<PAGE>
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Registration No. 33-
Commission on September 8, 1995 Registration No. 811-8582
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
and Amendment To
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Variable Annuity Account I of Aetna Insurance Company of America
(Exact Name of Registrant)
Aetna Insurance Company of America
(Name of Depositor)
151 Farmington Avenue, RE4C, Hartford, Connecticut 06156
(Address of Depositor's Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Depositor's Telephone Number, including Area Code: (860) 273-7834
Susan E. Bryant, Counsel
Aetna Insurance Company of America
151 Farmington Avenue, RE4C, Hartford, Connecticut 06156
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Approximate date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the
effectiveness of this Registration Statement.
Pursuant to Rule 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Registrant has
registered an indefinite number of securities under the Securities Act of 1933.
Registrant did not file a Rule 24f-2 Notice for the fiscal year ended December
31, 1994 because no securities were sold pursuant to such registration during
the fiscal year.
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such dates as may be
necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further
amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall
thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities
Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such
date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
<PAGE>
VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT I
CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Form N-4
--------
Item No. Part A (Prospectus) Location
-------- --------------------------- ----------------------------------------
<C> <S> <C>
1 Cover Page................. Cover Page
2 Definitions................ Definitions
3 Synopsis or Highlights..... Prospectus Summary; Fee Table
4 Condensed Financial
Information................ Not Applicable
5 General Description of
Registrant, Depositor, and The Company; Variable Annuity Account I;
Portfolio Companies........ The Funds
6 Deductions and Expenses.... Charges and Deductions; Distribution
7 General Description of
Variable Annuity Contracts. Contract Rights; Miscellaneous
8 Annuity Period............. Annuity Period
9 Death Benefit.............. Death Benefit
10 Purchases and Contract
Value...................... Purchase; Determining Contract Value
11 Redemptions................ Contract Rights - Withdrawals; Right to
Cancel
12 Taxes...................... Tax Status
13 Legal Proceedings.......... Miscellaneous - Legal Proceedings
14 Table of Contents of the
Statement of Additional Statement of Additional Information -
Information................ Table of Contents
Part B (Statement of Additional Information)
--------------------------------------------
15 Cover Page................. Cover page
16 Table of Contents.......... Table of Contents
17 General Information and
History.................... General Information and History
18 Services................... General Information and History;
Independent Auditors
19 Purchase of Securities
Being Offered.............. Offering and Purchase of Contracts
20 Underwriters............... Offering and Purchase of Contracts
21 Calculation of Performance
Data....................... Performance Data
22 Annuity Payments........... Annuity Payments
23 Financial Statements....... Financial Statements
</TABLE>
Part C (Other Information)
--------------------------
Information required to be included in Part C is set forth under the appropriate
item, so numbered, in Part C to this Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
AETNA INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
Service Unit, 151 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06156 Telephone: 1-
800-531-4547
VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT I
THE NEW RETIREMENT
NICHOLAS APPLEGATE/AETNA ANNUITY
Prospectus Dated: , 1995
This Prospectus describes flexible premium deferred variable annuity contracts
("Contracts") issued by Aetna Insurance Company of America (the "Company").
The Contracts allow individuals to accumulate values and elect payment of
annuity benefits on a fixed or a variable basis. Group Contracts are offered
to certain broker-dealers which have agreed to act as Distributors of the
Contracts. (See "Contract Purchase -- Distribution.") Individuals who have
established accounts with those broker-dealers are eligible to participate in
the Contract. Individual Contracts are offered only in those states where the
group Contracts are not authorized for sale.
The Contracts described in this Prospectus are (a) nonqualified deferred
annuity contracts, and (b) contracts which may be available for use under
Section 408(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")
as Individual Retirement Annuities. See "Contract Purchase -- Purchase" and
"Tax Status."
The securities offered in this Prospectus are distributed through Aetna Life
Insurance and Annuity Company, an affiliate of the Company, as the
Underwriter, and by registered broker-dealers selected by it as Distributors.
See "Contract Purchase -- Distribution."
Purchase Payments received under the Contracts on behalf of persons
participating under group Contracts or individual Contract owners
(collectively, "Certificate Holders") will be allocated at the Certificate
Holder's direction to variable funding options or to a credited interest
option for accumulation of values for the Certificate Holder's Account.
Amounts allocated to the variable funding options will be deposited in
Variable Annuity Account I (the "Separate Account"), a separate account of the
Company, for investment in the variable funding options. The value of the
Certificate Holder's Account will vary to reflect the performance of the
variable funding options selected, and may be more or less than Purchase
Payments made under the Contract.
This Prospectus is intended to describe the Contract provisions relating to
the variable funding options (the "Funds") and the fees and expenses that may
be charged in connection with investment in the Separate Account. Information
with respect to the AICA Guaranteed Account ("Guaranteed Account") is included
in the Appendix to this Prospectus and in the prospectus for the Guaranteed
Account which should accompany this Prospectus. The Guaranteed Account is
offered only in those jurisdictions where it has been qualified for sale.
The variable funding options currently available through the Separate Account
under the Contract described in this Prospectus are as follows:
. Nicholas-Applegate Core Growth Series
. Nicholas-Applegate Diversified
Income Series
. Nicholas-Applegate Emerging Growth Series
. Nicholas-Applegate International
Fixed Income Series
. Nicholas-Applegate International Growth Series
. Aetna Variable Encore Fund
. Nicholas-Applegate Value Series
The availability of the above Funds is subject to applicable regulatory
authorization.
This Prospectus sets forth concisely the information about the Contracts and
the Separate Account that a prospective investor should know before investing.
Additional information about the Separate Account is contained in a Statement
of Additional Information ("SAI") dated , 1995, as supplemented from
time to time, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
and is incorporated herein by reference. The Table of Contents for the SAI is
contained in this Prospectus. An SAI may be obtained without charge by calling
1-800-531-4547.
THIS PROSPECTUS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THE CURRENT PROSPECTUSES FOR THE FUNDS
AND THE GUARANTEED ACCOUNT. ALL PROSPECTUSES SHOULD BE READ AND RETAINED FOR
FUTURE REFERENCE.
THE SECURITIES OFFERED BY THIS PROSPECTUS 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 THE
PROSPECTUSES. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
<PAGE>
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY TO GIVE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THE PROSPECTUSES, IN CONNECTION
WITH THE OFFERS OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFERING IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH
OFFERING MAY NOT LAWFULLY BE MADE.
2
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C>
GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS.................................................. 4
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY......................................................... 6
FEE TABLE.................................................................. 8
PERFORMANCE DATA........................................................... 10
THE COMPANY................................................................ 11
VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT I................................................. 11
THE FUNDS.................................................................. 11
Fund Investment Adviser................................................... 12
Mixed and Shared Funding.................................................. 12
Fund Additions and Limitations............................................ 12
CONTRACT PURCHASE
Purchase.................................................................. 13
Allocations............................................................... 13
Purchase Payments......................................................... 13
Designations of Beneficiary and Annuitant................................. 14
Distribution.............................................................. 14
CERTIFICATE HOLDER'S ACCOUNT VALUES
Accumulation Units........................................................ 14
Net Investment Factor..................................................... 15
CONTRACT RIGHTS
Right to Cancel........................................................... 15
Rights Under the Contract and Account..................................... 15
Transfers Among Investment Options........................................ 15
Dollar Cost Averaging Program............................................. 16
Account Rebalancing Program............................................... 16
Withdrawals............................................................... 17
Reinstatement Privilege Following Withdrawal.............................. 17
CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS
General................................................................... 18
Maintenance Fee........................................................... 18
Mortality and Expense Risk Charges........................................ 18
Administrative Expense Charge............................................. 18
Transfer Fees............................................................. 18
Deferred Sales Charge..................................................... 19
Fund Expenses............................................................. 20
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C>
Premium Tax.............................................................. 20
Commissions and Distribution Expenses.................................... 20
ADDITIONAL WITHDRAWAL OPTIONS
General.................................................................. 20
Estate Conservation Option............................................... 21
Systematic Withdrawal Option............................................. 21
ANNUITY PERIOD
Annuity Period Elections................................................. 22
Annuity Options.......................................................... 23
DEATH BENEFIT
General.................................................................. 24
Death Benefit Amount..................................................... 24
Death Benefit Options Available to Beneficiary Under a Nonqualified
Flexible Premium Contract............................................... 26
Death Benefit Options Available to Beneficiary Under an IRA Rollover
Contract................................................................ 27
TAX STATUS
Introduction............................................................. 28
Taxation of the Company.................................................. 28
Tax Status of the Contract............................................... 28
Taxation of Annuities.................................................... 29
IRA Rollover Contracts................................................... 31
Withholding.............................................................. 31
Possible Changes in Taxation............................................. 31
Other Tax Consequences................................................... 31
MISCELLANEOUS
Voting Rights............................................................ 32
Modification of the Contract............................................. 32
Inquiries................................................................ 33
Telephone Transfers...................................................... 33
Transfer of Ownership; Assignment........................................ 33
Legal Proceedings........................................................ 33
Legal Matters............................................................ 33
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -- TABLE OF CONTENTS.................. 34
APPENDIX -- AICA Guaranteed Account....................................... 35
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE>
GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL TERMS
As used in this Prospectus, the following terms have the meanings shown:
ACCUMULATION PERIOD: The period during which one or more Net Purchase Payments
applied to a Certificate Holder's Account are invested to fund future annuity
payments.
ACCUMULATION UNIT: A measure of the net investment results for each variable
investment option during the Accumulation Period. The Accumulation Units for
the applicable Funds are used to calculate the portion of the Certificate
Holder's Account attributable to the Separate Account during the Accumulation
Period.
ADJUSTED ACCOUNT VALUE: For any Valuation Period, the Certificate Holder's
Account Value plus or minus the aggregate market value adjustment, if applied
during that period.
ANNUITANT: The natural person on whose life the Annuity benefit under a
Contract is based.
ANNUITY: A series of payments for life, for a definite period or a combination
of the two.
ANNUITY DATE: The date on which Annuity payments commence under an Annuity
Option.
ANNUITY OPTIONS: Annuity payment methods available during the Annuity Period.
ANNUITY PERIOD: The period of time during which Annuity payments are made.
ANNUITY UNIT: A measure of the net investment results for each variable
investment option selected during the Annuity Period. Annuity Units are used
to calculate the amount of each variable Annuity payment.
BENEFICIARY: The person entitled to receive any death benefit under a
Contract.
CERTIFICATE: The document issued to a Certificate Holder for a Certificate
Holder's Account established under a group Contract.
CERTIFICATE HOLDER (YOU, YOUR): A person who purchases or acquires an interest
under a group Contract or who purchases an individual Contract. A Certificate
Holder's spouse may have an interest in the same Certificate Holder's Account
as a Joint Certificate Holder. References to "Certificate Holders" in this
Prospectus mean both of the Certificate Holders on Joint Accounts. The Company
reserves the right to limit ownership to natural persons.
CERTIFICATE HOLDER'S ACCOUNT: A record established for each Certificate Holder
to maintain values under a Contract.
CERTIFICATE HOLDER'S ACCOUNT VALUE: As of any Valuation Period, the dollar
value of all amounts accumulated in a Certificate Holder's Account, including
the value of the Accumulation Units, Guaranteed Account and amounts deposited
pursuant to the guaranteed death benefit.
CODE: Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
COMPANY: Aetna Insurance Company of America.
CONTRACTS: Group variable deferred annuity contracts offered as Nonqualified
Flexible Premium Contracts and Individual Retirement Annuity (IRA) Rollover
Contracts. Individual variable deferred annuity contracts are offered in
certain states.
DISTRIBUTOR(S): The registered broker-dealer(s) which have entered into
selling agreements with the Underwriter to distribute interests in the
Contracts. The Underwriter may also serve as a Distributor.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The date on which a Contract or Certificate is issued to a
Certificate Holder.
4
<PAGE>
FUNDS: The open-end management investment companies offered as variable
funding options for the investment of assets of the Separate Account under the
Contracts.
GENERAL ACCOUNT: The account into which all Company assets not held in a
separate account are deposited. The General Account is subject to all
liabilities of the Company.
GROUP CONTRACT HOLDER: The entity to which a group Contract is issued.
GUARANTEED ACCOUNT: The AICA Guaranteed Account.
HOME OFFICE: The principal executive offices of the Company located at 151
Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06156.
INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT HOLDER: A person who has purchased an individual variable
annuity Contract (also referred to as "Certificate Holder"). A Contract
Holder's spouse may have an interest in the same Contract Holder's Account as
a Joint Contract Holder. The Company reserves the right to limit ownership to
natural persons.
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITY (IRA) ROLLOVER CONTRACT: An individual or group
variable deferred annuity Contract established to accept Purchase Payments
consisting of rollover amounts previously accumulated under an Individual
Retirement Account or Annuity or a plan qualified under Code Section 401 or
403. These Contracts are intended to qualify under Code Section 408(b).
MARKET VALUE ADJUSTMENT: An amount deducted or added to amounts withdrawn
early from the Guaranteed Account to reflect changes in the market value of
the investment since the date of deposit. See the Appendix and the prospectus
for the Guaranteed Account for a discussion of how the market value adjustment
is actually calculated.
NET PURCHASE PAYMENT: The Purchase Payment less premium taxes, if applicable.
NONQUALIFIED FLEXIBLE PREMIUM CONTRACT: An individual or group variable
deferred annuity Contract established to accept one or more Purchase Payments
to supplement an individual's retirement income, or to provide an alternative
investment option under an Individual Retirement Account qualified under Code
Section 408(a).
PURCHASE PAYMENT: The gross payment made to a Certificate Holder's Account
pursuant to the terms of a Contract. The Company reserves the right to refuse
to accept any Purchase Payment at any time for any reason.
SEC: Securities and Exchange Commission.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT: Variable Annuity Account I, an account whose assets are
segregated from other assets of the Company. The Separate Account holds shares
of the Funds acquired as variable funding options under the Contracts. The
Company holds title to the assets held in the Separate Account.
SURRENDER VALUE: The amount payable upon the withdrawal of all or any portion
of a Certificate Holder's Account Value.
UNDERWRITER: The registered broker-dealer which contracts with other
registered broker-dealers on behalf of the Separate Account to offer and sell
the Contracts. Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company will serve as
Underwriter for the Contracts.
VALUATION PERIOD: The period of time for which a Fund determines its net asset
value, usually from 4:15 p.m. Eastern time each day the New York Exchange is
open for trading until 4:15 p.m. the next such business day.
VALUATION RESERVE: A reserve established pursuant to the insurance laws of the
State of Connecticut to measure voting rights during the Annuity Period. It
also measures the value of a commutation right under the "Payments of a Stated
Period of Time" nonlifetime Annuity option when elected on a variable basis.
5
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
CONTRACTS OFFERED
The Contracts described in this Prospectus are group variable deferred annuity
Contracts and, where required by state law, individual variable deferred
annuity Contracts.
The Company currently offers the following Contracts as described below:
1. Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contracts and IRA Rollover Contracts to
NASD Firms.
2. IRA Rollover Contracts to employers who sponsor Individual Retirement
Annuity Plans for their employees.
3. Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contracts to custodians or trustees of
Code Section 408(a) Individual Retirement Accounts, to employers who
offer deferred annuities to their employees and to entities which make
contributions to annuities for their customers.
4. Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contracts and IRA Rollover Contracts to
individuals when required in certain states.
The Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contract is designed to accept one or more
Purchase Payments. The Individual Retirement Annuity Rollover Contract is
designed to accept rollovers from Individual Retirement Accounts or Annuities
or plans qualified under Code Sections 401 or 403.
Under the Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contract, the minimum initial Purchase
Payment amount is $5,000, and additional Purchase Payments of at least $2,500
may be made. The minimum initial Purchase Payment amount for the Individual
Retirement Annuity Rollover Contract is $10,000. Subsequent Purchase Payments
will be accepted if they are rollovers of amounts previously accumulated under
an Individual Retirement Annuity or Account or a plan qualified under Code
Section 401 or 403. (See "Contract Purchase -- Purchase.")
