3 1/2%.
Because of this adjustment, the annuity unit value rises and falls depending on
whether the actual rate of net investment return (after charges) is higher or
lower than the assumed base rate.
The assumed base rate will be 5%, except in states where that rate is not
permitted. Annuity payments based upon an assumed base rate of 3 1/2% will at
first be smaller than those based upon a 5% assumed base rate. Payments based
upon a 3 1/2% rate, however, will rise more rapidly when unit values are rising,
and payments will fall more slowly when unit values are falling than those based
upon a 5% rate.
The amounts of variable annuity payments are determined as follows:
Payments normally start on the business day specified on your election form, or
on such other future date as specified therein. The first three monthly payments
are the same. The initial payment will be calculated using the basis guaranteed
in the applicable EQUI-VEST contract or our current basis, whichever would
provide the higher initial benefit.
The first three payments depend on the assumed base rate of net investment
return and the form of annuity chosen (and any fixed period). If the annuity
involves a life contingency, the risk class and the age of the annuitants will
affect payments.
Payments after the first three will vary according to the investment performance
of the variable investment option(s) selected to fund the variable payments.
After that, each monthly payment will be calculated by multiplying the number of
annuity units credited by the average annuity unit value for the selected fund
for the second calendar month immediately preceding the due date of the payment.
The number of units is calculated by dividing the first monthly payment by the
annuity unit value for the valuation period which includes the due date of the
first monthly payment. The average annuity unit value is the average of the
annuity unit values for the valuation periods ending in that month.
ILLUSTRATION OF CALCULATION OF ANNUITY PAYMENTS
To show how we determine variable annuity payments, assume that the account
value for an EQUI-VEST contract on a retirement date is enough to fund an
annuity with a monthly payment of $100 and that the annuity unit value of the
selected variable investment option for the valuation period that includes the
due date of the first annuity payment is $3.74. The number of annuity units
credited under the contract would be 26.74 (100 divided by 3.74 = 26.74). Based
on a hypothetical average annuity unit value of $3.56 in October 1998, the
annuity payment due in December 1998 would be $95.19 (the number of units
(26.74) times $3.56).
THE REORGANIZATION
Equitable Life established Separate Account A as a stock account on August 1,
1968. It was one of four separate investment accounts used to fund retirement
benefits under variable annuity certificates issued by us. Each of these
separate accounts, which included the predecessors to the Alliance Money Market
Fund, Alliance Balanced Fund, Alliance Common Stock Fund and Alliance Aggressive
Stock Fund, was organized as an open-end management investment company
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
with its own investment objectives and policies. Collectively these separate
accounts, as well as two other separate accounts which had been used to fund
retirement benefits under certain other annuity contracts, are called the
"predecessor separate accounts."
On December 18, 1987, the predecessor separate accounts were combined in part
and reorganized into the Alliance Money Market, Alliance Balanced, Alliance
Common Stock and Alliance Aggressive Stock Funds of Separate Account A. In
connection with the Reorganization, all of the assets and investment-related
liabilities of the predecessor separate accounts were transferred to a
corresponding Portfolio of The Equitable Trust in exchange for shares of the
Portfolios of The Equitable Trust, which were issued to these corresponding
Funds of Separate Account A. On September 6, 1991, all of the shares of The
Equitable Trust held by these Funds were replaced by shares of Portfolios of The
Hudson River Trust corresponding to these Funds of Separate Account A.
CUSTODIAN AND INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
Equitable Life is the custodian for the shares of The Hudson River Trust and EQ
Advisors Trust owned by Separate Account A.
The financial statement of Separate Account A as at December 31, 1998 and for
the periods ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the consolidated financial
statements of Equitable Life as at December 31, 1998 and 1997 and for each of
the three years ended December 31, 1998 included in this SAI have been so
included in reliance on the reports of Price-waterhouseCoopers LLP, independent
accountants, given on the authority of such firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET OPTION YIELD INFORMATION
The Alliance Money Market option calculates yield information for seven-day
periods. To determine the seven-day rate of return, the net change in a unit
value is computed by subtracting the unit value at the beginning of the period
from the unit value, exclusive of capital changes, at the end of the period.
The net change is then reduced by the average administrative charge factor for
your contract. This reduction is made to recognize the deduction of the annual
administrative charge, which is not reflected in the unit value. See the
applicable "Annual administrative charge" section under "Charges and expenses"
in the prospectus. Unit values reflect all other accrued expenses of the
Alliance Money Market option.
The adjusted net change is divided by the unit value at the beginning of the
period to obtain the adjusted base period rate of return. This seven-day
adjusted base period return is then multiplied by 365/7 to produce an annualized
seven-day current yield figure carried to the nearest one-hundredth of one
percent.
The actual dollar amount of the annual administrative charge for EQUI-VEST that
is deducted from the Alliance Money Market option will vary for each contract
and the percentage of the aggregate account value allocated to the Alliance
Money Market option. To determine the effect of the annual administrative charge
on the yield, we start with the actual aggregate annual administrative charges,
as a percentage of total assets held under EQUI-VEST. This amount is multiplied
by 365/7 to produce an average administrative charge factor which is used in
weekly yield computations for the ensuing year. The average administrative
charge is then divided by the number of Alliance Money Market option units for
the EQUI-VEST contract as of the end of the prior calendar year, and the
resulting quotient is deducted from the net change in unit value for the
seven-day period.
The effective yield is obtained by modifying the current yield to give effect to
the compounding nature of the Alliance Money Market option's investments, as
follows: the unannualized adjusted base period return is compounded by adding
one to the adjusted base period return, raising the sum to a power equal to 365
divided by 7, and subtracting one from the result, i.e., effective yield = (base
period return + 1)365/7 - 1. The Alliance Money Market option yields will
fluctuate daily.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accordingly, yields for any given period are not necessarily representative of
future results. In addition, the value of units of the Alliance Money Market
option will fluctuate and not remain constant.
The Alliance Money Market option yields reflect charges that are not normally
reflected in the yields of other investments and therefore may be lower when
compared with yields of other investments. Alliance Money Market option yields
should not be compared to the return on fixed-rate investments which guarantee
rates of interest for specified periods, such as the guaranteed interest account
or bank deposits. The yield should not be compared to the yield of money market
funds made available to the general public because their yields usually are
calculated on the basis of a constant $1 price per share and they pay out
earnings in dividends which accrue on a daily basis.
OTHER YIELD INFORMATION
The effective yield is obtained by giving effect to the compounding nature of
the variable investment option's investments, as follows: the sum of the 30-day
adjusted return, plus one, is raised to a power equal to 365 divided by 30, and
subtracting one from the result.
The 30-day yields for EQUI-VEST Contracts for the period ended December 31, 1998
were 3.27% for the Alliance Intermediate Government Securities Option, 3.65% for
the Alliance Quality Bond Option and 13.09% for the Alliance High Yield Option.
Because these yields reflect the deduction of Separate Account A expenses,
including the annual administrative charge, they are lower than the yield
figures for the corresponding Portfolios which reflect only the deduction of
Trust-level expenses.
KEY FACTORS IN RETIREMENT PLANNING
INTRODUCTION
Equitable Life offers retirement programs that are available to help meet the
retirement needs of individuals and of employers, businesses, and certain
tax-exempt organizations. In assessing these retirement needs, some key factors
need to be addressed: (1) the impact of inflation on fixed retirement incomes;
(2) the importance of starting to plan early for retirement; (3) the benefits of
tax deferral; and (4) the selection of an appropriate investment strategy. Each
of these factors is addressed below.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unless otherwise noted, all of the following presentations use an assumed annual
rate of return of 7.5% compounded annually. This rate of return is for
illustrative purposes only and is not intended to represent an expected or
guaranteed rate of return for any investment vehicle. In addition, unless
otherwise noted, none of the illustrations reflect any charges that may be
applied under a particular investment vehicle. Such charges would effectively
reduce the actual return under any investment vehicle.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All earnings in these presentations are assumed to accumulate tax deferred
unless otherwise noted. Most programs designed for retirement savings offer tax
deferral. Amounts withdrawn generally are taxable and a 10% penalty tax may
apply to premature withdrawals. Certain retirement programs prohibit early
withdrawals. See "Tax information" in the prospectus. Where taxes are taken into
consideration in these presentations, a 28% tax rate is assumed.
The source of the data used by us to compile the charts which appear in this
section (other than charts 1, 2, 3 and 4) is Ibbotson Associates, Inc., Chicago,
Stocks, Bonds, Bills and Inflation 1999 Yearbook.(TM) All rights reserved.
In reports or other communications or in advertising material, we may make use
of these or other graphic or numerical illustrations that we prepare showing the
impact of inflation, planning early for retirements, tax deferral,
diversification and other concepts important to retirement planning.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INFLATION
Inflation erodes purchasing power. This means that, in an inflationary period,
the dollar is worth less as time passes. Because many people live on a fixed
income during retirement, inflation is of particular concern to them. The charts
on the next page illustrate the detrimental impact of inflation over an extended
period of time. Between 1968 and 1998, the average annual inflation rate was
5.24%. As demonstrated in Chart 1, this 5.24% average annual rate of inflation
would cause the purchasing power of $35,000 to decrease to only $7,562 after 30
years.
In Chart 2, the impact of inflation is examined from another perspective.
Specifically, the chart illustrates the additional income needed to maintain the
purchasing power of $35,000 over a thirty-year period. Again, the 1968-1998
historical inflation rate of 5.24% is used. In this case, an additional $126,992
would be required to maintain the purchasing power of $35,000 after 30 years.
CHART 1
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A
SHADED VERTICAL BAR GRAPH IN THE PRINTED DOCUMENT:]
(Income)
Today 35,000
10 Years 21,002
20 Years 12,602
30 Years 7,562
[END OF GRAPHICALLY REPRESENTED DATA]
CHART 2
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A SHADED
VERTICAL BAR GRAPH IN THE PRINTED DOCUMENT:]
Annual
Income Increase
Needed Needed
Today 35,000 -
10 Years 58,328 23,325
20 Years 97,204 62,204
30 Years 161,992 126,992
[END OF GRAPHICALLY REPRESENTED DATA]
STARTING EARLY
The impact of inflation accentuates the need to begin a retirement program
early. The value of starting early is illustrated in the following charts. As
shown in Chart 3, if an individual makes annual contributions of $2,500 to his
retirement program beginning at age 30, he would accumulate $414,551 by age 65
under the assumptions described earlier. If that individual waited until age 50,
he would only accumulate $70,193 by age 65 under the same assumptions.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHART 3
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A SHADED
AREA GRAPH IN THE PRINTED DOCUMENT:]
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
[BLACK:] Age 50 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $15,610 $38,020 $70,193
[WHITE:] Age 40 $0 $0 $0 $15,610 $38,020 $70,193 $116,381 $182,691
[GRAY:] Age 30 $0 $15,610 $38,020 $70,193 $116,381 $182,691 $277,886 $414,551
</TABLE>
[END OF GRAPHICALLY REPRESENTED DATA]
In Table 1, the impact of starting early is demonstrated in another format. For
example, if an individual invests $300 monthly, he would accumulate $387,193 in
thirty years under our assumptions. In contrast, if that individual invested the
same $300 per month for 15 years, he would accumulate only $97,804 under our
assumptions.
TABLE 1
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Monthly
Contri- Year Year Year Year Year
bution 10 15 20 25 30
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
$ 20 $ 3,532 $ 6,520 $ 10,811 $16,970 $ 25,813
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
50 8,829 16,301 27,027 42,425 64,532
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
100 17,659 32,601 54,053 84,851 129,064
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
200 35,317 65,202 108,107 169,701 258,129
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
300 52,976 97,804 162,160 254,552 387,193
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Chart 4 presents an additional way to demonstrate the significant impact of
starting to make contributions to a retirement program earlier rather than
later. It assumes that an individual had a goal to accumulate $250,000 (pre-tax)
by age 65. If he starts at age 30, under our assumptions he could reach the goal
by making a monthly pre-tax contribution of $130 (equivalent to $93 after
taxes). The total net cost for the 30-year-old in this hypothetical example
would be $39,265. If the individual in this hypothetical example waited until
age 50, he would have to make a monthly pre-tax contribution of $747 (equivalent
to $552 after taxes) to attain the goal, illustrating the importance of starting
early.
CHART 4
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A BLACK AND WHITE
VERTICAL BAR GRAPH IN THE PRINTED DOCUMENT:]
GOAL: $250,000 BY AGE 65
Tax Savings
and Tax-deferred
Net Cost Earnings at 7.5%
$93 per month Age 30 $ 39,265 $ 210,735
$212 per month Age 40 63,641 186,359
$552 per month Age 50 99,383 150,617
[END OF GRAPHICALLY REPRESENTED DATA]
TAX DEFERRAL
Contributing to a retirement plan early is part of an effective strategy for
addressing the impact of inflation. Another part of such a strategy is to
carefully select the types of retirement programs in which to invest. In
deciding where to invest retirement contributions, there are three basic types
of programs.
The first type offers the most tax benefits and, therefore, is potentially the
most beneficial for accumulating funds for retirement. Contributions are made
with pre-tax dollars or are tax deductible and earnings grow income tax
deferred. Examples of this type of program that permit individuals to make
contributions through personal savings or indirectly through employer-offered
salary deferrals are deductible Individual Retirement Annuities (IRAs) and
Tax-Sheltered Annuities (TSAs).
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The second type of program also provides for tax-deferred earnings growth;
however, contributions are made with after-tax dollars. Examples of this type of
program are non-deductible Traditional IRAs and non-qualified annuities.
The third approach to retirement savings is fully taxable. Contributions are
made with after-tax dollars and earnings are taxed each year. Examples of this
type of program include certificates of deposit, savings accounts and taxable
stock, bond or mutual fund investments.
Consider an example. For the type of retirement program that offers both pre-tax
contributions and tax deferral, assume that a $2,000 annual pre-tax contribution
is made for thirty years. In this example, the retirement funds would be
$156,227 after thirty years (assuming a 7.5% rate of return, no withdrawals, the
deduction of a 1.85% Separate Account daily asset and Trust annual expense
charge, the deduction of a 0.15% optional ratcheted death benefit annual charge
and a $30 administrative charge, or 2% of your account value, if less--but no
contingent withdrawal charge) and such funds would be $222,309 without the
effect of any charges. Assuming a lump sum withdrawal was made in year thirty
and a 28% tax bracket, these amounts would be $112,484 and $160,062,
respectively.
For the type of program that offers only tax deferral, assume an after-tax
annual contribution of $1,440 for thirty years and the same rate of return. This
after-tax contribution is derived by taxing the $2,000 pre-tax contribution,
again assuming a 28% tax bracket. In this example, the retirement funds would be
$111,951 after thirty years assuming the deduction of charges and no
withdrawals, and $160,062 without the effect of charges. Assuming a lump sum
withdrawal in year thirty, the total after-tax amount would be $92,701 with
charges deducted and $127,341 without charges.
For the fully taxable investment, assume an after-tax contribution of $1,440 for
thirty years. Earnings are taxed annually. After thirty years, the amount of
this fully taxable investment is $108,046. Keep in mind that taxable investments
have fees and charges, too (investment advisory fees, administrative charges,
12b-1 fees, sales loads, brokerage commissions, etc). We have not attempted to
apply these fees and charges to the fully taxable amounts since this is intended
merely as an example of tax deferral. Were such charges applied, the amounts in
the fully taxable example would be lower. Again, it must be emphasized that the
assumed rate of return of 7.5% compounded annually used in these examples is for
illustrative purposes only and is not intended to represent a guaranteed or
expected rate of return on any investment vehicle. Moreover, early withdrawals
of tax-deferred investments are generally subject to a 10% penalty tax.
INVESTMENT OPTIONS
Selecting an appropriate retirement program is clearly an important part of an
effective retirement planning strategy. Carefully choosing among investment
options is another essential component.
As demonstrated in Chart 5, during the 1968-1998 period, common stock average
annual returns outperformed the average annual returns of fixed investments,
such as long-term government bonds and Treasury Bills (T-bills). See "Notes" at
the end of this section. Common stocks earned an average annual return of 12.67%
over this period, in contrast to 9.09% and 6.76% for the other two investment
categories, respectively. Significantly, common stock returns also outpaced
inflation, which grew at 5.24% over this period.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHART 5
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A SHADED
VERTICAL BAR GRAPH IN THE PRINTED DOCUMENT:]
Average Annual Returns
1968-1998
Inflation 5.24%
T-bills 6.76%
Long-Term Government Bonds 9.09%
Common Stock (S&P 500) 12.67%
[END OF GRAPHICALLY REPRESENTED DATA]
While Chart 5 illustrates that investments in common stocks outperformed
fixed-income investments for the 1968-1998 period, many people prefer to
diversify their investments by selecting a mix of fixed-income and growth
investments. In Chart 6, the growth of a $1,000 investment is shown given
various mixes of fixed-income and growth investments. See "Notes" at the end of
this section.
CHART 6
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A SHADED
VERTICAL BAR GRAPH IN THE TYPESET DOCUMENT:]
Growth of $1,000
1968-1998
100% T-bills $7,113
70% Long-Term Government Bonds/30% Common Stock $19,579
50% Long-Term Government Bonds/50% Common Stock $24,118
100% Common Stock $35,814
[END OF GRAPHICALLY REPRESENTED DATA]
NOTES
1. Common Stocks: Standard & Poor's (S&P) Composite Index is an unmanaged
weighted index of the stock performance of 500 industrial, transportation,
utility and financial companies. Results shown assume reinvestment of
dividends. Both market value and return on common stock will vary.
2. U.S. Government Securities: Long-Term Government Bonds are measured using a
one-bond portfolio constructed each year containing a bond with approximately
a 20-year maturity and a reasonably current coupon. U.S. Treasury Bills are
measured by rolling over each month a one-bill portfolio containing, at the
beginning of each month, the bill having the shortest maturity not less than
one month. U.S. Government securities are guaranteed as to principal and
interest and, if held to maturity, offer a fixed rate of return.
However, market value and return on such securities will fluctuate prior to
maturity.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EQUI-VEST(R) can be effective for diversifying ongoing investments between
various asset categories. In addition, for individuals investing a lump sum,
special features are offered which help address the risk associated with timing
the equity markets. Specifically, an interest sweep function is offered whereby
an individual can initially contribute a lump sum in the guaranteed interest
option and then sweep the interest generated by the investment into any of the
growth-oriented options over a specified period of time. In addition, a
fixed-dollar transfer function is offered whereby an individual can contribute a
lump sum in the guaranteed interest option and then transfer a fixed-dollar
amount into the growth-oriented options over a specified period of time. Neither
of these features can guarantee a profit or assure against loss in a declining
market.
LONG-TERM MARKET TRENDS
As a tool for understanding how different investment strategies may affect
long-term results, it may be useful to consider the historical returns on
different types of assets. The following charts present historical return trends
for various types of securities. The information presented, while not directly
related to the performance of the investment options, helps to provide a
perspective on the potential returns of different asset classes over different
periods of time. By combining this information with your knowledge of your own
financial needs (e.g., the length of time until you retire, your financial
requirements at retirement), you may be able to better determine how you wish to
allocate plan contributions among the investment options available under your
plan.
Historically, the long-term investment performance of common stocks has
generally been superior to that of long- or short-term debt securities. For
those investors who have many years until retirement, or whose primary focus is
on long-term growth potential and protection against inflation, there may be
advantages to allocating some or all of their account value to those variable
investment options that invest in stocks.
Growth of $1 Invested on January 1, 1957
(Values are as of last business day)
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A
SHADED AREA GRAPH IN THE PRINTED DOCUMENT:]
Common Stock Inflation
1958 1.00 1.00
1959 1.12 1.01
1960 1.12 1.03
1961 1.43 1.04
1962 1.30 1.05
1963 1.60 1.07
1964 1.86 1.08
1965 2.10 1.10
1966 1.88 1.14
1967 2.34 1.17
1968 2.59 1.23
1969 2.37 1.30
1970 2.47 1.37
1971 2.82 1.42
1972 3.36 1.47
1973 2.87 1.60
1974 2.11 1.79
1975 2.89 1.92
1976 3.58 2.01
1977 3.32 2.15
1978 3.54 2.34
1979 4.19 2.65
1980 5.55 2.98
1981 5.28 3.25
1982 6.41 3.37
1983 7.86 3.50
1984 8.35 3.64
1985 11.03 3.78
1986 13.07 3.82
1987 13.75 3.99
1988 16.07 4.16
1989 21.13 4.36
1990 20.46 4.62
1991 26.74 4.76
1992 28.75 4.90
1993 31.63 5.04
1994 32.04 5.17
1995 44.03 5.30
1996 54.19 5.48
1997 72.27 5.57
1998 92.93 5.67
[LIGHT SHADED AREA = COMMON STOCK]
[DARK SHADED AREA = INFLATION]
[END OF GRAPHICALLY REPRESENTED DATA]
Over shorter periods of time, however, common stocks tend to be subject to more
dramatic changes in value than fixed-income (debt) securities. Investors who are
nearing retirement age, or who have a need to limit short-term risk, may find it
preferable to allocate a smaller percentage of their account value to those
variable investment options that invest in common stocks. The following graph
illustrates the monthly fluctuations in value of $1 based on monthly returns of
the Standard & Poor's 500 during 1990, a year that reflects the volatility
inherent in the investment of common stocks.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Growth of $1 Invested on January 1, 1990
(Values are as of last business day)
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A BLACK AND WHITE LINE GRAPH
IN THE PRINTED DOCUMENT:]
Intermediate-Term
Govt. Bonds Common Stocks
1/1/90 1.00 1.00
Jan. 0.99 0.93
Feb. 0.99 0.94
Mar. 0.99 0.97
Apr. 0.98 0.95
May 1.01 1.04
June 1.02 1.03
July 1.04 1.03
Aug. 1.03 0.93
Sep. 1.04 0.89
Oct. 1.06 0.89
Nov. 1.08 0.94
Dec. 1.10 0.97
[END OF GRAPHICALLY REPRESENTED DATA]
The following chart illustrates average annual rates of return over selected
time periods between December 31, 1926 and December 31, 1998 for different types
of securities: common stocks, long-term government bonds, long-term corporate
bonds, intermediate-term government bonds and U.S. Treasury Bills. For
comparison purposes, the Consumer Price Index is shown as a measure of
inflation. The average annual returns shown in the chart reflect capital
appreciation and assume the reinvestment of dividends and interest. No
investment management fees or expenses, and no charges typically associated with
deferred annuity products, are reflected. The information presented is merely a
summary of past experience for unmanaged groups of securities and is neither an
estimate nor guarantee of future performance. Any investment in securities,
whether equity or debt, involves varying degrees of potential risk, in addition
to offering varying degrees of potential reward.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The rates of return illustrated do not represent returns of Separate Account A.
In addition, there is no assurance that the performance of the investment
options will correspond to rates of return such as those illustrated in the
chart.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For a comparative illustration of performance results of the Options (which
reflect The Hudson River Trust and Separate Account A charges), see "Investment
performance" in the prospectus or the Trust prospectuses for The Hudson River
Trust and EQ Advisors Trust (which do not reflect Separate Account A charges).
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market Trends:
Illustrative Annual Rates of Return
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM LONG-TERM INTERMEDIATE- U.S.
FOR THE FOLLOWING PERIODS COMMON GOVERNMENT CORPORATE TERM GOV'T. TREASURY CONSUMER
ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1998 STOCKS BONDS BONDS BONDS BILLS PRICE INDEX
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 Year 28.58% 13.06% 10.76% 10.21% 4.86% 1.80%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 Years 28.27 9.07 8.25 6.84 5.11 2.27
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 Years 24.06 9.52 8.74 6.20 4.96 2.41
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 Years 19.19 11.66 10.85 8.74 5.29 3.14
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 Years 17.75 11.14 10.86 9.85 7.17 4.53
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 Years 12.67 9.09 9.14 8.71 6.76 5.24
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
40 Years 12.00 7.20 7.43 7.39 5.94 4.44
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
50 Years 13.56 5.89 6.20 6.21 5.07 3.92
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
60 Years 12.49 5.43 5.62 5.50 4.26 4.19
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since 12/31/26 11.21 5.29 5.78 5.32 3.78 3.15
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inflation Adjusted Since 1926 7.82 2.08 2.55 2.11 0.62 --
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
SOURCE: Ibbotson, Roger G., and Rex A. Sinquefield, Stocks, Bonds, Bills, and
Inflation (SBBI), 1982, updated in Stocks, Bonds, Bills and Inflation 1999
Yearbook(TM) Ibbotson Associates, Inc., Chicago. All rights reserved.
COMMON STOCKS (S&P 500) -- Standard and Poor's Composite Index, an unmanaged
weighted index of the stock performance of 500 industrial, transportation,
utility and financial companies.
LONG-TERM GOVERNMENT BONDS -- Measured using a one-bond portfolio constructed
each year containing a bond with approximately a twenty-year maturity and a
reasonably current coupon.
LONG-TERM CORPORATE BONDS -- For the period 1969-1998, represented by the
Salomon Brothers Long-Term, High-Grade Corporate Bond Index; for the period
1946-1968, the Salomon Brothers Index was backdated using Salomon Brothers
monthly yield data and a methodology similar to that used by Salomon Brothers
for 1969-1998; for the period 1927-1945, the Standard and Poor's monthly
High-Grade Corporate Composite yield data were used, assuming a 4 percent coupon
and a twenty-year maturity.
INTERMEDIATE-TERM GOVERNMENT BONDS-- Measured by a one-bond portfolio
constructed each year containing a bond with approximately a five-year maturity.
U.S. TREASURY BILLS -- Measured by rolling over each month a one-bill portfolio
containing, at the beginning of each month, the bill having the shortest
maturity not less than one month.
INFLATION -- Measured by the Consumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers
(CPI-U), not seasonally adjusted.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Statements
The consolidated financial statements of Equitable Life included herein should
be considered only as bearing upon the ability of Equitable Life to meet its
obligations under the contracts.
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<S> <C>
Report of Independent Accountants.................................................................................. FSA-2
Financial Statements:
Statements of Assets and Liabilities, December 31, 1998...................................................... FSA-3
Statements of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 1998................................................ FSA-6
Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the Years Ended December 31, 1998 and 1997........................... FSA-9
Notes to Financial Statements................................................................................ FSA-16
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Accountants.................................................................................. F-1
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets, December 31, 1998 and 1997...................................................... F-2
Consolidated Statements of Earnings, Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996............................ F-3
Consolidated Statements of Shareholder's Equity, Years Ended December 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996............................................................................................. F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.......................... F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements................................................................... F-6
</TABLE>
FSA-1
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors of
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States
and Contractowners of Separate Account A
of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States
In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities and the
related statements of operations and of changes in net assets present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Alliance Money Market Fund,
Alliance Intermediate Government Securities Fund, Alliance Quality Bond Fund,
Alliance High Yield Fund, Alliance Growth & Income Fund, Alliance Equity Index
Fund, Alliance Common Stock Fund, Alliance Global Fund, Alliance International
Fund, Alliance Aggressive Stock Fund, Alliance Small Cap Growth Fund, Alliance
Conservative Investors Fund, Alliance Growth Investors Fund, Alliance Balanced
Fund ("Hudson River Trust funds") and the T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund,
EQ/Putnam Growth & Income Value Fund, Merrill Lynch Basic Value Equity Fund, MFS
Research Fund, T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund, Morgan Stanley Emerging
Markets Equity Fund, Warburg Pincus Small Company Value Fund, MFS Emerging
Growth Companies Fund, EQ/Putnam Balanced Fund, and Merrill Lynch World Strategy
Fund ("EQ Advisors Trust funds"), separate investment funds of The Equitable
Life Assurance Society of the United States ("Equitable Life") Separate Account
A at December 31, 1998 and the results of each of their operations and changes
in each of their net assets for the periods indicated, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements are the
responsibility of Equitable Life's management; our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our
audits of these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits, which included confirmation of shares owned in The Hudson River Trust
and in The EQ Advisors Trust at December 31, 1998 with the transfer agent,
provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above. The unit value
information presented in Note 6 for the year ended December 31, 1992 and for
each of the periods indicated prior thereto, were audited by other independent
accountants whose report dated February 16, 1993 expressed an unqualified
opinion on the financial statements containing such information.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 8, 1999
FSA-2
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIXED INCOME SERIES:
--------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE ALLIANCE ALLIANCE
MONEY GOVERNMENT QUALITY HIGH
MARKET SECURITIES BOND YIELD
FUND FUND FUND FUND
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in shares of The Trusts,
at market value (Note 2):
Cost: $126,393,531.................................... $126,082,971
52,884,907.................................... $53,855,750
81,574,491.................................... $81,903,603
234,155,055.................................... $198,398,150
132,387,446....................................
68,826,963....................................
507,038,678....................................
860,530,108....................................
Receivable for Trust shares sold............................ -- -- -- --
Due from Equitable Life's General Account
(Note 3)................................................. 443,930 94,544 181,937 255,904
------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
Total assets........................................ 126,526,901 53,950,294 82,085,540 198,654,054
------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
LIABILITIES:
Payable for Trust shares purchased......................... 440,784 96,954 173,181 263,793
Due to Equitable Life's General Account
(Note 3)................................................. -- -- -- --
Net accumulated amount of (i) mortality risk,
death benefit, expense and expense risk
charges and (ii) mortality and other gains and
losses retained by Equitable Life (Note 3)............... 179,001 351,346 445,982 206,805
------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
Total liabilities................................... 619,785 448,300 619,163 470,598
------------ ------------ ------------ -------------
NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS
(NOTE 5)................................................. $125,907,116 $53,501,994 $81,466,377 $198,183,456
============ ============ ============ =============
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/
T.ROWE PRICE PUTNAM ALLIANCE ALLIANCE
EQUITY GROWTH & GROWTH & EQUITY
INCOME INCOME VALUE INCOME INDEX
FUND FUND FUND FUND
------------- ------------- ------------ --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in shares of The Trusts,
at market value (Note 2):
Cost: $126,393,531....................................
52,884,907....................................
81,574,491....................................
234,155,055....................................
132,387,446.................................... $139,978,924
68,826,963.................................... $74,988,792
507,038,678.................................... $599,468,994
860,530,108................................... $1,153,005,368
Receivable for Trust shares sold............................ -- -- -- --
Due from Equitable Life's General Account
(Note 3)................................................. 1,106,116 672,410 1,904,968 11,149,643
------------ ----------- ------------ --------------
Total assets........................................ 141,085,040 75,661,202 601,373,962 1,164,155,011
------------ ----------- ------------ --------------
LIABILITIES:
Payable for Trust shares purchased......................... 1,106,116 672,410 1,608,787 11,151,657
Due to Equitable Life's General Account
(Note 3)................................................. -- -- -- --
Net accumulated amount of (i) mortality risk,
death benefit, expense and expense risk
charges and (ii) mortality and other gains and
losses retained by Equitable Life (Note 3)............... 163,834 162,192 742,644 715,187
------------ ----------- ------------ --------------
Total liabilities................................... 1,269,950 834,602 2,351,431 11,866,844
------------ ----------- ------------ --------------
NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS
(NOTE 5)................................................. $139,815,090 $74,826,600 $599,022,531 $1,152,288,167
============ =========== ============ ==============
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FSA-3
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES (CONTINUED):
-------------------------------------------------------------------
MERRILL
LYNCH ALLIANCE
BASIC VALUE COMMON MFS ALLIANCE
EQUITY STOCK RESEARCH GLOBAL
FUND FUND FUND FUND
------------ -------------- -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in shares of The Trusts,
at market value (Note 2):
Cost: $ 56,223,556............................. $57,472,290
5,604,901,871............................. $7,729,532,779
88,527,561............................. $102,398,515
609,414,934............................. $727,190,716
127,648,223.............................
66,625,462.............................
17,147,883.............................
3,378,240,751.............................
Receivable for Trust shares sold........................... -- -- -- 568,149
Due from Equitable Life's General Account
(Note 3)................................................. 556,978 5,851,659 4,489,476 --
----------- -------------- ------------ -------------
Total assets........................................ 58,029,268 7,735,384,438 106,887,991 727,758,865
----------- -------------- ------------ -------------
LIABILITIES:
Payable for Trust shares purchased.......................... 556,953 5,468,912 4,489,434 --
Due to Equitable Life's General Account
(Note 3)................................................. -- -- -- 600,419
Net accumulated amount of (i) mortality risk,
death benefit, expense and expense risk
charges and (ii) mortality and other gains and
losses retained by Equitable Life (Note 3)............... 119,600 4,142,124 148,866 358,278
----------- -------------- ------------ -------------
Total liabilities................................... 676,553 9,611,036 4,638,300 958,697
----------- -------------- ------------ -------------
NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS
(NOTE 5)................................................. $57,352,715 $7,725,773,402 $102,249,691 $726,800,168
=========== ============== ============ =============
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES (CONTINUED):
------------------------------------------------------------------
T.ROWE MORGAN
PRICE STANLEY
INTER- EMERGING ALLIANCE
ALLIANCE NATIONAL MARKETS AGGRESSIVE
INTERNATIONAL STOCK EQUITY STOCK
FUND FUND FUND FUND
------------- ----------- ----------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in shares of The Trusts,
at market value (Note 2):
Cost: $ 56,223,556.............................
5,604,901,871.............................
88,527,561.............................
609,414,934.............................
