Registration No.33-58950
Registration No. 811-1705
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. |_|
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Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 |X|
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AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Amendment No. 74 |X|
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(Check appropriate box or boxes)
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SEPARATE ACCOUNT A
of
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
(Exact Name of Registrant)
-------------------------
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
-------------------------
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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<PAGE>
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: Continuous
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check
appropriate box):
|X| Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485.
|_| On (date), 1999 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.
Title of Securities Being Registered:
Units of interest in Separate Account under variable annuity contracts.
<PAGE>
NOTE
This Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 ("PEA") to the Form N-4 Registration
Statement No. 33-58950 ("Registration Statement") of The Equitable Life
Assurance Society of the United States ("Equitable Life") and its Separate
Account A is being filed solely for the purpose of updating certain disclosures
and including in the Registration Statement a supplement relating to additional
variable investment options for new mutual fund portfolios, related exhibits,
and a substitution supplement. The PEA does not amend or delete the Momentum
Plus Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information, dated May 1, 1999, any
supplement thereto, or any other part of the Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
SUBSTITUTION OF NEW PORTFOLIOS OF EQ ADVISORS TRUST
FOR PORTFOLIOS OF THE HUDSON RIVER TRUST
Supplement dated August 30, 1999
to prospectuses dated before May 1, 1999, and Supplemented as of May 1, 1999;
and prospectuses dated May 1, 1999 or later
for all Variable Annuity Contracts and Variable Life Insurance Policies
issued by
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States
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This supplement relates to our prospectuses for VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS and
VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE POLICIES.
Currently, the variable investment options invest in Class IA or IB shares of
the corresponding Portfolios of The Hudson River Trust or EQ Advisors Trust.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has published a notice of our filing
of an application for an order approving the Substitution of new Portfolios of
EQ Advisors Trust for Portfolios of The Hudson River Trust. The new Portfolios
that will be available under your contract or policy will replace each of The
Hudson River Trust Portfolios currently available under this contract or policy.
We expect the order to be issued in September 1999. The proposed Substitution is
discussed in the applicable prospectus or supplement dated May 1, 1999 or later.
We plan to effect the Substitution on or about October 1, 1999. At that time,
the assets of each of the Portfolios of The Hudson River Trust will be
transferred to the corresponding new Portfolios of EQ Advisors Trust. Class IA
and Class IB shares of The Hudson River Trust will become Class IA and Class IB
shares of EQ Advisors Trust. At the time the Substitution is effected, the value
of your variable investment options under a contract or policy will be the same
as immediately before the Substitution.
We will send you written confirmation that the Substitution has been completed.
After that, your investment results in any affected variable investment option
will be based on the investment performance of the corresponding EQ Advisors
Trust Portfolio. The Hudson River Trust Portfolios will no longer be available.
The management fees for the new Portfolios will be the same as those for the
corresponding Portfolios of The Hudson River Trust. It is expected that the
other Portfolio expenses may increase marginally by 0.01%.
Of course, you may make transfers among the investment options, as usual. From
now through 30 days after the Substitution, we will waive any applicable
charges.
If you have any questions regarding the Substitution, please communicate with us
directly or contact your registered representative.
Copyright 1999 The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States.
All rights reserved.
888-1217
<PAGE>
MOMENTUM PLUS(SERVICE MARK)
Retirement planning from Equitable Life
SUPPLEMENT DATED AUGUST 30, 1999
TO THE PROSPECTUS DATED MAY 1, 1999
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This supplement adds and modifies certain information contained in the
prospectus dated May 1, 1999 for the MOMENTUM PLUS group deferred annuity
contract issued by THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES
("Equitable Life").
You should read this supplement together with the prospectus. Terms used in this
supplement have the same meaning as they do in the prospectus, unless we
indicate otherwise. This supplement provides information on:
(1) the following 12 new variable investment options available under the
MOMENTUM PLUS contract: EQ/Alliance Premier Growth, Calvert Socially
Responsible, Capital Guardian International, Capital Guardian Research,
Capital Guardian U.S. Equity, EQ/Evergreen, EQ/Evergreen Foundation,
Lazard Large Cap Value, Lazard Small Cap Value, MFS Growth with Income,
EQ/Putnam International Equity, and EQ/Putnam Investors Growth;
(2) the Equitable Companies Incorporated name change to AXA Financial, Inc.;
(3) change in management of EQ Advisors Trust from EQ Financial Consultants,
Inc. to Equitable Life;
(4) EQ Financial Consultants, Inc. plans to become AXA Advisors, LLC; and
(5) updated information "About our year 2000 progress."