A group Contract is issued to the Group Contract Holder once we receive a
completed master application form. A Certificate Holder establishes an account
under a group Contract by completing an enrollment form and any other required
forms. Certificate Holder enrollment form(s), along with the Purchase Payment,
are submitted to the Company by the Distributor. Upon acceptance, a
Certificate is issued for each Certificate Holder under the group Contract and
the Company will maintain a Certificate Holder's Account for each Certificate
Holder. In those states where an individual Contract is offered, an individual
applies for a Contract by completing an individual Contract application and
submitting it with the Purchase Payment to the Distributor. In either case,
the individual is referred to as the "Certificate Holder" or "you".
Joint Certificate Holders are allowed, except for Contracts acquired by
individuals for purposes of establishing an Individual Retirement Annuity
under Sections 408(a) or 408(b) of the Code. A Joint Certificate Holder must
be the spouse of the other Joint Certificate Holder.
WITHDRAWAL
You may redeem all or a portion of your Certificate Holder's Account Value
during the Accumulation Period by completing the Company's withdrawal request
form. Amounts withdrawn may be subject to a deferred sales charge or
maintenance fee. (See "Charges and Deductions.") The maximum deferred sales
charge that could be assessed on a full or partial withdrawal is 6% of each
Net Purchase Payment withdrawn. Amounts withdrawn from the Guaranteed Account
may be subject to a Market Value Adjustment. (See the Appendix.) A 10% federal
penalty tax may also be imposed on the taxable portion paid to you upon
withdrawal and certain amounts may be withheld for tax purposes. (See "Tax
Status -- Taxation of Annuities.")
GUARANTEED DEATH BENEFIT
These Contracts contain a guaranteed death benefit feature. Upon the death of
the Annuitant, under certain circumstances, the Certificate Holder's Account
Value may be adjusted upward. (See "Death Benefit.")
6
<PAGE>
CONTRACT CHARGES
Certain charges are associated with these Contracts; for example, mortality
and expense risk charges, administrative expense charges, transfer fees, fund
expenses, maintenance fees and premium taxes. See "Charges and Deductions" for
a complete explanation of these charges.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT
Variable Annuity Account I (the "Separate Account") is a separate account
established by the Company and is registered as a unit investment trust under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"). Assets of the Separate
Account attributable to the Contract are invested in shares of one or more of
the Funds. (See "Variable Annuity Account I" and "The Funds" in this
Prospectus.)
FREE LOOK PROVISION
The Certificate Holder may cancel his or her interest in the Contract within
ten days after receiving the Contract or Certificate, whichever is applicable,
(or as otherwise allowed by state law) by returning it to us or to the
Distributor from whom it was purchased along with a written notice of
cancellation. Unless applicable state law requires otherwise, the amount the
Certificate Holder of a Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contract will receive
upon cancellation under this provision may reflect the investment performance
of the Purchase Payments deposited in the Separate Account while invested. In
certain cases, this may be less than the amount of the Purchase Payments. For
IRA Rollover Contracts, we will refund the Purchase Payment. (See "Contract
Rights -- Right to Cancel.")
7
<PAGE>
FEE TABLE
THE PURPOSE OF THE FEE TABLE IS TO ASSIST CONTRACT AND CERTIFICATE HOLDERS IN
UNDERSTANDING THE VARIOUS COSTS AND EXPENSES THAT WILL BE BORNE, DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY, UNDER THE CONTRACT. THE INFORMATION LISTED REFLECTS THE CHARGES
DEDUCTED UNDER THE CONTRACT, AS WELL AS THE FEES AND EXPENSES DEDUCTED FROM
THE FUNDS. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS
ASSESSED UNDER THE CONTRACT CAN BE FOUND UNDER "CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS" IN
THIS PROSPECTUS. CHARGES AND EXPENSES SHOWN DO NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT PREMIUM
TAXES THAT MAY BE APPLICABLE.
TRANSACTION EXPENSES
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE (as a percentage of each Net Purchase Payment
deposited)/(1)/
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LENGTH OF TIME SINCE NET PURCHASE PAYMENT MADE DEDUCTION
---------------------------------------------- ---------
<S> <C>
Less than 2 years 6%
2 years or more but less than 4 years 5%
4 years or more but less than 5 years 4%
5 years or more but less than 6 years 3%
6 years or more but less than 7 years 2%
7 years or more 0%
Annual Maintenance Fee/(2)/ $30.00
Transfers/(3)/ $ 0.00
</TABLE>
SEPARATE ACCOUNT ANNUAL EXPENSES
Daily deductions are made from the Certificate Holder's Account Value held in
the variable options. The deduction is the daily equivalent of the annual
effective percentage shown in the following chart:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
During the Accumulation Period:
Mortality and Expense Risk Fees 1.25%
Administrative Expense Charge 0.10%
-----
Total Separate Account Annual Expenses 1.35%
=====
During the Annuity Period:
Mortality and Expense Risk Fees 1.25%
Administrative Expense Charge/(4)/ 0.00%
-----
Total Separate Account Annual Expenses 1.25%
=====
</TABLE>
/(1)/ Referred to in the Contracts as a "surrender fee." See "Deferred Sales
Charge" for a description of the deferred sales charge and instances in
which this charge may be waived.
/(2)/ The maintenance fee is waived when the Current Value of the Account or
individual Contract is $50,000 or more on the date the maintenance fee is
due. See "Maintenance Fee" in this Prospectus.
/(3)/ The Company currently allows an unlimited number of transfers without
charge. However, we reserve the right to impose a fee of $10 for each
transfer in excess of 12 per year. See "Transfers Among Investment
Options" in this Prospectus.
/(4)/ The Company does not currently impose an Administrative Expense Charge
during the Annuity Period. We do, however, reserve the right to deduct a
daily charge of not more than 0.25% per year from amounts held under the
variable annuity options.
8
<PAGE>
MUTUAL FUND ANNUAL EXPENSES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INVESTMENT OTHER
ADVISORY FEES/(1)/ EXPENSES/(2)/
(AFTER EXPENSE (AFTER EXPENSE TOTAL FUND
REIMBURSEMENT) REIMBURSEMENT) ANNUAL EXPENSES
------------------ -------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Nicholas-Applegate Core
Growth Series/(3)/ 0.75% 0.25% 1.00%
Nicholas-Applegate Emerging
Growth Series/(3)/ 1.00% 0.17% 1.17%
Nicholas-Applegate
International Growth
Series/(3)/ 1.00% 0.40% 1.40%
Nicholas-Applegate Value Se-
ries/(3)/ 0.75% 0.25% 1.00%
Nicholas-Applegate
Diversified Income
Series/(3)/ 0.45% 0.00% 0.45%
Nicholas-Applegate
International Fixed Income
Series/(3)/ 0.60% 0.35% 0.95%
Aetna Variable Encore Fund 0.25% 0.07% 0.32%
</TABLE>
/(1)/ The Adviser for the Nicholas-Applegate Funds has agreed to reimburse the
Company for administrative costs incurred in connection with administering
the Funds as variable funding options under the Contract. These
reimbursements are paid out of the investment advisory fees and are not
charged to investors.
/(2)/ Other Expenses include operating costs of the Fund. The deduction of these
expenses are reflected in the Fund's net asset value and are not deducted
from the Certificate Holder's Account Value.
/(3)/ The Fund's Adviser has agreed to reduce its fees, and to absorb the other
operating expenses of each Series to ensure that the expenses of each
Series (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other
portfolio transaction expenses, capital expenditures and extraordinary
expenses) do not exceed the following percentages of such Series' average
net assets on an annual basis through March 31, 1996: Core Growth --1.00%;
Emerging Growth -- 1.17%; International Growth -- 1.40%; Value -- 1.00%;
Diversified Income -- .45%; International Fixed Income -- .95%. Without
such an arrangement, the "Other Expenses" and "Total Fund Annual Expenses"
are estimated to be as follows: Core Growth -- % and %; Emerging
Growth -- % and %; International Growth -- % and %; Value -- %
and %; Diversified Income -- % and %; and International Fixed
Income -- % and %. During the course of this period, expenses may be
more or less than the amount shown.
HYPOTHETICAL ILLUSTRATION (EXAMPLE)
-----------------------------------
THIS EXAMPLE IS PURELY HYPOTHETICAL. IT SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A
REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE EXPENSES OR EXPECTED RETURN. ACTUAL EXPENSES
AND/OR RETURN MAY BE MORE OR LESS THAN THOSE SHOWN BELOW.
Assuming a 5% annual return on assets, you would have paid the following
expenses on a $1,000 investment:/(1)/
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For a complete If no withdrawal is
withdrawal at made, or if the
the end of the Certificate
applicable Holder
time period: annuitizes*:
1 year 3 years 1 year 3 years
------ ------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Nicholas-Applegate Core Growth Series
Nicholas-Applegate Emerging Growth Series
Nicholas-Applegate International Growth Series
Nicholas-Applegate Value Series
Nicholas-Applegate Diversified Income Series
Nicholas-Applegate International Fixed Income
Series
Aetna Variable Encore Fund
</TABLE>
/(1)/ The illustration reflects the $30.00 maintenance fee as an annual charge
of _____ % of assets.
* If a nonlifetime variable annuity option is selected, and a lump sum
settlement is requested within three years after annuity payments start,
the lump sum payment will be treated as a withdrawal during the
Accumulation Period and will be subject to any deferred sales charge that
would then apply.
9
<PAGE>
PERFORMANCE DATA
From time to time, the Company may advertise different types of historical
performance for the variable funding options of the Separate Account available
under the Contracts described in this Prospectus. The Company may advertise
the "standardized average annual total returns" of the variable funding
options, calculated in a manner prescribed by the SEC, as well as the "non-
standardized return." Both methods are described below. Further information is
contained in the SAI.
"Standardized average annual total returns" are computed according to a
formula in which a hypothetical investment of $1,000 is applied to the
variable funding options under the Contract and then related to the ending
redeemable values over the most recent one, five and ten-year periods (or
since inception if less than 10 years). Standardized returns will reflect the
deduction of all recurring charges during each period (e.g., mortality and
expense risk charges, the annual maintenance fee, the administrative expense
charge and any applicable deferred sales charge). "Non-standardized return"
will be calculated in a similar manner, except that non-standardized figures
will not reflect the deduction of any applicable deferred sales charge (which
would decrease the level of performance shown if reflected in these
calculations). The non-standardized figures may also include a three-year
period.
The Company may distribute sales literature that compares the percentage
change in Accumulation Unit values for any of the Funds to established market
indexes such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index and the Dow Jones
Industrial Averages or to the change in values of other management investment
companies that have investment objectives similar to the Fund being compared.
The Company may publish in advertisements and reports to Certificate Holders
the ratings and other information assigned to us by one or more independent
rating organizations such as A.M. Best Company, Duff & Phelps, Standard &
Poor's Corporation and Moody's Investors Service, Inc. The purpose of the
ratings is to reflect the Company's financial strength and/or claims-paying
ability. We may also quote ranking services, such as Morningstar's Variable
Annuity/Life Performance Report, and Lipper's Variable Insurance Products
Performance Analysis Service (VIPPAS), which rank variable annuity or life
subaccounts or their underlying funds by performance and/or investment
objective. From time to time, we will quote articles from newspapers and
magazines or other publications or reports including, but not limited to, The
Wall Street Journal, Money magazine, USA Today and The VARDS Report.
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THE COMPANY
Aetna Insurance Company of America (the "Company") is the issuer of the
Contract and the depositor of the Separate Account. The Company is engaged in
the business of issuing variable annuity contracts, and is currently licensed
to do business in forty-five states and in the District of Columbia, and is
seeking licensure in all of the remaining states except New York.
The Company was organized in 1990 as a stock life insurance company under the
insurance laws of the State of Connecticut and is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company ("ALIAC"). ALIAC is presently a
wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Life and Casualty Company, one of the
nation's largest diversified financial services companies. Although the
Company has been in existence since 1990, between 1990 and December 31, 1994,
all of the Company's income and expense was related to investment activity on
its own behalf.
VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT I
Variable Annuity Account I is a separate account established by the Company in
1994 under the insurance laws of the State of Connecticut. The Separate
Account was formed for the purpose of segregating assets attributable to the
variable portions of variable annuity contracts, including the Contracts, from
our other assets. The Separate Account is registered as a unit investment
trust under the 1940 Act, and meets the definition of "separate account" under
the federal securities laws.
Although the Company holds title to the assets of the Separate Account, such
assets are not chargeable with liabilities arising out of any other business
which the Company may conduct. Income, gains or losses of the Separate
Account, realized or unrealized, are credited to or charged against the assets
of the Separate Account without regard to other income, gains or losses of the
Company. All obligations of the Company arising under the Contracts are
general corporate obligations of the Company.
THE FUNDS
The Separate Account currently invests in shares of the underlying funds (the
"Funds") listed below. Certificate Holders may allocate their Purchase
Payments to the portion of the Separate Account which holds shares of the
Funds. The investment results of the Funds, whose investment objectives are
described below, are likely to differ significantly. There is no assurance
that any of the Funds will achieve their respective investment objectives.
Certificate Holders bear the full investment risk of investment in the Funds
selected. Investment in some of the Funds involves special risks, which are
described in the prospectuses for the Funds. You should read the prospectuses
for the Funds and consider carefully, and on a continuing basis, which Fund or
combination of Funds is best suited to your long-term investment needs. Except
where otherwise noted, all of the Funds are diversified, as defined in the
1940 Act.
. NICHOLAS-APPLEGATE CORE GROWTH SERIES seeks to maximize long-term capi-
tal appreciation. It invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of
common stocks of U.S. companies with middle market capitalizations and
above (generally above $500 million).
. NICHOLAS-APPLEGATE EMERGING GROWTH SERIES seeks to maximize long-term
capital appreciation. It invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of
common stocks of U.S. companies with smaller market capitalizations.
. NICHOLAS-APPLEGATE INTERNATIONAL GROWTH SERIES seeks to maximize long-
term capital appreciation. It invests in an international portfolio of
equity securities of foreign companies.
. NICHOLAS-APPLEGATE VALUE SERIES seeks to provide a total return consist-
ing of capital appreciation plus dividend income that exceeds the total
return realized on the Standard and Poor's 500 Stock Price Index. It in-
vests primarily in a diversified portfolio of equity securities with
larger market capitalizations.
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. NICHOLAS-APPLEGATE DIVERSIFIED INCOME SERIES seeks to maximize total re-
turn. It invests primarily in an actively managed diversified portfolio
of fixed-income securities.
. NICHOLAS-APPLEGATE INTERNATIONAL FIXED INCOME SERIES seeks high total
return through both income and capital appreciation. It invests in a
non-diversified international portfolio of high-grade bonds and money
market instruments of foreign issuers.
. AETNA VARIABLE ENCORE FUND seeks to provide high current return, consis-
tent with preservation of capital and liquidity, through investment in
high quality money market instruments. An investment in the Fund is nei-
ther insured nor guaranteed by the U.S. Government.
Some of the above funds may use instruments known as derivatives as part of
their investment strategies as described in each Fund's prospectus. The use of
certain derivatives such as inverse floaters and principal only debt
instruments may involve higher risk of volatility to a Fund. The use of
leverage in connection with derivatives can also increase risk of losses. See
the Funds' prospectuses for a discussion of the risks associated with an
investment in the Funds.
FUND INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Series of the Nicholas-Applegate Trust is managed by Nicholas-Applegate
Capital Management, a California limited partnership organized in 1984, with
its principal place of business in California. Nicholas-Appelgate Capital
Management is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers
Act of 1940, as amended. Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management has retained
the services of Rogge Global Partners, Inc. as a Subadviser for the
investments of the International Fixed Income Series under the supervision of
the Investment Adviser. Rogge Global Partners, Inc. is a registered investment
adviser organized in 1984. Its principal place of business is located in
Connecticut.
