<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM N-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
and
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
AMERICAN NATIONAL VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT
(Exact Name of Registrant)
AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY
(Exact Name of Depositor)
One Moody Plaza
Galveston, Texas 77550
(Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices)
(409) 763-4661
(Depositor's Telephone Number, including Area Code)
Rex Hemme Jerry L. Adams
Vice President, Actuary Greer, Herz & Adams, L.L.P.
American National Insurance Company With copy to: One Moody Plaza
------------
One Moody Plaza Galveston, Texas 77550
Galveston, Texas 77550
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
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Approximate date of proposed public offering: As soon as practicable after the
- --------------------------------------------
effective date of this Registration Statement.
Securities being offered: Variable Annuity Contracts
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- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
<PAGE>
Group Unallocated Variable Annuity Contract
Issued by American National Insurance Company
Home Office One Moody Plaza Galveston TX 77550-7999
PROSPECTUS (DATE) 1-800-306-2959
This prospectus describes a group unallocated variable annuity contract being
offered to corporate and non-corporate pension plans. You can allocate contract
value to American National Variable Annuity Separate Account, which reflects the
investment performance of mutual fund portfolios selected by you. At this time,
you can allocate your contract value to the following mutual fund portfolios:
American National Fund . Limited-Term Bond Portfolio
. Growth Portfolio MFS Fund
. Equity Income Portfolio . Capital Opportunities Portfolio
. Balanced Portfolio . Emerging Growth Portfolio
. Money Market Portfolio . Research Portfolio
. High Yield Bond Portfolio . Growth With Income Portfolio
. International Stock Portfolio Federated Fund
. Small-Cap/Mid-Cap Portfolio . Utility Fund II Portfolio
. Government Bond Portfolio . Growth Strategies Portfolio
Fidelity Funds . U.S. Government Bond Portfolio
. Asset Manager Portfolio . High Income Bond Portfolio
. Index 500 Portfolio . Equity Income Fund II Portfolio
. Contrafund Portfolio Alger American Fund
. Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio . Small Capitalization Portfolio
. Growth Opportunities Portfolio . Growth Portfolio
T. Rowe Price Funds . MidCap Growth Portfolio
. Equity Income Portfolio . Leveraged AllCap Portfolio
. Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio . Income & Growth Portfolio
. International Stock Portfolio . Balanced Portfolio
This prospectus contains information that you should know before purchasing a
contract and should be kept for future reference. Additional information about
the contract is contained in a Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, ("SEC") which is incorporated by
reference into this prospectus. You may obtain a free copy of the SAI, which is
dated the same date as this prospectus, by writing or calling us at our home
office. The table of contents of the SAI is on page xx of this prospectus. The
SEC maintains an Internet website (http://www.sec.gov) that contains material
incorporated by reference into this prospectus, SAI, and other information
regarding companies that file electronically with the SEC.
This prospectus is valid only when accompanied by current prospectuses or
prospectus profiles for the American National Fund, the Fidelity Funds, the T.
Rowe Price Funds, the MFS Fund, the Federated Fund, and the Alger American Fund.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these
securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to
the contrary is a criminal offense. Interests in the contract are not deposits
or obligations of, or guaranteed or endorsed by any bank, nor is the contract
federally insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal
Reserve Board, or any other agency. The contract involves investment risk,
including possible loss of principal.
Please read this prospectus carefully and keep it for future reference.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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Glossary...................................................................... x
Introduction.................................................................. x
What is the Purpose of the Contract?........................................ x
What are the Investment Options?............................................ x
How Do I Purchase a Contract?............................................... x
How Do I Allot Purchase Payments?........................................... x
Can I Transfer Amounts Between the Investment Alternatives?................. x
Can I Make Withdrawals?..................................................... x
Is an Annuity Available?.................................................... x
What are the Charges and Deductions Under the Contract?..................... x
What are the Tax Consequences Associated with the Contract?................. x
If I Have Questions, Where Can I Go?........................................ x
Contract Owner Transaction Expenses........................................... x
Sales Load as a Percentage of Purchase Payments............................. x
Deferred Sales Load "Surrender Charge"...................................... x
Exchange Fee................................................................ x
Annual Contract Fee......................................................... x
Separate Account Annual Expenses............................................ x
Portfolio Company Annual Expenses........................................... x
Examples.................................................................... x
Contract...................................................................... xx
Type of Contract............................................................ xx
Contract Application and Purchase Payments.................................. xx
Allocation of Purchase Payments............................................. xx
Crediting of Accumulation Units............................................. xx
Determining Accumulation Unit Values........................................ xx
Transfers................................................................... xx
Charges and Deductions........................................................ xx
Surrender Charge............................................................ xx
Other Charges............................................................... xx
Distributions Under the Contract.............................................. xx
Withdrawals................................................................. xx
Termination of Contract..................................................... xx
Annuity Payments.............................................................. xx
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<TABLE>
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Page
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Annuity Options............................................................... xx
Annuity Provisions............................................................ xx
The Company, Separate Account and Funds........................................ xx
American National Insurance Company.......................................... xx
The Separate Account......................................................... xx
The Funds.................................................................... xx
Changes in Investment Options................................................ xx
Federal Tax Matters............................................................ xx
Introduction................................................................. xx
Taxation of Annuities in General............................................. xx
Qualified Contracts.......................................................... xx
Performance.................................................................... xx
Distributor of the Contract.................................................... xx
Legal Matters.................................................................. xx
Legal Proceedings.............................................................. xx
Experts........................................................................ xx
Additional Information......................................................... xx
Financial Statements........................................................... xx
Table of Contents of Statement of Additional Information....................... xx
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<PAGE>
GLOSSARY
Accumulation Period. The time between the date Accumulation Units are first
purchased by us and the date the Contract is terminated.
Accumulation Unit. A unit used by us to calculate a Contract's value during the
Accumulation Period.
Accumulation Value. The sum of the value of your Accumulation Units.
Alger American Fund. The Alger American Fund.
American National Fund. American National Investment Accounts, Inc.
Company ("we", "our" or "us" ). American National Insurance Company.
Contract The contract described in this prospectus.
Contract Owner ("you" or "your"). Unless changed by notice to us, the Contract
Owner is as stated in the application.
Contract Anniversary. An anniversary of the Date of Issue.
Contract Year. A one-year period commencing on either the Date of Issue or a
Contract Anniversary.
Date of Issue. The date a Contract is issued.
Eligible Portfolio. A Portfolio which corresponds to a subaccount.
Federated Funds. Federated Insurance Series.
Fidelity Funds. Variable Insurance Products Fund II and Variable Insurance
Products Fund III.
General Account. All of our assets except those segregated in separate accounts.
MFS Fund. MFS Variable Insurance Trust.
Plan A document or agreement defining retirement or other benefits and those
eligible to receive them. A Plan is not a part of a Contract and we are not a
party to a Plan.
Portfolio. A series of a mutual fund designed to meet specified investment
objectives.
Purchase Payment. A payment made to us during the Accumulation Period.
Qualified Plan. A Contract issued in connection with a Plan that receives
favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
T. Rowe Price Funds. T. Rowe Price Equity Series, Inc., T. Rowe Price
International Series, Inc. and T. Rowe Price Fixed Income Series, Inc.
Valuation Date. Each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular
trading.
Valuation Period. The close of business on one Valuation Date to the close of
business on another.
Variable Annuity. An annuity with value that varies in dollar amount based on
performance of the investments you choose.
<PAGE>
INTRODUCTION
What is the Purpose of the Contract?
The Contract allows the accumulation of funds, on a tax-deferred basis, at rates
that will increase or decline in value based on the performance of investments
you choose.
What are the Investment Options?
You can invest Purchase Payments in one or more of the following subaccounts of
the separate account, each of which invests exclusively in shares of a
corresponding Eligible Portfolio:
. American National Growth . T. Rowe Price Limited-Term Bond
. American National Balanced . MFS Capital Opportunities
. American National Equity Income . MFS Emerging Growth
. American National Money Market . MFS Research
. American National High Yield Bond . MFS Growth With Income
. American National International Stock . Federated Utility Fund II
. American National Small-Cap/Mid-Cap . Federated Growth Strategies
. American National Government Bond . Federated U.S. Government Bond
. Fidelity Asset Manager . Federated High Income Bond
. Fidelity Index 500 . Federated Equity Income Fund II
. Fidelity Contrafund . Alger American Small Capitalization
. Fidelity Asset Manager: Growth . Alger American MidCap Growth
. Fidelity Growth Opportunities . Alger American Growth
. T. Rowe Price Equity Income . Alger American Balanced
. T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth . Alger American Leveraged AllCap
. T. Rowe Price International Stock . Alger American Income & Growth
Each such subaccount and corresponding Eligible Portfolio has its own investment
objective (See "The Funds" at page xx). There is no assurance that Eligible
Portfolios will achieve their investment objectives. Accordingly, you could lose
some or all of the Accumulation Value.
How Do I Purchase a Contract?
You can purchase a Contract by completing an application and paying a Purchase
Payment and submitting these to our home office. Purchase Payments must be for
the purpose of providing for Plan benefits.
Without our prior approval, the maximum Purchase Payment under a Contract is
$1,000,000.
The contract may not be available in some states. You should rely only on the
information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have
not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different.
How Do I Allocate Purchase Payments?
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You can allocate Purchase Payments among the 32 currently available subaccounts.
You cannot allocate less than 1% of a Purchase Payment to any one-investment
option.
Can I Transfer Amounts Between the Investment Alternatives?
You can make transfers between subaccounts at any time. (See "Transfers" on page
xx.)
All transfers among the subaccounts are free.
You should periodically review allocations among the subaccounts to make sure
they fit the current situation and financial goals.
You can make allocation changes in writing or during our normal business hours
by telephone if a telephone authorization form is on file with us. We will
employ reasonable procedures to confirm that telephone instructions are genuine.
If we follow those procedures, we will not be liable for losses due to
unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. We may be liable for such losses if we
do not follow those procedures.
Can I Make Withdrawals?
By written request to us, you can withdraw all or part of the Accumulation Value
at any time. Such withdrawal may be subject to a Surrender Charge, an IRS
penalty tax and income tax. Such withdrawal may also be subject to Plan
restrictions. Surrender charges are waived for any withdrawal to fund a
distribution under a Plan. Proof of such Plan benefit must be provided.
Is an Annuity Available?
In order to fund plan distributions, you can select from a number of fixed
annuity options, each of which provides a different level and number of annuity
payments. The annuity options include payments:
. for the life of a Plan participant
. for the life of a Plan participant, with a guarantee that such payments will
continue for at least 10 or 20 years
. made jointly to a Plan participant and spouse, with a right of survivorship.
(See "Annuity Options," page xx.)
What are the Charges and Deductions Under the Contract?
We do not currently deduct a sales charge when you purchase a Contract. We may
deduct a surrender charge up to 7% of Accumulation Value withdrawn. We also
charge a daily administrative asset fee. Such expense charge equals, on an
annual basis, 0.10% of the Contract's daily Accumulation Value.
We charge a daily amount equal to, on an annual basis, a mortality and expense
risk fee of 1.15% of the Contract's daily Accumulation Value to meet our death
benefit obligations and to pay expenses.
What are the Tax Consequences Associated with the Contract?
You generally are required to pay taxes on all amounts withdrawn from a
Qualified Contract. Restrictions and penalties may apply to withdrawals from a
Qualified Contract.
If I Have Questions, Where Can I Go?
If you or the Plan administrator have any questions about the Contract, you or
the Plan administrator can contact your registered representative or write us at
One Moody Plaza, Galveston, Texas 77550-7999. You can call us at 1-800-306-2959.
CONTRACT OWNER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
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The following table summarizes the charges we will make. The table also
summarizes the fees and expenses of the Eligible Portfolios. You should consider
this information with the information under the heading "Charges and Deductions"
on page xx.
Sales Load as a Percentage of Purchase Payments 0%
Deferred Sales Load ("Surrender Charge")
Contract Year Surrender Charge
of as a
Withdrawal Percentage of
Each Withdrawal
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1 7
2 7
3 6
4 5
5 4
6 3
7 2
8 and thereafter 0
Exchange Fee $ 0
Annual Contract Fee $ 0
Separate Account Annual Expenses
(as a percent of average net assets)
Mortality and Expense Risk Fee 1.15%
Other Account Fees(administrative asset fee) 0.10%
Total Separate Account Annual Expense 1.25%
Portfolio Company Annual Expenses
American National Growth Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees after reimbursement * ** 0.43%
Other Expenses 0.44%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 0.87%
* Without reimbursement, management fees would have been 0.50% and the total
portfolio annual expense would have been 0.94%.
American National Balanced Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees after reimbursement * ** 0.26%
Other Expenses 0.64%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 0.90%
* Without reimbursement, management fees would have been 0.50% and the total
portfolio annual expense would have been 1.14%.
American National Equity Income Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees after reimbursement * ** 0.49%
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Other Expenses 0.44%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 0.93%
* Without reimbursement, management fees would have been 0.50% and the total
portfolio annual expense would have been 0.94%.
American National High Yield Bond Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 1.00%
Other Expenses 0.25%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 1.25%
American National International Stock Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 1.00%
Other Expenses 0.25%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 1.25%
American National Small-Cap/Mid-Cap Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 1.50%
Other Expenses 0.25%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 1.75%
American National Government Bond Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.50%
Other Expenses 0.25%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 0.75%
American National Money Market Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees after reimbursement * ** 0.09%
Other Expenses 0.78%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 0.87%
* Without reimbursement, management fees would have been 0.50% and the total
portfolio annual expense would have been 1.28%.
**Under its Administrative Service Agreement with American National Investment
Accounts, Inc., Securities Management and Research, Inc. ("SM&R"), the fund's
Investment Adviser and Manager, has agreed to pay (or to reimburse each
Portfolio for) each Portfolio's expenses (including the advisory fee and
administrative service fee paid to SM&R, but exclusive of interest, commissions
and other expenses incidental to portfolio transactions) in excess of 1.50% per
year of such Portfolio's average daily net assets. In addition, SM&R has entered
into a separate undertaking with the fund effective May 1, 1994 until April 30,
2001, pursuant to which SM&R has agreed to reimburse the American National Money
Market Portfolio and the American National Growth Portfolio for expenses in
excess of .87%; the American National Balanced Portfolio for expenses in excess
of .90% and the American National Equity Income Portfolio for expenses in excess
of .93%, of each of such Portfolios' average daily net assets during such
period. SM&R is under no obligation to renew this undertaking for any Portfolio
at the end of such period.
Fidelity Index 500 Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.24%
Other Expenses with reimbursement 0.04%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses* 0.28%
*Without this reimbursement, the Portfolio's management fee, other expenses and
total expenses would have been 0.24%, 0.10%, and
0.34%.
Fidelity Asset Manager Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
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Management Fees 0.53%
Other Expenses 0.10%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses** 0.63%
Fidelity Contrafund Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.58%
Other Expenses 0.09%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses** 0.67%
Fidelity Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.58%
Other Expenses 0.13%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses** 0.71%
Fidelity Growth Opportunities Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.58%
Other Expenses 0.11%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses** 0.69%
**With these reductions, the total operating expenses presented in the table
would have been 0.62% of the Asset Manager Portfolio, 0.65% for Contrafund
Portfolio, 0.70% for Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio and 0.68% for Growth
Opportunities Portfolio.
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.85%
Other Expenses 0.00%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses* 0.85%
T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 1.05%
Other Expenses 0.00%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses* 1.05%
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.85%
Other Expenses 0.00%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses* 0.85%
T. Rowe Price Limited - Term Bond Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.70%
Other Expenses 0.00%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses* 0.70%
*T. Rowe Price Equity Income and Mid-Cap Growth Portfolios pay T. Rowe Price an
annual all-inclusive fee of 0.85% based on such Portfolios' average daily net
assets. T. Rowe Price Limited-Term Bond Portfolio pays T. Rowe Price an annual
all-inclusive fee of 0.70% based on such Portfolios' average daily net assets.
T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio pays Rowe-Price-Flemming
International, Inc. an annual all-inclusive fee of 1.05% based on such
Portfolios' average daily net assets. These fees pay for investment management
services and other operating costs of the Portfolios.
MFS Capital Opportunities Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
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Management Fees 0.75%
Other Expenses (after fee reduction) 0.16%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses* 0.91%
*The portfolio's investment advisor voluntarily reduced the portfolio's
expenses. Absent reimbursement, management fee, other expense and total expense
would have been 0.75%, 0.27%, and 1.02%, respectively.
MFS Emerging Growth Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.75%
Other Expenses 0.09%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 0.84%
MFS Research Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.75%
Other Expenses 0.11%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 0.86%
MFS Growth With Income Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.75%
Other Expenses 0.13%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 0.88%
Federated Utility Fund II Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.75%
Shareholder Service Fee after reimbursement 0.00%
Other Expenses 0.19%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses* 0.94%
*The portfolio's investment advisor voluntarily reduced the portfolio's
expenses. Absent reimbursement, management fee, shareholder services fee, other
expenses, and total expenses would have been 0.75%, 0.25%, 0.19%, and 1.19%
respectively.
Federated Growth Strategies Fund II Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees after reimbursement 0.55%
Shareholder Services Fees after reimbursement 0.00%
Other Expenses 0.30%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses* 0.85%
*The portfolio's investment advisor voluntarily reduced the portfolio's
expenses. Absent reimbursement, management fee, shareholder services fee, other
expenses, and total expenses would have been 0.75%, 0.25%, 0.30%, and 1.30%
respectively.
Federated Fund for U.S. Government Bond Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.60%
Shareholder Services Fee after reimbursement 0.00%
Other Expenses 0.18%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses* 0.78%
*The portfolio's investment advisor voluntarily reduced the portfolio's
expenses. Absent reimbursement, management fee, shareholder services fee, other
expenses, and total expenses would have been 0.60%, 0.25%, 0.18%, and 1.03%
respectively.
Federated High Income Bond Fund II Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.60%
Shareholder Services Fee after reimbursement 0.00%
<PAGE>
Other Expenses 0.19%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 0.79%
*The portfolio's investment advisor voluntarily reduced the portfolio's
expenses. Absent reimbursement, management fee, shareholder services fee, other
expenses, and total expenses would have been 0.60%, 0.25%, 0.19%, and 1.04%
respectively.
Federated Equity Income Fund II Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees after reimbursement 0.55%
Distribution (12-b1) Fees after reimbursement 0.00%
Shareholder Services Fee after reimbursement 0.00%
Other Expenses 0.39%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses* 0.94%
*The portfolio's investment advisor voluntarily reduced the portfolio's
expenses. Absent reimbursement, management fee, distribution fee, shareholder
services fee, other expenses, and total expenses would have been 0.75%, 0.25%,
0.25%, 0.39%, and 1.64% respectively.
Alger American Small Capitalization Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.85%
Other Expenses 0.04%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 0.89%
Alger American Growth Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.75%
Other Expenses 0.04%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 0.79%
Alger American MidCap Growth Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.80%
Other Expenses 0.04%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 0.84%
Alger American Leveraged AllCap Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.85%
Other Expenses* 0.11%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 0.96%
*Included in other expenses is 0.03% of interest expense.
Alger American Income & Growth Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.625%
Other Expenses 0.075%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 0.70%
Alger American Balanced Portfolio Annual Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
Management Fees 0.75%
Other Expenses 0.17%
Total Portfolio Annual Expenses 0.92%
EXAMPLES:
<PAGE>
If you terminate your Contract at the end of the applicable time period, you
would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming 5% annual
return on assets, and assuming none of the proceeds is used to fund Plan
benefits. Should any of the proceeds be used to fund Plan benefits, the actual
expenses incurred will be less than those represented in the example.
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<CAPTION>
Fund 1 Year 3 Years
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American National Growth Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
American National Balanced Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
American National Equity Income Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
American National Money Market Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
American National High Yield Bond Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
American National International Stock Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
American National Small-Cap/Mid-Cap Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
American National Government Bond Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Fidelity Asset Manager Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Fidelity Index 500 Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Fidelity Contrafund Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Fidelity Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Fidelity Growth Opportunities Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
T. Rowe Price Limited - Term Bond Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
MFS Capital Opportunities Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
MFS Emerging Growth Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
MFS Research Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
MFS Growth With Income Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Federated Utility Fund II Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Federated Growth Strategies Fund II Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Federated Fund for U.S. Government Bond Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Federated High Income Bond Fund II Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Federated Equity Income Fund II Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Alger American Small Capitalization Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Alger American Growth Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Alger American MidCap Growth Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Alger American Leveraged AllCap Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Alger American Income & Growth Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Alger American Leveraged Balanced Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
</TABLE>
If you do not terminate your Contract, you would pay the following expenses on a
$1,000 investment, assuming 5% annual return on assets.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fund 1 Year 3 Years
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American National Growth Portfolio $ xx $ xx
American National Balanced Portfolio $ xx $ xx
American National Equity Income Portfolio $ xx $ xx
American National Money Market Portfolio $ xx $ xx
American National High Yield Bond Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
American National International Stock Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
American National Small-Cap/Mid-Cap Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
American National Government Bond Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Fidelity Asset Manager Portfolio $ xx $ xx
Fidelity Index 500 Portfolio $ xx $ xx
Fidelity Contrafund Portfolio $ xx $ xx
Fidelity Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio $ xx $ xx
Fidelity Growth Opportunities Portfolio $ xx $ xx
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio $ xx $ xx
T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio $ xx $ xx
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio $ xx $ xx
T. Rowe Price Limited - Term Bond Portfolio $ xx $ xx
MFS Capital Opportunities Portfolio $ xx $ xx
MFS Emerging Growth Portfolio $ xx $ xx
MFS Research Portfolio $ xx $ xx
MFS Growth With Income Portfolio $ xx $ xx
Federated Utility Fund II Portfolio $ xx $ xx
Federated Growth Strategies Fund II Portfolio $ xx $ xx
Federated Fund for U.S. Government Bond Portfolio $ xx $ xx
Federated High Income Bond Fund II Portfolio $ xx $ xx
Federated Equity Income Fund II Portfolio $ xx $ xx
Alger American Small Capitalization Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Alger American Growth Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Alger American MidCap Growth Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Alger American Leveraged AllCap Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Alger American Income & Growth Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
Alger American Balanced Portfolio $ xx $ xxx
You should not consider the examples as representative of past or future
expenses.
The purpose of the preceding tables is to assist you in understanding the
various costs and expenses that you will bear directly or indirectly. The tables
reflect expenses of the separate account and the Eligible Portfolios. The
expenses shown above for the Eligible Portfolios are assessed at the underlying
fund level and are not direct charges against the separate account's assets or
reductions from Accumulation Value. These expenses are taken into consideration
in computing each Portfolio's net asset value, which is the share price used to
calculate the value of an Accumulation Unit. Actual expenses may be more or less
than shown. As required by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the example
assumes a 5% annual rate of return. This hypothetical rate of return is not
intended to be representative of past or future performance of an Eligible
Portfolio. For a more complete description of the various costs and expenses of
the American National Fund, the Fidelity Funds, the T. Rowe Price Funds, the MFS
Fund, the Federated Fund and the Alger American Fund, see their Prospectuses.
CONTRACT
Type of Contract
This prospectus offers a group unallocated variable annuity Contract, and our
obligations are strictly limited to those set forth in this prospectus. Neither
the Plan participant, nor any person deriving any rights or benefits from a Plan
participant, will at any time have any right, or interest in the Accumulation
Value. We incur no liability or obligation to any Plan participant until there
has been a benefit purchased on behalf of a Plan participant or person deriving
rights from a Plan participant, in accordance with the provisions of the
Contract. Our sole responsibility to any such Plan participant or person
deriving rights from a Plan participant will be the payment of such benefits
purchased on his behalf.
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The terms of the Contracts may only be changed by mutual agreement between
American National and each Contract Owner, unless:
. the change is as described in the section entitled "Changes in Investment
Options" on page xx;
. American National is making the change in order to comply with a law or
regulation to which American National or the Contracts are subject; or
. American National is making the change in order to maintain the tax status of
the Contracts as described in the section entitled "Federal Tax Matters" on
page xx.
Contract Application and Purchase Payments
To purchase a Contract, you must complete an application and send a Purchase
Payment to our home office. (See "Allocation of Purchase Payments", page xx.) If
the application cannot be processed within five days after receipt, we will
return your payment. We will credit your initial Purchase Payment to the
Contract within two business days after a completed application is received at
our home office.
Purchase Payments paid are allocated as directed by you. Purchase Payments must
be for the purpose of providing for Plan benefits. We assume no liability as to
the sufficiency of the Accumulation Value to provide benefits according to the
provisions of the Plan.
Allocation of Purchase Payments
Purchase Payments will be allocated to the subaccounts according to instructions
in the application. You can change these allocations at any time by written
instruction to our home office, or if a properly completed telephone transfer
authorization form is on file with us, by telephone.
Crediting of Accumulation Units
Purchase Payments will be used to purchase Accumulation Units in subaccounts as
the Contract Owner has instructed. We will determine the number of Accumulation
Units purchased by dividing the dollar amount of the Purchase Payment allocated
to a subaccount by the Accumulation Unit value for that subaccount computed
following such allocation. Purchase Payments are not credited until actually
received by us. A Plan participant's contribution to a Plan will not be credited
until the Contract Owner forwards such contribution to us.
Determining Accumulation Unit Values
The Accumulation Unit value of each subaccount reflects the investment
performance of that subaccount. We calculate Accumulation Unit value on each
Valuation Date. The Accumulation Unit value on each Valuation Date is equal to
the Accumulation Unit value for the preceding Valuation Date, multiplied by the
net investment factor for that subaccount on that Valuation Date.
A net investment factor is determined for each subaccount on a Valuation Date as
follows. First, we take the net asset value of a share in the corresponding
Eligible Portfolio at the close of business that day, and we add the per share
amount of any dividends or capital gains distributions declared by the Eligible
Portfolio during the Valuation Period. We divide this amount by the per share
net asset value on the preceding Valuation Date. Then we reduce the result for
the administrative asset fee and the mortality and expense risk fee.
We will calculate the Accumulation Unit value for each subaccount at the end of
each Valuation Period. Investment performance of the Eligible Portfolios, their
expenses and the deduction of certain charges by us affect the Accumulation Unit
value for each subaccount.
Transfers
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You can make transfers among the subaccounts at any time. There are no
restrictions.
We will make transfers and determine values on the later of (1) the date
designated in your request or (2) the end of the Valuation Period in which your
transfer request is received.
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS
Surrender Charge
During the first seven Contract Years, a Surrender Charge may be imposed on
withdrawals at a rate of no more than 7% of the amount withdrawn. (See "Deferred
Sales Load (`Surrender Charge')" on page x for the table of surrender charges
rates).
We will deduct a surrender charge from the Accumulation Value for withdrawals of
all or a portion of Accumulation Value. However, no surrender charge will apply
to any such withdrawal:
(a) if you request a lump sum cash distribution and give us proof
that benefits in the amount of the lump sum cash distribution
are payable under the Plan to a Plan participant or
beneficiary due to the death, disability, termination of
employment or retirement of a participant; or
(b) if you request that such withdrawal be applied to purchase
from us any of the annuity options available under the
Contract. (See "Annuity Options, page xx.)
For termination, the surrender charge will be equal to the surrender charge
percentage multiplied by the Accumulation Value. The surrender charge percentage
will be determined by the Contract Year in which the termination occurs.
For withdrawals not exempt from the surrender charge, a surrender charge will be
assessed consistent with that for termination. The surrender charge percentage
will be determined by the Contract Year in which the withdrawal occurs.
Other Charges
The Contract is subject to certain other charges:
. Administrative Asset Fee
An administrative asset fee at an annual rate of 0.10% is assessed daily
against the separate account.
. Mortality and Expense Risk Fee
Annuity payments will not decrease because of adverse mortality experience of
Plan participants as a class or increases in our actual expenses over expense
charges. We assume the risks that Plan participants as a class may live
longer than expected (requiring a greater number of annuity payments) and
that fees may not be sufficient to cover our actual costs.
For our promises to accept these risks, a mortality and expense risk fee at
an annual rate of 1.15% will be assessed daily against the separate account.
. Charges for Taxes
None at present. We may, however, make a charge in the future if income
or gains within the separate account incur federal, state or local taxes or if
our tax treatment changes. Charges for such taxes, if any, would be deducted
from the separate account.
DISTRIBUTIONS UNDER THE CONTRACT
Withdrawals
The Contract Owner may make withdrawals under the Contract, in whole or in part,
subject to the following limitations:
. The request must be made in writing.
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. If a partial withdrawal would leave less than $1,200 Accumulation Value, the
Contract will be terminated.
. A partial withdrawal request should specify the allocation of that withdrawal
among the subaccounts. If not specified, we will prorate the withdrawal among
the subaccounts . Surrender charges will be deducted from the Accumulation
Value remaining after a partial withdrawal.
. Additional limitations apply to withdrawals, as explained in, "Termination of
Contract".
The Accumulation Unit value for withdrawals will be the applicable Accumulation
Unit value determined on the Valuation Date following receipt by us at our home
office of your withdrawal request.
Accumulation Value can be determined by multiplying the number of Accumulation
Units for each subaccount times the Accumulation Unit value and summing the
results. The amount available for withdrawal equals the Accumulation Value less
any applicable surrender charge. Accumulation Value will be reduced by the
amount of any withdrawal and applicable surrender charge.
We expect to pay surrenders within seven days of receipt of your written request
in proper form.
Termination of Contract
You may terminate the Contract at any time by giving us written notice. Such
notice will specify a date of termination, which may not be earlier than 30 days
after receipt at our home office.
We may terminate the Contract by giving you written notice, if any one or more
of the following events occurs:
(a) the Accumulation Value is less than $1,200; or
(b) you failed to provide any information or render any performance
required by the terms of this Contract.
Such termination notice will specify a date of termination, which will not be
earlier than six months after the date you receive such notice.
Upon termination, no further Purchase Payment will be accepted, and you shall
designate a party to receive the amounts due on termination. We shall transfer
the balance of the Accumulation Value less any applicable surrender charge to
the designated party. We shall have no obligation or duty to verify that such
party has the right to receive such payment, nor that the Plan is or will
continue to be qualified under the Internal Revenue Code, nor that such payments
will be properly applied by the designated party. Such payment or payments will
fully and finally discharge us of all liability under this Contract, except for
the payment of annuity benefits previously purchased. (See "Annuity Options,
page xx). Termination of this Contract will have no effect upon the payments to
be made by us to any person for whom an annuity has been purchased prior to the
date of termination.
ANNUITY PAYMENTS
You can apply all or part of the Accumulation Value to any of the annuity
options described below. Such Accumulation Value will be transferred to the
General Account and annuity payments will be based upon the annuity option
selected. Such payments must be for the exclusive benefit of a Plan participant
or beneficiary or for a person designated by you for the exclusive benefit of
such participant or beneficiary.
Annuity Options
The following annuity options are available to Contract Owners. The Plans will
specify which of these options are available to individual Plan participants.
. Option 1 - Life Annuity -- monthly payments during the lifetime of an
individual, ceasing with the last annuity payment due before the individual's
death. This option offers the maximum level of monthly annuity payments since
there is no provision
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for a minimum number of annuity payments or a death benefit for
beneficiaries. It would be possible under this option for an individual to
receive only one annuity payment if death occurred before the due date of the
second annuity payment, two if death occurred before the third annuity
payment date, etc.
. Option 2 - Life Annuity with ten or 20 Years Certain -- monthly payments
during the lifetime of an individual with payments made for a period certain
of not less than ten or 20 years, as elected. The annuity payments will be
continued to a designated beneficiary until the end of the period certain.
. Option 3 - Joint and Survivor Annuity -- monthly payments during the joint
lifetime of an individual and another named individual and thereafter during
the lifetime of the survivor, ceasing with the last annuity payment due
before the survivor's death. It would be possible under this option for only
one annuity payment to be made if both individuals under the option died
before the second annuity payment date, or only two annuity payments if both
died before the third annuity payment date, etc.
. Option 4 - Installment Payments, Fixed Period --monthly payments for
specified number of years of at least 5, but not exceeding 30. Payments will
include interest at the effective rate of 2.5% per year.
. Option 5 - Equal Installment Payments, Fixed Amount -- monthly installments
(not less than $6.25 per $1,000 applied) until the amount applied, plus
interest at an effective rate of 2.5% per year, is exhausted. The final
annuity payment will be the remaining sum left with us. It may be more or
less than the other payments.
. Other Annuity Forms -- May be agreed upon.
If a beneficiary dies while receiving annuity payments certain under Option 2, 4
or 5 above, the present value of minimum guaranteed payments will be paid in a
lump sum to the estate of the beneficiary.
The value of the annuity payment will vary based upon the amount of Accumulation
Value applied to the annuity option. In addition, the annuity payment will be
greater for shorter guaranteed periods than for longer guaranteed periods, and
greater for life annuities than joint and survivor annuities.
Annuity Provisions
We determine life contingent annuity payments based on the Annuity 2000
Mortality Table (50% male, 50% female blend) and 2.5% interest which generally
reflects the age of the payee and type of annuity option selected. The payee's
attained age at settlement will be adjusted downward by one year for each full
five-year period that has lapsed since January 1, 2000.
Payment of withdrawal amounts and transfers may be postponed whenever: (1) the
NYSE is closed other than customary week-end and holiday closings, or trading on
the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC; (2) the SEC by order permits
postponement for the protection of the Contract Owners; or (3) an emergency
exists, as determined by the SEC, as a result of which disposal of securities is
not reasonably practicable or it is not reasonably practicable to determine the
value of the separate account's net assets.
THE COMPANY, SEPARATE ACCOUNT, AND FUNDS
American National Insurance Company
The Company is a stock life insurance company chartered in 1905 in the State of
Texas. We write individual and group life, accident and health insurance and
annuities. Our home office is located in the American National Insurance
Building, One Moody Plaza, Galveston, Texas 77550-7999. The Moody Foundation, a
charitable foundation, owns approximately 23.7% and the Libbie S. Moody Trust, a
private trust, owns approximately 37.6% of our common stock
We are regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance and are subject to the
insurance laws and regulations of other states where we operate. Each year, we
file a National Association of Insurance Commissioners convention blank with the
Texas Department of Insurance. Such convention blank covers our operations and
reports on our financial condition and the separate account's financial
condition as of December 31 of the preceding year. Periodically, the Texas
Department of Insurance examines and
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certifies the adequacy of the separate account's and our liabilities and
reserves. A full examination of our operations is also conducted periodically by
the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Obligations under the Contract are our obligations.
The Separate Account
We established the American National Variable Annuity Separate Account under
Texas law on July 30, 1991. The separate account's assets are held exclusively
for the benefit of persons entitled to payments under variable annuity contracts
issued by us. We are the legal holder of the separate account's assets and will
cause the total market value of such assets to be at least equal to the separate
account's reserve and other contract liabilities. Such assets are held separate
and apart from our General Account assets. We maintain records of all purchases
and redemptions of shares of Eligible Portfolios by each of the subaccounts.
Liabilities arising out of any other business we conduct cannot be charged
against the assets of the separate account. Income, as well as both realized and
unrealized gains or losses from the separate account's assets, is credited to or
charged against the separate account without regard to income, gains or losses
arising out of other business that we conduct. However, if the separate
account's assets exceed its liabilities, the excess is available to cover the
liabilities of our General Account.
The separate account is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") as a unit investment trust, which is a type of investment company. Such
registration does not involve any SEC supervision of management or investment
policies or practices. There are currently thirty-two subaccounts within the
separate account available to Contract Owners and each invests only in a
corresponding Eligible Portfolio.
Since we are the legal holder of the Eligible Portfolio shares in the separate
account we have the right to vote such shares at shareholders' meetings. To the
extent required by law, we will vote in accordance with instructions from
Contract Owners. The number of votes for which a Contract Owner has the right to
provide instructions will be determined as of the record date selected by the
Board of Directors of the American National Fund, the Fidelity Funds, the T.
Rowe Price Funds, the MFS Fund, the Federated Fund and the Alger American Fund.
We will furnish you proper forms, materials and reports to enable you to give us
instructions if you choose.
The number of shares of an Eligible Portfolio for which you can give
instructions is determined by dividing the Accumulation Value held in the
corresponding subaccount by the net asset value of one share in such Eligible
Portfolio. Fractional shares will be counted. Shares of an Eligible Portfolio
held in a subaccount for which you have not given timely instructions and other
shares held in a subaccount will be voted by us in the same proportion as those
shares in that subaccount for which timely instructions are received. Voting
instructions to abstain will be applied on a pro rata basis to reduce the votes
eligible to be cast. Should applicable federal securities laws or regulations
permit, we may vote shares of the Eligible Portfolios in our own right.
The separate account is not the only separate account that invests in the
Eligible Portfolios. Other separate accounts, including those funding other
variable annuity contracts, variable life policies and other insurance contracts
and retirement plans, invest in some of the Eligible Portfolios. We do not
believe this results in any disadvantages to you. However, there is a
theoretical possibility that a material conflict of interest could arise with
owners of variable life insurance policies funded by the separate account and
owners of other variable annuity contracts whose values are allocated to other
separate accounts investing in the Eligible Portfolios. There is also a
theoretical possibility that a material conflict could arise between the
interests of Contract Owners or owners of other contracts and the retirement
plans which invest in the Eligible Portfolios or their participants. If a
material conflict arises, we will take any necessary steps, including removing
the Eligible Portfolio from the separate account, to resolve the matter. The
Board of Directors of each Eligible Portfolio will monitor events in order to
identify any material conflicts that may arise and determine what action, if
any, to take in response to those events or conflicts. See the accompanying
prospectuses for the Eligible Portfolios for more information.
The Funds
Each subaccount invests in shares of a corresponding Eligible Portfolio of the
American National Fund, the Fidelity Funds, the T. Rowe Price Funds, the MFS
Fund, the Federated Fund, and the Alger American Fund. The investment objectives
and policies of
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each Eligible Portfolio are summarized below. You will be notified of and have
an opportunity to instruct us how to vote on any proposed material change in the
investment policy of any Eligible Portfolio in which you have an interest.
. The American National Fund - currently has the following series or
Portfolios, each of which is an Eligible Portfolio:
. American National Money Market Portfolio ... seeks the highest current
income consistent with the preservation of capital and maintenance of
liquidity.
. American National Growth Portfolio ... seeks to achieve capital
appreciation.
. American National Balanced Portfolio ... seeks to conserve principal,
produce reasonable current income, and achieve long-term capital
appreciation.
. American National Equity Income Portfolio ... seeks to achieve growth of
capital and/or current income.
. American National Government Bond Portfolio ... seeks to provide as high
a level of current income, liquidity, and safety of principal as is
consistent with prudent investment risks through investment in a
portfolio consisting primarily of securities issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. Government, its agencies, or instrumentalities.
. American National Small-Cap/Mid-Cap Portfolio ... seeks to provide long-
term capital growth by investing primarily in stocks of small to medium-
sized companies.
. American National High Yield Bond Portfolio ... seeks to provide a high
level of current income. As a secondary investment objective, the
Portfolio seeks capital appreciation.
. American National International Stock Portfolio ... seeks to obtain
long-term growth of capital through investments primarily in the equity
securities of established, non-U.S. companies.
Securities Management and Research, Inc. ("SM&R") is the American National
Fund's investment adviser. SM&R also provides investment advisory and portfolio
management services to us and to other clients. SM&R maintains a staff of
experienced investment personnel and related support facilities.
. The Fidelity Funds - currently have 13 series or Portfolios, the following
five of which are Eligible Portfolios:
. Fidelity Asset Manager Portfolio ... seeks high total return with
reduced risk over the long-term by allocating its assets among stocks,
bonds, and short-term instruments.
. Fidelity Index 500 Portfolio ... seeks investment results that
correspond to the total return of common stocks publicly traded in the
United States, as represented by the S&P 500. The Portfolio normally
invests at least 80% of its assets in common stocks included in the S&P
500. The Portfolio seeks to achieve a 98% or better correlation between
its total return and the total return of the index.
. Fidelity Contrafund Portfolio ... seeks long-term capital appreciation.
The Portfolio normally invests primarily in common stocks. The Portfolio
invests in securities of companies whose value the Portfolio believes is
not fully recognized by the public.
. Fidelity Asset Manager: Growth Portfolio ... seeks to maximize total
return by allocating its assets among stocks, bonds, short-term
instruments, and other investments.
. Fidelity Growth Opportunities Portfolio ... seeks to provide capital
growth. The Portfolio normally invests its assets primarily in common
stocks. The Portfolio may also invest in other types of securities,
including bonds, which may be lower-quality debt securities.
The Fidelity Management & Research Company ("FMR") is the Fidelity Funds'
investment adviser. FMR provides a number of mutual funds and other clients with
investment research and portfolio management services. Fidelity Management &
Research (U.K.) Inc. and Fidelity Management & Research (Far East), wholly-owned
subsidiaries of FMR, provide research with respect to foreign securities. FMR
maintains a large staff of experienced investment personnel and a full
complement of related support facilities.
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. The T. Rowe Price Funds - currently have the following series or
Portfolios, each of which are Eligible Portfolios:
. T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio ... seeks to provide substantial
dividend income as well as long-term growth of capital through
investments in common stocks of established companies. The Portfolio
will normally invest at least 65% of its assets in the common stocks of
well-established companies paying above-average dividends.
. T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio ... seeks to achieve long term
capital appreciation by investing in mid-cap stocks with potential for
above-average earnings growth. The Portfolio will invest at least 65% of
its assets in a diversified portfolio of common stocks of mid-cap
companies whose earnings are expected to grow at a faster rate than the
average company. The Portfolio considers "mid-cap companies" as
companies with market capitalization (number of shares outstanding
multiplied by share price) between $300 million and $5 billion. Most of
the Portfolio's assets will be invested in U. S. common stocks.