(1) NEW VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS
THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE REPLACES THE LAST SENTENCE OF THE SECOND PARAGRAPH ON THE
COVER PAGE OF THE PROSPECTUS:
The investment options include 36 variable investment options and one guaranteed
interest option ("investment options").
THE FOLLOWING CHART REPLACES THE CHART OF "VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS" ON THE
COVER PAGE OF THE PROSPECTUS. THE NEW VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS ARE IN
ITALICS.
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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 Intermediate o Alliance High Yield
Government Securities
o Alliance Money Market
o Alliance Quality Bond
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EQUITY OPTIONS:
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DOMESTIC EQUITY INTERNATIONAL EQUITY
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o Alliance Common Stock o Alliance Global
o Alliance Equity Index o Alliance
o Alliance Growth & Income International
o EQ/Alliance Premier Growth o Capital Guardian
o Calvert Socially International
Responsible* o Morgan Stanley
o Capital Guardian Research Emerging Markets
o Capital Guardian U.S. Equity
Equity o EQ/Putnam
o Lazard Large Cap Value * International
o Merrill Lynch Basic Value Equity Index
Equity o T. Rowe Price
o MFS Growth with Income International Stock
o MFS Research
o EQ/Putnam Growth & Income
Value
o EQ/Putnam Investors Growth
o T. Rowe Price Equity Income
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AGGRESSIVE EQUITY
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o Alliance Aggressive Stock o Alliance Small Cap
o EQ/Evergreen Growth
o Warburg Pincus Small o MFS Emerging Growth
Company Value Companies
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ASSET ALLOCATION OPTIONS:
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o Alliance Conservative o Alliance Balanced
Investors o Alliance Growth
o EQ/Evergreen Foundation Investors
o Lazard Small Cap Value * o Merrill Lynch World
o EQ/Putnam Balanced Strategy
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* May not currently be available in the State of California.
IN THE "MOMENTUM PLUS AT A GLANCE -- KEY FEATURES" SECTION ON PAGE 8 OF THE
PROSPECTUS, THE INFORMATION ABOUT "PROFESSIONAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT" IS
MODIFIED AS FOLLOWS:
MOMENTUM PLUS' variable investment options invest in 36 different Portfolios
managed by professional investment advisers.
Copyright 1999 The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States.
All rights reserved. Momentum Plus is a service mark of
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States.
888-1213
<PAGE>
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2
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THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS ADDED TO THE FEE TABLE INFORMATION ON PAGE 11 OF
THE PROSPECTUS:
The following are the EQ Advisors Trust annual expenses (as a percentage of
average daily net assets in each new Portfolio):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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TOTAL
OTHER ANNUAL
INVESTMENT EXPENSES EXPENSES
MANAGEMENT (AFTER EXPENSE (AFTER EXPENSE
PORTFOLIOS(1) & ADVISORY FEES 12B-1 FEE(9) LIMITATION) LIMITATION) (10)
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
EQ/Alliance Premier Growth 0.90% 0.25% 0.00% 1.15%
Calvert Socially Responsible 0.65% 0.25% 0.15% 1.05%
Capital Guardian International 0.75% 0.25% 0.20% 1.20%
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%
Lazard Large Cap Value 0.55% 0.25% 0.15% 0.95%
Lazard Small Cap Value 0.80% 0.25% 0.15% 1.20%
MFS Growth with Income 0.55% 0.25% 0.05% 0.85%
EQ/Putnam International Equity 0.70% 0.25% 0.25% 1.20%
EQ/Putnam Investors Growth 0.55% 0.25% 0.15% 0.95%
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</TABLE>
THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH IS ADDED AFTER THE FIRST PARAGRAPH OF FOOTNOTE 8 ON PAGE
13 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
The expense limitations (other than the above expenses and fees) for the new
Portfolios are: 0.90% for EQ/Alliance Premier Growth; 0.80% for Calvert Socially
Responsible; 0.95% for Capital Guardian International; 0.70% for Capital
Guardian Research; 0.70% for Capital Guardian U.S. Equity; 0.80% for
EQ/Evergreen; 0.70% for EQ/Evergreen Foundation; 0.70% for Lazard Large Cap
Value; 0.95% for Lazard Small Cap Value; 0.60% for MFS Growth with Income; 0.95%
for EQ/Putnam International Equity; and 0.70% for EQ/Putnam Investors Growth.
THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH IS ADDED AFTER THE SECOND PARAGRAPH OF FOOTNOTE 8 ON
PAGE 13 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
Absent the expense limitation, the "Other Expenses" for 1998 on an annualized
basis for each of the new Portfolios would have been: 0.40% for Lazard Large Cap
Value; 0.49% for Lazard Small Cap Value; 0.29% for EQ/Putnam Investors Growth;
and 0.51% for EQ/Putnam International Equity. For the following Portfolios, the
"Other Expenses" for 1999, absent the expense limitation, are estimated to be as
follows: 0.74% for EQ/Alliance Premier Growth, 0.43% for Calvert Socially
Responsible; 1.03% for Capital Guardian International; 0.74% for Capital
Guardian Research; 0.74% for Capital Guardian U.S. Equity; 0.76% for
EQ/Evergreen; 0.86% for EQ/Evergreen Foundation; and 0.59% for MFS Growth with
Income. Initial seed capital was invested on December 31, 1998 for the
EQ/Evergreen, EQ/Evergreen Foundation, and MFS Growth with Income Portfolios;
April 30, 1999 for the EQ/Alliance Premier Growth, Capital Guardian
International, Capital Guardian Research, and Capital Guardian U.S. Equity
Portfolios; and August 30, 1999 for the Calvert Socially Responsible Portfolio.
The other Portfolios commenced operations on the
<PAGE>
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3
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following dates: October 1, 1997 for the EQ/Putnam Investors Growth and
EQ/Putnam International Equity Portfolios; and December 31, 1997 for the Lazard
Large Cap Value, and Lazard Small Cap Value Portfolios.
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS ADDED TO THE FEE TABLE EXAMPLES ON PAGE 15 OF THE
PROSPECTUS:
The following examples show the expenses that you would pay in the situations
illustrated. Please refer to page 14 of your prospectus for further explanation
regarding the calculation of the expenses.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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IF YOU SURRENDER YOUR CONTRACT AT THE IF YOU DO NOT SURRENDER YOUR CONTRACT
END OF EACH PERIOD SHOWN, THE AT THE END OF EACH PERIOD SHOWN, THE
EXPENSES WOULD BE: EXPENSES WOULD BE:
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1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
EQ/Alliance Premier Growth $89.01 $148.98 -- -- $27.67 $84.87 -- --
Calvert Socially Responsible $88.02 $146.05 -- -- $26.62 $81.74 -- --
Capital Guardian International $89.50 $150.44 -- -- $28.19 $86.43 -- --
Capital Guardian Research $87.04 $143.11 -- -- $25.57 $78.60 -- --
Capital Guardian U.S. Equity $87.04 $143.11 -- -- $25.57 $78.60 -- --
EQ/Evergreen $88.02 $146.05 -- -- $26.62 $81.74 -- --
EQ/Evergreen Foundation $87.04 $143.11 -- -- $25.57 $78.60 -- --
Lazard Large Cap Value $87.04 $143.11 -- -- $25.57 $78.60 -- --
Lazard Small Cap Value $89.50 $150.44 -- -- $28.19 $86.43 -- --
MFS Growth with Income $86.05 $140.16 -- -- $24.52 $75.46 -- --
EQ/Putnam International Equity $89.50 $150.44 -- -- $28.19 $86.43 -- --
EQ/Putnam Investors Growth $87.04 $143.11 -- -- $25.57 $78.60 -- --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
THE FOLLOWING REPLACES THE INFORMATION UNDER "VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS" ON
PAGE 16 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
Your investment results in any one of the 36 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.
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The employer or plan trustee can choose from among 36 variable investment
options. Only 25 funds can be active at any one time. A limit of 45 investment
options can be chosen over the life of the contract.
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<PAGE>
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4
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THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS ADDED TO PAGE 18 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PORTFOLIOS OF EQ ADVISORS TRUST
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PORTFOLIO NAME OBJECTIVE ADVISER
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<S> <C> <C>
EQ/Alliance Premier Growth Long-term growth of capital Alliance Capital Management L.P.
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Calvert Socially Responsible* Seeks long-term capital appreciation Calvert Asset Management Company, Inc.
and Brown Capital Management, Inc.
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Capital Guardian International Long-term growth of capital by Capital Guardian Trust Company
investing primarily in non-United
States equity securities
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Capital Guardian Research Long-term growth of capital Capital Guardian Trust Company
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Capital Guardian U.S. Equity Long-term growth of capital Capital Guardian Trust Company
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EQ/Evergreen Capital appreciation Evergreen Asset Management Corp.