127,648,223............................. $130,220,038
66,625,462............................. $73,881,887
17,147,883............................. $16,084,234
3,378,240,751............................. $3,168,974,945
Receivable for Trust shares sold........................... 211,881 -- -- 6,354,007
Due from Equitable Life's General Account
(Note 3)................................................. -- 179,720 115,594 --
------------ ----------- ----------- --------------
Total assets........................................ 130,431,919 74,061,607 16,199,828 3,175,328,952
------------ ----------- ----------- --------------
LIABILITIES:
Payable for Trust shares purchased.......................... -- 179,720 115,594 --
Due to Equitable Life's General Account
(Note 3)................................................. 216,890 -- -- 6,160,056
Net accumulated amount of (i) mortality risk,
death benefit, expense and expense risk
charges and (ii) mortality and other gains and
losses retained by Equitable Life (Note 3)............... 193,242 90,602 3,574,314 670,310
------------ ----------- ----------- --------------
Total liabilities................................... 410,132 270,322 3,689,908 6,830,366
------------ ----------- ----------- --------------
NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS
(NOTE 5)................................................. $130,021,787 $73,791,285 $12,509,920 $3,168,498,586
============ =========== =========== ==============
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FSA-4
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (CONCLUDED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSET
ALLOCATION
EQUITY SERIES (CONCLUDED): SERIES
----------------------------------------------- ---------------
MFS
WARBURG PINCUS ALLIANCE EMERGING ALLIANCE
SMALL COMPANY SMALL CAP GROWTH CONSERVATIVE
VALUE GROWTH COMPANIES INVESTORS
FUND FUND FUND FUND
------------- ------------ ------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in shares of The Trusts,
at market value (Note 2):
Cost: $ 97,621,394............................ $90,331,538
128,288,230............................ $139,300,122
141,554,053............................ $177,252,578
111,402,771............................ $120,069,941
32,776,608............................
739,431,816............................
1,207,545,862............................
10,547,792............................
Receivable for Trust shares sold........................... -- 1,068,050 -- --
Due from Equitable Life's General Account
(Note 3)................................................. 680,223 -- 2,139,886 181,219
----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Total assets........................................ 91,011,761 140,368,172 179,392,464 120,251,160
----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
LIABILITIES:
Payable for Trust shares purchased......................... 680,223 -- 2,139,886 182,458
Due to Equitable Life's General Account
(Note 3)................................................. -- 1,051,042 -- --
Net accumulated amount of (i) mortality risk,
death benefit, expense and expense risk
charges and (ii) mortality and other gains and
losses retained by Equitable Life (Note 3)............... 128,730 410,448 49,828 205,350
----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Total liabilities................................... 808,953 1,461,490 2,189,714 387,808
----------- ------------ ------------ ------------
NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS
(NOTE 5)................................................. $90,202,808 $138,906,682 $177,202,750 $119,863,352
<CAPTION>
ASSET ALLOCATION SERIES (CONTINUED):
---------------------------------------------------------------
MERRILL
EQ/ ALLIANCE LYNCH
PUTNAM GROWTH ALLIANCE WORLD
BALANCED INVESTORS BALANCED STRATEGY
FUND FUND FUND FUND
----------- ------------ -------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Investments in shares of The Trusts,
at market value (Note 2):
Cost: $ 97,621,394............................
128,288,230............................
141,554,053............................
111,402,771............................
32,776,608............................ $34,787,837
739,431,816............................ $842,909,418
1,207,545,862............................ $1,322,780,470
10,547,792............................ $11,042,248
Receivable for Trust shares sold........................... -- -- 869,867 --
Due from Equitable Life's General Account
(Note 3)................................................. 344,836 1,901,167 -- 83,668
----------- ------------ -------------- -----------
Total assets........................................ 35,132,673 844,810,585 1,323,650,337 11,125,916
----------- ------------ -------------- -----------
LIABILITIES:
Payable for Trust shares purchased......................... 344,836 1,905,292 -- 83,668
Due to Equitable Life's General Account
(Note 3)................................................. -- -- 728,517 --
Net accumulated amount of (i) mortality risk,
death benefit, expense and expense risk
charges and (ii) mortality and other gains and
losses retained by Equitable Life (Note 3)............... 147,171 687,262 186,147 1,772,681
----------- ------------ -------------- -----------
Total liabilities................................... 492,007 2,592,554 914,664 1,856,349
----------- ------------ -------------- -----------
NET ASSETS ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS
(NOTE 5)................................................. $34,640,666 $842,218,031 $1,322,735,673 $ 9,269,567
=========== ============ ============== ===========
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FSA-5
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIXED INCOME SERIES:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE
INTER-
ALLIANCE MEDIATE ALLIANCE ALLIANCE
MONEY GOVERNMENT QUALITY HIGH
MARKET SECURITIES BOND YIELD
FUND FUND FUND FUND
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME AND EXPENSES:
Investment Income (Note 2):
Dividends from The Trusts............................. $5,255,399 $2,342,433 $3,395,859 $ 20,512,530
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
Expenses (Note 3):
Asset-based charges................................... 1,481,147 587,870 794,815 2,600,402
Less: Reduction for expense limitation...................... 48,970 7,750 -- --
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
Net expenses.......................................... 1,432,177 580,120 794,815 2,600,402
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)................................ 3,823,222 1,762,313 2,601,044 17,912,128
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON
INVESTMENTS (NOTE 2):
Realized gain (loss) on investments................... 234,429 470,342 372,734 4,677
Realized gain distribution from
The Trusts.......................................... 3,630 -- 1,620,732 3,909,878
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
Net realized gain (loss)................................. 238,059 470,342 1,993,466 3,914,555
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... 121,024 512,287 (486,113) (36,813,923)
---------- ---------- ---------- ------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)
ON INVESTMENTS........................................... 359,083 982,629 1,507,353 (32,899,368)
========== ========== ========== ============
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS (NOTE 2)....................... $4,182,305 $2,744,942 $4,108,397 $(14,987,240)
========== ========== ========== ============
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES:
---------------------------------------------------------------
EQ/
T. ROWE PUTNAM
PRICE GROWTH & ALLIANCE ALLIANCE
EQUITY INCOME GROWTH & EQUITY
INCOME VALUE INCOME INDEX
FUND FUND FUND FUND
---------- ---------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME AND EXPENSES:
Investment Income (Note 2):
Dividends from The Trusts............................. $2,277,162 $ 643,088 $ 1,653,807 $ 10,632,473
---------- ---------- ----------- ------------
Expenses (Note 3):
Asset-based charges................................... 1,304,543 670,969 6,396,117 11,997,835
Less: Reduction for expense limitation...................... -- -- -- --
---------- ---------- ----------- ------------
Net expenses.......................................... 1,304,543 670,969 6,396,117 11,997,835
---------- ---------- ----------- ------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)................................ 972,619 (27,881) (4,742,310) (1,365,362)
---------- ---------- ----------- ------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON
INVESTMENTS (NOTE 2):
Realized gain (loss) on investments................... (974,087) (339,484) 3,660,147 40,077,379
Realized gain distribution from
The Trusts.......................................... 2,932,028 580,684 48,006,831 339,719
---------- ---------- ----------- ------------
Net realized gain (loss)................................. 1,957,941 241,200 51,666,978 40,417,098
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... 4,171,888 5,418,025 39,346,894 170,263,193
---------- ---------- ----------- ------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)
ON INVESTMENTS........................................... 6,129,829 5,659,225 91,013,872 210,680,291
---------- ---------- ----------- ------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS (NOTE 2)....................... $7,102,448 $5,631,344 $86,271,562 $209,314,929
========== ========== =========== ============
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FSA-6
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES (CONTINUED):
-----------------------------------------------------------------
MERRILL
LYNCH
BASIC ALLIANCE
VALUE COMMON MFS ALLIANCE
EQUITY STOCK RESEARCH GLOBAL
FUND FUND FUND FUND
----------- -------------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME AND EXPENSES:
Investment Income (Note 2):
Dividends from The Trusts............................. $ 550,754 $ 42,754,627 $ 249,000 $ 7,924,674
----------- -------------- ----------- ------------
Expenses (Note 3):
Asset-based charges................................... 494,290 95,988,818 735,308 8,877,655
Less: Reduction for expense limitation...................... -- 6,717,477 -- --
----------- -------------- ----------- ------------
Net expenses.......................................... 494,290 89,271,341 735,308 8,877,655
----------- -------------- ----------- ------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)................................ 56,464 (46,516,714) (486,308) (952,981)
----------- -------------- ----------- ------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON
INVESTMENTS (NOTE 2):
Realized gain (loss) on investments................... (1,204,767) 190,070,720 (916,443) 13,674,946
Realized gain distribution from
The Trusts.......................................... 1,908,414 932,028,578 -- 46,107,203
----------- -------------- ----------- ------------
Net realized gain (loss)................................. 703,647 1,122,099,298 (916,443) 59,782,149
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... 1,021,838 573,857,850 13,393,079 60,932,110
----------- -------------- ----------- ------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)
ON INVESTMENTS........................................... 1,725,485 1,695,957,148 12,476,636 120,714,259
=========== ============== =========== ============
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS (NOTE 2)....................... $ 1,781,949 $1,649,440,434 $11,990,328 $119,761,278
=========== ============== =========== ============
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES (CONTINUED):
---------------------------------------------------------------
MORGAN
T. ROWE STANLEY
ALLIANCE PRICE INTER- EMERGING ALLIANCE
INTER- NATIONAL- MARKETS AGGRESSIVE
NATIONAL STOCK EQUITY STOCK
FUND FUND FUND FUND
----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME AND EXPENSES:
Investment Income (Note 2):
Dividends from The Trusts............................. $ 2,332,648 $ 628,616 $ 61,144 $ 14,559,406
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Expenses (Note 3):
Asset-based charges................................... 1,702,585 717,829 139,058 43,880,560
Less: Reduction for expense limitation...................... -- -- -- 3,621,990
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Net expenses.......................................... 1,702,585 717,829 139,058 40,258,570
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)................................ 630,063 (89,213) (77,914) (25,699,164)
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON
INVESTMENTS (NOTE 2):
Realized gain (loss) on investments................... (6,316,417) (2,187,587) (4,762,302) 76,319,984
Realized gain distribution from
The Trusts.......................................... 24,639 677 -- 153,501,697
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Net realized gain (loss)................................. (6,291,778) (2,186,910) (4,762,302) 229,821,681
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... 17,134,710 8,173,937 34,335 (233,439,908)
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)
ON INVESTMENTS........................................... 10,842,932 5,987,027 (4,727,967) (3,618,227)
=========== =========== =========== ============
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS (NOTE 2)....................... $11,472,995 $ 5,897,814 $(4,805,881) $ (29,317,391)
=========== =========== =========== =============
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FSA-7
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (CONCLUDED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES (CONCLUDED):
----------------------------------------------------------------
MFS
WARBURG PINCUS ALLIANCE EMERGING ALLIANCE
SMALL COMPANY SMALL CAP GROWTH CONSERVATIVE
VALUE GROWTH COMPANIES INVESTORS
FUND FUND FUND FUND
------------ ------------ ---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME AND EXPENSES:
Investment Income (Note 2):
Dividends from The Trusts............................. $ 420,391 $ 11,795 $ 2,970 $ 4,213,562
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Expenses (Note 3):
Asset-based charges................................... 1,049,204 1,437,474 1,125,210 1,406,739
Less: Reduction for expense limitation...................... -- -- -- --
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Net expenses.......................................... 1,049,204 1,437,474 1,125,210 1,406,739
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)................................ (628,813) (1,425,679) (1,122,240) 2,806,823
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON
INVESTMENTS (NOTE 2):
Realized gain (loss) on investments................... (3,319,964) (18,408,722) (4,911,369) 1,336,530
Realized gain distribution from
The Trusts.......................................... -- -- -- 6,357,062
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Net realized gain (loss)................................. (3,319,964) (18,408,722) (4,911,369) 7,693,592
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... (7,312,118) 12,576,541 35,293,322 2,040,567
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)
ON INVESTMENTS........................................... (10,632,082) (5,832,181) 30,381,953 9,734,159
============ ============ =========== ===========
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS (NOTE 2)....................... $(11,260,895) $ (7,257,860) $29,259,713 $12,540,982
============ ============ =========== ===========
<CAPTION>
ASSET ALLOCATION SERIES:
-------------------------------------------------------------
MERRILL
EQ/ ALLIANCE LYNCH
PUTNAM GROWTH ALLIANCE WORLD
BALANCED INVESTORS BALANCED STRATEGY
FUND FUND FUND FUND
----------- ------------ -------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCOME AND EXPENSES:
Investment Income (Note 2):
Dividends from The Trusts............................. $ 634,198 $ 15,542,047 $ 33,629,387 $ 83,000
---------- ------------ ------------ ---------
Expenses (Note 3):
Asset-based charges................................... 287,370 10,042,667 18,391,448 94,329
Less: Reduction for expense limitation...................... -- -- 2,004,680 --
---------- ------------ ------------ ---------
Net expenses.......................................... 287,370 10,042,667 16,386,768 94,329
---------- ------------ ------------ ---------
NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)................................ 346,828 5,499,380 17,242,619 (11,329)
---------- ------------ ------------ ---------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON
INVESTMENTS (NOTE 2):
Realized gain (loss) on investments................... 307,112 8,822,060 23,244,711 (103,174)
Realized gain distribution from
The Trusts.......................................... 395,016 67,065,259 110,287,707 --
---------- ------------ ------------ ---------
Net realized gain (loss)................................. 702,128 75,887,319 133,532,418 (103,174)
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... 1,408,394 40,944,576 42,665,225 648,068
---------- ------------ ------------ ---------
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)
ON INVESTMENTS........................................... 2,110,522 116,831,895 176,197,643 544,894
---------- ------------ ------------ ---------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS (NOTE 2)....................... $2,457,350 $122,331,275 $193,440,262 $ 533,565
========== ============ ============ =========
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FSA-8
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIXED INCOME SERIES:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE
MONEY MARKET ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE
FUND GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND
------------------------------ -----------------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)............................. $ 3,823,222 $ 3,606,969 $ 1,762,313 $ 1,421,306
Net realized gain (loss) on investments.................. 238,059 236,951 470,342 63,438
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... 121,024 (78,466) 512,287 431,540
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Net increase in net assets from operations............... 4,182,305 3,765,454 2,744,942 1,916,284
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
FROM CONTRACTOWNERS TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 4):
Contributions and Transfers:
Contributions......................................... 59,238,443 86,657,302 10,106,543 7,536,973
Transfers from other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 99,124,881 47,922,157 23,196,411 8,017,226
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Total............................................ 158,363,324 134,579,459 33,302,954 15,554,199
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Payments, Transfers and Charges:
Annuity payments, withdrawals
and death benefits.................................. 25,401,484 16,145,603 5,018,282 3,204,151
Transfers to other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 108,901,266 117,776,744 14,425,062 6,576,233
Withdrawal and administrative charges................. 307,072 297,412 75,927 54,007
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Total............................................ 134,609,822 134,219,759 19,519,271 9,834,391
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from
Contractowners transactions........................... 23,753,502 359,700 13,783,683 5,719,808
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Net (increase) decrease in amount retained by
Equitable Life in Separate Account A (Note 3)......... 99,791 (68,437) (40,620) (50,296)
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 28,035,598 4,056,717 16,488,005 7,585,796
NET ASSETS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 97,871,518 93,814,801 37,013,989 29,428,193
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
NET ASSETS -- END OF PERIOD (NOTE 1)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... $125,907,116 $ 97,871,518 $53,501,994 $37,013,989
============ ============ =========== ===========
<CAPTION>
FIXED INCOME SERIES:
----------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE ALLIANCE
QUALITY BOND HIGH YIELD
FUND FUND
---------------------------- -----------------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)............................. $ 2,601,044 $ 1,622,820 $ 17,912,128 $ 10,021,713
Net realized gain (loss) on investments.................. 1,993,466 249,479 3,914,555 8,751,281
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... (486,113) 547,099 (36,813,923) (187,263)
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Net increase in net assets from operations............... 4,108,397 2,419,398 (14,987,240) 18,585,731
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
FROM CONTRACTOWNERS TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 4):
Contributions and Transfers:
Contributions......................................... 20,999,014 8,725,632 52,878,815 39,249,294
Transfers from other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 46,264,543 14,735,972 114,552,746 81,831,743
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Total............................................ 67,263,557 23,461,604 167,431,561 121,081,037
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Payments, Transfers and Charges:
Annuity payments, withdrawals
and death benefits.................................. 4,294,846 2,471,399 15,414,754 9,034,492
Transfers to other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 26,129,927 9,009,004 96,757,242 50,004,724
Withdrawal and administrative charges................. 64,190 49,238 269,447 180,111
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Total............................................ 30,488,963 11,529,641 112,441,443 59,219,327
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from
Contractowners transactions........................... 36,774,594 11,931,963 54,990,118 61,861,710
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Net (increase) decrease in amount retained by
Equitable Life in Separate Account A (Note 3)......... (65,774) (51,466) (32,954) (195,148)
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 40,817,217 14,299,895 39,969,924 80,252,293
NET ASSETS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 40,649,160 26,349,265 158,213,532 77,961,239
----------- ----------- ------------ ------------
NET ASSETS -- END OF PERIOD (NOTE 1)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... $81,466,377 $40,649,160 $198,183,456 $158,213,532
=========== =========== ============ ============
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FSA-9
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES:
--------------------------------------------------------------
T. ROWE PRICE EQ/PUTNAM
EQUITY INCOME GROWTH & INCOME VALUE
FUND(a) FUND(a)
----------------------------- ----------------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)............................. $ 972,619 $ 213,607 $ (27,881) $ 27,593
Net realized gain (loss) on investments.................. 1,957,941 84,219 241,200 48,562
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... 4,171,888 3,419,591 5,418,025 743,804
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net increase in net assets from operations............... 7,102,448 3,717,417 5,631,344 819,959
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
FROM CONTRACTOWNERS TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 4):
Contributions and Transfers:
Contributions......................................... 34,984,402 14,253,368 21,041,270 9,287,300
Transfers from other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 70,500,028 49,127,513 31,492,288 21,624,425
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Total............................................ 105,484,430 63,380,881 52,533,558 30,911,725
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Payments, Transfers and Charges:
Annuity payments, withdrawals
and death benefits.................................. 4,063,205 461,902 2,208,567 221,732
Transfers to other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 26,010,302 8,775,894 9,702,715 2,466,969
Withdrawal and administrative charges................. 88,752 7,224 53,830 5,138
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Total............................................ 30,162,259 9,245,020 11,965,112 2,693,839
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from
Contractowners transactions........................... 75,322,171 54,135,861 40,568,446 28,217,886
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net (increase) decrease in amount retained by
Equitable Life in Separate Account A (Note 3)......... (94,421) (368,386) (127,918) (283,117)
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 82,330,198 57,484,892 46,071,872 28,754,728
NET ASSETS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 57,484,892 -- 28,754,728 --
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
NET ASSETS -- END OF PERIOD (NOTE 1)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... $139,815,090 $57,484,892 $74,826,600 $28,754,728
============ =========== =========== ===========
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES:
--------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE ALLIANCE
GROWTH & INCOME EQUITY INDEX
FUND FUND
------------------------------- ----------------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
------------- ------------ -------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)............................. $ (4,742,310) $ (881,670) $ (1,365,362) $ 785,831
Net realized gain (loss) on investments.................. 51,666,978 22,637,435 40,417,098 15,251,160
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... 39,346,894 34,617,976 170,263,193 98,430,290
------------- ------------ -------------- -----------
Net increase in net assets from operations............... 86,271,562 56,373,741 209,314,929 114,467,281
------------- ------------ -------------- -----------
FROM CONTRACTOWNERS TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 4):
Contributions and Transfers:
Contributions......................................... 101,906,524 77,902,559 169,623,980 123,805,230
Transfers from other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 162,800,542 159,040,741 637,861,607 497,060,564
------------- ------------ -------------- -----------
Total............................................ 264,707,066 236,943,300 807,485,587 620,865,794
------------- ------------ -------------- -----------
Payments, Transfers and Charges:
Annuity payments, withdrawals
and death benefits.................................. 30,427,264 15,991,738 55,265,209 26,845,795
Transfers to other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 89,917,684 70,222,768 455,238,354 332,805,482
Withdrawal and administrative charges................. 678,233 387,138 1,207,740 650,256
------------- ------------ -------------- -----------
Total............................................ 121,023,181 86,601,644 511,711,303 360,301,533
------------- ------------ -------------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from
Contractowners transactions........................... 143,683,885 150,341,656 295,774,284 260,564,261
------------- ------------ -------------- -----------
Net (increase) decrease in amount retained by
Equitable Life in Separate Account A (Note 3)......... (817,183) (337,427) (1,687,941) (491,351)
------------- ------------ -------------- -----------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 229,138,264 206,377,970 503,401,272 374,540,191
NET ASSETS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 369,884,267 163,506,297 648,886,895 274,346,704
------------- ------------ -------------- -----------
NET ASSETS -- END OF PERIOD (NOTE 1)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... $599,022,531 $369,884,267 $1,152,288,167 $648,886,895
============= ============ ============== ============
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(a) Commenced operations on May 1, 1997.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FSA-10
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES (CONTINUED):
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE
MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE COMMON STOCK
EQUITY FUND(a) FUND
------------------------------ -------------------------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
----------- ----------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)............................. $ 56,464 $ 28,039 $ (46,516,714) $ (40,194,434)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments.................. 703,647 32,936 1,122,099,298 520,414,631
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... 1,021,838 226,896 573,857,850 776,898,715
----------- ----------- -------------- --------------
Net increase in net assets from
operations............................................ 1,781,949 287,871 1,649,440,434 1,257,118,912
----------- ----------- -------------- --------------
FROM CONTRACTOWNERS TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 4):
Contributions and Transfers:
Contributions......................................... 18,099,811 5,085,307 526,598,693 485,617,488
Transfers from other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 54,374,032 15,531,026 1,219,987,398 981,404,674
----------- ----------- -------------- --------------
Total............................................ 72,473,843 20,616,333 1,746,586,091 1,467,022,162
----------- ----------- -------------- --------------
Payments, Transfers and Charges:
Annuity payments, withdrawals
and death benefits.................................. 1,998,824 146,225 439,741,977 326,957,672
Transfers to other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 31,529,622 3,680,513 1,134,646,060 793,882,977
Withdrawal and administrative
charges............................................. 37,806 3,018 7,821,832 6,730,878
----------- ----------- -------------- --------------
Total............................................ 33,566,252 3,829,756 1,582,209,869 1,127,571,527
----------- ----------- -------------- --------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from
Contractowners transactions........................... 38,907,591 16,786,577 164,376,222 339,450,635
----------- ----------- -------------- --------------
Net (increase) decrease in amount retained by
Equitable Life in Separate Account A (Note 3)......... (112,369) (298,904) (12,019,228) (5,291,673)
----------- ----------- -------------- --------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 40,577,171 16,775,544 1,801,797,428 1,591,277,874
NET ASSETS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 16,775,544 -- 5,923,975,974 4,332,698,100
----------- ----------- -------------- --------------
NET ASSETS -- END OF PERIOD (NOTE 1)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... $57,352,715 $16,775,544 $7,725,773,402 $5,923,975,974
=========== =========== ============== ==============
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES (CONTINUED):
------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS RESEARCH ALLIANCE GLOBAL
FUND(a) FUND
------------------------------- ---------------------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)............................. $ (486,308) $ (44,322) $ (952,981) $ 4,053,343
Net realized gain (loss) on investments.................. (916,443) 156,450 59,782,149 44,106,582
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... 13,393,079 477,876 60,932,110 7,345,361
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase in net assets from
operations............................................ 11,990,328 590,004 119,761,278 55,505,286
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
FROM CONTRACTOWNERS TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 4):
Contributions and Transfers:
Contributions......................................... 26,220,920 9,395,788 73,052,084 89,835,392
Transfers from other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 79,372,885 21,884,490 97,000,214 100,167,043
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total............................................ 105,593,805 31,280,278 170,052,298 190,002,435
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Payments, Transfers and Charges:
Annuity payments, withdrawals
and death benefits.................................. 2,234,932 315,298 45,379,156 38,003,491
Transfers to other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 39,937,639 3,913,603 124,416,716 93,151,966
Withdrawal and administrative
charges............................................. 56,352 4,474 1,061,880 1,013,918
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Total............................................ 42,228,923 4,233,375 170,857,752 132,169,375
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from
Contractowners transactions........................... 63,364,882 27,046,903 (805,454) 57,833,060
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net (increase) decrease in amount retained by
Equitable Life in Separate Account A (Note 3)......... (280,049) (462,377) (667,287) (280,980)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 75,075,161 27,174,530 118,288,537 113,057,366
NET ASSETS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 27,174,530 -- 608,511,631 495,454,265
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET ASSETS -- END OF PERIOD (NOTE 1)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... $102,249,691 $27,174,530 $726,800,168 $608,511,631
============ =========== ============ ============
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(a) Commenced operations on May 1, 1997.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FSA-11
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES (CONTINUED):
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE T. ROWE PRICE
INTERNATIONAL INTERNATIONAL STOCK
FUND FUND(a)
------------------------------ -----------------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
------------ ------------- ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)............................. $ 630,063 $ 1,841,231 $ (89,213) $ (167,342)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments.................. (6,291,778) 8,984,846 (2,186,910) (1,454,589)
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... 17,134,710 (15,797,804) 8,173,937 (917,513)
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Net increase in net assets from
operations............................................ 11,472,995 (4,971,727) 5,897,814 (2,539,444)
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
FROM CONTRACTOWNERS TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 4):
Contributions and Transfers:
Contributions......................................... 18,021,919 27,672,360 17,268,615 11,943,016
Transfers from other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 252,313,930 151,532,780 79,807,973 48,742,022
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Total............................................ 270,335,849 179,205,140 97,076,588 60,685,038
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Payments, Transfers and Charges:
Annuity payments, withdrawals
and death benefits.................................. 9,618,434 9,154,376 2,262,558 551,644
Transfers to other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 259,822,531 143,958,994 64,643,746 19,727,736
Withdrawal and administrative
charges............................................. 226,908 226,612 65,025 12,207
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Total............................................ 269,667,873 153,339,982 66,971,329 20,291,587
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from
Contractowners transactions........................... 667,976 25,865,158 30,105,259 40,393,451
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
Net (increase) decrease in amount retained by
Equitable Life in Separate Account A (Note 3)......... (208,473) 8,298 (140,255) 74,460
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 11,932,498 20,901,729 35,862,818 37,928,467
NET ASSETS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 118,089,289 97,187,560 37,928,467 --
------------ ------------ ----------- -----------
NET ASSETS -- END OF PERIOD (NOTE 1)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... $130,021,787 $118,089,289 $73,791,285 $37,928,467
============ ============ =========== ===========
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES (CONTINUED):
-----------------------------------------------------------------
MORGAN STANLEY ALLIANCE
EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY AGGRESSIVE STOCK
FUND(b) FUND
---------------------------- ---------------------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
----------- ------------ -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)............................. $ (77,914) $ 15,148 $ (25,699,164) $ (36,023,732)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments.................. (4,762,302) (875,317) 229,821,681 414,890,550
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... 34,335 (1,097,984) (233,439,908) (79,262,405)
----------- ------------ --------------- --------------
Net increase in net assets from
operations............................................ (4,805,881) (1,958,153) (29,317,391) 299,604,413
----------- ------------ -------------- --------------
FROM CONTRACTOWNERS TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 4):
Contributions and Transfers:
Contributions......................................... 4,268,805 2,087,150 292,963,500 378,453,001
Transfers from other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 58,497,186 17,543,713 837,060,745 1,226,614,217
----------- ------------ -------------- --------------
Total............................................ 62,765,991 19,630,863 1,130,024,245 1,605,067,218
----------- ------------ -------------- --------------
Payments, Transfers and Charges:
Annuity payments, withdrawals
and death benefits.................................. 371,931 38,081 246,890,973 223,777,455
Transfers to other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 55,007,653 10,197,807 1,105,075,546 1,226,219,275
Withdrawal and administrative
charges............................................. 12,342 1,449 5,526,894 5,581,896
----------- ------------ -------------- --------------
Total............................................ 55,391,926 10,237,337 1,357,493,413 1,455,578,626
----------- ------------ -------------- --------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from
Contractowners transactions........................... 7,374,065 9,393,526 (227,469,168) 149,488,592
----------- ------------ -------------- --------------
Net (increase) decrease in amount retained by
Equitable Life in Separate Account A (Note 3)......... 1,295,969 1,210,394 63,901 (445,491)
----------- ------------ -------------- --------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 3,864,153 8,645,767 (256,722,658) 448,647,514
NET ASSETS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 8,645,767 -- 3,425,221,244 2,976,573,730
----------- ------------ -------------- --------------
NET ASSETS -- END OF PERIOD (NOTE 1)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... $12,509,920 $ 8,645,767 $3,168,498,586 $3,425,221,244
============ ============ ============== ===============
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(a) Commenced operations on May 1, 1997.
(b) Commenced operations on August 20, 1997.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FSA-12
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES (CONCLUDED):
-----------------------------------------------------------------
WARBURG PINCUS ALLIANCE
SMALL COMPANY VALUE SMALL CAP GROWTH
FUND(a) FUND(a)
------------------------------- -------------------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
------------ ----------- ------------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)............................. $ (628,813) $ (233,472) $ (1,425,679) $ (226,153)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments.................. (3,319,964) (398,282) (18,408,722) 2,928,197
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... (7,312,118) 22,263 12,576,541 (1,564,649)
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------
Net increase in net assets from operations............... (11,260,895) (609,491) (7,257,860) 1,137,395
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------
FROM CONTRACTOWNERS TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 4):
Contributions and Transfers:
Contributions......................................... 25,746,572 17,932,084 43,309,112 15,686,202
Transfers from other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 45,701,935 95,994,086 363,094,583 134,506,874
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------
Total............................................ 71,448,507 113,926,170 406,403,695 150,193,076
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------
Payments, Transfers and Charges:
Annuity payments, withdrawals
and death benefits.................................. 3,085,017 710,649 3,905,019 644,310
Transfers to other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 34,873,684 44,374,048 319,261,827 87,128,302
Withdrawal and administrative charges................. 105,234 13,343 112,019 7,383
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------
Total............................................ 38,063,935 45,098,040 323,278,865 87,779,995
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from
Contractowners transactions........................... 33,384,572 68,828,130 83,124,830 62,413,081
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------
Net (increase) decrease in amount retained by
Equitable Life in Separate Account A (Note 3)......... 13,573 (153,081) (23,520) (487,244)
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 22,137,250 68,065,558 75,843,450 63,063,232
NET ASSETS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 68,065,558 -- 63,063,232 --
------------ ------------ ------------- ------------
NET ASSETS -- END OF PERIOD (NOTE 1)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... $ 90,202,808 $ 68,065,558 $138,906,682 $ 63,063,232
============ ============ ============ ============
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES (CONCLUDED):
---------------------------------
MFS EMERGING
GROWTH COMPANIES
FUND(a)
---------------------------------
1998 1997
------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)............................. $ (1,122,240) $ (59,318)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments.................. (4,911,369) 410,582
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... 35,293,322 405,203
------------- -----------
Net increase in net assets from operations............... 29,259,713 756,467
------------- -----------
FROM CONTRACTOWNERS TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 4):
Contributions and Transfers:
Contributions......................................... 45,965,336 10,348,726
Transfers from other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 245,232,174 41,158,325
------------- -----------
Total............................................ 291,197,510 51,507,051
------------- -----------
Payments, Transfers and Charges:
Annuity payments, withdrawals
and death benefits.................................. 3,422,691 272,079
Transfers to other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 170,609,391 20,257,025
Withdrawal and administrative charges................. 94,296 3,323
------------- -----------
Total............................................ 174,126,378 20,532,427
------------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from
Contractowners transactions........................... 117,071,132 30,974,624
------------- -----------
Net (increase) decrease in amount retained by
Equitable Life in Separate Account A (Note 3)......... (199,446) (659,740)
------------- -----------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 146,131,399 31,071,351
NET ASSETS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 31,071,351 --
------------- -----------
NET ASSETS -- END OF PERIOD (NOTE 1)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... $177,202,750 $31,071,351
============ ===========
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(a) Commenced operations on May 1, 1997.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FSA-13
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSET ALLOCATION SERIES:
-------------------------------------------------------------
ALLIANCE EQ/PUTNAM
CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS BALANCED
FUND FUND(a)
--------------------------- -----------------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)............................. $ 2,806,823 $ 2,448,726 $ 346,828 $ 129,710
Net realized gain (loss) on investments.................. 7,693,592 3,730,623 702,128 115,430
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... 2,040,567 3,477,016 1,408,394 602,835
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net increase in net assets from operations............... 12,540,982 9,656,365 2,457,350 847,975
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
FROM CONTRACTOWNERS TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 4):
Contributions and Transfers:
Contributions......................................... 19,140,568 11,365,584 10,044,027 3,699,337
Transfers from other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 16,914,697 8,530,415 24,576,797 15,752,330
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Total............................................ 36,055,265 19,895,999 34,620,824 19,451,667
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Payments, Transfers and Charges:
Annuity payments, withdrawals
and death benefits.................................. 8,188,450 7,295,059 975,331 192,650
Transfers to other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 12,810,163 14,511,104 13,658,260 7,250,221
Withdrawal and administrative charges................. 167,275 162,391 20,744 1,654
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Total............................................ 21,165,888 21,968,554 14,654,335 7,444,525
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from
Contractowners transactions........................... 14,889,377 (2,072,555) 19,966,489 12,007,142
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
Net (increase) decrease in amount retained by
Equitable Life in Separate Account A (Note 3)......... (230,218) (172,151) (204,197) (434,093)
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 27,200,141 7,411,659 22,219,642 12,421,024
NET ASSETS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 92,663,211 85,251,552 12,421,024 --
------------ ----------- ----------- -----------
NET ASSETS -- END OF PERIOD (NOTE 1)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... $119,863,352 $92,663,211 $34,640,666 $12,421,024
============ =========== =========== ===========
<CAPTION>
ASSET ALLOCATION SERIES:
----------------------------------
ALLIANCE
GROWTH INVESTORS
FUND
----------------------------------
1998 1997
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)............................. $ 5,499,380 $ 7,374,359
Net realized gain (loss) on investments.................. 75,887,319 38,624,261
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments......................... 40,944,576 40,925,116
------------ ------------
Net increase in net assets from operations............... 122,331,275 86,923,736
------------ ------------
FROM CONTRACTOWNERS TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 4):
Contributions and Transfers:
Contributions......................................... 90,895,614 96,835,654
Transfers from other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 81,033,459 86,565,969
------------ ------------
Total............................................ 171,929,073 183,401,623
------------ ------------
Payments, Transfers and Charges:
Annuity payments, withdrawals
and death benefits.................................. 50,079,041 39,593,409
Transfers to other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account......................... 81,495,051 76,718,000
Withdrawal and administrative charges................. 1,338,300 1,162,210
------------ ------------
Total............................................ 132,912,392 117,473,619
------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from
Contractowners transactions........................... 39,016,681 65,928,004
------------ ------------
Net (increase) decrease in amount retained by
Equitable Life in Separate Account A (Note 3)......... (840,403) (551,891)
------------ ------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 160,507,553 152,299,849
NET ASSETS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... 681,710,478 529,410,629
------------ ------------
NET ASSETS -- END OF PERIOD (NOTE 1)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS........................... $842,218,031 $681,710,478
============ ============
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(a) Commenced operations on May 1, 1997.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FSA-14
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (CONCLUDED)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSET ALLOCATION SERIES (CONCLUDED):
--------------------------------------
ALLIANCE
BALANCED
FUND
--------------------------------------
1998 1997
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)...................................... $ 17,242,619 $ 23,301,713
Net realized gain (loss) on investments........................... 133,532,418 79,099,392
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments.................................. 42,665,225 45,961,244
-------------- --------------
Net increase in net assets from operations........................ 193,440,262 148,362,349
-------------- --------------
FROM CONTRACTOWNERS TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 4):
Contributions and Transfers:
Contributions.................................................. 76,987,846 84,629,925
Transfers from other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account.................................. 168,586,346 112,630,041
-------------- --------------
Total..................................................... 245,574,192 197,259,966
-------------- --------------
Payments, Transfers and Charges:
Annuity payments, withdrawals
and death benefits........................................... 107,639,830 96,288,584
Transfers to other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account.................................. 202,971,507 170,604,239
Withdrawal and administrative charges.......................... 1,699,980 1,889,094
-------------- --------------
Total..................................................... 312,311,317 268,781,917
-------------- --------------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from
Contractowners transactions.................................... (66,737,125) (71,521,951)
-------------- --------------
Net (increase) decrease in amount retained by
Equitable Life in Separate Account A (Note 3).................. (1,923,481) (620,223)
-------------- --------------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS.................................... 124,779,656 76,220,175
NET ASSETS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS.................................... 1,197,956,017 1,121,735,842
-------------- --------------
NET ASSETS -- END OF PERIOD (NOTE 1)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS.................................... $1,322,735,673 $1,197,956,017
============== ==============
<CAPTION>
ASSET ALLOCATION SERIES (CONCLUDED):
----------------------------------
MERRILL LYNCH WORLD
STRATEGY FUND(a)
------------------------------
1998 1997
---------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS:
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss)...................................... $ (11,329) $ 16,034
Net realized gain (loss) on investments........................... (103,174) 33,737
Change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) of investments.................................. 648,068 (153,612)
---------- -----------
Net increase in net assets from operations........................ 533,565 (103,841)
---------- -----------
FROM CONTRACTOWNERS TRANSACTIONS (NOTE 4):
Contributions and Transfers:
Contributions.................................................. 1,929,793 1,913,915
Transfers from other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account.................................. 7,365,231 8,826,145
---------- -----------
Total..................................................... 9,295,024 10,740,060
---------- -----------
Payments, Transfers and Charges:
Annuity payments, withdrawals
and death benefits........................................... 340,072 156,911
Transfers to other Funds and
Guaranteed Interest Account.................................. 5,454,326 4,913,746
Withdrawal and administrative charges.......................... 10,176 622
---------- -----------
Total..................................................... 5,804,574 5,071,279
---------- -----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from
Contractowners transactions.................................... 3,490,450 5,668,781
---------- -----------
Net (increase) decrease in amount retained by
Equitable Life in Separate Account A (Note 3).................. (179,747) (139,641)
---------- -----------
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS.................................... 3,844,268 5,425,299
NET ASSETS -- BEGINNING OF PERIOD
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS.................................... 5,425,299 --
---------- -----------
NET ASSETS -- END OF PERIOD (NOTE 1)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CONTRACTOWNERS.................................... $9,269,567 $ 5,425,299
========== ===========
</TABLE>
- ---------------------
(a) Commenced operations on May 1, 1997.