. T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio ... seeks to provide long-
term growth of capital through investments primarily in common stocks of
established non-U.S. companies. The Portfolio expects to invest
substantially all of the Portfolio's assets (with a minimum of 65%) in
established companies beyond U.S. borders. The Portfolio's focus will
typically be on large and, to a lesser extent, medium-sized companies.
. T. Rowe Price Limited-Term Bond Portfolio ... seeks a high level of
income consistent with modest price fluctuation by investing primarily
in investment grade debt securities.
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. is responsible for selection and management of
the Portfolio investments of T. Rowe Price Equity Securities and T. Rowe Price
Fixed Income Securities. Rowe Price-Fleming International, Inc., a joint venture
between T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and Robert Fleming Holdings Limited, is
responsible for selection and management of the Portfolio investments of T. Rowe
Price International Series.
. The MFS Fund - currently has the following Portfolios, each of which are
Eligible Portfolios:
. MFS Capital Opportunities Portfolio ... seeks capital appreciation.
Dividend income, if any, is a consideration incidental to the
Portfolios' objective of capital appreciation. While the Portfolios'
policy is to invest primarily in common stocks, it may seek appreciation
in other types of securities such as fixed income securities (which may
be unrated), convertible bonds, convertible preferred stocks and
warrants when relative values make such purchases appear attractive
either as individual issues or as types of securities in certain
economic environments. The Portfolio may invest in lower rated fixed
income securities or comparable unrated securities.
. MFS Emerging Growth Portfolio ... seeks to provide long-term growth of
capital through investing primarily in common stocks of emerging growth
companies, which involves greater risk than is customarily associated
with investments in more established companies. The Portfolio may invest
in a limited extent in lower rated fixed income securities or comparable
unrated securities.
. MFS Research Portfolio ... seeks to provide long-term growth of capital
and future income by investing a substantial proportion of its assets in
the common stocks or securities convertible into common stocks of
companies believed to possess better than average prospects for long-
term growth. No more than 5% of the Portfolio's convertible securities,
if any, will consist of securities in lower rated categories or
securities believed to be of similar quality to lower rated securities.
The Portfolio may invest in a limited extent in lower rated fixed income
securities or comparable unrated securities.
. MFS Growth With Income Portfolio ... seeks to provide reasonable current
income and long-term growth and income. Under normal market conditions,
the Portfolio will invest at least 65% of its assets in common stocks or
securities convertible into common stocks that are believed to have
long-term prospects for growth and income. The Portfolio may also invest
up to 75% of its net assets in foreign securities, which are not traded
on an U.S. exchange.
Massachusetts Financial Service Company is responsible for selection and
management of the Portfolio investments of the MFS Variable Series.
. The Federated Fund - currently has the following Portfolios, each of which
are Eligible Portfolios:
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. Federated Utility Fund II Portfolio ... seeks to achieve high current
income and moderate capital appreciation. The Portfolio invests
primarily in equity and debt securities of utility companies.
. Federated Growth Strategies Portfolio ... seeks capital appreciation.
The Portfolio invests at least 65% of its assets in equity securities of
companies with prospects for above average growth in earnings and
dividends.
. Federated U.S. Government Bond Portfolio ... seeks current income by
investing in a diversified portfolio limited to U.S. government
securities.
. Federated High Income Bond Portfolio ... seeks high current income. The
Portfolio invests in fixed income securities, which are lower rated
corporate debt obligations, which are commonly referred to as "junk
bonds." The risk in investing in junk bonds is described in the
prospectus for the Federated Insurance Series, which should be read
carefully before investing.
. Federated Equity Income Fund II Portfolio ... seeks to provide above
average income and capital appreciation by investing in income producing
equity securities including common stocks, preferred stocks, and debt
securities that are convertible into common stocks, in cash and cash
items during times of unusual conditions to maintain liquidity. Cash
items may include commercial paper, Europaper, certificates of deposit,
obligations of the U.S. Government, repurchase agreements, and other
short-term instruments.
Federated Advisors makes all investment decisions for the Federated Insurance
Series, subject to direction by the Federated Insurance Series Trustees.
. The Alger American Fund - currently has the following series or Portfolios,
each of which is an Eligible Portfolio:
. Alger American Small Capitalization Portfolio ... seeks long-term
capital appreciation. It focuses on small, fast growing companies that
offer innovative products, services, or technologies to a rapidly
expanding marketplace.
. Alger American Growth Portfolio ... seeks to achieve long-term capital
appreciation. It focuses on growing companies that generally have broad
product lines, markets, financial resources, and depth of management.
. Alger American MidCap Growth Portfolio ... seeks long-term capital
appreciation. It focuses on midsize companies with promising growth
potential.
. Alger American Leveraged AllCap Portfolio ... seeks to achieve long-term
capital appreciation. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests
in the equity securities of companies of any size which demonstrate
promising growth potential. The Portfolio can leverage, that is, borrow
money, up to one-third of its total assets to buy additional securities.
By borrowing money, the Portfolio has the potential to increase its
returns if the increase in the value of the securities purchased exceeds
the cost of borrowing, including interest paid on the money borrowed.
. Alger American Income & Growth Portfolio ... primarily seeks to provide
a high level of dividend income; its secondary goal is to provide
capital appreciation. The Portfolio invests in dividend paying equity
securities, such as common or preferred stocks, preferably those that
the manager believes also offer opportunities for capital appreciation.
. Alger American Balanced Portfolio ... seeks current income and long-term
capital appreciation. It focuses on stocks of companies with growth
potential and fixed-income securities, with emphasis on income-producing
securities that appear to have some potential for capital appreciation.
Fred Alger Management, Inc. is the Alger American Fund's investment adviser.
Fred Alger Management, Inc. also provides investment advisory and portfolio
management services to us and to other clients. Fred Alger Management, Inc.
maintains a staff of experienced investment personnel and related support
facilities.
The accompanying prospectuses should be read in conjunction with this prospectus
before investing and contain a full description of the above funds, their
investment policies and restrictions, risks, charges and expenses and other
aspects of their operation.
We have arrangements to provide services to certain Eligible Portfolios for
which the advisor or distributor of such Portfolios pays us fees. The fees are
based upon an annual percentage of the average aggregate net amount invested by
us in such Eligible Portfolios. Some advisors or distributors pay us higher fees
than others do.
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The Eligible Portfolios and the mutual funds of which they are a part are sold
only to separate accounts of insurance companies offering variable annuity and
variable life insurance contracts and, in some cases, to certain qualified
pension and retirement plans. The Eligible Portfolios and mutual funds are not
sold to the general-public and should not be mistaken for other mutual funds
offered by the same sponsor or that have similar names.
Changes in Investment Options
We may establish additional subaccounts which would invest in portfolios of
other mutual funds chosen by us. We may also, from time to time, discontinue the
availability of existing subaccounts. If we do, we may, by appropriate
endorsement, make such changes to the Contract as we believe are necessary or
appropriate. In addition, if a subaccount is discontinued, we may redeem shares
in the corresponding Eligible Portfolio and substitute shares of another mutual
fund. We will not do so, or make other changes, without prior notice to you and
without complying with other applicable laws. Such laws may require approval by
the SEC and the Texas Department of Insurance.
If we deem it to be in your best interest, and subject to any required
approvals, we may combine the separate account with another of our separate
accounts.
FEDERAL TAX MATTERS
Introduction
The following discussion is general in nature and is not intended as tax advice
for each Contract Owner. It does not address the tax consequences resulting from
all situations in which a Contract Owner may maintain such a Contract. Tax
advice should be sought from a competent source prior to purchase. The
discussion below is based on American National's understanding of the present
federal tax law as currently interpreted by the Internal Revenue Service. No
representation is made as to the continuation of present federal tax law or its
current interpretation. State tax law may also be applicable.
Taxation of Annuities in General
Since a group unallocated Contract is not purchased directly by individuals,
those portions of the Code relating to individual ownership are not applicable
to the group unallocated Contract Owner. Certain provisions of Section 72 of the
Code would apply if the Contract Owner is a corporation or is not a natural
person and the Contract is not maintained under a plan which has favorable tax
treatment under the Code.
The United States Treasury Department has adopted regulations under Section
817(h) of the Code, which set standards of diversification for the investment
underlying the Contract, in order for the Contract to be treated as an annuity
for income tax purposes. American National intends that these diversification
standards will be satisfied. American National reserves the right to amend the
Contract in any way necessary to maintain compliance with these standards.
Qualified Contracts
The group unallocated Contract is designed for use with several types of
qualifying Plans subject to Code sections 401 and 457. The tax rules applicable
to such qualified Plans vary according to the type of Plan and the terms and
conditions of the Plan itself. Participants in qualified Plans may include
business owners (both self-employed and stockholders) and their employees for
whom pension and profit sharing plans have been established and government
employees covered by a section 457 deferred compensation plan.
As a rule, Purchase Payments made by or for participants in qualified Plans are
not subject to taxation at the time such payments are made in the Contract. In
their capacity as Plan trustees or administrators, Contract Owners are
responsible for the communication of appropriate information about the operation
of the Plan and the tax consequences of distributing benefits. Distribution of
benefits and tax withholding thereon is the sole responsibility of the Contract
Owner.
<PAGE>
Due to the complexity of the tax rules associated with the sponsorship and
operation of qualified Plans, entities contemplating establishment of such Plans
should seek advice from competent sources with respect to the responsibilities
and obligations associated with such Plans.
PERFORMANCE
Performance information for the subaccounts may appear in reports and
advertising to current and prospective Contract Owners. The performance
information is based on historical investment experience of the subaccounts and
the Eligible Portfolios and does not indicate or represent future performance.
Total returns are based on the overall dollar or percentage change in value of a
hypothetical investment. Total return quotations reflect changes in Eligible
Portfolio share prices, the automatic reinvestment by the separate account of
all distributions and the deduction of applicable annuity charges (including any
contingent deferred sales charges that would apply if a Contract Owner
surrendered the Contract at the end of the period indicated). Quotations of
total return may also be shown that does not take into account certain
contractual charges such as a contingent deferred sales load. The total return
percentage will be higher under this method than under the standard method
described above.
A cumulative total return reflects performance over a stated period. An average
annual total return reflects the hypothetical annually compounded return that
would have produced the same cumulative total return if the performance had been
constant over the entire period. Because average annual total returns tend to
smooth out variations in a subaccount's returns, you should recognize that they
are not the same as actual year-by-year results.
Some subaccounts may also advertise yield. These measures reflect the income
generated by an investment in the subaccount over a specified period of time.
This income is annualized and shown as a percentage. Yields do not take into
account capital gains or losses or the contingent deferred sales load.
The American National Money Market subaccount may advertise their current and
effective yield. Current yield reflects the income generated by an investment in
the subaccount over a 7-day period. Effective yield is calculated in a similar
manner except that income earned is assumed to be reinvested.
DISTRIBUTOR OF THE CONTRACT
Securities Management and Research, Inc. ("SM&R"), 2450 South Shore Boulevard,
Suite 400, League City, Texas 77573, our wholly-owned subsidiary, is the
principal underwriter of the Contract. SM&R was organized under the laws of the
State of Florida in 1964, is a registered broker/dealer, and is a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers.
SM&R's registered representatives selling a Contract will receive commissions
from SM&R. After issuance of the Contract, broker-dealers will receive
commissions aggregating up to 7% of the Purchase Payments. In addition, after
the first Contract Year, broker-dealers who have distribution agreements with us
may receive an annual commission of up to 0.50% of the Contract's Accumulation
Value.
LEGAL MATTERS
Various matters of Texas law pertaining to the Contract, including the validity
of the Contract and our right to issue the Contract under Texas insurance law,
have been reviewed by Greer, Herz and Adams, LLP, General Counsel.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company and its affiliates, like other life insurance companies, are
involved in lawsuits, including class action lawsuits. In some class action and
other lawsuits involving insurers, substantial damages have been sought and
material settlement payments have been made. Although the outcome of any
litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe at the present time no
lawsuits are pending or threatened that are reasonably likely to have a material
adverse impact on the separate account or us.
<PAGE>
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of American National Insurance Company and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1999 and 1998 and for the years then ended, and
the related statements of operations for the year then ended, and the statements
of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended,
included in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement, have
been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as
indicated in their reports with respect thereto, and are included herein in
reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing
in giving said reports.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A registration statement describing the Contracts has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933. This
Prospectus does not contain all information in the registration statement, to
which reference is made for further information concerning us, the separate
account, and the Contract offered hereby. Statements contained in this
prospectus as to the terms of the Contract and other legal instruments are
summaries. For a complete statement of such terms, reference is made to such
instruments as filed.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Our financial statements should be considered only as bearing on our ability to
meet our obligations under the Contracts. They should not be considered as
bearing on the investment performance of the assets held in the separate
account. The financial statements can be found in the Statement of Additional
Information.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Page
The Contract.......................................... x
Assignment............................................ x
Minimum Distributions Program......................... x
Distribution of the Contract.......................... x
Tax Matters........................................... x
Records and Reports................................... x
Performance........................................... x
Total Return.......................................... x
Other Total Return.................................... x
Yields................................................ x
State Law Differences................................. xx
Separate Account...................................... xx
Termination of Participating Agreements............... xx
Financial Statements.................................. xx
Financials............................................ xx
Information.
<PAGE>
Group Unallocated Variable Annuity Contract
Statement of Additional Information
Issued by American National Insurance Company
Home Office One Moody Plaza Galveston TX 77550-7999
1-800-306-2959
Relating to the Prospectus dated (date)
Custodian
American National Insurance Company
One Moody Plaza
Galveston, Texas 77550-7999
Principal Distributor
Securities Management and Research, Inc.
2450 South Shore Boulevard, Suite 400
League City, Texas 77573
Independent Auditors
Arthur Andersen LLP
711 Louisiana, Suite 1300
Houston, Texas 77002-2786
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and should be read
only in conjunction with the Prospectus for the Contract ("the Contract").
American National Variable Annuity Separate Account Statement of
Additional Information
(date)
This Statement of Additional Information expands upon subjects discussed in the
current prospectus for the Group Unallocated Variable Annuity Contract offered
by American National Insurance Company ("American National"). You may obtain a
copy of the prospectus dated (date), by calling 1-800-306-2959, or writing to
American National Insurance Company, One Moody Plaza, Galveston, Texas
77550-7999. Terms used in the current prospectus for the Contract are
incorporated in this Statement. All terms not specifically defined in this
statement shall have the meaning set forth in the current prospectus.
Form (new number)-SAI
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
The Contract.......................................... x
Assignment............................................ x
Distribution of the Contract.......................... x
Tax Matters........................................... x
Records and Reports................................... x
Performance........................................... x
Total Return........................................ x
Other Total Return.................................. x
Yields.............................................. x
State Law Differences................................. xx
Separate Account...................................... xx
Termination of Participating Agreements............... xx
Financial Statements.................................. xx
Financials............................................ xx
The Contract
The following provides additional information about the Contract which
supplements the description in the prospectus.
Assignment
The Contract may not be assigned
Distribution of the Contract
Subject to arrangements with American National, the Contract is sold as part of
a continuous offering by independent broker-dealers who are members of the
National Association of Security Dealers, Inc., and who become licensed to sell
life insurance and variable annuities for American National. Pursuant to a
Distribution and Administrative Services Agreement, Securities Management and
Research, Inc. ("SM&R"), acts as the principal underwriter on behalf of American
National for distribution of the Contract. Under the Agreement, SM&R is to use
commercially reasonable efforts to sell the Contract through registered
representatives. In connection with these sales activities, SM&R is responsible
for:
. compliance with the requirements of any applicable state broker-dealer
regulations and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
. keeping correct records and books of account in accordance with Rules 17a-3
and 17a-4 of the Securities Exchange Act,
. training agents of American National for the sale of Contracts, and
. forwarding all Purchase Payments under the Contracts directly to American
National.
SM&R is not entitled to any renumeration for its services as underwriter under
the Distribution and Administrative Services Agreement; however, SM&R is
entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred in connection
with its duties as underwriter.
Tax Matters
<PAGE>
Diversification Requirements. The Code requires that the investments underlying
a separate account be "adequately diversified" in order for contracts to be
treated as annuities for federal income tax purposes. We intend that the
separate account, through the Eligible Portfolios, will satisfy these
diversification requirements.
In certain circumstances, owners of variable annuity contracts may be considered
for federal income tax purposes to be the owners of the assets of the separate
account supporting their contracts due to their ability to exercise investment
control over those assets. When this is the case, the contract owners would be
currently taxed on income and gains attributable to the separate account assets.
There is little guidance in this area, and some features of the Contracts, such
as the flexibility of a Contract Owner to allocate Purchase Payments and
transfer Accumulation Value, have not been explicitly addressed in published
rulings. While we believe that the Contracts do not give Contract Owners
investment control over separate account assets, we reserve the right to modify
the Contracts as necessary to prevent a Contract Owner from being treated as the
owner of the separate account assets supporting a Contract.
Records and Reports
Reports concerning each Contract will be sent annually to each Contract Owner.
Contract Owners will additionally receive annual and semiannual reports
concerning the underlying funds and annual reports concerning the separate
account. Contract Owners will also receive confirmations of receipt of Purchase
Payments, changes in allocation of Purchase Payments and transfer of
Accumulation Units.
Performance
Performance information for any subaccount may be compared, in reports and
advertising to:
. the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index ("S & P 500"),
. Dow Jones Industrial Average ("DJIA"),
. Donoghue's Money Market Institutional Averages;
. other variable annuity separate accounts or other investment products tracked
by Lipper Analytical Services, Lehman-Brothers, Morningstar, or the Variable
Annuity Research and Data Service, widely used independent research firms
which rank mutual funds and other investment companies by overall
performance, investment objectives, and assets, and
. the Consumer Price Index (measure for inflation) to assess the real rate of
return from an investment in a Contact.
Unmanaged indices may assume the reinvestment of dividends but generally do not
reflect deductions for annuity charges and investment management costs.
Total returns, yields and other performance information may be quoted
numerically or in a table, graph, or similar illustration. Reports and
advertising may also contain other information including:
. the ranking of any subaccount derived from rankings of variable annuity
separate accounts or other investment products tracked by Lipper Analytical
Series or by rating services, companies, publications or other persons who
rank separate accounts or other investment products on overall performance or
other criteria, and
. the effect of tax deferred compounding on a subaccount's investment returns,
or returns in general, which may be illustrated by graphs, charts, or
otherwise, and which may include a comparison, at various points in time, of
the return from an investment in a Contract (or returns in general) on a
tax-deferred basis (assuming one or more tax rates) with the return on a
taxable basis.
Total Return
Total return quoted in advertising reflects all aspects of a subaccount's
return, including the automatic reinvestment by the separate account of all
distributions and any change in the subaccount's value over the period. Average
annual returns are calculated by determining the growth or decline in value of a
hypothetical historical investment in the subaccount over a stated period, and
then
<PAGE>
calculating the annually compounded percentage rate that would have produced the
same result if the rate of growth or decline in value had been constant over the
period. For example, a cumulative return of 100% over ten years would produce an
average annual return of 7.18%, which is the steady rate that would equal 100%
growth on a compounded basis in ten years. While average annual returns are a
convenient means of comparing investment alternatives, investors should realize
that the subaccount's performance is not constant over time, but changes from
year to year, and that average annual returns represent averaged figures as
opposed to the actual year-to-year performance of a subaccount.
Average annual total returns are computed by finding the average annual
compounded rates of return over the periods shown that would equate the initial
amount invested to the withdrawal value, in accordance with the following
formula:
P(1+T)n = ERV
where P is a hypothetical investment payment of $1,000, T is the average annual
total return, n is the number of years, and ERV is the withdrawal value at the
end of the periods shown. Since the Contract is intended as a long-term product,
the average annual total returns assume that no money was withdrawn from the
Contract prior to the end of the period.
In addition to average annual returns, the subaccounts may advertise unaveraged
or cumulative total returns reflecting the simple change in value of an
investment over a stated period.
From time to time, sales literature or advertisements may also quote average
annual total returns for periods prior to the date the separate account
commenced operations. Such performance information for the subaccounts will be
calculated based on the performance of the Eligible Portfolios and the
assumption that the subaccounts were in existence for the same periods as those
indicated for the Eligible Portfolios, with the level of Contract charges
currently in effect.
Other Total Return
From time to time, sales literature or advertisements may also quote average
annual total returns that do not reflect the Surrender Charge. These are
calculated in exactly the same way as the average annual total returns described
above, except that the ending redeemable value of the hypothetical account for
the period is replaced with an ending value for the period that does not take
into account any charges on amounts surrendered. Sales literature or
advertisements may also quote average annual total returns for periods prior to
the date the Separate Account commenced operations, calculated based on the
performance of the Eligible Portfolios and the assumption that the subaccounts
were in existence for the same periods as those indicated for the Eligible
Portfolios, with the level of Contract charges currently in effect except for
the Surrender Charge.
Yields
Some subaccounts may also advertise yields. Yields quoted in advertising reflect
the change in value of a hypothetical investment in the subaccount over a stated
period of time, not taking into account capital gains or losses. Yields are
annualized and stated as a percentage. Yields do not reflect the impact of any
contingent deferred sales load. Yields quoted in advertising may be based on
historical seven-day periods. Current yield of a money market subaccount will
reflect the income generated over a 7-day period. Current yield is calculated by
determining the net change, exclusive of capital changes, in the value of a
hypothetical account having one Accumulation Unit at the beginning of the period
and dividing the difference by the value of the account at the beginning of the
base period to obtain the base period return, and multiplying the base period
return by (365/7). The resulting yield figure will be carried to the nearest
hundredth of a percent. Effective yield for a money market subaccount is
calculated in a similar manner to current yield except that investment income is
assumed to be reinvested throughout the year at the 7-day rate. Effective yield
is obtained by taking the base period returns as computed above, and then
compounding the base period return by adding 1, raising the sum to a power equal
to (365/7) and subtracting one from the result, according to the formula
Effective Yield = [(Base Period Return +1)365/7] - 1.
Since the reinvestment of income is assumed in the calculation of effective
yield, it will generally be higher than current yield.
<PAGE>
A 30-day yield for bond subaccounts will reflect the income generated by a
subaccount over a 30-day period. Yield will be computed by dividing the net
investment income per Accumulation Unit earned during the period by the maximum
offering price per Accumulation Unit on the last day of the period, according to
the following formula:
Yield = 2[((a - b)/cd + 1)6 - 1]
where a = net investment income earned by the applicable Portfolio, b = expenses
for the period including expenses charged to the Contract Owner accounts, c =
the average daily number of Accumulation Units outstanding during the period,
and d = the maximum offering price per Accumulation Unit on the last day of the
period.
State Law Differences
Differences in state laws may require American National to offer a Contract in
one or more states which is more favorable to a Contract Owner than that offered
in other states.
Separate Account
The separate account will purchase and redeem shares of the Eligible Portfolios
at net asset value. The net asset value of a share is equal to the total assets
of the Portfolio less the total liabilities of the Portfolio divided by the
number of shares outstanding.
American National will redeem shares in the Eligible Portfolios as needed to:
. collect charges,
. pay surrenders, or
. provide benefits.
Any dividend or capital gain distribution received from an Eligible Portfolio
will be reinvested immediately at net asset value in shares of that Eligible
Portfolio and retained as assets of the corresponding subaccount.
The separate account may include subaccounts that are not available under the
Contract. American National may from time to time discontinue the availability
of some of the subaccounts. If the availability of a subaccount is discontinued,
American National may redeem any shares in the corresponding Eligible Portfolio
and substitute shares of another registered open-end management company.
American National may also establish additional subaccounts. Each new subaccount
would correspond to a portfolio of a registered, open-end management company.
American National would establish the terms upon which existing Contract Owners
could purchase units of a new subaccount.
If any of these substitutions or changes is made, American National may change
the Contract by sending an endorsement. American National may:
. operate the separate account as a management company,
. de-register the separate account if registration is no longer required,
. combine the separate account with other separate accounts,
. restrict or eliminate any voting rights associated with the separate account,
or
. transfer the assets of the separate account relating to the Contracts to
another separate account.
American National would, of course, not make any changes to the menu of Eligible
Portfolios or to the separate account without complying with applicable laws and
regulations. Such laws and regulations may require notice to and approval from
the Contract Owners, the SEC, and state insurance regulatory authorities.
Termination of Participation Agreements
<PAGE>
The participation agreements pursuant to which the funds sell their shares to
the separate account contain varying provisions regarding termination. The
following generally summarizes those provisions.
The American National Fund
The participation agreement for the American National Fund provides for
termination:
. upon sixty days advance written notice by any party,
. by American National if any of the American National Fund's shares are not
reasonably available to meet the requirements of the
Contracts,
. by American National if any of the shares of the American National Fund are
not registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable state and/or
federal law or such law precludes use of such shares as the underlying
investment medium of the Contracts,
. by American National upon the requisite vote of the Contract Owners having
an interest in a particular subaccount to substitute the shares of another
investment company for the corresponding American National Fund shares, or
. by American National upon institution of formal proceedings against the
American National Fund by the SEC.
The Fidelity Funds
All participation agreements for the Fidelity Funds provide for termination:
. upon sixty days advance written notice by any party,
. by American National with respect to any Fidelity Portfolio if American
National determines that shares of such Fidelity Portfolio are not reasonably
available to meet the requirements of the Contracts,
. by American National with respect to any Fidelity Portfolio if any of the
shares of such Fidelity Portfolio are not registered, issued, or sold in
accordance with applicable state or federal law or such law precludes the use
of such shares as the underlying investment media of the Contracts,
. by American National with respect to any Fidelity Portfolio if such Fidelity
Portfolio ceases to be qualified as a Regulated Investment Company under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"), or if American
National reasonably believes the Fidelity Funds may fail to so qualify,
. by American National with respect to any Fidelity Portfolio if such Fidelity
Portfolio fails to meet the diversification requirements specified in the
Fidelity participation agreement,
. by the Fidelity Funds or the underwriter, upon a determination by either,
that American National has suffered a material adverse change in its
business, operations, financial condition, or prospects, or is the subject of
material adverse publicity,
. by American National upon a determination by American National that either
the Fidelity Funds or the underwriter has suffered a material adverse change
in its business, operations, financial condition, or prospects, or is the
subject of material adverse publicity,
. by the Fidelity Funds or the underwriter forty-five days after American
National gives the Fidelity Funds and the underwriter written notice of
American National's intention to make another investment company available as
a funding vehicle for the Contracts, if at the time such notice was given, no
other notice of termination of the Fidelity participation agreement was then
outstanding, or
. upon a determination that a material irreconcilable conflict exists between
the interests of the Contract Owners and other investors in the Fidelity
Funds or between American National's interests in the Fidelity Funds and the
interests of other insurance companies invested in the Fidelity Funds.
The T. Rowe Price Funds
<PAGE>
This participation agreement provides for termination:
. upon six months advance written notice by any party,
. by American National with respect to any T. Rowe Price Portfolio if American
National determines that shares of such T. Rowe Price Portfolio are not
reasonably available to meet the requirements of the Contracts,
. by American National with respect to any T. Rowe Price Portfolio if any of
the shares of such T. Rowe Price Portfolio are not registered, issued, or
sold in accordance with applicable state or federal law or such law precludes
the use of such shares as the underlying investment media of the Contracts,
. by the T. Rowe Price Funds or the underwriter upon the institution of formal
proceedings against American National by the SEC, NASD, or any other
regulatory body regarding American National's duties under the T. Rowe Price
participation agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts, the
operation of the separate account, or the purchase of T. Rowe Price Funds
shares, if the T. Rowe Price Funds or the underwriter determines that such
proceedings will have a material adverse effect on American National's
ability to perform under the T. Rowe Price participation agreement,
. by American National upon the institution of formal proceedings against the
T. Rowe Price Funds or the underwriter by the SEC, NASD, or any other
regulatory body, if American National determines that such proceedings will
have a material adverse effect upon the ability of the T. Rowe Price Funds or
the underwriter to perform its obligations under the T. Rowe Price
participation agreement,
. by American National with respect to any T. Rowe Price Portfolio if such T.
Rowe Price Portfolio ceases to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company
under Subchapter M of the Code, or if American National reasonably believes
the T. Rowe Price Funds may fail to so qualify,
. by American National with respect to any T. Rowe Price Portfolio if such T.
Rowe Price Portfolio fails to meet the diversification requirements specified
in the T. Rowe Price participation agreement, or American National reasonably
believes the T. Rowe Price Portfolio may fail to so comply,
. by the T. Rowe Price Funds or the underwriter, upon a determination by
either, that American National has suffered a material adverse change in its
business, operations, financial condition, or prospects, or is the subject of
material adverse publicity,
. by American National upon a determination by American National that either
the T. Rowe Price Funds or the underwriter has suffered a material adverse
change in its business, operations, financial condition, or prospects, or is
the subject of material adverse publicity,
. by the T. Rowe Price Funds or the underwriter sixty days after American
National gives the T. Rowe Price Funds and the underwriter written notice of
American National's intention to make another investment company available as
a funding vehicle for the Contracts if at the time such notice was given, no
other notice of termination of the T. Rowe Price participation agreement was
then outstanding, or
. upon a determination that a material irreconcilable conflict exists between
the Contract Owners and other investors in the T. Rowe Price Funds or between
American National's interests in the T. Rowe Price Funds and interests of
other insurance companies invested in the T. Rowe Price Funds.
The Federated Fund
This participation agreement provides for termination:
. upon one hundred eighty days advance written notice by any party,
. at American National's option if American National determines that shares of
the Federated Portfolios are not reasonably available to meet the
requirements of the Contracts,
<PAGE>
. at the option of the Federated Fund or the underwriter upon the institution
of formal proceedings against American National by the SEC, NASD, or any
other regulatory body regarding American National's duties under the
Federated participation agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts,
the operation of the separate account, or the purchase of Federated Fund
shares,
. at American National's option upon the institution of formal proceedings
against the Federated Fund or the underwriter by the SEC, NASD, or any other
regulatory body,
. upon a requisite vote of the Contract Owners to substitute shares of another
fund for shares of the Federated Fund,
. if any of the shares of a Federated Portfolio are not registered, issued, or
sold in accordance with applicable state or federal law or such law precludes
the use of such shares as the underlying investment media of the Contracts,
. upon a determination by the Federated Fund that an irreconcilable conflict
exists between the Contract Owners and other investors in the Federated Fund
or between American National's interests in the Federated Fund and the
interests of other insurance companies invested in the Federated Fund,
. at American National's option if the Federated Fund or a Federated Portfolio
ceases to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the
Code, or
. at American National's option if the Federated Fund or a Federated Portfolio
fails to meet the diversification requirements specified in the Federated
participation agreement.
The MFS Fund
This participation agreement provides for termination:
. upon six months advance written notice by any party,
. at American National's option to the extent the shares of any MFS Portfolio
are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of the Contracts or are
not "appropriate funding vehicles" for the Contracts, as determined by
American National,
. at the option of the MFS Fund or the underwriter upon the institution of
formal proceedings against American National by the SEC, NASD, or any other
regulatory body regarding American National's duties under the MFS
participation agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts, the
operation of the separate account, or the purchase of shares of the MFS Fund,
. at American National's option upon the institution of formal proceedings
against the MFS Fund by the SEC, NASD, or any other regulatory body regarding
the MFS Fund's or the underwriter's duties under the MFS participation
agreement or related to the sale of shares of the MFS Fund,
. at the option of any party upon receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals
or the vote of the Contract Owners to substitute shares of another fund for
the shares of the MFS Fund, provided American National gives the MFS Fund and
the underwriter thirty days advance written notice of any proposed vote or
other action taken to replace the shares of the MFS Fund,
. by the MFS Fund or the underwriter upon a determination by either that
American National has suffered a material adverse change in its business,
operations, financial condition, or prospects, or is the subject of material
adverse publicity,
. by American National upon a determination by American National that the MFS
Fund or the underwriter has suffered a material adverse change in its
business, operations, financial condition, or prospects, or is the subject of
material adverse publicity,
. at the option of any party, upon another party's material breach of any
provision of the MFS participation agreement, or
. upon assignment of the MFS participation agreement, unless made with the
written consent of the parties to the MFS participation agreement.
The Alger American Fund
This participation agreement provides for termination:
<PAGE>
. upon six months advance written notice by any party,
. at American National's option to the extent the shares of any Alger American
Portfolio are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of the
Contracts or are not "appropriate funding vehicles" for the Contracts, as
determined by American National,
. at the option of the Alger American Fund or the underwriter upon the
institution of formal proceedings against American National by the SEC, NASD,
or any other regulatory body regarding American National's duties under the
Alger American participation agreement or related to the sale of the
Contracts, the operation of the separate account, or the purchase of shares
of the Alger American Fund,
. at American National's option upon the institution of formal proceedings
against the Alger American Fund by the SEC, NASD, or any other regulatory
body regarding the Alger American Fund's or the underwriter's duties under
the Alger American participation agreement or related to the sale of shares
of the Alger American Fund,
. at the option of any party upon receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals
or the vote of the Contract Owners to substitute shares of another fund for
the shares of the Alger American Fund, provided American National gives the
Alger American Fund and the underwriter thirty days advance written notice of
any proposed vote or other action taken to replace the shares of the Alger
American Fund,
. by the Alger American Fund or the underwriter upon a determination by either
that American National has suffered a material adverse change in its
business, operations, financial condition, or prospects, or is the subject of
material adverse publicity,
. by American National upon a determination by American National that the Alger
American Fund or the underwriter has suffered a material adverse change in
its business, operations, financial condition, or prospects, or is the
subject of material adverse publicity,
. at the option of any party, upon another party's material breach of any
provision of the Alger American participation agreement, or
. upon assignment of the Alger American participation agreement, unless made
with the written consent of the parties to the Alger American participation
agreement.
Financial Statements
The financial statements of American National should be considered only as
bearing on the ability of American National to meet its obligations under the
Contracts. They should not be considered as bearing on the investment
performance of the assets held in the separate account.
<PAGE>
PART C ITEM AND CAPTION
Items 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial Statements FINANCIAL STATEMENTS and FINANCIAL
STATEMENT SCHEDULES sections of Statement
of Additional Information
(b) Exhibits
Exhibit "1" - Copy of the resolutions of the Board of
Directors of the Depositor authorizing
the establishment of the Registrant
Exhibit "2" - Not applicable
Exhibit "3" - Distribution and Administrative Services
Agreement
Exhibit "4" - Form of each variable annuity contract
(to be included in a subsequent pre-
effective amendment)
Exhibit "5" - Form of application used with any
variable annuity contract (to be included
in a subsequent pre-effective amendment)
Exhibit "6a" - Copy of the Articles of Incorporation of
the Depositor
Exhibit "6b" - Copy of the By-laws of the Depositor
Exhibit "7" - Not applicable
Exhibit "8a" Form of American National Investment
Account, Inc. Participation Agreement
Exhibit "8b" Form of Variable Insurance Products Fund
II Participation Agreement
Exhibit "8c" Form of Variable Insurance Products Fund
III Participation Agreement
Exhibit "8d" Form of T. Rowe Price International
Series, Inc. T. Rowe Price Equity Series,
Inc., and T. Rowe Price Fixed Income
Series, Inc.
Exhibit "8e" Form of MFS Variable Insurance Trust
Participation Agreement
Exhibit "8f" Form of Federated Insurance Series Fund
Participation Agreement
Exhibit "8g" Form of Fred Alger American Fund
Participation Agreement
Exhibit "9" - An opinion of counsel and consent to its
use as to the legality of the securities
being registered, indicating whether they
will be legally issued and will represent
binding obligations of the depositor (to
be filed in a subsequent pre-effective
amendment)
<PAGE>
Exhibit "10" - Consent of independent accountants (to be
filed in a subsequent pre-effective
amendment)
Exhibit "11" - Not applicable
Exhibit "12" - Not applicable
Exhibit "13" - Not applicable
Exhibit "14" - Control chart of Depositor (to be filed
in a subsequent pre-effective amendment)
Exhibit "27" - Financial data schedule (to be filed in a
subsequent pre-effective amendment
Item 25. Directors and Officers of the Depositor.
Directors
- ---------
Name Business Address
- ------------------------------------------------------------
G. Richard Ferdinandtsen American National Insurance Company
One Moody Plaza
Galveston, Texas 77550
Irwin M. Herz, Jr. Greer, Herz & Adams, L.L.P.
One Moody Plaza, 18th Floor
Galveston, Texas 77550
R. Eugene Lucas Gal-Tex Hotel Corporation
2302 Postoffice, Suite 504
Galveston, Texas 77550
E. Douglas McLeod The Moody Foundation
2302 Postoffice, Suite 704
Galveston, Texas 77550
Frances Anne Moody 7031 Inwood
Dallas, Texas 75209
Robert L. Moody 2302 Postoffice, Suite 702
Galveston, Texas 77550
Russell S. Moody 6016 Mount Bonnell Hollow
Austin, Texas 78731
W.L. Moody, IV 2302 Postoffice, Suite 502
Galveston, Texas 77550
<PAGE>
Joe Max Taylor Galveston County Sheriff's Department
715 19th Street
Galveston, Texas 77550
Officers
- --------
The principal business address of the officers, unless indicated
otherwise in the "Directors" section, or unless indicated by an asterisk (*), is
American National Insurance Company, One Moody Plaza, Galveston, Texas 77550.
Those officers with an asterisk by their names have a principal business address
of 2450 South Shore Boulevard, League City, Texas 77573.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name Office
- -------------------------------------
<S> <C>
R.L. Moody Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
G.R. Ferdinandtsen Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
D.A. Behrens Executive Vice President, Independent Marketing
R.A. Fruend Executive Vice President, Director of Multiple Line Marketing
B.J. Garrison Executive Vice President, Director of Home Service Division
M.W. McCroskey * Executive Vice President, Investments
J.E. Pozzi Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning
R.J. Welch Executive Vice President and Chief Actuary
C.H. Addison Senior Vice President, Systems Planning and Computing
A.L. Amato, Jr. Senior Vice President, Life Policy Administration
G.C. Langley Senior Vice President, Human Resources
S.E. Pavlicek Senior Vice President and Controller
S.H. Schouweiler Senior Vice President, Health Insurance Operations
J.R. Thomason Senior Vice President, Credit Insurance Services
G.W. Tolman Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
V.E. Soler, Jr. Vice President, Secretary & Treasurer
J.J. Antkowiak Vice President, Director of Computing Services
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
D.M. Azur Vice President, Claims
S.F. Brast * Vice President, Real Estate Investments
D. D. Brichler * Vice President, Mortgage Loan Production
F.V. Broll, Jr. Vice President & Actuary
W.F. Carlton Vice President & Assistant Controller, Financial Reports
R.T. Crawford Vice President & Assistant Controller, General Accounting
G.C. Crume Vice President, Independent Marketing
D.A. Culp Vice President, Independent Marketing
G.D. Dixon * Vice President, Stocks
S.L. Dobbe Vice President, Independent Marketing
F.J. Gerren Vice President, Independent Marketing
J.F. Grant, Jr. Vice President, Group Actuary
R.D. Hemme Vice President and Actuary
M.E. Hogan Vice President, Credit Insurance Operations
D.M. Jensen Vice President, Multiple Line Marketing
C.J. Jones Vice President, Health Administration
D.D. Judy Vice President, Financial Marketing
Dr. H.B. Kelso, Jr. Vice President & Medical Director
G.W. Kirkham Vice President, Director of Planning and Support
D.D. Lagrone Vice President, Home Office Services
George A. Macke Vice President, General Auditor
G.W. Marchand Vice President, Life Underwriting
D.N. McDaniel Vice President, Home Service Administration
J.W. Pangburn Credit Insurance/Special Markets
<PAGE>
E.B. Pavelka Vice President, Life Premium Accounting & Policy Service
R.A. Price Vice President, Director of Training and Market Development
J.T. Smith Vice President, 401(k), Pension Sales
G.A. Sparks, Sr. Vice President, Director of Finance and Field Services
W.H. Watson III Vice President, Health Actuary
G.W. Williamson Vice President, Assistant Director, Home Service Division
J.L. Broadhurst Asst. Vice President, Director Individual Health/Group Systems
J.J. Cantu Asst. Vice President and Illustration Actuary
J.D. Ferguson Asst. Vice President, Creative Services
J.M. Flippin Asst. Vice President; Director, Life Marketing
D.S. Fuentes Asst. Vice President, Director of Group Claims
D.N. Fullilove Asst. Vice President, Director, Agents Employment
K.E. Johnston Asst. Vice President, Asst. Director of Financial Marketing
K.J. Juneau Asst. Vice President, Director, Agency Systems
P.E. Kennedy Asst. Vice President, Human Resources
D. Knowles Asst. Vice President, Director of Marketing/Agency Support
C.A. Kratz Asst. Vice President, Human Resources
C.H. Lee Asst. Vice President and Actuary
D.L. Leining Asst. Vice President, Life Underwriting
R.G. McCrary Asst. Vice President, Application Development Division
M. Mitchell Asst. Vice President, Director Insurance Services
M.S. Nimmons Asst. Vice President; Associate General Auditor, Home Office
R.J. Ostermayer Asst. Vice President, Director of Group Quality Assurance
M.C. Paetz Asst. Vice President, Director of Group Underwriting
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S>
<C> R.E. Pittman, Jr. Asst. Vice President, Director of Marketing/Career Development
G.A. Schillaci Asst. Vice President & Actuary
M.J. Soler Asst. Vice President, Health Marketing Administration
J.P. Stelling Asst. Vice President, Health Compliance
C.E. Tipton Asst. Vice President & Assistant Actuary
D.G. Trevino Asst. Vice President, Director, Computing Services
J.A. Tyra Asst. Vice President, Life Insurance Systems
M.L. Waugh, Jr. Asst. Vice President, Claims
R.M. Williams Life Product Actuary
J.E. Cernosek Asst. Secretary
V.J. Krc Asst. Treasurer
</TABLE>
Item 26. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Depositor of
Registrant.
