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File Number 33-71058
811-8116
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-4
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Post-Effective Amendment No. 6
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Post-Effective
Amendment No. 7
Allmerica Select Separate Account of
First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company
(Exact Name of Trust)
First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company
440 Lincoln Street
Worcester Massachusetts 01653
(508) 855-1000
(Registrant's telephone number including area code)
Abigail M. Armstrong, Secretary and Counsel
First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company
440 Lincoln Street
Worcester MA 01653
(Name and complete address of agent for service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
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X on July 8, 1996 pursuant to paragraph (b)
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
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VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
Pursuant to Reg. Section 270.24f-2 of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
Registrant hereby declares that an indefinite amount of its securities is being
registered under the Securities Act of 1933. The Rule 24f-2 Notice for the
issuer's fiscal year ended December 31, 1995 was filed on February 29, 1996.
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CROSS REFERENCE SHEET SHOWING LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS OF
ITEMS CALLED FOR BY FORM N-4
FORM N-4 ITEM NO. CAPTION IN PROSPECTUS
- ----------------- ---------------------
1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cover Page
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Special Terms"
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Summary"; "Annual and Transaction Expenses"
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Omitted
5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prospectus A: "Description of First Allmerica,
the Separate Account, the Trust, VIP and T.
Rowe Price."
Prospectus B: "Description of the Company, the
Variable Account, the Trust, VIP, and T. Rowe
Price"
6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Charges and Deductions:
7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Description of the Contract"
8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Omitted
9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Payment on Death"
10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Purchase Payments"; "Computation of Contract
Values and Annuity Payments"
11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Prospectus A: "Surrender"; "Partial Redemption"
Prospectus B: "Withdrawal"
12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Federal Tax Considerations"
13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Legal Matters"
14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Table of Contents of the Statement of
Additional Information"
FORM N-4 ITEM NO. CAPTION IN STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- ----------------- ----------------------------------------------
15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Cover Page"
16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Table of Contents"
17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . "General Information and History"
18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Services"
19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Underwriters"
20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Underwriters"
21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Performance Information"
22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Annuity Payments"
23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Financial Statements"
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PROSPECTUS A
GROUP VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
FUNDED THROUGH
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT
This Prospectus describes group variable annuity contracts including
certificates issued thereunder ("Contracts") offered by First Allmerica
Financial Life Insurance Company ("First Allmerica"). The Contracts are funded
through First Allmerica's Allmerica Select Separate Account, which invests in
shares of Allmerica Investment Trust ("Trust"), Variable Insurance Products Fund
("VIP") and T. Rowe Price International Series, Inc. ("T. Rowe"). The following
investment portfolios are available under the Contracts:
Select International Equity Fund
T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio
Select Aggressive Growth Fund
Select Capital Appreciation Fund
Select Growth Fund
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio
Select Growth and Income Fund
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio
Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio
Select Income Fund
Money Market Fund
The "SUMMARY" that follows provides basic information about the Contracts. More
detailed information can be found under the captions in the Prospectus. This
Prospectus generally describes only variable accumulation and variable annuity
features of the Contracts, except where fixed values or fixed annuity payments
are specifically mentioned.
Additional information is contained in a Statement of Additional Information
dated April 30, 1996 ("SAI"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and incorporated herein by reference. The Table of Contents of the SAI is on
page 8 of this Prospectus. The SAI is available upon request and without
charge through Allmerica Investments, Inc., 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester,
Massachusetts 01653, 508-855-3590.
THIS PROSPECTUS IS VALID ONLY WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY CURRENT PROSPECTUSES OF
ALLMERICA INVESTMENT TRUST, VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND AND T. ROWE PRICE
INTERNATIONAL SERIES, INC. FIDELITY'S HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO INVESTS IN HIGHER
YIELDING, LOWER RATED DEBT SECURITIES (SEE "INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES"
IN THIS PROSPECTUS). INVESTORS SHOULD RETAIN A COPY OF THIS PROSPECTUS FOR
FUTURE REFERENCE.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE ALLMERICA SELECT VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS ("CONTRACTS") ARE OBLIGATIONS
OF FIRST ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY AND ARE DISTRIBUTED
BY ALLMERICA INVESTMENTS, INC. THE CONTRACTS ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR
OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK OR CREDIT UNION.
THE
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CONTRACTS ARE NOT INSURED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE
CORPORATION (FDIC), OR ANY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY. INVESTMENTS IN THE CONTRACTS
ARE SUBJECT TO VARIOUS RISKS, INCLUDING THE FLUCTUATION OF VALUE AND POSSIBLE
LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
APRIL 30, 1996
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SUMMARY
WHAT IS THE ALLMERICA SELECT VARIABLE ANNUITY?
The Allmerica Select variable annuity contract ("Contract") is designed to help
you accumulate assets for your retirement or other important financial goals on
a tax-deferred basis. The Contract combines the concept of professional money
management with the attributes of an annuity contract. Features available
through the Contract include:
o A customized investment portfolio
o Experienced professional investment advisers
o Tax deferral on earnings
o Guarantees that can protect your family during the accumulation phase
o Income that can be guaranteed for life
The Contract has two phases, an accumulation phase and an annuity phase. During
the accumulation phase, your initial purchase payment and any additional
purchase payments you choose to make are allocated to the combination of
portfolios of securities ("Funds") you have selected under your Contract. Your
Contract's accumulated value is based on the investment performance of the
Funds. No income taxes are paid on any earnings under the Contract unless and
until accumulated values are withdrawn.
During the annuity phase, the Annuitant can receive income based on several
annuity plans. These plans include payment over a period of years or for the
rest of the Annuitant's life.
The Accumulation Phase
During the accumulation phase, you select the Funds most appropriate for your
investment needs. Each Fund is professionally advised by an investment adviser
with experience managing the types of investments in the Fund. All investment
gains or losses will be reflected in the accumulated value under your Contract.
The accumulation phase provides certain protection and guarantees for the
beneficiary if the Annuitant should die before the annuity phase begins. See
discussion below under "What happens upon death during the accumulation phase?"
The Annuity Phase
You choose the annuity plan and the date for the annuity phase to begin. Annuity
payments may be on a variable basis (dependent upon the performance of the
Funds) or on a fixed basis (with payment amounts guaranteed). Among the income
options available during the annuity phase are:
o Lump sum
o At regular intervals over a specified number of years; or
o At regular intervals for the rest of the Annuitant's life, regardless
of how long he or she lives.
WHO ARE THE KEY PERSONS UNDER THE CONTRACT?
The Contract is between you and us - First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance
Company ("First Allmerica"). Each Contract has a Contract Owner, an Annuitant
and a beneficiary. As Contract Owner, you make purchase payments, choose
investment allocations and select the Annuitant and beneficiary. The Annuitant
is the individual to receive annuity payments under the Contract. The
beneficiary is the person who receives any payment on death of the Contract
Owner or Annuitant.
CAN I EXAMINE THE CONTRACT?
Yes. Your Contract will be delivered to you after your purchase. If you return
the Contract to First Allmerica during the first 10 days from the date you
received it, the Contract will be canceled. You will incur no fees to cancel and
will be entitled to the greater of (1) your entire purchase payment, or (2) the
accumulated value of the Contract plus any amounts deducted under the Contract
or by the Funds for taxes, charges or fees. See "RIGHT TO REVOKE CONTRACT."
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WHAT ARE MY INVESTMENT CHOICES?
You have a choice of eleven Funds:
o Select International Equity Fund
Managed by Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited
o T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio
Managed by Rowe Price-Fleming International, Inc.
o Select Aggressive Growth Fund
Managed by Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management
o Select Capital Appreciation Fund
Managed by Janus Capital Corporation
o Select Growth Fund
Managed by Provident Investment Counsel
o Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio
Managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company
o Select Growth and Income Fund
Managed by John A. Levin & Co., Inc.
o Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio
Managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company
o Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio
Managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company
o Select Income Fund
Managed by Standish, Ayer & Wood, Inc.
o Money Market Fund
Managed by Allmerica Asset Management, Inc.
This range of investment choices enables you to allocate your money among the
Funds to meet your particular investment needs. Because of your free-look right
under the Contract (see "RIGHT TO REVOKE CONTRACT"), for the first 14 days
following the date of issue, all Fund investments will be allocated to the Money
Market Fund. Thereafter, all amounts will be allocated according to your
investment choices. For a more detailed description of the Funds, see "ALLMERICA
INVESTMENT TRUST, VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND AND T. ROWE PRICE
INTERNATIONAL SERIES, INC." and "INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES."
First Allmerica also offers a guaranteed account ("Fixed Account"). The Fixed
Account is part of the General Account of First Allmerica and provides
guarantees of principal and a fixed interest rate. See APPENDIX A, "MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIXED ACCOUNT."
WHO ARE THE INVESTMENT ADVISERS AND HOW ARE THEY SELECTED?
Allmerica Investment Management Company, Inc. ("Manager") is the investment
manager of Allmerica Investment Trust and handles the day-to-day affairs of the
Trust. The Manager has entered into agreements with experienced investment
advisers ("Sub-Advisers"), who will manage the investments of the Funds. The
Sub-Advisers for the Funds, except for the Money Market Fund, are independent
and have been selected by the Manager in consultation with Rogers Casey
Consulting, Inc., a leading pension consulting firm. Rogers Casey Consulting,
Inc. provides consulting services to pension plans representing over $300
billion in total assets and, in its consulting capacity, monitors the investment
performance of over 1,000 investment advisers. Each independent Sub-Adviser was
selected by the Manager on the basis of strict objective and qualitative
criteria, with special emphasis on the Sub-Adviser's record in managing similar
portfolios. For the Money Market Fund, the Sub- Adviser is Allmerica Asset
Management, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of First Allmerica. See
"INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES TO THE TRUST."
Fidelity Management & Research Company ("Fidelity Management") is the investment
manager of VIP. Fidelity Management, a registered investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, is one of America's largest investment
management organizations and has its principal business address at 82 Devonshire
Street, Boston MA. It is composed of a number of different companies, which
provide a variety of financial services and products. Fidelity Management is the
original Fidelity company, founded in 1946. It provides a number of mutual funds
and other clients with investment research and portfolio management services.
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Rowe Price-Fleming International, Inc. ("Price-Fleming") is the
investment manager of T. Rowe. Price-Fleming, founded in 1979 as a joint
venture between T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and Robert Fleming
Holdings, Limited, is one of America's largest international mutual
fund asset managers with approximately $20 billion under management in its
offices in Baltimore, London, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
CAN I MAKE TRANSFERS AMONG THE FUNDS?
Yes. You may transfer among the Funds, subject to certain limits. You will incur
no current taxes on transfers while your money remains in the Contract. See
"TRANSFER PRIVILEGE."
HOW MUCH CAN I INVEST AND HOW OFTEN?
The number and frequency of your purchase payments are flexible, subject to the
minimum and maximum purchase payments stated in "PURCHASE PAYMENTS."
WHAT IF I NEED MY MONEY BEFORE MY ANNUITY PHASE BEGINS?
You may surrender your Contract or make partial withdrawals any time before your
annuity phase begins, subject to the restrictions discussed in "SURRENDER" and
"PARTIAL REDEMPTION." Certain charges may apply, see "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS,"
and there may be a tax-penalty assessed under the Internal Revenue Code. See
"FEDERAL TAX CONSEQUENCES."
WHAT HAPPENS UPON DEATH DURING MY ACCUMULATION PHASE?
If the Annuitant dies during the accumulation phase and the Contract is not
continued (see "THE SPOUSE OF THE CONTRACT OWNER AS BENEFICIARY"), the
beneficiary will receive the greatest of:
o Your total purchase payments under the Contract less any withdrawals
you may have made;
o The then current value of your Contract; or
o The amount that would have been payable on death of the Annuitant at
the most recent fifth Contract anniversary, adjusted to reflect new
purchase payments or withdrawals since that date.
If the Contract Owner dies before the Annuitant, the beneficiary will receive
the accumulated value of the Contract. See "PAYMENT ON DEATH."
WHAT ARE MY ANNUITY OPTIONS UNDER THE CONTRACT?
You may choose variable annuity payments based on the investment performance of
certain Funds, fixed-amount annuity payments, or a combination of fixed-amount
and variable annuity payments. Fixed-amount payments are guaranteed by First
Allmerica. See "DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT" for information about annuity
payment options, selecting the Annuity Date, and how annuity payments are
calculated.
WHAT CHARGES WILL I INCUR UNDER MY CONTRACT?
At each Contract anniversary and upon surrender, First Allmerica will deduct a
$30 Contract Fee from your Contract. First Allmerica reserves the right to waive
the Contract Fee for Contracts issued to a Trustee of a 401(k) plan or
qualifying under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Should you decide to surrender your Contract, make partial withdrawals, or
receive payments under certain annuity options, you may be subject to a
contingent deferred sales charge. This charge will be between 1% and 6.5% of
purchase payments withdrawn, based on when the purchase payments were made.
A deduction for state and local premium taxes, if any, may be made as described
under "PREMIUM TAXES."
Currently, the first twelve transfers you make in a Contract year among Fund or
Fixed Account allocations will be free. There will be a charge of $25 for
additional transfers. First Allmerica may limit the number of free transfers and
the number of total transfers in a Contract year to six.
First Allmerica will deduct a daily Mortality and Expense Risk Charge and
Administrative Expense Charge equal to 1.25% and 0.15%, respectively, of the
average daily net assets invested in each Fund.
The Funds will incur certain management fees and expenses which are more fully
described in "OTHER CHARGES" and in the prospectus of the Funds, which
accompanies this Prospectus.
For more information, see "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS."
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<PAGE>
CAN I MAKE FUTURE CHANGES UNDER MY CONTRACT?
There are several changes you can make after receiving your Contract:
o You may assign your ownership to someone else, except under certain
qualified plans.
o You may change the beneficiary, unless you have designated a
beneficiary irrevocably.
o You may change the allocation of purchase payments, with no tax
consequences under current law.
o You may make transfers of Contract value among your current
investments, subject to then current rules.
o You may cancel your Contract within 10 days of delivery, as discussed
above.
o You may select the form and timing of annuity payments.
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<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SPECIAL TERMS................................................................ 9
ANNUAL AND TRANSACTION EXPENSES.............................................. 10
RIGHT TO REVOKE CONTRACT .................................................... 12
DESCRIPTION OF FIRST ALLMERICA, THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT, THE TRUST,
VIP AND T. ROWE PRICE........................................................ 12
FIRST ALLMERICA............................................................ 13
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT.......................................... 13
THE TRUST.................................................................. 13
VIP........................................................................ 13
T. ROWE PRICE.............................................................. 13
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES......................................... 13
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES TO THE TRUST.................................. 14
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES TO VIP........................................ 15
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES TO T. ROWE PRICE.............................. 16
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS ...................................................... 16
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE........................................... 16
CONTRACT FEE............................................................... 18
ANNUAL CHARGES AGAINST SEPARATE ACCOUNT.................................... 18
TRANSFER CHARGE............................................................ 19
PREMIUM TAXES.............................................................. 19
OTHER CHARGES.............................................................. 19
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT................................................ 19
PURCHASE PAYMENTS.......................................................... 19
TRANSFER PRIVILEGE......................................................... 20
SURRENDER.................................................................. 20
PARTIAL REDEMPTION......................................................... 21
LIFE EXPECTANCY DISTRIBUTION .............................................. 21
PAYMENT ON DEATH .......................................................... 22
THE SPOUSE OF THE CONTRACT OWNER AS BENEFICIARY............................ 22
ASSIGNMENT................................................................. 22
ELECTING THE FORM OF ANNUITY AND THE ANNUITY DATE.......................... 22
DESCRIPTION OF VARIABLE ANNUITY OPTIONS.................................... 23
COMPUTATION OF CONTRACT VALUES AND ANNUITY PAYMENTS........................ 24
FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS................................................... 25
VOTING RIGHTS................................................................ 29
DISTRIBUTION ................................................................ 29
REPORTS...................................................................... 30
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION...................................................... 30
CHANGES IN OPERATION OF THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT ................................ 30
LEGAL MATTERS................................................................ 31
ADDITION, DELETION OR SUBSTITUTION OF INVESTMENTS............................ 31
FURTHER INFORMATION.......................................................... 31
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<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION................. 32
APPENDIX A - MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIXED ACCOUNT........................ 33
APPENDIX B - EXCHANGE OFFER.................................................. 33
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<PAGE>
SPECIAL TERMS
Contract Owner: the person who may exercise all rights under the Contract,
subject to the consent of any irrevocable beneficiary. "You" in this Prospectus
refers to the Contract Owner. After the Annuity Date, the Annuitant will be the
Contract Owner.
Annuitant: the individual (1) to receive annuity payments under your Contract,
(2) on whose life the continuation of annuity payments may depend, and (3) on
whose death prior to the Annuity Date the beneficiary may receive payment.
Funds: the following investment portfolios of Allmerica Investment Trust: the
Select International Equity Fund, Select Aggressive Growth Fund, Select Capital
Appreciation Fund, Select Growth Fund, Select Growth and Income Fund, Select
Income Fund and Money Market Fund; the following investment portfolios of
Variable Insurance Products Fund: Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio, Fidelity VIP
Equity-Income Portfolio and Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio; and the T. Rowe
Price International Stock Portfolio of T. Rowe Price International Series, Inc.
First Allmerica may designate additional eligible mutual fund investments as
Funds.
Separate Account: Allmerica Select Separate Account, a separate investment
account of First Allmerica.
Sub-Account: a subdivision of the Separate Account investing exclusively in the
shares of a given Fund.
General Account: all the assets of First Allmerica other than those held in a
separate investment account.
Accumulated Value: the total value of your Contract, including your interest in
the Separate Account and in the Fixed Account, before annuity payments begin.
Surrender Value: the Accumulated Value of the Contract minus the Contract Fee
and any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.
Accumulation Unit: a measure of your interest in a Sub-Account before annuity
payments begin.
Annuity Unit: a measure of the value of variable annuity payments under the
Contract.
Annuity Date: the date on which annuity payments are to start.
Variable Annuity: an annuity providing for payments that vary in amount with the
investment experience of certain Funds.
Fixed Annuity: an annuity providing for annuity payments that remain fixed in
amount.
Valuation Date: any day on which the net asset value of the shares of any Funds
and Accumulation Unit and Annuity Unit values of any Sub-Accounts are
determined. Valuation Dates currently occur on each day on which the New York
Stock Exchange is open for trading, and on such other days (other than a day
during which no purchase payment, partial withdrawal, or surrender of a Contract
was received) when there is a sufficient degree of trading in a Fund's portfolio
securities such that the current net asset value of the Sub-Accounts may be
materially affected.
Valuation Period: the interval between two consecutive Valuation Dates.
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ANNUAL AND TRANSACTION EXPENSES
The following tables show charges under your Contract, expenses of the
Sub-Accounts, and expenses of the Funds. In addition to the charges and expenses
described below, premium taxes are applicable in some states and deducted as
described under "PREMIUM TAXES."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years from
Contract Charges date of Payment Charge
--------------- ------
<S> <C> <C>
- -Contingent Deferred Sales Charge:
This charge may be assessed upon surrender, redemption or, 0-1 6.5%
in some cases, annuitization 2 6.0%
under a period certain option. The charge is a percentage of 3 5.0%
purchase payments applied to the amount surrendered (in 4 4.0%
excess of any amount that is free of charge) within the 5 3.0%
indicated time 6 2.0%
periods. 7 1.0%
- -Transfer Charge:
This charge is currently imposed for transfers in excess of $25 twelve
transfers in a Contract year.
(First Allmerica may limit the number of free transfers in a Contract year to
six.)
- -Contract Fee:
The Fee is deducted annually and upon $30 surrender, prior to the annuity
date.
Sub-Account Expenses
(on annual basis as percentage of average daily net assets)
- -Mortality and Expense Risk Charge: 1.25%
- -Administrative Expense Charge: 0.15%
----
Total Asset Charge: 1.40%
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fund Expenses
(on annual basis as percentage of average daily net assets)
Management Other Fund Total Fund
Fund Fee Expenses Expenses
- ---- ----- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Select International Equity Fund................ 1.00% 0.24% 1.24%
T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio..... 1.05% 0.00% 1.05%
Select Aggressive Growth Fund................... 1.00% 0.09% 1.09%*
Select Capital Appreciation Fund................ 0.93% 0.42% 1.35%*
Select Growth Fund.............................. 0.85% 0.12% 0.97%
Fidelity VIP Growth Fund........................ 0.61% 0.09% 0.70%
Select Growth and Income Fund................... 0.75% 0.10% 0.85%
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio............ 0.51% 0.10% 0.61%
Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio.............. 0.60% 0.11% 0.71%+
Select Income Fund.............................. 0.59% 0.20% 0.79%*
Money Market Fund............................... 0.29% 0.07% 0.36%
</TABLE>
*Under the Management Agreement with Allmerica Investment Trust, Allmerica
Investment Management Company, Inc. ("Manager") has declared a voluntary expense
limitation of 1.50% of average net assets for the Select International Equity
Fund, 1.35% for the Select Aggressive Growth Fund, 1.20% for the Select Growth
Fund, 1.10% for the Select Growth and Income Fund, 1.00% for the Select Income
Fund, and 0.60% for the Money Market Fund. Without the effect of the
expense limitation, in 1995 the total operation expenses of the Select Capital
Appreciation Fund would have been 1.42%.
+A portion of the brokerage commissions the Portfolio paid was used to reduce
the expenses. Without this reduction, total operating expenses would have been
0.60% for the Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio and 0.70% for the Fidelity
VIP Growth Portfolio.
For the year ended December 31, 1995, Allmerica Investment voluntarily agreed
to reimburse the Select Capital Appreciation Fund in the amount of $8,520.
The following examples demonstrate the cumulative expenses which would be paid
by the Contract Owner at 1-year, 3-year, 5- year and 10-year intervals under
certain contingencies. Each example assumes a $1,000 investment in a Sub-Account
and a 5%
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annual return on assets, as required by rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Because the expenses of the Funds differ, separate examples are used
to illustrate the expenses incurred by a Contract Owner on an investment in the
various Sub-Accounts.
The information given under the following examples should not be considered a
representation of past or future expenses. Actual expenses may be greater or
lesser than those shown.
(a) If, at the end of the applicable period, you surrender your Contract or
annuitize* under a variable period certain option of less than ten years or any
fixed period certain option, you would pay the following expenses on a $1,000
investment, assuming a 5% annual return on assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
------ ------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Select International Equity Fund................. $89 $137 $183 $329
T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio...... $84 $124 $161 $286
Select Aggressive Growth Fund.................... $85 $127 $167 $297
Select Capital Appreciation Fund................. $87 $133 $176 $315
Select Growth Fund............................... $84 $123 $160 $284
Fidelity VIP Growth Fund......................... $81 $113 $144 $250
Select Growth and Income Fund.................... $83 $120 $154 $272
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio............. $80 $110 $138 $239
Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio............... $81 $114 $145 $252
Select Income Fund............................... $82 $117 $151 $265
Money Market Fund................................ $78 $106 $131 $226
</TABLE>
(b) If, at the end of the applicable time period, you annuitize* under a life
option or a variable period certain option of ten years or longer, or if you do
not surrender or annuitize your Contract, you would pay the following expenses
on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return on assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
------ ------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Select International Equity Fund................. $30 $92 $157 $329
T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio...... $26 $79 $135 $286
Select Aggressive Growth Fund.................... $27 $82 $140 $297
Select Capital Appreciation Fund................. $29 $88 $149 $315
Select Growth Fund............................... $26 $78 $134 $284
Fidelity VIP Growth Fund......................... $22 $68 $117 $250
Select Growth and Income Fund.................... $24 $75 $128 $272
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio............. $21 $65 $111 $239
Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio............... $22 $69 $118 $252
Select Income Fund............................... $24 $72 $124 $265
Money Market Fund................................ $20 $61 $105 $226
</TABLE>
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As required in rules promulgated under the 1940 Act, the Contract Fee is
reflected in the examples by a method to show the "average" impact on an
investment in the Separate Account. The total Contract Fees collected are
divided by the total average net assets attributable to the Contracts. The
resulting percentage is 0.075%, and the amount of the Contract Fee is assumed to
be $.75 in the examples.
* The Contract Fee is not deducted after annuitization. No contingent
deferred sales charge is assessed at the time of annuitization under an
option including a life contingency or under a variable period certain
option of ten years or longer.
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company
Allmerica Select Separate Account
1995 1994
---- ----
Select Aggressive Growth Fund
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 1.000 1.000
End of Period 1.305 1.000
Number of Units Outstanding at End 2,393 958
of Period (in thousands)
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<PAGE>
1995 1994
---- ----
Select Growth Fund
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 1.032 1.000
End of Period 1.269 1.032
Number of Units Outstanding at End 2,177 756
of Period (in thousands)
Select Growth & Income Fund
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 1.030 1.000
End of Period 1.324 1.030
Number of Units Outstanding at End 3,673 1,724
of Period (in thousands)
Select Income Fund
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 0.993 1.000
End of Period 1.146 0.993
Number of Units Outstanding at End 4,114 1,916
of Period (in thousands)
Money Market Fund
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 1.021 1.000
End of Period 1.065 1.020
Number of Units Outstanding at End 4,027 2,085
of Period (in thousands)
Select International Equity Fund
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 0.956 1.000
End of Period 1.128 0.956
Number of Units Outstanding at End 1,900 695
of Period (in thousands)
Select Capital Appreciation Fund
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 1.000 N/A
End of Period 1.383
Number of Units Outstanding at End 391
of Period (in thousands)
Fidelity VIP High Income Fund
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 1.000 N/A
End of Period 1.096
Number of Units Outstanding at End 273
of Period (in thousands)
Fidelity VIP Equity Income Fund
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 1.000 N/A
End of Period 1.191
Number of Units Outstanding at End 429
of Period (in thousands)
Fidelity VIP Growth Fund
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 1.000 N/A
End of Period 1.235
Number of Units Outstanding at End 262
of Period (in thousands)
T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period 1.000 N/A
End of Period 1.065
Number of Units Outstanding at End 265
of Period (in thousands)
RIGHT TO REVOKE CONTRACT
The Contract may be revoked at any time between the date of the application and
the date 10 days (or longer if required under state law) after receipt of the
Contract. In order to revoke the Contract, the Contract Owner must mail or
deliver the Contract (if it has already been received), to the principal office
of First Allmerica at 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01653, or to
a First Allmerica agent. Mailing or delivery must occur on or before 10 days
after receipt of the Contract for revocation to be effective.
Within seven days, First Allmerica will return the greater of (1) the entire
purchase payment, or (2) the Accumulated Value plus any amounts deducted under
the Contract or by the Trust, VIP or T. Rowe Price for taxes, charges or fees.
The liability of the Separate Account under this provision is limited to the
Contract Owner's Accumulated Value in the Separate Account on the date of
cancellation. Any additional amounts refunded to the Contract Owner will be paid
by First Allmerica.
The refund of any purchase payment made by check may be delayed until the check
has cleared the Contract Owner's bank.
DESCRIPTION OF FIRST ALLMERICA, THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT,
THE TRUST, VIP AND T. ROWE PRICE
FIRST ALLMERICA. First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company ("First
Allmerica"), organized under the laws of Massachusetts in 1844, is the fifth
oldest life insurance company in America. As of December 31, 1995, First
Allmerica and its subsidiaries had over $11 billion in combined assets and over
$35.2 billion of life insurance in force.
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<PAGE>
THE COMPANY - The Company organized under the laws of Massachusetts in 1844,
is the fifth oldest life insurance company in America. As of December 31,
1995, the company and its subsidiaries had over $5 billion in combined assets
and over $18 billion of life insurance in force. Effective October 16, 1995,
the Company converted from a mutual life insurance company known as State
Mutual Life Assurance Company of America to a stock life insurance
company and adopted its present name. The Company is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Allmerica Financial Corporation ("AFC"). The Company's
principal office is located at 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts
01653, telephone 508-855-1000 ("Principal Office")
The Company is subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
governing insurance companies and to regulation by the Commissioner of Insurance
of Massachusetts. In addition, the Company is subject to the insurance laws and
regulations of other states and jurisdictions in which it is licensed to
operate.
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT. Allmerica Select Separate Account ("Separate
Account") is a separate investment account of First Allmerica with eleven
Sub-Accounts. The assets used to fund the variable portions of the Contracts are
set aside in Sub-Accounts kept separate from the general assets of First
Allmerica. Each Sub-Account is administered and accounted for as part of the
general business of First Allmerica. However, the income, capital gains, or
capital losses of each Sub-Account are allocated to each Sub-Account, without
regard to any other income, capital gains, or capital losses of First Allmerica.
Under Massachusetts law, the assets of the Separate Account may not be charged
with any liabilities arising out of any other business of First Allmerica.
The Separate Account was authorized pursuant to a vote of the Board of Directors
of First Allmerica on August 20, 1991. The Separate Account meets the definition
of "separate account" under federal securities laws and is registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") as a unit investment trust under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"). This registration does not involve
the supervision of management or investment practices or policies of the
Separate Account or First Allmerica by the SEC.
First Allmerica reserves the right, subject to compliance with applicable law,
to change the names of the Separate Account and the Sub-Accounts.
THE TRUST. The Trust is an open-end, diversified management investment company
registered with the SEC under the 1940 Act. This registration does not involve
supervision by the SEC of the investments or investment policy of the Trust or
its separate investment Funds.
The Trust was established as a Massachusetts business trust on October 11, 1984,
for the purpose of providing a vehicle for the investment of assets of various
separate accounts established by First Allmerica or other affiliated insurance
companies. Shares of the Trust are not offered to the general public but solely
to such separate accounts. Seven different investment portfolios of the Trust
are available under the Contracts, each issuing a series of shares: the Select
International Equity Fund, Select Aggressive Growth Fund, Select Capital
Appreciation Fund, Select Growth Fund, Select Growth and Income Fund, Select
Income Fund and Money Market Fund ("Funds"). The assets of each Fund are held
separate from the assets of the other Funds. Each Fund operates as a separate
investment vehicle and the income or losses of one Fund have no effect on the
investment performance of another Fund. Dividends or capital gains distributions
received from a Fund are reinvested in additional shares of that Fund, which are
retained as assets of the corresponding Sub-Account.
Allmerica Investment Management Company, Inc. ("Manager") serves as investment
manager of the Trust. The Manager has entered into sub-advisory agreements with
other investment managers ("Sub-Advisers"), who manage the investments of the
Funds. See "INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES TO THE TRUST."
VIP. VIP, managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company ("Fidelity
Management"), is an open-end, diversified, management investment company
organized as a Massachusetts business trust on November 13, 1981 and registered
with the Commission under the 1940 Act. Three of its investment portfolios are
available under the Contracts: the Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio, the Fidelity
VIP Equity-Income Portfolio and High Income Portfolio.
T. ROWE PRICE. T. Rowe Price, managed by Rowe Price-Fleming International, Inc.
("Price-Fleming"), is an open-end, diversified, management investment company
organized as a Maryland corporation in 1994 and registered with the Commission
under the 1940 Act. One of its investment portfolios is available under the
Contracts: the T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio.
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES. A summary of investment objectives of
each of the Funds is set forth below. More detailed information regarding the
investment objectives, restrictions and risks, expenses paid by the Funds,
and other relevant information regarding the Funds may be found in the
prospectuses of the Trust, VIP and T. Rowe Price which accompany this
Prospectus and should be read carefully before investing. Also, the Statements
of Additional Information of the Funds are available upon request. There can
be no assurance that the investment objectives of the Funds can be achieved
or that the value of a Contract will equal or exceed the aggregate amount of
the purchase payments made under the Contract.
Select International Equity Fund seeks maximum long-term total return (capital
appreciation and income) primarily by investing in common stocks of established
non-U.S. companies. The Sub-Adviser for the Select International Equity Fund is
Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited.
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<PAGE>
T. Rowe Price's International Stock Portfolio seeks long-term growth of capital
through investments primarily in common stocks of established, non-U.S.
companies.
Select Aggressive Growth Fund seeks above-average capital appreciation by
investing primarily in common stocks of companies that are believed to have
significant potential for capital appreciation. The Sub-Adviser for the Select
Aggressive Growth Fund is Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management.
Select Capital Appreciation Fund seeks long-term growth of capital in a manner
consistent with the preservation of capital. Realization of income is not a
significant investment consideration and any income realized on the Fund's
investments will be incidental to its primary objective. The Fund will invest
primarily in common stock of industries and companies which are experiencing
favorable demand for their products and services, and which operate in a
favorable competitive environment and regulatory climate. The Sub-Adviser for
the Select Capital Appreciation Fund is Janus Capital Corporation.
Select Growth Fund seeks to achieve growth of capital by investing in a
diversified portfolio consisting primarily of common stocks selected for their
long-term growth potential. The Sub-Adviser for the Select Growth Fund is
Provident Investment Council.
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio seeks to achieve capital appreciation. The
Portfolio normally purchases common stocks, although its investments are not
restricted to any one type of security. Capital appreciation may also be found
in other types of securities, including bonds and preferred stocks.
Select Growth and Income Fund seeks a combination of long-term growth of capital
and current income. The fund will invest primarily in dividend-paying common
stocks and securities convertible into common stocks. The Sub-Adviser for the
Select Growth and Income Fund is John A. Levin & Co., Inc.
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio seeks reasonable income by investing
primarily in income-producing equity securities. In choosing these securities,
the Portfolio will also consider the potential for capital appreciation. The
Portfolio's goal is to achieve a yield which exceeds the composite yield on the
securities comprising the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index. The
Portfolio may invest in high yielding, lower-rated securities (commonly referred
to as "junk bonds") which are subject to greater risk than investments in
higher-rated securities. For a further discussion of lower-rated securities,
please see "Risks of Lower-Rated Debt Securities" in the VIP prospectus.
Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio seeks to obtain a high level of current
income by investing primarily in high-yielding, lower-rated fixed-income
securities (commonly referred to as "junk bonds"), while also considering growth
of capital. These securities are often considered to be speculative and involve
greater risk of default or price changes than securities assigned a high quality
rating. For more information about these lower-rated securities, see "Risks of
Lower-Rated Debt Securities" in the VIP prospectus.
Select Income Fund seeks a high level of current income. The fund will invest
primarily in investment grade, fixed-income securities. The Sub-Adviser for the
Select Income Fund is Standish, Ayer & Wood, Inc.
Money Market Fund seeks to obtain maximum current income consistent with the
preservation of capital and liquidity. Allmerica Asset Management, Inc. is the
Sub-Adviser of the Money Market Fund.
If there is a material change in the investment policy of a Fund, the Contract
Owner will be notified of the change. No material changes in the investment
policy of the Separate Account or any Sub-Accounts will be made without approval
pursuant to the applicable state insurance laws. If the Contract Owner has
Accumulated Value allocated to that Fund, he or she may have the Accumulated
Value reallocated without charge to another Fund or to the Fixed Account, where
available, on written request received by First Allmerica within sixty (60) days
of the later of (1) the effective date of such change in the investment policy
or (2) the receipt of the notice of the Contract Owner's right to transfer.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES TO THE TRUST. The overall responsibility for the
supervision of the affairs of the Trust vests in the Trustees. The Trust has
entered into a Management Agreement with Allmerica Investment Management
Company, Inc. ("Manager"), an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of First
Allmerica, to handle the day-to-day affairs of the Trust. The Manager, subject
to review by the Trustees, is responsible for the general management of the
Funds. The Manager is also obligated to perform certain administrative and
management services for the Trust, furnishes to the Trust all necessary office
space, facilities and equipment, and pays the compensation, if any, of officers
and Trustees who are affiliated with the Manager.
Other than the expenses specifically assumed by the Manager under the Management
Agreement, all expenses incurred in the operation of the Trust are borne by it,
including fees and expenses associated with the registration and qualification
of the Trust's shares under the Securities Act of 1933, other fees payable to
the SEC, independent public accountant, legal and custodian fees, association
membership dues, taxes, interest, insurance premiums, brokerage commission, fees
and expenses of the Trustees who are not affiliated with the Manager, expenses
for proxies, prospectuses, reports to shareholders and other expenses.
Pursuant to the Management Agreement with the Trust, the Manager has entered
into agreements ("Sub-Adviser Agreements") with other investment advisers
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<PAGE>
("Sub-Advisers") under which each Sub-Adviser manages the investments of one or
more of the Funds. Under the Sub-Adviser Agreement, the Sub-Adviser is
authorized to engage in portfolio transactions on behalf of the applicable Fund,
subject to such general or specific instructions as may be given by the
Trustees. The terms of a Sub-Adviser Agreement cannot be materially changed
without the approval of a majority in interest of the shareholders of the
affected Fund.
Allmerica Asset Management, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of First
Allmerica, is the Sub-Adviser for the Money Market Fund. For the Select
International Equity Fund, Select Aggressive Growth Fund, Select Capital
Appreciation Fund, Select Growth Fund, Select Growth and Income Fund and Select
Income Fund, the Sub-Advisers are independent and have been selected by the
Manager in consultation with Rogers Casey Consulting, Inc., a leading pension
consulting firm. The cost of such consultation is borne by the Manager. Rogers
Casey Consulting, Inc., provides consulting services to pension plans
representing over $300 billion in total assets and, in its consulting capacity,
monitors the investment performance of over 1000 investment advisers. Each
independent Sub-Adviser was selected by the Manager on the basis of strict
objective and qualitative criteria, with special emphasis on the Sub-Adviser's
record in managing similar portfolios. On-going performance of the independent
Sub-Advisers is monitored and evaluated by a committee which includes members
who may be affiliated or unaffiliated with First Allmerica.
For providing its services under the Management Agreement, the Manager will
receive a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the average daily net
asset value of each Fund as follows: 1.00% for the Select International Equity
Fund, Select Capital Appreciation Fund and Select Aggressive Growth Fund, 0.85%
for the Select Growth Fund, 0.75% for the Select Growth and Income Fund, and
0.60% for the Select Income Fund. For the Money Market Fund, the fee will be
0.35% on net asset value up to $50,000,000; 0.25% on the next $200,000,000; and
0.20% on the remainder. The fee computed for each Fund will be paid from the
assets of such Fund.
The Manager is solely responsible for the payment of all fees for investment
management services to the Sub-Advisers, who will receive from the Manager a
fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the average daily net asset value
of each Fund as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Sub-Adviser Fund Net Asset Value Rate
----------- ---- --------------- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited Select International Equity First $50 million 0.45%
Next $50 million 0.40%
Over $100 million 0.30%
Janus Capital Corporation Select Capital Appreciation First $100 million 0.60%
Over $100 million 0.55%
Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management Select Aggressive Growth * 0.60%
Provident Investment Council Select Growth First $50 million 0.50%
$50-150 million 0.45%
$150-250 million 0.35%
$250-350 million 0.30%
Over $350 million 0.25%
John A. Levin & Co., Inc. Select Growth and Income First $100 million 0.40%
Next $200 million 0.25%
Over $300 million 0.30%
Standish, Ayer & Wood, Inc. Select Income * 0.20%
Allmerica Asset Management, Inc. Money Market * 0.10%
</TABLE>
- ----------
* For the Select Aggressive Growth Fund, Select Income Fund and Money Market
Fund, each rate does not vary according to the level of assets in the Fund.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES TO VIP. For managing investments and business
affairs, each Portfolio pays a monthly fee to Fidelity Management. The
Prospectus of VIP contains additional information concerning the Portfolios,
including information concerning additional expenses paid by the Portfolios, and
should be read in conjunction with this Prospectus.
The High Income Portfolio pays a monthly fee to Fidelity Management at an annual
fee rate made up of the sum of two components:
1. A group fee rate based on the monthly average net assets of all the mutual
funds advised by Fidelity Management. On an annual basis this rate cannot
rise above 0.37%, and drops as total assets in all these funds rise.
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<PAGE>
2. An individual fund fee rate of 0.45% of the High Income Portfolio's average
net assets throughout the month. One-twelfth of the annual management fee
rate is applied to net assets averaged over the most recent month,
resulting in a dollar amount which is the management fee for that month.
The Fidelity VIP Growth and Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolios' fee rates
are each made of two components:
1. A group fee rate based on the monthly average net assets of all of the
mutual funds advised by Fidelity Management. On an annual basis, this rate
cannot rise above 0.52%, and drops as total assets in all these mutual
funds rise.
2. An individual Portfolio fee rate of 0.30% for the Fidelity VIP Growth
Portfolio and 0.20% for the Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio.
One-twelfth of the sum of these two rates is applied to the respective
Portfolio's net assets averaged over the most recent month, giving a dollar
amount which is the fee for that month.
Thus, the Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio may have a fee as high as 0.82%.
The Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio may have a fee of as high as 0.82% of its
average net assets. The Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio may have a fee
as high as 0.72% of its average net assets.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES TO T. ROWE PRICE. To cover investment management
and operating expenses, the T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio pays
Price-Fleming a single, all-inclusive fee of 1.05% of its average daily net
assets.
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS
Deductions under the Contracts and charges against the assets of the
Sub-Accounts are described below. Other deductions and expenses paid out of the
assets of the Funds are described in the Prospectuses and Statements of
Additional Information of the Trust, VIP and T. Rowe.
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE. No charge for sales expenses is deducted from
purchase payments at the time the purchase payments are made. For surrenders,
partial redemptions, variable annuity payments under Option V for periods of
less than ten years or any fixed period certain option, a contingent deferred
sales charge may be deducted from the Accumulated Value of the Contract.
However, the charge does not apply to (1) purchase payments redeemed more than
seven years from the date of receipt, (2) annuitization under an option
involving a life contingency (Options I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B or the comparable
fixed annuity options) or under Option V for periods of ten years or more, or
(3) amounts discussed under "Withdrawal Without Charge," below.
For purposes of determining the contingent deferred sales charge, the Contract
value is divided into three categories: (1) New Purchase Payments - purchase
payments received by First Allmerica during the seven years preceding the date
of the surrender; (2) Old Purchase Payments - purchase payments not defined as
New Purchase Payments; and (3) Earnings - the amount of Contract value in excess
of all purchase payments that have not been previously surrendered. For purposes
of determining the amount of any contingent deferred sales charge, surrenders
will be deemed to be taken first from Old Purchase Payments, then from New
Purchase Payments, and then from Earnings. Old Purchase Payments may be
withdrawn from the Contract at any time without the imposition of a contingent
deferred sales charge. If a withdrawal is attributable all or in part to New
Purchase Payments, a contingent deferred sales charge may apply.
Pursuant to Section 11 of the 1940 Act and Rule 11a-2 thereunder, the contingent
deferred sales charge is modified to effect an exchange of one Contract for
another Contract as provided in APPENDIX B, "EXCHANGE OFFER."
Charges for Surrender and Partial Redemption. If a Contract is surrendered, or
if New Purchase Payments are redeemed, while the Contract is in force and before
the Annuity Date, a contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed. (For a
discussion of charges applicable on the Annuity Date, see "Charge at the Time
Annuity Payments Begin," below.) The charge does not apply to Old Purchase
Payments, nor to certain amounts discussed under "Withdrawal Without Charge,"
below. The amount of the charge will depend upon the number of years that the
New Purchase Payments, if any, to which the withdrawal is attributed have
remained credited under the Contract. Amounts withdrawn are deducted first from
Old Purchase Payments. Then, for the purpose of calculating surrender charges
for New Purchase Payments, all amounts withdrawn are assumed to be deducted
first from the earliest New Purchase Payment and then from the next earliest New
Purchase Payment and so on, until all New Purchase Payments have been exhausted
pursuant to the FIFO (first in, first out) method of accounting. Subsequent
withdrawals will be deducted from Earnings. (But see "TAXATION OF THE CONTRACTS
IN GENERAL" for a discussion of how withdrawals are treated for income tax
purposes. For tax purposes, certain partial redemptions will be deemed to come
first from earnings.)
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The contingent deferred sales charge is applied as follows:
Years from date of Charge as Percentage
Purchase Payment to date of of New Purchase
Withdrawal Payments Withdrawn
---------- ------------------
0-1 6.5%
2 6.0%
3 5.0%
4 4.0%
5 3.0%
6 2.0%
7 1.0%
More than 7 0.0%
The amount redeemed equals the amount requested by the Contract Owner plus the
charge, if any, which is applied against the amount requested. For example, if
the applicable charge is 6.5% and the Contract Owner has requested $200, the
Contract Owner will receive $200 and the charge will be $13 (assuming no
Withdrawal Without Charge, discussed below) for a total withdrawal of $213. The
charge is applied as a percentage of the New Purchase Payments redeemed, but in
no event will the total contingent deferred sales charge exceed a maximum limit
of 6.5% of total gross New Purchase Payments. Such total charge equals the
aggregate of all applicable contingent deferred sales charges for surrender,
partial redemptions, and annuitization.
Withdrawal Without Charge. In each calendar year, First Allmerica will waive the
contingent deferred sales charge, if any, on an amount equal to a percentage of
the Accumulated Value ("Withdrawal Without Charge"). The Withdrawal Without
Charge is equal to 10% of the Accumulated Value as of December 31 of the
previous calendar year ("Year-End Accumulated Value") or, if the Contract is in
its first calendar year, 10% of the total New Purchase Payments.
Old Purchase Payments will be included in calculating the Withdrawal Without
Charge. If more than one partial withdrawal is made during the year, on each
subsequent withdrawal First Allmerica will waive the contingent deferred sales
charge, if any, until the entire Withdrawal Without Charge has been redeemed.
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<PAGE>
In the event that a redemption of New Purchase Payments is made in excess of the
amount which may be redeemed free of charge, only the excess will be subject to
a contingent deferred sales charge.
If the Contract Owner and Annuitant are the same individual, First Allmerica
will waive the contingent deferred sales charge, if any, on an amount equal to
greater of (2) the amount available under the Withdrawal Without Charge, or (2)
the amount calculated under First Allmerica's life expectancy distribution (see
"LIFE EXPECTANCY DISTRIBUTION"), whether or not the withdrawal was part of such
distribution.
For example, an 81-year-old Contract Owner who is also the Annuitant would
receive 10.2%, rather than 10%, of the Year- End Accumulated Value under the
life expectancy distribution, which amount would not be subject to any
contingent deferred sales charge.
Surrenders. In the case of a complete surrender, the amount received by the
Contract Owner is equal to the entire Accumulated Value under the Contract, net
of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge on New Purchase Payments, the
Contract Fee, any tax withholding and any premium tax deducted as described
under "PREMIUM TAXES." Subject to the same rules that are applicable to partial
redemptions, First Allmerica will not assess a contingent deferred sales charge
on an amount equal to the greater of the Withdrawal Without Charge or life
expectancy distribution, if applicable.
Where a Contract Owner who is trustee under a pension plan surrenders, in whole
or in part, a Contract on a terminating employee, the trustee will be permitted
to reallocate all or a part of the total Accumulated Value under the Contract to
other contracts issued by First Allmerica and owned by the trustee, with no
deduction for any otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales charge. Any
such reallocation will be at the unit values for the Sub-Accounts as of the
Valuation Date on which a written, signed request is received at the Principal
Office.
For further information on surrender and partial redemption, including minimum
limits on amount redeemed and amount remaining under the Contract in the case of
partial redemption, and important tax considerations, see "SURRENDER," "PARTIAL
REDEMPTION," and FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS."
Charge at the Time Annuity Payments Begin. No contingent deferred sales charge
is imposed at the time of annuitization under any option involving a life
contingency (Options I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B or the comparable fixed annuity
options) or under a variable period certain option (Option V) involving a period
of ten years or longer. If the annuity option chosen is Option V for a period of
less than ten years or any fixed period option, a contingent deferred sales
charge will be deducted from the Accumulated Value of the Contract if the
Annuity Date occurs at any time during the surrender charge period. Such charge
is the same as that which would apply had the Contract been surrendered on the
Annuity Date.
Charge for Commutation under Variable Annuity Option V. If the Annuitant elects
to receive the commuted value of a period certain variable annuity (Option V),
see "DESCRIPTION OF VARIABLE ANNUITY OPTIONS," the basis for calculating the
commuted value will assume that the Surrender Value, rather than the Accumulated
Value, had applied at the Annuity Date. The method of computation of the
commuted value is shown under "Annuity Payments" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
CONTRACT FEE. A Contract Fee will be deducted annually on the Contract
anniversary date and upon full surrender of the Contract. The Contract Fee is
$30. First Allmerica reserves the right to waive the Contract Fee for Contracts
issued to a trustee of a 401(k) plan or qualifying under Section 403(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
Where Contract value has been allocated to more than one Sub-Account or to the
Fixed Account and one or more Sub- Accounts, a percentage of the total Contract
Fee will be deducted from the Contract value in each account. The portion of the
charge deducted from each account will be equal to the percentage which the
Contract value in that account represents of the total Accumulated Value under
the Contract. The deduction of the Contract Fee will result in cancellation of a
number of Accumulation Units equal in value to the percentage of the charge
deducted from that account.