See Notes to Financial Statements.
FSA-15
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1998
1. General
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (Equitable Life)
Separate Account A (The Account) is organized as a unit investment trust, a
type of investment company, and is registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Alliance
Capital Management L.P., an indirect, majority-owned subsidiary of
Equitable Life, manages The Hudson River Trust (HR Trust) and is investment
adviser for all of the investment funds of HR Trust. EQ Financial
Consultants, Inc., an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Equitable Life,
manages the EQ Advisors Trust (EQ Trust) and has overall responsibility for
general management and administration of EQ Trust. The Account consists of
twenty-four investment funds (Funds): Alliance Money Market Fund, Alliance
Intermediate Government Securities Fund, Alliance Quality Bond Fund,
Alliance High Yield Fund, T. Rowe Price Equity Income Fund, EQ/Putnam
Growth & Income Value Fund, Alliance Growth & Income Fund, Alliance Equity
Index Fund, Merrill Lynch Basic Value Equity Fund, Alliance Common Stock
Fund, MFS Research Fund, Alliance Global Fund, Alliance International Fund,
T. Rowe Price International Stock Fund, Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets
Equity Fund, Alliance Aggressive Stock Fund, Warburg Pincus Small Company
Value Fund, Alliance Small Cap Growth Fund, MFS Emerging Growth Companies
Fund, Alliance Conservative Investors Fund, EQ/Putnam Balanced Fund,
Alliance Growth Investors Fund, Alliance Balanced Fund and Merrill Lynch
World Strategy Fund. The assets in each fund are invested in shares of a
corresponding portfolio (Portfolio) of a mutual fund, Class 1A or Class 1B
shares of HR Trust or Class 1B shares of EQ Trust (Collectively, the
"Trusts"). Class 1A and 1B shares are offered by the Trust at net asset
value. Both classes of shares are subject to fees for investment management
and advisory services and other Trust expenses. Class 1A shares are not
subject to distribution fees imposed pursuant to a distribution plan. Class
1B shares are subject to distribution fees imposed under a distribution
plan (herein, the "Rule 12b-1 Plans") adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the 1940 Act, as amended. The Rule 12b-1 Plans provide that the Trusts, on
behalf of each Fund, may charge annually up to 0.25% of the average daily
net assets of a Fund attributable to its Class 1B shares in respect of
activities primarily intended to result in the sale of the Class 1B shares.
These fees are reflected in the net asset value of the shares. The Trusts
are open-end, diversified investment management companies that invest
separate account assets of insurance companies.
EQFC earns fees from both Trusts under distribution agreements held with
the Trusts. EQFC also earns fees under an investment management agreement
with the EQ Trust. Alliance earns fees under an investment advisory
agreement with the HR Trust.
The Account is used to fund benefits under certain individual tax-favored
variable annuity contracts (Old Contracts), individual non-qualified
variable annuity contracts (EQUIPLAN Contracts), tax-favored and
non-qualified certificates issued under group deferred variable annuity
contracts and certain related individual contracts (EQUI-VEST Contracts),
group deferred variable annuity contracts used to fund tax-qualified
defined contribution plans (Momentum Contracts) and group variable annuity
contracts used as a funding vehicle for employers who sponsor qualified
defined contribution plans (Momentum Plus). All of these contracts and
certificates are collectively referred to as the Contracts.
The net assets of the Account are not chargeable with liabilities arising
out of any other business Equitable Life may conduct. The excess of assets
over reserves and other contract liabilities, if any, in the Account may be
transferred to Equitable Life's General Account. Equitable Life's General
Account is subject to creditor rights. Due to/from Equitable Life's General
Account represents amounts receivable/payable to the General Account is
predominately related to policy-related transactions, premiums, surrenders
and death benefits.
FSA-16
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying financial statements are prepared in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The preparation of
financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date
of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.
Investments are made in shares of the Trust and are valued at the net asset
values per share of the respective Portfolios. The net asset value is
determined by the Trust using the market or fair value of the underlying
assets of the Portfolio less liabilities.
Investment transactions are recorded by the Account on the trade date.
Dividends are declared by HR Trust at the end of each quarter and by EQ
Trust in the fourth quarter on the ex-dividend date. Dividends and capital
gain distributions are automatically reinvested on the ex-dividend date.
Realized gains and losses include gains and losses on redemptions of the
Trust's shares (determined on the identified cost basis) and Trust
distributions representing the net realized gains on Trust investment
transactions are distributed by the Trusts at the end of each year.
No federal income tax based on net income or realized and unrealized
capital gains is currently applicable to Contracts participating in the
Account by reason of applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and
no federal income tax payable by Equitable Life is expected to affect the
unit value of Contracts participating in the Account. Accordingly, no
provision for income taxes is required. Equitable Life retains the right to
charge for any federal income tax incurred which is attributable to the
Account if the law is changed.
3. Asset Charges
The following charges are made directly against the daily net assets of the
Account and are reflected daily in the computation of the accumulation unit
values of the Contracts:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEATH MORTALITY EXPENSE FINANCIAL
BENEFITS RISKS EXPENSES RISKS ACCOUNTING TOTAL
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
EQUI-VEST/
MOMENTUM
CONTRACTS
Alliance Money Market Fund,
Alliance Balanced Fund
Alliance Common Stock Fund 0.05% 0.30% 0.60% 0.30% 0.24% 1.49%
All Other Funds 0.05% 0.30% 0.60% 0.15% 0.24% 1.34%
MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS--ALL
FUNDS -- 0.50% 0.25% 0.60% -- 1.35%
OLD CONTRACTS
Common Stock and Money Market
Funds 0.05% 0.45% 0.16% 0.08% -- .74%
EQUIPLAN CONTRACTS
Common Stock and
Intermediate Government
Securities Funds 0.05% 0.45% 0.16% 0.08% -- .74%
EQUI-VEST SERIES 300 & SERIES 400
CONTRACTS
Alliance Money Market Fund
Alliance Common Stock Fund
Alliance Aggressive Stock Fund
Alliance Balanced Fund -- 0.60% 0.25% 0.50% -- 1.35%
All Other Funds -- 0.60% 0.24%* 0.50% -- 1.34%
</TABLE>
FSA-17
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
3. Asset Charges (Continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DEATH MORTALITY EXPENSE FINANCIAL
BENEFITS RISKS EXPENSES RISKS ACCOUNTING TOTAL
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS
All Funds -- 0.70% 0.25% 0.50% -- 1.45%
EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS
All Funds -- 0.45% 0.25% 0.50% -- 1.20%
</TABLE>
----------
* During 1998, Equitable Life charged EQUI-VEST Series 300 and 400
Contracts 0.24% against the assets of the HR Trust and EQ Trust Funds
for expenses, except as noted. This voluntary expense limitation
discounted from 0.25% to 0.24% may be discontinued by Equitable Life
at its discretion.
The above charges may be retained in the Account by Equitable Life and, to
the extent retained, participate in the net investment results of the Trust
ratably with assets attributable to the Contracts.
Since the Trust shares are valued at their net asset value, investment
advisory fees and direct operating expenses of the Trust are, in effect,
passed on to the Account and are reflected in the computation of the
accumulation unit values of the Contracts.
Under the terms of the Contracts, the aggregate of these asset charges and
the charges of the Trust for advisory fees and for direct operating
expenses may not exceed a total effective annual rate of 1.75% for
EQUI-VEST and Momentum Contracts for the Alliance Money Market Fund, the
Alliance Common Stock Fund, the Alliance Aggressive Stock Fund, the
Alliance Balanced Funds and 1% for the Old Contracts and EQUIPLAN
Contracts.
Under the Contracts, the total charges may be reallocated among the various
expense categories. Equitable Life, however, intends to limit any possible
reallocation to include only the expense risks, mortality risks and death
benefit charges.
4. Contributions, Payments, Transfers and Charges
Contributions represent participant contributions under EQUI-VEST,
Momentum, Momentum Plus and EQUI-VEST Series 300 through 600 Contracts (but
excludes amounts allocated to the Guaranteed Interest Account, which are
reflected in the General Account) and participant contributions under other
Contracts (Old Contracts, EQUIPLAN) reduced by applicable deductions,
charges and state premium taxes. Contributions also include amounts applied
to purchase variable annuities. Transfers are amounts that participants
have directed to be moved among the Funds, including permitted transfers to
and from the Guaranteed Interest Account, which is part of Equitable Life's
General Account.
Variable annuity payments and death benefits are payments to participants
and beneficiaries made under the terms of the Contracts. Withdrawals are
amounts that participants have requested to be withdrawn and paid to them
or applied to purchase annuities. Withdrawal charges, if applicable, are
the deferred contingent withdrawal charges that apply to certain
withdrawals under EQUI-VEST, Momentum, Momentum Plus and EQUI-VEST Series
300 through 600 Contracts. Administrative charges, if applicable, are
deducted annually under EQUI-VEST, EQUIPLAN and Old Contracts and quarterly
under Momentum, Momentum Plus and EQUI-VEST Series 300 through 600
Contracts.
FSA-18
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
4. Contributions, Payments, Transfers and Charges (Continued):
Accumulation units issued and redeemed during the periods indicated were:
(Acronym BP refers to total Basis Points charged for that product as
described in Footnote 3)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------
1998 1997
----------------- ---------------
Fixed Income Series:
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET FUND
- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... 1,229,299 837,383
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 386,247 483,055
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 503,516 588,908
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 7,375 10,050
Old Contracts............................................... 42 120,867
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 135 BP................. 458,194 258,260
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 547 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... 941,797 877,393
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 326,686 415,858
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 506,664 564,110
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 10,102 10,333
Old Contracts............................................... 2,025 1,572
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 135 BP................. 341,437 277,148
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 156 --
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND
- ------------------------------------------------
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 5,893 5,215
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 50,402 29,724
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 1,592 804
EQUIPLAN CONTRACTS.......................................... 4 49,549
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 216,535 105,144
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 78 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 4,863 4,851
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 51,462 31,521
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 471 813
EQUIPLAN CONTRACTS.......................................... 4,747 2
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 103,688 50,075
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 45 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
</TABLE>
FSA-19
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
4. Contributions, Payments, Transfers and Charges (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------
1998 1997
----------------- ---------------
Fixed Income Series (Continued):
ALLIANCE QUALITY BOND FUND
- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 10,469 7,848
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 36,968 22,668
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 444 449
Old Contracts............................................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 483,053 167,788
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 146 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 5,361 5,005
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 27,523 12,495
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 182 636
Old Contracts............................................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 209,302 80,367
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 19 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD FUND
- -----------------------
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 19,540 17,805
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 45,063 62,992
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 1,531 1,622
Old Contracts............................................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 976,709 726,147
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 387 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... 1 --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 11,692 6,772
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 55,069 42,608
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 1,524 1,327
Old Contracts............................................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 643,692 338,338
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 8 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
</TABLE>
FSA-20
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
4. Contributions, Payments, Transfers and Charges (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------
1998 1997
----------------- ---------------
Equity Series:
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY INCOME FUND
- -------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 1,360 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 3,355 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 838,991 554,196
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 418 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... 1 --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 214 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 628 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 244,081 79,255
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
EQ/PUTNAM GROWTH & INCOME VALUE FUND
- ------------------------------------
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 523 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 2,572 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 431,414 273,498
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 407 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... 1 --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 328 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 507 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 99,601 23,834
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
</TABLE>
FSA-21
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
4. Contributions, Payments, Transfers and Charges (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------
1998 1997
----------------- ---------------
Equity Series (Continued):
ALLIANCE GROWTH & INCOME FUND
- -----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 52,613 45,474
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 113,506 116,065
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 4,425 3,889
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 642 1,441
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 1,224,228 1,286,205
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 1,401 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 25,771 17,193
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 87,335 46,155
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 1,838 2,901
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 38 337
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 548,572 462,065
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 9 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
ALLIANCE EQUITY INDEX FUND
- --------------------------
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 79,518 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 205,393 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 6,938 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 1,097 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 3,094,562 2,967,392
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 2,295 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... 3 --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 37,943 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 153,058 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 1,574 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 193 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 1,974,951 1,768,139
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 44 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
</TABLE>
FSA-22
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
4. Contributions, Payments, Transfers and Charges (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------
1998 1997
----------------- ---------------
Equity Series (Continued):
MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE EQUITY FUND
- -------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 3,082 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 2,932 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 563,336 177,242
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 352 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... 1 --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 991 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 263,606 32,592
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 10 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK FUND
- --------------------------
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... 4,199,955 4,383,156
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 171,967 204,382
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 479,798 545,202
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 10,617 41,653
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 2,467 6,431
Old Contracts............................................... 19 301,258
EQUIPLAN Contracts.......................................... 4 86,999
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 135 BP................. 2,035,253 1,968,780
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 4,784 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... 2 --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... 4,354,955 3,930,073
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 169,605 134,959
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 539,175 354,590
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 8,027 142,434
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 686 1,552
Old Contracts............................................... 42,795 3,085
EQUIPLAN Contracts.......................................... 14,746 1,986
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 135 BP................. 992,260 660,995
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 56 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
</TABLE>
FSA-23
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
4. Contributions, Payments, Transfers and Charges (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------
1998 1997
----------------- ---------------
Equity Series (Continued):
MFS RESEARCH FUND
- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 4,266 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 3,956 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 811,244 273,002
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 897 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 455 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 1,331 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 327,759 36,730
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 11 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
ALLIANCE GLOBAL FUND
- --------------------
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 49,409 67,282
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 127,169 173,371
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 2,960 3,421
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 1,062 2,872
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 885,709 1,087,193
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 509 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... 1 --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 40,074 36,989
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 182,741 151,688
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 3,546 3,187
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 266 468
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 859,826 712,463
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 12 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
</TABLE>
FSA-24
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
4. Contributions, Payments, Transfers and Charges (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------
1998 1997
----------------- ---------------
Equity Series (Continued):
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND
- ---------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 19,308 23,465
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 45,097 61,102
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 1,430 8,513
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 368 1,175
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 2,265,890 1,473,483
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 149 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 14,348 10,479
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 43,776 25,904
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 860 25,384
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 162 387
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 2,262,822 1,268,707
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 4 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND
- --------------------------------------
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 1,408 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 3,038 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 922,463 590,328
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 245 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... 1 --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 904 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 401 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 640,201 201,762
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
</TABLE>
FSA-25
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
4. Contributions, Payments, Transfers and Charges (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------
1998 1997
----------------- ---------------
Equity Series (Continued):
MORGAN STANLEY EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND
- -------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 453 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 1,191 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 971,105 228,577
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 86 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... 1 --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 84 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 863,432 119,707
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 2 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE STOCK FUND
- ------------------------------
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... 7,874,975 12,306,387
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 567,249 663,082
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 444,735 574,827
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 10,329 36,380
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 2,726 9,299
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 135 BP................. 2,038,278 2,341,814
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 1,374 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... 10,271,285 12,221,170
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 604,014 506,394
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 567,458 369,618
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 8,422 107,896
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 1,959 2,386
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 135 BP................. 1,922,386 1,583,469
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 2 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
</TABLE>
FSA-26
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
4. Contributions, Payments, Transfers and Charges (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------
1998 1997
----------------- ---------------
Equity Series (Continued):
WARBURG PINCUS SMALL COMPANY VALUE FUND
- ---------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 423 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 2,025 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 612,043 944,293
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 327 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... 2 --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 61 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 482 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 329,886 367,754
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 7 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
ALLIANCE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND
- ------------------------------
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 28,706 6,275
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 47,698 8,595
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 305 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 977 466
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 3,265,688 1,187,782
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 603 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 7,539 139
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 14,989 743
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 119 700,040
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 2,652,769 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
</TABLE>
FSA-27
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
4. Contributions, Payments, Transfers and Charges (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------
1998 1997
----------------- ---------------
Equity Series (Concluded):
MFS EMERGING GROWTH COMPANIES FUND
- ----------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 5,123 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 8,576 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 2,078,356 424,497
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 1,523 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 1,491 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 1,244,873 168,426
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
Asset Allocation Series:
ALLIANCE CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS FUND
- ------------------------------------
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 8,324 8,745
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 40,973 45,283
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 1,546 1,777
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 213,369 114,868
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 49 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... 1 --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 7,000 4,397
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 45,023 52,105
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 2,688 1,102
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 105,278 128,454
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
</TABLE>
FSA-28
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
4. Contributions, Payments, Transfers and Charges (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------
1998 1997
----------------- ---------------
Asset Allocation Series (Continued):
EQ/PUTNAM BALANCED FUND
- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 442 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 1,376 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 290,577 175,775
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 174 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 116 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 124,887 66,296
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
ALLIANCE GROWTH INVESTORS FUND
- ------------------------------
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 50,095 70,069
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 148,895 206,206
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 4,888 3,369
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 685 2,935
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 882,636 1,019,421
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 744 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... 1 --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 38,654 33,111
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 192,540 138,201
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 3,629 3,482
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 118 1,446
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 624,987 640,400
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
</TABLE>
FSA-29
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
4. Contributions, Payments, Transfers and Charges (Concluded):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------
1998 1997
----------------- ---------------
Asset Allocation Series (Concluded):
ALLIANCE BALANCED FUND
- ----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... 4,212,025 3,643,409
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 226,716 272,369
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 155,854 168,722
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 4,058 15,895
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 487 2,030
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 135 BP................. 357,343 263,741
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 493 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... 5,887,319 5,926,775
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 292,550 277,292
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 220,244 131,565
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. 3,530 52,839
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... 61 1,298
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 135 BP................. 260,878 156,561
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
MERRILL LYNCH WORLD STRATEGY FUND
- ---------------------------------
Issued -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... 112 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 841 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 85,123 98,231
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... 25 --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... 1 --
Redeemed -- EQUI-VEST Contracts......................................... -- --
Momentum Contracts.......................................... -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 135 BP.............................. 50 --
Momentum Plus Contracts 100 BP.............................. -- --
Momentum Plus Contracts 90 BP............................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 300 & 400 134 BP................. 53,481 45,952
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 500 145 BP....................... -- --
EQUI-VEST Contracts Series 600 120 BP....................... -- --
</TABLE>
FSA-30
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
5. Net Assets
Net assets consist of net assets attributable to: (i) Contracts in the
accumulation period, which are represented by Contract accumulation units
outstanding multiplied by net unit values and (ii) actuarial reserves and
other liabilities attributable to Contracts in the payout period which are
not represented by accumulation units or unit values.
Listed below are components of net assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FIXED INCOME SERIES: EQUITY SERIES:
------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------
ALLIANCE
INTER- EQ/PUTNAM
MEDIATE ALLIANCE ALLIANCE T. ROWE GROWTH &
ALLIANCE GOVERNMENT QUALITY HIGH PRICE EQUITY INCOME
MONEY SECURITIES BOND YIELD INCOME VALUE
MARKET FUND FUND FUND FUND FUND FUND
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST
Contracts in
accumulation period ............. 38,523,428 -- -- -- -- --
Net assets attributable
to Old Contracts in
accumulation period ............. 4,312,389 -- -- -- -- --
Net assets attributable
to EQUIPLAN
Contracts in
accumulation period ............. -- 2,616,986 -- -- -- --
Net assets attributable
to Momentum
Contracts in
accumulation period ............. 11,218,510 1,437,192 1,964,317 5,501,246 149,136 65,510
Net assets attributable
to Momentum Plus
Contracts 135 BP in
accumulation period ............. 38,847,043 9,240,280 6,425,658 16,040,479 276,389 175,260
Net assets attributable
to Momentum Plus
Contracts 100 BP in
accumulation period ............. 1,159,113 427,602 179,813 761,000 -- --
Net assets attributable
to Momentum Plus
Contracts 90 BP in
accumulation period ............. -- -- -- -- -- --
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST Series 300
& 400 Contracts in
accumulation period ............. 31,535,332 39,758,609 72,429,089 175,147,544 139,347,246 74,544,834
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST Series 500
Contracts 145 BP in
accumulation period ............. 39,859 3,410 13,160 33,807 42,218 40,895
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST Series 600
Contracts 120 BP in
accumulation period ............. -- -- -- 89 101 101
Net assets attributable
to actuarial reserves,
financial reserves, and
other contract
liabilities
attributable to
Contracts in payout ............. 271,442 17,915 454,340 699,291 -- --
------------ ----------- ----------- ------------ ------------ -----------
$125,907,116 $53,501,994 $81,466,377 $198,183,456 $139,815,090 $74,826,600
============ =========== =========== ============ ============ ===========
</TABLE>
FSA-31
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
5. Net Assets (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES (CONTINUED):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MERRILL
ALLIANCE ALLIANCE LYNCH BASIC
GROWTH & EQUITY VALUE ALLIANCE MFS ALLIANCE
INCOME INDEX EQUITY COMMON STOCK RESEARCH GLOBAL
FUND FUND FUND FUND FUND FUND
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST
Contracts in
accumulation period ....... -- -- -- 5,578,588,050 -- --
Net assets attributable
to Old Contracts in
accumulation period ....... -- -- -- 107,448,483 -- --
Net assets attributable
to EQUIPLAN
Contracts in
accumulation period ....... -- -- -- 30,994,430 -- --
Net assets attributable
to Momentum
Contracts in
accumulation period ....... 20,534,526 36,675,445 393,479 191,376,071 536,562 28,455,218
Net assets attributable
to Momentum Plus
Contracts 135 BP in
accumulation period ....... 44,797,660 76,744,192 191,344 299,298,111 264,368 75,882,027
Net assets attributable
to Momentum Plus
Contracts 100 BP in
accumulation period ....... 1,128,819 2,312,294 -- 8,221,702 -- 1,769,643
Net assets attributable
to Momentum Plus
Contracts 90 BP in
accumulation period ....... 297,636 800,229 -- 1,267,407 -- 471,680
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST Series 300
& 400 Contracts in
accumulation period ....... 529,235,127 1,032,108,886 56,734,346 1,468,792,789 101,361,254 619,628,198
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST Series 500
Contracts 145 BP in
accumulation period ....... 143,000 233,384 33,448 486,472 87,507 48,890
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST Series 600
Contracts 120 BP in
accumulation period ....... -- 311 98 206 -- 98
Net assets attributable
to actuarial reserves,
financial reserves and
other contract
liabilities
attributable to
Contracts in payout ....... 2,885,763 3,413,426 -- 39,299,681 -- 544,414
------------ -------------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------
$599,022,531 $1,152,288,167 $57,352,715 $7,725,773,402 $102,249,691 $726,800,168
============ ============== =========== ============== ============ ============
</TABLE>
FSA-32
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
5. Net Assets (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES (CONTINUED):
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T. ROWE MORGAN WARBURG
PRICE STANLEY PINCUS ALLIANCE
ALLIANCE INTER- EMERGING ALLIANCE SMALL SMALL
INTER- NATIONAL MARKETS AGGRESSIVE COMPANY CAP
NATIONAL STOCK EQUITY STOCK VALUE GROWTH
FUND FUND FUND FUND FUND FUND
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST
Contracts in
accumulation period ....... -- -- -- 2,304,985,451 -- --
Net assets attributable
to Old Contracts in
accumulation period ....... -- -- -- -- -- --
Net assets attributable
to EQUIPLAN
Contracts in
accumulation period ....... -- -- -- -- -- --
Net assets attributable
to Momentum
Contracts in
accumulation period ....... 4,377,889 55,292 25,903 125,948,516 38,050 3,237,317
Net assets attributable
to Momentum Plus
Contracts 135 BP in
accumulation period ....... 10,184,498 261,030 95,457 186,727,114 128,276 4,808,507
Net assets attributable
to Momentum Plus
Contracts 100 BP in
accumulation period ....... 450,353 -- -- 5,101,533 -- 36,371
Net assets attributable
to Momentum Plus
Contracts 90 BP in
accumulation period ....... 114,042 -- -- 911,462 -- 158,152
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST Series 300
& 400 Contracts in
accumulation period ....... 114,319,069 73,451,923 12,381,723 540,090,983 90,009,744 130,505,375
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST Series 500
Contracts 145 BP in
accumulation period ....... 13,485 23,040 6,756 123,823 26,572 52,506
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST Series 600
Contracts 120 BP in
accumulation period ....... -- -- 81 -- 166 87
Net assets attributable
to actuarial reserves,
financial reserves and
other contract
liabilities
attributable to
Contracts in payout ....... 562,451 -- -- 4,609,704 -- 108,367
------------ ----------- ----------- -------------- ----------- ------------
$130,021,787 $73,791,285 $12,509,920 $3,168,498,586 $90,202,808 $138,906,682
============ =========== =========== ============== =========== ============
</TABLE>
FSA-33
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
5. Net Assets (Concluded):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQUITY SERIES (CONCLUDED): ASSET ALLOCATION SERIES:
------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------
MFS ALLIANCE MERRILL
EMERGING CONSER- ALLIANCE LYNCH
GROWTH VATIVE EQ/PUTNAM GROWTH ALLIANCE WORLD
COMPANIES INVESTORS BALANCED INVESTORS BALANCED STRATEGY
FUND FUND FUND FUND FUND FUND
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST
Contracts in
accumulation period ....... -- -- -- -- 1,097,942,924 --
Net assets attributable
to Old Contracts in
accumulation period ....... -- -- -- -- -- --
Net assets attributable
to EQUIPLAN
Contracts in
accumulation period ....... -- -- -- -- -- --
Net assets attributable
to Momentum
Contracts in
accumulation period ....... 825,008 3,489,106 55,321 28,639,790 44,449,206 12,249
Net assets attributable
to Momentum Plus
Contracts 135 BP in
accumulation period ....... 763,267 17,445,149 128,104 92,985,008 59,417,722 76,157
Net assets attributable
to Momentum Plus
Contracts 100 BP in
accumulation period ....... -- 576,228 -- 2,373,243 1,662,704 --
Net assets attributable
to Momentum Plus
Contracts 90 BP in
accumulation period ....... -- -- -- 307,598 166,289 --
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST Series 300
& 400 Contracts in
accumulation period ....... 175,456,981 97,305,713 34,439,759 715,666,898 118,465,723 9,178,694
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST Series 500
Contracts 145 BP in
accumulation period ....... 157,390 5,034 17,482 75,836 50,581 2,372
Net assets attributable
to EQUI-VEST Series 600
Contracts 120 BP in
accumulation period ....... 104 103 -- 102 -- 95
Net assets attributable
to actuarial reserves,
financial reserves and
other contract
liabilities
attributable to
Contracts in payout ....... -- 1,042,019 -- 2,169,556 580,524 --
------------ ------------ ----------- ------------ -------------- ----------
$177,202,750 $119,863,352 $34,640,666 $842,218,031 $1,322,735,673 $9,269,567
============ ============ =========== ============ ============== ==========
</TABLE>
FSA-34
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values
Shown below is accumulation unit value information for units outstanding.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET FUND -- OLD CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period. $35.12 $33.52 $32.00 $30.44 $29.43 $28.75 $27.92 $26.47 $24.59 $22.66
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Unit value, end of period....... $36.76 $35.12 $33.52 $32.00 $30.44 $29.43 $28.75 $27.92 $26.47 $24.59
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Number of units outstanding,
end of period (000's)........ 117 119 129 140 147 168 204 246 289 310
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 100 AND 200/MOMENTUM** CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period. $29.41 $28.28 $27.22 $26.08 $25.41 $25.01 $24.48 $23.38 $21.89 $20.32
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Unit value, end of period....... $30.55 $29.41 $28.28 $27.22 $26.08 $25.41 $25.01 $24.48 $23.38 $21.89
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Number of EQUI-VEST units
outstanding, end of period
(000's)...................... 1,261 973 1,013 1,021 1,000 1,065 1,201 1,325 1,307 1,045
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
Number of Momentum units
outstanding, end of
period (000's)............... 367 308 240 188 166 56
======= ======= ======= ======= ======= =======
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER 9, 1993*
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 TO DECEMBER 31, 1993
-------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $116.21 $111.75 $107.55 $103.10 $100.47 $100.00
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $120.76 $116.21 $111.75 $107.55 $103.10 $100.47
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 322 325 307 299 474 62
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1996*
1998 1997 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------- -------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $110.26 $105.65 $100.00
======== ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $114.98 $110.26 $105.65
======== ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 10 13 13
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
**The Momentum Contracts were first introduced for sale on February 15, 1993.
FSA-35
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 300 AND 400 CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JANUARY 3, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $115.66 $111.21 $107.04 $102.61 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $120.19 $115.66 $111.21 $107.04 $102.61
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 262 146 165 81 63
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.68
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
ALLIANCE MONEY MARKET FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.68
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND -- EQUIPLAN CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
-------- -------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period. $54.83 $51.34 $49.69 $44.04 $46.25 $42.04 $40.00 $35.17 $33.12 $28.89
======== ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Unit value, end of period....... $58.81 $54.83 $51.34 $49.69 $44.04 $46.25 $42.04 $40.00 $35.17 $33.12
======== ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Number of units outstanding,
end of period (000's)........ 45 50 55 50 54 58 66 74 82 91
======== ======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JUNE 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $118.98 $112.40 $109.80 $ 98.19 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $126.48 $118.98 $112.40 $109.80 $ 98.19
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 11 10 10 7 1
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-36
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER 9, 1993*
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 TO DECEMBER 31, 1993
-------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $114.78 $108.45 $105.94 $ 94.76 $100.44 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $122.00 $114.78 $108.45 $105.94 $ 94.76 $100.44
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 76 77 81 88 64 1
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1996*
1998 1997 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------- -------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $112.32 $105.75 $100.00
======== ======== =========
Unit value, end of period........................ $119.81 $112.32 $105.75
======== ======== =========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 4 2 2
======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND -- EQUI-VEST
SERIES 300 AND 400 CONTRACTS: 134 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JUNE 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $118.98 $112.40 $109.80 $ 98.19 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $126.48 $118.98 $112.40 $109.80 $ 98.19
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 314 202 146 89 32
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND --
EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $103.32
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-37
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
ALLIANCE INTERMEDIATE GOVERNMENT SECURITIES FUND --
EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $103.32
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE QUALITY BOND FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JUNE 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $121.30 $112.65 $108.38 $ 93.87 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $130.07 $121.30 $112.65 $108.38 $ 93.87
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 15 10 7 4 1
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE QUALITY BOND FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JUNE 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $127.99 $118.87 $114.38 $ 99.07 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $137.23 $127.99 $118.87 $114.38 $ 99.07
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 47 37 28 17 3
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-38
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE QUALITY BOND FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1996*
1998 1997 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------- -------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $117.60 $108.84 $100.00
======== ======== =========
Unit value, end of period........................ $126.54 $117.60 $108.84
======== ======== =========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1 1 1
======== ======== =========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE QUALITY BOND FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 300 AND 400 CONTRACTS: 134 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JANUARY 3, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $121.30 $112.65 $108.38 $ 93.87 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $130.07 $121.30 $112.65 $108.38 $ 93.87
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 557 283 196 135 53
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE QUALITY BOND FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $103.62
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
ALLIANCE QUALITY BOND FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $103.62
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JUNE 1, 1994* TO
1998 1997 1996 1995 DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $160.74 $137.53 $113.44 $ 95.88 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $150.42 $160.74 $137.53 $113.44 $ 95.88
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 37 29 18 7 1
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-39
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER 9, 1993*
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 TO DECEMBER 31, 1993
-------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $171.56 $146.80 $121.10 $102.37 $106.74 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $160.53 $171.56 $146.80 $121.10 $102.37 $106.74
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 100 110 94 70 38 1
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1996
1998 1997 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996*
-------- -------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $149.49 $127.46 $100.00
======== ======== =========
Unit value, end of period........................ $140.38 $149.49 $127.46
======== ======== =========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 5 5 5
======== ======== =========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 300 AND 400 CONTRACTS: 134 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JANUARY 3, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $160.74 $137.53 $113.44 $ 95.88 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $150.42 $160.74 $137.53 $113.44 $ 95.88
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1,164 831 444 209 99
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 89.20
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-40
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
ALLIANCE HIGH YIELD FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 89.20
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY INCOME FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $130.25
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1
=========
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY INCOME FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.39
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 3
=========
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY INCOME FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.56
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-41
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY INCOME FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.61
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY INCOME FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 100 THROUGH 400 CONTRACTS
YEAR ENDED MAY 1, 1997* TO
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
----------------------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $121.04 $100.00
========= =========
Unit value, end of period........................ $130.25 $121.04
========= =========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1,070 475
========= =========
</TABLE>
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY INCOME FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.00
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY INCOME FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.12
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-42
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
EQ/PUTNAM GROWTH & INCOME VALUE FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $128.20
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1
=========
EQ/PUTNAM GROWTH & INCOME VALUE FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.60
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 2
=========
EQ/PUTNAM GROWTH & INCOME VALUE FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.77
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
EQ/PUTNAM GROWTH & INCOME VALUE FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.82
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-43
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQ/PUTNAM GROWTH & INCOME VALUE FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 100 THROUGH 400 CONTRACTS
YEAR ENDED MAY 1, 1997* TO
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
----------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $115.17 $100.00
========= ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $128.20 $115.17
========= ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 581 250
========= ========
</TABLE>
EQ/PUTNAM GROWTH & INCOME VALUE FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $100.48
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
EQ/PUTNAM GROWTH & INCOME VALUE FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $100.60
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE GROWTH & INCOME FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JUNE 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $179.30 $143.37 $121.02 $ 98.86 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $213.81 $179.30 $143.37 $121.02 $ 98.86
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 96 69 41 17 4
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-44
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE GROWTH & INCOME FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JUNE 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- -------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $179.60 $143.63 $121.25 $ 99.06 $100.00
======== ======== ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $214.14 $179.60 $143.63 $121.25 $ 99.06
======== ======== ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 209 183 121 67 9
======== ======== ========= ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE GROWTH & INCOME FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1996*
1998 1997 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------- -------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $155.11 $123.61 $100.00
======== ======== =========
Unit value, end of period........................ $185.60 $155.11 $123.61
======== ======== =========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 6 3 3
======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE GROWTH & INCOME FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $145.48 $115.81
======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $174.26 $145.48
======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 2 1
======== ========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE GROWTH & INCOME FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 300 AND 400 CONTRACTS: 134 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JANUARY 3, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $179.30 $143.37 $121.02 $ 98.86 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $213.81 $179.30 $143.37 $121.02 $ 98.86
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 2,475 1,800 975 498 210
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-45
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
ALLIANCE GROWTH & INCOME FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $102.73
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1
=========
ALLIANCE GROWTH & INCOME FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $102.73
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE EQUITY INDEX FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JUNE 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $214.66 $164.12 $135.94 $100.95 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $271.24 $214.66 $164.12 $135.94 $100.95
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 135 94 51 12 1
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE EQUITY INDEX FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JUNE 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $214.58 $164.08 $135.92 $100.94 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $271.11 $214.58 $164.08 $135.92 $100.94
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 283 231 128 44 3
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-46
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE EQUITY INDEX FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1996*
1998 1997 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------- -------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $170.23 $139.70 $100.00
======== ======== =========
Unit value, end of period........................ $215.84 $170.23 $139.70
======== ======== =========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 11 5 4
======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE EQUITY INDEX FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $150.05 $114.21
======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $190.44 $150.05
======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 4 3
======== ========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE EQUITY INDEX FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 300 AND 400 CONTRACTS: 134 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JUNE 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $214.66 $164.12 $135.94 $100.95 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $271.24 $214.66 $164.12 $135.94 $100.95
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 3,805 2,686 1,486 592 47
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE EQUITY INDEX FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $103.68
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 2
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-47
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
ALLIANCE EQUITY INDEX FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $103.69
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE EQUITY FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $127.67
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 3
=========
MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE EQUITY FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 98.58
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 2
=========
MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE EQUITY FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 98.75
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-48
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE EQUITY FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 98.80
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE EQUITY FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 100 THROUGH 400 CONTRACTS
YEAR ENDED MAY 1, 1997* TO
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
----------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $115.97 $100.00
========= ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $127.67 $115.97
========= ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 444 145
========= ========
</TABLE>
MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE EQUITY FUND --
EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 97.80
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
MERRILL LYNCH BASIC VALUE EQUITY FUND --
EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 97.91
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-49
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK FUND -- OLD CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
-------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period. $316.64 $246.57 $199.66 $151.67 $155.96 $125.72 $122.56 $ 89.56 $97.97 $78.37
======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ======== ========
Unit value, end of period....... $407.19 $316.64 $246.57 $199.66 $151.67 $155.96 $125.72 $122.56 $89.56 $97.97
======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ======== ========
Number of units outstanding,
end of period (000's)........ 264 307 345 387 438 467 525 598 694 780
======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 100 AND 200/MOMENTUM** CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
-------- -------- --------- -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period. $253.68 $199.05 $162.42 $124.32 $128.81 $104.63 $102.76 $ 75.67 $83.40 $67.22
======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ======== ========
Unit value, end of period....... $323.75 $253.68 $199.05 $162.42 $124.32 $128.81 $104.63 $102.76 $75.67 $83.40
======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ======== ========
Number of EQUI-VEST units
outstanding, end of
period (000's)............... 17,231 17,386 16,933 16,292 15,749 13,917 11,841 10,292 9,670 8,645
======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ======== ========
Number of Momentum units
outstanding, end of
period (000's)............... 591 519 403 270 120
======== ======== ========= ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK FUND -- EQUIPLAN CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
-------- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period. $342.99 $267.08 $216.27 $164.29 $168.93 $136.10 $132.67 $ 96.95 $106.05 $ 84.83
======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ======== ========= ======== ======== =========
Unit value, end of period....... $441.07 $342.99 $267.08 $216.27 $164.29 $168.93 $136.10 $132.67 $ 96.95 $106.05
======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ======== ========= ======== ======== =========
Number of units outstanding,
end of period (000's)........ 70 85 96 108 119 124 135 144 157 177
======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ======== ========= ======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
**The Momentum Contracts were first introduced for sale on February 15, 1993.
FSA-50
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER 9, 1993*
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 TO DECEMBER 31, 1993
-------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $207.00 $162.39 $132.47 $101.38 $105.01 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $264.22 $207.00 $162.39 $132.47 $101.38 $105.01
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1,133 1,192 1,039 706 330 12
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1996*
1998 1997 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------- -------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $161.04 $125.89 $100.00
======== ======== =========
Unit value, end of period........................ $206.28 $161.04 $125.89
======== ======== =========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 40 37 140
======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $148.44 $115.92
======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $190.33 $148.44
======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 7 5
======== ========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 300 AND 400 CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JANUARY 3, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $198.12 $155.42 $126.78 $ 97.03 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $252.88 $198.12 $155.42 $126.78 $ 97.03
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 5,808 4,765 3,457 1,989 948
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $102.87
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 5
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-51
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
ALLIANCE COMMON STOCK FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $102.87
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
MFS RESEARCH FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $140.83
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 4
=========
MFS RESEARCH FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $100.75
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 3
=========
MFS RESEARCH FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $100.92
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-52
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
MFS RESEARCH FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $100.97
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MFS RESEARCH FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 100 THROUGH 400 CONTRACTS
YEAR ENDED MAY 1, 1997* TO
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
----------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $115.01 $100.00
========= ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $140.83 $115.01
========= ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 720 236
========= ========
</TABLE>
MFS RESEARCH FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 134 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 98.99
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1
=========
MFS RESEARCH FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 99.10
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-53
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE GLOBAL FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JUNE 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $151.87 $138.00 $122.06 $104.12 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $182.50 $151.87 $138.00 $122.06 $104.12
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 156 147 116 62 16
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE GLOBAL FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER 9, 1993*
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 TO DECEMBER 31, 1993
-------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $154.12 $140.51 $124.30 $106.04 $102.14 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $185.78 $154.12 $140.51 $124.30 $106.04 $102.14
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 408 464 459 391 223 8
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE GLOBAL FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1996*
1998 1997 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------- -------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $128.51 $116.37 $100.00
======== ======== =========
Unit value, end of period........................ $154.96 $128.51 $116.37
======== ======== =========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 11 12 13
======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE GLOBAL FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $122.12 $110.47
======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $147.40 $122.12
======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 3 2
======== ========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE GLOBAL FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 300 AND 400 CONTRACTS: 134 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
--------------------------------------- JANUARY 3, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $151.87 $138.00 $122.06 $104.12 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $182.50 $151.87 $138.00 $122.06 $104.12
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 3,395 3,369 2,995 2,121 1,305
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-54
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
ALLIANCE GLOBAL FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 98.37
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
ALLIANCE GLOBAL FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 98.37
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 TO DECEMBER 31, 1995
-------- --------- --------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $107.92 $112.82 $104.15 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $117.72 $107.92 $112.82 $104.15
======== ========= ========= ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 37 32 19 0
======== ========= ========= ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 TO DECEMBER 31, 1995
-------- --------- --------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $107.89 $112.81 $104.15 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $117.68 $107.89 $112.81 $104.15
======== ========= ========= ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 87 85 54 3
======== ========= ========= ========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-55
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1996*
1998 1997 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------- -------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $108.42 $112.96 $100.00
======== ======== =========
Unit value, end of period........................ $118.67 $108.42 $112.96
======== ======== =========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 4 3 21
======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $104.70 $108.98
======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $114.73 $104.70
======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1 788
======== ========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 300 AND 400 CONTRACTS: 134 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 TO DECEMBER 31, 1995
-------- --------- --------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $107.92 $112.83 $104.15 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $117.72 $107.92 $112.83 $104.15
======== ========= ========= ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 971 968 763 141
======== ========= ========= ========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 93.00
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 93.00
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-56
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $109.49
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1
=========
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 98.95
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 3
=========
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 99.11
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 99.16
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-57
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 100 THROUGH 400 CONTRACTS
YEAR ENDED MAY 1, 1997* TO
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
----------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $ 97.61 $100.00
========= ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $109.49 $ 97.61
========= ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 671 387
========= ========
</TABLE>
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND --
EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 94.04
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK FUND --
EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 94.15
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
MORGAN STANLEY EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 57.18
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
MORGAN STANLEY EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 86.23
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-58
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
MORGAN STANLEY EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 86.38
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
MORGAN STANLEY EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 86.42
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MORGAN STANLEY EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 100 THROUGH 400 CONTRACTS
YEAR ENDED AUGUST 20, 1997* TO
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
----------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $ 79.41 $100.00
========= ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 57.18 $ 79.41
========= ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 217 109
========= ========
</TABLE>
MORGAN STANLEY EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND --
EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 81.40
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-59
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
MORGAN STANLEY EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND --
EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 81.49
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE STOCK FUND -- EQUI-VEST/MOMENTUM** CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
-------- -------- --------- -------- -------- -------- --------- -------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period. $90.75 $82.91 $68.73 $52.88 $55.68 $48.30 $50.51 $27.36 $25.86 $18.09
======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ======== =========
Unit value, end of period....... $89.92 $90.75 $82.91 $68.73 $52.88 $55.68 $48.30 $50.51 $27.36 $25.86
======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ======== =========
Number of EQUI-VEST units
outstanding, end of
period (000's)............... 25,634 28,030 27,945 25,821 24,787 21,496 17,986 12,962 9,545 8,134
======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ========= ======== ======== ======== =========
Number of Momentum units
outstanding, end of
period (000's)............... 1,401 1,437 1,281 969 620 258
======== ======== ========= ======== ======== =========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE STOCK FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER 9, 1993*
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 TO DECEMBER 31, 1993
-------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $171.96 $157.31 $130.50 $100.49 $105.90 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $170.12 $171.96 $157.31 $130.50 $100.49 $105.90
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1,098 1,220 1,070 718 350 12
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
**The Momentum Contracts were first introduced for sale on February 15, 1993.
FSA-60
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE STOCK FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1996*
1998 1997 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------- -------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $137.72 $125.54 $100.00
======== ======== =========
Unit value, end of period........................ $136.73 $137.72 $125.54
======== ======== =========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 37 35 109
======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE STOCK FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $119.41 $108.74
======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $118.68 $119.41
======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 8 7
======== ========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE STOCK FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 300 AND 400 CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------- JANUARY 3, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $163.33 $149.41 $123.95 $ 95.45 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $161.59 $163.33 $149.41 $123.95 $ 95.45
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 3,342 3,226 2,468 1,310 664
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE STOCK FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 90.25
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1
=========
ALLIANCE AGGRESSIVE STOCK FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 90.25
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-61
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
WARBURG PINCUS SMALL COMPANY VALUE FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $104.82
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
WARBURG PINCUS SMALL COMPANY VALUE FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 83.08
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 2
=========
WARBURG PINCUS SMALL COMPANY VALUE FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 83.22
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
WARBURG PINCUS SMALL COMPANY VALUE FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 83.26
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-62
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WARBURG PINCUS SMALL COMPANY VALUE FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 100 THROUGH 400 CONTRACTS
YEAR ENDED MAY 1, 1997* TO
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
----------------------- ---------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $118.06 $100.00
========= ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $104.82 $118.06
========= ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 859 577
========= ========
</TABLE>
WARBURG PINCUS SMALL COMPANY VALUE FUND --
EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 82.78
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
WARBURG PINCUS SMALL COMPANY VALUE FUND --
EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 82.88
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
YEAR ENDED MAY 1, 1997* TO
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
----------------------- ---------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $125.55 $100.00
========= ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $118.57 $125.55
========= ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 27 6
========= ========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-63
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEAR ENDED MAY 1, 1997* TO
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
----------------------- ---------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $125.54 $100.00
========= ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $118.55 $125.54
========= ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 41 8
========= ========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $119.25
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
ALLIANCE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $119.45
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 300 AND 400 CONTRACTS
YEAR ENDED MAY 1, 1997* TO
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
----------------------- ---------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $125.55 $100.00
========= ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $118.57 $125.55
========= ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1,101 488
========= ========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 86.93
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-64
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
ALLIANCE SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 86.94
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
MFS EMERGING GROWTH COMPANIES FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $161.04
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 5
=========
MFS EMERGING GROWTH COMPANIES FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $107.73
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 7
=========
MFS EMERGING GROWTH COMPANIES FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $107.91
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
MFS EMERGING GROWTH COMPANIES FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $107.96
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-65
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MFS EMERGING GROWTH COMPANIES FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 100 THROUGH 400 CONTRACTS
YEAR ENDED MAY 1, 1997* TO
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
----------------------- ---------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $121.34 $100.00
========= ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $161.04 $121.34
========= ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1,090 256
========= ========
</TABLE>
MFS EMERGING GROWTH COMPANIES FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $103.41
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1
=========
MFS EMERGING GROWTH COMPANIES FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $103.53
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------- JUNE 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $130.98 $117.25 $112.97 $ 95.10 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $147.17 $130.98 $117.25 $112.97 $ 95.10
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 24 22 18 11 3
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-66
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER 9, 1993*
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 TO DECEMBER 31, 1993
-------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $128.45 $114.99 $110.81 $ 93.29 $ 98.60 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $144.30 $128.45 $114.99 $110.81 $ 93.29 $ 98.60
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 121 125 136 129 92 10
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1996*
1998 1997 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------- -------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $122.71 $109.47 $100.00
======== ======== =========
Unit value, end of period........................ $138.35 $122.71 $109.47
======== ======== =========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 4 5 5
======== ======== =========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 300 AND 400 CONTRACTS: 134 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $130.98 $117.25 $112.97 $ 95.10 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $147.17 $130.98 $117.25 $112.97 $ 95.10
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 661 553 567 491 325
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $102.74
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
ALLIANCE CONSERVATIVE INVESTORS FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $102.74
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-67
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
EQ/PUTNAM BALANCED FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $125.16
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
EQ/PUTNAM BALANCED FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.67
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1
=========
EQ/PUTNAM BALANCED FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.84
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
EQ/PUTNAM BALANCED FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.89
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-68
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EQ/PUTNAM BALANCED FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 100 THROUGH 400 CONTRACTS
YEAR ENDED MAY 1, 1997* TO
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
----------------------- ---------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $113.46 $100.00
========= ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $125.16 $113.46
========= ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 275 109
========= ========
</TABLE>
EQ/PUTNAM BALANCED FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.05
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
EQ/PUTNAM BALANCED FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.17
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE GROWTH INVESTORS FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------- JUNE 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $153.69 $133.40 $120.08 $ 96.31 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $180.63 $153.69 $133.40 $120.08 $ 96.31
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 159 147 110 57 10
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-69
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE GROWTH INVESTORS FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER 9, 1993*
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 TO DECEMBER 31, 1993
-------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $155.46 $134.95 $121.49 $ 97.45 $101.99 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $182.69 155.46 $134.95 $121.49 $ 97.45 $101.99
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 509 553 508 375 188 13
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE GROWTH INVESTORS FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1996*
1998 1997 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------- -------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $135.20 $116.95 $100.00
======== ======== =========
Unit value, end of period........................ $159.46 $135.20 $116.95
======== ======== =========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 15 14 15
======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE GROWTH INVESTORS FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $126.72 $109.51
======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $149.61 $126.72
======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 2 1
======== ========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE GROWTH INVESTORS FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 300 AND 400 CONTRACTS: 134 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------- JANUARY 1, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $153.69 $133.40 $120.08 $ 96.31 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $180.63 $153.69 $133.40 $120.08 $ 96.31
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 3,962 3,704 3,325 2,113 1,023
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE GROWTH INVESTORS FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.93
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-70
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
ALLIANCE GROWTH INVESTORS FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $101.93
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE BALANCED FUND -- EQUI-VEST/MOMENTUM** CONTRACTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989
------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- ------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period. $38.66 $34.06 $30.92 $26.18 $28.85 $26.04 $27.17 $19.40 $19.69 $15.80
======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======= ======= ======== =======
Unit value, end of period....... $45.07 $38.66 $34.06 $30.92 $26.18 $28.85 $26.04 $27.17 $19.40 $19.69
======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======= ======= ======== =======
Number of EQUI-VEST units
outstanding, end of
period (000's)............... 24,361 26,036 28,319 30,212 32,664 31,259 25,975 21,100 19,423 16,810
======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======= ======= ======== =======
Number of Momentum units
outstanding, end of
period (000's)............... 986 1,052 1,057 957 776 348
======= ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE BALANCED FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------- SEPTEMBER 9, 1993*
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 TO DECEMBER 31, 1993
-------- --------- -------- -------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $136.14 $120.01 $108.95 $ 92.22 $101.63 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $158.63 $136.14 $120.01 $108.95 $ 92.22 $101.63
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 375 439 417 336 188 9
======== ========= ========= ======== ======== ========
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE BALANCED FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------- SEPTEMBER 1, 1996*
1998 1997 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996
-------- -------- ------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $129.97 $114.16 $100.00
======== ======== =========
Unit value, end of period........................ $151.97 $129.97 $114.16
======== ======== =========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 11 10 48
======== ======== =========
</TABLE>
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
**The Momentum Contracts were first introduced for sale on February 15, 1993.
FSA-71
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
ALLIANCE BALANCED FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $122.68 $100.00
======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $143.60 $122.68
======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1 1
======== ========
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLIANCE BALANCED FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 300 AND 400 CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------- JANUARY 3, 1994*
1998 1997 1996 1995 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994
-------- --------- --------- -------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $135.29 $119.26 $108.26 $ 91.64 $100.00
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $157.63 $135.29 $119.26 $108.26 $ 91.64
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 752 655 548 386 289
======== ========= ========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
ALLIANCE BALANCED FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $102.39
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
ALLIANCE BALANCED FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $102.39
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-72
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Continued):
MERRILL LYNCH WORLD STRATEGY FUND -- MOMENTUM CONTRACTS
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $109.37
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
MERRILL LYNCH WORLD STRATEGY FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 135 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 96.28
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 1
=========
MERRILL LYNCH WORLD STRATEGY FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 100 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 96.44
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
MERRILL LYNCH WORLD STRATEGY FUND -- MOMENTUM PLUS CONTRACTS: 90 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 96.49
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-73
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONCLUDED)
DECEMBER 31, 1998
6. Accumulation Unit Values (Concluded):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MERRILL LYNCH WORLD STRATEGY FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 100 THROUGH 400 CONTRACTS
YEAR ENDED MAY 1, 1997* TO
DECEMBER 31, 1998 DECEMBER 31, 1997
----------------------- ---------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $103.77 $100.00
========= ========
Unit value, end of period........................ $109.37 $103.77
========= ========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) 84 52
========= ========
</TABLE>
MERRILL LYNCH WORLD STRATEGY FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 500 CONTRACTS: 145 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 94.86
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
MERRILL LYNCH WORLD STRATEGY FUND -- EQUI-VEST SERIES 600 CONTRACTS: 120 B.P.
JULY 13, 1998*
TO DECEMBER 31, 1998
-----------------------
Unit value, beginning of period.................. $100.00
=========
Unit value, end of period........................ $ 94.96
=========
Number of units outstanding, end of period (000's) --
=========
- ------------------
*Date on which units were made available for sale.
FSA-74
<PAGE>
Report of Independent Accountants
To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related
consolidated statements of earnings, of shareholder's equity and comprehensive
income and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and its
subsidiaries ("Equitable Life") at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the results
of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles. These financial statements are the responsibility of Equitable
Life's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these
statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about
whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, Equitable Life
changed its method of accounting for long-lived assets in 1996.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
- -----------------------------
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 8, 1999
F-1
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
----------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Investments:
Fixed maturities:
Available for sale, at estimated fair value............................. $ 18,993.7 $ 19,630.9
Held to maturity, at amortized cost..................................... 125.0 -
Mortgage loans on real estate............................................. 2,809.9 2,611.4
Equity real estate........................................................ 1,676.9 2,495.1
Policy loans.............................................................. 2,086.7 2,422.9
Other equity investments.................................................. 713.3 951.5
Investment in and loans to affiliates..................................... 928.5 731.1
Other invested assets..................................................... 808.2 612.2
----------------- -----------------
Total investments..................................................... 28,142.2 29,455.1
Cash and cash equivalents................................................... 1,245.5 300.5
Deferred policy acquisition costs........................................... 3,563.8 3,236.6
Amounts due from discontinued operations.................................... 2.7 572.8
Other assets................................................................ 3,051.9 2,687.4
Closed Block assets......................................................... 8,632.4 8,566.6
Separate Accounts assets.................................................... 43,302.3 36,538.7
----------------- -----------------
Total Assets................................................................ $ 87,940.8 $ 81,357.7
================= =================
LIABILITIES
Policyholders' account balances............................................. $ 20,889.7 $ 21,579.5
Future policy benefits and other policyholders' liabilities................. 4,694.2 4,553.8
Short-term and long-term debt............................................... 1,181.7 1,716.7
Other liabilities........................................................... 3,474.3 3,267.2
Closed Block liabilities.................................................... 9,077.0 9,073.7
Separate Accounts liabilities............................................... 43,211.3 36,306.3
----------------- -----------------
Total liabilities..................................................... 82,528.2 76,497.2
----------------- -----------------
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 11, 13, 14, 15 and 16)
SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
Common stock, $1.25 par value 2.0 million shares authorized, issued
and outstanding........................................................... 2.5 2.5
Capital in excess of par value.............................................. 3,110.2 3,105.8
Retained earnings........................................................... 1,944.1 1,235.9
Accumulated other comprehensive income...................................... 355.8 516.3
----------------- -----------------
Total shareholder's equity............................................ 5,412.6 4,860.5
----------------- -----------------
Total Liabilities and Shareholder's Equity.................................. $ 87,940.8 $ 81,357.7
================= =================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-2
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES
Universal life and investment-type product policy fee
income...................................................... $ 1,056.2 $ 950.6 $ 874.0
Premiums...................................................... 588.1 601.5 597.6
Net investment income......................................... 2,228.1 2,282.8 2,203.6
Investment gains (losses), net................................ 100.2 (45.2) (9.8)
Commissions, fees and other income............................ 1,503.0 1,227.2 1,081.8
Contribution from the Closed Block............................ 87.1 102.5 125.0
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total revenues.......................................... 5,562.7 5,119.4 4,872.2
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
BENEFITS AND OTHER DEDUCTIONS
Interest credited to policyholders' account balances.......... 1,153.0 1,266.2 1,270.2
Policyholders' benefits....................................... 1,024.7 978.6 1,317.7
Other operating costs and expenses............................ 2,201.2 2,203.9 2,075.7
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total benefits and other deductions..................... 4,378.9 4,448.7 4,663.6
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Earnings from continuing operations before Federal
income taxes, minority interest and cumulative
effect of accounting change................................. 1,183.8 670.7 208.6
Federal income taxes.......................................... 353.1 91.5 9.7
Minority interest in net income of consolidated subsidiaries.. 125.2 54.8 81.7
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Earnings from continuing operations before cumulative
effect of accounting change................................. 705.5 524.4 117.2
Discontinued operations, net of Federal income taxes.......... 2.7 (87.2) (83.8)
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of Federal
income taxes................................................ - - (23.1)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net Earnings.................................................. $ 708.2 $ 437.2 $ 10.3
================= ================= =================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-3
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Common stock, at par value, beginning and end of year......... $ 2.5 $ 2.5 $ 2.5
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Capital in excess of par value, beginning of year............. 3,105.8 3,105.8 3,105.8
Additional capital in excess of par value..................... 4.4 - -
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Capital in excess of par value, end of year................... 3,110.2 3,105.8 3,105.8
Retained earnings, beginning of year.......................... 1,235.9 798.7 788.4
Net earnings.................................................. 708.2 437.2 10.3
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Retained earnings, end of year................................ 1,944.1 1,235.9 798.7
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Accumulated other comprehensive income,
beginning of year........................................... 516.3 177.0 361.4
Other comprehensive income.................................... (160.5) 339.3 (184.4)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Accumulated other comprehensive income, end of year........... 355.8 516.3 177.0
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Total Shareholder's Equity, End of Year....................... $ 5,412.6 $ 4,860.5 $ 4,084.0
================= ================= =================
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net earnings.................................................. $ 708.2 $ 437.2 $ 10.3
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of reclassification
adjustment.................................................. (149.5) 343.7 (206.6)
Minimum pension liability adjustment.......................... (11.0) (4.4) 22.2
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Other comprehensive income.................................... (160.5) 339.3 (184.4)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Comprehensive Income.......................................... $ 547.7 $ 776.5 $ (174.1)
================= ================= =================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-4
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net earnings.................................................. $ 708.2 $ 437.2 $ 10.3
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Interest credited to policyholders' account balances........ 1,153.0 1,266.2 1,270.2
Universal life and investment-type product
policy fee income......................................... (1,056.2) (950.6) (874.0)
Investment (gains) losses................................... (100.2) 45.2 9.8
Change in Federal income tax payable........................ 123.1 (74.4) (197.1)
Other, net.................................................. (324.9) 169.4 330.2
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net cash provided by operating activities..................... 503.0 893.0 549.4
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Maturities and repayments................................... 2,289.0 2,702.9 2,275.1
Sales....................................................... 16,972.1 10,385.9 8,964.3
Purchases................................................... (18,578.5) (13,205.4) (12,559.6)
Decrease (increase) in short-term investments............... 102.4 (555.0) 450.3
Decrease in loans to discontinued operations................ 660.0 420.1 1,017.0
Sale of subsidiaries........................................ - 261.0 -
Other, net.................................................. (341.8) (612.6) (281.0)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities.............. 1,103.2 (603.1) (133.9)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Policyholders' account balances:
Deposits.................................................. 1,508.1 1,281.7 1,925.4
Withdrawals............................................... (1,724.6) (1,886.8) (2,385.2)
Net (decrease) increase in short-term financings............ (243.5) 419.9 (.3)
Repayments of long-term debt................................ (24.5) (196.4) (124.8)
Payment of obligation to fund accumulated deficit of
discontinued operations................................... (87.2) (83.9) -
Other, net.................................................. (89.5) (62.7) (66.5)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Net cash used by financing activities......................... (661.2) (528.2) (651.4)
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Change in cash and cash equivalents........................... 945.0 (238.3) (235.9)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year.................. 300.5 538.8 774.7
----------------- ----------------- -----------------
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year........................ $ 1,245.5 $ 300.5 $ 538.8
================= ================= =================
Supplemental cash flow information
Interest Paid............................................... $ 130.7 $ 217.1 $ 109.9
================= ================= =================
Income Taxes Paid (Refunded)................................ $ 254.3 $ 170.0 $ (10.0)
================= ================= =================
</TABLE>
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-5
<PAGE>
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1) ORGANIZATION
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States ("Equitable
Life") is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Equitable Companies
Incorporated (the "Holding Company"). Equitable Life's insurance
business is conducted principally by Equitable Life and its wholly owned
life insurance subsidiaries, Equitable of Colorado ("EOC"), and, prior
to December 31, 1996, Equitable Variable Life Insurance Company
("EVLICO"). Effective January 1, 1997, EVLICO was merged into Equitable
Life, which continues to conduct the Company's insurance business.
Equitable Life's investment management business, which comprises the
Investment Services segment, is conducted principally by Alliance
Capital Management L.P. ("Alliance"), in which Equitable Life has a
57.7% ownership interest, and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc.
("DLJ"), an investment banking and brokerage affiliate in which
Equitable Life has a 32.5% ownership interest. AXA ("AXA"), a French
holding company for an international group of insurance and related
financial services companies, is the Holding Company's largest
shareholder, owning approximately 58.5% at December 31, 1998 (53.4% if
all securities convertible into, and options on, common stock were to be
converted or exercised).
The Insurance segment offers a variety of traditional, variable and
interest-sensitive life insurance products, disability income, annuity
products, mutual fund and other investment products to individuals and
small groups. It also administers traditional participating group
annuity contracts with conversion features, generally for corporate
qualified pension plans, and association plans which provide full
service retirement programs for individuals affiliated with professional
and trade associations. This segment includes Separate Accounts for
individual insurance and annuity products.
The Investment Services segment includes Alliance, the results of DLJ
which are accounted for on an equity basis, and, through June 10, 1997,
Equitable Real Estate Investment Management, Inc. ("EREIM"), a real
estate investment management subsidiary which was sold. Alliance
provides diversified investment fund management services to a variety of
institutional clients, including pension funds, endowments, and foreign
financial institutions, as well as to individual investors, principally
through a broad line of mutual funds. This segment includes
institutional Separate Accounts which provide various investment options
for large group pension clients, primarily deferred benefit contribution
plans, through pooled or single group accounts. DLJ's businesses include
securities underwriting, sales and trading, merchant banking, financial
advisory services, investment research, venture capital, correspondent
brokerage services, online interactive brokerage services and asset
management. DLJ serves institutional, corporate, governmental and
individual clients both domestically and internationally. EREIM provided
real estate investment management services, property management
services, mortgage servicing and loan asset management, and agricultural
investment management.
2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") which
require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the
reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts
of Equitable Life and its wholly owned life insurance subsidiary
(collectively, the "Insurance Group"); non-insurance subsidiaries,
principally Alliance and EREIM (see Note 5); and those partnerships and
joint ventures in which Equitable Life or its subsidiaries has control
F-6
<PAGE>
and a majority economic interest (collectively, including its
consolidated subsidiaries, the "Company"). The Company's investment in
DLJ is reported on the equity basis of accounting. Closed Block assets,
liabilities and results of operations are presented in the consolidated
financial statements as single line items (see Note 7). Unless
specifically stated, all other footnote disclosures contained herein
exclude the Closed Block related amounts.
All significant intercompany transactions and balances except those with
the Closed Block and discontinued operations (see Note 8) have been
eliminated in consolidation. The years "1998," "1997" and "1996" refer
to the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Certain reclassifications have been made in the amounts presented for
prior periods to conform these periods with the 1998 presentation.
Closed Block
On July 22, 1992, Equitable Life established the Closed Block for the
benefit of certain individual participating policies which were in force
on that date. The assets allocated to the Closed Block, together with
anticipated revenues from policies included in the Closed Block, were
reasonably expected to be sufficient to support such business, including
provision for payment of claims, certain expenses and taxes, and for
continuation of dividend scales payable in 1991, assuming the experience
underlying such scales continues.