Exhibit "14" - control chart of depositor (to be filed in a subsequent
pre-effective amendment)
Item 27. Number of Contractowners.
The Registrant has no Contractowners as of the date of this
Registration Statement.
Item 28. Indemnification.
The following provision is in the Distribution and Administrative
Services Agreement:
"American National agrees to indemnify SM&R for any liability
that SM&R may incur to a Contractowner or party-in-interest
under a Contract (i) arising out of any act or omission in the
course of, or in connection with, rendering services under
this Agreement, or (ii) arising out of the purchase, retention
or surrender of a Contract; provided, however, that American
-------- -------
National will not indemnify SM&R for any such liability that
results from the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross
negligence of SM&R, or from the reckless disregard, by SM&R,
of its duties and obligations arising under this Agreement."
The officers and directors of American National are indemnified by
American National in the American National By-Laws for liability incurred by
reason of the officer and directors serving in such capacity. This
indemnification would cover liability arising out of the variable annuity sales
of American National
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise,
<PAGE>
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, therefor, 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 of 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) SM&R Equity Funds consisting of SM&R Growth Fund, Inc., SM&R Equity
Income Fund, Inc. and SM&R Balanced Fund, Inc.; SM&R Investments, Inc.
consisting of SM&R Government Bond Fund, SM&R Tax Free Fund, SM&R Primary Fund
and SM&R Money Market Fund; American National Investment Accounts, Inc.
(b) The Registrant's principal underwriter is Securities Management and
Research, Inc. The following are the officers and directors of Securities
Management and Research, Inc.
<TABLE>
<C>
Principal Business
Name Position Address
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Gordon D. Dixon Director, Securities Management
Senior Vice and Research, Inc.
President 2450 South Shore Boulevard
and Chief League City, Texas 77573
Investment
Officer
Robert A. Fruend, C.L.U. Director American National
Insurance Company
One Moody Plaza
Galveston, Texas 77550
R. Eugene Lucas Director Gal-Tenn Hotel Corporation
504 Moody National Bank
Tower
Galveston, Texas 77550
Michael W. McCroskey Director, Securities Management
President and Research, Inc.
and Chief 2450 South Shore Boulevard
Executive League City, Texas 77573
Officer
Ronald J. Welch Director American National
Insurance Company
One Moody Plaza
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Galveston, Texas 77550
K. David Wheeler Senior Vice President Securities Management and Research, Inc.
2450 South Shore Boulevard
League City, Texas 77573
Teresa E. Axelson Vice President and Securities Management and
Secretary Research, Inc.
2450 South Shore Boulevard
League City, Texas 77573
Brenda T. Koelemay Vice President, Securities Management and
Chief Administrative Research, Inc.
Officer and Chief 2450 South Shore Boulevard
Financial Officer League City, Texas 77573
Emerson V. Unger Vice President Securities Management and Research, Inc.
2450 South Shore Boulevard
League City, Texas 77573
Sally F. Praker Assistant Vice Securities Management and
President Research, Inc.
2450 South Shore Boulevard
League City, Texas 77573
Michele S. Lord Assistant Vice Securities Management and
President Research, Inc.
2450 South Shore Boulevard
League City, Texas 77573
</TABLE>
(c) Not Applicable
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records.
All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by
Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated
thereunder will be maintained at the offices of American National Insurance
Company, One Moody Plaza, Galveston, Texas 77550.
Item 31. Management Services.
Not Applicable
Item 32. Undertakings.
(a) Registrant undertakes 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.
<PAGE>
(b) Registrant undertakes to include 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.
(c) Registrant undertakes to deliver any Statement of Additional
Information and any financial statements required to be made available under
this Form promptly upon written or oral request.
(d) The Registrant hereby represents that it is relying upon a No
Action Letter issued to the American Council of Life Insurance dated November
28, 1988 (Commission ref. IP-6-88) and that the following provisions have been
complied with:
(i) Include appropriate disclosure regarding the redemption
restrictions imposed by Section 403 (b) (11) in each
registration statement, including the prospectus, used
in connection with the offer of the contract;
(ii) Include appropriate disclosure regarding the redemption
restrictions imposed by Section 403 (b) (11) in any
sales literature used in connection with the offer of
the contract;
(iii) Instruct sales representatives who solicit participants
to purchase the contract specifically to the redemption
restrictions imposed by Section 403(b) (11) to the
attention of the potential participants;
(iv) Obtain from each plan participant who purchases a
Section 403 (b) annuity contract, prior to or at the
time of such purchase, a signed statement acknowledging
the participant's understanding of (1) the restrictions
on redemption imposed by Section 403 (b) (11), and (2)
other investment alternatives available under the
employer's Section 403 (b) arrangement to which the
participant may elect to transfer his contract value.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
As required by the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of
1940, the Registrant has caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf, in the City of Galveston, and the State of Texas on the 31st day of
March, 2000.
AMERICAN NATIONAL VARIABLE ANNUITY
SEPARATE ACCOUNT (Registrant)
By: AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Robert L. Moody
-----------------------------------------
Robert L. Moody, Chairman of the
Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY
(Sponsor)
By: /s/ Robert L. Moody
-----------------------------------------
Robert L. Moody, Chairman of the
Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
ATTEST:
/s/ Vincent E. Soler, Jr.
- -----------------------------
Vincent E. Soler, Jr.,
Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in their capacities and on the dates
indicated:
Signature Title Date
- --------- ----- ----
/s/ Michael W. McCroskey Executive Vice President - March 31, 2000
- ------------------------ Investments
Michael W. McCroskey (Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Stephen E. Pavlicek Senior Vice President and March 31, 2000
- ------------------------ Controller
Stephen E. Pavlicek (Principal Accounting Officer)
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
- --------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Robert L. Moody March 31, 2000
- ------------------------ Chairman of the Board,
Robert L. Moody Director, President and Chief
Executive Officer
/s/ Richard Ferdinandtsen March 31, 2000
- ------------------------- Director, Senior Executive Vice
Richard Ferdinandtsen President and Chief Operating
Officer
/s/ Irwin M. Herz, Jr. March 31, 2000
- ------------------------- Director
Irwin M. Herz, Jr.
/s/ R. Eugene Lucas
- ------------------------ Director March 31, 2000
R. Eugene Lucas
________________________ Director ____________
E. Douglas McLeod
- ------------------------ Director ____________
Frances Anne Moody
- ------------------------ Director ____________
Russell S. Moody
- ------------------------- Director ____________
W. L. Moody IV
/s/ Joe Max Taylor March 31, 2000
- ------------------------ Director
Joe Max Taylor
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.B1
STATE OF TEXAS (S)
(S)
COUNTY OF GALVESTON (S)
I, the undersigned, Assistant Secretary of the AMERICAN NATIONAL
INSURANCE COMPANY, Galveston, Texas, do hereby certify that the following is a
true and correct copy from the corporate records of said Corporation, of a
resolution duly adopted by the Board of Directors thereof, at a regular meeting
of said Board, a quorum thereof present and acting, on the 20th day of December,
1991, to wit:
Resolution Establishing Separate Account
----------------------------------------
Variable Annuity Contracts
--------------------------
RESOLVED, That the officers of the Company be, and they hereby are, authorized
to establish one or more separate accounts of this Company, in accordance with
the insurance laws of the State of Texas, to provide an investment medium for
variable annuity contracts issued by this company as may be designated as
participating therein. Any such separate account shall receive, hold, invest and
reinvest only the monies arising from: (1) premiums, contributions or payments
made pursuant to variable annuity contracts participating therein; (2) such
assets of the company as may be necessary for the establishment of such separate
account or accounts; and (3) the dividends, interest and gains produced by the
foregoing; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the separate account may be divided into various sub-
accounts as determined necessary by the officers of the Company to fund such
variable annuity contracts. Purchase payments (net of any applicable deductions)
remitted to the Company under the variable annuity contracts and allocated to
the separate account shall be allocated to the appropriate sub-account in
accordance with the terms of the variable annuity contracts. Each sub-account,
in turn, shall invest in the shares of one or more registered management
investment companies, or designated investment series thereof, as specified for
investment by its, at net asset value per share next to be determined following
receipt of an order for purchase by such sub-account. To the extent that such
registered management investment company, or companies, establishes additional
investment series, the officers of the Company are empowered and authorized to
establish such additional sub-accounts as there are additional investment
series, with each such sub-account to invest solely in the shares of a specified
additional investment series; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the separate account shall be administered and accounted
for as part of the general business of the Company, but the income, gains and
losses of the separate account shall be credited to or charged solely against
the assets held in the separate account, without regard to any other income
arising out of other business that this Company may conduct. The assets of the
separate account shall not be chargeable with the liabilities arising out of any
other business that this Company may conduct; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, each sub-account shall be administered and accounted for as
part of the general business of the Company, but the income (including capital
gains, or losses, if any) of each sub-account shall be credited to or charged
against the assets held in that sub-account in accordance with the terms of the
policies funded therein, without regard to other income of the remaining sub-
accounts or arising out of any other business that this Company may conduct. The
assets of each
<PAGE>
sub-account shall not be chargeable with liabilities arising out of the business
conducted by another sub-account, nor shall a sub-account be chargeable with
liabilities arising out of any other business that this Company may conduct; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of the Company be, and they hereby are,
authorized:
(i) to register the variable annuity contracts issued or to be issued by
the Company under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 to the
extent that they shall determine that such registration is necessary;
(ii) to register any such separate account or accounts with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the Investment Company Act
of 1940 to the extent that they shall determine that such registration is
necessary;
(iii) to prepare, execute and file such amendments to any registration
statements filed under the aforementioned Acts (including such pre-
effective and post-effective amendments), supplements and exhibits thereto
as they may deem necessary or desirable;
(iv) to apply for exemption from those provisions of the aforementioned
Acts and the rules promulgated thereunder as they may deem necessary or
desirable and to take any and all other actions which they may deem
necessary, desirable or appropriate in connection with such Acts;
(v) to file the variable annuity contracts participating in any such
separate accounts with the appropriate state insurance departments and to
prepare and execute all necessary documents to obtain approval of the
insurance departments; and
(vi) to prepare or have prepared and execute all necessary documents to
obtain approval of, or clearance with, or other appropriate actions
required, or any other regulatory authority that may be necessary in
connection with the foregoing matters; and
(vii) to enter into agreements with appropriate entities for the provisions
of administrative and other required services on behalf of the Separate
Account(s) and for the safekeeping of assets of such Separate Account(s);
and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the form of any resolutions required by any state
authority to be filed in connection with any variable annuity contracts or any
of the other documents or instruments referred to in any of the preceding
resolutions be, and the same hereby are, adopted as fully set forth herein if
(i) in the opinion of the officers of the Company the adoption of the
resolutions is advisable; and (ii) the Corporate Secretary or Assistant
Secretary of the Company evidences such adoption by inserting into these minutes
copies of such resolutions; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the officers of the Company, and each of them, are hereby
authorized to prepare and to execute the necessary documents and to take such
further actions as may be deemed necessary or appropriate, in their discretion,
to cause the issuance and sale of variable annuity contracts and/or to fully
implement the purpose of the foregoing resolutions.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal
of the said
<PAGE>
Corporation, this ____ day of February, 2000.
-----------------------------
Assistant Secretary
SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN TO BEFORE ME, this ___ day of February, 2000.
-----------------------------
Notary Public
State of Texas
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.B3
DISTRIBUTION AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
This Agreement, made and entered into on this ___ day of __________,
19___, by and between American National Insurance Company ("American National"),
a life insurance company organized under the laws of the State of Texas,
American National Variable Annuity Separate Account ("Separate Account"), a
separate account established by American National pursuant to the Texas
Insurance Code and Securities Management and Research, Inc. ("SM&R"), a
corporation organized under the laws of the State of Florida.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, American National proposes to issue to the public certain
variable contracts ("Contracts") and has authorized the creation of one or more
separate investment accounts in connection therewith; and
WHEREAS, American National has established the Separate Account for the
purpose of issuing the Contracts and is registering the Separate Account with
the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") as a unit investment trust
under the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
WHEREAS, the Contracts to be issued by the Separate Account are to be
registered with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 for offer and
sale to the public, and otherwise in compliance with all applicable laws; and
WHEREAS, SM&R, a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., proposes to act as the distributor in the offering and sale of said
Contracts;
WHEREAS, SM&R also proposes to perform certain administrative, processing
and clerical services for American National in connection with the offering and
sale of said Contracts; and
WHEREAS, American National desires to obtain such distribution and other
services from SM&R;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and of the mutual
covenants and conditions set forth herein, and for other good and valuable
consideration, American National, the Separate Account and SM&R hereby agree as
follows:
1. SM&R will serve as distributor for the Contracts which will be issued by
American National through the Separate Account and will be registered with
the Commission for offer and sale to the public. As Distributor, SM&R will
use its best efforts to effect offers and sales of the Contracts to the
public on a continuing basis. SM&R shall be responsible for compliance with
the requirements of any applicable state broker-dealer regulations and the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as each applies to SM&R in connection with
its duties as Distributor of said Contracts. Moreover, SM&R shall conduct
its affairs in accordance with the Rules of Fair Practice of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD).
2. SM&R will assist American National in identifying, training and qualifying
(under appropriate NASD and/or state requirements) insurance agents
desiring to sell the Contracts. SM&R will register such agents as its
registered representatives before they engage in the sale of the Contracts
and will supervise
<PAGE>
and control such agents in the sale of the Contracts in the manner and to
the extent required by the applicable rules of the NASD and the Commission.
If any such agent of American National should fail or refuse to submit to
the supervision of SM&R in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or
otherwise fail to meet the rules and standards imposed by SM&R on its
registered representatives, SM&R shall take whatever steps may be necessary
to terminate the sales activities of such agent relating to the Contracts.
3. As distributor, SM&R will be responsible for the preparation of marketing
materials (and where appropriate obtaining regulatory approval), for
actively recruiting additional sales agents and sales organizations and for
providing sales training (including continuing education required for
license maintenance).
4. SM&R may contract with other broker-dealers registered under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and authorized by applicable law to sell variable
contracts issued by the Separate Account. Any such contractual arrangement
is expressly made subject to this Agreement, and SM&R will at all times be
responsible to American National for the distribution of all Contracts
issued by the Separate Account.
5. The amount of any commissions payable in connection with the sale of
Contracts will be made by American National to the sales personnel of SM&R
and this function is being performed as a purely ministerial service and
the Records in respect thereof are properly reflected on the Books and
Records maintained by or for SM&R. The gross amounts paid or advances made
by American National on behalf of SM&R will be transmitted to SM&R for
proper reporting.
6. Warranties.
(a) American National represents and warrants to SM&R that:
(i) Any and all Registration Statements required for the Contracts
or the Separate Account have been filed with the Commission in
the form previously delivered to SM&R and that copies of any
and all amendments thereto will be forwarded to SM&R at the
time that they were filed with the Commission;
(ii) The Registration Statements and any further amendments or
supplements thereto will, when they become effective, conform
in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities
Act of 1933, the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules
and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and will not
contain untrue statements of material facts or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however,
that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any
statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished in writing to American National by
SM&R expressly for use herein;
(iii) American National is validly existing as a stock life insurance
company in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas
with corporate power to own its properties and conduct its
business as described in the Prospectus, and has been duly
qualified for the transaction of business and is in good
standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which its
owns or leases properties, or conducts any business, so as to
require such qualification;
<PAGE>
(iv) The Contracts to be issued by the Separate Account through SM&R
hereunder have been duly and validly authorized and, when
issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided
herein, will be duly and validly issued and will conform to the
description of such Contracts contained in the Prospectuses
relating thereto;
(v) Those persons who offer and sell the Contracts are
appropriately licensed in a manner as to comply with the state
insurance laws;
(vi) The performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions herein contemplated will not result in a breach or
violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a
default under, any statutes, any indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust, note agreement or other agreement or instrument to which
American National is a party or by which American National is
bound, American National's Charter as a stock life insurance
company or By-Laws, or any order, rule or regulation of any
court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over
American National or any of its properties; and no consent,
approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental
agency or body is required for the consummation by American
National of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
except such as may be required under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 or state insurance or securities laws in connection
with the purchase and distribution of the Contracts by SM&R;
and
(vii) There are no material legal or governmental proceedings pending
to which American National or the Separate Account is a party
or of which any property of American National or the Separate
Account is the subject, other than as set forth in the
Prospectus relating to the Contracts, and other than litigation
incident to the kind of business conducted by American National
which, if determined adversely to American National, would
individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect
on the financial position, surplus or operations of American
National.
(b) SM&R represents and warrants to American National that:
(i) It is a broker-dealer duly registered with the Commission
pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a member in
good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers
and is in compliance with the securities laws in those states
in which it conducts business as a broker-dealer;
(ii) It shall permit the offer and sale of Contracts only by and
through persons who are appropriately licensed under both the
securities laws and state insurance laws;
(iii) The performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the
transactions herein contemplated will not result in a breach or
violation of any of the terms or provisions of or constitute a
default under, any statute, any indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust, note agreement or other agreement or instrument to which
SM&R is a party or by which SM&R is bound, the Certificate of
Incorporation and By-Laws of SM&R, or any other rule or
regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having
jurisdiction over SM&R or its property;
<PAGE>
(iv) No offering, sale or other disposition of any Contracts will be
made until SM&R is notified by American National that the
subject Registration Statement has been declared effective and
that the Contracts have been released for sale by American
National; and such offering, sale or other disposition shall be
limited to those jurisdictions that have approved or otherwise
permit the offer and sale of the Contracts by American
National.
(v) To the extent that any statements or omissions made in the
Registration Statements with respect to the Contracts, or any
amendment or supplement thereto are made in reliance upon and
in conformity with written information furnished to American
National by SM&R expressly for use therein, such Registration
Statements and any amendments or supplements thereto will, when
they become effective or are filed with the Commission, as the
case may be, conform in all material respects to the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder and will not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading.
7. SM&R shall keep, in manner and form prescribed or approved by American
National and in accordance with Rules 17a-3 and 17a-4 under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 correct records and books of account as required to be
maintained by a registered broker-dealer acting as distributor of all
transactions entered into on behalf of American National and with respect
to variable contract business it conducts of American National. SM&R shall
make such records and books of account available for inspection by the
Commission, and American National shall have the right to inspect, make
copies of or take possession of such records and books of accounts at any
time on demand.
SM&R, however, may request that some or all of the books and records
relating to the sales of the Contracts which are required to be maintained
by it as a registered broker-dealer pursuant to Rule 17a-3 and 17a-4 under
the 1934 Act be prepared and maintained in accordance with such rules by
American National on behalf of and as agent for SM&R. American National
agrees that for the purposes of this Agreement, such books and records
shall be deemed to be the property of SM&R and shall be subject at all
times to examination by the Securities and Exchange Commission in
accordance with Section 17(a) of the 1934 Act and SM&R shall have the right
to inspect and make copies of such books and records of accounts at any
time on demand.
8. Upon the request of SM&R, American National agrees to prepare and send all
confirmations required to be sent by SM&R in connection with crediting
purchase payments under the Contracts. Any such confirmation shall be sent
upon or before the completion of each "transaction", as that term is used
in Rule 15c1-4 of the 1934 Act, and shall reflect the facts of the
transaction and indicate that the confirmation is forwarded on behalf of
SM&R in its capacity of Distributor of Contracts.
9. Subsequent to having been authorized to commence with the offering
contemplated herein, SM&R will utilize the currently effective Prospectus
relating to the subject Contracts in connection with its selling efforts.
As to the other types of sales material, SM&R agrees that it will use only
sales materials which conform to the requirements of federal and state laws
and regulations, and which have been filed where necessary with the
appropriate regulatory authorities, including the National Association of
Securities Dealers.
10. SM&R will not use any Prospectus, sales literature, or any other printed
matter or material in the offer or sale of any Contract if, to the
knowledge of SM&R, any of the foregoing misstates the duties, obligations
<PAGE>
or liabilities of American National, the Separate Account or SM&R.
11. SM&R shall not be entitled to any remuneration for its services as
distributor. However, in payment for the administrative, processing and
clerical services provided by SM&R, American National shall pay SM&R a
processing fee of $50 for each Contract application submitted by SM&R and
accepted by American National. In addition, upon presentation of proper
evidence of expenditures, American National will reimburse SM&R for all of
SM&R's reasonable charges and expenses directly incurred in connection with
the performance of its duties and obligations contained in this Agreement.
12. SM&R makes no representation or warranties regarding the number of
Contracts to be sold or the amount to be paid thereunder. SM&R does,
however, represent that it will actively market such Contracts on a
continuous basis while there is an effective registration thereof with the
Commission.
13. SM&R may render similar services or act as a distributor or dealer for
issuers other than the Separate Account or sponsors other than American
National in the offering of their Contracts.
14. The Contracts shall be offered for sale on the terms described in the
currently effective Prospectus describing such Contracts.
15. American National will use its best efforts to register for sale, from time
to time if necessary, additional dollar amounts of the Contracts under the
Securities Act of 1933 and should it ever be required, under state Blue Sky
Laws and to file for approval under state insurance laws when necessary.
American National may require SM&R to assist it in obtaining any necessary
clearance or approval of prospectuses, sales literature and proxy materials
in accordance with the requirements of the Commission, the NASD or other
regulatory bodies.
16. American National reserves the right at any time to suspend or limit the
public offering of the subject Contracts upon one day's written notice to
SM&R.
17. American National agrees to advise SM&R immediately:
(a) of any request by the Commission (i) for amendment of the Securities
Act Registration Statement relating to the Contracts, or (ii) for
additional information;
(b) of issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of its Registration Statement or the initiation of any
proceedings for that purpose; and
(c) of the happening of any material event, if known, which makes untrue
any statement made in its Registration Statement or which requires the
making of a change therein in order to make any statement made therein
not misleading.
18. American National will furnish to SM&R such information with respect to the
Separate Account and the Contracts in such form and signed by such of its
officers as SM&R may reasonably request; and will warrant that the
statements therein contained when so signed will be true and correct.
19. Each of the undersigned parties agrees to notify the other in writing upon
being apprised of the institution of any proceeding investigation or
hearing involving the offer or sale of the subject Contracts.
<PAGE>
20. Absent the prior written consent of American National, this Agreement will
terminate automatically upon its assignment.
21. This Agreement shall terminate without payment of any penalty by either
party:
(a) at the option of American National or of SM&R upon sixty (60) days'
advance written notice to the other; or
(b) at the option of American National upon institution of formal
proceedings against SM&R by the National Association of Securities
Dealers or by the Commission; or
(c) at the option of American National, if SM&R or any representative
thereof at any time (i) employs any device, scheme, or artifice to
defraud; makes any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading; or engages in any act, practice, or course of business
which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person;
(ii) fails to promptly account and pay over the American National
money due it according to its records; or (iii) violates the
conditions of this Agreement.
22. Each notice required by this Agreement may be given by wire or facsimile
transmission and confirmed in writing to :
Securities Management and Research, Inc.
One Moody Plaza
Galveston, Texas 77550
Attn: President
[Name of Separate Account]
One Moody Plaza
Galveston, Texas 77550
American National Insurance Company
One Moody Plaza
Galveston, Texas 77550
Attn: President
23. American National agrees to indemnify SM&R for any liability that SM&R may
incur to a Contract Owner or party-in-interest under a Contract (i) arising
out of any act or omission in the course of, or in connection with,
rendering services under this Agreement, or (ii) arising out of the
purchase, retention or surrender of a Contract; provided, however, that
American National will not indemnify SM&R for any such liability that
results from the willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence of
SM&R, or from the reckless disregard, by SM&R, of its duties and
obligations arising under this Agreement.
24. This Agreement shall be subject to the laws of the State of Texas and
construed so as to interpret the Contracts as insurance products written
within the business operation of American National.
25. This Agreement covers and includes all agreements, verbal and written,
between SM&R and American National with regard to the offer and sale of the
Contracts, and supersedes and annuls any and all
<PAGE>
agreements between the parties with regards to the distribution of the
Contracts; except that this Agreement shall not effect the operation of
previous agreements entered into between SM&R and American National
unrelated to the sale of the Contracts. This Agreement may be amended from
time to time by the mutual fund agreement and consent of the undersigned
parties; provided, that such amendment shall not affect the rights of
existing Contract Owners, and that such amendment be in writing and duly
executed.
In witness whereof, the undersigned parties have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested on the date first stated above.
AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY
____________________________________________
By: ________________________________________
Its: _______________________________________
AMERICAN NATIONAL VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE
ACCOUNT
____________________________________________
By: ________________________________________
Its: _______________________________________
SECURITIES MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH, INC.
____________________________________________
By: ________________________________________
Its: _______________________________________
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.B6a
AMENDMENT
TO THE
RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY
Pursuant to the applicable provision of the Texas Business Corporation
Act and the Texas Insurance Code, American National Insurance Company adopts the
following Articles of Amendment to its Restated Articles of Incorporation:
ARTICLE ONE
The name of the corporation is AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY.
ARTICLE TWO
A new Article, to be numbered ARTICLE X of the Restated Articles of
Incorporation, was adopted by the shareholders of the corporation on April 29,
1988. The full text of the new ARTICLE X being added to the Restated Articles of
Incorporation reads as follows:
ARTICLE X
"A director of the Company shall not be personally liable to the Company or its
shareholders for monetary damages for an act or omission in the director's
capacity as a director, except for liability:
"(i) for any breach of director's duty of loyalty to the Company or
its shareholders,
"(ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involves
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the laws,
"(iii) for any transaction from which a director received an
improper benefit, whether or not the benefit resulted from an
action taken within the scope of the director's office,
"(iv) for any act or omission for which the liability of a
director is expressly provided for by statute, or
"(v) for an act related to an unlawful stock repurchase or
payment of a dividend."
ARTICLE THREE
The number of shares of the corporation outstanding at the time of such
adoption was 28,267,340; and the number of shares entitled to vote thereon was
28,267,340.
ARTICLE FOUR
The number of shares voted for such amendment was 21,471,433; and the
number of shares voted against such amendment was 89,944.
<PAGE>
DATED: May 27, 1988.
AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY
By: Orson C Clay
------------
Orson C. Clay
President
By: Jean N. Bell
------------
Jean N. Bell
Assistant Secretary
THE STATE OF TEXAS (S)
(S)
COUNTY OF GALVESTON (S)
I, Cheri Brown, a Notary Public, do hereby certify that on the 27th day
of May, 1988, personally appeared before me ORSON C CLAY, known to me to be the
person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing document and, being by me first
duly sworn, declared to me that he is President of the corporation and that he
executed the foregoing document in the capacity therein stated, and he declared
that the statements therein contained are true and correct.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this
27th day of May, 1988.
Cheri Brown
-----------
Notary Public in and for
The State of Texas
Cheri Brown
Printed or Typed Name of Notary
My commission expires: 2-21-89
-------
<PAGE>
RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
(with Amendments)
OF
AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY
1. American National Insurance Company (the "Corporation") hereby
restates and amends its previously filed Restated Articles of Incorporation,
restating the entire text of its Restated Articles of Incorporation, and
amending such Restated Articles of Incorporation as set forth herein (such
Restated and amended Restated Articles of Incorporation, all prior amendments,
and the amendments effected hereby being called the "Restated Articles").
2. These Restated Articles accurately copy the Articles of
Incorporation and all amendments thereto that are in effect to date and as
further amended by these Restated Articles, and contain no other changes of a
substantive nature in any provision thereof, except for the following:
(a) Article VI of the previously filed Restated Articles of
Incorporation is hereby amended by these Restated Articles to decrease
and reclassify the authorized capital stock of the Corporation from
62,000,000 common shares (such 62,000,000 common shares being
previously classified into 50,000,000 shares of Class A Common Stock
with a par value of $1 per share and 12,000,000 shares of nonvoting
Class B Common Stock with a par value of $1 per share) to 50,000,000
shares of voting common stock having a par value of $1 per share (of
which at least 50% has been fully subscribed and fully paid for), and
deleting all of the previously authorized 12,000,000 shares of
nonvoting Class B Common Stock (none of which has been issued), as more
fully described in such Article VI.
(b) The amendment made by these Restated Articles has been effected
in conformity with the applicable provisions of the Texas Business
Corporation Act and the Texas Insurance Code.
3. These Restated Articles were duly adopted by the shareholders of
the Corporation at a special stockholder's meeting held on January 3, 1979.
---------------
4. The number of shares of the Corporation outstanding and entitled
to vote on these Restated Articles was 32,793,416; the number of such shares
voted FOR and the number of such shares voted AGAINST such Restated Articles was
as follows:
Percentage Percent of Total
FOR AGAINST for Adoption Outstanding Shares
- --- ------- ------------ ------------------
32,793,416 -0- 100% 100%
5. The previously filed Restated Articles of Incorporation, are
hereby superseded in their entirety by the following Restated Articles:
RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY
<PAGE>
ARTICLE I
The name of the Corporation is AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY.
ARTICLE II
The names of the initial incorporators, all of Galveston, Texas, are
shown below:
W.L. Moody, Jr.
I.H. Kempner
M.O. Kopperl
ARTICLE III
The location of the Home Office of the Corporation shall be Galveston,
Galveston County, Texas.
ARTICLE IV
The purpose for which the Corporation is formed is to transact the
following types of insurance business:
A. Life insurance business, involving the payment of money or other
thing of value, conditioned on the continuance or cessation of human
life, or involving an insurance, guaranty, contract or pledge for the
payment of endowments or annuities.
B. Accident insurance business, involving the payment of money or
other thing of value, conditioned upon the injury, disablement or death
of persons resulting from general accident or from traveling by land,
air, or water.
C. Health insurance business, involving the payment of any amount of
money, or other thing of value, conditioned upon loss by reason of
disability caused by sickness or ill health.
D. Legal services insurance, involving the issuance of legal
services contracts on individual, group, or franchise bases.
ARTICLE V
The period of duration of the Corporation is five hundred (500) years.
ARTICLE VI
The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have
authority to issue is 50,000,000 shares of voting common stock with a par value
of $1 each.
ARTICLE VII
32,793,416 shares of common stock of the Corporation having full voting
rights have been fully subscribed, are fully paid for and are presently
outstanding. All of such outstanding shares are hereby designated and shall
continue to constitute shares of the voting common stock of the Corporation.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE VIII
No holder of any of the voting common stock of the corporation, whether
now or hereafter authorized and issued, shall be entitled as a matter of right
to purchase or subscribe for (1) any unissued shares of stock of any class, or
(2) any additional shares of any class, common or preferred, authorized to be
issued, or (3) any bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures, or other
securities convertible into stock of the Corporation, or carrying any right to
purchase stock of any class, but any such unissued stock or such additional
authorized issue of any stock or of other securities convertible into stock, or
carrying any right to purchase stock, may be issued and disposed of pursuant to
resolution of the Board of Directors of the Corporation to such persons, firms,
corporations or associations and upon such terms as may be deemed advisable by
such Board of Directors in the exercise of its discretion.
ARTICLE IX
At each election for Directors every holder of voting common stock
entitled to vote at such election shall have the right to vote, in person or by
proxy, the number of shares owned by him for as many persons as there are
Directors to be elected and for whose election the stockholder has a right to
vote. It is expressly prohibited for any stockholder to cumulate his votes in
any election of Directors.
DATED 1/3/79
--------
AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY
By: Orson C Clay
-------------
Orson C Clay, President
C.D. Thompson
---------------
C. D. Thompson, Secretary
THE STATE OF TEXAS X
X
COUNTY OF GALVESTON X
I, Mildred Jones, a Notary Public, do hereby certify that on this 3rd
day of January, 1979, personally appeared before me ORSON C. CLAY, who declared
he is the President of the Corporation executing the foregoing document, and
being first duly sworn, acknowledged that he had signed the foregoing document
in the capacity therein set forth, and declared that the statements therein
contained are true and correct.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day and
year before written.
Mildred Jones
Notary Public in and for
Galveston County, Texas
My Commission Expires:
November 30, 1980
- -----------------
<PAGE>
November 30, 1980
- -----------------
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 99.B6b
AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY
GALVESTON, TEXAS
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I
---------
Name and Object
Section 1. The name of this corporation shall be American National Insurance
Company (the "Company"), and its object shall be to transact a life insurance
business, making contracts upon any and all conditions appertaining to or
connected with life risks. The Company shall also transact the business of
issuing accident and health insurance and credit insurance, conditioned upon the
injury, disablement, or death of the insured resulting from accident or illness,
and the business of issuing legal services contracts on an individual, group, or
franchise basis. The Company may also reinsure any risk insured by the Company
with any other solvent life, accident and health company, and it may also
reinsure the risks insured of other life, health and accident companies or
purchase and take over all or part of the risks of such companies.
ARTICLE II
----------
Home Office
Section 1. The general Home Office of the Company shall be in the City of
Galveston, Galveston County, Texas.
ARTICLE III
-----------
Stockholders
Section 1. The Annual Meeting of the Stockholders shall be held in the City of
Galveston, Texas, or at such other place within or without the State of Texas as
may be, from time to time determined by the Board of Directors, on April 30 of
each year (provided that if April 30 is a legal holiday, then such meeting shall
be held on Friday immediately preceding such legal holiday) or on such other day
prior to April 30 as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of
Directors.
Each Stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of the subscribed
Capital Stock standing in his name on the books of the Company, which vote may
be cast in person or by proxy.
A majority of the subscribed Capital Stock represented at any meeting of the
Stockholders shall constitute a quorum.
At said Annual Meeting the Stockholders shall elect fourteen (14) Directors, or
such other number of Directors not less than seven (7), nor more than fifteen
(15), as the Board of Director shall, from time to time, determined, who shall
hold their office for one year, and until their successors are elected. It shall
require a majority vote of the Capital Stock represented at such meeting to
elect a Director, and such Director need not be a citizen of Texas or a
Stockholder of the Company.
<PAGE>
The Chairman of the Board or President shall call special meetings of the
Stockholders whenever, in his judgment, it is necessary and shall call a special
meeting when requested to do so by a majority of the Directors, or by
Stockholders holding or representing not less than thirty-five percent (35%) of
the outstanding stock.
Notice of special meetings shall be given by the Secretary to all Stockholders,
in person, or by mailing such notice to the last known address of the
Stockholders, at least ten (10) days in advance of the date for such meeting.
ARTICLE IV
----------
Officers
Section 1. The officers of this corporation shall consist of a Chairman of the
Board, a President, one or more Senior Executive Vice Presidents, one or more
Executive Vice Presidents, one or more Senior Vice Presidents, one or more Vice
Presidents, one or more Assistant Vice Presidents, a Secretary, one or more
Assistant Secretaries, a Treasurer, one or more Assistant Treasurers, a
Controller, one or more Assistant Controllers, one or more Actuaries, one or
more Assistant Actuaries, a Medical Director, and General Counsel, all of whom
shall be elected by the Board of Directors. One person may hold more than one
office, except that the offices of President and Secretary may not be held by
the same person.
Section 2. The Board of Directors may from time to time create additional
offices and elect persons to fill such posts, and the Board may appoint such
committees as it may deem appropriate or necessary. The Board may delegate to
any officer or committee such duties as it may deem appropriate.
Section 3. The employment and salary of all officers shall be from month to
month.
ARTICLE V
---------
Directors
Section 1. The Directors shall hold an Annual Meeting for the election of
officers and such other business that may come before them immediately upon the
adjournment of the Annual Stockholders' Meeting, and they shall also have four
(4) regular meetings, and the first three (3) of which shall be held on the last
Thursday of the months of February, July and October and the fourth of which
shall be held on the second or third Friday of December as the Directors shall
determine; provided that if any of such last Thursdays shall fall on a holiday
observed by the Company, then such meeting shall be held on the weekday
immediately preceding such holiday; and provided further that the Board may, at
any special or regular meeting, cancel one or more subsequent regular meetings
or it may reschedule the date of one or more subsequent regular meetings, and
the Chairman of the Board and the President, acting jointly between meetings,
may cancel or reschedule not more than two (2) successive regular meetings; but
in any event, the Secretary shall give notice to all Directors that one or more
specified regular meetings have been canceled or rescheduled for stated dates;
and such notice shall be given by the Secretary to each Director, in person, by
telephone or by mailing such notice to the last address of the Director, such
notice to be given as soon as practicable after cancellation or rescheduling of
one or more such regular meetings.
A special meeting of the Directors may be held at any time, upon call of the
Chairman of the Board, the President, or upon call of a majority of the members
of the Board of Directors. Notice of such special meeting shall be given by the
Secretary to each Director, in person, by telephone, or by mailing such notice
to the last address of the Director at least four (4) days in advance of the
date of such meeting.
<PAGE>
Quorum
Section 2. A majority of the duly elected Directors shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business.
Place of Meeting
Section 3. All meetings of the Directors shall be held at the office of the
Company in the City of Galveston, or at such other place designated by the Board
of Directors.
Filling of Vacancies
Section 4. Should any vacancy occur in the Directorship, the same may be filled
for the unexpired term by a majority of the remaining Directors.
Finance Committee
Section 5. The Board of Directors may appoint a Finance Committee consisting of
not less than five (5) officers or directors of the Company. The members of such
Finance Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. Such
Finance Committee shall have the authority to approve and authorize for and on
the Company's behalf (1) investments and loans permitted by the Texas Insurance
Code and regulations thereunder, and (2) all purchases, sales and other
transactions of any kind including or relating to real estate or interest in
real estate. Such Finance Committee shall also be charged with the duty of
supervising all of the Company's investments and loans.
It shall require three (3) or more members of the Finance Committee to
constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Finance Committee, and its every
decision must receive a majority vote of those present, and in no case less than
three (3) affirmative votes. Such Finance Committee shall keep minutes of all of
its meetings, fully reflecting all actions taken by it, which shall be recorded
in a permanent minute book.
In the exercise of its authority and the discharge of its duty, such Finance
Committee shall have the right to appoint one or more subcommittees and to
delegate to such subcommittees authority to make minor investments and small
loans, not to exceed a predetermined dollar amount, and to act on matters not
involving material investment decisions without prior approval of the Finance
Committee.
The Finance Committee shall determine the number and appoint the membership of
each such subcommittee, and the detailed authority of each shall be fully set
forth in the resolutions creating each and amendments thereto. There shall be
included in such resolutions requirements that:
(a) at least one member of each subcommittee shall also be a
member of the Finance Committee; (b) that the presence of at
least four (4) members of each subcommittee shall be necessary
to constitute a quorum at any meeting thereof; and (c) that no
affirmative action shall be authorized without at least three
(3) affirmative votes.
The Finance Committee shall carefully supervise all operations of its
subcommittees and shall periodically review all actions taken by them.
Executive Committee
<PAGE>
Section 6. The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of
the whole Board, create an Executive Committee and designate the members
thereof. All members of such Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.
The Executive Committee shall have such powers and shall perform such duties as
the Board may delegate to it by resolution from time to time; provided, however
that such Committee shall have no authority with respect to matters where action
of the Board of Directors is required to be taken by the provisions of the Texas
Business Corporation Act or other applicable law.
The Executive Committee shall be organized and shall perform its functions as
directed by the Board of Directors, and minutes of all meetings of the Executive
Committee shall be kept in a book provided for such purpose. Any action taken by
the Executive Committee within the course and scope of its authority shall be
binding on the Company.
The membership of the Executive Committee may, from time to time, be increased
or decreased and the powers and duties of the Committee may, from time to time,
be changed by the Board of Directors as it may deem appropriate. The Executive
Committee may be abolished at any time by the vote of a majority of the whole
Board of Directors.
Dividends
Section 7. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, declare and order paid
out of the Company's current earnings or surplus or both, dividends, either in
cash or stock, as it may determine to be in the best interest of the Company.
ARTICLE VI
----------
Duties of Officers
Chairman of the Board
Section 1. The Chairman of the Board shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and shall preside at all meetings of the Stockholders and Board of
Directors. He shall have general and active management responsibilities for the
business and affairs of the Company, and shall see that all orders and
resolutions of the Board are carried into effect. He shall also do such other
things, perform such other duties and have such other powers as the bylaws, the
Board of Directors or Executive Committee may from time to time prescribe.
President
Section 2. The President shall be the Chief Administrative Officer of the
Company, his activities as such subject to the direction and approval of the
Chief Executive Officer, and shall be responsible for the implementation of the
details of managing the administrative affairs of the Company. He shall also do
such other things, perform such other duties and have such other powers as the
bylaws, the Board of Directors or Executive Committee may from time to time
prescribe. The President, in the absence and/or disability of the Chairman of
the Board, shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Chairman of
the Board.
Senior Executive Vice Presidents
<PAGE>
Section 3. The Senior Executive Vice Presidents shall perform such duties and
have such powers as the Board of Directors may prescribe. One of such Senior
Executive Vice Presidents shall be the Chief Marketing Officer.
Executive Vice Presidents
Section 4. The Executive Vice President shall perform such duties and have such
powers as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
Senior Vice Presidents
Section 5. Senior Vice Presidents shall perform such duties and have such powers
as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
Vice Presidents
Section 6. Vice Presidents shall perform such duties and have such powers as the
Board of Directors may prescribe.
Assistant Vice Presidents
Section 7. Assistant Vice Presidents shall perform such duties and have such
powers as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
Secretary
Section 8. The Secretary shall be custodian of all the Company's records, books
and papers and shall see that the books, reports, statements, certificates and
all other documents and reports required by law are properly executed and filed.