The Aetna Variable Encore Fund is managed by Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity
Company (ALIAC).
MIXED AND SHARED FUNDING
Shares of the Funds are sold to the Separate Account for the purpose of
funding variable annuity contracts issued by the Company or its affiliates.
The Funds may be sold to other companies for the same purpose. This is
referred to as "shared funding." Shares of the Funds may also be used for
funding variable life insurance policies through variable life separate
accounts sponsored by us or by third parties. This is referred to as "mixed
funding."
It is conceivable that, in the future, it may be disadvantageous for variable
annuity separate accounts and variable life separate accounts of the same or
of an unaffiliated insurance company to invest in these Funds simultaneously,
since the interests of the contract holders or policy owners or insurance
companies may differ. Each of the Funds' Boards of Trustees have agreed to
monitor events in order to identify any material irreconcilable conflicts
which may possibly arise and to determine what action, if any, should be taken
in response thereto. If such a conflict were to occur, one of the separate
accounts might withdraw its investment in a Fund. This might force that Fund
to sell portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices.
FUND ADDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS
We may, from time to time, add additional mutual funds as eligible variable
funding options under the Contracts. In such event, the Certificate Holder may
be permitted to select from these other funds, subject to any conditions that
may be imposed in connection with these options.
The Company's current policy is to allow all of the Funds noted above to be
used as investment options during the Annuity Period. However, the Company has
reserved the right to limit which Funds can be used as investment options
during the Annuity Period. Currently, a Certificate Holder may elect no more
than four funding options during the Annuity Period. See "Annuity Period
Elections."
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<PAGE>
CONTRACT PURCHASE
PURCHASE
The Contract application must be completed by the prospective Group Contract
Holder and sent, together with the Purchase Payment, if any, to the
Distributor or directly to the Company at its Home Office. A Certificate
Holder establishes an Account under a group contract by completing an
enrollment form and any other required forms. The Distributor will deliver any
application or enrollment form to the Company for review, acceptance or
rejection.
Contracts may be purchased by spouses as Joint Certificate Holders. However,
tax law prohibits the purchase of Individual Retirement Annuities by Joint
Certificate Holders. (See "Contract Rights.")
The Company must accept or reject an application or enrollment form (the
"enrollment materials") within two business days of its receipt. If the
enrollment materials are incomplete, the Company may hold them and any
accompanying Purchase Payment for five days. Purchase Payments may be held for
longer periods only with the consent of the Certificate Holder, pending
acceptance of the enrollment materials. If the enrollment materials are
accepted, a Contract will be issued to the Certificate Holder and the Purchase
Payment will be accepted. Any Purchase Payment accompanying or received prior
to the acceptance of the enrollment materials will be invested as of the date
of acceptance. If the enrollment materials are rejected, both the enrollment
materials and any Purchase Payments will be returned to the Certificate
Holder.
As described under "Contract Rights -- Right to Cancel," you may cancel the
Contract within 10 days of receiving it.
ALLOCATIONS
Each Purchase Payment accepted by us that is to be invested in the Funds will
be deposited in the Separate Account as set forth under "Certificate Holder's
Account Values."
You may elect to have each Net Purchase Payment accumulate (a) on a variable
basis through investment in shares of one or more of the Funds; (b) under the
credited interest option; or (c) in a combination of any of the available
investment options. Net Purchase Payments must be allocated in terms of whole
percentages, and may not be invested in more than 18 investment options over
the life of the Certificate. See "Transfers Among Investment Options." For
subsequent Purchase Payments, if no allocation instructions are received with
the Purchase Payment, the allocation will be the same as that indicated on the
original enrollment materials. For allocations to the Guaranteed Account, if
the same guaranteed term is not available, the next shortest will be used; if
no shorter term is available, the next longer guaranteed term will be used.
PURCHASE PAYMENTS
For the Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contract, the minimum initial Purchase
Payment is $5,000 and additional Purchase Payments must be at least $500
(monthly automatic deposit payments must be at least $50). Subsequent payments
may be sent through the Group Contract Holder or the Distributor or they may
be sent directly to the Company's Home Office. Subsequent payments will be
credited as of the end of the Valuation Period during which it is received at
the Company's Home Office.
The minimum initial Purchase Payment for the Individual Retirement Annuity
Rollover Contract (IRA) is $5,000. Subsequent Purchase Payments will be
accepted if they are rollovers of amounts previously accumulated under an
Individual Retirement Annuity or Account or a plan qualified under Code
Section 401 or 403.
Additional Purchase Payments are subject to the terms and conditions published
by us at the time of the subsequent payment. A Purchase Payment of more than
$1 million under either type of contract is allowed only with our consent. We
reserve the right to limit the total dollar amount accepted from a Certificate
Holder. We also reserve the right to reject any Purchase Payment to a
prospective or existing Certificate Holder's Account without advance notice.
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DESIGNATIONS OF BENEFICIARY AND ANNUITANT
For both Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contracts and IRA Rollover Contracts,
you designate the Beneficiary on the enrollment materials. The Beneficiary may
be entitled to exercise certain rights and receive certain payments under the
Contract in the event of the Certificate Holder's death. You may change the
Beneficiary at any time by submitting a written notice to the Company's Home
Office. The change will not be effective until accepted by the Company.
For an IRA Rollover Contract, you must be the Annuitant. For Nonqualified
Flexible Premium Contracts, you may (but need not) select a different person
as the Annuitant. The maximum issue age for the Annuitant is 90. See "Contract
Rights -- Rights Under the Contract and Account" if you are not the Annuitant.
DISTRIBUTION
Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company ("ALIAC") will serve as the
Underwriter for the securities sold by this Prospectus. ALIAC is registered as
a broker-dealer with the SEC and is a member of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD). As Underwriter, ALIAC will contract with one
or more registered broker-dealers ("Distributors") to offer and sell the
Contracts. ALIAC and one or more of its affiliates may also sell the Contracts
directly. All registered representatives of the Distributors must also be
licensed as insurance agents to sell variable annuity contracts.
ALIAC may also contract with independent third party broker-dealers who will
act as wholesalers by assisting ALIAC in finding broker-dealers interested in
acting as Distributors for the Contracts. These wholesalers may also provide
training, marketing and other sales related functions for ALIAC and other
Distributors and may provide certain administrative services to ALIAC in
connection with the Contracts. ALIAC may pay such wholesalers compensation
based on Purchase Payments for the Contracts purchased through Distributors
selected by the wholesaler.
ALIAC may also designate third parties to provide services in connection with
the Contracts such as reviewing applications for completeness and compliance
with insurance requirements and providing the Distributors with approved
marketing material, prospectuses or other supplies. These parties will also
receive payments based on Purchase Payments for their services, to the extent
such payments are allowed by applicable securities laws. All costs and
expenses related to these services will be paid by ALIAC.
CERTIFICATE HOLDER'S ACCOUNT VALUES
ACCUMULATION UNITS
A Net Purchase Payment that is directed to one or more of the Funds is
deposited in the Separate Account and credited to the Certificate Holder's
Account in the form of Accumulation Units for each Fund selected. The number
of Accumulation Units credited is determined by dividing the applicable
portion of the Net Purchase Payment by that Contract's Accumulation Unit value
of the appropriate Fund. The Accumulation Unit value used is that next-
computed following the date on which a Purchase Payment is received at the
Company's Home Office, unless the application or enrollment form has not been
accepted. In that event, Net Purchase Payments will be credited at the
Accumulation Unit Value next determined after acceptance of the application or
enrollment form. The value of Accumulation Units attributable to the Funds
will be affected by the investment performance, expenses and charges of those
Funds. Generally, if the net asset value of the Fund increases, so does the
Accumulation Unit value; however, performance of the Separate Account is
reduced by charges and deductions under the Contract.
Accumulation Units are valued separately for each Fund. Therefore, if you
elect to have a Net Purchase Payment invested in a combination of Funds, you
will have Accumulation Units credited from more than one Fund. The value of
the Certificate Holder's Account as of the most recent Valuation Period is
determined by adding the value of any Accumulation Units attributed to the
Fund(s) you have selected to the value of any amounts invested in the
Guaranteed Account.
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NET INVESTMENT FACTOR
The value of a Fund's Accumulation Unit for any Valuation Period is calculated
by multiplying the Fund's Accumulation Unit value for the immediately
preceding Valuation Period by the net investment factor of the appropriate
investment option for the current period.
The net investment factor is calculated separately for each Fund in which
assets of the Separate Account are invested. It is determined by adding
1.0000000 to the net investment rate.
The net investment rate equals (a) the value of Fund shares held by the
Separate Account at the end of a Valuation Period, minus (b) the value of Fund
shares held by the Separate Account at the beginning of a Valuation Period,
plus or minus (c) taxes or provision for taxes, if any, attributable to the
operation of the Separate Account, divided by (d) the value of the
Accumulation and Annuity Units for the Fund at the beginning of the Valuation
Period, minus (e) a daily charge at the annual effective rate of 1.25% for
mortality and expense risks, and a daily administrative expense charge at the
annual effective rate of 0.10% during the Accumulation Period and up to 0.25%
during the Annuity Period. The net investment rate may be more or less than
zero.
CONTRACT RIGHTS
RIGHT TO CANCEL
The Group or Individual Contract Holder may cancel the Contract no later than
ten days after receiving it (or as otherwise allowed by state law) by
returning it to us or to the Distributor from whom it was purchased along with
a written notice of cancellation. A Certificate Holder may cancel his or her
Certificate Holder's Account under a group Contract no later than ten days
after receiving the Certificate (or as otherwise allowed by state law) by
returning it to us or to the Distributor from whom it was purchased along with
a written notice of cancellation. We will send a refund not later than seven
calendar days after we receive the Contract or Certificate and the written
notice at our Home Office. Unless the applicable state law requires a refund
of the Purchase Payments, for Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contracts, we will
refund the Purchase Payments plus any increase or minus any decrease in the
value attributable to the Purchase Payments allocated to the variable
option(s). For IRA Rollover Contracts, we will refund the Purchase Payment.
RIGHTS UNDER THE CONTRACT AND ACCOUNT
The Group Contract Holder has title to the Contract and only the right to
accept or reject any modifications to the Contract. You have all other rights
to your Certificate Holder's Account under the Contract. However, under a
Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contract, if you and the Annuitant are not the
same, and the Annuitant dies first, a different provision applies. In this
case, your rights are automatically transferred to the Beneficiary. (See
"Death Benefit.")
As discussed under "Contract Purchase," two individuals may have an interest
in the same Certificate Holder's Account as Joint Certificate Holders. Joint
Certificate Holders have equal rights under the Contract and with respect to
their Certificate Holder's Account. If a Joint Certificate Holder dies prior
to the Annuity Date, the surviving Certificate Holder may retain all ownership
rights under the Contract or elect to have the proceeds distributed under one
of the payout options available under the Contract. See "Death Benefits." All
rights under the Contract must be exercised by both Joint Certificate Holders
with the exception of transfers among investment options; at the Company's
discretion, one Joint Certificate Holder can select additional investment
options after the Account has been established.
Loans are not allowed under this Contract.
TRANSFERS AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS
We currently allow unlimited transfers of accumulated amounts to available
investment options during the Accumulation Period without charge; however, we
reserve the right to charge $10 for each transfer after the first
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<PAGE>
12 in any calendar year. During each calendar year, you may change the
allocation of future Net Purchase Payments and/or transfer account values
among the funding options available under the Contract. However, you may not
make allocations or transfers to new funding options if the total number of
funding options you have selected would exceed 18 since the time that you
acquired an interest in the Contract. Each variable funding option and each
guaranteed term of the Guaranteed Account selected counts as one option, even
if you no longer have amounts allocated to that option. Any transfer to or
from the Funds will be based on the Accumulation Unit value next determined
after we receive a valid request at our Home Office. Amounts transferred must
be at least $500. If the transfer is from the Guaranteed Account before the
maturity date of a designated guaranteed term, the amount transferred may be
subject to a Market Value Adjustment (see the Appendix). During the Annuity
Period, transfers are not available.
DOLLAR COST AVERAGING PROGRAM
Dollar Cost Averaging is a system for investing a fixed amount of money at
regular intervals over a period of time. It is based on the economic fact that
buying a variably priced item with a constant sum of money at fixed intervals
affords the buyer the opportunity to automatically buy more of that item when
prices are low and less of it when prices are high, thus reducing the average
cost per item. Dollar Cost Averaging does not ensure a profit nor guarantee
against loss in a declining market. Certificate Holders should consider their
financial ability to continue purchases through periods of low price levels.
The Dollar Cost Averaging Program permits Certificate Holders to
systematically transfer amounts from any of the variable funding options and
the one-year Guaranteed Account Term to any of the variable funding options.
Where state regulatory approval has been received, a Market Value Adjustment
will not be applied to dollar cost averaging transfers from the one-year
Guaranteed Term. Consult your representative to determine whether the waiver
is approved in your state. (See the Appendix for a discussion of the
restrictions related to Dollar Cost Averaging from the Guaranteed Account.)
You must have an Account Value of at least $5,000 to participate in the Dollar
Cost Averaging Program. The minimum amount that may be transferred into a
particular variable funding option is $50. DCA can be elected at any time
during the Accumulation Period by completing the DCA section of the
application or by completing a DCA Election Form available from the Company at
its Home Office. All DCA transfers will be made on the 15th of each month (or
the next Valuation Period, if applicable). Any transfer made under the DCA
program will not be counted for purposes of any transfer limitations imposed
under the Contract. A Certificate Holder may terminate the DCA program at any
time. The Company reserves the right to modify or terminate the DCA program at
any time.
Dollar Cost Averaging is not available to individuals who have elected the
Systematic Withdrawal Option or the Account Rebalancing Program (described
below).
ACCOUNT REBALANCING PROGRAM
The Account Rebalancing Program allows Certificate Holders to have portions of
their Account Value automatically reallocated on the Anniversary of the
Effective Date to a specified percentage. Only Account Values accumulating
under the Funds can be rebalanced. Certificate Holders may participate in this
program by completing the Account Rebalancing Section of the enrollment
materials, or by requesting the service in writing from the Company's Home
Office. Reallocations under the Account Rebalancing Program will not be
counted for purposes of any transfer limitations imposed under the Contract.
Account Rebalancing is not available to Certificate Holders who have elected
the Dollar Cost Averaging Program.
Account Rebalancing does not ensure a profit nor guarantee against loss in a
declining market.
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WITHDRAWALS
You may withdraw all or a portion of the Certificate Holder's Account Value
during the Accumulation Period by properly completing a disbursement form
available from the Company or one of the Distributors and sending it to our
Home Office. The following types of withdrawals may be requested:
. Full Withdrawal: The Adjusted Account Value minus any applicable deferred
sales charge and maintenance fee due.
. Partial Withdrawal (Percentage): The percentage of the Adjusted Account
Value requested minus any applicable deferred sales charge.
. Partial Withdrawal (Specific Dollar Amount): The dollar amount requested.
The amount actually withdrawn from the Certificate Holder's Account may
be greater or less than the dollar amount requested to allow for payment
of any applicable deferred sales charge and any applicable Market Value
Adjustment.
We will pay all amounts based on the Certificate Holder's Account Value next
computed after the request is received in the Home Office or a later date, if
specified. For any partial withdrawal, amounts are withdrawn on a pro rata
basis from all variable funding options. (For treatment of amounts withdrawn
from the Guaranteed Account, see the Appendix.)
Taxes or tax penalties may be due on the amount withdrawn. (See "Tax Status --
Taxation of Annuities.")
We reserve the right to close out, upon 90 days written notice, any
Certificate Holder's Account with a value of $2,500 or less immediately
following a partial withdrawal. A deferred sales charge will not be deducted
in this event. The Company does not intend to exercise this right in cases
where the Certificate Holder's Account Value is reduced to $2,500 or less
solely due to investment performance.