Assets allocated to the Closed Block inure solely to the benefit of the
Closed Block policyholders and will not revert to the benefit of the
Holding Company. No reallocation, transfer, borrowing or lending of
assets can be made between the Closed Block and other portions of
Equitable Life's General Account, any of its Separate Accounts or any
affiliate of Equitable Life without the approval of the New York
Superintendent of Insurance (the "Superintendent"). Closed Block assets
and liabilities are carried on the same basis as similar assets and
liabilities held in the General Account. The excess of Closed Block
liabilities over Closed Block assets represents the expected future
post-tax contribution from the Closed Block which would be recognized in
income over the period the policies and contracts in the Closed Block
remain in force.
Discontinued Operations
Discontinued operations include the Group Non-Participating Wind-Up
Annuities ("Wind-Up Annuities") and the Guaranteed Interest Contract
("GIC") lines of business. An allowance was established for the premium
deficiency reserve for Wind-Up Annuities and estimated future losses of
the GIC line of business. Management reviews the adequacy of the
allowance each quarter and believes the allowance for future losses at
December 31, 1998 is adequate to provide for all future losses; however,
the quarterly allowance review continues to involve numerous estimates
and subjective judgments regarding the expected performance of
Discontinued Operations Investment Assets. There can be no assurance the
losses provided for will not differ from the losses ultimately realized.
To the extent actual results or future projections of the discontinued
operations differ from management's current best estimates and
assumptions underlying the allowance for future losses, the difference
would be reflected in the consolidated statements of earnings in
discontinued operations. In particular, to the extent income, sales
proceeds and holding periods for equity real estate differ from
management's previous assumptions, periodic adjustments to the allowance
are likely to result (see Note 8).
Accounting Changes
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 131,
"Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information".
SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for public companies to report
information about operating segments in annual and interim financial
statements issued to shareholders. It also specifies related disclosure
requirements for products and services, geographic areas and major
customers. Generally, financial information must be reported using the
basis management uses to make operating decisions and to evaluate
business performance. The Company implemented SFAS No. 131 effective
December 31, 1998 and continues to identify two operating segments to
reflect its major businesses: Insurance and Investment Services. While
the segment descriptions are the same as those previously reported,
certain amounts have been reattributed between the two reportable
segments. Prior period comparative segment information has been
restated.
F-7
<PAGE>
In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
("AICPA") issued Statement of Position ("SOP") 98-1, "Accounting for the
Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use,"
which requires capitalization of external and certain internal costs
incurred to obtain or develop internal-use computer software during the
application development stage. The Company applied the provisions of SOP
98-1 prospectively effective January 1, 1998. The adoption of SOP 98-1
did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial
statements. Capitalized internal-use software is amortized on a
straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software.
The Company implemented SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of," as of
January 1, 1996. SFAS No. 121 requires long-lived assets and certain
identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or
changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of such assets may
not be recoverable. Effective with SFAS No. 121's adoption, impaired
real estate is written down to fair value with the impairment loss being
included in investment gains (losses), net. Before implementing SFAS No.
121, valuation allowances on real estate held for the production of
income were computed using the forecasted cash flows of the respective
properties discounted at a rate equal to the Company's cost of funds.
Adoption of the statement resulted in the release of valuation
allowances of $152.4 million and recognition of impairment losses of
$144.0 million on real estate held for production of income. Real estate
which management intends to sell or abandon is classified as real estate
held for sale. Valuation allowances on real estate held for sale
continue to be computed using the lower of depreciated cost or estimated
fair value, net of disposition costs. Initial adoption of the impairment
requirements of SFAS No. 121 to other assets to be disposed of resulted
in a charge for the cumulative effect of an accounting change of $23.1
million, net of a Federal income tax benefit of $12.4 million, due to
the writedown to fair value of building improvements relating to
facilities vacated in 1996.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In October 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 134, "Accounting for
Mortgage-Backed Securities Retained after the Securitization of Mortgage
Loans Held for Sale by a Mortgage Banking Enterprise," which amends
existing accounting and reporting standards for certain activities of
mortgage banking enterprises and other enterprises that conduct
operations that are substantially similar to the primary operations of a
mortgage banking enterprise. This statement is effective for the first
fiscal quarter beginning after December 15, 1998. This statement is not
expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated
financial statements.
In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities," which establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain
derivatives embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. It
requires all derivatives to be recognized on the balance sheet at fair
value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative
depends on its intended use. Derivatives not used in hedging activities
must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. Changes in the fair
value of derivatives used in hedging activities will, depending on the
nature of the hedge, either be offset in earnings against the change in
fair value of the hedged item attributable to the risk being hedged or
recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item affects
earnings. For all hedging activities, the ineffective portion of a
derivative's change in fair value will be immediately recognized in
earnings.
SFAS No. 133 requires adoption in fiscal years beginning after June 15,
1999 and permits early adoption as of the beginning of any fiscal
quarter following issuance of the statement. Retroactive application to
financial statements of prior periods is prohibited. The Company expects
to adopt SFAS No. 133 effective January 1, 2000. Adjustments resulting
from initial adoption of the new requirements will be reported in a
manner similar to the cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle and will be reflected in net income or accumulated other
comprehensive income based upon existing hedging relationships, if any.
Management currently is assessing the impact of adoption. However,
Alliance's adoption is not expected to have a significant impact on the
Company's consolidated balance sheet or statement of earnings. Also,
since most of DLJ's derivatives are carried at fair values, the
Company's consolidated earnings and financial position are not expected
to be significantly affected by DLJ's adoption of the new requirements.
F-8
<PAGE>
In late 1998, the AICPA issued SOP 98-7, "Deposit Accounting: Accounting
for Insurance and Reinsurance Contracts that Do Not Transfer Insurance
Risk". This SOP, effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15,
1999, provides guidance to both the insured and insurer on how to apply
the deposit method of accounting when it is required for insurance and
reinsurance contracts that do not transfer insurance risk. The SOP does
not address or change the requirements as to when deposit accounting
should be applied. SOP 98-7 applies to all entities and all insurance
and reinsurance contracts that do not transfer insurance risk except for
long-duration life and health insurance contracts. This SOP is not
expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated
financial statements.
In December 1997, the AICPA issued SOP 97-3, "Accounting by Insurance
and Other Enterprises for Insurance-Related Assessments". SOP 97-3
provides guidance for assessments related to insurance activities and
requirements for disclosure of certain information. SOP 97-3 is
effective for financial statements issued for periods beginning after
December 31, 1998. Restatement of previously issued financial statements
is not required. SOP 97-3 is not expected to have a material impact on
the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Valuation of Investments
Fixed maturities identified as available for sale are reported at
estimated fair value. Fixed maturities, which the Company has both the
ability and the intent to hold to maturity, are stated principally at
amortized cost. The amortized cost of fixed maturities is adjusted for
impairments in value deemed to be other than temporary.
Valuation allowances are netted against the asset categories to which
they apply.
Mortgage loans on real estate are stated at unpaid principal balances,
net of unamortized discounts and valuation allowances. Valuation
allowances are based on the present value of expected future cash flows
discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate or the
collateral value if the loan is collateral dependent. However, if
foreclosure is or becomes probable, the measurement method used is
collateral value.
Real estate, including real estate acquired in satisfaction of debt, is
stated at depreciated cost less valuation allowances. At the date of
foreclosure (including in-substance foreclosure), real estate acquired
in satisfaction of debt is valued at estimated fair value. Impaired real
estate is written down to fair value with the impairment loss being
included in investment gains (losses), net. Valuation allowances on real
estate held for sale are computed using the lower of depreciated cost or
current estimated fair value, net of disposition costs. Depreciation is
discontinued on real estate held for sale. Prior to the adoption of SFAS
No. 121, valuation allowances on real estate held for production of
income were computed using the forecasted cash flows of the respective
properties discounted at a rate equal to the Company's cost of funds.
Policy loans are stated at unpaid principal balances.
Partnerships and joint venture interests in which the Company does not
have control or a majority economic interest are reported on the equity
basis of accounting and are included either with equity real estate or
other equity investments, as appropriate.
Common stocks are carried at estimated fair value and are included in
other equity investments.
Short-term investments are stated at amortized cost which approximates
fair value and are included with other invested assets.
F-9
<PAGE>
Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, amounts due from banks
and highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity
of three months or less.
All securities are recorded in the consolidated financial statements on
a trade date basis.
Net Investment Income, Investment Gains, Net and Unrealized Investment
Gains (Losses)
Net investment income and realized investment gains (losses)
(collectively, "investment results") related to certain participating
group annuity contracts which are passed through to the contractholders
are reflected as interest credited to policyholders' account balances.
Realized investment gains (losses) are determined by specific
identification and are presented as a component of revenue. Changes in
valuation allowances are included in investment gains (losses).
Unrealized investment gains and losses on equity securities and fixed
maturities available for sale held by the Company are accounted for as a
separate component of accumulated comprehensive income, net of related
deferred Federal income taxes, amounts attributable to discontinued
operations, participating group annuity contracts and deferred policy
acquisition costs ("DAC") related to universal life and investment-type
products and participating traditional life contracts.
Recognition of Insurance Income and Related Expenses
Premiums from universal life and investment-type contracts are reported
as deposits to policyholders' account balances. Revenues from these
contracts consist of amounts assessed during the period against
policyholders' account balances for mortality charges, policy
administration charges and surrender charges. Policy benefits and claims
that are charged to expense include benefit claims incurred in the
period in excess of related policyholders' account balances.
Premiums from participating and non-participating traditional life and
annuity policies with life contingencies generally are recognized as
income when due. Benefits and expenses are matched with such income so
as to result in the recognition of profits over the life of the
contracts. This match is accomplished by means of the provision for
liabilities for future policy benefits and the deferral and subsequent
amortization of policy acquisition costs.
For contracts with a single premium or a limited number of premium
payments due over a significantly shorter period than the total period
over which benefits are provided, premiums are recorded as income when
due with any excess profit deferred and recognized in income in a
constant relationship to insurance in force or, for annuities, the
amount of expected future benefit payments.
Premiums from individual health contracts are recognized as income over
the period to which the premiums relate in proportion to the amount of
insurance protection provided.
Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs
The costs of acquiring new business, principally commissions,
underwriting, agency and policy issue expenses, all of which vary with
and are primarily related to the production of new business, are
deferred. DAC is subject to recoverability testing at the time of policy
issue and loss recognition testing at the end of each accounting period.
For universal life products and investment-type products, DAC is
amortized over the expected total life of the contract group (periods
ranging from 25 to 35 years and 5 to 17 years, respectively) as a
constant percentage of estimated gross profits arising principally from
investment results, mortality and expense margins and surrender charges
based on historical and anticipated future experience, updated at the
end of each accounting period. The effect on the amortization of DAC of
revisions to estimated gross profits is reflected in earnings in the
period such estimated gross profits are revised. The effect on the DAC
asset that would result from realization of unrealized gains (losses) is
recognized with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive income in
consolidated shareholder's equity as of the balance sheet date.
F-10
<PAGE>
For participating traditional life policies (substantially all of which
are in the Closed Block), DAC is amortized over the expected total life
of the contract group (40 years) as a constant percentage based on the
present value of the estimated gross margin amounts expected to be
realized over the life of the contracts using the expected investment
yield. At December 31, 1998, the expected investment yield, excluding
policy loans, generally ranged from 7.29% grading to 6.5% over a 20 year
period. Estimated gross margin includes anticipated premiums and
investment results less claims and administrative expenses, changes in
the net level premium reserve and expected annual policyholder
dividends. The effect on the amortization of DAC of revisions to
estimated gross margins is reflected in earnings in the period such
estimated gross margins are revised. The effect on the DAC asset that
would result from realization of unrealized gains (losses) is recognized
with an offset to accumulated comprehensive income in consolidated
shareholder's equity as of the balance sheet date.
For non-participating traditional life and annuity policies with life
contingencies, DAC is amortized in proportion to anticipated premiums.
Assumptions as to anticipated premiums are estimated at the date of
policy issue and are consistently applied during the life of the
contracts. Deviations from estimated experience are reflected in
earnings in the period such deviations occur. For these contracts, the
amortization periods generally are for the total life of the policy.
For individual health benefit insurance, DAC is amortized over the
expected average life of the contracts (10 years for major medical
policies and 20 years for disability income ("DI") products) in
proportion to anticipated premium revenue at time of issue.
Policyholders' Account Balances and Future Policy Benefits
Policyholders' account balances for universal life and investment-type
contracts are equal to the policy account values. The policy account
values represents an accumulation of gross premium payments plus
credited interest less expense and mortality charges and withdrawals.
For participating traditional life policies, future policy benefit
liabilities are calculated using a net level premium method on the basis
of actuarial assumptions equal to guaranteed mortality and dividend fund
interest rates. The liability for annual dividends represents the
accrual of annual dividends earned. Terminal dividends are accrued in
proportion to gross margins over the life of the contract.
For non-participating traditional life insurance policies, future policy
benefit liabilities are estimated using a net level premium method on
the basis of actuarial assumptions as to mortality, persistency and
interest established at policy issue. Assumptions established at policy
issue as to mortality and persistency are based on the Insurance Group's
experience which, together with interest and expense assumptions,
includes a margin for adverse deviation. When the liabilities for future
policy benefits plus the present value of expected future gross premiums
for a product are insufficient to provide for expected future policy
benefits and expenses for that product, DAC is written off and
thereafter, if required, a premium deficiency reserve is established by
a charge to earnings. Benefit liabilities for traditional annuities
during the accumulation period are equal to accumulated contractholders'
fund balances and after annuitization are equal to the present value of
expected future payments. Interest rates used in establishing such
liabilities range from 2.25% to 11.5% for life insurance liabilities and
from 2.25% to 13.5% for annuity liabilities.
During the fourth quarter of 1996 a loss recognition study of
participating group annuity contracts and conversion annuities ("Pension
Par") was completed which included management's revised estimate of
assumptions, such as expected mortality and future investment returns.
The study's results prompted management to establish a premium
deficiency reserve which decreased earnings from continuing operations
and net earnings by $47.5 million ($73.0 million pre-tax).
Individual health benefit liabilities for active lives are estimated
using the net level premium method and assumptions as to future
morbidity, withdrawals and interest. Benefit liabilities for disabled
lives are estimated using the present value of benefits method and
experience assumptions as to claim terminations, expenses and interest.
F-11
<PAGE>
During the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company completed a loss
recognition study of the DI business which incorporated management's
revised estimates of future experience with regard to morbidity,
investment returns, claims and administration expenses and other
factors. The study indicated DAC was not recoverable and the reserves
were not sufficient. Earnings from continuing operations and net
earnings decreased by $208.0 million ($320.0 million pre-tax) as a
result of strengthening DI reserves by $175.0 million and writing off
unamortized DAC of $145.0 million related to DI products issued prior to
July 1993. The determination of DI reserves requires making assumptions
and estimates relating to a variety of factors, including morbidity and
interest rates, claims experience and lapse rates based on then known
facts and circumstances. Such factors as claim incidence and termination
rates can be affected by changes in the economic, legal and regulatory
environments and work ethic. While management believes its Pension Par
and DI reserves have been calculated on a reasonable basis and are
adequate, there can be no assurance reserves will be sufficient to
provide for future liabilities.
Claim reserves and associated liabilities for individual DI and major
medical policies were $938.6 million and $886.7 million at December 31,
1998 and 1997, respectively. Incurred benefits (benefits paid plus
changes in claim reserves) and benefits paid for individual DI and major
medical policies (excluding reserve strengthening in 1996) are
summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Incurred benefits related to current year.......... $ 202.1 $ 190.2 $ 189.0
Incurred benefits related to prior years........... 22.2 2.1 69.1
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total Incurred Benefits............................ $ 224.3 $ 192.3 $ 258.1
================= ================ =================
Benefits paid related to current year.............. $ 17.0 $ 28.8 $ 32.6
Benefits paid related to prior years............... 155.4 146.2 153.3
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total Benefits Paid................................ $ 172.4 $ 175.0 $ 185.9
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
Policyholders' Dividends
The amount of policyholders' dividends to be paid (including those on
policies included in the Closed Block) is determined annually by
Equitable Life's board of directors. The aggregate amount of
policyholders' dividends is related to actual interest, mortality,
morbidity and expense experience for the year and judgment as to the
appropriate level of statutory surplus to be retained by Equitable Life.
At December 31, 1998, participating policies, including those in the
Closed Block, represent approximately 19.9% ($49.3 billion) of directly
written life insurance in force, net of amounts ceded.
Federal Income Taxes
The Company files a consolidated Federal income tax return with the
Holding Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Current Federal
income taxes are charged or credited to operations based upon amounts
estimated to be payable or recoverable as a result of taxable operations
for the current year. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are
recognized based on the difference between financial statement carrying
amounts and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted
income tax rates and laws.
Separate Accounts
Separate Accounts are established in conformity with the New York State
Insurance Law and generally are not chargeable with liabilities that
arise from any other business of the Insurance Group. Separate Accounts
assets are subject to General Account claims only to the extent the
value of such assets exceeds Separate Accounts liabilities.
F-12
<PAGE>
Assets and liabilities of the Separate Accounts, representing net
deposits and accumulated net investment earnings less fees, held
primarily for the benefit of contractholders, and for which the
Insurance Group does not bear the investment risk, are shown as separate
captions in the consolidated balance sheets. The Insurance Group bears
the investment risk on assets held in one Separate Account; therefore,
such assets are carried on the same basis as similar assets held in the
General Account portfolio. Assets held in the other Separate Accounts
are carried at quoted market values or, where quoted values are not
available, at estimated fair values as determined by the Insurance
Group.
The investment results of Separate Accounts on which the Insurance Group
does not bear the investment risk are reflected directly in Separate
Accounts liabilities. For 1998, 1997 and 1996, investment results of
such Separate Accounts were $4,591.0 million, $3,411.1 million and
$2,970.6 million, respectively.
Deposits to Separate Accounts are reported as increases in Separate
Accounts liabilities and are not reported in revenues. Mortality, policy
administration and surrender charges on all Separate Accounts are
included in revenues.
Employee Stock Option Plan
The Company accounts for stock option plans sponsored by the Holding
Company, DLJ and Alliance in accordance with the provisions of
Accounting Principles Board Opinion ("APB") No. 25, "Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations. In accordance
with the Statement, compensation expense is recorded on the date of
grant only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeds
the option price. See Note 22 for the pro forma disclosures for the
Holding Company, DLJ and Alliance required by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation".
F-13
<PAGE>
3) INVESTMENTS
The following tables provide additional information relating to fixed
maturities and equity securities:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Estimated
Cost Gains Losses Fair Value
----------------- ----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 1998
Fixed Maturities:
Available for Sale:
Corporate.......................... $ 14,520.8 $ 793.6 $ 379.6 $ 14,934.8
Mortgage-backed.................... 1,807.9 23.3 .9 1,830.3
U.S. Treasury securities and
U.S. government and
agency securities................ 1,464.1 107.6 .7 1,571.0
States and political subdivisions.. 55.0 9.9 - 64.9
Foreign governments................ 363.3 20.9 30.0 354.2
Redeemable preferred stock......... 242.7 7.0 11.2 238.5
----------------- ----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total Available for Sale............... $ 18,453.8 $ 962.3 $ 422.4 $ 18,993.7
================= ================= ================ =================
Held to Maturity: Corporate......... $ 125.0 $ - $ - $ 125.0
================= ================= ================ =================
Equity Securities:
Common stock......................... $ 58.3 $ 114.9 $ 22.5 $ 150.7
================= ================= ================ =================
December 31, 1997
Fixed Maturities:
Available for Sale:
Corporate.......................... $ 14,850.5 $ 785.0 $ 74.5 $ 15,561.0
Mortgage-backed.................... 1,702.8 23.5 1.3 1,725.0
U.S. Treasury securities and
U.S. government and
agency securities................ 1,583.2 83.9 .6 1,666.5
States and political subdivisions.. 52.8 6.8 .1 59.5
Foreign governments................ 442.4 44.8 2.0 485.2
Redeemable preferred stock......... 128.0 6.7 1.0 133.7
----------------- ----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total Available for Sale............... $ 18,759.7 $ 950.7 $ 79.5 $ 19,630.9
================= ================= ================ =================
Equity Securities:
Common stock......................... $ 408.4 $ 48.7 $ 15.0 $ 442.1
================= ================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
For publicly traded fixed maturities and equity securities, estimated
fair value is determined using quoted market prices. For fixed
maturities without a readily ascertainable market value, the Company
determines an estimated fair value using a discounted cash flow
approach, including provisions for credit risk, generally based on the
assumption such securities will be held to maturity. Estimated fair
values for equity securities, substantially all of which do not have a
readily ascertainable market value, have been determined by the Company.
Such estimated fair values do not necessarily represent the values for
which these securities could have been sold at the dates of the
consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, securities
without a readily ascertainable market value having an amortized cost of
$3,539.9 million and $3,759.2 million, respectively, had estimated fair
values of $3,748.5 million and $3,903.9 million, respectively.
F-14
<PAGE>
The contractual maturity of bonds at December 31, 1998 is shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Available for Sale
------------------------------------
Amortized Estimated
Cost Fair Value
---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Due in one year or less................................................ $ 324.8 $ 323.4
Due in years two through five.......................................... 3,778.2 3,787.9
Due in years six through ten........................................... 6,543.4 6,594.1
Due after ten years.................................................... 5,756.8 6,219.5
Mortgage-backed securities............................................. 1,807.9 1,830.3
---------------- -----------------
Total.................................................................. $ 18,211.1 $ 18,755.2
================ =================
</TABLE>
Corporate bonds held to maturity with an amortized cost and estimated
fair value of $125.0 million are due in one year or less.
Bonds not due at a single maturity date have been included in the above
table in the year of final maturity. Actual maturities will differ from
contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or
prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
The Insurance Group's fixed maturity investment portfolio includes
corporate high yield securities consisting of public high yield bonds,
redeemable preferred stocks and directly negotiated debt in leveraged
buyout transactions. The Insurance Group seeks to minimize the higher
than normal credit risks associated with such securities by monitoring
concentrations in any single issuer or a particular industry group.
Certain of these corporate high yield securities are classified as other
than investment grade by the various rating agencies, i.e., a rating
below Baa or National Association of Insurance Commissioners ("NAIC")
designation of 3 (medium grade), 4 or 5 (below investment grade) or 6
(in or near default). At December 31, 1998, approximately 15.1% of the
$18,336.1 million aggregate amortized cost of bonds held by the Company
was considered to be other than investment grade.
In addition, the Insurance Group is an equity investor in limited
partnership interests which primarily invest in securities considered to
be other than investment grade.
Fixed maturity investments with restructured or modified terms are not
material.
Investment valuation allowances and changes thereto are shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balances, beginning of year........................ $ 384.5 $ 137.1 $ 325.3
SFAS No. 121 release............................... - - (152.4)
Additions charged to income........................ 86.2 334.6 125.0
Deductions for writedowns and
asset dispositions............................... (240.1) (87.2) (160.8)
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Balances, End of Year.............................. $ 230.6 $ 384.5 $ 137.1
================= ================ =================
Balances, end of year comprise:
Mortgage loans on real estate.................... $ 34.3 $ 55.8 $ 50.4
Equity real estate............................... 196.3 328.7 86.7
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total.............................................. $ 230.6 $ 384.5 $ 137.1
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
F-15
<PAGE>
At December 31, 1998, the carrying value of fixed maturities which are
non-income producing for the twelve months preceding the consolidated
balance sheet date was $60.8 million.
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, mortgage loans on real estate with
scheduled payments 60 days (90 days for agricultural mortgages) or more
past due or in foreclosure (collectively, "problem mortgage loans on
real estate") had an amortized cost of $7.0 million (0.2% of total
mortgage loans on real estate) and $23.4 million (0.9% of total mortgage
loans on real estate), respectively.
The payment terms of mortgage loans on real estate may from time to time
be restructured or modified. The investment in restructured mortgage
loans on real estate, based on amortized cost, amounted to $115.1
million and $183.4 million at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Gross interest income on restructured mortgage loans on real estate that
would have been recorded in accordance with the original terms of such
loans amounted to $10.3 million, $17.2 million and $35.5 million in
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Gross interest income on these loans
included in net investment income aggregated $8.3 million, $12.7 million
and $28.2 million in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Impaired mortgage loans (as defined under SFAS No. 114) along with the
related provision for losses were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
----------------------------------------
1998 1997
------------------- -------------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Impaired mortgage loans with provision for losses.................. $ 125.4 $ 196.7
Impaired mortgage loans without provision for losses............... 8.6 3.6
------------------- -------------------
Recorded investment in impaired mortgage loans..................... 134.0 200.3
Provision for losses............................................... (29.0) (51.8)
------------------- -------------------
Net Impaired Mortgage Loans........................................ $ 105.0 $ 148.5
=================== ===================
</TABLE>
Impaired mortgage loans without provision for losses are loans where the
fair value of the collateral or the net present value of the expected
future cash flows related to the loan equals or exceeds the recorded
investment. Interest income earned on loans where the collateral value
is used to measure impairment is recorded on a cash basis. Interest
income on loans where the present value method is used to measure
impairment is accrued on the net carrying value amount of the loan at
the interest rate used to discount the cash flows. Changes in the
present value attributable to changes in the amount or timing of
expected cash flows are reported as investment gains or losses.
During 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, the Company's average recorded
investment in impaired mortgage loans was $161.3 million, $246.9 million
and $552.1 million. Interest income recognized on these impaired
mortgage loans totaled $12.3 million, $15.2 million and $38.8 million
($.9 million, $2.3 million and $17.9 million recognized on a cash basis)
for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
The Insurance Group's investment in equity real estate is through direct
ownership and through investments in real estate joint ventures. At
December 31, 1998 and 1997, the carrying value of equity real estate
held for sale amounted to $836.2 million and $1,023.5 million,
respectively. For 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, real estate of $7.1
million, $152.0 million and $58.7 million was acquired in satisfaction
of debt. At December 31, 1998 and 1997, the Company owned $552.3 million
and $693.3 million, respectively, of real estate acquired in
satisfaction of debt.
Depreciation of real estate held for production of income is computed
using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
properties, which generally range from 40 to 50 years. Accumulated
depreciation on real estate was $374.8 million and $541.1 million at
December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Depreciation expense on real
estate totaled $30.5 million, $74.9 million and $91.8 million for 1998,
1997 and 1996, respectively.
F-16
<PAGE>
4) JOINT VENTURES AND PARTNERSHIPS
Summarized combined financial information for real estate joint ventures
(25 and 29 individual ventures as of December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively) and for limited partnership interests accounted for under
the equity method, in which the Company has an investment of $10.0
million or greater and an equity interest of 10% or greater, is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
------------------------------------
1998 1997
---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEETS
Investments in real estate, at depreciated cost........................ $ 913.7 $ 1,700.9
Investments in securities, generally at estimated fair value........... 636.9 1,374.8
Cash and cash equivalents.............................................. 85.9 105.4
Other assets........................................................... 279.8 584.9
---------------- -----------------
Total Assets........................................................... $ 1,916.3 $ 3,766.0
================ =================
Borrowed funds - third party........................................... $ 367.1 $ 493.4
Borrowed funds - the Company........................................... 30.1 31.2
Other liabilities...................................................... 197.2 284.0
---------------- -----------------
Total liabilities...................................................... 594.4 808.6
---------------- -----------------
Partners' capital...................................................... 1,321.9 2,957.4
---------------- -----------------
Total Liabilities and Partners' Capital................................ $ 1,916.3 $ 3,766.0
================ =================
Equity in partners' capital included above............................. $ 312.9 $ 568.5
Equity in limited partnership interests not included above............. 442.1 331.8
Other.................................................................. .7 4.3
---------------- -----------------
Carrying Value......................................................... $ 755.7 $ 904.6
================ =================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
Revenues of real estate joint ventures............. $ 246.1 $ 310.5 $ 348.9
Revenues of other limited partnership interests.... 128.9 506.3 386.1
Interest expense - third party..................... (33.3) (91.8) (111.0)
Interest expense - the Company..................... (2.6) (7.2) (30.0)
Other expenses..................................... (197.0) (263.6) (282.5)
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Net Earnings....................................... $ 142.1 $ 454.2 $ 311.5
================= ================ =================
Equity in net earnings included above.............. $ 59.6 $ 76.7 $ 73.9
Equity in net earnings of limited partnership
interests not included above..................... 22.7 69.5 35.8
Other.............................................. - (.9) .9
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total Equity in Net Earnings....................... $ 82.3 $ 145.3 $ 110.6
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
F-17
<PAGE>
5) NET INVESTMENT INCOME AND INVESTMENT GAINS (LOSSES)
The sources of net investment income are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Fixed maturities................................... $ 1,489.0 $ 1,459.4 $ 1,307.4
Mortgage loans on real estate...................... 235.4 260.8 303.0
Equity real estate................................. 356.1 390.4 442.4
Other equity investments........................... 83.8 156.9 122.0
Policy loans....................................... 144.9 177.0 160.3
Other investment income............................ 185.7 181.7 217.4
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Gross investment income.......................... 2,494.9 2,626.2 2,552.5
Investment expenses.............................. (266.8) (343.4) (348.9)
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Net Investment Income.............................. $ 2,228.1 $ 2,282.8 $ 2,203.6
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
Investment gains (losses), net, including changes in the valuation
allowances, are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Fixed maturities................................... $ (24.3) $ 88.1 $ 60.5
Mortgage loans on real estate...................... (10.9) (11.2) (27.3)
Equity real estate................................. 74.5 (391.3) (79.7)
Other equity investments........................... 29.9 14.1 18.9
Sale of subsidiaries............................... (2.6) 252.1 -
Issuance and sales of Alliance Units............... 19.8 - 20.6
Issuance and sale of DLJ common stock.............. 18.2 3.0 -
Other.............................................. (4.4) - (2.8)
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Investment Gains (Losses), Net..................... $ 100.2 $ (45.2) $ (9.8)
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
Writedowns of fixed maturities amounted to $101.6 million, $11.7 million
and $29.9 million for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and writedowns
of equity real estate subsequent to the adoption of SFAS No. 121
amounted to $136.4 million for 1997. In the fourth quarter of 1997, the
Company reclassified $1,095.4 million depreciated cost of equity real
estate from real estate held for the production of income to real estate
held for sale. Additions to valuation allowances of $227.6 million were
recorded upon these transfers. Additionally, in fourth quarter 1997,
$132.3 million of writedowns on real estate held for production of
income were recorded.
For 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, proceeds received on sales of
fixed maturities classified as available for sale amounted to $15,961.0
million, $9,789.7 million and $8,353.5 million. Gross gains of $149.3
million, $166.0 million and $154.2 million and gross losses of $95.1
million, $108.8 million and $92.7 million, respectively, were realized
on these sales. The change in unrealized investment gains (losses)
related to fixed maturities classified as available for sale for 1998,
1997 and 1996 amounted to $(331.7) million, $513.4 million and $(258.0)
million, respectively.
For 1998, 1997 and 1996, investment results passed through to certain
participating group annuity contracts as interest credited to
policyholders' account balances amounted to $136.9 million, $137.5
million and $136.7 million, respectively.
F-18
<PAGE>
On June 10, 1997, Equitable Life sold EREIM (other than its interest in
Column Financial, Inc.) ("ERE") to Lend Lease Corporation Limited ("Lend
Lease"), a publicly traded, international property and financial
services company based in Sydney, Australia. The total purchase price
was $400.0 million and consisted of $300.0 million in cash and a $100.0
million note which was paid in 1998. The Company recognized an
investment gain of $162.4 million, net of Federal income tax of $87.4
million as a result of this transaction. Equitable Life entered into
long-term advisory agreements whereby ERE continues to provide
substantially the same services to Equitable Life's General Account and
Separate Accounts, for substantially the same fees, as provided prior to
the sale.
Through June 10, 1997 and for the year ended December 31, 1996,
respectively, the businesses sold reported combined revenues of $91.6
million and $226.1 million and combined net earnings of $10.7 million
and $30.7 million.
In 1996, Alliance acquired the business of Cursitor Holdings L.P. and
Cursitor Holdings Limited (collectively, "Cursitor") for approximately
$159.0 million. The purchase price consisted of $94.3 million in cash,
1.8 million of Alliance's publicly traded units ("Alliance Units"), 6%
notes aggregating $21.5 million payable ratably over four years, and
additional consideration to be determined at a later date but currently
estimated to not exceed $10.0 million. The excess of the purchase price,
including acquisition costs and minority interest, over the fair value
of Cursitor's net assets acquired resulted in the recognition of
intangible assets consisting of costs assigned to contracts acquired and
goodwill of approximately $122.8 million and $38.3 million,
respectively. The Company recognized an investment gain of $20.6 million
as a result of the issuance of Alliance Units in this transaction. On
June 30, 1997, Alliance reduced the recorded value of goodwill and
contracts associated with Alliance's acquisition of Cursitor by $120.9
million. This charge reflected Alliance's view that Cursitor's
continuing decline in assets under management and its reduced
profitability, resulting from relative investment underperformance, no
longer supported the carrying value of its investment. As a result, the
Company's earnings from continuing operations before cumulative effect
of accounting change for 1997 included a charge of $59.5 million, net of
a Federal income tax benefit of $10.0 million and minority interest of
$51.4 million. The remaining balance of intangible assets is being
amortized over its estimated useful life of 20 years. At December 31,
1998, the Company's ownership of Alliance Units was approximately 56.7%.
F-19
<PAGE>
Net unrealized investment gains (losses), included in the consolidated
balance sheets as a component of accumulated comprehensive income and
the changes for the corresponding years, are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, beginning of year......................... $ 533.6 $ 189.9 $ 396.5
Changes in unrealized investment gains (losses).... (242.4) 543.3 (297.6)
Changes in unrealized investment losses
(gains) attributable to:
Participating group annuity contracts.......... (5.7) 53.2 -
DAC............................................ 13.2 (89.0) 42.3
Deferred Federal income taxes.................. 85.4 (163.8) 48.7
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Balance, End of Year............................... $ 384.1 $ 533.6 $ 189.9
================= ================ =================
Balance, end of year comprises:
Unrealized investment gains on:
Fixed maturities............................... $ 539.9 $ 871.2 $ 357.8
Other equity investments....................... 92.4 33.7 31.6
Other, principally Closed Block................ 111.1 80.9 53.1
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total........................................ 743.4 985.8 442.5
Amounts of unrealized investment gains
attributable to:
Participating group annuity contracts........ (24.7) (19.0) (72.2)
DAC.......................................... (127.8) (141.0) (52.0)
Deferred Federal income taxes................ (206.8) (292.2) (128.4)
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total.............................................. $ 384.1 $ 533.6 $ 189.9
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
6) ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Accumulated other comprehensive income represents cumulative gains and
losses on items that are not reflected in earnings. The balances for the
years 1998, 1997 and 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Unrealized gains on investments.................... $ 384.1 $ 533.6 $ 189.9
Minimum pension liability.......................... (28.3) (17.3) (12.9)
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income............................. $ 355.8 $ 516.3 $ 177.0
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
F-20
<PAGE>
The components of other comprehensive income for the years 1998, 1997
and 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment
securities:
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during
the period..................................... $ (186.1) $ 564.0 $ (249.8)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses
included in net earnings....................... (56.3) (20.7) (47.8)
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Net unrealized gains (losses) on investment
securities....................................... (242.4) 543.3 (297.6)
Adjustments for policyholder liabilities,
DAC and deferred
Federal income taxes............................. 92.9 (199.6) 91.0
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Change in unrealized gains (losses), net of
reclassification and adjustments................. (149.5) 343.7 (206.6)
Change in minimum pension liability................ (11.0) (4.4) 22.2
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total Other Comprehensive Income................... $ (160.5) $ 339.3 $ (184.4)
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
7) CLOSED BLOCK
Summarized financial information for the Closed Block follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
--------------------------------------
1998 1997
----------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
Fixed Maturities:
Available for sale, at estimated fair value (amortized cost,
$4,149.0 and $4,059.4)........................................... $ 4,373.2 $ 4,231.0
Mortgage loans on real estate........................................ 1,633.4 1,341.6
Policy loans......................................................... 1,641.2 1,700.2
Cash and other invested assets....................................... 86.5 282.0
DAC.................................................................. 676.5 775.2
Other assets......................................................... 221.6 236.6
----------------- -----------------
Total Assets......................................................... $ 8,632.4 $ 8,566.6
================= =================
Liabilities
Future policy benefits and policyholders' account balances........... $ 9,013.1 $ 8,993.2
Other liabilities.................................................... 63.9 80.5
----------------- -----------------
Total Liabilities.................................................... $ 9,077.0 $ 9,073.7
================= =================
</TABLE>
F-21
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues
Premiums and other revenue......................... $ 661.7 $ 687.1 $ 724.8
Investment income (net of investment
expenses of $15.5, $27.0 and $27.3).............. 569.7 574.9 546.6
Investment losses, net............................. .5 (42.4) (5.5)
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total revenues............................... 1,231.9 1,219.6 1,265.9
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Benefits and Other Deductions
Policyholders' benefits and dividends.............. 1,082.0 1,066.7 1,106.3
Other operating costs and expenses................. 62.8 50.4 34.6
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total benefits and other deductions.......... 1,144.8 1,117.1 1,140.9
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Contribution from the Closed Block................. $ 87.1 $ 102.5 $ 125.0
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, problem mortgage loans on real estate had
an amortized cost of $5.1 million and $8.1 million, respectively, and
mortgage loans on real estate for which the payment terms have been
restructured had an amortized cost of $26.0 million and $70.5 million,
respectively.
Impaired mortgage loans (as defined under SFAS No. 114) along with the
related provision for losses were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
------------------------------------
1998 1997
---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Impaired mortgage loans with provision for losses...................... $ 55.5 $ 109.1
Impaired mortgage loans without provision for losses................... 7.6 .6
---------------- -----------------
Recorded investment in impaired mortgages.............................. 63.1 109.7
Provision for losses................................................... (10.1) (17.4)
---------------- -----------------
Net Impaired Mortgage Loans............................................ $ 53.0 $ 92.3
================ =================
</TABLE>
During 1998, 1997 and 1996, the Closed Block's average recorded
investment in impaired mortgage loans was $85.5 million, $110.2 million
and $153.8 million, respectively. Interest income recognized on these
impaired mortgage loans totaled $4.7 million, $9.4 million and $10.9
million ($1.5 million, $4.1 million and $4.7 million recognized on a
cash basis) for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Valuation allowances amounted to $11.1 million and $18.5 million on
mortgage loans on real estate and $15.4 million and $16.8 million on
equity real estate at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. As of
January 1, 1996, the adoption of SFAS No. 121 resulted in the
recognition of impairment losses of $5.6 million on real estate held for
production of income. Writedowns of fixed maturities amounted to $3.5
million and $12.8 million for 1997 and 1996, respectively. Writedowns of
equity real estate subsequent to the adoption of SFAS No. 121 amounted
to $28.8 million for 1997.
In the fourth quarter of 1997, $72.9 million depreciated cost of equity
real estate held for production of income was reclassified to equity
real estate held for sale. Additions to valuation allowances of $15.4
million were recorded upon these transfers. Additionally, in fourth
quarter 1997, $28.8 million of writedowns on real estate held for
production of income were recorded.
Many expenses related to Closed Block operations are charged to
operations outside of the Closed Block; accordingly, the contribution
from the Closed Block does not represent the actual profitability of the
Closed Block operations. Operating costs and expenses outside of the
Closed Block are, therefore, disproportionate to the business outside of
the Closed Block.
F-22
<PAGE>
8) DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Summarized financial information for discontinued operations follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
--------------------------------------
1998 1997
----------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
Mortgage loans on real estate........................................ $ 553.9 $ 635.2
Equity real estate................................................... 611.0 874.5
Other equity investments............................................. 115.1 209.3
Other invested assets................................................ 24.9 152.4
----------------- -----------------
Total investments.................................................. 1,304.9 1,871.4
Cash and cash equivalents............................................ 34.7 106.8
Other assets......................................................... 219.0 243.8
----------------- -----------------
Total Assets......................................................... $ 1,558.6 $ 2,222.0
================= =================
Liabilities
Policyholders' liabilities........................................... $ 1,021.7 $ 1,048.3
Allowance for future losses.......................................... 305.1 259.2
Amounts due to continuing operations................................. 2.7 572.8
Other liabilities.................................................... 229.1 341.7
----------------- -----------------
Total Liabilities.................................................... $ 1,558.6 $ 2,222.0
================= =================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues
Investment income (net of investment
expenses of $63.3, $97.3 and $127.5)............. $ 160.4 $ 188.6 $ 245.4
Investment gains (losses), net..................... 35.7 (173.7) (18.9)
Policy fees, premiums and other income............. (4.3) .2 .2
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total revenues..................................... 191.8 15.1 226.7
Benefits and other deductions...................... 141.5 169.5 250.4
Earnings added (losses charged) to allowance
for future losses................................ 50.3 (154.4) (23.7)
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Pre-tax loss from operations....................... - - -
Pre-tax earnings from releasing (loss from
strengthening) of the allowance for future
losses........................................... 4.2 (134.1) (129.0)
Federal income tax (expense) benefit............... (1.5) 46.9 45.2
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Earnings (Loss) from Discontinued Operations....... $ 2.7 $ (87.2) $ (83.8)
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
The Company's quarterly process for evaluating the allowance for future
losses applies the current period's results of the discontinued
operations against the allowance, re-estimates future losses and adjusts
the allowance, if appropriate. Additionally, as part of the Company's
annual planning process which takes place in the fourth quarter of each
year, investment and benefit cash flow projections are prepared. These
updated assumptions and estimates resulted in a release of allowance in
1998 and strengthening of allowance in 1997 and 1996.
F-23
<PAGE>
In the fourth quarter of 1997, $329.9 million depreciated cost of equity
real estate was reclassified from equity real estate held for production
of income to real estate held for sale. Additions to valuation
allowances of $79.8 million were recognized upon these transfers.
Additionally, in fourth quarter 1997, $92.5 million of writedowns on
real estate held for production of income were recognized.
Benefits and other deductions includes $26.6 million, $53.3 million and
$114.3 million of interest expense related to amounts borrowed from
continuing operations in 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Valuation allowances amounted to $3.0 million and $28.4 million on
mortgage loans on real estate and $34.8 million and $88.4 million on
equity real estate at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. As of
January 1, 1996, the adoption of SFAS No. 121 resulted in a release of
existing valuation allowances of $71.9 million on equity real estate and
recognition of impairment losses of $69.8 million on real estate held
for production of income. Writedowns of equity real estate subsequent to
the adoption of SFAS No. 121 amounted to $95.7 million and $12.3 million
for 1997 and 1996, respectively.
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, problem mortgage loans on real estate had
amortized costs of $1.1 million and $11.0 million, respectively, and
mortgage loans on real estate for which the payment terms have been
restructured had amortized costs of $3.5 million and $109.4 million,
respectively.
Impaired mortgage loans (as defined under SFAS No. 114) along with the
related provision for losses were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
------------------------------------
1998 1997
---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Impaired mortgage loans with provision for losses...................... $ 6.7 $ 101.8
Impaired mortgage loans without provision for losses................... 8.5 .2
---------------- -----------------
Recorded investment in impaired mortgages.............................. 15.2 102.0
Provision for losses................................................... (2.1) (27.3)
---------------- -----------------
Net Impaired Mortgage Loans............................................ $ 13.1 $ 74.7
================ =================
</TABLE>
During 1998, 1997 and 1996, the discontinued operations' average
recorded investment in impaired mortgage loans was $73.3 million, $89.2
million and $134.8 million, respectively. Interest income recognized on
these impaired mortgage loans totaled $4.7 million, $6.6 million and
$10.1 million ($3.4 million, $5.3 million and $7.5 million recognized on
a cash basis) for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, discontinued operations had carrying
values of $50.0 million and $156.2 million, respectively, of real estate
acquired in satisfaction of debt.
F-24
<PAGE>
9) SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DEBT
Short-term and long-term debt consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
--------------------------------------
1998 1997
----------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Short-term debt...................................................... $ 179.3 $ 422.2
----------------- -----------------
Long-term debt:
Equitable Life:
6.95% surplus notes scheduled to mature 2005....................... 399.4 399.4
7.70% surplus notes scheduled to mature 2015....................... 199.7 199.7
Other.............................................................. .3 .3
----------------- -----------------
Total Equitable Life........................................... 599.4 599.4
----------------- -----------------
Wholly Owned and Joint Venture Real Estate:
Mortgage notes, 5.91% - 12.00%, due through 2017................... 392.2 676.6
----------------- -----------------
Alliance:
Other.............................................................. 10.8 18.5
----------------- -----------------
Total long-term debt................................................. 1,002.4 1,294.5
----------------- -----------------
Total Short-term and Long-term Debt.................................. $ 1,181.7 $ 1,716.7
================= =================
</TABLE>
Short-term Debt
Equitable Life has a $350.0 million bank credit facility available to
fund short-term working capital needs and to facilitate the securities
settlement process. The credit facility consists of two types of
borrowing options with varying interest rates and expires in September
2000. The interest rates are based on external indices dependent on the
type of borrowing and at December 31, 1998 range from 5.23% to 7.75%.
There were no borrowings outstanding under this bank credit facility at
December 31, 1998.
Equitable Life has a commercial paper program with an issue limit of
$500.0 million. This program is available for general corporate purposes
used to support Equitable Life's liquidity needs and is supported by
Equitable Life's existing $350.0 million bank credit facility. At
December 31, 1998, there were no borrowings outstanding under this
program.
During July 1998, Alliance entered into a $425.0 million five-year
revolving credit facility with a group of commercial banks which
replaced a $250.0 million revolving credit facility. Under the facility,
the interest rate, at the option of Alliance, is a floating rate
generally based upon a defined prime rate, a rate related to the London
Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or the Federal Funds Rate. A facility
fee is payable on the total facility. During September 1998, Alliance
increased the size of its commercial paper program from $250.0 million
to $425.0 million. Borrowings from these two sources may not exceed
$425.0 million in the aggregate. The revolving credit facility provides
backup liquidity for commercial paper issued under Alliance's commercial
paper program and can be used as a direct source of borrowing. The
revolving credit facility contains covenants which require Alliance to,
among other things, meet certain financial ratios. As of December 31,
1998, Alliance had commercial paper outstanding totaling $179.5 million
at an effective interest rate of 5.5% and there were no borrowings
outstanding under Alliance's revolving credit facility.
Long-term Debt
Several of the long-term debt agreements have restrictive covenants
related to the total amount of debt, net tangible assets and other
matters. The Company is in compliance with all debt covenants.
F-25
<PAGE>
The Company has pledged real estate, mortgage loans, cash and securities
amounting to $640.2 million and $1,164.0 million at December 31, 1998
and 1997, respectively, as collateral for certain short-term and
long-term debt.
At December 31, 1998, aggregate maturities of the long-term debt based
on required principal payments at maturity for 1999 and the succeeding
four years are $322.8 million, $6.9 million, $1.7 million, $1.8 million
and $2.0 million, respectively, and $668.0 million thereafter.
10) FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
A summary of the Federal income tax expense in the consolidated
statements of earnings is shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Federal income tax expense (benefit):
Current.......................................... $ 283.3 $ 186.5 $ 97.9
Deferred......................................... 69.8 (95.0) (88.2)
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total.............................................. $ 353.1 $ 91.5 $ 9.7
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
The Federal income taxes attributable to consolidated operations are
different from the amounts determined by multiplying the earnings before
Federal income taxes and minority interest by the expected Federal
income tax rate of 35%. The sources of the difference and the tax
effects of each are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Expected Federal income tax expense................ $ 414.3 $ 234.7 $ 73.0
Non-taxable minority interest...................... (33.2) (38.0) (28.6)
Adjustment of tax audit reserves................... 16.0 (81.7) 6.9
Equity in unconsolidated subsidiaries.............. (39.3) (45.1) (32.3)
Other.............................................. (4.7) 21.6 (9.3)
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Federal Income Tax Expense......................... $ 353.1 $ 91.5 $ 9.7
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
The components of the net deferred Federal income taxes are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, 1998 December 31, 1997
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities
--------------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Compensation and related benefits...... $ 235.3 $ - $ 257.9 $ -
Other.................................. 27.8 - 30.7 -
DAC, reserves and reinsurance.......... - 231.4 - 222.8
Investments............................ - 364.4 - 405.7
--------------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------
Total.................................. $ 263.1 $ 595.8 $ 288.6 $ 628.5
=============== ================ =============== ===============
</TABLE>
F-26
<PAGE>
The deferred Federal income taxes impacting operations reflect the net
tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of
assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts
used for income tax purposes. The sources of these temporary differences
and the tax effects of each are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
DAC, reserves and reinsurance...................... $ (7.7) $ 46.2 $ (156.2)
Investments........................................ 46.8 (113.8) 78.6
Compensation and related benefits.................. 28.6 3.7 22.3
Other.............................................. 2.1 (31.1) (32.9)
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Deferred Federal Income Tax
Expense (Benefit)................................ $ 69.8 $ (95.0) $ (88.2)
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
The Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") is in the process of examining
the Holding Company's consolidated Federal income tax returns for the
years 1992 through 1996. Management believes these audits will have no
material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations.
11) REINSURANCE AGREEMENTS
The Insurance Group assumes and cedes reinsurance with other insurance
companies. The Insurance Group evaluates the financial condition of its
reinsurers to minimize its exposure to significant losses from reinsurer
insolvencies. Ceded reinsurance does not relieve the originating insurer
of liability. The effect of reinsurance (excluding group life and
health) is summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Direct premiums.................................... $ 438.8 $ 448.6 $ 461.4
Reinsurance assumed................................ 203.6 198.3 177.5
Reinsurance ceded.................................. (54.3) (45.4) (41.3)
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Premiums........................................... $ 588.1 $ 601.5 $ 597.6
================= ================ =================
Universal Life and Investment-type Product
Policy Fee Income Ceded.......................... $ 75.7 $ 61.0 $ 48.2
================= ================ =================
Policyholders' Benefits Ceded...................... $ 85.9 $ 70.6 $ 54.1
================= ================ =================
Interest Credited to Policyholders' Account
Balances Ceded................................... $ 39.5 $ 36.4 $ 32.3
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
Beginning in May 1997, the Company began reinsuring on a yearly renewal
term basis 90% of the mortality risk on new issues of certain term,
universal and variable life products. During 1996, the Company's
retention limit on joint survivorship policies was increased to $15.0
million. Effective January 1, 1994, all in force business above $5.0
million was reinsured. The Insurance Group also reinsures the entire
risk on certain substandard underwriting risks as well as in certain
other cases.
The Insurance Group cedes 100% of its group life and health business to
a third party insurance company. Premiums ceded totaled $1.3 million,
$1.6 million and $2.4 million for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Ceded death and disability benefits totaled $15.6 million, $4.3 million
and $21.2 million for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Insurance
liabilities ceded totaled $560.3 million and $593.8 million at December
31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
F-27
<PAGE>
12) EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Company sponsors qualified and non-qualified defined benefit plans
covering substantially all employees (including certain qualified
part-time employees), managers and certain agents. The pension plans are
non-contributory. Equitable Life's benefits are based on a cash balance
formula or years of service and final average earnings, if greater,
under certain grandfathering rules in the plans. Alliance's benefits are
based on years of credited service, average final base salary and
primary social security benefits. The Company's funding policy is to
make the minimum contribution required by the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA").
Components of net periodic pension cost (credit) for the qualified and
non-qualified plans are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Service cost....................................... $ 33.2 $ 32.5 $ 33.8
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations..... 129.2 128.2 120.8
Actual return on assets............................ (175.6) (307.6) (181.4)
Net amortization and deferrals..................... 6.1 166.6 43.4
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Net Periodic Pension Cost (Credit)................. $ (7.1) $ 19.7 $ 16.6
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
The plan's projected benefit obligation under the qualified and
non-qualified plans was comprised of:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
------------------------------------
1998 1997
---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Benefit obligation, beginning of year.................................. $ 1,801.3 $ 1,765.5
Service cost........................................................... 33.2 32.5
Interest cost.......................................................... 129.2 128.2
Actuarial (gains) losses............................................... 108.4 (15.5)
Benefits paid.......................................................... (138.7) (109.4)
---------------- -----------------
Benefit Obligation, End of Year........................................ $ 1,933.4 $ 1,801.3
================ =================
</TABLE>
The funded status of the qualified and non-qualified pension plans is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
------------------------------------
1998 1997
---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year........................... $ 1,867.4 $ 1,626.0
Actual return on plan assets........................................... 338.9 307.5
Contributions.......................................................... - 30.0
Benefits paid and fees................................................. (123.2) (96.1)
---------------- -----------------
Plan assets at fair value, end of year................................. 2,083.1 1,867.4
Projected benefit obligations.......................................... 1,933.4 1,801.3
---------------- -----------------
Projected benefit obligations less than plan assets.................... 149.7 66.1
Unrecognized prior service cost........................................ (7.5) (9.9)
Unrecognized net loss from past experience different
from that assumed.................................................... 38.7 95.0
Unrecognized net asset at transition................................... 1.5 3.1
---------------- -----------------
Prepaid Pension Cost.................................................. $ 182.4 $ 154.3
================ =================
</TABLE>
The discount rate and rate of increase in future compensation levels
used in determining the actuarial present value of projected benefit
obligations were 7.0% and 3.83%, respectively, at December 31, 1998 and
7.25% and 4.07%, respectively, at December 31, 1997. As of January 1,
1998 and 1997, the expected long-term rate of return on assets for the
retirement plan was 10.25%.
F-28
<PAGE>
The Company recorded, as a reduction of shareholders' equity an
additional minimum pension liability of $28.3 million and $17.3 million,
net of Federal income taxes, at December 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively, primarily representing the excess of the accumulated
benefit obligation of the qualified pension plan over the accrued
liability.
The pension plan's assets include corporate and government debt
securities, equity securities, equity real estate and shares of group
trusts managed by Alliance.
Prior to 1987, the qualified plan funded participants' benefits through
the purchase of non-participating annuity contracts from Equitable Life.
Benefit payments under these contracts were approximately $31.8 million,
$33.2 million and $34.7 million for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
The Company provides certain medical and life insurance benefits
(collectively, "postretirement benefits") for qualifying employees,
managers and agents retiring from the Company (i) on or after attaining
age 55 who have at least 10 years of service or (ii) on or after
attaining age 65 or (iii) whose jobs have been abolished and who have
attained age 50 with 20 years of service. The life insurance benefits
are related to age and salary at retirement. The costs of postretirement
benefits are recognized in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No.
106. The Company continues to fund postretirement benefits costs on a
pay-as-you-go basis and, for 1998, 1997 and 1996, the Company made
estimated postretirement benefits payments of $28.4 million, $18.7
million and $18.9 million, respectively.
The following table sets forth the postretirement benefits plan's
status, reconciled to amounts recognized in the Company's consolidated
financial statements:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Service cost....................................... $ 4.6 $ 4.5 $ 5.3
Interest cost on accumulated postretirement
benefits obligation.............................. 33.6 34.7 34.6
Net amortization and deferrals..................... .5 1.9 2.4
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Net Periodic Postretirement Benefits Costs......... $ 38.7 $ 41.1 $ 42.3
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
------------------------------------
1998 1997
---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Accumulated postretirement benefits obligation, beginning
of year.............................................................. $ 490.8 $ 388.5
Service cost........................................................... 4.6 4.5
Interest cost.......................................................... 33.6 34.7
Contributions and benefits paid........................................ (28.4) 72.1
Actuarial (gains) losses............................................... (10.2) (9.0)
---------------- -----------------
Accumulated postretirement benefits obligation, end of year............ 490.4 490.8
Unrecognized prior service cost........................................ 31.8 40.3
Unrecognized net loss from past experience different
from that assumed and from changes in assumptions.................... (121.2) (140.6)
---------------- -----------------
Accrued Postretirement Benefits Cost................................... $ 401.0 $ 390.5
================ =================
</TABLE>
Since January 1, 1994, costs to the Company for providing these medical
benefits available to retirees under age 65 are the same as those
offered to active employees and medical benefits will be limited to 200%
of 1993 costs for all participants.
F-29
<PAGE>
The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring the
accumulated postretirement benefits obligation was 8.0% in 1998,
gradually declining to 2.5% in the year 2009, and in 1997 was 8.75%,
gradually declining to 2.75% in the year 2009. The discount rate used in
determining the accumulated postretirement benefits obligation was 7.0%
and 7.25% at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
If the health care cost trend rate assumptions were increased by 1%, the
accumulated postretirement benefits obligation as of December 31, 1998
would be increased 4.83%. The effect of this change on the sum of the
service cost and interest cost would be an increase of 4.57%. If the
health care cost trend rate assumptions were decreased by 1% the
accumulated postretirement benefits obligation as of December 31, 1998
would be decreased by 5.6%. The effect of this change on the sum of the
service cost and interest cost would be a decrease of 5.4%.
13) DERIVATIVES AND FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Derivatives
The Insurance Group primarily uses derivatives for asset/liability risk
management and for hedging individual securities. Derivatives mainly are
utilized to reduce the Insurance Group's exposure to interest rate
fluctuations. Accounting for interest rate swap transactions is on an
accrual basis. Gains and losses related to interest rate swap
transactions are amortized as yield adjustments over the remaining life
of the underlying hedged security. Income and expense resulting from
interest rate swap activities are reflected in net investment income.
The notional amount of matched interest rate swaps outstanding at
December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively, was $880.9 million and
$1,353.4 million. The average unexpired terms at December 31, 1998
ranged from 1 month to 4.3 years. At December 31, 1998, the cost of
terminating swaps in a loss position was $8.0 million. Equitable Life
has implemented an interest rate cap program designed to hedge crediting
rates on interest-sensitive individual annuities contracts. The
outstanding notional amounts at December 31, 1998 of contracts purchased
and sold were $8,450.0 million and $875.0 million, respectively. The net
premium paid by Equitable Life on these contracts was $54.8 million and
is being amortized ratably over the contract periods ranging from 1 to 5
years. Income and expense resulting from this program are reflected as
an adjustment to interest credited to policyholders' account balances.
Substantially all of DLJ's activities related to derivatives are, by
their nature trading activities which are primarily for the purpose of
customer accommodations. DLJ enters into certain contractual agreements
referred to as derivatives or off-balance-sheet financial instruments
involving futures, forwards and options. DLJ's derivative activities
consist of writing over-the-counter ("OTC") options to accommodate its
customer needs, trading in forward contracts in U.S. government and
agency issued or guaranteed securities and in futures contracts on
equity-based indices, interest rate instruments and currencies and
issuing structured products based on emerging market financial
instruments and indices. DLJ's involvement in swap contracts and
commodity derivative instruments is not significant.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company defines fair value as the quoted market prices for those
instruments that are actively traded in financial markets. In cases
where quoted market prices are not available, fair values are estimated
using present value or other valuation techniques. The fair value
estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on available
market information and judgments about the financial instrument,
including estimates of the timing and amount of expected future cash
flows and the credit standing of counterparties. Such estimates do not
reflect any premium or discount that could result from offering for sale
at one time the Company's entire holdings of a particular financial
instrument, nor do they consider the tax impact of the realization of
unrealized gains or losses. In many cases, the fair value estimates
cannot be substantiated by comparison to independent markets, nor can
the disclosed value be realized in immediate settlement of the
instrument.
Certain financial instruments are excluded, particularly insurance
liabilities other than financial guarantees and investment contracts.
Fair market value of off-balance-sheet financial instruments of the
Insurance Group was not material at December 31, 1998 and 1997.
F-30
<PAGE>
Fair values for mortgage loans on real estate are estimated by
discounting future contractual cash flows using interest rates at which
loans with similar characteristics and credit quality would be made.
Fair values for foreclosed mortgage loans and problem mortgage loans are
limited to the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral if
lower.
Fair values of policy loans are estimated by discounting the face value
of the loans from the time of the next interest rate review to the
present, at a rate equal to the excess of the current estimated market
rates over the current interest rate charged on the loan.
The estimated fair values for the Company's association plan contracts,
supplementary contracts not involving life contingencies ("SCNILC") and
annuities certain, which are included in policyholders' account
balances, and guaranteed interest contracts are estimated using
projected cash flows discounted at rates reflecting expected current
offering rates.
The estimated fair values for variable deferred annuities and single
premium deferred annuities ("SPDA"), which are included in
policyholders' account balances, are estimated by discounting the
account value back from the time of the next crediting rate review to
the present, at a rate equal to the excess of current estimated market
rates offered on new policies over the current crediting rates.
Fair values for long-term debt are determined using published market
values, where available, or contractual cash flows discounted at market
interest rates. The estimated fair values for non-recourse mortgage debt
are determined by discounting contractual cash flows at a rate which
takes into account the level of current market interest rates and
collateral risk. The estimated fair values for recourse mortgage debt
are determined by discounting contractual cash flows at a rate based
upon current interest rates of other companies with credit ratings
similar to the Company. The Company's carrying value of short-term
borrowings approximates their estimated fair value.
The following table discloses carrying value and estimated fair value
for financial instruments not otherwise disclosed in Notes 3, 7 and 8:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997
--------------------------------- ---------------------------------
Carrying Estimated Carrying Estimated
Value Fair Value Value Fair Value
--------------- ---------------- --------------- ---------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Consolidated Financial Instruments:
Mortgage loans on real estate.......... $ 2,809.9 $ 2,961.8 $ 2,611.4 $ 2,822.8
Other limited partnership interests.... 562.6 562.6 509.4 509.4
Policy loans........................... 2,086.7 2,370.7 2,422.9 2,493.9
Policyholders' account balances -
investment contracts................. 12,892.0 13,396.0 12,611.0 12,714.0
Long-term debt......................... 1,002.4 1,025.2 1,294.5 1,257.0
Closed Block Financial Instruments:
Mortgage loans on real estate.......... 1,633.4 1,703.5 1,341.6 1,420.7
Other equity investments............... 56.4 56.4 86.3 86.3
Policy loans........................... 1,641.2 1,929.7 1,700.2 1,784.2
SCNILC liability....................... 25.0 25.0 27.6 30.3
Discontinued Operations Financial
Instruments:
Mortgage loans on real estate.......... 553.9 599.9 655.5 779.9
Fixed maturities....................... 24.9 24.9 38.7 38.7
Other equity investments............... 115.1 115.1 209.3 209.3
Guaranteed interest contracts.......... 37.0 34.0 37.0 34.0
Long-term debt......................... 147.1 139.8 296.4 297.6
</TABLE>
F-31
<PAGE>
14) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES
The Company has provided, from time to time, certain guarantees or
commitments to affiliates, investors and others. These arrangements
include commitments by the Company, under certain conditions: to make
capital contributions of up to $142.9 million to affiliated real estate
joint ventures; and to provide equity financing to certain limited
partnerships of $287.3 million at December 31, 1998, under existing loan
or loan commitment agreements.
Equitable Life is the obligor under certain structured settlement
agreements which it had entered into with unaffiliated insurance
companies and beneficiaries. To satisfy its obligations under these
agreements, Equitable Life owns single premium annuities issued by
previously wholly owned life insurance subsidiaries. Equitable Life has
directed payment under these annuities to be made directly to the
beneficiaries under the structured settlement agreements. A contingent
liability exists with respect to these agreements should the previously
wholly owned subsidiaries be unable to meet their obligations.
Management believes the satisfaction of those obligations by Equitable
Life is remote.
The Insurance Group had $24.7 million of letters of credit outstanding
at December 31, 1998.
15) LITIGATION
Major Medical Insurance Cases
Equitable Life agreed to settle, subject to court approval, previously
disclosed cases involving lifetime guaranteed renewable major medical
insurance policies issued by Equitable Life in five states. Plaintiffs
in these cases claimed that Equitable Life's method for determining
premium increases breached the terms of certain forms of the policies
and was misrepresented. In certain cases plaintiffs also claimed that
Equitable Life misrepresented to policyholders that premium increases
had been approved by insurance departments, and that it determined
annual rate increases in a manner that discriminated against the
policyholders.
In December 1997, Equitable Life entered into a settlement agreement,
subject to court approval, which would result in creation of a
nationwide class consisting of all persons holding, and paying premiums
on, the policies at any time since January 1, 1988 and the dismissal
with prejudice of the pending actions and the resolution of all similar
claims on a nationwide basis. Under the terms of the settlement, which
involves approximately 127,000 former and current policyholders,
Equitable Life would pay $14.2 million in exchange for release of all
claims and will provide future relief to certain current policyholders
by restricting future premium increases, estimated to have a present
value of $23.3 million. This estimate is based upon assumptions about
future events that cannot be predicted with certainty and accordingly
the actual value of the future relief may vary. In October 1998, the
court entered a judgment approving the settlement agreement and, in
November, a member of the national class filed a notice of appeal of the
judgment. In January 1999, the Court of Appeals granted Equitable Life's
motion to dismiss the appeal.
Life Insurance and Annuity Sales Cases
A number of lawsuits are pending as individual claims and purported
class actions against Equitable Life and its subsidiary insurance
companies Equitable Variable Life Insurance Company ("EVLICO," which was
merged into Equitable Life effective January 1, 1997) and The Equitable
of Colorado, Inc. ("EOC"). These actions involve, among other things,
sales of life and annuity products for varying periods from 1980 to the
present, and allege, among other things, sales practice
misrepresentation primarily involving: the number of premium payments
required; the propriety of a product as an investment vehicle; the
propriety of a product as a replacement of an existing policy; and
failure to disclose a product as life insurance. Some actions are in
state courts and others are in U.S. District Courts in varying
jurisdictions, and are in varying stages of discovery and motions for
class certification.
F-32
<PAGE>
In general, the plaintiffs request an unspecified amount of damages,
punitive damages, enjoinment from the described practices, prohibition
against cancellation of policies for non-payment of premium or other
remedies, as well as attorneys' fees and expenses. Similar actions have
been filed against other life and health insurers and have resulted in
the award of substantial judgments, including material amounts of
punitive damages, or in substantial settlements. Although the outcome of
litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, particularly in the early
stages of an action, The Equitable's management believes that the
ultimate resolution of these cases should not have a material adverse
effect on the financial position of The Equitable. The Equitable's
management cannot make an estimate of loss, if any, or predict whether
or not any such litigation will have a material adverse effect on The
Equitable's results of operations in any particular period.
Discrimination Case
Equitable Life is a defendant in an action, certified as a class action
in September 1997, in the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Alabama, Southern Division, involving alleged discrimination
on the basis of race against African-American applicants and potential
applicants in hiring individuals as sales agents. Plaintiffs seek a
declaratory judgment and affirmative and negative injunctive relief,
including the payment of back-pay, pension and other compensation.
Although the outcome of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty,
The Equitable's management believes that the ultimate resolution of this
matter should not have a material adverse effect on the financial
position of The Equitable. The Equitable's management cannot make an
estimate of loss, if any, or predict whether or not such matter will
have a material adverse effect on The Equitable's results of operations
in any particular period.
Alliance Capital
In July 1995, a class action complaint was filed against Alliance North
American Government Income Trust, Inc. (the "Fund"), Alliance and
certain other defendants affiliated with Alliance, including the Holding
Company, alleging violations of Federal securities laws, fraud and
breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the Fund's investments in
Mexican and Argentine securities. The original complaint was dismissed
in 1996; on appeal, the dismissal was affirmed. In October 1996,
plaintiffs filed a motion for leave to file an amended complaint,
alleging the Fund failed to hedge against currency risk despite
representations that it would do so, the Fund did not properly disclose
that it planned to invest in mortgage-backed derivative securities and
two Fund advertisements misrepresented the risks of investing in the
Fund. In October 1998, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
issued an order granting plaintiffs' motion to file an amended complaint
alleging that the Fund misrepresented its ability to hedge against
currency risk and denying plaintiffs' motion to file an amended
complaint containing the other allegations. Alliance believes that the
allegations in the amended complaint, which was filed in February 1999,
are without merit and intends to defend itself vigorously against these
claims. While the ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined
at this time, Alliance's management does not expect that it will have a
material adverse effect on Alliance's results of operations or financial
condition.