He shall keep such other records and reports as the Board of Directors may
prescribe, and render reports as may be called for by the Chairman of the Board
or the President. He shall have custody of the corporate seal with authority to
affix the same, attested by his signature, to all instruments requiring
execution under seal, and shall act with the Chairman of the Board and the
President in the general care and supervision of the Company's business. He
shall attend the meetings of the Stockholders, Board of Directors, and Finance
Committee, keeping a full account of their proceedings, and furnishing such
information, accounts, and papers as may be required and calling to their
attention any matter coming under his province on which their action is needed.
He shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of
Directors may prescribe.
Assistant Secretaries
Section 9. The Assistant Secretary, or if there be more than one, the Assistant
Secretaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors, shall in the
absence or disability of the Secretary, perform the duties and exercise the
powers of the Secretary. He, or they, as the case may be, shall perform such
other duties and have such other powers as the board of Directors may prescribe.
Treasurer
Section 10. The Treasurer shall receive, in the name of the Company, all monies
due or owing to it from any source whatever, and deposit same in the name and to
the account of the Company in authorized depositories, and he shall keep an
accurate account of all cash transactions of the Company. He shall perform such
duties and
<PAGE>
have such powers as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
Assistant Treasurer
Section 11. The Assistant Treasurer, or if there be more than one, the Assistant
Treasurers in the order determined by the Board of Directors, shall, in the
absence or disability of the Treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the
powers of the Treasurer. He, or they, as the case may be, shall perform such
other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
Controller
Section 12. The Controller shall act as the principal accounting officer in
charge of the general accounting books, accounting records and forms of the
Company; have general supervision of the accounting records and forms of the
Company; have general supervision of the accounting practices of all subsidiary
corporations; obtain from agents and from departments of the Company all reports
needed for recording the general operations of the Company or for supervising or
directing its accounts. He shall cause to be enforced and maintained the
classification and other accounting rules and regulations prescribed by any
regulatory body; cause to be prepared, compiled and filed such statutory
accounting reports, statements, statistics, returns, and other data as may be
required by law, prepare the Company's financial reports, and such reports as
required and submit same to the President.
He shall approve for payment all vouchers, drafts, and other accounts payable
where authorized or approved by the President or persons authorized to do so by
the President; and countersign warrants with the Treasurer or Secretary for
deposit or withdrawal of securities from custodian banks; have charge over
preparation and supervision of budgets; and supervision over the purchasing
functions of the Company, and shall perform such other duties and have such
other powers as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
Assistant Controllers
Section 13. The Assistant Controller, or if there shall be more than one, the
Assistant Controllers, in the order determined by the Board of Directors, shall,
in the absence or disability of the Controller, perform the duties and exercise
the powers of the Controller. He, or they, as the case may be, shall perform
such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may
prescribe.
Actuary
Section 14. The Actuary, or if there shall be more than one, the Actuaries in
the order determined by the Board of Directors, shall have charge of the
Actuarial Department of the Company, and all special work connected therewith.
He shall make all calculations required in transacting the insurance operations
of the Company, and perform such other duties as shall be assigned him by the
Chairman of the Board, President, or Board of Directors.
Assistant Actuaries
Section 15. The Assistant Actuary, or if there be more than one, the Assistant
Actuaries in the order determined by the Board of Directors shall, in the
absence or disability of the Actuary, perform the duties and exercise the powers
of the Actuary. He, or they, as the case may be, shall perform such other duties
and have such other powers as the Board of Directors may prescribe.
<PAGE>
Medical Directors
Section 16. The Medical Director shall have general supervision of the Medical
Department of the Company. He shall make recommendations of medical standards to
be adopted by the Company in the selection of risks. He shall examine, or cause
to be examined, every application for insurance and approve or reject same;
shall examine all proofs of death submitted for his opinion, and shall perform
such other duties as the President or Board of Directors may require.
General Counsel
Section 17. General Counsel, which may be a firm of attorneys, shall, subject to
the instructions of the Board of Directors, have charge and control of the legal
business and affairs of the Company; shall give legal advice pertaining to the
Company's business submitted to Counsel by any officer of the Company, by the
Chairman of the Board of Directors, or by the Chairman of the Finance Committee;
shall prepare or cause to be prepared legal documents and papers for the
Company; shall, at the request of the Chairman of the Board or the President,
attend any meeting of the Board of Directors or the Finance Committee; and shall
perform such other services as are necessary or appropriate in the discharge of
the Counsel's responsibilities with respect to the business and affairs of the
Company.
ARTICLE VII
-----------
Designation of Banks and Withdrawal of Funds
Section 1. Jointly, any two (2) of the following officers: The Chairman of the
Board, the President, a Senior Executive Vice President, an Executive Vice
President, the Secretary, or the Treasurer are authorized and directed to
designate the banks in which funds of this corporation shall be deposited, and
the Treasurer shall deposit or cause to be deposited all of its funds in the
banks so selected. Said banks shall pay out such funds on deposit only upon
drafts or checks signed and countersigned by the persons designated for such
purposes.
Section 2. Jointly, any two (2) of the following officers: the Chairman of the
Board, the President, a Senior Executive Vice President, an Executive Vice
President, the Secretary or the Treasurer are authorized and directed to
designate in writing the persons who are authorized to sign and countersign the
drafts or checks for withdrawal of the funds on deposit.
ARTICLE VIII
------------
Fidelity Bond
Section 1. The Board of Directors shall require a Fidelity Bond, in an amount
fixed by such Board of Directors and payable to the Company, on all officers and
employees, conditioned that each will well and faithfully discharge the duties
of his office and account for all the Company's monies coming into his hands.
ARTICLE IX
----------
Directors' Fees
Section 1. All Directors who are not full-time salaried officers shall be paid a
basic fee for each year or part of a year they serve as Directors of the
Company. Such basic fee will be set from time to time by the Board, shall be
<PAGE>
payable in a lump sum immediately after the election of a Director. In addition,
all Directors who are not full-time salaried officers shall be paid an amount
set by the Board from time to time for each Board meeting or Executive Committee
meeting attended, payable after each meeting. The Board shall also set from time
to time the amount any Director who is a member of the Audit Committee and/or
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and who is not a full-time
salaried officer shall be paid per committee meeting attended.
Section 2. All Directors who are full-time salaried officers shall be paid no
fee for attendance at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 3. The necessary expenses incurred by the Directors in attending the
meetings of the Board of Directors, and also their necessary expenses when
absent from the place of their residence in the discharge of the official duty
of the Company's business shall be paid by the Company.
ARTICLE X
---------
Capital Stock
Section 1. The amount, classes and par value of the stock of this Company shall
be as stated in the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation, as such
articles may be amended and restated from time to time.
Certificate of Shares
Section 2. Each Stockholder shall be entitled to a certificate or certificates
for the number of shares of Capital Stock held by him and fully paid for, signed
with the facsimile signature of the Chairman of the Board or the President and
the Secretary, attested with the facsimile seal of the Company.
All transfer of stock, before effective, shall be made upon the proper books of
the Company, by the written order or request of the Stockholders, and the Board
of Directors may require that the certificate of stock be returned and canceled
before a new certificate is issued in name of the person to whom the transfer is
to be made.
ARTICLE XI
----------
Corporate Seal
Section 1. The seal of the Company shall be as follows:
ARTICLE XII
-----------
Amendments
Section 1. The Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed and additional Bylaws
enacted at any Annual Meeting of the stockholders or any regular meeting of the
Board of Directors, or at any special or rescheduled meeting of either, if in
the notice for such special or rescheduled meeting there is incorporated notice
of the proposed action.
ARTICLE XIII
------------
Indemnification of Officers, Directors,
<PAGE>
Employees and Agents
Section 1. (a) The Corporation shall indemnify any person who serves or has
served as a director or officer of the Corporation, or who at the Corporation's
request serves or has served as a director, officer, partner, venturer,
proprietor, trustee, employee, agent, or similar functionary (herein
collectively called "director or officer") of another foreign or domestic
corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee
benefit plan, or other enterprise (herein collectively called "business
enterprise"), and the respective heirs, administrators, successors and assigns
of any such director or officer against any and all expenses, including
attorneys' fees, judgments, penalties (including excise or similar taxes),
fines, costs and amounts paid in settlement (before or after suit is commenced)
actually and necessarily incurred by any such person in connection with the
defense, settlement or investigation of any actual or threatened claim, action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, arbitrative, or
investigative, asserted against such person or at which such person is made a
party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of the Corporation
or such other business enterprise; provided that:
(1) The Corporation shall not indemnify any such person (or his
heirs, administrators, successors or assigns) for obligations resulting
from a proceeding (i) in which the person is found liable on the basis
that personal benefit was improperly received by him, whether or not
the benefit resulted from an action taken in the person's official
capacity, or (ii) in which the person is found liable to the
Corporation, unless and only to the extent indemnification is permitted
by the Court;
(2) In the case of settlement (before or after suit is commenced) of
any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding in which any such
person is involved by reason of his having been a director or officer,
indemnification shall be provided if the Board of Directors determines,
in a manner set forth herein that such person conducted himself in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed: (i) in the case of
conduct in his official capacity as a director of the Corporation, that
his conduct was in the Corporation's best interest; and (ii) in all
other cases that his conduct was at least not opposed to the
Corporation's best interests; and (iii) in the case of any criminal
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful;
(3) A determination of indemnification under Section 1(a)(2) of this
Article shall be made (i) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of
directors who at the time of the vote are not named defendants or
respondents in the proceeding; (ii) if a quorum cannot be obtained by a
majority vote of a committee of the Board of Directors designated to
act in the matter by a majority vote of all directors consisting solely
of two or more directors who at the time of the vote are not named
defendants or respondents in the proceeding; (iii) by special legal
counsel selected by the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board
by vote as set forth in Subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this Section
1(a)(3), or, if such quorum cannot be obtained and such a committee
cannot be established, by a majority vote of all directors; or (iv) by
the shareholders in a vote that excludes the shares held by directors
who are named defendants or respondents in the proceeding.
(b) Reasonable expenses, including attorney's fees, incurred by a director or
officer who was, is, or is threatened to be made a named defendant or respondent
in a proceeding may be paid or reimbursed by the Corporation in advance of the
final disposition or the proceeding after:
(1) The Corporation received a written affirmation by the director or
officer of his good faith belief that he has met the standard of
conduct necessary for indemnification under this Article and a written
undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the
amount paid or reimbursed if it is
<PAGE>
ultimately determined that he has not met those requirements; and
(2) A determination that the facts then known to those making the
determination would not preclude indemnification under this Article.
(c) The written undertaking required by Section 1(b)(1) of this Article must be
an unlimited general obligation of the director or officer, but need not be
secured. It may be accepted without financial ability to make payment.
Determinations and authorization of payments under Section 1(b) must be made in
the manner specified by Section 1(a)(3) of this Article for determining that
indemnification is possible.
(d) The Corporation shall indemnify a director or officer against reasonable
expenses, including costs and attorney's fees, incurred by him in connection
with an action, suit, or proceeding in which he is a party because he is a
director or officer if he has been wholly successful on the merits or otherwise,
in the defense of the action, suit, or proceeding.
(e) The indemnification provided for in this Article is not exclusive of any
other rights to which persons covered by this Article may be entitled under any
bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
The right to indemnification provided under this Article shall inure to the
benefit of the heirs, executors or administrators of any person covered by this
Article.
(f) The Board of Directors shall have the power to abide by resolution for the
indemnification of individual employees or agents who face exceptional risks of
liability because of the nature of their jobs.
(g) Any indemnification of or advance of expenses to a director in accordance
with this Article shall be reported in writing to the shareholders with or
before the notice or waiver of notice of the next stockholders' meeting or with
or before the next submission to stockholders of a consent to action without a
meeting pursuant to Section A, Article 9.10, of the Texas Business Corporation
Act and in any case, within the 12-month period immediately following the date
of the indemnification or advance.
Section 2. The Corporation shall have the power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or
agent of the Corporation or who is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee,
employee, agent, or similar functionary of another foreign or domestic
corporation, partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, other
enterprise, or employee benefit plan, against any liability asserted against him
and incurred by him in such a capacity or arising out of his status as such a
person, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify him
against that liability under this Article.
Section 3. This Article XIII is intended to provide the fullest indemnification
possible under the law in consistent with the provisions of this Article. If any
provision of this Article or the application of this Article to any person or
circumstance shall be found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of
this Article or the application of this Article to any person or circumstance
which is not invalid or unenforceable shall not be affected and each provision
of this Article shall be valid and enforced to the full extent permitted by law.
ARTICLE XIV
-----------
General Auditor
Section 1. The General Auditor shall assist members of Management in achieving
the most efficient and effective
<PAGE>
discharge of their responsibilities by furnishing them with independent and
objective analyses, appraisals, and pertinent comments in order to provide a
basis for appropriate corrective action for the Company and its affiliates,
including the recommendation of changes for the improvement of various phases of
their operations. He shall be responsible for reviewing and appraising the
soundness, adequacy, and application of accounting, financial and operating
controls; ascertaining the extent of compliance with established policies,
plans, and procedures; the extent to which Company and affiliate assets are
accounted for and safeguarded from losses of all kinds; ascertaining the
reliability of accounting, financial, and operating data developed within the
Company and its affiliates; appraising the quality of performance in carrying
out assigned responsibilities. He shall report to the Board of Directors through
the President, and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may
prescribe.
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.B8a
FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, entered into on this ___ day of __________, 19___,
among AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY ("Company"), a life insurance company
organized under the laws of the State of Texas, on behalf of itself and AMERICAN
NATIONAL VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT ("Separate Account"), a separate
account established by the Company in accordance with the laws of the State of
Texas, AMERICAN NATIONAL INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS, INC. ("Fund"), an open-end
management investment company organized under the laws of the State of Maryland,
and SECURITIES MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH, INC. ("Distributor"), a Florida
corporation.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Separate Account has been established by the Company
pursuant to the Texas Insurance Code in connection with certain variable
contracts ("Contracts") issued to the public by the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Separate Account is registered as a unit investment trust
under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
WHEREAS, the income, gains and losses, whether or not realized, from
assets allocated to the Separate Account are, in accordance with the applicable
Contracts, to be credited to or charged against such Separate Account without
regard to other income, gains or losses of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Separate Account is subdivided into various Subaccounts
under which income, gains and losses, whether or not realized, form assets
allocated to each such Subaccount are, in accordance with the applicable
Contracts, to be credited to or charged against such Subaccounts without regard
to other income, gains or losses of other Subaccounts or of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end diversified management
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
WHEREAS, the Fund is divided into various series ("Portfolios"), each
Portfolio having a different investment objective and being subject to separate
investment policies and restrictions which may not be changed without the
majority vote of shareowners of such Portfolio; and
WHEREAS, the Fund agrees to make its shares available to serve as
underlying investment media for the Separate Account, with shares of each
Portfolio of the Fund to serve as the underlying investment medium for each of
the various Subaccounts in the Separate Account; and
WHEREAS, Distributor, the principal underwriter for the Contracts to be
funded in the Separate Account, is a broker-dealer registered as such under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants and conditions set forth herein and for other good and valuable
consideration, the Company, the Separate Account, the Fund and the Distributor
hereby agree as follows:
1. The Contracts funded through the Separate Account will provide for
the allocation of net amounts among the various Subaccounts of the
Separate Account for investment in the shares of the
<PAGE>
Portfolios of the Fund underlying each Subaccount. The selection of the
particular Subaccount is to be made by the Contract Owner and such
selection may be changed in accordance with the terms of the Contracts.
2. No representation is made as to the number or amount of such
Contracts to be sold. The Company and the Distributor will make
reasonable efforts to market such Contracts and will comply with all
applicable federal or state laws in connection therewith.
3. Fund shares to be made available to each Subaccount of the Separate
Account shall be sold by each of the respective Portfolio of the Fund
and purchased by the Company for the corresponding Subaccount at the
net asset value (without the imposition of a sales load) next computed
after receipt of each order, as established in accordance with the
provisions of the then current prospectus of the Fund. Shares of a
particular Portfolio shall be ordered in such quantities and at such
times as determined by the Company to be necessary to meet the
requirements of those Contracts issued by the Company in that
Subaccount of the Separate Account for which the Portfolio shares serve
as the underlying investment medium. Orders or payments for shares
purchases will be sent promptly to the Fund and will be made payable in
the manner established from time to time by the Fund for the receipt of
such payments. The Fund reserves the right to delay transfer of its
shares until the payment check has cleared. The Fund has the obligation
to insure that its shares are registered at all times.
4. Transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry only. No stock
certificate will be issued to the Separate Account. Shares ordered from
a particular Portfolio of the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate
title for the corresponding Subaccount of the Separate Account by the
Company.
5. The Fund shall furnish notice promptly to the Company of any
dividend or distribution payable on its shares. All such dividends and
distributions as are payable on each Portfolio's shares in the title
for the corresponding Subaccount of the Separate Account shall be
automatically reinvested in additional shares of that Portfolio. The
Fund shall notify the Company of the number of shares so issued.
6. All expenses incident to the performance by the Fund under this
Agreement shall be paid by the Fund. The Fund shall ensure that all its
shares are registered and authorized for issue in accordance with
applicable federal and state laws prior to their purchase for the
Separate Account. The Company shall bear none of the expenses for the
cost of registration of the Fund's shares, preparation of the Fund's
prospectuses, proxy materials and reports, the preparation of all
statements and notices required by any federal or state law, or taxes
on the issue or transfer of the Fund's shares subject to this
Agreement.
7. The Company and the Distributor shall make no representations
concerning the Fund's shares except those contained in the then current
prospectus of the Fund and in printed information subsequently issued
on behalf of the Fund as supplemental to such prospectus.
8. This Agreement shall terminate:
(a) at the option of the Company or of the Fund upon sixty
(60) days' advance written notice to all other parties to this
Agreement;
(b) at the option of the Company if any of the Fund's
shares are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of the
Contracts as determined by the Company. Prompt notice of election to
terminate shall be furnished by the Company;
<PAGE>
(c) at the option of the Company upon institution of formal
proceedings against the Fund by the Securities and Exchange
Commission;
(d) upon requisite vote of the Contract Owners having an
interest in a particular Subaccount of the Separate Account to
substitute the shares of another investment company for the
corresponding Fund shares in accordance with the terms of the
Contracts for which those Fund shares had been selected to serve as
the underlying investment medium. The Company will give thirty (30)
days' prior written notice to the Fund of the date of any proposed
vote to replace the Fund shares;
(e) in the event the Fund's shares are not registered,
issued or sold in accordance with applicable state and/or federal
law or such law precludes the use of such shares as the underlying
investment medium of the Contracts issued or to be issued by the
Company. Prompt notice shall be given by any party to all other
parties in the event that the conditions stated in this subsection
(e) or in any subsection of this Section 8. should occur.
9. Each notice required by this agreement may be given by wire or
facsimile transmission and confirmed in writing to:
Securities Management and Research, Inc.
One Moody Plaza
Galveston, Texas 77550
ATTN: President
American National Investment Accounts, Inc.
One Moody Plaza
Galveston, Texas 77550
ATTN: President
American National Variable Annuity Separate Account
One Moody Plaza
Galveston, Texas 77550
ATTN: President
American National Insurance Company
One Moody Plaza
Galveston, Texas 77550
ATTN: President
10. This agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Texas.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement to
be duly executed and attested on the date first stated above.
AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY
___________________________________
<PAGE>
By: _______________________________
Its: ______________________________
AMERICAN NATIONAL VARIABLE ANNUITY SEPARATE ACCOUNT
___________________________________
By: _______________________________
Its: ______________________________
AMERICAN NATIONAL INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS, INC.
___________________________________
By: _______________________________
Its: ______________________________
SECURITIES MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH, INC.
___________________________________
By: _______________________________
Its: ______________________________
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.B8b
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II,
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
and
AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this 16th day of August,
1993 by and among AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, (hereinafter the
"Company"), a Texas corporation, on its own behalf and on behalf of each
segregated asset account of the Company set forth on Schedule A hereto as may be
amended from time to time (each such account hereinafter referred to as the
"Account"), and the VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II, an unincorporated
business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
(hereinafter the "Fund") and FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION (hereinafter the
"Underwriter"), a Massachusetts corporation.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end
management investment company and is available to act as the investment vehicle
for separate accounts established for variable life insurance policies and
variable annuity contracts (collectively, the "Variable Insurance Products") to
be offered by insurance companies which have entered into participation
agreements with the Fund and the Underwriter (hereinafter "Participating
Insurance Companies"); and
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into
several series of shares, each designated a "Portfolio" and representing the
interest in a particular managed portfolio of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities
and Exchange Commission, dated September 17, 1986 (File No. 812-6422), granting
Participating Insurance Companies and variable annuity and variable life
insurance separate accounts exemptions from the provisions of sections 9(a),
13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
(hereinafter the "1940 Act") and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15)
thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to
and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of
both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies (hereinafter the
"Shared Funding Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management
investment company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, Fidelity Management & Research Company (the
"Adviser") is duly registered as an investment adviser under the federal
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and any applicable state securities law; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain
variable life and variable annuity contracts under the 1933 Act; and
<PAGE>
WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing
segregated asset account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of
the Company, on the date shown for such Account on Schedule A hereto, to set
aside and invest assets attributable to one or more variable life and annuity
contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each
Account as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker dealer with
the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, (hereinafter the "1934 Act"), and is a member in good
standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (hereinafter
"NASD"); and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws
and regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios on
behalf of each Account to fund certain of the aforesaid variable life and
variable annuity contracts and the Underwriter is authorized to sell such shares
to unit investment trusts such as each Account at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the
Company, the Fund and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares
-------------------
1.1 The Underwriter agrees to sell to the Company those
shares of the Fund which each Account orders, executing such orders on a daily
basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or its
designee of the order for the shares of the Fund. For purposes of this Section
1.1., the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of such orders
from each Account and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the
Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such order by 10:00 a.m. Boston
time on the next following Business Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day on
which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Fund
calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
1.2 The Fund agrees to make its shares available indefinitely
for purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company and its
Accounts on those days on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant
to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Fund shall use
reasonable efforts to calculate such net asset value on each day which the New
York Stock Exchange is open for trading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Board of Trustees of the Fund (hereinafter the "Board") may refuse to sell
shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of
shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Board
acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and
any applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders
of such Portfolio.
1.3 The Fund and the Underwriter agree that shares of the
Fund will be sold only to Participating Insurance Companies and their separate
accounts. No shares of any Portfolio will be sold to the general public.
1.4 The Fund and the Underwriter will not sell Fund shares to
any insurance company or separate account unless an agreement containing
provisions substantially the same as Articles I, III, V, VII and Section 2.5 of
Article II of this Agreement is in effect to govern such sales.
<PAGE>
1.5 The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's
request, any full or fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company,
executing such requests on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed
after receipt by the Fund or its designee of the request for redemption. For
purposes of this Section 1.5, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for
receipt of requests for redemption from each Account and receipt by such
designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives
notice of such request for redemption on the next following Business Day.
1.6 The Company agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of
each Portfolio offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund and in
accordance with the provisions of such prospectus. The Company agrees that all
net amounts available under the variable life and variable annuity contracts
with the form number(s) which are listed on Schedule B attached hereto and
incorporated herein by this reference, as such Schedule B may be amended from
time to time hereafter by mutual written agreement of all the parties hereto,
(the "Contracts") shall be invested in the Fund, in such other Funds advised by
the Adviser as may be mutually agreed to in writing by the parties hereto, or in
the Company's general account, provided that such amounts may also be invested
in an investment company other than the Fund if (a) such other investment
company, or series thereof, has investment objectives or policies that are
substantially different from the investment objectives and policies of all the
Portfolios of the Fund; or (b) the Company gives the Fund and the Underwriter 45
days written notice of its intention to make such other investment company
available as a funding vehicle for the Contracts; or (c) such other investment
company was available as a funding vehicle for the Contracts prior to the date
of this Agreement and the Company so informs the Fund and Underwriter prior to
their signing this Agreement; or (d) the Fund or Underwriter consents to the use
of such other investment company.
1.7 The company shall pay for Fund shares on the next
business Day after an order to purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with
the provisions of Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds
transmitted by wire. For purpose of Section 2.10 and 2.11, upon receipt by the
Fund of the federal funds so wired, such funds shall cease to be the
responsibility of the Company and shall become the responsibility of the Fund.
1.8 Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by
book entry only. Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or any
account. Shares ordered from the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title
for each Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.9 The Fund shall furnish same day notice (by wire or
telephone, followed by written confirmation) to the Company of any income,
dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the Fund's shares. The
Company hereby elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain
distributions as are payable on the Portfolio shares in additional shares of
that Portfolio. The Company reserves the right to revoke this election and to
receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions in cash. The
Fund shall notify the Company of the number of shares so issued as payment of
such dividends and distributions.
1.10 The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for
each Portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably
practical after the net asset value per share is calculated (normally 6:30 p.m.
Boston time) and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value per
share available by 7 p.m. Boston time.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
------------------------------
2.1 The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts
are or will be registered under the
<PAGE>
1933 Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable Federal and State laws and that the sale
of the Contracts shall comply in all material respects with state insurance
suitability requirements. The Company further represents and warrants that it is
an insurance company duly organized and in good standing under applicable law
and that it has legally and validly established each Account prior to any
issuance or sale thereof as a segregated asset account under Section 3.75 of the
Texas Insurance Code and has registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the
Contracts, will register each Account as a unit investment trust in accordance
with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a segregated investment account
for the Contracts.
2.2 The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold
pursuant to this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly
authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with the laws of the State of
Texas and all applicable federal and state securities laws and that the Fund is
and shall remain registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund shall amend the
Registration Statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from
time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its
shares. The Fund shall register and qualify the shares for sale in accordance
with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable
by the Fund or the Underwriter.
2.3 The Fund represents that it is currently qualified as a
Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, (the "Code") and that it will make every effort to maintain
such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision)
and that it will notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis
for believing that it has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify
in the future.
2.4 The Company represents that the Contracts are currently
treated as endowment, annuity or life insurance contracts, under applicable
provisions of the Code and that it will make every effort to maintain such
treatment and that it will notify the Fund and the Underwriter immediately upon
having a reasonable basis for believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so
treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.
2.5 The Fund currently does not intend to make any payments
to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or
otherwise, although it may make such payments in the future. The Fund has
adopted a "no fee" or "defensive" Rule 12b-1 Plan under which it makes no
payments for distribution expenses. To the extent that it decides to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund undertakes to have a
board of trustees, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund,
formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution
expenses.
2.6 The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect
of its operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and
investment policies) complies with the insurance laws or regulations of the
various states except that the Fund represents that the Fund's investment
policies, fees and expenses are and shall at all times remain in compliance with
the laws of the State of Texas and the Fund and the Underwriter represent that
their respective operations are and shall at all times remain in material
compliance with the laws of the State of Texas to the extent required to perform
this Agreement.
2.7 The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is a
member in good standing of the NASD and is registered as a broker-dealer with
the SEC. The Underwriter further represents that it will sell and distribute the
Fund shares in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and all applicable
state and federal securities laws, including without limitation the 1933 Act,
the 1934 Act, and the 1940 Act.
2.8 The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and
validly existing under the laws of the
<PAGE>
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that it does and will comply in all material
respects with the 1940 Act.
2.9 The Underwriter represents and warrants that the Adviser
is and shall remain duly registered in all material respects under all
applicable federal and state securities laws and that the Adviser shall perform
its obligations for the Fund in compliance in all material respects with the
laws of the State of Texas and any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.10 The Fund and Underwriter represent and warrant that all
of their directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals/entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are
and shall continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or
similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the
minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940 Act or
related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid bond
shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a
reputable bonding company.
2.11 The Company represents and warrants that all of its
directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals/entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are
and shall continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or
similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund, in an amount not less than the
minimal coverage as required currently by entities subject to the requirements
of Rule 17g-1 of the 1940 Act or related provisions as may be promulgated from
time to time. The aforesaid Bond shall include coverage for larceny and
embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable bonding company.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses and Proxy Statements: Voting
-----------------------------------------
3.1 The Underwriter shall provide the Company (at the
Company's expense) with as many copies of the Fund's current prospectus as the
Company may reasonably request. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the
Fund shall provide such documentation (including a final copy of the new
prospectus as set in type at the Fund's expense) and other assistance as is
reasonably necessary in order for the Company once each year (or more frequently
if the prospectus for the Fund is amended) to have the prospectus for the
Contracts and the Fund's prospectus printed together in one document (such
printing to be at the Company's expense).
3.2 The Fund's prospectus shall state that the statement of
Additional Information for the Fund is available from the Underwriter (or in the
Fund's discretion, the Prospectus shall state that such Statement is available
from the Fund), and the Underwriter (or the Fund), at its expense, shall print
and provide such Statement free of charge to the Company and to any owner of a
Contract or prospective owner who requests such Statement.
3.3 The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with
copies of its proxy material, reports to shareholders, and other communications
to shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for
distributing to Contract owners.
3.4 If and to the extent required by law the Company shall:
(i) solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
(ii) vote the Fund shares in accordance with instructions
received from Contract owners; and
(iii) vote Fund shares for which no instructions have been
received in the same proportion as Fund shares of such
portfolio for which instructions have been received;
so long as and to the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission
continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges
for variable contract owners. The Company reserves the right to vote
<PAGE>
Fund shares held in any segregated asset account in its own right, to the extent
permitted by law. Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for
assuring that each of their separate accounts participating in the Fund
calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with the standards set forth
on Schedule C attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, which
standards will also be provided to the other Participating Insurance Companies.
3.5 The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act
requiring voting by shareholders, and in particular the Fund will either provide
for annual meetings or comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the
Fund is not one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as
with Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further, the Fund will
act in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's interpretation
of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of
trustees and with whatever rules the Commission may promulgate with respect
thereto.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
------------------------------
4.1 The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be
furnished, to the Fund or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which the Fund or its investment adviser or the
Underwriter is named, at least fifteen Business Days prior to its use. No such
material shall be used if the Fund or its designee object to such use within
fifteen business days after receipt of such material.
4.2 The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in the registration statement or prospectus for the
Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund,
or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund or its
designee or by the Underwriter, except with the permission of the Fund or the
Underwriter or the designee of either.
4.3 The Fund, Underwriter, or its designee shall furnish, or
shall cause to be furnished, to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales
literature or other promotional material in which the Company and/or its
separate account(s), is named at least fifteen Business Days prior to its use.
No such material shall be used if the Company or its designee object to such use
within fifteen Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.4 The Fund and the Underwriter shall not give any
information or make any representations on behalf of the Company or concerning
the Company, each Account, or the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the
Contracts as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in published reports for each Account which
are in the public domain or approved by the Company for distribution to Contract
owners, or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the
Company or its designee, except with the permission of the Company.
4.5 The Fund will provide to the Company at least one
complete copy of all registration statements, prospectuses, Statements of
Additional Information, reports, proxy statements, sales literature and other
promotional materials, application for exemptions, requests for no-action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its
shares, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the Securities
and Exchange Commission or other regulatory authorities.
4.6 The company will provide to the Fund at least one
complete copy of all registration statements, prospectuses, Statements of
Additional Information, reports, solicitations for voting instructions,
<PAGE>
sales literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions,
requests for no action letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that
relate to the Contracts or each Account, contemporaneously with the filing of
such document with the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
4.7 For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales
literature or other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to,
advertisements (such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper,
magazine, or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording,
videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media),
sales literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
---
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, and registration statements,
prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information, shareholder reports, and
proxy materials.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
-----------------
5.1 The Fund and Underwriter shall pay no fee or other
compensation to the Company under this agreement, except that if the Fund or any
Portfolio adopts and implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance
distribution expenses, then the Underwriter may make payments to the Company or
to the underwriter for the Contracts if and in amounts agreed to by the
Underwriter in writing and such payments will be made out of existing fees
otherwise payable to the Underwriter, past profits of the Underwriter or other
resources available to the Underwriter. No such payments shall be made directly
by the Fund. Currently, no such payments are contemplated.
5.2 All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under
this Agreement shall be paid by the Fund. The Fund shall see to it that all its
shares are registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable
federal law and, if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund, in
accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund shall bear
the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's
shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's prospectus and registration
statement, proxy materials and reports, setting the prospectus in type, setting
in type and printing the proxy materials and reports to shareholders (including
the costs of printing a prospectus that constitutes an annual report), the
preparation of all statements and notices required by any federal or state law,
all taxes on the issuance or transfer of the Fund's shares.
5.3 The Company shall bear the expenses of printing and
distributing the Fund's prospectus to owners of Contracts issued by the Company
and of distributing the Fund's proxy materials and reports to such Contract
owners.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification
---------------
6.1 The Fund will at all times invest money from the
Contracts in such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as
variable contracts under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without
limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Fund will at all times comply with
Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the
diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance
contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Section or
Regulations.
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts
-------------------
<PAGE>
7.1 The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any
material irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of
all separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict
may arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state
insurance regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state
insurance, tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private
letter ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by
insurance, tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or
judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the
investments of any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting
instructions given by variable annuity contract and variable life insurance
contract owners; or (f) a decision by an insurer to disregard the voting
instructions of contract owners. The Board shall promptly inform the Company if
it determines that an irreconcilable material conflict exists and the
implications thereof.
7.2 The Company will report any potential or existing
conflicts of which it is aware to the Board. The Company will assist the Board
in carrying out its responsibilities under the Shared Funding Exemptive Order,
by providing the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board
to consider any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an
obligation by the Company to inform the Board whenever contract owner voting
instructions are disregarded.
7.3 If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a
majority of its disinterested trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict
exists, the Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their
expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of
the disinterested trustees), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or
eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1),
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from
the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Fund, or
submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote
of all affected Contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of
any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance contract
owners, or variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance
Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected
contract owners the option of making such a change; and (2), establishing a new
registered management investment company or managed separate account.
7.4 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a
decision by the Company to disregard contract owner voting instructions and that
decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the
Company may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the affected
Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to
such Account; provided, however that such withdrawal and termination shall be
limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict
as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Any such
withdrawal and termination must take place within six (6) months after the Fund
gives written notice that this provision is being implemented, and until the end
of that six month period the Underwriter and Fund shall continue to accept and
implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of
the Fund.
7.5 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a
particular state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company
conflicts with the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will
withdraw the affected Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this
Agreement with respect to such Account within six months after the Board informs
the Company in writing that it has determined that such decision has created an
irreconcilable material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members
of the Board. Until the end of the foregoing six month period, the Underwriter
and Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the
purchase (and redemption) of shares
<PAGE>
of the Fund.
7.6 For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.6 of this
Agreement, a majority of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine
whether any proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material
conflict, but in no event will the Fund be required to establish a new funding
medium for the Contracts. The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 to
establish a new funding medium for the Contracts if an offer to do so has been
declined by vote of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected
by the irreconcilable material conflict. In the event that the Board determines
that any proposed action does not adequately remedy any irreconcilable material
conflict, then the Company will withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund
and terminate this Agreement within six (6) months after the Board informs the
Company in writing of the foregoing determination, provided, however, that such
withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by any such
material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board.
7.7 If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are
amended, or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision
of the Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared
funding (as defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and
conditions materially different from those contained in the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, then (a) the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance Companies,
as appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules
6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such
rules are applicable; and (b) Sections 3.4, 3.5, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 of
this Agreement shall continue in effect only to the extent that terms and
conditions substantially identical to such Sections are contained in such
Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
---------------
8.1 Indemnification By The Company
------------------------------
8.1(a). The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Fund and each trustee of the Board and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of Section 8.1) against
any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in
settlement with the written consent of the Company) or litigation (including
legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject
under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof)
or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or
the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or
alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in the
Registration Statement or prospectus for the Contracts or contained in
the Contracts or sales literature for the Contracts (or any amendment
or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify shall
not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or
such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of
the Fund for use in the Registration Statement or prospectus for the
Contracts or in the Contracts or sales literature (or any amendment or
supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the
Contracts or Fund shares; or
<PAGE>
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the Registration
Statement, prospectus or sales literature of the Fund not supplied by
the Company, or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the
Company or persons under its control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Fund Shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, prospectus,
or sales literature of the Fund or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading if such a statement or omission was made in
reliance upon information furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the
Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement;
or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement
by the Company, as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of
Sections 8.1(b) and 8.1(c) hereof.
8.1(b). The Company shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as
such may arise from such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or
gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by
reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties
under this Agreement or to the Fund, whichever is applicable.
8.1(c). The Company shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified
Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing
within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any
such claim shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to participate,
at its own expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the Company to such party of the
Company's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the
Company will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection
with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.1(d). The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the
Company of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in
connection with the issuance or sale of the Fund Shares or the Contracts or the
operation of the Fund.
8.2. Indemnification by the Underwriter
----------------------------------
8.2(a). The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the Company and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2)
against any and all losses,
<PAGE>
claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the
written consent of the Underwriter) or litigation (including legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute,
at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the
sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
Registration Statement or prospectus or sales literature of the Fund
(or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out
of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if
such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to
the Underwriter or Fund by or on behalf of the Company for use in the
Registration Statement or prospectus for the Fund or in sales
literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the Registration
Statement, prospectus or sales literature for the Contracts not
supplied by the Underwriter or persons under its control) or wrongful
conduct of the Fund, Adviser or Underwriter or persons under their
control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or
Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, prospectus,
or sales literature covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statement or statements therein not misleading, if such
statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished
to the Company by or on behalf of the Fund; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement
(including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or
otherwise, to comply with the diversification requirements specified in
Article VI of this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Underwriter in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of
this Agreement by the Underwriter; as limited by and in accordance with
the provisions of Section 8.2(b) and 8.2(c) hereof.
8.2(b) The Underwriter shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be
subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or
gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by
reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties
under this Agreement or to each Company or the Account whichever is applicable.
8.2(c) The Underwriter shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified
Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in
writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process
giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter of
any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is
<PAGE>
brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision. In case any
such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Underwriter will be
entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The
Underwriter also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the Underwriter
to such party of the Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the
Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by it, and the Underwriter will not be liable to such party under this
Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party
independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs
of investigation.
8.2(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers
or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the
operation of each Account.
8.3 Indemnification By the Fund
---------------------------
8.3(a) The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company,
and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.3) against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with
the written consent of the Fund) or litigation (including legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute,
at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements result from the gross
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Board or any member thereof,
are related to the operations of the Fund and:
(i) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the services
and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement (including a
failure to comply with the diversification requirements specified in
Article VI of this Agreement); or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Fund in this Agreement or arise
out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the
Fund;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.3(b) and 8.3
(c) hereof.
8.3(b) The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to
the Company, the Fund, the Underwriter or each Account, whichever is applicable.
8.3(c) The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any
such claim shall not relieve the Fund from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to
<PAGE>
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action. After notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to
assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund will not be
liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.3(d) The Company and the Underwriter agree promptly to notify the
Fund of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of
its respective officers or directors in connection with this Agreement, the
issuance or sale of the Contracts, with respect to the operation of either
Account, or the sale or acquisition of shares of the Fund.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
--------------
9.1 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
9.2 This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933,
1934 and 1940 acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder,
including such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the
Securities and Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to, the
Shared Funding Exemptive Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and
construed in accordance therewith.
ARTICLE X. Termination
-----------
10.1 This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until
the first to occur of:
(a) termination by any party for any reason by sixty (60) days advance
written notice delivered to the other parties; or
(b) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio based upon the Company's determination
that shares of such Portfolio are not reasonably available to meet the
requirements of the Contracts; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event any of the Portfolio's
shares are not registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable state
and/or federal law or such law precludes the use of such shares as the
underlying investment media of the Contracts issued or to be issued by the
Company; or
(d) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio
ceases to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the
Code or under any successor or similar provision, or if the Company reasonably
believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify; or
(e) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio fails
to meet the diversification requirements specified in Article VI hereof; or
(f) termination by either the Fund or the Underwriter by written notice to
the Company, if either one or both of the Fund or the Underwriter respectively,
shall determine, in their sole judgment exercised in good
<PAGE>
faith, that the Company and/or its affiliated companies has suffered a material
adverse change in its business, operations, financial condition or prospects
since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse
publicity; or
(g) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter, if the Company shall determine, in its sole judgment exercised in
good faith, that either the Fund or the Underwriter has suffered a material
adverse change in its business, operations, financial condition or prospects
since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse
publicity; or
(h) termination by the Fund or the Underwriter by written notice to the
Company, if the Company gives the Fund and the Underwriter the written notice
specified in Section 1.6(b) hereof and at the time such notice was given there
was no notice of termination outstanding under any other provision of this
Agreement; provided, however any termination under this Section 10.1(h) shall be
effective forty-five (45) days after the notice specified in Section 1.6(b) was
given.
10.2. Effect of Termination. Notwithstanding any termination of this
---------------------
Agreement, the Fund and the Underwriter shall at the option of the Company,
continue to make available additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in effect on the effective
date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing
Contracts"). Specifically, without limitation, the owners of the Existing
Contracts shall be permitted to reallocate investments in the Fund, redeem
investments in the Fund and/or invest in the Fund upon the making of additional
purchase payments under the Existing Contracts. The parties agree that this
Section 10.2 shall not apply to any terminations under Article VII and the
effect of such Article VII terminations shall be governed by Article VII of this
Agreement.
10.3 The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the
Contracts (as opposed to Fund shares attributable to the Company's assets held
in the Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract Owner initiated
transactions, or (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or regulations or
judicial or other legal precedent of general application (hereinafter referred
to as a "Legally Required Redemption"). Upon request, the Company will promptly
furnish to the Fund and the Underwriter the opinion of counsel for the Company
(which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Fund and the Underwriter)
to the effect that any redemption pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally
Required Redemption. Furthermore, except in cases where permitted under the
terms of the Contracts, the Company shall not prevent Contract Owners from
allocating payments to a Portfolio that was otherwise available under the
Contracts without first giving the Fund or the Underwriter 90 days notice of its
intention to do so.