ANNUAL CHARGES AGAINST SEPARATE ACCOUNT ASSETS. The following annual charges are
deducted against the assets of the Separate Account:
Mortality and Expense Risk Charge. First Allmerica assesses each Sub-Account a
daily charge, based on the average daily net assets of the Sub-Account, of 1.25%
on an annual basis. This charge covers the mortality and expense risk which
First Allmerica assumes for the variable interests in the Contracts. The
mortality risk arises from the Contract's guarantees respecting payment on death
and First Allmerica's guarantee that it will make annuity payments according to
annuity rate provisions established at the time the Contract is issued for the
life of the Annuitant (or in accordance with the annuity option selected), no
matter how long the Annuitant lives and no matter how long all annuitants as a
class live. The expense risk arises from First Allmerica's guarantee that
charges will not be increased beyond the limits specified in the contract,
regardless of actual costs of operations.
The charge is imposed during both the accumulation phase and the annuity phase
(if a variable annuity option has been selected). The mortality charge is
deducted for variable annuity options that do not involve a life contingency,
even though First Allmerica does not bear direct mortality risk for such annuity
options.
If the charge for mortality and expense risks is not sufficient to cover actual
mortality experience and expenses, First Allmerica will absorb the losses. If
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<PAGE>
expenses are less than the amounts provided to First Allmerica by the charge,
the difference will be a profit to First Allmerica. To the extent this charge
results in a profit to First Allmerica, such profit will be available for use by
First Allmerica for, among other things, the payment of distribution, sales and
other expenses.
Administrative Expense Charge. First Allmerica assesses each Sub-Account a daily
charge, based on the average daily net assets of the Sub-Account, of 0.15% on an
annual basis. The charge is imposed during both the accumulation period and the
annuity period (if a variable annuity option is selected). The Administrative
Expense Charge reimburses First Allmerica for expenses incurred in the
administration of the Sub-Accounts. Both the Contract Fee and the Administrative
Expense Charge are designed to recover actual administrative costs.
The administrative functions and expense assumed by First Allmerica in
connection with the Separate Account and the Contracts include, but are not
limited to, clerical, accounting, actuarial and legal services, rent, postage,
telephone, office equipment and supplies, expenses of preparing and printing
registration statements, expense of preparing and typesetting prospectuses and
the cost of printing prospectuses not allocable to sales expense, filing and
other fees.
TRANSFER CHARGE. Currently, the first twelve transfers in a Contract year will
be free of charge. For the thirteenth and each subsequent transfer in a Contract
year, First Allmerica will impose a charge of $25 to reimburse First Allmerica
for the costs of processing the transfer. First Allmerica reserves the right to
limit the number of free transfers and the number of total transfers in a
Contract year to six.
PREMIUM TAXES. Some states and municipalities impose a premium tax on variable
annuity policies. State premium taxes currently range up to 3.5%. First
Allmerica pays state and municipal premium taxes, when applicable, and deducts
the amount paid as a premium tax charge. The current practice of First Allmerica
is to deduct the premium tax charge in one of two ways:
(1) if the premium tax was paid by First Allmerica when purchase payments were
received, to the extent permitted in your Contract the premium tax charge
is deducted on a pro rata basis when partial withdrawals are made, upon
surrender of the Contract, or when annuity payments begin (First Allmerica
reserves the right instead to deduct the premium tax charge for these
Contracts at the time the purchase payments are received); or
(2) the premium tax charge is deducted when annuity payments begin.
OTHER CHARGES. Because the Sub-Accounts purchase shares of the Funds, the value
of the net assets of the Sub- Accounts will reflect the investment advisory fee
and other operating expenses incurred by the Funds. The Prospectuses and
Statements of Additional Information of the Trust, VIP and T. Rowe Price contain
additional information concerning expenses of the Funds.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT
The Contracts are designed for sale to individuals and for use with several
types of retirement plans. The right to benefits in Contracts issued under
retirement plans may be subject to the terms and conditions of the plans,
regardless of the terms and conditions of the Contracts.
PURCHASE PAYMENTS. Your initial purchase payment will be credited to the
Contract as of the date that the properly completed application which
accompanies the purchase payment is received by First Allmerica at its Principal
Office. If an application is incomplete, the initial purchase payment will be
returned within five business days, unless the Contract Owner consents to First
Allmerica's retention of the purchase payment until the application is made
complete. After a Contract is issued, Accumulation Units will be credited to the
Contract at the unit value computed as of the Valuation Date that a purchase
payment is received at the Principal Office.
Purchase payments are not limited as to frequency and number. The initial
purchase payment must be at least $10,000 or such smaller amount as meets First
Allmerica's then current minimum requirements. Subsequent purchase payments must
be at least $50.
Under a monthly automatic payment plan or a payroll deduction plan, the initial
purchase payment must be at least $500 and subsequent purchase payments must be
at least $50.
Under employer-sponsored retirement plans, First Allmerica may issue a Contract
on an employee-participant with a minimum annual contribution of $300, if the
plan's average annual contribution per eligible plan participant is at least
$1,000.
First Allmerica reserves the right to set maximum limits on the aggregate
purchase payments made under the Contract. Total purchase payments may not
exceed the maximum limit specified in the Contract. In addition, the Internal
Revenue Code ("Code") imposes maximum limits on contributions under qualified
annuity plans.
Purchase payments will be allocated among the Sub-Accounts and the Fixed
Account, according to the Contract Owner's instructions, except that, for the
first 14 days following the date of issue of the Contract, all Separate Account
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allocations will be held in the Money Market Sub-Account because of your
free-look right (see "RIGHT TO REVOKE CONTRACT").
The amount of any purchase payment allocated to the Fixed Account must be at
least $500. Amounts less than $500 will be applied instead to the Money Market
Sub-Account. Purchase payments less than $50 that are allocable to any Sub-
Account may be applied instead to another Sub-Account according to First
Allmerica's rules and procedures.
The Contract Owner may change allocation instructions for purchase payments or
transfers, as discussed below, by telephone or written notice to Allmerica
Financial at its Principal Office. The privilege to initiate transactions by
telephone is made available to Contract Owners automatically unless they elect
not to have the privilege by checking a box on the application. The policy of
Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity Company and its agents and
affiliates is that they will not be responsible for losses resulting from acting
upon telephone requests reasonably believed to be genuine. Allmerica Financial
will employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine; otherwise, Allmerica Financial may be liable for any
losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. The procedures Allmerica
Financial follows for transactions initiated by telephone include requirements
that callers on behalf of a Contract Owner identify themselves by name and
identify the Annuitant by name, date of birth and social security number. All
transfer instructions by telephone are tape recorded.
TRANSFER PRIVILEGE. Subject to First Allmerica's then current rules, a Contract
Owner may have amounts transferred among the Sub-Accounts or between a
Sub-Account and the Fixed Account. Currently, the first twelve transfers in a
Contract year are free of any charge. For the thirteenth and each subsequent
transfer in a Contract year, First Allmerica will impose a charge of $25 to
reimburse it for the expense of processing transfers. First Allmerica reserves
the right to limit to six the number of permitted transfers or free transfers in
any Contract year and to establish other reasonable transfer limitation rules.
In determining the number of permitted or free transfers, First Allmerica will
count the transfer of amounts from any number of Sub-Accounts or the Fixed
Account to any number of other Sub-Accounts or the Fixed Account in the same day
as only one transfer. Any transfer from the Money Market Sub-Account to any
other Sub-Account will not be deemed a transfer.
The transfer privilege is subject to the following current limitations:
(1) Transfers from a Sub-Account
(a) must involve a minimum of $500 (except for systematic transfers,
discussed below), or the entire amount in the Sub-Account, if less,
(b) must not reduce the value of the Sub-Account from which the transfer
is to be made to less than $500 (in any request where the remaining
value would be less than $500, First Allmerica reserves the right to
include such remaining value in the amount transferred), and
(c) after the Annuity Date, may be made only among the Select Growth and
Income Sub-Account, Select Income Sub-Account, and Money Market
Sub-Account.
(2) Transfers from the Fixed Account
(a) may not be made prior to the maturity date applicable to such amount
(the "maturity date" is the end of a guaranteed period as described in
APPENDIX A, "MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIXED ACCOUNT"),
(b) may not be made after the Annuity Date,
(c) must leave a balance with respect to the amount subject to maturity of
at least $500, unless the entire amount is transferred.
A transfer to the Fixed Account must involve an amount of at least $500. Any
amount less than $500 will be transferred instead to the Money Market
Sub-Account.
Transfers from a Sub-Account are effected at the value next computed after
receipt of the transfer order. Transfers from the Fixed Account to a Sub-Account
are effected at the value next computed after the maturity date. For any period
between the maturity date and the next Valuation Date for the Sub-Account, the
amount to be transferred will remain in the Fixed Account at the then current
rate.
Subject to First Allmerica's then-current rules, the Contract Owner may apply
for systematic transfers (1) from the Money Market Sub-Account to one or more of
the other Sub-Accounts on a monthly, quarterly or semiannual schedule, or (2) to
reallocate Contract value among the Sub-Accounts on a quarterly, semiannual or
annual schedule. Each systematic transfer must be at least $100.
SURRENDER. At any time prior to the Annuity Date, a Contract Owner may surrender
the Contract and receive its Surrender Value, less any applicable tax
withholding or premium tax deduction described under "PREMIUM TAXES." The
Contract Owner must return the Contract and a signed, written request for
surrender, satisfactory to First Allmerica, to the Principal Office. The
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Surrender Value will be based on the Accumulated Value of the Contract as of the
Valuation Date on which the request and the Contract are received at the
Principal Office.
A contingent deferred sales charge may be deducted when a Contract is
surrendered if purchase payments have been credited to the Contract during the
last seven full Contract years. See "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS." The Contract Fee
will be deducted upon surrender of the Contract.
Any amount surrendered is normally payable within seven days following First
Allmerica's receipt of the surrender request. First Allmerica reserves the right
to defer surrenders and partial redemptions of amounts in each Sub-Account in
any period during which (1) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted
as determined by the SEC or such Exchange is closed for other than weekends and
holidays, (2) the SEC has by order permitted such suspension, or (3) an
emergency, as determined by or in accordance with rules of the SEC, exists such
that disposal of portfolio securities or valuation of the assets of the Separate
Account is not reasonably practicable.
The right is reserved by First Allmerica to defer surrenders and partial
redemptions of amounts allocated to the Fixed Account for a period not to exceed
six months.
The surrender rights of Contract Owners who are participants under Section
403(b) plans or the Texas Optional Retirement Program ("Texas ORP") are
restricted. See "PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND CERTAIN TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS" and
"TEXAS OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM."
For important tax consequences which may result from surrender, see "FEDERAL TAX
CONSIDERATIONS."
PARTIAL REDEMPTION. At any time prior to the Annuity Date, a Contract Owner may
redeem a portion of the Accumulated Value of his or her Contract, subject to the
limits stated below. The Contract Owner must file a signed, written request for
redemption, satisfactory to First Allmerica, at the Principal Office. The
written request must indicate the dollar amount the Contract Owner wishes to
receive and the Sub-Account from which such amount is to be redeemed. Where
allocations have been made to more than one Sub-Account, a percentage of the
partial redemption may be allocated to each such account. Amounts must first be
withdrawn from all allocations to Sub-Accounts before amounts allocated to the
Fixed Account may be withdrawn.
In a partial redemption, the amount redeemed equals the amount requested by the
Contract Owner plus any applicable contingent deferred sales charge, as
described under "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS." A partial redemption from a Sub-
Account will result in cancellation of a number of units equivalent in value to
the amount redeemed, computed as of the Valuation Date that the request is
received at the Principal Office.
Each partial redemption must be in a minimum amount of $100. No partial
redemption will be permitted if the Accumulated Value remaining under the
Contract would be reduced to less than $1,000. Partial redemptions will be paid
in accordance with the time limitations described under "SURRENDER."
For important restrictions on withdrawals which are applicable to participants
under Section 403(b) plans or the Texas ORP, see "PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND
CERTAIN TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS" and "TEXAS OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM."
For important tax consequences which may result from partial redemptions, see
"FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS."
LIFE EXPECTANCY DISTRIBUTION. Prior to the Annuity Date, a Contract Owner who is
also the Annuitant may make a revocable election to take a series of systematic
withdrawals from the Contract according to a life expectancy distribution
("LED") by returning a signed LED request form to the Principal Office. (For
information on how First Allmerica waives the contingent deferred sales charge
on the Withdrawal Without Charge and LED, see "Withdrawal Without Charge" under
"CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE") The LED permits the Contract Owner to make
systematic withdrawals from the Contract over his or her lifetime up to age 85.
The amount withdrawn from the Contract changes each year because life expectancy
changes each year that a person lives. For example, actuarial tables indicate
that a person age 70 has a life expectancy of 16 years, but a person who attains
age 80 has a life expectancy of another 6.5 years.
If a Contract Owner elects the LED, a fraction of the Year-End Accumulated Value
is withdrawn from the Contract in each Contract year based on the Contract
Owner's then life expectancy. The numerator of the fraction is 1 (one) and the
denominator of the fraction is the remaining life expectancy of the Contract
Owner, as determined annually by First Allmerica. The resulting fraction,
expressed as a percentage, is applied to the Year-End Accumulated Value to
determine the amount to be distributed during the year. The Contract Owner may
elect monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual distributions, and may
terminate the LED at any time. The Contract Owner may also elect to receive
distributions under an LED which is determined on the joint life expectancy of
the Contract Owner and a beneficiary. First Allmerica may also offer other
systematic withdrawal options.
If a Contract Owner makes withdrawals under the LED prior to age 59 1/2, the
withdrawals may be treated by the IRS as premature distributions from the
Contract. The payments would then be taxed on an "income first" basis, and be
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subject to a 10% federal tax penalty. See "TAXATION OF THE CONTRACTS IN
GENERAL."
The LED will cease on the Annuity Date.
PAYMENT ON DEATH. If the Annuitant dies (or the Contract Owner predeceases the
Annuitant) prior to the Annuity Date while the Contract is in force, First
Allmerica will pay the beneficiary, except where the Contract continues as
provided in "THE SPOUSE OF THE CONTRACT OWNER AS BENEFICIARY," as follows:
Upon death of the Annuitant (including a Contract Owner who is also the
Annuitant), First Allmerica will pay the beneficiary the greatest of (a) the
Accumulated Value under the Contract next determined following receipt of due
proof of death at the Principal Office, (b) the total amount of gross purchase
payments made under the Contract minus the amounts of all prior partial
withdrawals, or (c) the amount that would have been paid on death of the
Annuitant at the most recent fifth year contract anniversary, adjusted for
subsequent purchase payments and withdrawals after that date. Upon death of a
Contract Owner who is not the Annuitant, First Allmerica will pay the
beneficiary the Accumulated Value of the Contract next determined following
receipt of due proof of death at the Principal Office.
Payment will be made to the beneficiary in one sum, except that the beneficiary
may, by written request, elect one of the following options:
1. The payment of the one sum may be delayed for a period not to exceed
five years from the date of death.
2. The payment may be made in installments. The first installment must
begin within one year from the date of death. Installments are payable
over a period certain not extended beyond the life expectancy of the
beneficiary.
3. All or a portion of the payment may be used to provide a life annuity
for the beneficiary. Annuity payments must begin within one year from
the date of death and are payable over a period not extended beyond
the life expectancy of the beneficiary. Any annuity payments will be
provided in accordance with the annuity options of the Contract.
If there is more than one beneficiary, the payment on death will be paid to such
beneficiaries in one sum unless First Allmerica consents to pay an annuity
option chosen by the beneficiaries.
With respect to any payment on death, the Accumulated Value under the Contract
shall be based on the unit values next computed after due proof of death has
been received at the Principal Office. If the beneficiary elects to receive the
payment in one sum, the payment will be paid within seven business days. If the
beneficiary has not elected an annuity option within one year from the date
notice of death is received by First Allmerica, the payment will be made in one
sum. The payment will reflect any earnings or losses experienced during the
period and any withdrawals.
If the Annuitant's death occurs on or after the Annuity Date but before the
completion of all guaranteed annuity payments, any unpaid amounts or
installments will be paid to the beneficiary. First Allmerica must pay the
remaining payments at least as rapidly as under the payment option in effect on
the date of the Annuitant's death. If there is more than one beneficiary, the
commuted value of the payments, computed on the basis of the assumed interest
rate incorporated in the annuity option table on which such payments are based,
shall be paid to the beneficiaries in one sum.
THE SPOUSE OF THE CONTRACT OWNER AS BENEFICIARY. The Contract Owner's spouse, if
named as the beneficiary, may by written request continue the Contract in lieu
of receiving the amount payable upon death of the Contract Owner. Upon such
election, the spouse will become the new Contract Owner (and, if the deceased
Owner was also the Annuitant, the new Annuitant). All other rights and benefits
provided in the Contract will continue, except that any subsequent spouse of
such new Contract Owner will not be entitled to continue the Contract upon such
new Contract Owner's death.
ASSIGNMENT. The Contracts, other than those sold in connection with certain
qualified plans (see "FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS"), may be assigned by the
Contract Owner at any time prior to the Annuity Date and while the Annuitant is
alive. First Allmerica will not be deemed to have knowledge of an assignment
unless it is made in writing and filed at the Principal Office. First Allmerica
will not assume responsibility for determining the validity of any assignment.
If an assignment of the Contract is in effect on the Annuity Date, First
Allmerica reserves the right to pay to the assignee, in one sum, that portion of
the Surrender Value of the Contract to which the assignee appears to be
entitled. First Allmerica will pay the balance, if any, in one sum to the
Contract Owner in full settlement of all liability under the Contract. The
interest of the Contract Owner and of any beneficiary will be subject to any
assignment.
ELECTING THE FORM OF ANNUITY AND THE ANNUITY DATE. Subject to certain
restrictions described below, the Contract Owner has the right to (1) select the
annuity option under which annuity payments are to be made, and (2) determine
whether payments are to be made on a fixed basis, a variable basis, or a
combination fixed and variable basis, and (3) reallocate variable annuity option
investments among the available Funds, subject to certain restrictions. Annuity
payments are determined according to the annuity tables in the Contract, by the
annuity option selected, and by the investment performance of the applicable
Sub-Accounts, if variable annuity payments are selected.
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Under a variable annuity, a payment equal to the value of the fixed number of
Annuity Units in the Sub-Account(s) is made each month. Since the value of an
Annuity Unit in a Sub-Account will reflect the investment performance of the
Sub- Account, the amount of each payment will vary.
If a fixed annuity is selected, Accumulated Value will be transferred to the
General Account of First Allmerica, and annuity payments will be fixed in
amount. For information about the General Account, see APPENDIX A, "MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIXED ACCOUNT."
The annuity option selected must produce an initial payment at least equivalent
to $20 a month. If a combination of fixed and variable payments is selected, the
initial payment on each basis must be at least equivalent to $20 a month. If the
annuity option selected does not produce initial payments which meet this
minimum, First Allmerica will pay the Surrender Value or guaranteed payment on
death, as the case may be, in one sum. Once First Allmerica begins making
annuity payments, the Contract Owner cannot make partial redemptions or
surrender the annuity benefit. Only beneficiaries entitled to receive remaining
payments for a "period certain" may elect to instead receive a lump sum
settlement.
The Annuity Date is selected by the Contract Owner. The Annuity Date must be
within the Annuitant's life expectancy and on the first day of a month before
the Annuitant's 85th birthday. The Contract Owner may elect to change the
Annuity Date by sending a written request to the Principal Office at least one
month before the new Annuity Date.
First Allmerica will determine life expectancy at the time the Annuity Date is
requested. The Internal Revenue Code imposes limitations on the age at which
distributions may commence. See "FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS."
If the Contract Owner does not elect otherwise, annuity payments will be made in
accordance with Option I, a variable life annuity with ten years guaranteed.
Changes in either the Annuity Date or annuity option can be made up to one month
prior to the Annuity Date.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIABLE ANNUITY OPTIONS. First Allmerica offers the variable
annuity options described below and provides fixed-amount annuity options which
are comparable to the variable annuity options. Other annuity options may be
offered by First Allmerica.
Variable annuity options provide payments that vary according to investment
experience. The variable annuity options offered under the Contracts may be
funded through the Select Growth and Income Sub-Account, Select Income Sub-
Account, and Money Market Sub-Account.
Regardless of how purchase payments were allocated during the accumulation
period, the Contract Owner may choose any one of the variable annuity options
offered, a comparable fixed-amount option, or a variable annuity option in
combination with a comparable fixed-amount annuity option. Each annuity option
may be paid on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis.
Under a variable life annuity option, payments are based on how long the payee
is expected to live and how the net investment results of the chosen Fund(s)
compare to an assumed rate of return (See "Determination of First and Subsequent
Annuity Payments"). If the payee outlives his or her life expectancy, payments
will continue for the life of the payee. If the payee dies, regardless of when
the death occurs in relation to the payee's life expectancy, payments will cease
with the last payment due prior to the payee's death. Therefore, under a life
annuity, it is possible for the payee to receive only one annuity payment if the
payee dies prior to the due date of the second annuity payment, two annuity
payments if the payee dies before the due date of the third annuity payment, and
so on. However, payments will continue during the lifetime of the payee, no
matter how long the payee lives.
OPTION I - Variable Life Annuity with Ten Years Guaranteed
Variable payments will be made during the lifetime of the payee. If the payee
dies before a guaranteed payment period of ten years, the annuity payments are
guaranteed to continue to the beneficiary until the end of the ten-year
guarantee period.
OPTION II - Variable Life Annuity
Variable payments will be made for the life of the payee. Payments will cease
with the last payment due prior to the payee's death.
OPTION III - Unit Refund Variable Life Annuity
Variable payments will be made during the lifetime of the payee. Upon death of
the payee, payments will continue to the beneficiary until the total number of
payments equals the dollar amount of the annuity value applied, divided by the
first annuity payment.
OPTION IV-A - Joint and Survivor Variable Life Annuity
A variable annuity payable jointly to two payees during their joint lifetime,
and then continuing during the lifetime of the survivor. The amount of each
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payment to the survivor is based on the same number of Annuity Units which
applied during the joint lifetime of the two payees. One of the payees must be
either the Annuitant or the beneficiary. There is no minimum number of payments
under this option.
OPTION IV-B - Joint and Two-thirds Survivor Variable Life Annuity
A variable annuity payable jointly to two payees during their joint lifetime,
and then continuing thereafter during the lifetime of the survivor. However, the
amount of each payment to the survivor is based upon two-thirds of the number of
Annuity Units which applied during the joint lifetime of the two payees. One of
the payees must be the Annuitant or the beneficiary. There is no minimum number
of payments under this option.
OPTION V - Period Certain Variable Annuity
A variable annuity payable for a stipulated number of from one to thirty years.
It should be noted that Option V does not involve a life contingency. Although
not contractually required to do so, First Allmerica currently follows a
practice of permitting persons receiving payments under Option V to elect to
convert to a variable annuity involving a life contingency. First Allmerica may
discontinue or change this practice at any time, but not with respect to
Contract Owners who have elected Option V prior to the date of any change in
this practice.
If the Annuitant dies before the completion of the period stipulated under
Option V, payments will continue to be paid to the beneficiary. The Annuitant or
the beneficiary may choose at any time to redeem the Contract and receive its
commuted value. The method of computation of the commuted value is shown under
"Annuity Payments" in the Statement of Additional Information. If the Annuitant
makes this election, the commuted value will be based on the remaining payments
that would have been payable had the Surrender Value, rather than the
Accumulated Value, been applied at the Annuity Date. See "Charge for Commutation
under Variable Annuity Option V" under "CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE."
In the computation of the payments under this option (see "Determination of
First and Subsequent Annuity Payments"), the charge for annuity rate guarantees,
which includes a factor for mortality risks, is made.
See "FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS" for a discussion of the possible adverse tax
consequences of selecting Option V.
COMPUTATION OF CONTRACT VALUES AND ANNUITY PAYMENTS. Contract values and annuity
payments are computed as follows:
The Accumulation Unit. Each purchase payment is allocated to the Sub-Accounts or
Fixed Account, as selected by the Contract Owner. Allocations to the
Sub-Accounts are credited to the Contract in the form of Accumulation Units.
Accumulation Units are credited separately for each Sub-Account. The number of
Accumulation Units of each Sub- Account credited to the Contract is equal to the
portion of the purchase payment allocated to the Sub-Account, divided by the
dollar value of the applicable Accumulation Unit as of the Valuation Date the
purchase payment is received at the Principal Office. A subsequent transfer,
partial redemption, surrender or split of Accumulation Unit value will change
the number of Accumulation Units. The number of Accumulation Units will not
change as a result of investment experience. The dollar value of an Accumulation
Unit of each Sub-Account varies from Valuation Date to Valuation Date based on
the investment experience of that Sub-Account and will reflect the investment
performance, expenses and charges of its Funds. On the first Valuation Date, the
value of an Accumulation Unit was set at $1.00 for each Sub-Account. Allocations
to the Fixed Account are not converted into Accumulation Units, but are credited
interest at a rate periodically set by First Allmerica. See APPENDIX A, "MORE
INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIXED ACCOUNT."
The Accumulated Value under the Contract is determined by (1) multiplying the
number of Accumulation Units in each Sub-Account by the dollar value of an
Accumulation Unit of that Sub-Account on the Valuation Date, (2) adding the
products, and (3) adding the amount of the accumulations in the Fixed Account,
if any.
Adjusted Gross Investment Rate. At each Valuation Date an adjusted gross
investment rate for each Sub-Account for the Valuation Period then ended is
determined from the investment performance of that Sub-Account. Such rate is (1)
the investment income of that Sub-Account for the Valuation Period, plus capital
gains and minus capital losses of that Sub- Account for the Valuation Period,
whether realized or unrealized, adjusted for provisions made for taxes, if any,
divided by (2) the amount of that Sub-Account's assets at the beginning of the
Valuation Period. The adjusted gross investment rate may be either positive or
negative.
Net Investment Rate and Net Investment Factor. The net investment rate for a
Sub-Account's variable accumulations for any Valuation Period is equal to the
adjusted gross investment rate of the Sub-Account for such Valuation Period
decreased by the equivalent for such period of a charge equal to 1.40% per
annum. This charge cannot be increased.
The net investment factor is l.000000 plus the applicable net investment rate.
The dollar value of an Accumulation Unit as of a given Valuation Date is
determined by multiplying the dollar value of the corresponding Accumulation
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Unit as of the immediately preceding Valuation Date by the appropriate net
investment factor.
For an illustration of Accumulation Unit calculation using a hypothetical
example, see "Annuity Payments" in the Statement of Additional Information.
The Annuity Unit. On and after the Annuity Date the Annuity Unit is a measure of
the value of the Annuitant's annuity payments under a variable annuity option.
The value of an Annuity Unit in each Sub-Account initially was set at $1.00. The
value of an Annuity Unit under a Sub-Account on any Valuation Date thereafter is
equal to the value of such unit on the immediately preceding Valuation Date,
multiplied by the product of (1) the net investment factor of the Sub-Account
for the current Valuation Period, and (2) a factor to adjust benefits to
neutralize the assumed interest rate. The assumed interest rate, discussed
below, is incorporated in the variable annuity options offered in the Contract.
Determination of the First and Subsequent Annuity Payments. The amount of the
first annuity payment is based on the annuity value applied and the annuity
option selected. The annuity value applied under an annuity option is the amount
described below, minus any applicable premium tax charge: (1) if Option V is
chosen with a period of 10 or more years - the Accumulated Value; (2) if Option
V is chosen with a period of less than 10 years - the Surrender Value; (3) if
any annuity option offered by First Allmerica involving a life contingency is
chosen - the Accumulated Value; and (4) if a death benefit annuity is payable at
any time - the amount of the death benefit.
Annuity values will be based on a Valuation Date applied uniformly not more than
four weeks preceding the Annuity Date. Currently, the Valuation Date for annuity
values is the 15th date of the month preceding the Annuity Date, and variable
annuity payments are made on the first of the month based on unit values as of
the 15th day of the preceding month.
The Contract provides annuity rates which determine the dollar amount of the
first payment under each form of annuity for each $1,000 of applied annuity
value. Guaranteed variable life annuity rates in the Contract are based on a
modification of the 1983 Table "a" rates and are generally sex-distinct.
However, rates for Contracts subject to the United States Supreme Court decision
in Arizona Governing Committee v. Norris are unisex. The Norris decision
generally applies to employer-sponsored plans.
The amount of the first payment depends upon the form of annuity selected, the
sex (only if sex-distinct rates apply) and age of the Annuitant and the value of
the amount applied under the annuity option. The variable annuity options
offered by First Allmerica are based on a 3 1/2% assumed interest rate. Variable
payments are affected by the assumed interest rate used in calculating the
annuity option rates. Variable annuity payments will increase over periods when
the actual net investment result of the Sub-Account(s) funding the annuity
exceeds the equivalent of the assumed interest rate for the period. Variable
Annuity Payments will decrease over periods when the actual net investment
result of the respective Sub- Account is less than the equivalent of the assumed
interest rate for the period.
The dollar amount of the first annuity payment under a life contingency option
or a variable period certain option for 10 years or more is determined by
multiplying (1) the Accumulated Value applied under that option (after deduction
for premium tax charge, if any) divided by $1,000, by (2) the applicable amount
of the first payment per $1,000 of value. If a variable period certain for less
than 10 years or any fixed period certain option is chosen, the surrender value
less any premium tax will be applied. The dollar amount of the first variable
annuity payment is then divided by the value of an Annuity Unit of the selected
Sub-Account(s) to determine the number of Annuity Units represented by the first
payment. In each subsequent annuity payment, the dollar amount of the variable
annuity payment is determined by multiplying this fixed number of Annuity Units
by the value of an Annuity Unit on the applicable Valuation Date.
After the first payment, the dollar amount of each variable annuity payment will
vary with subsequent variations in the value of the Annuity Unit of the selected
Sub-Account(s). The dollar amount of each fixed amount annuity payment is fixed
and will not change, except under the joint and two-thirds survivor annuity
option.
First Allmerica may from time to time offer its Contract Owners both fixed and
variable annuity rates more favorable than those contained in the Contract. Any
such rates will be applied uniformly to all Contract Owners of the same class.
For an illustration of variable annuity payment calculation using a hypothetical
example, see "Annuity Payments" in the Statement of Additional Information.
FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The effect of federal income taxes on the value of a Contract, on redemptions or
surrenders, on annuity payments, and on the economic benefit to the Annuitant or
beneficiary depends upon a variety of factors. The following discussion is based
upon First Allmerica's understanding of current federal income tax laws as they
are interpreted as of the date of this Prospectus. No representation is made
regarding the likelihood of continuation of current federal income tax laws or
of current interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service.
It should be recognized that the following discussion of federal income tax
aspects of amounts received under variable annuity contracts is not exhaustive,
does not purport to cover all situations and is not intended as tax advice. A
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<PAGE>
qualified tax adviser should always be consulted with regard to the application
of law to individual circumstances.
First Allmerica intends to make a charge for any effect which the income,
assets, or existence of the Contracts, the Separate Account or Sub-Accounts may
have upon First Allmerica's tax. The Separate Account presently is not subject
to tax, but First Allmerica reserves the right to assess a charge for taxes
should the Separate Account at any time become subject to tax. Any charge for
taxes will be assessed on a fair and equitable basis in order to preserve equity
among classes of Contract Owners and with respect to each Separate Account as
though that Separate Account were a separate taxable entity.
The Separate Account is considered to be a part of and taxed with the operations
of First Allmerica. First Allmerica is taxed as a mutual life insurance company
under subchapter L of the Code. First Allmerica files a consolidated tax return
with its affiliates.
The Internal Revenue Service has issued regulations relating to the
diversification requirements for variable annuity and variable life insurance
policies under Section 817(h) of the Code. The regulations provide that the
investments of a segregated asset account underlying a variable annuity contract
are adequately diversified if no more than 55% of the value of its assets is
represented by any one investment, no more than 70% by any two investments, no
more than 80% by any three investments, and no more than 90% by any four
investments. If the investments are not adequately diversified, the income on a
contract, for any taxable year of the contract owner, would be treated as
ordinary income received or accrued by the contract owner. It is anticipated
that the Funds of the Trust, VIP and T. Rowe Price will comply with the
diversification requirements.
QUALIFIED AND NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS. From a federal tax viewpoint there are
two types of variable annuity contracts, "qualified" contracts and
"non-qualified" contracts. A qualified contract is one that is purchased in
connection with a retirement plan which meets the requirements of Sections 401,
403, 408, or 457 of the Code, while a non-qualified contract is one that is not
purchased in connection with one of the indicated retirement plans. The tax
treatment for certain partial redemptions or surrenders will vary according to
whether they are made from a qualified contract or a non-qualified contract. For
more information on the tax provisions applicable to specific types of qualified
contracts, see the discussions under the applicable headings, below.
TAXATION OF THE CONTRACTS IN GENERAL. First Allmerica believes that the
Contracts described in this Prospectus will, with certain exceptions discussed
in "SECTION 457 PLANS FOR STATE GOVERNMENTS AND TAX- EXEMPT ENTITIES," be
considered annuities under Section 72 of Code. This section provides for the
taxation of annuities. The following discussion concerns annuities subject to
Section 72. All non-qualified deferred annuity contracts issued by the same
insurance company to the same contract owner during the same calendar year will
be treated as a single contract in determining taxable distributions under
Section 72(e).
Any increase in the Accumulated Value of the Contract is not taxable to the
Contract Owner until it is withdrawn, except in cases of assignment or certain
non-individual Contract Owners, as discussed below. If the Contract is
surrendered or amounts are withdrawn prior to the Annuity Date, to the extent of
the amount withdrawn any investment gain in value over the cost basis of the
Contract would be taxed as ordinary income. Under the current provisions of the
Code, amounts received under a non-qualified Contract prior to the Annuity Date
(including payments made upon the death of the Annuitant or Contract Owner), or
as non-periodic payments after the Annuity Date, are generally first
attributable to any investment gains credited to the Contract over the
taxpayer's basis (if any) in the Contract. Such amounts will be treated as
income subject to federal income taxation.
The tax treatment of partial redemptions or surrenders of non-qualified
Contracts offered by this Prospectus may vary according to whether the amount
redeemed or surrendered is allocable to an investment in the Contract made
before or after certain dates.
A 10% penalty tax may be imposed on the withdrawal of investment gains if the
withdrawal is made prior to age 59 1/2. The penalty tax will not be imposed
after age 59 1/2, or if the withdrawal follows the death of the Contract Owner
(or, if the Contract Owner is not an individual, the death of the primary
Annuitant as defined in the Code), or in the case of the "total disability" (as
defined in the Code) of the Contract Owner. Furthermore, under Section 72 of the
Code, this penalty tax will not be imposed, irrespective of age, if the amount
received is one of a series of "substantially equal" periodic payments made at
least annually for the life or life expectancy of the payee. This requirement is
met when the Contract Owner elects to have distributions made over his or her
life expectancy, or over the joint life expectancy of the Contract Owner and
beneficiary. The requirement that the amount be paid out as one of a series of
"substantially equal" periodic payments is met when the number of units
withdrawn to make each distribution is substantially the same.
In a recent private letter ruling, the Internal Revenue Service took the
position that where distributions from a variable annuity contract were
determined by amortizing the accumulated value of the contract over the
taxpayer's remaining life expectancy (such as under the Contract's LED (see
"LIFE EXPECTANCY DISTRIBUTION"), and could be changed or terminated at any time,
the distributions failed to qualify as part of a "series of substantially equal
payments" within the meaning of Section 72 of the Code. The distributions were
therefore subject to the 10% federal tax penalty. This private letter ruling may
be applicable to a Contract Owner who receives life expectancy distributions
prior to age 59 1/2. Subsequent private letter rulings, however, have treated
LED-type withdrawal programs as effectively avoiding the 10% penalty tax. The
position of the IRS on this issue is unclear.
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<PAGE>
If the Contract Owner transfers (assigns) the Contract to another individual as
a gift prior to the Annuity Date, the Code provides that the Contract Owner will
incur taxable income at the time of the transfer. An exception is provided for
certain transfers between spouses. The amount of taxable income upon such
taxable transfer is equal to the excess, if any, of the Surrender Value of the
Contract over the Contract Owner's cost basis at the time of the transfer. The
transfer is also subject to federal gift tax provisions. Where the Contract
Owner and Annuitant are different persons, the change of ownership of the
Contract to the Annuitant on the Annuity Date, as required under the Contract,
is a gift and will be taxable to the Owner as such. However, the Owner will not
incur taxable income. Rather the Annuitant will incur taxable income upon
receipt of annuity payments as discussed below.
When annuity payments are commenced under the Contract, generally a portion of
each payment may be excluded from gross income. The excludable portion is
generally determined by a formula that establishes the ratio that the cost basis
of the Contract bears to the expected return under the Contract. The portion of
the payment in excess of this excludable amount is taxable as ordinary income.
Once all cost basis in the Contract is recovered, the entire payment is taxable.
If the last payee dies before cost basis is recovered, a deduction for the
difference is allowed on the payee's final tax return.
TAX WITHHOLDING. The Code requires withholding with respect to payments or
distributions from annuities, unless a taxpayer elects not to have withholding.
In addition, the Code requires reporting to the Internal Revenue Service of the
amount of income received with respect to payment or distributions from
annuities.
PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO QUALIFIED EMPLOYER PLANS. The tax rules applicable to
qualified employer plans, as defined by the Code, vary according to the type of
plan and the terms and conditions of the plan itself. Therefore, the following
is general information about the use of the Contracts with various types of
qualified plans. The rights of any person to any benefits under such qualified
plans will be subject to the terms and conditions of the qualified plans
themselves regardless of the terms and conditions of the Contract.
A loan to a participant or beneficiary from plans qualified under Sections 401
and 403 or an assignment or pledge of an interest in such a plan is generally
treated as a distribution. This general rule does not apply to loans which
contain certain repayment terms and do not exceed a specified maximum amount, as
required under Section 72(p).
QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION AND PROFIT SHARING TRUSTS AND QUALIFIED ANNUITY
PLANS. When an employee (including a self-employed individual) or one or more of
the employee's beneficiaries receives a "lump sum" distribution (a distribution
from a qualified plan described in Code Section 401(a) within one taxable year
equal to the total amount payable with respect to such an employee) the taxable
portion of such distribution may qualify for special treatment under a special
five-year income averaging provision of the Code. The employee must have had at
least 5 years of participation under the plan, and the lump sum distribution
must be made after the employee has attained age 59 1/2 or on account of his or
her death, separation from the employer's service (in the case of a common-law
employee) or disability (in the case of a self-employed individual). Such
treatment can be elected for only one taxable year once the individual has
reached age 59 1/2. An employee who attained age 50 before January 1, 1986 may
elect to treat part of the taxable portion of the lump-sum distribution as
long-term capital gain and may also elect 10-year averaging instead of five-year
averaging.
First Allmerica can provide prototype plans for certain of the pension or profit
sharing plans for review by your legal counsel. For information, ask your agent.
SELF-EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS. The Self-Employed Individuals Tax Retirement Act of
1962, as amended, frequently referred to as "H.R. 10", allows self-employed
individuals and partners to establish qualified pension and profit sharing
trusts and annuity plans to provide benefits for themselves and their employees.
These plans generally are subject to the same rules and requirements applicable
to corporate qualified plans, with some special restrictions imposed on
"owner-employees." An "owner-employee" is an employee who (1) owns the entire
interest in an unincorporated trade or business, or (2) owns more than 10% of
either the capital interest or profits interest in a partnership.
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT PLANS. Any individual who earns "compensation" (as
defined in the Code and including alimony) from employment or self-employment,
whether or not he or she is covered by another qualified plan, may establish an
individual retirement account or annuity plan ("IRA") for the accumulation of
retirement savings on a tax-deferred basis. Income from investments is not
included in "compensation." The assets of an IRA may be invested in, among other
things, annuity contracts, including the Contracts offered by this Prospectus.
Contributions to an IRA may be made by the individual or on behalf of the
individual by an employer. IRA contributions may be deductible up to the lesser
of (1) $2,000 or (2) 100% of compensation. The deduction is reduced
proportionately for adjusted gross income between $40,000 and $50,000 (between
$25,000 and $35,000 for unmarried taxpayers and between $0 and $10 000 for a
married taxpayer filing separately) if the taxpayer and his or her spouse file a
joint return and either is an active participant in an employer sponsored
retirement plan.
An individual and a working spouse each may have an IRA with the above-described
limit on each. An individual with an IRA may establish an additional IRA for a
non-working spouse (one with income of $250 or less) if they file a joint
return. Contributions to the two IRAs together are deductible up to the lesser
of $2,250 or 100% of compensation.
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<PAGE>
No deduction is allowed for contributions made for the year in which the
individual attains age 70 1/2 and years thereafter. Contributions for that year
and for years thereafter will result in certain adverse tax consequences.
Non-deductible contributions may be made to IRAs until the year in which the
individual attains age 70 1/2. Although these contributions may not be deducted,
taxes on their earnings are deferred until the earnings are distributed. The
maximum permissible non-deductible contribution is $2,000 for an individual
taxpayer and $2,250 for a taxpayer and non-working spouse. These limits are
reduced by the amount of any deductible contributions made by the taxpayer.
Contributions may be made with respect to a particular year until the due date
of the individual's federal income tax return for that year, not including
extensions. However, for reporting purposes, First Allmerica will regard
contributions as being applicable to the year made unless it receives notice to
the contrary.
All annuity payments and other distributions under an IRA will be taxed as
ordinary income unless the owner has made non-deductible contributions. In
addition, a minimum level of distributions must begin no later than April 1
following the year in which the individual attains age 70 1/2 and must be made
in accordance with Section 401(a)(9) of the Code. Failure to make distributions
as so required may result in certain adverse tax consequences to the individual.
Distributions from all of an individual's IRAs are treated as if they were a
distribution from one IRA and all distributions during the same taxable year are
treated as if they were one distribution. An individual who makes a
non-deductible contribution to an IRA or receives a distribution from an IRA
during the taxable year must provide certain information on the individual's tax
return to enable the Internal Revenue Service to determine the proportion of the
IRA balance which represents non-deductible contributions. If the required
information is provided, that part of the amount withdrawn which is
proportionate to the individual's aggregate non-deductible contributions over
the aggregate balance of all of the individual's IRAs, is excludable from
income.
Distributions which are a return of a non-deductible contribution are
non-taxable, as they represent a return of basis. If the required information is
not provided to the Internal Revenue Service, distributions from an IRA to which
both deductible and non-deductible contributions have been made are presumed to
be fully taxable.
SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSIONS. Simplified employee pensions ("SEPs") may be
established under Code Section 408(k) if certain requirements are met. A SEP is
an IRA to which the employer contributes under a written formula. Currently, a
SEP may accept employer contributions each year up to $30,000 or 15% of
compensation (as defined), whichever is less. To establish SEPs the employer
must make a contribution for every employee age 21 and over who has performed
services for the employer for at least three of the five immediately preceding
calendar years and who has earned at least $300 (as indexed for inflation) for
the year.
The employer's contribution is excluded from the employee's gross income for the
taxable year for which it was made up to the $30,000/15% limit. In addition to
the employer's contribution, the employee may contribute 100% of the employee's
earned income, up to $2,000, to the SEP, but such contributions will be subject
to the rules described above in "INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT PLANS."
These plans are subject to the general employer's deduction limitations
applicable to all corporate qualified plans.
PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND CERTAIN TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS. Under the provisions
of Section 403(b) of the Code, purchase payments made for annuity contracts
purchased for employees under annuity plans adopted by public school systems and
certain organizations which are tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code
are excludable from the gross income of such employees to the extent that the
aggregate purchase payments for such annuity contracts in any year do not exceed
the maximum contribution permitted under the Code.
A Contract qualifying under Section 403(b) of the Code must provide that
withdrawals or other distributions attributable to salary reduction
contributions (including earnings thereon) may not begin before the employee
attains age 59 1/2, separates from service, dies, or becomes disabled. In the
case of hardship a Contract Owner may withdraw amounts contributed by salary
reduction, but not the earnings on such amounts. The distribution restrictions
are effective for years beginning after December 31, 1988, but only with respect
to amounts that were not held under the Contract as of that date. Even though a
distribution may be permitted under these rules (e.g., for hardship or after
separation from service), it may nonetheless be subject to a 10% penalty tax as
a premature distribution, in addition to income tax. Also, there is a mandatory
20% income tax withholding on any eligible rollover distribution, unless it is a
direct rollover to another qualified plan in accordance with IRS rules.
TEXAS OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM. Under a Code Section 403(b) annuity contract
issued as a result of participation in the Texas Optional Retirement Program,
distributions may not be received except in the case of the participant's death,
retirement or termination of employment in the Texas public institutions of
higher education. These restrictions are imposed by reason of an opinion of the
Texas Attorney General interpreting the Texas laws governing the Optional
Retirement Program.
SECTION 457 PLANS FOR STATE GOVERNMENTS AND TAX-EXEMPT ENTITIES. Code Section
457 allows employees of a state, one of its political subdivisions, or certain
tax-exempt entities to participate in eligible government deferred compensation
plans. An eligible plan, by its terms, must not allow deferral of more than
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<PAGE>
$7,500 or 33-1/3% of a participant's includible compensation for the taxable
year, whichever is less. Includible compensation does not include amounts
excludable under the eligible deferred compensation plan or amounts paid into a
Code Section 403(b) annuity. The amount a participant may defer must be reduced
dollar-for-dollar by elective deferrals under a SEP, 401(k) plan or a deductible
employee contribution to a 501(c)(18) plan. Under eligible deferred compensation
plans the state, political subdivision, or tax-exempt entity will be owner of
the Contract.
If an employee also participates in another eligible plan or contributes to a
Code Section 403(b) annuity, a single limit of $7,500 will be applied for all
plans. Additionally, the employee must designate how much of the $7,500 or
33-1/3% limitation will be allocated among the various plans. Contributions to
an eligible plan will serve to reduce the maximum exclusion allowance for a Code
Section 403(b) annuity.
Amounts received by employees under such plans generally are includible in gross
income in the year of receipt.
NON-INDIVIDUAL OWNERS. Non-individual Owners (e.g., a corporation) of deferred
annuity contracts generally will be currently taxed on any increase in the cash
surrender value of the deferred annuity attributable to contributions made after
February 28, 1986. This rule does not apply to immediate annuities or to
deferred annuities held by a qualified pension plan, an IRA, a 403(b) plan,
estates, employers with respect to terminated pension plans, or a nominee or
agent holding a contract for the benefit of an individual. Corporate-owned
annuities may result in exposure to the alternative minimum tax, to the extent
that income on the annuities increases the corporation's adjusted current
earnings.
Loans (Qualified Policies Only)
Loans will be permitted only for TSAs and Policies issued to a plan qualified
under Section 401(a) and 401(k) of the Code. Loans are made from the Policy's
value on a pro-rata basis from all accounts. The maximum loan amount is the
amount determined under the Company's maximum loan formula for qualified plans.
The minimum loan amount is $1,000. Loans will be secured by a security interest
in the Policy. Loans are subject to applicable retirement legislation and their
taxation is determined under the Federal income tax laws. The amount borrowed
will be transferred to a fixed, minimum guarantee loan assets account in the
Company's General Account, where it will accrue interest at a specified rate
below the then current loan interest rate. Generally, loans must be repaid
within five (5) years. When repayments are received, they will be allocated in
accordance with the contract owner's most recent allocation instructions.
The amount of the death benefit, the amount payable on a full surrender and the
amount applied to provide an annuity on the Annuity Date will be reduced to
reflect any outstanding loan balance (plus accrued interest thereon). Partial
withdrawals may be restricted by the maximum loan limitation.
VOTING RIGHTS
To the extent required by law, First Allmerica will vote Fund shares held by
each Sub-Account in accordance with instructions received from Contract Owners
and, after the Annuity Date, from the Annuitants. Each person having a voting
interest in a Sub-Account will be provided with proxy materials of the Fund
together with a form with which to give voting instructions to First Allmerica.
Shares for which no timely instructions are received will be voted in proportion
to the instructions which are received. First Allmerica will vote in its
discretion shares attributable to its investment in a Sub- Account. If the 1940
Act or any rules thereunder should be amended or if the present interpretation
of the 1940 Act or such rules should change, and as a result First Allmerica
determines that it is permitted to vote shares in its own right, whether or not
such shares are attributable to the Contracts, First Allmerica reserves the
right to do so.
The number of votes which a Contract Owner or Annuitant may cast will be
determined by First Allmerica as of the record date established by the Fund.
During the accumulation period, the number of Fund shares attributable to each
Contract Owner will be determined by dividing the dollar value of the
Accumulation Units of the Sub-Account credited to the Contract by the net asset
value of one Fund share.
During the annuity period, the number of Fund shares attributable to each
Annuitant will be determined by dividing the reserve held in each Sub-Account
for the Annuitant's variable annuity by the net asset value of one Fund share.
Ordinarily, the Annuitant's voting interest in the Fund will decrease as the
reserve for the variable annuity is depleted.