Payments for withdrawal requests will be made in accordance with SEC
requirements, but normally not later than seven calendar days after we receive
a properly completed withdrawal form in our Home Office or within seven
calendar days of the date the withdrawal form may specify. Payments may be
delayed for: (a) any period in which the New York Stock Exchange ("Exchange")
is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings) or in which
trading on the Exchange is restricted; (b) any period in which an emergency
exists where disposal of securities held by the Funds is not reasonably
practicable or it is not reasonably practicable for the value of the assets of
the Funds to be fairly determined; or (c) such other periods as the SEC may by
order permit for the protection of Certificate Holders. The conditions under
which restricted trading or an emergency exists will be determined by the
rules and regulations of the SEC.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE FOLLOWING WITHDRAWAL
You may elect to reinstate all or a portion of the proceeds received from the
full withdrawal of the Certificate Holder's Account within 30 days after the
withdrawal. Accumulation Units will be credited to the Certificate Holder's
Account for the amount reinstated, as well as for any maintenance fee charged
and any portion of any deferred sales charge imposed at the time of
withdrawal. However, any aggregate negative Market Value Adjustment made to
the Guaranteed Account will not be credited. Reinstated amounts will be
reallocated to the applicable investment options in the same proportion as
they were allocated at the time of withdrawal.
The number of Accumulation Units credited will be based upon the Accumulation
Unit value(s) next computed following receipt at our Home Office of the
reinstatement request along with the amount to be reinstated. Any maintenance
fee which falls due after the withdrawal and before the reinstatement will be
deducted from the amount reinstated. The reinstatement privilege may be used
only once and does not apply to Certificate Holder's Accounts that we close
out. If you are contemplating reinstatement, you should seek competent advice
regarding the tax consequences associated with this type of a transaction.
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CHARGES AND DEDUCTIONS
GENERAL
This section describes the maximum charges that we may deduct for maintenance
fees, administrative expenses, sales-related expenses and transfer fees. A
description of mortality and expense risk charges and Fund expenses is also
included.
MAINTENANCE FEE
We will deduct an annual maintenance fee of $30 from the Certificate Holder's
Account Value during the Accumulation Period. This fee is to reimburse us for
some administrative expenses relating to the establishment and maintenance of
the Certificate Holder's Account. We will deduct the fee on the anniversary of
the Certificate Holder's Account's Effective Date (or, if this is not a
business day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open, on the next
business day). The fee is also deducted upon withdrawal of the entire
Certificate Holder's Account. The fee is deducted proportionately from each
investment option selected under the Contract by liquidating a portion of
amounts held in those options.
We will not deduct a maintenance fee (either annually or upon withdrawal) if
the Certificate Holder's Account Value is $50,000 or more on the day the
maintenance fee is due.
MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGES
We make a daily deduction from the Separate Account for mortality and expense
risks (insurance charges). The deduction, equal to the annual effective rate
of 1.25% per year, is made as part of the calculation of Accumulation Unit and
Annuity Unit value(s).
The mortality risk charge is to compensate us for the risks we assume (a) for
the guaranteed death benefit and (b) for our promise to make lifetime payments
according to Annuity rates specified in the Contract. The expense risk charge
is to compensate us for the risk that actual expenses for costs incurred under
the Contract will exceed the maximum costs that can be charged under the
Contract. We hope to profit from the daily deduction for mortality and expense
risks. Any such profit, as well as any other profit realized by us, would be
available for any proper corporate purpose, including, but not limited to,
payment of sales and distribution expenses.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CHARGE
During the Accumulation Period, we deduct a daily charge of 0.10% per year
from the Separate Account portion of the Certificate Holder's Account Value.
The deduction is made as part of the calculation of Accumulation Unit Values.
This charge is to reimburse us for expenses we incur in administering the
Contract. We do not intend to profit from this charge. The administrative
expense charge is a percentage of the variable portion of the Certificate
Holder's Account Value; therefore, there may be no relationship between the
amount so deducted and the amount of expenses attributable to the Certificate
Holder's Account.
The Company reserves the right to establish an administrative expense charge
of 0.25% upon the start of a variable Annuity Option. Currently, the charge is
0%. The deduction is made as part of the calculation of Annuity Unit Values.
Once an Annuity Option is elected, and an administrative expense charge has
been established, we will not change the charge.
TRANSFER FEES
For each Certificate Holder's Account unlimited transfers are currently
allowed without charge during the Accumulation Period. We reserve the right to
charge $10 for each transfer in excess of 12 during a calendar year. If we do
assess the fee, it will be deducted from the Certificate Holder's Account
Value. Transfers are not allowed during the Annuity Period.
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<PAGE>
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE
You may withdraw the Adjusted Account Value of your Certificate Holder's
Account at any time during the Accumulation Period; however, a deferred sales
charge (referred to in the Contract as a surrender fee) may be deducted so
that we may recover some of our sales expenses.
The charge only applies to the Net Purchase Payment (not to any associated
changes in value), and gradually decreases so that seven years after the date
the Net Purchase Payment was made, the charge associated with that payment is
0%. Withdrawals are charged first against Net Purchase Payments, then against
any increases in value. To satisfy a partial withdrawal, the deferred sales
charge is calculated as if Net Purchase Payments are withdrawn in the same
order they were applied to the Certificate Holder's Account (i.e., the oldest
Net Purchase Payment will be exhausted, then the next oldest and so on).
Partial withdrawals from the Guaranteed Account will be treated as described
in the Appendix and in its prospectus. The deferred sales charge for each Net
Purchase Payment is determined by multiplying the Net Purchase Payment
withdrawn by the appropriate percentage, depending on the number of years
completed since the Net Purchase Payment was made, as shown in the table
below. The total charge will be the sum of the charges applicable for all of
the Net Purchase Payments withdrawn.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LENGTH OF TIME SINCE
NET PURCHASE PAYMENT MADE DEDUCTION
------------------------- ---------
<S> <C>
Less than 2 years 6%
2 years or more but less than 4 years 5%
4 years or more but less than 5 years 4%
5 years or more but less than 6 years 3%
6 years or more but less than 7 years 2%
7 years or more 0%
</TABLE>
We will not deduct a deferred sales charge from any Net Purchase Payment
withdrawn that is:
(a) Applied to provide Annuity benefits;
(b) Paid to a Beneficiary due to the Annuitant's death before Annuity
payments start, up to a maximum of the Net Purchase Payment(s) in the
Certificate Holder's Account on the Annuitant's date of death;
(c) Withdrawn under the Systematic Withdrawal Option (SWO) or the Estate
Conservation Option (ECO);
(d) Withdrawn after the Annuitant has spent at least 45 consecutive days in
a licensed nursing care facility, but within three years of admission
to a licensed nursing care facility (in New Hampshire only, the
facility does not have to be licensed). This waiver does not apply if
you or the Annuitant are in a nursing care facility at the time the
Certificate Holder's Account is established or is admitted to a
licensed nursing care facility within one year of that time. It will
also not apply if prohibited by state law; or
(e) Paid due to the full withdrawal of the Certificate Holder's Account for
which the value is $2,500 or less and no withdrawals have been made in
the prior 12 months; or
(f) Paid, at least 12 months after the date of the first Purchase Payment
to the Certificate Holder's Account in an amount of 10% or less of the
Certificate Holder's Account Value. This applies to the first partial
or full withdrawal made each calendar year. The 10% amount will be
calculated using the Certificate Holder's Account Value on the date the
request is received in good order at the Home Office. If a withdrawal
is made that exceeds 10%, the applicable deferred sales charge on the
amount over 10% and any applicable Market Value Adjustment will be
deducted from the Certificate Holder's Account Value. This provision
may not be exercised if SWO is elected; or
(g) Paid if we close out the Certificate Holder's Account. (See "Contract
Rights -- Withdrawals.")
In the instances cited in the above paragraphs, no deferred sales charge is
deducted. However, the amount withdrawn may be subject to the 10% federal
penalty tax. (See "Tax Status -- Taxation of Annuities.") A Market Value
Adjustment may also apply to amounts withdrawn from the Guaranteed Account.
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Based on our actuarial determination, we do not anticipate that the deferred
sales charge will cover all sales and administrative expenses that we will
incur in connection with the Contract.
FUND EXPENSES
Pursuant to investment advisory agreements between each of the Funds and their
investment advisers, the investment advisers receive an annual advisory fee
from each of the Funds they advise for services as investment adviser. These
fees are based on each Fund's average net assets, and are deducted daily from
the assets of each Fund and paid to the Adviser monthly.
Most expenses incurred in the operations of each Fund are borne by that Fund.
The investment advisers may reimburse the Funds they advise for some or all of
these expenses. For further details on each Fund's expenses, you should read
the accompanying prospectus for the Funds and refer to the Fee Table in this
Prospectus.
PREMIUM TAX
Several states and municipalities impose a premium tax on Purchase Payments
either when made or when an Annuity option is elected. Currently such taxes
range up to 4%. Ordinarily, any state premium tax will be deducted from the
Certificate Holder's Account Value when it is applied to an Annuity option.
However, we reserve the right to deduct state premium tax at any time from the
Purchase Payment(s) or from the Certificate Holder's Account Value at any
time, but no earlier than when we have a tax liability under state law.
Any municipal premium tax assessed at a rate in excess of 1% will be deducted
from the Purchase Payment(s) or from the amount applied to an Annuity option
based on our determination of when such tax is due. We will absorb any
municipal premium tax which is assessed at 1% or less. We reserve the right,
however, to reflect this added expense in our Annuity purchase rates for
residents of such municipalities.
COMMISSIONS AND DISTRIBUTION EXPENSES
Commissions will be paid to broker-dealers who sell the Contracts. Broker-
dealers will be paid commissions up to an amount currently equal to 6.5% of
Purchase Payments. Pursuant to agreements between the Underwriter (ALIAC) and
the broker-dealer, commissions may be paid as a combination of a certain
percentage amount at the time of sale and a trail commission of up to 0.40% of
assets due to Purchase Payments (which, when combined, could exceed 6.5% of
Purchase Payments).
Other than the mortality and expense risk charge and the administrative
charge, all expenses incurred in the operations of the Separate Account are
borne by the Company.
ADDITIONAL WITHDRAWAL OPTIONS
GENERAL
We offer two withdrawal options that are not considered Annuity options: the
Estate Conservation Option ("ECO") and the Systematic Withdrawal Option
("SWO"). These options are available if your Account Value is at least $25,000
at the time of election and you are at least age 70 1/2 for ECO or 59 1/2 for
SWO. ECO is available only for amounts in an IRA Rollover Contract, and not
for amounts under a Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contract. Under SWO, you
receive a series of partial withdrawals from your Account based on the payment
method you select. It is designed for those who want a periodic income while
retaining investment flexibility for amounts accumulating under the Contract.
ECO offers the same investment flexibility as SWO, but is designed for those
who want to receive only the minimum distribution that the Code requires each
year. Under ECO, the Company calculates the minimum distribution amount
required by law and pays you that amount once a year.
Amounts withdrawn for ECO and SWO will be deducted from the Contract in the
same manner as for any other withdrawals during the Accumulation Period except
that no deferred sales charge will be applied. Additionally,
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where state regulatory approval has been received, no market value adjustment
will be applied to amounts distributed under an ECO or SWO election. (See your
representative to determine whether the waiver is approved in your state.)
(See "Contract Rights -- Withdrawals During Accumulation Period" and "Charges
and Deductions -- Deferred Sales Charge.")
Since ECO and SWO are not Annuity options, the Certificate Holder's Account
retains all the rights and obligations available during the Accumulation
Period, as described in this Prospectus, and is subject to all Accumulation
Period Contract charges. We reserve the right to discontinue the availability
of these withdrawal options and to change the terms for future elections.
Once elected, you or your spousal beneficiary may revoke the applicable
option(s) at any time by submitting a written request to our Home Office. Any
revocation will apply only to the amounts not yet paid. Once ECO or SWO is
revoked, it may not be elected again.
SWO is different from ECO in the following ways: (1) SWO payments are made for
a fixed dollar amount, fixed time period or fixed percentage whereas ECO
payments vary in dollar amount and can continue indefinitely during your
lifetime; (2) generally, SWO payments will be higher than expected ECO
payments; and (3) ECO is available only for amounts in an Individual
Retirement Annuity Contract, whereas SWO is available under both Individual
Retirement Annuity Contracts and Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contracts.
You should carefully assess your future income needs when considering the
election of these withdrawal options. You should consult your tax adviser
prior to electing one of these options due to the potential for adverse tax
consequences. The Company will not be responsible for adverse tax consequences
incurred by a Certificate Holder due to his or her receipt of SWO payments.
For a discussion of the consequences if you or your Beneficiary dies after SWO
or ECO has been elected, see "Death Benefit."
ESTATE CONSERVATION OPTION
The first distribution may not be made before the calendar year in which the
Certificate Holder attains age 70 1/2. ECO is available only for amounts in an
Individual Retirement Annuity Contract.
We will calculate and distribute an annual amount using the recalculation
method contained in the Code's minimum distribution regulations. You specify
the month you want to receive the distributions and they will be mailed for
receipt by the 15th of that month each year. The annual distribution is
determined each year by dividing the Certificate Holder's Account Value by a
life expectancy factor from tables designated by the Internal Revenue Service
("IRS"). The factor will be based on either your life expectancy or the joint
life expectancy of you and your Beneficiary and will be redetermined for each
calendar year's distribution. The Certificate Holder's Account Value to be
used in this calculation is the Certificate Holder's Value on the December
31st of the year prior to the year in which the ECO payment is being made.
This calculation will be changed, if necessary, to conform to changes in the
Code or applicable regulations.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL OPTION
SWO payments are available on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis
and are mailed for receipt by the 15th of the month. Under the Specified
Percentage method, payments will be made until you reach age 70 1/2, or if
elected by your spouse as a Beneficiary, until you would have reached age 70
1/2. You may not make any election that would result in a payment of less than
$500.
You may elect one of the following methods of distribution:
(a) Specified Payment -- payments of a designated dollar amount. The dollar
amount chosen cannot be greater than 10% of the Certificate Holder's
Account Value. The Company may require a minimum payment amount.
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(b) Specified Period -- payments for a designated time period. Each annual
distribution is determined by dividing the Certificate Holder's Account
Value by the number of years remaining in the elected period. The
Certificate Holder's Account Value used in this calculation is the
Certificate Holder's Account Value on the December 31st of the year
prior to the year for which the payment is being made. For payments
made more often than annually, the annual payment result (calculated
above) is divided by the number of payments due each year. The
specified period must be at least 10 years but, for IRA Rollover
Contracts, not greater than your life expectancy factor.
(c) Specified Percentage -- payments of a designated percentage. The
specified percentage chosen cannot be greater than 10% of the
Certificate Holder's Account Value. The percentage elected may be
changed every six months. Each annual distribution is determined by
multiplying the Certificate Holder's Account Value by the percentage
chosen. The value used in this calculation is the value on the December
31st of the year prior to the year for which the payment is being made.
For payments made more often than annually, the annual payment result
(calculated above) is divided by the number of the payments due each
year.
Note: For an IRA Rollover Contract, the annual minimum SWO distribution, or
maximum SWO time period, as you direct, will be determined by a life
expectancy factor from tables designated by the IRS. Under both the Specified
Payment and Specified Period payment methods, a higher amount will be paid in
any year, if required under the Code's minimum distribution rules. For the
initial distribution year, we will calculate the amount paid based on your
single life expectancy determined from Table V of Section 1.72-9 of the Income
Tax Regulations. For each year thereafter, we will use the life expectancy for
the previous year reduced by one.
ANNUITY PERIOD
ANNUITY PERIOD ELECTIONS
You must notify us in writing of the Annuity Date and Annuity option elected.