DLJSC
DLJSC is a defendant along with certain other parties in a class action
complaint involving the underwriting of units, consisting of notes and
warrants to purchase common shares, of Rickel Home Centers, Inc.
("Rickel"), which filed a voluntary petition for reorganization pursuant
to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. The complaint seeks unspecified
compensatory and punitive damages from DLJSC, as an underwriter and as
an owner of 7.3% of the common stock, for alleged violation of Federal
securities laws and common law fraud for alleged misstatements and
omissions contained in the prospectus and registration statement used in
the offering of the units. DLJSC is defending itself vigorously against
all the allegations contained in the complaint. Although there can be no
assurance, DLJ's management does not believe that the ultimate outcome
of this litigation will have a material adverse effect on DLJ's
consolidated financial condition. Due to the early stage of this
litigation, based on the information currently available to it, DLJ's
management cannot predict whether or not such litigation will have a
material adverse effect on DLJ's results of operations in any particular
period.
F-33
<PAGE>
DLJSC is a defendant in a purported class action filed in a Texas State
Court on behalf of the holders of $550 million principal amount of
subordinated redeemable discount debentures of National Gypsum
Corporation ("NGC"). The debentures were canceled in connection with a
Chapter 11 plan of reorganization for NGC consummated in July 1993. The
litigation seeks compensatory and punitive damages for DLJSC's
activities as financial advisor to NGC in the course of NGC's Chapter 11
proceedings. Trial is expected in early May 1999. DLJSC intends to
defend itself vigorously against all the allegations contained in the
complaint. Although there can be no assurance, DLJ's management does not
believe that the ultimate outcome of this litigation will have a
material adverse effect on DLJ's consolidated financial condition. Based
upon the information currently available to it, DLJ's management cannot
predict whether or not such litigation will have a material adverse
effect on DLJ's results of operations in any particular period.
DLJSC is a defendant in a complaint which alleges that DLJSC and a
number of other financial institutions and several individual defendants
violated civil provisions of RICO by inducing plaintiffs to invest over
$40 million in The Securities Groups, a number of tax shelter limited
partnerships, during the years 1978 through 1982. The plaintiffs seek
recovery of the loss of their entire investment and an approximately
equivalent amount of tax-related damages. Judgment for damages under
RICO are subject to trebling. Discovery is complete. Trial has been
scheduled for May 17, 1999. DLJSC believes that it has meritorious
defenses to the complaints and will continue to contest the suits
vigorously. Although there can be no assurance, DLJ's management does
not believe that the ultimate outcome of this litigation will have a
material adverse effect on DLJ's consolidated financial condition. Based
upon the information currently available to it, DLJ's management cannot
predict whether or not such litigation will have a material adverse
effect on DLJ's results of operations in any particular period.
DLJSC is a defendant along with certain other parties in four actions
involving Mid-American Waste Systems, Inc. ("Mid-American"), which filed
a voluntary petition for reorganization pursuant to Chapter 11 of the
Bankruptcy Code in January 1997. Three actions seek rescission,
compensatory and punitive damages for DLJSC's role in underwriting notes
of Mid-American. The other action, filed by the Plan Administrator for
the bankruptcy estate of Mid-American, alleges that DLJSC is liable as
an underwriter for alleged misrepresentations and omissions in the
prospectus for the notes, and liable as financial advisor to
Mid-American for allegedly failing to advise Mid-American about its
financial condition. DLJSC believes that it has meritorious defenses to
the complaints and will continue to contest the suits vigorously.
Although there can be no assurance, DLJ's management does not believe
that the ultimate outcome of this litigation will have a material
adverse effect on DLJ's consolidated financial condition. Based upon
information currently available to it, DLJ's management cannot predict
whether or not such litigation will have a material adverse effect on
DLJ's results of operations in any particular period.
Other Matters
In addition to the matters described above, the Holding Company and its
subsidiaries are involved in various legal actions and proceedings in
connection with their businesses. Some of the actions and proceedings
have been brought on behalf of various alleged classes of claimants and
certain of these claimants seek damages of unspecified amounts. While
the ultimate outcome of such matters cannot be predicted with certainty,
in the opinion of management no such matter is likely to have a material
adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or
results of operations.
16) LEASES
The Company has entered into operating leases for office space and
certain other assets, principally data processing equipment and office
furniture and equipment. Future minimum payments under noncancelable
leases for 1999 and the succeeding four years are $98.7 million, $92.7
million, $73.4 million, $59.9 million, $55.8 million and $550.1 million
thereafter. Minimum future sublease rental income on these noncancelable
leases for 1999 and the succeeding four years is $7.6 million, $5.6
million, $4.6 million, $2.3 million, $2.3 million and $25.4 million
thereafter.
F-34
<PAGE>
At December 31, 1998, the minimum future rental income on noncancelable
operating leases for wholly owned investments in real estate for 1999
and the succeeding four years is $189.2 million, $177.0 million, $165.5
million, $145.4 million, $122.8 million and $644.7 million thereafter.
17) OTHER OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Other operating costs and expenses consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Compensation costs................................. $ 772.0 $ 721.5 $ 704.8
Commissions........................................ 478.1 409.6 329.5
Short-term debt interest expense................... 26.1 31.7 8.0
Long-term debt interest expense.................... 84.6 121.2 137.3
Amortization of policy acquisition costs........... 292.7 287.3 405.2
Capitalization of policy acquisition costs......... (609.1) (508.0) (391.9)
Rent expense, net of sublease income............... 100.0 101.8 113.7
Cursitor intangible assets writedown............... - 120.9 -
Other.............................................. 1,056.8 917.9 769.1
----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Total.............................................. $ 2,201.2 $ 2,203.9 $ 2,075.7
================= ================ =================
</TABLE>
During 1997 and 1996, the Company restructured certain operations in
connection with cost reduction programs and recorded pre-tax provisions
of $42.4 million and $24.4 million, respectively. The amounts paid
during 1998, associated with cost reduction programs, totaled $22.6
million. At December 31, 1998, the liabilities associated with cost
reduction programs amounted to $39.4 million. The 1997 cost reduction
program included costs related to employee termination and exit costs.
The 1996 cost reduction program included restructuring costs related to
the consolidation of insurance operations' service centers. Amortization
of DAC in 1996 included a $145.0 million writeoff of DAC related to DI
contracts.
18) INSURANCE GROUP STATUTORY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Equitable Life is restricted as to the amounts it may pay as dividends
to the Holding Company. Under the New York Insurance Law, the
Superintendent has broad discretion to determine whether the financial
condition of a stock life insurance company would support the payment of
dividends to its shareholders. For 1998, 1997 and 1996, statutory net
income (loss) totaled $384.4 million, $(351.7) million and $(351.1)
million, respectively. Statutory surplus, capital stock and Asset
Valuation Reserve ("AVR") totaled $4,728.0 million and $3,907.1 million
at December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively. No dividends have been paid
by Equitable Life to the Holding Company to date.
At December 31, 1998, the Insurance Group, in accordance with various
government and state regulations, had $25.6 million of securities
deposited with such government or state agencies.
The differences between statutory surplus and capital stock determined
in accordance with Statutory Accounting Principles ("SAP") and total
shareholders' equity on a GAAP basis are primarily attributable to: (a)
inclusion in SAP of an AVR intended to stabilize surplus from
fluctuations in the value of the investment portfolio; (b) future policy
benefits and policyholders' account balances under SAP differ from GAAP
due to differences between actuarial assumptions and reserving
methodologies; (c) certain policy acquisition costs are expensed under
SAP but deferred under GAAP and amortized over future periods to achieve
a matching of revenues and expenses; (d) Federal income taxes are
generally accrued under SAP based upon revenues and expenses in the
Federal income tax return while under GAAP deferred taxes are provided
for timing differences between recognition of revenues and expenses for
financial reporting and income tax purposes; (e) valuation of assets
under SAP and GAAP differ due to different investment valuation and
depreciation methodologies, as well as the deferral of interest-related
realized capital gains and losses on fixed income investments; and (f)
differences in the accrual methodologies for post-employment and
retirement benefit plans.
F-35
<PAGE>
19) BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company's operations consist of Insurance and Investment Services.
The Company's management evaluates the performance of each of these
segments independently and allocates resources based on current and
future requirements of each segment. Management evaluates the
performance of each segment based upon operating results adjusted to
exclude the effect of unusual or non-recurring events and transactions
and certain revenue and expense categories not related to the base
operations of the particular business net of minority interest.
Information for all periods is presented on a comparable basis.
Intersegment investment advisory and other fees of approximately $61.8
million, $84.1 million and $129.2 million for 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively, are included in total revenues of the Investment Services
segment. These fees, excluding amounts related to discontinued
operations of $.5 million, $4.2 million and $13.3 million for 1998, 1997
and 1996, respectively, are eliminated in consolidation.
The following tables reconcile each segment's revenues and operating
earnings to total revenues and earnings from continuing operations
before Federal income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change
as reported on the consolidated statements of earnings and the segments'
assets to total assets on the consolidated balance sheets, respectively.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Investment
Insurance Services Elimination Total
--------------- ----------------- --------------- ----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1998
Segment revenues..................... $ 4,029.8 $ 1,438.4 $ (5.7) $ 5,462.5
Investment gains..................... 64.8 35.4 - 100.2
--------------- ----------------- --------------- ----------------
Total Revenues....................... $ 4,094.6 $ 1,473.8 $ (5.7) $ 5,562.7
=============== ================= =============== ================
Pre-tax operating earnings........... $ 688.6 $ 284.3 $ - $ 972.9
Investment gains , net of
DAC and other charges.............. 41.7 27.7 - 69.4
Pre-tax minority interest............ - 141.5 - 141.5
--------------- ----------------- --------------- ----------------
Earnings from Continuing
Operations......................... $ 730.3 $ 453.5 $ - $ 1,183.8
=============== ================= =============== ================
Total Assets......................... $ 75,626.0 $ 12,379.2 $ (64.4) $ 87,940.8
=============== ================= =============== ================
1997
Segment revenues..................... $ 3,990.8 $ 1,200.0 $ (7.7) $ 5,183.1
Investment gains (losses)............ (318.8) 255.1 - (63.7)
--------------- ----------------- --------------- ----------------
Total Revenues....................... $ 3,672.0 $ 1,455.1 $ (7.7) $ 5,119.4
=============== ================= =============== ================
Pre-tax operating earnings........... $ 507.0 $ 258.3 $ - $ 765.3
Investment gains (losses), net of
DAC and other charges.............. (292.5) 252.7 - (39.8)
Non-recurring costs and expenses..... (41.7) (121.6) - (163.3)
Pre-tax minority interest............ - 108.5 - 108.5
--------------- ----------------- --------------- ----------------
Earnings from Continuing
Operations......................... $ 172.8 $ 497.9 $ - $ 670.7
=============== ================= =============== ================
Total Assets......................... $ 67,762.4 $ 13,691.4 $ (96.1) $ 81,357.7
=============== ================= =============== ================
</TABLE>
F-36
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Investment
Insurance Services Elimination Total
--------------- ----------------- --------------- ----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1996
Segment revenues..................... $ 3,789.1 $ 1,105.5 $ (12.6) $ 4,882.0
Investment gains (losses)............ (30.3) 20.5 - (9.8)
--------------- ----------------- --------------- ----------------
Total Revenues....................... $ 3,758.8 $ 1,126.0 $ (12.6) $ 4,872.2
=============== ================= =============== ================
Pre-tax operating earnings........... $ 337.1 $ 224.6 $ - $ 561.7
Investment gains (losses), net of
DAC and other charges.............. (37.2) 16.9 - (20.3)
Reserve strengthening and DAC
writeoff........................... (393.0) - - (393.0)
Non-recurring costs and
expenses........................... (22.3) (1.1) - (23.4)
Pre-tax minority interest............ - 83.6 - 83.6
--------------- ----------------- --------------- ----------------
Earnings (Loss) from
Continuing Operations.............. $ (115.4) $ 324.0 $ - $ 208.6
=============== ================= =============== ================
</TABLE>
20) QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
The quarterly results of operations for 1998 and 1997 are summarized
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31
----------------- ----------------- ------------------ ------------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1998
Total Revenues................ $ 1,470.2 $ 1,422.9 $ 1,297.6 $ 1,372.0
================= ================= ================== ==================
Earnings from Continuing
Operations before
Cumulative Effect
of Accounting Change........ $ 212.8 $ 197.0 $ 136.8 $ 158.9
================= ================= ================== ==================
Net Earnings.................. $ 213.3 $ 198.3 $ 137.5 $ 159.1
================= ================= ================== ==================
1997
Total Revenues................ $ 1,266.0 $ 1,552.8 $ 1,279.0 $ 1,021.6
================= ================= ================== ==================
Earnings from Continuing
Operations before
Cumulative Effect
of Accounting Change........ $ 117.4 $ 222.5 $ 145.1 $ 39.4
================= ================= ================== ==================
Net Earnings (Loss)........... $ 114.1 $ 223.1 $ 144.9 $ (44.9)
================= ================= ================== ==================
</TABLE>
Net earnings for the three months ended December 31, 1997 includes a
charge of $212.0 million related to additions to valuation allowances on
and writeoffs of real estate of $225.2 million, and reserve
strengthening on discontinued operations of $84.3 million offset by a
reversal of prior years tax reserves of $97.5 million.
F-37
<PAGE>
21) INVESTMENT IN DLJ
At December 31, 1998, the Company's ownership of DLJ interest was
approximately 32.5%. The Company's ownership interest will be further
reduced upon the issuance of common stock after the vesting of
forfeitable restricted stock units acquired by and/or the exercise of
options granted to certain DLJ employees. DLJ restricted stock units
represents forfeitable rights to receive approximately 5.2 million
shares of DLJ common stock through February 2000.
The results of operations of DLJ are accounted for on the equity basis
and are included in commissions, fees and other income in the
consolidated statements of earnings. The Company's carrying value of DLJ
is included in investment in and loans to affiliates in the consolidated
balance sheets.
Summarized balance sheets information for DLJ, reconciled to the
Company's carrying value of DLJ, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31,
------------------------------------
1998 1997
---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Assets:
Trading account securities, at market value............................ $ 13,195.1 $ 16,535.7
Securities purchased under resale agreements........................... 20,063.3 22,628.8
Broker-dealer related receivables...................................... 34,264.5 28,159.3
Other assets........................................................... 4,759.3 3,182.0
---------------- -----------------
Total Assets........................................................... $ 72,282.2 $ 70,505.8
================ =================
Liabilities:
Securities sold under repurchase agreements............................ $ 35,775.6 $ 36,006.7
Broker-dealer related payables......................................... 26,161.5 26,127.2
Short-term and long-term debt.......................................... 3,997.6 3,249.5
Other liabilities...................................................... 3,219.8 2,860.9
---------------- -----------------
Total liabilities...................................................... 69,154.5 68,244.3
DLJ's company-obligated mandatorily redeemed preferred
securities of subsidiary trust holding solely debentures of DLJ...... 200.0 200.0
Total shareholders' equity............................................. 2,927.7 2,061.5
---------------- -----------------
Total Liabilities, Cumulative Exchangeable Preferred Stock and
Shareholders' Equity................................................. $ 72,282.2 $ 70,505.8
================ =================
DLJ's equity as reported............................................... $ 2,927.7 $ 2,061.5
Unamortized cost in excess of net assets acquired in 1985
and other adjustments................................................ 23.7 23.5
The Holding Company's equity ownership in DLJ.......................... (1,002.4) (740.2)
Minority interest in DLJ............................................... (1,118.2) (729.3)
---------------- -----------------
The Company's Carrying Value of DLJ.................................... $ 830.8 $ 615.5
================ =================
</TABLE>
F-38
<PAGE>
Summarized statements of earnings information for DLJ reconciled to the
Company's equity in earnings of DLJ is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
---------------- -----------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Commission, fees and other income...................................... $ 3,184.7 $ 2,430.7
Net investment income.................................................. 2,189.1 1,652.1
Dealer, trading and investment gains, net.............................. 33.2 557.7
---------------- -----------------
Total revenues......................................................... 5,407.0 4,640.5
Total expenses including income taxes.................................. 5,036.2 4,232.2
---------------- -----------------
Net earnings........................................................... 370.8 408.3
Dividends on preferred stock........................................... 21.3 12.2
---------------- -----------------
Earnings Applicable to Common Shares................................... $ 349.5 $ 396.1
================ =================
DLJ's earnings applicable to common shares as reported................. $ 349.5 $ 396.1
Amortization of cost in excess of net assets acquired in 1985.......... (.8) (1.3)
The Holding Company's equity in DLJ's earnings......................... (136.8) (156.8)
Minority interest in DLJ............................................... (99.5) (109.1)
---------------- -----------------
The Company's Equity in DLJ's Earnings................................. $ 112.4 $ 128.9
================ =================
</TABLE>
22) ACCOUNTING FOR STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
The Holding Company sponsors a stock option plan for employees of
Equitable Life. DLJ and Alliance each sponsor their own stock option
plans for certain employees. The Company has elected to continue to
account for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method
prescribed in APB No. 25. Had compensation expense for the Holding
Company, DLJ and Alliance Stock Option Incentive Plan options been
determined based on SFAS No. 123's fair value based method, the
Company's pro forma net earnings for 1998, 1997 and 1996 would have
been:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
--------------- --------------- ---------------
(In Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Earnings:
As reported............................................. $ 708.2 $ 437.2 $ 10.3
Pro forma............................................... 678.4 426.3 3.3
</TABLE>
The fair values of options granted after December 31, 1994, used as a
basis for the above pro forma disclosures, were estimated as of the
dates of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The option
pricing assumptions for 1998, 1997 and 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Holding Company DLJ Alliance
------------------------------ ------------------------------- ----------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1998 1997 1996 1998 1997 1996
--------- ---------- --------- ---------- -------------------- ---------------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Dividend yield...... 0.32% 0.48% 0.80% 0.69% 0.86% 1.54% 6.50% 8.00% 8.00%
Expected volatility. 28% 20% 20% 40% 33% 25% 29% 26% 23%
Risk-free interest
rate.............. 5.48% 5.99% 5.92% 5.53% 5.96% 6.07% 4.40% 5.70% 5.80%
Expected life
in years.......... 5 5 5 5 5 5 7.2 7.2 7.4
Weighted average
fair value per
option at
grant-date........ $22.64 $12.25 $6.94 $16.27 $10.81 $4.03 $3.86 $2.18 $1.35
</TABLE>
F-39
<PAGE>
A summary of the Holding Company, DLJ and Alliance's option plans is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Holding Company DLJ Alliance
----------------------------- ----------------------------- -----------------------------
Weighted Weighted Weighted
Average Average Average
Exercise Exercise Exercise
Price of Price of Price of
Shares Options Shares Options Units Options
(In Millions) Outstanding (In Millions) Outstanding (In Millions) Outstanding
--------------- ------------- --------------- ------------- -----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance as of
January 1, 1996........ 6.7 $20.27 18.4 $13.50 9.6 $ 8.86
Granted................ .7 $24.94 4.2 $16.27 1.4 $12.56
Exercised.............. (.1) $19.91 - (.8) $ 6.82
Expired................ - - -
Forfeited.............. (.6) $20.21 (.4) $13.50 (.2) $ 9.66
--------------- ------------- ---------------
Balance as of
December 31, 1996...... 6.7 $20.79 22.2 $14.03 10.0 $ 9.54
Granted................ 3.2 $41.85 6.4 $30.54 2.2 $18.28
Exercised.............. (1.6) $20.26 (.2) $16.01 (1.2) $ 8.06
Forfeited.............. (.4) $23.43 (.2) $13.79 (.4) $10.64
--------------- ------------- ---------------
Balance as of
December 31, 1997...... 7.9 $29.05 28.2 $17.78 10.6 $11.41
Granted................ 4.3 $66.26 1.5 $38.59 2.8 $26.28
Exercised.............. (1.1) $21.18 (1.4) $14.91 (.9) $ 8.91
Forfeited.............. (.4) $47.01 (.1) $17.31 (.2) $13.14
--------------- ------------- ---------------
Balance as of
December 31, 1998...... 10.7 $44.00 28.2 $19.04 12.3 $14.94
=============== ============= ===============
</TABLE>
F-40
<PAGE>
Information about options outstanding and exercisable at December 31,
1998 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
---------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------
Weighted
Average Weighted Weighted
Range of Number Remaining Average Number Average
Exercise Outstanding Contractual Exercise Exercisable Exercise
Prices (In Millions) Life (Years) Price (In Millions) Price
--------------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------- ------------------- ---------------
Holding
Company
----------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$18.125 -$27.75 3.7 5.19 $20.97 3.0 $20.33
$28.50 -$45.25 3.0 8.68 $41.79 -
$50.63 -$66.75 2.1 9.21 $52.73 -
$81.94 -$82.56 1.9 9.62 $82.56 -
----------------- -------------------
$18.125 -$82.56 10.7 7.75 $44.00 3.0 $20.33
================= ================= ================ ==================== ==============
DLJ
----------------------
$13.50 -$25.99 22.3 7.1 $14.59 21.4 $15.05
$26.00 -$38.99 5.0 8.8 $33.94 -
$39.00 -$52.875 .9 9.4 $44.65 -
----------------- -------------------
$13.50 -$52.875 28.2 7.5 $19.04 21.4 $15.05
================= ================== ============== ===================== =============
Alliance
----------------------
$ 3.03 -$ 9.69 3.1 4.5 $ 8.03 2.4 $ 7.57
$ 9.81 -$10.69 2.0 5.3 $10.05 1.6 $10.07
$11.13 -$13.75 2.4 7.5 $11.92 1.0 $11.77
$18.47 -$18.78 2.0 9.0 $18.48 .4 $18.48
$22.50 -$26.31 2.8 9.9 $26.28 - -
----------------- -------------------
$ 3.03 -$26.31 12.3 7.2 $14.94 5.4 $ 9.88
================= =================== ============= ===================== =============
</TABLE>
F-41
<PAGE>
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
-----------------
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
---------------------------------
(a) Financial Statements included in Part B.
1. Separate Account A:
-------------------
-Report of Independent Accountants; PricewaterhouseCooper LLP
-Statements of Assets and Liabilities for the Year Ended
December 31, 1998;
-Statements of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 1998;
-Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the Years Ended
December 31, 1998 and 1997;
-Notes to Financial Statements.
2. The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States:
----------------------------------------------------------
-Report of Independent Accountants; PricewaterhouseCooper LLP
-Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1998 and 1997;
-Consolidated Statements of Earnings for Years Ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996;
-Consolidated Statements of Equity for Years Ended December
31, 1998, 1997 and 1996;
-Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for Years Ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996; and
-Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(b) Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed herewith:
1. (a) Resolutions of the Board of Directors of The Equitable Life
Assurance Society of the United States ("Equitable")
authorizing the establishment of the Registrant,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 1(a) to
Registration Statement File No. 2-30070, originally filed on
October 27, 1987, refiled electronically on July 10, 1998.
(b) Resolutions of the Board of Directors of Equitable dated
October 16, 1986 authorizing the reorganization of Separate
Accounts A, C, D, E, J and K into one continuing separate
account, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No.
1(b) to Registration Statement File No. 2-30070 on Form
N-4, originally filed on April 24, 1995, refiled
electronically on July 10, 1998.
2. Not applicable.
3. (a) Sales Agreement, dated as of July 22, 1992, among Equitable,
Separate Account A and Equitable Variable Life Insurance
Company, as principal underwriter for the Hudson River
Trust, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(b) to
Registration Statement No. 2-30070, originally filed on
April 26, 1993, refiled electronically on July 10, 1998.
C-1
<PAGE>
(b) Distribution and Servicing Agreement among Equico
Securities, Inc. (now EQ Financial Consultants, Inc.)
Equitable and Equitable Variable Life Insurance Company,
dated as of May 1, 1994, incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 3(c) to Registration Statement No. 2-30070
originally filed February 14, 1995, refiled electronically
on July 10, 1998.
(c) Distribution Agreement dated as of January 1, 1995 by and
between The Hudson River Trust and Equico Securities, Inc.
(now EQ Financial Consultants, Inc.), incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 3(d) to Registration Statement No.
2-30070 originally filed on April 24, 1995, refiled
electronically on July 10, 1998.
4. (a) Form of Group Annuity Contract No. 1050-94IC, incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit No. 4(f) to Registration
Statement No. 2-30070 originally filed on April 24, 1995,
refiled electronically on July 10, 1998.
(b) Forms of Group Annuity Certificate Nos. 94ICA and 94ICB,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 4(g) to
Registration Statement No. 2-30070 originally filed on April
24, 1995, refiled electronically on July 10, 1998.
(c) Forms of Endorsement nos. 94ENIRAI, 94 ENNQI and 94ENMVAI to
contract no. 1050-94IC, incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit No. 4(h) to Registration Statement No. 2-30070
originally filed on April 24, 1995, refiled electronically
on July 10, 1998.
C-2
<PAGE>
(d) Form of Supplementary Contract No. SC96MDSB, incorporated
herein by reference to Exhibit No. 4(j) to Registration
Statement No. 2-30070 filed on April 26, 1996.
(e) Form of Endorsement for Standard Roth IRA Certificates,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4(n) to
Registration Statement on Form N-4. File No. 2-30070 filed
June 9, 1998.
(f) Form of Endorsement (No. 98ENIRAI) Applicable to IRA
Certificates, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
No. 4(q) to Registration Statement File No. 2-30070, filed
May 4, 1999.
(g) Form of Guaranteed Death Benefit Rider, Form No. 99GDB,
previously filed with this Registration Statement File No.
333-81501 on June 23, 1999.
(h) Form of EQUI-VEST Data Pages, Form No. 94ICA/B(8/99),
previously filed with this Registration Statement File No.
333-81501 on June 23, 1999.
5. (a) Form of EQUI-VEST(R) Tax-Deferred Variable Individual
Annuity Application Form No. 180-1009, previously filed with
this Registration Statement File No. 333-81501 on June 23,
1999.
6. (a) Copy of the Restated Charter of Equitable, as amended
January 1, 1997, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
No. 6(a) to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No.
2-30070), filed April 28, 1997.
(b) By-Laws of Equitable, as amended November 21, 1996,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 6(b) to the
Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 2-30070) filed
April 28, 1997.
7. Not applicable.
8. Form of Participation Agreement among EQ Advisors Trust,
Equitable, Equitable Distributors, Inc. and EQ Financial
Consultants, Inc., incorporated by reference to the EQ Advisors
Trust Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 33-17217 and
811-07953).
C-3
<PAGE>
9. Opinion and Consent of Counsel.
10. (a) Powers of Attorney, previously filed with this
Registration Statement File No. 333-81501 on June 23, 1999.
(b) Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
(c) Power of Attorney.
11. Not applicable.
12. Not applicable.
13. (a) Schedules for computation of Money Market Fund Yield
quotations, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No.
13(a) to Registration Statement No. 2-30070 originally filed
on April 28, 1994, refiled electronically on July 10, 1998.
(b) Formulae for Determining "30-Day Yields" for EQUI-VEST
Series Contracts Invested In One Investment Fund
(Intermediate Government Securities, Quality Bond or High
Yield) of The Hudson River Trust, incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 13(b) to the Registration Statement No.
2-30070, originally filed on April 24, 1995, refiled
electronically on July 10, 1998.
(c) Separate Account A Performance Values Worksheets One-Year
Standardized Performance, incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 13(c) to the Registration Statement No. 2-30070
originally filed on April 28, 1994, refiled electronically
on July 10, 1998.
C-4
<PAGE>
Item 25: Directors and Officers of Equitable.
Set forth below is information regarding the directors and principal
officers of Equitable. Equitable's address is 1290 Avenue of Americas,
New York, New York 10104. The business address of the persons whose
names are preceded by an asterisk is that of Equitable.
POSITIONS AND
NAME AND PRINCIPAL OFFICES WITH
BUSINESS ADDRESS EQUITABLE
- ---------------- ---------
*DIRECTORS
Francoise Colloc'h Director
AXA
23, Avenue Matignon
75008 Paris, France
Henri de Castries Director
AXA
23, Avenue Matignon
75008 Paris, France
Joseph L. Dionne Director
The McGraw-Hill Companies
1221 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Denis Duverne Director
AXA
23, Avenue Matignon
75008 Paris, France
Jean-Rene Fourtou Director
Rhone-Poulenc S.A.
25 Quai Paul Doumer
92408 Courbevoie Cedex,
France
Norman C. Francis Director
Xavier University of Louisiana
7325 Palmetto Street
New Orleans, LA 70125
C-5
<PAGE>
POSITIONS AND
NAME AND PRINCIPAL OFFICES WITH
BUSINESS ADDRESS EQUITABLE
- ---------------- ---------
Donald J. Greene Director
LeBouef, Lamb, Greene & MacRae
125 West 55th Street
New York, NY 10019-4513
John T. Hartley Director
Harris Corporation
1025 NASA Boulevard
Melbourne, FL 32919
John H.F. Haskell, Jr. Director
SBC Warburg Dillon Read LLC
535 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10028
Mary R. (Nina) Henderson Director
CPC Specialty Markets Group
CPC International Plaza
P.O. Box 8000
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632-9976
W. Edwin Jarmain Director
Jarmain Group Inc.
121 King Street West
Suite 2525
Toronto, Ontario M5H 3T9,
Canada
George T. Lowy Director
Cravath, Swaine & Moore
825 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10019
C-6
<PAGE>
POSITIONS AND
NAME AND PRINCIPAL OFFICES WITH
BUSINESS ADDRESS EQUITABLE
- ---------------- ---------
Didier Pineau-Valencienne Director
Schneider S.A.
64-70 Avenue Jean-Baptiste Clement
92646 Boulogne-Billancourt Cedex
France
George J. Sella, Jr. Director
P.O. Box 397
Newton, NJ 07860
Peter J. Tobin Director
St. John's University
8000 Utopia Parkway
Jamaica, NY 11439
Dave H. Williams Director
Alliance Capital Management Corporation
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
OFFICER-DIRECTORS
- -----------------
*Michael Hegarty President, Chief Operating
Officer and Director
*Edward D. Miller Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer
and Director
*Stanley B. Tulin Vice Chairman of the Board,
Chief Financial Officer and Director
OTHER OFFICERS
- --------------
*Leon Billis Executive Vice President
and Chief Information Officer
*Derry Bishop Executive Vice President and
Chief Agency Officer
*Harvey Blitz Senior Vice President
*Kevin R. Byrne Senior Vice President and Treasurer
*John A. Caroselli Executive Vice President
*Alvin H. Fenichel Senior Vice President and
Controller
C-7
<PAGE>
POSITIONS AND
NAME AND PRINCIPAL OFFICES WITH
BUSINESS ADDRESS EQUITABLE
- ---------------- ---------
*Paul J. Flora Senior Vice President and Auditor
*Robert E. Garber Executive Vice President and
General Counsel
*James D. Goodwin Vice President
*Edward J. Hayes Senior Vice President
*Mark A. Hug Senior Vice President
*Donald R. Kaplan Vice President and Chief Compliance
Officer and Associate General
Counsel
*Michael S. Martin Executive Vice President and Chief
Marketing Officer
*Richard J. Matteis Executive Vice President
*Peter D. Noris Executive Vice President and Chief
Investment Officer
*Brian S. O'Neil Executive Vice President
*Anthony C. Pasquale Senior Vice President
*Pauline Sherman Senior Vice President, Secretary
and Associate General Counsel
*Samuel B. Shlesinger Senior Vice President
*Richard V. Silver Senior Vice President and Deputy
General Counsel
*Jose Suquet Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Distribution Officer
*Naomi J. Weinstein Vice President
*Gregory Wilcox Executive Vice President
*R. Lee Wilson Executive Vice President
*Maureen K. Wolfson Vice President
C-8
<PAGE>
Item 26. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Insurance
Company or Registrant.
Separate Account No. A of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the
United States (the "Separate Account") is a separate account of Equitable.
Equitable, a New York stock life insurance company, is a wholly owned
subsidiary of The Equitable Companies Incorporated (the "Holding Company"), a
publicly traded company.
The largest stockholder of the Holding Company is AXA which as of
July 31, 1999 beneficially owned 58.3% of the Holding Company's outstanding
common stock. AXA is able to exercise significant influence over the
operations and capital structure of the Holding Company and its subsidiaries,
including Equitable. AXA, a French company, is the holding company for an
international group of insurance and related financial services companies.
C-9
<PAGE>
ORGANIZATION CHART OF EQUITABLE'S AFFILIATES
The Equitable Companies Incorporated (l991) (Delaware)
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc. (1993) (Delaware) (41.8%) (See
Addendum B(1) for subsidiaries)
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (1859)
(New York) (a)(b)
The Equitable of Colorado, Inc. (l983) (Colorado)
EVLICO, INC. (1995) (Delaware)
EVLICO East Ridge, Inc. (1995) (California)
GP/EQ Southwest, Inc. (1995) (Texas)
Franconom, Inc. (1985) (Pennsylvania)
Frontier Trust Company (1987) (North Dakota)
Gateway Center Buildings, Garage, and Apartment Hotel, Inc.
(inactive) (pre-l970) (Pennsylvania)
Equitable Deal Flow Fund, L.P.
Equitable Managed Assets (Delaware)
EREIM LP Associates (99%)
EML Associates, L.P. (19.8%)
Alliance Capital Management L.P. (2.7% limited partnership
interest)
ACMC, Inc. (1991) (Delaware)(s)
Alliance Capital Management L.P. (1988) (Delaware)
(39.1% limited partnership interest)
EVCO, Inc. (1991) (New Jersey)
EVSA, Inc. (1992) (Pennsylvania)
Prime Property Funding, Inc. (1993) (Delaware)
Wil Gro, Inc. (1992) (Pennsylvania)
Equitable Underwriting and Sales Agency (Bahamas) Limited (1993)
(Bahamas)
(a) Registered Broker/Dealer (b) Registered Investment Advisor
C-10
<PAGE>
The Equitable Companies Incorporated (cont.)
Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc.
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (cont.)
Fox Run, Inc. (1994) (Massachusetts)
STCS, Inc. (1992) (Delaware)
CCMI Corporation (1994) (Maryland)
FTM Corporation (1994) (Maryland)
Equitable BJVS, Inc. (1992) (California)
Equitable Rowes Wharf, Inc. (1995) (Massachusetts)
Camelback JVS, Inc. (1995) (Arizona)
ELAS Realty, Inc. (1996) (Delaware)
100 Federal Street Realty Corporation (Massachusetts)
Equitable Structured Settlement Corporation (1996) (Delaware)
Prime Property Funding II, Inc. (1997) (Delaware)
Sarasota Prime Hotels, Inc. (1997) (Florida)
ECLL, Inc. (1997) (Michigan)
Equitable Holdings LLC (1997) (New York) (into which Equitable Holding
Corporation was merged in 1997)
EQ Financial Consultants, Inc. (l97l) (Delaware) (a) (b)
ELAS Securities Acquisition Corp. (l980) (Delaware)
100 Federal Street Funding Corporation (Massachusetts)
EquiSource of New York, Inc. (1986) (New York) (See
Addendum A for subsidiaries)
Equitable Casualty Insurance Company (l986) (Vermont)
EREIM LP Corp. (1986) (Delaware)
EREIM LP Associates (1%)
EML Associates (.02%)
Equitable Distributors, Inc. (1988) (Delaware) (a)
(a) Registered Broker/Dealer (b) Registered Investment Advisor
C-11
<PAGE>
The Equitable Companies Incorporated (cont.)
Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc.
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (cont.)
Equitable Holdings, LLC (cont.)
Equitable JVS, Inc. (1988) (Delaware)
Astor/Broadway Acquisition Corp. (1990) (New York)
Astor Times Square Corp. (1990) (New York)
PC Landmark, Inc. (1990) (Texas)
Equitable JVS II, Inc. (1994) (Maryland)
EJSVS, Inc. (1995) (New Jersey)
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc. (1985 by EIC; 1993 by EQ and
EHC) (Delaware) (34.4%) (See Addendum B(1) for
subsidiaries)
JMR Realty Services, Inc. (1994) (Delaware)
Equitable Investment Corporation (l97l) (New York)
Stelas North Carolina Limited Partnership (50% limited
partnership interest) (l984)
Equitable JV Holding Corporation (1989) (Delaware)
Alliance Capital Management Corporation (l991) (Delaware) (b)
(See Addendum B(2) for subsidiaries)
Equitable Capital Management Corporation (l985)
(Delaware) (b)
Alliance Capital Management L.P. (1988)
(Delaware) (14.8%) limited partnership interest)
EQ Services, Inc. (1992) (Delaware)
EREIM Managers Corp. (1986) (Delaware)
ML/EQ Real Estate Portfolio, L.P.
EML Associates, L.P.
(a) Registered Broker/Dealer (b) Registered Investment
Advisor
C-12
<PAGE>
ORGANIZATION CHART OF EQUITABLE'S AFFILIATES
ADDENDUM A - SUBSIDIARY
OF EQUITABLE HOLDINGS, LLC
HAVING MORE THAN FIVE SUBSIDIARIES
-------------------------------------------------------
EquiSource of New York, Inc. (formerly Traditional Equinet Business Corporation
of New York) has the following subsidiaries that are brokerage companies to
make available to Equitable Agents within each state traditional (non-equity)
products and services not manufactured by Equitable:
EquiSource of Alabama, Inc. (1986) (Alabama)
EquiSource of Arizona, Inc. (1986) (Arizona)
EquiSource of Arkansas, Inc. (1987) (Arkansas)
EquiSource Insurance Agency of California, Inc. (1987) (California)
EquiSource of Colorado, Inc. (1986) (Colorado)
EquiSource of Delaware, Inc. (1986) (Delaware)
EquiSource of Hawaii, Inc. (1987) (Hawaii)
EquiSource of Maine, Inc. (1987) (Maine)
EquiSource Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, Inc. (1988)
(Massachusetts)
EquiSource of Montana, Inc. (1986) (Montana)
EquiSource of Nevada, Inc. (1986) (Nevada)
EquiSource of New Mexico, Inc. (1987) (New Mexico)
EquiSource of Pennsylvania, Inc. (1986) (Pennsylvania)
EquiSource of Puerto Rico, Inc. (1997) (Puerto Rico)
EquiSource Insurance Agency of Utah, Inc. (1986) (Utah)
EquiSource of Washington, Inc. (1987) (Washington)
EquiSource of Wyoming, Inc. (1986) (Wyoming)
C-13
<PAGE>
ORGANIZATION CHART OF EQUITABLE'S AFFILIATES
ADDENDUM B - INVESTMENT SUBSIDIARIES
HAVING MORE THAN FIVE SUBSIDIARIES
------------------------------------
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc. has the following subsidiaries, and
approximately 150 other subsidiaries, most of which are special purpose
subsidiaries (the number fluctuates according to business needs):
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Securities Corporation (1985)
(Delaware) (a) (b)
Wood, Struthers & Winthrop Management Corp. (1985)
(Delaware) (b)
Autranet, Inc. (1985) (Delaware) (a)
DLJ Real Estate, Inc.
DLJ Capital Corporation (b)
DLJ Mortgage Capital, Inc. (1988) (Delaware)
Alliance Capital Management Corporation (as general partner) (b) has the
following subsidiaries:
Alliance Capital Management L.P. (1988) (Delaware) (b)
Alliance Capital Management Corporation of Delaware, Inc.
(Delaware)
Alliance Fund Services, Inc. (Delaware) (a)
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc. (Delaware) (a)
Alliance Capital Oceanic Corp. (Delaware)
Alliance Capital Management Australia Pty. Ltd.
(Australia)
Meiji - Alliance Capital Corp. (Delaware) (50%)
Alliance Capital (Luxembourg) S.A. (99.98%)
Alliance Eastern Europe Inc. (Delaware)
Alliance Barra Research Institute, Inc. (Delaware)
(50%)
Alliance Capital Management Canada, Inc. (Canada)
(99.99%)
Alliance Capital Management (Brazil) Llda
Alliance Capital Global Derivatives Corp. (Delaware)
Alliance International Fund Services S.A.
(Luxembourg)
Alliance Capital Management (India) Ltd. (Delaware)
Alliance Capital Mauritius Ltd.
Alliance Corporate Finance Group, Incorporated
(Delaware)
Equitable Capital Diversified Holdings, L.P. I
Equitable Capital Diversified Holdings, L.P. II
Curisitor Alliance L.L.C. (Delaware)
Curisitor Holdings Limited (UK)
Alliance Capital Management (Japan), Inc.
Alliance Capital Management (Asia) Ltd.
Alliance Capital Management (Turkey), Ltd.
Cursitor Alliance Management Limited (UK)
(a) Registered Broker/Dealer (b) Registered Investment Advisor
C-14
<PAGE>
AXA GROUP CHART
The information listed below is dated as of January 1, 1999; percentages
shown represent voting power. The name of the owner is noted when AXA
indirectly controls the company.
AXA INSURANCE AND REINSURANCE BUSINESS HOLDING
COMPANY COUNTRY VOTING POWER
- ------- ------- ------------
AXA Assurances IARD France 100% by AXA France Assurance
AXA Assurances Vie France 88.1% by AXA France Assurance
and 11.9% by AXA Collectives
AXA Courtage IARD France 100% by AXA France Assurance
and AXA Global Risks
AXA Conseil Vie France 100% by AXA France Assurance
AXA Conseil IARD France 100% by AXA France Assurance
AXA Direct France 100% by AXA
Direct Assurances IARD France 100% by AXA Direct
Direct Assurances Vie France 100% by AXA Direct
Tellit Vie Germany 100% by AKA-CKAG
Axiva France 100% by AXA France Assurance
and AXA Conseil Vie
Juridica France 100% by AXA France Assurance
AXA Assistance France France 100% by AXA Assistance SA
AXA Collectives France AXA France Assurance, AXA
Assurances IARD and AXA
Courtage IARD Mutuelle
Societe Beaujon France 100% by AXA
Lor Finance France 99.3% by AXA
Jour Finance France 100% by AXA Conseil and
by AXA Assurances IARD
Financiere 45 France 99.8% by AXA
Mofipar France 99.9% by AXA
NSM Vie France 40.1% by AXA France Assurance
Saint Georges Re France 100% by France Assurance
AXA Global Risks France 100% owned by AXA France
Assurance, AXA Courtage
Assurance Mutuelle, and AXA
Assurances IARD Mutuelle
Argovie France 94% by Axiva
AXA Assistance SA France 76.8% by AXA and 23.2% by AXA
France Assurance
S.P.S. Reassurance France 69.9% by AXA Reassurance
AXA Participations France 50% by AXA, 25% by AXA Global
Risks and 25% by AXA Courtage
IARD
Colisee Excellence France 100% by Financiere Mermoz
Financiere Mermoz France 100% by AXA
C-15
<PAGE>
COMPANY COUNTRY VOTING POWER
- ------- ------- ------------
AXA Assistance SA France 76.8% by AXA and 23.2% by AXA
France Assurance
S.P.S. Reassurance France 69.9% by AXA Reassurance
AXA Participations France 50% by AXA, 25% by AXA Global
Risks and 25% by AXA Courtage
IARD
Colisee Excellence France 100% by Financiere Mermoz
Financiere Mermoz France 100% by AXA
AXA France Assurance France 100% by AXA
Thema Vie France 99.6% by Axiva
AXA-Colonia Konzern AG (AXA-
CKAG) Germany 39.7% by Vinci BV, 25.6% by
Kolnische Verwaltungs and
9.4% by AXA
Finaxa Belgium Belgium 100% by AXA
AXA Belgium Belgium 86.1% by Royale Belge and 13.9%
by Parcolvi
De Kortrijske Verzekering Belgium 99.8% by AXA Belgium
Juris Belgium 100% owned by AXA Belgium
Royale Belge Belgium 51.2% by AXA Holdings Belgium,
44.5% by AXA and 3.2% by AKA
Global Risks
Royale Belge 1994 Belgium 97.8% by Royale Belge and 2%
by UAB
UAB Belgium 100% by Royale Belge
Ardenne Prevoyante Belgium 99.4% by Royale Belge
GB Lex Belgium 55% by Royale Belge, 25% by
Royale Belge 1994, 10% by
Juridica and 10% by AXA
Conseil IARD
Royale Belge Re Belgium 100% by Royale Belge
Parcolvi Belgium 100% by Vinci Belgium Holding
BV
Vinci Belgium Belgium 99.5% by Vinci BV
Finaxa Luxembourg Luxembourg 100%
AXA Assurance IARD Luxembourg Luxembourg 100% by AXA Holding Luxembourg
AXA Assurance Vie Luxembourg Luxembourg 100% by AXA Holding Luxembourg
Royale UAP Luxembourg 100% by AXA Holding Luxembourg
Paneurolife Luxembourg 90% by different companies of
the AXA Group
Paneurore Luxembourg 100% by different companies of
the AXA Group
Crealux Luxembourg 100% by Royale Belge
Futur Re Luxembourg 100% by AXA Global Risks
AXA Holding Luxembourg Luxembourg 100% by Royale Belge
AXA Aurora Spain 30% owned by AXA and 40%
by AXA Participations
Reaseguros Aurora Vida SA de Spain 97% owned by Aurora Iberica SA
Seguros y Reaseguros de Seguros y Reaseguros and
1.5% by AXA
Hilo Direct Seguros y Reaseguros Spain 71.4% by AXA Aurora
Ayuda Legal Spain 88% by AXA Aurora Iberica SA de
Seguros y Reaseguros and 12% by
Aurora Vida
AXA Aurora Iberica SA de Spain 99.8% by AXA Aurora
Seguros y Reaseguros
AXA Assicurazioni Italy 83.7% owned by AXA, 12% by
Grupo UAP Italiana, 2.2% by
AXA Conseil Vie and 2.1%
by AXA Collectives
Eurovita Italy 30% owned by AXA Assicurazioni,
19% by AXA Conseil Vie and 19%
by AXA Collectives
Gruppo UAP Italia (GUI) Italy 97% by AXA Participations and
3% by AXA Collectives
UAP Vita Italy 62% by AXA
Allsecures Vita Italy 100% by AXA
AXA Equity & Law Plc U.K. 99.9% by AXA
AXA Equity & Law Life U.K. 100% by Sun Life Holdings Plc
Assurance Society
Sun Life lle de Man U.K. 100% owned by Sun Life
Assurance
AXA Global Risks U.K. 51% owned by AXA Global
Risks (France) and 49% by
AXA Courtage IARD
Sun Life and Provincial U.K. 71.6% by AXA and AXA
Holdings (SLPH) Equity & Law Plc
Sun Life Corporation Plc U.K. 100% by AXA Sun Life Holdings
Plc
Sun Life Assurance Society Plc U.K. 100% by AXA Sun Life Holdings
Plc
AXA Provincial Insurance U.K. 100% by SLPH
English & Scottish U.K. 100% by AXA UK
AXA UK U.K. 100% by AXA
Servco U.K. 100% by AXA Sun Life Holdings
Plc
AXA Sun Life Plc U.K. 100% by AXA Sun Life Holdings
Plc
AXA Leven The Nether- 100% by Nieuw Rotterdam
lands Verzekeringen
AXA Nederland BV The Nether- 55.4% by Royale Belge and 38.9%
lands by Gelderland BV
UNIROBE Groep BV The Nether- 100% by UAP Nieuw Rotterdam
lands Holding
AXA Levensverzekeringen The Nether- 100% by UAP Nieuw Rotterdam
lands Verzekeringen
AXA Schade The Nether- 100% by UAP Nieuw Rotterdam
lands Verzekeringen
Societe Generale d'Assistance The Nether- 100% by AXA Assistance Holding
lands
Gelderland BV The Nether- 100% by Royale Belge
lands
AXA Zorg The Nether- 100% by UAP Nieuw Rotterdam
lands Verzekeringen
Vinci BV The Nether- 100% by AXA
lands
AXA Portugal Companhia de Portugal 96.2% by different companies
Serguros SA of the AXA Group
AXA Portugal Companhia de Portugal 87.6% by AXA Conseil Vie and
Serguros de Vida SA 7.5% by AXA Participations
AXA Compagnie d' Assurances Switzerland 100% by AXA Participations
AXA Compagnie d' Assurances Switzerland 95% by AXA Participations
sur la Vie
AXA Al Amane Assurances Morocco 52% by AXA Participations and
15% by Empargne Croissance
AXA Canada Inc. Canada 100% by AXA
Empargne Croissance Morocco 99.3% by AXA Al Amane
Assurances
Colonia Nordstern Leben Germany 50% by AXA-CKAG and 50% by
Colonia Nordstern Versicherungs
Kolnische Verwaltungs Germany 67.7% by Vinci BV, 23% by AXA
Colonia Konzern AG and 8.8% by
AXA
Sicher Direkt Versicherung Germany 50% by AXA Direct and 50% by
AXA-CKAG
AXA Colonia Krankenversicherung Germany 51% by AXA-CKAG, 39.6% by AXA
Colonia Lebenversicherung and
12% by Deutsche
Arzleversicherung
Colonia Nordstern Versicherungs Germany 100% by AXA-CKAG
C-16
<PAGE>
COMPANY COUNTRY VOTING POWER
- ------- ------- ------------
AXA non life Insurance Cy. Ltd. Japan 100% by AXA Direct
AXA Life Insurance Japan 100% by AXA
Dongbu AXA Life Korea 50% by AXA
Insurance Co. Ltd.
Sime AXA Berhad Malaysia 30% owned by AXA and
AXA Reassurance
AXA Insurance Investment Singapore 88.7% by AXA and 11.41% by AXA
Holdings Pte Ltd Courtage IARD
AXA Life Insurance Singapore 100% owned by AXA
AXA Insurance Hong Kong 82.5% owned by AXA Investment
Holdings Pte Ltd and 17.5%
by AXA
National Mutual Asia Ltd Hong Kong 53.8% by National Mutual
Holdings, Ltd and 20% by Detura
The Equitable Companies U.S.A. 43% by AXA, Financiere 45
Incorporated 3.2%, Lorfinance 6.4%, AXA
Equity & Law Life Association
Society 4.1% and AXA
Reassurance 2.9% and 0.4% by
Societe Beaujon
The Equitable Life Assurance U.S.A. 100% owned by The Equitable
Society of the United States Companies Incorporated
(ELAS)
National Mutual Holdings Ltd Australia 42.1% by AXA and 8.9% by
AXA Equity & Law Life
Assurance Society
The National Mutual Life Australia 100% owned by National Mutual
Association of Australasia Holdings Ltd
National Mutual International Australia 100% owned by National Mutual
Holdings Ltd
Australian Casualty & Life Ltd Australia 100% owned by National Mutual
Holdings Ltd
National Mutual Health Australia 100% owned by National Mutual
Insurance Pty Ltd Holdings Ltd
Detura Hong Kong 75% by National Mutual Holdings
AXA Insurance Pte Ltd Singapore 100% by AXA Insurance
Investment Holdings Pte Ltd
AXA Reinsurance Asia Pte Ltd Singapore 100% by AXA Reassurance
C-17
<PAGE>
COMPANY COUNTRY VOTING POWER
- ------- ------- ------------
AXA Reassurance France 100% owned by AXA, AXA
Assurances IARD and AXA Global
Risks
AXA Re Finance France 79% owned by AXA Reassurance
AXA Cessions France 100% by AXA
AXA Reinsurance U.K. Plc U.K. 100% owned by AXA Re U.K.
Holding
AXA Re U.K. Company Limited U.K. 100% owned by AXA Reassurance
AXA Reinsurance Company U.S.A. 100% owned by AXA America
AXA America U.S.A. 100% owned by AXA Reassurance
AXA Gobal Risks US U.S.A. 96.4% by AXA Global Risks and
3.6% by Colonia Nordstern
Versicherungs AG
AXA Re Life Insurance Company U.S.A. 100% owned by AXA America
C.G.R.M. Monaco 100% owned by AXA Reassurance
Nordstern Colonia Osterreich Austria 88.5% by Colonia Nordstern
Versicherungs and 11.5% by
Colonia Nordstern Leben
Royale Belge International Belgium 100% by Royale Belge
Investissement
AXA Holding Belgium Belgium 75% by AXA, 17.7% by AXA Global
Risks and 7.4% by Various
Companies of the Group
Assurances de la Poste Belgium 50% by Royale Belge
Assurances de la Poste Vie Belgium 50% by Royale Belge
AXA Asset Management LTD U.K. 91% by AXA Investment Managers
and 9% by National Mutual
Funds Management
AXA Sun Life Holdings Plc U.K. 100% by SLPH
C-18
<PAGE>
AXA FINANCIAL BUSINESS
COMPANY COUNTRY VOTING POWER
- ------- ------- ------------
Compagnie Financiere de Paris France 100% AXA and the Mutuelles
(C.F.P.)
AXA Banque France 98.7% owned by Compagnie
Financiere de Paris
AXA Credit France 65% owned by Compagnie
Financiere de Paris
AXA Gestion FCP France 100% owned by AXA Investment
Managers Paris
Sofapi France 100% owned by Compagnie
Financiere de Paris
Soffim Holding France 100% owned by Compagnie
Financiere de Paris
Sofinad France 100% by Compagnie
Financiere de Paris
Banque des Tuileries France 100% by Compagnie
Financiere de Paris
Banque de marches et d'arbitrage France 18.5% by AXA and 8.2% by AXA
Courtage IARD
AXA Investment Managers France 100% by various companies
AXA Investment Managers Paris France 100% owned by AXA Investment
Managers
Colonia Bausbykasse Germany 66.7% by AXA-CKAG and 31.1% by
Colonia Nordstern Leben
Banque IPPA Belgium 99.9% by Royale Belge
Royal Belge Investissement Belgium 100% by Royale Belge
ANHYP Belgium 98.8% by Royale Belge
AXA Sun Life Asset Management U.K. 66.7% owned by SLPH and 33.3%
by AXA Asset Management Ltd.
C-19
<PAGE>
COMPANY COUNTRY VOTING POWER
- ------- ------- ------------
Alliance Capital Management U.S.A. 57.7% held by ELAS
Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette U.S.A. 70.9% owned by Equitable
Holdings Corp. and ELAS
National Mutual Funds Australia 100% owned by National
Management (Global) Ltd Mutual Holdings Ltd
C-20
<PAGE>
AXA REAL ESTATE BUSINESS
COMPANY COUNTRY VOTING POWER
- ------- ------- ------------
S.G.C.I. France 100% by AXA
Transaxim France 100% owned by Compagnie
Parisienne de Participations
Compagnie Parisienne de France 100% owned by Sofinad
Participations (C.P.P.)
Monte Scopeto France 100% owned by Compagnie
Parisienne de Participations
Colisee Jeuneurs France 99.9% by Colisee Suresnes
Colisee Delcasse France 100% by Colisee Suresnes
Colisee Victoire France 99.7% by S.G.C.I.
Colisee Suresnes France 100% by Various Companies and
the Mutuelles
Colisee 21 Matignon France 99.4% by S.G.C.I. and 0.6% by
AXA
C-21
<PAGE>
COMPANY COUNTRY VOTING POWER
- ------- ------- ------------
Colisee Saint Georges France 100% by SGCI
AXA Millesimes France 92.9% owned by AXA and the
Mutuelles
AXA Immobiller France 100% by AXA
C-22
<PAGE>
ORGANIZATION CHART OF EQUITABLE'S AFFILIATES
NOTES
-----
1. The year of formation or acquisition and state or country of incorporation
of each affiliate is shown.
2. The chart omits certain relatively inactive special purpose real estate
subsidiaries, partnerships, and joint ventures formed to operate or
develop a single real estate property or a group of related properties,
and certain inactive name-holding corporations.
3. All ownership interests on the chart are 100% common stock ownership
except: (a) The Equitable Companies Incorporated's 41.8% interest in
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc. and Equitable Holdings, LLC's
34.4% interest in same; (b) as noted for certain partnership interests; (c)
Equitable Life's ACMC, Inc.'s and Equitable Capital Management
Corporation's limited partnership interests in Alliance Capital Management
L.P.; and (d) as noted for certain subsidiaries of Alliance Capital
Management Corp. of Delaware, Inc.
4. The following entities are not included in this chart because, while they
have an affiliation with The Equitable, their relationship is not the
ongoing equity-based form of control and ownership that is characteristic
of the affiliations on the chart, and, in the case of the first two
entities, they are under the direction of at least a majority of "outside"
trustees:
The Hudson River Trust
EQ Advisors Trust
Separate Accounts
5. This chart was last revised on July 30, 1999.
C-23
<PAGE>
Item 27. Number of Contractowners
Currently, there are no holders of the contracts to be offered.
Item 28. Indemnification
Indemnification of Principal Underwriter
To the extent permitted by law of the State of New York and subject to
all applicable requirements thereof, EQ Financial Consultants, Inc. ("EQ
Financial") has undertaken to indemnify each of its directors and officers who
is made or threatened to be made a party to any action or proceeding, whether
civil or criminal, by reason of the fact the director or officer, or his or her
testator or intestate, is or was a director or officer of EQ Financial.
Indemnification of Officers and Directors
The by-laws of The Equtable Life Assurance Society of the United States
("The Equitable Life") provide, in Article VII, as follows:
7.4 Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Employees. (a)To
the extent permitted by the law of the State of New York and
subject to all applicable requirements thereof:
(i) Any person made or threatened to be made a party to any action
or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, by reason of the
fact that he or she, or his or her testator or intestate is or
was a director, officer or employee of the Company shall be
indemnified by the Company;
(ii) any person made or threatened to be made a party to any action
or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, by reason of the
fact that he or she, or his or her testator or intesate serves
or served any other organization in any capacity at the
request of the Company may be indemnified by the Company; and
(iii) the related expenses of any such person in any of said
categories may be advanced by the Company.
(b) To the extent permitted by the law of the State of New
York, the Company may provide for further indemnification or
advancement of expenses by resolution of shareholders of the
Company or the Board of Directors, by amendment of these
By-Laws, or by agreement. (Business Corporation Law ss.ss.
721-726; Insurance Law ss.1216)
The directors and officers of Equitable Life are insured under policies
issued by Lloyd's of London, X.L. Insurance Company and ACE Insurance Company.
The annual limit on such policies is $100 million, and the policies insure the
officers and directors against certain liabilities arising out of their conduct
in such capacities.
Undertaking
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 ("Act") may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant 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 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) EQ Financial, a wholly owned subsidiary of Equitable Life, is the
principal underwriter for Separate Account A, Separate Account No. 301, Separate
Account I and Separate Account FP. EQ Financial's principal business address is
1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104.
(b) Set forth below is certain information regarding the directors and
principal officers of EQ Financial. The business address of the persons whose
names are preceded by an asterisk is that of EQ Financial.
C-25
<PAGE>
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITIONS AND OFFICES WITH UNDERWRITER
BUSINESS ADDRESS (EQ FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS)
- ---------------- -------------------------------------
*Michael S. Martin Chairman of the Board and Director
*Michael F. McNelis President, Chief Operating Officer
and Director
*Martin J. Telles Executive Vice President and Chief
Marketing Officer
*Derry E. Bishop Executive Vice President and Director
*Harvey E. Blitz Executive Vice President and Director
*G. Patrick McGunagle Executive Vice President and Director
*Michael J. Laughlin Director
*Richard V. Silver Director
*Mark R. Wutt Director
Edward J. Hayes Executive Vice President
200 Plaza Drive
Secaucus, NJ 07096
*Craig A. Junkins Executive Vice President
*Peter D. Noris Executive Vice President
*Mark A. Silberman Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
Stephen T. Burnthall Senior Vice President
6435 Shiloh Road
Suite A
Alpharetta, GA 30005
Richard Magaldi Senior Vice President
6435 Shiloh Road
Suite A
Alpharetta, GA 30005
*Donna M. Dazzo First Vice President
*Robin K. Murray First Vice President
*James Bodowitz Vice President and Counsel
*Michael Brzozowski Vice President and Compliance Director
*Mark D. Godolsky Vice President and Controller
*Linda J. Galasso Secretary
*Francesca Divone Assistant Secretary
(c) The information under "Distribution of the Certificates" in the
Prospectus forming a part of this Registration Statement is incorporated
herein by reference.
C-26
<PAGE>
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
The records required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the
Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rules 31a-1 to 31a-3 thereunder are
maintained by Equitable at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York
10104, 135 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10020, and 200 Plaza Drive, Secaucus,
NJ 07096. The contract files will be kept at Vantage Computer System, Inc., 301
W. 11th Street, Kansas City, Mo. 64105.
Item 31. Management Services
Not applicable.
Item 32. Undertakings
The Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a) to file a post-effective amendment to this registration 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) 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 communication affixed to or included
in the prospectus that the applicant can remove to send for a
Statement of Additional Information;
(c) 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.
Equitable represents that the fees and charges deducted under the Certificates
described in this Registration Statement, in the aggregate, in each case, are
reasonable in relation to the services rendered, the expenses to be incurred,
and the risks assumed by Equitable under the respective Certificates. Equitable
bases its representation on its assessment of all of the facts and
circumstances, including such relevant factors as: the nature and extent of such
services, expenses and risks, the need for Equitable to earn a profit, the
degree to which the Certificates include innovative features, and regulatory
standards for the grant of exemptive relief under the Investment Company Act of
1940 used prior to October 1996, including the range of industry practice. This
representation applies to all certificates sold pursuant to this Registration
Statement, including those sold on the terms specifically described in the
prospectuses contained herein, or any variations therein, based on supplements,
endorsements, data pages, or riders to any Certificate or prospectus, or
otherwise.
C-27
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940, the Registrant has caused this amendment to the Registration Statement to
be signed on its behalf, in the City and State of New York, on this 1st day of
September, 1999.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT A OF
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY
OF THE UNITED STATES
(Registrant)
By: The Equitable Life Assurance
Society of the United States
(Depositor)
By: /s/ Naomi J. Weinstein
---------------------------------
Naomi J. Weinstein
Vice President,
The Equitable Life Assurance
Society of the United States
C-28
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940, the Depositor, has caused this amendment to the Registration Statement to
be signed on its behalf, in the City and State of New York, on this 1st day of
September, 1999.
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY
OF THE UNITED STATES
(Depositor)
By: /s/ Naomi J. Weinstein
---------------------------------
Naomi J. Weinstein
Vice President,
The Equitable Life Assurance
Society of the United States
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment to the
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated:
PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICERS:
*Michael Hegarty President, Chief Operating Officer
and Director
*Edward D. Miller Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer and Director
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER:
*Stanley B. Tulin Vice Chairman of the Board
Chief Financial Officer and Director
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING OFFICER:
*Alvin H. Fenichel Senior Vice President and Controller
*DIRECTORS:
Francoise Colloc'h Donald J. Greene George T. Lowy
Henri de Castries John T. Hartley Edward D. Miller
Joseph L. Dionne John H.F. Haskell, Jr. Didier Pineau-Valencienne
Denis Duverne Michael Hegarty George J. Sella, Jr.
Jean-Rene Fourtou Mary R. (Nina) Henderson Peter J. Tobin
Norman C. Francis W. Edwin Jarmain Stanley B. Tulin
Dave H. Williams
*By: /s/ Naomi J. Weinstein
------------------------
Naomi J. Weinstein
Attorney-in-Fact
September 1, 1999
C-29
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. TAG VALUE
- ----------- ---------
9. Opinion and Consent of Counsel EX-99.9
10.(b) Consent of Independent Public Accountants EX-99.10b
10.(c) Power of Attorney EX-99.10c
C-30
COUNSEL OPINION
MARY JOAN HOENE
Vice President and Counsel
[EQUITABLE AXA LOGO] (212) 314-3839
Fax (212) 707-7879
LAW DEPARTMENT
August 25, 1999
The Equitable Life Assurance Society
of the United States
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10104
Dear Sirs:
This opinion is furnished in connection with the filing by The
Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States ("Equitable Life") and
Separate Account A of Equitable Life ("Separate Account A") of the Form N-4
Registration Statement of Equitable Life and Separate Account A under the
Securities Act of 1993 (File No. 333-81501) and of the Registration Statement of
Separate Account A under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act")
included in the same Form N-4. The Registration Statement covers an indefinite
number of units of interest ("Units") in Separate Account A.
The Units are purchased with contributions received under individual
annuity contracts and certificates Equitable Life offers under a group annuity
contract (collectively, the "Certificates"). As described in the prospectus
included in the Form N-4 Registration Statement, the Certificates are designed
to provide for retirement income benefits.
I have examined such corporate records of Equitable Life and provisions
of the New York Insurance Law as are relevant to authorization and issuance of
the Certificates and such other documents and laws as I consider appropriate. On
the basis of such examination, it is my opinion that:
1. Equitable Life is a corporation duly organized and validly existing
under the laws of the State of New York.
2. Separate Account A was duly established pursuant to the provisions
of New York Insurance Law.
3. The assets of Separate Account A are owned by Equitable Life;
Equitable Life is not a trustee with respect thereto. Under New York
law, the income, gains and losses, whether or not realized, from
assets allocated to Separate Account A must be credited to or
charged against such account, without regard to the other income,
gains or losses of Equitable Life.
<PAGE>
The Equitable Life Assurance Society
of the United States
August 25, 1999
Page 2
4. The Certificates provide that the portion of the assets of
Separate Account A equal to the reserves and other contract
liabilities with respect to Separate Account A shall not be
chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business
Equitable Life may conduct and that Equitable Life reserves the
right to transfer assets of Separate Account A in excess of such
reserves and contract liabilities to the general account of
Equitable Life.
5. The Certificates (including any Units credited thereunder)have
been duly authorized and when issued in accordance with applicable
regulatory approvals will represent validly issued and binding
obligations of Equitable Life.
I hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Mary Joan Hoene
--------------------
Mary Joan Hoene
Consent of Independent Accountants
We hereby consent to the use in the Statement of Additional Information
constituting part of Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
No. 333-81501 on Form N-4 (the "Registration Statement") of (1) our report dated
February 8, 1999 relating to the financial statements of Separate Account A of
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States for the year ended
December 31, 1998, and (2) our report dated February 8, 1999 relating to the
consolidated financial statements of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the
United States for the year ended December 31, 1998, which reports appear in the
Statement of Additional Information, and to the incorporation by reference of
our reports into the Prospectus which constitutes part of this Registration
Statement. We also consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
of our reports dated February 8, 1999 appearing on page F-1 and F-53 of The
Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States' Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998. We also consent to the references to
us under the headings "About our independent accountants" in the Prospectus and
"Custodian and Independent Accountants" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
- -------------------------------
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
September 1, 1999
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned officer or
Director of The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States (the
"Company"), a New York stock life insurance company, hereby constitutes and
appoints, Mark A. Hug, James D. Goodwin, Pauline Sherman, Michael F. McNelis,
Naomi J. Weinstein, Maureen K. Wolfson, Mildred Oliver, Mary P. Breen and each
of them (with full power to each of them to act alone), his or her true and
lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution to each, for
him or her and on his or her behalf and in his or her name, place and stead, to
execute and file any of the documents referred to below relating to
registrations under the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 with respect to any insurance or
annuity contracts or other agreements providing for allocation of amounts to
Separate Accounts of the Company, and related units or interests in Separate
Accounts: registration statements on any form or forms under the Securities Act
of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 and annual reports on any form or
forms under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and any and all amendments and
supplements thereto, with all exhibits and all instruments necessary or
appropriate in connection therewith, each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents
and his, her or their substitutes being empowered to act with or without the
others, and to have full power and authority to do or cause to be done in the
name and on behalf of the undersigned each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary or appropriate with respect thereto to be done in and about the
premises in order to effectuate the same, as fully to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto set his or her hand this
11th day of August, 1999.
/s/ Alvin H. Fenichel
---------------------
Alvin H. Fenichel
59838v2