DISTRIBUTION
The Contracts offered by the Prospectus may be purchased from certain
independent broker-dealers which are registered under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD"). The Contracts are also offered through Allmerica Investments, Inc.,
which is the principal underwriter and distributor of the Contracts. Allmerica
Investments, Inc., 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01653, is a
registered broker-dealer, member of the NASD and an indirect wholly-owned
subsidiary of First Allmerica.
First Allmerica pays commissions not to exceed 5.5% of purchase payments to
broker-dealers which sell the Contracts.
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<PAGE>
To the extent permitted by NASD rules, promotional incentives or payments may
also be provided to such broker-dealers based on sales volumes, the assumption
of wholesaling functions, or other sales-related criteria. Additional payments
may be made for other services not directly related to the sale of the
Contracts, including the recruitment and training of personnel, production of
promotional literature, and similar services.
First Allmerica intends to recoup commissions and other sales expenses through a
combination of anticipated contingent deferred sales charges and profits from
First Allmerica's General Account. Commissions paid on the Contracts, including
additional incentives or payments, do not result in any additional charge to
Contract Owners or to the Separate Account. Any contingent deferred sales
charges assessed on a Contract will be retained by First Allmerica. Contract
Owners may direct any inquiries to their financial adviser or to Allmerica
Investments, Inc., 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01653,
508-855-3590.
REPORTS
A Contract Owner is sent a report semi-annually which states certain financial
information about the Funds. First Allmerica will also furnish an annual report
to the Contract Owner containing a statement of his or her account, including
unit values and other information required by applicable law, rules and
regulations.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Contracts were first offered to the public in 1994. However, the Company may
advertise "Total Return" and Average Total Return.
The "total return" of a Sub-Account refers to the total of the income generated
by an investment in the Sub-Account and of the changes in the value of the
principal (due to realized and unrealized capital gains or losses) for a
specified period, reduced by certain charges, and expressed as a percentage of
the investment.
The "yield" of the Money Market Sub-Account refers to the income generated by an
investment in the Sub-Account over a seven-day period (which period will be
specified in the advertisement). This income is then "annualized" by assuming
that the income generated in the specific week is generated over a 52-week
period. This annualized yield is shown as a percentage of the investment. The
"effective yield" calculation is similar, but when annualized, the income earned
by an investment in the Sub-Account is assumed to be reinvested. Thus the
"effective yield" will be slightly higher than the "yield" because of the
compounding effect of this assumed reinvestment.
The total return, yield, and effective yield figures are adjusted to reflect the
Sub-Account's asset charges. The total return figures also reflect the $30
annual Contract Fee and the contingent deferred sales charge which would be
assessed if the investment were completely redeemed at the end of the specific
period.
First Allmerica may also advertise supplemental total return performance
information. Supplemental total return refers to the total of the income
generated by an investment in the Sub-Account and of the changes of value of the
principal invested (due to realized and unrealized capital gains or losses),
adjusted by the Sub-Account's annual asset charges, and expressed as a
percentage of the investment. Because it is assumed that the investment is NOT
redeemed at the end of the specified period, the withdrawal charge is NOT
included in the calculation of supplemental total return.
Performance information for a Sub-Account may be compared, in reports and
promotional literature, to: (i) the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index ("S & P
500"), Dow Jones Industrial Average ("DJIA"), Shearson Lehman Aggregate Bond
Index or other unmanaged indices so that investors may compare the Sub-Account
results with those of a group of unmanaged securities widely regarded by
investors as representative of the securities markets in general; (ii) other
groups of variable annuity separate accounts or other investment products
tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, a widely used independent research firm
which ranks mutual funds and other investment products by overall performance,
investment objectives, and assets, or tracked by other services, companies,
publications, or persons, such as Morningstar, Inc., who rank such investment
products on overall performance or other criteria; or (iii) the Consumer Price
Index (a measure for inflation) to assess the real rate of return from an
investment in the Sub-Account. Unmanaged indices may assume the reinvestment of
dividends but generally do not reflect deductions for administrative and
management costs and expenses.
Performance information for any Sub-Account reflects only the performance of a
hypothetical investment in the Sub- Account during the particular time period on
which the calculations are based. Performance information should be considered
in light of the investment objectives and policies, characteristics and quality
of the portfolio of the Fund in which the Sub-Account invests and the market
conditions during the given time period, and should not be considered as a
representation of what may be achieved in the future.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1995
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(Assuming COMPLETE redemption of the investment)
FOR YEAR 10 YEARS OR
ENDED SINCE
NAME OF FUND 12/31/95 3 YEARS 5 YEARS INCEPTION*
------------ -------- ------- ------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Money Market -2.06% 1.23% 2.55% 4.42%
Select Aggressive Growth 24.05% 12.73% N/A 17.67%
Select Growth 16.45% 4.50% N/A 7.47%
Select Growth and Income 22.11% 10.26% N/A 9.13%
Select Income 8.93% 4.32% N/A 4.13%
Select Int'l. Equity 11.55% N/A N/A 4.01%
Select Capital Appreciation N/A N/A N/A 31.72%
Fidelity VIP High Income 12.53% 9.70% 16.93% 9.90%
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income 26.70% 16.71% 19.32% 11.74%
Fidelity VIP Growth 26.96% 14.43% 18.79% 13.22%
T. Rowe Price Int'l Stock 3.21% N/A N/A 2.16%
</TABLE>
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1995
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(Assuming NO redemption of the investment)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR YEAR 10 YEARS OR
ENDED SINCE
NAME OF FUND 12/31/95 3 YEARS 5 YEARS INCEPTION*
------------ -------- ------- ------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Money Market 4.38% 2.81% 3.08% 4.42%
Select Aggressive Growth 30.49% 14.01% N/A 18.48%
Select Growth 22.88% 5.99% N/A 8.46%
Select Growth and Income 28.55% 11.60% N/A 10.09%
Select Income 15.36% 5.81% N/A 5.20%
Select Int'l. Equity 17.99% N/A N/A 7.47%
Select Capital Appreciation N/A N/A N/A 38.22%
Fidelity VIP High Income 19.03% 11.07% 17.25% 9.90%
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income 33.20% 17.92% 19.62% 11.74%
Fidelity VIP Growth 33.46% 15.69% 19.09% 13.22%
T. Rowe Price Int'l Stock 9.62% N/A N/A 5.80%
</TABLE>
*The inception dates for the Underlying Funds are: 4/29/85 for Money Market;
8/21/92 for Select Aggressive Growth, Select Growth, Select Income, and
Select Growth and Income; 5/01/94 for Select International Equity; 10/09/86
for Fidelity VIP Growth; 9/19/85 for Fidelity VIP High Income; 3/31/94 for
the T. Rowe Price International Stock; 4/28/95 for the Select Capital
Appreciation Fund.
CHANGES IN OPERATION OF THE SEPARATE ACCOUNT
First Allmerica reserves the right, subject to compliance with applicable law,
to (1) transfer assets from the Separate Account or any Sub-Account to another
of First Allmerica's separate accounts or sub-accounts having assets of the same
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class, (2) to operate the Separate Account or Sub-Accounts as a management
investment company under the 1940 Act or in any other form permitted by law, (3)
to deregister the Separate Account under the 1940 Act in accordance with the
requirements of the 1940 Act, and (4) to substitute the shares of any other
registered investment company for the Fund shares held by a Sub-Account, in the
event that Fund shares are unavailable for investment, or if First Allmerica
determines that further investment in such Fund shares is inappropriate in view
of the purpose of the Sub-Account. In no event will the changes described above
be made without notice to Contract Owners in accordance with the 1940 Act.
First Allmerica reserves the right, subject to compliance with applicable law,
to change the names of the Separate Account or any Sub-Accounts.
LEGAL MATTERS
There are no legal proceedings pending to which the Separate Account is a party.
ADDITION, DELETION OR SUBSTITUTION OF INVESTMENTS
First Allmerica reserves the right, subject to applicable law, to make additions
to, deletions from, or substitutions for the shares that are held in the
Sub-Accounts or that the Sub-Accounts may purchase. If the shares of any Fund
are no longer available for investment or if in First Allmerica's judgment
further investment in any Fund should become inappropriate in view of the
purposes of the Separate Account or the affected Sub-Account, First Allmerica
may redeem the shares of that Fund and substitute shares of another registered
open-end management company. First Allmerica will not substitute any shares
attributable to a Contract interest in a Sub-Account without notice to the
Contract Owner and prior approval of the SEC and state insurance authorities, to
the extent required by the 1940 Act or other applicable laws. The Separate
Account may, to the extent permitted by law, purchase other securities for other
contracts or permit a conversion between contracts upon request by a Contract
Owner.
First Allmerica also reserves the right to establish additional Sub-Accounts,
each of which would invest in shares corresponding to a new Fund or in shares of
another investment company having a specified investment objective. Subject to
applicable law and any required SEC approval, First Allmerica may, in its sole
discretion, establish new Sub-Accounts or eliminate one or more Sub-Accounts if
marketing needs, tax considerations or investment conditions warrant. Any new
Sub-Accounts may be made available to existing Contract Owners on a basis to be
determined by First Allmerica.
Shares of the Funds are also issued to separate accounts of First Allmerica and
its affiliates which issue variable life policies ("mixed funding") and other
variable annuities. It is conceivable that in the future such mixed funding may
be disadvantageous for variable life or variable annuity Contract Owners.
Although First Allmerica, the Trust, VIP and T. Rowe Price do not currently
foresee any such disadvantage to either variable life insurance or variable
annuity Contract Owners, First Allmerica and the Trustees of the Trust, VIP
and T. Rowe Price intend to monitor events in order to identify any material
conflicts and to determine what action, if any should be taken in response
thereto. If the Trustees were to conclude that separate funds should be
established for variable life and variable annuity separate accounts, First
Allmerica will bear the attendant expenses.
If any of these substitutions or changes are made, First Allmerica may by
appropriate endorsement change the Contract to reflect the substitution or
change and will notify Contract Owners of all such changes. If First Allmerica
deems it to be in the best interest of Contract Owners, and subject to any
approvals that may be required under applicable law, the Separate Account or any
Sub-Account(s) may be operated as a management company under the 1940 Act, may
be deregistered under the 1940 Act if registration is no longer required, or may
be combined with other Sub-Accounts or other separate accounts of First
Allmerica.
FURTHER INFORMATION
A Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 relating to this
offering has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain
portions of the Registration Statement and amendments have been omitted in this
Prospectus pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The omitted
information may be obtained from the SEC's principal office in Washington, D.C.,
upon payment of the SEC's prescribed fees.
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APPENDIX A
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIXED ACCOUNT
Because of exemption and exclusionary provisions in the securities laws,
interests in the General Account, including the Fixed Account, are not subject
to regulation under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 or the
Investment Company Act of 1940. Disclosures regarding the fixed portion of the
Contract and the Fixed Account may be subject to the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933 concerning the accuracy and completeness of statements
made in the Prospectus. The disclosures in this APPENDIX A have not been
reviewed by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The General Account of First Allmerica is made up of all of the general assets
of First Allmerica other than those allocated to any separate account.
Allocations to the Fixed Account become part of the assets of First Allmerica
and are used to support insurance and annuity obligations.
A portion or all of purchase payments may be allocated to accumulate at a fixed
rate of interest in the Fixed Account. The amount of any purchase payment
allocated to the Fixed Account must be at least $500. Amounts less than $500
will be applied instead to the Money Market Sub-Account. Amounts allocated to
the Fixed Account are guaranteed by First Allmerica as to principal and a
minimum rate of interest. Under the Contracts, the minimum interest which may be
credited on amounts allocated to the Fixed Account is 3.5% compounded annually.
Additional "excess interest" may or may not be credited at the sole discretion
of First Allmerica. Initial and subsequent interest rates on amounts allocated
to the Fixed Account, either as purchase payments, transfers or amounts
remaining in the Fixed Account after the end of a guaranteed period ("maturity
date"), will be guaranteed for periods of one year.
An amount may not be transferred from the Fixed Account to a Sub-Account prior
to its maturity date or after the Annuity Date. The transfer must leave a
balance with respect to the amount subject to maturity of at least $500, unless
the entire amount is transferred. A transfer to the Fixed Account must involve
an amount of at least $500. Any amount less than $500 will be transferred
instead to the Money Market Sub-Account.
Prior to the maturity date, First Allmerica will notify the Contract Owner of
the new interest rate applicable for the next one-year period applicable both to
new purchase payments and maturing amounts. Unless First Allmerica receives in
writing, at least five business days prior to the maturity date, a request from
the Contract Owner to apply the maturing amount to a new guaranteed interest
rate period of one year or to a Sub-Account, the amount will be transferred
after the maturity date to the Money Market Sub-Account.
Transfers from the Fixed Account to a Sub-Account will be effected at the value
next computed after the maturity date. For any period between the maturity date
and the next Valuation Date for the Sub-Account, the amount to be transferred
will remain in the Fixed Account at the then current rate.
If the Contract Owner makes partial withdrawals from his or Contract, amounts
must first be withdrawn from all allocations to Sub-Accounts before amounts
allocated to the Fixed Account may be withdrawn. If a Contract is surrendered,
partially redeemed, or annuitized under any fixed period certain, a contingent
deferred sales charge is imposed if such event occurs before the purchase
payments attributable to the surrender, withdrawal or annuitization have been
credited to the Contract less than seven full Contract years. For the purpose of
calculating surrender charges, surrenders and redemptions are deemed made
pursuant to the FIFO ("first in, first out") method of accounting. However,
withdrawals from the Fixed Account will be made on a LIFO (last in, first out)
basis; i.e., withdrawals will be made first from amounts attributable to the
most recent purchase payment.
APPENDIX B
EXCHANGE OFFER
A. Variable Contract Exchange Offer.
First Allmerica reserves the right to suspend this exchange offer at any time.
This exchange offer applies to all variable annuity contracts issued by First
Allmerica and its indirect wholly owned subsidiary Allmerica Financial Life
Insurance and Annuity Company ("Allmerica Financial"), except for contracts
A3018-94 and A3021-93 issued by the Company and contracts A3021-93 and A3018-91
issued by Allmerica Financial (and state variation forms thereof, which together
include all contracts sold as ExecAnnuity Plus). A variable annuity contract to
which this exchange offer applies may be exchanged at net asset value for the
Contract described in this Prospectus. To effect an exchange, First Allmerica
should receive (1) a completed application for the Contract, (2) written request
for the exchange, (3) the contract to be exchanged for the Contract, and (4) a
signed Letter of Awareness.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge Computation. No surrender charge applicable to
the contracts to be exchanged will apply to the surrender effecting the
exchange. Where a contract, other than a Contract or Medallion contract,
discussed below, is exchanged for a Contract, the contingent deferred sales
charge under the acquired Contract will be computed as if prior purchase
payments for the exchanged contract had been made for the acquired Contract on
the date of issue of the exchanged contract. Where another Contract or Medallion
contract is exchanged for a new Contract, the contingent deferred sales charge
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under the acquired Contract will be computed as if prior purchase payments for
the exchanged Contract or Medallion contract had been made for the acquired
Contract at least as early as the date on which they were made for the exchanged
Contract or Medallion contract. For those exchanged contracts for which a
front-end sales charge was deducted from each purchase payment, the transferred
accumulated values will be treated as "Old Payments" under the Contract, so that
no deferred sales charge will be assessed on aggregate subsequent withdrawals
from the Contract of up to the amount of the transferred accumulated values. For
additional purchase payments made under the Contract after the transfer of
accumulated value from the exchanged contract, the contingent deferred sales
charge will be computed based on the number of years that the additional
purchase payments to which the withdrawal is attributed have been credited under
the Contract, as provided in this Prospectus.
Summary of Differences between the Acquired Contract and Exchanged Contracts.
The Contract and the variable contracts to which this exchange offer applies, if
other than another Contract or Medallion contract, differ substantially as
summarized below. There may be additional differences important to a person
considering an exchange, and the prospectuses of the Contract and the variable
contract to be exchanged should be reviewed carefully before the exchange is
made.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. The contingent deferred sales charge under the
Contract, as described in this Prospectus, imposes higher charge percentages
against the excess amount redeemed and generally applies such percentages for a
greater number of years than the exchanged contracts. For certain classes of
exchanged contracts, new purchase payments, subject to the contingent deferred
sales charge under the Contract, would not have been subject to the charge under
the exchanged contract.
Contract Fee and Administrative Expense Charge. Under the Contract, First
Allmerica deducts a Contract Fee, at a maximum of $30, on each policy
anniversary date and upon full surrender, when the Accumulated Value is $50,000
or less, and assesses each Subaccount with a daily administrative expense charge
at an annual rate of 0.15% of the average daily net assets of the Subaccount.
Depending on the class of contracts to which this exchange offer is made, either
no policy fee is deducted or a policy fee of $9 is deducted twice a year. For
certain classes of contracts, a combined sales and administrative expense is
deducted from purchase payments. No administrative expense charge based on a
percentage of Subaccount assets is imposed under the contracts to which this
exchange offer is made.
Transfer Charge. No charges for transfers among the Subaccounts and the General
Account are imposed for contracts to which this exchange offer is made.
Currently, no such charge is imposed under the Contract and the first six
transfers in a Contract year are guaranteed to be free of any charge. However,
First Allmerica reserves the right to assess a charge, guaranteed never to
exceed $25, for the seventh and each subsequent transfer in a Contract year.
Death Benefit. The Contract offers a "stepped-up death benefit" which is not
offered under the exchanged contract; namely, the minimum death benefit that
would have been payable on the most recent fifth year Contract Anniversary,
adjusted for subsequent purchase payments and withdrawals after that date. Upon
exchange for the Contract, the accumulated value of the exchanged contract
becomes the "purchase payment" for the Contract. Therefore, the prior purchase
payments made for the exchanged contract would not become a basis for
determining the gross payment (less redemptions) guarantee under the Contract.
Consequently, whether the initial minimum death benefit under the Contract
acquired in an exchange is greater than, equal to, or less than the death
benefit of the exchanged contract depends upon whether the accumulated value
transferred to the Contract is greater than, equal to, or less than the gross
payments (less redemptions) under the exchanged contract.
Annuity Tables. The contracts to which this exchange offer is made contain more
favorable annuity tables than the Contract for use in determining the amount of
the first variable annuity payment under the annuity options offered. The
contracts and the Contract each provide minimum guarantees.
Investments. Accumulated Value and purchase payments under the Contract may be
allocated to several underlying funds in addition to those permitted under the
exchanged contracts.
Summary of Differences between the Acquired Contract and Medallion Contract.
Contracts A3019-94 and A3022-93 issued by First Allmerica and contracts A3019-92
and A3022-93 issued by Allmerica Financial and state variations thereof, which
together include all contracts sold as Delaware Medallion ("Medallion"), differ
with the Contract in the following material ways (the prospectuses of the
Contract and Medallion contracts should be reviewed carefully before any
exchange):
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. The contingent deferred sales charge under the
Contract, as described in this Prospectus, imposes lower charge percentages
against the excess amount redeemed.
Death Benefit. Upon exchange for the Contract, the accumulated value of
exchanged Medallion contract becomes the "purchase payment" for the Contract.
Therefore, the prior purchase payments made for the exchanged Medallion contract
would not become a basis for determining the gross payment (less redemptions)
guarantee under the Contract. Consequently, whether the initial minimum death
benefit under the Contract acquired in an exchange is greater than, equal to, or
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less than the death benefit of exchanged Medallion depends upon whether the
accumulated value transferred to the Contract is greater than, equal to, or less
than the gross payments (less redemptions) under the exchanged Medallion
contract.
Investments. Accumulated Value and purchase payments under the Contract and
Medallion contract are allocable to different underlying funds underlying
investment companies.
Fixed Account. The Contract has a Fixed Account minimum guaranteed interest rate
of 3.5% compounded annually. The Medallion contract has a fixed account minimum
guaranteed interest rate of 3% compounded annually. Under the Contract, amounts
may not be transferred from the Fixed Account to a Sub-Account prior to the end
of the applicable one-year guaranteed period.
B. Fixed Annuity Exchange Offer.
This exchange offer also applies to all fixed annuity contracts issued by
Allmerica Financial. A fixed annuity contract to which this exchange offer
applies may be exchanged at net asset value for the Contract described in this
Prospectus, subject to the same provisions for effecting the exchange and for
applying the Contract's contingent deferred sales charge as described above for
variable annuity contracts. This Prospectus should be read carefully before
making such exchange. Unlike a fixed annuity, the Contract's value is not
guaranteed and will vary depending on the investment performance of the
underlying funds to which it is allocated. The Contract has a different charge
structure than a fixed annuity contract, which includes not only a contingent
deferred sales charge that may vary from that of the class of contracts to which
the exchanged fixed contract belongs, but also Contract fees, mortality and
expense risk charges (for First Allmerica's assumption of certain mortality and
expense risks), administrative expense charges, transfer charges (for transfers
permitted among Subaccounts and the General Account), and expenses incurred by
the underlying funds. Additionally, the interest rates offered under the General
Account of the Contract and the Annuity Tables for determining minimum annuity
payments may be different from those offered under the exchanged fixed contract.
C. Exercise of "Free-Look Provision" after any Exchange.
Persons who, under the terms of this exchange offer, exchange their contract for
the Contract and subsequently revoke the Contract within the time permitted, as
described in the sections of this Prospectus captioned "RIGHT TO REVOKE
CONTRACT" will have their exchanged contract automatically reinstated as of the
date of revocation. The refunded amount will be applied as the new current
accumulated value under the reinstated contract, which may be more or less than
it would have been had no exchange and reinstatement occurred. The refunded
amount will be allocated initially among the general account and subaccounts of
the reinstated contract in the same proportion that the value in the general
account and the value in each subaccount bore to the transferred accumulated
value on the date of the exchange of the contract for the Contract. For purposes
of calculating any contingent deferred sales charge under the reinstated
contract, the reinstated contract will be deemed to have been issued and to have
recei ved past purchase payments as if there had been no exchange.
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FIRST ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
DEFERRED COMBINATION VARIABLE AND FIXED ANNUITY CONTRACTS
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT
This prospectus describes interests under flexible premium deferred combination
variable and fixed annuity contracts issued either on a group basis or as
individual contracts by First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company
("Company") to individuals and businesses in connection with retirement plans
which may or may not qualify for special federal income tax treatment. (For
information about the tax status when used with a particular type of plan, see
"FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS.") Participation in a group contract will be
accounted for by the issuance of a certificate describing the individual's
interest under the group contract. Participation in an individual contract will
be evidenced by the issuance of an individual contract. Certificates and
individual contracts are collectively referred to herein as the "Contracts." The
following is a summary of information about these Contracts. More detailed
information can be found under the referenced captions in this Prospectus.
Contract values may accumulate on a variable basis in the contract's Variable
Account, known as the Allmerica Select Account. The Assets of the Variable
Account are divided into Sub-Accounts, each investing exclusively in shares of
one of the following funds:
SELECT INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK PORTFOLIO
SELECT AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND
SELECT CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND
SELECT GROWTH FUND
FIDELITY VIP GROWTH PORTFOLIO
SELECT GROWTH AND INCOME FUND
FIDELITY VIP EQUITY-INCOME PORTFOLIO
FIDELITY VIP HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO
SELECT INCOME FUND
MONEY MARKET FUND
In most jurisdictions, values may also be allocated on a fixed basis to the
Fixed Account, which is part of the Company's General Account and during the
accumulation period to one or more of the Guarantee Period Accounts. Amounts
allocated to the Fixed Account earn interest at a guaranteed rate for one year
from the date allocated. Amounts allocated to a Guarantee Period Account earn a
fixed rate of interest for the duration of the applicable Guarantee Period. The
interest earned is guaranteed if held for the entire guarantee period. If
withdrawn or transferred prior to the end of the Guarantee Period the value may
be increased or decreased by a Market Value Adjustment. Assets supporting
allocation to the Guarantee Period Accounts in the accumulation phase are held
in the Company's Separate Account GPA.
Additional information is contained in a Statement of Additional Information
dated July 8, 1996 ("SAI"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and incorporated herein by reference. The Table of Contents of the SAI is on
page 3 of this Prospectus. The SAI is available upon request and without charge
through Allmerica Investments, Inc., 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester,
Massachusetts 01653, 1-800-366-1492.
THIS PROSPECTUS IS VALID ONLY WHEN ACCOMPANIED BY A CURRENT PROSPECTUS OF
ALLMERICA INVESTMENT TRUST, VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND, AND T. ROWE
PRICE INTERNATIONAL SERIES, INC. THE FIDELITY VIP HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO
INVESTS IN HIGHER YIELDING, LOWER RATED DEBT SECURITIES (SEE
"INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES"). INVESTORS SHOULD RETAIN A
COPY OF THIS PROSPECTUS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
THE CONTRACTS ARE OBLIGATIONS OF FIRST ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY AND ARE DISTRIBUTED BY ALLMERICA INVESTMENTS, INC. THE CONTRACTS ARE
NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR GUARANTEED OR ENDORSED BY, ANY BANK OR
CREDIT UNION. THE CONTRACTS ARE NOT INSURED BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT,
THE FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (FDIC), OR ANY OTHER
FEDERAL AGENCY. INVESTMENTS IN THE CONTRACTS ARE SUBJECT TO
VARIOUS RISKS, INCLUDING THE FLUCTUATION OF VALUE AND
POSSIBLE LOSS OF PRINCIPAL.
DATED JULY 8, 1996
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
TABLE OF CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.............. 3
SPECIAL TERMS............................................................. 4
SUMMARY................................................................... 5
ANNUAL AND TRANSACTION EXPENSES........................................... 9
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION........................................... 12
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION................................................... 13
WHAT IS AN ANNUITY?....................................................... 14
RIGHT TO REVOKE OR SURRENDER.............................................. 15
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY, THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT, THE TRUST, VIP, AND
T. ROWE PRICE............................................................ 15
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES........................................ 17
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES.............................................. 18
VOTING RIGHTS............................................................. 20
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS.................................................... 21
A. Annual Charge Against Variable Account Assets..................... 21
B. Contract Fee...................................................... 22
C. Premium Taxes..................................................... 22
D. Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.................................. 22
E. Transfer Charge................................................... 25
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT............................................... 26
A. Payments.......................................................... 26
B. Transfer Privilege................................................ 27
C. Surrender......................................................... 27
D. Withdrawals....................................................... 27
E. Death Benefit..................................................... 28
F. The Spouse of the Contract Owner as Beneficiary................... 29
G. Assignment........................................................ 29
H. Electing the Form of Annuity and the Annuity Date................. 29
I. Description of Variable Annuity Options........................... 30
J. Norris Decision................................................... 31
K. Computation of Values and Annuity Benefit Payments................ 31
GUARANTEE PERIOD ACCOUNTS................................................. 33
</TABLE>
2
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<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS................................................ 34
A. Qualified and Non-Qualified Contracts............................. 35
B. Taxation of the Contracts in General.............................. 35
C. Tax Withholding and Penalties..................................... 36
D. Provisions Applicable to Qualified Employer Plans................. 36
E. Qualified Employee Pension and Profit Sharing Trusts and Qualified
Annuity Plans.................................................... 36
F. Self-Employed Individuals......................................... 37
G. Individual Retirement Account Plans............................... 37
H. Simplified Employee Pensions...................................... 38
I. Public School Systems and Certain Tax-Exempt Organizations........ 38
J. Texas Optional Retirement Program................................. 38
K. Section 457 Plans for State Governments and Tax-Exempt Entities... 39
L. Non-individual Owners............................................. 39
REPORTS................................................................... 39
LOANS (QUALIFIED CONTRACTS ONLY).......................................... 39
CHANGES IN OPERATION OF THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT.............................. 39
DISTRIBUTION.............................................................. 40
LEGAL MATTERS............................................................. 40
FURTHER INFORMATION....................................................... 40
APPENDIX A -- MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIXED ACCOUNT.................... 41
APPENDIX B -- SURRENDER CHARGES AND THE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT........... 42
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY........................................... 2
TAXATION OF THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT AND THE COMPANY.......................... 2
SERVICES.................................................................. 3
UNDERWRITERS.............................................................. 3
ANNUITY PAYMENTS.......................................................... 4
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION................................................... 5
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS...................................................... 9
</TABLE>
THE CONTRACTS OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN ALL STATES.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL, OR A SOLICITATION OF AN
OFFER TO BUY SECURITIES IN ANY STATE TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO
MAKE OR SOLICIT AN OFFER IN THAT STATE.
3
<PAGE>
SPECIAL TERMS
ACCUMULATED VALUE: the sum of the value of all Accumulation Units in the
Sub-Accounts and of the value of all accumulations in the Fixed Account and
Guarantee Period Accounts then credited to the Contract, on any date before the
Annuity Date.
ACCUMULATION UNIT: a measure of the Contract Owner's interest in a Sub-Account
before annuity benefit payments begin.
ANNUITANT: the person designated in the Contract upon whose life annuity
benefit payments are to be made.
ANNUITY DATE: the date on which annuity benefit payments begin.
ANNUITY UNIT: a measure of the value of the periodic annuity benefit payments
under the Contract.
FIXED ACCOUNT: the part of the Company's General Account that guarantees
principal and a fixed minimum interest rate and to which all or a portion of a
payment or transfer under this Contract may be allocated.
FIXED AMOUNT ANNUITY: an Annuity providing for annuity benefit payments which
remain fixed in an amount throughout the annuity benefit payment period
selected.
GUARANTEED INTEREST RATE: the annual effective rate of interest after daily
compounding credited to a Guarantee Period Account.
GUARANTEE PERIOD: the number of years that a Guaranteed Interest Rate is
credited.
GUARANTEE PERIOD ACCOUNT: an account which corresponds to a Guaranteed Interest
Rate for a specified Guarantee Period and is supported by assets in a
non-unitized separate account.
GENERAL ACCOUNT: all the assets of the Company other than those held in a
separate account.
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT: a positive or negative adjustment assessed if any
portion of a Guarantee Period Account is withdrawn or transferred prior to the
end of its Guarantee Period.
SUB-ACCOUNT: a subdivision of the Variable Account. Each Sub-Account available
under the Contracts invests exclusively in the shares of a corresponding fund of
Allmerica Investment Trust, a corresponding portfolio of the Variable Insurance
Products Fund, or the T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio of T. Rowe
Price International Series, Inc.
SURRENDER VALUE: the Accumulated Value of the Contract on full surrender after
application of any Contract fee, contingent deferred sales charge, and Market
Value Adjustment.
UNDERLYING FUNDS: Select International Equity Fund of Allmerica Investment
Trust, T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio, Select Aggressive Growth
Fund, Select Capital Appreciation Fund, and Select Growth Fund of Allmerica
Investment Trust, Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio, Select Growth and Income Fund
of Allmerica Investment Trust, Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio, Fidelity
VIP High Income Portfolio, Select Income Fund, and Money Market Fund of
Allmerica Investment Trust.
VALUATION DATE: a day on which the net asset value of the shares of any of the
Underlying Funds is determined and Unit values of the Sub-Accounts are
determined. Valuation Dates currently occur on each day on which the New York
Stock Exchange is open for trading, and on such other days (other than a day
during which no payment, withdrawal, or surrender of a Contract was received)
when there is a sufficient degree of trading in an Underlying Fund's portfolio
securities such that the current net asset value of the Sub-Accounts may be
materially affected.
VARIABLE ACCOUNT: Allmerica Select Account, one of the Company's Separate
Accounts, consisting of assets segregated from other assets of the Company. The
investment performance of the assets of the Variable Account is determined
separately from the other assets of the Company and are not chargeable with
liabilities arising out of any other business which the Company may conduct.
VARIABLE ANNUITY: an Annuity providing for payments varying in amount in
accordance with the investment experience of certain of the Underlying Funds.
4
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SUMMARY
WHAT IS THE ALLMERICA SELECT RESOURCE II VARIABLE ANNUITY?
The Allmerica Select Resource II variable annuity contract ("Contract") is
designed to help you accumulate assets for your retirement or other important
financial goals on a tax-deferred basis. The Contract combines the concept of
professional money management with the attributes of an annuity contract.
Features available through the Contract include:
- A customized investment portfolio
- Experienced professional investment advisers
- Tax deferral on earnings
- Guarantees that can protect your family during the accumulation phase
- Income that can be guaranteed for life
The Contract has two phases, an accumulation phase and an annuity phase. During
the accumulation phase, your initial payment and any additional payments you
choose to make may be allocated to the combination of portfolios of securities
("Funds") under your Contract. Your Contract's Accumulated Value is based on the
investment performance of the Funds. No income taxes are paid on any earnings
under the Contract unless and until Accumulated Values are withdrawn.
During the annuity phase, the Annuitant can receive income based on several
annuity plans. These plans include payment over a period of years or for the
rest of the Annuitant's life.
THE ACCUMULATION PHASE
During the accumulation phase, you select the investment options most
appropriate for your investment needs. The Contracts permit net payments to be
allocated among the Funds, the Guarantee Period Account, and the Fixed Account.
Each Fund is professionally managed by an investment adviser with experience
managing the types of investments in the Fund. All investment gains or losses of
the Funds will be reflected in the Accumulated Value under your Contract.
The accumulation phase provides certain protection and guarantees for the
beneficiary if the Annuitant should die before the annuity phase begins. See
discussion below under "What happens upon death during the accumulation phase?"
THE ANNUITY PHASE
You choose the annuity plan and the date for the annuity benefit payments to
begin. Annuity benefit payments may be on a variable basis (dependent upon the
performance of the Funds) or on a fixed basis (with payment amounts guaranteed).
Among the income options available during the annuity phase are:
- Lump sum
- At regular intervals over a specified number of years; or
- At regular intervals for the rest of the Annuitant's life, regardless of
how long he or she lives.
WHO ARE THE KEY PERSONS UNDER THE CONTRACT?
The Contract is between you and us -- First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance
Company ("Company"). Each Contract has a Contract Owner, an Annuitant and a
beneficiary. As Contract Owner, you make purchase payments, choose investment
allocations and select the Annuitant and beneficiary. The Annuitant is the
individual to receive annuity benefit payments under the Contract. The
beneficiary is the person who receives any payment on death of the Contract
Owner or Annuitant.
CAN I EXAMINE THE CONTRACT?
Yes. Your Contract will be delivered to you after your purchase. If you return
the Contract to the Company during the first 10 days from the date you received
it, the Contract will be canceled. (There may be a longer period in certain
states; see the "Right to Examine" provision on the cover of your Contract). If
your Contract
5
<PAGE>
was issued as an individual retirement annuity or provides for a full refund of
the initial purchase payment under its "Right to Examine" provision, you will
incur no fees to cancel within the right-to-examine period and will receive the
greater of (1) your entire purchase payment, or (2) the Accumulated Value of the
Contract plus any amounts deducted under the Contract or by the Funds for taxes,
charges or fees. If your Contract does not provide for a full refund of the
initial purchase payment, you will receive upon cancellation the sum of (1) the
difference between the payment paid, including fees, and any amount allocated to
the Variable Account and (2) the Accumulated Value (on the date the cancellation
request is received by the Company) attributable to amounts allocated to the
Variable Account Sub-Account. See "RIGHT TO REVOKE CONTRACT."
WHAT ARE MY INVESTMENT CHOICES?
The Contract permits net payments to be allocated among the Funds, the Guarantee
Period Accounts, and the Fixed Interest Account. The Fixed Account is part of
the General Account of the Company and provides a guarantee of principal and a
fixed interest rate, for one year from the date amounts are allocated to the
account. Payments allocated to a Guarantee Period Account are held in a separate
account and earn a Guaranteed Interest Rate if held for the full duration of the
Guarantee period.
THE FIXED ACCOUNT AND/OR THE GUARANTEE PERIOD ACCOUNTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE IN
ALL STATES.
You have a choice of eleven Funds:
- Select International Equity Fund
Managed by Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited
- T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio
Managed by Rowe Price-Fleming International, Inc.
- Select Aggressive Growth Fund
Managed by Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management
- Select Capital Appreciation Fund
Managed by Janus Capital Corporation
- Select Growth Fund
Managed by Putnam Investment Management, Inc.
- Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio
Managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company
- Select Growth and Income Fund
Managed by John A. Levin & Co., Inc.
- Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio
Managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company
- Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio
Managed by Fidelity Management & Research Company
- Select Income Fund
Managed by Standish, Ayer & Wood, Inc.
- Money Market Fund
Managed by Allmerica Asset Management, Inc.
This range of investment choices enables you to allocate your money among the
Funds to meet your particular investment needs. If your Contract was issued as
an individual retirement annuity or provides for a full refund of the initial
purchase payment under its "Right to Examine" provision (see "RIGHT TO REVOKE
CONTRACT"), for the first 14 days following the date of issue, all Fund
investments and allocations to the Guarantee Period Accounts will be allocated
to the Money Market Fund. Thereafter, all amounts will be allocated according to
6
<PAGE>
your investment choices. For a more detailed description of the Funds, see
"ALLMERICA INVESTMENT TRUST, VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND AND T. ROWE PRICE
INTERNATIONAL SERIES, INC." and "INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES."
GUARANTEE PERIOD ACCOUNTS -- Assets supporting the guarantees under the
Guarantee Period Accounts are held in the Company's Separate Account GPA, a
non-unitized insulated separate account. However, values and benefits calculated
on the basis of Guarantee Period Account allocations are obligations of the
Company's General Account. Amounts allocated to a Guarantee Period Account earn
a Guaranteed Interest Rate declared by the Company. The level of the Guarantee
Interest Rate depends on the number of years of the Guarantee Period selected.
The Company currently makes available seven Guarantee Periods ranging from three
to ten years in duration (excluding a four year Guarantee period.) Once
declared, the Guarantee Interest Rate will not change during the duration of the
Guarantee Period. If amounts allocated to a Guarantee Period Account are
transferred, surrendered or applied to any annuity option at any time other than
the last day of the applicable Guarantee Period, a Market Value adjustment will
apply that may increase or decrease the account's value. For more information
about the Guarantee Period Accounts and the Market Value Adjustment, see
"GUARANTEE PERIOD ACCOUNTS."
FIXED ACCOUNT. The Fixed Account is part of the General Account which consists
of all the Company's assets other than those allocated to the Variable Account
and any other separate account. Allocations to the Fixed Account are guaranteed
as to principal and a minimum rate of interest. Additional excess interest may
be declared periodically at the Company's discretion. Furthermore, the initial
rate in effect on the date an amount is allocated to the Fixed Account will be
guaranteed for one year from that date. For more information about the Fixed
Account see Appendix A, "MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIXED ACCOUNT."
WHO ARE THE INVESTMENT ADVISERS AND HOW ARE THEY SELECTED?
Allmerica Investment Management Company, Inc. ("Manager") is the investment
manager of Allmerica Investment Trust and handles the day-to-day affairs of the
Trust. The Manager has entered into agreements with experienced investment
advisers ("Sub-Advisers"), who will manage the investments of the Funds.
Allmerica Asset Management, Inc., an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of First
Allmerica, is the Sub-Adviser for the Money Market Fund. For the Select
International Equity Fund, Select Aggressive Growth Fund, Select Capital
Appreciation Fund, Select Growth Fund, Select Growth and Income Fund, and Select
Income Fund, the Sub-Advisers are independent and have been selected by the
Manager in consultation with RogersCasey Consulting, Inc., a leading pension
consulting firm. The cost of such consultation is borne by the Manager.
RogersCasey Consulting, Inc. provides consulting services to pension plans
representing over $300 billion in total assets and, in its consulting capacity,
monitors the investment performance of over 1000 investment advisers. Each
independent Sub-Adviser was selected by the Manager on the basis of strict
objective, quantitative and qualitative criteria, with special emphasis on the
Sub-Adviser's record in managing similar portfolios. On-going performance of the
Independent Sub-Advisers is monitored and evaluated by a committee which
includes members who may be affiliated with the Company. See "INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES TO THE TRUST."
Fidelity Management & Research Company ("Fidelity Management") is the investment
manager of VIP. Fidelity Management, a registered investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, is one of America's largest investment
management organizations. Its principal business address is 82 Devonshire
Street, Boston, MA. It is composed of a number of different companies, which
provide a variety of financial services and products. Fidelity Management is the
original Fidelity company, founded in 1946. It provides a number of mutual funds
and other clients with investment research and portfolio management services.
Rowe Price-Fleming International, Inc. ("Price-Fleming") is the investment
manager of T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio. Price-Fleming, founded
in 1979 as a joint venture between T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and Robert
Fleming Holdings, Limited, is one of America's largest international mutual fund
asset managers with approximately $20 billion under management in its offices in
Baltimore, London, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
7
<PAGE>
CAN I MAKE TRANSFERS AMONG THE FUNDS?
Yes. Prior to the Annuity Date, you may transfer among the Funds, the Guarantee
Period Accounts, and the Fixed Account. You will incur no current taxes on
transfers while your money remains in the Contract. See "TRANSFER PRIVILEGE."
HOW MUCH CAN I INVEST AND HOW OFTEN?
The number and frequency of your purchase payments are flexible, subject to the
minimum and maximum purchase payments stated in "PAYMENTS."
WHAT IF I NEED MY MONEY BEFORE MY ANNUITY PHASE BEGINS?
You may surrender your Contract or make withdrawals any time before your annuity
phase begins, subject to the restrictions discussed in "Surrender,"
"Withdrawal," and "Market Value Adjustment." Certain charges may apply, see
"CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS," and there may be a tax-penalty assessed under the
Internal Revenue Code. See "FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS."
WHAT HAPPENS UPON DEATH DURING MY ACCUMULATION PHASE?
If the Annuitant, Contract Owner or Joint Owner should die before the Annuity
Date, a death benefit will be paid to the beneficiary. Upon the death of the
Annuitant (or an Owner who is also an Annuitant), the death benefit is equal to
the GREATEST of:
- The Accumulated Value increased by any positive Market Value Adjustment;
- Gross payments reduced proportionately to reflect withdrawals (for each
withdrawal, the proportionate reduction is calculated as the death benefit
under this option immediately prior to the withdrawal, multiplied by the
withdrawal amount, and divided by the Accumulated Value immediately prior
to the withdrawal); or
- The death benefit that would have been payable on the most recent Contract
Anniversary, increased for subsequent purchase payments and reduced
proportionately to reflect withdrawals after that date.
If an Owner who is not also the Annuitant dies during the accumulation phase,
the death benefit will equal the Accumulated Value of the Contract increased by
any positive Market Value Adjustment. If the Annuitant dies after the Annuity
Date but before all guaranteed annuity benefit payments have been made, the
remaining payments will be paid to the beneficiary at least as rapidly as under
the annuity option in effect. See "Death Benefit."
WHAT ARE MY ANNUITY OPTIONS UNDER THE CONTRACT?
You may choose variable annuity benefit payments based on the investment
performance of certain Funds, fixed-amount annuity benefit payments, or a
combination of fixed-amount and variable annuity benefit payments. Fixed-amount
payments are guaranteed by the Company. See "DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT" for
information about annuity benefit payment options, selecting the Annuity Date,
and how annuity benefit payments are calculated.
WHAT CHARGES WILL I INCUR UNDER MY CONTRACT?
At each Contract anniversary and upon surrender, if the Accumulated Value is
$50,000 or less, the Company will deduct a $30 Contract Fee from your Contract.
The Contract Fee is waived for Contracts issued to and maintained by a Trustee
of a 401(k) plan.
Should you decide to surrender your Contract, make withdrawals, or receive
payments under certain annuity options, you may be subject to a contingent
deferred sales charge. If applicable, this charge will be between 1% and 6.5% of
purchase payments withdrawn, based on when the payments were made.
A deduction for state and local premium taxes, if any, may be made as described
under "PREMIUM TAXES."
Currently, the Company makes no charge for processing transfers. The first
twelve (12) transfers in a Contract year are guaranteed to be free of a transfer
charge. For each subsequent transfer in a contract year, the Company reserves
the right to assess a charge which is guaranteed never to exceed $25.
8
<PAGE>
The Company will deduct a daily Mortality and Expense Risk Charge and
Administrative Expense Charge equal to 1.25% and 0.15%, respectively, of the
average daily net assets invested in each Fund. The Funds will incur certain
management fees and expenses which are more fully described in "OTHER CHARGES"
and in the prospectus of the Funds, which accompanies this Prospectus.
For more information, see "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS."
CAN I MAKE FUTURE CHANGES UNDER MY CONTRACT?
There are several changes you can make after receiving your Contract:
- You may assign your ownership to someone else, except under certain
qualified plans.
- You may change the beneficiary, unless you have designated a beneficiary
irrevocably.
- You may change the allocation of purchase payments, with no tax
consequences under current law.
- You may make transfers of Contract value among your current investments.
- You may cancel your Contract within 10 days of delivery, as discussed
above.
- You may select the form and timing of annuity benefit payments.
ANNUAL AND TRANSACTION EXPENSES
The following tables show charges under your Contract, expenses of the
Sub-Accounts, and expenses of the Funds. In addition to the charges and expenses
described below, premium taxes are applicable in some states and deducted as
described under "PREMIUM TAXES."
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS FROM DATE
CONTRACT CHARGES OF PAYMENT CHARGE
--------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE: 0-1 6.5%
This charge may be assessed upon surrender, withdrawal or 2 6.0%
annuitization under any commutable period certain option or a 3 5.0%
noncommutable period certain option of less than 10 years. The 4 4.0%
charge is a percentage of purchase payments applied to the 5 3.0%
amount surrendered (in excess of any amount that is free of 6 2.0%
charge) within the indicated time periods. 7 1.0%
more than 7 0%
TRANSFER CHARGE: None
The Company currently makes no charge for processing transfers.
The Company guarantees that the first twelve transfers in a
Contract Year will not subject to a transfer charge. For each
subsequent transfer, the Company reserves the right to assess a
charge, guaranteed never to exceed $25, to reimburse the Company
for the costs of processing the transfer.
CONTRACT FEE: $30
The Fee is deducted annually and upon surrender prior to the
annuity date when Accumulated Value is $50,000 or less. The fee
is waived for contracts issued to and maintained by the Trustee
of a 401(k) plan.
SUB-ACCOUNT EXPENSES:
(on annual basis as percentage of average daily net assets)
Mortality and Expense Risk Charge: 1.25 %
Administrative Expense Charge: 0.15 %
-----
Total Asset Charge: 1.40 %
</TABLE>
9
<PAGE>
FUND EXPENSES:
(annual basis as percentage of average daily net assets)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MANAGEMENT OTHER FUND TOTAL FUND
FEE EXPENSES EXPENSES
---------------- -------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Select International Equity Fund..................... 1.00% 0.24% 1.24%*
T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio.......... 1.05% 0.00% 1.05%
Select Aggressive Growth Fund........................ 1.00% 0.09% 1.09%*
Select Capital Appreciation Fund..................... 0.93% 0.42% 1.35%*
Select Growth Fund................................... 0.85% 0.12% 0.97%*
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio........................ 0.61% 0.09% 0.70%+
Select Growth and Income Fund........................ 0.75% 0.10% 0.85%*
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio................. 0.51% 0.10% 0.61%+
Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio................... 0.60% 0.11% 0.71%+
Select Income Fund................................... 0.59% 0.20% 0.79%*
Money Market Fund.................................... 0.29% 0.07% 0.36%*
</TABLE>
* Under the Management Agreement with Allmerica Investment Trust, Allmerica
Investment Management Company, Inc. ("Manager") has declared a voluntary
expense limitation of 1.50% of average net assets for the Select International
Equity Fund, 1.35% for the Select Aggressive Growth Fund and the Select
Capital Appreciation Fund, 1.20% for the Select Growth Fund, 1.10% for the
Select Growth and Income Fund, 1.00% for the Select Income Fund, and 0.60% for
the Money Market Fund. Without the effect of the expense limitation, in 1995
the total operation expenses of the Select Capital Appreciation Fund would
have been 1.42%.
+ A portion of the brokerage commissions the Portfolio paid was used to reduce
the expenses. Without this reduction, total operating expenses would have been
0.60% for the Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio and 0.70% for the Fidelity
VIP Growth Portfolio.
The following examples demonstrate the cumulative expenses which would be paid
by the Contract Owner at 1-year, 3-year, 5-year and 10-year intervals under
certain contingencies. Each example assumes a $1,000 investment in a Sub-Account
and a 5% annual return on assets, as required by rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Because the expenses of the Funds differ, separate examples
are used to illustrate the expenses incurred by a Contract Owner on an
investment in the various Sub-Accounts.
THE INFORMATION GIVEN UNDER THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A
REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES. ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR
LESSER THAN THOSE SHOWN.
(a) If, at the end of the applicable period, you surrender your Contract or
annuitize* under a commutable variable period certain option or a noncommutable
period certain option of less than ten years or any fixed period certain option,
you would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5%
annual return on assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Select International Equity Fund........ $ 89 $ 137 $ 183 $ 329
T. Rowe Price International Stock
Portfolio.............................. $ 84 $ 124 $ 161 $ 286
Select Aggressive Growth Fund........... $ 85 $ 127 $ 167 $ 297
Select Capital Appreciation Fund........ $ 87 $ 133 $ 176 $ 315
Select Growth Fund...................... $ 84 $ 123 $ 160 $ 284
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio........... $ 81 $ 113 $ 144 $ 250
Select Growth and Income Fund........... $ 83 $ 120 $ 154 $ 272
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio.... $ 80 $ 110 $ 138 $ 239
Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio...... $ 81 $ 114 $ 145 $ 252
Select Income Fund...................... $ 82 $ 117 $ 151 $ 265
Money Market Fund....................... $ 78 $ 106 $ 131 $ 226
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE>
(b) If, at the end of the applicable time period, you annuitize* under a
life option or a noncommutable period certain option of ten years or longer, or
if you do not surrender or annuitize your Contract, you would pay the following
expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return on assets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Select International Equity Fund........ $ 30 $ 92 $ 157 $ 329
T. Rowe Price International Stock
Portfolio.............................. $ 26 $ 79 $ 135 $ 286
Select Aggressive Growth Fund........... $ 27 $ 82 $ 140 $ 297
Select Capital Appreciation Fund........ $ 29 $ 88 $ 149 $ 315
Select Growth Fund...................... $ 26 $ 78 $ 134 $ 284
Fidelity VIP Growth Fund................ $ 22 $ 68 $ 117 $ 250
Select Growth and Income Fund........... $ 24 $ 75 $ 128 $ 272
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio.... $ 21 $ 65 $ 111 $ 239
Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio...... $ 22 $ 69 $ 118 $ 252
Select Income Fund...................... $ 24 $ 72 $ 124 $ 265
Money Market Fund....................... $ 20 $ 61 $ 105 $ 226
</TABLE>
* The Contract Fee is not deducted after annuitization. No contingent deferred
sales charge is assessed at the time of annuitization under an option
including a life contingency or under a noncommutable period certain option of
ten years or longer.
As required in rules promulgated under the 1940 Act, the Contract Fee is
reflected in the examples by a method to show the "average" impact on an
investment in the Variable Account. The total Contract Fees collected are
divided by the total average net assets attributable to the Contracts. The
resulting percentage is 0.075%, and the amount of the Contract Fee is assumed to
be $.75 in the examples.
11
<PAGE>
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
FIRST ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1995 1994
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
SELECT INTERNATIONAL EQUITY
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period............... 0.956 1.000
End of Period..................... 1.128 0.956
Number of Units Outstanding at End
of Period (in thousands)........... 1,900 695
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period............... 1.000 N/A
End of Period..................... 1.065 N/A
Number of Units Outstanding at End
of Period (in thousands)........... 265 N/A
SELECT AGGRESSIVE GROWTH
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period............... 1.044 1.000
End of Period..................... 1.305 1.044
Number of Units Outstanding at End
of Period (in thousands)........... 2,393 756
SELECT CAPITAL APPRECIATION
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period............... 1.000 N/A
End of Period..................... 1.383 N/A
Number of Units Outstanding at End
of Period (in thousands)........... 391 N/A
SELECT GROWTH
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period............... 1.032 1.000
End of Period..................... 1.269 1.032
Number of Units Outstanding at End
of Period (in thousands)........... 2,177 756
FIDELITY VIP GROWTH
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period............... 1.000 N/A
End of Period..................... 1.235 N/A
Number of Units Outstanding at End
of Period (in thousands)........... 262 N/A
<CAPTION>
1995 1994
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
SELECT GROWTH & INCOME
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period............... 1.030 1.000
End of Period..................... 1.324 1.030
Number of Units Outstanding at End
of Period (in thousands)...........
FIDELITY VIP EQUITY - INCOME
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period............... 1.000 N/A
End of Period..................... 1.191 N/A
Number of Units Outstanding at End
of Period (in thousands)........... 429 N/A
FIDELITY VIP HIGH-INCOME
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period............... 1.000 N/A
End of Period..................... 1.096 N/A
Number of Units Outstanding at End
on Period (in thousands)........... 273 N/A
SELECT INCOME
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period............... 0.993 1.000
End of Period..................... 1.146 0.993
Number of Units Outstanding at End
of Period (in thousands)........... 4,114 1,916
MONEY MARKET
Unit Value:
Beginning of Period............... 1.020 1.000
End of Period..................... 1.065 1.020
Number of Units Outstanding at End
of Period (in thousands)........... 4,027 2,085
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
The Contracts were first offered to the public in 1996. However, the Company may
advertise "Total Return" and "Average Annual Total Return" performance
information based on the periods that the Underlying Funds have been in
existence. The results for any period prior to the Contracts being offered will
be calculated as if the Contracts had been offered during that period of time,
with all charges assumed to be those applicable to the Sub-Accounts, the
Underlying Funds, and (in Table 1) assuming that the Contract is surrendered at
the end of the applicable period.
The "total return" of a Sub-Account refers to the total of the income generated
by an investment in the Sub-Account and of the changes in the value of the
principal (due to realized and unrealized capital gains or losses) for a
specified period, reduced by certain charges, and expressed as a percentage of
the investment.
The "yield" of the Sub-Account investing in the Money Market Fund of the Trust
refers to the income generated by an investment in the Sub-Account over a
seven-day period (which period will be specified in the advertisement). This
income is then "annualized" by assuming that the income generated in the
specific week is generated over a 52-week period. This annualized yield is shown
as a percentage of the investment. The "effective yield" calculation is similar,
but when annualized, the income earned by an investment in the Sub-Account is
assumed to be reinvested. Thus the "effective yield" will be slightly higher
than the "yield" because of the compounding effect of this assumed reinvestment.
The total return, yield, and effective yield figures are adjusted to reflect the
Sub-Account's asset charges. The total return figures also reflect the $30
annual Contract Fee and the contingent deferred sales charge which would be
assessed if the investment were completely withdrawn at the end of the specified
period.
The Company may also advertise supplemental total return performance
information. Supplemental total return refers to the total of the income
generated by an investment in the Sub-Account and of the changes of value of the
principal invested (due to realized and unrealized capital gains or losses),
adjusted by the Sub-Account's annual asset charges, and expressed as a
percentage of the investment. Because it is assumed that the investment is NOT
withdrawn at the end of the specified period, the contingent deferred sales
charge is NOT included in the calculation of supplemental total return.
Performance information for a Sub-Account may be compared, in reports and
promotional literature, to: (I) the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index ("S & P
500"), Dow Jones Industrial Average ("DJIA"), Shearson Lehman Aggregate Bond
Index or other unmanaged indices so that investors may compare the Sub-Account
results with those of a group of unmanaged securities widely regarded by
investors as representative of the securities markets in general; (ii) other
groups of variable annuity variable accounts or other investment products
tracked by Lipper Analytical Services, a widely used independent research firm
which ranks mutual funds and other investment products by overall performance,
investment objectives, and assets, or tracked by other services, companies,
publications, or persons, such as Morningstar, Inc., who rank such investment
products on overall performance or other criteria; or (iii) the Consumer Price
Index (a measure for inflation) to assess the real rate of return from an
investment in the Sub-Account. Unmanaged indices may assume the reinvestment of
dividends but generally do not reflect deductions for administrative and
management costs and expenses.
Performance information for any Sub-Account reflects only the performance of a
hypothetical investment in the Sub-Account during the particular time period on
which the calculations are based. Performance information should be considered
in light of the investment objectives and policies, characteristics and quality
of the portfolio of the Underlying Fund in which the Sub-Account invests and the
market conditions during the given time period, and should not be considered as
a representation of what may be achieved in the future.
13
<PAGE>
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1995
(ASSUMING COMPLETE WITHDRAWAL OF THE INVESTMENT)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR YEAR 10 YEARS
NAME OF ENDED: 3 5 OR SINCE
UNDERLYING FUND 12/31/95 YEARS YEARS INCEPTION
- ------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Select International Equity Fund..... 11.55% N/A N/A 4.01%
T. Rowe Price International Stock
Portfolio........................... 3.21% N/A N/A 2.16%
Select Aggressive Growth Fund........ 24.05% 12.73% N/A 17.67%
Select Capital Appreciation Fund..... N/A N/A N/A 31.72%
Select Growth Fund................... 16.45% 4.50% N/A 7.47%
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio........ 26.96% 14.43% 18.79% 13.22%
Select Growth and Income Fund........ 22.11% 10.26% N/A 9.13%
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income
Portfolio........................... 26.70% 16.71% 19.32% 11.74%
Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio... 12.53% 9.70% 16.93% 9.90%
Select Income Fund................... 8.93% 4.32% N/A 4.13%
Money Market Fund.................... (2.06)% 1.23% 2.55% 4.42%
</TABLE>
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1995
(ASSUMING NO WITHDRAWAL OF THE INVESTMENT)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FOR YEAR 10 YEARS
NAME OF ENDED: 3 5 OR SINCE
UNDERLYING FUND 12/31/95 YEARS YEARS INCEPTION
- ------------------------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Select International Equity Fund..... 17.99% N/A N/A 7.47%
T. Rowe Price International Stock
Portfolio........................... 9.62% N/A N/A 5.80%
Select Aggressive Growth Fund........ 30.49% 14.01% N/A 18.48%
Select Capital Appreciation Fund..... N/A N/A N/A 38.22%
Select Growth Fund................... 22.88% 5.99% N/A 8.46%
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio........ 33.46% 15.69% 19.09% 13.22%
Select Growth and Income Fund........ 28.55% 11.60% N/A 10.09%
Fidelity VIP Equity-Income
Portfolio........................... 33.20% 17.92% 19.62% 11.74%
Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio... 19.03% 11.07% 17.25% 9.90%
Select Income Fund................... 15.36% 5.81% N/A 5.20%
Money Market Fund.................... 4.38% 2.81% 3.08% 4.42%
</TABLE>
- ------------------------
* The inception dates for the Underlying Funds are: 5/01/94 for Select
International Equity Fund; 3/31/94 for T. Rowe Price International Stock
Portfolio; 8/21/92 for Select Aggressive Growth Fund; 4/28/95 for Select
Capital Appreciation Fund; 8/21/92 for Select Growth Fund; 10/09/86 for
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio; 8/21/92 for Select Growth and Income Fund;
10/09/86 Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio; 9/19/85 for Fidelity VIP High
Income Portfolio; 8/21/92 for Select Income Fund; 4/29/85 for Money Market
Fund.
WHAT IS AN ANNUITY?
In general, an annuity is a contract designed to provide a retirement income in
the form of periodic payments for the lifetime of the purchaser or an individual
chosen by the purchaser. The retirement income payments are called "annuity
benefit payments" and the individual receiving the payments is called the
"Annuitant." Annuity benefit payments begin on the Annuity Date.
Under an annuity contract, the insurance company assumes a mortality risk and an
expense risk. The mortality risk arises from the insurance company's guarantee
that annuity benefit payments will continue for the life of
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the Annuitant, regardless of how long the Annuitant lives or how long all
Annuitants as a group live. The expense risk arises from the insurance company's
guarantee that charges will not be increased beyond the limits specified in the
Contract, regardless of actual costs of operations.
The Contract Owner's payments, less any applicable deductions, are invested by
the insurance company. After retirement, annuity benefit payments are paid to
the Annuitant for life or for such other period chosen by the Contract Owner. In
the case of a "fixed" annuity, the value of these annuity benefit payments is
guaranteed by the insurance company, which assumes the risk of making the
investments to enable it to make the guaranteed payments. For more information
about fixed annuities see APPENDIX A, "MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIXED
ACCOUNT." With a variable annuity, the value of the Contract and the annuity
benefit payments are not guaranteed but will vary depending on the investment
performance of a portfolio of securities. Any investment gains or losses are
reflected in the value of the Contract and in the annuity benefit payments. If
the portfolio increases in value, the value of the Contract increases. If the
portfolio decreases in value, the value of the Contract decreases.
RIGHT TO REVOKE OR SURRENDER
A Contract Owner may revoke the Contract within 10 days after receipt of the
Contract. In order to revoke the Contract, the Contract Owner must mail or
deliver the Contract to the principal office of the Company at 440 Lincoln
Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01653, or to an Allmerica Financial agent of
the Company. Mailing or delivery must occur on or before 10 days after receipt
of the Contract for revocation to be effective. Within seven days, the Company
will send the Contract Owner a refund of the greater of (1) gross payments or
(2) the Accumulated Value plus any amounts deducted under the Contract or by the
Underlying Funds for taxes, charges or fees.
If on the date of revocation the Surrender Value of the Contract exceeds gross
payments, the Company will treat the revocation request as a request for
surrender (see "Surrender") and will pay the Contract Owner the Surrender Value
of the Contract. The liability of the Variable Account under this provision is
limited to the Contract Owner's Accumulated Value in the Variable Account on the
date of cancellation. Any additional amounts refunded to the Contract Owner will
be paid by the Company.
The refund of any premium paid by check may be delayed until the check has
cleared the Contract Owner's bank.
DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY, THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT,
THE TRUST, VIP, AND T. ROWE PRICE
THE COMPANY -- The Company organized under the laws of Massachusetts in 1844, is
the fifth oldest life insurance company in America. As of December 31, 1995, the
Company and its subsidiaries had over $11 billion in combined assets and over
$35.2 billion of life insurance in force. Effective October 16, 1995, the
Company converted from a mutual life insurance company known as State Mutual
Life Assurance Company of America to a stock life insurance company and adopted
its present name. The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allmerica
Financial Corporation ("AFC"). The Company's principal office is located at 440
Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01653, telephone 508-855-1000
("Principal Office")
The Company is subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
governing insurance companies and to regulation by the Commissioner of Insurance
of Massachusetts. In addition, the Company is subject to the insurance laws and
regulations of other states and jurisdictions in which it is licensed to
operate.
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT. Allmerica Select Variable Account ("Variable
Account") is a separate investment account of the Company with eleven
Sub-Accounts. The assets used to fund the variable portions of the Contracts are
set aside in Sub-Accounts kept separate from the general assets of the Company.
Each Sub-Account is administered and accounted for as part of the general
business of the Company. However, the income, capital gains, or capital losses
of each Sub-Account are allocated to each Sub-Account, without
15
<PAGE>
regard to any other income, capital gains, or capital losses of the Company.
Under Massachusetts law, the assets of the Variable Account may not be charged
with any liabilities arising out of any other business of the Company.
The Variable Account was authorized by vote of the Board of Directors of the
Company on August 20, 1991. The Variable Account meets the definition of a
"separate account" under federal securities laws and is registered with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") as a unit investment trust under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"). This registration does not involve
the supervision of management or investment practices or policies of the
Variable Account by the SEC.
The Company reserves the right, subject to compliance with applicable law, to
change the names of the Variable Account and the Sub-Accounts.
ALLMERICA INVESTMENT TRUST -- Allmerica Investment Trust, (the "Trust") is an
open-end, diversified, management investment company registered with the
Commission under the 1940 Act.
The Trust was established as a Massachusetts business trust on October 11, 1984,
for the purpose of providing a vehicle for the investment of assets of various
separate accounts established by the Company or other affiliated insurance
companies. Seven investment portfolios ("Funds") of the Trust are currently
available under the Contracts, each issuing a series of shares: Select
International Equity Fund, Select Aggressive Growth Fund, Select Capital
Appreciation Fund, Select Growth Fund, Select Growth and Income Fund, Select
Income Fund, and the Money Market Fund. The assets of each Fund are held
separate from the assets of the other Funds. Each Fund operates as a separate
investment vehicle and the income or losses of one Fund have no effect on the
investment performance of another Fund. Shares of the Trust are not offered to
the general public but solely to such separate accounts.
Allmerica Investment Management Company, Inc. ("Allmerica Investment") serves as
investment adviser of the Trust. Allmerica Investment has entered into
sub-advisory agreements with other investment managers ("Sub-Advisers") who
manage the investments of the Funds. See "INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES TO THE
TRUST."
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND -- Variable Insurance Products Fund ("VIP"),
managed by Fidelity Management, is an open-end, diversified, management
investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust on November 13,
1981 and registered with the Commission under the 1940 Act. Three of its
investment portfolios are available under the Contracts: High Income Portfolio,
Equity-Income Portfolio, and Growth Portfolio.
Various Fidelity companies perform certain activities required to operate VIP.
Fidelity Management, a registered investment adviser under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, is one of America's largest investment management
organizations. Its principal business address is 82 Devonshire Street, Boston,
MA. It is composed of a number of different companies, which provide a variety
of financial services and products. Fidelity Management is the original Fidelity
company, founded in 1946. It provides a number of mutual funds and other clients
with investment research and portfolio management services. The Portfolios of
VIP as part of their operating expenses pay an investment management fee to
Fidelity Management. See "INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES TO VIP."
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL SERIES, INC. -- T. Rowe Price International Series,
Inc. ("T. Rowe Price"), managed by Rowe Price-Fleming International, Inc.
("Price-Fleming") is an open-end, diversified, management investment company
organized as a Maryland corporation in 1994 and registered with the Commission
under the 1940 Act. One of its investment portfolios is available under the
Contracts: the T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio. See "INVESTMENT
ADVISORY SERVICES TO T. ROWE PRICE."
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<PAGE>
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES
A summary of investment objectives of each of the Funds is set forth below. More
detailed information regarding the investment objectives, restrictions and
risks, expenses paid by the Funds, and other relevant information regarding the
Funds may be found in the prospectuses of the Trust, VIP and T. Rowe Price which
accompany this Prospectus and should be read carefully before investing. Also,
the Statements of Additional Information of the Funds are available upon
request. There can be no assurance that the investment objectives of the Funds
can be achieved or that the value of a Contract will equal or exceed the
aggregate amount of the purchase payments made under the Contract.
SELECT INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND seeks maximum long-term total return (capital
appreciation and income). The Fund will invest primarily in common stocks of
established non-U.S. companies. The Sub-Adviser for the Select International
Equity Fund is Bank of Ireland Asset Management Limited.
T. ROWE PRICE INTERNATIONAL STOCK PORTFOLIO seeks long-term growth of capital
through investments primarily in common stocks of established, non-U.S.
companies.
SELECT AGGRESSIVE GROWTH FUND seeks above-average capital appreciation by
investing primarily in common stocks of companies which are believed to have
significant potential for capital appreciation. The Sub-Adviser for the Select
Aggressive Growth Fund is Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management.
SELECT CAPITAL APPRECIATION FUND seeks long-term growth of capital in a manner
consistent with the preservation of capital. Realization of income is not a
significant investment consideration and any income realized on the Fund's
investments will be incidental to its primary objective. The Fund will invest
primarily in common stock of industries and companies which are experiencing
favorable demand for their products and services, and which operate in a
favorable competitive environment and regulatory climate. The Sub-Adviser for
the Select Capital Appreciation Fund is Janus Capital Corporation.
SELECT GROWTH FUND seeks to achieve growth of capital by investing in a
diversified portfolio consisting primarily of common stocks selected on the
basis of their long-term growth potential. The Sub-Adviser for the Select Growth
Fund is Putnam Investment Management, Inc.
FIDELITY VIP GROWTH PORTFOLIO seeks to achieve capital appreciation. The
Portfolio normally purchases common stocks, although its investments are not
restricted to any one type of security. Capital appreciation may also be found
in other types of securities, including bonds and preferred stocks.
SELECT GROWTH AND INCOME FUND seeks a combination of long-term growth of capital
and current income. The Fund will invest primarily in dividend-paying common
stocks and securities convertible into common stocks. The Sub-Adviser for the
Select Growth and Income Fund is John A. Levin & Co., Inc.
FIDELITY VIP EQUITY-INCOME PORTFOLIO seeks reasonable income by investing
primarily in income-producing equity securities. In choosing these securities,
the Portfolio will also consider the potential for capital appreciation. The
Portfolio's goal is to achieve a yield which exceeds the composite yield on the
securities comprising the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index. The
Portfolio may invest in high yielding, lower-rated securities (commonly referred
to as "junk bonds") which are subject to greater risk than investments in
higher-rated securities. For a further discussion of lower-rated securities,
please see "Risks of Lower-Rated Debt Securities" in the VIP prospectus.
FIDELITY VIP HIGH INCOME PORTFOLIO seeks to obtain a high level of current
income by investing primarily in high-yielding, lower-rated fixed-income
securities (commonly referred to as "junk bonds"), while also considering growth
of capital. These securities are often considered to be speculative and involve
greater risk of default or price changes than securities assigned a high quality
rating. For more information about these lower-rated securities, see "Risks of
Lower-Rated Debt Securities" in the VIP prospectus.
SELECT INCOME FUND seeks a high level of current income. The Fund will invest
primarily in investment grade, fixed-income securities. The Sub-Adviser for the
Select Income Fund is Standish, Ayer & Wood, Inc.
MONEY MARKET FUND seeks to obtain maximum current income consistent with the
preservation of capital and liquidity. Allmerica Asset Management, Inc. is the
Sub-Adviser for the Money Market Fund.
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If there is a material change in the investment policy of a Fund, the Contract
Owner will be notified of the change. If the Contract Owner has Accumulated
Value allocated to that Fund, he or she may have the Accumulated Value
reallocated without charge to another Fund or to the Fixed Account, where
available, on written request received by The Company within sixty (60) days of
the later of (1) the effective date of such change in the investment policy or
(2) the receipt of the notice of the Contract Owner's right to transfer.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES TO THE TRUST. The overall responsibility for the
supervision of the affairs of the Trust vests in the Trustees. The Trust has
entered into a Management Agreement with Allmerica Investment Management
Company, Inc. ("Manager"), an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of First
Allmerica, to handle the day-to-day affairs of the Trust. The Manager, subject
to review by the Trustees, is responsible for the general management of the
Funds. The Manager is also obligated to perform certain administrative and
management services for the Trust, furnishes to the Trust all necessary office
space, facilities and equipment, and pays the compensation, if any, of officers
and Trustees who are affiliated with the Manager.
Other than the expenses specifically assumed by the Manager under the Management
Agreement, all expenses incurred in the operation of the Trust are borne by it,
including fees and expenses associated with the registration and qualification
of the Trust's shares under the Securities Act of 1933, other fees payable to
the SEC, independent public accountant, legal and custodian fees, association
membership dues, taxes, interest, insurance premiums, brokerage commission, fees
and expenses of the Trustees who are not affiliated with the Manager, expenses
for proxies, prospectuses, reports to shareholders and other expenses.
Pursuant to the Management Agreement with the Trust, the Manager has entered
into agreements ("Sub-Adviser Agreements") with other investment advisers
("Sub-Advisers") under which each Sub-Adviser manages the investments of one or
more of the Funds. Under the Sub-Adviser Agreement, the Sub-Adviser is
authorized to engage in portfolio transactions on behalf of the applicable Fund,
subject to such general or specific instructions as may be given by the
Trustees. The terms of a Sub-Adviser Agreement cannot be materially changed
without the approval of a majority in interest of the shareholders of the
affected Fund.
Allmerica Asset Management, Inc., an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of First
Allmerica, is the Sub-Adviser for the Money Market Fund. For the Select
International Equity Fund, Select Aggressive Growth Fund, Select Capital
Appreciation Fund, Select Growth Fund, Select Growth and Income Fund, and Select
Income Fund, the Sub-Advisers are independent and have been selected by the
Manager in consultation with RogersCasey Consulting, Inc., a leading pension
consulting firm. The cost of such consultation is borne by the Manager.
RogersCasey Consulting, Inc. provides consulting services to pension plans
representing over $300 billion in total assets and, in its consulting capacity,
monitors the investment performance of over 1000 investment advisers. Each
independent Sub-Adviser was selected by the Manager on the basis of strict
objective, quantitative and qualitative criteria, with special emphasis on the
Sub-Adviser's record in managing similar portfolios. On-going performance of the
independent Sub-Advisers is monitored and evaluated by a committee which
includes members who may be affiliated or unaffiliated with the Company.
For providing its services under the Management Agreement, the Manager will
receive a fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the average daily net
asset value of each Fund as follows: 1.00% for the Select International Equity
Fund and Select Aggressive Growth Fund, 0.85% for the Select Growth Fund, 0.75%
for the Select Growth and Income Fund, and 0.60% for the Select Income Fund. For
the Money Market Fund, the fee will be 0.35% on net asset value up to
$50,000,000; 0.25% on the next $200,000,000; and 0.20% on the remainder. The fee
computed for each Fund will be paid from the assets of such Fund.
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<PAGE>
The Manager is solely responsible for the payment of all fees for investment
management services to the Sub-Advisers, who will receive from the Manager a
fee, computed daily at an annual rate based on the average daily net asset value
of each Fund as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUND SUB-ADVISER NET ASSET VALUE RATE
- ----------------------- ----------------------------------- ------------------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Select International Bank of Ireland Asset Management First $50 million 0.45%
Equity Ltd. Next $50 million 0.40%
Over $100 million 0.30%
Select Aggressive Nicholas-Applegate Capital * 0.60%
Growth Management
Select Capital Janus Capital Corporation First $100 million 0.60%
Appreciation Over $100 million 0.55%
Select Growth Putnam Investment Management, Inc. First $50 million 0.50%
$50 - 150 million 0.45%
$150 - 250 million 0.35%
$250 - 350 million 0.30%
Over $350 million 0.25%
Select Growth and John A. Levin & Co., Inc. First $100 million 0.40%
Income Next $200 million 0.25%
Over $300 million 0.30%
Select Income Standish, Ayer & Wood, Inc. * 0.20%
Money Market Fund Allmerica Asset Management, Inc. * 0.10%
</TABLE>
* For the Select Aggressive Growth Fund, Select Income Fund and the Money
Market Fund, each rate applicable to the Sub-Advisers does not vary
according to the level of assets in the Fund.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES TO VIP. For managing investments and business
affairs, each Portfolio pays a monthly fee to Fidelity Management. The
Prospectus of VIP contains additional information concerning the Portfolios,
including information concerning additional expenses paid by the Portfolios, and
should be read in conjunction with this Prospectus.
The Fidelity VIP High Income Portfolio pays a monthly fee to Fidelity Management
at an annual fee rate made up of the sum of two components:
1. A group fee rate based on the monthly average net assets of all the
mutual funds advised by Fidelity Management. On an annual basis this rate
cannot rise above 0.37%, and drops as total assets in all these funds rise.
2. An individual fund fee rate of 0.45% of the Fidelity VIP High Income
Portfolio's average net assets throughout the month. One-twelfth of the
annual management fee rate is applied to net assets averaged over the most
recent month, resulting in a dollar amount which is the management fee for
that month.
The Fidelity VIP Growth and Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolios' fee rates are
each made of two components:
1. A group fee rate based on the monthly average net assets of all of
the mutual funds advised by Fidelity Management. On an annual basis, this
rate cannot rise above 0.52%, and drops as total assets in all these mutual
funds rise.
2. An individual Portfolio fee rate of 0.30% for the Fidelity VIP
Growth Portfolio and 0.20% for the Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio.
One-twelfth of the sum of these two rates is applied to the respective
Portfolio's net assets averaged over the most recent month, giving a dollar
amount which is the fee for that month. Thus, the Fidelity VIP High Income
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<PAGE>
Portfolio may have a fee as high as 0.82%. The Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio may
have a fee of as high as 0.82% of its average net assets. The Fidelity VIP
Equity-Income Portfolio may have a fee as high as 0.72% of its average net
assets.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES TO T. ROWE PRICE. To cover investment management
and operating expenses, the T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio pays
Price-Fleming a single, all-inclusive fee of 1.05% of its average daily net
assets.
ADDITION, DELETION OR SUBSTITUTION OF INVESTMENTS -- The Company reserves the
right, subject to applicable law, to make additions to, deletions from, or
substitutions for the shares that are held in the Sub-Accounts or that the
Sub-Accounts may purchase. If the shares of any Underlying Fund are no longer
available for investment or if in the Company's judgment further investment in
any Underlying Fund should become inappropriate in view of the purposes of the
Variable Account or the affected Sub-Account, the Company may withdraw the
shares of that Underlying Fund and substitute shares of another registered
open-end management company. The Company will not substitute any shares
attributable to a Contract interest in a Sub-Account without notice to the
Contract Owner and prior approval of the Commission and state insurance
authorities, to the extent required by the 1940 Act or other applicable law. The
Variable Account may, to the extent permitted by law, purchase other securities
for other contracts or permit a conversion between contracts upon request by a
Contract Owner.
The Company also reserves the right to establish additional Sub-Accounts of the
Variable Account, each of which would invest in shares corresponding to a new
Underlying Fund or in shares of another investment company having a specified
investment objective. Subject to applicable law and any required Commission
approval, the Company may, in its sole discretion, establish new Sub-Accounts or
eliminate one or more Sub-Accounts if marketing needs, tax considerations or
investment conditions warrant. Any new Sub-Accounts may be made available to
existing Contract Owners on a basis to be determined by the Company.
Shares of the Underlying Funds are also issued to separate accounts of the
Company and its affiliates which issue variable life Contracts ("mixed
funding"). Shares of the Portfolios are also issued to other unaffiliated
insurance companies ("shared funding"). It is conceivable that in the future
such mixed funding or shared funding may be disadvantageous for variable life
Contract Owners or variable annuity Contract Owners. Although the Company and
the Underlying Investment Companies do not currently foresee any such
disadvantages to either variable life insurance Contract Owners or variable
annuity Contract Owners, the Company and the respective Trustees intend to
monitor events in order to identify any material conflicts between such Contract
Owners and to determine what action, if any, should be taken in response
thereto. If the Trustees were to conclude that separate funds should be
established for variable life and variable annuity separate accounts, the
Company will bear the attendant expenses.
If any of these substitutions or changes are made, the Company may by
appropriate endorsement change the Contract to reflect the substitution or
change and will notify Contract Owners of all such changes. If the Company deems
it to be in the best interest of Contract Owners, and subject to any approvals
that may be required under applicable law, the Variable Account or any
Sub-Account(s) may be operated as a management company under the 1940 Act, may
be deregistered under the 1940 Act if registration is no longer required, or may
be combined with other Sub-Accounts or other separate accounts of the Company.
VOTING RIGHTS
The Company will vote Underlying Fund shares held by each Sub-Account in
accordance with instructions received from Contract Owners and, after the
Annuity Date, from the Annuitants. Each person having a voting interest in a
Sub-Account will be provided with proxy materials of the Underlying Fund
together with a form with which to give voting instructions to the Company.
Shares for which no timely instructions are received will be voted in proportion
to the instructions which are received. The Company will also vote shares in a
Sub-Account that it owns and which are not attributable to Contracts in the same
proportion. If the 1940 Act or any rules thereunder should be amended or if the
present interpretation of the 1940 Act or such rules should change, and as a
result the Company determines that it is permitted to vote shares in its own
right, whether or not such shares are attributable to the Contract, the Company
reserves the right to do so.
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<PAGE>
The number of votes which a Contract Owner or Annuitant may cast will be
determined by the Company as of the record date established by the Underlying
Fund. During the accumulation period, the number of Underlying Fund shares
attributable to each Contract Owner will be determined by dividing the dollar
value of the Accumulation Units of the Sub-Account credited to the Contract by
the net asset value of one Underlying Fund share.
During the annuity period, the number of Underlying Fund shares attributable to
each Annuitant will be determined by dividing the reserve held in each
Sub-Account for the Annuitant's variable annuity by the net asset value of one
Underlying Fund share. Ordinarily, the Annuitant's voting interest in the
Underlying Fund will decrease as the reserve for the variable annuity is
depleted.
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS
Deductions under the Contracts and charges against the assets of the
Sub-Accounts are described below. Other deductions and expenses paid out of the
assets of the Underlying Funds are described in the Prospectus and Statement of
Additional Information of the Trust, VIP, and T. Rowe Price.
A. ANNUAL CHARGES AGAINST VARIABLE ACCOUNT ASSETS.
MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGE -- The Company makes a charge of 1.25% on an
annual basis of the daily value of each Sub-Account's assets to cover the
mortality and expense risk which the Company assumes in relation to the variable
portion of the Contract. The charge is imposed during both the accumulation
period and the annuity period. The mortality risk arises from the Company's
guarantee that it will make annuity benefit payments in accordance with annuity
rate provisions established at the time the Contract is issued for the life of
the Annuitant (or in accordance with the annuity option selected), no matter how
long the Annuitant (or other payee) lives and no matter how long all Annuitants
as a class live. Therefore, the mortality charge is deducted during the annuity
phase on all contracts, including those that do not involve a life contingency,
even though the Company does not bear direct mortality risk with respect to
variable annuity settlement options that do not involve life contingencies. The
expense risk arises from the Company's guarantee that the charges it makes will
not exceed the limits described in the Contract and in this Prospectus.
If the charge for mortality and expense risks is not sufficient to cover actual
mortality experience and expenses, the Company will absorb the losses. If
expenses are less than the amounts provided to the Company by the charge, the
difference will be a profit to the Company. To the extent this charge results in
a profit to the Company, such profit will be available for use by the Company
for, among other things, the payment of distribution, sales and other expenses.
Since mortality and expense risks involve future contingencies which are not
subject to precise determination in advance, it is not feasible to identify
specifically the portion of the charge which is applicable to each. The Company
estimates that a reasonable allocation might be .80% for mortality risk and .45%
for expense risk.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE -- The Company assesses each Sub-Account with a
daily charge at an annual rate of 0.15% of the average daily net assets of the
Sub-Account. The charge is imposed during both the accumulation period and the
annuity period. The daily Administrative Expense Charge is assessed to help
defray administrative expenses actually incurred in the administration of the
Sub-Account, without profits. However, there is no direct relationship between
the amount of administrative expenses imposed on a given contract and the amount
of expenses actually attributable to that contract.
Deductions for the Contract Fee (described under B. CONTRACT FEE) and for the
Administrative Expense Charge are designed to reimburse the Company for the cost
of administration and related expenses and are not expected to be a source of
profit. The administrative functions and expense assumed by the Company in
connection with the Variable Account and the Contracts include, but are not
limited to, clerical, accounting, actuarial and legal services, rent, postage,
telephone, office equipment and supplies, expenses of preparing and printing
registration statements, expense of preparing and typesetting prospectuses and
the cost of printing prospectuses not allocable to sales expense, filing and
other fees.
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<PAGE>
OTHER CHARGES -- Because the Sub-Accounts purchase shares of the Underlying
Funds, the value of the net assets of the Sub-Accounts will reflect the
investment advisory fee and other expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds. The
Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Trust, VIP, and T.
Rowe Price contain additional information concerning expenses of the Underlying
Funds.
B. CONTRACT FEE.
A $30 Contract Fee currently is deducted on the Contract anniversary date and
upon full surrender of the Contract when the Accumulated Value is $50,000 or
less. The Contract Fee is waived for Contracts issued to and maintained by the
Trustee of a 401(k) plan. Where Contract value has been allocated to more than
one account, a percentage of the total Contract Fee will be deducted from the
Value in each account. The portion of the charge deducted from each account will
be equal to the percentage which the Value in that account bears to the
Accumulated Value under the Contract. The deduction of the Contract Fee from a
Sub-Account will result in cancellation of a number of Accumulation Units equal
in value to the percentage of the charge deducted from that account.
C. PREMIUM TAXES.
Some states and municipalities impose a premium tax on variable annuity
Contracts. State premium taxes currently range up to 3.5%.
The Company makes a charge for state and municipal premium taxes, when
applicable, and deducts the amount paid as a premium tax charge. The current
practice of the Company is to deduct the premium tax charge in one of two ways:
(1) if the premium tax was paid by the Company when purchase payments
were received, the premium tax charge is deducted on a pro rata basis when
withdrawals are made, upon surrender of the Contract, or when annuity
benefit payments begin (the Company reserves the right instead to deduct the
premium tax charge for these Contracts at the time the purchase payments are
received); or
(2) the premium tax charge is deducted when annuity benefit payments
begin.
In no event will a deduction be taken before the Company has incurred a tax
liability under applicable state law
If no amount for premium tax was deducted at the time the purchase payment was
received, but subsequently tax is determined to be due prior to the Annuity
Date, the Company reserves the right to deduct the premium tax from the Contract
value at the time such determination is made.
D. CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE.
No charge for sales expense is deducted from payments at the time the payments
are made. However, a contingent deferred sales charge is deducted from the
Accumulated Value of the Contract in the case of surrender and/or withdrawal of
the Contract or at the time annuity benefit payments begin, within certain time
limits described below.
For purposes of determining the contingent deferred sales charge, the
Accumulated Value is divided into three categories: (1) New Payments -- payments
received by the Company during the seven years preceding the date of the
surrender; (2) Old Payments -- Accumulated payments not defined as New Payments;
and (3) Earnings -- the amount of Contract Value in excess of all payments that
have not been previously surrendered. For purposes of determining the amount of
any contingent deferred sales charge, surrenders will be deemed to be taken
first from Old Payments, then from New Payments. Old Payments may be withdrawn
from the Contract at any time without the imposition of a contingent deferred
sales charge. If a withdrawal is attributable all or in part to New Payments, a
contingent deferred sales charge may apply.
CHARGES FOR SURRENDER AND WITHDRAWAL. If a Contract is surrendered, or if New
Payments are withdrawn, while the Contract is in force and before the Annuity
Date, a contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed. The amount of the
charge will depend upon the number of years that the New Payments, if any, to
which the withdrawal is attributed have remained credited under the Contract.
Amounts withdrawn are deducted first from Old Payments. Then, for the purpose of
calculating surrender charges for New Payments, all amounts withdrawn are
assumed to be deducted first from the earliest New Payment and then from the
next earliest
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New Payment and so on, until all New Payments have been exhausted pursuant to
the first-in-first-out ("FIFO") method of accounting. (See "FEDERAL TAX
CONSIDERATIONS" for a discussion of how withdrawals are treated for income tax
purposes.)
The Contingent Deferred Sales Charges are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS FROM CHARGE AS
DATE OF PERCENTAGE OF NEW
PAYMENT PAYMENTS WITHDRAWN
----------- -------------------
<S> <C>
less than 1........................... 6.5%
2................................. 6.0%
3................................. 5.0%
4................................. 4.0%
5................................. 3.0%
6................................. 2.0%
7................................. 1.0%
More than 7........................... 0%
</TABLE>
The amount withdrawn equals the amount requested by the Contract Owner plus the
charge, if any. The charge is applied as a percentage of the New Payments
withdrawn, but in no event will the total contingent deferred sales charge
exceed a maximum limit of 6.5% of total gross New Payments. Such total charge
equals the aggregate of all applicable contingent deferred sales charges for
surrender, withdrawal, and annuitization.
REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF WITHDRAWAL CHARGE. Where permitted by law, the
Company will waive the contingent deferred sales charge in the event that an
Owner (or the Annuitant, if the Owner is not an individual) is: (a) admitted to
a medical care facility after the issue date of the Contract and remains
confined there until the later of one year after the issue date or 90
consecutive days; (b) first diagnosed by a licensed physician as having a fatal
illness after the issue date of the contract; or (c) physically disabled after
the issue date of the Contract and before attaining age 65. The Company may
require proof of such disability and continuing disability, including written
confirmation of receipt and approval of any claim for Social Security Disability
Benefits and reserves the right to obtain an examination by a licensed physician
of its choice and at its expense.
For purposes of the above provision, "medical care facility" means any state
licensed facility (or, in a state that does not require licensing) a facility
that is operating pursuant to state law, providing medically necessary inpatient
care which is prescribed by a licensed "physician" in writing and based on
physical limitations which prohibit daily living in a non-institutional setting;
"fatal illness" means a condition diagnosed by a licensed physician which is
expected to result in death within two years of the diagnosis; and "physician"
means a person other than the Owner, Annuitant or a member of one of their
families who is state licensed to give medical care or treatment and is acting
within the scope of that license.
Where contingent deferred sales charges have been waived under any one of three
situations discussed above, no additional payments under this Contract will be
accepted. Where permitted by law, no contingent deferred sales charge is imposed
(and no commissions will be paid) on contracts issued where both the Contract
Owner and the Annuitant on the date of issue are within the following classes of
individuals ("eligible persons"): employees and registered representatives of
any broker-dealer which has entered into a Sales Agreement with the Company to
sell the Contract; officers, directors, trustees and employees of any of the
Underlying Funds, investment managers or sub-advisers; and the spouses and
children/other legal dependants (under age 21) of such eligible persons.
In addition, from time to time the Company may also reduce the amount of the
contingent deferred sales charge, the period during which it applies, or both,
when Contracts are sold to individuals or groups of individuals in a manner that
reduces sales expenses. The Company will consider (a) the size and type of
group; (b) the total amount of payments to be received; (c) other transactions
where sales expenses are likely to be
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<PAGE>
reduced. Any reduction or elimination in the amount or duration of the
contingent deferred sales charge will not discriminate unfairly between
purchasers of this Contract. The Company will not make any changes to this
charge where prohibited by law.
Pursuant to Section 11 of the 1940 Act and Rule 11a-2 thereunder, the contingent
deferred sales charges is modified to effect certain exchanges of the annuity
contracts for the Contracts. See Statement of Additional Information.
WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT SURRENDER CHARGE. In each calendar year, the Company will
waive the contingent deferred sales charge, if any, on an amount ("Withdrawal
Without Surrender Charge") equal to the greatest of (1), (2) or (3):
Where (1) is:
The Accumulated Value as of the Valuation Date the Company receives the
withdrawal request or the following day, reduced by total gross payments
not previously withdrawn ("Cumulative Earnings")
Where (2) is:
10% of the Accumulated Value as of the Valuation Date the Company receives
the withdrawal request or the following day, reduced by the total amount of
any prior withdrawals made in the same calendar year to which no contingent
deferred sales charge was applied.
Where (3) is:
The amount calculated under the Company's life expectancy distribution (see
"LED Distributions," below) whether or not the withdrawal was part of such
distribution (applies only if Annuitant is also an Owner)
For example, an 81 year old Owner/Annuitant with an Accumulated Value of
$15,000, of which $1,000 is Cumulative Earnings, would have a Free Withdrawal
Amount of $1,530, which is equal to the greatest of:
(1) Cumulative Earnings ($1,000);
(2) 10% of Accumulated Value ($1,500); or
(3) LED distribution of 10.2% of Accumulated Value ($1,530).
The Withdrawal Without Surrender Charge will first be deducted from Cumulative
Earnings. If the Withdrawal Without Surrender Charge exceeds Cumulative
Earnings, the excess amount will be deemed withdrawn from payments not
previously withdrawn on a last-in-first-out ("LIFO") basis. If more than one
withdrawal is made during the year, on each subsequent withdrawal the Company
will waive the contingent deferred sales charge, if any, until the entire
Withdrawal Without Surrender Charge has been withdrawn. Amounts withdrawn from a
Guarantee Period Account prior to the end of the applicable Guarantee Period
will be subject to a Market Value Adjustment.
LED DISTRIBUTIONS. Prior to the Annuity Date a Contract Owner who is also the
Annuitant may elect to make a series of systematic withdrawals from the Contract
according to a life expectancy distribution ("LED") option, by returning a
properly signed LED request form to the Company's Principal Office. The LED
option permits the Contract Owner to make systematic withdrawals from the
Contract over his or her lifetime. The amount withdrawn from the Contract
changes each year, because life expectancy changes each year that a person
lives. For example, actuarial tables indicate that a person age 70 has a life
expectancy of 16 years, but a person who attains age 86 has a life expectancy of
another 6.5 years.
If a Contract Owner elects the LED option, in each calendar year a fraction of
the Accumulated Value is withdrawn based on the Contract Owner's then life
expectancy. The numerator of the fraction is 1 (one) and the denominator of the
fraction is the remaining life expectancy of the Contract Owner, as determined
annually by the Company. The resulting fraction, expressed as a percentage, is
applied to the Accumulated Value at the beginning of the year to determine the
amount to be distributed during the year. The Contract Owner may elect monthly,
bimonthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual distributions, and may terminate the
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<PAGE>
LED option at any time. The Contract Owner may also elect to receive
distributions under an LED option which is determined on the joint life
expectancy of the Contract Owner and a beneficiary. The Company may also offer
other systematic withdrawal options.
If a Contract Owner makes withdrawals under the LED distribution prior to age
59 1/2, the withdrawals may be treated by the IRS as premature distributions
from the Contract. The payments would then be taxed on an "income first" basis,
and be subject to a 10% federal tax penalty. For more information, see "FEDERAL
TAX CONSIDERATIONS," "B. Taxation of the Contracts in General." The LED will
cease on the Annuity Date.
SURRENDERS. In the case of a complete surrender, the amount received by the
Contract Owner is equal to the entire Accumulated Value under the Contract, net
of the applicable contingent deferred sales charge on New Payments, the Contract
Fee and any applicable tax withholding and adjusted for any applicable Market
Value Adjustment. Subject to the same rules applicable to withdrawals, the
Company will not assess a contingent deferred sales charge on an amount equal to
the greater of the Withdrawal Without Surrender Charge Amount, described above,
or the life expectancy distribution, if applicable.
Where a Contract Owner who is trustee under a pension plan surrenders, in whole
or in part, a Contract on a terminating employee, the trustee will be permitted
to reallocate all or a part of the total Accumulated Value under the Contract to
other contracts issued by the Company and owned by the trustee, with no
deduction for any otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales charge. Any
such reallocation will be at the unit values for the Sub-Accounts as of the
valuation date on which a written, signed request is received at the Company's
Principal Office.
For further information on surrender and withdrawal, including minimum limits on
amount withdrawn and amount remaining under the Contract in the case of
withdrawal, and important tax considerations, see "Surrender" and "Withdrawal"
under "DESCRIPTION OF CONTRACT" and see "FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS."
CHARGE AT THE TIME ANNUITY BENEFIT PAYMENTS BEGIN. If any commutable period
certain option or a non-commutable period certain option for less than ten years
is chosen, a contingent deferred sales charge will be deducted from the
Accumulated Value of the Contract if the Annuity Date occurs at any time when
the surrender charge would still apply had the Contract been surrendered on the
Annuity Date.
No contingent deferred sales charge is imposed at the time of annuitization in
any Contract year under an option involving a life contingency or for any
non-commutable period certain option for ten years or more. However, a Market
Value Adjustment may apply. See "Guarantee Period Accounts".
If an owner of a fixed annuity Contract issued by the Company wishes to elect a
variable annuity option, the Company may permit such owner to exchange, at the
time of annuitization, the fixed Contract for a Contract offered in this
Prospectus. The proceeds of the fixed Contract, minus any contingent deferred
sales charge applicable under the fixed Contract if a period certain option is
chosen, will be applied towards the variable annuity option desired by the
owner. The number of Annuity Units under the option will be calculated using the
Annuity Unit values as of the 15th of the month preceding the Annuity Date.
E. TRANSFER CHARGE -- The Company currently makes no charge for processing
transfers. The Company guarantees that the first twelve transfers in a Contract
Year will be free of transfer charge, but reserves the right to assess a charge,
guaranteed never to exceed $25, for each subsequent transfer in a Contract Year.
The Contract Owner may have automatic transfers of at least $100 a month made on
a periodic basis (a) from the Sub-Account which invest in the Money Market Fund
or the Select Income Fund of the Trust or from the Fixed Account to one or more
of the other Sub-Accounts or (b) in order to reallocate Contract Value among the
Sub-Accounts. The first automatic transfer counts as one transfer towards the
twelve transfers which are guaranteed to be free of a transfer charge in each
contract year. For more information, see "The Contract Transfer Privilege."
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<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRACT
The Contracts are designed for use in connection with several types of
retirement plans as well as for sale to individuals. Participants under such
plans, as well as Contract Owners, Annuitants, and beneficiaries, are cautioned
that the rights of any person to any benefits under such Contracts may be
subject to the terms and conditions of the plans themselves, regardless of the
terms and conditions of the Contracts.
The Contracts offered by the Prospectus may be purchased from representatives of
Allmerica Investments, Inc., a registered broker-dealer under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 and a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (NASD). Allmerica Investments, Inc., 440 Lincoln Street,
Worcester, Massachusetts, 01653, is indirectly wholly-owned by the Company. The
Contracts also may be purchased from certain independent broker-dealers which
are NASD members.
Contract Owners may direct any inquiries to Annuity Customer Services, First
Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company, 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester,
Massachusetts 01653, 1-800-366-1492.
A. PAYMENTS.
The Company's underwriting requirements, which include receipt of the initial
payment and allocation instructions by the Company at its Principal Office, must
be met before a Contract can be issued. These requirements may also include the
proper completion of an application; however, where permitted, the Company may
issue a contract without completion of an application for certain classes of
annuity contracts. Payments are to be made payable to the Company. A net payment
is equal to the payment received less the amount of any applicable premium tax.
The initial net payment will be credited to the Contract as of the date that all
issue requirements are properly met. If all issue requirements are not complied
with within five business days of the Company's receipt of the initial payment,
the payment will be returned unless the Owner specifically consents to the
holding of the initial payment until completion of any outstanding issue
requirements. Subsequent payments will be credited as of the Valuation Date
received at the Principal Office.
Payments are not limited as to frequency and number, but there are certain
limitations as to amount. Currently, the initial payment must be at least $1000.
Under a salary deduction or monthly automatic payment plan, the minimum initial
payment is $50. In all cases, each subsequent payment must be at least $50.
Where the contribution on behalf of an employee under an employer-sponsored
retirement plan is less that $600 but more than $300 annually, the Company may
issue a contract on the employee, if the plan's average annual contribution per
eligible plan participant is at least $600. The minimum allocation to a
Guarantee Period Account is $1,000. If less than $1,000 is allocated to a
Guarantee Period Account, the Company reserves the right to apply that amount to
the Money Market Fund of the Trust.
Generally, unless otherwise requested, all payments will be allocated among the
accounts in the same proportion that the initial net payment is allocated, or,
if subsequently changed, according to the most recent allocation instructions.
However, any portion of the initial net payment and of additional net payments
received during the contracts's first fifteen days measured from the date of
issue, allocated to any Sub-Account and/or any Guarantee Period Account, will be
held in the Money Market Fund of the Trust until the end of the fifteen day
period. Thereafter, these amounts will be allocated as requested.
The Contract Owner may change allocation instructions for new payments pursuant
to a written or telephone request. If telephone requests are elected by the
Contract Owner, a properly completed authorization must be on file before
telephone requests will be honored. The policy of the Company and its agents and
affiliates is that they will not be responsible for losses resulting from acting
upon telephone requests reasonably believed to be genuine. The Company will
employ reasonable procedures to confirm that instructions communicated by
telephone are genuine; otherwise, the Company may be liable for any losses due
to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. The procedures the Company follows
for transactions initiated by telephone include requirements that callers on
behalf of a Contract Owner identify themselves by name and identify the
Annuitant by name, date of birth and social security number. All transfer
instructions by telephone are tape recorded.
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<PAGE>
B. TRANSFER PRIVILEGE.
At any time prior to the Annuity Date a Contract Owner may have amounts
transferred among all accounts. Transfer values will be effected at the
Accumulation Value next computed after receipt of the transfer order. The
Company will make transfers pursuant to written or telephone requests. As
discussed in "A. Payments," a properly completed authorization form must be on
file before telephone requests will be honored.
Transfers to a Guarantee Period Account must be at least $1,000. If the amount
to be transferred to a Guarantee Period Account is less than $1,000, the Company
may transfer that amount to the Sub-Account which invests in the Money Market
Fund.
The Contract Owner may have automatic transfers of at least $100 each made on a
periodic basis from the Money Market Fund or the Select Income Fund of the
Trust, from the Fixed Account to one or more of the other Sub-Accounts or may
elect automatic reallocation Contract values among the Sub-Accounts. Automatic
transfers or automatic rebalancing may be made on a monthly, quarterly,
semiannual or annual schedule. The first automatic transfer counts as one
transfer towards the twelve transfers discussed below. Any subsequent automatic
transfer will not count as a transfer for the purposes of the charge.
Currently, the Company makes no charge for transfers. The first twelve (12)
transfers in a Contract year are guaranteed to be free of any charge. For each
subsequent transfer in a Contract year the Company reserves the right to assess
a charge, guaranteed never to exceed $25, to reimburse it for the expense of
processing transfers.
C. SURRENDER.
At any time prior to the Annuity Date, a Contract Owner may surrender the
Contract and receive its Accumulated Value, less applicable charges and adjusted
for any Market Value Adjustment ("Surrender Amount"). The Contract Owner must
return the Contract and a signed, written request for surrender, satisfactory to
the Company, to the Company's Principal Office. The amount payable to the
Contract Owner upon surrender will be based on the Contract's Accumulated Value
as of the Valuation Date on which the request and the Contract are received at
the Company's Principal Office.
Before the Annuity Date, a contingent deferred sales charge may be deducted when
a Contract is surrendered if payments have been credited to the Contract during
the last seven full contract years. See "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS." The Contract
Fee will be deducted upon surrender of the Contract.
After the Annuity Date, only Contracts under which future annuity benefit
payments are limited to a specified period (as specified in the Period Certain
Annuity Option) may be surrendered. The Surrender Amount is the commuted value
of any unpaid installments, computed on the basis of the assumed interest rate
incorporated in such annuity benefit payments. No contingent deferred sales
charge is imposed after the Annuity Date.
Any amount surrendered is normally payable within seven days following the
Company's receipt of the surrender request. The Company reserves the right to
defer surrenders and withdrawals of amounts in each Sub-Account in any period
during which (1) trading on the New York Stock Exchange is restricted as
determined by the SEC or such Exchange is closed for other than weekends and
holidays, (2) the SEC has by order permitted such suspension, or (3) an
emergency, as determined by the SEC, exists such that disposal of portfolio
securities or valuation of assets of each separate account is not reasonably
practicable.
The right is reserved by the Company to defer surrenders and withdrawals of
amounts allocated to the Company's Fixed Account and Guarantee Period Accounts
for a period not to exceed six months.
The surrender rights of Contract Owners who are participants under Section
403(b) plans or who are participants in the Texas Optional Retirement Program
(Texas ORP) are restricted; see "FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS," "I. Public School
Systems and Certain Tax Exempt Organizations" and "J. Texas Optional Retirement
Program."
For important tax consequences which may result from surrender, see "FEDERAL TAX
CONSIDERATIONS."
D. WITHDRAWALS.
At any time prior to the Annuity Date, a Contract Owner may withdraw a portion
of the Accumulated Value of his or her Contract, subject to the limits stated
below. The Contract Owner must file a signed, written request
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<PAGE>
for withdrawal, satisfactory to the Company, at the Company's Principal Office.
The written request must indicate the dollar amount the Contract Owner wishes to
receive and the accounts from which such amount is to be withdrawn. The amount
withdrawn equals the amount requested by the Contract Owner plus any applicable
contingent deferred sales charge, as described under "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS."
In addition, amounts withdrawn from a Guarantee Period Account prior to the end
of the applicable Guarantee Period will be subject to a Market Value Adjustment,
as described under "GUARANTEE PERIOD ACCOUNTS".
Where allocations have been made to more than one account, a percentage of the
withdrawal may be allocated to each such account. A withdrawal from a
Sub-Account will result in cancellation of a number of units equivalent in value
to the amount withdrawn, computed as of the Valuation Date that the request is
received at the Company's Principal Office.
Each withdrawal must be in a minimum amount of $100. No withdrawal will be
permitted if the Accumulated Value remaining under the Contract would be reduced
to less than $1,000. Withdrawals will be paid in accordance with the time
limitations described under "Surrender."
After the Annuity Date, only Contracts under which future variable annuity
benefit payments are limited to a specified period may be withdrawn. A
withdrawal after the Annuity Date will result in cancellation of a number of
Annuity Units equivalent in value to the amount withdrawn.
For important restrictions on withdrawals which are applicable to Contract
Owners who are participants under Section 403(b) plans or under the Texas ORP,
see "FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS," "I. Public School Systems and Certain Tax
Exempt Organizations" and "J. Texas Optional Retirement Program."
For important tax consequences which may result from withdrawals, see "FEDERAL
TAX CONSIDERATIONS."
E. DEATH BENEFIT.
If the Annuitant dies (or a Contract Owner predeceases the Annuitant) prior to
the Annuity Date while the Contract is in force, the Company will pay the
Beneficiary a death benefit, except where the Contract continues as provided in
"F. THE SPOUSE OF THE CONTRACT OWNER AS BENEFICIARY."
Upon death of the Annuitant (including an Owner who is also the Annuitant), the
death benefit is equal to the greatest of (a) the Accumulated Value under the
Contract increased for any positive Market Value Adjustment, (b) gross payments
reduced proportionately to reflect withdrawals (for each withdrawal, the
proportionate reduction is calculated as the death benefit under this option
immediately prior to the withdrawal multiplied by the withdrawal amount and
divided by the Accumulated Value immediately prior to the withdrawal); or (c) or
the death benefit that would have been payable on the most recent contract
anniversary, increased for subsequent payments and reduced proportionately to
reflect withdrawals after that date.
If an Owner who is not also the Annuitant dies before the Annuity Date, the
death benefit will be the Accumulated Value increased by any positive Market
Value Adjustment. The death benefit will never be reduced by a negative Market
Value Adjustment. The death benefit will generally be paid to the Beneficiary in
one sum within 7 days of the receipt of due proof of death unless the Owner has
specified a death benefit annuity option. Instead, the Beneficiary may, by
written request, elect to:
(a) defer distribution of the death benefit for a period no more than 5
years from the date of death; or
(b) receive a life annuity or an annuity for a period certain not
extending beyond the Beneficiary's life expectancy. Annuity benefit payments
must begin within one year from the date of death.
If distribution of the death benefit is deferred under (a) or (b), any value in
the Guarantee Period Accounts will be transferred to the Sub-Account investing
in the Money Market Fund. The excess, if any, of the death benefit over the
Accumulated Value will also be added to the Money Market Fund. The Beneficiary
may, by written request, effect transfers and withdrawals during the deferral
period and prior to annuitization under (b), but may not make additional
payments. If there are multiple Beneficiaries, the consent of all is required.
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If the Annuitant's death occurs on or after the Annuity Date but before the
completion of all guaranteed annuity benefit payments, any unpaid amounts or
installments will be paid to the Beneficiary. The Company must pay the remaining
payments at least as rapidly as under the payment option in effect on the date
of the Annuitant's death.
With respect to any death benefit, the Accumulated Value under the Contract
shall be based on the unit values next computed after due proof of the
Annuitant's death has been received at the Company's principal office. If the
beneficiary elects to receive the death benefit in one sum, the death benefit
will be paid within seven business days. If the beneficiary has not elected an
annuity option within one year from the date notice of death is received by the
Company, the Company will pay the death benefit in one sum. The death benefit
will reflect any earnings or losses experienced during the period and any
withdrawals.
F. THE SPOUSE OF THE CONTRACT OWNER AS BENEFICIARY.
The Contract Owner's spouse, if named as the sole beneficiary, may by written
request continue the Contract in lieu of receiving the amount payable upon death
of the Contract Owner. Upon such election, the spouse will become the Owner and
Annuitant subject to the following: (a) any value in the Guarantee Period
Accounts will be transferred to the Money Market Sub-Account; (b) the excess, if
any, of the death benefit over the Contract's Accumulated Value will also be
added to the Money Market Sub-Account. Additional payments may be made; however,
a Surrender charge will apply to these amounts. All other rights and benefits
provided in the Contract will continue, except that any subsequent spouse of
such new Contract Owner will not be entitled to continue the Contract upon such
new Owner's death.
G. ASSIGNMENT.
The Contracts, other than those sold in connection with certain qualified plans,
may be assigned by the Contract Owner at any time prior to the Annuity Date and
while the Annuitant is alive (see "FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS"). The Company
will not be deemed to have knowledge of an assignment unless it is made in
writing and filed at the Principal Office. The Company will not assume
responsibility for determining the validity of any assignment. If an assignment
of the Contract is in effect on the Annuity Date, the Company reserves the right
to pay to the assignee, in one sum, that portion of the Surrender Value of the
Contract to which the assignee appears to be entitled. The Company will pay the
balance, if any, in one sum to the Contract Owner in full settlement of all
liability under the Contract. The interest of the Contract Owner and of any
beneficiary will be subject to any assignment.
H. ELECTING THE FORM OF ANNUITY AND THE ANNUITY DATE.
Subject to certain restrictions described below, the Contract Owner has the
right (1) to select the annuity option under which annuity benefit payments are
to be made, and (2) to determine whether payments are to be made on a fixed
basis, a variable basis, or a combination fixed and variable basis. Annuity
benefit payments are determined according to the annuity tables in the Contract,
by the annuity option selected, and by the investment performance of the
Account(s) selected.
To the extent a fixed annuity is selected, Accumulated Value will be transferred
to the Fixed Account of the Company, and the annuity benefit payments will be
fixed in amount. See APPENDIX A, "MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIXED ACCOUNT."
Under a variable annuity, a payment equal to the value of the fixed number of
Annuity Units in the Sub-Account(s) is made monthly, quarterly, semiannually or
annually. Since the value of an Annuity Unit in a Sub-Account will reflect the
investment performance of the Sub-Account, the amount of each annuity benefit
payment will vary.
The annuity option selected must produce an initial payment of at least $50 (a
lower amount may be required in some states). The Company reserves the right to
increase this minimum amount. If the annuity option(s) selected does not produce
an initial payment which meet this minimum, a single payment will be made. Once
the Company begins making annuity benefit payments, the Annuitant cannot make
withdrawals or surrender the annuity benefit, except in the case where future
annuity benefit payments are limited to a "period certain." Only beneficiaries
entitled to receive remaining payments for a "period certain" may elect to
instead receive a lump sum settlement.
The Annuity Date is selected by the Contract Owner. To the extent permitted in
your state, the Annuity Date may be the first day of any month (a) before the
Annuitant's 85th birthday, if the Annuitant's age at the date of issue of the
Contract is 75 or under, or (b) within 10 years from the date of issue of the
Contract and before the
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Annuitant's 90th birthday, if the Annuitant's age at the date of issue is
between 76 and 90. The Contract Owner may elect to change the Annuity Date by
sending a request to the Company's Principal Office at least one month before
the new Annuity date. The new Annuity Date must be the first day of any month
occurring before the Annuitant's 90th birthday and must be within the life
expectancy of the Annuitant. The Company shall determine such life expectancy at
the time a change in Annuity Date is requested. The Internal Revenue Code and
the terms of qualified plans impose limitations on the age at which annuity
benefit payments may commence and the type of annuity option selected. See
"FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS" for further information.
If the Contract Owner does not elect otherwise, a variable life annuity with
periodic payments for 10 years guaranteed will be purchased. Changes in either
the Annuity Date or annuity option can be made up to one month prior to the
Annuity Date.
I. DESCRIPTION OF VARIABLE ANNUITY OPTIONS.
The Company provides the variable annuity options described below. Currently,
Variable annuity options may be funded through the Sub-Accounts investing in the
Select Growth and Income Fund, the Select Income Fund, the Select Growth Fund
and the Money Market Fund.
The Company also provides these same options funded through the fixed account
(fixed-amount annuity option). Regardless of how payments were allocated during
the accumulation period, any one of the variable annuity options or the
fixed-amount options may be selected, or any one of the variable annuity options
may be selected in combination with any one of the fixed-amount annuity options.
Other annuity options may be offered by the Company.
VARIABLE LIFE ANNUITY WITH PAYMENTS GUARANTEED FOR 10 YEARS. This variable
annuity is payable periodically during the lifetime of the payee with the
guarantee that if the payee should die before all payments have been made, the
remaining annuity benefit payments will continue to the beneficiary.
VARIABLE LIFE ANNUITY PAYABLE PERIODICALLY DURING THE LIFETIME OF THE PAYEE
ONLY. It would be possible under this option for the Annuitant to receive only
one annuity benefit payment if the Annuitant dies prior to the due date of the
second annuity benefit payment, two annuity benefit payments if the Annuitant
dies before the due date of the third annuity benefit payment, and so on.
However, payments will continue during the lifetime of the payee, no matter how
long the payee lives.
UNIT REFUND VARIABLE LIFE ANNUITY. This is an annuity payable periodically
during the lifetime of the payee with the guarantee that if (1) exceeds (2) then
periodic variable annuity benefit payments will continue to the beneficiary
until the number of such payments equals the number determined in (1).
Where:
(1) is the dollar amount of the Accumulated Value divided by the dollar
amount of the first payment (which determines the greatest number of payment
payable to the beneficiary), and
(2) is the number of payments paid prior to the death of the payee,
JOINT AND SURVIVOR VARIABLE LIFE ANNUITY. This variable annuity is payable
jointly to two payees during their joint lifetime, and then continues thereafter
during the lifetime of the survivor. The amount of each payment to the survivor
is based on the same number of Annuity Units which applied during the joint
lifetime of the two payees. One of the payees must be either the person
designated as the Annuitant in the Contract or the beneficiary. There is no
minimum number of payments under this option.
JOINT AND TWO-THIRDS SURVIVOR VARIABLE LIFE ANNUITY. This variable annuity is
payable jointly to two payees during their joint lifetime, and then continues
thereafter during the lifetime of the survivor. However, the amount of each
periodic payment to the survivor is based upon two-thirds of the number of
Annuity Units which applied during the joint lifetime of the two payees. One of
the payees must be the person designated as the Annuitant in the Contract or the
beneficiary. There is no minimum number of payments under this option.
PERIOD CERTAIN VARIABLE ANNUITY. This variable annuity has periodic payments
for a stipulated number of years ranging from one to thirty.
It should be noted that the Period Certain Option does not involve a life
contingency. In the computation of the payments under this option, the charge
for annuity rate guarantees, which includes a factor for mortality risks, is
made. Although not contractually required to do so, the Company currently
follows a practice of permitting
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persons receiving payments under the Period Certain Option to elect to convert
to a variable annuity involving a life contingency. The Company may discontinue
or change this practice at any time, but not with respect to election of the
option made prior to the date of any change in this practice. See "FEDERAL TAX
CONSIDERATIONS" for a discussion of the possible adverse tax consequences of
selecting a Period Certain Option.
J. NORRIS DECISION.
In the case of ARIZONA GOVERNING COMMITTEE V. NORRIS, the United States Supreme
Court ruled that, in connection with retirement benefit options offered under
certain employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, annuity options based on
sex-distinct actuarial tables are not permissible under Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964. The ruling requires that benefits derived from contributions
paid into a plan after August 1, 1983 be calculated without regard to the sex of
the employee. Annuity benefits attributable to payments received by the Company
under a Contract issued in connection with an employer-sponsored benefit plan
affected by the Norris decision will be based on the greater of (1) the
Company's unisex Non-Guaranteed Current Annuity Option Rates or (2) the
guaranteed unisex rates described in such Contract, regardless of whether the
Annuitant is male or female.
K. COMPUTATION OF VALUES AND ANNUITY BENEFIT PAYMENTS.
The Accumulation Unit. Each net payment is allocated to the account(s) selected
by the Contract Owner. Allocations to the Sub-Accounts are credited to the
Contract in the form of Accumulation Units. Accumulation Units are credited
separately for each Sub-Account. The number of Accumulation Units of each
Sub-Account credited to the Contract is equal to the portion of the net payment
allocated to the Sub-Account, divided by the dollar value of the applicable
Accumulation Unit as of the Valuation Date the payment is received at the
Company's Principal Office. The number of Accumulation Units resulting from each
payment will remain fixed unless changed by a subsequent split of Accumulation
Unit value, a transfer, a withdrawal, or surrender. The dollar value of an
Accumulation Unit of each Sub-Account varies from Valuation Date to Valuation
Date based on the investment experience of that Sub-Account and will reflect the
investment performance, expenses and charges of its Underlying Funds. The value
of an Accumulation Unit was set at $1.00 on the first Valuation Date for each
Sub-Account.
Allocations to the Guarantee Period Account and the Fixed Account are not
converted into Accumulation Units, but are credited interest at a rate
periodically set by the Company. See Appendix B.
The Accumulated Value under the Contract is determined by (1) multiplying the
number of Accumulation Units in each Sub-Account by the value of an Accumulation
Unit of that Sub-Account on the Valuation Date, (2) adding the products, and (3)
adding the amount of the accumulations in the Fixed Account and Guarantee Period
Accounts, if any.
NET INVESTMENT FACTOR. The Net Investment Factor is an index that measures the
investment performance of a Sub-Account from one Valuation Period to the next.
This factor is equal to 1.000000 plus the result from dividing (a) by (b) and
subtracting (c) and (d) where:
(a) is the investment income of a Sub-Account for the Valuation Period,
including realized or unrealized capital gains and losses during the
Valuation Period, adjusted for provisions made for taxes, if any;
(b) is the value of that Sub-Account's assets at the beginning of the
Valuation Period;
(c) is a charge for mortality and expense risks equal to 1.25% on an
annual basis of the daily value of the Sub-Account's assets, and
(d) is an administrative charge of .15% on an annual basis of the daily
value of the Sub-Account's assets.
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The dollar value of an Accumulation Unit as of a given Valuation Date is
determined by multiplying the dollar value of the corresponding Accumulation
Unit as of the immediately preceding Valuation Date by the appropriate net
investment factor.
For an illustration of Accumulation Unit calculation using a hypothetical
example see "Annuity Payments" in the Statement of Additional Information.
THE ANNUITY UNIT. On and after the Annuity Date, the Annuity Unit is a measure
of the value of the Annuitant's monthly annuity benefit payments under a
variable annuity option. The value of an Annuity Unit in each Sub-Account
initially was set at $1.00. The value of an Annuity Unit under a Sub-Account on
any Valuation Date thereafter is equal to the value of such unit on the
immediately preceding Valuation Date, multiplied by the product of (1) the net
investment factor of the Sub-Account for the current Valuation Period and (2) a
factor to adjust benefits to neutralize the assumed interest rate. The assumed
interest rate, discussed below, is incorporated in the variable annuity options
offered in the Contract.
DETERMINATION OF THE FIRST AND SUBSEQUENT ANNUITY BENEFIT PAYMENTS. The first
periodic annuity benefit payment is based upon the Accumulated Value as of a
date not more than four weeks preceding the date that the first annuity benefit
payment is due. Currently, variable annuity benefit payments are made on the
first of a month based on unit values as of the 15th day of the preceding month.
The Contract provides annuity rates which determine the dollar amount of the
first periodic payment under each form of annuity for each $1,000 of applied
value. For Life Option and Noncommutable Period Certain Options of 10 or more
years, the annuity value is the Accumulated Value less any premium taxes and
adjusted for any Market Value Adjustment. For commutable period certain options
or any period certain option less than 10 years, the value is surrender value
less any premium tax. For a death benefit annuity, the annuity value will be the
amount of the death benefit. The annuity rates in the Contract are based on a
modification of the 1983 Table on rates.
The amount of the first monthly payment depends upon the form of annuity
selected, the sex (however, see "J. Norris Decision") and age of the Annuitant
and the value of the amount applied under the annuity option. The variable
annuity options offered by the Company are based on a 3 1/2% assumed interest
rate. Variable payments are affected by the assumed interest rate used in
calculating the annuity option rates. Variable annuity benefit payments will
increase over periods when the actual net investment result of the Sub-
Account(s) funding the annuity exceeds the equivalent of the assumed interest
rate for the period. Variable annuity benefit payments will decrease over
periods when the actual net investment result of the respective Sub-Account is
less than the equivalent of the assumed interest rate for the period.
The dollar amount of the first periodic annuity benefit payment under life
annuity options and non-commutable period certain options of 10 years or more is
determined by multiplying (1) the Accumulated Value applied under that option
(after application of any Market Value Adjustment and less premium tax, if any)
divided by $1,000, by (2) the applicable amount of the first monthly payment per
$1,000 of value. For commutable period certain options and any period certain
option of less than 10 years, the Surrender Value less premium taxes, if any, is
used rather than the Accumulated Value. The dollar amount of the first variable
annuity benefit payment is then divided by the value of an Annuity Unit of the
selected Sub-Account(s) to determine the number of Annuity Units represented by
the first payment. This number of Annuity Units remains fixed under all annuity
options except the joint and two-thirds survivor annuity option. For each
subsequent payment, the dollar amount of the variable annuity benefit is
determined by multiplying this fixed number of Annuity Units by the value of an
Annuity unit on the applicable Valuation Date.
After the first benefit payment, the dollar amount of each periodic variable
annuity benefit payment will vary with subsequent variations in the value of the
Annuity Unit of the selected Sub-Account(s). The dollar amount of each fixed
amount annuity benefit payment is fixed and will not change, except under the
joint and two-thirds survivor annuity option.
The Company may from time to time offer its Contract Owners both fixed and
variable annuity rates more favorable than those contained in the Contract. Any
such rates will be applied uniformly to all Contract Owners of the same class.
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For an illustration of variable annuity benefit payment calculations using a
hypothetical example, see "Annuity Payments" in the Statement of Additional
Information.
GUARANTEE PERIOD ACCOUNTS
Due to certain exemptive and exclusionary provisions in the securities laws,
interests in the Guarantee Period Accounts and the Company's Fixed Account are
not registered as an investment company under the provisions of the Securities
Act of 1933 or the Investment Company Act of 1940. Accordingly, the staff of the
Commission has not reviewed the disclosures in this Prospectus relating to the
Guarantee Period Accounts or the Fixed Account. Nevertheless, disclosures
regarding the Guarantee Period Accounts and the Fixed Account of this annuity
Contract or any benefits offered under these accounts may be subject to the
provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 relating to the accuracy and
completeness of statements made in the Prospectus.
INVESTMENT OPTIONS -- In most jurisdictions, there are currently seven Guarantee
Periods available under this Contract with Guarantee Periods of three, five,
six, seven, eight, nine and ten years. Each Guarantee Period established for the
Contract Owner is accounted for separately in a non-unitized segregated account.
Each Guarantee Period Account provides for the accumulation of interest at a
Guaranteed Interest Rate. The Guaranteed Interest Rate on amounts allocated or
transferred to a Guarantee Period Account is determined from time-to-time by the
Company in accordance with market conditions; however, once an interest rate is
in effect for a Guarantee Period Account, the Company may not change it during
the duration of the Guarantee Period. In no event will the Guaranteed Interest
Rate be less than 3%.
To the extent permitted by law, the Company reserves the right at any time to
offer Guarantee Periods with durations that differ from those which were
available when a Contract was initially issued and to stop accepting new
allocations, transfers or renewals to a particular Guarantee Period.
Contract Owners may allocate net payments or make transfers from any of the
Sub-Accounts, the Fixed Account or an existing Guarantee Period Account to
establish a new Guarantee Period at any time prior to the Annuity Date.
Transfers from a Guarantee Period Account on any date other than on the day
following the expiration of that Guarantee Period will be subject to a Market
Value Adjustment. The Company establishes a separate investment account each
time the Contract Owner allocates or transfers amounts to a Guarantee Period
Account except that amounts allocated to the same Guarantee Period on the same
day will be treated as one Guarantee Period Account. The minimum that may be
allocated to establish a Guarantee Period Account is $1,000. If less than $1,000
is allocated, the Company reserves the right to apply that amount to the Money
Market Fund. The Contract Owner may allocate amounts to any of the Guarantee
Periods available.
At least 45 days, but not more that 75 days prior to the end of a Guarantee
Period, the Company will notify the Contract Owner in writing of the expiration
of that Guarantee Period. At the end of a Guarantee Period the Owner may
transfer amounts to the Sub-Accounts, the Fixed Account or establish a new
Guarantee Period Account of any duration then offered by the Company without a
Market Value Adjustment. If reallocation instructions are not received at the
Principal Office before the end of a Guarantee Period, the account value will be
automatically applied to a new Guarantee Period Account with the same duration
unless less than $1,000 remains in the Guarantee Period Account on the
expiration date, or unless the Guarantee Period would extend beyond the Annuity
Date or is no longer available. In such cases, the Guarantee Period Account
value will be transferred to the Money Market Fund.
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT -- No Market Value Adjustment will be applied to
transfers, withdrawals, or a surrender from a Guarantee Period Account on the
expiration of the Guarantee Period. In addition, no negative Market Value
Adjustment will be applied to a death benefit although a positive Market Value
Adjustment, if any, will be applied to increase the value of the death benefit
when based on the Contract's Accumulated Value. See "Death Benefit". A Market
Value Adjustment will apply to all other transfers or withdrawals, or a
surrender. Amounts applied under an annuity option are treated as withdrawals
when
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calculating the Market Value Adjustment. The Market Value Adjustment will be
determined by multiplying the amount taken from each Guarantee Period Account
before deduction of any Surrender Charge by the market value factor. The market
value factor for each Guarantee Period Account is equal to:
[(1+i)/(1+j)](n/365)-1
where:
i is the Guaranteed Interest Rate expressed as a decimal (for example:
3% = 0.03) being credited to the current Guarantee Period;
j is the new Guaranteed Interest Rate, expressed as a decimal, for a
Guarantee Period with a duration equal to the number of years remaining in
the current Guarantee Period, rounded to the next higher number of whole
years. If that rate is not available, the Company will use a suitable rate
or index allowed by the Department of Insurance; and
n is the number of days remaining from the Effective Valuation Date to
the end of the current Guarantee Period.
If the Guaranteed Interest Rate being credited is lower than the current
Guaranteed Interest Rate, the Market Value Adjustment will decrease the
Guarantee Period Account value. Similarly, if the Guaranteed Interest Rate being
credited is higher than the current Guaranteed Interest Rate, the Market Value
Adjustment will increase the Guarantee Period Account value. The Market Value
Adjustment will never result in a change to the value more than the interest
earned in excess of the Minimum Guarantee Period Account Interest Rate (see
Specifications page) compounded annually from the beginning of the current
Guarantee Period. For examples of how the Market Value Adjustment works, See
Appendix B.
WITHDRAWALS -- Prior to the Annuity Date, the Contract Owner may make
withdrawals of amounts held in the Guarantee Period Accounts. Withdrawals from
these accounts will be made in the same manner and be subject to the same rules
as set forth under "Withdrawals" and "Surrender." In addition, the following
provisions also apply to withdrawals from a Guarantee Period Account: a) a
market value adjustment will apply to all withdrawals, including Withdrawals
without Surrender Charge, unless made at the end of the Guarantee Period; and b)
the Company reserves the right to defer payments of amounts withdrawn from a
Guarantee Period Account for up to six months from the date it receives the
withdrawal request. If deferred for 30 days or more, the Company will pay
interest on the amount deferred at a rate of at least 3%.
In the event that a Market Value Adjustment applies to a withdrawal of a portion
of the value of a Guarantee Period Account, it will be calculated on the amount
requested and deducted or added to the amount remaining in the Guarantee Period
Account. If the entire amount in a Guarantee Period Account is requested, the
adjustment will be made to the amount payable. If a Contingent Deferred Sales
Charge applies to the withdrawal, it will be calculated as set forth under
"Contingent Deferred Sales Charge" after application of the Market Value
Adjustment.
FEDERAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
The effect of federal income taxes on the value of a Contract, on withdrawals or
surrenders, on annuity benefit payments, and on the economic benefit to the
Contract Owner, Annuitant, or beneficiary depends upon a variety of factors. The
following discussion is based upon the Company's understanding of current
federal income tax laws as they are interpreted as of the date of this
Prospectus. No representation is made regarding the likelihood of continuation
of current federal income tax laws or of current interpretations by the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS).
IT SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED THAT THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION OF FEDERAL INCOME TAX
ASPECTS OF AMOUNTS RECEIVED UNDER VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE,
DOES NOT PURPORT TO COVER ALL SITUATIONS AND IS NOT INTENDED AS TAX ADVICE. A
QUALIFIED TAX ADVISER SHOULD ALWAYS BE CONSULTED WITH REGARD TO THE APPLICATION
OF LAW TO INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
The Company intends to make a charge for any effect which the income, assets, or
existence of the Contracts, the Variable Account or the Sub-Accounts may have
upon its tax. The Variable Account presently is not subject
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to tax, but the Company reserves the right to assess a charge for taxes should
the Variable Account at any time become subject to tax. Any charge for taxes
will be assessed on a fair and equitable basis in order to preserve equity among
classes of Contract Owners and with respect to each separate account as though
that separate account were a separate taxable entity.
The Variable Account is considered to be a part of and taxed with the operations
of the Company. The Company is taxed as a life insurance company under
subchapter L of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). The Company files a
consolidated tax return with its affiliates.
The Internal Revenue Service has issued regulations relating to the
diversification requirements for variable annuity and variable life insurance
contracts under Section 817(h) of the Code. The regulations provide that the
investments of a segregated asset account underlying a variable annuity contract
are adequately diversified if no more than 55% of the value of its assets is
represented by any one investment, no more than 70% by any two investments, no
more than 80% by any three investments, and no more than 90% by any four
investments. If the investments are not adequately diversified, the income on a
contract, for any taxable year of the Contract Owner, would be treated as
ordinary income received or accrued by the Contract Owner. It is anticipated
that the Funds of the Allmerica Investment Trust, the Portfolios of VIP and VIP
II, the Portfolio of T. Rowe Price and the Series of DGPF will comply with the
diversification requirements.
A. QUALIFIED AND NON-QUALIFIED CONTRACTS.
From a federal tax viewpoint there are two types of variable annuity Contracts,
"qualified" Contracts and "non-qualified" Contracts. A qualified Contract is one
that is purchased in connection with a retirement plan which meets the
requirements of Sections 401, 403, 408, or 457 of the Code, while a
non-qualified Contract is one that is not purchased in connection with one of
the indicated retirement plans. The tax treatment for certain withdrawals or
surrenders will vary according to whether they are made from a qualified
Contract or a non-qualified Contract. For more information on the tax provisions
applicable to qualified Contracts, see Sections D through J, below.
B. TAXATION OF THE CONTRACTS IN GENERAL.
The Company believes that the Contracts described in this Prospectus will, with
certain exceptions (see K below), be considered annuity contracts under Section
72 of the Code. This section provides for the taxation of annuities. The
following discussion concerns annuities subject to Section 72. Section
72(e)(11)(A)(ii) requires that all non-qualified deferred annuity contracts
issued by the same insurance company to the same Contract Owner during the same
calendar year be treated as a single contract in determining taxable
distributions under Section 72(e).
With certain exceptions, any increase in the Accumulated Value of the Contract
is not taxable to the Contract Owner until it is withdrawn from the Contract. If
the Contract is surrendered or amounts are withdrawn prior to the Annuity Date,
to the extent of the amount withdrawn any investment gain in value over the cost
basis of the Contract would be taxed as ordinary income. Under the current
provisions of the Code, amounts received under a non-qualified Contract prior to
the Annuity Date (including payments made upon the death of the Annuitant or
Contract Owner), or as non-periodic payments after the Annuity Date, are
generally first attributable to any investment gains credited to the Contract
over the taxpayer's basis (if any) in the Contract. Such amounts will be treated
as income subject to federal income taxation.
A 10% penalty tax may be imposed on the withdrawal of investment gains if the
withdrawal is made prior to age 59 1/2. The penalty tax will not be imposed
after age 59 1/2, or if the withdrawal follows the death of the Contract Owner
(or, if the Contract Owner is not an individual, the death of the primary
Annuitant, as defined in the Code), or in the case of the "total disability" (as
defined in the Code) of the Owner. Furthermore, under Section 72 of the Code,
this penalty tax will not be imposed, irrespective of age, if the amount
received is one of a series of "substantially equal" periodic payments made at
least annually for the life or life expectancy of the payee. This requirement is
met when the Contract Owner elects to have distributions made over the Contract
Owner's life expectancy, or over the joint life expectancy of the Contract Owner
and beneficiary. The requirement that the amount be paid out as one of a series
of "substantially equal" periodic payments is met when the number of units
withdrawn to make each distribution is substantially the same.
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In a Private Letter Ruling, the IRS took the position that where distributions
from a variable annuity contract were determined by amortizing the Accumulated
Value of the contract over the taxpayer's remaining life expectancy (such as
under the Contract's life expectancy distribution ("LED") option), and the
option could be changed or terminated at any time, the distributions failed to
qualify as part of a "series of substantially equal payments" within the meaning
of Section 72 of the Code. The distributions were therefore subject to the 10%
federal penalty tax. This Private Letter Ruling may be applicable to a Contract
Owner who receives distributions under the LED option prior to age 59 1/2.
Subsequent Private Letter Rulings, however, have treated LED-type withdrawal
programs as effectively avoiding the 10% penalty tax. The position of the IRS on
this issue is unclear.
If the Contract Owner transfers (assigns) the Contract to another individual as
a gift prior to the Annuity Date, the Code provides that the Contract Owner will
incur taxable income at the time of the transfer. An exception is provided for
certain transfers between spouses. The amount of taxable income upon such
taxable transfer is equal to the excess, if any, of the Surrender Value of the
Contract over the Contract Owner's cost basis at the time of the transfer. The
transfer is also subject to federal gift tax provisions. Where the Contract
Owner and Annuitant are different persons, the change of ownership of the
Contract to the Annuitant on the Annuity Date, as required under the Contract,
is a gift and will be taxable to the Contract Owner as such. However, the
Contract Owner will not incur taxable income. Rather the Annuitant will incur
taxable income upon receipt of annuity benefit payments as discussed below.
When annuity benefit payments are commenced under the Contract, generally a
portion of each payment may be excluded from gross income. The excludable
portion is generally determined by a formula that establishes the ratio that the
cost basis of the Contract bears to the expected return under the Contract. The
portion of the payment in excess of this excludable amount is taxable as
ordinary income. Once all cost basis in the Contract is recovered, the entire
payment is taxable. If the Annuitant dies before cost basis is recovered, a
deduction for the difference is allowed on the Annuitant's final tax return.
C. TAX WITHHOLDING AND PENALTIES.
The Code requires withholding with respect to payments or distributions from
nonqualified contracts and IRAs, unless a taxpayer elects not to have
withholding. A 20% withholding requirement applies to distributions from most
other qualified contracts. In addition, the Code requires reporting to the IRS
of the amount of income received with respect to payment or distributions from
annuities.
In certain situations, the Code provides for a tax penalty if, prior to death,
disability or attainment of age 59 1/2, a Contract Owner makes a withdrawal or
receives any amount under the Contract, unless the distribution is in the form
of a life annuity (including life expectancy distributions). The penalty is 10%
of the amount includible in income by the Contract Owner.
The tax treatment of certain withdrawals or surrenders of the non-qualified
Contracts offered by this Prospectus will vary according to whether the amount
withdrawn or surrendered is allocable to an investment in the Contract made
before or after certain dates.
D. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO QUALIFIED EMPLOYER PLANS.
The tax rules applicable to qualified employer plans, as defined by the Code,
vary according to the type of plan and the terms and conditions of the plan
itself. Therefore, the following is general information about the use of the
Contracts with various types of qualified plans. The rights of any person to any
benefits under such qualified plans will be subject to the terms and conditions
of the qualified plans themselves regardless of the terms and conditions of the
Contract.
A loan to a participant or beneficiary from plans qualified under Sections 401
and 403 or an assignment or pledge of an interest in such a plan is generally
treated as a distribution. This general rule does not apply to loans which
contain certain repayment terms and do not exceed a specified maximum amount, as
required under Section 72(p).
E. QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSION AND PROFIT SHARING TRUSTS AND QUALIFIED ANNUITY
PLANS.
When an employee (including a self-employed individual) or one or more of the
employee's beneficiaries receives a "lump sum" distribution (a distribution from
a qualified plan described in Code Section
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401(a) within one taxable year equal to the total amount payable with respect to
such an employee) the taxable portion of such distribution may qualify for
special treatment under a special five-year income averaging provision of the
Code. The employee must have had at least 5 years of participation under the
plan, and the lump sum distribution must be made after the employee has attained
age 59 1/2 or on account of his or her death, separation from the employer's
service (in the case of a common-law employee) or disability (in the case of a
self-employed individual). Such treatment can be elected for only one taxable
year once the individual has reached age 59 1/2. An employee who attained age 50
before January 1, 1986 may elect to treat part of the taxable portion of a
lump-sum distribution as long-term capital gains and may also elect 10-year
averaging instead of five-year averaging.
The Company can provide prototype plans for certain of the pension or profit
sharing plans for review by your legal counsel. For information, ask your agent.
F. SELF-EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS.
The Self-Employed Individuals Tax Retirement Act of 1962, as amended, frequently
referred to as "H.R. 10", allows self-employed individuals and partners to
establish qualified pension and profit sharing trusts and annuity plans to
provide benefits for themselves and their employees.
These plans generally are subject to the same rules and requirements applicable
to corporate qualified plans, with some special restrictions imposed on
"owner-employees." An "owner-employee" is an employee who (1) owns the entire
interest in an unincorporated trade or business, or (2) owns more than 10% of
either the capital interest or profits interest in a partnership.
G. INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT PLANS.
Any individual who earns "compensation" (as defined in the Code and including
alimony payable under a court decree) from employment or self-employment,
whether or not he or she is covered by another qualified plan, may establish an
Individual Retirement Account or Annuity plan ("IRA") for the accumulation of
retirement savings on a tax-deferred basis. Income from investments is not
included in "compensation." The assets of an IRA may be invested in, among other
things, annuity contracts including the Contracts offered by this Prospectus.
Contributions to the may be made by the individual or on behalf of the
individual by an employer. IRA contributions may be deductible up to the lesser
of (1) $2,000 or (2) 100% of compensation. The deduction is reduced
proportionately for adjusted gross income between $40,000 and $50,000 (between
$25,000 and $35,000 for unmarried taxpayers and between $0 and $10,000 for a
married taxpayer filing separately) if the taxpayer and his or her spouse file a
joint return and either is an active participant in an employer-sponsored
retirement plan.
An individual and a working spouse each may have an IRA with the above-described
limit on each. An individual with an IRA may establish an additional IRA for a
non-working spouse if they file a joint return. Contributions to the two IRAs
together are deductible up to the lesser of $2,250 or 100% of compensation.
No deduction is allowed for contributions made for the year in which the
individual attains age 70 1/2 and years thereafter. Contributions for that year
and for years thereafter will result in certain adverse tax consequences.
Non-deductible contributions may be made to IRAs until the year in which the
individual attains age 70 1/2. Although these contributions may not be deducted,
taxes on their earnings are deferred until the earnings are distributed. The
maximum permissible non-deductible contribution is $2,000 for an individual
taxpayer and $2,250 for a taxpayer and non-working spouse. These limits are
reduced by the amount of any deductible contributions made by the taxpayer.
Contributions may be made with respect to a particular year until the due date
of the individual's federal income tax return for that year, not including
extensions. However, for reporting purposes, the Company will regard
contributions as being applicable to the year made unless it receives notice to
the contrary.
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All annuity benefit payments and other distributions under an IRA will be taxed
as ordinary income unless the owner has made non-deductible contributions. In
addition, a minimum level of distributions must begin no later than April 1
following the year in which the individual attains age 70 1/2, and failure to
make adequate distributions at this time may result in certain adverse tax
consequences to the individual.
Distributions from all of an individual's IRAs are treated as if they were a
distribution from one IRA and all distributions during the same taxable year are
treated as if they were one distribution. An individual who makes a
non-deductible contribution to an IRA or receives a distribution from an IRA
during the taxable year must provide certain information on the individual's tax
return to enable the IRS to determine the proportion of the IRA balance which
represents non-deductible contributions. If the required information is
provided, that part of the amount withdrawn which is proportionate to the
individual's aggregate non-deductible contributions over the aggregate balance
of all of the individual's IRAs, is excludable from income.
Distributions which are a return of a non-deductible contribution are
non-taxable, as they represent a return of basis. If the required information is
not provided to the IRS, distributions from an IRA to which both deductible and
non-deductible contributions have been made are presumed to be fully taxable.
H. SIMPLIFIED EMPLOYEE PENSIONS.
Employers may establish Simplified Employee Pensions ("SEPs") under Code Section
408(k) if certain requirements are met. A SEP is an IRA to which the employer
contributes under a written formula. Currently, a SEP may accept employer
contributions each year up to $30,000 or 15% of compensation (as defined),
whichever is less. To establish SEPs the employer must make a contribution for
every employee age 21 and over who has performed services for the employer for
at least three of the five immediately preceding calendar years and who has
earned at least $300 for the year. SEP contributions for employees over age
70 1/2 are permissible.
The employer's contribution is excluded from the employee's gross income for the
taxable year for which it was made up to the $30,000/15% limit. In addition to
the employer's contribution, the employee may contribute 100% of the employee's
earned income, up to $2,000, to the SEP, but such contributions will be subject
to the rules described above in "G. Individual Retirement Account Plans."
These plans are subject to the general employer's deduction limitations
applicable to all corporate qualified plans.
I. PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS AND CERTAIN TAX-EXEMPT ORGANIZATIONS.
Under the provisions of Section 403(b) of the Code, payments made for annuity
Contracts purchased for employees under annuity plans adopted by public school
systems and certain organizations which are tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3)
of the Code are excludable from the gross income of such employees to the extent
that the aggregate purchase payments for such annuity Contracts in any year do
not exceed the maximum contribution permitted under the Code.
A Contract qualifying under Section 403(b) of the Code must provide that
withdrawals or other distributions attributable to salary reduction
contributions (including earnings thereon) may not begin before the employee
attains age 59 1/2, separates from service, dies, or becomes disabled. In the
case of hardship a Contract Owner may withdraw amounts contributed by salary
reduction, but not the earnings on such amounts. Even though a distribution may
be permitted under these rules (e.g., for hardship or after separation from
service), it may nonetheless be subject to a 10% penalty tax as a premature
distribution, in addition to income tax. The distribution restrictions are
effective for years beginning after December 31, 1988, but only with respect to
amounts that were not held under the Contract as of that date.
J. TEXAS OPTIONAL RETIREMENT PROGRAM.
Under a Code Section 403(b) annuity contract issued as a result of participation
in the Texas Optional Retirement Program, distributions may not be received
except in the case of the participant's death, retirement or termination of
employment in the Texas public institutions of higher education. These
restrictions are imposed by reason of an opinion of the Texas Attorney General
interpreting the Texas laws governing the Optional Retirement Program.
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<PAGE>
K. SECTION 457 PLANS FOR STATE GOVERNMENTS AND TAX-EXEMPT ENTITIES.
Code Section 457 allows employees of a state, one of its political subdivisions,
or certain tax-exempt entities to participate in eligible government deferred
compensation plans. An eligible plan, by its terms, must not allow deferral of
more than $7,500 or 33 1/3% of a participant's includible compensation for the
taxable year, whichever is less. Includible compensation does not include
amounts excludable under the eligible deferred compensation plan or amounts paid
into a Code Section 403(b) annuity. The amount a participant may defer must be
reduced dollar-for-dollar by elective deferrals under a SEP, 401(k) plan or a
deductible employee contribution to a 501(c)(18) plan. Under eligible deferred
compensation plans the state, political subdivision, or tax-exempt entity will
be owner of the Contract.
If an employee also participates in another eligible plan or contributes to a
Code Section 403(b) annuity, a single limit of $7,500 will be applied for all
plans. Additionally, the employee must designate how much of the $7,500 or
33 1/3% limitation will be allocated among the various plans. Contributions to
an eligible plan will serve to reduce the maximum exclusion allowance for a Code
Section 403(b) annuity. Amounts received by employees under such plans generally
are includible in gross income in the year of receipt.
L. NON-INDIVIDUAL OWNERS.
Non-individual Owners (e.g., a corporation) of deferred annuity contracts
generally will be currently taxed on any increase in the cash surrender value of
the deferred annuity attributable to contributions made after February 28, 1986.
This rule does not apply to immediate annuities or to deferred annuities held by
a qualified pension plan, an IRA, a 403(b) plan, estates, employers with respect
to terminated pension plans, or a nominee or agent holding a contract for the
benefit of an individual. Corporate-owned annuities may result in exposure to
the alternative minimum tax, to the extent that income on the annuities
increases the corporation's adjusted current earnings.
REPORTS
A Contract Owner is sent a report semi-annually which states certain financial
information about the Underlying Funds. The Company will also furnish an annual
report to the Contract Owner containing a statement of his or her account,
including unit values and other information as required by applicable law, rules
and regulations.
LOANS (QUALIFIED CONTRACTS ONLY)
Loans are available to owners of TSA contracts (i.e. contracts issued under
Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code) and to contracts issued to plans
qualified under Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Code. Loans are subject to
provisions of the Code and to applicable qualified retirement plan rules. Tax
advisors and plan fiduciaries should be consulted prior to exercising loan
privileges.
Loaned amounts will first be withdrawn from Sub-Account and Fixed Account values
on a pro-rata basis until exhausted. Thereafter, any additional amounts will be
withdrawn from the Guarantee Period Accounts (pro-rata by duration and LIFO
(last-in, first-out) within each duration), subject to any applicable Market
Value Adjustments. The maximum loan amount will be determined under the
Company's maximum loan formula. The minimum loan amount is $1,000. Loans will be
secured by a security interest in the contract and the amount borrowed will be
transferred to a loan asset account within the Company's General Account, where
it will accrue interest at a specified rate below the then-current loan rate.
Generally, loans must be repaid within five years or less and repayments must be
made quarterly and in substantially equal amounts. Repayments will be allocated
pro-rata in accordance with the most recent payment allocation, except that any
allocations to a Guarantee Period Account will instead be allocated to the Money
Market Fund.
CHANGES IN OPERATION OF THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT
The Company reserves the right, subject to compliance with applicable law, to
(1) transfer assets from any separate account or Sub-Account to another of the
Company's separate accounts or Sub-Accounts having assets of the same class, (2)
to operate the Variable Account or any Sub-Account as a management investment
company under the 1940 Act or in any other form permitted by law, (3) to
deregister the Variable Account
39
<PAGE>
under the 1940 Act in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, (4) to
substitute the shares of any other registered investment company for the
Underlying Fund shares held by a Sub-Account, in the event that Underlying Fund
shares are unavailable for investment, or if the Company determines that further
investment in such Underlying Fund shares is inappropriate in view of the
purpose of the Sub-Account, (5) to change the methodology for determining the
net investment factor, and (6) to change the names of the Variable Account or of
the Sub-Accounts. In no event will the changes described above be made without
notice to Contract Owners in accordance with the 1940 Act.
DISTRIBUTION
The Contracts offered by the Prospectus may be purchased from certain
independent broker-dealers which are registered under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
("NASD"). The Contracts are also offered through Allmerica Investments, Inc.,
which is the principal underwriter and distributor of the Contracts. Allmerica
Investments, Inc., 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01653, is a
registered broker-dealer, member of the NASD and an indirectly wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company.
The Company pays commissions not to exceed 6.0% of purchase payments to
broker-dealers which sell the Contracts. To the extent permitted by NASD rules,
promotional incentives or payments may also be provided to such broker-dealers
based on sales volumes, the assumption of wholesaling functions, or other
sales-related criteria. Additional payments may be made for other services not
directly related to the sale of the Contracts, including the recruitment and
training of personnel, production of promotional literature, and similar
services. The Company intends to recoup commissions and other sales expenses
through a combination of anticipated contingent deferred sales charges and
profits from the Company's General Account. Commissions paid on the Contracts,
including additional incentives or payments, do not result in any additional
charge to Contract Owners or to the Variable Account. Any contingent deferred
sales charges assessed on a Contract will be retained by the Company.
Contract Owners may direct any inquiries to their financial adviser or to
Allmerica Investments, Inc., 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts 01653,
1-800-366-1492.
LEGAL MATTERS
There are no legal proceedings pending to which the Variable Account is a party.
FURTHER INFORMATION
A Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933 relating to this
offering has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain
portions of the Registration Statement and amendments have been omitted in this
Prospectus pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission. The omitted
information may be obtained from the Commission's principal office in
Washington, D.C., upon payment of the Commission's prescribed fees.
40
<PAGE>
APPENDIX A
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FIXED ACCOUNT
Because of exemption and exclusionary provisions in the securities laws,
interests in the Fixed Account are not generally subject to regulation under the
provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 or the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Disclosures regarding the fixed portion of the annuity contract and the Fixed
Account may be subject to the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933
concerning the accuracy and completeness of statements made in the Prospectus.
The disclosures in this APPENDIX A have not been reviewed by the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
The Fixed Account is made up of all of the general assets of the Company other
than those allocated to a separate account. Allocations to the Fixed Account
become part of the assets of the Company and are used to support insurance and
annuity obligations. A portion or all of net payments may be allocated to
accumulate at a fixed rate of interest in the Fixed Account. Such net amounts
are guaranteed by the Company as to principal and a minimum rate of interest.
Under the Contracts, the minimum interest which may be credited on amounts
allocated to the Fixed Account is 3% compounded annually. Additional "Excess
Interest" may or may not be credited at the sole discretion of the Company.
If a Contract is surrendered, or if an excess amount is withdrawn, while the
Contract is in force and before the Annuity Date, a contingent deferred sales
charge is imposed if such event occurs before the payments attributable to the
surrender or withdrawal have been credited to the Contract less than seven full
contract years.
41
<PAGE>
APPENDIX B
SURRENDER CHARGES AND THE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
PART 1: SURRENDER CHARGES
FULL SURRENDER
Assume a payment of $50,000 is made on the Date of Issue and no additional
payments are made. Assume there are no withdrawals and that the Withdrawal
Without Surrender Charge Amount is equal to the greater of 10% of the current
Accumulated Value or the accumulated earnings in the contract. The table below
presents examples of the surrender charge resulting from a full surrender based
on Hypothetical Accumulated Values:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WITHDRAWAL
WITHOUT
HYPOTHETICAL SURRENDER SURRENDER
ACCOUNT ACCUMULATED CHARGE CHARGE SURRENDER
YEAR VALUE AMOUNT PERCENTAGE CHARGE
- --------- ------------ ----------- --------------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 $54,000.00 $5,400.00 6.5% $3,159.00
2 58,320.00 8,320.00 6.0% 3,000.00
3 62,985.60 12,985.60 5.0% 2,500.00
4 68,024.45 18,024.45 4.0% 2,000.00
5 73,466.40 23,466.40 3.0% 1,500.00
6 79,343.72 29,343.72 2.0% 1,000.00
7 85,691.21 35,691.21 1.0% 500.00
8 92,546.51 42,546.51 0% 0.00
</TABLE>
WITHDRAWALS
Assume a payment of $50,000 is made on the Date of Issue and no additional
Purchase Payments are made. Assume that the Withdrawal Without Surrender Charge
amount is equal to the greater of 10% of the current Accumulated Value or the
accumulated earnings in the contract and there are withdrawals as detailed
below. The table below presents examples of the surrender charge resulting from
withdrawals of the Contract Owner's Account, based on Hypothetical Accumulated
Values.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WITHDRAWAL
WITHOUT
HYPOTHETICAL SURRENDER SURRENDER
ACCOUNT ACCUMULATED CHARGE CHARGE SURRENDER
YEAR VALUE WITHDRAWALS AMOUNT PERCENTAGE CHARGE
- --------- ------------ ------------ ----------- --------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1 $54,000.00 $ 0.00 $5,400.00 6.5% $ 0.00
2 58,320.00 0.00 8,320.00 6.0% 0.00
3 62,985.60 0.00 12,985.60 5.0% 0.00
4 68,024.45 30,000.00 18,024.45 4.0% 479.02
5 41,066.40 10,000.00 4,106.64 3.0% 176.80
6 33,551.72 5,000.00 3,355.17 2.0% 32.90
7 30,835.85 10,000.00 3,083.59 1.0% 69.16
8 22,502.72 15,000.00 2,250.27 0% 0.00
</TABLE>
PART 2: MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT
The market value factor is: [(1+i)/(1+j)](n/365)-1
The following examples assume:
1. The payment was allocated to a ten- year Guarantee Period Account with a
Guaranteed Interest Rate of 8%.
2. The date of surrender is seven years (2555 days) from the expiration
date.
3. The value of the Guarantee Period Account is equal to $62,985.60 at the
end of three years.
4. No transfers of withdrawals affecting this Guarantee Period Account have
been made.
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<PAGE>
5. Surrender charges, if any, are calculated in the same manner as shown in
the examples in Part 1.
NEGATIVE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT (UNCAPPED)
Assume that on the date of surrender, the current rate (j) is 10.00% or 0.10
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
The market value factor = [(1+i)/(1+j)](n/365)-1
= [(1+.08)/(1+.10)](2555/365)-1
= (.98182)(7)-1
= -.12054
The market value
adjustment = the market value factor multiplied by the
withdrawal
= -.12054*$62,985.60
= -$7,592.11
</TABLE>
POSITIVE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT (UNCAPPED)
Assume that on the date of surrender, the current rate (j) is 7.00% or 0.07
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
The market value factor = [(1+i)/(1+j)]n/365-1
= [(1+.08)/(1+.07)](2555/365)-1
= (1.0093)(7)-1
= .06694
The market value
adjustment = the market value factor multiplied by the
withdrawal
= .06694*$62,985.60
= $4,216.26
</TABLE>
NEGATIVE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT (CAPPED)
Assume that on the date of surrender, the current rate (j) is 11.00% or 0.11
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
The market value factor = [(1+i)/(1+j)](n/365)-1
= [(1+.08)/(1+.11)](2555/365)-1
= (.97297)(7)-1
= -.17454
The market value
adjustment = Minimum of the market value factor
multiplied by the withdrawal or the
negative of the excess interest earned over
3%
= Minimum (-.17454*$62,985.60 or -$8,349.25)
= Minimum (-$10,993.51 or -$8,349.25)
= -$8,349.25
</TABLE>
POSITIVE MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT (CAPPED)
Assume that on the date of surrender, the current rate (j) is 6.00% or 0.06
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
The market value factor = [(1+i)/(1+j)](n/365)-1
= [(1+.08)/(1+.06)](2555/365)-1
= (1.01887)(7)-1
= .13981
The market value
adjustment = Minimum of the market value factor
multiplied by the withdrawal or the excess
interest earned over 3%
= Minimum of (.13981*$62,985.60 or $8,349.25)
= Minimum of ($8,806.02 or $8,349.25)
= $8,349.25
</TABLE>
43
<PAGE>
FIRST ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
for
Group and Individual Variable Annuity Contracts Funded through
Allmerica Select Separate Account
THIS STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS NOT A PROSPECTUS. IT SHOULD BE
READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE PROSPECTUS FOR THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT DATED
JULY 8, 1996 ("THE PROSPECTUS"). THE PROSPECTUS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM
ALLMERICA INVESTMENTS, INC., 440 LINCOLN STREET, WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
01653, 1-800-366-1492.
DATED JULY 8, 1996
<PAGE>
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY............................................... 2
TAXATION OF THE CONTRACT, THE VARIABLE ACCOUNT AND THE COMPANY................ 2
SERVICES...................................................................... 3
UNDERWRITERS.................................................................. 3
ANNUITY PAYMENTS.............................................................. 3
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION....................................................... 5
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.......................................................... 8
GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY
Allmerica Select Variable Account ("Variable Account") is a separate investment
account of First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company ("the Company")
authorized pursuant to a vote of the Board of Directors on August 20, 1991.
The Company, 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts, is a mutual life
insurance company organized under the laws of Massachusetts in 1844.
Currently, 11 Sub-accounts of the Variable Account are available under the
Contracts. Each Sub-account invests in a corresponding investment portfolio of
Allmerica Investment Trust ("Trust"), Variable Insurance Products Fund ("VIP")
or T. Rowe Price International Series, Inc. ("T. Rowe Price").
The Trust, VIP and T. Rowe Price are open-end, diversified series
investment companies. Seven different funds of the Trust are available under
the Policies: Select International Equity Fund, Select Aggressive
Growth Fund, Select Capital Appreciation Fund, Select Growth Fund, Select
Growth and Income Fund, Select Income Fund and Money Market Fund. Three
of the portfolios of VIP are available under the Policies: the Fidelity
VIP High Income Portfolio, Fidelity VIP Equity-Income Portfolio and
Fidelity VIP Growth Portfolio. One portfolio of T. Rowe Price is available
under the Policies: the T. Rowe Price International Stock Portfolio. Each
Fund, Portfolio and Series available under the Contracts has its own
investment objectives and certain attendant risks.
TAXATION OF THE CONTRACT, VARIABLE
ACCOUNT AND THE COMPANY
The Company currently imposes no charge for taxes payable in connection with
the Contract, other than for state and local premium taxes and
similar assessments when applicable. The Company reserves the right to
impose a charge for any other taxes that may become payable in the future in
connection with the Contracts or the Variable Account.
The Variable Account is considered to be a part of and taxed with the
operations of the Company. The Company is taxed as a life insurance
company under subchapter L of the Internal Revenue code (the "Code") and
files a consolidated tax return with its affiliated companies.
The Company reserves the right to make a charge for any effect which the
income, assets, or existence of Contracts or the
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<PAGE>
Variable Account may have upon its tax. Such charge for taxes, if any, will
be assessed on a fair and equitable basis in order to preserve equity among
classes of Contract Owners. The Variable Account presently is not subject to
tax.
SERVICES
Custodian of Securities. The Company serves as custodian of the assets of the
Variable Account. Trust shares owned by the Sub-Accounts are held on an open
account basis. A Sub-Account's ownership of Trust shares is reflected on
the records of the Trust and not represented by any transferable stock
certificates.
Experts. The financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 1995 and
1994 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995
and of Allmerica Select Variable Account of the Company as of December 31,
1995 and for the periods indicated, included in this Statement of Additional
Information constituting part of the Registration Statement, have been so
included in reliance on the report of Price Waterhouse LLP, independent
accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and
accounting.
The financial statements of the Company included herein should be
considered only as bearing on the ability of the Company to meet its
obligations under the Contracts.
UNDERWRITERS
Allmerica Investments, Inc., a registered broker-dealer under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a member of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD), serves as principal underwriter for the
Contracts pursuant to a contract with the Company and the Separate
Account. Allmerica distributes the Contracts on a best efforts basis.
Allmerica Investments, Inc., 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts
01653 was organized in 1969 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Comapny and
is an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
The Contracts offered by this Prospectus are offered continuously and may
be purchased from certain independent broker-dealers which are NASD
members and whose representatives are authorized by applicable law to sell
variable annuity contracts.
All persons selling the Contracts are required to be licensed by
their respective state insurance authorities for the sale of variable
annuity contracts. The Company pays commissions not to exceed 6.0% of
purchase payments to entities which sell the Contracts. To the extent
permitted under NASD rules, promotional incentives or payments may also
be provided to such entities based on sales volumes, the assumption of
wholesaling functions, or other sales-related criteria. Additional payments
may be made for other services not directly related to the sale of the
Contracts, including the recruitment and training of personnel, production
of promotional literature, and similar services.
Commissions paid by the Company do not result in any charge to
Contract Owners or to the Separate Account in addition to the charges
described under "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS" in the Prospectus. The Company
intends to recoup the commission and other sales expense through a
combination of anticipated surrender, withdrawal, and/or annuitization
charges, profits from the Company's general account, including the
investment earnings on amounts allocated to accumulate on a fixed basis in
excess of the interest credited on fixed accumulations by the Company,
and the profit, if any, from the mortality and expense risk charge.
The aggregate amount of commissions retained by Allmerica Investments, Inc.
with respect to sales of the Contracts in 1995 was $0.00 and 0.00 in
1994. The aggregate amount of commissions paid to independent
broker-dealers in 1995 was $8,979,395.64 and 7,542,837.54 in 1994.
ANNUITY PAYMENTS
The method by which the Accumulated Value under the Contract is determined
is described in detail under "COMPUTATION OF CONTRACT VALUES AND ANNUITY
PAYMENTS" in the Prospectus.
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<PAGE>
Illustration of Accumulation Unit Calculation Using Hypothetical Example.
The Accumulation Unit calculation for a daily Valuation Period may be
illustrated by the following hypothetical example: Assume that the assets
of a Sub-Account at the beginning of a one-day Valuation Period were
$5,000,000; that the value of an Accumulation Unit on the previous date
was $1.135000; and that during the Valuation Period, the investment income
and net realized and unrealized capital gains exceed net realized and
unrealized capital losses by $1,675. The Accumulation Unit value at the
end of the current Valuation Period would be calculated as follows:
(1) Accumulation Unit Value - Previous Valuation Period.............. $ 1.135000
(2) Value of Assets - Beginning of Valuation Period.................. $5,000,000
(3) Excess of investment income and net gains over capital losses.... $1,675
(4) Adjusted Gross Investment Rate for the valuation period (3):(2).. 0.000335
(5) Annual Charge (one day equivalent of 1.40% per annum)............ 0.000038
(6) Net Investment Rate (4)-(5)...................................... 0.000297
(7) Net Investment Factor 1.000000 + (6)............................. 1.000297
(8) Accumulation Unit Value - Current Period (1)x(7)................. $ 1.135337
Conversely, if unrealized capital losses and charges for expenses and
taxes exceeded investment income and net realized capital gains by
$1,675, the accumulated unit value at the end of the Valuation Period
would have been $1.134577.
The method for determining the amount of annuity payments is described in
detail under "COMPUTATION OF CONTRACT VALUES AND ANNUITY PAYMENT" in the
Prospectus.
Illustration of Variable Annuity Payment Calculation Using Hypothetical
Example. The determination of the Annuity Unit value and the variable annuity
payment may be illustrated by the following hypothetical example: Assume
an Annuitant has 40,000 Accumulation Units in a Variable Account, and
that the value of an Accumulation Unit on the Valuation Date used to
determine the amount of the first variable annuity payment is $1.120000.
Therefore, the Accumulation Value of the Contract is $44,800 (40,000 x
$1.120000). Assume also that the Contract Owner elects an option for which
the first monthly payment is $6.57 per $1,000of Accumulated Value
applied. Assuming no premium tax or contingent deferred sales charge, the
first monthly payment would be 44.800 multiplied by $6.57, or $294.34.
Next, assume that the Annuity Unit value for the assumed rate of 3-1/2% per
annum for the Valuation Date as of which the first payment was calculated
was $1.100000. Annuity Unit values will not be the same as Accumulation Unit
values because the former reflect the 3-1/2% assumed interest rate used in
the annuity rate calculations. When the Annuity Unit value of $1.100000 is
divided into the first monthly payment the number of Annuity Units
represented by that payment is determined to be 267.5818. The value of this
same number of Annuity Units will be paid in each subsequent month under most
options. Assume further that the net investment factor for the Valuation
Period applicable to the next annuity payment is 1.000190. Multiplying
this factor by .999906 (the one-day adjustment factor for the assumed
interest rate of 3-1/2% per annum) produces a factor of 1.000096. This is
then multiplied by the Annuity Unit value on the immediately preceding
Valuation Date (assumed here to be $1.105000). The result is an Annuity
Unit value of $1.105106 for the current monthly payment. The current
monthly payment is then determined by multiplying the number of Annuity Units
by the current Annuity Unit value, or 267.5818 times $1.105106, which
produces a current monthly payment of $295.71.
Method for Determining Variable Annuity Option V Redemption and Illustration
Using hypothetical Example. As discussed in the Prospectus under "DESCRIPTION
OF VARIABLE ANNUITY OPTIONS," the Annuitant, or the beneficiary if the
Annuitant has died, may choose at any time to withdraw the Contract and receive
its commuted value. Commuted value is the present value of remaining
payments commuted at 3 1/2% interest. However, if the Annuitant elects the
withdrawal, the
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<PAGE>
remaining payments are deemed to be the remaining payments that would have
been payable had the Surrender Value, rather than the Accumulation
Value, been applied at the Annuity Date. The determination of the
commuted value upon withdrawal by an Annuitant may be illustrated by the
following hypothetical example.
Assume an annuity period of 10 years or longer is elected. The number of Annuity
Units each payment is based on would be calculated using the Accumulated Value.
Assume this results in 267.5818 Annuity Units. Assume the commuted value is
requested with 60 monthly payments remaining and a current Annuity Unit Value of
$1.200000. Based on these assumptions, the dollar amount of remaining payments
would be $321.10 a month for 60 months. If the commuted value was requested by a
beneficiary, the value would be based on the present value at 3 1/2% interest of
this stream of annuity payments. The commuted value would be $17,725.39.
However, if the commuted value is requested by an Annuitant, the value is
calculated as if the Surrender Value, not the Accumulated Value, had been used
to calculate the number of Annuity Units. Assume this results in 250 Annuity
Units. Based on these assumptions, the dollar amount of remaining payments would
be $300 a month for 60 months. The present value at 3 1/2% of all remaining
payments would be $16,560.72.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Performance information for a Sub-Account may be compared, in reports and
promotional literature, to certain indices described in the prospectus under
"PERFORMANCE INFORMATION." In addition, the Company may provide advertising,
sales literature, periodic publications or other materials information on
various topics of interest to Contract owners and prospective Contract owners.
These topics may include the relationship between sectors of the economy and the
economy as a whole and its effect on various securities markets, investment
strategies and techniques (such as value investing, market timing, dollar cost
averaging, asset allocation, constant ratio transfer and account rebalancing),
the advantages and disadvantages of investing in tax-deferred and taxable
investments, customer profiles and hypothetical purchase and investment
scenarios, financial management and tax and retirement planning, and investment
alternatives to certificates of deposit and other financial instruments,
including comparisons between the Contracts and the characteristics of and
market for such financial instruments.
The Contracts have been offered to the public since 1996. However, total
return data may be advertised based on the period of time that the Funds have
been in existence. The results for any period prior to the Contract being
offered will be calculated as if the Contracts have been offered during that
period of time, with all charges assumed to be those applicable to the
Contracts.
Total Return
"Total Return" refers to the total of the income generated by an investment
in a Sub-Account and of the changes of value of the principal invested
(due to realized and unrealized capital gains or losses) for a specified
period, reduced by the Sub- Accounts asset charge and any applicable
contingent deferred sales charge which would be assessed upon complete
withdrawal of the investment.
Total Return figures are calculated by standardized methods prescribed by
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The quotations are
computed by finding the average annual compounded rates of return over the
specified periods that would equate the initial amount invested to the ending
redeemable values, according to the following formula:
P(1 + T)to the power of n = ERV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial payment to the Variable Account of $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
ERV = the ending redeemable value of the $1,000 payment at the end of
the specified period
-5-
<PAGE>
The calculation of Total Return includes the annual charges against the asset
of the Sub-Account. This charge is 1.40% on an annual basis. The
calculation of ending redeemable value assumes (1) the policy was issued
at the beginning of the period and (2) a complete surrender of the policy at
the end of the period. The deduction of the contingent deferred sales charge,
if any, applicable at the end of the period is included in the calculation,
according to the following schedule:
Charge as percentage
Years from date of purchase of New Purchase Payments
payment to date of withdrawal withdrawn*
----------------------------- ---------
0-1 6.5%
2 6.0%
3 5.0%
4 4.0%
5 3.0%
6 2.0%
7 1.0%
More than 7 0.0%
*Subject to the maximum limit described in the prospectus.
No contingent deferred sales charge is deducted upon expiration of the periods
specified above. In all Contract years, a certain amount (withdrawal without
surrender charges," as described in the prospectus) is not subject to the
contingent sales charge.
The calculations of Total Return include the deduction of the $30 Annual Policy
fee.
Supplemental Total Return Information
The Supplemental Total Return information in this section refers to the total
of the income generated by an investment in a Sub-Account and of the
changes of value of the principal invested (due to realized and unrealized
capital gains or losses) for a specified period reduced by the
Sub-Account's asset charges. However, it is assumed that the investment
is NOT withdrawn at the end of each period.
The quotations of Supplemental Total Return are computed by finding the average
annual compounded rates of return over the specified periods that would equate
the initial amount invested to the ending values, according to the following
formula:
P(1 + T)to the power of n = EV
Where: P = a hypothetical initial payment to the Variable Account of $1,000
T = average annual total return
n = number of years
EV = the ending value of the $1,000 payment at the end of the
specified period
The calculation of Supplemental Total Return reflects the 1.40% annual charge
against the assets of the Sub-Accounts. The ending value assumes that the policy
is NOT withdrawn at the end of the specified period, and there is therefore no
adjustment for the contingent deferred sales charge that would be applicable if
the policy was withdrawn at the end of the period.
The calculations of Supplemental Total Return includes the deduction of the $30
Annual Policy fee.
-6-
<PAGE>
Yield and Effective Yield - Money Market Sub-Account
Set forth below is yield and effective yield information for the Money Market
Sub-Account for the seven-day period ended December 31, 1995:
Yield 5.69%
Effective Yield 5.53%
The yield and effective yield figures are calculated by standardized methods
prescribed by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under those
methods, the yield quotation is computed by determining the net change
(exclusive of capital changes) in the value of a hypothetical pre-existing
account having a balance of one accumulation unit of the Sub-Account at the
beginning of the period, subtracting a charge reflecting the annual 1.40%
deduction for mortality and expense risk and the administrative charge, dividing
the difference by the value of the account at the beginning of the same period
to obtain the base period return, and then multiplying the return for a
seven-day base period by (365/7), with the resulting yield carried to the
nearest hundredth of one percent.
The Money Market Sub-Account computes effective yield by compounding the
unannualized base period return by using the formula:
Effective Yield = [(base period return + 1)(365/7)] - 1
The calculations of yield and effective yield do not reflect the $30 Annual
Policy fee.
-7-
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Financial Statements are included for the Company Financial Life Insurance
Company and its Allmerica Select Variable Account.
-8-
<PAGE>
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES -- December 31, 1995
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECT SELECT
AGGRESSIVE GROWTH GROWTH
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Investment in shares of Allmerica Investment Trust . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,109,345 $ 2,740,451
Receivable from the Company Financial Life Insurance
Company (Sponsor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14,434 21,964
----------- -----------
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,123,779 2,762,415
LIABILITIES:
Payable to the Company Financial Life Insurance
Company (Sponsor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- --
----------- -----------
Net assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,123,779 $ 2,762,415
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
Net asset distribution by category:
Qualified variable annuity policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 957,957 $ 1,135,786
Non-qualified variable annuity policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,165,822 1,626,629
Value of investment by the Company Financial Life Insurance
Company (Sponsor). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- --
Value of annuitant mortality fluctuation reserve. . . . . . . . . . . -- --
----------- -----------
$ 3,123,779 $ 2,762,415
----------- -----------
----------- -----------
Qualified units outstanding, December 31, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . 733,842 894,909
Net asset value per qualified unit, December 31, 1995. . . . . . . . . $ 1.305399 $ 1.269163
Non-qualified units outstanding, December 31, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . 1,659,126 1,281,655
Net asset value per non-qualified unit, December 31, 1995. . . . . . . $ 1.305399 $ 1.269163
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECT
SELECT SELECT MONEY INTERNATIONAL
GROWTH & INCOME INCOME MARKET EQUITY
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Investment in shares of Allmerica Investment Trust . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,858,200 $ 4,694,539 $ 4,396,732 $ 2,143,676
Receivable from the Company Financial Life Insurance
Company (Sponsor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6,357 22,301 -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,864,557 4,716,840 4,396,732 2,143,676
LIABILITIES:
Payable to the Company Financial Life Insurance
Company (Sponsor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- -- 106,723 1,892
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 4,864,557 $ 4,716,840 $ 4,290,009 $ 2,141,784
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net asset distribution by category:
Qualified variable annuity policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,273,431 $ 2,385,743 $ 1,921,257 $ 673,728
Non-qualified variable annuity policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,581,126 2,322,166 2,359,404 1,467,943
Value of investment by the Company Financial Life Insurance
Company (Sponsor). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- -- -- 113
Value of annuitant mortality fluctuation reserve. . . . . . . . . . . 10,000 8,931 9,348 --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
$ 4,864,557 $ 4,716,840 $ 4,290,009 $ 2,141,784
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Qualified units outstanding, December 31, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,716,566 2,080,909 1,803,629 597,214
Net asset value per qualified unit, December 31, 1995. . . . . . . . . $ 1.324407 $ 1.146491 $ 1.065217 $ 1.128120
Non-qualified units outstanding, December 31, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . 1,956,442 2,033,245 2,223,727 1,301,329
Net asset value per non-qualified unit, December 31, 1995. . . . . . . $ 1.324407 $ 1.146491 $ 1.065217 $ 1.128120
</TABLE>
-1-
<PAGE>
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECT VIPF
CAPITAL APPRECIATION HIGH INCOME
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Investment in shares of Allmerica Investment Trust . . . . . . . . . . $ 521,164 --
Investment in shares of Fidelity Variable Insurance
Products Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- $ 290,435
Investment in shares of T. Rowe Price International Series, Inc. . . . -- --
Receivable from the Company Financial Life Insurance
Company (Sponsor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20,188 8,993
---------- ----------
Net assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 541,352 $ 299,428
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
Net asset distribution by category:
Qualified variable annuity policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 171,086 $ 136,071
Non-qualified variable annuity policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369,989 163,138
Value of investment by the Company Financial Life Insurance
Company (Sponsor). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 277 219
---------- ----------
$ 541,352 $ 299,428
---------- ----------
---------- ----------
Qualified units outstanding, December 31, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . 123,708 124,118
Net asset value per qualified unit, December 31, 1995. . . . . . . . . $ 1.382983 $ 1.096305
Non-qualified units outstanding, December 31, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . 267,730 149,007
Net asset value per non-qualified unit, December 31, 1995. . . . . . . $ 1.382983 $ 1.096305
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIPF VIPF T. ROWE
EQUITY INCOME GROWTH INTERNATIONAL STOCK
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS:
Investment in shares of Allmerica Investment Trust . . . . . . . . . . -- -- --
Investment in shares of Fidelity Variable Insurance
Products Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 509,423 $ 321,102 --
Investment in shares of T. Rowe Price International Series, Inc. . . . -- -- $ 255,141
Receivable from the Company Financial Life Insurance
Company (Sponsor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,096 2,311 27,082
---------- ---------- ----------
Net assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 511,519 $ 323,413 $ 282,223
---------- ---------- ----------
---------- ---------- ----------
Net asset distribution by category:
Qualified variable annuity policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 201,457 $ 135,480 $ 139,944
Non-qualified variable annuity policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309,824 187,686 142,066
Value of investment by the Company Financial Life Insurance
Company (Sponsor). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 247 213
---------- ---------- ----------
$ 511,519 $ 323,413 $ 282,223
---------- ---------- ----------
---------- ---------- ----------
Qualified units outstanding, December 31, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . . . 169,144 109,704 131,459
Net asset value per qualified unit, December 31, 1995. . . . . . . . . $ 1.191039 $ 1.234960 $ 1.064543
Non-qualified units outstanding, December 31, 1995 . . . . . . . . . . 260,329 152,178 133,653
Net asset value per non-qualified unit, December 31, 1995. . . . . . . $ 1.191039 $ 1.234960 $ 1.064543
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
-2-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECT SELECT SELECT
AGGRESSIVE GROWTH GROWTH GROWTH AND INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED FOR THE YEAR ENDED FOR THE YEAR ENDED
12/31/95 12/31/95 12/31/95
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- $ 400 $ 236,018
EXPENSES:
Mortality and expense risk fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 23,477 20,936 38,187
Administrative expense charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,817 2,512 4,582
--------- --------- ---------
Total expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,294 23,448 42,769
--------- --------- ---------
Net investment income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (26,294) (23,048) 193,249
--------- --------- ---------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN
ON INVESTMENTS:
Net realized gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16,936 11,771 10,683
Net unrealized gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 493,437 274,119 568,163
--------- --------- ---------
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments. . . . . . 510,373 285,890 578,846
--------- --------- ---------
Net increase in net assets from operations . . . . . . . . $ 484,079 $ 262,842 $ 772,095
--------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- ---------
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECT MONEY SELECT
INCOME MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED FOR THE YEAR ENDED FOR THE YEAR ENDED
12/31/95 12/31/95 12/31/95
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 203,753 $ 177,979 $ 28,766
EXPENSES:
Mortality and expense risk fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,213 38,949 16,550
Administrative expense charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,466 4,674 1,986
--------- --------- ---------
Total expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41,679 43,623 18,536
--------- --------- ---------
Net investment income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162,074 134,356 10,230
--------- --------- ---------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN
ON INVESTMENTS:
Net realized gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,732 -- 10,175
Net unrealized gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242,639 -- 199,163
--------- --------- ---------
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments. . . . . . 251,371 -- 209,338
--------- --------- ---------
Net increase in net assets from operations . . . . . . . . $ 413,445 $ 134,356 $ 219,568
--------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- ---------
</TABLE>
-3-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECT VIPF VIPF
CAPITAL APPRECIATION HIGH INCOME EQUITY INCOME
FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD
4/28/95* TO 12/31/95 5/1/95* TO 12/31/95 5/1/95* TO 12/31/95
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 9,933 -- $ 4,111
EXPENSES:
Mortality and expense risk fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,130 $ 726 1,837
Administrative expense charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 87 220
-------- -------- --------
Total expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,265 813 2,057
-------- -------- --------
Net investment income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,668 (813) 2,054
-------- -------- --------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)
ON INVESTMENTS:
Net realized gain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 354 619 874
Net unrealized gain (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27,053 6,246 35,367
-------- -------- --------
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments . . . 27,407 6,865 36,241
-------- -------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations. . . . $ 36,075 $ 6,052 $ 38,295
-------- -------- --------
-------- -------- --------
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIPF T. ROWE
GROWTH INTERNATIONAL STOCK
FOR THE PERIOD FOR THE PERIOD
5/1/95* TO 12/31/95 5/1/95* TO 12/31/95
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Dividends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- --
EXPENSES:
Mortality and expense risk fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 779 $ 576
Administrative expense charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 69
------- -------
Total expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 872 645
------- -------
Net investment income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (872) (645)
------- -------
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)
ON INVESTMENTS:
Net realized gain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 892 16
Net unrealized gain (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (6,028) 8,398
------- -------
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments . . . (5,136) 8,414
------- -------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations. . . . $(6,008) $ 7,769
------- -------
------- -------
</TABLE>
*Date of initial investment
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
-4-
<PAGE>
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECT AGGRESSIVE GROWTH SELECT GROWTH SELECT GROWTH & INCOME
PERIOD FROM PERIOD FROM PERIOD FROM
YEAR ENDED 4/28/94* YEAR ENDED 4/28/94* YEAR ENDED 4/19/94*
12/31/95 TO 12/31/94 12/31/95 TO 12/31/94 12/31/95 TO 12/31/94
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ (26,294) $ (3,115) $ (23,048) $ (2,611) $ 193,249 $ 53,049
Net realized gain (loss) from security transactions. . . . 16,936 101 11,771 1,654 10,683 2,358
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments. . . . . . . . . 493,437 10,676 274,119 (1,748) 568,163 (70,428)
---------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- ----------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations. . . 484,079 7,662 262,842 (2,705) 772,095 (15,021)
---------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- ----------
FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS:
Net purchase payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271,631 23,204 247,421 16,647 381,309 100,298
Terminations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (22,871) (1,482) (12,655) (1,544) (32,802) (6,891)
Annuity benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (13,460) -- (9,608) -- (15,579) --
Other transfers from (to) the General Account of First
Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company (Sponsor). . . 1,446,202 928,814 1,493,444 768,573 1,983,301 1,697,847
Net increase in investment by the Company Financial
Life Insurance Company (Sponsor). . . . . . . . . . . . . -- -- -- -- -- --
---------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- ----------
Net increase in net assets from capital transactions . . . 1,681,502 950,536 1,718,602 783,676 2,316,229 1,791,254
---------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- ----------
Net increase in net assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,165,581 958,198 1,981,444 780,971 3,088,324 1,776,233
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 958,198 -- 780,971 -- 1,776,233 --
---------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- ----------
End of period. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$3,123,779 $958,198 $2,762,415 $780,971 $4,864,557 $1,776,233
---------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- ----------
---------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- ----------
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECT
SELECT INCOME MONEY MARKET INTERNATIONAL EQUITY
PERIOD FROM PERIOD FROM PERIOD FROM
YEAR ENDED 4/19/94* YEAR ENDED 4/28/94* YEAR ENDED 5/27/94*
12/31/95 TO 12/31/94 12/31/95 TO 12/31/94 12/31/95 TO 12/31/94
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 162,074 $ 54,490 $ 134,356 $ 39,757 $ 10,230 $ (477)
Net realized gain (loss) from security transactions. . . . 8,732 (513) -- -- 10,175 1,992
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments. . . . . . . . . 242,639 (65,115) -- -- 199,163 (13,999)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations. . . 413,445 (11,138) 134,356 39,757 219,568 (12,484)
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------
FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS:
Net purchase payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 498,807 174,228 11,468,186 7,935,472 214,178 18,216
Terminations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (46,136) (15,373) (60,708) (53,224) (30,670) (60)
Annuity benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5,600) -- -- -- (17,277) 659,181
Other transfers from (to) the General Account of First
Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company (Sponsor). . . 1,951,842 1,756,765 (9,379,959) (5,793,871) 1,091,032
Net increase in investment by the Company Financial
Life Insurance Company (Sponsor). . . . . . . . . . . . . -- -- -- -- -- 100
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------
Net increase in net assets from capital transactions . . . 2,398,913 1,915,620 2,027,519 2,088,377 1,257,263 677,437
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------
Net increase in net assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,812,358 1,904,482 2,161,875 2,128,134 1,476,831 664,953
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,904,482 -- 2,128,134 -- 664,953 --
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------
End of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,716,840 $1,904,482 $4,290,009 $2,128,134 $2,141,784 $664,953
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- --------
</TABLE>
-5-
<PAGE>
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELECT CAPITAL
APPRECIATION VIPF HIGH INCOME VIPF EQUITY INCOME
PERIOD FROM PERIOD FROM PERIOD FROM
4/28/95* TO 12/31/95 5/1/95* TO 12/31/95 5/1/95* TO 12/31/95
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 8,668 $ (813) $ 2,054
Net realized gain from security transactions . . . . . . . . . 354 619 874
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments. . . . . . . . . . . 27,053 6,246 35,367
--------- --------- ---------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations. . . . . 36,075 6,052 38,295
--------- --------- ---------
FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS:
Net purchase payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74,004 24,172 40,532
Terminations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- (5,093) (4,994)
Other transfers from the General Account of First
Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company (Sponsor). . . . . 431,073 274,097 437,486
Net increase in investment by the Company Financial Life
Insurance Company (Sponsor) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 200 200
--------- --------- ---------
Net increase in net assets from capital transactions . . . . . 505,277 293,376 473,224
--------- --------- ---------
Net increase in net assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 541,352 299,428 511,519
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- -- --
--------- --------- ---------
End of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 541,352 $ 299,428 $ 511,519
--------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- ---------
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIPF GROWTH T. ROWE INTERNATIONAL STOCK
PERIOD FROM PERIOD FROM
5/1/95* TO 12/31/95 5/1/95* TO 12/31/95
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS
FROM OPERATIONS:
Net investment income (loss) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (872) $ (645)
Net realized gain from security transactions . . . . . . . 892 16
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments. . . . . . . . . (6,028) 8,398
--------- ---------
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations. . . (6,008) 7,769
--------- ---------
FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS:
Net purchase payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17,133 11,459
Terminations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- --
Other transfers from the General Account of First
Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company (Sponsor). . . 312,088 262,795
Net increase in investment by the Company Financial
Life Insurance Company (Sponsor). . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 200
--------- ---------
Net increase in net assets from capital transactions . . . 329,421 274,454
--------- ---------
Net increase in net assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323,413 282,223
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- --
--------- ---------
End of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 323,413 $ 282,223
--------- ---------
--------- ---------
</TABLE>
* Date of initial investment.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
-6-
<PAGE>
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - DECEMBER 31, 1995
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION
Allmerica Select Separate Account (Allmerica Select) is a separate
investment account of the Company Financial Life Insurance Company (the
Company), established on April 1, 1994 for the purpose of separating from the
general assets of the Company those assets used to fund certain variable
annuity policies issued by the Company. Effective October 16, 1995,
concurrent with the demutualization, the Company's name was changed from
State Mutual Life Assurance Company of America. Under applicable insurance
law, the assets and liabilities of Allmerica Select are clearly identified
and distinguished from the other assets and liabilities of the Company.
Allmerica Select cannot be charged with liabilities arising out of any other
business of the Company.
Allmerica Select is registered as a unit investment trust under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). Allmerica Select
currently offers eleven Sub-Accounts. Each Sub-Account invests exclusively in
a corresponding investment portfolio of the Allmerica Investment Trust (the
Trust) managed by Allmerica Investment Management Company, Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company or of the Variable Insurance Products
Fund (VIPF) managed by Fidelity Management and Research Company (Fidelity
Management), or of T. Rowe Price International Series, Inc. (T. Rowe)
managed by Price-Fleming. The Trust, VIPF, and T. Rowe (the Funds) are
open-end, diversified series management investment companies registered under
the 1940 Act.
Allmerica Select has two types of variable annuity policies, "qualified"
policies and "non-qualified" policies. A qualified policy is one that is
purchased in connection with a retirement plan which meets the requirements
of Section 401, 403, 408, or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code, while a
non-qualified policy is one that is not purchased in connection with one of
the indicated retirement plans. The tax treatment for certain partial
redemptions or surrenders will vary according to whether they are made from a
qualified policy or a non-qualified policy.
NOTE 2 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Investments - Security transactions are recorded on the trade date.
Investments held by the Sub-Accounts are stated at the net asset value per
share of the respective investment portfolio of the Trust, VIPF, and T. Rowe.
Net realized gains and losses on securities sold are determined on the
average cost method. Dividends and capital gain distributions are recorded on
the ex-dividend date and are reinvested in additional shares of the
respective investment portfolio of the Trust, VIPF, and T. Rowe at net asset
value.
Federal Income Taxes -The Company is taxed as a "life insurance company"
under Subchapter L of the Internal Revenue Code and files a consolidated
federal income tax return with the Company. The Company anticipates no tax
liability resulting from the operations of Allmerica Select. Therefore, no
provision for income taxes has been charged against Allmerica Select.
Annuitant Mortality Fluctuation Reserve - A strengthening reserve required
for doing business in the state of New York. The purpose of the reserve is
to provide for future mortality experience which is less favorable than that
assumed in pricing the annuity. This reserve is funded by the Company.
-7-
<PAGE>
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - DECEMBER 31, 1995, CONTINUED
NOTE 3 - INVESTMENTS
The number of shares owned, aggregate cost, and net asset value per share
of each Sub-Account's investment in the Trust, VIPF, and T. Rowe at December
31, 1995 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PORTFOLIO INFORMATION
INVESTMENT NUMBER OF AGGREGATE NET ASSET VALUE
PORTFOLIO SHARES COST PER SHARE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Allmerica Investment Trust:
Select Aggressive Growth . . . . . . . . 1,682,546 $ 2,605,231 $ 1.848
Select Growth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,001,790 2,468,079 1.369
Select Growth and Income . . . . . . . . 3,831,388 4,360,465 1.268
Select Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,584,511 4,517,015 1.024
Money Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,396,732 4,396,732 1.000
Select International Equity. . . . . . . 1,887,039 1,958,511 1.136
Select Capital Appreciation. . . . . . . 380,690 494,111 1.369
Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund:
High Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24,103 284,189 12.050
Equity Income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26,436 474,057 19.270
Growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10,997 327,130 29.200
T. Rowe Price International Series, Inc.:
International Stock. . . . . . . . . . . 22,659 246,744 11.260
</TABLE>
NOTE 4 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Company makes a charge of 1.25% per annum based on the average daily
net assets of each Sub-Account at each valuation date for mortality and
expense risks. The Company also charges each Sub-Account .15% per annum based
on the average daily net assets of each Sub-Account for administrative
expenses. These charges are deducted from the daily value of each Sub-Account
but are paid to the Company on a monthly basis.
A contract fee is currently deducted on the policy anniversary date and
upon full surrender of the policy. The contract fee is $30. For the year
ended December 31, 1995, contract fees deducted from accumulated value in
Allmerica Select amounted to $4,901.
Allmerica Investments, Inc., (Allmerica Investments), a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company, is the principal underwriter and general
distributor of Allmerica Select, and does not receive any compensation for
sales of the Allmerica Select policies. Commissions are paid by the Company
to registered representatives of broker-dealers who are registered under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are members of the National Association
of Securities Dealers. As the current series of policies have a contingent
deferred sales charge, no deduction is made for sales charges at the time of
the sale. For the year ended December 31, 1995, the Company received $1,246
for contingent deferred sales charges applicable to Allmerica Select.
-8-
<PAGE>
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - DECEMBER 31, 1995, CONTINUED
NOTE 5 - POLICYOWNERS AND SPONSOR TRANSACTIONS
Transactions from policyowners and sponsor were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1995 1994
---- ----
UNITS AMOUNT UNITS AMOUNT
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
SELECT AGGRESSIVE GROWTH
ISSUANCE OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,562,355 $ 1,835,864 959,605 $ 952,354
REDEMPTION OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (127,181) (154,362) (1,811) (1,818)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCREASE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,435,174 $ 1,681,502 957,794 $ 950,536
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
SELECT GROWTH
ISSUANCE OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,476,227 $ 1,789,220 758,002 $ 785,560
REDEMPTION OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (55,816) (68,871) (1,849) (1,884)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCREASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,420,411 $ 1,720,349 756,153 $ 783,676
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
SELECT GROWTH AND INCOME
ISSUANCE OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,022,590 $ 2,427,395 1,730,638 $ 1,798,192
REDEMPTION OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (73,628) (111,166) (6,592) (6,938)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCREASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,948,962 $ 2,316,229 1,724,046 $ 1,791,254
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
SELECT INCOME
ISSUANCE OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,406,756 $ 2,616,226 1,931,971 $ 1,931,241
REDEMPTION OF UNITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (208,889) (217,313) (15,684) (15,621)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCREASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,197,867 $ 2,398,913 1,916,287 $ 1,915,620
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
MONEY MARKET
ISSUANCE OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11,475,182 $ 12,005,362 7,881,195 $ 7,940,059
REDEMPTION OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (9,533,159) (9,977,843) (5,795,862) (5,851,682)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCREASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,942,023 $ 2,027,519 2,085,333 $ 2,088,377
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
SELECT INTERNATIONAL EQUITY
ISSUANCE OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,299,084 $ 1,377,879 700,918 $ 682,730
REDEMPTION OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (96,005) (120,616) (5,454) (5,293)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCREASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,203,079 $ 1,257,263 695,464 $ 677,437
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
SELECT CAPITAL APPRECIATION
ISSUANCE OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 394,750 $ 509,562 -- --
REDEMPTION OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3,312) (4,285) -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCREASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 391,438 $ 505,277 -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
VIPF HIGH INCOME
ISSUANCE OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284,162 $ 306,219 -- --
REDEMPTION OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (12,037) (12,843) -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCREASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273,125 $ 293,376 -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
VIPF EQUITY INCOME
ISSUANCE OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 443,027 $ 486,952 -- --
REDEMPTION OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (13,554) (13,728) -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCREASE.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 429,473 $ 473,224 -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
VIPF GROWTH
ISSUANCE OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267,887 $ 329,470 -- --
REDEMPTION OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (5) (49) -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCREASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267,882 $ 329,421 -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
T. ROWE INTERNATIONAL STOCK
ISSUANCE OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268,735 $ 278,037 --
REDEMPTION OF UNITS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3,623) (3,583) -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCREASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265,112 $ 274,454 -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
</TABLE>
-9-
<PAGE>
ALLMERICA SELECT SEPARATE ACCOUNT
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - DECEMBER 31, 1995, CONTINUED
NOTE 6 - DIVERSIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Under the provisions of Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code, a
variable annuity contract, other than a contract issued in connection with
certain types of employee benefit plans, will not be treated as an annuity
contract for federal income tax purposes for any period for which the
investments of the segregated asset account on which the contract is based
are not adequately diversified. The Code provides that the "adequately
diversified" requirement may be met if the underlying investments satisfy
either a statutory safe harbor test or diversification requirements set forth
in regulations issued by the Secretary of Treasury.
The Internal Revenue Service has issued regulations under Section 817(h) of
the Code. The Company believes that Allmerica Select satisfies the current
requirements of the regulations, and it intends that Allmerica Select will
continue to meet such requirements.
NOTE 7 - PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
Cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of the Trust, VIPF, and T. Rowe
shares by Allmerica Select during the year ended december 31, 1995 were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUB-ACCOUNTS PURCHASES SALES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Allmerica Investment Trust:
Select Aggressive Growth $ 1,768,354 $ 128,502
Select Growth 1,766,629 93,815
Select Growth and Income 2,616,672 111,369
Select Income 2,796,603 258,005
Money Market 8,860,563 6,591,260
Select International Equity 1,394,551 125,792
Select Capital Appreciation 503,182 9,424
Fidelity Variable Insurance Products Fund:
High Income 303,345 19,774
Equity Income 499,022 25,839
Growth 341,595 15,357
T. Rowe Price International Series, Inc.:
International Stock 261,597 14,870
------------ ------------
Totals $ 21,112,113 $ 7,394,007
------------ ------------
------------ ------------
</TABLE>
-10-
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors of the Company Financial Life Insurance
Company and Policyowners of Allmerica Select Separate
Account of the Company Financial Life Insurance Company
In our opinion, the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities and
the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the
Sub-Accounts (Select Aggressive Growth, Select Growth, Select Growth &
Income, Select Income, Money Market, Select International Equity, Select
Capital Appreciation, VIPF High Income, VIPF Equity Income, VIPF Growth, and
T. Rowe International Stock) constituting the Allmerica Select Separate
Account of the Company Financial Life Insurance Company at December 31,
1995, the results of each of their operations and the changes in each of
their net assets for the periods indicated, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company Financial Life Insurance Company's
management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An
audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts
and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating
the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits,
which included confirmation of investments owned at December 31, 1995 by
correspondence with the Funds provide a reasonable basis for the opinion
expressed above.
PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 23, 1996
-11-
<PAGE>
FIRST ALLMERICA
FINANCIAL LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1995
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of
the Company Financial Life Insurance Company
(formerly known as State Mutual Life Assurance Company of America)
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related
consolidated statements of income, of shareholder's equity, and of cash flows
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of First
Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company and its subsidiaries at December
31, 1995 and 1994, and the results of their operations and their cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based
on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on
a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
As discussed in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial
statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for investments
(Notes 1 and 3) and postemployment benefits (Notes 11) in 1994 and for
postretirement benefits (Note 10) in 1993.
/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 5, 1996
-1-
<PAGE>
the Company FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(a wholly owned subsidiary of Allmerica Financial Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions, except per share data) 1995 1994 1993
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES
Premiums $ 2,222.8 $ 2,181.8 $ 2,079.3
Universal life and investment product policy fees 170.4 156.8 143.7
Net investment income 710.1 743.1 782.8
Net realized investment gains 19.1 1.1 61.0
Realized gain on sale of subsidiary -- -- 35.7
Realized gain on sale of mutual fund processing business 20.7 -- --
Realized gain on issuance of subsidiary common stock -- -- 62.9
Other income 95.4 112.3 73.8
----------------------------------------
Total revenues 3,238.5 3,195.1 3,239.2
----------------------------------------
BENEFITS, LOSSES AND EXPENSES
Policy benefits, claims, losses and loss adjustment expenses 2,008.3 2,047.0 1,987.2
Policy acquisition expenses 470.3 475.7 435.8
Other operating expenses 455.0 518.9 421.3
----------------------------------------
Total benefits, losses and expenses 2,933.6 3,041.6 2,844.3
----------------------------------------
Income before federal income taxes 304.9 153.5 394.9
----------------------------------------
FEDERAL INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)
Current 119.7 45.4 95.1
Deferred (37.0) 8.0 (20.4)
----------------------------------------
Total federal income tax expense 82.7 53.4 74.7
----------------------------------------
Income before minority interest, extraordinary item, and
cumulative effect of accounting change 222.2 100.1 320.2
Minority interest (73.1) (51.0) (122.8)
----------------------------------------
Income before extraordinary item and cumulative effect of
accounting changes 149.1 49.1 197.4
Extraordinary item - demutualization expenses (12.1) (9.2) (4.6)
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles -- (1.9) (35.4)
----------------------------------------
Net income $ 137.0 $ 38.0 $ 157.4
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
-2-
<PAGE>
the Company FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(a wholly owned subsidiary of Allmerica Financial Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
(In millions, except per share data) 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Investments:
Fixed maturities-at amortized cost (fair value of $949.9 in 1994) $ -- $ 959.3
Fixed maturities-at fair value (amortized cost of $7,467.9 and $6,724.6) 7,739.3 6,512.0
Equity securities-at fair value (cost of $410.6 and $260.4) 517.2 286.4
Mortgage loans 799.5 1,106.7
Real estate 179.6 180.3
Policy loans 123.2 364.9
Other long-term investments 71.9 68.1
-------------------------------
Total investments 9,430.7 9,477.7
-------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents 236.6 539.7
Accrued investment income 163.0 186.6
Deferred policy acquisition costs 735.7 802.8
-------------------------------
Reinsurance receivables:
Future policy benefits 97.1 59.7
Outstanding claims, losses and loss adjustment expenses 799.6 741.0
Unearned premiums 43.8 61.9
Other 58.9 62.1
-------------------------------
Total reinsurance receivables 999.4 924.7
-------------------------------
Deferred federal income taxes 81.2 189.1
Premiums, accounts and notes receivable 526.7 510.3
Other assets 361.4 324.9
Closed Block assets 818.9 --
Variable Account assets 4,348.8 2,965.7
-------------------------------
Total assets $ 17,702.4 $ 15,921.5
-------------------------------
-------------------------------
LIABILITIES
Policy liabilities and accruals:
Future policy benefits $ 2,639.3 $ 3,416.4
Outstanding claims, losses and loss adjustment expenses 3,081.3 2,991.5
Unearned premiums 800.9 796.6
Contractholder deposit funds and other policy liabilities 2,737.4 3,435.7
-------------------------------
Total policy liabilities and accruals 9,258.9 10,640.2
-------------------------------
Expenses and taxes payable 600.3 589.2
Reinsurance premiums payable 42.0 65.8
Short-term debt 28.0 32.8
Deferred federal income taxes 47.8 13.8
Long-term debt 2.8 2.7
Closed Block liabilities 902.0 --
Variable Account liabilities 4,337.8 2,954.9
-------------------------------
Total liabilities 15,219.6 14,299.4
-------------------------------
Minority interest 758.5 629.7
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 14 and 19)
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Common stock, $10 par value, 1 million shares authorized, 500,000
shares issued and outstanding 5.0 --
Additional paid-in-capital 392.4 --
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, net 153.0 (79.0)
Retained earnings 1,173.9 1,071.4
-------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity 1,724.3 992.4
-------------------------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 17,702.4 $ 15,921.5
-------------------------------
-------------------------------
</TABLE>
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
-3-
<PAGE>
the Company FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(a wholly owned subsidiary of Allmerica Financial Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994 1993
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
COMMON STOCK
Balance at beginning of year $ -- $ -- $ --
Demutualization transaction 5.0 -- --
----------------------------------------
Balance at end of year 5.0 -- --
----------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN-CAPITAL
Balance at beginning of year -- -- --
Contributed from parent 392.4 -- --
----------------------------------------
Balance at end of year 392.4 -- --
----------------------------------------
RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of year 1,071.4 1,033.4 876.0
Net income prior to demutualization 93.2 38.0 157.4
----------------------------------------
1,164.6 1,071.4 1,033.4
Demutualization transaction (34.5) -- --
Net income subsequent to demutualization 43.8 -- --
----------------------------------------
Balance at end of year 1,173.9 1,071.4 1,033.4
----------------------------------------
NET UNREALIZED APPRECIATION (DEPRECIATION) ON INVESTMENTS
Balance at beginning of year (79.0) 17.5 20.6
----------------------------------------
Cumulative effect of accounting change:
Net appreciation on available-for-sale debt securities -- 296.1 --
Provision for deferred federal income taxes and minority interest -- (149.1) --
----------------------------------------
-- 147.0 --
----------------------------------------
Effect of transfer of securities from held-to-maturity to available-for-sale:
Net appreciation on available-for-sale debt securities 22.4 -- --
Provision for deferred federal income taxes and minority interest (9.6) -- --
----------------------------------------
12.8 -- --
----------------------------------------
Appreciation (depreciation) during the period:
Net appreciation (depreciation) on available-for-sale securities 466.0 (492.1) (9.6)
(Provision) benefit for deferred federal income taxes (163.1) 171.9 2.8
Minority interest (83.7) 76.7 3.7
----------------------------------------
219.2 (243.5) (3.1)
----------------------------------------
Balance at end of year 153.0 (79.0) 17.5
----------------------------------------
Total shareholders' equity $1,724.3 $ 992.4 $ 1,050.9
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
-4-
<PAGE>
the Company FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(a wholly owned subsidiary of Allmerica Financial Corporation)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994 1993
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 137.0 $ 38.0 $ 157.4
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Minority interest 73.1 50.1 112.7
Net realized gains (39.8) (1.1) (159.6)
Deferred federal income taxes (benefits) (37.0) 8.0 (20.4)
Increase in deferred policy acquisition costs (38.4) (34.6) (51.8)
Increase in premiums and notes receivable, net of reinsurance payable (42.0) (25.6) (37.5)
(Increase) decrease in accrued investment income 7.0 4.6 (1.6)
Increase in policy liabilities and accruals, net 116.2 175.9 131.7
(Increase) decrease in reinsurance receivable (75.6) (31.9) 18.6
Increase in expenses and taxes payable 7.5 88.0 104.7
Variable Account activity, net (0.1) 0.4 21.4
Other, net 23.9 59.9 2.7
-----------------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 131.8 331.7 278.3
-----------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from disposals and maturities of available-for-sale
fixed maturities 2,738.4 2,097.8 --
Proceeds from disposals of held-to-maturity fixed maturities 271.3 304.4 2,094.9
Proceeds from disposals of equity securities 120.0 143.9 585.8
Proceeds from disposals of other investments 40.5 25.9 74.0
Proceeds from mortgages matured or collected 230.3 256.4 291.2
Purchase of available-for-sale fixed maturities (3,273.3) (2,150.1) --
Purchase of held-to-maturity fixed maturities -- (111.6) (2,577.1)
Purchase of equity securities (254.0) (172.2) (673.3)
Purchase of other investments (24.8) (26.6) (46.5)
Proceeds from sale of businesses 32.9 -- 79.5
Capital expenditures (14.1) (43.1) (37.5)
Other investing activities, net 4.7 2.4 1.3
-----------------------------------------
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (128.1) 327.2 (207.7)
-----------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Deposits and interest credited to contractholder deposit funds 445.8 786.3 738.7
Withdrawals from contractholder deposit funds (1,069.9) (1,187.0) (894.0)
Change in short-term debt (4.8) (6.0) 1.4
Change in long-term debt 0.2 0.3 --
Dividends paid to minority shareholders (4.1) (4.2) (3.9)
Capital contributed from parent 392.4 -- 156.2
Payments for policyholders' membership interests (27.9) -- --
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt -- -- --
Other, net (20.9) -- (1.3)
-----------------------------------------
Net cash used in financing activities (289.2) (410.6) (2.9)
-----------------------------------------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (285.5) 248.3 67.7
Net change in cash held in the Closed Block (17.6) -- --
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 539.7 291.4 223.7
-----------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 236.6 $ 539.7 $ 291.4
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Interest paid $ 4.1 $ 4.3 $ 1.7
Income taxes paid $ 90.6 $ 46.1 $ 57.3
</TABLE>
THE ACCOMPANYING NOTES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THESE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
-5-
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
A. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
the Company Financial Life Insurance Company ("FAFLIC" or the "Company",
formerly State Mutual Life Assurance Company of America ["State Mutual"]) was
organized as a mutual life insurance company until October 16, 1995. FAFLIC
converted to a stock life insurance company pursuant to a plan of
reorganization effective October 16, 1995 and became a wholly owned
subsidiary of Allmerica Financial Corporation ("AFC"). The consolidated
financial statements have been prepared as if FAFLIC were organized as a
stock life insurance company for all periods presented. Thus, generally
accepted accounting principles for stock life insurance companies have been
applied retroactively for all periods presented.
The consolidated financial statements of FAFLIC include the accounts of
Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity Company ("AFLIAC", formerly
SMA Life Assurance Company) its wholly owned life insurance subsidiary,
non-insurance subsidiaries (principally brokerage and investment advisory
subsidiaries), and Allmerica Property and Casualty Companies, Inc.
("Allmerica P&C", a 58.3%-owned non-insurance holding company). The Closed
Block assets and liabilities at December 31, 1995 and its results of
operations subsequent to demutualization are presented in the consolidated
financial statements as single line items. Prior to demutualization such
amounts are presented line by line in the consolidated financial statements
(see Note 6). Unless specifically stated, all disclosures contained herein
supporting the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 1995 and
the year then ended exclude the Closed Block related amounts. All significant
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Minority interest relates to the Company's investment in Allmerica P&C
and its only significant subsidiary, The Hanover Insurance Company
("Hanover"). Hanover's 81.1%-owned subsidiary is Citizens Corporation, the
holding company for Citizens Insurance Company of America ("Citizens").
Minority interest also includes an amount related to the minority interest in
Citizens Corporation.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
B. CLOSED BLOCK
As of October 16, 1995, the Company established and began operating a closed
block (the "Closed Block") for the benefit of the participating policies
included therein, consisting of certain individual life insurance participating
policies, individual deferred annuity contracts and supplementary contracts not
involving life contingencies which were in force on October 16, 1995; such
policies constitute the "Closed Block Business". The purpose of the Closed Block
is to protect the policy dividend expectations of such FAFLIC dividend paying
policies and contracts after the demutualization. Unless the Commissioner
consents to an earlier termination, the Closed Block will continue to be in
effect until the date none of the Closed Block policies are in force. On
October 16, 1995, FAFLIC allocated to the Closed Block assets in an amount that
is expected to produce cash flows which, together with future revenues from the
Closed Block Business, are reasonably sufficient to support the Closed Block
Business, including provision for payment of policy benefits, certain future
expenses and taxes and for continuation of policyholder dividend scales payable
in 1994 so long as the experience underlying such dividend scales continues. The
Company expects that the factors underlying such experience will fluctuate in
the future and policyholder dividend scales for Closed Block Business will be
set accordingly.
Although the assets and income allocated to the Closed Block inure solely
to the benefit of the holders of policies included in the Closed Block, the
excess of Closed Block liabilities over Closed Block assets at October 16, 1995
measured on a GAAP basis represent the expected future post-tax income from the
Closed Block which may be recognized in income over the period the policies and
contracts in the Closed Block remain in force.
If the actual income from the Closed Block in any given period equals or
exceeds the expected income for such period as determined at October 16, 1995,
the expected income would be recognized in income for that period. Further, any
excess of the actual income over the expected income would also be recognized in
income to the extent that the aggregate expected income for all prior periods
exceeded the aggregate actual income. Any remaining excess of actual income over
expected income would be accrued as a liability for policyholder dividends in
the Closed Block to be paid to the Closed Block policyholders. This accrual for
future dividends effectively limits the actual Closed Block income recognized in
income to the Closed Block income expected to emerge from operation of the
Closed Block as determined as of October 16, 1995.
If, over the period the policies and contracts in the Closed Block remain
in force, the actual income from the Closed Block is less than the expected
income from the Closed Block, only such actual income
-6-
<PAGE>
(which could reflect a loss) would be recognized in income. If the actual income
from the Closed Block in any given period is less than the expected income for
that period and changes in dividends scales are inadequate to offset the
negative performance in relation to the expected performance, the income inuring
to shareholders of the Company will be reduced. If a policyholder dividend
liability had been previously established in the Closed Block because the actual
income to the relevant date had exceeded the expected income to such date, such
liability would be reduced by this reduction in income (but not below zero) in
any periods in which the actual income for that period is less than the expected
income for such period.
C. VALUATION OF INVESTMENTS
Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in
Debt and Equity Securities" (SFAS No. 115). SFAS No. 115 requires that an
enterprise classify debt and equity securities into one of three categories;
held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. Investments classified as
held-to-maturity shall be investments that the enterprise has the positive
intent and ability to hold until maturity. Trading securities are investments
which are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the
near term. Investments classified as neither trading securities nor
held-to-maturity shall be classified as available-for-sale securities. SFAS No.
115 also requires that unrealized holding gains and losses for trading
securities be included in earnings, while unrealized gains and losses for
available-for-sale securities be excluded from earnings and reported as a
separate component of shareholder equity until realized. SFAS No. 115 also
requires that for a decline in the fair value which is judged to be other than
temporary, the cost basis of the security should be written down to fair value,
and the amount of the write-down recognized in earnings as a realized loss.
Previously, the Company classified all of its fixed maturities and equity
securities as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity investments. Fixed
maturities held-to-maturity consist of certain bonds, presented at amortized
cost, that management intends and has the ability to hold until maturity. Fixed
maturities available-for-sale consist of certain bonds and redeemable preferred
stocks, presented at fair value, that management may not hold until maturity.
Equity securities available-for-sale are comprised of common stocks which are
carried at fair value. Prior to January 1, 1994, all fixed maturity investments,
which included bonds and redeemable preferred stocks, were principally carried
at amortized cost. Equity securities, which included common and non-redeemable
preferred stock, were carried at fair value. Unrealized gains or losses on
investments classified as available-for-sale, net of deferred federal income
taxes, minority interest, deferred policy acquisition expenses and amounts
attributable to participating contractholders, are included as a separate
component of shareholders' equity. As discussed in Note 3, the Company
transferred all securities classified as held-to-maturity to available-for-sale
on November 30, 1995.
Realized gains and losses on sales of fixed maturities and equity
securities are determined on the specific-identification basis using amortized
cost for fixed maturities and cost for equity securities. Fixed maturities and
equity securities with other than temporary declines in fair value are written
down to estimated fair value resulting in the recognition of realized losses.
Mortgage loans on real estate are stated at unpaid principal balances, net
of unamortized discounts and reserves. Reserves on mortgage loans are based on
losses expected by management to be realized on transfers of mortgage loans to
real estate (upon foreclosure), on the disposition or settlement of mortgage
loans and on mortgage loans which management believes may not be collectible in
full. In establishing reserves, management considers, among other things, the
estimated fair value of the underlying collateral.
Fixed maturities and mortgage loans that are delinquent are placed on
non-accrual status, and thereafter interest income is recognized only when cash
payments are received.
Policy loans are carried principally at unpaid principal balances.
Real estate that has been acquired through the foreclosure of mortgage
loans is valued at the estimated fair value at the time of foreclosure. The
Company considers several methods in determining fair value at foreclosure,
using primarily third-party appraisals and discounted cash flow analyses. After
foreclosure, the Company makes a determination as to whether the asset should be
held for production of income or held for sale.
Real estate investments held for the production of income and held for sale
are carried at depreciated cost less valuation allowances, if necessary, to
reduce the carrying value to fair value. Depreciation is generally calculated
using the straight-line method.
Realized investment gains and losses, other than those related to separate
accounts for which the Company does not bear the investment risk, are reported
as a component of revenues based upon specific identification of the investment
assets sold. When an other-than-temporary impairment of the value of a specific
investment or a group of investments is determined, a realized investment loss
is recorded. Changes in the valuation allowance for mortgage loans and real
estate are included in realized investment gains or losses.
-7-
<PAGE>
D. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into transactions involving
various types of financial instruments, including debt, investments such as
fixed maturities, mortgage loans and equity securities, investment and loan
commitments, and interest rate futures contracts. These instruments involve
credit risk and also may be subject to risk of loss due to interest rate
fluctuation. The Company evaluates and monitors each financial instrument
individually and, when appropriate, obtains collateral or other security to
minimize losses.
E. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, amounts due from banks and
highly liquid debt instruments purchased with an original maturity of three
months or less.
F. DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION COSTS
Acquisition costs consist of commissions, underwriting costs and other costs,
which vary with, and are primarily related to, the production of revenues.
Property and casualty, group life and group health insurance business
acquisition costs are deferred and amortized over the terms of the insurance
policies. Acquisition costs related to universal life products and
contractholder deposit funds are deferred and amortized in proportion to total
estimated gross profits over the expected life of the contracts using a revised
interest rate applied to the remaining benefit period. Acquisition costs related
to annuity and other life insurance businesses are deferred and amortized,
generally in proportion to the ratio of annual revenue to the estimated total
revenues over the contract periods based upon the same assumptions used in
estimating the liability for future policy benefits. Deferred acquisition costs
for each product are reviewed to determine if they are recoverable from future
income, including investment income. If such costs are determined to be
unrecoverable, they are expensed at the time of determination.
Although realization of deferred policy acquisition costs is not assured,
management believes it is more likely than not that all of these costs will be
realized. The amount of deferred policy acquisition costs considered realizable,
however, could be reduced in the near term if the estimates of gross profits or
total revenues discussed above are reduced. The amount of amortization of
deferred policy acquisition costs could be revised in the near term if any of
the estimates discussed above are revised.
G. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, less
accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is provided using the
straight-line or accelerated method over the estimated useful lives of the
related assets which generally range from 3 to 30 years. Amortization of
leasehold improvements is provided using the straight-line method over the
lesser of the term of the leases or the estimated useful life of the
improvements.
H. Variable AccountS
Variable Account assets and liabilities represent segregated funds administered
and invested by the Company for the benefit of certain pension, variable annuity
and variable life insurance contractholders. Assets consist principally of
bonds, common stocks, mutual funds, and short-term obligations at market value.
The investment income, gains, and losses of these accounts generally accrue to
the contractholders and, therefore, are not included in the Company's net
income. Appreciation and depreciation of the Company's interest in the separate
accounts, including undistributed net investment income, is reflected in
shareholders' equity or net investment income.
I. POLICY LIABILITIES AND ACCRUALS
Future policy benefits are liabilities for life, health and annuity products.
Such liabilities are established in amounts adequate to meet the estimated
future obligations of policies in force. The liabilities associated with
traditional life insurance products are computed using the net level premium
method for individual life and annuity policies, and are based upon estimates as
to future investment yield, mortality and withdrawals that include provisions
for adverse deviation. Future policy benefits for individual life insurance and
annuity policies are computed using interest rates ranging from 2 1/2% to 6% for
life insurance and 2% to 9 1/2% for annuities. Estimated liabilities are
established for group life and health policies that contain experience rating
provisions. Mortality, morbidity and withdrawal assumptions for all policies are
based on the Company's own experience and industry standards. Liabilities for
universal life include deposits received from customers and investment earnings
on their fund balances, less administrative charges. Universal life fund
balances are also assessed mortality and surrender charges.
Liabilities for outstanding claims, losses and loss adjustment expenses are
estimates of payments to be made on property and casualty and health insurance
for reported losses and estimates of losses incurred but not reported. These
liabilities are determined using case basis evaluations and statistical analyses
and represent estimates of the ultimate cost of all losses incurred but not
paid. These estimates are continually reviewed and adjusted as necessary; such
adjustments are reflected in current operations. Estimated amounts of salvage
and subrogation on unpaid property and casualty losses are deducted from the
liability for unpaid claims.
Premiums for property and casualty, group life, and accident and health
insurance are reported as earned on a pro-rata basis over the contract period.
The unexpired portion of these premiums is recorded as unearned premiums.
-8-
<PAGE>
Contractholder deposit funds and other policy liabilities include
investment-related products such as guaranteed investment contracts, deposit
administration funds and immediate participation guarantee funds and consist of
deposits received from customers and investment earnings on their fund balances.
All policy liabilities and accruals are based on the various estimates
discussed above. Although the adequacy of these amounts cannot be assured,
management believes that it is more likely than not that policy liabilities and
accruals will be sufficient to meet future obligations of policies in force. The
amount of liabilities and accruals, however, could be revised in the near term
if the estimates discussed above are revised.
J. PREMIUM AND FEE REVENUE AND RELATED EXPENSES
Premiums for individual life and health insurance and individual and group
annuity products, excluding universal life and investment-related products, are
considered revenue when due. Property and casualty and group life, accident and
health insurance premiums are recognized as revenue over the related contract
periods. Benefits, losses and related expenses are matched with premiums,
resulting in their recognition over the lives of the contracts. This matching is
accomplished through the provision for future benefits, estimated and unpaid
losses and amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs. Revenues for
investment-related products consist of net investment income and contract
charges assessed against the fund values. Related benefit expenses primarily
consist of net investment income credited to the fund values after deduction for
investment and risk charges. Revenues for universal life products consist of net
investment income, and mortality, administration and surrender charges assessed
against the fund values. Related benefit expenses include universal life benefit
claims in excess of fund values and net investment income credited to universal
life fund values.
K. POLICYHOLDER DIVIDENDS
Prior to demutualization, certain life, health and annuity insurance policies
contained dividend payment provisions that enabled the policyholder to
participate in the earnings of the Company. The amount of policyholders'
dividends was determined annually by the Board of Directors. The aggregate
amount of policyholders' dividends was related to the actual interest,
mortality, morbidity and expense experience for the year and the Company's
judgment as to the appropriate level of statutory surplus to be retained. The
participating life insurance in force was 16.2% of the face value of total life
insurance in force at December 31, 1994. The premiums on participating life,
health and annuity policies were 11.3%, 6.4% and 6.6% of total life, health and
annuity statutory premiums prior to demutualization in 1995, 1994 and 1993,
respectively. Total policyholders' dividends were $23.3 million, $32.8 million
and $24.2 million prior to demutualization in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
L. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
AFC, FAFLIC, AFLIAC and FAFLIC's non-insurance domestic subsidiaries file a
consolidated United States federal income tax return. Entities included within
the consolidated group are segregated into either a life insurance or non-life
insurance company subgroup. The consolidation of these subgroups is subject to
certain statutory restrictions on the percentage of eligible non-life tax losses
that can be applied to offset life company taxable income. Allmerica P&C and its
subsidiaries file a separate United States federal income tax return.
Deferred income taxes are generally recognized when assets and liabilities
have different values for financial statement and tax reporting purposes, and
for other temporary taxable and deductible differences as defined by Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" (SFAS
No. 109). These differences result primarily from loss reserves, policy
acquisition expenses, and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments.
M. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In March 1995, SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of" was issued. This statement requires
companies to write down to fair value long-lived assets whose carrying value is
greater than the undiscounted cash flows of those assets. The statement also
requires that long-lived assets of which management is committed to dispose,
either by sale or abandonment, be valued at the lower of their carrying amount
or fair value less costs to sell. This statement is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1995. Management expects that adoption of this
statement will not have a material effect on the financial statements.
N. RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year
presentation.
-9-
<PAGE>
2. SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS
Pursuant to the plan of reorganization effective October 16, 1995, AFC issued
37.5 million shares of its common stock to eligible policyholders. AFC also
issued 12.6 million shares of its common stock at a price of $21.00 per share in
a public offering, resulting in net proceeds of $248.0 million, and issued
Senior Debentures in the principal amount of $200.0 million which resulted in
net proceeds of $197.2 million. AFC contributed $392.4 million of these proceeds
to FAFLIC.
Effective March 31, 1995, the Company entered into an agreement with TSSG,
a division of First Data Corporation, pursuant to which the Company sold its
mutual fund processing business and agreed not to engage in this business for
four years after that date. In accordance with this agreement, the Company
received proceeds of $32.1 million. A gain of $13.5 million, net of taxes of
$7.2 million, was recorded in March 1995.
In March and April, 1993, Citizens Corporation, a newly formed holding
company for Citizens, issued approximately 19.35% of its common stock in an
initial public offering, generating net proceeds of $156.2 million (7.0 million
shares at $24.00 per share). Proceeds to Citizens Corporation were reduced by
underwriting and other stock issuance costs. A non-taxable gain of $62.9 million
was recorded in 1993 in connection with this initial public offering. This gain
is non-taxable because only newly-issued shares of Citizens Corporation were
issued to the public.
Effective December 31, 1992, Hanover entered into a definitive agreement to
sell its wholly owned subsidiary, Beacon Insurance Company of America, and its
wholly owned subsidiary, American Select Insurance Company, for $89.7 million. A
gain of $20.7 million, net of taxes of $15.0 million, was recorded in 1993.
3. INVESTMENTS
A. FIXED MATURITIES AND EQUITY SECURITIES
Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted SFAS No. 115, which requires that
investments be classified into one of three categories: held-to-maturity,
available-for-sale, or trading.
The effect of implementing SFAS No. 115 as of January 1, 1994 was an
increase in the carrying value of fixed maturity investments of $335.3 million,
a decrease in deferred policy acquisition costs of $20.8 million, an increase in
policyholder liabilities of $18.4 million, a net increase in deferred income tax
liabilities of $103.7 million, an increase in minority interest of $45.4
million, and an increase in shareholders' equity of $147.0 million, which
resulted from changing the carrying value of certain fixed maturities from
amortized cost to fair value and related adjustments. The implementation had no
effect on net income.
In November 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued a Special
Report, A GUIDE TO IMPLEMENTATION OF STATEMENT 115 ON ACCOUNTING FOR CERTAIN
INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES, which permitted companies to
reclassify securities, where appropriate, based on the new guidance. As a
result, the Company transferred securities with amortized cost and fair value of
$696.4 million and $725.6 million, respectively, from the held-to-maturity
category to the available-for-sale category, which resulted in a net increase in
shareholders' equity of $12.8 million.
The amortized cost and fair value of available-for-sale and
held-to-maturity fixed maturities and equity securities were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
(In millions) 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost (1) Gains Losses Value
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. government and agency securities $ 377.0 $ 21.0 $ -- $ 398.0
States and political subdivisions 2,110.6 60.7 4.0 2,167.3
Foreign governments 60.6 3.4 0.6 63.4
Corporate fixed maturities 4,582.1 200.8 16.4 4,766.5
U.S. government mortgage-backed securities 337.6 8.6 2.1 344.1
Total fixed maturities available-for-sale $ 7,467.9 $ 294.5 $ 23.1 $ 7,739.3
---------------------------------------------------------
Equity securities $ 410.6 $ 111.7 $ 5.1 $ 517.2
---------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-10-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
(In millions) 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AVAILABLE-FOR-SALE Gross Gross
Amortized Unrealized Unrealized Fair
Cost (1) Gains Losses Value
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. government and agency securities $ 280.2 $ 4.8 $ 9.1 $ 275.9
States and political subdivisions 2,011.3 14.9 76.2 1,950.0
Foreign governments 96.8 1.8 12.8 85.8
Corporate fixed maturities 4,201.4 24.7 157.4 4,068.7
U.S. government mortgage-backed securities 134.9 0.4 3.7 131.6
----------------------------------------------------------
Total fixed maturities available-for-sale $ 6,724.6 $ 46.6 $ 259.2 $ 6,512.0
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
Equity securities $ 260.4 $ 35.3 $ 9.3 $ 286.4
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
HELD-TO-MATURITY
State and political subdivisions $ 8.1 $ 0.1 $ 0.8 7.4
Foreign governments 20.7 0.2 0.2 20.7
Corporate fixed maturities 927.3 13.7 22.5 918.5
Corporate mortgage-backed securities 3.2 0.1 -- 3.3
----------------------------------------------------------
Total fixed maturities held-to-maturity $ 959.3 $ 14.1 $ 23.5 $ 949.9
----------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Amortized cost for fixed maturities and cost for equity securities.
In March 1994, AFLIAC voluntarily withdrew its license in New York in order
to provide for certain commission arrangements prohibited by New York comparable
to AFLIAC's competitors. In connection with the withdrawal, FAFLIC, which is
licensed in New York, became qualified to sell the products previously sold by
AFLIAC in New York. AFLIAC agreed with the New York Department of Insurance to
maintain, through a custodial account in New York, a security deposit, the
market value of which will at all times equal 102% of all outstanding general
account liabilities of AFLIAC for New York policyholders, claimants and
creditors. At December 31, 1995, the amortized cost and market value of assets
on deposit were $295.0 million and $303.6 million, respectively. At December 31,
1994, the amortized cost and market value of assets on deposit were $327.9
million and $323.5 million, respectively. In addition, fixed maturities,
excluding those securities on deposit in New York, with an amortized cost of
$82.2 million and $67.0 million were on deposit with various state and
governmental authorities at December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
There were approximately $21.8 million of contractual fixed maturity
investment commitments at December 31, 1994 and none at December 31, 1995.
The amortized cost and fair value by maturity periods for fixed maturities
are shown below. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities
because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or
without call or prepayment penalties, or the Company may have the right to put
or sell the obligations back to the issuers. Mortgage backed securities are
included in the category representing their ultimate maturity.
-11-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
(In millions) 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available-for-Sale
Amortized Fair
Cost Value
<S> <C> <C>
Due in one year or less $ 970.8 $ 975.6
Due after one year through five years 3,507.9 3,657.1
Due after five years through ten years 1,794.0 1,866.0
Due after ten years 1,195.2 1,240.6
-----------------------------
Total $ 7,467.9 $ 7,739.3
-----------------------------
-----------------------------
</TABLE>
The proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities and the gross
realized gains and gross realized losses on those sales were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proceeds from Sales
of Available-for-Sale Gross Gross
1995 Securities Gains Losses
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Fixed maturities $ 1,612.3 $ 23.7 $ 33.0
---------------------------------------
Equity securities $ 122.2 $ 23.1 $ 6.9
---------------------------------------
1994
Fixed maturities $ 1,026.2 $ 12.6 $ 21.6
---------------------------------------
Equity securities $ 124.3 $ 17.4 $ 4.5
---------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale and other securities, are
summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions)
Equity
Fixed Securities
Maturities and Other (1) Total
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1995
Net appreciation (depreciation),
beginning of year $ (89.4) $ 10.4 $ (79.0)
---------------------------------------
Effect of transfer of securities
between classifications:
Net appreciation on available-
for-sale fixed maturities 29.2 -- 29.2
Effect of transfer on deferred
policy acquisition costs and
on policy liabilities (6.8) -- (6.8)
Provision for deferred federal
income taxes and minority
interest (9.6) -- (9.6)
---------------------------------------
12.8 -- 12.8
---------------------------------------
Net appreciation on available-
for-sale securities 465.4 87.5 552.9
Net depreciation from the effect
on deferred policy acquisition
costs and on policy liabilities (86.9) (86.9)
Provision for deferred federal
income taxes and minority interest (193.2) (53.6) (246.8)
---------------------------------------
185.3 33.9 219.2
---------------------------------------
Net appreciation, end of year $ 108.7 $ 44.3 $ 153.0
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
1994
Net appreciation, beginning of year $ -- $ 17.5 $ 17.5
---------------------------------------
Cumulative effect of accounting
change:
Net appreciation on available-
for-sale fixed maturities 335.3 -- 335.3
Net depreciation from the effect
of accounting change on
deferred policy acquisition
costs and on policy liabilities (39.2) -- (39.2)
Provision for deferred federal
income taxes and minority
interest (149.1) -- (149.1)
---------------------------------------
147.0 17.5 164.5
---------------------------------------
Net depreciation on available-
for-sale securities (547.9) (17.4) (565.3)
Net appreciation from the effect
on deferred policy acquisition
costs and on policy liabilities 73.2 -- 73.2
Benefit for deferred federal income
taxes and minority interest 238.3 10.3 248.6
---------------------------------------
Net appreciation (depreciation),
end of year $ (89.4) $ 10.4 $ (79.0)
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Includes net appreciation on other investments of $6.9 million and $0.6
million in 1995 and 1994, respectively.
-12-
<PAGE>
B. MORTGAGE LOANS AND REAL ESTATE
FAFLIC's mortgage loans and real estate are diversified by property type and
location. Real estate investments have been obtained primarily through
foreclosure. Mortgage loans are collateralized by the related properties and
generally are no more than 75% of the property's value at the time the original
loan is made.
The carrying values of mortgage loans and real estate investments net of
applicable reserves were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Mortgage loans $ 799.5 $ 1,106.7
-----------------------
Real estate:
Held for sale 168.9 134.5
Held for production of income 10.7 45.8
-----------------------
Total real estate 179.6 180.3
-----------------------
Total mortgage loans and real estate $ 979.1 $ 1,287.0
-----------------------
-----------------------
</TABLE>
Reserves for mortgage loans were $33.8 million and $47.2 million as of
December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
During 1995, 1994 and 1993, non-cash investing activities included real
estate acquired through foreclosure of mortgage loans, which had a fair value of
$26.1 million, $39.2 million and $26.7 million, respectively.
At December 31, 1995, contractual commitments to extend credit under
commercial mortgage loan agreements amounted to approximately $8.2 million in
the Closed Block. These commitments generally expire within one year. There
are no contractual commitments to extend credit under commercial mortgage
loan agreements outside the Closed Block.
Mortgage loans and real estate investments comprised the following property
types and geographic regions:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Property type:
Office building $ 435.9 $ 553.6
Residential 145.3 207.3
Retail 205.6 246.5
Industrial / warehouse 93.8 144.1
Other 151.9 205.6
Valuation allowances (53.4) (70.1)
-----------------------
Total $ 979.1 $ 1,287.0
-----------------------
-----------------------
Geographic region:
South Atlantic $ 281.4 $ 374.2
Pacific 191.9 238.7
East North Central 118.2 138.5
Middle Atlantic 148.9 151.2
West South Central 79.7 102.3
New England 94.9 103.1
Other 117.5 249.1
Valuation allowances (53.4) (70.1)
-----------------------
Total $ 979.1 $ 1,287.0
-----------------------
-----------------------
</TABLE>
At December 31, 1995, scheduled mortgage loan maturities were as follows:
1996 - $206.1 million; 1997 - $143.7 million; 1998 - $167.4 million; 1999 -
$109.9 million; 2000 - $124.2 million; and $48.2 million thereafter. Actual
maturities could differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have
the right to prepay obligations with or without prepayment penalties and loans
may be refinanced. During 1995, the Company refinanced $24.0 million of mortgage
loans based on terms which differed from those granted to new borrowers.
-13-
<PAGE>
C. INVESTMENT VALUATION ALLOWANCES
Investment valuation allowances which have been deducted in arriving at
investment carrying values as presented in the consolidated balance sheets and
changes thereto are shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1995 Balance at Balance at
January 1 Additions Deductions December 31
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mortgage loans $ 47.2 $ 1.5 $ 14.9 $ 33.8
Real estate 22.9 (0.6) 2.7 19.6
-----------------------------------------------------
Total $ 70.1 $ 0.9 $ 17.6 $ 53.4
-----------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
1994
Mortgage loans $ 73.8 $ 14.6 $ 41.2 $ 47.2
Real estate 21.0 3.2 1.3 22.9
-----------------------------------------------------
Total $ 94.8 $ 17.8 $ 42.5 $ 70.1
-----------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
1993
Mortgage loans $ 86.7 $ 4.6 $ 17.5 $ 73.8
Real estate 8.3 12.7 -- 21.0
-----------------------------------------------------
Total $ 95.0 $ 17.3 $ 17.5 $ 94.8
-----------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
D. FUTURES CONTRACTS
FAFLIC purchases and sells futures contracts on margin to hedge against interest
rate fluctuations and their effect on the net cash flows from the sales of
guaranteed investment contracts. The notional amount of such futures contracts
outstanding were $74.7 million and $126.6 million at December 31, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. Because the Company purchases and sells futures contracts through
brokers who assume the risk of loss, the Company's exposure to credit risk under
futures contracts is limited to the margin deposited with the broker. The
maturity of all futures contracts outstanding are less than one year. The fair
value of futures contracts outstanding were $75.7 million and $126.5 million at
December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
Gains and losses on hedge contracts related to interest rate fluctuations
are deferred and recognized in income over the period being hedged corresponding
to related guaranteed investment contracts. Deferred hedging gains and (losses)
were $5.6 million, $(7.7) million, and $6.9 million in 1995, 1994 and 1993,
respectively. Gains and losses on hedge contracts that are deemed ineffective by
management are realized immediately.
A reconciliation of the notional amount of futures contracts is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994 1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Contracts outstanding,
beginning of year $ 126.6 $ 141.7 $ 120.0
New contracts 343.5 816.0 493.3
Contracts terminated (395.4) (831.1) $ (471.6)
---------------------------------------
Contracts outstanding, end of year $ 74.7 $ 126.6 $ 141.7
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
</TABLE>
E. FOREIGN CURRENCY SWAP CONTRACTS
The Company enters into foreign currency swap contracts to hedge exposure to
currency risk on foreign fixed maturity investments. Interest and principal
related to foreign fixed maturity investments payable in foreign currencies, at
current exchange rates, are exchanged for the equivalent payment translated at a
specific currency exchange rate. The Company's maximum exposure to counterparty
credit risk is the difference between the foreign currency exchange rate, as
agreed
-14-
<PAGE>
upon in the swap contract, and the foreign currency spot rate on the date of the
exchange. The fair values of the foreign currency swap contracts outstanding
were $104.2 million and $117.5 million at December 31, 1995 and 1994,
respectively.
The difference between amounts paid and received on foreign currency swap
contracts is reflected in the net investment income related to the underlying
assets and is not material in 1995, 1994, and 1993. The Company had no deferred
gains or losses on foreign currency swap contracts.
A reconciliation of the notional amount of swap contracts is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994 1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Contracts outstanding, beginning
of year $ 118.7 $ 128.8 $ 95.0
New Contracts -- 5.0 50.8
Contracts expired -- (10.1) (17.0)
Contracts terminated (14.1) (5.0) --
---------------------------------------
Contracts outstanding, end
of year $ 104.6 $ 118.7 $ 128.8
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Expected maturities of foreign currency swap contracts are $36.0 million in
1996, $28.8 million in 1997, and $39.8 million in 1998 and thereafter.
F. OTHER
At December 31, 1995, FAFLIC had no concentration of investments in a single
investee exceeding 10% of shareholders' equity.
4. INVESTMENT INCOME AND GAINS AND LOSSES
A. NET INVESTMENT INCOME
The components of net investment income were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994 1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Fixed maturities $ 554.0 $ 578.3 $ 601.5
Mortgage loans 97.0 119.9 155.7
Equity securities 16.8 12.1 7.1
Policy loans 20.3 23.3 23.5
Real estate 48.5 44.6 43.4
Other long-term investments 4.4 4.3 2.1
Short-term investments 21.4 9.5 7.4
---------------------------------------
Gross investment income 762.4 792.0 840.7
Less investment expenses (52.3) (48.9) (57.9)
---------------------------------------
Net investment income $ 710.1 $ 743.1 $ 782.8
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
</TABLE>
As of December 31, 1995, fixed maturities and mortgage loans on non-accrual
status were $1.4 million and $85.4 million, including restructured loans of
$46.8 million. The effect of non-accruals, compared with amounts that would have
been recognized in accordance with the original terms of the investments, was to
reduce net income by $0.6 million, $5.1 million and $14.0 million in 1995, 1994
and 1993, respectively.
The payment terms of mortgage loans may from time to time be restructured
or modified. The investment in restructured mortgage loans, based on amortized
cost, amounted to $98.9 million , $126.8 million and $167.0 million at
December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. Interest income on restructured
mortgage loans that would have been recorded in accordance with the original
terms of such loans amounted to $11.1 million, $14.4 million and $18.1 million
in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. Actual interest income on these loans
included in net investment income aggregated $7.1 million, $8.2 million and
$10.6 million in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
At December 31, 1995, fixed maturities with a carrying value of $1.4
million were non-income producing for the twelve months ended December 31, 1995.
There were no mortgage loans which were non-income producing for the twelve
months ended December 31, 1995.
B. REALIZED INVESTMENT GAINS AND LOSSES
Realized gains (losses) on investments were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994 1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Fixed maturities $ (7.0) $ 2.4 $ 48.8
Mortgage loans 1.4 (12.1) (0.5)
Equity securities 16.2 12.4 29.8
Real estate 5.3 1.4 (14.5)
Other 3.2 (3.0) (2.6)
--------------------------------------
Net realized investment gains $ 19.1 $ 1.1 $ 61.0
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Proceeds from voluntary sales of investments in fixed maturities were
$1,612.3 million, $1,036.5 million and $817.5 million in 1995, 1994 and 1993,
respectively. Realized gains on such sales were $23.7 million, $12.9 million and
$38.8 million; and realized losses were $33.0 million, $21.6 million and $2.6
million for 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
5. FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
SFAS No. 107, "Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments", requires
disclosure of fair value information about certain financial instruments
(insurance contracts, real estate, goodwill and taxes are excluded) for which it
is practicable to estimate such values, whether or not these instruments are
included in the balance sheet. The fair values presented for certain financial
instruments are estimates
-15-
<PAGE>
which, in many cases, may differ significantly from the amounts which could be
realized upon immediate liquidation. In cases where market prices are not
available, estimates of fair value are based on discounted cash flow analyses
which utilize current interest rates for similar financial instruments which
have comparable terms and credit quality. Fair values of interest rate futures
were not material at December 31, 1995 and 1994.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value
of each class of financial instruments:
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
For these short-term investments, the carrying amount approximates fair value.
FIXED MATURITIES
Fair values are based on quoted market prices, if available. If a quoted market
price is not available, fair values are estimated using independent pricing
sources or internally developed pricing models using discounted cash flow
analyses.
EQUITY SECURITIES
Fair values are based on quoted market prices, if available. If a quoted market
price is not available, fair values are estimated using independent pricing
sources or internally developed pricing models.
MORTGAGE LOANS
Fair values are estimated by discounting the future contractual cash flows using
the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with similar
credit ratings. The fair value of below investment grade mortgage loans are
limited to the lesser of the present value of the cash flows or book value.
REINSURANCE RECEIVABLES
The carrying amount reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximates
fair value.
POLICY LOANS
The carrying amount reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximates
fair value since policy loans have no defined maturity dates and are inseparable
from the insurance contracts.
INVESTMENT CONTRACTS (WITHOUT MORTALITY FEATURES)
Fair values for the Company's liabilities under guaranteed investment type
contracts are estimated using discounted cash flow calculations using current
interest rates for similar contracts with maturities consistent with those
remaining for the contracts being valued. Other liabilities are based on
surrender values.
DEBT
The carrying value of short-term debt reported in the balance sheet approximates
fair value. The fair value of long-term debt was estimated using market quotes,
when available, and, when not available, discounted cash flow analyses.
The estimated fair values of the financial instruments were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
Value Value Value Value
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
FINANCIAL ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 236.6 $ 236.6 $ 539.7 $ 539.7
Fixed maturities 7,739.3 7,739.3 7,471.3 7,461.9
Equity securities 517.2 517.2 286.4 286.4
Mortgage loans 799.5 845.4 1,106.7 1,105.8
Policy loans 123.2 123.2 364.9 364.9
------------------------------------------------------------
$ 9,415.8 $ 9,461.7 $ 9,769.0 $ 9,758.7
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Guaranteed investment contracts $ 1,632.8 $ 1,677.0 $ 2,170.6 $ 2,134.0
Supplemental contracts without life contingencies 24.4 24.4 25.3 25.3
Dividend accumulations 86.2 86.2 84.5 84.5
Other individual contract deposit funds 95.7 92.8 111.3 108.0
Other group contract deposit funds 894.0 902.8 980.3 969.6
Individual annuity contracts 966.3 810.0 988.9 870.6
Short-term debt 28.0 28.0 32.8 32.8
Long-term debt 2.8 2.9 2.7 2.7
------------------------------------------------------------
$ 3,730.2 $ 3,624.1 $ 4,396.4 $ 4,227.5
------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-16-
<PAGE>
6. CLOSED BLOCK
Included in other income in the Consolidated Statement of Income in 1995 is a
net pre-tax contribution from the Closed Block of $2.9 million. Summarized
financial information of the Closed Block as of September 30, 1995 (date used to
estimate financial information for the date of establishment of October 16,
1995) and December 31, 1995 and for the period October 1, 1995 through December
31, 1995 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In millions) 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31 September 30
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
Fixed maturities, at fair value
(amortized cost of $447.4 and
$313.3, respectively) $ 458.0 $ 318.4
Mortgage loans 57.1 61.6
Policy loans 242.4 245.3
Cash and cash equivalents 17.6 12.3
Accrued investment income 16.6 15.3
Deferred policy acquisition costs 24.5 24.8
Other assets 2.7 6.4
-----------------------
Total assets $ 818.9 $ 684.1
-----------------------
-----------------------
Liabilities
Policy liabilities and accruals $ 899.2 $ 894.3
Other liabilities 2.8 4.2
-----------------------
Total liabilities $ 902.0 $ 898.5
-----------------------
-----------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Period from October 1 through December 31
(In millions) 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Revenues
Premiums $ 11.5
Net investment income 12.8
---------
Total revenues 24.3
---------
Benefits and expenses
Policy benefits 20.6
Policy acquisition expenses 0.8
---------
Total benefits and expenses 21.4
---------
Contribution from the Closed Block $ 2.9
---------
---------
Cash flows
Cash flows from operating activities:
Contribution from the Closed Block $ 2.9
Initial cash transferred to the Closed Block 139.7
Change in deferred policy acquisition costs, net 0.4
Change in premiums and other receivables (0.1)
Change in policy liabilities and accruals 2.0
Change in accrued investment income (1.3)
Other, net 0.8
---------
Net cash provided by operating activities 144.4
---------
---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Sales, maturities and repayments of investments 29.0
Purchases of investments (158.8)
Other, net 3.0
---------
Net cash used by investing activities (126.8)
---------
Change in cash and cash equivalents and ending balance $ 17.6
---------
---------
</TABLE>
On October 16, 1995, there were no valuation allowances transferred to the
Closed Block on mortgage loans. There are no valuation allowances on mortgage
loans at December 31, 1995.
Many expenses related to Closed Block operations are charged to operations
outside the Closed Block; accordingly, the contribution from the Closed Block
does not represent the actual profitability of the Closed Block operations.
Operating costs and expenses outside of the Closed Block are, therefore,
disproportionate to the business outside the Closed Block.
-17-
<PAGE>
7. DEBT
Short- and long-term debt consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Short-Term
Commercial paper $ 27.7 $ 32.8
Other 0.3 --
-----------------------
Total short-term debt $ 28.0 $ 32.8
-----------------------
-----------------------
Long-term debt $ 2.8 $ 2.7
-----------------------
-----------------------
</TABLE>
FAFLIC issues commercial paper primarily to manage imbalances between
operating cash flows and existing commitments. Commercial paper borrowing
arrangements are supported by various lines of credit. As of December 31, 1995,
the weighted average interest rate for outstanding commercial paper was 5.8%.
As of December 31, 1995, FAFLIC had approximately $245.0 million in
committed lines of credit provided by U.S. banks, of which $217.3 million was
available for borrowing. These lines of credit generally have terms of less than
one year, and require the Company to pay annual commitment fees ranging from
0.10% to 0.125% of the available credit. Interest that would be charged for
usage of these lines of credit is based upon negotiated arrangements.
Interest expense was $4.1 million, $4.3 million and $1.6 million in 1995,
1994 and 1993, respectively.
In October, 1995, AFC issued $200.0 million face amount of Senior
Debentures for proceeds of $197.2 million net of discounts and issuance costs.
These securities have an effective interest rate of 7.65%, and mature on October
16, 2025. Interest is payable semiannually on October 15 and April 15 of each
year. The Senior Debentures are subject to certain restrictive covenants,
including limitations on issuance of or disposition of stock of restricted
subsidiaries and limitations on liens. AFC is in compliance with all covenants.
The primary source of cash for repayment of the debt by AFC is dividends from
FAFLIC.
8. FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
Provisions for federal income taxes have been calculated in accordance with the
provisions of SFAS No. 109. A summary of the federal income tax expense
(benefit) in the consolidated statements of income is shown below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994 1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Federal income tax expense (benefit)
Current $ 119.7 $ 45.4 $ 95.1
Deferred (37.0) 8.0 (20.4)
---------------------------------------
Total $ 82.7 $ 53.4 $ 74.7
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The federal income taxes attributable to the consolidated results of
operations are different from the amounts determined by multiplying income
before federal income taxes by the expected federal income tax rate. The sources
of the difference and the tax effects of each were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994 1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Expected federal income tax
expense $ 105.6 $ 53.7 $ 138.2
Tax-exempt interest (32.2) (35.9) (32.8)
Differential earnings amount (7.6) 35.0 (10.9)
Non-taxable gain -- -- (22.0)
Dividend received deduction (4.0) (2.5) (1.3)
Foreign tax credit (0.7) (0.8) (0.9)
Changes in tax reserve estimates 19.3 4.0 3.5
Other, net 2.3 (0.1) 0.9
---------------------------------------
Federal income tax expense $ 82.7 $ 53.4 $ 74.7
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Until conversion to a stock life insurance company, FAFLIC, as a mutual
company, reduced its deduction for policyholder dividends by the differential
earnings amount. This amount was computed, for each tax year, by multiplying the
average equity base of the FAFLIC/AFLIAC consolidated group, as determined for
tax purposes, by the estimate of an excess of an imputed earnings rate over the
average mutual life insurance companies' earnings rate. The differential
earnings amount for each tax year was subsequently recomputed when actual
earnings rates were published by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For its
1995 federal income tax return, FAFLIC has estimated that there will be no tax
effect from a differential earnings amount, including the expected effect of
future recomputations by the IRS. As a stock life company, FAFLIC is no longer
required to reduce its policyholder dividend deduction by the differential
earnings amount.
-18-
<PAGE>
The deferred income tax asset represents the tax effects of temporary
differences attributable to Allmerica P&C, a separate consolidated group for
federal tax return purposes. Its components were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax (assets) liabilities
AMT carryforwards $ (9.8) $ (11.9)
Loss reserve discounting (178.3) (187.6)
Deferred acquisition costs 55.1 54.2
Employee benefit plans (25.5) (22.0)
Investments, net 77.4 (22.7)
Fixed assets 2.5 4.5
Bad debt reserve (1.8) (1.8)
Other, net (0.8) (1.8)
------------------------
Deferred tax asset, net $ (81.2) $ (189.1)
------------------------
------------------------
</TABLE>
The deferred income tax liability represents the tax effects of temporary
differences attributable to the FAFLIC/AFLIAC consolidated federal tax return
group. Its components were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax (assets) liabilities
NOL carryforwards $ -- $ (3.3)
AMT carryforwards -- (1.5)
Loss reserve discounting (129.1) (118.2)
Deferred acquisition costs 169.7 199.0
Differential earnings amount -- 27.7
Employee benefit plans (14.6) (15.4)
Investments, net 67.0 (30.9)
Fixed assets (1.7) (0.9)
Bad debt reserve (26.3) (27.9)
Other, net (17.2) (14.8)
------------------------
Deferred tax liability, net $ 47.8 $ 13.8
------------------------
------------------------
</TABLE>
Gross deferred income tax assets totaled $405.1 million and $460.7 million
at December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Gross deferred income tax
liabilities totaled $371.1 million and $285.4 million at December 31, 1995 and
1994, respectively.
Management believes, based on the Company's recent earnings history and its
future expectations, that the Company's taxable income in future years will be
sufficient to realize all deferred tax assets. In determining the adequacy of
future income, management considered the future reversal of its existing
temporary differences and available tax planning strategies that could be
implemented, if necessary. At December 31, 1995, there are no available non-life
net operating loss carryforwards, and there are available alternative minimum
tax credit carryforwards of $9.8 million.
The Company's federal income tax returns are routinely audited by the IRS,
and provisions are routinely made in the financial statements in anticipation of
the results of these audits. The IRS has examined the FAFLIC/AFLIAC consolidated
group's federal income tax returns through 1988. The IRS has also examined the
Allmerica P&C consolidated group's federal income tax returns through 1988.
Deficiencies asserted with respect to tax years 1977 through 1981 have been paid
and recorded, and the Company has filed a recomputation of such years with
appeals claiming a refund with respect to certain agreed upon issues. The
Company is currently considering its response to certain adjustments proposed by
the IRS with respect to FAFLIC/AFLIAC's federal income tax returns for 1982 and
1983, and to possible adjustments under consideration by the IRS with respect to
Allmerica P&C's federal income tax returns for 1989, 1990, and 1991. If upheld,
these adjustments would result in additional payments; however, the Company will
vigorously defend its position with respect to these adjustments. In
management's opinion, adequate tax liabilities have been established for all
years. However, the amount of these tax liabilities could be revised in the near
term if estimates of the Company's ultimate liability are revised.
9. PENSION PLANS
FAFLIC provides retirement benefits to substantially all of its employees under
three separate defined benefit pension plans. Through December 31, 1994,
retirement benefits were based primarily on employees' years of service and
compensation during the highest five consecutive plan years of employment.
Benefits under this defined benefit formula were frozen for most employees (but
not for eligible agents) effective December 31, 1994. In their place, the
Company adopted a defined benefit cash balance formula, under which the Company
annually provides an allocation to each eligible employee as a percentage of
that employee's salary, similar to a defined contribution plan arrangement. The
1995 allocation was based on 7.0% of each eligible employee's salary.
Continuation of the defined benefit cash balance formula is subject to the
resolution of certain technical issues, and may be subject to receipt of a
favorable determination letter from the IRS that the Company's pension plans, as
amended to reflect the cash balance formula, will continue to satisfy the
requirements of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company's
policy for the plans is to fund at least the minimum amount required by the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
-19-
<PAGE>
Components of net pension expense were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994 1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Service cost - benefits earned
during the year $ 19.7 $ 13.0 $ 9.8
Interest accrued on projected
benefit obligations 21.1 20.0 16.9
Actual return on assets (89.3) (2.6) (15.1)
Net amortization and deferral 66.1 (16.3) (5.8)
--------------------------------------
Net pension expense $ 17.6 $ 14.1 $ 5.8
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes the combined status of the three pension
plans. At December 31, 1995 and 1994, each plan's projected benefit obligation
exceeded its assets.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Actuarial present value of benefit
obligations:
Vested benefit obligation $ 325.6 $ 221.7
Unvested benefit obligation 5.0 3.5
-----------------------
Accumulated benefit obligation $ 330.6 $ 225.2
-----------------------
-----------------------
Pension liability included in
Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Projected benefit obligation $ 367.1 $ 254.6
Plan assets at fair value 321.2 239.7
-----------------------
Plan assets less than projected
benefit obligation (45.9) (14.9)
Unrecognized net loss from
past experience 48.8 42.3
Unrecognized prior service benefit (13.8) (17.3)
Unamortized transition asset (26.5) (28.3)
-----------------------
Net pension liability $ (37.4) $ (18.2)
-----------------------
-----------------------
</TABLE>
Determination of the projected benefit obligations was based on a weighted
average discount rate of 7.0% in 1995 and 8.5% in 1994, and the assumed
long-term rate of return on plan assets was 9%. The actuarial present value of
the projected benefit obligations was determined using assumed rates of increase
in future compensation levels ranging from 5.5% to 6.5%. The effect of changes
in actuarial assumptions, including the decrease in the weighted average
discount rate, was an increase in the Company's projected benefit obligation of
$76.7 million at December 31, 1995. Plan assets are invested primarily in
various Variable Accounts and the general account of FAFLIC. The plans also hold
stock of AFC.
The Company has a profit sharing and 401(k) plan for its employees.
Effective for plan years beginning after 1994, the profit sharing formula for
employees has been discontinued and a 401(k) match feature has been added to the
continuing 401(k) plan for the employees. Total plan expense in 1995, 1994 and
1993 was $5.2 million, $12.6 million and $22.6 million, respectively. In
addition to this Plan, the Company has a defined contribution plan for
substantially all of its agents. The Plan expense in 1995, 1994 and 1993 was
$3.5 million, $2.7 million and $2.4 million, respectively.
10. OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS
In addition to the Company's pension plans, the Company currently provides
postretirement medical and death benefits to certain full-time employees and
dependents, under several plans sponsored by FAFLIC, Hanover and Citizens.
Generally, employees become eligible at age 55 with at least 15 years of
service. Spousal coverage is generally provided for up to two years after death
of the retiree. Benefits include hospital, major medical and a payment at death
equal to retirees' final compensation up to certain limits. Effective January 1,
1996, the Company revised these benefits so as to establish limits on future
benefit payments and to restrict eligibility to current employees. The medical
plans have varying copayments and deductibles, depending on the plan. These
plans are unfunded.
Effective January 1, 1993, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No.
106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions".
SFAS No. 106 requires employers to recognize the costs and obligations of
postretirement benefits other than pensions over the period ending with the date
an employee is fully eligible to receive benefits. Previously, such costs were
generally recognized as expenses when paid. The adoption increased accrued
liabilities by $69.1 million. The effect on the consolidated income statement
was $35.4 million, net of tax of $23.5 million and minority interest of $10.2
million, reported as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.
The ongoing effect of adopting the new standard increased 1993 net periodic
postretirement benefit expense by $6.6 million, and decreased net income by $4.3
million.
-20-
<PAGE>
The plans' funded status reconciled with amounts recognized in the
Company's consolidated balance sheet were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation:
Retirees $ 44.9 $ 35.2
Fully eligible active plan participants 14.0 15.2
Other active plan participants 45.9 38.5
-----------------------
104.8 88.9
Plan assets at fair value -- --
-----------------------
Accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation in excess of plan assets 104.8 88.9
Unrecognized loss 13.4 4.7
-----------------------
Accrued postretirement benefit costs $ 91.4 $ 84.2
-----------------------
-----------------------
</TABLE>
The components of net periodic postretirement benefit expense were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994 1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <S> <C> <C>
Service cost $ 4.2 $ 6.6 $ 3.8
Interest cost 6.9 6.9 5.7
Amortization of (gain) loss (0.5) 1.4 --
-------------------------------------
Net periodic postretirement
benefit expense $ 10.6 $ 14.9 $ 9.5
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
</TABLE>
For purposes of measuring the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation
at December 31, 1995, health care costs were assumed to increase 10% in 1996,
declining thereafter until the ultimate rate of 5.5% is reached in 2001 and
remains at that level thereafter. The health care cost trend rate assumption has
a significant effect on the amounts reported. For example, increasing the
assumed health care cost trend rates by one percentage point in each year would
increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at December 31, 1995
by $10.1 million, and the aggregate of the service and interest cost components
of net periodic postretirement benefit expense for 1995 by $1.2 million.
The weighted-average discount rate used in determining the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation at January 1, 1993 was 8.5%. The rate was 7.0%
and 8.5% at December 31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The effect of changes in
actuarial assumptions, including the decrease in the weighted average discount
rate, was an increase in the Company's accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation of $15.1 million at December 31, 1995.
11. POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 112, (SFAS No. 112), "Employers' Accounting
for Postemployment Benefits", which requires employers to recognize the costs
and obligations of severance, disability and related life insurance and health
care benefits to be paid to inactive or former employees after employment but
before retirement. Prior to adoption, the Company had recognized the cost of
these benefits on an accrual or paid basis, depending on the plan.
Implementation of SFAS No. 112 resulted in a transition obligation of $1.9
million, net of federal income taxes and minority interest, and is reported as a
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle in the consolidated
statement of income. The impact of this accounting change, after recognition of
the cumulative effect, was not significant.
12. DIVIDEND RESTRICTIONS
Massachusetts, Delaware, New Hampshire and Michigan have enacted laws governing
the payment of dividends to stockholders by insurers. These laws affect the
dividend paying ability of FAFLIC, AFLIAC, Hanover and Citizens, respectively.
Massachusetts' statute limits the dividends an insurer may pay in any
twelve month period, without the prior permission of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner, to the greater of (i) 10% of its statutory
policyholder surplus as of the preceding December 31 or (ii) the individual
company's statutory net gain from operations for the preceding calendar year (if
such insurer is a life company), or its net income for the preceding calendar
year (if such insurer is not a life company). In addition, under Massachusetts
law, no domestic insurer shall pay a dividend or make any distribution to its
shareholders from other than unassigned funds unless the Commissioner shall have
approved such dividend or distribution. At January 1, 1996, FAFLIC could pay
dividends of $144.9 million to AFC without prior approval of the Commissioner.
Dividends from FAFLIC to AFC will be the primary source of cash for
repayment of the debt by AFC and payment of dividends to AFC stockholders.
Pursuant to Delaware's statute, the maximum amount of dividends and other
distributions that an insurer may pay in any twelve month period, without the
prior approval of the Delaware Commissioner of
-21-
<PAGE>
Insurance, is limited to the greater of (i) 10% of its policyholders' surplus as
of the preceding December 31 or (ii) the individual company's statutory net gain
from operations for the preceding calendar year (if such insurer is a life
company) or its net income (not including realized capital gains) for the
preceding calendar year (if such insurer is not a life company). Any dividends
to be paid by an insurer, whether or not in excess of the aforementioned
threshold, from a source other than statutory earned surplus would also require
the prior approval of the Delaware Commissioner of Insurance. At January 1,
1996, AFLIAC could pay dividends of $4.3 million to FAFLIC without prior
approval.
Pursuant to New Hampshire's statute, the maximum dividends and other
distributions that an insurer may pay in any twelve month period, without the
prior approval of the New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner, is limited to 10% of
such insurer's statutory policyholder surplus as of the preceding December 31.
At January 1, 1996, the maximum dividend and other distributions that could be
paid to Allmerica P&C by Hanover, without prior approval of the Insurance
Commissioner, was approximately $72.8 million.
Pursuant to Michigan's statute, the maximum dividends and other
distributions that an insurer may pay in any twelve month period, without prior
approval of the Michigan Insurance Commissioner, is limited to the greater of
10% of policyholders' surplus as of December 31 of the immediately preceding
year or the statutory net income less realized gains, for the immediately
preceding calendar year. At January 1, 1996, Citizens Insurance could pay
dividends of $45.6 million to Citizens Corporation without prior approval.
13. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company offers financial products and services in two major areas: Risk
Management and Retirement and Asset Management. Within these broad areas, the
Company conducts business principally in five operating segments.
The Risk Management group includes two segments: Regional Property and
Casualty and Corporate Risk Management Services. The Regional Property and
Casualty segment includes property and casualty insurance products, such as
automobile insurance, homeowners insurance, commercial multiple-peril insurance,
and workers' compensation insurance. These products are offered by Allmerica P&C
through its operating subsidiaries, Hanover and Citizens. Substantially all of
the Regional Property and Casualty segment's earnings are generated in Michigan
and the Northeast (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine). The Corporate Risk Management
Services segment, formerly known as the Employee Benefit Services segment,
includes group life and health insurance products and services which assist
employers in administering employee benefit programs and in managing the related
risks.
The Retirement and Asset Management group includes three segments: Retail
Financial Services, Institutional Services and Allmerica Asset Management. The
Retail Financial Services segment, formerly known as the Individual Financial
Services segment, includes variable annuities, variable universal life-type,
traditional and health insurance products distributed via retail channels to
individuals across the country. The Institutional Services segment includes
primarily group retirement products such as 401(k) plans, tax-sheltered
annuities and GIC contracts which are distributed to institutions across the
country via work-site marketing and other arrangements. Allmerica Asset
Management, formerly included in the results of the Institutional Services
segment, is a Registered Investment Advisor which provides investment advisory
services to other institutions, such as insurance companies and pension plans.
-22-
<PAGE>
Summarized below is financial information with respect to business segments
for the year ended and as of December 31.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In millions) 1995 1994 1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Risk Management
Regional Property and Casualty $ 2,095.1 $ 2,004.8 $ 2,051.1
Corporate Risk Management 328.5 302.4 296.0
-----------------------------------------
Subtotal 2,423.6 2,307.2 2,347.1
-----------------------------------------
Retirement and Asset Management
Retail Financial Services 486.7 507.9 524.0
Institutional Services 344.1 397.9 382.0
Allmerica Asset Management 4.4 4.0 -
-----------------------------------------
Subtotal 835.2 909.8 906.0
Eliminations (20.3) (21.9) (13.9)
-----------------------------------------
Total $ 3,238.5 $ 3,195.1 $ 3,239.2
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
Income (loss) from continuing
operations before income taxes:
Risk Management
Regional Property and Casualty $ 206.3 $ 113.1 $ 331.3
Corporate Risk Management 18.3 19.9 18.1
-----------------------------------------
Subtotal 224.6 133.0 349.4
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
Retirement and Asset Management
Retail Financial Services 35.2 14.2 61.6
Institutional Services 42.8 4.4 (16.1)
Allmerica Asset Management 2.3 1.9 --
-----------------------------------------
Subtotal 80.3 20.5 45.5
-----------------------------------------
Total $ 304.9 $ 153.5 $ 394.9
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
Identifiable assets:
Risk Management
Regional Property and Casualty $ 5,741.8 $ 5,408.7 $ 5,198.1
Corporate Risk Management 458.9 386.3 367.6
-----------------------------------------
Subtotal 6,200.7 5,795.0 5,565.7
-----------------------------------------
Retirement and Asset Management
Retail Financial Services 7,218.7 5,639.8 5,104.5
Institutional Services 4,280.9 4,484.5 4,708.2
Allmerica Asset Management 2.1 2.2 --
-----------------------------------------
Subtotal 11,501.7 10,126.5 9,812.7
-----------------------------------------
Total $ 17,702.4 $ 15,921.5 $ 15,378.4
-----------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
14. LEASE COMMITMENTS
Rental expenses for operating leases, principally with respect to buildings,
amounted to $36.4 million, $35.2 million and $31.9 million in 1995, 1994 and
1993, respectively. At December 31, 1995, future minimum rental payments under
non-cancelable operating leases were approximately $84.6 million, payable as
follows: 1996 - $29.4 million; 1997 - $21.5 million; 1998 - $14.6 million; 1999
- - $8.7 million; 2000 - $5.5 million; and $4.9 million thereafter.
15. REINSURANCE
In the normal course of business, the Company seeks to reduce the loss that may
arise from catastrophes or other events that cause unfavorable underwriting
results by reinsuring certain levels of risk in various areas of exposure with
other insurance enterprises or reinsurers. Reinsurance transactions are
accounted for in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 113.
Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent
with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policy. Reinsurance
contracts do not relieve the Company from its obligations to policyholders.
Failure of reinsurers to honor their obligations could result in losses to the
Company; consequently, allowances are established for amounts deemed
uncollectible. The Company determines the appropriate amount of reinsurance
based on evaluation of the risks accepted and analyses prepared by consultants
and reinsurers and on market conditions (including the availability and pricing
of reinsurance). The Company also believes that the terms of its reinsurance
contracts are consistent with industry practice in that they contain standard
terms with respect to lines of business covered, limit and retention,
arbitration and occurrence. Based on its review of its reinsurers' financial
statements and reputations in the reinsurance marketplace, the Company believes
that its reinsurers are financially sound.
The Company is subject to concentration of risk with respect to reinsurance
ceded to various residual market mechanisms. As a condition to the ability to
conduct certain business in various states, the Company is required to
participate in various residual market mechanisms and pooling arrangements which
provide various insurance coverages to individuals or other entities that are
otherwise unable to purchase such coverage voluntarily provided by private
insurers. These market mechanisms and pooling arrangements include the
Massachusetts Commonwealth Automobile Reinsurers ("CAR"), the Maine Workers'
Compensation Residual
-23-
<PAGE>
Market Pool ("MWCRP") and the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association ("MCCA").
As of December 31, 1995, the MCCA and CAR were the only two reinsurers which
represented 10% or more of the Company's reinsurance business. As a servicing
carrier in Massachusetts, the Company cedes a significant portion of its private
passenger and commercial automobile premiums to CAR. Net premiums earned and
losses and loss adjustment expenses ceded to CAR in 1995, 1994 and 1993 were
$49.1 million and $37.9 million, $50.0 million and $34.6 million, and $45.0
million and $31.7 million, respectively.
From 1988 through 1992, the Company was a servicing carrier in Maine, and
ceded a significant portion of its workers' compensation premiums to the Maine
Workers' Compensation Residual Market Pool, which is administered by The
National Council on Compensation Insurance ("NCCI"). The Company is currently
involved in legal proceedings regarding the MWCRP's deficit which through a
legislated settlement issued on June 23, 1995 provided for an initial funding of
$220.0 million, of which the insurance carriers were responsible for $65.0
million. Hanover paid its allocation of $4.2 million in December 1995. Some of
the small carriers are currently appealing this decision. The Company's right to
recover reinsurance balances for claims properly paid is not at issue in any
such proceedings. The Company expects to collect its reinsurance balance;
however, funding of the cash flow needs of the MWCRP may in the future be
affected by issues related to certain litigation, the outcome of which the
Company cannot predict. The Company ceded to MCCA net premiums earned and losses
and loss adjustment expenses in 1995, 1994 and 1993 of $66.8 million and $62.9
million, $80.0 million and $24.2 million, and $76.4 million and $126.8 million,
respectively. Because the MCCA is supported by assessments permitted by statute,
and all amounts billed by the Company to CAR, MWCRP and MCCA have been paid when
due, the Company believes that it has no significant exposure to uncollectible
reinsurance balances.
The effects of reinsurance were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994 1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Life insurance premiums:
Direct $ 438.9 $ 447.2 $ 453.0
Assumed 71.0 54.3 31.3
Ceded (150.3) (111.0) (83.2)
----------------------------------------
Net premiums $ 359.6 $ 390.5 $ 401.1
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Property and casualty
premiums written:
Direct $ 2,039.4 $ 1,992.4 $ 1,906.2
Assumed 125.0 128.6 106.3
Ceded (279.1) (298.1) (267.4)
----------------------------------------
Net premiums $ 1,885.3 $ 1,822.9 $ 1,745.1
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Property and casualty
premiums earned:
Direct $ 2,021.7 $ 1,967.1 $ 1,870.1
Assumed 137.7 116.1 114.8
Ceded (296.2) (291.9) (306.7)
----------------------------------------
Net premiums $ 1,863.2 $ 1,791.3 $ 1,678.2
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Life insurance and other individual
policy benefits, claims, losses and
loss adjustment expenses:
Direct $ 749.6 $ 773.0 $ 819.4
Assumed 38.5 28.9 6.8
Ceded (69.5) (61.6) (38.4)
----------------------------------------
Net policy benefits, claims, losses
and loss adjustment expenses $ 718.6 $ 740.3 $ 787.8
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
Property and casualty benefits,
claims, losses and loss
adjustment expenses:
Direct $ 1,372.7 $ 1,364.4 $ 1,310.3
Assumed 146.1 102.7 98.8
Ceded (229.1) (160.4) (209.7)
----------------------------------------
Net policy benefits, claims, losses
and loss adjustment expenses $ 1,289.7 $ 1,306.7 $ 1,199.4
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-24-
<PAGE>
16. DEFERRED POLICY ACQUISITION EXPENSES
The following reflects the amount of policy acquisition expenses deferred and
amortized:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994 1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at beginning of year $ 802.8 $ 746.9 $ 700.4
Acquisition expenses deferred 504.8 510.3 482.3
Amortized to expense
during the year (470.3) (475.7) (435.8)
Adjustment to equity
during the year (50.4) 21.3 --
Transferred to the Closed Block (24.8) -- --
Adjustment for cession of
term life insurance (26.4) -- --
---------------------------------------
Balance at end of year $ 735.7 $ 802.8 $ 746.9
---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
</TABLE>
17. LIABILITIES FOR OUTSTANDING CLAIMS, LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES
The Company regularly updates its estimates at liabilities for outstanding
claims, losses and loss adjustment expenses as new information becomes available
and further events occur which may impact the resolution of unsettled claims for
its property and casualty and its accident and health lines of business. Changes
in prior estimates are reflected in results of operations in the year such
changes are determined to be needed and recorded.
The liability for outstanding claims, losses and loss adjustment expenses
related to the Company's accident and health business was $375.9 million, $305.0
million and $276.3 million at December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
Accident and health claim liabilities have been re-estimated for all prior years
and were increased by $26.4 million, $6.5 million and $12.7 million in 1995,
1994 and 1993, respectively. Unfavorable development in the accident and health
business during 1995 is primarily due to reserve strengthening and adverse
experience in the Company's individual disability line of business.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending
property and casualty reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses
(LAE):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Years Ended December 31
(In millions) 1995 1994 1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Reserve for losses and LAE,
beginning of year $ 2,821.7 $ 2,717.3 $ 2,598.9
Incurred losses and LAE, net
of reinsurance recoverable:
Provision for insured events of
the current year 1,427.3 1,434.8 1,268.2
Decrease in provision for insured
events of prior years (137.6) (128.1) (68.8)
----------------------------------------
Total incurred losses and LAE 1,289.7 1,306.7 1,199.4
----------------------------------------
Payments, net of reinsurance
recoverable:
Losses and LAE attributable to
insured events of current year 652.2 650.2 523.5
Losses and LAE attributable to
insured events of prior years 614.3 566.9 564.3
----------------------------------------
Total payments 1,266.5 1,217.1 1,087.8
----------------------------------------
Less reserves assumed by purchaser
of Beacon -- -- (28.8)
----------------------------------------
Change in reinsurance recoverable
on unpaid losses 51.1 14.8 35.6
----------------------------------------
Reserve for losses and LAE,
end of year $ 2,896.0 $ 2,821.7 $ 2,717.3
----------------------------------------
----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
As part of an ongoing process, the property and casualty reserves have been
re-estimated for all prior accident years and were decreased by $137.6 million,
$128.1 million and $68.8 million in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. The
increase in favorable development on prior years' reserves of $9.5 million in
1995 results primarily from a $34.6 million increase in favorable development at
Citizens. Favorable development in Citizens' personal automobile and workers'
compensation lines increased $16.6 million and $15.5 million, to favorable
development of $4.4 million and $32.7 million, respectively. Hanover's favorable
development, not including the effect of voluntary and involuntary pools, was
relatively unchanged at $90.2 million in 1995 compared to $91.7 million in 1994.
Favorable development in Hanover's workers' compensation line increased $27.7
million to $31.0 million during 1995. This was offset by decreases of $14.6
million and
-25-
<PAGE>
$12.6 million, to $45.5 million and $0.1 million, in the personal automobile
and commercial multiple peril lines, respectively. Favorable development in
Hanover's voluntary and involuntary pools decreased $23.6 million to $0.4
million during 1995.
The increase in favorable development on prior years' reserves of $59.3
million in 1994 primarily results from an increase in favorable development in
the voluntary and involuntary pools of $47.0 million in 1994. The remainder of
the favorable reserve development in 1994 is the result of favorable severity
trends, primarily in the personal automobile and commercial multiple peril
lines.
This favorable development reflects the Regional Property and Casualty
subsidiaries' reserving philosophy consistently applied over these periods.
Conditions and trends that have affected development of the loss and LAE
reserves in the past may not necessarily occur in the future.
Due to the nature of business written by the Regional Property and Casualty
subsidiaries, the exposure to environmental liabilities is relatively small.
Losses and LAE reserves related to environmental damage and toxic tort
liability, included in the total reserve for losses and LAE, were $28.6 million
and $19.4 million, net of reinsurance of $8.4 million and $8.1 million, at the
end of 1995 and 1994, respectively. During 1995, the Regional Property and
Casualty subsidiaries redefined their environmental liabilities in conformity
with new guidelines issued by the NAIC. The 1994 liability has been conformed to
the 1995 presentation. This had no impact on results of operations. Management
believes that, notwithstanding the evolution of case law expanding such
liability, recorded reserves for environmental liability are adequate, and is
not aware of any litigation or pending claims that may result in additional
material liabilities in excess of recorded reserves. During 1995, Hanover
performed an actuarial review of its environmental reserves. This resulted in
Hanover's providing additional reserves for "IBNR" (incurred but not reported)
claims, in addition to existing reserves for reported claims. At Citizens,
environmental reserves are primarily related to reported claims. Although these
claims are not material, their existence gives rise to uncertainty and is
discussed because of the possibility, however remote, that they may become
material. The environmental liability could be revised in the near term if the
estimates used in determining the liability are revised.
18. MINORITY INTEREST
The Company's interest in Allmerica P&C, is represented by ownership of 58.3%,
57.4% and 57.4% of the outstanding shares of common stock at December 31, 1995,
1994 and 1993, respectively. Earnings and shareholders' equity attributable to
minority shareholders are included in minority interest in the consolidated
financial statements.
19. CONTINGENCIES
REGULATORY AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS
Unfavorable economic conditions have contributed to an increase in the number of
insurance companies that are under regulatory supervision. This is expected to
result in an increase in mandatory assessments by state guaranty funds, or
voluntary payments by, solvent insurance companies to cover losses to
policyholders of insolvent or rehabilitated companies. Mandatory assessments,
which are subject to statutory limits, can be partially recovered through a
reduction in future premium taxes in some states. The Company is not able to
reasonably estimate the potential effect on it of any such future assessments or
voluntary payments.
LITIGATION
On June 23, 1995, the governor of Maine approved a legislative settlement for
the Maine Workers' Compensation Residual Market Pool deficit for the years 1988
through 1992. The settlement provides for an initial funding of $220.0 million
toward the deficit. The insurance carriers are liable for $65.0 million payable
on or before January 1, 1996, and employers will contribute $110.0 million
payable through surcharges on premiums over the course of the next ten years.
The major insurers are responsible for 90% of the $65.0 million. Hanover's
allocated share of the settlement is approximately $4.2 million, which was paid
in December 1995. The remainder of the deficit of $45.0 million will be paid by
the Maine Guaranty Fund Surplus payable in quarterly contributions over ten
years. The smaller carriers have recently filed litigation to appeal the
settlement. The Company believes that adequate reserves have been established
for any additional liability.
The Company has been named a defendant in various other legal proceedings
arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, based on
the advice of legal counsel, the ultimate resolution of these proceedings will
not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
However, liabilities related to these proceedings could be established in the
near term if estimates of the ultimate resolution of these proceedings are
revised.
RESIDUAL MARKETS
The Company is required to participate in residual markets in various states.
The results of the residual markets are not subject to the predictability
associated with the Company's own managed business, and are significant to the
workers' compensation line of business and both the private passenger and
commercial automobile lines of business.
-26-
<PAGE>
20. STATUTORY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The insurance subsidiaries are required to file annual statements with state
regulatory authorities prepared on an accounting basis prescribed or permitted
by such authorities (statutory basis). Statutory surplus differs from
shareholders' equity reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles for stock life insurance companies primarily because policy
acquisition costs are expensed when incurred, investment reserves are based on
different assumptions, postretirement benefit costs are based on different
assumptions and reflect a different method of adoption, life insurance reserves
are based on different assumptions and income tax expense reflects only taxes
paid or currently payable. Statutory net income and surplus are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In millions) 1995 1994 1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Statutory net income (Unconsolidated)
Property and Casualty Companies $ 139.8 $ 74.5 $ 166.8
Life and Health Companies 134.3 40.7 114.8
----------------------------------------
Statutory Shareholders'
Surplus (Unconsolidated)
Property and Casualty Companies $ 1,151.7 $ 989.8 $ 960.1
Life and Health Companies 965.6 465.3 526.4
----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
21. QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
The quarterly results of operations for 1995 and 1994 are summarized below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Three Months Ended
(In millions)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1995 March 31 June 30 Sept. 30 Dec. 31
Total revenues $ 841.4 $ 793.4 $ 819.2 $ 784.5
------------------------------------------------------
Income before extraordinary item $ 39.2 $ 29.9 $ 34.8 $ 45.2
Extraordinary item - demutualization expenses (2.5) (3.5) (4.7) (1.4)
------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ 36.7 $ 26.4 $ 30.1 $ 43.8
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
1994
Total revenues $ 815.4 $ 786.8 $ 799.3 $ 793.6
------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item $ (10.9) $ 15.7 $ 26.6 $ 17.7
Extraordinary item - demutualization expenses (1.6) (2.5) (2.8) (2.3)
Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles (1.9) -- -- --
------------------------------------------------------
Net income $ (14.4) $ 13.2 $ 23.8 $ 15.4
------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
-27-
<PAGE>
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial Statements
Financial Statements Included in Part A
None
Financial Statements Included in Part B
Financial Statements for First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance
Company
Financial Statements for Allmerica Select Separate Account of First
Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company
Financial Statements Included in Part C
None
(b) Exhibits
Exhibit 1 - Vote of Board of Directors Authorizing Establishment of
Registrant dated August 20, 1991 was previously filed on May 11,
1992, in Registration Statement No. 33-47858, and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Exhibit 2 - Not Applicable. Pursuant to Rule 26a-2, the Insurance Company may
hold the assets of the Registrant not pursuant to a trust
indenture or other such instrument. ---
Exhibit 3 - Underwriting and Administrative Services Agreement was previously
filed on November 1, 1993 and is herein incorporated by
reference. Broker's Agreement was previously filed on August 14,
1992 in Registration Statement No. 33-47216 and is incorporated
herein by reference.
Exhibit 4 - Specimen Generic Policy Form A3020-94 GRC was previously filed on
November 1, 1993, and is incorporated herein by reference.
Specimen Policy Form B was previously filed on May , 1996
in Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 and is incorporated by
reference herein.
Exhibit 5 - Specimen Generic Application Form was previously filed on
November 1, 1993, and is herein incorporated by reference.
Specimen Application Form B is was previously filed on May
[sp2f], 1996 in Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 and is
incorporated by reference herein.
Exhibit 6(a)- The Depositor's Articles of Incorporation were previously
filed in Post-Effective Amendment #4, which was effective
on October 16, 1995 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Revised Bylaws were filed on April 30, 1996 and are incorporated
herein by reference.
Exhibit 7 - Not Applicable.
Exhibit 8 - AUV Calculation Services Agreement with The Shareholder Services
Group dated March 31, 1995, was previously filed on May 1, 1995
and is incorporated herein by reference.
- Service Agreement with Fidelity Investments, et al, was
previously filed on April 30, 1996 and is incorporated herein
by reference.
Exhibit 9 - Consent and Opinion of Counsel is filed herewith.
Exhibit 10 - Consent of Independent Accountants is filed herewith.
Exhibit 11 - None.
Exhibit 12 - None.
Exhibit 13 - Not applicable.
Exhibit 14 - Not Applicable.
Other Exhibits:
Exhibit 27- Financial Data Schedules are filed herewith.
C-1
<PAGE>
Item 25. Directors and Executive Officers of the Depositor.
The principal business address of all the following Directors
and Officers is:
440 Lincoln Street
Worcester, Massachusetts 01653
DIRECTORS AND PRINCIPAL OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
Name and Position Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
- ----------------- ----------------------------------------------
Bruce C. Anderson Director of First Allmerica since 1996; Vice
President, First Allmerica
Abigail M. Armstrong Secretary of First Allmerica since 1996; Counsel,
First Allmerica
Mark R. Colborn Vice President and Controller, First Allmerica
Kruno Huitzingh Director of First Allmerica since 1996; Vice
President & Chief Information Officer, First
Allmerica since 1993; Executive Vice President,
Chicago Board Options Exchange, 1985 to 1993
John F. Kelly Director of First Allmerica since 1996; Senior
Vice President and General Counsel, First
Allmerica
John F. O'Brien Director, Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer of First Allmerica
Edward J. Parry, III Vice President and Treasurer, First Allmerica
since 1993; Assistant. Vice President to 1992 to
1993; Manager, Price Waterhouse, 1987 to 1992
Richard M. Reilly Director of First Allmerica since 1996; Vice
President, First Allmerica; Director and
President, Allmerica Investments, Inc.; Director
and President, Allmerica Investment Management
Company, Inc. since since 1992.
Larry C. Renfro Director of First Allmerica since 1996; Vice
President of First Allmerica
Theodore J. Rupley Director of First Allmerica since 1996; Director,
President, and CEO, The Hanover Insurance Company
since 1992; President, Fountain Powerboats, 1992;
President, Metropolitan Property & Casualty
Company, 1986-1992.
Phillip E. Soule Director of First Allmerica since 1996; Vice
President, First Allmerica
Eric A. Simonsen Director of First Allmerica since 1996; Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer, First
Allmerica
Diane E. Wood Director of First Allmerica since 1996; Vice
President, First Allmerica
C-2
<PAGE>
Item 26. Persons Under Common Control With Registrant. See attached
organizational chart.
FIRST ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME ADDRESS TYPE OF BUSINESS
---- ------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
AAM Equity Fund 440 Lincoln Street Massachusetts Grantor Trust
Worcester, MA 01653
Allmerica Asset Management, Inc. 440 Lincoln Street Investment advisory service
Worcester, MA 01653
Allmerica Employees Insurance 440 Lincoln Street Insurance Agency
Agency, Inc. Worcester, MA 01653
Allmerica Financial Services 440 Lincoln Street Insurance Agency
Insurance Agency, Inc. Worcester, MA 01653
Allmerica Funds 440 Lincoln Street Investment Company
Worcester, MA 01653
Allmerica Institutional Services, 440 Lincoln Street Accounting, marketing
Inc. (formerly known as 440 Worcester, MA 01653 and shareholder services
Financial Group of Worcester, Inc.) for investment companies
Allmerica Investment 440 Lincoln Street Investment advisory
Management Company, Inc. Worcester, MA 01653 services
Allmerica Investments, Inc. 440 Lincoln Street Securities, retail
Worcester, MA 01653 broker-dealer
Allmerica Investment Trust 440 Lincoln Street Investment Company
Worcester, MA 01653
Allmerica Property and 440 Lincoln Street Investment Company
Casualty Companies, Inc. Worcester, MA 01653
Allmerica Securities Trust 440 Lincoln Street Investment Company
Worcester, MA 01653
Allmerica Services, Inc. 440 Lincoln Street Service Company
Worcester, MA 01653
Allmerica Trust Company, N.A. 440 Lincoln Street Limited purpose national
Worcester, MA 01653 trust company
AMGRO, Inc. 472 Lincoln Street Premium financing
Worcester, MA 01653
APC Funding Corp. 440 Lincoln Street Special purpose funding vehicle
Worcester, MA 01653 for commercial paper
Beltsville Drive Properties 440 Lincoln Street Real estate partnership
Limited Partnership Worcester, MA 01653
</TABLE>
C-3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME ADDRESS TYPE OF BUSINESS
---- ------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Citizens Corporation 440 Lincoln Street Holding Company
Worcester, MA 01653
Citizens Insurance Company 645 West Grand River Multi-line fire & casualty
Howell, MI 48843 insurance
Citizens Insurance Company of 3950 Priority Way Multi-line fire & casualty
the Midwest South Drive, Suite 200 insurance
Indianapolis, IN 46280
Citizens Insurance Company of 8101 N. High Street Multi-line fire & casualty
Ohio P.O. Box 342250 insurance
Columbus, OH 43234
Citizens Management, Inc. 645 West Grand River Services Management
Howell, MI 48843 Company
Greendale Special Placements 440 Lincoln Street Massachusetts Grantor Trust
Fund Worcester, MA 01653
The Hanover American Insurance 100 North Parkway Multi-line fire & casualty
Company Worcester, MA 01653 insurance
The Hanover Insurance Company 100 North Parkway Multi-line fire & casualty
Worcester, MA 01605 insurance
Hanover Texas Insurance 801 East Campbell Road Incorporated Branch Office of
Management Company, Inc. Richardson, TX 75081 The Hanover Insurance Company
Attorney-in-fact for Hanover
Lloyd's Insurance Company
Hanover Lloyd's Insurance Company 801 East Campbell Road Multiline fire & casualty insurance
Richardson, TX 75081
Hollywood Center, Inc. 440 Lincoln Street General business corporation
Worcester, MA 01653
Linder Skokie Real Estate 440 Lincoln Street General business corporation
Corporation Worcester, MA 01653
Lloyds Credit Corporation 440 Lincoln Street Premium financing service
Worcester, MA 01653 franchises
Logan Wells Water Company Inc. 603 Heron Drive Water Company, servicing
Bridgeport, NJ 08014 land development investment
Massachusetts Bay Insurance Company 100 North Parkway Multi-line fire and casualty
Worcester, MA 01653
SMA Financial Corp. 440 Lincoln Street Holding Company
Worcester, MA 01653
</TABLE>
C-4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME ADDRESS TYPE OF BUSINESS
---- ------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Allmerica Financial Life 440 Lincoln Street Life insurance, accident and
Insurance and Annuity Company Worcester, MA 01653 health insurance, annuities,
variable annuities and variable
life insurance
Somerset Square, Inc. 440 Lincoln Street General Business Corporation
Worcester, MA 01653
Sterling Risk Management 100 North Parkway Risk management services
Services, Inc. Worcester, MA 01605
</TABLE>
Item 27. Number of Contract owners.
As of December 31, 1995, there were 3,961 Contract holders of qualified
Contracts and 5,302 Contract holders of non-qualified contracts.
Item 28. Indemnification.
To the fullest extent permissible under Massachusetts General Laws, no director
shall be personally liable to the Company or any policyholder for monetary
damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, notwithstanding any
provision of law to the contrary; provided, however, that this provision shall
not eliminate or limit the liability of a director:
1. for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its
policyholders;
2. for acts or omissions not in good faith, or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
3. for liability, if any, imposed on directors of mutual insurance companies
pursuant to M.G.L.A. c. 156B Section 61 or M.G.L.A. c.156B Section 62;
4. for any transactions from which the director derived an improper personal
benefit.
C-5
<PAGE>
Item 29. Principal Underwriters.
(a) Allmerica Investments, Inc. also acts as principal underwriter for the
following:
- VEL Account, VEL II Account, Inheiritage Account, Separate Accounts
VA-A, VA-B, VA-C, VA-G, VA-H, VA-K, VA-P and Allmerica Select Separate
Account, Group VEL Account, Allmerica Select Separate Account II of
Allmerica Financial Life Insurance and Annuity Company
- VEL II Account, Inheiritage Account, Separate Account I and Separate
Account VA-K of First Allmerica
- Allmerica Investment Trust
(b) The Principal Business Address of each of the following Directors and
Officers of Allmerica Investments, Inc. is:
440 Lincoln Street
Worcester, Massachusetts 01653
Name Position or Office with Underwriter
- ---- -----------------------------------
Emil J. Aberizk Vice President
Abigail M. Armstrong Secretary and Counsel
Edward T. Berger Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer
Philip J. Coffey Vice President
Thomas P. Cunningham Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Controller
John F. Kelly Director
William F. Monroe, Jr. Vice President
David J. Mueller Vice President
John F. O'Brien Director
Stephen Parker Director, President and Chief Executive
Officer
Edward J. Parry, III Treasurer
Richard M. Reilly Director
Eric A. Simonsen Director
Mark Steinberg Senior Vice President
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records.
Each account, book or other document required to be maintained by Section 31(a)
of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Rules 31a-1 to 31a-3 thereunder are
maintained by the Company at 440 Lincoln Street, Worcester, Massachusetts or on
behalf of the Company by the First Data Investor Services Group, 4400 Computer
Drive, Westborough, Massachusetts.
Item 31. Management Services.
Effective March 31, 1995, the Company provides daily unit value calculations
and related services for the Company's separate accounts.
Item 32. Undertakings.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission such supplementary and periodic
information, documents, and reports as may be prescribed by any rule or
regulation of the Commission heretofore or hereafter duly adopted pursuant to
authority conferred in that section.
C-6
<PAGE>
(b) The Registrant hereby undertakes to include as part of the application to
purchase a Contract a space that the applicant can check to request a Statement
of Additional Information and/or to include postcard in the prospectus that
the applicant can use to request a Statement of Additional Information.
(c) The Registrant hereby undertakes to deliver a Statement of Additional
Information promptly upon written or oral request, according to the requirements
of Form N-4.
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the 1933 Act may be
permitted to Directors, Officers and Controlling Persons of Registrant under any
registration statement, underwriting agreement or otherwise, Registrant has been
advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a Director, Officer or Controlling Person of 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, Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has
been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
Item 33. Representations Concerning Withdrawal Restrictions on Section 403(b)
Plans and under the Texas Optional Retirement Program.
Registrant, a separate account of First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance
Company ("First Allmerica"), states that it is (a) relying on Rule 6c-7
under the 1940 Act with respect to withdrawal restrictions under the Texas
Optional Retirement Program ("Program") and (b) relying on the "no-action"
letter (Ref. No. IP-6-88) issued on November 28, 1988 to the American Council
of Life Insurance, in applying the withdrawal restrictions of Internal
Revenue Code Section 403(b)(11). Registrant has taken the following steps in
reliance on the letter:
1. Appropriate disclosures regarding the redemption/withdrawal restrictions
imposed by the Program and by Section 403(b)(11) have been included in
the prospectus of each registration statement used in connection with
the offer of the Company's variable contracts.
2. Appropriate disclosures regarding the redemption/withdrawal restrictions
imposed by the Program and by Section 403(b)(11) have been included in
sales literature used in connection with the offer of the Company's
variable contracts.
3. Sales Representatives who solicit participants to purchase the variable
contracts have been instructed to specifically bring the redemption
withdrawal restrictions imposed by the Program and by Section 403(b)(11)
to the attention of potential participants.
4. A signed statement acknowledging the participant's understanding of (i)
the restrictions on redemption/withdrawal imposed by the Program and by
Section 403(b)(11) and (ii) the investment alternatives available under
the employer's arrangement will be obtained from each participant who
purchases a variable annuity contract prior to or at the time of
purchase.
Registrant hereby represents that it will not act to deny or limit a transfer
request except to the extent that a Service- Ruling or written opinion of
counsel, specifically addressing the fact pattern involved and taking into
account the terms of the applicable employer plan, determines that denial or
limitation is necessary for the variable annuity contracts to meet the
requirements of the Program or of Section 403(b). Any transfer request not so
denied or limited will be effected as expeditiously as possible.
C-7
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the registrant certifies that is meets all of the
requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to
Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto
duly authorized, in the City of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts
on the 26th day of June, 1996.
FIRST ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY
ALLMERICA SELECT ACCOUNT
Attest: /s/ Abigail M. Armstrong
------------------------------
Abigail M. Armstrong
Secretary and Counsel
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment to
the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the date indicated.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/s/ John F. O' Brien /s/ John F. Kelly
- ----------------------------- -----------------------------
John F. O'Brien John F. Kelly
Director, Chairman of the Board, Director, Senior Vice President, Assistant
President and Chief Secretary and General Counsel
Executive Officer
/s/ Richard M. Reilly /s/ James R. McAuliffe
- ----------------------------- -----------------------------
Richard M. Reilly James R. McAuliffe
Director and Vice President Director
/s/ Eric A. Simonsen /s/ Larry C. Renfro
- ----------------------------- -----------------------------
Eric A. Simonsen Larry C. Renfro
Director, Vice President and Director and Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Bruce C. Anderson /s/ Theodore J. Rupley
- ----------------------------- -----------------------------
Bruce C. Anderson Theodore J. Rupley
Director and Vice President Director
/s/ Mark R. Colborn /s/ Phillip E. Soule
- ----------------------------- -----------------------------
Mark R. Colborn Phillip J. Soule
Vice President and Controller Director and Vice President
/s/ Kruno Huitzingh /s/ Diane E. Wood
- ----------------------------- -----------------------------
Kruno Huitzingh Diane E. Wood
Director, Vice President and Director, Vice President and
Chief Information Officer Chief Investment Officer
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT TABLE
Exhibit 9 - Consent and Opinion of Counsel
Exhibit 10 - Consent of Independent Accountants
Exhibit 27 - Financial Data Schedules
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 9
First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company
July 3, 1996
First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company
440 Lincoln Street
Worcester, MA 01653
Gentlemen:
In my capacity as Counsel of First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Comapny
(the "Company"), I have participated in the preparation of the
Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement for Allmerica Select
Separate Account on Form N-4 under the Securities Act of 1933 and the
Investment Company Act of 1940, with respect to the Company's group and
individual variable annuity contracts.
I am of the following opinion:
1. Allmerica Select Separate Account is a separate account of the Company
validly existing pursuant to the Massachusetts Insurance Code and the
regulations issued thereunder.
2. The assets held in Allmerica Select Separate Account are not chargeable
with liabilities arising out of any other business the Company may
conduct.
3. The group and individual variable annuity contracts, when issued in
accordance with the Prospectus contained in the Registration Statement
and upon compliance with applicable local law, will be legal and binding
obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms and when sold
will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.
In arriving at the foregoing opinion, I have made such examination of law
and examined such records and other documents as in my judgment are
necessary or appropriate.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to
this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement of Allmerica
Select Separate Account filed under the Securities Act of 1933.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Sheila B. St. Hilaire
Sheila B. St. Hilaire
Counsel
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 10
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the use in the Statement of Additional Information
constituting part of this Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 to the Registration
Statement on Form N-4 of our report dated February 5, 1996, relating to the
consolidated financial statements of First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance
Company and our report dated February 23, 1996, relating to the financial
statements of Allmerica Select Separate Account of First Allmerica Finanical
Life Insurance Company, both of which appear in such Statement of Additional
Information. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading
"Experts" in such Statement of Additional Information.
/s/ Price Waterhouse LLP
Price Waterhouse LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
July 3, 1996
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
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