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EQ/Evergreen Foundation In order of priority, reasonable Evergreen Asset Management Corp.
income, conservation capital, and
capital appreciation
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Lazard Large Cap Value* Capital appreciation Lazard Asset Management
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Lazard Small Cap Value* Capital appreciation Lazard Asset Management
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MFS Growth with Income Reasonable current income and Massachusetts Financial Services Company
long-term growth of capital and income
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EQ/Putnam International Equity Capital appreciation Putnam Investment Management, Inc.
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EQ/Putnam Investors Growth Long-term growth of capital and any Putnam Investment Management, Inc.
increased income that results from
this growth
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</TABLE>
* Currently is not available in the state of California. Please call our
customer service department at 1-800-528-0204 for information regarding the
availability of this Portfolio.
Other important information about the above Portfolios is included in the
separate prospectus supplement for EQ Advisors Trust attached to this
supplement.
<PAGE>
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5
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THE FOLLOWING BENCHMARK INFORMATION IS ADDED TO PAGE 51 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
EQ/ALLIANCE PREMIER GROWTH: Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
CALVERT SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE: Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
CAPITAL GUARDIAN INTERNATIONAL: Morgan Stanley Capital
International Europe, Australia, Far East 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.
LAZARD LARGE CAP VALUE: Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
LAZARD SMALL CAP VALUE: Russell 2000 Index.
MFS GROWTH WITH INCOME: Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
EQ/PUTNAM INTERNATIONAL EQUITY: Morgan Stanley Capital
International Europe, Australia, Far East Index.
EQ/PUTNAM INVESTORS GROWTH: Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
THE FOLLOWING IS ADDED TO TABLE 1 ON PAGE 52 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 1 (CONTINUED)
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN FOR A PARTICIPANT TERMINATION ON DECEMBER 31, 1998
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LENGTH OF INVESTMENT PERIOD
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VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS 1 YEAR SINCE PORTFOLIO INCEPTION PORTFOLIO INCEPTION DATE**
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<S> <C> <C> <C>
Lazard Large Cap Value 8.57% 8.55% 12/31/97
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Lazard Small Cap Value (15.78)% (15.74)% 12/31/97
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EQ/Putnam International Equity 8.55% 9.05% 5/1/97
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EQ/Putnam Investors Growth 23.78% 27.58% 5/1/97
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</TABLE>
THE FOLLOWING FOOTNOTE IS ADDED AFTER THE FOOTNOTE ON PAGE 52 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
** The inception dates for the Portfolios that became available on or after
December 31, 1998 and are therefore not shown in any of the tables are:
EQ/Evergreen, EQ/Evergreen Foundation, and MFS Growth with Income (December
31, 1998); EQ/Alliance Premier Growth, Capital Guardian International,
Capital Guardian Research, and Capital Guardian U.S. Equity (April 30,
1999); and Calvert Socially Responsible (August 30, 1999).
THE FOLLOWING IS ADDED TO TABLE 2 ON PAGE 53 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TABLE 2 (CONTINUED)
GROWTH OF $1,000 UNDER A CONTRACT TERMINATED ON DECEMBER 31, 1998
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LENGTH OF INVESTMENT PERIOD
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VARIABLE INVESTMENT OPTIONS 1 YEAR SINCE PORTFOLIO INCEPTION*
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<S> <C> <C>
Lazard Large Cap Value $1,085.74 $1,085.74
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Lazard Small Cap Value $842.17 $842.17
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EQ/Putnam International Equity $1,085.46 $1,155.77
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EQ/Putnam Investors Growth $1,237.81 $1,502.42
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</TABLE>
<PAGE>
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6
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THE FOLLOWING IS ADDED TO TABLE 3 ON PAGE 56 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
TABLE 3 (CONTINUED)
ANNUALIZED RATES OF RETURN FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
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1 YEAR SINCE PORTFOLIO INCEPTION*
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17.84% 17.84%
Lazard Large Cap Value
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Lipper Capital Appreciation 24.16% 24.16%
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Benchmark 28.58% 28.58%
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Lazard Small Cap Value (8.59)% (8.59)%
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Lipper Small Cap 1.53% 1.53%
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Benchmark (2.54)% (2.54)%
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EQ/Putnam International Equity 17.81% 15.48%
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Lipper International 12.17% 9.06%
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Benchmark 20.00% 13.43%
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EQ/Putnam Investors Growth 34.35% 34.56%
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Lipper Growth 25.82% 28.73%
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Benchmark 28.58% 31.63%
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THE FOLLOWING IS ADDED TO TABLE 4 ON PAGE 59 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