ARTICLE XI. Notices
-------
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below
or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing
to the other party.
If to the Fund:
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Attention: Treasurer
If to the Company:
One Moody Plaza
<PAGE>
Galveston, Texas 77550
Attention: Sr. VP & Chief Actuary
with a copy to:
Jerry L. Adams
Greer, Herz & Adams, L.L.P.
One Moody Plaza, 18th Floor
Galveston, Texas 77550
If to the Underwriter:
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Attention: Treasurer
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous
-------------
12.1 All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the
property of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as
neither the Board, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal
liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund.
12.2 Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses
of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information until such time as it may come into
the public domain without the express written consent of the affected party.
12.3 The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
12.4 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
12.5 If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made
invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the
Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
12.6 Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the
NASD and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the California Insurance Commissioner with any information or
reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement which such
Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the variable life
insurance operations of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent
with the California Variable Life Insurance Regulations and any other applicable
law or regulations.
12.7 The Fund and Underwriter agree that to the extent any advisory
or other fees received by the Fund, the Underwriter or the Adviser are
determined to be unlawful in legal or administrative proceedings under the 1973
NAIC model variable life insurance regulation in the states of California,
Colorado, Maryland or Michigan, the Underwriter shall indemnify and reimburse
the Company for any out of pocket expenses and actual
<PAGE>
damages the Company has incurred as a result of any such proceeding; provided
however that the provisions of Section 8.2(b) of this and 8.2(c) shall apply to
such indemnification and reimbursement obligation. Such indemnification and
reimbursement obligation shall be in addition to any other indemnification and
reimbursement obligations of the Fund and/or the Underwriter under this
Agreement.
12.8 The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this
Agreement are cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and
obligations, at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under
state and federal laws.
12.9 This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations
hereunder may not be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of
all parties hereto; provided, however, that the Underwriter may assign this
Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or company
under common control with the Underwriter, if such assignee is duly licensed and
registered to perform the obligations of the Underwriter under this Agreement.
12.10 The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished,
to the Fund or its designee copies of the following reports:
(a) the Company's annual statement (prepared under statutory accounting
principles) and annual report (prepared under generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP"), as soon as practical and in any event within 105 days
after the end of each fiscal year;
(b) the Company's quarterly statements (statutory and GAAP), as soon as
practical and in any event within 45 days after the end of each quarterly
period;
(c) any financial statement, proxy statement, notice or report of the
Company sent to stockholders and/or policyholders, as soon as practical
after the delivery thereof to stockholders;
(d) any registration statement (without exhibits) and financial reports
of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
state insurance regulator, as soon as practical after the filing thereof;
(e) any other report submitted to the Company by independent
accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by
them of the books of the Company, as soon as practical after the receipt
thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date
specified below.
Company:
AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE
COMPANY
By its authorized officer,
By____________________________
Title: Vice President and
------------------
<PAGE>
Chief Actuary
-------------
Date: ________________________
Fund:
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS
FUND II
By its authorized officer,
By:___________________________
Title: Senior Vice President
---------------------
Date:_________________________
Underwriter:
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS
CORPORATION
By its authorized officer,
By:___________________________
Title: President
---------
Date:_________________________
<PAGE>
Schedule A
----------
Accounts
--------
Name of Account Date of Resolution of Company's
Board which Established the
Account
Variable Universal Life July 30, 1987
Insurance
Variable Annuity Contracts December 20, 1991
<PAGE>
Schedule B
----------
Contracts
---------
1. Contract Forms:
FL89
VA93-NQ
VA93-PQ
GUA93
SPIVA93
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE C
----------
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURE
----------------------
The following is a list of procedures and corresponding responsibilities for the
handling of proxies relating to the Fund by the Underwriter, the Fund and the
Company. The defined terms herein shall have the meanings assigned in the
Participation Agreement except that the term "Company" shall also include the
department or third party assigned by the Insurance Company to perform the steps
delineated below.
1. The number of proxy proposals is given to the Company by the Underwriter as
early as possible before the date set by the Fund for the shareholder meeting to
facilitate the establishment of tabulation procedures. At this time the
Underwriter will inform the Company of the Record, Mailing and Meeting dates.
This will be done verbally approximately two months before meeting.
2. Promptly after the Record Date, the Company will perform a "tape run", or
other activity, which will generate the names, addresses and number of units
which are attributed to each contractowner/policyholder (the "Customer") as of
the Record Date. Allowance should be made for account adjustments made after
this date that could affect the status of the Customers' accounts as of the
Record Date.
Note: The number of proxy statements is determined by the activities described
in Step#2. The Company will use its best efforts to call in the number of
Customers to Fidelity, as soon as possible, but no later than two weeks after
the Record Date.
3. The Fund's Annual Report must be sent to each Customer by the Company
either before or together with the Customers' receipt of a proxy statement.
Underwriter will provide at least one copy of the last Annual Report to the
Company.
4. The text and format for the Voting Instruction Cards ("Cards" or "Card") is
provided to the Company by the Fund. The Company, at its expense, shall produce
and personalize the Voting Instruction Cards. The Legal Department of the
Underwriter or its affiliate ("Fidelity Legal") must approve the Card before it
is printed. Allow approximately 2-4 business days for printing information on
the Cards. Information commonly found on the Cards includes:
a. name (legal name as found on account registration)
b. address
c. Fund or account number
d. coding to state number of units
e. individual Card number for use in tracking and verification of
votes (already on Cards as printed by the Fund)
(This and related steps may occur later in the chronological process due to
possible uncertainties relating to the proposals.)
5. During this time, Fidelity Legal will develop, produce, and the Fund will
pay for the Notice of Proxy and the Proxy Statement (one document). Printed and
folded notices and statements will be sent to Company for insertion into
envelopes (envelopes and return envelopes are provided and paid for by the
Insurance Company). Contents of envelope sent to Customers by Company will
include:
a. Voting Instruction Card(s)
b. One proxy notice and statement (one document)
c. return envelope (postage pre-paid by Company) addressed to the
Company or its
<PAGE>
tabulation agent
d. "urge buckslip" - optional, but recommended. (this is a small,
single sheet of paper that requests Customers to vote as quickly as
possible and that their vote is important. One copy will be supplied
by the Fund.)
e. cover letter - optional, supplied by Company and reviewed and
approved in advance by Fidelity Legal.
6. The above contents should be received by the Company approximately 3-5
business days before mail date. Individual in charge at Company reviews and
approves the contents of the mailing package to ensure correctness and
completeness. Copy of this approval sent to Fidelity Legal.
7. Package mailed by the Company.
* The Fund must allow at least a 15-day solicitation time to the Company
----
as the shareholder. (A 5-week period is recommended.) Solicitation time is
calculated as calendar days from (but not including) the meeting, counting
---
backwards.
8. Collection and tabulation of Cards begins. Tabulation usually takes place
in another department or another vendor depending on process used. An often used
procedure is to sort Cards on arrival by proposal into vote categories of all
yes, no, or mixed replies, and to begin data entry.
Note: Postmarks are not generally needed. A need for postmark information would
be due to an insurance company's internal procedure and has not been required by
Fidelity in the past.
9. Signatures on Card checked against legal name on account registration which
was printed on the Card.
Note: For Example, If the account registration is under "Bertram C. Jones,
Trustee", then that is the exact legal name to be printed on the Card and is the
signature needed on the Card.
10. If Cards are mutilated, or for any reason are illegible or are not signed
properly, they are sent back to Customer with an explanatory letter, a new Card
and return envelope. The mutilated or illegible Card is disregarded and
considered to be not received for purposes of vote tabulation. Any Cards that
------------
have "kicked out" (e.g. mutilated, illegible) of the procedure are "hand
verified," i.e., examined as to why they did not complete the system. Any
questions on those Cards are usually remedied individually.
11. There are various control procedures used to ensure proper tabulation of
votes and accuracy of that tabulation. The most prevalent is to sort the Cards
as they first arrive into categories depending upon their vote; an estimate of
how the vote is progressing may then be calculated. If the initial estimates and
the actual vote do not coincide, then an internal audit of that vote should
occur. This may entail a recount.
12. The actual tabulation of votes is done in units which is then converted to
shares. (It is very important that the Fund receives the tabulations stated in
terms of a percentage and the number of shares.) Fidelity Legal must review and
approve tabulation format.
13. Final tabulation in shares is verbally given by the Company to Fidelity
Legal on the morning of the meeting not later than 10:00 a.m. Boston time.
Fidelity Legal may request an earlier deadline if required to calculate the vote
in time for the meeting.
14. A Certification of Mailing and Authorization to Vote Shares will be
required from the Company as well
<PAGE>
as an original copy of the final vote. Fidelity Legal will provide a standard
form for each Certification.
15. The Company will be required to box and archive the Cards received from the
Customers. In the event that any vote is challenged or if otherwise necessary
for legal, regulatory, or accounting purposes, Fidelity Legal will be permitted
reasonable access to such Cards.
16. All approvals and "signing-off" may be done orally, but must always be
followed up in writing.
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.B8c
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
-----------------------
Among
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III,
------------------------------------
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
---------------------------------
and
AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY
-----------------------------------
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 1st day of January, 1998 by
and among AMERICAN NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY, (hereinafter the "Company"), a
Texas corporation, on its own behalf and on behalf of each segregated asset
account of the Company set forth on Schedule A hereto as may be amended from
time to time (each such account hereinafter referred to as the "Account"), and
the VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III, an unincorporated business trust
organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (hereinafter the
"Fund") and FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION (hereinafter the "Underwriter"), a
Massachusetts corporation.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management investment
company and is available to act as the investment vehicle for separate accounts
established for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts
(collectively, the "Variable Insurance Products") to be offered by insurance
companies which have entered into participation agreements with the Fund and the
Underwriter (hereinafter "Participating Insurance Companies"); and
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into several series
of shares, each representing the interest in a particular managed portfolio of
securities and other assets, any one or more of which may be made available
under this Agreement, as may be amended from time to time by mutual agreement of
the parties hereto (each such series hereinafter referred to as a "Portfolio");
and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and Exchange
Commission, dated September 17, 1986 (File No. 812-6422), granting Participating
Insurance Companies and variable annuity and variable life insurance separate
accounts exemptions from the provisions of sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and
15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (hereinafter the "1940
Act") and Rules 6e-2(b) (15) and 6e-3(T) (b) (15) thereunder, to the extent
necessary to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to and held by variable
annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of both affiliated and
unaffiliated life insurance companies (hereinafter the "Shared Funding Exemptive
Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, Fidelity Management & Research Company (the "Adviser") is duly
registered as an
<PAGE>
investment adviser under the federal Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and any
applicable state securities law; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain variable life
insurance and variable annuity contracts and/or variable life insurance policies
under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Company, on the date shown for such Account on Schedule A hereto, to set aside
and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid variable annuity contracts and
variable life insurance policies; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a unit
investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker dealer with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, (hereinafter the "1934 Act"), and is a member in good standing
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (hereinafter "NASD");
and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios on behalf
of each Account to fund certain of the aforesaid variable life and variable
annuity contracts and the Underwriter is authorized to sell such shares to unit
investment trusts such as each Account at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company, the
Fund and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares
-------------------
1.1. The Underwriter agrees to sell to the Company those shares of the
Fund which each Account orders, executing such orders on a daily basis at the
net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or its designee of the
order for the shares of the Fund. For purposes of this Section 1.1, the Company
shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of such orders from each Account
and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that
the Fund receives notice of such order by 10:00 a.m. Boston time on the next
following Business Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York
Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Fund calculates its net
asset value pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.2. The Fund agrees to make its shares available indefinitely for
purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company and its
Accounts on those days on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant
to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Fund shall use
reasonable efforts to calculate such net asset value on each day which the New
York Stock Exchange is open for trading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Board of Trustees of the Fund (hereinafter the "Board") may refuse to sell
shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of
shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Board
acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and
any applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders
of such Portfolio.
1.3. The Fund and the Underwriter agree that shares of the Fund will be
sold only to Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts. No
shares of any Portfolio will be sold to the general public.
<PAGE>
1.4. The Fund and the Underwriter will not sell Fund shares to any
insurance company or separate account unless an agreement containing provisions
substantially the same as Articles I, III, V, VII and Section 2.5 of Article II
of this Agreement is in effect to govern such sales.
1.5. The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's request, any
full or fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, executing such
requests on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by
the Fund or its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of this
Section 1.5, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of
requests for redemption from each Account and receipt by such designee shall
constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such
request for redemption on the next following Business Day.
1.6. The Company agrees that purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares
offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund shall be made in accordance
with the provisions of such prospectus. The Company agrees that all net amounts
available under the variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance
policies with the form number(s) which are listed on Schedule A attached hereto
and incorporated herein by this reference, as such Schedule A may be amended
from time to time hereafter by mutual written agreement of all the parties
hereto, (the "Contracts") shall be invested in the Fund, in such other Funds
advised by the Adviser as may be mutually agreed to in writing by the parties
hereto, or in the Company's general account, provided that such amounts may also
be invested in an investment company other than the Fund if (a) such other
investment company, or series thereof, has investment objectives or policies
that are substantially different from the investment objectives and policies of
all the Portfolios of the Fund; or (b) the Company gives the Fund and the
Underwriter 45 days written notice of its intention to make such other
investment company available as a funding vehicle for the Contracts; or (c) such
other investment company was available as a funding vehicle for the Contracts
prior to the date of this Agreement and the Company so informs the Fund and
Underwriter prior to their signing this Agreement (a list of such funds
appearing on Schedule C to this Agreement); or (d) the Fund or Underwriter
consents to the use of such other investment company.
1.7. The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business Day after
an order to purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with the provisions of
Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire. For
purpose of Section 2.10 and 2.11, upon receipt by the Fund of the federal funds
so wired, such funds shall cease to be the responsibility of the Company and
shall become the responsibility of the Fund.
1.8. Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry
only. Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account.
Shares ordered from the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for each
Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.9. The Fund shall furnish same day notice (by wire or telephone,
followed by written confirmation) to the Company of any income, dividends or
capital gain distributions payable on the Fund's shares. The Company hereby
elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions as
are payable on the Portfolio shares in additional shares of that Portfolio. The
Company reserves the right to revoke this election and to receive all such
income dividends and capital gain distributions in cash. The Fund shall notify
the Company of the number of shares so issued as payment of such dividends and
distributions.
1.10. The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each Portfolio
available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably practical after
the net asset value per share is calculated (normally by 6:30 p.m. Boston time)
and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value per share available
by 7 p.m. Boston time.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
------------------------------
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will be
registered under the 1933 Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable Federal and State laws
and that the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all material respects with
state insurance suitability requirements. The Company further represents and
warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing
under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established each
Account prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated asset account
under Section 3.75 of the Texas Insurance Code and has registered or, prior to
any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will register each Account as a unit
investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a
segregated investment account for the Contracts.
2.2. The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold pursuant to
this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly authorized for
issuance and sold in compliance with the laws of the State of Texas and all
applicable federal and state securities laws and that the Fund is and shall
remain registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund shall amend the Registration
Statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time
as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its shares. The Fund
shall register and qualify the shares for sale in accordance with the laws of
the various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund or the
Underwriter.
2.3. The Fund represents that it is currently qualified as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, (the "Code") and that it will make every effort to maintain such
qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision) and
that it will notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing that it has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in
the future.
2.4. The Company represents that the Contracts are currently treated as
annuity or life insurance contracts, under applicable provisions of the Code and
that it will make every effort to maintain such treatment and that it will
notify the Fund and the Underwriter immediately upon having a reasonable basis
for believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might
not be so treated in the future.
2.5. With respect to Initial Class Shares, the Fund has adopted a "no fee"
or "defensive" Rule 12b-1 Plan under which it makes no payments for distribution
expenses. To the extent that it decides to finance distribution expenses
pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund undertakes to have a board of trustees, a
majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund, formulate and approve
any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses.
2.6. The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its
operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment
policies) complies with the insurance laws or regulations of the various states
except that the Fund represents that the Fund's investment policies, fees and
expenses are and shall at all times remain in compliance with the laws of the
State of Texas and the Fund and the Underwriter represent that their respective
operations are and shall at all times remain in material compliance with the
laws of the State of Texas to the extent required to perform this Agreement.
2.7. The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is a member in good
standing of the NASD and is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC. The
Underwriter further represents that it will sell and distribute the Fund shares
in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and all applicable state and
federal securities laws,
<PAGE>
including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the 1940 Act.
2.8. The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly
existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that it does
and will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.
2.9. The Underwriter represents and warrants that the Adviser is and shall
remain duly registered in all material respects under all applicable federal and
state securities laws and that the Adviser shall perform its obligations for the
Fund in compliance in all material respects with the laws of the State of Texas
and any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.10. The Fund and Underwriter represent and warrant that all of their
directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals/entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are
and shall continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or
similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the
minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940 Act or
related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid Bond
shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a
reputable bonding company.
2.11. The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors,
officers, employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities dealing
with the money and/or securities of the Fund are covered by a blanket fidelity
bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund, and that said bond is
issued by a reputable bonding company, includes coverage for larceny and
embezzlement, and is in an amount not less than $5 million. The Company agrees
to make all reasonable efforts to see that this bond or another bond containing
these provisions is always in effect, and agrees to notify the Fund and the
Underwriter in the event that such coverage no longer applies.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses and Proxy Statements; Voting
-----------------------------------------
3.1. The Underwriter shall provide the Company with as many printed copies
of the Fund's current prospectus and Statement of Additional Information as the
Company may reasonably request. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the
Fund shall provide camera-ready film containing the Fund's prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information, and such other assistance as is reasonably
necessary in order for the Company once each year (or more frequently if the
prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information for the Fund is amended
during the year) to have the prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's
prospectus printed together in one document, and to have the Statement of
Additional Information for the Fund and the Statement of Additional Information
for the Contracts printed together in one document. Alternatively, the Company
may print the Fund's prospectus and/or its Statement of Additional Information
in combination with other fund companies' prospectuses and statements of
additional information. Except as provided in the following three sentences, all
expenses of printing and distributing Fund prospectuses and Statements of
Additional Information shall be the expense of the Company. For prospectuses and
Statements of Additional Information provided by the Company to its existing
owners of Contracts in order to update disclosure annually as required by the
1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act, the cost of printing shall be borne by the Fund.
If the Company chooses to receive camera-ready film in lieu of receiving printed
copies of the Fund's prospectus, the Fund will reimburse the Company in an
amount equal to the product of A and B where A is the number of such
prospectuses distributed to owners of the Contracts, and B is the Fund's per
unit cost of typesetting and printing the Fund's prospectus. The same procedures
shall be followed with respect to the Fund's Statement of Additional
Information.
The Company agrees to provide the Fund or its designee with such
information as may be reasonably requested by the Fund to assure that the Fund's
expenses do not include the cost of printing any prospectuses or
<PAGE>
Statements of Additional Information other than those actually distributed to
existing owners of the Contracts.
3.2. The Fund's prospectus shall state that the Statement of
Additional Information for the Fund is available from the Underwriter or the
Company (or in the Fund's discretion, the Prospectus shall state that such
Statement is available from the Fund).
3.3. The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies
of its proxy statements, reports to shareholders, and other communications
(except for prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information, which are
covered in Section 3.1) to shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall
reasonably require for distributing to Contract owners.
3.4. If and to the extent required by law the Company shall:
(i) solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
(ii) vote the Fund shares in accordance with instructions
received from Contract owners; and
(iii) vote Fund shares for which no instructions have been
received in a particular separate account in the same
proportion as Fund shares of such portfolio for which
instructions have been received in that separate account,
so long as and to the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission
continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges
for variable contract owners. The Company reserves the right to vote Fund
shares held in any segregated asset account in its own right, to the extent
permitted by law. Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for
assuring that each of their separate accounts participating in the Fund
calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with the standards set forth
on Schedule B attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, which
standards will also be provided to the other Participating Insurance Companies.
3.5. The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act
requiring voting by shareholders, and in particular the Fund will either provide
for annual meetings or comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the
Fund is not one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as
with Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further, the Fund will
act in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's interpretation
of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of
trustees and with whatever rules the Commission may promulgate with respect
thereto.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
------------------------------
4.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to
the Fund or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which the Fund or its investment adviser or the Underwriter is
named, at least fifteen Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall
be used if the Fund or its designee reasonably objects to such use within
fifteen Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.2. The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in the registration statement or prospectus for the
Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund,
or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund or its
designee or by the Underwriter, except with the permission of the Fund or the
Underwriter or the designee of either.
4.3. The Fund, Underwriter, or its designee shall furnish, or shall
cause to be furnished, to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales
literature or other promotional material in which the Company
<PAGE>
and/or its separate account(s), is named at least fifteen Business Days prior to
its use. No such material shall be used if the Company or its designee
reasonably objects to such use within fifteen Business Days after receipt of
such material.
4.4. The Fund and the Underwriter shall not give any information or
make any representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company,
each Account, or the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in published reports for each Account which are in the public domain
or approved by the Company for distribution to Contract owners, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Company or its
designee, except with the permission of the Company.
4.5. The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy
of all registration statements, prospectuses, Statements of Additional
Information, reports, proxy statements, sales literature and other promotional
materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all
amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its shares,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the Securities and
Exchange Commission or other regulatory authorities.
4.6. The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy
of all registration statements, prospectuses, Statements of Additional
Information, reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature
and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no
action letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the
Contracts or each Account, contemporaneously with the filing of such document
with the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
4.7. For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature
or other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, any of the
following that refer to the Fund or any affiliate of the Fund: advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or
other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape
display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media), sales
literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
----
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, and registration statements,
prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information, shareholder reports, and
proxy materials.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
-----------------
5.1. To the extent that the Fund or any Portfolio has adopted and
implemented a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses, the
Underwriter may make payments to the Company or to the underwriter with respect
to the Contracts if and in amounts agreed to by the Underwriter in writing and
such payments will be made out of existing fees otherwise payable to the
Underwriter, past profits of the Underwriter or other resources available to the
Underwriter. No such payments shall be made directly by the Fund.
5.2. All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under this
Agreement shall be paid by the Fund. The Fund shall see to it that all its
shares are registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable
federal law and, if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund, in
accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund shall bear
the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's
shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's prospectus and registration
statement, proxy materials and
<PAGE>
reports, setting the prospectus in type, setting in type and printing the
proxy materials and reports to shareholders (including the costs of printing a
prospectus that constitutes an annual report), the preparation of all statements
and notices required by any federal or state law, and all taxes on the issuance
or transfer of the Fund's shares.
5.3. The Company shall bear the expenses of distributing the Fund's
prospectus, proxy materials and reports to owners of Contracts issued by the
Company.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification
---------------
6.1. The Fund will at all times invest money from the Contracts in
such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable
contracts under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without
limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Fund will at all times comply with
Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the
diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance
contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Section or
Regulations. In the event of a breach of this Article VI by the Fund, it will
take all reasonable steps (a) to notify Company of such breach and (b) to
adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace
period afforded by Regulation 1.817-5.
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts
-------------------
7.1. The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any
material irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of
all separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict
may arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state
insurance regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state
insurance, tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private
letter ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by
insurance, tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or
judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the
investments of any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting
instructions given by variable annuity contract and variable life insurance
contract owners; or (f) a decision by an insurer to disregard the voting
instructions of contract owners. The Board shall promptly inform the Company if
it determines that an irreconcilable material conflict exists and the
implications thereof.
7.2. The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of
which it is aware to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying
out its responsibilities under the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by providing
the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to consider
any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation by the
Company to inform the Board whenever contract owner voting instructions are
disregarded.
7.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority
of its disinterested trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists,
the Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense
and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the
disinterested trustees), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or
eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1),
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from
the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Fund, or
submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote
of all affected Contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of
any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance contract
----
owners, or variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance
Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected
contract owners the option of
<PAGE>
making such a change; and (2), establishing a new registered management
investment company or managed separate account.
7.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a
decision by the Company to disregard contract owner voting instructions and that
decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the
Company may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the affected
Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to
such Account; provided, however that such withdrawal and termination shall be
limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict
as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Any such
withdrawal and termination must take place within six (6) months after the Fund
gives written notice that this provision is being implemented, and until the end
of that six month period the Underwriter and Fund shall continue to accept and
implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of
the Fund.
7.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a
particular state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company
conflicts with the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will
withdraw the affected Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this
Agreement with respect to such Account within six months after the Board informs
the Company in writing that it has determined that such decision has created an
irreconcilable material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members
of the Board. Until the end of the foregoing six month period, the Underwriter
and Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the
purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund.
7.6. For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.6 of this Agreement, a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any
proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in
no event will the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium for the
Contracts. The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 to establish a new
funding medium for the Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote
of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected by the
irreconcilable material conflict. In the event that the Board determines that
any proposed action does not adequately remedy any irreconcilable material
conflict, then the Company will withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund
and terminate this Agreement within six (6) months after the Board informs the
Company in writing of the foregoing determination, provided, however, that such
withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by any such
material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board.
7.7. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are
amended, or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision
of the Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared
funding (as defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and
conditions materially different from those contained in the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, then (a) the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance Companies,
as appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules
6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such
rules are applicable; and (b) Sections 3.4, 3.5, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 of
this Agreement shall continue in effect only to the extent that terms and
conditions substantially identical to such Sections are contained in such
Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
---------------
8.1. Indemnification By The Company
------------------------------
8.1(a). The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund
and each trustee of the
<PAGE>
Board and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Fund within the
meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties"
for purposes of this Section 8.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
the Company) or litigation (including legal and other expenses), to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common
law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale
or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or prospectus for the Contracts or contained in the
Contracts or sales literature for the Contracts (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, provided that this agreement to
indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the
Company by or on behalf of the Fund for use in the Registration
Statement or prospectus for the Contracts or in the Contracts or
sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for
use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
Registration Statement, prospectus or sales literature of the Fund
not supplied by the Company, or persons under its control) or
wrongful conduct of the Company or persons under its control, with
respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund Shares;
or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, prospectus,
or sales literature of the Fund or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto or the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading if such a statement or
omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Fund
by or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement;
or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement
or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by the Company, as limited by and in accordance with the
provisions of Sections 8.1(b) and 8.1(c) hereof.
8.1(b). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
litigation incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such
may arise from such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad
faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified
Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless
disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to the
Fund, whichever is applicable.
8.1(c). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any
<PAGE>
claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party
shall have notified the Company in writing within a reasonable time
after the summons or other first legal process giving information of
the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified
Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the
Company of any such claim shall not relieve the Company from any
liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom
such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against
the Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action. The
Company also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice
from the Company to such party of the Company's election to assume
the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Company
will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal
or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently
in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
8.1(d). The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of
the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in
connection with the issuance or sale of the Fund Shares or the
Contracts or the operation of the Fund.
8.2. Indemnification by the Underwriter
----------------------------------
8.2(a). The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of the Underwriter) or litigation
(including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become
subject under any statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or
settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the
Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
the Registration Statement or prospectus or sales literature
of the Fund (or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, provided that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified
Party if such statement or omission or such alleged
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to the Underwriter or
Fund by or on behalf of the Company for use in the
Registration Statement or prospectus for the Fund or in
sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or
otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the
Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
Registration Statement, prospectus or sales literature for
the Contracts not supplied by the Underwriter or persons
under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Fund, Adviser
or Underwriter or persons under their control, with respect
to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares;
or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained
<PAGE>
in a Registration Statement, prospectus, or sales literature
covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statement or statements therein not misleading, if
such statement or omission was made in reliance upon
information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the
Fund; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement (including a failure, whether unintentional or in
good faith or otherwise, to comply with the diversification
requirements specified in Article VI of this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Underwriter in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Underwriter; as limited by and
in accordance with the provisions of Section 8.2(b) and 8.2(c)
hereof.
8.2(b). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to
each Company or the Account whichever is applicable.
8.2(c). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter of
any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than
on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Underwriter will be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also
shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to
the party named in the action. After notice from the Underwriter to such party
of the Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified
Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it,
and the Underwriter will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for
any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
8.2(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers
or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the
operation of each Account.
8.3. Indemnification By the Fund
---------------------------
8.3(a). The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company,
and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.3) against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with
the written consent of the Fund) or litigation (including legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute,
at
<PAGE>
common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements result from the gross
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Board or any member thereof,
are related to the operations of the Fund and:
(i) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement (including a failure to comply with the
diversification requirements specified in Article VI of this
Agreement); or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Fund in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Fund;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.3(b) and
8.3(c) hereof.
8.3(b). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to
the Company, the Fund, the Underwriter or each Account, whichever is applicable.
8.3(c). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any
such claim shall not relieve the Fund from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action. After notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to
assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund will not be
liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.3(d). The Company and the Underwriter agree promptly to notify the
Fund of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of
its respective officers or directors in connection with this Agreement, the
issuance or sale of the Contracts, with respect to the operation of either
Account, or the sale or acquisition of shares of the Fund.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
--------------
9.1. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
9.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933,
1934 and 1940 acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder,
including such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the
Securities and Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to, the
Shared Funding Exemptive Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and
construed in accordance therewith.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE X. Termination
-----------
10.1 This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until
the first to occur of:
(a) termination by any party for any reason by sixty (60) days
advance written notice delivered to the other parties; or
(b) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and
the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio based upon the
Company's determination that shares of such Portfolio are not
reasonably available to meet the requirements of the
Contracts; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and
the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event any
of the Portfolio's shares are not registered, issued or sold
in accordance with applicable state and/or federal law or such
law precludes the use of such shares as the underlying
investment media of the Contracts issued or to be issued by
the Company; or
(d) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and
the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event
that such Portfolio ceases to qualify as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code or under any
successor or similar provision, or if the Company reasonably
believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify; or
(e) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and
the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event
that such Portfolio fails to meet the diversification
requirements specified in Article VI hereof; or
(f) termination by either the Fund or the Underwriter by written
notice to the Company, if either one or both of the Fund or
the Underwriter respectively, shall determine, in their sole
judgment exercised in good faith, that the Company and/or its
affiliated companies has suffered a material adverse change in
its business, operations, financial condition or prospects
since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material
adverse publicity; or
(g) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and
the Underwriter, if the Company shall determine, in its sole
judgment exercised in good faith, that either the Fund or the
Underwriter has suffered a material adverse change in its
business, operations, financial condition or prospects since
the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material
adverse publicity; or
(h) termination by the Fund or the Underwriter by written notice
to the Company, if the Company gives the Fund and the
Underwriter the written notice specified in Section 1.6(b)
hereof and at the time such notice was given there was no
notice of termination outstanding under any other provision of
this Agreement; provided, however any termination under this
Section 10.1(h) shall be effective forty-five (45) days after
the notice specified in Section 1.6(b) was given.
10.2. Effect of Termination. Notwithstanding any termination of this
---------------------
Agreement, the Fund and the Underwriter shall at the option of the Company,
continue to make available additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in effect on the effective
date of termination of this Agreement
<PAGE>
(hereinafter referred to as "Existing Contracts"). Specifically, without
limitation, the owners of the Existing Contracts shall be permitted to
reallocate investments in the Fund, redeem investments in the Fund and/or invest
in the Fund upon the making of additional purchase payments under the Existing
Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 10.2 shall not apply to any
terminations under Article VII and the effect of such Article VII terminations
shall be governed by Article VII of this Agreement.
10.3 The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the
Contracts (as opposed to Fund shares attributable to the Company's assets held
in the Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract Owner initiated
transactions, or (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or regulations or
judicial or other legal precedent of general application (hereinafter referred
to as a "Legally Required Redemption"). Upon request, the Company will promptly
furnish to the Fund and the Underwriter the opinion of counsel for the Company
(which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Fund and the Underwriter)
to the effect that any redemption pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally
Required Redemption. Furthermore, except in cases where permitted under the
terms of the Contracts, the Company shall not prevent Contract Owners from
allocating payments to a Portfolio that was otherwise available under the
Contracts without first giving the Fund or the Underwriter 90 days notice of its
intention to do so.
ARTICLE XI. Notices
-------
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below
or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing
to the other party.
If to the Fund:
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Attention: Treasurer
If to the Company:
One Moody Plaza
Galveston, Texas 77550
Attention: Sr. VP & Chief Actuary
with a copy to:
Jerry L. Adams
Greer, Herz & Adams, L.L.P.
One Moody Plaza, 18th Floor
Galveston, Texas 77550
If to the Underwriter:
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
Attention: Treasurer
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous
-------------
12.1 All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the
property of the Fund for the
<PAGE>
enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the Board, officers,
agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for obligations entered
into on behalf of the Fund.
12.2 Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses
of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information until such time as it may come into
the public domain without the express written consent of the affected party.
12.3 The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
12.4 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
12.5 If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made
invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the
Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
12.6 Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and
all appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC,
the NASD and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the California Insurance Commissioner with any information or
reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement which such
Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the variable life
insurance operations of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent
with the California Variable Life Insurance Regulations and any other applicable
law or regulations.
12.7 The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this
Agreement are cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and
obligations, at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under
state and federal laws.
12.8. This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder
may not be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of all
parties hereto; provided, however, that the Underwriter may assign this
Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or company
under common control with the Underwriter, if such assignee is duly licensed and
registered to perform the obligations of the Underwriter under this Agreement.
The Company shall promptly notify the Fund and the Underwriter of any change in
control of the Company.
12.9. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to
the Fund or its designee copies of the following reports:
(a) the Company's annual statement (prepared under
statutory accounting principles) and annual report (prepared
under generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), if
any), as soon as practical and in any event within 90 days
after the end of each fiscal year;
(b) the Company's quarterly statements (statutory) (and
GAAP, if any), as soon as practical and in any event within 45
days after the end of each quarterly period:
<PAGE>
(c) any financial statement, proxy statement, notice or
report of the Company sent to stockholders and/or
policyholders, as soon as practical after the delivery thereof
to stockholders;
(d) any registration statement (without exhibits) and
financial reports of the Company filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission or any state insurance regulator, as soon
as practical after the filing thereof;
(e) any other report submitted to the Company by
independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim
or special audit made by them of the books of the Company, as
soon as practical after the receipt thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date
specified below.
AMERICAN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: _________________________
Name: _________________________
Title: _________________________
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III
By: ________________________
Robert C. Pozen
Senior Vice President
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
By: _______________________
Kevin J. Kelly
Vice President
<PAGE>
Schedule A
----------
Separate Accounts and Associated Contracts
------------------------------------------
Name of Separate Account and Policy Form Numbers of Contracts
Date Established by Board of Directors Funded By Separate Account
- -------------------------------------- --------------------------
American National Variable Life FPVA-NQ
Separate Account established FPVA-PQ
July 30, 1987 VA95-NQ
VA95-PQ
FL89
GUA95
SPIVA94
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE B
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURE
The following is a list of procedures and corresponding responsibilities for the
handling of proxies relating to the Fund by the Underwriter, the Fund and the
Company. The defined terms herein shall have the meanings assigned in the
Participation Agreement except that the term "Company" shall also include the
department or third party assigned by the Insurance Company to perform the steps
delineated below.
1. The number of proxy proposals is given to the Company by the Underwriter as
early as possible before the date set by the Fund for the shareholder
meeting to facilitate the establishment of tabulation procedures. At this
time the Underwriter will inform the Company of the Record, Mailing and
Meeting dates. This will be done verbally approximately two months before
meeting.
2. Promptly after the Record Date, the Company will perform a "tape run", or
other activity, which will generate the names, addresses and number of
units which are attributed to each contractowner/policyholder (the
"Customer") as of the Record Date. Allowance should be made for account
adjustments made after this date that could affect the status of the
Customers' accounts as of the Record Date.
Note: The number of proxy statements is determined by the activities
described in Step #2. The Company will use its best efforts to call in the
number of Customers to Fidelity, as soon as possible, but no later than two
weeks after the Record Date.
3. The Fund's Annual Report no longer needs to be sent to each Customer by the
Company either before or together with the Customers' receipt of a proxy
statement. Underwriter will provide the last Annual Report to the Company
pursuant to the terms of Section 3.3 of the Agreement to which this
Schedule relates.
4. The text and format for the Voting Instruction Cards ("Cards" or "Card") is
provided to the Company by the Fund. The Company, at its expense, shall
produce and personalize the Voting Instruction Cards. The Legal Department
of the Underwriter or its affiliate ("Fidelity Legal") must approve the
Card before it is printed. Allow approximately 2-4 business days for
printing information on the Cards. Information commonly found on the Cards
includes:
a. name (legal name as found on account registration)
b. address
c. Fund or account number
d. coding to state number of units
e. individual Card number for use in tracking and verification of
votes (already on Cards as printed by the Fund)
(This and related steps may occur later in the chronological process due to
possible uncertainties relating to the proposals.)
5. During this time, Fidelity Legal will develop, produce, and the Fund will
pay for the Notice of Proxy and the Proxy Statement (one document). Printed
and folded notices and statements will be sent to Company for insertion
into envelopes (envelopes and return envelopes are provided and paid for by
the Insurance Company). Contents of envelope sent to Customers by Company
will include:
a. Voting Instruction Card(s)
<PAGE>
b. One proxy notice and statement (one document)
c. return envelope (postage pre-paid by Company) addressed to the
Company or its tabulation agent
d. "urge buckslip" - optional, but recommended. (This is a small,
single sheet of paper that requests Customers to vote as quickly
as possible and that their vote is important. One copy will be
supplied by the Fund.)
e. cover letter - optional, supplied by Company and reviewed and
approved in advance by Fidelity Legal.
6. The above contents should be received by the Company approximately 3-5
business days before mail date. Individual in charge at Company reviews and
approves the contents of the mailing package to ensure correctness and
completeness. Copy of this approval sent to Fidelity Legal.
7. Package mailed by the Company.
* The Fund must allow at least a 15-day solicitation time to the Company
----
as the shareowner. (A 5-week period is recommended.) Solicitation time
is calculated as calendar days from (but not including) the meeting,
---
counting backwards.
8. Collection and tabulation of Cards begins. Tabulation usually takes place
in another department or another vendor depending on process used. An often
used procedure is to sort Cards on arrival by proposal into vote categories
of all yes, no, or mixed replies, and to begin data entry.
Note: Postmarks are not generally needed. A need for postmark information
would be due to an insurance company's internal procedure and has not been
required by Fidelity in the past.
9. Signatures on Card checked against legal name on account registration which
was printed on the Card.
Note: For Example, If the account registration is under "Bertram C. Jones,
Trustee," then that is the exact legal name to be printed on the Card and
is the signature needed on the Card.
10. If Cards are mutilated, or for any reason are illegible or are not signed
properly, they are sent back to Customer with an explanatory letter, a new
Card and return envelope. The mutilated or illegible Card is disregarded
and considered to be not received for purposes of vote tabulation. Any
--- --------
Cards that have "kicked out" (e.g. mutilated, illegible) of the procedure
are "hand verified," i.e., examined as to why they did not complete the
system. Any questions on those Cards are usually remedied individually.
11. There are various control procedures used to ensure proper tabulation of
votes and accuracy of that tabulation. The most prevalent is to sort the
Cards as they first arrive into categories depending upon their vote; an
estimate of how the vote is progressing may then be calculated. If the
initial estimates and the actual vote do not coincide, then an internal
audit of that vote should occur. This may entail a recount.
12. The actual tabulation of votes is done in units which is then converted to
shares. (It is very important that the Fund receives the tabulations stated
in terms of a percentage and the number of shares.) Fidelity Legal must
review and approve tabulation format.
<PAGE>
13. Final tabulation in shares is verbally given by the Company to Fidelity
Legal on the morning of the meeting not later than 10:00 a.m. Boston time.
Fidelity Legal may request an earlier deadline if required to calculate the
vote in time for the meeting.
14. A Certification of Mailing and Authorization to Vote Shares will be
required from the Company as well as an original copy of the final vote.
Fidelity Legal will provide a standard form for each Certification.
15. The Company will be required to box and archive the Cards received from the
Customers. In the event that any vote is challenged or if otherwise
necessary for legal, regulatory, or accounting purposes, Fidelity Legal
will be permitted reasonable access to such Cards.
16. All approvals and "signing-off" may be done orally, but must always be
followed up in writing.
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE C
Other investment companies currently available under variable annuities or
variable life insurance issued by the Company.
American National Investment Accounts, Inc.
Variable Insurance Products Fund
Variable Insurance Products Fund II
MFS Variable Insurance Products Trust
T. Rowe Price International Series, Inc.
T. Rowe Price Equity Series, Inc.
T. Rowe Price Fixed Income Series, Inc.
Van Eck Worldwide Insurance Trust
Federated Insurance Series
Lazard Retirement Series, Inc.