The Certificate Holder's Account will continue in the Accumulation Period
until the Annuity Date. Once Annuity Payments start, the Annuity Date and
Annuity Option cannot be changed. Payments may not begin earlier than one year
after purchase, or later than the later of: (a) the first day of the month
following the Annuitant's 85th birthday, or (b) the tenth anniversary of the
last Purchase Payment. As required by the Code, distributions from an IRA
Rollover Contract must begin no later than April 1 of the calendar year after
the calendar year in which you attain age 70 1/2. (This distribution
requirement can be satisfied with annuity payments or ECO.)
At least 30 days before the Annuity Date, you must notify us in writing to
elect or change (a) the date on which Annuity payments are to begin, (b) the
Annuity option, (c) whether the payments are to be made monthly, quarterly,
semiannually or annually, and (d) the investment option(s) to be used to
provide Annuity payments (i.e., a fixed annuity using the general account, one
or more of the Funds available during the Annuity Period, or any combination
thereof). The Company has reserved the right to limit which and how many
funding options will be available as investment options during the Annuity
Period. Currently, no more than four Funds may be elected. Once Annuity
Payments begin, the Annuity Option may not be changed, nor may transfers be
made among funding options.
Annuity payments are based on the Annuitant's adjusted age (and joint
Annuitant's if elected), the payment rate for the selected Annuity Option, and
the amount applied to the Annuity Option. The Annuitant's adjusted age is his
or her age as of the birthday closest to the date of the first Annuity
payment, reduced by one year for Annuity start dates occurring during the
period from July 1, 1993 through December 31, 1999. The Annuitant's age (and
joint Annuitant's, if applicable) will be reduced by two years for Annuity
start dates occurring during the period from January 1, 2000 through
December 31, 2009. The Annuitant's adjusted age (and joint Annuitant's, if
applicable) will be reduced by one additional year for Annuity start dates in
each succeeding decade.
If Annuity payments are elected on a variable basis, the first and subsequent
Annuity payments will also depend on the assumed net investment rate (3 1/2%
annually, unless a 5% annual rate is elected). Use of the 3 1/2%
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assumed rate causes a lower first payment, but subsequent payments would
increase more rapidly or decline more slowly as changes occur in the net
investment rate. A 5% rate causes a higher first payment, but Annuity payments
will increase thereafter only to the extent that the net investment rate
exceeds 5% annually. Annuity payments would decline if the rate were below 5%.
The first Annuity payment determines the number of Annuity Units into which
Accumulation Units are converted on the Annuity Date. Annuity Unit Values are
calculated like Accumulation Unit Values except that they also take into
account a factor reflecting the assumed net investment rate. The dollar value
of Annuity Unit Values and Annuity Payments may go up or down due to
investment performance.
No election may be made that would result in a first Annuity payment of less
than $50 or total yearly Annuity payments of less than $250 (less if required
by state law). If the Certificate Holder's Account Value on the Annuity start
date is insufficient to elect an option for the minimum amount specified, a
lump-sum payment must be elected. We reserve the right to increase the minimum
first Annuity payment amount and the minimum annual Annuity payment amount
based on increases reflected in the Consumer Price Index-Urban (CPI-U), since
July 1, 1993.
For IRA Rollover Contracts, in determining the amount of Annuity payments, we
must satisfy the minimum distribution incidental death benefit rule described
in IRS regulations. This rule assures that any death benefits payable are
incidental to the primary purpose of the Contract, which is to provide you
with retirement benefits. The amount to be distributed under this rule is
determined based on your age and tables contained in the IRS regulations.
When payments start, the age of the Annuitant plus the number of years for
which payments are guaranteed must not exceed 95.
ANNUITY OPTIONS
LIFETIME:
(a) Life Annuity -- an Annuity with payments guaranteed to the date of the
Annuitant's death. This option may be elected with payments guaranteed
for a minimum of 5, 10, 15 or 20 years. Because it provides a specified
minimum number of Annuity payments, the election of a guaranteed
payment period results in somewhat lower payment than if a Life Annuity
with no specified number of guaranteed payments had been elected.
(b) Life Income Based Upon the Lives of Two Payees -- An Annuity will be
paid during the lives of the Annuitant and a second Annuitant. Payments
will continue until both Annuitants have died. When this option is
chosen, a choice must be made of:
(i) 100% of the payment to continue after the first death;
(ii) 66 2/3% of the payment to continue after the first death;
(iii) 50% of the payment to continue after the first death;
(iv) Payments for a minimum of 120 months, with 100% of the payment to
continue after the first death; or
(v) 100% of the payment to continue at the death of the second Annuitant
and 50% of the payment to continue at the death of the Annuitant.
Because (iv) provides a specified minimum number of Annuity payments,
the election of the guaranteed payment period results in somewhat lower
payments.
Payments under any lifetime Annuity option will be determined without regard
to the sex of the Annuitant(s). Such Annuity payments will be based solely on
the age of the Annuitant(s).
If a lifetime option is elected without a guaranteed minimum payment period,
it is possible that only one Annuity payment will be made if the Annuitant
under (a), or the surviving Annuitant under (b), (i), (ii), (iii) or (v),
should die prior to the due date of the second Annuity payment.
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Once lifetime Annuity payments begin, you cannot elect to receive a lump-sum
settlement or change elections.
NONLIFETIME:
(a) Payments for a Stated Period of Time -- an Annuity with payments to be
made for five to 30 years, as selected. If this option is elected on a
variable basis, you may request at any time during the payment period
that the present value of all or any portion of the remaining variable
payments be paid in one sum. If elected on a fixed basis, you cannot
elect to receive a lump-sum settlement. However, any lump sum elected
before three years of payments have been completed will be treated as a
withdrawal during the Accumulation Period and any applicable deferred
sales charge will be assessed. (See "Charges and Deductions -- Deferred
Sales Charge.") Once an Annuity option is elected on either a variable
or fixed basis, you cannot change elections.
(b) Payment of Interest -- interest payments will be made to your
Beneficiary on all or a portion of the amount payable upon your death
prior to your electing an Annuity Option and allocated to this option.
Amounts under this option are held in our general account. Your
Beneficiary may withdraw any amount held under this option or direct
that any or all of the amount be applied to an Annuity Option.
We make a daily deduction for mortality and expense risks from any amounts
held on a variable basis. (See "Charges and Deductions -- Mortality and
Expense Risk Charges.") Therefore, electing the nonlifetime option on a
variable basis will result in a deduction being made even though we assume no
mortality risk.
We may also deduct a daily administrative charge from amounts held under the
variable options. The charge, established when a variable Annuity Option is
elected, will not exceed 0.25% per year of amounts held on a variable basis.
Once established, the charge will be effective during the entire Annuity
Period.
In addition to the Annuity Options described, we may offer you and other
payees optional methods of payment.
DEATH BENEFIT
GENERAL
The following section provides information about determining the death benefit
amount, should you or the Annuitant die during the Accumulation Period.
Additional information is given for IRA Rollover Contracts and Nonqualified
Flexible Premium Contracts regarding the rights available and who receives
them in case of the death of you or the Annuitant. In many cases, the rights
available will depend on whether the Beneficiary is your spouse.
In many of the scenarios described below, a deadline is given for receiving
distributions equal to the Certificate Holder's Account Value. According to
the Code, the required amount must be distributed by the deadline given. If
not, the IRS will deem the Beneficiary to be in "constructive receipt" of the
amount, and the Beneficiary may be subject to a penalty tax in addition to any
other income tax due on the amount.
Upon the death of a Joint Certificate Holder prior to the Annuity Date, the
surviving Certificate Holder, if any, will be the designated beneficiary. Any
other beneficiary designation on record with the Company at the time of death
will be treated as a contingent beneficiary, and payments will be made to such
beneficiary only upon the death of the surviving Certificate Holder. Upon the
death of an Annuitant who is not a Certificate Holder, the Death Benefit
Amount will be paid to the beneficiary designated.
Note: We will not allow Annuity payments to a Beneficiary to extend beyond the
Beneficiary's life or any period certain greater than the Beneficiary's life
expectancy.
DEATH BENEFIT AMOUNT
If the Annuitant (or for the Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contract, you or
the Annuitant) dies before Annuity payments start, the Beneficiary is entitled
to a death benefit. The excess, if any, of the amount of the guaranteed
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death benefit over the Certificate Holder's Account Value is determined as of
the date of death. Any excess amount will be deposited to the Certificate
Holder's Account and allocated to Aetna Variable Encore Fund as of the claim
date. The Certificate Holder's Account Value on the claim date plus any excess
amount deposited, becomes the Certificate Holder's Account Value. The claim
date is the date when we receive valid proof of death and the Beneficiary's
claim at our Home Office.
For Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contracts, the death benefit value is
determined as described in items (a), (b), (c) and (d) below. For IRA Rollover
Contracts, the death benefit value is determined as described in items (a),
(b) and (d) below.
(a) Death of Certificate Holder/Annuitant (for IRA Rollover Contracts) or
death of Annuitant (for Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contracts) less
than 75 years of age: The guaranteed death benefit value is the
greatest of:
(1) The Net Purchase Payment(s) made to the Certificate Holder's Account
minus the sum of all amounts withdrawn, applied to an Annuity, or
deducted from the Certificate Holder's Account;
(2) (i) In jurisdictions where regulatory approval has been received, the
highest step-up value as of the date of death. A step-up value is
determined on each anniversary of the Effective Date. Each
step-up value is calculated as the Certificate Holder's Account
Value on the Effective Date anniversary, increased by the amount
of any Purchase Payment(s) made, and decreased by the amount of
any partial withdrawals and/or amounts applied to an Annuity
Option since the Effective Date anniversary;
(ii) In jurisdictions where regulatory approval for (a)(2)(i) above
has NOT been received, the value will be the step-up value as of
the date of death, minus the total of all partial withdrawals,
amounts applied to an Annuity and deductions made from the
Certificate Holder's Account since determination of the step-up
value. The step-up value is the Certificate Holder's Account
Value on the most recent seventh year anniversary of the date
the Net Purchase Payment was applied.
(3) The Certificate Holder's Account Value as of the date of death.
The excess, if any, of the guaranteed death benefit value over the
Certificate Holder's Account Value is determined as of the date of
death. Any excess amount will be deposited and allocated to Aetna
Variable Encore Fund as of the claim date. The Certificate Holder's
Account Value on the claim date plus any excess amount deposited becomes
the Certificate Holder's Account Value.
(b) Death of Certificate Holder/Annuitant (for IRA Rollover Contracts) or
death of Annuitant (for Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contracts) age 75
or greater: The death benefit is the greatest of:
(1) The Net Purchase Payments made to the Certificate Holder's Account
minus the sum of all amounts withdrawn, applied to an Annuity, or
deducted from the Certificate Holder's Account;
(2) The highest step-up value as of the Participant's 75th birthday. The
step-up value is calculated as described in (a)(2)(i) above. In
jurisdictions where regulatory approval for (a)(2)(i) has not been
received, the value will be the step-up value as of the
Participant's 75th birthday, determined as described in (a)(2)(ii)
above;
(3) The Certificate Holder's Account Value as of the date of death.
(c) Death of the Certificate Holder if the Certificate Holder is not the
Annuitant (Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contracts only): The death
benefit amount is the Adjusted Account Value on the Claim Date. A
deferred sales charge may apply to any full or partial withdrawal. (See
"Charges and Deductions -- Deferred Sales Charge.")
(d) Death of a Spousal Beneficiary: In the case of a spousal beneficiary
who continued the Account in his or her own name, the death benefit
shall be equal to the Certificate Holder's Account Value, less any
applicable deferred sales charge on any Purchase Payment(s) made after
we receive proof of death.
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For amounts held in the Guaranteed Account: The death benefit, if paid within
six months of the date of the Annuitant's death, is the greater of the
Certificate Holder's Account Value or the aggregate market value adjusted
(MVA) amount. If paid after the six-month period, the death benefit will be
the aggregate MVA amount. The aggregate MVA amount may be more or less than
the Certificate Holder's Account Value.
DEATH BENEFIT OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO BENEFICIARY UNDER A NONQUALIFIED FLEXIBLE
PREMIUM CONTRACT
Under a Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contract, prior to any election, the
Certificate Holder's Account Value will remain in the Certificate Holder's
Account and the Certificate Holder's Account Value will continue to be
affected by the investment performance of the investment option(s) selected.
The Beneficiary has the right to allocate or transfer any amount to any
available investment options (subject to a Market Value Adjustment, as
applicable). The Code requires that distributions begin within a certain time
period as described below; failure to commence distribution within those time
periods can result in tax penalties. The following options are available to
the Beneficiary:
(a) When you are the Annuitant and you die:
(1) If the Beneficiary is the surviving spouse, the Beneficiary will
become the successor Certificate Holder. The successor Certificate
Holder may exercise all Certificate Holder rights under the Contract
and continue in the Accumulation Period, or may elect (i), (ii), or
(iii) below. Under the Code, distributions are not required until
the successor Certificate Holder's death. The Beneficiary may:
(i) Apply some or all of the Adjusted Account Value to any of the
Annuity options. The amount of payout will depend on the annuity
option elected and the investment option(s) used to provide such
payments. The proceeds are taxed in the same manner as annuity
payments. See "Tax Status."
(ii) Elect to have some or all of the Adjusted Account Value
deposited in the Company's general account, earning the then-
current interest rate which may be changed from time to time.
The Beneficiary may elect to receive monthly, quarterly,
semiannual or annual interest payments. The balance on deposit
can be withdrawn at any time or applied to any Annuity option.
The principal amount is guaranteed, but interest payments may
vary; or
(iii) Request, at any time, a lump-sum payment equal to all or a
portion of the Adjusted Account Value.
Under (ii) and (iii) above, payments are taxed as surrenders as they
are received.
(2) If the Beneficiary is not your surviving spouse, he or she may
exercise all Contract or Certificate Holder rights and continue in
the Accumulation Period or may elect option (i), (ii), or (iii)
under (1) above. According to the Code, any portion of the Adjusted
Account Value not applied to an Annuity option (other than the
Nonlifetime Payment of Interest) within one year of your death, must
be paid within five years after your death.
(3) If no Beneficiary exists, a lump-sum payment equal to the Adjusted
Account Value will be made to your estate.
Note: If SWO has been elected, SWO payments to the Beneficiary may be
continued, unless the Beneficiary elects otherwise. Any payments elected must
be made at least as frequently as those made prior to your death.
(b) When you are not the Annuitant and you die:
(1) If the Beneficiary is your surviving spouse, he or she will become
the successor Certificate Holder. The successor Certificate Holder
may exercise all your rights under the Contract and continue in the
Accumulation Period, or may elect (i), (ii), or (iii) below. Under
the Code, distributions are not required until the successor
Certificate Holder's death. The Beneficiary may elect to:
(i) Apply some or all of the Adjusted Account Value to any of the
Annuity options. The amount of payout will depend on the annuity
option elected and the investment option(s) used to provide such
payments. The proceeds are taxed in the same manner as annuity
payments;
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(ii) Elect to have some or all of the Surrender Value deposited in
the Company's general account, earning the then-current interest
rate which may be changed from time to time. The Beneficiary may
elect to receive monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual
interest payments. The balance on deposit can be withdrawn at
any time or applied to any Annuity option. The principal amount
is guaranteed, but interest payments may vary; or
(iii) Request, at any time, a lump-sum payment equal to all or a
portion of the Surrender Value.
Under (ii) and (iii) above, payments are taxed as surrenders as they
are received.
(2) If the Beneficiary is not your surviving spouse, he or she may elect
option (i), (ii), or (iii) under (1) above. According to the Code,
any portion of the Adjusted Account Value not applied to one of the
Annuity options (other than the Nonlifetime Payment of Interest)
within one year of your death and must be paid within five years
after your death. This amount will be subject to a deferred sales
charge, if applicable.
(3) If no Beneficiary exists, a lump-sum payment equal to the Surrender
Value will be made to your estate.