TABLE 4 (CONTINUED)
CUMULATIVE RATES OF RETURN FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
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1 YEAR SINCE PORTFOLIO INCEPTION*
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Lazard Large Cap Value 17.84% 17.84%
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Lipper Capital Appreciation 24.16% 24.09%
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Benchmark 28.58% 28.58%
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Lazard Small Cap Value (8.59)% (8.59)%
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Lipper Small Cap 1.53% 1.53%
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Benchmark (2.54)% (2.54)%
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EQ/Putnam International Equity 17.81% 27.14%
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Lipper International 12.17% 15.88%
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Benchmark 20.00% 23.42%
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EQ/Putnam Investors Growth 34.35% 64.09%
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Lipper Growth 25.82% 52.86%
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Benchmark 28.58% 57.60%
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<PAGE>
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7
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THE FOLLOWING IS ADDED TO TABLE 5 ON PAGE 60 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
TABLE 5 (CONTINUED)
YEAR-BY-YEAR RATES OF RETURN
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1998
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Lazard Large Cap Value 17.84%
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Lazard Small Cap Value (8.59)%
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EQ/Putnam International Equity 17.81%
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EQ/Putnam Investors Growth 34.35%
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(2) THE EQUITABLE COMPANIES INCORPORATED NAME CHANGE
THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE REPLACES THE LAST SENTENCE OF THE FIRST PARAGRAPH ON PAGE
5 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
In September 1999, The Equitable Companies Incorporated plans to change its name
to "AXA Financial, Inc."
(3) CHANGE IN EQ ADVISORS TRUST MANAGEMENT
THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH IS ADDED AFTER THE SECOND PARAGRAPH UNDER "ABOUT THE
HUDSON RIVER TRUST AND EQ ADVISORS TRUST" ON PAGE 45 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
In September 1999, Equitable Life will become the manager of EQ Advisors Trust
following state regulatory approvals. As manager, Equitable Life will oversee
the activities of the investment advisers with respect to EQ Advisors Trust.
Equitable Life will be responsible for retaining or discontinuing the services
of the advisers.
Currently, EQ Financial Consultants, Inc. is the manager of EQ Advisors Trust.
(4) EQ FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS, INC. NAME CHANGE
THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE REPLACES THE LAST SENTENCE OF THE LAST PARAGRAPH IN
FOOTNOTE 8 OF THE FEE TABLE ON PAGE 13 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
By year end 1999, EQF plans to become "AXA Advisors, LLC," and will become an
indirect subsidiary of AXA Financial, Inc.
(5) ABOUT OUR YEAR 2000 PROGRESS
THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION REPLACES THE INFORMATION UNDER "ABOUT OUR YEAR 2000
PROGRESS" ON PAGE 48 OF THE PROSPECTUS:
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>
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
-----------------
This Part C is amended solely for the purpose of filing the exhibits
noted below. No amendment or deletion is made of any of the other information
set forth under Part C of the Registration Statement.
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
---------------------------------
(b) Exhibits.
The following additional exhibits are filed herewith:
10(a) Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
10(c) Power of Attorney
C-1
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company
Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets the requirements of
Securities Act Rule 485(b) for effectiveness of this amendment to the
Registration Statement and has caused this amendment to the Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf, in the City and State of New York, on the
27th day of August, 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
By: /s/ Maureen K. Wolfson
----------------------------
Maureen K. Wolfson
Vice President
C-2
<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 the
27th day of August, 1999.
THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY
OF THE UNITED STATES
(Depositor)
By: /s/ Maureen K. Wolfson
----------------------------
Maureen K. Wolfson
Vice President
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/ Maureen K. Wolfson
--------------------------
Maureen K. Wolfson
Attorney-in-Fact
August 27, 1999
C-3
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NO. TAG VALUE
- ----------- ---------
10(a) Consent of Independent Public Accountants EX-99.10a
10(c) Power of Attorney EX-99.10c
C-4
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the use in the May 1, 1999 Statement of Additional
Information constituting part of the Registration Statement No. 33-58950 (the
"Registration Statement") on Form N-4 that this Post-Effective Amendment No. 12
amends 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 May 1, 1999 Statement of
Additional Information, and to the incorporation by reference of our reports
into the May 1, 1999 Prospectus which constitutes part of this Registration
Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the heading "Custodian
and Independent Accountants" in the May 1, 1999 Statement of Additional
Information and "About our Independent Accountants" in the May 1, 1999
Prospectus.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
- ------------------------------
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
August 27, 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