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.B8d
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
-----------------------
Among
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL SERIES, INC.,
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY SERIES, INC.,
T. ROWE PRICE FIXED INCOME SERIES, INC.,
T. ROWE PRICE INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.,
and
AMERICAN NATIONAL LIFE
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of this ____ day of ________,
1997 by and among American National Life (hereinafter, the "Company"), a Texas
insurance company, on its own behalf and on behalf of each segregated asset
account of the Company set forth on Schedule A hereto as may be amended from
time to time (each account hereinafter referred to as the "Account"), and the
undersigned funds, each, a corporation organized under the laws of Maryland
(hereinafter referred to as the "Fund") and T. Rowe Price Investment Services,
Inc. (hereinafter the "Underwriter"), a Maryland corporation.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management
investment company and is or will be available to act as the investment vehicle
for separate accounts established for variable life insurance and variable
annuity contracts (the "Variable Insurance Products") to be offered by insurance
companies which have entered into participation agreements with the Fund and
Underwriter (hereinafter "Participating Insurance Companies"); and
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into several
series of shares, each designated a "Portfolio" and representing the interest in
a particular managed portfolio of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC") granting Participating Insurance Companies and
variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts exemptions from
the provisions of sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, (hereinafter the "1940 Act") and Rules
6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T) (b)(15) thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit
shares of the Fund to be sold to and held by variable annuity and variable life
insurance separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance
companies (hereinafter the "Shared Funding Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and shares of the Portfolios are registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and Rowe Price-Fleming
International, Inc. (each hereinafter referred to as the "Adviser") are each
duly registered as an investment adviser under the federal Investment Advisers
Act of 1940, as amended, and any applicable state securities laws; and
<PAGE>
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain variable
life insurance or variable annuity contracts supported wholly or partially by
the Account (the "Contracts") under the 1933 Act, and said Contracts are listed
in Schedule A hereto, as it may be amended from time to time by mutual written
agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Account is duly established and maintained as a segregated
asset account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Company, on the date shown for such Account on Schedule A hereto, to set aside
and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid Contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register the Account as a
unit investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker dealer with the SEC
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (hereinafter the "1934
Act"), and is a member in good standing of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (hereinafter "NASD"); and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios listed in
Schedule A hereto, as it may be amended from time to time by mutual written
agreement (the "Designated Portfolios") on behalf of the Account to fund the
aforesaid Contracts, and the Underwriter is authorized to sell such shares to
unit investment trusts such as the Account at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company,
the Fund and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares
-------------------
1.1 The Underwriter agrees to sell to the Company those shares of the
Designated Portfolios which the Account orders, executing such orders on a daily
basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or its
designee of the order for the shares of the Designated Portfolios.
1.2 The Fund agrees to make shares of the Designated Portfolios
available for purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the
Company and the Account on those days on which the Fund calculates its net asset
value pursuant to rules of the SEC, and the Fund shall use its best efforts to
calculate such net asset value on each day which the New York Stock Exchange is
open for trading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors of the
Fund (hereinafter the "Board") may refuse to sell shares of any Designated
Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any
Designated Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction, or is, in the sole discretion of the Board
acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and
any applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders
of such Designated Portfolio.
1.3 The Fund and the Underwriter agree that shares of the Fund will be
sold only to Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts. No
shares of any Designated Portfolios will be sold to the general public. The Fund
and the Underwriter will not sell Fund shares to any insurance company or
separate account unless an agreement containing provisions substantially the
same as Articles I and VII of this Agreement is in effect to govern such sales.
1.4 The Fund agrees to redeem, on the Company's request, any full or
fractional shares of the
<PAGE>
Designated Portfolios held by the Company, executing such requests on a daily
basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or its
designee of the request for redemption, except that the Fund reserves the right
to suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment or
satisfaction upon redemption consistent with Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act and
any sales thereunder, and in accordance with the procedures and policies of the
Fund as described in the then current prospectus.
1.5 For purposes of Sections 1.1 and 1.4, the Company shall be the
designee of the Fund for receipt of purchase and redemption orders from the
Account, and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund;
provided that the Company receives the order by 4:00 p.m. Baltimore time and the
Fund receives notice of such order by 9:30 a.m. Baltimore time on the next
following Business Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York
Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Fund calculates its net
asset value pursuant to the rules of the SEC.
1.6 The Company agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of each
Designated Portfolio offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund and in
accordance with the provisions of such prospectus.
1.7 The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business Day
after receipt of an order to purchase Fund shares. Payment shall be in federal
funds transmitted by wire by 4:00 p.m. Baltimore time. If payment in Federal
Funds for any purchase is not received or is received by the Fund after 4:00
p.m. Baltimore time on such Business Day, the Company shall promptly, upon the
Fund's request, reimburse the Fund for any charges, costs, fees, interest or
other expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with any advances to, or
borrowings or overdrafts by, the Fund, or any similar expenses incurred by the
Fund, as a result of portfolio transactions effected by the Fund based upon such
purchase request. For purposes of Section 2.8 and 2.9 hereof, upon receipt by
the Fund of the federal funds so wired, such funds shall cease to be the
responsibility of the Company and shall become the responsibility of the Fund.
1.8 Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry
only. Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account.
Shares ordered from the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for each
Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.9 The Fund shall furnish same day notice (by wire or telephone,
followed by written confirmation) to the Company of any income, dividends or
capital gain distributions payable on the Designated Portfolios' shares. The
Company hereby elects to receive all such income, dividends, and capital gain
distributions as are payable on Designated Portfolio shares in additional shares
of that Portfolio. The Company reserves the right to revoke this election and to
receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions in cash. The
Fund shall notify the Company of the number of shares so issued as payment of
such dividends and distributions. The Fund shall use its best efforts to furnish
advance notice of the day such dividends and distributions are expected to be
paid.
1.10 The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each
Designated Portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as
reasonably practical after the net asset value per share is calculated (normally
by 6:30 p.m. Baltimore time) and shall use its best efforts to make such net
asset value per share available by 7 p.m. Baltimore time.
1.11 The Parties hereto acknowledge that the arrangement contemplated
by this Agreement is not exclusive; the Fund's shares may be sold to other
insurance companies (subject to Section 1.3 and Article VI hereof) and the cash
value of the Contracts may be invested in other investment companies, provided,
however, that (a) such other investment company, or series thereof, has
investment objectives or policies that are different
<PAGE>
from the investment objectives and policies of the Fund; or (b) the Company
gives the Fund and the Underwriter 45 days written notice of its intention to
make such other investment company available as a funding vehicle for the
Contracts; or (c) such other investment company was available as a funding
vehicle for the Contracts prior to the date of this Agreement and the Company so
informs the Fund and Underwriter prior to their signing this Agreement; or (d)
the Fund or Underwriter consents to the use of such other investment company,
such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
------------------------------
2.1 The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will
be registered under the 1933 Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws
and that the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all material respects with
state insurance suitability requirements. The Company further represents and
warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing
under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established the Account
prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated asset account under the
Texas insurance laws and has registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the
Contracts, will register the Account as a unit investment trust in accordance
with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a segregated investment account
for the Contracts.
2.2 The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold pursuant to
this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly authorized for
issuance and sold in compliance with the laws of the state of Texas and all
applicable federal and state securities laws and that the Fund is and shall
remain registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund shall amend the Registration
Statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time
as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its shares. The Fund
shall register and qualify the shares for sale in accordance with the laws of
the various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund or the
Underwriter.
2.3 The Fund currently does not intend to make any payments to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, although it may
make such payments in the future. To the extent that it decides to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund will undertake to have a
Board, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund, formulate and
approve any plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act to finance
distribution expenses.
2.4 The Fund makes no representations as to whether any aspect of its
operations, including but not limited to, investment policies, fees and
expenses, complies with the insurance and other applicable laws of the various
states, except that the Fund represents that the Fund's investment policies,
fees and expenses are and shall at all times remain in compliance with the laws
of the state of Texas to the extent required to perform this Agreement.
2.5 The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly
existing under the laws of the State of Maryland and that it does and will
comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.
2.6 The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is a member in good
standing of the NASD and is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC. The
Underwriter further represents that it will sell and distribute the Fund shares
in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and any applicable state and
federal securities laws.
2.7 The Underwriter represents and warrants that the Adviser is and
shall remain duly registered under all applicable federal and state securities
laws and that the Adviser shall perform its obligations for the
<PAGE>
Fund in compliance in all material respects with the laws of the State of Texas
and any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.8 The Fund and the Underwriter represent and warrant that all of
their directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other individuals
or entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are and shall
continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar
coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the minimum
coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-1 of the 1940 Act or related
provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid bond shall
include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable
bonding company.
2.9 The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors,
officers, employees, and other individuals/entities employed or controlled by
the Company dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are covered by
a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage in an amount not less than $5
million. The aforesaid bond includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement and
is issued by a reputable bonding company. The Company agrees that any amounts
received under such bond in connection with claims that arise from the
arrangements described in this Agreement will be held by the Company for the
benefit of the Fund. The Company agrees to make all reasonable efforts to see
that this bond or another bond containing these provisions is always in effect,
and agrees to notify the Fund and the Underwriter in the event that such
coverage no longer applies. The Company agrees to exercise its best efforts to
ensure that other individuals/entities not employed or controlled by the Company
and dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund maintain a similar bond
or coverage in a reasonable amount.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information, and Proxy
-------------------------------------------------------------
Statements; Voting
------------------
3.1 The Underwriter shall provide the Company (at the Company's
expense) with as many copies of the Fund's current prospectus (describing only
the Designated Portfolios listed on Schedule A) as the Company may reasonably
request. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the Fund shall provide
such documentation (including a final copy of the new prospectus as set in type
at the Fund's expense) and other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order
for the Company once each year (or more frequently if the prospectus for the
Fund is amended) to have the prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's
prospectus printed together in one document.
3.2 The Fund's prospectus shall state that the current Statement of
Additional Information ("SAI") for the Fund is available from the Company (or,
in the Fund's discretion, from the Fund), and the Underwriter (or the Fund), at
its expense, shall print, or otherwise reproduce, and provide a copy of such SAI
free of charge to the Company for itself and for any owner of a Contract who
requests such SAI.
3.3 The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies of
its proxy material, reports to shareholders, and other communications to
shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for
distributing to Contract owners.
3.4 The Company shall:
(i) solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
(ii) vote the Fund shares in accordance with instructions received
from Contract owners; and
(iii) vote Fund shares for which no instructions have been
received in the same proportion as Fund shares of such Designated Portfolio for
which instructions have been received,
<PAGE>
so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret the 1940 Act to
require pass-through voting privileges for variable contract owners or to the
extent otherwise required by law. The Company reserves the right to vote Fund
shares held in any segregated asset account in its own right, to the extent
permitted by law.
3.5 Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for assuring
that each of their separate accounts participating in a Designated Portfolio
calculates voting privileges as required by the Shared Funding Exemptive Order
and consistent with any reasonable standards that the Fund may adopt.
3.6 The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring
voting by shareholders, and in particular the Fund will either provide for
annual meetings or comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the Fund
is not one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as with
Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further, the Fund will act in
accordance with the SEC's interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a)
with respect to periodic elections of directors or trustees and with whatever
rules the SEC may promulgate with respect thereto.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
------------------------------
4.1 The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Fund or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material that the Company develops or uses and in which the Fund (or a Portfolio
thereof) or the Adviser or the Underwriter is named, at least fifteen calendar
days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Fund or its
designee reasonably object to such use within fifteen calendar days after
receipt of such material. The Fund or its designee reserves the right to
reasonably object to the continued use of such material, and no such material
shall be used if the Fund or its designee so object.
4.2 The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in the registration statement or prospectus or SAI for
the Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus or SAI may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for
the Fund, or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the
Fund or its designee or by the Underwriter, except with the permission of the
Fund or the Underwriter or the designee of either.
4.3 The Fund, Underwriter, or its designee shall furnish, or shall
cause to be furnished, to the Company, each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which the Company, and/or its Account, is named at least
fifteen calendar days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the
Company reasonably objects to such use within fifteen calendar days after
receipt of such material. The Company reserves the right to reasonably object to
the continued use of such material and no such material shall be used if the
Company so objects.
4.4 The Fund and the Underwriter shall not give any information or
make any representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, the
Account, or the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement, prospectus, or SAI for the Contracts, as
such registration statement, prospectus or SAI may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, or in published reports for the Account which are in the
public domain or approved by the Company for distribution to Contract owners, or
in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Company or its
designee, except with the permission of the Company.
4.5 The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of
all registration statements,
<PAGE>
prospectuses, SAIs, reports, proxy statements, sales literature and other
promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its
shares, contemporaneously with the filing of such document(s) with the SEC or
other regulatory authorities.
4.6 The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of
all registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, reports, solicitations for
voting instructions, sales literature and other promotional materials,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to the Contracts or the Account,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document(s) with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities.
4.7 For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature and
other promotional materials" includes, but is not limited to, any of the
following that refer to the Fund or any affiliate of the Fund: advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or
other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape
display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media), sales
literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, reports,
market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other
advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or training
materials or other communications distributed or made generally available to
some or all agents or employees, and registration statements, prospectuses,
SAIs, shareholder reports, proxy materials, and any other communications
distributed or made generally available with regard to the Funds.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
-----------------
5.1 The Fund and the Underwriter shall pay no fee or other compensation
to the Company under this Agreement, except that if the Fund or any Portfolio
adopts and implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution
expenses, then the Underwriter may make payments to the Company or to the
underwriter for the Contracts if and in amounts agreed to by the Underwriter in
writing, and such payments will be made out of existing fees otherwise payable
to the Underwriter, past profits of the Underwriter, or other resources
available to the Underwriter. No such payments shall be made directly by the
Fund. Currently, no such payments are contemplated.
5.2 All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under this
Agreement shall be paid by the Fund, except as otherwise provided herein. The
Fund shall see to it that all its shares are registered and authorized for
issuance in accordance with applicable federal law and, if and to the extent
deemed advisable by the Fund, in accordance with applicable state laws prior to
their sale. The Fund shall bear the expenses for the cost of registration and
qualification of the Fund's shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's
prospectus and registration statement, proxy materials and reports, setting the
prospectus in type, setting in type and printing the proxy materials and reports
to shareholders (including the costs of printing a prospectus that constitutes
an annual report), the preparation of all statements and notices required by any
federal or state law, and all taxes on the issuance or transfer of the Fund's
shares.
5.3 The Company shall bear the expenses of printing the Fund's
prospectus (in accordance with 3.1) and of distributing the Fund's prospectus,
proxy materials, and reports to Contract owners and prospective Contract owners.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification and Qualification
---------------------------------
6.1 Subject to the Company's maintaining the treatment of the Contracts
as life insurance,
<PAGE>
endowment, or annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and the regulations issued
thereunder (or any successor provisions), the Fund will invest its assets in
such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as annuity,
endowment, or life insurance contracts, whichever is appropriate, under the Code
and the regulations issued thereunder (or any successor provisions). Without
limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Fund will comply with Section 817(h) of
the Code and Treasury Regulation ss.1.817-5, and any Treasury interpretations
thereof, relating to the diversification requirements for variable annuity,
endowment, or life insurance contracts, and any amendments or other
modifications or successor provisions to such Section or Regulations. In the
event of a breach of this Article VI by the Fund, it will take all reasonable
steps (a) to notify the Company of such breach and (b) to adequately diversify
the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by
Regulation 817.5.
6.2 The Fund represents that it is or will be qualified as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code, and that it will make every
effort to maintain such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or
similar provisions) and that it will notify the Company immediately upon having
a reasonable basis for believing that it has ceased to so qualify or that it
might not so qualify in the future.
6.3 Subject to the Fund's compliance with Section 817(h) of the Code
and Treasury Regulation ss.1.817-5, and any Treasury interpretations thereof,
relating to the diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or
life insurance contracts, any amendments or other modifications or successor
provisions to such Sections or Regulations, the Company represents that the
Contracts are currently, and at the time of issuance shall be, treated as life
insurance, endowment contracts, or annuity insurance contracts, under applicable
provisions of the Code, and that it will make every effort to maintain such
treatment, and that it will notify the Fund and the Underwriter immediately upon
having a reasonable basis for believing the Contracts have ceased to be so
treated or that they might not be so treated in the future. The Company agrees
that any prospectus offering a contract that is a "modified endowment contract"
as that term is defined in Section 7702A of the Code (or any successor or
similar provision), shall identify such contract as a modified endowment
contract.
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts.
-------------------
The following provisions apply effective upon investment in the Fund by
a separate account of a Participating Insurance Company supporting variable life
insurance contracts.
7.1 The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict may
arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance
regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance,
tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter
ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance,
tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial
decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of
any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given
by variable annuity contract and variable life insurance contract owners; or (f)
a decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of contract
owners. The Board shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an
irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
7.2 The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of
which it is aware to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying
out its responsibilities under the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by providing
the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to consider
any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation by the
Company to inform the Board whenever Contract owner voting instructions are
disregarded.
<PAGE>
7.3 If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of
its disinterested members, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the
Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and
to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the
disinterested Board members), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or
eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1),
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from
the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Fund, or
submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote
of all affected contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of
any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance contract
owners, or variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance
Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected
contract owners the option of making such a change; and (2), establishing a new
registered management investment company or managed separate account.
7.4 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision
by the Company to disregard contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the affected Account's
investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to such Account
provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the
extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined
by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Any such withdrawal and
termination must take place within six (6) months after the Fund gives written
notice that this provision is being implemented, and until the end of that six
month period the Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by the
Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund.
7.5 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with
the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw the
affected Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with
respect to such Account within six months after the Board informs the Company in
writing that it has determined that such decision has created an irreconcilable
material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall
be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable
conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board.
Until the end of the foregoing six month period, the Fund shall continue to
accept and implement orders by the company for the purchase (and redemption) of
shares of the Fund.
7.6 For purposes of Section 7.3 through 7.6 of this Agreement, a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any
proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in
no event will the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium for the
Contracts. The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 to establish a new
funding medium for the Contract if an offer to do so has been declined by vote
of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected by the
irreconcilable material conflict. In the event that the Board determines that
any proposed action does not adequately remedy any irreconcilable material
conflict, then the Company will withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund
and terminate this Agreement within six (6) months after the Board informs the
Company in writing of the foregoing determination; provided, however, that such
withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by any such
material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board.
7.7 If and to the extent Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or
Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the 1940
Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared funding
(as defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions
materially
<PAGE>
different from those contained in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, then (a)
the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate, shall
take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as
amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable; and
(b) Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 7.1., 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 of this Agreement shall
continue in effect only to the extent that terms and conditions substantially
identical to such Sections are contained in such Rule(s) as so amended or
adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1 Indemnification By the Company
------------------------------
8.1(a). The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Fund and the Underwriter and each of their officers and directors and each
person, if any, who controls the Fund or the Underwriter within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes
of this Section 8.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company)
or litigation (including legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified
Parties may become subject under any statute or regulation, at common law or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or
acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or
alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement, prospectus, or statement of additional information for the Contracts
or contained in the Contracts or sales literature for the Contracts (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished
to the Company by or on behalf of the Fund for use in the Registration
Statement, prospectus or statement of additional information for the Contracts
or in the Contracts or sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or
otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares;
or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or representations contained in the
Registration Statement, prospectus or sales literature of the Fund not supplied
by the Company or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Company
or persons under its authorization or control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Fund Shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, prospectus,
or sales literature of the Fund or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto
or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if
such a statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to
the Fund by or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any material failure by the Company
to provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement (including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or
otherwise, to comply with the qualification requirements specified in Article VI
of this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or arise
out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the
Company,
<PAGE>
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.1(b) and
8.1(c) hereof.
8.1(b). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of its obligations or duties under this Agreement.
8.1(c). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any
such claim shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against an Indemnified Party, the Company shall be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action and to settle the claim at its own expense; provided,
however, that no such settlement shall, without the Indemnified Parties' written
consent, include any factual stipulation referring to the Indemnified Parties or
their conduct. After notice from the Company to such party of the Company's
election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the
fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Company will
not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.1(d). The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of
the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection
with the issuance or sale of the Fund Shares or the Contracts or the operation
of the Fund.
8.2 Indemnification by the Underwriter
----------------------------------
8.2(a). The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company and each of it directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of the Underwriter) or litigation
(including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become
subject under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's
shares or the Contracts; and
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration Statement or
prospectus or SAI or sales literature of the Fund (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified
Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the
Underwriter or Fund by or on behalf of the Company for use in the Registration
Statement or prospectus for the Fund or in sales literature (or any amendment or
supplement) or otherwise for
<PAGE>
use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or representations contained in the
Registration Statement, prospectus or sales literature for the Contracts not
supplied by the Underwriter or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of
the Fund or Underwriter or persons under their control, with respect to the sale
or distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, prospectus
or sales literature covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement
or statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Fund;
or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide
the services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement
(including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise, to
comply with the diversification and other qualification requirements specified
in Article VI of this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Underwriter in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the
Underwriter;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.2(b) and
8.2(c) hereof.
8.2(b). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance or such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to
the Company or the Account, whichever is applicable.
8.2(c). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter of
any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than
on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Party, the Underwriter will be entitled to participate,
at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action and to settle the claim at its own expense; provided,
however, that no such settlement shall, without the Indemnified Parties' written
consent, include any factual stipulation referring to the Indemnified Parties or
their conduct. After notice from the Underwriter to such party of the
Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party
shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and
the Underwriter will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any
legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
8.2(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of the
commencement of any
<PAGE>
litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or directors in
connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the operation of the
Account.
8.3 Indemnification By the Fund
---------------------------
8.3(a). The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company
and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.3) against any and all
losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in
settlement with the written consent of the Fund) or litigation (including legal
and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may be required to pay or
may become subject under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) or settlements, are related to the operations of the
Fund and:
(i) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide
the services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement
(including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise, to
comply with the diversification and other qualification requirements specified
in Article VI of this Agreement); or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Fund in this Agreement or arise out
of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Fund;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.3(b) and
8.3(c) hereof.
8.3(b). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to
the Company, the Fund, the Underwriter or the Account, whichever is applicable.
8.3(c). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any
such claim shall not relieve the Fund from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to
assume the expense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action and to settle the claim at its own expense; provided, however, that no
such settlement shall, without the Indemnified Parties' written consent, include
any factual stipulation referring to the Indemnified Parties or their conduct.
After notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to assume the
defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund will not be liable to such party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation.
8.3(d). The Company and the Underwriter agree promptly to notify the
Fund of the
<PAGE>
commencement of any litigation or proceeding against it or any of its respective
officers or directors in connection with the Agreement, the issuance or sale of
the Contracts, the operation of the Account, or the sale or acquisition of
shares of the Fund.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
--------------
9.1 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.
9.2 This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934
and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including
such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC may grant
(including, but not limited to, any Shared Funding Exemptive Order) and the
terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
ARTICLE X. Termination
-----------
10.1 This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the
first to occur of:
(a) termination by any party, for any reason with respect to some
or all Designated Portfolios, by six (6) months' advance written notice
delivered to the other parties; or
(b) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and
the Underwriter with respect to any Designated Portfolio based upon the
Company's determination that shares of the Fund are not reasonably available to
meet the requirements of the Contracts; provided that such termination shall
apply only to the Designated Portfolio not reasonably available; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and
the Underwriter in the event any of the Designated Portfolio's shares are not
registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable state and/or federal
law or such law precludes the use of such shares as the underlying investment
media of the Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company; or
(d) termination by the Fund or Underwriter in the event that formal
administrative proceedings are instituted against the Company by the NASD, the
SEC, the Insurance Commissioner or like official of any state or any other
regulatory body regarding the Company's duties under this Agreement or related
to the sale of the Contracts, the operation of any Account, or the purchase of
the Fund shares, provided, however, that the Fund or Underwriter determines in
its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that any such administrative
proceedings will have a material adverse effect upon the ability of the Company
to perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
(e) termination by the Company in the event that formal
administrative proceedings are instituted against the Fund or Underwriter by the
NASD, the SEC, or any state securities or insurance department or any other
regulatory body, provided, however, that the Company determines in its sole
judgment exercised in good faith, that any such administrative proceedings will
have a material adverse effect upon the ability of the Fund or Underwriter to
perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
(f) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and
the Underwriter with respect to any Designated Portfolio in the event that such
Designated Portfolio ceases to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under
Subchapter M or fails to comply with the Section 817(h) diversification
requirements
<PAGE>
specified in Article VI hereof, or if the Company reasonably believes that such
Designated Portfolio may fail to so qualify or comply; or
(g) termination by the Fund or Underwriter by written notice to the
Company in the event that the Contracts fail to meet the qualifications
specified in Article VI hereof; or
(h) termination by either the Fund or the Underwriter by written
notice to the Company, if either one or both of the Fund or the Underwriter
respectively, shall determine, in their sole judgment exercised in good faith,
that the Company has suffered a material adverse change in its business,
operations, financial condition, or prospects since the date of this Agreement
or is the subject of material adverse publicity; or
(i) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter, if the Company shall determine, in its sole judgment exercised in
good faith, that the Fund or the Underwriter has suffered a material adverse
change in its business, operations, financial condition or prospects since the
date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity; or
(j) termination by the Fund or the Underwriter by written notice to
the Company, if the Company gives the Fund and the Underwriter the written
notice specified in Section 1.11 hereof and at the time such notice was given
there was no notice of termination outstanding under any other provision of this
Agreement; provided, however, any termination under this Section 10.1(j) shall
be effective sixty days after the notice specified in Section 1.11 was given.
10.2 Effect of Termination. Notwithstanding any termination of this
---------------------
Agreement, the Fund and the Underwriter shall, at the option of the Company,
continue to make available additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in effect on the effective
date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing
Contracts"). Specifically, the owners of the Existing Contracts may be
permitted to reallocate investments in the Fund, redeem investments in the Fund
and/or invest in the Fund upon the making of additional purchase payments under
the Existing Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 10.2 shall not
apply to any termination under Article VII and the effect of such Article VII
termination shall be governed by Article VII of this Agreement. The parties
further agree that this Section 10.2 shall not apply to any termination under
Section 10.1(g) of this Agreement.
10.3 The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the Contracts
(as opposed to Fund shares attributable to the Company's assets held in the
Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract Owner initiated or
approved transactions, (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or
regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general application
(hereinafter referred to as a "Legally Required Redemption"), or (iii) as
permitted by an order of the SEC pursuant to Section 26(b) of the 1940 Act.
Upon request, the Company will promptly furnish to the Fund and the Underwriter
the opinion of counsel for the Company (which counsel shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Fund and the Underwriter) to the effect that any redemption
pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required Redemption. Furthermore,
except in cases where permitted under the terms of the Contracts, the Company
shall not prevent Contract Owners from allocating payments to a Portfolio that
was otherwise available under the Contracts without first giving the Fund or the
Underwriter 90 days notice of its intention to do so.
10.4 Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, each party's
obligation under Article VIII to indemnify the other parties shall survive.
10.5 Any successor by law of the parties hereto shall be entitled to the
benefits of the indemnification
<PAGE>
provisions contained in Article VIII.
ARTICLE XI. Notices
-------
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified
mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at such
other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the
other party.
If to the Fund:
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
100 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Attention: Henry H. Hopkins, Esq.
If to the Company:
If to Underwriter:
T. Rowe Price Investment Services
100 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
Attention: John Cammack
Copy to: Henry H. Hopkins, Esq.
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous
-------------
12.1 All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property
of such Fund, and in the case of a series company, the respective Designated
Portfolio listed on Schedule A hereto as though such Designated Portfolio had
separately contracted with the Company and the Underwriter for the enforcement
of any claims against the Fund. The parties agree that neither the Board,
officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability or responsibility
for obligations entered into by or on behalf of the Fund.
12.2 Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses
of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information without the express written consent
of the affected party until such time as such information may come into the
public domain.
12.3 The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
12.4 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
<PAGE>
12.5 If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by
a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement
shall not be affected thereby.
12.6 Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the
NASD, and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the Texas Insurance Commissioner with any information or
reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement which such
Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the variable annuity
operations of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent with Texas
variable annuity laws and regulations and any other applicable law or
regulations.
12.7 The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies, and obligations,
at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and
federal laws.
12.8 This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder may
not be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of all parties
hereto.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be
executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative and
its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date specified below.
COMPANY:
AMERICAN NATIONAL LIFE
By its authorized officer
By:___________________________________________
Title:________________________________________
Date:_________________________________________
FUND:
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL SERIES, INC.
By its authorized officer
By:___________________________________________
Title:________________________________________
Date:_________________________________________
FUND:
T. ROWE PRICE EQUITY SERIES, INC.
By its authorized officer
By:___________________________________________
Title:________________________________________
Date:_________________________________________
FUND:
T. ROWE PRICE FIXED INCOME SERIES, INC.
By its authorized officer
By:___________________________________________
Title:________________________________________
Date:_________________________________________
UNDERWRITER:
<PAGE>
T. ROWE PRICE INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
By its authorized officer
By:___________________________________________
Title:________________________________________
Date:_________________________________________
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
----------
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Name of Separate Account and Contracts Funded by
Date Established by Board of Directors Separate Account Designated Portfolios
- -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price International Series, Inc.
----------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio
T. Rowe Price Equity Series, Inc.
---------------------------------
T. Rowe Price Equity Income Portfolio
T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth Portfolio
T. Rowe Price Fixed Income Series, Inc.
---------------------------------------
T. Rowe Price Limited-Term Bond Portfolio
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.B8e
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
AMONG
MFS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST,
[ ]
AND
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this ___ day of __________,
19___, by and among MFS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST, a Massachusetts business trust
(the "Trust"), ________________ __________ Company, a __________ corporation
(the "Company) on its own behalf and on behalf of each of the segregated asset
accounts of the Company set forth in Schedule A hereto, as may be amended from
time to time (the "Accounts"), and MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY, a
Delaware corporation ("MFS").
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"),
and its shares are registered or will be registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act");
WHEREAS, shares of beneficial interest of the Trust are divided into
several series of shares, each representing the interests in a particular
managed pool of securities and other assets;
WHEREAS, the series of shares of the Trust offered by the Trust to the
Company and the Accounts are set forth on Schedule A attached hereto (each, a
"Portfolio," and, collectively, the "Portfolios");
WHEREAS, MFS is duly registered as an investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any applicable state securities
law, and is the Trust's investment adviser;
WHEREAS, the Company will issue certain variable annuity and/or
variable life insurance contracts (individually, the "Policy" or, collectively,
the "Policies") which, if required by applicable law, will be registered under
the 1933 Act;
WHEREAS, the Accounts are duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset accounts, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Company, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid variable
annuity and/or variable life insurance contracts that are allocated to the
Accounts (the Policies and the Accounts covered by this Agreement, and each
corresponding Portfolio covered by this Agreement in which the Accounts invest,
is specified in Schedule A attached hereto as may be modified from time to
time);
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register the Accounts as
unit investment trusts under the 1940 Act (unless exempt therefrom);
WHEREAS, MFS Investor Services, Inc. (the "Underwriter") is registered
as a broker-dealer with the
<PAGE>
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (hereinafter the "1934 Act"), and is a member in good
standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD");
WHEREAS, CIGNA Financial Advisors, Inc. the underwriter for the
individual variable annuity and the variable life policies, is registered as a
broker-dealer with the SEC under the 1934 Act and is a member in good standing
of the NASD; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in one or more of the
Portfolios specified in Schedule A attached hereto (the "Shares") on behalf of
the Accounts to fund the Policies, and the Trust intends to sell such Shares to
the Accounts at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Trust,
MFS, and the Company agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Trust Shares
1.1. The Trust agrees to sell to the Company those Shares which the
Accounts order (based on orders placed by Policy holders on that
Business Day, as defined below) and which are available for purchase by
such Accounts, executing such orders on a daily basis at the net asset
value next computed after receipt by the Trust or its designee of the
order for the Shares. For purposes of this Section 1.1, the Company
shall be the designee of the Trust for receipt of such orders from
Policy owners and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by
the Trust; provided that the Trust receives notice of such orders by
-------
9:30 a.m. New York time on the next following Business Day. "Business
Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the
"NYSE") is open for trading and on which the Trust calculates its net
asset value pursuant to the rules of the SEC.
1.2. The Trust agrees to make the Shares available indefinitely for
purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company and
the Accounts on those days on which the Trust calculates its net asset
value pursuant to rules of the SEC and the Trust shall calculate such
net asset value on each day which the NYSE is open for trading.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the
"Board") may refuse to sell any Shares to the Company and the Accounts,
or suspend or terminate the offering of the Shares if such action is
required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is,
in the sole discretion of the Board acting in good faith and in light
of its fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws,
necessary in the best interest of the Shareholders of such Portfolio.
1.3. The Trust and MFS agree that the Shares will be sold only to
insurance companies which have entered into participation agreements
with the Trust and MFS (the "Participating Insurance Companies") and
their separate accounts, qualified pension and retirement plans and MFS
or its affiliates. The Trust and MFS will not sell Trust shares to any
insurance company or separate account unless and agreement containing
provisions substantially the same as Articles III and VII of this
Agreement is in effect to govern such sales. The Company will not
resell the Shares except to the Trust or its agents.
1.4. The Trust agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's request, any
full or fractional Shares held by the Accounts (based on orders placed
by Policy holders on that Business Day), executing such requests on a
daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the
Trust or its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of
this Section 1.4, the Company shall be the designee of the
<PAGE>
Trust for receipt of requests for redemption from Policy owners and
receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Trust;
provided that the Trust receives notice of such request for redemption
by 9:30 a.m. New York time on the next following Business Day.
1.5. Purchase, redemption and exchange orders placed by the Company
shall be placed separately for each Portfolio and shall not be netted
among Portfolios. However, with respect to payment of the purchase
price by the Company and of redemption proceeds by the Trust, the
Company and the Trust shall net purchase and redemption orders with
respect to each Portfolio and shall transmit one net payment for all of
the Portfolios in accordance with Section 1.6.
1.6. In the event of net purchases, the Company shall pay for the
Shares by 2:00 p.m. New York time on the next Business Day after an
order to purchase the Shares is made in accordance with the provisions
of Section 1.1. hereof. In the event of net redemptions, the Trust
shall pay the redemption proceeds by 2:00 p.m. New York time on the
next Business Day after an order to redeem the shares is made in
accordance with the provisions of Section 1.4. hereof. All such
payments shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire.
1.7. Issuance and transfer of the Shares will be by book entry only.
Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or the Accounts.
The Shares ordered from the Trust will be recorded in an appropriate
title for the Accounts or the appropriate subaccounts of the Accounts.
1.8. The Trust shall furnish same day notice (by wire or telephone
followed by written confirmation) to the Company of any dividends or
capital gain distributions payable on the Shares. The Company hereby
elects to receive all such dividends and distributions as are payable
on a Portfolio's Shares in additional Shares of that Portfolio. The
Trust shall notify the Company of the number of Shares so issued as
payment of such dividends and distributions.
1.9. The Trust or its custodian shall make the net asset value per
share for each Portfolio available to the Company on each Business Day
as soon as reasonably practical after the net asset value per share is
calculated and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value
per share available by 6:30 p.m. New York time. In the event that the
Trust is unable to meet the 6:30 p.m. time stated herein, it shall
provide additional time for the Company to place orders for the
purchase and redemption of Shares. Such additional time shall be equal
to the additional time which the Trust takes to make the net asset
value available to the Company. If the Trust provides materially
incorrect share net asset value information, the Trust shall make an
adjustment to the number of shares purchased or redeemed for the
Accounts to reflect the correct net asset value per share. Any material
error in the calculation or reporting of net asset value per share,
dividend or capital gains information shall be reported promptly upon
discovery to the Company.
ARTICLE II. Certain Representations, Warranties and Covenants
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Policies are or will
be registered under the 1933 Act or are exempt from or not subject to
registration thereunder, and that the Policies will be issued, sold,
and distributed in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable state and federal laws, including without limitation the
1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934
Act"), and the 1940 Act. The Company further represents and warrants
that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing
under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established
the
<PAGE>
Account as a segregated asset account under applicable law and has
registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the Policies, will
register the Accounts as unit investment trusts in accordance with the
provisions of the 1940 Act (unless exempt therefrom) to serve as
segregated investment accounts for the Policies, and that it will
maintain such registration for so long as any Policies are outstanding.
The Company shall amend the registration statements under the 1933 Act
for the Policies and the registration statements under the 1940 Act for
the Accounts from time to time as required in order to effect the
continuous offering of the Policies or as may otherwise be required by
applicable law. The Company shall register and qualify the Policies for
sales accordance with the securities laws of the various states only if
and to the extent deemed necessary by the Company.
2.2. The Company represents and warrants that the Policies are
currently and at the time of issuance will be treated as life
insurance, endowment or annuity contract under applicable provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), that it
will maintain such treatment and that it will notify the Trust or MFS
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the
policies have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so
treated in the future.
2.3. The Company represents and warrants that [ ], the underwriter
for the individual variable annuity and the variable life policies, is
a member in good standing of the NASD and is a registered broker-dealer
with the SEC. The Company represents and warrants that the Company and
[ ] will sell and distribute such policies in accordance in all
material respects with all applicable state and federal securities
laws, including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the
1940 Act.
2.4. The Trust and MFS represent and warrant that the Shares sold
pursuant to this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly
authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all applicable federal and state
securities laws and that the Trust is and shall remain registered under
the 1940 Act. The Trust shall amend the registration statement for its
Shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as
required in order to effect the continuous offering of its Shares. The
Trust shall register and qualify the Shares for sale in accordance with
the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed
necessary by the Trust.
2.5. MFS represents and warrants that the Underwriter is a member in
good standing of the NASD and is registered as a broker-dealer with the
SEC. The Trust and MFS represent that the Trust and the Underwriter
will sell and distribute the Shares in accordance in all material
respects with all applicable state and federal securities laws,
including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the 1940
Act.
2.6. The Trust represents that it is lawfully organized and validly
existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that
it does and will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act and
any applicable regulations thereunder.
2.7. MFS represents and warrants that it is and shall remain duly
registered under all applicable federal securities laws and that it
shall perform its obligations for the Trust in compliance in all
material respects with any applicable federal securities laws and with
the securities laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MFS
represents and warrants that it is not subject to state securities laws
other than the securities laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
that it is exempt from registration as an investment adviser under the
securities laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
2.8. No less frequently than annually, the Company shall submit to the
Board such reports, material or
<PAGE>
data as the Board may reasonably request so that it may carry out fully
the obligations imposed upon it by the conditions contained in the
exemptive application pursuant to which the SEC has granted exemptive
relief to permit mixed and shared funding (the "Mixed and Shared
Funding Exemptive Order").
ARTICLE III. Prospectus and Proxy Statements; Voting
3.1. At least annually, the Trust or its designee shall provide the
Company, free of charge, with as many copies of the current prospectus
(describing only the Portfolios listed in Schedule A hereto) for the
Shares as the Company may reasonably request for distribution to
existing Policy owners whose Policies are funded by such Shares. The
Trust or its designee shall provide the Company, at the Company's
expense, with as many copies of the current prospectus for the Shares
as the Company may reasonably request for distribution to prospective
purchasers of Policies. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof,
the Trust or its designee shall provide such documentation (including a
"camera ready" copy of the new prospectus as set in type or, at the
request of the Company, as a diskette in the form sent to the financial
printer) and other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for
the parties hereto once each year (or more frequently if the prospectus
for the Shares is supplemented or amended) to have the prospectus for
the Policies and the prospectus for the Shares printed together in one
document; the expenses of such printing to be apportioned between (a)
the Company and (b) the Trust or its designee in proportion to the
number of pages of the Policy and Shares' prospectuses, taking account
of other relevant factors affecting the expense of printing, such as
covers, columns, graphs and charts; the Trust or its designee to bear
the cost of printing the Shares' prospectus portion of such document
for distribution to owners of existing Policies funded by the Shares
and the Company to bear the expenses of printing the portion of such
document relating to the Accounts; provided, however, that the Company
--------
shall bear all printing expenses of such combined documents where used
for distribution to prospective purchasers or to owners of existing
Policies not funded by the Shares. In the event that the Company
requests that the Trust or its designee provides the Trust's prospectus
in a "camera ready" or diskette format, the Trust shall be responsible
for providing the prospectus in the format in which it or MFS is
accustomed to formatting prospectuses and shall bear the expense of
providing the prospectus in such format (e.g., typesetting expenses),
and the Company shall bear the expense of adjusting or changing the
format to conform with any of its prospectuses.
3.2. The prospectus for the Shares shall state that the statement of
additional information for the Shares is available from the Trust or
its designee. The Trust or its designee, at its expense, shall print
and provide such statement of additional information to the Company (or
a master of such statement suitable for duplication by the Company) for
distribution to any owner of a Policy funded by the Shares. The Trust
or its designee, at the Company's expense, shall print and provide such
statement to the Company (or a master of such statement suitable for
duplication by the Company) for distribution to a prospective purchaser
who requests such statement or to an owner of a Policy not funded by
the Shares.
3.3. The Trust or its designee shall provide the Company free of charge
copies, if and to the extent applicable to the Shares, of the Trust's
proxy materials, reports to Shareholders and other communications to
Shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require
for distribution to Policy owners.
3.4. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3
above, or of Article V below, the Company shall pay the expense of
printing or providing documents to the extent such cost is considered a
distribution expense. Distribution expenses would include by way of
illustration, but are not limited to, the printing of the Shares'
prospectus or prospectuses for distribution to prospective purchasers
or to owners of existing Policies not funded by such Shares.
<PAGE>
3.5. The Trust hereby notifies the Company that it may be appropriate
to include in the prospectus pursuant to which a Policy is offered
disclosure regarding the potential risks of mixed and shared funding.