Note: If SWO has been elected, the payments to the Beneficiary may be
continued, unless the Beneficiary elects otherwise. Any payments elected must
be made at least as frequently as those made prior to your death.
(c) When you are not the Annuitant and the Annuitant dies: the Beneficiary
must elect an Annuity option (see "Annuity Options") other than the
Nonlifetime Payment of Interest within 60 days of the date of death.
DEATH BENEFIT OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO BENEFICIARY UNDER AN IRA ROLLOVER CONTRACT
Under an IRA Rollover Contract, prior to any election, the Certificate
Holder's Account Value will be retained in the Certificate Holder's Account
and the Certificate Holder's Account Value will continue to be affected by the
investment performance of the investment option(s) selected. Under the Code,
distributions must begin within a certain time period. If no elections are
made, no distributions will be made. Failure to commence distributions within
the time periods stated below can result in tax penalties. The following
options are available to the Beneficiary:
(a) If the Beneficiary is your surviving spouse, he or she may exercise all
rights under the Contract and continue in the Accumulation Period, or
may elect (1), (2), or (3) below. Under the Code, distributions are not
required until December 31st of the year in which you would have
attained age 70 1/2. The Beneficiary may elect to:
(1) Apply some or all of the Adjusted Account Value to the Annuity
options. The amount of payout will depend on the annuity option
elected and the investment option(s) used to provide such payments;
(2) Elect to have some or all of the Adjusted Account Value deposited in
the Company's general account, earning the then-current interest
rate which may be changed from time to time. The Beneficiary may
elect to receive monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual interest
payments. The balance on deposit can be withdrawn at any time, or
applied to any Annuity option. The principal amount is guaranteed,
but interest amounts may vary; or
(3) Receive, at any time, a lump-sum payment equal to all or any portion
of the Adjusted Account Value.
In general, regardless of the method of payment, payments received by
your Beneficiaries after your death are taxed in the same manner as if
you had received those payments. See "Tax Status."
Note: If ECO is in effect when you die, your surviving spouse can elect to
continue receiving ECO payments if a joint life expectancy was chosen.
Otherwise, your surviving spouse must receive a lump-sum payment of the
Adjusted Account Value. If SWO is in effect and you die before your required
beginning date for minimum distributions the SWO payments will stop and your
surviving spouse may elect (1), (2) or (3) above. If SWO is in
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effect and you die after your required beginning date for minimum
distributions, your surviving spouse can elect to continue SWO payments.
Otherwise, your spouse must elect to receive a lump sum payment equal to the
Adjusted Account Value.
(b) If the Beneficiary is other than your surviving spouse, and ECO is not
in effect when you die, he or she may exercise all rights under the
Certificate Holder's Account and continue in the Accumulation Period or
may elect option (1), (2), or (3) under (a) above. Any portion of the
Adjusted Account Value that is not applied to an Annuity Option (other
than the Nonlifetime Payment of Interest) by December 31st of the year
following the year of your death must be distributed by December 31st
of the year containing the fifth anniversary of your date of death.
Note: If ECO or SWO is in effect when you die, the Beneficiary must receive an
automatic and immediate lump-sum payment of the Adjusted Account Value.
(c) If no Beneficiary exists, a lump-sum payment equal to the Adjusted
Account Value will be made to your estate.
TAX STATUS
INTRODUCTION
The following discussion is a general discussion of federal income tax
considerations relating to the Contract and is not intended as tax advice.
This discussion is not intended to address the tax consequences resulting from
all of the situations in which a person may be entitled to or may receive a
distribution under the Contract. Any person concerned about these tax
implications should consult a competent tax adviser before initiating any
transaction. This discussion is based upon the Company's understanding of the
present federal income tax laws as they are currently interpreted by the
Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). No representation is made as to the
likelihood of the continuation of the present federal income tax laws or of
the current interpretation by the IRS. Moreover, no attempt has been made to
consider any applicable state or other tax laws.
The Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contract is purchased on a non-tax qualified
basis. The IRA Rollover Contract is purchased and used in connection with
certain arrangements entitled to special income tax treatment under section
408 of the Code. The ultimate effect of federal income taxes on the amounts
held under a Contract, on Annuity Payments, and on the economic benefit to the
Certificate Holder, the Annuitant, or the Beneficiary may depend on the tax
status of the individual concerned.
TAXATION OF THE COMPANY
The Company is taxed as an insurance company under the Code. Since the
Separate Account is not an entity separate from the Company, and its operation
forms a part of the Company, it will not be taxed separately as a "regulated
investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code or as any other separate
entity. Investment income and capital gains are automatically applied to
increase reserves under the Contracts. Under existing federal income tax law,
the Company believes that the Separate Account investment income and net
capital gains will not be taxed to the extent that such income and gains are
applied to increase the reserves under the Contracts.
Accordingly, the Company does not anticipate that it will incur any federal
income tax liability attributable to the Separate Account and, therefore, the
Company does not intend to make provisions for any such taxes. However, if
changes in the federal tax laws or interpretations thereof result in the
Company being taxed on income or gains attributable to the Separate Account,
then the Company may impose a charge against the Separate Account (with
respect to some or all Contracts) in order to set aside provisions to pay such
taxes.
TAX STATUS OF THE CONTRACT
DIVERSIFICATION: Section 817(h) of the Code requires that with respect to
Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contracts, the investments of the Funds be
"adequately diversified" in accordance with Treasury Regulations in
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order for the Contracts to qualify as annuity contracts under federal tax law.
The Separate Account, through the Funds, intends to comply with the
diversification requirements prescribed by the Treasury in Reg. Sec. 1.817-5,
which affects how the Funds' assets may be invested.
In certain circumstances, owners of variable annuity contracts may be
considered the owners, for federal income tax purposes, of the assets of the
separate accounts used to support their contracts. In these circumstances,
income and gains from the separate account assets would be includible in the
variable contract owner's gross income. The IRS has stated in published
rulings that a variable contract owner will be considered the owner of
separate account assets if the contract owner possesses incidents of
investment control over the assets. The ownership rights under the contract
are similar to, but different in certain respects from those described by the
IRS in rulings in which it was determined that contract owners were not owners
of separate account assets. For example, a Certificate Holder has additional
flexibility in allocating premium payments and account values. In addition,
the number of funds provided under the Contract is greater than the number of
funds offered in contracts on which rulings have been issued. These
differences could result in a Certificate Holder being treated as the owner of
a pro rata portion of the assets of the Separate Account. The Company reserves
the right to modify the Contract as necessary to attempt to prevent a
Certificate Holder from being considered the owner of a pro rata share of the
assets of the Separate Account.
REQUIRED DISTRIBUTION: In order to be treated as an annuity contract for
federal income tax purposes, section 72(s) of the Code requires nonqualified
contracts to provide that (a) if any Certificate Holder dies on or after the
annuity date but prior to the time the entire interest in the Contract has
been distributed, the remaining portion of such interest will be distributed
at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used as of the
date of such owner's death; and (b) if any Certificate Holder dies prior to
the annuity date, the entire interest in the Contract will be distributed
within five years after the date of such Certificate Holder's death. These
requirements will be considered satisfied as to any portion of a Certificate
Holder's interest which is payable to or for the benefit of a "designated
beneficiary" and which is distributed over the life of such "designated
beneficiary" or over a period not extending beyond the life expectancy of that
beneficiary, provided that such distributions begin within one year of the
Certificate Holder's death. The "designated beneficiary" refers to a natural
person designated by the Certificate Holder as a Beneficiary and to whom
ownership of the contract passes by reason of death. However, if the
"designated beneficiary" is the surviving spouse of the deceased Certificate
Holder, the contract may be continued with the surviving spouse as the new
Certificate Holder.
The Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contracts contain provisions which are
intended to comply with the requirements of section 72(s) of the Code,
although no regulations interpreting these requirements have yet been issued.
The Company intends to review such provisions and modify them if necessary to
assure that they comply with the requirements of Code section 72(s) when
clarified by regulation or otherwise. Other rules may apply to IRA Rollover
Contracts.
The following discussion is based on the assumption that the Contract
qualifies as an annuity contract for federal income tax purposes.
TAXATION OF ANNUITIES
IN GENERAL: Section 72 of the Code governs taxation of annuities in general.
The Company believes that a Certificate Holder who is a natural person
generally is not taxed on increases in the Contract Value until distribution
occurs by withdrawing all or part of such Contract Value (e.g., withdrawals or
Annuity payments under the Annuity Option elected). The assignment, pledge, or
agreement to assign or pledge any portion of the Value generally will be
treated as a distribution. The taxable portion of a distribution (in the form
of a single sum payment or an annuity) is taxable as ordinary income.
The following discussion generally applies to a Contract or Certificate owned
by a natural person.
WITHDRAWALS: In the case of a withdrawal under an IRA Rollover Contract,
including withdrawals under SWO or ECO, the amount taxable is generally based
on the ratio of the "investment in the contract" to Account Value.
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The "investment in the contract" generally equals the amount of any
nondeductible Purchase Payments paid by or on behalf of any individual less
any amount received previously which was excludable from gross income. For an
IRA Rollover Contract, the "investment in the contract" can be zero. Special
tax rules may be available for certain distributions from an IRA Rollover
Contract.
With respect to Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contracts, partial withdrawals,
including withdrawals under SWO, are generally treated as taxable income to
the extent that the Account Value immediately before the withdrawal exceeds
the "investment in the contract" at that time. The Account Value immediately
before a withdrawal may have to be increased by any positive market value
adjustment (MVA) that results from such a withdrawal. There is, however, no
definitive guidance on the proper tax treatment of MVAs in these
circumstances, and a Certificate Holder should contact a competent tax advisor
with respect to the potential tax consequences of any MVA that arises as a
result of a partial withdrawal.
Full withdrawals of a Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contract are treated as
taxable income to the extent that the amount received exceeds the "investment
in the contract."
ANNUITY PAYMENTS: Although the tax consequences may vary depending on the
Annuity payment elected under the Contract, in general, only the portion of
the Annuity payment that represents the amount by which the Account Value
exceeds the "investment in the contract" will be taxed; after the "investment
in the contract" is recovered, the full amount of any additional Annuity
payments is taxable. For variable annuity payments, the taxable portion is
generally determined by an equation that establishes a specific dollar amount
of each payment that is not taxed. The dollar amount is determined by dividing
the "investment in the contract" by the total number of expected periodic
payments. However, the entire distribution will be taxable once the recipient
has recovered the dollar amount of his or her "investment in the contract."
For fixed annuity payments, in general there is no tax on the portion of each
payment which represents the same ratio that the "investment in the contract"
bears to the total expected value of the Annuity payments for the term of the
payments; however, the remainder of each Annuity payment is taxable. Once the
"investment in the contract" has been fully recovered, the full amount of any
additional Annuity payments is taxable. If Annuity payments cease as a result
of an Annuitant's death before full recovery of the "investment in the
contract," consult a competent tax advisor regarding deductibility of the
unrecovered amount.
PENALTY TAX: In the case of a distribution pursuant to a Nonqualified Flexible
Premium Contract, there may be imposed a federal income tax penalty equal to
10% of the amount treated as taxable income. In general, however, there is no
penalty tax on distributions: (1) made on or after the date on which the
taxpayer attains age 59 1/2; (2) made as a result of death or disability of a
Certificate Holder; (3) received in substantially equal periodic payments as a
life annuity or a joint and survivor annuity for the lives or life
expectancies of the Certificate Holder and a "designated beneficiary." Other
tax penalties may apply to certain distributions pursuant to an IRA Rollover
Contract.
TAXATION OF DEATH BENEFIT PROCEEDS: Amounts may be distributed from the
Contract because of the death of a Certificate Holder or the Annuitant.
Generally, such amounts are includible in the income of the recipient as
follows: (1) if distributed in a lump sum, they are taxed in the same manner
as a full surrender as described above, or (2) if distributed under an Annuity
Option, they are taxed in the same manner as Annuity payments, as described
above.
TRANSFERS, ASSIGNMENTS, OR EXCHANGES OF THE CONTRACT: A transfer of ownership
of a Contract, the designation of an Annuitant, Payee or other Beneficiary who
is not also a Certificate Holder, the selection of certain Annuity Dates, or
the exchange of a Contract or Certificate may result in certain tax
consequences that are not discussed herein. Anyone contemplating any such
designation, transfer, assignment, selection, or exchange should contact a
competent tax adviser with respect to the potential tax effects of such a
transaction. An IRA Rollover Contract may not be assigned.
MULTIPLE CONTRACTS: All deferred nonqualified annuity contracts that are
issued by the Company (or its affiliates) to the same owner during any
calendar year are treated as one annuity contract for purposes of determining
the
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amount includible in gross income under section 72(e) of the Code. In
addition, the Treasury Department has specific authority to issue regulations
that prevent the avoidance of section 72(e) through the serial purchase of
annuity contracts or otherwise. Congress has also indicated that the Treasury
Department may have authority to treat the combination purchase of an
immediate annuity contract and separate deferred annuity contracts as a single
annuity contract under its general authority to prescribe rules as may be
necessary to enforce the income tax laws.
IRA ROLLOVER CONTRACTS
IN GENERAL: The qualified contract is designed for use as an Individual
Retirement Annuity. The tax rules applicable to participants and beneficiaries
in Individual Retirement Annuities are complex. Special favorable tax
treatment may be available for certain types of contributions and
distributions. Adverse tax consequences may result from contributions in
excess of specified limits; distributions prior to age 59 1/2 (subject to
certain exceptions); distributions that do not conform to specified
commencement and minimum distribution rules; aggregate distributions in excess
of a specified annual amount; and in other specified circumstances.
INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES: Section 408 of the Code permits eligible
individuals to contribute to an individual retirement program known as an
Individual Retirement Annuity or Individual Retirement Account, each
hereinafter referred to as an "IRA." Also, distributions from certain other
types of qualified plans may be "rolled over" on a tax-deferred basis into an
IRA. The sale of a contract for use with an IRA may be subject to special
disclosure requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. Purchasers of a
Contract for use with IRAs will be provided with supplemental information
required by the Internal Revenue Service or other appropriate agency. Such
purchasers will have the right to revoke their purchase within 7 days of the
earlier of the establishment of the IRA or their purchase. A Contract issued
in connection with an IRA will be amended as necessary to conform to the
requirements of the Code. Purchasers should seek competent advice as to the
suitability of the Contract for use with IRAs.
The Internal Revenue Service has not reviewed the Contract for qualification
as an IRA, and has not addressed in a ruling of general applicability whether
a death benefit provision such as the provision in the Contract comports with
IRA qualification requirements.
WITHHOLDING
Pension and annuity distributions generally are subject to withholding for the
recipient's federal income tax liability at rates that vary according to the
type of distribution and the recipient's tax status. Recipients, however,
generally are provided the opportunity to elect not to have tax withheld from
distributions.
POSSIBLE CHANGES IN TAXATION
In past years, legislation has been proposed that would have adversely
modified the federal taxation of certain annuities. For example, one such
proposal would have changed the tax treatment of nonqualified annuities that
did not have "substantial life contingencies" by taxing income as it is
credited to the annuity. Although as of the date of this prospectus Congress
is not actively considering any legislation regarding the taxation of
annuities, there is always the possibility that the tax treatment of annuities
could change by legislation or other means (such as IRS regulations, revenue
rulings, judicial decisions, etc.). Moreover, it is also possible that any
change could be retroactive (that is, effective prior to the date of the
change).
OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES
As noted, above, the foregoing discussion of the federal income tax
consequences is not exhaustive and special rules are provided with respect to
other tax situations not discussed in this Prospectus. Further, the federal
income tax consequences discussed herein reflect the Company's understanding
of the current law and the law may change. Federal estate and gift tax
consequences of ownership or receipt of distributions under the Contract
depend on the individual circumstances of each Certificate Holder or recipient
of a distribution. A competent tax adviser should be consulted for further
information.
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MISCELLANEOUS
VOTING RIGHTS
Each Contract Holder may direct us in the voting of shares at shareholders'
meetings of the appropriate Fund(s). The number of votes to which each
Contract Holder may give direction will be determined as of the record date.
The number of votes each Contract Holder is entitled to direct with respect to
a particular Fund during the Accumulation Period equals the portion of the
Certificate Holder's Account Value(s) of the Contract attributable to that
Fund, divided by the net asset value of one share of that Fund. During the
Annuity Period, the number of votes is equal to the Valuation Reserve for the
portion of the Contract attributable to that Fund, divided by the net asset
value of one share of that Fund. In determining the number of votes,
fractional votes will be recognized. Where the value of the Contract or
Valuation Reserve relates to more than one Fund, the calculation of votes will
be performed separately for each Fund.
If you are a Certificate Holder under a group Contract, you have a fully
vested (100%) interest in the benefits provided to you under your Certificate
Holder's Account. Therefore, you may instruct the group Contract Holder how to
direct the Company to cast the votes for the portion of the value or Valuation
Reserve attributable to your Certificate Holder's Account. Votes attributable
to those Certificate Holders who do not instruct the group Contract Holder
will be cast by the Company in the same proportion as votes for which
instructions have been received by the group Contract Holder. Votes
attributable to individual or group Contract Holders who do not direct us will
be cast by us in the same proportion as votes for which directions we have
received.
You will receive a notice of each meeting of shareholders, together with any
proxy solicitation materials, and a statement of the number of votes
attributable to your Certificate Holder's Account.
MODIFICATION OF THE CONTRACT
The Company may modify the Contract when it deems an amendment appropriate,
subject to the limitations described below, by notifying the Contract Holder
in writing 30 days before the effective date of the change. The following
Contract provisions are considered material by the Company and cannot be
changed without the approval of appropriate state or federal regulatory
authorities:
(a) transfers among investment options;
(b) notification to the Contract Holder;
(c) conditions governing payments of surrender values;
(d) terms of Annuity Options;
(e) death benefit payments; and
(f) contract charges
In addition, changes to the items listed below will apply only to new
Certificate Holders Accounts established under a group Contract, or individual
Contracts issued after the effective date of the change:
(a) the Annuity Options;
(b) the contractual promise that no deduction will be made from the
Purchase Payment for sales or administrative expenses;
(c) increasing the deferred sales charges;
(d) increasing the mortality and expense risk charges;
(e) increasing the administrative charge;
(f) the right to make transfers; and
(g) the Guaranteed Account Guaranteed Rate.
Modification of items (b) through (e) above specifically require authorization
by the SEC to the extent that the proposed charges are not currently
authorized by existing orders issued to us by the SEC.
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If the group Contract Holder has not accepted the proposed change at the time
the amendment becomes effective, no new Certificate Holder's Accounts may be
opened under the group Contract.
No modification may affect any Annuity beginning before the effective date of
the change unless deemed necessary for the Contract to comply with the
requirements of the Code or other laws and regulations affecting the Contract.
INQUIRIES
You may direct inquiries by writing directly to us at the address shown on the
cover page of this prospectus or by calling 1-800-531-4547.
TELEPHONE TRANSFERS
You automatically have the right to make transfers among Funds by telephone.
The Company has enacted procedures to prevent abuses of Certificate Holder's
Account transactions by telephone. The procedures include requiring the use of
a personal identification number (PIN) in order to execute transactions. You
are responsible for safeguarding your PIN, and for keeping your Account
information confidential. If the Company fails to follow these procedures it
would be liable for any losses to your Certificate Holder's Account resulting
from the failure. To ensure authenticity, the Company records all calls on the
800 line.
TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP; ASSIGNMENT
Assignments or transfers of ownership of an IRA Rollover Contract are not
allowed except as permitted under Code Section 408(d)(6), coincident to a
divorce. We will accept assignments or transfers of ownership of a
Nonqualified Flexible Premium Contract, with proper notification. The date of
any such transfer will be the date we receive the notification at our Home
Office. Refer to "Tax Status" for general tax information. If you are
contemplating a transfer of ownership or assignment you should consult a tax
adviser due to the potential for tax liability.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We know of no material legal proceedings pending to which the Separate Account
is a party or which would materially affect the Separate Account.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered by this Prospectus has been passed upon
by Susan E. Bryant, Esq., Counsel to the Company.
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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -- TABLE OF CONTENTS
The following items are the contents of the Statement of Additional
Information:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
General Information and History............................................. 2
Variable Annuity Account I.................................................. 2
Offering and Purchase of Contracts.......................................... 3
Performance Data............................................................ 3
Annuity Payments............................................................ 4
Dollar-Cost Averaging....................................................... 5
Sales Material.............................................................. 5
Independent Auditors........................................................ 5
Financial Statements of Aetna Insurance Company of America.................. F-1
</TABLE>
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APPENDIX
AICA GUARANTEED ACCOUNT
THE AICA GUARANTEED ACCOUNT IS A GUARANTEED INTEREST OPTION AVAILABLE DURING
THE ACCUMULATION PERIOD UNDER THE CONTRACTS DESCRIBED IN THIS PROSPECTUS.
SINCE THE GUARANTEED ACCOUNT IS A FUNDING OPTION UNDER THE CONTRACT, YOU
SHOULD READ THE ACCOMPANYING GUARANTEED ACCOUNT PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY BEFORE
INVESTING. THIS APPENDIX IS INTENDED AS A SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE
GUARANTEED ACCOUNT AND IS NOT INTENDED AS A REPLACEMENT FOR THE GUARANTEED
ACCOUNT PROSPECTUS.
The Guaranteed Account is a guaranteed interest option for which we guarantee
stipulated rates of interest for stated periods of time on amounts applied to
the Guaranteed Account. For guaranteed terms of one year or less, a guaranteed
rate is credited for the full term. For guaranteed rates of greater than one
year, the initial guaranteed rate is credited from the date of deposit to the
end of a specified period within the guaranteed term. The interest rate
stipulated is an annual effective yield; that is, it reflects a full year's
interest. Interest is credited daily at a rate that will provide the
guaranteed annual effective yield over the period of one year. Guaranteed
interest rates will never be less than an annual effective rate of 3%.
During the deposit period, amounts may be applied to any of the available
guaranteed terms. Purchase Payments received after the initial payment will be
allocated in the same proportions as the last allocation, if no new allocation
instructions are received with the Purchase Payment. For amounts allocated to
the Guaranteed Account, if the same guaranteed term(s) are not available, the
next shortest term will be used. If no shorter guaranteed term is available,
the next longer guaranteed term will be used.
WITHDRAWALS
Except for withdrawals taken from the one-year Guaranteed Term in connection
with the Dollar Cost Averaging Program and withdrawals taken in connection
with an Estate Conservation or Systematic Withdrawal distribution option
(where state regulatory approval has been received), withdrawals or transfers
from a guaranteed term before the guaranteed term matures may be subject to a
market value adjustment ("MVA"). An MVA reflects the change in the value of
the investment due to changes in interest rates since the date of deposit.
When interest rates increase after the date of deposit, the value of the
investment decreases, and the MVA is negative. Conversely, when interest rates
decrease after the date of deposit, the value of the investment increases, and
the MVA is positive. It is possible that a negative MVA could result in you
receiving an amount that is less than the amount you allocated to the
Guaranteed Account.
For partial withdrawals during the Accumulation Period, amounts to be
withdrawn from the Guaranteed Account will be withdrawn on a pro rata basis
from each group of deposits having the same length of time until the Maturity
Date ("Guaranteed Term Group"). Within a Guaranteed Term Group, the amount
will be withdrawn first from the oldest Deposit Period, then from the next
oldest, and so on until the amount requested is satisfied.
MATURITY OF A GUARANTEED TERM
As a guaranteed term matures, assets accumulating under the Guaranteed Account
may be (a) transferred to a new guaranteed term, (b) transferred to any other
available investment options, or (c) withdrawn. Amounts withdrawn may be
subject to a deferred sales charge. If no direction is received by the Company
at its Home Office by the maturity date of a guaranteed term, the amount from
the maturing guaranteed term will be transferred to the current deposit period
for a similar length guaranteed term. If the same guaranteed term is no longer
available the next shortest guaranteed term available in the current deposit
period will be used. If no shorter guaranteed term is available, the next
longer guaranteed term will be used.
If you do not provide instruction concerning the maturity value of a maturing
guaranteed term, the maturity value transfer provision applies. This provision
allows you to transfer without an MVA to available guaranteed terms of the
current deposit period or to other available investment options, or surrender
without an MVA (if applicable, a
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deferred sales charge is assessed on the surrendered amount). The provision is
available only during the calendar month immediately following a guaranteed
term maturity date and only applies to the first transaction regardless of the
amount involved in the transaction.
MORTALITY AND EXPENSE RISK CHARGES
We make no deductions from the credited interest rate for mortality and
expense risks; these risks are considered in determining the credited rate.
TRANSFERS
Amounts applied to a guaranteed term during a deposit period may not be
transferred to any other funding option or to another guaranteed term during
that deposit period or for 90 days after the close of that deposit period.
This does not apply to (1) amounts transferred on the Maturity Date or under
the maturity value transfer provision; (2) amounts transferred from the
Guaranteed Account before the Maturity Date due to the election of an Annuity
option; (3) amounts transferred from the one-year Guaranteed Term in
connection with the Dollar Cost Averaging Program; and (4) amounts distributed
under the Estate Conservation or Systematic Withdrawal distribution. Transfers
after the 90-day period are permitted from guaranteed term(s) to other
guaranteed term(s) available during a deposit period or to other available
investment options. Except for transactions described in items (1), (3) and
(4) above, amounts withdrawn or transferred from the Guaranteed Account prior
to the maturity date will be subject to a Market Value Adjustment. However,
only a positive aggregate Market Value Adjustment will be applied to transfers
made due to annuitization under one of the lifetime Annuity options described
in item (2) above. These waivers are subject to regulatory approval and may
not be available in all states. See your representative to determine whether
the waiver is approved in your state.
Transfers of Guaranteed Account values on or within one calendar month of a
term's maturity date are not counted as one of the 12 free transfers of
accumulated values in the Certificate Holder's Account.
The Certificate Holder may select a maximum of 18 different investment options
over the lifetime of the Contract. Under the Guaranteed Account, each
guaranteed term is counted as one investment option. If a guaranteed term
matures, and is renewed for the same term, it will not count as an additional
investment option.
DEATH BENEFIT
Full and partial withdrawals and transfers made from the Guaranteed Account
within six months after the date of the Annuitant's death will be the greater
of:
(a) The aggregate MVA amount (i.e., the sum of all market value adjusted
amounts calculated due to a withdrawal of amounts). This total may be
greater or less than the Certificate Holder's Account Value of those
amounts; or
(b) The applicable portion of the Certificate Holder's Account Value
attributable to the Guaranteed Account.
After the six-month period, the surrender or transfer amount will be adjusted
for the aggregate MVA amount, which may be greater or less than the
Certificate Holder's Account Value of those amounts. Only a positive aggregate
Market Value Adjustment will be applied to transfers made due to annuitization
under one of the lifetime Annuity options.
ANNUITY PERIOD
By notifying us at our Home Office at least 30 days before the Annuity Date,
you may elect to have amounts which have been accumulating under the
Guaranteed Account transferred to one of the funding options available during
the Annuity Period to provide variable Annuity payments. (The Guaranteed
Account cannot be used as an
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investment option during the Annuity Period.) Transfers made due to the
election of a lifetime Annuity Option will be subject to only a positive
aggregate MVA.
REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE
Any amounts reinstated to the Guaranteed Account will be applied to the
available guaranteed terms of the current deposit period in the same
proportion as they were at the time of surrender. If a guaranteed term of the
same time to maturity is not available in the current deposit period, the
funds will be reinvested in a guaranteed term having the next shortest time to
maturity. Any negative MVA amount applied to a surrender is not included in
the reinstatement.
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT I
OF
AETNA INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement of Additional Information dated _____________, 1995
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus and should be read
in conjunction with the current prospectus for The New Retirement-Nicholas-
Applegate/Aetna Annuity dated _______________, 1995.
A free prospectus is available upon request from the local Aetna Insurance
Company of America or by writing to or calling:
Aetna Insurance Company of America
Service Unit
151 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut 06156
1-800-531-4547
Read the prospectus before you invest. Terms used in this Statement of
Additional Information shall have the same meaning as in the prospectus.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
General Information and History........................................... 2
Variable Annuity Account I................................................ 2
Offering and Purchase of Contracts........................................ 3
Performance Data.......................................................... 3
Annuity Payments.......................................................... 4
Dollar-Cost Averaging..................................................... 5
Sales Material............................................................ 5
Independent Auditors...................................................... 5
Financial Statements of Aetna Insurance Company of America................ F-1
<PAGE>
GENERAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY
Aetna Insurance Company of America (the "Company" or "AICA") is a stock life
insurance company which was organized in 1990 under the insurance laws of the
State of Connecticut. The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aetna Life
Insurance and Annuity Company ("ALIAC"). ALIAC, in turn, is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Aetna Life and Casualty Company which, with its subsidiaries,
constitutes one of the nation's largest diversified financial services
organizations. The Company's Home Office is located at 151 Farmington Avenue,
Hartford, Connecticut 06156.
ALIAC, a registered broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
serves as the principal underwriter for Account I. ALIAC is also a registered
investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
Other than the mortality and expense risk charges and administrative expense
charge described in the prospectus, all expenses incurred in the operations of
the Separate Account are borne by the Company. See "Charges and Deductions" in
the prospectus. The Company receives reimbursement for certain administrative
costs from the investment adviser for the Nicholas-Applegate Funds.
The assets of the Separate Account are held by the Company. The Separate Account
has no custodian. However, the Funds in whose shares the assets of the Separate
Account are invested each have custodians, as discussed in their respective
prospectuses.
VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT I
Variable Annuity Account I (the "Separate Account") is a separate account
established by the Company for the purpose of funding variable annuity contracts
issued by the Company. The Separate Account is registered with the Securities
and Exchange Commission as a unit investment trust under the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended. The assets of the Separate Account will be invested
exclusively in shares of the mutual funds described in the Prospectus. Purchase
Payments made under the Contract may be allocated to one or more of the variable
investment options. The Company may make additions to or deletions from
available investment options as permitted by law. The availability of the Funds
is subject to applicable regulatory authorization. Not all Funds are available
in all jurisdictions or under all Contracts. The Funds currently available
under the Contract are as follows:
Aetna Variable Encore Fund
Nicholas-Applegate Core Growth Series
Nicholas-Applegate Diversified Income Series
Nicholas-Applegate Emerging Growth Series
Nicholas-Applegate International Fixed Income Series
Nicholas-Applegate International Growth Series
Nicholas-Applegate Value Series
Complete descriptions of each of the Funds, including their investment
objectives, policies, risks and fees and expenses, are contained in the
prospectuses and statements of additional information for each of the Funds.
2
<PAGE>
OFFERING AND PURCHASE OF CONTRACTS
As principal underwriter, ALIAC offers the Contracts through life insurance
agents licensed to sell variable annuities who are registered representatives of
ALIAC or of other registered broker-dealers who have sales agreements with
ALIAC. The offering of the Contracts is continuous. A description of the
manner in which Contracts are purchased may be found in the prospectus under the
sections titled "Contract Purchase" and "Certificate Holder's Account Value."
PERFORMANCE DATA
From time to time, the Company may advertise different types of historical
performance for the variable options of the Separate Account available under the
Contracts issued by the Company which are described in the Prospectus. The
Company may advertise the "standardized average annual total returns,"
calculated in a manner prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"standardized return"), as well as the "non-standardized total return," both of
which are described below.
The standardized and non-standardized total return figures are computed
according to a formula in which a hypothetical initial Purchase Payment of
$1,000 is applied to the variable options under the Contract, and then related
to the ending redeemable values over one, three, five and ten year periods (or
fractional periods thereof). The standardized figures reflect the deduction of
all recurring charges during each period (e.g., mortality and expense risk
charges, maintenance fees, administrative charges, and deferred sales charges).
These charges will be deducted on a pro rata basis in the case of fractional
periods. The maintenance fee is converted to a percentage of assets based on
the estimated average account size under the Contracts.
The non-standardized figures will be calculated in a similar manner, except that
non-standardized figures will not reflect the deduction of any applicable
deferred sales charge (which would decrease the level of performance shown if
reflected in these calculations). The non-standardized figures may also include
a three year period.
For Funds that were in existence prior to the date the Fund became available
under the Contract, or the date on which the Separate Account commenced
operations, the standardized and non-standardized total returns may include
periods prior to the date on which such Fund became available under the
Contract. These figures are calculated by adjusting the actual returns of the
Fund to reflect the charges that would have been assessed under the Contract had
that Fund been available under the Contract during that period.
The total return quotations are based upon historical earnings and are not
necessarily representative of future performance. Investment results of the
Funds will fluctuate over time, and any presentation of the Funds' total return
quotations for any prior period should not be considered as a representation of
how the variable options will perform in any future period. Additionally, your
Account Value upon redemption may be more or less than your original cost.
3
<PAGE>
ANNUITY PAYMENTS
When Annuity payments are to begin, the value of the Contract or Account is
determined using Accumulation Unit values as of the tenth Valuation Period
before the first Annuity payment is due. Such value (less any applicable premium
tax) is applied to provide an Annuity in accordance with the Annuity and
investment options elected.
The Annuity option tables found in the Contract show, for each form of Annuity,
the amount of the first Annuity payment for each $1,000 of value applied.
Thereafter, variable Annuity payments fluctuate as the Annuity Unit value(s)
fluctuates with the investment experience of the selected investment option(s).
The first payment and subsequent payments also vary depending on the assumed net
investment rate selected (3.5% or 5% per annum). Selection of a 5% rate causes a
higher first payment, but Annuity payments will increase thereafter only to the
extent that the net investment rate increases by more than 5% on an annual
basis. Annuity payments would decline if the rate failed to increase by 5%. Use
of the 3.5% assumed rate causes a lower first payment, but subsequent payments
would increase more rapidly or decline more slowly as changes occur in the net
investment rate.
When the Annuity Period begins, the Annuitant is credited with a fixed number of
Annuity Units (which does not change thereafter) in each of the designated
investment options. This number is calculated by dividing (a) by (b) where (a)
is the amount of the first Annuity payment based on a particular investment
option and (b) is the then current Annuity Unit value for that investment
option. As noted, Annuity Unit values fluctuate from one Valuation Period to the
next; such fluctuations reflect changes in the net investment factor for the
appropriate Fund(s) (with a ten Valuation Period lag which gives the Company
time to process Annuity payments) and a mathematical adjustment which offsets
the assumed net investment rate of 3.5% or 5% per annum.
The operation of all these factors can be illustrated by the following
hypothetical example. These procedures will be performed separately for the
investment options selected during the Annuity Period.
EXAMPLE:
Assume that, at the date Annuity payments are to begin, there are 3,000
Accumulation Units credited under a particular Contract or Account and that the
value of an Accumulation Unit for the tenth Valuation Period prior to retirement
was $13.650000. This produces a total value of $40,950.
Assume also that no premium tax is payable and that the Annuity table in the
Contract provides, for the option elected, a first monthly variable Annuity
payment of $6.68 per $1000 of value applied; the Annuitant's first monthly
payment would thus be 40.950 multiplied by $6.68, or $273.55.
Assume then that the value of an Annuity Unit for the Valuation Period in which
the first payment was due was $13.400000. When this value is divided into the
first monthly payment, the number of Annuity Units is determined to be 20.414.
The value of this number of Annuity Units will be paid in each subsequent month.
If the net investment factor with respect to the appropriate Fund is 1.0015000
as of the tenth Valuation Period preceding the due date of the second monthly
payment, multiplying this factor by .9999058* (to
4
<PAGE>
neutralize the assumed net investment rate of 3.5% per annum built into the
number of Annuity Units determined above) produces a result of 1.0014057. This
is then multiplied by the Annuity Unit value for the prior Valuation Period
(assume such value to be $13.504376) to produce an Annuity Unit value of
$13.523359 for the Valuation Period in which the second payment is due.
The second monthly payment is then determined by multiplying the number of
Annuity Units by the current Annuity Unit value, or 20.414 times $13.523359,
which produces a payment of $276.07.
*If an assumed net investment rate of 5% is elected, the appropriate factor to
neutralize such assumed rate would be .9998663.
DOLLAR-COST AVERAGING
The term "dollar-cost averaging" describes a system of investing a uniform sum
of money at regular intervals over an extended period of time. It is based on
the economic fact that buying a variably priced item with a constant sum of
money at fixed intervals results in acquiring more of the item when prices are
low and less of it when prices are high. In order to maximize the effectiveness
of dollar-cost averaging, it is important that investors consider their
financial ability to continue purchasing the securities through periods of high
and low price levels. Investors should also note that no system can protect
against reduced values in a declining market.
SALES MATERIAL
The Company may include hypothetical illustrations in its sales literature that
explain the mathematical principles of dollar cost averaging, compounded
interest, tax deferred accumulation, and the mechanics of variable annuity
contracts. The Company may also discuss the difference between variable annuity
contracts and other types of savings or investment products, including, but not
limited to, personal savings accounts and Certificates of Deposit.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, CityPlace II, Hartford, Connecticut 06103-4103, are the
independent auditors for the Separate Account and for the Company. The services
provided to the Separate Account include primarily the examination of the
Separate Account's financial statements and the review of filings made with the
SEC.
5
<PAGE>
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
To be provided in a pre-effective amendment to the registration statement.
<PAGE>
VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT I
PART C - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
----------------------------------------------------
(a) Financial Statements:
Included in Part B:
Financial Statements of the Depositor: *
- Independent Auditors' Report
- Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994 and 1993
- Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31,
1994, 1993 and 1992
- Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholder's Equity for the
years ended December 31, 1994, 1993 and 1992
- Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December
31, 1994, 1993 and 1992
- Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(b) Exhibits
(1) Resolution of the Board of Directors of Aetna Life Insurance and
Annuity Company establishing Variable Annuity Account I/1/
(2) Not applicable
(3.1) Form of Selling Agreement/1/
(3.2) Alternative Form of Wholesaling Agreement and Related Selling
Agreement/2/
(4) Form of Variable Annuity Contracts (G2-CDA-94(IR)),
(G2-CDA-94(NQ))/1/
(5) Form of Variable Annuity Contract Application (300-MAR-IB)/1/
(6) Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of Depositor/1/
(7) Form of Reinsurance Agreement*
(8.1) Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna Insurance Company of
America and __________ *
(8.2) Form of Administrative Service Agreement between Aetna Insurance
Company of America and Agency, Inc. *
(9) Consent and Opinion of Counsel
(10) Not applicable
(11) Not applicable
(12) Not applicable
(13) Not applicable
(14) Not applicable
(15.1) Powers of Attorney/3/
(15.2) Authorization for Signatures/1/
* To be filed by Amendment
<PAGE>
1. Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form N-4 (File
No. 33-59749) filed on June 1, 1995
2. Incorporated by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration
Statement on Form N-4 (File No. 33-75996) filed on April 21, 1994.
3. Included in the signature page of this Registration Statement.
<PAGE>
Item 25. Directors and Officers of the Depositor
-------------------------------------------------
Name and Principal
Business Address* Positions and Offices with Depositor
------------------ ------------------------------------
Daniel P. Kearney Director and President
James C. Hamilton Director, Vice President and Treasurer & Alternate
Qualified Actuary
Shaun P. Mathews Director and Senior Vice President
Scott A. Striegel Director and Senior Vice President
Maria F. McKeon Corporate Secretary and Counsel
* The principal business address of all directors and officers listed is 151
Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06156.
Item 26. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Depositor or
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registrant
----------
Incorporated herein by references to Exhibit 24(c) to Registration Statement
on Form N-4 (File No. 33-88720) filed on January 20, 1995.
Item 27. Number of Contract Owners
-----------------------------------
As of June 30, 1995, there were 5 contract owners of variable annuity
contracts funded through Account I.
Item 28. Indemnification
-------------------------
Reference is hereby made to Section 33-320a of the Connecticut General
Statutes ("C.G.S.") regarding indemnification of directors and officers of
Connecticut corporations. The statute provides in general that Connecticut
corporations shall indemnify their officers, directors, employees, agents, and
certain other defined individuals against judgments, fines, penalties, amounts
paid in settlement and reasonable expenses actually incurred in connection with
proceedings against the corporation. The corporation's obligation to provide
such indemnification does not apply unless (1) the individual is successful on
the merits in the defense of any such proceeding; or (2) a determination is made
(by a majority of the board of directors not a party to the proceeding by
written consent; by independent legal counsel selected by a majority of the
directors not involved in the proceeding; or by a majority of the shareholders
not involved in the proceeding) that the individual acted in good faith and in
the best interests of the corporation; or (3) the court, upon application by the
individual, determines in view of all the circumstances that such person is
reasonably entitled to be indemnified.
<PAGE>
C.G.S. Section 33-320a provides an exclusive remedy: a Connecticut
corporation cannot indemnify a director or officer to an extent either greater
or less than that authorized by the statute, e.g., pursuant to its certificate
of incorporation, bylaws, or any separate contractual arrangement. However, the
statute does specifically authorize a corporation to procure indemnification
insurance to provide greater indemnification rights. The premiums for such
insurance may be shared with the insured individuals on an agreed basis.
Consistent with the statute, Aetna Life and Casualty Company has procured
insurance from Lloyd's of London and several major United States excess insurers
for its directors and officers and the directors and officers of its
subsidiaries, including the Depositor, which supplements the indemnification
rights provided by C.G.S. Section 33-320a to the extent such coverage does not
violate public policy.
Item 29. Principal Underwriter
-------------------------------
(a) Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity Company is the principal
underwriter for Account I. In addition to serving as the principal
underwriter for the Registrant, Aetna Life Insurance and Annuity
Company (ALIAC) also acts as the principal underwriter for Variable
Life Account B, Variable Annuity Account B and Variable Annuity
Account C (separate accounts of ALIAC registered as unit investment
trusts). Additionally, ALIAC is the investment adviser for Aetna
Variable Fund, Aetna Income Shares, Aetna Variable Encore Fund,
Aetna Investment Advisers Fund, Inc., Aetna GET Fund, Aetna Series
Fund, Inc. and Aetna Generation Portfolios, Inc. ALIAC is also the
depositor of Variable Life Account B, Variable Annuity Account B and
Variable Annuity Account C.
(b) Directors and Officers of the Underwriter:
Name and Principal
Business Address* Positions and Offices with Depositor
------------------ ------------------------------------
Daniel P. Kearney Director and President
Gary G. Benanav Director
Christopher J. Burns Director and Senior Vice President, Life
Laura R. Estes Director and Senior Vice President, ALIAC Pensions
Shaun P. Mathews Director and Senior Vice President, Strategic
Markets and Products
Scott A. Striegel Director and Senior Vice President, Annuity
James C. Hamilton Director, Vice President and Treasurer
<PAGE>
Dominick J. Agostino Director, Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
David E. Bushong Acting Chief Financial Officer
John Y. Kim Director and Senior Vice President, ALIAC
Investments
Robert E. Broatch Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller
Zoe Baird Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Fred J. Franklin Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer
Susan E. Schechter Corporate Secretary and Counsel
* The principal business address of all directors and officers listed is 151
Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut 06156.
(c) Not applicable.
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
------------------------------------------
All records concerning contract owners of Variable Annuity Account I are
located at the home office of the Registrant as follows:
Aetna Insurance Company of America
151 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, Connecticut 06156
Item 31. Management Services
-----------------------------
Not applicable
Item 32. Undertakings
----------------------
Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a) to file a post-effective amendment to this registration statement on Form
N-4 as frequently as is necessary to ensure that the audited financial
statements in the registration statement are never more than sixteen
months old for as long as payments under the variable annuity contracts
may be accepted;
<PAGE>
(b) to include as part of any application to purchase a contract offered by a
prospectus which is part of this registration statement on Form N-4, a space
that an applicant can check to request a Statement of Additional Information;
and
(c) to deliver any Statement of Additional Information and any financial
statements required to be made available under this Form N-4 promptly upon
written or oral request.
(d) Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant, Variable Annuity Account I of Aetna
Insurance Company of America, has duly caused this Registration Statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
of Hartford, State of Connecticut, on the 8th day of September, 1995.
VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT I OF AETNA
INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
(Registrant)
By: AETNA INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
(Depositor)
By: /s/ Daniel P. Kearney
-----------------------------------
Daniel P. Kearney
President
As required by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the
dates indicated. Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes
Susan E. Bryant, Steven J. Lauwers, Julie E. Rockmore and Maria F. McKeon and
each of them individually, such person's true and lawful attorneys, and agents
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or
her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign for such person
and in such persons' name and capacity indicated below, any and all amendments
to this Registration Statement, hereby ratifying and confirming such persons'
signature as it may be signed by said attorneys to any and all amendments.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Daniel P. Kearney Director and President )
---------------------------- (principal executive officer) )
Daniel P. Kearney )
)
)
/s/ James C. Hamilton Director, Vice President and Treasurer ) September
---------------------------- (principal accounting and financial ) 8, 1995
James C. Hamilton officer) )
)
/s/ Shaun P. Mathews Director )
---------------------------- )
Shaun P. Mathews )
)
/s/ Scott A. Striegel Director )
---------------------------- )
Scott A. Striegel )
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT I
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Exhibit Page
----------- ------- ----
<S> <C> <C>
99-B.1 Resolution of the Board of Directors of *
Aetna Insurance Company of America
establishing Variable Annuity Account I
99-B.3.1 Form of Selling Agreement *
99-B.3.2 Alternative Form of Wholesaling Agreement *
and Related Selling Agreement
99-B.4 Form of Variable Annuity Contract *
99-B.5 Form of Variable Annuity Contract Application *
99-B.6 Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of *
Depositor
99-B.7 Form of Reinsurance Agreement **
99-B.8.1 Fund Participation Agreement between Aetna **
Insurance Company of America and____________
99-B.8.2 Form of Administrative Service Agreement **
between Aetna Insurance Company of American
and Agency, Inc.
99-B.9 Opinion of Counsel
------
99-B.10.2 Consent of Counsel (See Exhibit 99-B.9)
------
99-B.15.1 Powers of Attorney (See Signature Page)
------
99-B.15.2 Authorization for Signatures *
</TABLE>
*Incorporated by reference
**To be filed by amendment
<PAGE>
[LETTERHEAD OF AETNA LIFE INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY APPEARS HERE]
Exhibit 99-B.9
September 8, 1995
Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20549
Re: Aetna Insurance Company of America and its
Variable Annuity Account I
Registration Statement on Form N-4
File Nos. 33- _______ and 811-8582
Dear Sirs:
As Counsel of Aetna Insurance Company of America (the "Company"), I have
represented the Company in connection with its group and individual variable
annuity contracts (the "Contracts"), to be funded by the Company's Variable
Annuity Account I, and the Registration Statement on Form N-4 under the
Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to the
Contract.
In connection with such representation, I have reviewed the Registration
Statement for the Contracts, including the prospectus, and relevant proceedings
of the Board of Directors of the Company.
Based upon this review, and assuming the securities represented by the Contracts
are issued in accordance with the provisions of the prospectus, I am of the
opinion that the securities, when issued, will have been validly issued, and
will constitute a legal and binding obligation of the Company.
I further consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to my being named under the caption "Legal Matters" therein.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Susan E. Bryant
Susan E. Bryant
Counsel
Aetna Insurance Company of America