3.6. If and to the extent required by law, the Company shall:
(a) solicit voting instructions from Policy owners;
(b) vote the Shares in accordance with instructions received
from Policy owners; and
(c) vote the Shares for which no instructions have been
received in the same proportion as the Shares of such
Portfolio for which instructions have been received from
Policy owners;
so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret the
1940 Act to require pass through voting privileges for variable
contract owners. The Company will in no way recommend action in
connection with or oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies
for the Shares held for such Policy owners. The Company reserves the
right to vote shares held in any segregated asset account in its own
right, to the extent permitted by law. Participating Insurance
Companies shall be responsible for assuring that each of their separate
accounts holding Shares calculates voting privileges in the manner
required by the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order. The Trust and
MFS will notify the Company of any changes of interpretations or
amendments to the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
4.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Trust or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which the Trust, MFS, any other investment
adviser to the Trust, or any affiliate of MFS are named, at least three
(3) Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if
the Trust, MFS, or their respective designees reasonably objects to
such use within three (3) Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.2. The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statement on behalf of the Trust, MFS, any other
investment adviser to the Trust, or any affiliate of MFS or concerning
the Trust or any other such entity in connection with the sale of the
Policies other than the information or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or statement of additional
information for the Shares, as such registration statement, prospectus
and statement of additional information may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Trust, or
in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the
Trust, MFS or their respective designees, except with the permission of
the Trust, MFS or their respective designees. The Trust, MFS or their
respective designees each agrees to respond to any request for approval
on a prompt and timely basis. The Company shall adopt and implement
procedures reasonably designed to ensure that information concerning
the Trust, MFS or any of their affiliates which is intended for use
only by brokers or agents selling the Policies (i.e., information that
----
is not intended for distribution to Policy holders or prospective
Policy holders) is so used, and neither the Trust, MFS nor any of their
affiliates shall be liable for any losses, damages or expenses relating
to the improper use of such broker only materials.
4.3. The Trust or its designee shall furnish, or shall cause to be
furnished, to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales
literature or other promotional material in which the Company and/or
the Accounts is named, at least three (3) Business Days prior to its
use. No such material shall be used if the
<PAGE>
company or its designee reasonably objects to such use within three (3)
Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.4. The Trust and MFS shall not give, and agree that the Underwriter
shall not give, any information or make any representations on behalf
of the Company or concerning the Company, the Accounts, or the Policies
in connection with the sale of the Policies other than the information
or representations contained in a registration statement, prospectus,
or statement of additional information for the Policies, as such
registration statement, prospectus and statement of additional
information may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in
reports for the Accounts, or in sales literature or other promotional
material approved by the Company or its designee, except with the
permission of the Company. The Company or its designee agrees to
respond to any request for approval on a prompt and timely basis. The
parties hereto agree that this Section 4.4. is neither intended to
designate nor otherwise imply that MFS is an underwriter or distributor
of the Policies.
4.5. The Company and the Trust (or its designee in lieu of the Company
or the Trust, as appropriate) will each provide to the other at least
one complete copy of all registration statements, prospectuses,
statements of additional information, reports, proxy statements, sales
literature and other promotional materials, applications for
exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments to any
of the above, that relate to the Policies, or to the Trust or its
Shares, prior to or contemporaneously with the filing of such document
with the SEC or other regulatory authorities. The Company and the Trust
shall also each promptly inform the other or the results of any
examination by the SEC (or other regulatory authorities) that relates
to the Policies, the Trust or its Shares, and the party that was the
subject of the examination shall provide the other party with a copy of
relevant portions of any "deficiency letter" or other correspondence or
written report regarding any such examination.
4.6. The Trust and MFS will provide the Company with as much notice as
is reasonably practicable of any proxy solicitation for any Portfolio,
and of any material change in the Trust's registration statement,
particularly any change resulting in change to the registration
statement or prospectus or statement of additional information for any
Account. The Trust and MFS will cooperate with the Company so as to
enable the Company to solicit proxies from Policy owners or to make
changes to its prospectus, statement of additional information or
registration statement, in an orderly manner. The Trust and MFS will
make reasonable efforts to attempt to have changes affecting Policy
prospectuses become effective simultaneously with the annual updates
for such prospectuses.
4.7. For purpose of this Article IV and Article VIII, the phrase "sales
literature or other promotional material" includes but is not limited
to advertisements (such as material published, or designed for use in,
a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical, radio, television,
telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or billboards,
motion pictures, or other public media), and sales literature (such as
brochures, circulars, reprints or excerpts or any other advertisement,
sales literature, or published articles), distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, educational or training materials
or communications distributed or made generally available to some or
all agents or employees.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
5.1. The Trust shall pay no fee or other compensation to the Company
under this Agreement, and the Company shall pay no fee or other
compensation to the Trust, except that if the Trust or any Portfolio
adopts and implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act
to finance distribution and Shareholder servicing expenses, then,
subject to obtaining any required exemptive orders or regulatory
approvals, the Trust may make payments to the Company or to the
underwriter for the Policies if and in
<PAGE>
amounts agreed to by the Trust in writing. Each party, however, shall,
in accordance with the allocation of expenses specified in Articles III
and V hereof, reimburse other parties for expense initially paid by one
party but allocated to another party. In addition, nothing herein shall
prevent the parties hereto from otherwise agreeing to perform, and
arranging for appropriate compensation for, other services relating to
the Trust and/or to the Accounts.
5.2. The Trust or its designee shall bear the expenses for the cost of
registration and qualification of the Shares under all applicable
federal and state laws, including preparation and filing of the Trust's
registration statement, and payment of filing fees and registration
fees; preparation and filing of the Trust's proxy materials and reports
to Shareholders; setting in type and printing its prospectus and
statement of additional information (to the extent provided by and as
determined in accordance with Article III above); setting in type and
printing the proxy materials and reports to Shareholders (to the extent
provided by and as determined in accordance with Article III above);
the preparation of all statements and notices required of the Trust by
any federal or state law with respect to its Shares; all taxes on the
issuance or transfer of the Shares; and the costs of distributing the
Trust's prospectuses and proxy materials to owners of Policies funded
by the Shares and any expenses permitted to be paid or assumed by the
Trust pursuant to a plan, if any, under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
The Trust shall not bear any expenses of marketing the Policies.
5.3. The Company shall bear the expenses of distributing the Shares'
prospectus or prospectuses in connection with new sales of the Policies
and of distributing the Trust's Shareholder reports and proxy materials
to Policy owners. The Company shall bear all expenses associated with
the registration, qualification, and filing of the Policies under
applicable federal securities and state insurance laws; the cost of
preparing, printing and distributing the Policy prospectus and
statement of additional information; and the cost of preparing,
printing and distributing annual individual account statements for
Policy owners as required by state insurance laws.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification and Related Limitations
6.1. The Trust and MFS represent and warrant that they will use their
best efforts to ensure that each Portfolio of the Trust will meet the
diversification requirements of Section 817(h)(1) of the Code and
Treas. Reg. 1.817-5, relating to the diversification requirements for
variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts, as they may
be amended from time to time (and any revenue rulings, revenue
procedures, notices, and other published announcements of the Internal
Revenue Service interpreting these sections).
ARTICLE VII. Potential Material Conflicts
7.1. The Trust agrees that the Board, constituted with a majority of
disinterested trustees, will monitor each Portfolio of the Trust for
the existence of any material irreconcilable conflict between the
interests of the variable annuity contract owners and the variable life
insurance policy owners of the Company and/or affiliated companies
("contract owners") investing in the Trust. The Board shall have the
sole authority to determine if a material irreconcilable conflict
exists, and such determination shall be binding on the Company only if
approved in the form of a resolution by a majority of the Board, or a
majority of the disinterested trustees of the Board. The Board will
give prompt notice of any such determination to the Company.
7.2. The Company agrees that it will be responsible for assisting the
Board in carrying out its
<PAGE>
responsibilities under the conditions set forth in the Trust's
exemptive application pursuant to which the SEC has granted the Mixed
and Shared Funding Exemptive Order by providing the Board, as it may
reasonably request, with all information necessary for the Board to
consider any issues raised and agrees that it will be responsible for
promptly reporting any potential or existing conflicts of which it is
aware to the Board including, but not limited to, an obligation by the
Company to inform the Board whenever contract owner voting instructions
are disregard. The Company also agrees that, if a material
irreconcilable conflict arises, it will at is own cost remedy such
conflict up to an including (a) withdrawing the assets allocable to
some or all of the Accounts from the Trust or any Portfolio and
reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium, including
(but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Trust, or submitting to a
vote of all affected contract owners whether to withdraw assets from
the Trust or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different
investment medium and, as appropriate, segregating the assets
attributable to any appropriate group of contract owners that votes in
favor of such segregation, or offering to any of the affected contract
owners the option of segregating the assets attributable to their
contracts or policies, and (b) establishing a new registered management
investment company and segregating the assets underlying the Policies,
unless a majority of Policy owners materially adversely affected by the
conflict have voted to decline the offer to establish a new registered
management investment company.
7.3. A majority of the disinterested trustees of the Board shall
determine whether any proposed action by the Company adequately
remedies any material irreconcilable conflict. In the event that the
Board determines that any proposed action does not adequately remedy
any material irreconcilable conflict, the Company will withdraw from
investment in the Trust each of the Accounts designated by the
disinterested trustees and terminate this Agreement within six (6)
months after the Board informs the Company in writing of the foregoing
determination; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination
-------- -------
shall be limited to the extent required to remedy any such material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested trustees of the Board.
7.4. If and to the extent that rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended,
or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision
of the 1940 Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to
mixed or shares funding (as defined in the Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions materially different from
those contained in the Mixed Shared Funding Exemptive Order, then (a)
the Trust and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate,
shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rule 6e-2 and
6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such
rules are applicable; and (b) Sections 3.5, 3.6, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 and
7.5 of this Agreement shall continue in effect only to the extent that
terms and conditions substantially identical to such Sections are
contained in such Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1. Indemnification by the Company
The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust, MFS,
any affiliates of MFS, and each of their respective directors/trustees,
officers and each person, if any, who controls the Trust or MFS within
the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, and any agents or employees
of the foregoing (each an "Indemnified Party," or collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.1) against any and
all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in
settlement with the written consent of the Company) or expenses
(including reasonable counsel fees) to which an Indemnified Party may
become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or
otherwise, insofar
<PAGE>
as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition
of the Shares or the Policies and:
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in the registration statement, prospectus
or statement of additional information for the
Policies or contained in the Policies or sales
literature or other promotional material for the
Policies (or any amendment or supplement to any of
the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the
commission or the alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading provided that this agreement to indemnify
--------
shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or
omission was made in reasonable reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to the Company
or its designee by or on behalf of the Trust or MFS
for use in the registration statement, prospectus or
statement of additional information for the Policies
or in the Policies or sales literature or other
promotional material (or any amendment or supplement)
or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of
the Policies or Shares; or
(b) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or
representations contained in the registration
statement, prospectus, statement of additional
information or sales literature or other promotional
material of the Trust not supplied by the Company or
this designee, or persons under its control and on
which the Company has reasonably relied) or wrongful
conduct of the Company or persons under its control,
with respect to the sale or distribution of the
Policies or Shares; or
(c) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the
registration statement, prospectus, statement of
additional information, or sales literature or other
promotional literature of the Trust, or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto, or the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statement or statements therein not misleading,
if such statement or omission was made in reliance
upon information furnished to the Trust by or on
behalf of the Company; or
(d) arise out of or result from any material breach of
any representation and/or warranty made by the
Company in this Agreement or arise out of or result
from any other material breach of this Agreement by
the Company; or
(e) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to
provide the services and furnish the materials under
the terms of this Agreement;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of this Article
VIII.
8.2. Indemnification by the Trust
The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company
and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act,
and any agents or employees of the foregoing (each an "Indemnified
Party," or collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Section 8.2) against any and all losses, claims, damages,
<PAGE>
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written
consent of the Trust) or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees)
to which any Indemnified Party may become subject under any statute, at
common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements
are related to the sale or acquisition of the Shares or the Policies
and:
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in the registration statement, prospectus,
statement of additional information or sales
literature or other promotional material of the Trust
(or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or the alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statement therein not
misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify
--------
shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or
omission was made in reasonable reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to the Trust,
MFS, the Underwriter or their respective designees by
or on behalf of the Company for use in the
registration statement, prospectus or statement of
additional information for the Trust or in sales
literature or other promotional material for the
Trust (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise
for use in connection with the sale of the Policies
or Shares; or
(b) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statement or
representations contained in the registration
statement, prospectus, statement of additional
information or sales literature or other promotional
material for the Policies not supplied by the Trust,
MFS the Underwriter or any of their respective
designees or persons under their respective control
and on which any such entity has reasonably relied)
or wrongful conduct of the Trust or persons under its
control, with respect to the sale or distribution of
the Policies or Shares; or
(c) arise out of or result from any material breach of
any representation and/or warranty made by the Trust
in this Agreement (including a failure, whether
unintentional or in good faith or otherwise, to
comply with the diversification requirements
specified in Article VI of this Agreement) or arise
out of or result from any other material breach of
this Agreement by the Trust; or
(d) arise out of or result from the materially incorrect
or untimely calculation or reporting of the daily net
asset value per share or dividend or capital gain
distribution rate; or
(e) arise as a result of any failure by the Trust to
provide the services and furnish the materials under
the terms of the Agreement;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of this Article
VIII.
8.3. In no event shall the Trust be liable under the indemnification
provisions contained in this Agreement to any individual or entity,
including without limitation, the Company, or any Participating
Insurance Company or any Policy holder, with respect to any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses that arise out of or result
from (i) a breach of any representation, warranty, and/or covenant made
by the Company hereunder or by any Participating Insurance Company
under an agreement containing substantially similar representations,
warranties and covenants; (ii) the failure by the Company
<PAGE>
or any Participating Insurance Company to maintain its segregated asset
account (which invests in any Portfolio) as a legally and validly
established segregated asset account under applicable state law and as
a duly registered unit investment trust under the provisions of the
1940 Act (unless exempt therefrom); or (iii) the failure by the Company
or any Participating Insurance Company to maintain its variable annuity
and/or variable life insurance contracts (with respect to which any
Portfolio serves as an underlying funding vehicle) as life insurance,
endowment or annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the Code.
8.4. Neither the Company nor the Trust shall be liable under the
indemnification provisions contained in this Agreement with respect to
any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses to which an
Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, willful misconduct, or gross
negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by
reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations
and duties under this Agreement.
8.5. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party under this Section
8.5. of commencement of action, such Indemnified Party will, if a claim
in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under
this section, notify the indemnifying party of the commencement
thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will not
relieve it from any liability which it may have to any Indemnified
Party otherwise than under this section. In case any such action is
brought against any Indemnified Party, and it notified the indemnifying
party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish,
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such
Indemnified Party. After notice from the indemnifying party of its
intention to assume the defense of an action, the Indemnified Party
shall bear the expenses of any additional counsel obtained by it, and
the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such Indemnified Party
under this section for any legal or other expenses subsequently
incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.6. Each of the parties agrees promptly to notify the other parties of
the commencement of any litigation or proceeding against it or any of
its respective officers, directors, trustees, employees or 1933 Act
control persons in connection with the Agreement, the issuance or sale
of the Policies, the operation of the Accounts, or the sale or
acquisition of Shares.
8.7. A successor by law of the parties to this Agreement shall be
entitled to the benefits of the indemnification contained in this
Article VIII. The indemnification provisions contained in this Article
VIII shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
9.1. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
9.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933,
1934 and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings
thereunder, including such exemptions from those statutes, rules and
regulations as the SEC may grant and the terms hereof shall be
interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
ARTICLE X. Notice of Formal Proceedings
<PAGE>
The Trust, MFS, and the Company agree that each such party shall promptly
notify the other parties to this Agreement, in writing, of the institution of
any formal proceedings brought against such party or its designees by the NASD,
the SEC, or any insurance department or any other regulatory body regarding such
party's duties under this Agreement or related to the sale of the Policies, the
operation of the Accounts, or the purchase of the Shares.
ARTICLE XI. Termination
11.1. This Agreement shall terminate with respect to the Accounts,
or one, some, or all Portfolios:
(a) at the option of any party upon six (6) months'
advance written notice to the other parties; or
(b) at the option of the Company to the extent that the
Shares of Portfolios are not reasonably available to
meet the requirements of the Policies or are not
"appropriate funding vehicles" for the Policies, as
reasonably determined by the Company. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Shares
of a Portfolio would not be "appropriate funding
vehicles" if, for example, such Shares did not meet
the diversification or other requirements referred to
in Article VI hereof; or if the Company would be
permitted to disregard Policy owner voting
instructions pursuant to Rule 6e-2 or 6e-3(T) under
the 1940 Act. Prompt notice of the election to
terminate for such cause and an explanation of such
cause shall be furnished to the Trust by the Company;
or
(c) at the option of the Trust or MFS upon institution of
formal proceedings against the Company by the NASD,
the SEC, or any insurance department or any other
regulatory body regarding the Company's duties under
this Agreement or related to the sale of the
Policies, the operation of the Accounts, or the
purchase of the Shares; or
(d) at the option of the Company upon institution of
formal proceedings against the Trust by the NASD, the
SEC, or any state securities or insurance department
or any other regulatory body regarding the Trust's or
MFS' duties under this Agreement or related to the
sale of the shares; or
(e) at the option of the Company, the Trust or MFS upon
receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals and/or
the vote of the Policy owners having an interest in
the Accounts (or any subaccounts) to substitute the
shares of another investment company for the
corresponding Portfolio Shares in accordance with the
terms of the Policies for which those Portfolio
Shares had been selected to serve as the underlying
investment media. The Company will give thirty (30)
day's prior written notice to the Trust of the Date
of any proposed vote or other action taken to replace
the Shares; or
(f) termination by either the Trust or MFS by written
notice to the Company, if either one or both of the
Trust or MFS respectively, shall determine, in their
sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the
Company has suffered a material adverse change in its
business, operations, financial condition, or
prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the
subject of material adverse publicity; or
(g) termination by the Company by written notice to the
Trust and MFS, if the Company shall
<PAGE>
determine, in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that
the Trust or MFS has suffered a material adverse change in
this business, operations, financial condition or prospects
since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of
material adverse publicity; or
(h) at the option of any party to this Agreement, upon another
party's material breach of any provision of this Agreement;
or
(i) upon assignment of this Agreement, unless made with the
written consent of the parties hereto.
11.2. The notice shall specify the Portfolio or Portfolios, Policies
and, if applicable, the Accounts as to which the Agreement is to be
terminated.
11.3. It is understood and agreed that the right of any party hereto to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(a) may be exercised
for cause or for no cause.
11.4. Except as necessary to implement Policy owner initiated
transactions, or as required by state insurance laws or regulations,
the Company shall not redeem the Shares attributable to the Policies
(as opposed to the Shares attributable to the Company's assets held in
the Accounts), and the Company shall not prevent Policy owners from
allocating payments to a Portfolio that was otherwise available under
the Policies, until thirty (30) days after the Company shall have
notified the Trust of its intention to do so.
11.5. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Trust and
MFS shall, at the option of the Company, continue to make available
additional shares of the Portfolios pursuant to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, for all Policies in effect on the
effective date of termination of this Agreement (the "Existing
Policies"), except as otherwise provided under Article VII of this
Agreement. Specifically, without limitation, the owners of the Existing
Policies shall be permitted to transfer or reallocate investment under
the Policies, redeem investments in any Portfolio and/or invest in the
Trust upon the making of additional purchase payments under the
Existing Policies.
ARTICLE XII. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below
or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing
to the other party.
If to the Trust:
MFS Variable Insurance Trust
500 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Attn: Stephen E. Cavan, Secretary
If to the Company:
[ ]
Attn:
<PAGE>
If to MFS:
Massachusetts Financial Services Company
500 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Attn: Stephen E. Cavan, General Counsel
ARTICLE XIII. Miscellaneous
13.1. Subject to the requirement of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and
addresses of the owners of the Policies and all information reasonably
identified as confidential in writing by any other party hereto and,
except as permitted by this Agreement or as otherwise required by
applicable law or regulation, shall not disclose, disseminate or
utilize such names and addresses and other confidential information
without the express written consent of the affected party until such
time as it may come into the public domain.
13.2. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions
hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
13.3. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in one or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the
same instrument.
13.4. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid
by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the
Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
13.5. The Schedule attached hereto, as modified from time to time, is
incorporated herein by reference and is part of this Agreement.
13.6. Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party in
connection with inquiries by appropriate governmental authorities
(including without limitation the SEC, the NASD, and state insurance
regulators) relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby.
13.7. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement
are cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and
obligations, at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled
to under state and federal laws.
13.8. A copy of the Trust's Declaration of Trust is on file with the
Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Company
acknowledges that the obligations of or arising out of this instrument
are not binding upon any of the Trust's trustees, officers, employees,
agents or shareholders individually, but are binding solely upon the
assets and property of the Trust in accordance with its proportionate
interest hereunder. The Company further acknowledges that the assets
and liabilities of each Portfolio are separate and distinct and that
the obligations of or arising out of this instrument are binding solely
upon the assets or property of the Portfolio on whose behalf the Trust
has executed this instrument. The Company also agrees that the
obligations of each Portfolio hereunder shall be several and not joint,
in accordance with its proportionate interest hereunder, and the
Company agrees not to proceed against any Portfolio for the obligations
of another Portfolio.
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date
specified below.
[ ]
By its authorized officer,
By: _______________________________
Title: ____________________________
Date: _____________________________
MFS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST, on behalf of the
Portfolios By its authorized officer and not
individually,
By: _______________________________
Title: ____________________________
Date: _____________________________
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY
By its authorized officer,
By: _______________________________
Title: ____________________________
Date: _____________________________
<PAGE>
As of ______________________
SCHEDULE A
Accounts, Policies and Portfolios
Subject to the Participation Agreement
Name of Separate
Account and Date Policies Funded Portfolios
Established by Board of Directors by Separate Account Applicable to Policies
- --------------------------------- ------------------- ----------------------
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.B8f
FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
This AGREEMENT is made this ____ day of _____________________________,
199_, by and between _____________________________________(the "Insurer"), a
life insurance company domiciled in _____________________________, on its behalf
and on behalf of the segregated asset accounts of the Insurer listed on Exhibit
A to this Agreement (the "Separate Accounts"); Insurance Series (the "Fund"), a
Massachusetts business trust; and Federated Securities Corp. (the
"Distributor"), a Pennsylvania corporation.
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") as an open-end management investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended ("1940 Act") and the Fund is
authorized to issue separate classes of shares of beneficial interest
("shares"), each representing an interest in a separate portfolio of assets
known as a "portfolio" and each portfolio has its own investment objective,
policies, and limitations; and
WHEREAS, the Fund is available to offer shares of one or more of its
portfolios to separate accounts of insurance companies that fund variable
annuity contracts ("Variable Contracts") and to serve as an investment medium
for Variable Contracts offered by insurance companies that have entered into
participation agreements substantially similar to this agreement ("Participating
Insurance Companies"), and the Fund will be made available in the future to
offer shares of one or more of its portfolios to separate accounts of insurance
companies that fund variable life insurance policies (at which time such
policies would also be "Variable Contracts" hereunder), and
WHEREAS, the Fund is currently comprised of eight separate portfolios,
and other portfolios may be established in the future; and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the SEC dated December 29,
1993 (File No. 812-8620), granting Participating Insurance Companies and
variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts exemptions from
the provisions of sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the 1940 Act and
Rules 6e-2(b)(15)
<PAGE>
and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit shares of the
Fund to be sold to and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance
separate accounts of life insurance companies that may or may not be affiliated
with one another (hereinafter the "Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order");
and
WHEREAS, the Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("1934 Act"), and is a
member in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD"); and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Insurer wishes to purchase shares of one or more of the Fund's
portfolios on behalf of its Separate Accounts to serve as an investment medium
for Variable Contracts funded by the Separate Accounts, and the Distributor is
authorized to sell shares of the Fund's portfolios;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual promises
and covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares
-------------------
1.1 The Distributor agrees to sell to the Insurer those shares of the
portfolios offered and made available by the Fund and identified on Exhibit B
("Portfolios") that the Insurer orders on behalf of its Separate Accounts, and
agrees to execute such orders on each day on which the Fund calculates its net
asset value pursuant to rules of the SEC ("business day") at the net asset value
next computed after receipt and acceptance by the Fund or its agent of the order
for the shares of the Fund.
1.2 The Fund agrees to make available on each business day shares of
the Portfolios for purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the
Insurer on behalf of its Separate Accounts; provided, however, that the Board of
Trustees of the Fund may refuse to sell shares of any Portfolio to any person,
or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Portfolio, if such action
is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is, in
the sole discretion of the Trustees, acting in good faith and in light of the
Trustees' fiduciary duties under applicable law, necessary in the best interests
of the shareholders of any Portfolio.
<PAGE>
1.3 The Fund and the Distributor agree that shares of the Portfolios of
the Fund will be sold only to Participating Insurance Companies, their separate
accounts, and other persons consistent with each Portfolio being adequately
diversified pursuant to Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended ("Code"), and the regulations thereunder. No shares of any Portfolio
will be sold directly to the general public to the extent not permitted by
applicable tax law.
1.4 The Fund and the Distributor will not sell shares of the Portfolios to
any insurance company or separate account unless an agreement containing
provisions substantially the same as the provisions in Article IV of this
Agreement is in effect to govern such sales.
1.5 Upon receipt of a request for redemption in proper form from the
Insurer, the Fund agrees to redeem any full or fractional shares of the
Portfolios held by the Insurer, ordinarily executing such requests on each
business day at the net asset value next computed after receipt and acceptance
by the Fund or its agent of the request for redemption, except that the Fund
reserves the right to suspend the right of redemption, consistent with Section
22(e) of the 1940 Act and any rules thereunder. Such redemption shall be paid
consistent with applicable rules of the SEC and procedures and policies of the
Fund as described in the current prospectus.
1.6 For purposes of Sections 1.2 and 1.5, the Insurer shall be the agent
of the Fund for the limited purpose of receiving and accepting purchase and
redemption orders from each Separate Account and receipt of such orders by 4:00
p.m. Eastern time by the Insurer shall be deemed to be receipt by the Fund for
purposes of Rule 22c-1 of the 1940 Act; provided that the Fund receives notice
of such orders on the next following business day prior to 4:00 p.m. Eastern
time on such day, although the Insurer will use its best efforts to provide such
notice by 9:00 a.m. Eastern time.
1.7 The Insurer agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of each Portfolio
in accordance with the provisions of the current prospectus for the Fund.
1.8 The Insurer shall pay for shares of the Portfolio on the next business
day after it places an order to purchase shares of the Portfolio. Payment shall
be in federal funds transmitted by wire.
1.9 Issuance and transfer of shares of the Portfolios will be by book
entry only unless otherwise
<PAGE>
agreed by the Fund. Stock certificates will not be issued to the Insurer or the
Separate Accounts unless otherwise agreed by the Fund. Shares ordered from the
Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for the Separate Accounts or the
appropriate subaccounts of the Separate Accounts.
1.10 The Fund shall furnish same day notice (by wire or telephone, followed
by written confirmation) to the Insurer of any income dividends or capital gain
distributions payable on the shares of the Portfolios. The Insurer hereby elects
to reinvest in the Portfolio all such dividends and distributions as are payable
on a Portfolio's shares and to receive such dividends and distributions in
additional shares of that Portfolio. The Insurer reserves the right to revoke
this election in writing and to receive all such dividends and distributions in
cash. The Fund shall notify the Insurer of the number of shares so issued as
payment of such dividends and distributions.
1.11 The Fund shall instruct its recordkeeping agent to advise the Insurer
on each business day of the net asset value per share for each Portfolio as soon
as reasonably practical after the net asset value per share is calculated and
shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value per share available by
7:00 p.m. Eastern time.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1 The Insurer represents and warrants that it is an insurance company
duly organized and in good standing under applicable law and that it is taxed as
an insurance company under Subchapter L of the Code.
2.2 The Insurer represents and warrants that it has legally and validly
established each of the Separate Accounts as a segregated asset account under
the ____________________ Insurance Code, and that each of the Separate Accounts
is a validly existing segregated asset account under applicable federal and
state law.
2.3 The Insurer represents and warrants that the Variable Contracts issued
by the Insurer or interests in the Separate Accounts under such Variable
Contracts (1) are or, prior to issuance, will be registered as securities under
the Securities Act of 1933 ("1933 Act") or, alternatively, (2) are not
registered because they are properly exempt from registration under the 1933 Act
or will be offered exclusively in transactions that are properly exempt from
registration under the 1933 Act.
<PAGE>
2.4 The Insurer represents and warrants that each of the Separate Accounts
(1) has been registered as a unit investment trust in accordance with the
provisions of the 1940 Act or, alternatively, (2) has not been registered in
proper reliance upon an exclusion from registration under the 1940 Act.
2.5 The Insurer represents that it believes, in good faith, that the
Variable Contracts issued by the Insurer are currently treated as annuity
contracts or life insurance policies (which may include modified endowment
contracts), whichever is appropriate, under applicable provisions of the Code.
2.6 The Fund represents and warrants that it is duly organized as a
business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and is in
good standing under applicable law.
2.7 The Fund represents and warrants that the shares of the Portfolios are
duly authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable law and that the Fund
is registered as an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act.
2.8 The Fund represents that it believes, in good faith, that the
Portfolios currently comply with the diversification provisions of Section
817(h) of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder relating to the
diversification requirements for variable life insurance policies and variable
annuity contracts.
2.9 The Distributor represents and warrants that it is a member in good
standing of the NASD and is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC.
ARTICLE III. General Duties
3.1 The Fund shall take all such actions as are necessary to permit the
sale of the shares of each Portfolio to the Separate Accounts, including
maintaining its registration as an investment company under the 1940 Act, and
registering the shares of the Portfolios sold to the Separate Accounts under the
1933 Act for so long as required by applicable law. The Fund shall amend its
Registration Statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act
from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of the
shares of the Portfolios. The Fund shall register and qualify the shares for
sale in accordance with the laws of the
<PAGE>
various states to the extent deemed necessary by the Fund or the Distributor.
3.2 The Fund shall make every effort to maintain qualification of each
Portfolio as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code (or
any successor or similar provision) and shall notify the Insurer immediately
upon having a reasonable basis for believing that a Portfolio has ceased to so
qualify or that it might not so qualify in the future.
3.3 The Fund shall make every effort to enable each Portfolio to comply
with the diversification provisions of Section 817(h) of the Code and the
regulations issued thereunder relating to the diversification requirements for
variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts and any
prospective amendments or other modifications to Section 817 or regulations
thereunder, and shall notify the Insurer immediately upon having a reasonable
basis for believing that any Portfolio has ceased to comply.
3.4 The Insurer shall take all such actions as are necessary under
applicable federal and state law to permit the sale of the Variable Contracts
issued by the Insurer, including registering each Separate Account as an
investment company to the extent required under the 1940 Act, and registering
the Variable Contracts or interests in the Separate Accounts under the Variable
Contracts to the extent required under the 1933 Act, and obtaining all necessary
approvals to offer the Variable Contracts from state insurance commissioners.
3.5 The Insurer shall make every effort to maintain the treatment of the
Variable Contracts issued by the Insurer as annuity contracts or life insurance
policies, whichever is appropriate, under applicable provisions of the Code, and
shall notify the Fund and the Distributor immediately upon having a reasonable
basis for believing that such Variable Contracts have ceased to be so treated or
that they might not be so treated in the future.
3.6 The Insurer shall offer and sell the Variable Contracts issued by the
Insurer in accordance with applicable provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act,
the 1940 Act, the NASD Rules of Fair Practice, and state law respecting the
offering of variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts.
3.7 The Distributor shall sell and distribute the shares of the Portfolios
of the Fund in accordance with the applicable provisions of the 1933 Act, the
1934 Act, the 1940 Act, the NASD Rules of Fair Practice, and state law.
<PAGE>
3.8 During such time as the Fund engages in Mixed Funding or Shared
Funding, a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Fund shall consist of
persons who are not "interested persons" of the Fund ("disinterested Trustees"),
as defined by Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, and as
modified by any applicable orders of the SEC, except that if this provision of
this Section 3.8 is not met by reason of the death, disqualification, or bona
fide resignation of any Trustee or Trustees, then the operation of this
provision shall be suspended (a) for a period of 45 days if the vacancy or
vacancies may be filled by the Fund's Board; (b) for a period of 60 days if a
vote of shareholders is required to fill the vacancy or vacancies; or (c) for
such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by order upon application.
3.9 The Insurer and its agents will not in any way recommend any proposal
or oppose or interfere with any proposal submitted by the Fund at a meeting of
owners of Variable Contracts or shareholders of the Fund, and will in no way
recommend, oppose, or interfere with the solicitation of proxies for Fund shares
held by Contract Owners, without the prior written consent of the Fund, which
consent may be withheld in the Fund's sole discretion.
3.10 Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities having jurisdiction (including, without
limitation, the SEC, the NASD, and state insurance regulators) and shall permit
such authorities reasonable access to its books and records in connection with
any investigation or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby.
ARTICLE IV. Potential Conflicts
4.1 During such time as the Fund engages in Mixed Funding or Shared
Funding, the parties hereto shall comply with the conditions in this Article IV.
4.2 The Fund's Board of Trustees shall monitor the Fund for the existence
of any material irreconcilable conflict (1) between the interests of owners of
variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies, and (2) between
the interests of owners of Variable Contracts ("Variable Contract Owners")
issued by different Participating Life Insurance Companies that invest in the
Fund. A material irreconcilable conflict may arise for a variety of reasons,
including: (a) an action by any state insurance regulatory authority; (b) a
change in
<PAGE>
applicable federal or state insurance, tax, or securities laws or regulations,
or a public ruling, private letter ruling, no-action or interpretive letter, or
any similar action by insurance, tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c)
an administrative or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the
manner in which the investments of any Portfolio of the Fund are being managed;
(e) a difference in voting instructions given by variable annuity and variable
life insurance contract owners; or (f) a decision by a Participating Insurance
Company to disregard the voting instructions of Variable Contract Owners.
4.3 The Insurer agrees that it shall report any potential or existing
conflicts of which it is aware to the Fund's Board of Trustees. The Insurer will
be responsible for assisting the Board of Trustees of the Fund in carrying out
its responsibilities under the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, or, if
the Fund is engaged in Mixed Funding or Shared Funding in reliance on Rule 6e-2,
6e-3(T), or any other regulation under the 1940 Act, the Insurer will be
responsible for assisting the Board of Trustees of the Fund in carrying out its
responsibilities under such regulation, by providing the Board with all
information reasonably necessary for the Board to consider any issues raised.
This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation by the Insurer to inform the
Board whenever Variable Contract Owner voting instructions are disregarded. The
Insurer shall carry out its responsibility under this Section 4.3 with a view
only to the interests of the Variable Contract Owners.
4.4 The Insurer agrees that in the event that it is determined by a
majority of the Board of Trustees of the Fund or a majority of the Fund's
disinterested Trustees that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the
Insurer shall, at its expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as
determined by a majority of the disinterested Trustees of the Board of the
Fund), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or eliminate the
irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1) withdrawing the
assets allocable to some or all of the Separate Accounts from the Fund or any
Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium,
including another portfolio of the Fund, or submitting the question as to
whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote of all affected
Variable Contract Owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of any
appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners or life insurance contract
owners of contracts issued by one or more Participating Insurance Companies),
that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected Variable
Contract Owners the option of making such a change; and (2) establishing a new
registered management investment company or managed separate account. If a
material irreconcilable conflict arises because of the Insurer's decision to
disregard Variable Contract Owners' voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Insurer
shall be required, at the Fund's
<PAGE>
election, to withdraw the Separate Accounts' investment in the Fund, provided,
however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent
required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a
majority of the disinterested Trustees, and no charge or penalty will be imposed
as a result of such withdrawal. These responsibilities shall be carried out with
a view only to the interests of the Variable Contract Owners. A majority of the
disinterested Trustees of the Fund shall determine whether or not any proposed
action adequately remedies any material irreconcilable conflict, but in no event
will the Fund or its investment adviser or the Distributor be required to
establish a new funding medium for any Variable Contract. The Insurer shall not
be required by this Section 4.4 to establish a new funding medium for any
Variable Contract if any offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority
of Variable Contract Owners materially adversely affected by the material
irreconcilable conflict.
4.5 The Insurer, at least annually, shall submit to the Fund's Board of
Trustees such reports, materials, or data as the Board reasonably may request so
that the Trustees of the Fund may fully carry out the obligations imposed upon
the Board by the conditions contained in the application for the Mixed and
Shared Funding Exemptive Order and said reports, materials, and data shall be
submitted more frequently if deemed appropriate by the Board.
4.6 All reports of potential or existing conflicts received by the Fund's
Board of Trustees, and all Board action with regard to determining the existence
of a conflict, notifying Participating Insurance Companies of a conflict, and
determining whether any proposed action adequately remedies a conflict, shall be
properly recorded in the minutes of the Board of Trustees of the Fund or other
appropriate records, and such minutes or other records shall be made available
to the SEC upon request.
4.7 The Board of Trustees of the Fund shall promptly notify the Insurer in
writing of its determination of the existence of an irreconcilable material
conflict and its implications.
ARTICLE V. Prospectuses and Proxy Statements; Voting
5.1 The Insurer shall distribute such prospectuses, proxy statements and
periodic reports of the Fund to the owners of Variable Contracts issued by the
Insurer as required to be distributed to such Variable Contract Owners under
applicable federal or state law.
<PAGE>
5.2 The Distributor shall provide the Insurer with as many copies of the
current prospectus of the Fund as the Insurer may reasonably request. If
requested by the Insurer in lieu thereof, the Fund shall provide such
documentation (including a final copy of the Fund's prospectus as set in type or
in camera-ready copy) and other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order
for the Insurer to either print a stand-alone document or print together in one
document the current prospectus for the Variable Contracts issued by the Insurer
and the current prospectus for the Fund, or a document combining the Fund
prospectus with prospectuses of other funds in which the Variable Contracts may
be invested. The Fund shall bear the expense of printing copies of its current
prospectus that will be distributed to existing Variable Contract Owners, and
the Insurer shall bear the expense of printing copies of the Fund's prospectus
that are used in connection with offering the Variable Contracts issued by the
Insurer.
5.3 The Fund and the Distributor shall provide, at the Fund's expense,
such copies of the Fund's current Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") as
may reasonably be requested, to the Insurer and to any owner of a Variable
Contract issued by the Insurer who requests such SAI.
5.4 The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Insurer with copies of its
proxy materials, periodic reports to shareholders, and other communications to
shareholders in such quantity as the Insurer shall reasonably require for
purposes of distributing to owners of Variable Contracts issued by the Insurer.
The Fund, at the Insurer's expense, shall provide the Insurer with copies of its
periodic reports to shareholders and other communications to shareholders in
such quantity as the Insurer shall reasonably request for use in connection with
offering the Variable Contracts issued by the Insurer. If requested by the
Insurer in lieu thereof, the Fund shall provide such documentation (including a
final copy of the Fund's proxy materials, periodic reports to shareholders, and
other communications to shareholders, as set in type or in camera-ready copy)
and other assistance as reasonably necessary in order for the Insurer to print
such shareholder communications for distribution to owners of Variable Contracts
issued by the Insurer.
5.5 For so long as the SEC interprets the 1940 Act to require pass-through
voting by Participating Insurance Companies whose Separate Accounts are
registered as investment companies under the 1940 Act, the Insurer shall vote
shares of each Portfolio of the Fund held in a Separate Account or a subaccount
thereof, whether or not registered under the 1940 Act, at regular and special
meetings of the Fund in accordance with
<PAGE>
instructions timely received by the Insurer (or its designated agent) from
owners of Variable Contracts funded by such Separate Account or subaccount
thereof having a voting interest in the Portfolio. The Insurer shall vote shares
of a Portfolio of the Fund held in a Separate Account or a subaccount thereof
that are attributable to the Variable Contracts as to which no timely
instructions are received, as well as shares held in such Separate Account or
subaccount thereof that are not attributable to the Variable Contracts and owned
beneficially by the Insurer (resulting from charges against the Variable
Contracts or otherwise), in the same proportion as the votes cast by owners of
the Variable Contracts funded by that Separate Account or subaccount thereof
having a voting interest in the Portfolio from whom instructions have been
timely received. The Insurer shall vote shares of each Portfolio of the Fund
held in its general account, if any, in the same proportion as the votes cast
with respect to shares of the Portfolio held in all Separate Accounts of the
Insurer or subaccounts thereof, in the aggregate.
5.6 During such time as the Fund engages in Mixed Funding or Shared
Funding, the Fund shall disclose in its prospectus that (1) the Fund is intended
to be a funding vehicle for variable annuity and variable life insurance
contracts offered by various insurance companies, (2) material irreconcilable
conflicts possibly may arise, and (3) the Board of Trustees of the Fund will
monitor events in order to identify the existence of any material irreconcilable
conflicts and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response to
any such conflict. The Fund hereby notifies the Insurer that prospectus
disclosure may be appropriate regarding potential risks of offering shares of
the Fund to separate accounts funding both variable annuity contracts and
variable life insurance policies and to separate accounts funding Variable
Contracts of unaffiliated life insurance companies.
ARTICLE VI. Sales Material and Information
6.1 The Insurer shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund
or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in
which the Fund (or any Portfolio thereof) or its investment adviser or the
Distributor is named at least 15 days prior to the anticipated use of such
material, and no such sales literature or other promotional material shall be
used unless the Fund and the Distributor or the designee of either approve the
material or do not respond with comments on the material within 10 days from
receipt of the material.
6.2 The Insurer agrees that neither it nor any of its affiliates or agents
shall give any information or make any representations or statements on behalf
of the Fund or concerning the Fund other than the information
<PAGE>
or representations contained in the Registration Statement or prospectus for the
Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund,
or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund or its
designee and by the Distributor or its designee, except with the permission of
the Fund or its designee and the Distributor or its designee.
6.3 The Fund or the Distributor or the designee of either shall furnish to
the Insurer or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which the Insurer or its Separate Accounts are named at least 15
days prior to the anticipated use of such material, and no such material shall
be used unless the Insurer or its designee approves the material or does not
respond with comments on the material within 10 days from receipt of the
material.
6.4 The Fund and the Distributor agree that each and the affiliates and
agents of each shall not give any information or make any representations on
behalf of the Insurer or concerning the Insurer, the Separate Accounts, or the
Variable Contracts issued by the Insurer, other than the information or
representations contained in a registration statement or prospectus for such
Variable Contracts, as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended
or supplemented from time to time, or in reports for the Separate Accounts or
prepared for distribution to owners of such Variable Contracts, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Insurer or its
designee, except with the permission of the Insurer.
6.5 The Fund will provide to the Insurer at least one complete copy of the
Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Application and any amendments thereto, all
prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information, reports, proxy statements
and other voting solicitation materials, and all amendments and supplements to
any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its shares, promptly after the
filing of such document with the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
6.6 The Insurer will provide to the Fund all prospectuses (which shall
include an offering memorandum if the Variable Contracts issued by the Insurer
or interests therein are not registered under the 1933 Act), Statements of
Additional Information, reports, solicitations for voting instructions relating
to the Fund, and all amendments or supplements to any of the above that relate
to the Variable Contracts issued by the Insurer or the Separate Accounts which
utilize the Fund as an underlying investment medium, promptly after the
<PAGE>
filing of such document with the SEC or other regulatory authority.
6.7 For purposes of this Article VI, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements (such as
material published, or designed for use, in a newspaper, magazine, or other
periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display,
signs or billboards, motion pictures, computerized media, or other public
media), sales literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made
generally available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars,
research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or
excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article),
educational or training materials or other communications distributed or made
generally available to some or all agents or employees.
ARTICLE VII. Indemnification
7.1 Indemnification by the Insurer
7.1(a) The Insurer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund,
each of its Trustees and officers, any affiliated person of the Fund within the
meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act, and the Distributor (collectively,
the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 7.1) against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with
the written consent of the Insurer) or litigation expenses (including legal and
other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any
statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or litigation expenses are related to the sale or
acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Variable Contracts issued by the Insurer
and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
registration statement or prospectus (which shall include an offering
memorandum) for the Variable Contracts issued by the Insurer or sales
literature for such Variable Contracts (or any amendment or supplement
to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify
shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or
omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Insurer by or
on behalf of the Fund for use in the registration statement or
prospectus for the Variable Contracts issued by the Insurer or sales
literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of such Variable Contracts or Fund shares; or
<PAGE>
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any statement or
representation (other than statements or representations contained in
the registration statement, prospectus or sales literature of the Fund
not supplied by the Insurer or persons under its control) or wrongful
conduct of the Insurer or any of its affiliates, employees or agents
with respect to the sale or distribution of the Variable Contracts
issued by the Insurer or the Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement,
prospectus, or sales literature of the Fund or any amendment thereof
or supplement thereto or the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading if such a statement or
omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Fund
by or on behalf of the Insurer; or
(iv) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Insurer in this Agreement
or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by the Insurer; except to the extent provided in Sections
7.1(b) and 7.1(c) hereof.
7.1(b) The Insurer shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
expenses to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the
Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of the Indemnified Party's reckless
disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to the Fund.
7.1(c) The Insurer shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Party shall have notified the Insurer in writing within a reasonable time
after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature
of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but
failure to notify the Insurer of any such claim shall not relieve the Insurer
from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such
action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision.
In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Insurer
shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such
action. The Insurer also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the
Insurer to such party of the Insurer's election to assume the defense thereof,
the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by it, and the Insurer will not be liable to such party under this
Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party
<PAGE>
independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs
of investigation.
7.1(d) The Indemnified Parties shall promptly notify the Insurer of
the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection
with the issuance or sale of the Fund shares or the Variable Contracts issued by
the Insurer or the operation of the Fund.
7.2 Indemnification By the Distributor
7.2(a) The Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Insurer, its affiliated principal underwriter of the Variable Contracts, and
each of their directors and officers and any affiliated person of the Insurer
within the meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 7.2) against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with
the written consent of the Distributor) or litigation expenses (including legal
and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under
any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or litigation expenses are related to the sale or
acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Variable Contracts issued by the Insurer
and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
registration statement or prospectus or sales literature of the Fund
(or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out
of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if
such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to
the Distributor or the Fund or the designee of either by or on behalf
of the Insurer for use in the registration statement or prospectus for
the Fund or in sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or
otherwise for use in the registration statement or prospectus for the
Fund or in sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or
otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Variable
Contracts issued by the Insurer or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any statement or
representations (other than statements or representations contained in
the registration statement, prospectus or sales literature for the
Variable Contracts not supplied by the Distributor or any employees or
agents thereof) or wrongful conduct of the Fund or Distributor, or the
affiliates, employees, or agents of the Fund or the Distributor with
respect to the sale or distribution of the Variable Contracts issued
by the Insurer or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement,
prospectus, or sales literature covering the Variable Contracts issued
by the Insurer, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to
<PAGE>
make the statement or statements therein not misleading, if such
statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished
to the Insurer by or on behalf of the Fund; or
(iv) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Distributor in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of
this Agreement by the Distributor;
except to the extent provided in Sections 7.2(b) and 7.2(c) hereof.
7.2(b) The Distributor shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
expenses to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of
willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of the
Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of the Indemnified Party's reckless
disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to the Insurer or the
Separate Accounts.
7.2(c) The Distributor shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Party shall have notified the Distributor in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after
such Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent),
but failure to notify the Distributor of any such claim shall not relieve the
Distributor from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Distributor will be entitled to participate, at is own
expense, in the defense thereof. The Distributor also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action. After notice from the Distributor to such party of the Distributor's
election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the
fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Distributor
will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other
expense subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
7.2(d) The Insurer shall promptly notify the Distributor of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers
or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Variable Contracts
issued by the Insurer or the operation of the Separate Accounts.
7.3 Indemnification by the Fund
<PAGE>
7.3(a) The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Insurer, its
affiliated principal underwriter of the Variable Contracts, and each of their
directors and officers and any affiliated person of the Insurer within the
meaning of Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" for purposes of this Section 7.3) against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written
consent of the Fund) or litigation expenses (including legal and other expenses)
to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute or
regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation expenses are related to the sale or acquisition of the
Fund's shares or the Variable Contracts issued by the Insurer and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
registration statement or prospectus or sales literature of the Fund
(or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out
of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if
such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to
the Distributor or the Fund or the designee of either by or on behalf
of the Insurer for use in the registration statement or prospectus for
the Fund or in sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or
otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Variable
Contracts issued by the Insurer or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any statement or
representation (other than statements or representations contained in
the registration statement, prospectus or sales literature for the
Variable Contracts not supplied by the Distributor or any employees or
agents thereof) or wrongful conduct of the Fund, or the affiliates,
employees, or agents of the Fund, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Variable Contracts issued by the Insurer or Fund
shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement,
prospectus or sales literature covering the Variable Contracts issued
by the Insurer, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement or statements
therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon information furnished to the Insurer by or on behalf of
the Fund; or
(iv) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Fund in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by the Fund;
except to the extent provided in Sections 7.3(b) and 7.3(c) hereof.
7.3(b) The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
expenses to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be
<PAGE>
subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of the Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of the Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to
the Insurer or the Separate Accounts.
7.3(c) The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a reasonable time
after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature
of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but
failure to notify the Fund of any such claim shall not relieve the Fund from any
liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is
brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision. In case any
such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be
entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund
also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory
to the party named in the action. After notice from the Fund to such party of
the Fund's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the
Fund will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection
with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
7.3(d) The Insurer shall promptly notify the Fund of the com-mencement
of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or directors
in connection with the issuance or sale of the Variable Contracts issued by the
Insurer or the sale of the Fund's shares.
ARTICLE VIII. Applicable Law
8.1 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Pennsylvania.
8.2 This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934,
and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including
such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC may grant
(including, but not limited to, the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order),
and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
<PAGE>
ARTICLE IX. Termination
9.1 This Agreement shall terminate:
(a) at the option of any party upon 180 days advance written notice
to the other parties; or
(b) at the option of the Insurer if shares of the Portfolios are not
reasonably available to meet the requirements of the Variable Contracts issued
by the Insurer, as determined by the Insurer, and upon prompt notice by the
Insurer to the other parties; or
(c) at the option of the Fund or the Distributor upon institution of
formal proceedings against the Insurer or its agent by the NASD, the SEC, or any
state securities or insurance department or any other regulatory body regarding
the Insurer's duties under this Agreement or related to the sale of the Variable
Contracts issued by the Insurer, the operation of the Separate Accounts, or the
purchase of the Fund shares; or
(d) at the option of the Insurer upon institution of formal
proceedings against the Fund or the Distributor by the NASD, the SEC, or any
state securities or insurance department or any other regulatory body; or
(e) upon requisite vote of the Variable Contract Owners having an
interest in the Separate Accounts (or any subaccounts thereof) to substitute the
shares of another investment company for the corresponding shares of the Fund or
a Portfolio in accordance with the terms of the Variable Contracts for which
those shares had been selected or serve as the underlying investment media; or
(f) in the event any of the shares of a Portfolio are not registered,
issued or sold in accordance with applicable state and/or federal law, or such
law precludes the use of such shares as the underlying investment media of the
Variable Contracts issued or to be issued by the Insurer; or
(g) by any party to the Agreement upon a determination by a majority
of the Trustees of the Fund, or a majority of its disinterested Trustees, that
an irreconcilable conflict, as described in Article IV hereof, exists; or
<PAGE>
(h) at the option of the Insurer if the Fund or a Portfolio fails to
meet the requirements under Subchapter M of the Code for qualification as a
Regulated Investment Company specified in Section 3.2 hereof or the diversi-
fication requirements specified in Section 3.3 hereof.
9.2 Each party to this Agreement shall promptly notify the other parties
to the Agreement of the institution against such party of any such formal
proceedings as described in Sections 9.1(c) and (d) hereof. The Insurer shall
give 60 days prior written notice to the Fund of the date of any proposed vote
of Variable Contract Owners to replace the Fund's shares as described in Section
9.1(e) hereof.
9.3 Except as necessary to implement Variable Contract Owner initiated
transactions, or as required by state insurance laws or regulations, the Insurer
shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the Variable Contracts issued by
the Insurer (as opposed to Fund shares attributable to the Insurer's assets held
in the Separate Accounts), and the Insurer shall not prevent Variable Contract
Owners from allocating payments to a Portfolio, until 60 days after the Insurer
shall have notified the Fund or Distributor of its intention to do so.
9.4 Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Fund and the
Distributor shall at the option of the Insurer continue to make available
additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, for all Variable Contracts in effect on the effective date of
termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing Contracts").
Specifically, without limitation, based upon instructions from the owners of the
Existing Contracts, the Separate Accounts shall be permitted to reallocate
investments in the Portfolios of the Fund and redeem investments in the
Portfolios, and shall be permitted to invest in the Portfolios in the event that
owners of the Existing Contracts make additional purchase payments under the
Existing Contracts. If this Agreement terminates, the parties agree that
Sections 3.10, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 8.1, and 8.2, and, to the extent that all or a
portion of the assets of the Separate Accounts continue to be invested in the
Fund or any Portfolio of the Fund, Articles I, II, and IV and Sections 5.5 and
5.6 will remain in effect after termination.
ARTICLE X. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail to the other party at the
<PAGE>
address of such party set forth below or at such other address as such party may
from time to time specify in writing to the other party.
If to the Fund:
Insurance Management Series
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779
Attn.: John W. McGonigle
If to the Distributor:
Federated Securities Corp.
Federated Investors Tower
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779
Attn.: John W. McGonigle
If to the Insurer:
ARTICLE XI: Miscellaneous
11.1 The Fund and the Insurer agree that if and to the extent Rule 6e-2 or
Rule 6e-3(T) under the 1940 Act is amended or if Rule 6e-3 is adopted in final
form, to the extent applicable, the Fund and the Insurer shall each take such
steps as may be necessary to comply with the Rule as amended or adopted in final
form.
11.2 A copy of the Fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust is on file
with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and notice is hereby
given that any agreements that are executed on behalf of the Fund by any Trustee
or officer of the Fund are executed in his or her capacity as Trustee or officer
and not individually. The obligations of this Agreement shall only be binding
upon the assets and property of the Fund and shall not be binding upon any
Trustee, officer or shareholder of the Fund individually.
11.3 Nothing in this Agreement shall impede the Fund's Trustees or
shareholders of the shares of the Fund's Portfolios from exercising any of the
rights provided to such Trustees or shareholders in the Fund's
<PAGE>
Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended, a copy of which will be provided
to the Insurer upon request.
11.4 Administrative services to Variable Contract Owners shall be the
responsibility of Insurer. Insurer, on behalf of its separate accounts will be
the sole shareholder of record of Fund shares. Fund and Distributor recognize
that they will derive a substantial savings in administrative expense by virtue
of having a sole shareholder rather than multiple shareholders. In consideration
of the administrative savings resulting from having a sole shareholder rather
than multiple shareholders, Distributor agrees to pay to Insurer an amount
computed at an annual rate of .25 of 1% of the average daily net asset value of
shares held in subaccounts for which Insurer provides administrative services.
Distributor's payments to Insurer are for administrative services only and do
not constitute payment in any manner for investment advisory services.
11.5 It is understood that the name "Federated" or any derivative thereof
or logo associated with that name is the valuable property of the Distributor
and its affiliates, and that the Insurer has the right to use such name (or
derivative or logo) only so long as this Agreement is in effect. Upon
termination of this Agreement the Insurer shall forthwith cease to use such name
(or derivative or logo).
11.6 The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
11.7 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
11.8 If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement shall
not be affected thereby.
11.9 This Agreement may not be assigned by any party to the Agree-ment
except with the written consent of the other parties to the Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the day and year first above written.
INSURANCE MANAGEMENT
SERIES
<PAGE>
ATTEST:_______________________ BY:___________________________
Name:_________________________ Name:_________________________
Title:________________________ Title:________________________
FEDERATED SECURITIES CORP.
ATTEST:_______________________ BY:___________________________
Name:_________________________ Name:_________________________
Title:________________________ Title:________________________
[INSURER NAME]
ATTEST:_______________________ BY:___________________________
Name:_________________________ Name:_________________________
Title:________________________ Title:________________________
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.B8g
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made this _____ day of ______________, 2000, by and
among The Alger American Fund (the "Trust"), an open-end management investment
company organized as a Massachusetts business trust, ______________________, a
life insurance company organized as a corporation under the laws of the State of
_______________, (the "Company"), on its own behalf and on behalf of each
segregated asset account of the Company set forth in Schedule A, as may be
amended from time to time (the "Accounts"), and Fred Alger & Company,
Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, the Trust's distributor (the
"Distributor").
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") as an open-end management investment company under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and has an
effective registration statement relating to the offer and sale of the various
series of its shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933
Act");
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Distributor desire that Trust shares be used
as an investment vehicle for separate accounts established for variable life
insurance policies and variable annuity contracts to be offered by life
insurance companies which have entered into fund participation agreements with
the Trust (the "Participating Insurance Companies");
WHEREAS, shares of beneficial interest in the Trust are divided into
the following series which are available for purchase by the Company for the
Accounts: Alger American Small Capitalization Portfolio, Alger American Growth
Portfolio, Alger American Income and Growth Portfolio, Alger American Balanced
Portfolio, Alger American MidCap Growth Portfolio, and Alger American Leveraged
AllCap Portfolio;
WHEREAS, the Trust has received an order from the Commission, dated
February 17, 1989 (File No. 812-7076), granting Participating Insurance
Companies and their separate accounts exemptions from the provisions of Sections
9(a), 13(a), 15(a) and 15(b) of the 1940 Act, and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and
6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit shares of the
Portfolios of the Trust to be sold to and held by variable annuity and variable
life insurance separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life
insurance companies (the "Shared Funding Exemptive Order");
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register under the 1933 Act
certain variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts to be
issued by the Company under which the Portfolios are to be made available as
investment vehicles (the "Contracts");
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a
unit investment trust under the 1940 Act unless an exemption from registration
under the 1940 Act is available and the Trust has been so advised;
WHEREAS, the Company desires to use shares of the Portfolios indicated
on Schedule A as investment vehicles for the Accounts;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the parties
agree as follows:
<PAGE>
ARTICLE I.
Purchase and Redemption of Trust Portfolio Shares
-------------------------------------------------
1.1. For purposes of this Article I, the Company shall be the Trust's agent
for the receipt from each account of purchase orders and requests for
redemption pursuant to the Contracts relating to each Portfolio,
provided that the Company notifies the Trust of such purchase orders
and requests for redemption by 9:30 a.m. Eastern time on the next
following Business Day, as defined in Section 1.3.
1.2. The Trust shall make shares of the Portfolios available to the Accounts
at the net asset value next computed after receipt of a purchase order
by the Trust (or its agent), as established in accordance with the
provisions of the then current prospectus of the Trust describing
Portfolio purchase procedures. The Company will transmit orders from
time to time to the Trust for the purchase and redemption of shares of
the Portfolios. The Trustees of the Trust (the "Trustees") may refuse
to sell shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate
the offering of shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by
law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or if, in the sole
discretion of the Trustees acting in good faith and in light of their
fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, such
action is deemed in the best interests of the shareholders of such
Portfolio.
1.3. The Company shall pay for the purchase of shares of a Portfolio on
behalf of an Account with federal funds to be transmitted by wire to
the Trust, with the reasonable expectation of receipt by the Trust by
2:00 p.m. Eastern time on the next Business Day after the Trust (or its
agent) receives the purchase order. Upon receipt by the Trust of the
federal funds so wired, such funds shall cease to be the responsibility
of the Company and shall become the responsibility of the Trust for
this purpose. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York
Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Trust calculates
its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the Commission.
1.4. The Trust will redeem for cash any full or fractional shares of any
Portfolio, when requested by the Company on behalf of an Account, at
the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Trust (or its
agent) of the request for redemption, as established in accordance with
the provisions of the then current prospectus of the Trust describing
Portfolio redemption procedures. The Trust shall make payment for such
shares in the manner established from time to time by the Trust.
Proceeds of redemption with respect to a Portfolio will normally be
paid to the Company for an Account in federal funds transmitted by wire
to the Company by order of the Trust with the reasonable expectation of
receipt by the Company by 2:00 p.m. Eastern time on the next Business
Day after the receipt by the Trust (or its agent) of the request for
redemption. Such payment may be delayed if, for example, the
Portfolio's cash position so requires or if extraordinary market
conditions exist, but in no event shall payment be delayed for a
greater period than is permitted by the 1940 Act. The Trust reserves
the right to suspend the right of redemption, consistent with Section
22(e) of the 1940 Act and any rules thereunder.
1.5. Payments for the purchase of shares of the Trust's Portfolios by the
Company under Section 1.3 and payments for the redemption of shares of
the Trust's Portfolios under Section 1.4 on any Business Day may be
netted against one another for the purpose of determining the amount of
any wire transfer.
1.6. Issuance and transfer of the Trust's Portfolio shares will be by book
entry only. Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or the
Accounts. Portfolio Shares purchased from the Trust will be recorded in
the appropriate title for each Account or the appropriate subaccount of
each Account.
1.7. The Trust shall furnish, on or before the ex-dividend date, notice to
the Company of any income
<PAGE>
dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the shares of any
Portfolio of the Trust. The Company hereby elects to receive all such
income dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on a
Portfolio's shares in additional shares of that Portfolio. The Trust
shall notify the Company of the number of shares so issued as payment
of such dividends and distributions.
1.8. The Trust shall calculate the net asset value of each Portfolio on each
Business Day, as defined in Section 1.3. The Trust shall make the net
asset value per share for each Portfolio available to the Company or
its designated agent on a daily basis as soon as reasonably practical
after the net asset value per share is calculated and shall use its
best efforts to make such net asset value per share available to the
Company by 6:30 p.m. Eastern time each Business Day.
1.9. The Trust agrees that its Portfolio shares will be sold only to
Participating Insurance Companies and their segregated asset accounts,
to the Fund Sponsor or its affiliates and to such other entities as may
be permitted by Section 817(h) of the Code, the regulations hereunder,
or judicial or administrative interpretations thereof. No shares of any
Portfolio will be sold directly to the general public. The Company
agrees that it will use Trust shares only for the purposes of funding
the Contracts through the Accounts listed in Schedule A, as amended
from time to time.
1.10. The Trust agrees that all Participating Insurance Companies shall have
the obligations and responsibilities regarding pass-through voting and
conflicts of interest corresponding materially to those contained in
Section 2.9 and Article IV of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II.
Obligations of the Parties
--------------------------
2.1. The Trust shall prepare and be responsible for filing with the
Commission and any state regulators requiring such filing all
shareholder reports, notices, proxy materials (or similar materials
such as voting instruction solicitation materials), prospectuses and
statements of additional information of the Trust. The Trust shall bear
the costs of registration and qualification of shares of the
Portfolios, preparation and filing of the documents listed in this
Section 2.1 and all taxes to which an issuer is subject on the issuance
and transfer of its shares.
2.2. The Company shall distribute such prospectuses, proxy statements and
periodic reports of the Trust to the Contract owners as required to be
distributed to such Contract owners under applicable federal or state
law.
2.3. The Trust shall provide such documentation (including a final copy of
the Trust's prospectus as set in type or in camera-ready copy) and
other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for the Company to
print together in one document the current prospectus for the Contracts
issued by the Company and the current prospectus for the Trust. The
Trust shall bear the expense of printing copies of its current
prospectus that will be distributed to existing Contract owners, and
the Company shall bear the expense of printing copies of the Trust's
prospectus that are used in connection with offering the Contracts
issued by the Company.
2.4. The Trust and the Distributor shall provide (1) at the Trust's expense,
one copy of the Trust's current Statement of Additional Information
("SAI") to the Company and to any Contract owner who requests such SAI,
(2) at the Company's expense, such additional copies of the Trust's
current SAI as the Company shall reasonably request and that the
Company shall require in accordance with applicable law
<PAGE>
in connection with offering the Contracts issued by the Company.
2.5. The Trust, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies of its
proxy material, periodic reports to shareholders and other
communications to shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall
reasonably require for purposes of distributing to Contract owners. The
Trust, at the Company's expense, shall provide the Company with copies
of its periodic reports to shareholders and other communications to
shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably request
for use in connection with offering the Contracts issued by the
Company. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the Trust shall
provide such documentation (including a final copy of the Trust's proxy
materials, periodic reports to shareholders and other communications to
shareholders, as set in type or in camera-ready copy) and other
assistance as reasonably necessary in order for the Company to print
such shareholder communications for distribution to Contract owners.
2.6. The Company agrees and acknowledges that the Distributor is the sole
owner of the name and mark "Alger" and that all use of any designation
comprised in whole or part of such name or mark under this Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of the Distributor. Except as provided in
Section 2.5, the Company shall not use any such name or mark on its own
behalf or on behalf of the Accounts or Contracts in any registration
statement, advertisement, sales literature or other materials relating
to the Accounts or Contracts without the prior written consent of the
Distributor. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, the
Company shall cease all use of any such name or mark as soon as
reasonably practicable.
2.7. The Company shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the Trust or
its designee a copy of each Contract prospectus and/or statement of
additional information describing the Contracts, each report to
Contract owners, proxy statement, application for exemption or request
for no-action letter in which the Trust or the Distributor is named
contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the Commission.
The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Trust
or its designee each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which the Trust or the Distributor is named, at least five
Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the
Trust or its designee reasonably objects to such use within three
Business Days after receipt of such material.
2.8. The Company shall not give any information or make any representations
or statements on behalf of the Trust or concerning the Trust or the
Distributor in connection with the sale of the Contracts other than
information or representations contained in and accurately derived from
the registration statement or prospectus for the Trust shares (as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented
from time to time), annual and semi-annual reports of the Trust, Trust-
sponsored proxy statements, or in sales literature or other promotional
material approved by the Trust or its designee, except as required by
legal process or regulatory authorities or with the prior written
permission of the Trust, the Distributor or their respective designees.
The Trust and the Distributor agree to respond to any request for
approval on a prompt and timely basis. The Company shall adopt and
implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that "broker only"
materials including information therein about the Trust or the
Distributor are not distributed to existing or prospective Contract
owners.
2.9. The Trust shall use its best efforts to provide the Company, on a
timely basis, with such information about the Trust, the Portfolios and
the Distributor, in such form as the Company may reasonably require, as
the Company shall reasonably request in connection with the preparation
of registration statements, prospectuses and annual and semi-annual
reports pertaining to the Contracts.
2.10. The Trust and the Distributor shall not give, and agree that no
affiliate of either of them shall give, any
<PAGE>
information or make any representations or statements on behalf of the
Company or concerning the Company, the Accounts or the Contracts other
than information or representations contained in and accurately derived
from the registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts (as
such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or
supplemented from time to time), or in materials approved by the
Company for distribution including sales literature or other
promotional materials, except as required by legal process or
regulatory authorities or with the prior written permission of the
Company. The Company agrees to respond to any request for approval on a
prompt and timely basis.
2.11. So long as, and to the extent that, the Commission interprets the 1940
Act to require pass-through voting privileges for Contract owners, the
Company will provide pass-through voting privileges to Contract owners
whose cash values are invested, through the registered Accounts, in
shares of one or more Portfolios of the Trust. The Trust shall require
all Participating Insurance Companies to calculate voting privileges in
the same manner and the Company shall be responsible for assuring that
the Accounts calculate voting privileges in the manner established by
the Trust. With respect to each registered Account, the Company will
vote shares of each Portfolio of the Trust held by a registered Account
and for which no timely voting instructions from Contract owners are
received in the same proportion as those shares for which voting
instructions are received. The Company and its agents will in no way
recommend or oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies for
Portfolio shares held to fund the Contacts without the prior written
consent of the Trust, which consent may be withheld in the Trust's sole
discretion. The Company reserves the right, to the extent permitted by
law, to vote shares held in any Account in its sole discretion.
2.12. The Company and the Trust will each provide to the other information
about the results of any regulatory examination relating to the
Contracts or the Trust, including relevant portions of any "deficiency
letter" and any response thereto.
2.13. No compensation shall be paid by the Trust to the Company, or by the
Company to the Trust, under this Agreement (except for specified
expense reimbursements). However, nothing herein shall prevent the
parties hereto from otherwise agreeing to perform, and arranging for
appropriate compensation for, other services relating to the Trust, the
Accounts or both.
ARTICLE III.
Representations and Warranties
------------------------------
3.1. The Company represents and warrants that it is an insurance company
duly organized and in good standing under the laws of the State of
_______________ and that it has legally and validly established each
Account as a segregated asset account under such law as of the date set
forth in Schedule A, and that _________________________________, the
principal underwriter for the Contracts, is registered as a
broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is a member
in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc.
3.2. The Company represents and warrants that it has registered or, prior to
any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will register each Account as a
unit investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act
and cause each Account to remain so registered to serve as a segregated
asset account for the Contracts, unless an exemption from registration
is available.
3.3. The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts will be
registered under the 1933 Act unless an exemption from registration is
available prior to any issuance or sale of the Contracts; the Contracts
will
<PAGE>
be issued and sold in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable federal and state laws; and the sale of the Contracts shall
comply in all material respects with state insurance law suitability
requirements.
3.4. The Trust represents and warrants that it is duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that
it does and will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act and
the rules and regulations thereunder.
3.5. The Trust and the Distributor represent and warrant that the Portfolio
shares offered and sold pursuant to this Agreement will be registered
under the 1933 Act and sold in accordance with all applicable federal
and state laws, and the Trust shall be registered under the 1940 Act
prior to and at the time of any issuance or sale of such shares. The
Trust shall amend its registration statement under the 1933 Act and the
1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the
continuous offering of its shares. The Trust shall register and qualify
its shares for sale in accordance with the laws of the various states
only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Trust.
3.6. The Trust represents and warrants that the investments of each
Portfolio will comply with the diversification requirements for
variable annuity, endowment or life insurance contracts set forth in
Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), and the rules and regulations thereunder, including without
limitation Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, and will notify the Company
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing any Portfolio
has ceased to comply or might not so comply and will immediately take
all reasonable steps to adequately diversify the Portfolio to achieve
compliance within the grace period afforded by Regulation 1.817-5.
3.7. The Trust represents and warrants that it is currently qualified as a
"regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code, that it
will make every effort to maintain such qualification and will notify
the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing it
has ceased to so qualify or might not so qualify in the future.
3.8. The Trust represents and warrants that it, its directors, officers,
employees and others dealing with the money or securities, or both, of
a Portfolio shall at all times be covered by a blanket fidelity bond or
similar coverage for the benefit of the Trust in an amount not less
than the minimum coverage required by Rule 17g-1 or other applicable
regulations under the 1940 Act. Such bond shall include coverage for
larceny and embezzlement and be issued by a reputable bonding company.
3.9. The Distributor represents that it is duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and that it is
registered, and will remain registered, during the term of this
Agreement, as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
and is a member in good standing of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc.
ARTICLE IV.
Potential Conflicts
-------------------
4.1. The parties acknowledge that a Portfolio's shares may be made available
for investment to other Participating Insurance Companies. In such
event, the Trustees will monitor the Trust for the existence of any
material irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract
owners of all Participating Insurance Companies. A material
irreconcilable conflict may arise for a variety of reasons, including:
(a) an action by any state insurance regulatory authority; (b) a change
in applicable federal or state insurance, tax or securities laws or
regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling, no-action or
interpretative
<PAGE>
letter, or any similar action by insurance, tax, or securities
regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial decision in
any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of any
Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions
given by variable annuity contract and variable life insurance contract
owners; or (f) a decision by an insurer to disregard the voting
instructions of contract owners. The Trust shall promptly inform the
Company of any determination by the Trustees that a material
irreconcilable conflict exists and of the implications thereof.
4.2. The Company agrees to report promptly any potential or existing
conflicts of which it is aware to the Trustees. The Company will assist
the Trustees in carrying out their responsibilities under the Shared
Funding Exemptive Order by providing the Trustees with all information
reasonably necessary for and requested by the Trustees to consider any
issues raised including, but not limited to, information as to a
decision by the Company to disregard Contract owner voting
instructions. All communications from the Company to the Trustees may
be made in care of the Trust.
4.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Trustees, or a majority of the
disinterested Trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists
that affects the interests of contract owners, the Company shall, in
cooperation with other Participating Insurance Companies whose contract
owners are also affected, at its own expense and to the extent
reasonably practicable (as determined by the Trustees) take whatever
steps are necessary to remedy or eliminate the material irreconcilable
conflict, which steps could include: (a) withdrawing the assets
allocable to some or all of the Accounts from the Trust or any
Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium,
including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Trust, or
submitting the question of whether or not such segregation should be
implemented to a vote of all affected Contract owners and, as
appropriate, segregating the assets of any appropriate group (i.e.,
annuity contract owners, life insurance contract owners, or variable
contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance Companies) that
votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected
Contract owners the option of making such a change; and (b)
establishing a new registered management investment company or managed
separate account.
4.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by
the Company to disregard Contract owner voting instructions and that
decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority
vote, the Company may be required, at the Trust's election, to withdraw
the affected Account's investment in the Trust and terminate this
Agreement with respect to such Account; provided, however that such
withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by
the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a
majority of the disinterested Trustees. Any such withdrawal and
termination must take place within six (6) months after the Trust gives
written notice that this provision is being implemented. Until the end
of such six (6) month period, the Trust shall continue to accept and
implement orders by the Company for the purchase and redemption of
shares of the Trust.
4.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular state
insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with
the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw
the affected Account's investment in the Trust and terminate this
Agreement with respect to such Account within six (6) months after the
Trustees inform the Company in writing that the Trust has determined
that such decision has created a material irreconcilable conflict;
provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be
limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable
conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested Trustees.
Until the end of such six (6) month period, the Trust shall continue to
accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase and
redemption of shares of the Trust.
<PAGE>
4.6. For purposes of Section 4.3 through 4.6 of this Agreement, a majority
of the disinterested Trustees shall determine whether any proposed
action adequately remedies any material irreconcilable conflict, but in
no event will the Trust be required to establish a new funding medium
for any Contract. The Company shall not be required to establish a new
funding medium for the Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined
by vote of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected
by the material irreconcilable conflict. In the event that the Trustees
determine that any proposed action does not adequately remedy any
material irreconcilable conflict, then the Company will withdraw the
Account's investment in the Trust and terminate this Agreement within
six (6) months after the Trustees inform the Company in writing of the
foregoing determination; provided, however, that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by any such
material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested Trustees.
4.7. The Company shall at least annually submit to the Trustees such
reports, materials or data as the Trustees may reasonably request so
that the Trustees may fully carry out the duties imposed upon them by
the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, and said reports, materials and
data shall be submitted more frequently if reasonably deemed
appropriate by the Trustees.
4.8. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-3(T) is amended, or Rule 6e-3 is
adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the 1940 Act
or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared
funding (as defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and
conditions materially different from those contained in the Shared
Funding Exemptive Order, then the Trust and/or the Participating
Insurance Companies, as appropriate, shall take such steps as may be
necessary to comply with Rule 6e-3(T), as amended, or Rule 6e-3, as
adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable.
ARTICLE V.
Indemnification
---------------
5.1. Indemnification By the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and
-------------------------------
hold harmless the Distributor, the Trust and each of its Trustees,
officers, employees and agents and each person, if any, who controls
the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section
5.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the
Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) or expenses
(including the reasonable costs of investigating or defending any
alleged loss, claim, damage, liability or expense and reasonable legal
counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) (collectively,
"Losses"), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under
any statute or regulation, or at common law or otherwise, insofar as
such Losses are related to the sale or acquisition of the Contracts or
Trust shares and:
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in a
registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts or in the
Contracts themselves or in sales literature generated or approved
by the Company on behalf of the Contracts or Accounts (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing) (collectively,
"Company Documents" for the purposes of this Article V), or arise
out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided
that this indemnity shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party
if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and was accurately derived
from written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf
of the Trust for use in Company Documents or otherwise for use in
connection
<PAGE>
with the sale of the Contracts or Trust shares; or
(b) arise out of or result from statements or representations (other
than statements or representations contained in and accurately
derived from Trust Documents as defined in Section 5.2(a)) or
wrongful conduct of the Company or persons under its control,
with respect to the sale or acquisition of the Contracts or Trust
shares; or
(c) arise out of or result from any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in Trust Documents
as defined in Section 5.2(a) or the omission or alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and accurately
derived from written information furnished to the Trust by or on
behalf of the Company; or
(d) arise out of or result from any failure by the Company to provide
the services or furnish the materials required under the terms of
this Agreement; or
(e) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Company; or
(f) arise out of or result from the provision by the Company to the
Trust of insufficient or incorrect information regarding the
purchase or sale of shares of any Portfolio, or the failure of
the Company to provide such information on a timely basis.
5.2. Indemnification by the Distributor. The Distributor agrees to indemnify
-------------------------------------
and hold harmless the Company and each of its directors, officers,
employees, and agents and each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" for the purposes of this Section 5.2) against any
and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in
settlement with the written consent of the Distributor, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld) or expenses (including the
reasonable costs of investigating or defending any alleged loss, claim,
damage, liability or expense and reasonable legal counsel fees incurred
in connection therewith) (collectively, "Losses"), to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute or regulation,
or at common law or otherwise, insofar as such Losses are related to
the sale or acquisition of the Contracts or Trust shares and:
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in the
registration statement or prospectus for the Trust (or any
amendment or supplement thereto) (collectively, "Trust Documents"
for the purposes of this Article V), or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, provided that this
indemnity shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and was accurately derived from written
information furnished to the Distributor or the Trust by or on
behalf of the Company for use in Trust Documents or otherwise for
use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Trust shares;
or
(b) arise out of or result from statements or representations (other
than statements or representations contained in and accurately
derived form Company Documents) or wrongful conduct of the
<PAGE>
Distributor or persons under its control, with respect to the
sale or acquisition of the Contracts or Portfolio shares; or
(c) arise out of or result from any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in Company
Documents or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading if such statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and accurately derived from
written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of
the Trust; or
(d) arise out of or result from any failure by the Distributor or the
Trust to provide the services or furnish the materials required
under the terms of this Agreement; or
(e) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Distributor or the
Trust in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other
material breach of this Agreement by the Distributor or the
Trust.
5.3. None of the Company, the Trust or the Distributor shall be liable under
the indemnification provisions of Sections 5.1 or 5.2, as applicable,
with respect to any Losses incurred or assessed against an Indemnified
Party that arise from such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad
faith or negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's
duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of
obligations or duties under this Agreement.
5.4. None of the Company, the Trust or the Distributor shall be liable under
the indemnification provisions of Sections 5.1 or 5.2, as applicable,
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified party unless such
Indemnified Party shall have notified the other party in writing within
a reasonable time after the summons, or other first written
notification, giving information of the nature of the claim shall have
been served upon or otherwise received by such Indemnified Party (or
after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of service upon
or other notification to any designated agent), but failure to notify
the party against whom indemnification is sought of any such claim
shall not relieve that party from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party in the absence of Sections 5.1 and 5.2.
5.5. In case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, the
indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense of such action. The indemnifying party also
shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice
from the indemnifying party to the Indemnified Party of an election to
assume such defense, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the indemnifying
party will not be liable to the Indemnified Party under this Agreement
for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party
independently in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation.
ARTICLE VI.
Termination
-----------
6.1. This Agreement shall terminate:
(a) at the option of any party upon 60 days advance written notice to
the other parties, unless a shorter time is agreed to by the
parties;
<PAGE>
(b) at the option of the Trust or the Distributor if the Contracts
issued by the Company cease to qualify as annuity contracts or
life insurance contracts, as applicable, under the Code or if the
Contracts are not registered, issued or sold in accordance with
applicable state and/or federal law; or
(c) at the option of any party upon a determination by a majority of
the Trustees of the Trust, or a majority of its disinterested
Trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists; or
(d) at the option of the Company upon institution of formal
proceedings against the Trust or the Distributor by the NASD, the
SEC, or any state securities or insurance department or any other
regulatory body regarding the Trust's or the Distributor's duties
under this Agreement or related to the sale of Trust shares or
the operation of the Trust; or
(e) at the option of the Company if the Trust or a Portfolio fails to
meet the diversification requirements specified in Section 3.6
hereof; or
(f) at the option of the Company if shares of the Series are not
reasonably available to meet the requirements of the Variable
Contracts issued by the Company, as determined by the Company,
and upon prompt notice by the Company to the other parties; or
(g) at the option of the Company in the event any of the shares of
the Portfolio are not registered, issued or sold in accordance
with applicable state and/or federal law, or such law precludes
the use of such shares as the underlying investment media of the
Variable Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company; or
(h) at the option of the Company, if the Portfolio fails to qualify
as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code;
or
(i) at the option of the Distributor if it shall determine in its
sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the Company and/or
its affiliated companies has suffered a material adverse change
in its business, operations, financial condition or prospects
since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material
adverse publicity.
6.2. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Trust shall, at
the option of the Company, continue to make available additional shares
of any Portfolio and redeem shares of any Portfolio pursuant to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement for all Contracts in effect on
the effective date of termination of this Agreement.
6.3. The provisions of Article V shall survive the termination of this
Agreement, and the provisions of Article IV and Section 2.9 shall
survive the termination of this Agreement as long as shares of the
Trust are held on behalf of Contract owners in accordance with Section
6.2.
ARTICLE VII.
Notices
-------
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below
or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing
to the other party.
<PAGE>
If to the Trust or its Distributor:
Fred Alger Management, Inc.
30 Montgomery Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
Attn: Gregory S. Duch
If to the Company:
ARTICLE VIII.
Miscellaneous
-------------
8.1. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions
hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
8.2. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
8.3. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the
Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
8.4. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. It
shall also be subject to the provisions of the federal securities laws
and the rules and regulations thereunder and to any orders of the
Commission granting exemptive relief therefrom and the conditions of
such orders. Copies of any such orders shall be promptly forwarded by
the Trust to the Company.
8.5. All liabilities of the Trust arising, directly or indirectly, under
this Agreement, of any and every nature whatsoever, shall be satisfied
solely out of the assets of the Trust and no Trustee, officer, agent or
holder of shares of beneficial interest of the Trust shall be
personally liable for any such liabilities.
8.6. Each party shall cooperate with each other party and all appropriate
governmental authorities (including without limitation the Commission,
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and state
insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities reasonable
access to its books and records in connection with any investigation or
inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby.
8.7. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and
obligations, at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled
to under state and federal laws.
<PAGE>
8.8. This Agreement shall not be exclusive in any respect.
8.9. Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be
assigned by either party without the prior written approval of the
other party.
8.10. No provisions of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any
manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed
by both parties.
8.11. Each party hereto shall, except as required by law or otherwise
permitted by this Agreement, treat as confidential the names and
addresses of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably
identified as confidential in writing by any other party hereto, and
shall not disclose such confidential information without the written
consent of the affected party unless such information has become
publicly available.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their duly authorized
officers to execute this Participation Agreement as of the date and year first
above written.
Fred Alger & Company, Incorporated
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
The Alger American Fund
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
By:___________________________________
Name:
Title:
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
----------
The Alger American Fund:
Alger American Growth Portfolio
Alger American Leveraged AllCap Portfolio
Alger American Income and Growth Portfolio
Alger American Small Capitalization Portfolio
Alger American Balanced Portfolio
Alger American MidCap Growth Portfolio
The Accounts:
