Exhibit (8)(a)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS,
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.,
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND
ITS SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
AND
ALFS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Description Page
Section 1. Available Funds.......................................2
1.1 Availability...........................................2
1.2 Addition, Deletion or Modification of Funds............2
1.3 No Sales to the General Public.........................3
Section 2. Processing Transactions...............................3
2.1 Timely Pricing and Orders..............................3
2.2 Timely Payments........................................3
2.3 Applicable Price.......................................4
2.4 Dividends and Distributions............................4
2.5 Book Entry.............................................4
Section 3. Costs and Expenses....................................4
3.1 General................................................4
3.2 Parties To Cooperate...................................5
Section 4. Legal Compliance......................................5
4.1 Tax Laws...............................................5
4.2 Insurance and Certain Other Laws.......................7
4.3 Securities Laws........................................8
4.4 Notice of Certain Proceedings and Other Circumstances..8
4.5 XXXX or the Underwriter To Provide Documents; Information About AVIF
9
4.6 AVIF or AIM To Provide Documents; Information About XXXX and the
Underwriter...........................................10
Section 5. Mixed and Shared Funding.............................11
5.1 General...............................................11
5.2 Disinterested Trustees................................11
5.3 Monitoring for Material Irreconcilable Conflicts......11
5.4 Conflict Remedies.....................................12
5.5 Notice to XXXX........................................13
5.6 Information Requested by Board of Trustees............14
5.7 Compliance with SEC Rules.............................14
5.8 Requirements for Other Insurance Companies............14
Section 6. Termination..........................................14
6.1 Events of Termination.................................14
6.2 Notice Requirement for Termination....................16
6.3 Funds To Remain Available.............................16
6.4 Survival of Warranties and Indemnifications...........16
6.5 Continuance of Agreement for Certain Purposes.........16
Section 7. Parties To Cooperate Respecting Termination..........17
Section 8. Assignment...........................................17
Section 9. Notices..............................................17
Section 10. Voting Procedures...................................18
Section 11. Foreign Tax Credits.................................19
Section 12. Indemnification.....................................19
12.1 Of AVIF and AIM by XXXX and the Underwriter...........19
12.2 Of XXXX and the Underwriter by AVIF and AIM...........21
12.3 Effect of Notice......................................24
12.4 Successors............................................24
Section 13. Applicable Law......................................24
Section 14. Execution in Counterparts...........................24
Section 15. Severability........................................24
Section 16. Rights Cumulative...................................24
Section 17. Headings............................................24
SCHEDULE A.......................................................26
SCHEDULE B.......................................................27
SCHEDULE C.......................................................28
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the ____ day of August, 2001
("Agreement"), by and among AIM Variable Insurance Funds, a Delaware trust
("AVIF"); A I M Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("AIM"); Allstate
Life Insurance Company, a Illinois life insurance company ("XXXX"), on behalf of
itself and each of its segregated asset accounts listed in Schedule A hereto, as
the parties hereto may amend from time to time (each, an "Account," and
collectively, the "Accounts"); and ALFS, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the
principal underwriter of the Contracts and Policies referred to below
("Underwriter") (collectively, the "Parties").
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, AVIF is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") as an open-end management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, AVIF currently consists of sixteen separate series, shares
("Shares") of each of which are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "1933 Act") and are currently sold to one or more separate accounts
of life insurance companies to fund benefits under variable annuity contracts;
and
WHEREAS, AVIF will make Shares of each Series listed on Schedule A hereto
as the Parties hereto may amend from time to time (each a "Fund"; reference
herein to "AVIF" includes reference to each Fund, to the extent the context
requires) available for purchase by the Accounts; and
WHEREAS, AIM is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 Act") and a member in good standing of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"); and
WHEREAS, AIM currently serves as the distributor for the Shares; and
WHEREAS, XXXX will be the issuer of certain variable annuity contracts
("Contracts") and/or variable life insurance policies ("Policies") as set forth
on Schedule A hereto, as the Parties hereto may amend from time to time, which
Contracts and Policies (hereinafter collectively, the "Policies"), if required
by applicable law, will be registered under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Accounts may be divided into two or more subaccounts
("Subaccounts"; reference herein to an "Account" includes reference to each
Subaccount thereof to the extent the context requires); and
WHEREAS, XXXX will serve as the depositor of the Accounts, each of which
is registered as a unit investment trust investment company under the 1940 Act
(or exempt therefrom), and the security interests deemed to be issued by the
Accounts under the Policies will be registered as securities under the 1933 Act
(or exempt therefrom); and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, XXXX intends to purchase Shares in one or more of the Funds on
behalf of the Accounts to fund the Policies; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC under
the 1934 Act and a member in good standing of the NASD; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter intends to enter into Selling Group Agreements
with entities that may legally sell the Policies (the "Selling Group Members");
and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual benefits and promises
contained herein, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. Available Funds
1.1 .Availability.
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AVIF will make Shares of each Fund available to XXXX for purchase and
redemption at net asset value and with no sales charges, subject to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement. The Board of Trustees of AVIF may refuse to
sell Shares of any Fund to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of
Shares of any Fund if such action is required by law or by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction or if, in the sole discretion of the Trustees
acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and
any applicable state laws, such action is deemed in the best interests of the
shareholders of such Fund.
1.2 .Addition, Deletion or Modification of Funds.
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The Parties hereto may agree, from time to time, to add other Funds to
provide additional funding media for the Policies, or to delete, combine, or
modify existing Funds, by amending Schedule A hereto. Upon such amendment to
Schedule A, any applicable reference to a Fund, AVIF, or its Shares herein shall
include a reference to any such additional Fund. Schedule A, as amended from
time to time, is incorporated herein by reference and is a part hereof.
1.3..No Sales to the General Public.
AVIF represents and warrants that no Shares of any Fund have been or will
be sold to the general public.
Section 2. Processing Transactions
2.1..Timely Pricing and Orders.
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(a) .AVIF or its designated agent will use its best efforts to provide
XXXX with the net asset value per Share for each Fund by 6:00 p.m. Central Time
on each Business Day. As used herein, "Business Day" shall mean any day on which
(i) the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading, and (ii) AVIF
calculates the Fund's net asset value.
(b) .XXXX will use the data provided by AVIF each Business Day pursuant to
paragraph (a) immediately above to calculate Account unit values and to process
transactions that receive that same Business Day's Account unit values. XXXX
will perform such Account processing the same Business Day, and will place
corresponding orders to purchase or redeem Shares with AVIF by 9:00 a.m. Central
Time the following Business Day; provided, however, that AVIF shall provide
additional time to XXXX in the event that AVIF is unable to meet the 6:00 p.m.
time stated in paragraph (a) immediately above. Such additional time shall be
equal to the additional time that AVIF takes to make the net asset values
available to XXXX.
(c) .Each order to purchase or redeem Shares will separately describe the
amount of Shares of each Fund to be purchased, redeemed or exchanged and will
not be netted; provided, however, with respect to payment of the purchase price
by XXXX and of redemption proceeds by AVIF, XXXX and AVIF shall net purchase and
redemption orders with respect to each Fund and shall transmit one net payment
per Fund in accordance with Section 2.2, below. Each order to purchase or redeem
Shares shall also specify whether the order results from purchase payments,
surrenders, partial withdrawals, routine withdrawals of charges, or requests for
other transactions under Policies (collectively, "Policy transactions").
(d) .If AVIF provides materially incorrect Share net asset value
information, XXXX shall be entitled to an adjustment to the number of Shares
purchased or redeemed to reflect the correct net asset value per Share. Any
material error in the calculation or reporting of net asset value per Share,
dividend or capital gain information shall be reported promptly upon discovery
to XXXX. Materiality and reprocessing cost reimbursement shall be determined in
accordance with standards established by the parties as provided in Schedule B,
attached hereto and incorporated herein.
2.2..Timely Payments.
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XXXX will wire payment for net purchases to a custodial account designated
by AVIF by 1:00 p.m. Central Time on the same day as the order for Shares is
placed, to the extent practicable. AVIF will wire payment for net redemptions to
an account designated by XXXX by 1:00 p.m. Central Time on the same day as the
Order is placed, to the extent practicable, but in any event within five (5)
calendar days after the date the order is placed in order to enable XXXX to pay
redemption proceeds within the time specified in Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act
or such shorter period of time as may be required by law.
2.3..Applicable Price.
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(a) .Share purchase and redemption orders that result from Policy
transactions and that XXXX receives prior to the close of regular trading on the
New York Stock Exchange on a Business Day will be executed at the net asset
values of the appropriate Funds next computed after receipt by AVIF or its
designated agent of the orders. For purposes of this Section 2.3(a), XXXX shall
be the designated agent of AVIF for receipt of orders relating to Policy
transactions on each Business Day and receipt by such designated agent shall
constitute receipt by AVIF; provided, that AVIF receives notice of such orders
by 9:00 a.m. Central Time on the next following Business Day or such later time
computed in accordance with Section 2.1(b) hereof.
(b) .All other Share purchases and redemptions by XXXX will be effected at
the net asset values of the appropriate Funds next computed after receipt by
AVIF or its designated agent of the order therefor, and such orders will be
irrevocable.
2.4..Dividends and Distributions.
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AVIF will furnish notice promptly to XXXX of any income dividends or
capital gain distributions payable on the Shares of any Fund. XXXX hereby elects
to reinvest all dividends and capital gains distributions in additional Shares
of the corresponding Fund at the ex-dividend date net asset values until XXXX
otherwise notifies AVIF in writing, it being agreed by the Parties that the
ex-dividend date and the payment date with respect to any dividend or
distribution will be the same Business Day. XXXX reserves the right to revoke
this election and to receive all such income dividends and capital gain
distributions in cash.
2.5..Book Entry.
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Issuance and transfer of AVIF Shares will be by book entry only. Stock
certificates will not be issued to XXXX. Shares ordered from AVIF will be
recorded in an appropriate title for XXXX, on behalf of its Account.
Section 3. Costs and Expenses
3.1..General.
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Except as otherwise specifically provided in Schedule C, attached hereto
and made a part hereof, each Party will bear all expenses incident to its
performance under this Agreement.
3.2..Parties To Cooperate.
--------------------
Each Party agrees to cooperate with the others, as applicable, in
arranging to print, mail and/or deliver, in a timely manner, combined or
coordinated prospectuses or other materials of AVIF and the Accounts.
Section 4. Legal Compliance
4.1..Tax Laws.
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(a)..AVIF represents and warrants that each Fund is currently qualified
and will continue to qualify as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). AVIF
will notify XXXX immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that a
Fund has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in the future.
(b)..AVIF represents that it will comply and maintain each Fund's
compliance with the diversification requirements set forth in Section 817(h) of
the Code and Section 1.817-5(b) of the regulations under the Code. AVIF will
notify XXXX immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that a Fund
has ceased to so comply or that a Fund might not so comply in the future.
(c) XXXX agrees that if the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") asserts in
writing in connection with any governmental audit or review of XXXX or, to
XXXX'x knowledge, of any Policy owner, annuitant or participant under the
Policies (collectively, "Participants"), that any Fund has failed to comply with
the diversification requirements of section 817(h) of the Code or XXXX otherwise
becomes aware of any facts that could give rise to any claim against AVIF or its
affiliates as a result of such a failure or alleged failure to so comply with
section 817(h) (hereinafter respectively referred to in this paragraph (c) as
"failure" or "alleged failure"):
(i) XXXX shall promptly notify AVIF of such assertion or potential
claim;
(ii) XXXX shall consult with AVIF as to how to minimize any liability
that may arise as a result of such failure or alleged failure;
(iii) XXXX shall use its best efforts to minimize any liability of
AVIF or its affiliates resulting from such failure, including, without
limitation, demonstrating, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section
1.817-5(a)(2), to the Commissioner of the IRS that such failure was
inadvertent, provided that XXXX shall not be required to make any such
demonstration of inadvertence unless AVIF represents or provides an
opinion of counsel, which representation or opinion shall be reasonably
satisfactory to XXXX, to the effect that a reasonable basis exists for
making such a demonstration;
(iv) XXXX shall permit AVIF, its affiliates and their legal and
accounting advisors to attend, advise and otherwise assist XXXX (which
assistance XXXX shall consider and/or accept in good faith) with respect
to any conferences, settlement discussions or other administrative or
judicial proceeding or contests (including judicial appeals thereof) with
the IRS, any Participant or any other claimant regarding any claims that
could give rise to liability to AVIF or its affiliates as a result of such
a failure or alleged failure, provided that XXXX shall control, in good
faith, the conduct of such conferences, discussions, proceedings, or
contests or appeals thereof;
(v) any written materials to be submitted by XXXX to the IRS, any
Participant or any other claimant in connection with any of the foregoing
proceedings or contests (including, without limitation, any such materials
to be submitted to the IRS pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section
1.817-5(a)(2)), (a) shall be provided by XXXX to AVIF (together with any
supporting information or analysis) at least ten (10) business days, or
such shorter period to which the Parties hereto may from time to time
agree, prior to the day on which such proposed materials are to be
submitted, and (b) shall not be submitted by XXXX to any such person
without the express written consent of AVIF which shall not be
unreasonably withheld;
(vi) XXXX shall provide AVIF or its affiliates and their accounting
and legal advisors with such cooperation as AVIF shall reasonably request
(including, without limitation, by providing AVIF and its accounting and
legal advisors with copies of any relevant books and records (or portions
thereof) of XXXX that may be reasonably requested by or on behalf of AVIF
and that XXXX is permitted to provide in accordance with applicable law)
in order to facilitate review by AVIF or its advisors of any written
submissions provided to it pursuant to the preceding clause or its
assessment of the validity or amount of any claim against its arising from
such a failure or alleged failure;
(vii) XXXX shall not with respect to any claim of the IRS or any
Participant that would give rise to a claim against AVIF or its affiliates
(a) compromise or settle any claim, (b) accept any adjustment on audit, or
(c) forego any allowable administrative or judicial appeals, without the
express written consent of AVIF or its affiliates, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld, provided that XXXX shall not be required, after
exhausting all administrative remedies, to appeal any adverse IRS or
judicial decision unless AVIF or its affiliates shall have provided an
opinion of counsel approved by XXXX, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld, to the effect that a reasonable basis exists for
taking such appeal (or, in the case of an appeal to the United States
Supreme Court, that XXXX should be more likely than not to prevail on such
appeal), and provided further that each Party shall bear one-half of the
expenses of any judicial appeal; and
(viii) AVIF and its affiliates shall have no liability as a result of
such failure or alleged failure if XXXX fails to comply with any of the
foregoing clauses (i) through (vii), and such failure could be shown to
have materially contributed to the liability.
Should AVIF or any of its affiliates refuse to give its written consent to
any compromise or settlement of any claim or liability hereunder, XXXX may, in
its discretion, authorize AVIF or its affiliates to act in the name of XXXX in,
and to control the conduct of, such conferences, discussions, proceedings,
contests or appeals and all administrative or judicial appeals thereof, and in
that event AVIF or its affiliates shall bear the fees and expenses associated
with the conduct of the proceedings that it is so authorized to control;
provided that in no event shall XXXX have liability resulting from AVIF's
refusal to accept the proposed settlement or compromise with respect to any
failure caused by AVIF. As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliates" shall
have the same meaning as "affiliated person" as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of
the 1940 Act.
(d)..XXXX represents and warrants that the Policies currently are and at
all times will be treated as annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts
under applicable provisions of the Code. XXXX will notify AVIF immediately upon
having a reasonable basis for believing that any of the Policies have ceased to
be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future, provided that
such notice shall be kept confidential during the period of XXXX'x investigation
of any such circumstances to the extent permitted by applicable law.
(e)..XXXX represents and warrants that each Account is and at all times
will be a "segregated asset account" and that interests in each Account are
offered exclusively through the purchase of or transfer into a "variable
contract," within the meaning of such terms under Section 817 of the Code and
the regulations thereunder. XXXX will notify AVIF immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that such requirements have ceased to be met or
that they might not be met in the future.
4.2..Insurance and Certain Other Laws.
--------------------------------
(a)..AVIF and AIM will use their best efforts to comply with any
applicable state insurance laws or regulations, to the extent specifically
requested in writing by XXXX.
(b)..XXXX represents and warrants that (i) it is an insurance company duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
[Illnois] and has full corporate power, authority and legal right to execute,
deliver and perform its duties and comply with its obligations under this
Agreement, (ii) it has legally and validly established and maintains each
Account as a segregated asset account under Illinois Insurance Code and the
regulations thereunder, and (iii) the Policies comply in all material respects
with all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
(c)..AVIF represents and warrants that it is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware
and has full power, authority, and legal right to execute, deliver, and perform
its duties and comply with its obligations under this Agreement.
(d)..AIM represents and warrants that it is a Delaware corporation duly
organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware and has full power, authority, and legal right to execute, deliver, and
perform its duties and comply with its obligations under this Agreement.
(e)..The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is a Delaware
corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware and has full power, authority, and legal right to
execute, deliver, and perform its duties and comply with its obligations under
this Agreement.
4.3..Securities Laws.
---------------
(a)..XXXX and the Underwriter represent and warrant that (i) interests in
each Account pursuant to the Policies will be registered under the 1933 Act to
the extent required by the 1933 Act, (ii) the Policies will be duly authorized
for issuance and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws,
including, without limitation, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and
Illinois law, (iii) each Account is and will remain registered under the 1940
Act, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, (iv) each Account does and will
comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the
rules thereunder, to the extent required, (v) each Account's 1933 Act
registration statement relating to the Policies, together with any amendments
thereto, will at all times comply in all material respects with the requirements
of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder, (vi) XXXX will amend the registration
statement for its Policies under the 1933 Act and for its Accounts under the
1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous
offering of its Policies or as may otherwise be required by applicable law, and
(vii) each Account Prospectus will at all times comply in all material respects
with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder.
(b)..AVIF and AIM represent and warrant that (i) Shares sold pursuant to
this Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act to the extent required by
the 1933 Act and duly authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with
Delaware law, (ii) AVIF is and will remain registered under the 1940 Act to the
extent required by the 1940 Act, (iii) AVIF will amend the registration
statement for its Shares under the 1933 Act and itself under the 1940 Act from
time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its
Shares, (iv) AVIF does and will comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, (v) AVIF's 1933 Act
registration statement, together with any amendments thereto, will at all times
comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and rules
thereunder, and (vi) AVIF Prospectus will at all times comply in all material
respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder.
(c)..AVIF will register and qualify its Shares for sale in accordance with
the laws of any state or other jurisdiction if and to the extent reasonably
deemed advisable by AVIF.
4.4..Notice of Certain Proceedings and Other Circumstances.
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(a)..AVIF and/or AIM will immediately notify XXXX of (i) the issuance by
any court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or other
similar order with respect to AVIF's registration statement under the 1933 Act
or AVIF Prospectus, (ii) any request by the SEC for any amendment to such
registration statement or AVIF Prospectus, (iii) the initiation of any
proceedings for that purpose or for any other purpose relating to the
registration or offering of AVIF's Shares, or (iv) any other action or
circumstances that may prevent the lawful offer or sale of Shares of any Fund in
any state or jurisdiction, including, without limitation, any circumstances in
which (a) such Shares are not registered and, in all material respects, issued
and sold in accordance with applicable state and federal law, or (b) such law
precludes the use of such Shares as an underlying investment medium of the
Policies issued or to be issued by XXXX. AVIF will make every reasonable effort
to prevent the issuance, with respect to any Fund, of any such stop order, cease
and desist order or similar order and, if any such order is issued, to obtain
the lifting thereof at the earliest possible time.
(b)..XXXX and/or the Underwriter will immediately notify AVIF of (i) the
issuance by any court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist
order, or other similar order with respect to each Account's registration
statement under the 1933 Act relating to the Policies or each Account
Prospectus, (ii) any request by the SEC for any amendment to such registration
statement or Account Prospectus, (iii) the initiation of any proceedings for
that purpose or for any other purpose relating to the registration or offering
of each Account's interests pursuant to the Policies, or (iv) any other action
or circumstances that may prevent the lawful offer or sale of said interests in
any state or jurisdiction, including, without limitation, any circumstances in
which said interests are not registered and, in all material respects, issued
and sold in accordance with applicable state and federal law. XXXX will make
every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any such stop order, cease
and desist order or similar order and, if any such order is issued, to obtain
the lifting thereof at the earliest possible time.
4.5..XXXX or the Underwriter To Provide Documents; Information About
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AVIF.
(a)..XXXX or the Underwriter will provide to AVIF or its designated agent
at least one (1) complete copy of all SEC registration statements, Account
Prospectuses, reports, any preliminary and final voting instruction solicitation
material, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all
amendments to any of the above, that relate to each Account or the Policies,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities.
(b) .The Underwriter will provide to AVIF or its designated agent at least
one (1) complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material not prepared by AVIF or its affiliates, in which AVIF or any of its
affiliates is named, at least ten (10) Business Days prior to its use or such
shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. No such
material shall be used if AVIF or its designated agent objects to such use
within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of such material or such shorter
period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. AVIF hereby
designates its investment adviser as the entity to receive such sales
literature, until such time as AVIF appoints another designated agent by giving
notice to XXXX in the manner required by Section 9 hereof.
(c)..Neither XXXX, the Underwriter, nor any of their respective affiliates
will give any information or make any representations or statements on behalf of
or concerning AVIF or its affiliates in connection with the sale of the Policies
other than (i) the information or representations contained in the registration
statement, including the AVIF Prospectus contained therein, relating to Shares,
as such registration statement and AVIF Prospectus may be amended from time to
time; or (ii) in reports or proxy materials for AVIF; or (iii) in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by AVIF, except with the
express written permission of AVIF.
(d) XXXX and the Underwriter shall adopt and implement procedures
reasonably designed to ensure that information concerning AVIF and its
affiliates that is intended for use only by brokers or agents selling the
Policies (i.e., information that is not intended for distribution to
Participants or offerees) ("broker only materials") is so used, and neither AVIF
nor any of its affiliates shall be liable for any losses, damages or expense
relating to the improper use of such broker only materials.
4.6..AVIF or AIM To Provide Documents; Information About XXXX and the
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Underwriter.
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(a) .AVIF will provide to XXXX at least one (1) complete copy of all SEC
registration statements, AVIF Prospectuses, reports, any preliminary and final
proxy material, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and
all amendments to any of the above, that relate to AVIF or the Shares of a Fund,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities.
(b)..AVIF will provide to XXXX or the Underwriter camera ready or computer
diskette copies of all AVIF Prospectuses, proxy materials, periodic reports to
shareholders and other materials required by law to be sent to Participants who
have allocated any Policy value to a Fund. AVIF will provide such copies to XXXX
or the Underwriter in a timely manner so as to enable XXXX or the Underwriter,
as the case may be, to print and distribute such materials within the time
required by law to be furnished to Participants.
(c)..AIM will provide to XXXX or its designated agent at least one (1)
complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in
which XXXX, the Underwriter or any of their respective affiliates is named, or
that refers to the Policies, at least ten (10) Business Days prior to its use or
such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. No
such material shall be used if XXXX or its designated agent objects to such use
within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of such material or such shorter
period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. XXXX shall
receive all such sales literature until such time as it appoints a designated
agent by giving notice to AVIF in the manner required by Section 9 hereof.
(d)..Neither AVIF nor any of its affiliates will give any information or
make any representations or statements on behalf of or concerning XXXX, the
Underwriter, each Account, or the Policies other than (i) the information or
representations contained in the registration statement, including each Account
Prospectus contained therein, relating to the Policies, as such registration
statement and Account Prospectus may be amended from time to time; or (ii) in
reports or voting instruction materials for each Account; or (iii) in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by XXXX or its affiliates,
except with the express written permission of XXXX.
(e) AIM shall adopt and implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure
that information concerning XXXX, the Underwriter, and their respective
affiliates that is intended for use only by brokers or agents selling the
Policies (i.e., information that is not intended for distribution to
Participants or offerees) ("broker only materials") is so used, and neither
XXXX, the Underwriter, nor any of their respective affiliates shall be liable
for any losses, damages or expense relating to the improper use of such broker
only materials.
Section 5. Mixed and Shared Funding
5.1..General.
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The SEC has granted an order to AVIF exempting it from certain provisions
of the 1940 Act and rules thereunder so that AVIF may be available for
investment by certain other entities, including, without limitation, separate
accounts funding variable life insurance contracts, separate accounts of
insurance companies unaffiliated with XXXX, and trustees of qualified pension
and retirement plans (collectively, "Mixed and Shared Funding"). The Parties
recognize that the SEC has imposed terms and conditions for such orders that are
substantially identical to many of the provisions of this Section 5. Sections
5.2 through 5.8 below shall apply. AVIF hereby notifies XXXX that it may be
appropriate to include in the prospectus pursuant to which a Policy is offered
disclosure regarding the potential risks of Mixed and Shared Funding.
5.2..Disinterested Trustees.
----------------------
AVIF agrees that its Board of Trustees shall at all times consist of
Trustees a majority of whom (the "Disinterested Trustees") are not interested
persons of AVIF within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act and the
Rules thereunder and as modified by any applicable orders of the SEC, except
that if this condition is not met by reason of the death, disqualification, or
bona fide resignation of any Trustee, then the operation of this condition shall
be suspended (a) for a period of forty-five (45) days if the vacancy or
vacancies may be filled by the Board; (b) for a period of sixty (60) days if a
vote of shareholders is required to fill the vacancy or vacancies; or (c) for
such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by order upon application.
5.3..Monitoring for Material Irreconcilable Conflicts.
------------------------------------------------
AVIF agrees that its Board of Trustees will monitor for the existence of
any material irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the participants
in all separate accounts of life insurance companies utilizing AVIF
("Participating Insurance Companies"), including each Account and participants
on all qualified retirement and pension plans investing in AVIF ("Participating
Plans'). XXXX agrees to inform the Board of Trustees of AVIF of the existence of
or any potential for any such material irreconcilable conflict of which it is
aware. The concept of a "material irreconcilable conflict" is not defined by the
1940 Act or the rules thereunder, but the Parties recognize that such a conflict
may arise for a variety of reasons, including, without limitation:
(a) . an action by any state insurance or other regulatory authority;
(b) . a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax or securities
laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling, no-action or
interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance, tax or securities
regulatory authorities;
(c) an administrative or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding;
(d) .the manner in which the investments of any Fund are being managed;
(e) .a difference in voting instructions given by variable annuity
contract and variable life insurance contract Participants or by Participants of
different Participating Insurance Companies;
(f) a decision by a Participating Insurance Company to disregard the
voting instructions of Participants; or
(g) .a decision by a Participating Plan to disregard the voting
instructions of Plan participants.
Consistent with the SEC's requirements in connection with exemptive orders
of the type referred to in Section 5.1 hereof, XXXX will assist the Board of
Trustees in carrying out its responsibilities by providing the Board of Trustees
with all information reasonably necessary for the Board of Trustees to consider
any issue raised, including information as to a decision by XXXX to disregard
voting instructions of Participants.
5.4..Conflict Remedies.
-----------------
(a)..It is agreed that if it is determined by a majority of the members of
the Board of Trustees or a majority of the Disinterested Trustees that a
material irreconcilable conflict exists, XXXX will, if it is a Participating
Insurance Company for which a material irreconcilable conflict is relevant, at
its own expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a
majority of the Disinterested Trustees), take whatever steps are necessary to
remedy or eliminate the material irreconcilable conflict, which steps may
include, but are not limited to:
(i) withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the Accounts
from AVIF or any Fund and reinvesting such assets in a different
investment medium, including another Fund of AVIF, or submitting
the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a
vote of all affected Participants and, as appropriate,
segregating the assets of any particular group (e.g., annuity
Participants, life insurance Participants) that votes in favor
of such segregation, or offering to the affected Participants
the option of making such a change; and
(ii) establishing a new registered investment company of the type
defined as a "management company" in Section 4(3) of the 1940
Act or a new separate account that is operated as a management
company.
(b)..If the material irreconcilable conflict arises because of XXXX'x
decision to disregard Participant voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, XXXX may be
required, at AVIF's election, to withdraw each Account's investment in AVIF or
any Fund. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such withdrawal.
Any such withdrawal must take place within six (6)months after AVIF gives notice
to XXXX that this provision is being implemented, and until such withdrawal AVIF
shall continue to accept and implement orders by XXXX for the purchase and
redemption of Shares of AVIF.
(c)..If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to XXXX conflicts with the
majority of other state regulators, then XXXX will withdraw each Account's
investment in AVIF within six (6) months after AVIF's Board of Trustees informs
XXXX that it has determined that such decision has created a material
irreconcilable conflict (after consideration of the interests of all
Participants), and until such withdrawal AVIF shall continue to accept and
implement orders by XXXX for the purchase and redemption of Shares of AVIF.
(d)..XXXX agrees that any remedial action taken by it in resolving any
material irreconcilable conflict will be carried out at its expense and with a
view only to the interests of Participants.
(e)..For purposes hereof, a majority of the Disinterested Trustees will
determine whether or not any proposed action adequately remedies any material
irreconcilable conflict. In no event, however, will AVIF or any of its
affiliates be required to establish a new funding medium for any Policies. XXXX
will not be required by the terms hereof to establish a new funding medium for
any Policies if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority of
Participants materially adversely affected by the material irreconcilable
conflict.
5.5..Notice to XXXX.
--------------
AVIF will promptly make known in writing to XXXX the Board of Trustees'
determination of the existence of a material irreconcilable conflict, a
description of the facts that give rise to such conflict and the implications of
such conflict.
5.6..Information Requested by Board of Trustees.
XXXX and AVIF (or its investment adviser) will at least annually submit to
the Board of Trustees of AVIF such reports, materials or data as the Board of
Trustees may reasonably request so that the Board of Trustees may fully carry
out the obligations imposed upon it by the provisions hereof or any exemptive
application filed with the SEC to permit Mixed and Shared Funding, and said
reports, materials and data will be submitted at any reasonable time deemed
appropriate by the Board of Trustees. All reports received by the Board of
Trustees of potential or existing conflicts, and all Board of Trustees actions
with regard to determining the existence of a conflict, notifying Participating
Insurance Companies of a conflict, and determining whether any proposed action
adequately remedies a conflict, will be properly recorded in the minutes of the
Board of Trustees or other appropriate records, and such minutes or other
records will be made available to the SEC upon request.
5.7..Compliance with SEC Rules.
-------------------------
If, at any time during which AVIF is serving as an investment medium for
variable life insurance Policies, 1940 Act Rules 6e-3(T) or, if applicable, 6e-2
are amended or Rule 6e-3 is adopted to provide exemptive relief with respect to
Mixed and Shared Funding, AVIF agrees that it will comply with the terms and
conditions thereof and that the terms of this Section 5 shall be deemed modified
if and only to the extent required in order also to comply with the terms and
conditions of such exemptive relief that is afforded by any of said rules that
are applicable.
5.8..Requirements for Other Insurance Companies.
------------------------------------------
AVIF will require that each Participating Insurance Company enter into an
agreement with AVIF that contains in substance the same provisions as are set
forth in Sections 4.1(b), 4.1(d), 4.3(a), 4.4(b), 4.5(a), 5, and 10 of this
Agreement.
Section 6. Termination
6.1..Events of Termination.
---------------------
Subject to Section 6.4 below, this Agreement will terminate as to a Fund:
(a)..at the option of AVIF or XXXX upon the approval by (i) a majority of
the Disinterested Trustees, or (ii) a majority vote of the Shares of the
affected Fund that are held in the corresponding Subaccount of an Account
(pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 10 of this Agreement for voting
Shares in accordance with Participant instructions); or
(b)..at the option of AVIF or AIM upon institution of formal proceedings
against XXXX or its affiliates by the NASD, the SEC, any state insurance
regulator or any other regulatory body regarding XXXX'x obligations under this
Agreement or related to the sale of the Policies, the operation of each Account,
or the purchase of Shares, if, in each case, AVIF or AIM reasonably determines
that such proceedings, or the facts on which such proceedings would be based,
have a material likelihood of imposing material adverse consequences on the Fund
with respect to which the Agreement is to be terminated; or
(c)..at the option of XXXX upon institution of formal proceedings against
AVIF, its principal underwriter, or its investment adviser by the NASD, the SEC,
or any state insurance regulator or any other regulatory body regarding AVIF's
obligations under this Agreement or related to the operation or management of
AVIF or the purchase of AVIF Shares, if, in each case, XXXX reasonably
determines that such proceedings, or the facts on which such proceedings would
be based, have a material likelihood of imposing material adverse consequences
on XXXX, or the Subaccount corresponding to the Fund with respect to which the
Agreement is to be terminated; or
(d)..at the option of any Party in the event that (i) the Fund's Shares
are not registered and, in all material respects, issued and sold in accordance
with any applicable federal or state law, or (ii) such law precludes the use of
such Shares as an underlying investment medium of the Policies issued or to be
issued by XXXX; or
(e)..upon termination of the corresponding Subaccount's investment in
the Fund pursuant to Section 5 hereof; or
(f)..at the option of XXXX if the Fund ceases to qualify as a RIC under
Subchapter M of the Code or under successor or similar provisions, or if XXXX
reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify;
(g)..at the option of XXXX if the Fund fails to comply with Section 817(h)
of the Code or with successor or similar provisions (other than by reason of the
failure of the Policies issued by XXXX to qualify as annuity or life insurance
contracts under the Code, or the failure of any Account or Policy to meet the
definition of "segregated asset account" or "variable contract"; respectively,
within the meaning of the Code), or if XXXX reasonably believes that the Fund
may fail to so comply; or
(h)..at the option of AVIF or AIM if the Policies issued by ALIC cease to
qualify as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under the Code (other
than by reason of the Fund's noncompliance with Section 817(h) or Subchapter M
of the Code) or if interests in an Account under the Policies are not
registered, where required, and, in all material respects, are not issued or
sold in accordance with any applicable federal or state law; or
(i) .upon another Party's material breach of any provision of this
Agreement.
6.2..Notice Requirement for Termination.
----------------------------------
No termination of this Agreement will be effective unless and until the
Party terminating this Agreement gives prior written notice to the other Party
to this Agreement of its intent to terminate, and such notice shall set forth
the basis for such termination. Furthermore:
(a)..in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of
Sections 6.1(a) or 6.1(e) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at
least six (6) months in advance of the effective date of termination unless a
shorter time is agreed to by the Parties hereto;
(b)..in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of
Sections 6.1(b) or 6.1(c) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at
least ninety (90) days in advance of the effective date of termination unless a
shorter time is agreed to by the Parties hereto; and
(c)..in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of
Sections 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i) hereof, such prior written
notice shall be given as soon as possible within twenty-four (24) hours after
the terminating Party learns of the event causing termination to be required.
6.3..Funds To Remain Available.
-------------------------
Except (a) as necessary to implement Participant-initiated transactions,
(b) as required by state insurance laws or regulations, (c) as required pursuant
to Section 5 of this Agreement, or (d) with respect to any Fund as to which this
Agreement has terminated pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof, XXXX shall not (i)
redeem AVIF Shares attributable to the Policies (as opposed to AVIF Shares
attributable to XXXX'x assets held in each Account), or (ii) prevent
Participants from allocating payments to or transferring amounts from a Fund
that was otherwise available under the Policies, until six (6) months after XXXX
shall have notified AVIF of its intention to do so and until thirty-six (36)
full calendar months shall have expired from the date on which an Account
(including the Accounts of Glenbrook Life and Annuity Co.) first invested in any
Fund.
6.4..Survival of Warranties and Indemnifications.
-------------------------------------------
All warranties and indemnifications will survive the termination of this
Agreement.
6.5..Continuance of Agreement for Certain Purposes.
---------------------------------------------
If any Party terminates this Agreement with respect to any Fund pursuant
to Sections 6.1(b), 6.1(c), 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i) hereof,
this Agreement shall nevertheless continue in effect as to any Shares of that
Fund that are outstanding as of the date of such termination (the "Initial
Termination Date"). This continuation shall extend to the earlier of the date as
of which an Account owns no Shares of the affected Fund or a date (the "Final
Termination Date") six (6) months following the Initial Termination Date, except
that XXXX may, by written notice shorten said six (6) month period in the case
of a termination pursuant to Sections 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i).
Section 7. Parties To Cooperate Respecting Termination
The Parties hereto agree to cooperate and give reasonable assistance to
one another in taking all necessary and appropriate steps for the purpose of
ensuring that an Account owns no Shares of a Fund after the Final Termination
Date with respect thereto, or, in the case of a termination pursuant to Section
6.1(a), the termination date specified in the notice of termination. Such steps
may include combining the affected Account with another Account, substituting
other mutual fund shares for those of the affected Fund, or otherwise
terminating participation by the Policies in such Fund.
Section 8. Assignment
This Agreement may not be assigned by any Party, except with the written
consent of each other Party; however, XXXX may utilize the services or employees
of its affiliated insurance companies to perform any of its duties under this
Agreement. Any such delegation or allocation of duties shall not be construed as
an impermissible assignment and shall not be considered to limit any rights of
XXXX under this Agreement.
Section 9. Notices
Notices and communications required or permitted by Section 9 hereof will
be given by means mutually acceptable to the Parties concerned. Each other
notice or communication required or permitted by this Agreement will be given to
the following persons at the following addresses and facsimile numbers, or such
other persons, addresses or facsimile numbers as the Party receiving such
notices or communications may subsequently direct in writing:
Allstate Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx X0X
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
ALFS, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx X0X
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attn:Xxxx Xxxxx
AIM Variable Insurance Funds
A I M Distributors, Inc.
00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attn:Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Section 10. Voting Procedures
Subject to the cost allocation procedures established pursuant to Section
3.1 hereof, XXXX will distribute all proxy material furnished by AVIF to
Participants to whom pass-through voting privileges are required to be extended
and will solicit voting instructions from Participants. XXXX will vote Shares in
accordance with timely instructions received from Participants. XXXX will vote
Shares that are (a) not attributable to Participants to whom pass-through voting
privileges are extended, or (b) attributable to Participants, but for which no
timely instructions have been received, in the same proportion as Shares for
which said instructions have been received from Participants. Neither XXXX nor
any of its affiliates will in any way recommend action in connection with or
oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies for the Shares held for
such Participants, except with respect to matters as to which XXXX has the
right, under Rule 6e-2 or 6e-3(T) under the 1940 Act, to vote the Shares without
regard to voting instructions from Participants. XXXX reserves the right to vote
shares held in any Account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law.
XXXX shall be responsible for assuring that each of its Accounts holding Shares
calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with that of other
Participating Insurance Companies or in the manner required by any Mixed and
Shared Funding exemptive order that AVIF may obtain in the future. AVIF will
notify XXXX (i) of any changes of interpretations or amendments to any Mixed and
Shared Funding exemptive order it obtains in the future, and (ii) of any
proposal to be submitted to Participants for their approval (prior to any Board
of Trustees meeting of AVIF at which such proposals are presented).
Section 11. Foreign Tax Credits
AVIF agrees to consult in advance with XXXX concerning any decision to
elect or not to elect pursuant to Section 853 of the Code to pass through the
benefit of any foreign tax credits to its shareholders.
Section 12. Indemnification
12.1.Of AVIF and AIM by XXXX and the Underwriter.
(a)..Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.1(b) and 12.1(c), below,
XXXX and the Underwriter each agrees to indemnify and hold harmless AVIF, its
affiliates (including AIM) except Participants, and each of their respective
trustees and officers, and each person, if any, who controls AVIF or its
affiliates (including AIM) within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 12.1)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of XXXX) or actions in respect thereof
(including, to the extent reasonable, legal and other expenses), to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common
law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
actions are related to the sale or acquisition of AVIF's Shares and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Account's
1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, the
Policies, or sales literature or advertising for the Policies
(or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading; provided, that this agreement to indemnify shall not
apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission
or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to XXXX or the
Underwriter by or on behalf of AVIF for use in any Account's
1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, the
Policies, or sales literature or advertising or otherwise for
use in connection with the sale of Policies or Shares (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF
Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of AVIF, or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, not supplied
for use therein by or on behalf of XXXX or the Underwriter and
on which such persons have reasonably relied) or the negligent,
illegal or fraudulent conduct of XXXX, the Underwriter or their
respective affiliates or persons under their control (including,
without limitation, their employees and "Associated Persons," as
that term is defined in paragraph (m) of Article I of the NASD's
By-Laws), in connection with the sale or distribution of the
Policies or Shares; or
(iii)arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in AVIF's 1933
Act registration statement, AVIF Prospectus, sales literature or
advertising of AVIF, or any amendment or supplement to any of
the foregoing, or the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such
a statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to AVIF or AIM by or on
behalf of XXXX, the Underwriter or their respective affiliates
for use in AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF
Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of AVIF, or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by XXXX or the Underwriter to
perform the obligations, provide the services and furnish the
materials required of them under the terms of this Agreement, or
any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made
by XXXX or the Underwriter in this Agreement or arise out of or
result from any other material breach of this Agreement by XXXX
or the Underwriter; or
(v) arise as a result of failure by the Policies issued by XXXX to
qualify as life insurance, endowment, or annuity contracts under
the Code, otherwise than by reason of any Fund's failure to
comply with Subchapter M or Section 817(h) of the Code.
(b)..Neither XXXX nor the Underwriter shall be liable under this Section
12.1 with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions to
which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance by that
Indemnified Party of its duties or by reason of that Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations or duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii) to
AVIF.
(c)..Neither XXXX nor the Underwriter shall be liable under this Section
12.1 with respect to any action against an Indemnified Party unless AVIF or AIM
shall have notified XXXX or the Underwriter in writing within a reasonable time
after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature
of the action shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated
agent), but failure to notify XXXX or the Underwriter of any such action shall
not relieve XXXX or the Underwriter from any liability which it may have to the
Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account
of this Section 12.1. Except as otherwise provided herein, in case any such
action is brought against an Indemnified Party, XXXX or the Underwriter shall be
entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action and
XXXX or the Underwriter also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof,
with counsel approved by the Indemnified Party named in the action, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. After notice from XXXX or the
Underwriter to such Indemnified Party of its election to assume the defense
thereof, the Indemnified Party will cooperate fully with XXXX and shall bear the
fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and XXXX will not be
liable to such Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party independently in
connection with the defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
12.2.Of XXXX and the Underwriter by AVIF and AIM.
(a)..Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.2(d), 12.2(e) and
12.2(f), below, to the extent permitted by law, AVIF and/or AIM each agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless XXXX, the Underwriter, their respective affiliates,
and each of their respective directors and officers, and each person, if any,
who controls XXXX, the Underwriter, or their respective affiliates within the
meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties"
for purposes of this Section 12.2) against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
AVIF and/or AIM) or actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent
reasonable, legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may
become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law, or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions are related to
the sale or acquisition of AVIF's Shares and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in AVIF's 1933
Act registration statement, AVIF Prospectus or sales literature
or advertising of AVIF (or any amendment or supplement to any of
the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading; provided, that this agreement
to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to AVIF or its affiliates by or on behalf of XXXX or
its affiliates for use in AVIF's 1933 Act registration
statement, AVIF Prospectus, or in sales literature or
advertising (or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in any Account's 1933 Act registration statement, any
Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising for the
Policies, or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing, not supplied for use therein by or on behalf of AVIF
or its affiliates and on which such persons have reasonably
relied) or the negligent, illegal or fraudulent conduct of AVIF,
its affiliates or persons under their control (including,
without limitation, their employees and "Associated Persons"),
in connection with the sale or distribution of AVIF Shares; or
(iii)arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in any Account's
1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, sales
literature or advertising covering the Policies, or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to
XXXX, the Underwriter, or their respective affiliates by AVIF or
AIM for use in any Account's 1933 Act registration statement,
any Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising covering
the Policies, or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by AVIF or AIM to perform their
respective obligations, provide the services (including, but not
limited to, the provision of correct net asset value) and
furnish the materials required of them under the terms of this
Agreement, or any material breach of any representation and/or
warranty made by AVIF or AIM in this Agreement or arise out of
or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by
AVIF or AIM.
(b)..Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.2(c), 12.2(d) and
12.2(e) hereof, AVIF agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified
Parties from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement thereof with, the written consent of AVIF)
or actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent reasonable, legal and
other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject directly or
indirectly under any statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions directly or indirectly result
from or arise out of the failure of any Fund to operate as a regulated
investment company in compliance with (i) Subchapter M of the Code and
regulations thereunder, or (ii) Section 817(h) of the Code and regulations
thereunder, including, without limitation, any income taxes and related
penalties, rescission charges, liability under state law to Participants
asserting liability against XXXX or the Underwriter pursuant to the Policies,
the costs of any ruling and closing agreement or other settlement with the IRS,
and the cost of any substitution by XXXX of Shares of another investment company
or portfolio for those of any adversely affected Fund as a funding medium for
each Account that XXXX reasonably deems necessary or appropriate as a result of
the noncompliance.
(c)..AVIF shall not be liable under this Section 12.2 with respect to any
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions to which an Indemnified Party
would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross
negligence in the performance by that Indemnified Party of its duties or by
reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii) to XXXX, each Account, the Underwriter
or Participants.
(d)..AVIF shall not be liable under this Section 12.2 with respect to any
action against an Indemnified Party unless the Indemnified Party shall have
notified AVIF in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other
first legal process giving information of the nature of the action shall have
been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall
have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to
notify AVIF of any such action shall not relieve AVIF from any liability which
it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought
otherwise than on account of this Section 12.2. Except as otherwise provided
herein, in case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, AVIF
will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such
action and also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
approved by the Indemnified Party named in the action, which approval shall not
be unreasonably withheld. After notice from AVIF to such Indemnified Party of
AVIF's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party will
cooperate fully with AVIF and shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional
counsel retained by it, and AVIF will not be liable to such Indemnified Party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such Indemnified Party independently in connection with the defense thereof,
other than reasonable costs of investigation.
(e) In no event shall AVIF be liable under the indemnification provisions
contained in this Agreement to any individual or entity, including without
limitation, XXXX, the Underwriter, or any other Participating Insurance Company
or any Participant, with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses that arise out of or result from (i) a breach of any representation,
warranty, and/or covenant made by XXXX or the Underwriter hereunder or by any
Participating Insurance Company under an agreement containing substantially
similar representations, warranties and covenants; (ii) the failure by XXXX or
any Participating Insurance Company to maintain its segregated asset account
(which invests in any Fund) as a legally and validly established segregated
asset account under applicable state law and as a duly registered unit
investment trust under the provisions of the 1940 Act (unless exempt therefrom);
or (iii) the failure by XXXX or any Participating Insurance Company to maintain
its variable annuity and/or variable life insurance contracts (with respect to
which any Fund serves as an underlying funding vehicle) as life insurance,
endowment or annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the Code;
provided, however, that the limitation of liability contained in this paragraph
(e) shall not apply if the breach or failures described in subparagraphs (i),
(ii) and (iii), above, by XXXX or any Participating Insurance Company resulted
from the failure of AVIF to comply with the requirements of Subchapter M or
Section 817(h) of the Code.
12.3.Effect of Notice.
----------------
Any notice given by the indemnifying Party to an Indemnified Party
referred to in Sections 12.1(c) or 12.2(d) above of participation in or control
of any action by the Indemnifying Party will in no event be deemed to be an
admission by the Indemnifying Party of liability, culpability or responsibility,
and the Indemnifying Party will remain free to contest liability with respect to
the claim among the Parties or otherwise.
12.4.Successors.
A successor by law of any Party shall be entitled to the benefits of the
indemnification contained in this Section 12.
Section 13. Applicable Law
This Agreement will be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with Delaware law, without regard for that state's
principles of conflict of laws.
Section 14. Execution in Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which taken together will constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 15. Severability
If any provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement will not
be affected thereby.
Section 16. Rights Cumulative
The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations,
at law or in equity, that the Parties are entitled to under federal and state
laws.
Section 17. Headings
The Table of Contents and headings used in this Agreement are for purposes
of reference only and shall not limit or define the meaning of the provisions of
this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed
in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers
signing below.
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS
Attest: ________________________ By:
--------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Assistant Secretary Title: Senior Vice President
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
Attest: ________________________ By:
--------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Title: Assistant Secretary Title: President
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, on behalf of
itself and its separate accounts
Attest: ________________________ By:
--------------------------------------
Name: ________________________ Name:______________________________________
Title: ________________________ Title:
--------------------------------------
ALFS, INC.
Attest: ________________________ By:
--------------------------------------
Name: ________________________ Name:______________________________________
Title: ________________________ Title:
--------------------------------------
SCHEDULE A
FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER THE POLICIES
AIM V.I. Capital Appreciation Fund
AIM V.I. Dent Demographics Fund
AIM V.I. Diversified Income Fund
AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund
AIM V.I. International Equity Fund
AIM V.I. Value Fund
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS UTILIZING THE FUNDS
Allstate Financial Advisors Separate Account I
POLICIES FUNDED BY THE SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
Allstate Personal Retirement Manager
SelectDirections
SCHEDULE B
AIM's Pricing Error Policies
Determination of Materiality
In the event that AIM discovers an error in the calculation of the Fund's net
asset value, the following policies will apply:
If the amount of the error is less than $.01 per share, it is considered
immaterial and no adjustments are made.
If the amount of the error is $.01 per share or more, then the following
thresholds are applied:
a. If the amount of the difference in the erroneous net asset value and
the correct net asset value is less than .5% of the correct net asset
value, AIM will reimburse the affected Fund to the extent of any loss
resulting from the error. No other adjustments shall be made.
b. If the amount of the difference in the erroneous net asset value
and the correct net asset value is .5% of the correct net asset
value or greater, then AIM will determine the impact of the error
to the affected Fund and shall reimburse such Fund (and/or XXXX, as
appropriate) to the extent of any loss resulting from the error.
To the extent that an overstatement of net asset value per share is
detected quickly and XXXX has not mailed redemption checks to
Participants, XXXX and AIM agree to examine the extent of the error
to determine the feasibility of reprocessing such redemption
transaction (for purposes of reimbursing the Fund to the extent of
any such overpayment).
Reprocessing Cost Reimbursement
To the extent a reprocessing of Participant transactions is required pursuant to
paragraph (b), above, AIM shall reimburse XXXX for XXXX'x reprocessing costs in
the amount of $3.00 per contract affected by $10 or more.
The Pricing Policies described herein may be modified by AVIF as approved by its
Board of Trustees. AIM agrees to use its best efforts to notify XXXX at least
five (5) days prior to any such meeting of the Board of Trustees of AVIF to
consider such proposed changes.
SCHEDULE C
EXPENSE ALLOCATIONS
-------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION XXXX AIM/AVIF
-------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Registration
Prepare and file Account registration Fund registration
registration statements statements
statements1
Account fees
Payment of fees Fund fees
-------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Prospectuses
Typesetting Account Prospectuses Fund Prospectuses
Printing2 Account Prospectuses Fund Prospectuses
-------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
SAIs
Typesetting Account SAIs Fund SAIs
Printing Account SAIs Fund SAIs
-------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Supplements (to
Prospectuses or
SAIs)
Account Supplements Fund Supplements
Typesetting and (unless changes (unless changes
Printing relate only to the relate only to the
Fund) Account)
Fund Supplements (for Account Supplements changes that
relate (for changes that only to Account) relate only to
Fund)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial Reports
Typesetting Account Reports Fund Reports
Printing2 Account Reports Fund Reports
-------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Mailing and
Distribution3
Account and Fund Supplements (for
To Contract owners Prospectuses, SAIs, which AIM/AVIF is
Supplements (for responsible to which XXXX is typeset and
print) responsible to typeset and print) and Reports
To Offerees Account and Fund
Supplements (for Prospectuses, SAIs,
which XXXX is Supplements (for
responsible to which AIM/AVIF is
typeset and print) responsible to
typeset and print)
and Reports
-------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Proxies4
Typesetting, Account and Fund Account and Fund
printing and Proxies where the Proxies where the
mailing of proxy matters submitted are matters submitted are
solicitation solely Account related solely Fund related
materials and
voting instruction
solicitation
materials and
tabulation of
proxies to
Participants
-------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Other (Sales
Related)
Account related items Fund related items
Contract owner
communication
Policies
Distribution
Account (Policies)
Administration
-------------------------------------------------------------------
--------
1Includes all filings and costs necessary to keep registrations current
and effective; including, without limitation, filing Forms N-SAR and Rule 24f-2
Notices as required by law.
2To the extent that documents prepared by XXXX and AIM are printed
together, the printing cost shall be allocated in proportion to the number of
pages attributable to each document.
3To the extent required by law.
4When proxy materials are required for both Account and Fund matters, the
costs shall be split proportionately based upon those materials related solely
to the Account and those materials related solely to the Fund. The cost with
respect to joint materials shall be allocated evenly between XXXX and AIM.
Exhibit (8)(b)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND,
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
and
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 15th day of June, 2001 by
and among ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, (hereinafter the "Company"), an
Illinois corporation, on its own behalf and on behalf of each segregated asset
account of the Company set forth on Schedule A hereto as may be amended from
time to time (each such account hereinafter referred to as the "Account"), and
the VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND, an unincorporated business trust organized
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (hereinafter the "Fund") and
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION (hereinafter the "Underwriter"), a
Massachusetts corporation.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management investment
company and is available to act as the investment vehicle for separate accounts
established for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts
(collectively, the "Variable Insurance Products") to be offered by insurance
companies which have entered into participation agreements with the Fund and the
Underwriter (hereinafter "Participating Insurance Companies"); and
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into several series
of shares, each representing the interest in a particular managed portfolio of
securities and other assets, any one or more of which may be made available
under this Agreement, as may be amended from time to time by mutual agreement of
the parties hereto (each such series hereinafter referred to as a "Portfolio");
and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and Exchange
Commission, dated October 15, 1985 (File No. 812-6102), granting Participating
Insurance Companies and variable annuity and variable life insurance separate
accounts exemptions from the provisions of sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and
15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (hereinafter the "1940
Act") and Rules 6e-2(b) (15) and 6e-3(T) (b) (15) thereunder, to the extent
necessary to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to and held by variable
annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of both affiliated and
unaffiliated life insurance companies (hereinafter the "Shared Funding Exemptive
Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, Fidelity Management & Research Company (the "Adviser") is duly
registered as an investment adviser under the federal Investment Advisers Act of
1940 and any applicable state securities law; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain variable life
insurance and variable annuity contracts under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Company, on the date shown for such Account on Schedule A hereto, to set aside
and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid variable annuity contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a unit
investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker dealer with the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, (hereinafter the "1934 Act"), and is a member in good standing
of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (hereinafter "NASD");
and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios on behalf
of each Account to fund certain of the aforesaid variable life and variable
annuity contracts and the Underwriter is authorized to sell such shares to unit
investment trusts such as each Account at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company, the
Fund and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares
1.1. The Underwriter agrees to sell to the Company those shares of the Fund
which each Account orders, executing such orders on a daily basis at the net
asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or its designee of the order
for the shares of the Fund. For purposes of this Section 1.1, the Company shall
be the designee of the Fund for receipt of such orders from each Account and
receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the
Fund receives notice of such order by 10:00 a.m. Boston time on the next
following Business Day. Beginning within three months of the effective date of
this Agreement, the Company agrees that orders for the purchase or redemption of
shares of the Funds on behalf of the Accounts will be placed directly by the
Company with the Funds or their transfer agent by electronic transmission.
"Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open
for trading and on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.2. The Fund agrees to make its shares available indefinitely for purchase
at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company and its Accounts on
those days on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to rules of
the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Fund shall use reasonable efforts
to calculate such net asset value on each day which the New York Stock Exchange
is open for trading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Trustees of the
Fund (hereinafter the "Board") may refuse to sell shares of any Portfolio to any
person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Portfolio if such
action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or
is, in the sole discretion of the Board acting in good faith and in light of
their fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, necessary in
the best interests of the shareholders of such Portfolio.
1.3. The Fund and the Underwriter agree that shares of the Fund will be
sold only to Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts. No
shares of any Portfolio will be sold to the general public.
1.4. The Fund and the Underwriter will not sell Fund shares to any
insurance company or separate account unless an agreement containing provisions
substantially the same as Articles I, III, V, VII and Section 2.5 of Article II
of this Agreement is in effect to govern such sales.
1.5. The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's request, any full
or fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, executing such requests on
a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or
its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of this Section 1.5,
the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of requests for
redemption from each Account and receipt by such designee shall constitute
receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such request for
redemption on the next following Business Day.
1.6. The Company agrees that purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares
offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund shall be made in accordance
with the provisions of such prospectus. The Company agrees that all net amounts
available under the variable annuity contracts with the form number(s) which are
listed on Schedule A attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference,
as such Schedule A may be amended from time to time hereafter by mutual written
agreement of all the parties hereto, (the "Contracts") shall be invested in the
Fund, in such other Funds advised by the Adviser as may be mutually agreed to in
writing by the parties hereto, or in the Company's general account, provided
that such amounts may also be invested in an investment company other than the
Fund.
1.7. The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business Day after
an order to purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with the provisions of
Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire. For
purpose of Section 2.10 and 2.11, upon receipt by the Fund of the federal funds
so wired, such funds shall cease to be the responsibility of the Company and
shall become the responsibility of the Fund.
1.8. Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry only.
Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account. Shares
ordered from the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for each Account
or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.9. The Fund shall furnish same day notice (by wire or telephone, followed
by written confirmation) to the Company of any income, dividends or capital gain
distributions payable on the Fund's shares. The Company hereby elects to receive
all such income dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on the
Portfolio shares in additional shares of that Portfolio. The Company reserves
the right to revoke this election and to receive all such income dividends and
capital gain distributions in cash. The Fund shall notify the Company of the
number of shares so issued as payment of such dividends and distributions.
1.10. The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each Portfolio
available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably practical after
the net asset value per share is calculated (normally by 6:30 p.m. Boston time)
and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value per share available
by 7 p.m. Boston time.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will be
registered under the 1933 Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable Federal and State laws
and that the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all material respects with
state insurance suitability requirements. The Company further represents and
warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing
under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established each
Account prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated asset account
under Section 245.21 of the Illinois Insurance Code and has registered or, prior
to any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will register each Account as a unit
investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a
segregated investment account for the Contracts.
2.2. The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold pursuant to
this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly authorized for
issuance and sold in compliance with the laws of the State of Illinois and all
applicable federal and state securities laws and that the Fund is and shall
remain registered under the 0000 Xxx. The Fund shall amend the Registration
Statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time
as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its shares. The Fund
shall register and qualify the shares for sale in accordance with the laws of
the various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund or the
Underwriter.
2.3. The Fund represents that it is currently qualified as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, (the "Code") and that it will make every effort to maintain such
qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision) and
that it will notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing that it has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in
the future.
2.4. The Company represents that the Contracts are currently treated as
endowment or annuity insurance contracts, under applicable provisions of the
Code and that it will make every effort to maintain such treatment and that it
will notify the Fund and the Underwriter immediately upon having a reasonable
basis for believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they
might not be so treated in the future.
2.5. (a) With respect to Initial Class shares, the Fund currently does not
intend to make any payments to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act or otherwise, although it may make such payments in the
future. The Fund has adopted a "no fee" or "defensive" Rule 12b-1 Plan under
which it makes no payments for distribution expenses. To the extent that it
decides to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund
undertakes to have a board of trustees, a majority of whom are not interested
persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance
distribution expenses.
(b) With respect to Service Class shares, the Fund has adopted a Rule
12b-1 Plan under which it makes payments to finance distribution expenses.
The Fund represents and warrants that it has a board of trustees, a
majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund, which has
formulated and approved the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan to finance distribution
expenses of the Fund and that any changes to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan
will be approved by a similarly constituted board of trustees.
2.6. The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its
operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment
policies) complies with the insurance laws or regulations of the various states
except that the Fund represents that the Fund's investment policies, fees and
expenses are and shall at all times remain in compliance with the laws of the
State of Illinois and the Fund and the Underwriter represent that their
respective operations are and shall at all times remain in material compliance
with the laws of the State of Illinois to the extent required to perform this
Agreement.
2.7. The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is a member in good
standing of the NASD and is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC. The
Underwriter further represents that it will sell and distribute the Fund shares
in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois and all applicable state
and federal securities laws, including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934
Act, and the 0000 Xxx.
2.8. The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly existing
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that it does and will
comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.
2.9. The Underwriter represents and warrants that the Adviser is and shall
remain duly registered in all material respects under all applicable federal and
state securities laws and that the Adviser shall perform its obligations for the
Fund in compliance in all material respects with the laws of the State of
Illinois and any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.10. The Fund and Underwriter represent and warrant that all of their
directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals/entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are
and shall continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or
similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the
minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940 Act or
related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid Bond
shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a
reputable bonding company.
2.11. The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors,
officers, employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities dealing
with the money and/or securities of the Fund are covered by a blanket fidelity
bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund, and that said bond is
issued by a reputable bonding company, includes coverage for larceny and
embezzlement, and is in an amount not less than $5 million. The Company agrees
to make all reasonable efforts to see that this bond or another bond containing
these provisions is always in effect, and agrees to notify the Fund and the
Underwriter in the event that such coverage no longer applies.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses and Proxy Statements; Voting
3.1. The Underwriter shall provide the Company with as many printed copies
of the Fund's current prospectus and Statement of Additional Information as the
Company may reasonably request. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the
Fund shall provide camera-ready film containing the Fund's prospectus and
Statement of Additional Information, and such other assistance as is reasonably
necessary in order for the Company once each year (or more frequently if the
prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information for the Fund is amended
during the year) to have the prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's
prospectus printed together in one document, and to have the Statement of
Additional Information for the Fund and the Statement of Additional Information
for the Contracts printed together in one document. Alternatively, the Company
may print the Fund's prospectus and/or its Statement of Additional Information
in combination with other fund companies' prospectuses and statements of
additional information. Except as provided in the following three sentences, all
expenses of printing and distributing Fund prospectuses and Statements of
Additional Information shall be the expense of the Company. For prospectuses and
Statements of Additional Information provided by the Company to its existing
owners of Contracts in order to update disclosure annually as required by the
1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act, the cost of printing shall be borne by the Fund.
If the Company chooses to receive camera-ready film in lieu of receiving printed
copies of the Fund's prospectus, the Fund will reimburse the Company in an
amount equal to the product of A and B where A is the number of such
prospectuses distributed to owners of the Contracts, and B is the Fund's per
unit cost of typesetting and printing the Fund's prospectus. The same procedures
shall be followed with respect to the Fund's Statement of Additional
Information.
The Company agrees to provide the Fund or its designee with such
information as may be reasonably requested by the Fund to assure that the Fund's
expenses do not include the cost of printing any prospectuses or Statements of
Additional Information other than those actually distributed to existing owners
of the Contracts.
3.2. The Fund's prospectus shall state that the Statement of Additional
Information for the Fund is available from the Underwriter or the Company (or in
the Fund's discretion, the Prospectus shall state that such Statement is
available from the Fund).
3.3. The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies of its
proxy statements, reports to shareholders, and other communications (except for
prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information, which are covered in
Section 3.1) to shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably
require for distributing to Contract owners.
3.4. If and to the extent required by law the Company shall: (i) solicit
voting instructions from Contract owners; (ii) vote the Fund shares in
accordance with instructions received from Contract owners; and (iii) vote Fund
shares for which no instructions have been received in a particular separate
account in the same proportion as Fund shares of such portfolio for which
instructions have been received in that separate account, so long as and to the
extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission continues to interpret the
1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges for variable contract owners.
The Company reserves the right to vote Fund shares held in any segregated asset
account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law. Participating
Insurance Companies shall be responsible for assuring that each of their
separate accounts participating in the Fund calculates voting privileges in a
manner consistent with the standards set forth on Schedule B attached hereto and
incorporated herein by this reference, which standards will also be provided to
the other Participating Insurance Companies.
3.5. The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring
voting by shareholders, and in particular the Fund will either provide for
annual meetings or comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the Fund
is not one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as with
Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further, the Fund will act in
accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's interpretation of the
requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of trustees and
with whatever rules the Commission may promulgate with respect thereto.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
4.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund
or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in
which the Fund or its investment adviser or the Underwriter is named, at least
fifteen Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the
Fund or its designee reasonably objects to such use within fifteen Business Days
after receipt of such material.
4.2. The Company shall not give any information or make any representations
or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in connection with
the sale of the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in the registration statement or prospectus for the Fund shares, as
such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from
time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund or its designee or
by the Underwriter, except with the permission of the Fund or the Underwriter or
the designee of either.
4.3. The Fund, Underwriter, or its designee shall furnish, or shall cause
to be furnished, to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales literature
or other promotional material in which the Company and/or its separate
account(s), is named at least fifteen Business Days prior to its use. No such
material shall be used if the Company or its designee reasonably objects to such
use within fifteen Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.4. The Fund and the Underwriter shall not give any information or make
any representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, each
Account, or the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in published reports for each Account which are in the public domain
or approved by the Company for distribution to Contract owners, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Company or its
designee, except with the permission of the Company.
4.5. The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information,
reports, proxy statements, sales literature and other promotional materials,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its shares, contemporaneously
with the filing of such document with the Securities and Exchange Commission or
other regulatory authorities.
4.6. The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information,
reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature and other
promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Contracts or
each Account, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or
other regulatory authorities.
4.7. For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following that
refer to the Fund or any affiliate of the Fund: advertisements (such as material
published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical,
radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or
billboards, motion pictures, or other public media), sales literature (i.e., any
written communication distributed or made generally available to customers or
the public, including brochures, circulars, research reports, market letters,
form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement,
sales literature, or published article), educational or training materials or
other communications distributed or made generally available to some or all
agents or employees, and registration statements, prospectuses, Statements of
Additional Information, shareholder reports, and proxy materials.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
5.1. The Fund and Underwriter shall pay no fee or other compensation to the
Company under this agreement, except that if the Fund or any Portfolio adopts
and implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses,
then the Underwriter may make payments to the Company or to the underwriter for
the Contracts if and in amounts agreed to by the Underwriter in writing and such
payments will be made out of existing fees otherwise payable to the Underwriter,
past profits of the Underwriter or other resources available to the Underwriter.
No such payments shall be made directly by the Fund.
5.2. All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under this Agreement
shall be paid by the Fund. The Fund shall see to it that all its shares are
registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable federal law
and, if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund, in accordance with
applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund shall bear the expenses for
the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's shares, preparation and
filing of the Fund's prospectus and registration statement, proxy materials and
reports, setting the prospectus in type, setting in type and printing the proxy
materials and reports to shareholders (including the costs of printing a
prospectus that constitutes an annual report), the preparation of all statements
and notices required by any federal or state law, and all taxes on the issuance
or transfer of the Fund's shares.
5.3. The Company shall bear the expenses of distributing the Fund's
prospectus, proxy materials and reports to owners of Contracts issued by the
Company.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification
6.1. The Fund will at all times invest money from the Contracts in such a
manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable contracts
under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting the scope
of the foregoing, the Fund will at all times comply with Section 817(h) of the
Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the diversification
requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts and
any amendments or other modifications to such Section or Regulations. In the
event of a breach of this Article VI by the Fund, it will take all reasonable
steps (a) to notify Company of such breach and (b) to adequately diversify the
Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Regulation
1.817-5.
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts
7.1. The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict may
arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance
regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance,
tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter
ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance,
tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial
decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of
any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given
by variable annuity contract and variable life insurance contract owners; or (f)
a decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of contract
owners. The Board shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an
irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
7.2. The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of which
it is aware to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying out its
responsibilities under the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by providing the
Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to consider any
issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation by the
Company to inform the Board whenever contract owner voting instructions are
disregarded.
7.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of its
disinterested trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the
Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and
to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the
disinterested trustees), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or
eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1),
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from
the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Fund, or
submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote
of all affected Contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of
any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance contract
owners, or variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance
Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected
contract owners the option of making such a change; and (2), establishing a new
registered management investment company or managed separate account.
7.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by
the Company to disregard contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the affected Account's
investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to such
Account; provided, however that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited
to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as
determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Any such
withdrawal and termination must take place within six (6) months after the Fund
gives written notice that this provision is being implemented, and until the end
of that six month period the Underwriter and Fund shall continue to accept and
implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of
the Fund.
7.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with
the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw the
affected Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with
respect to such Account within six months after the Board informs the Company in
writing that it has determined that such decision has created an irreconcilable
material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall
be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable
conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board.
Until the end of the foregoing six month period, the Underwriter and Fund shall
continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and
redemption) of shares of the Fund.
7.6. For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.6 of this Agreement, a majority
of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any proposed
action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event
will the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium for the Contracts.
The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 to establish a new funding
medium for the Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a
majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected by the irreconcilable
material conflict. In the event that the Board determines that any proposed
action does not adequately remedy any irreconcilable material conflict, then the
Company will withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this
Agreement within six (6) months after the Board informs the Company in writing
of the foregoing determination, provided, however, that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by any such material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members
of the Board.
7.7. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or
Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the Act
or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared funding (as
defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions
materially different from those contained in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order,
then (a) the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate,
shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T),
as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable;
and (b) Sections 3.4, 3.5, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 of this Agreement shall
continue in effect only to the extent that terms and conditions substantially
identical to such Sections are contained in such Rule(s) as so amended or
adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1. Indemnification By The Company
8.1(a). The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and each
trustee of the Board and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Fund
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.1) against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written
consent of the Company) or litigation (including legal and other expenses), to
which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation,
at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the
sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or prospectus for the Contracts or contained in the Contracts or
sales literature for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any
of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement
or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Fund for use in the
Registration Statement or prospectus for the Contracts or in the Contracts
or sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use
in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the Registration
Statement, prospectus or sales literature of the Fund not supplied by the
Company, or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Company
or persons under its control, with respect to the sale or distribution of
the Contracts or Fund Shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, prospectus, or sales
literature of the Fund or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or
the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading if such a statement or omission was made in reliance upon
information furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by
the Company, as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of
Sections 8.1(b) and 8.1(c) hereof.
8.1(b). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to
the Fund, whichever is applicable.
8.1(c). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any
such claim shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to participate,
at its own expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the Company to such party of the
Company's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the
Company will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection
with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.1(d). The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with
the issuance or sale of the Fund Shares or the Contracts or the operation of the
Fund.
8.2. Indemnification by the Underwriter
8.2(a). The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company
and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Company and its affiliated principal underwriter within the meaning of Section
15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Section 8.2) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Underwriter which
shall not be unreasonably withheld) or litigation (including legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute,
at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the
sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or prospectus or sales literature of the Fund (or any amendment
or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon
the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply
as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to the Underwriter or Fund by or on behalf of the
Company for use in the Registration Statement or prospectus for the Fund or
in sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use
in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the Registration
Statement, prospectus or sales literature for the Contracts not supplied by
the Underwriter or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the
Fund, Adviser or Underwriter or persons under their control, with respect
to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii)arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, prospectus, or sales
literature covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement or
statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made
in reliance upon information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of
the Fund; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement
(including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise,
to comply with the diversification requirements specified in Article VI of
this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Underwriter in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by
the Underwriter; as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of
Sections 8.2(b) and 8.2(c) hereof.
8.2(b). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to
each Company or the Account, whichever is applicable.
8.2(c). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter of
any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than
on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Underwriter will be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also
shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to
the party named in the action. After notice from the Underwriter to such party
of the Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified
Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it,
and the Underwriter will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for
any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
8.2(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers
or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the
operation of each Account.
8.3. Indemnification By the Fund
8.3(a). The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and
each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.3) against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with
the written consent of the Fund) or litigation (including legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute,
at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements result from the gross
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of the Board or any member thereof,
are related to the operations of the Fund and:
(i) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement
(including a failure to comply with the diversification requirements
specified in Article VI of this Agreement);or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Fund in this Agreement or arise
out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the
Fund;as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.3(b)
and 8.3(c) hereof.
8.3(b). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred
or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such Indemnified
Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to the
Company, the Fund, the Underwriter or each Account, whichever is applicable.
8.3(c). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such
Indemnified Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after
such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any such claim shall not
relieve the Fund from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to assume the
defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action.
After notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to assume the
defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund will not be liable to such party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation.
8.3(d). The Company and the Underwriter agree promptly to notify the Fund
of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its
respective officers or directors in connection with this Agreement, the issuance
or sale of the Contracts, with respect to the operation of either Account, or
the sale or acquisition of shares of the Fund.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
9.1. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
9.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934
and 1940 acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including
such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the Securities and
Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to, the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in
accordance therewith.
ARTICLE X. Termination
10.1. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the
first to occur of:
(a) termination by any party for any reason by sixty (60) days advance
written notice delivered to the other parties; or
(b) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio based upon the Company's
determination that shares of such Portfolio are not reasonably available to
meet the requirements of the Contracts; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event any of the
Portfolio's shares are not registered, issued or sold in accordance with
applicable state and/or federal law or such law precludes the use of such
shares as the underlying investment media of the Contracts issued or to be
issued by the Company; or
(d) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio
ceases to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of
the Code or under any successor or similar provision, or if the Company
reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify; or
(e) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio
fails to meet the diversification requirements specified in Article VI
hereof; or
(f) termination by either the Fund or the Underwriter by written
notice to the Company, if either one or both of the Fund or the Underwriter
respectively, shall determine, in their sole judgment exercised in good
faith, that the Company and/or its affiliated companies has suffered a
material adverse change in its business, operations, financial condition or
prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material
adverse publicity; or
(g) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter, if the Company shall determine, in its sole judgment exercised
in good faith, that either the Fund or the Underwriter has suffered a
material adverse change in its business, operations, financial condition or
prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material
adverse publicity; or
(h) termination by the Fund or the Underwriter by written notice to
the Company, if the Company gives the Fund and the Underwriter the written
notice specified in Section 1.6(b) hereof and at the time such notice was
given there was no notice of termination outstanding under any other
provision of this Agreement; provided, however any termination under this
Section 10.1(h) shall be effective forty five (45) days after the notice
specified in Section 1.6(b) was given.
10.2. Effect of Termination. Notwithstanding any termination of this
Agreement, the Fund and the Underwriter shall at the option of the Company,
continue to make available additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in effect on the effective
date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing
Contracts"). Specifically, without limitation, the owners of the Existing
Contracts shall be permitted to reallocate investments in the Fund, redeem
investments in the Fund and/or invest in the Fund upon the making of additional
purchase payments under the Existing Contracts. The parties agree that this
Section 10.2 shall not apply to any terminations under Article VII and the
effect of such Article VII terminations shall be governed by Article VII of this
Agreement.
10.3 The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the Contracts
(as opposed to Fund shares attributable to the Company's assets held in the
Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract Owner initiated or
approved transactions, or (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or
regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general application
(hereinafter referred to as a "Legally Required Redemption") or (iii) as
permitted by an order of the SEC pursuant to Section 26(b) of the 1940 Act. Upon
request, the Company will promptly furnish to the Fund and the Underwriter the
opinion of counsel for the Company (which counsel shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Fund and the Underwriter) to the effect that any redemption
pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required Redemption. Furthermore,
except in cases where permitted under the terms of the Contracts, the Company
shall not prevent Contract Owners from allocating payments to a Portfolio that
was otherwise available under the Contracts without first giving the Fund or the
Underwriter 90 days notice of its intention to do so.
ARTICLE XI. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified
mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at such
other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the
other party.
If to the Fund:
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
If to the Company:
Allstate Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx X0X
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
If to the Underwriter:
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous
12.1 All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of
the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the
Board, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for
obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund.
12.2 Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory authority,
each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses of the
owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information until such time as it may come into
the public domain without the express written consent of the affected party.
12.3 The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
12.4 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
12.5 If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement shall
not be affected thereby.
12.6 Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the
NASD and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the California Insurance Commissioner with any information or
reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement which such
Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the insurance operations
of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent with the California
Insurance Regulations and any other applicable law or regulations.
12.7 The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations,
at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and
federal laws.
12.8. This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder may not
be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of all parties
hereto; provided, however, that the Underwriter may assign this Agreement or any
rights or obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or company under common
control with the Underwriter, if such assignee is duly licensed and registered
to perform the obligations of the Underwriter under this Agreement. The Company
shall promptly notify the Fund and the Underwriter of any change in control of
the Company.
12.9. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Fund or its designee copies of the following reports:
(a) the Company's annual statement (prepared under statutory
accounting principles) and annual report (prepared under generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP"), if any), as soon as practical and in any
event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year;
(b) the Company's quarterly statements (statutory) (and GAAP, if any),
as soon as practical and in any event within 45 days after the end of each
quarterly period:
(c) any financial statement, proxy statement, notice or report of the
Company sent to stockholders and/or policyholders, as soon as practical
after the delivery thereof to stockholders;
(d) any registration statement (without exhibits) and financial
reports of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or
any state insurance regulator, as soon as practical after the filing
thereof;
(e) any other report submitted to the Company by independent
accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by
them of the books of the Company, as soon as practical after the receipt
thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to
be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative.
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: _________________________
Name: _________________________
Title: _________________________
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND
By: ________________________
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Senior Vice President
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
By: _______________________
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Vice President
Schedule A
Separate Accounts and Associated Contracts
Name of Separate Account and Policy Form Numbers of Contracts
Date Established by Board of Directors Funded By Separate Account
Allstate Financial Advisors
Separate Account I (State variations)
SCHEDULE B
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURE
The following is a list of procedures and corresponding responsibilities for the
handling of proxies relating to the Fund by the Underwriter, the Fund and the
Company. The defined terms herein shall have the meanings assigned in the
Participation Agreement except that the term "Company" shall also include the
department or third party assigned by the Insurance Company to perform the steps
delineated below.
1. The number of proxy proposals is given to the Company by the Underwriter
as early as possible before the date set by the Fund for the shareholder
meeting to facilitate the establishment of tabulation procedures. At
this time the Underwriter will inform the Company of the Record, Mailing
and Meeting dates. This will be done verbally approximately two months
before meeting.
2. Promptly after the Record Date, the Company will perform a "tape run",
or other activity, which will generate the names, addresses and number
of units which are attributed to each contractowner/policyholder (the
"Customer") as of the Record Date. Allowance should be made for account
adjustments made after this date that could affect the status of the
Customers' accounts as of the Record Date.
Note: The number of proxy statements is determined by the activities
described in Step #2. The Company will use its best efforts to call in
the number of Customers to Fidelity, as soon as possible, but no later
than two weeks after the Record Date.
3. The Fund's Annual Report no longer needs to be sent to each Customer by
the Company either before or together with the Customers' receipt of a
proxy statement. Underwriter will provide the last Annual Report to the
Company pursuant to the terms of Section 3.3 of the Agreement to which
this Schedule relates.
4. The text and format for the Voting Instruction Cards ("Cards" or "Card")
is provided to the Company by the Fund. The Company, at its expense,
shall produce and personalize the Voting Instruction Cards. The Legal
Department of the Underwriter or its affiliate ("Fidelity Legal") must
approve the Card before it is printed. Allow approximately 2-4 business
days for printing information on the Cards. Information commonly found
on the Cards includes:
a. name (legal name as found on account registration)
b. address
c. Fund or account number
d. coding to state number of units
e. individual Card number for use in tracking and
verification of votes (already on Cards as
printed by the Fund)
(This and related steps may occur later in the chronological process due to
possible uncertainties relating to the proposals.)
5. During this time, Fidelity Legal will develop, produce, and the Fund
will pay for the Notice of Proxy and the Proxy Statement (one document).
Printed and folded notices and statements will be sent to Company for
insertion into envelopes (envelopes and return envelopes are provided
and paid for by the Insurance Company). Contents of envelope sent to
Customers by Company will include:
a. Voting Instruction Card(s)
b. One proxy notice and statement (one document)
c. return envelope (postage pre-paid by Company)
addressed to the Company or its tabulation agent
d. "urge buckslip" - optional, but recommended. (This is a
small, single sheet of paper that requests Customers to
vote as quickly as possible and that their vote is
important. One copy will be supplied by the Fund.)
e. cover letter - optional, supplied by Company and
reviewed and approved in advance by Fidelity Legal.
6. The above contents should be received by the Company approximately 3-5
business days before mail date. Individual in charge at Company reviews
and approves the contents of the mailing package to ensure correctness
and completeness. Copy of this approval sent to Fidelity Legal.
7. Package mailed by the Company.
* The Fund must allow at least a 15-day solicitation time to the
Company as the shareowner. (A 5-week period is recommended.)
Solicitation time is calculated as calendar days from (but not
including) the meeting, counting backwards.
8. Collection and tabulation of Cards begins. Tabulation usually takes
place in another department or another vendor depending on process used.
An often used procedure is to sort Cards on arrival by proposal into
vote categories of all yes, no, or mixed replies, and to begin data
entry.
Note: Postmarks are not generally needed. A need for postmark
information would be due to an insurance company's internal procedure
and has not been required by Fidelity in the past.
9. Signatures on Card checked against legal name on account registration which
was printed on the Card.
Note: For Example, If the account registration is under "Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxx, Trustee," then that is the exact legal name to be printed on
the Card and is the signature needed on the Card.
10. If Cards are mutilated, or for any reason are illegible or are not
signed properly, they are sent back to Customer with an explanatory
letter, a new Card and return envelope. The mutilated or illegible Card
is disregarded and considered to be not received for purposes of vote
tabulation. Any Cards that have "kicked out" (e.g. mutilated, illegible)
of the procedure are "hand verified," i.e., examined as to why they did
not complete the system. Any questions on those Cards are usually
remedied individually.
11. There are various control procedures used to ensure proper tabulation of
votes and accuracy of that tabulation. The most prevalent is to sort the
Cards as they first arrive into categories depending upon their vote; an
estimate of how the vote is progressing may then be calculated. If the
initial estimates and the actual vote do not coincide, then an internal
audit of that vote should occur.
This may entail a recount.
12. The actual tabulation of votes is done in units which is then converted
to shares. (It is very important that the Fund receives the tabulations
stated in terms of a percentage and the number of shares.) Fidelity
Legal must review and approve tabulation format.
13. Final tabulation in shares is verbally given by the Company to Fidelity
Legal on the morning of the meeting not later than 10:00 a.m. Boston
time. Fidelity Legal may request an earlier deadline if required to
calculate the vote in time for the meeting.
14. A Certification of Mailing and Authorization to Vote Shares will be
required from the Company as well as an original copy of the final vote.
Fidelity Legal will provide a standard form for each Certification.
15. The Company will be required to box and archive the Cards received from
the Customers. In the event that any vote is challenged or if otherwise
necessary for legal, regulatory, or accounting purposes, Fidelity Legal
will be permitted reasonable access to such Cards.
16. All approvals and "signing-off" may be done orally, but must always
be followed up in writing.
Exhibit (8)(c)
JANUS ASPEN SERIES
FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
(Service Shares)
THIS AGREEMENT is made this 15th day of June, between JANUS ASPEN SERIES,
an open-end management investment company organized as a Delaware business trust
(the "Trust"), and Allstate Life Insurance Company, a life insurance company
organized under the laws of the State of Illinois (the "Company"), on its own
behalf and on behalf of each segregated asset account of the Company set forth
on Schedule A, as may be amended from time to time (the "Accounts").
W I T N E S S E T H:
-------------------
WHEREAS, the Trust has registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission as an open-end management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and the beneficial interest in
the Trust is divided into several series of shares, each series representing an
interest in a particular managed portfolio of securities and other assets (the
"Portfolios"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust has registered the offer and sale of a class of shares
designated the Service Shares ("Shares") of each of its Portfolios under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to act as an investment vehicle for separate
accounts established for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity
contracts to be offered by insurance companies that have entered into
participation agreements with the Trust (the "Participating Insurance
Companies"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust has received an order from the Securities and Exchange
Commission granting Participating Insurance Companies and their separate
accounts exemptions from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a) and 15(b)
of the 1940 Act, and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, to the
extent necessary to permit shares of the Trust to be sold to and held by
variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of both
affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies and certain qualified
pension and retirement plans (the "Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register (unless registration
is not required under applicable law) certain variable life insurance policies
and/or variable annuity contracts under the 1933 Act (the "Contracts"); and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a unit
investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to utilize the Shares of one or more
Portfolios as an investment vehicle of the Accounts;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the parties
agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Sale of Trust Shares
1.1 The Trust shall make Shares of its Portfolios listed on Schedule B
available to the Accounts at the net asset value next computed after receipt of
such purchase order by the Trust (or its agent), as established in accordance
with the provisions of the then current prospectus of the Trust. Shares of a
particular Portfolio of the Trust shall be ordered in such quantities and at
such times as determined by the Company to be necessary to meet the requirements
of the Contracts. The Trustees of the Trust (the "Trustees") may refuse to sell
Shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of
Shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Trustees
acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and
any applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders
of such Portfolio.
1.2 The Trust will redeem any full or fractional Shares of any Portfolio
when requested by the Company on behalf of an Account at the net asset value
next computed after receipt by the Trust (or its agent) of the request for
redemption, as established in accordance with the provisions of the then current
prospectus of the Trust. The Trust shall make payment for such Shares in the
manner established from time to time by the Trust, but in no event shall payment
be delayed for a greater period than is permitted by the 0000 Xxx.
1.3 For the purposes of Sections 1.1 and 1.2, the Trust hereby appoints the
Company as its agent for the limited purpose of receiving and accepting purchase
and redemption orders resulting from investment in and payments under the
Contracts. Receipt by the Company shall constitute receipt by the Trust provided
that i) such orders are received by the Company in good order prior to the time
the net asset value of each Portfolio is priced in accordance with its
prospectus and ii) the Trust receives notice of such orders by 10:00 a.m. New
York time on the next following Business Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day
on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Trust
calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
1.4 Purchase orders that are transmitted to the Trust in accordance with
Section 1.3 shall be paid for no later than 12:00 noon New York time on the same
Business Day that the Trust receives notice of the order. Payments shall be made
in federal funds transmitted by wire.
1.5 Issuance and transfer of the Trust's Shares will be by book entry only.
Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or the Account. Shares
ordered from the Trust will be recorded in the appropriate title for each
Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.6 The Trust shall furnish prompt notice to the Company of any income
dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the Trust's Shares. The
Company hereby elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain
distributions as are payable on a Portfolio's Shares in additional Shares of
that Portfolio. The Trust shall notify the Company of the number of Shares so
issued as payment of such dividends and distributions.
1.7 The Trust shall make the net asset value per Share for each Portfolio
available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably practical after
the net asset value per Share is calculated and shall use its best efforts to
make such net asset value per Share available by 6 p.m. New York time. If the
Trust provides the Company with materially incorrect share net asset value
information, the Trust shall make an adjustment to the number of shares
purchased or redeemed for the Accounts to reflect the correct net asset value
per share. Any material error in the calculation or reporting of net asset value
per share, dividend or capital gains information shall be reported promptly upon
discovery to the Company.
1.8 The Trust agrees that its Shares will be sold only to Participating
Insurance Companies and their separate accounts and to certain qualified pension
and retirement plans to the extent permitted by the Exemptive Order. No Shares
of any Portfolio will be sold directly to the general public. The Company agrees
that Trust Shares will be used only for the purposes of funding the Contracts
and Accounts listed in Schedule A, as amended from time to time.
1.9 The Trust agrees that all Participating Insurance Companies shall have
the obligations and responsibilities regarding pass-through voting and conflicts
of interest corresponding to those contained in Section 2.8 and Article IV of
this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
Obligations of the Parties
2.1 The Trust shall prepare and be responsible for filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and any state regulators requiring such
filing all shareholder reports, notices, proxy materials (or similar materials
such as voting instruction solicitation materials), prospectuses and statements
of additional information of the Trust. The Trust shall bear the costs of
registration and qualification of its shares, preparation and filing of the
documents listed in this Section 2.1 and all taxes to which an issuer is subject
on the issuance and transfer of its shares.
2.2 At the option of the Company, the Trust shall either (a) provide the
Company (at the Company's expense) with as many copies of the Trust's Shares'
current prospectus, annual report, semi-annual report and other shareholder
communications, including any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing,
as the Company shall reasonably request; or (b) provide the Company with a
camera ready copy of such documents in a form suitable for printing. The Trust
shall provide the Company with a copy of the Shares' statement of additional
information in a form suitable for duplication by the Company. The Trust (at its
expense) shall provide the Company with copies of any Trust-sponsored proxy
materials in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for
distribution to Contract owners.
2.3 (a) The Company shall bear the costs of printing and distributing the
Trust's Shares' prospectus, statement of additional information, shareholder
reports and other shareholder communications to owners of and applicants for
policies for which Shares of the Trust are serving or are to serve as an
investment vehicle. The Company shall bear the costs of distributing proxy
materials (or similar materials such as voting solicitation instructions) to
Contract owners. The Company assumes sole responsibility for ensuring that such
materials are delivered to Contract owners in accordance with applicable federal
and state securities laws.
(b) If the Company elects to include any materials provided by the
Trust, specifically prospectuses, SAIs, shareholder reports and proxy
materials, on its web site or in any other computer or electronic format,
the Company assumes sole responsibility for maintaining such materials in
the form provided by the Trust and for promptly replacing such materials
with all updates provided by the Trust.
2.4 The Company agrees and acknowledges that the Trust's adviser, Janus
Capital Corporation ("Janus Capital"), is the sole owner of the name and xxxx
"Xxxxx" and that all use of any designation comprised in whole or part of Janus
(a "Xxxxx Xxxx") under this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of Janus
Capital. Except as provided in Section 2.5, the Company shall not use any Xxxxx
Xxxx on its own behalf or on behalf of the Accounts or Contracts in any
registration statement, advertisement, sales literature or other materials
relating to the Accounts or Contracts without the prior written consent of Janus
Capital. Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Company shall
cease all use of any Xxxxx Xxxx(s) as soon as reasonably practicable.
2.5 The Company shall furnish, or cause to be furnished, to the Trust or
its designee, a copy of each Contract prospectus or statement of additional
information in which the Trust or its investment adviser is named prior to the
filing of such document with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company
shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Trust or its designee,
each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which the Trust
or its investment adviser is named, at least fifteen Business Days prior to its
use. No such material shall be used if the Trust or its designee reasonably
objects to such use within fifteen Business Days after receipt of such material.
2.6 The Company shall not give any information or make any representations
or statements on behalf of the Trust or concerning the Trust or its investment
adviser in connection with the sale of the Contracts other than information or
representations contained in and accurately derived from the registration
statement or prospectus for the Trust Shares (as such registration statement and
prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time), reports of the
Trust, Trust-sponsored proxy statements, or in sales literature or other
promotional material approved by the Trust or its designee, except as required
by legal process or regulatory authorities or with the written permission of the
Trust or its designee.
2.7 The Trust shall not give any information or make any representations or
statements on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, the Accounts or
the Contracts other than information or representations contained in and
accurately derived from the registration statement or prospectus for the
Contracts (as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or
supplemented from time to time), or in materials approved by the Company for
distribution including sales literature or other promotional materials, except
as required by legal process or regulatory authorities or with the written
permission of the Company.
2.8 So long as, and to the extent that the Securities and Exchange
Commission interprets the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges for
variable policyowners, the Company will provide pass-through voting privileges
to owners of policies whose cash values are invested, through the Accounts, in
shares of the Trust. The Trust shall require all Participating Insurance
Companies to calculate voting privileges in the same manner and the Company
shall be responsible for assuring that the Accounts calculate voting privileges
in the manner established by the Trust. With respect to each Account, the
Company will vote Shares of the Trust held by the Account and for which no
timely voting instructions from policyowners are received as well as Shares it
owns that are held by that Account, in the same proportion as those Shares for
which voting instructions are received. The Company and its agents will in no
way recommend or oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies for Trust
shares held by Contract owners without the prior written consent of the Trust,
which consent may be withheld in the Trust's sole discretion.
2.9 The Company shall notify the Trust of any applicable state insurance
laws that restrict the Portfolios' investments or otherwise affect the operation
of the Trust and shall notify the Trust of any changes in such laws.
ARTICLE III
Representations and Warranties
3.1 The Company represents and warrants that it is an insurance company
duly organized and in good standing under the laws of the State of Illinois and
that it has legally and validly established each Account as a segregated asset
account under such law on the date set forth in Schedule A.
3.2 The Company represents and warrants that each Account has been
registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will be
registered as a unit investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the
0000 Xxx.
3.3 The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts or interests in
the Accounts (1) are or, prior to issuance, will be registered as securities
under the 1933 Act or, alternatively (2) are not registered because they are
properly exempt from registration under the 1933 Act or will be offered
exclusively in transactions that are properly exempt from registration under the
1933 Act. The Company further represents and warrants that the Contracts will be
issued and sold in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
federal and state laws; and the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all
material respects with state insurance suitability requirements.
3.4 The Trust represents and warrants that it is duly organized and validly
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware.
3.5 The Trust represents and warrants that the Trust Shares offered and
sold pursuant to this Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act and the
Trust shall be registered under the 1940 Act prior to any issuance or sale of
such Shares. The Trust shall amend its registration statement under the 1933 Act
and the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous
offering of its Shares. The Trust shall register and qualify its Shares for sale
in accordance with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent
deemed advisable by the Trust.
3.6 The Trust represents and warrants that the investments of each
Portfolio will comply with the diversification requirements set forth in Section
817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and
regulations thereunder.
ARTICLE IV
Potential Conflicts
4.1 The parties acknowledge that the Trust's shares may be made available
for investment to other Participating Insurance Companies. In such event, the
Trustees will monitor the Trust for the existence of any material irreconcilable
conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all Participating
Insurance Companies. An irreconcilable material conflict may arise for a variety
of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance regulatory
authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax, or
securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling,
no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance, tax, or
securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial decision in
any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of any
Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given by
variable annuity contract and variable life insurance contract owners; or (f) a
decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of contract owners.
The Trustees shall promptly inform the Company if they determine that an
irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
4.2 The Company agrees to promptly report any potential or existing
conflicts of which it is aware to the Trustees. The Company will assist the
Trustees in carrying out their responsibilities under the Exemptive Order by
providing the Trustees with all information reasonably necessary for the
Trustees to consider any issues raised including, but not limited to,
information as to a decision by the Company to disregard Contract owner voting
instructions.
4.3 If it is determined by a majority of the Trustees, or a majority of its
disinterested Trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists that
affects the interests of Contract owners, the Company shall, in cooperation with
other Participating Insurance Companies whose contract owners are also affected,
at its expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by the
Trustees) take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or eliminate the
irreconcilable material conflict, which steps could include: (a) withdrawing the
assets allocable to some or all of the Accounts from the Trust or any Portfolio
and reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium, including (but not
limited to) another Portfolio of the Trust, or submitting the question of
whether or not such segregation should be implemented to a vote of all affected
Contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of any appropriate
group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance contract owners, or
variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance Companies) that
votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected Contract owners
the option of making such a change; and (b) establishing a new registered
management investment company or managed separate account.
4.4 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by
the Company to disregard Contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Trust's election, to withdraw the affected Account's
investment in the Trust and terminate this Agreement with respect to such
Account; provided, however that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited
to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as
determined by a majority of the disinterested Trustees. Any such withdrawal and
termination must take place within six (6) months after the Trust gives written
notice that this provision is being implemented. Until the end of such six (6)
month period, the Trust shall continue to accept and implement orders by the
Company for the purchase and redemption of shares of the Trust.
4.5 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular state
insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with the
majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw the affected
Account's investment in the Trust and terminate this Agreement with respect to
such Account within six (6) months after the Trustees inform the Company in
writing that it has determined that such decision has created an irreconcilable
material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall
be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable
conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested Trustees. Until the
end of such six (6) month period, the Trust shall continue to accept and
implement orders by the Company for the purchase and redemption of Shares of the
Trust.
4.6 For purposes of Sections 4.3 through 4.6 of this Agreement, a majority
of the disinterested Trustees shall determine whether any proposed action
adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event will
the Company be required to establish a new funding medium for the Contracts if
an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority of Contract owners
materially adversely affected by the irreconcilable material conflict. In the
event that the Trustees determine that any proposed action does not adequately
remedy any irreconcilable material conflict, then the Company will withdraw the
Account's investment in the Trust and terminate this Agreement within six (6)
months after the Trustees inform the Company in writing of the foregoing
determination; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be
limited to the extent required by any such material irreconcilable conflict as
determined by a majority of the disinterested Trustees.
4.7 The Company shall at least annually submit to the Trustees such
reports, materials or data as the Trustees may reasonably request so that the
Trustees may fully carry out the duties imposed upon them by the Exemptive
Order, and said reports, materials and data shall be submitted more frequently
if deemed appropriate by the Trustees.
4.8 If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or
Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the 1940
Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared funding
(as defined in the Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions materially different
from those contained in the Exemptive Order, then the Trust and/or the
Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate, shall take such steps as may
be necessary to comply with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3,
as adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable.
ARTICLE V
Indemnification
5.1 Indemnification By the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless the Trust and each of its Trustees, officers, employees and agents
and each person, if any, who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15
of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Article V) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company) or expenses
(including the reasonable costs of investigating or defending any alleged loss,
claim, damage, liability or expense and reasonable legal counsel fees incurred
in connection therewith) (collectively, "Losses"), to which the Indemnified
Parties may become subject under any statute or regulation, or at common law or
otherwise, insofar as such Losses:
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in a registration
statement or prospectus for the Contracts or in the Contracts themselves or
in sales literature for the Trust generated or approved by the Company on
behalf of the Contracts or Accounts (or any amendment or supplement to any
of the foregoing) (collectively, "Company Documents" for the purposes of
this Article V), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
provided that this indemnity shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if
such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made
in reliance upon and was accurately derived from written information
furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Trust for use in Company
Documents or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts
or Trust Shares; or
(b) arise out of or result from statements or representations (other
than statements or representations contained in and accurately derived from
Trust Documents as defined in Section 5.2(a)) or wrongful conduct of the
Company or persons under its control, with respect to the sale or
acquisition of the Contracts or Trust Shares; or
(c) arise out of or result from any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in Trust Documents as defined in
Section 5.2(a) or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading if such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon and accurately derived from written information furnished to
the Trust by or on behalf of the Company; or
(d) arise out of or result from any failure by the Company to provide
the services or furnish the materials required under the terms of this
Agreement; or
(e) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by
the Company.
5.2 Indemnification By the Trust. The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company and each of its directors, officers, employees and agents
and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section
15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Article V) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Trust) or expenses
(including the reasonable costs of investigating or defending any alleged loss,
claim, damage, liability or expense and reasonable legal counsel fees incurred
in connection therewith) (collectively, "Losses"), to which the Indemnified
Parties may become subject under any statute or regulation, or at common law or
otherwise, insofar as such Losses:
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in the registration
statement or prospectus for the Trust (or any amendment or supplement
thereto), (collectively, "Trust Documents" for the purposes of this Article
V), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this indemnity
shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission
or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and was
accurately derived from written information furnished to the Trust by or on
behalf of the Company for use in Trust Documents or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of the Contracts or Trust Shares; or
(b) arise out of or result from statements or representations (other
than statements or representations contained in and accurately derived from
Company Documents) or wrongful conduct of the Trust or persons under its
control, with respect to the sale or acquisition of the Contracts or Trust
Shares; or
(c) arise out of or result from any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in Company Documents or the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and accurately derived from
written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Trust;
or
(d) arise out of or result from any failure by the Trust to provide
the services or furnish the materials required under the terms of this
Agreement; or
(e) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Trust in this Agreement or arise
out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the
Trust.
5.3 Neither the Company nor the Trust shall be liable under the
indemnification provisions of Sections 5.1 or 5.2, as applicable, with respect
to any Losses incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party that arise from
such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement.
5.4 Neither the Company nor the Trust shall be liable under the
indemnification provisions of Sections 5.1 or 5.2, as applicable, with respect
to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party
shall have notified the other party in writing within a reasonable time after
the summons, or other first written notification, giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon or otherwise received by such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
service upon or other notification to any designated agent), but failure to
notify the party against whom indemnification is sought of any such claim shall
not relieve that party from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified
Party in the absence of Sections 5.1 and 5.2.
5.5 In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the
indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the
defense of such action. The indemnifying party also shall be entitled to assume
the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the party named in
the action. After notice from the indemnifying party to the Indemnified Party of
an election to assume such defense, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees
and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the indemnifying
party will not be liable to the Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any
legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
ARTICLE VI
Termination
6.1 This Agreement may be terminated by either party for any reason by
ninety (90) days advance written notice delivered to the other party.
6.2 Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Trust shall, at
the option of the Company, continue to make available additional shares of the
Trust (or any Portfolio) pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement
for all Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of this
Agreement, provided that the Company continues to pay the costs set forth in
Section 2.3.
6.3 The provisions of Article V shall survive the termination of this
Agreement, and the provisions of Article IV and Section 2.8 shall survive the
termination of this Agreement as long as Shares of the Trust are held on behalf
of Contract owners in accordance with Section 6.2.
ARTICLE VII
Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified
mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at such
other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the
other party.
If to the Trust:
Janus Aspen Series
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: General Counsel
If to the Company:
Allstate Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: ___________________
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous
8.1 The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
8.2 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
8.3 If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement shall
not be affected thereby.
8.4 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with the laws of State of Colorado.
8.5 The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that all
liabilities of the Trust arising, directly or indirectly, under this Agreement,
of any and every nature whatsoever, shall be satisfied solely out of the assets
of the Trust and that no Trustee, officer, agent or holder of shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust shall be personally liable for any such
liabilities.
8.6 Each party shall cooperate with each other party and all appropriate
governmental authorities (including without limitation the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., and
state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities reasonable access
to its books and records in connection with any investigation or inquiry
relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
8.7 The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations,
at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and
federal laws.
8.8 The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that this Agreement
shall not be exclusive in any respect.
8.9 Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be
assigned by either party without the prior written approval of the other party.
8.10 No provisions of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any
manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed by both
parties.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their duly authorized officers
to execute this Participation Agreement as of the date and year first above
written.
JANUS ASPEN SERIES
By:
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Name:
---------------------------------------------------------
Title:
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ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By:
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Name:
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Title:
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Schedule A
Separate Accounts and Associated Contracts
Contracts Funded
Name of Separate Account By Separate Account
Allstate Financial Advisors
Separate Account I
Schedule B
List of Portfolios
Name of Portfolio
Janus Aspen Series Global Value Portfolio: Service Shares
Janus Aspen Series Worldwide Growth Portfolio: Service Shares
Exhibit (8)(d)
FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
This Agreement is entered into as of the 15th day of June, 2001, by and among
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY ("Insurer"), a life insurance company organized
under the laws of the State of Illinois a Delaware corporation ("Contract
Distributor"), LAZARD ASSET MANAGEMENT ("XXX"), a division of Lazard Freres &
Co. LLC, a New York limited liability company ("LF & Co."), and LAZARD
RETIREMENT SERIES, INC. ("Fund"), a Maryland corporation (collectively, the
"Parties").
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
The following terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings set out
below:
1.1. "Act" shall mean the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
1.2. "Board" shall mean the Fund's Board of Directors having the responsibility
for management and control of Fund.
1.3. "Business Day" shall mean any day for which Fund calculates net asset value
per share as described in a Portfolio Prospectus.
1.4. "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
1.5. "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.6. "Contract" shall mean a variable annuity or variable life insurance
contract that uses a Portfolio or Fund as an underlying investment medium and
that is named on Schedule 1 hereto, as the Parties may amend in writing from
time to time by mutual agreement ("Schedule 1").
1.7. "Contract Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus and, if applicable,
statement of additional information, as currently in effect with the Commission,
with respect to the Contracts, including any supplements or amendments thereto.
All references to "Contract Prospectuses" shall be deemed to also include all
offering documents and other materials relating to any Contract that is not
registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("1933 Act").
1.8. "Contractholder" shall mean any person that is a party to a Contract with a
Participating Company. Individuals who participate under a group Contract are
"Participants."
1.9. "Disinterested Board Members" shall mean those members of the Board that
are not deemed to be "interested persons" of Fund, as defined by the Act.
1.10. "General Account" shall mean the general account of Insurer.
1.11."Participating Company" shall mean any insurance company, including
Insurer, that offers variable annuity and/or variable life insurance contracts
to the public and that has entered into an agreement with Fund for the purpose
of making Fund shares available to serve as the underlying investment medium for
Contracts.
1.12. "Portfolio" shall mean each series of Fund named on Schedule 1.
1.13."Portfolio Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus and statement of
additional information, as currently in effect with the Commission, with respect
to the Portfolios, including any supplements or amendments thereto.
1.14."Separate Account" shall mean a separate account duly established by
Insurer in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois and named on
Schedule 1.
ARTICLE II.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
2.1. Insurer represents and warrants that:
(a) it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing under
Illinois law;
(b) it has legally and validly established and shall maintain each Separate
Account pursuant to the insurance laws and regulations of the State of Illinois;
(c) it has registered and shall maintain the registration of each Separate
Account as a unit investment trust under the Act, to the extent required by the
Act, to serve as a segregated investment account for the Contracts;
(d) each Separate Account is and at all times shall be eligible to invest in
shares of Fund without such investment disqualifying Fund as an investment
medium for insurance company separate accounts supporting variable annuity
contracts and/or variable life insurance contracts;
(e) each Separate Account is and at all times shall be a "segregated asset
account," and interests in each Separate Account that are offered to the public
shall be issued exclusively through the purchase of a Contract that is and at
all times shall be a "variable contract" within the meaning of such terms under
Section 817 of the Code and the regulations thereunder. Insurer agrees to notify
Fund and XXX immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that such
requirements have ceased to be met or that they might not be met in the future;
(f) the Contracts are and at all times shall be treated as life insurance,
endowment or annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the Code, and it
shall notify Fund immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that
the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated
in the future; and
(g) all of its employees and agents who deal with the money and/or securities of
Fund are and at all times shall be covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar
coverage in an amount not less than the coverage required to be maintained by
Fund. The aforesaid bond shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and
shall be issued by a reputable bonding company.
2.2. Insurer and Distributor represent and warrant that (a) units of interest in
each Separate Account available through the purchase of Contracts are registered
under the 1933 Act, to the extent required thereby; (b) the Contracts shall be
issued and sold in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
federal and state laws; and (c) the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all
material respects with state insurance law requirements. Insurer agrees to
inform Fund promptly of any investment restrictions imposed by state insurance
law and applicable to Fund.
2.3 Distributor represents and warrants that it is and at all times shall be:
(a) registered with the Commission as a broker-dealer, (b) a member in good
standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"); and
(c) a ___________ corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Illinois, with full power, authority,
and legal right to execute, deliver, and perform its duties and comply with its
obligations under this Agreement.
A. Fund represents and warrants that:
(a) it is and shall remain registered with the Commission as an open-end,
management investment company under the Act to the extent required thereby;
(b) its shares are registered under the 1933 Act to the extent required thereby;
(c) it possesses, and shall maintain, all legal and regulatory licenses,
approvals, consents and/or exemptions required for it to operate and offer its
shares as an underlying investment medium for the Contracts;
(d) each Portfolio is qualified as a regulated investment company under
Subchapter M of the Code, it shall make every effort to maintain such
qualification, and it shall notify Insurer immediately upon having a reasonable
basis for believing that any Portfolio invested in by the Separate Account has
ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in the future;
(e) each Portfolio's assets shall be managed and invested in a manner that
complies with the requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code and the regulations
thereunder, to the extent applicable; and
(f) all of its directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals/entities who deal with the money and/or securities of Fund are and
shall continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar
coverage for the benefit of Fund in an amount not less than that required by
Rule 17g-1 under the Act. The aforesaid bond shall include coverage for larceny
and embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable bonding company.
2.5 XXX represents and warrants that LF & Co., the principal underwriter of each
Portfolio's shares, that it is and at all times shall be: (a) registered with
the Commission as a broker-dealer, (b) a member in good standing of the NASD;
and (c) a New York limited liability company duly organized, validly existing,
and in good standing under the laws of the State of New York, with full power,
authority, and legal right to execute, deliver, and perform its duties and
comply with its obligations under this Agreement. XXX further represents and
warrants that it shall sell the shares of the Portfolios to Insurer in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state
securities laws.
ARTICLE III.
FUND SHARES
3.1. Fund agrees to make the shares of each Portfolio available for purchase by
Insurer and each Separate Account at net asset value and without sales charge,
subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Fund may refuse to sell
the shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering
of the shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by
regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the
Board, acting in good faith and in light of its fiduciary duties under federal
and any applicable state laws, necessary and in the best interests of the
shareholders of such Portfolio.
3.2. Fund agrees that it shall sell shares of the Portfolios only to persons
eligible to invest in the Portfolios in accordance with Section 817(h) of the
Code and the regulations thereunder, to the extent such Section and regulations
are applicable.
3.3. Except as noted in this Article III, Fund and Insurer agree that orders and
related payments to purchase and redeem Portfolio shares shall be processed in
the manner set out in Schedule 2 hereto, as the Parties may amend in writing
from time to time by mutual agreement.
3.4. Fund shall confirm each purchase or redemption order made by Insurer.
Transfer of Portfolio shares shall be by book entry only. No share certificates
shall be issued to Insurer. Shares ordered from Fund shall be recorded in an
appropriate title for Insurer, on behalf of each Separate or General Account.
3.5. Fund shall promptly notify Insurer of the amount of dividend and capital
gain, if any, per share of each Portfolio to which Insurer is entitled. Insurer
hereby elects to reinvest all dividends and capital gains of any Portfolio in
additional shares of that Portfolio at the applicable net asset value, until
Insurer otherwise notifies Fund in writing. Insurer reserves the right to revoke
this election and to receive all such income dividends and capital gain
distributions in cash.
ARTICLE IV.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
4.1. Fund shall provide Insurer with monthly statements of account by the
fifteenth (15th) Business Day of the following month.
4.2. At least annually, Fund or its designee shall provide Insurer, free of
charge, with as many Portfolio Prospectuses as Insurer may reasonably request
for distribution by Insurer to existing Contractholders and Participants that
have invested in that Portfolio. Fund or its designee shall provide Insurer, at
Insurer's expense, with as many Portfolio Prospectuses as Insurer may reasonably
request for distribution by Insurer to prospective purchasers of Contracts. If
requested by Insurer in lieu thereof, Fund or its designee shall provide such
documentation (including a "camera ready" copy of each Portfolio Prospectus as
set in type or, at the request of Insurer, as a diskette in the form sent to the
financial printer) and other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for
the Parties once a year (or more frequently if the Portfolio Prospectuses are
supplemented or amended) to have the Contract Prospectuses and the Portfolio
Prospectuses printed together in one document.
4.3. Fund shall provide Insurer with copies of each Portfolio's proxy materials,
notices, periodic reports and other printed materials (which the Portfolio
customarily provides to its shareholders) in quantities as Insurer may
reasonably request for distribution by Insurer to each Contractholder and
Participant that has invested in that Portfolio.
4.4. Fund shall provide to Insurer at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, Portfolio Prospectuses, reports, proxy statements,
sales literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions,
requests for no-action letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that
relate to Fund or its shares, contemporaneously with the filing of such document
with the Commission or other regulatory authorities.
4.5. Insurer shall provide to Fund at least one copy of all registration
statements, Contract Prospectuses, reports, proxy statements, sales literature
and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for
no-action letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the
Contracts or a Separate Account, contemporaneously with the filing of such
document with the Commission or the NASD.
ARTICLE V.
EXPENSES
5.1. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, each Party will bear all
expenses incident to its performance under this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI.
EXEMPTIVE RELIEF
6.1. Insurer acknowledges that it has reviewed a copy of Fund's mixed and shared
funding exemptive order ("Order") and, in particular, has reviewed the
conditions to the relief set forth in the related notice ("Notice"). As required
by the conditions set forth in the Notice, Insurer shall report any potential or
existing conflicts promptly to the Board. In addition, Insurer shall be
responsible for assisting the Board in carrying out its responsibilities under
the Order by providing the Board with all information necessary for the Board to
consider any issues raised, including, without limitation, information whenever
Contract voting instructions are disregarded. Insurer, at least annually, shall
submit to the Board such reports, materials, or data as the Board may reasonably
request so that the Board may carry out fully the obligations imposed upon it by
the Order. Insurer agrees to carry out such responsibilities with a view to the
interests of existing Contractholders.
6.2. If a majority of the Board, or a majority of Disinterested Board Members,
determines that a material irreconcilable conflict exists with regard to
Contractholder investments in Fund, the Board shall give prompt notice to all
Participating Companies. If the Board determines that Insurer is a Participating
Insurance Company for whom the conflict is relevant, Insurer shall at its sole
cost and expense, and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a
majority of the Disinterested Board Members), take such action as is necessary
to remedy or eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict. Such necessary
action may include, but shall not be limited to:
(a) Withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all Separate Accounts from Fund
or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium,
or submitting the question of whether such segregation should be implemented to
a vote of all affected Contractholders and, as appropriate, segregating the
assets of any appropriate group (i.e. variable annuity or variable life
insurance contract owners) that votes in favor of such segregation; and/or
(b) Establishing a new registered management investment company.
6.3. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises as a result of a decision by
Insurer to disregard Contractholder voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote by all
Contractholders having an interest in Fund, Insurer may be required, at the
Board's election, to withdraw the investments of its Separate Accounts in Fund.
6.4. For the purpose of this Article, a majority of the Disinterested Board
Members shall determine whether any proposed action adequately remedies any
material irreconcilable conflict. In no event shall Fund or XXX or any other
investment adviser of Fund be required to bear the expense of establishing a new
funding medium for any Contract. Insurer shall not be required by this Article
to establish a new funding medium for any Contract if an offer to do so has been
declined by vote of a majority of the Contractholders materially and adversely
affected by the material irreconcilable conflict.
6.5. No action by Insurer taken or omitted, and no action by the Separate
Account or Fund taken or omitted as a result of any act or failure to act by
Insurer pursuant to this Article VI shall relieve Insurer of its obligations
under or otherwise affect the operation of Article V.
ARTICLE VII.
VOTING OF FUND SHARES
7.1. Insurer shall provide pass-through voting privileges to all Contractholders
or Participants as long as the Commission continues to interpret the Act as
requiring pass-through voting privileges for Contractholders or Participants.
Accordingly, Insurer, where applicable, shall vote shares of a Portfolio held in
each Separate Account in a manner consistent with voting instructions timely
received from its Contractholders or Participants. Insurer shall be responsible
for assuring that the Separate Account calculates voting privileges in a manner
consistent with other Participating Companies. Insurer shall vote shares for
which it has not received timely voting instructions, as well as shares it owns,
in the same proportion as it votes those shares for which it has received voting
instructions.
7.2. If and to the extent Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) under the Act are amended,
or if Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of
the Act or the rules thereunder with respect to mixed and shared funding on
terms and conditions materially different from any exemptions granted in the
Order, then Fund, and/or the Participating Companies, as appropriate, shall take
such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T), as
amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such Rules are applicable.
ARTICLE VIII.
MARKETING
8.1. Fund or LF & Co. shall periodically furnish Insurer with Portfolio
Prospectuses and sales literature or other promotional materials for each
Portfolio, in quantities as Insurer may reasonably request for distribution to
prospective purchasers of Contract. Expenses for the printing and distribution
of such documents shall be borne by Insurer.
8.2. Insurer shall designate certain persons or entities that shall have the
requisite licenses to solicit applications for the sale of Contracts. Insurer
shall make reasonable efforts to market the Contracts and shall comply with all
applicable federal and state laws in connection therewith.
8.3. Insurer shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to Fund, each piece
of sales literature or other promotional material in which Fund, XXX, XX & Co.,
Fund's administrator is named, at least fifteen (15) Business Days prior to its
use. No such material shall be used unless Fund or its designee approves such
material. Such approval (if given) must be in writing and shall be presumed not
given if not received within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of such
material. Fund shall use all reasonable efforts to respond within ten days of
receipt.
8.4. Insurer shall not give any information or make any representations or
statements on behalf of Fund, XXX, XX & Co., or concerning Fund or any Portfolio
in connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in the registration statement or a Portfolio
Prospectus, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in
reports or proxy statements for each Portfolio, or in sales literature or other
promotional material approved by Fund.
8.5. Fund shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to Insurer, each piece
of the Fund's sales literature or other promotional material in which Insurer or
a Separate Account is named, at least fifteen (15) Business Days prior to its
use. No such material shall be used unless Insurer approves such material. Such
approval (if given) must be in writing and shall be presumed not given if not
received within ten (10) Business Days after receipt of such material. Insurer
shall use all reasonable efforts to respond within ten days of receipt.
8.6. Fund shall not, in connection with the sale of Portfolio shares, give any
information or make any representations on behalf of Insurer or concerning
Insurer, a Separate Account, or the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in a registration statement for the Contracts or the
Contract Prospectus, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, or in published reports for each Separate Account that are in the public
domain or approved by Insurer for distribution to Contractholders or
Participants, or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by
Insurer.
8.7. For purposes of this Agreement, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" or words of similar import include, without limitation,
advertisements (such as material published, or designed for use, in a newspaper,
magazine or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording,
videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures or other public media),
sales literature (such as any written communication distributed or made
generally available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars,
research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, or reprints or
excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article),
educational or training materials or other communications distributed or made
generally available to some or all agents or employees, prospectuses, statements
of additional information, shareholder reports and proxy materials, and any
other material constituting sales literature or advertising under the rules of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"), the Act or the
1933 Act.
ARTICLE IX.
INDEMNIFICATION
9.1. Insurer and Distributor each agree to indemnify and hold harmless Fund,
XXX, any sub-investment adviser of a Portfolio, and their affiliates, and each
of their respective directors, trustees, general members, officers, employees,
agents and each person, if any, who controls or is associated with any of the
foregoing entities or persons within the meaning of the 1933 Act (collectively,
the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section), against any and all
losses, claims, damages or liabilities joint or several (including any
investigative, legal and other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with,
and any amounts paid in settlement of, any action, suit or proceeding or any
claim asserted) (collectively, "Losses") for which the Indemnified Parties may
become subject, under the 1933 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Losses (or
actions in respect to thereof):
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact (collectively "materially untrue statement")
contained in any registration statement, Contract Prospectus, Contract, or sales
literature or other promotional material relating to a Separate Account or the
Contracts (collectively, "Account documents"), or arise out of or are based upon
the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading
(collectively "material omission");
(b) arise out of or are based upon any materially untrue statement or material
omission made in any registration statement, Portfolio Prospectus, or sales
literature or other promotional material relating to Fund or a Portfolio
(collectively, "Portfolio documents"), provided such statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information provided in writing to
Fund by or on behalf of Insurer specifically for use therein;
(c) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than
statements or representations contained in any Portfolio document on which
Insurer or Distributor have reasonably relied) or wrongful conduct of Insurer,
Distributor, their respective agents, and persons under their respective
control, with respect to the sale and distribution of Contracts or Portfolio
shares;
(d) arise out of any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made
by Insurer or Distributor in this Agreement, or arise out of or result from any
other material breach of this Agreement by Insurer or Distributor; or
(e) arise out of Insurer's incorrect calculation and/or untimely reporting of
net purchase or redemption orders.
Insurer and Distributor shall reimburse any Indemnified Party in connection with
investigating or defending any Loss (or actions in respect to thereof);
provided, however, that with respect to clause (a) above neither Insurer nor
Distributor shall be liable in any such case to the extent that any Loss arises
out of or is based upon any materially untrue statement or material omission
made in any Account documents, which statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to Insurer by or on
behalf of Fund specifically for use therein. This indemnity agreement shall be
in addition to any liability that Insurer or Distributor may otherwise have.
9.2. Fund and XXX each agree to indemnify and hold harmless Insurer and
Distributor and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents
and each person, if any, who controls Insurer or Distributor (collectively,
"Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section) within the meaning of the
1933 Act against any Losses to which they or any Indemnified Party may become
subject, under the 1933 Act or otherwise, insofar as such Losses (or actions in
respect thereof):
(a) arise out of or are based upon any materially untrue statement or any
material omission made in any Portfolio document;
(b) arise out of or are based upon any materially untrue statement or any
material omission made in any Account document, provided such statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information provided
in writing to Insurer by or on behalf of Fund specifically for use therein;
(c) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than
statements or representations contained in any Account document on which Fund or
XXX have reasonably relied) or wrongful conduct of Fund, XXX, their respective
agents, and persons under their respective control, with respect to the sale of
Portfolio Shares; or
(d) arise out of any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made
by Fund or XXX in this Agreement, or arise out of or result from any other
material breach of this Agreement by Fund or XXX.
Fund and XXX shall reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
any Indemnified Party in connection with investigating or defending any such
Loss; provided, however, that with respect to clause (a) above neither Fund nor
XXX shall be liable in any such case to the extent that any such Loss arises out
of or is based upon an materially untrue statement or material omission made in
any Portfolio document, which statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with written information furnished to Fund by or on behalf of
Insurer specifically for use therein. This indemnity agreement shall be in
addition to any liability that Fund or XXX may otherwise have.
9.3. Fund and XXX shall indemnify and hold Insurer harmless against any Loss
that Insurer may incur, suffer or be required to pay due to Fund's incorrect
calculation of the daily net asset value, dividend rate or capital gain
distribution rate of a Portfolio or incorrect or untimely reporting of the same;
provided, however, that Fund shall have no obligation to indemnify and hold
harmless Insurer if the incorrect calculation or incorrect or untimely reporting
was the result of incorrect or untimely information furnished by or on behalf of
Insurer or otherwise as a result of or relating to Insurer's breach of this
Agreement. In no event shall Fund be liable for any consequential, incidental,
special or indirect damages resulting to Insurer hereunder.
9.4. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall Fund or
XXX be liable to any individual or entity, including without limitation,
Insurer, or any Participating Insurance Company or any Contractholder, with
respect to any Losses that arise out of or result from:
(a) a breach of any representation, warranty, and/or covenant made by Insurer
hereunder or by any Participating Insurance Company under an agreement
containing substantially similar representations, warranties and covenants;
(b) the failure by Insurer or any Participating Insurance Company to maintain
its separate account (which invests in any Portfolio) as a legally and validly
established segregated asset account under applicable state law and as a duly
registered unit investment trust under the provisions of the Act (unless exempt
therefrom); or
(c) the failure by Insurer or any Participating Insurance Company to maintain
its variable annuity and/or variable life insurance contracts (with respect to
which any Portfolio serves as an underlying funding vehicle) as life insurance,
endowment or annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the Code.
9.5. Further, neither Fund nor XXX shall have any liability for any failure or
alleged failure to comply with the diversification requirements of Section
817(h) of the Code or the regulations thereunder if Insurer fails to comply with
any of the following clauses, and such failure could be shown to have materially
contributed to the liability:
(a) In the event the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") asserts in writing in
connection with any governmental audit or review of Insurer or, to Insurer's
knowledge, of any Contractholder, that any Portfolio has failed or allegedly
failed to comply with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the
Code or the regulations thereunder or Insurer otherwise becomes aware of any
facts that could give rise to any claim against Fund or its affiliates as a
result of such a failure or alleged failure,
(i) Insurer shall promptly notify Fund of such assertion or potential claim;
(ii) Insurer shall consult with Fund as to how to minimize any liability that
may arise as a result of such failure or alleged failure;
(iii)Insurer shall use its best efforts to minimize any liability of Fund or its
affiliates resulting from such failure, including, without limitation,
demonstrating, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5(a)(2), to the
Commissioner of the IRS that such failure was inadvertent;
(iv) Insurer shall permit Fund, its affiliates and their legal and accounting
advisors to participate in any conferences, settlement discussions or other
administrative or judicial proceeding or contests (including judicial appeals
thereof) with the IRS, any Contractholder or any other claimant regarding any
claims that could give rise to liability to Fund or its affiliates as a result
of such a failure or alleged failure;
(v) any written materials to be submitted by Insurer to the IRS, any
Contractholder or any other claimant in connection with any of the foregoing
proceedings or contests (including, without limitation, any such materials to be
submitted to the IRS pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5(a)(2)),
shall be provided by Insurer to Fund (together with any supporting information
or analysis) at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the day on which such
proposed materials are to be submitted and shall not be submitted by Insurer to
any such person without the express written consent of Fund which shall not be
unreasonably withheld;
(vi) Insurer shall provide Fund or its affiliates and their accounting and legal
advisors with such cooperation as Fund shall reasonably request (including,
without limitation, by permitting Fund and its accounting and legal advisors to
review the relevant books and records of Insurer) in order to facilitate review
by Fund or its advisors of any written submissions provided to it pursuant to
the preceding clause or its assessment of the validity or amount of any claim
against its arising from such a failure or alleged failure; and
(vii)Insurer shall not with respect to any claim of the IRS or any
Contractholder that would give rise to a claim against Fund or its affiliates
compromise or settle any claim, accept any adjustment on audit, or forego any
allowable judicial appeals, without the express written consent of Fund or its
affiliates, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided that Insurer
shall not be required to appeal any adverse judicial decision unless Fund or its
affiliates shall have provided an opinion of independent counsel to the effect
that a reasonable basis exists for taking such appeal.
9.6. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Article of notice
of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in
respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Article,
notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof. The failure to so
notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any
liability under this Article IX, except to the extent that the omission results
in a failure of actual notice to the indemnifying party and such indemnifying
party is damaged solely as a result of the failure to give such notice. In case
any such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notified the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, assume the
defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party, and to the
extent that the indemnifying party has given notice to such effect to the
indemnified party and is performing its obligations under this Article, the
indemnifying party shall not be liable for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense
thereof, other than reasonable costs of investigation. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, in any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to
retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at
the expense of such indemnified party unless (a) the indemnifying party and the
indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or
(b) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties)
include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation
of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or
potential differing interests between them. The indemnifying party shall not be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
consent.
A successor by law of any Party to this Agreement shall be entitled to the
benefits of the indemnification contained in this Article IX, which shall
survive any termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE X.
COMMENCEMENT AND TERMINATION
10.1. This Agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall continue
in force until terminated in accordance with the provisions herein.
10.2. This Agreement shall terminate without penalty as to one or more
Portfolios:
(a) At the option of Insurer, Distributor, Fund, or XXX at any time from the
date hereof upon 180 days' notice, unless a shorter time is agreed to by the
Parties;
(b) At the option of Insurer if it determines that shares of any Portfolio are
not reasonably available to meet the requirements of the Contracts. Insurer
shall furnish prompt notice of election to terminate and termination shall be
effective ten days after receipt of notice unless Fund makes available a
sufficient number of shares to meet the requirements of the Contracts within
such ten day period;
(c) At the option of Insurer or Fund, upon the institution of formal proceedings
against the other or their respective affiliates by the Commission, the NASD or
any other regulatory body, the expected or anticipated ruling, judgment or
outcome of which would, in the Insurer's or Fund's reasonable judgment,
materially impair the other's ability to meet and perform its obligations and
duties hereunder. Prompt notice of election to terminate shall be furnished by
Insurer or Fund, as the case may be, with termination to be effective upon
receipt of notice;
(d) At the option of Insurer or Fund, if either shall determine, in its sole
judgment reasonably exercised in good faith, that the other has suffered a
material adverse change in its business or financial condition or is the subject
of material adverse publicity and such material adverse change or material
adverse publicity is likely to have a material adverse impact upon the business
and operation of the Insurer, Fund or XXX, as the case may be. Insurer or Fund
shall notify the other in writing of any such determination and its intent to
terminate this Agreement, which termination shall be effective on the sixtieth
(60th) day following the giving of such notice, provided the determination of
Insurer or Fund, as the case may be, continues to apply on that date.
(e) Upon termination of the Investment Management Agreement between Fund, on
behalf of its Portfolios, and XXX or its successors unless Insurer specifically
approves the selection of a new investment adviser for the Portfolios. Fund
shall promptly furnish notice of such termination to Insurer;
(f) In the event Portfolio shares are not registered, issued or sold in
accordance with applicable federal law, or such law precludes the use of such
shares as the underlying investment medium of Contracts issued or to be issued
by Insurer. Termination shall be effective immediately upon such occurrence
without notice;
(g) At the option of Fund upon a determination by the Board in good faith that
it is no longer advisable and in the best interests of shareholders for Fund to
continue to operate pursuant to this Agreement. Termination shall be effective
upon notice by Fund to Insurer of such termination;
(h) At the option of Fund if the Contracts cease to qualify as annuity contracts
or life insurance policies, as applicable, under the Code, or if Fund reasonably
believes that the Contracts may fail to so qualify. Termination shall be
effective immediately upon such occurrence or reasonable belief without notice;
(i) At the option of any Party, upon another's breach of any material provision
this Agreement, which breach has not been cured to the satisfaction of the
non-breaching Parties within ten days after written notice of such breach is
delivered to the breaching Party;
(j) At the option of Fund, if the Contracts are not registered, issued or sold
in accordance with applicable federal and/or state law. Termination shall be
effective immediately upon such occurrence without notice;
(k) Upon assignment of this Agreement, unless made with the written consent of
the non-assigning Parties.
Any such termination pursuant to this Article X shall not affect the operation
of Articles V or IX of this Agreement. The Parties agree that any termination
pursuant to Article VI shall be governed by that Article.
10.3. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.2
hereof, Fund and XXX may, at the option of Fund, continue to make available
additional Portfolio shares for so long as Fund desires pursuant to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement as provided below, for all Contracts in effect
on the effective date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to
as "Existing Contracts"). Specifically, without limitation, if Fund so elects to
make additional Portfolio shares available, the owners of the Existing Contracts
or Insurer, whichever shall have legal authority to do so, shall be permitted to
reallocate investments among the Portfolios, redeem investments in the
Portfolios and/or invest in the Portfolios upon the making of additional
purchase payments under the Existing Contracts. In the event of a termination of
this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.2 hereof, Fund, as promptly as is
practicable under the circumstances, shall notify Insurer whether Fund shall
continue to make Portfolio shares available after such termination. If Portfolio
shares continue to be made available after such termination, the provisions of
this Agreement shall remain in effect and thereafter either Fund or Insurer may
terminate the Agreement, as so continued pursuant to this Section 10.3, upon
prior written notice to the other Parties, such notice to be for a period that
is reasonable under the circumstances but, if given by Fund, need not be for
more than six months.
10.4. In the event of any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.2
hereof, the Parties agree to cooperate and give reasonable assistance to one
another in taking all necessary and appropriate steps for the purpose of
ensuring that a Separate Account owns no shares of a Portfolio beyond six months
from the date of termination. Such steps may include, without limitation,
substituting other mutual fund shares for those of the affected Portfolio.
ARTICLE XI.
AMENDMENTS
11.1. Any changes in the terms of this Agreement shall be made by agreement in
writing by the Parties hereto.
ARTICLE XII.
NOTICE
12.1. Each notice required by this Agreement shall be given by certified mail,
return receipt requested, to the appropriate Parties at the following addresses:
Insurer:
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
0000 XXXXXXX XXXX
XXXXXXXXXX, XX 00000
Distributor:
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
0000 XXXXXXX XXXX
XXXXXXXXXX , XX 00000
Fund: Lazard Retirement Series, Inc.
00 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxx
XXX: Xxxxxx Asset Management
00 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
with copies to: Stroock & Stroock & Xxxxx LLP
000 Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
Notice shall be deemed to be given on the date of receipt by the addresses as
evidenced by the return receipt.
ARTICLE XIII.
MISCELLANEOUS
13.1. This Agreement has been executed on behalf of the Parties by the
undersigned duly authorized officers in their capacities as officers of Insurer,
Distributor, XXX, and Fund.
13.1. If any provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule, or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement will not
be affected thereby.
13.1. The rights, remedies, and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations,
at law or in equity, that the Parties are entitled to under federal and state
laws.
13.1. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
ARTICLE XIV.
LAW
14.1. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the internal laws of
the State of New York, without giving effect to principles of conflict of laws.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement to be duly
executed and attested as of the date first above written.
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By:
Attest:_____________________
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By:
Attest:_____________________
LAZARD RETIREMENT SERIES, INC.
By:
Attest:_____________________
LAZARD ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC
a division of Lazard Freres & Co., LLC
By:
Attest:______________________
SCHEDULE 1
Portfolios
Lazard Retirement Emerging Markets Portfolio Lazard Retirement Equity Portfolio
Separate Accounts and Contracts
ALLSTATE FINANCIAL ADVISORS SEPARATE ACCOUNT I
ALLSTATE FINANCIAL PERSONAL RETIREMENT MANAGER
SCHEDULE 2
PORTFOLIO SHARE ORDER PROCESSING
Timely Pricing and Orders
1. Each Business Day, Fund shall use its best efforts to make each Portfolio's
closing net asset value per share ("NAV") on that Day available to Insurer by
6:30 p.m. New York time.
2. At the end of each Business Day, Insurer shall use the information described
above to calculate each Separate Account's unit values for that Day. Using this
unit value, Insurer shall process that Day's Contract and Separate Account
transactions to determine the net dollar amount of each Portfolio's shares to be
purchased or redeemed.
3. Insurer shall transmit net purchase or redemption orders to Fund or its
designee by 9:30 a.m. New York time on the Business Day next following Insurer's
receipt of the information relating to such orders in accordance with paragraph
1 above; provided, however, that Fund shall provide additional time to Insurer
in the event Fund is unable to meet the 6:30 p.m. deadline stated above. Such
additional time shall be equal to the additional time that Fund takes to make
the net asset values available to Insurer. For informational purposes, Insurer
shall separately describe the amount of shares of each Portfolio that is being
purchased, redeemed, or exchanged from one Portfolio to the other. In addition,
Insurer shall use its best efforts to notify Fund in advance of any unusually
large purchase or redemption orders.
Timely Payments
4. Insurer shall pay for any net purchase order by wiring Federal Funds to Fund
or its designated custodial account by 4:00pm New York time on the same Business
Day it transmits the order to Fund pursuant to paragraph 3 above.
5. Fund shall pay for any net redemption order by wiring the redemption proceeds
to Insurer, except as provided below, within two (2) Business Days or, upon
notice to Insurer, such longer period as permitted by the Act or the rules,
orders or regulations thereunder. In the case of any net redemption order valued
at or greater than $1 million, Fund shall wire such amount to Insurer within
seven days of the order. In the case of any net redemption order requesting the
application of proceeds from the redemption of one Portfolio's shares to the
purchase of another Portfolio's shares, Fund shall so apply such proceeds the
same Business Day that Insurer transmits such order to Fund.
Applicable Price
6. Fund shall execute purchase and redemption orders for a Portfolio's shares
that relate to Contract transactions at that Portfolio's NAV next determined
after Fund or its designated agent receives the order. For this purpose, Fund
hereby appoints Insurer as its agent for the limited purpose of receiving orders
for the purchase and redemption of shares of each Portfolio for each Separate
Account; provided that Fund receives both the notice of the order in accordance
with paragraph 3 above and any related purchase payments in accordance with
paragraph 4 above.
7. Fund shall execute purchase and redemption orders for a Portfolio's shares
that relate to Insurer's General Account, or that do not relate to Contract
transactions, at that Portfolio's NAV next determined after Fund (not Insurer)
receives the order and any related purchase payments in accordance with
paragraph 4 above.
8. Fund shall execute and redemption orders for a Portfolio's shares that relate
to Contracts funded by registered and unregistered Separate Accounts in the same
manner, but only to the extent that Insurer represents and warrants that it is
legally or contractually obligated to treat such orders in the same manner. Each
order for Portfolio shares placed by Insurer that is attributable, in whole or
in part, to Contracts funded by an unregistered Separate Account, shall be
deemed to constitute such representation and warranty by Insurer unless the
order specifically states to the contrary. Otherwise, Fund shall treat orders
attributable to unregistered Separate Account Contracts in the same manner as
orders for Insurer's General Account. For these purposes, a registered Separate
Account is one that is registered under the Act; an unregistered Separate
Account is one that is not.
9. Fund shall execute and redemption orders for a Portfolio's shares that do not
satisfy the conditions specified in paragraph 3 and 4 above, as applicable, at
the Portfolio's NAV next determined after such conditions have been satisfied
and in accordance with paragraph 6 or 7, whichever applies.
10.If Fund does not receive payment in Federal Funds for any net purchase order
in accordance with paragraph 4 above, Insurer shall promptly, upon Fund's
request, reimburse Fund for any changes, costs, fees, interest or other expenses
incurred by Fund in connection with any advances to, or borrowings or overdrafts
by, Fund, or any similar expenses incurred by Fund, as a result of portfolio
transactions effected by Fund based upon such purchase request.
11. If Fund provides Insurer with materially incorrect net asset value per share
information through no fault of Insurer, Insurer, on behalf of the Separate
Account, shall be entitled to an adjustment to the number of shares purchased or
redeemed to reflect the correct net asset value per share in accordance with
Fund's current policies for correcting pricing errors. Any material error in the
calculation of net asset value per share, dividend or capital gain information
shall be reported promptly upon discovery to Insurer.
Exhibit (8)(e)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
LSA VARIABLE SERIES TRUST,
LSA ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC,
and
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), made and entered into as of the first day of
October, 1999 by and among Allstate Life Insurance Company (hereinafter the
"Company"), on its own behalf and on behalf of each separate account of the
Company named in Schedule 1 to this Agreement (collectively, the "Accounts"),
LSA Variable Series Trust (the "Fund") and LSA Asset Management LLC (the
"Manager").
WHEREAS, the Fund is an open-end management investment company and is available
to act as the investment vehicle for separate accounts now in existence or to be
established in the future for variable life insurance policies, variable annuity
contracts and other tax-deferred products offered by insurance companies (the
"Participating Insurance Companies");
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into several series of
shares, each designated a "Portfolio", (collectively, the "Portfolios") and each
representing the interests in a particular managed pool of securities and other
assets;
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"), dated ____________, 1999 (File No. 812-6324)
(hereinafter, the "Order") granting relief to the Fund, the Manager and any
subsequently registered open-end investment companies that in the future are
advised by the Manager, or by any entity controlling, controlled by, or under
common control with the Manager. Specifically, the Order provides exemptions
from Section 15(a) of the 1940 Act and Rule 18f-2 thereunder, subject to the
conditions set forth in the application, to permit investment advisers other
than the Manager, to serve and act as an investment subadviser to one or more
portfolios of the Fund (the "Adviser(s)") pursuant to written agreements between
the Manager and each Adviser that have been approved by the board of trustees of
the Fund (the "Trustees") but which have not been approved by a vote of a
majority of the outstanding voting securities of each portfolio. The Order also
provides exemptions from: certain registration statement disclosure requirements
of Items 3, 6(a)(1)(ii) and 15(a)(3) of Form N1-A and Item 3 of Form N-14;
certain proxy statement disclosure requirements of Items 22(a)(3)(iv),
(c)(1)(ii), (c)(1)(iii), (c)(8) and (c)(9) of Schedule 14A under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; certain semi-annual reporting disclosure
requirements of Item 48 of Form N-SAR; and, certain financial statement
disclosure requirements of Sections 6-07(2)(a), (b), and (c) of Regulation S-X
which may be deemed to require various disclosures regarding advisory fees paid
to the Advisers;
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company
under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act") and its
shares are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933
Act");
WHEREAS, the Manager is duly registered as an investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940;
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain variable annuity
and/or life insurance contracts under the 1933 Act (the "Contracts") (unless an
exemption from registration is available);
WHEREAS, the Accounts are or will be duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset accounts, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Company, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the Contracts and the
Accounts;
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register the Accounts as unit
investment trusts under the 1940 Act (unless an exemption from registration is
available);
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and regulations,
the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios (as named in Schedule 2
to this Agreement and as may be amended from time to time by mutual consent of
the parties) on behalf of the Accounts to fund the Contracts (as named in
Schedule 3 to this Agreement and as may be amended from time to time by mutual
consent of the parties) and the Fund is authorized to sell such shares to the
Accounts at net asset value; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Fund, the Manager
and the Company agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares
1.1. The Fund agrees to sell to the Company those shares of the Fund which the
Company orders on behalf of the Account, executing such orders on a daily basis
at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or its designee
of the order for the shares of the Fund. For purposes of this Section 1.1, the
Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of such orders from each
Account and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund;
provided that the Fund receives written (or facsimile) notice of such order by
9:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on the next following Business Day. "Business
Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading
and on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of
the SEC.
1.2. The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business Day after it
places an order to purchase Fund shares in accordance with Section 1.1 hereof.
Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire or by a credit for any
shares redeemed.
1.3. The Fund agrees to make Fund shares available for purchase at the
applicable net asset value per share by the Company for its Accounts (as named
in Schedule 1 to this Agreement and as may be amended from time to time by
mutual consent of the parties) on those days on which the Fund calculates its
net asset value pursuant to rules of the SEC; provided, however, that the
Trustees may refuse to sell shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or
terminate the offering of shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by
law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole
discretion of the Trustees, acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary
duties under federal and any applicable state laws, in the best interests of the
shareholders of any Portfolio.
1.4. The Fund agrees to redeem, upon the Company's request, any full or
fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, executing such requests on a
daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or
its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of this Section 1.4,
the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of requests for
redemption and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund;
provided that the Fund receives written (or facsimile) notice of such request
for redemption by 9:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on the next following Business
Day. Payment shall be made within the time period specified in the Fund's
prospectus or statement of additional information, in federal funds transmitted
by wire to the Company's account as designated by the Company in writing from
time to time.
1.5. The Company shall pay for the Fund shares on the next Business Day after an
order to purchase shares is made in accordance with the provisions of Section
1.4 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire pursuant to
the instructions of the Fund's treasurer or by a credit for any shares redeemed.
1.6. The Company agree to purchase and redeem the shares of the Portfolios named
in Schedule 2 offered by the Fund's then current prospectus and statement of
additional information in accordance with the provisions of such prospectus and
statement of additional information. The Company shall not permit any person
other than a Contract owner to give instructions to the Company which would
require the Company to redeem or exchange shares of the Fund.
1.7. Net Asset Value. The Fund shall use its best efforts to inform the Company
of the net asset value per share for each Portfolio available to the Company by
6:30 p.m. New York Time or as soon as reasonably practicable after the net asset
value per share for such Portfolio is calculated. The Fund shall calculate such
net asset value in accordance with the prospectus for such Portfolio. In the
event that net asset values are not made available to the Company by such time,
the Company agrees to use its best efforts to include the net asset value when
received in its next business cycle for purposes of calculating purchase orders
and requests for redemption. However, if net asset values are not available for
an inclusion in the next business cycle and purchase orders/redemptions are not
able to be calculated and available to the Company to execute within the
time-frame identified in Section 2.3 (a), the Company Trust shall reimburse and
make the Company whole for any losses incurred as a result of such delays.
1.8. Pricing Errors. Any material errors in the calculation of net asset value,
dividends or capital gain information shall be reported immediately upon
discovery to the Company. An error shall be deemed "material" based on our
interpretation of the SEC's position and policy with regard to materiality, as
it may be modified from time to time. Neither the Fund, the Manager, nor any of
their affiliates shall be liable for any information provided to the Company
pursuant to this Agreement which information is based on incorrect information
supplied by or on behalf of the Company or any other Participating Company to
the Trust or the Distributor. The Fund shall make the Company whole for any
payments or adjustments to the number of shares in the Account that are
reasonably demonstrated to be required as a result of pricing errors.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will be
registered under the 1933 Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws
and that the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all material respects with
state insurance suitability requirements. The Company further represents and
warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing
under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established each
Account prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated asset account
under laws of the State of Illinois and has registered or, prior to any issuance
or sale of the Contracts, will register each Account as a unit investment trust
in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a segregated
investment account for the Contracts.
2.2. The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold pursuant to this
Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly authorized for issuance
and sold in compliance with the laws of the State of Illinois and all applicable
federal and state securities laws and that the Fund is and shall remain
registered under the 0000 Xxx. The Fund shall amend the registration statement
for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as required
in order to effect the continuous offering of its shares. The Fund shall
register and qualify the shares for sale in accordance with the laws of the
various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund.
2.3. The Fund represents that it is currently qualified as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), and that it will make every effort to maintain such
qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision) and
that it will notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing that it has ceased to so qualify.
2.4. The Company represents that the Contracts are currently treated as life
insurance policies or annuity contracts, under applicable provisions of the Code
and that it will make every effort to maintain such treatment and that it will
notify the Fund immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that
the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated
in the future.
2.5. The Fund represents that to the extent that it decides to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund
undertakes to have a board of directors, a majority of whom are not interested
persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance
distribution expenses.
2.6. The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its operations
(including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment policies)
complies with the insurance laws or regulations of the various states except
that the Fund represents that the Fund's investment policies, fees and expenses
are and shall at all times remain in compliance with the laws of the State of
Illinois and the Fund represents that their respective operations are and shall
at all times remain in material compliance with the laws of the State of
Illinois to the extent required to perform this Agreement.
2.7. The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly existing
under the laws of the State of Illinois and that it does and will comply in all
material respects with the 1940 Act.
2.8. The Manager represents and warrants that it is and shall remain duly
registered in all material respects under all applicable federal and state
securities laws and that it will perform its obligations for the Fund in
compliance in all material respects with the laws of its state of domicile and
any applicable state and federal securities laws. The Manager further represents
that it will make reasonable efforts to verify that all subadvisers are
similarly registered.
2.9. The Fund represents and warrants that its directors, officers, employees,
and other individuals/entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the
Fund are and shall continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity
bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than
the minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940 Act or
related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid
blanket fidelity bond shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and
shall be issued by a reputable bonding company.
2.10. The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors, officers,
employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities dealing with the
money and/or securities of the Fund are covered by a blanket fidelity bond or
similar coverage, in an amount not less $5 million. The aforesaid includes
coverage for larceny and embezzlement is issued by a reputable bonding company.
The Company agrees to make all reasonable efforts to see that this bond or
another bond containing these provisions is always in effect, and agrees to
notify the Fund and the Underwriter in the event that such coverage no longer
applies.
ARTICLE III. Sales Material, Prospectuses and Other Reports
3.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund or
its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in
which the Fund or the Manager is named, at least five Business Days prior to its
use. No such material shall be used if the Fund or its designee reasonably
objects to such use within five Business Days after receipt of such material.
"Business Day" shall mean any day in which the New York Stock Exchange is open
for trading and in which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the
rules of the SEC.
3.2. Except with the express permission of the Fund, the Company shall not give
any information or make any representations or statements on behalf of the Fund
or concerning the Fund in connection with the sale of the Contracts other than
the information or representations contained in the registration statement or
prospectus for the Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus
may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy
statements for the Fund, or in sales literature or other promotional material
approved by the Fund or its designee.
3.3. For purposes of this Article II, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" shall mean advertisements (such as material published, or
designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical, radio,
television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or billboard
or electronic media), and sales literature (such as brochures, circulars, market
letters and form letters), distributed or made generally available to customers
or the public.
3.4. The Fund shall provide a copy of its current prospectus within a reasonable
period of its effective filing date, and provide other assistance as is
reasonably necessary in order for the Company once each year (or more frequently
if the prospectus for the Fund is supplemented or amended) to have the
prospectus for the Contracts and the prospectus for the Fund printed together in
one document (such printing to be at the Company's expense). The Manager shall
be permitted to review and approve the typeset form of the Fund's prospectus
prior to such printing.
3.5. The Fund or the Manager shall provide the Company with either: (i) a copy
of the Fund's proxy material, reports to shareholders, other information
relating to the Fund necessary to prepare financial reports, and other
communications to shareholders for printing and distribution to Contract owners
at the Company's expense, or (ii) camera ready and/or printed copies, if
appropriate, of such material for distribution to Contract owners at the
Company's expense, within a reasonable period of the filing date for definitive
copies of such material. The Manager shall be permitted to review and approve
the typeset form of such proxy material, shareholder reports and communications
prior to such printing.
ARTICLE IV. Fees and Expenses
4.1. The Fund and Manager shall pay no fee or other compensation to the Company
under this Agreement, and the Company shall pay no fee or other compensation to
the Fund or Manager, except as provided herein.
4.2. All expenses incident to performance by each party of its respective duties
under this Agreement shall be paid by that party. The Fund shall ensure that all
its shares are registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with
applicable federal law and, if and to the extent advisable by the Fund, in
accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund shall bear
the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's
shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's prospectus and registration
statement, proxy materials and reports, and the preparation of all statements
and notices required by any federal or state law.
4.3. The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies of its
proxy statements, reports to shareholders, and other communications (except for
prospectuses and statements of additional information, which are covered in
section 3.1) to shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably
require for distributing to Contract owners. The Fund shall bear the expense of
mailing such proxy materials in the event the proxy vote is a result of actions
initiated by the Fund.
4.4. In the event the Fund adds one or more additional Portfolios and the
parties desire to make such Portfolios available to the respective Contract
owners as an underlying investment medium, a new Schedule 3 which shall be an
amendment to this Agreement shall be executed by the parties authorizing the
issuance of shares of the new Portfolios to the particular Account. The
amendment may also provide for the sharing of expenses for the establishment of
new Portfolios among Participating Insurance Companies desiring to invest in
such Portfolios and the provision of funds as the initial investment in the new
Portfolios.
4.5 Except as provided in this Section 4.2., all expenses of preparing, setting
in type and printing and distributing Fund prospectuses and statements of
additional information shall be the expense of the Company. For prospectuses and
statements of additional information provided by the Company to its existing
owners of Contracts who currently own shares of one or more of the Fund's
Portfolios, in order to update disclosure as required by the 1933 Act and/or the
1940 Act, the cost of printing shall be borne by the Fund. If the Company
chooses to receive camera-ready film or computer diskettes in lieu of receiving
printed copies of the Fund's prospectus, the Fund shall bear the cost of
typesetting to provide the Fund's prospectus to the Company in the format in
which the Fund is accustomed to formatting prospectuses, and the Company shall
bear the expense of adjusting or changing the format to conform with any of its
prospectuses. In such event, the Fund will reimburse the Company in an amount
equal to the product of x and y where x is the number of such prospectuses
distributed to owners of the Contracts who currently own shares of one or more
of the Fund's Portfolios, and y is the Fund's per unit cost of typesetting and
printing the Fund's prospectus. The same procedures shall be followed with
respect to the Fund's statement of additional information. The Company agrees to
provide the Fund or its designee with such information as may be reasonably
requested by the Fund to assure that the Fund's expenses do not include the cost
of printing, typesetting, and distributing any prospectuses or statements of
additional information other than those actually distributed to existing owners
of the Contracts who currently own shares of one or more of the Fund's
Portfolios.
ARTICLE V. Conditions of the Order; Applicable Law
5.1. The Company has reviewed a copy of the Order, and in particular, has
reviewed the conditions to the requested relief set forth therein. The Company
agrees to be bound by the responsibilities of a Participating Insurance Company
as set forth in the Order.
5.2. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois. 5.3. This
Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934 and 1940 Acts,
and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including such exemptions
from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC may grant (including, but
not limited to, the Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and
construed in accordance therewith.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification
6.1. The Fund will at all times invest money from the Contracts in such a manner
as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable contracts under the
Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting the scope of the
foregoing, the Fund will at all times comply with Section 817(h) of the Code and
Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the diversification requirements for
variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts and any amendments or
other modifications to such Section or Regulations. In the event of a breach of
this Article VI by the Fund, it will take all reasonable steps (a) to notify
Company of such breach and (b) to adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve
compliance within the grace period afforded by Regulation 817-5. The Fund shall
provide the Company information reasonably requested in relation to Section
817(h) diversification requirements, including quarterly reports [and annual
certifications].
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts
7.1. The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict may
arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance
regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance,
tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter
ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance,
tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial
decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of
any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given
by Variable Insurance Product owners; or (f) a decision by a Participating
Insurance Company to disregard the voting instructions of contract owners. The
Board shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an irreconcilable
material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1. Indemnification By The Company
8.1(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and each
member of the Board and officers, and each Adviser and each director and officer
of each Adviser, and each person, if any, who controls the Fund or the Adviser
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" and individually, "Indemnified Party," for purposes of this Section
8.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts
paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company) or litigation
(including legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may
become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the
Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue
statements of any material fact contained in the registration statement or
prospectus for the Contracts or contained in the Contracts or sales literature
for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify
shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or
such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Fund for use in
the registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts or in the Contracts
or sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than
statements or representations contained in the registration statement,
prospectus or sales literature of the Fund not supplied by the Company, or
persons under its control and other than statements or representations
authorized by the Fund or an Adviser) or unlawful conduct of the Company or
persons under its control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the
Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of or as a result of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement, prospectus,
or sales literature of the Fund or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto
or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if
such a statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the services and
furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or
warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or arise out of or result from
any other material breach of this Agreement by the Company, as limited by and in
accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.1(b) and 8.1(c) hereof.
8.1(b). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred
or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such Indemnified
Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement.
8.1(c). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such
Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after
such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any such claim shall not
relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified
Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action. After notice from the Company to such party of the Company's election to
assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Company will not be
liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.1(d). The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with
the issuance or sale of the Fund shares or the Contracts or the operation of the
Fund.
8.2. Indemnification by the Manager
8.2(a). Each Manager agrees, with respect to each Portfolio that it manages, to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its directors and officers
and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section
15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" and individually,
"Indemnified Party," for purposes of this Section 8.2) against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with
the written consent of the Adviser) or litigation (including legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute,
regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are
related to the sale or acquisition of shares of the Portfolio that it manages or
the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in the registration statement or
prospectus or sales literature of the Fund (or any amendment or supplement to
any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of
the Company for use in the registration statement or prospectus for the Fund or
in sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of the Contracts or Portfolio shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than
statements or representations contained in the registration statement,
prospectus or sales literature for the Contracts not supplied by the Fund or
persons under its control and other than statements or representations
authorized by the Company) or unlawful conduct of the Fund, Manager(s) or
Underwriter or persons under their control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Portfolio shares; or
(iii) arise out of or as a result of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement, prospectus,
or sales literature covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement
or statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Fund;
or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the services and
furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or
warranty made by the Manager in this Agreement or arise out of or result from
any other material breach of this Agreement by the Manager; as limited by and in
accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.2(b) and 8.2(c) hereof.
8.2(b). The Manager shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred
or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such Indemnified
Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.
8.2(c). The Manager shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such
Indemnified Party shall have notified the Adviser in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after
such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Adviser of any such claim shall not
relieve the Adviser from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified
Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Adviser will be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense thereof. The Adviser also shall be entitled to assume
the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action.
After notice from the Adviser to such party of the Adviser's election to assume
the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of
any additional counsel retained by it, and the Adviser will not be liable to
such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently
incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense thereof
other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.2(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Manager of the commencement of
any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or directors in
connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the operation of each
Account.
8.3. Indemnification by the Fund
8.3(a). The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and each of
its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (hereinafter collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" and individually, "Indemnified Party," for purposes of
this Section 8.3) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Fund) or
litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties
may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) or settlements result from the gross negligence (except for
failure to comply with Section 6.1 of this Agreement for which the standard is
negligence), bad faith or willful misconduct of the Board or any member thereof,
are related to the operations of the Fund and:
(i) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the services and
furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement (including any failure
to comply with Section 6.1 of this Agreement); or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation
and/or warranty made by the Fund in this Agreement or arise out of or result
from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Fund;
8.3(b). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred or
assessed against an Indemnified Party as may arise from such Indemnified Party's
willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless
disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.
8.3(c). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified
Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a reasonable time after the
summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the
claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated
agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any such claim shall not relieve the
Fund from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom
such action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification
provision. In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties,
the Fund will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense
thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the
Fund to such party of the Fund's election to assume the defense thereof, the
Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by it, and the Fund will not be liable to such party under this
Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party
independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs
of investigation.
8.3(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Fund of the commencement of
any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its respective officers or
directors in connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of the
Contracts, with respect to the operation of either Account, or the sale or
acquisition of shares of the Fund.
ARTICLE IX. Termination
9.1 This Agreement shall terminate with respect to some or all Portfolios:
(a) at the option of any party upon six month's advance written notice to the
other parties at the addresses specified in Section VI of this Agreement; or
(b) at the option of the Company to the extent that shares of Portfolios are not
reasonably available to meet the requirements of its Contracts or are not
appropriate funding vehicles for the Contracts, as determined by the Company
reasonably and in good faith. Prompt written notice of the election to terminate
for such cause and an explanation of such cause shall be furnished by the
Company. 9.2. It is understood and agreed that the right of any party hereto to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.1(a) may be exercised for cause
or for no cause.
ARTICLE X. Notices Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by
registered or certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set
forth below or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify
in writing to the other parties to this Agreement. If to the Fund: LSA Variable
Series Trust 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 Attn: Legal Department
If to the Manager:
LSA Asset Management LLC
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: General Counsel
If to the Company:
Allstate Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, 00000
Attn: Legal Department
ARTICLE XI. Miscellaneous
11.1. Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory authority,
each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses of the
owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information without the express written consent
of the affected party until such time as it may come into the public domain.
11.2. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference
only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise
affect their construction or effect.
11.3. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
11.4. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement shall
not be affected thereby.
11.5. Each party hereto shall cooperate with all appropriate governmental
authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such
authorities reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any
investigation or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby. Each party hereto shall promptly notify the other parties
to this Agreement, by written notice to the addresses specified in Section V, of
any such investigation or inquiry.
11.6. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations,
at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and
federal laws.
11.7. It is understood by the parties that this Agreement is not an exclusive
arrangement.
11.8. The Company and the Manager each understand and agree that the obligations
of the Fund under this Agreement are not binding upon any shareholder of the
Fund personally, but bind only the Fund and the Fund's property; the Company and
the Manager separately represent that each has notice of the provisions of the
Declaration of Trust of the Fund disclaiming shareholder liability for acts or
obligations of the Fund.
11.9. This Agreement shall not be assigned by any party hereto without the prior
written consent of all the parties.
11.10. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the parties and
supercedes all prior communications, agreements and understandings, oral or
written, between the parties regarding the subject matter hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be
executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative and
its seal to be hereunder affixed as of the date specified below.
Allstate Life Insurance Company
By: __________________________________
Title: _______________________________
Date: ________________________________
LSA VARIABLE SERIES TRUST
By: __________________________________
Title: _______________________________
Date: ________________________________
LSA ASSET MANAGEMENT LLC
By: __________________________________
Title: _______________________________
Date: ________________________________
SCHEDULE 1
[SEPARATE ACCOUNT(S)]
SCHEDULE 2
[PORTFOLIOS]
SCHEDULE 3
[CONTRACTS]
Exhibit (8)(f)
AMENDED AND RESTATED
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
AMONG
MFS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST,
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
AND
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT, made and entered into this ____
day of August, 2001, by and among MFS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST, a Massachusetts
business trust (the "Trust"), ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, an Illinois
corporation (the "Company") on its own behalf and on behalf of each of the
segregated asset accounts of the Company set forth in Schedule A hereto, as may
be amended from time to time (the "Accounts"), and MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL
SERVICES COMPANY, a Delaware corporation ("MFS").
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"),
and its shares are registered or will be registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act");
WHEREAS, shares of beneficial interest of the Trust are divided into
several series of shares, each representing the interests in a particular
managed pool of securities and other assets;
WHEREAS, certain series of shares of the Trust are divided into two
separate share classes, an Initial Class and a Service Class, and the Trust on
behalf of the Service Class has adopted a Rule 12b-1 plan under the 1940 Act
pursuant to which the Service Class pays a distribution fee;
WHEREAS, the series of shares of the Trust (each, a "Portfolio," and,
collectively, the "Portfolios") and the classes of shares of those Portfolios
(the "Shares") offered by the Trust to the Company and the Accounts are set
forth on Schedule A attached hereto;
WHEREAS, MFS is duly registered as an investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any applicable state securities
law, and is the Trust's investment adviser;
WHEREAS, the Company will issue certain variable annuity and/or
variable life insurance contracts (individually, the "Policy" or, collectively,
the "Policies") which, if required by applicable law, will be registered under
the 1933 Act;
WHEREAS, the Accounts are duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset accounts, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Company, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid variable
annuity and/or variable life insurance contracts that are allocated to the
Accounts (the Policies and the Accounts covered by this Agreement, and each
corresponding Portfolio covered by this Agreement in which the Accounts invest,
is specified in Schedule A attached hereto as may be modified from time to
time);
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register the Accounts as
unit investment trusts under the 1940 Act (unless exempt therefrom);
WHEREAS, MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. (the "Underwriter") is registered
as a broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (hereinafter the "1934 Act"),
and is a member in good standing of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD");
WHEREAS, Allstate Life Financial Services, Inc. ("ALFS"), the
underwriter for the individual variable annuity and the variable life policies,
is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC under the 1934 Act and is a member
in good standing of the NASD; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase the Sharesof the Portfolios as
specified in Schedule A attached hereto (the "Shares") on behalf of the Accounts
to fund the Policies, and the Trust intends to sell such Shares to the Accounts
at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Trust,
MFS, and the Company agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Trust Shares
1.1. The Trust agrees to sell to the Company those Shares which the
Accounts order (based on orders placed by Policy holders on that
Business Day, as defined below) and which are available for purchase by
such Accounts, executing such orders on a daily basis at the net asset
value next computed after receipt by the Trust or its designee of the
order for the Shares. For purposes of this Section 1.1, the Company
shall be the designee of the Trust for receipt of such orders from
Policy owners and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by
the Trust; provided that the Trust receives notice of such orders by
9:30 a.m. New York time on the next following Business Day. "Business
Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the
"NYSE") is open for trading and on which the Trust calculates its net
asset value pursuant to the rules of the SEC.
1.2. The Trust agrees to make the Shares available indefinitely for
purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company and
the Accounts on those days on which the Trust calculates its net asset
value pursuant to rules of the SEC and the Trust shall calculate such
net asset value on each day which the NYSE is open for trading.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the
"Board") may refuse to sell any Shares to the Company and the Accounts,
or suspend or terminate the offering of the Shares if such action is
required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is,
in the sole discretion of the Board acting in good faith and in light
of its fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws,
necessary in the best interest of the Shareholders of such Portfolio.
1.3. The Trust and MFS agree that the Shares will be sold only to
insurance companies which have entered into participation agreements
with the Trust and MFS (the "Participating Insurance Companies") and
their separate accounts, qualified pension and retirement plans and MFS
or its affiliates. The Trust and MFS will not sell Trust shares to any
insurance company or separate account unless an agreement containing
provisions substantially the same as Articles III and VII of this
Agreement is in effect to govern such sales. The Company will not
resell the Shares except to the Trust or its agents.
1.4. The Trust agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's request, any
full or fractional Shares held by the Accounts (based on orders placed
by Policy owners on that Business Day), executing such requests on a
daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the
Trust or its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of
this Section 1.4, the Company shall be the designee of the Trust for
receipt of requests for redemption from Policy owners and receipt by
such designee shall constitute receipt by the Trust; provided that the
Trust receives notice of such request for redemption by 9:30 a.m. New
York time on the next following Business Day.
1.5. Each purchase, redemption and exchange order placed by the Company
shall be placed separately for each Portfolio and shall not be netted
with respect to any Portfolio. However, with respect to payment of the
purchase price by the Company and of redemption proceeds by the Trust,
the Company and the Trust shall net purchase and redemption orders with
respect to each Portfolio and shall transmit one net payment for all of
the Portfolios in accordance with Section 1.6 hereof.
1.6. In the event of net purchases, the Company shall pay for the
Shares by 2:00 p.m. New York time on the next Business Day after an
order to purchase the Shares is made in accordance with the provisions
of Section 1.1. hereof. In the event of net redemptions, the Trust
shall pay the redemption proceeds by 2:00 p.m. New York time on the
next Business Day after an order to redeem the shares is made in
accordance with the provisions of Section 1.4. hereof. All such
payments shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire.
1.7. Issuance and transfer of the Shares will be by book entry only.
Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or the Accounts.
The Shares ordered from the Trust will be recorded in an appropriate
title for the Accounts or the appropriate subaccounts of the Accounts.
1.8. The Trust shall furnish same day notice (by wire or telephone
followed by written confirmation) to the Company of any dividends or
capital gain distributions payable on the Shares. The Company hereby
elects to receive all such dividends and distributions as are payable
on a Portfolio's Shares in additional Shares of that Portfolio. The
Trust shall notify the Company of the number of Shares so issued as
payment of such dividends and distributions.
1.9. The Trust or its custodian shall make the net asset value per
share for each Portfolio available to the Company on each Business Day
as soon as reasonably practical after the net asset value per share is
calculated and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value
per share available by 6:30 p.m. New York time. In the event that the
Trust is unable to meet the 6:30 p.m. time stated herein, it shall
provide additional time for the Company to place orders for the
purchase and redemption of Shares. Such additional time shall be equal
to the additional time which the Trust takes to make the net asset
value available to the Company. If the Trust provides materially
incorrect share net asset value information, the Trust shall make an
adjustment to the number of shares purchased or redeemed for the
Accounts to reflect the correct net asset value per share. Any material
error in the calculation or reporting of net asset value per share,
dividend or capital gains information shall be reported promptly upon
discovery to the Company.
ARTICLE II. Certain Representations, Warranties and Covenants
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Policies are or will
be registered under the 1933 Act or are exempt from or not subject to
registration thereunder, and that the Policies will be issued, sold,
and distributed in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable state and federal laws, including without limitation the
1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934
Act"), and the 1940 Act. The Company further represents and warrants
that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing
under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established
the Account as a segregated asset account under applicable law and has
registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the Policies, will
register the Accounts as unit investment trusts in accordance with the
provisions of the 1940 Act (unless exempt therefrom) to serve as
segregated investment accounts for the Policies, and that it will
maintain such registration for so long as any Policies are outstanding.
The Company shall amend the registration statements under the 1933 Act
for the Policies and the registration statements under the 1940 Act for
the Accounts from time to time as required in order to effect the
continuous offering of the Policies or as may otherwise be required by
applicable law. The Company shall register and qualify the Policies for
sales in accordance with the securities laws of the various states only
if and to the extent deemed necessary by the Company.
2.2. The Company represents and warrants that the Policies are
currently and at the time of issuance will be treated as life
insurance, endowment or annuity contract under applicable provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), that it
will maintain such treatment and that it will notify the Trust or MFS
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the
Policies have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so
treated in the future.
2.3. The Company represents and warrants that ALFS, the underwriter for
the individual variable annuity and the variable life policies, is a
member in good standing of the NASD and is a registered broker-dealer
with the SEC. The Company represents and warrants that the Company and
ALFS will sell and distribute such policies in accordance in all
material respects with all applicable state and federal securities
laws, including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the
0000 Xxx.
2.4. The Trust and MFS represent and warrant that the Shares sold
pursuant to this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly
authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all applicable federal and state
securities laws and that the Trust is and shall remain registered under
the 1940 Act. The Trust shall amend the registration statement for its
Shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as
required in order to effect the continuous offering of its Shares. The
Trust shall register and qualify the Shares for sale in accordance with
the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed
necessary by the Trust.
2.5. MFS represents and warrants that the Underwriter is a member in
good standing of the NASD and is registered as a broker-dealer with the
SEC. The Trust and MFS represent that the Trust and the Underwriter
will sell and distribute the Shares in accordance in all material
respects with all applicable state and federal securities laws,
including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the 0000
Xxx.
2.6. The Trust represents that it is lawfully organized and validly
existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that
it does and will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act and
any applicable regulations thereunder.
2.7. MFS represents and warrants that it is and shall remain duly
registered under all applicable federal securities laws and that it
shall perform its obligations for the Trust in compliance in all
material respects with any applicable federal securities laws and with
the securities laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MFS
represents and warrants that it is not subject to state securities laws
other than the securities laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
that it is exempt from registration as an investment adviser under the
securities laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
2.8. No less frequently than annually, the Company shall submit to the
Board such reports, material or data as the Board may reasonably
request so that it may carry out fully the obligations imposed upon it
by the conditions contained in the exemptive application pursuant to
which the SEC has granted exemptive relief to permit mixed and shared
funding (the "Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order").
ARTICLE III. Prospectus and Proxy Statements; Voting
3.1. At least annually, the Trust or its designee shall provide the
Company, free of charge, with as many copies of the current prospectus
(describing only the Portfolios listed in Schedule A hereto) for the
Shares as the Company may reasonably request for distribution to
existing Policy owners whose Policies are funded by such Shares. The
Trust or its designee shall provide the Company, at the Company's
expense, with as many copies of the current prospectus for the Shares
as the Company may reasonably request for distribution to prospective
purchasers of Policies. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof,
the Trust or its designee shall provide such documentation (including a
"camera ready" copy of the new prospectus as set in type or, at the
request of the Company, as a diskette in the form sent to the financial
printer) and other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for
the parties hereto once each year (or more frequently if the prospectus
for the Shares is supplemented or amended) to have the prospectus for
the Policies and the prospectus for the Shares printed together in one
document; the expenses of such printing to be apportioned between (a)
the Company and (b) the Trust or its designee in proportion to the
number of pages of the Policy and Shares' prospectuses, taking account
of other relevant factors affecting the expense of printing, such as
covers, columns, graphs and charts; the Trust or its designee to bear
the cost of printing the Shares' prospectus portion of such document
for distribution to owners of existing Policies funded by the Shares
and the Company to bear the expenses of printing the portion of such
document relating to the Accounts; provided, however, that the Company
shall bear all printing expenses of such combined documents where used
for distribution to prospective purchasers or to owners of existing
Policies not funded by the Shares. In the event that the Company
requests that the Trust or its designee provides the Trust's prospectus
in a "camera ready" or diskette format, the Trust shall be responsible
for providing the prospectus in the format in which it or MFS is
accustomed to formatting prospectuses and shall bear the expense of
providing the prospectus in such format (e.g., typesetting expenses),
and the Company shall bear the expense of adjusting or changing the
format to conform with any of its prospectuses.
3.2. The prospectus for the Shares shall state that the statement of
additional information for the Shares is available from the Trust or
its designee. The Trust or its designee, at its expense, shall print
and provide such statement of additional information to the Company (or
a master of such statement suitable for duplication by the Company) for
distribution to any owner of a Policy funded by the Shares. The Trust
or its designee, at the Company's expense, shall print and provide such
statement to the Company (or a master of such statement suitable for
duplication by the Company) for distribution to a prospective purchaser
who requests such statement or to an owner of a Policy not funded by
the Shares.
3.3. The Trust or its designee shall provide the Company free of charge
copies, if and to the extent applicable to the Shares, of the Trust's
proxy materials, reports to Shareholders and other communications to
Shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require
for distribution to Policy owners.
3.4. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3
above, or of Article V below, the Company shall pay the expense of
printing or providing documents to the extent such cost is considered a
distribution expense. Distribution expenses would include by way of
illustration, but are not limited to, the printing of the Shares'
prospectus or prospectuses for distribution to prospective purchasers
or to owners of existing Policies not funded by such Shares.
3.5. The Trust hereby notifies the Company that it may be appropriate
to include in the prospectus pursuant to which a Policy is offered
disclosure regarding the potential risks of mixed and shared funding.
3.6. If and to the extent required by law, the Company shall:
(a) solicit voting instructions from Policy owners;
(b) vote the Shares in accordance with instructions
received from Policy owners; and
(c) vote the Shares for which no instructions have been
received in the same proportion as the Shares of such
Portfolio for which instructions have been received
from Policy owners;
so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret the
1940 Act to require pass through voting privileges for variable
contract owners. The Company will in no way recommend action in
connection with or oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies
for the Shares held for such Policy owners. The Company reserves the
right to vote shares held in any segregated asset account in its own
right, to the extent permitted by law. Participating Insurance
Companies shall be responsible for assuring that each of their separate
accounts holding Shares calculates voting privileges in the manner
required by the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order. The Trust and
MFS will notify the Company of any changes of interpretations or
amendments to the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
4.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Trust or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which the Trust, MFS, any other investment
adviser to the Trust, or any affiliate of MFS are named, at least three
(3) Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if
the Trust, MFS, or their respective designees reasonably objects to
such use within three (3) Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.2. The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statement on behalf of the Trust, MFS, any other
investment adviser to the Trust, or any affiliate of MFS or concerning
the Trust or any other such entity in connection with the sale of the
Policies other than the information or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or statement of additional
information for the Shares, as such registration statement, prospectus
and statement of additional information may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Trust, or
in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the
Trust, MFS or their respective designees, except with the permission of
the Trust, MFS or their respective designees. The Trust, MFS or their
respective designees each agrees to respond to any request for approval
on a prompt and timely basis. The Company shall adopt and implement
procedures reasonably designed to ensure that information concerning
the Trust, MFS or any of their affiliates which is intended for use
only by brokers or agents selling the Policies (i.e., information that
is not intended for distribution to Policy owners or prospective Policy
owners) is so used, and neither the Trust, MFS nor any of their
affiliates shall be liable for any losses, damages or expenses relating
to the improper use of such broker only materials.
4.3. The Trust or its designee shall furnish, or shall cause to be
furnished, to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales
literature or other promotional material in which the Company and/or
the Accounts is named, at least three (3) Business Days prior to its
use. No such material shall be used if the Company or its designee
reasonably objects to such use within three (3) Business Days after
receipt of such material.
4.4. The Trust and MFS shall not give, and agree that the Underwriter
shall not give, any information or make any representations on behalf
of the Company or concerning the Company, the Accounts, or the Policies
in connection with the sale of the Policies other than the information
or representations contained in a registration statement, prospectus,
or statement of additional information for the Policies, as such
registration statement, prospectus and statement of additional
information may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in
reports for the Accounts, or in sales literature or other promotional
material approved by the Company or its designee, except with the
permission of the Company. The Company or its designee agrees to
respond to any request for approval on a prompt and timely basis. The
parties hereto agree that this Section 4.4. is neither intended to
designate nor otherwise imply that MFS is an underwriter or distributor
of the Policies.
4.5. The Company and the Trust (or its designee in lieu of the Company
or the Trust, as appropriate) will each provide to the other at least
one complete copy of all registration statements, prospectuses,
statements of additional information, reports, proxy statements, sales
literature and other promotional materials, applications for
exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments to any
of the above, that relate to the Policies, or to the Trust or its
Shares, prior to or contemporaneously with the filing of such document
with the SEC or other regulatory authorities. The Company and the Trust
shall also each promptly inform the other of the results of any
examination by the SEC (or other regulatory authorities) that relates
to the Policies, the Trust or its Shares, and the party that was the
subject of the examination shall provide the other party with a copy of
relevant portions of any "deficiency letter" or other correspondence or
written report regarding any such examination.
4.6. The Trust and MFS will provide the Company with as much notice as
is reasonably practicable of any proxy solicitation for any Portfolio,
and of any material change in the Trust's registration statement,
particularly any change resulting in change to the registration
statement or prospectus or statement of additional information for any
Account. The Trust and MFS will cooperate with the Company so as to
enable the Company to solicit proxies from Policy owners or to make
changes to its prospectus, statement of additional information or
registration statement, in an orderly manner. The Trust and MFS will
make reasonable efforts to attempt to have changes affecting Policy
prospectuses become effective simultaneously with the annual updates
for such prospectuses.
4.7. For purpose of this Article IV and Article VIII, the phrase "sales
literature or other promotional material" includes but is not limited
to advertisements (such as material published, or designed for use in,
a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical, radio, television,
telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or billboards,
motion pictures, or other public media), and sales literature (such as
brochures, circulars, reprints or excerpts or any other advertisement,
sales literature, or published articles), distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, educational or training materials
or communications distributed or made generally available to some or
all agents or employees.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
5.1. The Trust shall pay no fee or other compensation to the Company
under this Agreement, and the Company shall pay no fee or other
compensation to the Trust, except that, to the extentthe Trust or any
Portfolio has adopted and implemented a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act to finance distribution and for Shareholder
servicing expenses, then, subject to obtaining any required exemptive
orders or regulatory approvals, the Trust may make payments to the
Company or to the underwriter for the Policies in accordance with such
plan. Each party, however, shall, in accordance with the allocation of
expenses specified in Articles III and V hereof, reimburse other
parties for expenses initially paid by one party but allocated to
another party. In addition, nothing herein shall prevent the parties
hereto from otherwise agreeing to perform, and arranging for
appropriate compensation for, other services relating to the Trust
and/or to the Accounts.
5.2. The Trust or its designee shall bear the expenses for the cost of
registration and qualification of the Shares under all applicable
federal and state laws, including preparation and filing of the Trust's
registration statement, and payment of filing fees and registration
fees; preparation and filing of the Trust's proxy materials and reports
to Shareholders; setting in type and printing its prospectus and
statement of additional information (to the extent provided by and as
determined in accordance with Article III above); setting in type and
printing the proxy materials and reports to Shareholders (to the extent
provided by and as determined in accordance with Article III above);
the preparation of all statements and notices required of the Trust by
any federal or state law with respect to its Shares; all taxes on the
issuance or transfer of the Shares; and the costs of distributing the
Trust's prospectuses and proxy materials to owners of Policies funded
by the Shares and any expenses permitted to be paid or assumed by the
Trust pursuant to a plan, if any, under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
The Trust shall not bear any expenses of marketing the Policies.
5.3. The Company shall bear the expenses of distributing the Shares'
prospectus or prospectuses in connection with new sales of the Policies
and of distributing the Trust's Shareholder reports to Policy owners.
The Company shall bear all expenses associated with the registration,
qualification, and filing of the Policies under applicable federal
securities and state insurance laws; the cost of preparing, printing
and distributing the Policy prospectus and statement of additional
information; and the cost of preparing, printing and distributing
annual individual account statements for Policy owners as required by
state insurance laws.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification and Related Limitations
6.1. The Trust and MFS represent and warrant that each Portfolio will meet
the diversification requirements of Section 851 of the Code ("Section 851
Diversification Requirements") and Section 817(h)(1) of the Code and Treas.
Reg. 1.817-5, relating to the diversification requirements for variable
annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts ("Section 817(h)(1)
Diversification Requirements"), as they may be amended from time to time
(and any revenue rulings, revenue procedures, notices, and other published
announcements of the Internal Revenue Service interpreting these sections)
(collectively, "Diversification Requirements"). In the event that any
Portfolio is not so diversified at the end of any applicable quarter, the
Trust and MFS will make every effort to adequately diversify the Portfolio
so as to achieve compliance within the grace periods afforded by Treas.
Reg. 1.817-5 and Section 851(d) of the Code (the "Grace Periods"). In the
event that any Portfolio is not so diversified at the end of any applicable
Grace Period, the Trust or MFS will promptly notify the Company of such
non-diversification, such notification to be provided in no event later
than 20 days after the end of the applicable Grace Period. The Trust will
provide the Company with a certification as to quarterly compliance with
Section 817(h) and the regulations thereunder, in such forms and at such
time as the Company and the Trust shall agree.
6.2. The Trust and MFS represent that each Portfolio will elect to be
qualified as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code
and that they will make every effort to ensure the maintenance of such
qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision).
In the event that any Portfolio is not so qualified at the end of any
applicable quarter or grace period (if applicable), the Trust or MFS will
promptly notify the Company of such nonqualification, such qualification to
be provided in no event later than 20 days after the end of the applicable
quarter or grace period (if applicable).
ARTICLE VII. Potential Material Conflicts
7.1. The Trust agrees that the Board, constituted with a majority of
disinterested trustees, will monitor each Portfolio of the Trust for
the existence of any material irreconcilable conflict between the
interests of the variable annuity contract owners and the variable life
insurance policy owners of the Company and/or affiliated companies
("contract owners") investing in the Trust. The Board shall have the
sole authority to determine if a material irreconcilable conflict
exists, and such determination shall be binding on the Company only if
approved in the form of a resolution by a majority of the Board, or a
majority of the disinterested trustees of the Board. The Board will
give prompt notice of any such determination to the Company.
7.2. The Company agrees that it will be responsible for assisting the
Board in carrying out its responsibilities under the conditions set
forth in the Trust's exemptive application pursuant to which the SEC
has granted the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order by providing
the Board, as it may reasonably request, with all information necessary
for the Board to consider any issues raised and agrees that it will be
responsible for promptly reporting any potential or existing conflicts
of which it is aware to the Board including, but not limited to, an
obligation by the Company to inform the Board whenever contract owner
voting instructions are disregarded. The Company also agrees that, if a
material irreconcilable conflict arises, it will at its own cost remedy
such conflict up to and including (a) withdrawing the assets allocable
to some or all of the Accounts from the Trust or any Portfolio and
reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium, including
(but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Trust, or submitting to a
vote of all affected contract owners whether to withdraw assets from
the Trust or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different
investment medium and, as appropriate, segregating the assets
attributable to any appropriate group of contract owners that votes in
favor of such segregation, or offering to any of the affected contract
owners the option of segregating the assets attributable to their
contracts or policies, and (b) establishing a new registered management
investment company and segregating the assets underlying the Policies,
unless a majority of Policy owners materially adversely affected by the
conflict have voted to decline the offer to establish a new registered
management investment company.
7.3. A majority of the disinterested trustees of the Board shall
determine whether any proposed action by the Company adequately
remedies any material irreconcilable conflict. In the event that the
Board determines that any proposed action does not adequately remedy
any material irreconcilable conflict, the Company will withdraw from
investment in the Trust each of the Accounts designated by the
disinterested trustees and terminate this Agreement within six (6)
months after the Board informs the Company in writing of the foregoing
determination; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination
shall be limited to the extent required to remedy any such material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested trustees of the Board.
7.4. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended,
or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision
of the 1940 Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to
mixed or shared funding (as defined in the Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions materially different from
those contained in the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, then
(a) the Trust and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as
appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with
Rule 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the
extent such rules are applicable; and (b) Sections 3.5, 3.6, 7.1, 7.2,
7.3 and 7.4 of this Agreement shall continue in effect only to the
extent that terms and conditions substantially identical to such
Sections are contained in such Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1. Indemnification by the Company
The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust,
MFS, any affiliates of MFS, and each of their respective
directors/trustees, officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Trust or MFS within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, and any
agents or employees of the foregoing (each an "Indemnified Party," or
collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section
8.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the
Company) or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) to which any
Indemnified Party may become subject under any statute, regulation, at
common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements
are related to the sale or acquisition of the Shares or the Policies
and:
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or statement of additional
information for the Policies or contained in the Policies or
sales literature or other promotional material for the Policies
(or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not
apply as to any -------- Indemnified Party if such statement or
omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in
reasonable reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to the Company or its designee by or on behalf of the
Trust or MFS for use in the registration statement, prospectus or
statement of additional information for the Policies or in the
Policies or sales literature or other promotional material (or
any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection
with the sale of the Policies or Shares; or
(b) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus, statement of additional
information or sales literature or other promotional material of
the Trust not supplied by the Company or its designee, or persons
under its control and on which the Company has reasonably relied)
or wrongful conduct of the Company or persons under its control,
with respect to the sale or distribution of the Policies or
Shares; or
(c) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in the registration statement,
prospectus, statement of additional information, or sales
literature or other promotional literature of the Trust, or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statement or statements
therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon information furnished to the Trust by or on behalf
of the Company; or
(d) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Company; or
(e) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of this Article VIII.
8.2. Indemnification by the Trust
The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company
and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act,
and any agents or employees of the foregoing (each an "Indemnified
Party," or collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Section 8.2) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the
Trust) or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) to which any
Indemnified Party may become subject under any statute, at common law
or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to
the sale or acquisition of the Shares or the Policies and:
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
registration statement, prospectus, statement of additional
information or sales literature or other promotional material of
the Trust (or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statement therein not
misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not
apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission
or such alleged statement or omission was made in reasonable
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the
Trust, MFS, the Underwriter or their respective designees by or
on behalf of the Company for use in the registration statement,
prospectus or statement of additional information for the Trust
or in sales literature or other promotional material for the
Trust (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of the Policies or Shares; or
(b) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus, statement of additional
information or sales literature or other promotional material for
the Policies not supplied by the Trust, MFS, the Underwriter or
any of their respective designees or persons under their
respective control and on which any such entity has reasonably
relied) or wrongful conduct of the Trust or persons under its
control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Policies
or Shares; or
(c) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in the registration statement,
prospectus, statement of additional information, or sales
literature or other promotional literature of the Accounts or
relating to the Policies, or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statement or statements therein not misleading, if such
statement or omission was made in reliance upon information
furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Trust, MFS or the
Underwriter; or
(d) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Trust in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Trust; or
(e) arise out of or result from any failure to comply with the
diversification requirements specified in Article VI of this
Agreement; or
(f) arise out of or result from the materially incorrect or untimely
calculation or reporting of the daily net asset value per share
or dividend or capital gain distribution rate; or
(g) arise as a result of any failure by the Trust to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of the
Agreement;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of this Article VIII.
8.3. In no event shall the Trust be liable under the indemnification
provisions contained in this Agreement to any individual or entity,
including without limitation, the Company, or any Participating
Insurance Company or any Policy holder, with respect to any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses that arise out of or result
from (i) a breach of any representation, warranty, and/or covenant made
by the Company hereunder or by any Participating Insurance Company
under an agreement containing substantially similar representations,
warranties and covenants; (ii) the failure by the Company or any
Participating Insurance Company to maintain its segregated asset
account (which invests in any Portfolio) as a legally and validly
established segregated asset account under applicable state law and as
a duly registered unit investment trust under the provisions of the
1940 Act (unless exempt therefrom); or (iii) the failure by the Company
or any Participating Insurance Company to maintain its variable annuity
and/or variable life insurance contracts (with respect to which any
Portfolio serves as an underlying funding vehicle) as life insurance,
endowment or annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the Code.
8.4. In no event shall the Company be liable under the indemnification
provisions contained in this Agreement to any individual or entity,
including without limitation, the Trust or MFS, or any other
Participating Insurance Company or any Policy holder, with respect to
any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses that arise out of
or result from (i) a breach of any representation, warranty, and/or
covenant made by the Trust or MFS hereunder or by any other
Participating Insurance Company under an agreement containing
substantially similar representations, warranties and covenants; (ii)
the failure by any other Participating Insurance Company to maintain
its segregated asset account (which invests in any Portfolio) as a
legally and validly established segregated asset account under
applicable state law and as a duly registered unit investment trust
under the provisions of the 1940 Act (unless exempt therefrom); or
(iii) subject to the Company's compliance with Section 2.2. hereof, the
failure by any other Participating Insurance Company to maintain its
variable annuity and/or variable life insurance contracts (with respect
to which any Portfolio serves as an underlying funding vehicle) as life
insurance, endowment or annuity contracts under applicable provisions
of the Code.
8.5. Neither the Company nor the Trust shall be liable under the
indemnification provisions contained in this Agreement with respect to
any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses to which an
Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, willful misconduct, or gross
negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by
reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations
and duties under this Agreement.
8.6. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party under this Section
8.5. of notice of commencement of any action, such Indemnified Party
will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
indemnifying party under this section, notify the indemnifying party of
the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may
have to any Indemnified Party otherwise than under this section. In
case any such action is brought against any Indemnified Party, and it
notified the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the
indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein and, to the
extent that it may wish, assume the defense thereof, with counsel
satisfactory to such Indemnified Party. After notice from the
indemnifying party of its intention to assume the defense of an action,
the Indemnified Party shall bear the expenses of any additional counsel
obtained by it, and the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such
Indemnified Party under this section for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.7. Each of the parties agrees promptly to notify the other parties of
the commencement of any litigation or proceeding against it or any of
its respective officers, directors, trustees, employees or 1933 Act
control persons in connection with the Agreement, the issuance or sale
of the Policies, the operation of the Accounts, or the sale or
acquisition of Shares.
8.8. A successor by law of the parties to this Agreement shall be
entitled to the benefits of the indemnification contained in this
Article VIII. The indemnification provisions contained in this Article
VIII shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
9.1. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
9.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934
and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder,
including such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the
SEC may grant and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in
accordance therewith.
ARTICLE X. Notice of Formal Proceedings
The Trust, MFS, and the Company agree that each such party shall promptly
notify the other parties to this Agreement, in writing, of the institution of
any formal proceedings brought against such party or its designees by the NASD,
the SEC, or any insurance department or any other regulatory body regarding such
party's duties under this Agreement or related to the sale of the Policies, the
operation of the Accounts, or the purchase of the Shares.
ARTICLE XI. Termination
11.1.This Agreement shall terminate with respect to the Accounts, or one,
some, or all Portfolios:
(a) at the option of any party upon six (6) months' advance written
notice to the other parties; or
(b) at the option of the Company to the extent that the Shares of
Portfolios are not reasonably available to meet the requirements
of the Policies or are not "appropriate funding vehicles" for the
Policies, as reasonably determined by the Company. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Shares of a
Portfolio would not be "appropriate funding vehicles" if, for
example, such Shares did not meet the diversification or other
requirements referred to in Article VI hereof; or if the Company
would be permitted to disregard Policy owner voting instructions
pursuant to Rule 6e-2 or 6e-3(T) under the 1940 Act. Prompt
notice of the election to terminate for such cause and an
explanation of such cause shall be furnished to the Trust by the
Company; or
(c) at the option of the Trust or MFS upon institution of formal
proceedings against the Company by the NASD, the SEC, or any
insurance department or any other regulatory body regarding the
Company's duties under this Agreement or related to the sale of
the Policies, the operation of the Accounts, or the purchase of
the Shares; or
(d) at the option of the Company upon institution of formal
proceedings against the Trust by the NASD, the SEC, or any state
securities or insurance department or any other regulatory body
regarding the Trust's or MFS' duties under this Agreement or
related to the sale of the Shares; or
(e) at the option of the Company, the Trust or MFS upon receipt of
any necessary regulatory approvals and/or the vote of the Policy
owners having an interest in the Accounts (or any subaccounts) to
substitute the shares of another investment company for the
corresponding Portfolio Shares in accordance with the terms of
the Policies for which those Portfolio Shares had been selected
to serve as the underlying investment media. The Company will
give thirty (30) days' prior written notice to the Trust of the
Date of any proposed vote or other action taken to replace the
Shares; or
(f) termination by either the Trust or MFS by written notice to the
Company, if either one or both of the Trust or MFS respectively,
shall determine, in their sole judgment exercised in good faith,
that the Company has suffered a material adverse change in its
business, operations, financial condition, or prospects since the
date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse
publicity; or
(g) termination by the Company by written notice to the Trust and
MFS, if the Company shall determine, in its sole judgment
exercised in good faith, that the Trust or MFS has suffered a
material adverse change in this business, operations, financial
condition or prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the
subject of material adverse publicity; or
(h) at the option of any party to this Agreement, upon another
party's failure to cure (within 10 business days of notice from
the non-breaching party) a material breach of any provision of
this Agreement; or
(i) upon assignment of this Agreement, unless made with the written
consent of the parties hereto.
11.2. The notice shall specify the Portfolio or Portfolios, Policies
and, if applicable, the Accounts as to which the Agreement is to be
terminated.
11.3. It is understood and agreed that the right of any party hereto to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(a) may be exercised
for cause or for no cause.
11.4. Except as necessary to implement Policy owner initiated
transactions, or as required by state insurance laws or regulations,
the Company shall not redeem the Shares attributable to the Policies
(as opposed to the Shares attributable to the Company's assets held in
the Accounts), and the Company shall not prevent Policy owners from
allocating payments to a Portfolio that was otherwise available under
the Policies, until thirty (30) days after the Company shall have
notified the Trust of its intention to do so.
11.5. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Trust and
MFS shall, at the option of the Company, continue to make available
additional shares of the Portfolios pursuant to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, for all Policies in effect on the
effective date of termination of this Agreement (the "Existing
Policies"), except as otherwise provided under Article VII of this
Agreement. Specifically, without limitation, the owners of the Existing
Policies shall be permitted to transfer or reallocate investment under
the Policies, redeem investments in any Portfolio and/or invest in the
Trust upon the making of additional purchase payments under the
Existing Policies.
ARTICLE XII. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail, overnight courier or facsimile to the other party at the address
of such party set forth below or at such other address as such party may from
time to time specify in writing to the other party.
If to the Trust:
MFS Variable Insurance Trust
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Secretary
If to the Company:
Allstate Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx X0X
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
If to MFS:
Massachusetts Financial Services Company
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, General Counsel
ARTICLE XIII. Miscellaneous
13.1. Subject to the requirement of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and
addresses of the owners of the Policies and all information reasonably
identified as confidential in writing by any other party hereto and,
except as permitted by this Agreement or as otherwise required by
applicable law or regulation, shall not disclose, disseminate or
utilize such names and addresses and other confidential information
without the express written consent of the affected party until such
time as it may come into the public domain.
13.2. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions
hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
13.3. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in one or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the
same instrument.
13.4. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid
by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the
Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
13.5. The Schedule attached hereto, as modified from time to time, is
incorporated herein by reference and is part of this Agreement.
13.6. Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party in
connection with inquiries by appropriate governmental authorities
(including without limitation the SEC, the NASD, and state insurance
regulators) relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby.
13.7. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement
are cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and
obligations, at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled
to under state and federal laws.
13.8. A copy of the Trust's Declaration of Trust is on file with the
Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Company
acknowledges that the obligations of or arising out of this instrument
are not binding upon any of the Trust's trustees, officers, employees,
agents or shareholders individually, but are binding solely upon the
assets and property of the Trust in accordance with its proportionate
interest hereunder. The Company further acknowledges that the assets
and liabilities of each Portfolio are separate and distinct and that
the obligations of or arising out of this instrument are binding solely
upon the assets or property of the Portfolio on whose behalf the Trust
has executed this instrument. The Company also agrees that the
obligations of each Portfolio hereunder shall be several and not joint,
in accordance with its proportionate interest hereunder, and the
Company agrees not to proceed against any Portfolio for the obligations
of another Portfolio.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date
specified above.
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By its authorized officer,
By:
-------------------------------------------------
Title:
----------------------------------------------
MFS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST,
on behalf of the Portfolios
By its authorized officer and not individually,
By:
-------------------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xx.
Assistant Secretary
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY
By its authorized officer,
By:
-------------------------------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Senior Executive Vice President
As of August __, 2001
SCHEDULE A
Accounts, Policies and Portfolios
Subject to the Participation Agreement
========================================== ================================ ============================ ==========================
Name of Separate
Account and Date Policies Funded Share Class Portfolios
Established by Board of Directors by Separate Account (Initial or Service Class) Applicable to Policies
========================================== ================================ ============================ ========================
Allstate Financial Advisors Allstate Financial Personal Service New Discovery Series
Separate Account I Retirement Manager Utilities Series
LU 10133FL
Individual and Group Initial Investors TrustSeries
Flexible Premium Deferred New Discovery Series
Variable Annuity Contracts High Income Series
Bond Series
------------------------------------------ -------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
Exhibit (8)(g)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
XXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXX UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.,
XXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXX
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC.
XXXXXX XXXXXXXX & XXXXXXXX, LLP
and
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
DATED AS OF
____________, 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I. Purchase of Fund Shares 2
ARTICLE II Representations and Warranties 4
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses, Reports to Shareholders
and Proxy Statements, Voting 6
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information 8
ARTICLE V Fees and Expenses 9
ARTICLE VI. Diversification 10
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts 10
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification 12
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law 18
ARTICLE X. Termination 18
ARTICLE XI. Notices 21
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous 21
SCHEDULE A Separate Accounts and Contracts A-1
SCHEDULE B Portfolios of Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx
Universal Funds, Inc. B-1
SCHEDULE C Proxy Voting Procedures C-1
Participation Agreement
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 15th day of June, 2001
by and among ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (hereinafter the "Company"), an
Illinois corporation, on its own behalf and on behalf of each separate account
of the Company set forth on Schedule A hereto as may be amended from time to
time (each such account hereinafter referred to as the "Account"), and XXXXXX
XXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXX UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC. (hereinafter the "Fund"), a Maryland
corporation, and XXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXX INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC. and
XXXXXX XXXXXXXX & XXXXXXXX, LLP (hereinafter collectively the "Advisers" and
individually the "Adviser"), a Delaware corporation and a Pennsylvania limited
liability partnership, respectively.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management
investment company and is available to act as (i) the investment vehicle for
separate accounts established by insurance companies for individual and group
life insurance policies and annuity contracts with variable accumulation and/or
pay-out provisions (hereinafter referred to individually and/or collectively as
"Variable Insurance Products") and (ii) the investment vehicle for certain
qualified pension and retirement plans (hereinafter "Qualified Plans"); and
WHEREAS, insurance companies desiring to utilize the Fund as an
investment vehicle under their Variable Insurance Contracts enter into
participation agreements with the Fund and the Advisers (the "Participating
Insurance Companies");
WHEREAS, shares of the Fund are divided into several series of shares,
each representing the interest in a particular managed portfolio of securities
and other assets, any one or more of which may be made available under this
Agreement, as may be amended from time to time by mutual agreement of the
parties hereto (each such series hereinafter referred to as a "Portfolio"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission, dated September 19, 1996 (File No. 812-10118), granting
Participating Insurance Companies and Variable Insurance Product separate
accounts exemptions from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and
15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (hereinafter the "1940
Act"), and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, to the extent
necessary to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to and held by Variable
Annuity Product separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life
insurance companies and Qualified Plans (hereinafter the "Shared Funding
Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, each Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any applicable state
securities laws; and
WHEREAS, each Adviser manages certain Portfolios of the Fund; and
WHEREAS, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx & Co. Incorporated (the "Underwriter") is
registered as a broker/dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (hereinafter the "1934 Act"), is a member in good standing of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (hereinafter "NASD") and serves
as principal underwriter of the shares of the Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain Variable
Insurance Products under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset account, established by resolution or under authority of the Board of
Directors of the Company, on the date shown for such Account on Schedule A
hereto, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid Variable
Insurance Product; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a
unit investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase, on behalf of each Account, shares
in the Portfolios set forth in Schedule B attached to this Agreement, to fund
certain of the aforesaid Variable Insurance Products and the Underwriter is
authorized to sell such shares to each such Account at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company,
the Fund and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Purchase of Fund Shares
1.1. The Fund agrees to make available for purchase by the Company shares of the
Fund and shall execute orders placed for each Account on a daily basis at the
net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or its designee of such
order. For purposes of this Section 1.1, the Company shall be the designee of
the Fund for receipt of such orders from each Account and receipt by such
designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives
notice of such order by 10:00 a.m. Eastern time on the next following Business
Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is
open for trading and on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant
to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.2. The Fund, so long as this Agreement is in effect, agrees to make its shares
available indefinitely for purchase at the applicable net asset value per share
by the Company and its Accounts on those days on which the Fund calculates its
net asset value pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and
the Fund shall use reasonable efforts to calculate such net asset value on each
day which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Board of Directors of the Fund (hereinafter the "Board") may
refuse to permit the Fund to sell shares of any Portfolio to any person, or
suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Portfolio if such action is
required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the
sole discretion of the Board acting in good faith and in light of their
fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, necessary in the
best interests of the shareholders of such Portfolio.
1.3. The Fund agrees that shares of the Fund will be sold only to Participating
Insurance Companies and their separate accounts and to certain Qualified Plans.
No shares of any Portfolio will be sold to the general public.
1.4. The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's request, any full or
fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, executing such requests on a
daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or
its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of this Section 1.4,
the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of requests for
redemption from each Account and receipt by such designee shall constitute
receipt by the Fund, provided that the Fund receives notice of such request for
redemption on the next following Business Day.
1.5. The Company agrees that purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares
offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund shall be made in accordance
with the provisions of such prospectus. The Variable Insurance Products issued
by the Company, under which amounts may be invested in the Fund (hereinafter the
"Contracts"), are listed on Schedule A attached hereto and incorporated herein
by reference, as such Schedule A may be amended from time to time by mutual
written agreement of all of the parties hereto. The Company will give the Fund
and the Adviser 45 days written notice of its intention to make available in the
future, as a funding vehicle under the Contracts, any other investment company.
1.6. The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business Day after an
order to purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with the provisions of
Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire. For
purposes of Section 2.10 and 2.11, upon receipt by the Fund of the federal funds
so wired, such funds shall cease to be the responsibility of the Company and
shall become the responsibility of the Fund.
1.7. Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry only.
Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account. Shares
ordered from the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for each Account
or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.8. The Fund shall furnish same day notice (by wire or telephone, followed by
written confirmation) to the Company of any income, dividends or capital gain
distributions payable on the Fund's shares. The Company hereby elects to receive
all such income dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on the
Portfolio shares in additional shares of that Portfolio. The Company reserves
the right to revoke this election and to receive all such income dividends and
capital gain distributions in cash. The Fund shall notify the Company of the
number of shares so issued as payment of such dividends and distributions.
1.9. The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each Portfolio
available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably practical after
the net asset value per share is calculated (normally by 6:30 p.m. Eastern time)
and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value per share available
by 7:00 p.m. Eastern time. In the event that net asset values are not made
available to the Company by such time, the Company agrees to use its best
efforts to include the net asset value when received in it next order processing
cycle for purposes of calculating purchase orders and requests for redemption,
However, if net asset values are not available for inclusion in the next order
processing cycle and purchase orders/redemptions are not able to be calculated
and available for the Company to execute within the timeframe identified in
Section 1.1, the Company shall be entitled to an adjustment with respect to the
Fund shares purchased or redeemed to reflect the correct net asset value per
share. The determination of the materiality of any incorrect net asset value
used shall be based on the SEC's recommended guidelines regarding such incorrect
net asset values. The correction of any such errors shall be made at he Company
level and shall be made pursuant to the SEC's recommended guidelines.
1.10.The Fund will provide notice of an error in calculation of net asset value
of a Portfolio as soon as reasonably practical after discovery thereof. Any such
notice will state for each day for which an error occurred the incorrect price,
the correct price and the reason for the price change. If the Fund provides
materially incorrect share net asset value information through no fault of the
Company, the Company shall be entitled to an adjustment with respect to the Fund
shares purchased or redeemed to reflect the correct net asset value per share.
The determination of the materiality of any net asset value pricing error shall
be based on the SEC's recommended guidelines regarding such errors. The
correction of any such errors shall be made at the Company level and shall be
made pursuant to the SEC's recommended guidelines.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will be
registered under the 1933 Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws
and that the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all material respects with
state insurance suitability requirements. The Company further represents and
warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing
under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established each
Account prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated asset account
under Section [Citation of state separate account law] and has registered or,
prior to any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will register each Account as a
unit investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve
as a segregated investment account for the Contracts.
2.2. The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold pursuant to this
Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly authorized for issuance
and sold in compliance with the laws of the State of Maryland and all applicable
federal and state securities laws and that the Fund is and shall remain
registered under the 0000 Xxx. The Fund shall amend the registration statement
for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as required
in order to effect the continuous offering of its shares. The Fund shall
register and qualify the shares for sale in accordance with the laws of the
various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund.
2.3. The Fund represents that it is currently qualified as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), and that it will make every effort to maintain such
qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision) and
that it will notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing that it has ceased to so qualify.
2.4. The Company represents that the Contracts are currently treated as life
insurance policies or annuity contracts, under applicable provisions of the Code
and that it will make every effort to maintain such treatment and that it will
notify the Fund immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that
the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated
in the future.
2.5. The Fund represents that to the extent that it decides to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund
undertakes to have a board of directors, a majority of whom are not interested
persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance
distribution expenses.
2.6. The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its operations
(including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment policies)
complies with the insurance laws or regulations of the various states except
that the Fund represents that the Fund's investment policies, fees and expenses
are and shall at all times remain in compliance with the laws of the State of
Maryland and the Fund represents that their respective operations are and shall
at all times remain in material compliance with the laws of the State of
Maryland to the extent required to perform this Agreement.
2.7. The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly existing
under the laws of the State of Maryland and that it does and will comply in all
material respects with the 1940 Act.
2.8. Each Adviser represents and warrants that it is and shall remain duly
registered in all material respects under all applicable federal and state
securities laws and that it will perform its obligations for the Fund in
compliance in all material respects with the laws of its state of domicile and
any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.9. The Fund represents and warrants that its directors, officers, employees,
and other individuals/entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the
Fund are and shall continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity
bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than
the minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940 Act or
related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid
blanket fidelity bond shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and
shall be issued by a reputable bonding company.
2.10. The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors, officers,
employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities dealing with the
money and/or securities of the Fund are covered by a blanket fidelity bond or
similar coverage, in an amount not less $5 million. The aforesaid includes
coverage for larceny and embezzlement is issued by a reputable bonding company.
The Company agrees to make all reasonable efforts to see that this bond or
another bond containing these provisions is always in effect, and agrees to
notify the Fund and the Underwriter in the event that such coverage no longer
applies.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses, Reports to Shareholders and Proxy Statements; Voting
3.1. The Fund or its designee shall provide the Company with as many printed
copies of the Fund's current prospectus and statement of additional information
as the Company may reasonably request. If requested by the Company, in lieu of
providing printed copies the Fund shall provide camera-ready film or computer
diskettes containing the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional
information, and such other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for
the Company once each year (or more frequently if the prospectus and/or
statement of additional information for the Fund is amended during the year) to
have the prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's prospectus printed together
in one document, and to have the statement of additional information for the
Fund and the statement of additional information for the Contracts printed
together in one document. Alternatively, the Company may print the Fund's
prospectus and/or its statement of additional information in combination with
other fund companies' prospectuses and statements of additional information. The
form of the Fund's prospectus(es) and/or statements of additional information
provided to the Company shall be the final form of prospectus(es) and statement
of additional information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The
form(s) of prospectus(es) shall include only those Portfolios of the Fund
identified in Schedule B.
3.2. Except as provided in this Section 3.2., all expenses of preparing, setting
in type and printing and distributing Fund prospectuses and statements of
additional information shall be the expense of the Company. For prospectuses and
statements of additional information provided by the Company to its existing
owners of Contracts who currently own shares of one or more of the Fund's
Portfolios, in order to update disclosure as required by the 1933 Act and/or the
1940 Act, the cost of printing shall be borne by the Fund. If the Company
chooses to receive camera-ready film or computer diskettes in lieu of receiving
printed copies of the Fund's prospectus, the Fund shall bear the cost of
typesetting to provide the Fund's prospectus to the Company in the format in
which the Fund is accustomed to formatting prospectuses, and the Company shall
bear the expense of adjusting or changing the format to conform with any of its
prospectuses. In such event, the Fund will reimburse the Company in an amount
equal to the product of x and y where x is the number of such prospectuses
distributed to owners of the Contracts who currently own shares of one or more
of the Fund's Portfolios, and y is the Fund's per unit cost of typesetting and
printing the Fund's prospectus. The same procedures shall be followed with
respect to the Fund's statement of additional information. The Company agrees to
provide the Fund or its designee with such information as may be reasonably
requested by the Fund to assure that the Fund's expenses do not include the cost
of printing, typesetting, and distributing any prospectuses or statements of
additional information other than those actually distributed to Existing
Contract Owners.
3.3. The Fund's statement of additional information shall be obtainable from the
Fund, the Company or such other person as the Fund may designate, as agreed upon
by the parties.
3.4. The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies of its
proxy statements, reports to shareholders, and other communications (except for
prospectuses and statements of additional information, which are covered in
section 3.1) to shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably
require for distributing to Contract owners. The Fund shall bear the expense of
mailing such proxy materials in the event the proxy vote is a result of actions
by the Fund.
3.5. If and to the extent required by law the Company shall:
(i) solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
(ii) vote the Fund shares in accordance with instructions received from
Contract owners; and
(iii)vote Fund shares for which no instructions have been received in the
same proportion as Fund shares of such Portfolio for which
instructions have been received, so long as and to the extent that the
Securities and Exchange Commission continues to interpret the 1940 Act
to require pass-through voting privileges for variable contract
owners. The Company reserves the right to vote Fund shares held in any
segregated asset account in its own right, to the extent permitted by
law. The Fund and the Company shall follow the procedures, and shall
have the corresponding responsibilities, for the handling of proxy and
voting instruction solicitations, as set forth in Schedule C attached
hereto and incorporated herein by reference. Participating Insurance
Companies shall be responsible for ensuring that each of their
separate accounts participating in the Fund calculates voting
privileges in a manner consistent with the standards set forth on
Schedule C, which standards will also be provided to the other
Participating Insurance Companies.
3.6. The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring voting
by shareholders, and in particular the Fund will either provide for annual
meetings or comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the Fund is not
one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as with
Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further, the Fund will act in
accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's interpretation of the
requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of directors
and with whatever rules the Commission may promulgate with respect thereto.
3.7. The Fund shall use reasonable efforts to provide Fund prospectuses, reports
to shareholders, proxy materials and other Fund communications (or camera-ready
equivalents) to the Company sufficiently in advance of the Company's mailing
dates to enable the Company to complete, at reasonable cost, the printing,
assembling and/or distribution of the communications in accordance with
applicable laws and regulations.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
4.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund or
its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in
which the Fund or the Adviser(s) is named, at least ten Business Days prior to
its use. No such material shall be used if the Fund or its designee reasonably
objects to such use within five Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.2. The Company shall not give any information or make any representations or
statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in connection with the
sale of the Contracts other than the information or representations contained in
the registration statement or prospectus for the Fund shares, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund, or in sales literature
or other promotional material approved by the Fund or its designee, except with
the permission of the Fund.
4.3. The Fund or its designee shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to
the Company or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which the Company and/or its separate account(s) is named at least
ten Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the
Company or its designee reasonably objects to such use within ten Business Days
after receipt of such material.
4.4. The Fund and the Advisers shall not give any information or make any
representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, each
Account, or the Contracts, other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in published reports for each Account which are in the public domain
or approved by the Company for distribution to Contract owners, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Company or its
designee, except with the permission of the Company.
4.5. The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
reports, proxy statements, sales literature and other promotional materials,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its shares, which are relevant
to the Company or the Contracts.
4.6. The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature and other
promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the investment
in the Fund under the Contracts.
4.7. For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following that
refer to the Fund or any affiliate of the Fund: advertisements (such as material
published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical,
radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or
billboards, motion pictures, or other public media), sales literature (i.e., any
written communication distributed or made generally available to customers or
the public, including brochures, circulars, research reports, market letters,
form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement,
sales literature, or published article), educational or training materials or
other communications distributed or made generally available to some or all
agents or employees, and registration statements, prospectuses, statements of
additional information, shareholder reports, and proxy materials.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
5.1. The Fund shall pay no fee or other compensation to the Company under this
Agreement, except that if the Fund or any Portfolio adopts and implements a plan
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses, then the Underwriter
may make payments to the Company or to the underwriter for the Contracts if and
in amounts agreed to by the Underwriter in writing.
5.2. All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under this Agreement shall
be paid by the Fund. The Fund shall see to it that all its shares are registered
and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable federal law and, if
and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund, in accordance with applicable
state laws prior to their sale. Except as otherwise set forth in the Section 3.2
of this Agreement, the Fund shall bear the expenses for the cost of registration
and qualification of the Fund's shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's
prospectus and registration statement, proxy materials and reports, setting the
prospectus in type, setting in type and printing the proxy materials and reports
to shareholders, the preparation of all statements and notices required by any
federal or state law, and all taxes on the issuance or transfer of the Fund's
shares.
5.3. The Company shall bear the expenses of distributing the Fund's prospectus,
proxy materials and reports to owners of Contracts issued by the Company.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification
6.1. The Fund will at all times invest money from the Contracts in such a manner
as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable contracts under the
Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting the scope of the
foregoing, the Fund will at all times comply with Section 817(h) of the Code and
Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the diversification requirements for
variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts and any amendments or
other modifications to such Section or Regulations. In the event of a breach of
this Article VI by the Fund, it will take all reasonable steps (a) to notify
Company of such breach and (b) to adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve
compliance within the grace period afforded by Regulation 817-5. The Fund shall
provide the Company information reasonable requested in relation to Section
817(h) diversification requirements, including quarterly reports and annual
certifications.
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts
7.1. The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict may
arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance
regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance,
tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter
ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance,
tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial
decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of
any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given
by Variable Insurance Product owners; or (f) a decision by a Participating
Insurance Company to disregard the voting instructions of contract owners. The
Board shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an irreconcilable
material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
7.2. The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of which it is
aware to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying out its
responsibilities under the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by providing the
Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to consider any
issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation by the
Company to inform the Board whenever contract owner voting instructions are
disregarded.
7.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of its
disinterested members, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the
Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and
to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the
disinterested directors), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or
eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1)
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from
the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Fund, or
submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote
of all affected Contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of
any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance policy
owners, or variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance
Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected
contract owners the option of making such a change; and (2) establishing a new
registered management investment company or managed separate account.
7.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by the
Company to disregard contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the affected Account's
investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to such Account
(at the Company's expense); provided, however that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members
of the Board.
7 5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular state
insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with the
majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw the affected
Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to
such Account within six months after the Board informs the Company in writing
that it has determined that such decision has created an irreconcilable material
conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be
limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict
as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Until the
end of the foregoing six month period, the Underwriter and Fund shall continue
to accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption)
of shares of the Fund.
7.6. For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.5 of this Agreement, a majority of
the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any proposed
action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event
will the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium for the Contracts.
The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 to establish a new funding
medium for the Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a
majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected by the irreconcilable
material conflict.
7.7. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or Rule
6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the 1940 Act
or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared funding (as
defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions
materially different from those contained in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order,
then (a) the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate,
shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T),
as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable;
and (b) Sections 3.4, 3.5, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 of this Agreement shall
continue in effect only to the extent that terms and conditions substantially
identical to such Sections are contained in such Rule(s) as so amended or
adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1. Indemnification By The Company
8.1(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and each
member of the Board and officers, and each Adviser and each director and officer
of each Adviser, and each person, if any, who controls the Fund or the Adviser
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" and individually, "Indemnified Party," for purposes of this Section
8.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts
paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company) or litigation
(including legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may
become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the
Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue
statements of any material fact contained in the registration
statement or prospectus for the Contracts or contained in the
Contracts or sales literature for the Contracts (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon
the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify
shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or
omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company by or
on behalf of the Fund for use in the registration statement or
prospectus for the Contracts or in the Contracts or sales literature
(or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection
with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other
than statements or representations contained in the registration
statement, prospectus or sales literature of the Fund not supplied by
the Company, or persons under its control and other than statements or
representations authorized by the Fund or an Adviser) or unlawful
conduct of the Company or persons under its control, with respect to
the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii)arise out of or as a result of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement,
prospectus, or sales literature of the Fund or any amendment thereof
or supplement thereto or the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading if such a statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the Company; or (iv) arise as
a result of any failure by the Company to provide the services and
furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation
and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or arise out of
or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the
Company, as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of
Sections 8.1(b) and 8.1(c) hereof.
8.1(b). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred
or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such Indemnified
Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement.
8.1(c). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such
Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after
such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any such claim shall not
relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified
Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action. After notice from the Company to such party of the Company's election to
assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Company will not be
liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.1(d). The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with
the issuance or sale of the Fund shares or the Contracts or the operation of the
Fund.
8.2. Indemnification by the Advisers
8.2(a). Each Adviser agrees, with respect to each Portfolio that it manages, to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its directors and officers
and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section
15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" and individually,
"Indemnified Party," for purposes of this Section 8.2) against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with
the written consent of the Adviser) or litigation (including legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute,
regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are
related to the sale or acquisition of shares of the Portfolio that it manages or
the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in the registration statement
or prospectus or sales literature of the Fund (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon
the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify
shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or
omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Fund by or on
behalf of the Company for use in the registration statement or
prospectus for the Fund or in sales literature (or any amendment or
supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the
Contracts or Portfolio shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other
than statements or representations contained in the registration
statement, prospectus or sales literature for the Contracts not
supplied by the Fund or persons under its control and other than
statements or representations authorized by the Company) or unlawful
conduct of the Fund, Adviser(s) or Underwriter or persons under their
control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or
Portfolio shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement,
prospectus, or sales literature covering the Contracts, or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statement or statements therein not
misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon
information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Fund; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the services
and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation
and/or warranty made by the Adviser in this Agreement or arise out of
or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the
Adviser; as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of
Sections 8.2(b) and 8.2(c) hereof.
8.2(b). An Adviser shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred or
assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such Indemnified
Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.
8.2(c). An Adviser shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified
Party shall have notified the Adviser in writing within a reasonable time after
the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the
claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated
agent), but failure to notify the Adviser of any such claim shall not relieve
the Adviser from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Adviser will be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense thereof. The Adviser also shall be entitled to assume
the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action.
After notice from the Adviser to such party of the Adviser's election to assume
the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of
any additional counsel retained by it, and the Adviser will not be liable to
such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently
incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense thereof
other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.2(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Adviser of the commencement of
any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or directors in
connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the operation of each
Account.
8.3. Indemnification by the Fund
8.3(a). The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and each of
its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (hereinafter collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" and individually, "Indemnified Party," for purposes of
this Section 8.3) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Fund) or
litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties
may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) or settlements result from the gross negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct of the Board or any member thereof, are related to the
operations of the Fund and:
(i) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the services
and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement; or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation
and/or warranty made by the Fund in this Agreement or arise out of or
result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Fund;
8.3(b). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred or
assessed against an Indemnified Party as may arise from such Indemnified Party's
willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless
disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.
8.3(c). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified
Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a reasonable time after the
summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the
claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated
agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any such claim shall not relieve the
Fund from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom
such action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification
provision. In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties,
the Fund will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense
thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the
Fund to such party of the Fund's election to assume the defense thereof, the
Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by it, and the Fund will not be liable to such party under this
Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party
independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs
of investigation.
8.3(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Fund of the commencement of
any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its respective officers or
directors in connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of the
Contracts, with respect to the operation of either Account, or the sale or
acquisition of shares of the Fund.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
9.1. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
9.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934 and
1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including such
exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the Securities and
Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to, the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in
accordance therewith.
ARTICLE X. Termination
10.1. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the first to
occur of:
(a) termination by any party for any reason by sixty (60) days advance
written notice delivered to the other parties; or
(b) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Adviser with respect to any Portfolio based upon the Company's determination
that shares of such Portfolio is not reasonably available to meet the
requirements of the Contracts; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Adviser with respect to any Portfolio in the event any of the Portfolio's shares
are not registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable state and/or
federal law or such law precludes the use of such shares as the underlying
investment media of the Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company; or
(d) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Adviser with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio ceases to
qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code or
under any successor or similar provision, or if the Company reasonably believes
that the Fund may fail to so qualify; or
(e) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Adviser with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio falls to
meet the diversification requirements specified in Article VI hereof; or
(f) termination by the Fund by written notice to the Company if the Fund
shall determine, in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the Company
and/or its affiliated companies has suffered a material adverse change in its
business, operations, financial condition or prospects since the date of this
Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity, or
(g) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Adviser, if the Company shall determine, in its sole judgment exercised in good
faith, that either the Fund or the Adviser has suffered a material adverse
change in its business, operations, financial condition or prospects since the
date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity; or
(h) termination by the Fund or the Adviser by written notice to the
Company, if the Company gives the Fund and the Adviser the written notice
specified in Section 1.5 hereof and at the time such notice was given there was
no notice of termination outstanding under any other provision of this
Agreement; provided, however any termination under this Section 10.1(h) shall be
effective forty five (45) days after the notice specified in Section 1.5 was
given; or
(i) termination at the option of the Fund, an Adviser or the Company upon
another party's material breach of any provision of this Agreement.
10.2. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Fund shall at the
option of the Company, continue to make available additional shares of the Fund
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in
effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter
referred to as "Existing, Contracts"). Specifically, without limitation, the
owners of the Existing Contracts shall be permitted to direct reallocation of
investments in the Fund, redemption of investments in the Fund and/or investment
in the Fund upon the making of additional purchase payments under the Existing
Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 10.2 shall not apply to any
terminations under Article VII and the effect of such Article VII terminations
shall be governed by Article VII of this Agreement.
10.3. The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the Contracts (as
distinct from Fund shares attributable to the Company's assets held in the
Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract Owner initiated or
approved transactions, or (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or
regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general application
(hereinafter referred to as a "Legally Required Redemption") or (iii) as
permitted by an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
Section 26(b) of the 1940 Act. Upon request, the Company will promptly furnish
to the Fund the opinion of counsel for the Company (which counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Fund) to the effect that any redemption pursuant
to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required Redemption. Furthermore, except in
cases where permitted under the terms of the Contracts, the Company shall not
prevent Contract Owners from allocating payments to a Portfolio that was
otherwise available under the Contracts without first giving the Fund 90 days
prior written notice of its intention to do so.
ARTICLE XI. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified mail
to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at such other
address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the other
party.
If to the Fund:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx Universal Funds, Inc.
c/o Morgan Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx
Investment Management Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx., Esq.
If to Adviser:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx Investment Management Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx., Esq.
If to Adviser:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx, LLP
Xxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
If to the Company:
Allstate Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Esq.
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous
12.1. All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the
Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the Board,
officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for obligations
entered into on behalf of the Fund.
12.2. Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory authority,
each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses of the
owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information until such time as it may come into
the public domain without the express written consent of the affected party.
12.3. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference
only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise
affect their construction or effect.
12.4. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
12.5. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement shall
not be affected thereby.
12.6. Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities
Dealers and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the California Insurance Commissioner with any information or
reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement which such
Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the insurance operations
of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent with the California
Insurance Regulations and any other applicable law or regulations.
12.7. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations
at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and
federal laws.
12.8. This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder may not be
assigned by any party without the prior written consent of all parties hereto;
provided, however, that an Adviser may assign this Agreement or any rights or
obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or company under common control with
the Adviser, if such assignee is duly licensed and registered to perform the
obligations of the Adviser under this Agreement.
12. 9 The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund or
its designee copies of the following reports:
(a) the Company's annual statement (prepared under statutory accounting
principles) and annual report (prepared under generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP"), if any), as soon as practical and in any event within 90
days after the end of each fiscal year;
(b) the Company's quarterly statements (statutory) (and GAAP, if any),
as soon as practical and in any event within 45 days after the end of each
quarterly period:
(c) any financial statement, proxy statement, notice or report of the
Company sent to stockholders and/or policyholders, as soon as practical after
the delivery thereof to stockholders;
(d) any registration statement (without exhibits) and financial reports
of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state
insurance regulator, as soon as practical after the filing thereof;
(e) any other report submitted to the Company by independent
accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them
of the books of the Company, as soon as practical after the receipt thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be
executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative and
its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date specified above.
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
XXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXX UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
XXXXXX XXXXXXX XXXX WIITTER
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INC.
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
XXXXXX XXXXXXXX & XXXXXXXX, LLP
By: ______________________________
Name:
Title:
SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND CONTRACTS
Name of Separate Account and Form Number and Name of Contract
Date Established by Board of Directors Funded by Separate Account
-------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Allstate Financial Advisors Separate Account I __________
Registration Number: ________
Established: June 15, 2001 Contract Name: Allstate Financial Personal
Retirement Manager
Contract Form Number: ______
A-1
SCHEDULE B
PORTFOLIOS OF XXXXXX XXXXXXX
UNIVERSAL FUNDS, INC.
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx UIF High Yield Portfolio
B-1
SCHEDULE C
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES
The following is a list of procedures and corresponding responsibilities for the
handling of proxies and voting instructions relating to the Fund. The defined
terms herein shall have the meanings assigned in the Participation Agreement
except that the term "Company" shall also include the department or third party
assigned by the Company to perform the steps delineated below.
The proxy proposals are given to the Company by the Fund as early as
possible before the date set by the Fund for the shareholder meeting to
enable the Company to consider and prepare for the solicitation of
voting instructions from owners of the Contracts and to facilitate the
establishment of tabulation procedures. At this time the Fund will
inform the Company of the Record, Mailing and Meeting dates. This will
be done verbally approximately two months before meeting.
Promptly after the Record Date, the Company will perform a "tape run",
or other activity, which will generate the names, addresses and number
of units which are attributed to each contract owner/policyholder (the
"Customer") as of the Record Date. Allowance should be made for account
adjustments made after this date that could affect the status of the
Customers' accounts as of the Record Date.
Note: The number of proxy statements is determined by the activities
described in this Step #2. The Company will use its best efforts to
call in the number of Customers to the Fund , as soon as possible, but
no later than two weeks after the Record Date.
The Fund's Annual Report must be sent to each Customer by the Company
either before or together with the Customers' receipt of voting,
instruction solicitation material. The Fund will provide the last
Annual Report to the Company pursuant to the terms of Section 3.3 of
the Agreement to which this Schedule relates.
The text and format for the Voting Instruction Cards ("Cards" or
"Card") is provided to the Company by the Fund. The Company, at its expense,
shall produce and personalize the Voting Instruction Cards. The Fund or its
affiliate must approve the Card before it is printed. Allow approximately 2-4
business days for printing information on the Cards. Information commonly found
on the Cards includes:
name (legal name as found on account registration)
address
fund or account number
coding to state number of units
individual Card number for use in tracking and verification of
votes (already on Cards as printed by the Fund).
(This and related steps may occur later in the chronological process due to
possible uncertainties relating to the proposals.)
During this time, the Fund will develop, produce and pay for the Notice
of Proxy and the Proxy Statement (one document). Printed and folded
notices and statements will be sent to Company for insertion into
envelopes (envelopes and return envelopes are provided and paid for by
the Company). Contents of envelope sent to Customers by the Company
will include:
Voting Instruction Card(s)
One proxy notice and statement (one document)
return envelope (postage pre-paid by Company) addressed to the
Company or its tabulation agent
"urge buckslip" - optional, but recommended. (This is a small,
single sheet of paper that requests Customers to vote as quickly
as possible and that their vote is important. One copy will be
supplied by the Fund.)
cover letter - optional, supplied by Company and reviewed and
approved in advance by the Fund.
The above contents should be received by the Company approximately 3-5
business days before mail date. Individual in charge at Company reviews
and approves the contents of the mailing package to ensure correctness
and completeness. Copy of this approval sent to the Fund.
Package mailed by the Company. * The Fund must allow at least a 15-day
solicitation time to the Company as the shareowner. (A 5-week period is
recommended.) Solicitation time is calculated as calendar days from
(but not including,) the meeting, counting backwards.
Collection and tabulation of Cards begins. Tabulation usually takes
place in another department or another vendor depending on process
used. An often used procedure is to sort Cards on arrival by proposal
into vote categories of all yes, no, or mixed replies, and to begin
data entry.
Note: Postmarks are not generally needed. A need for postmark information would
be due to an insurance company's internal procedure and has not been required by
the Fund in the past.
Signatures on Card checked against legal name on account registration
which was printed on the Card. Note: For Example, if the account
registration is under "Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Trustee," then that is the exact
legal name to be printed on the Card and is the signature needed on the
Card.
If Cards are mutilated, or for any reason are illegible or are not
signed properly, they are sent back to Customer with an explanatory
letter and a new Card and return envelope. The mutilated or illegible
Card is disregarded and considered to be not received for purposes of
vote tabulation. Any Cards that have been "kicked out" (e.g. mutilated,
illegible) of the procedure are "hand verified," i.e., examined as to
why they did not complete the system. Any questions on those Cards are
usually remedied individually.
There are various control procedures used to ensure proper tabulation
of votes and accuracy of that tabulation. The most prevalent is to sort
the Cards as they first arrive into categories depending upon their
vote; an estimate of how the vote is progressing may then be
calculated. If the initial estimates and the actual vote do not
coincide, then an internal audit of that vote should occur. This may
entail a recount.
The actual tabulation of votes is done in units which is then converted
to shares. (It is very important that the Fund receives the tabulations
stated in terms of a percentage and the number of shares.) The Fund
must review and approve tabulation format.
Final tabulation in shares is verbally given by the Company to the Fund
on the morning of the meeting not later than 10:00 a.m. Eastern time.
The Fund may request an earlier deadline if reasonable and if required
to calculate the vote in time for the meeting.
A Certification of Mailing and Authorization to Vote Shares will be
required from the Company as well as an original copy of the final
vote. The Fund will provide a standard form for each Certification.
The Company will be required to box and archive the Cards received from
the Customers. In the event that any vote is challenged or if otherwise
necessary for legal, regulatory, or accounting purposes, the Fund will
be permitted reasonable access to such Cards.
All approvals and "signing-off' may be done orally, but must always be
followed up in writing.
Exhibit (8)(h)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
By and Among
OCC ACCUMULATION TRUST
And
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
And
OCC DISTRIBUTORS
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this 15th day of June 2001 by and among
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, an Illinois Corporation (hereinafter the
"Company"), on its own behalf and on behalf of each separate account of the
Company named in Schedule 1 to this Agreement, as may be amended from time to
time (each account referred to as the "Account"), OCC ACCUMULATION TRUST, an
open-end diversified management investment company organized under the laws of
the State of Massachusetts (hereinafter the "Fund") and OCC DISTRIBUTORS, a
Delaware general partnership (hereinafter the "Underwriter").
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end diversified, management
investment company and was established for the purpose of serving as the
investment vehicle for separate accounts established for variable life insurance
contracts and variable annuity contracts to be offered by insurance companies
which have entered into participation agreements substantially identical to this
Agreement (hereinafter "Participating Insurance Companies"); and
WHEREAS, beneficial interests in the Fund are divided into several series of
shares, each representing the interest in a particular managed portfolio of
securities and other assets (the "Portfolios"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities & Exchange
Commission (alternatively referred to as the "SEC" or the "Commission"), dated
February 22, 1995 (File No. 812-9290), granting Participating Insurance
Companies and variable annuity separate accounts and variable life insurance
separate accounts relief from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and
15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (hereinafter the "1940
Act") and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, to the extent
necessary to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to and held by variable
annuity separate accounts and variable life insurance separate accounts of both
affiliated and unaffiliated Participating Insurance Companies and qualified
pension and retirement plans (hereinafter the "Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order");and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company
under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain variable annuity
contracts (the "Contracts") under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated asset
account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company
under the insurance laws of the State of Illinois, to set aside and invest
assets attributable to the Contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered the Account as a unit investment trust under
the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (hereinafter the "1934 Act"), and is
a member in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. (hereinafter "NASD"); and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and regulations,
the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios named in Schedule 2 on
behalf of the Account to fund the Contracts and the Underwriter is authorized to
sell such shares to unit investment trusts such as the Account at net asset
value; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company,
the Fund and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares
1.1. The Underwriter agrees to sell to the Company those shares of the Fund
which the Company orders on behalf of the Account, executing such orders on a
daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt and acceptance by
the Fund or its agent of the order for the shares of the Fund. For purposes of
this Section 1.1, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of
such orders from each Account and receipt by such designee shall constitute
receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such order by
10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the next following Business Day. "Business Day" shall
mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on
which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the SEC.
1.2. The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business Day after it
places an order to purchase Fund shares in accordance with Section 1.1 hereof.
Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire.
1.3. The Fund agrees to make its shares available indefinitely for purchase at
the applicable net asset value per share by Participating Insurance Companies
and their separate accounts on those days on which the Fund calculates its net
asset value pursuant to rules of the SEC; provided, however, that the Board of
Trustees of the Fund (hereinafter the "Directors") may refuse to sell shares of
any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of
any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities
having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Directors, acting in
good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and any
applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders of
any Portfolio.
1.4. The Fund and the Underwriter agree that shares of the Fund will be sold
only to Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts, qualified
pension and retirement plans or such other persons as are permitted under
applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (the
"Internal Revenue Code"), and regulations promulgated thereunder, the sale to
which will not impair the tax treatment currently afforded the contracts. No
shares of any Portfolio will be sold to the general public.
1.5. The Fund and the Underwriter will not sell Fund shares to any insurance
company or separate account unless an agreement containing provisions
substantially the same as Articles I, III, V, and VII of this Agreement are in
effect to govern such sales. The Fund shall make available upon written request
from the Company (i) a list of all other Participating Insurance Companies and
(ii) a copy of the Participation Agreement executed by any other Participating
Insurance Company.
1.6. The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, upon the Company's request, any full or
fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, executing such requests on a
daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt and acceptance by
the Fund or its agent of the request for redemption. For purposes of this
Section 1.6, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of
requests for redemption from each Account and receipt by such designee shall
constitute receipt by the Fund; provided the Fund receives notice of request for
redemption by 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the next following Business Day.
Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire to the Company's account
as designated by the Company in writing from time to time, on the same Business
Day the Fund receives notice of the redemption order from the Company except
that the Fund reserves the right to delay payment of redemption proceeds, but in
no event may such payment be delayed longer than the period permitted under
Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act. Neither the Fund nor the Underwriter shall bear
any responsibility whatsoever for the proper disbursement or crediting of
redemption proceeds; the Company alone shall be responsible for such action. If
notification of redemption is received after 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, payment
for redeemed shares will be made on the next following Business Day.
1.7. The Company agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of the Portfolios
named in Schedule 2 offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund in
accordance with the provisions of such prospectus. The Company agrees that all
net amounts available under the Contracts shall be invested in the Fund, or in
the Company's general account; provided that such amounts may also be invested
in an investment company other than the Fund if (a) such other investment
company, or series thereof, has investment objectives or policies that are
substantially different from the investment objectives and policies of the
portfolios of the Fund named in Schedule 2; or (b) the Company gives the Fund
and the Underwriter 45 days written notice of its intention to make such other
investment company available as a funding vehicle for the Contracts; or (c) such
other investment company was available as a funding vehicle for the Contracts
prior to the date of this Agreement and the Company so informs the Fund and
Underwriter prior to their signing this Agreement; or (d) the Fund or
Underwriter consents in writing to the use of such other investment company.
1.8. Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry only.
Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account. Purchase
and redemption orders for Fund shares will be recorded in an appropriate title
for each Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.9. The Fund shall furnish notice as soon as reasonably practicable to the
Company of any income, dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the
Fund's shares. The Company hereby elects to receive all such dividends and
distributions as are payable on the Portfolio shares in the form of additional
shares of that Portfolio. The Company reserves the right to revoke this election
and to receive all such dividends and distributions in cash. The Fund shall
notify the Company of the number of shares so issued as payment of such
dividends and distributions.
1.10. The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each Portfolio
available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably practical after
the net asset value per share is calculated and shall use its best efforts to
make such net asset value per share available by 5:30 p.m., Eastern Time, each
business day.
1.11. The Fund will provide notice of error in calculation of net value of each
portfolio as soon as reasonable practical after discovery thereof. Any such
notice will state for each day for which an error occurred, the incorrect price
and the reason for the price change. The Fund shall make the Company whole for
any payments or adjustments to the number of shares in the Separate Accounts
that are demonstrated to be required as a result of pricing errors.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will be
registered under the 1933 Act and that the Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance with all applicable federal and state laws. The Company further
represents and warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in
good standing under applicable law and that it has legally and validly
established each Account as a segregated asset account under applicable state
law and has registered each Account as a unit investment trust in accordance
with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as segregated investment accounts
for the Contracts, and that it will maintain such registration for so long as
any Contracts are outstanding. The Company shall amend the registration
statement under the 1933 Act for the Contracts and the registration statement
under the 1940 Act for the Account from time to time as required in order to
effect the continuous offering of the Contracts or as may otherwise be required
by applicable law. The Company shall register and qualify the Contracts for sale
in accordance with the securities laws of the various states only if and to the
extent deemed necessary by the Company.
2.2. The Company represents that it believes that the Contracts are currently
and at the time of issuance will be treated as annuity contracts under
applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and that it will make every
effort to maintain such treatment and that it will notify the Fund and the
Underwriter immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the
Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in
the future.
2.3. The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold pursuant to this
Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act and duly authorized for
issuance in accordance with applicable law and that the Fund is and shall remain
registered under the 1940 Act for as long as the Fund shares are sold. The Fund
shall amend the registration statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the
1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous
offering of its shares. The Fund shall register and qualify the shares for sale
in accordance with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent
deemed advisable by the Fund or the Underwriter.
2.4. The Fund represents that it is currently qualified as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, and that it
will make every effort to maintain such qualification (under Subchapter M or any
successor or similar provision) and that it will notify the Company immediately
upon having a reasonable basis for believing that it has ceased to so qualify or
that it might not so qualify in the future.
2.5. The Fund represents that its investment objectives, policies and
restrictions comply with applicable state investment laws as they may apply to
the Fund. The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its
operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment
policies) complies with the insurance laws and regulations of any state. The
Company alone shall be responsible for informing the Fund of any insurance
restrictions imposed by state insurance laws which are applicable to the Fund.
To the extent feasible and consistent with market conditions, the Fund will
adjust its investments to comply with the aforementioned state insurance laws
upon written notice from the Company of such requirements and proposed
adjustments, it being agreed and understood that in any such case the Fund shall
be allowed a reasonable period of time under the circumstances after receipt of
such notice to make any such adjustment.
2.6. The Fund currently does not intend to make any payments to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or otherwise,
although it may make such payments in the future. To the extent that it decides
to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund undertakes to
have its Board of Trustees, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the
Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution
expenses.
2.7. The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is a member in good
standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., ("NASD") and
is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC. The Underwriter further
represents that it will sell and distribute the Fund shares in accordance with
all applicable federal and state securities laws, including without limitation
the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the 0000 Xxx.
2.8. The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly existing
under the laws of Massachusetts and that it does and will comply with applicable
provisions of the 0000 Xxx.
2.9. The Underwriter represents and warrants that the Fund's Adviser, OpCap
Advisors, is and shall remain duly registered under all applicable federal and
state securities laws and that the Adviser will perform its obligations to the
Fund in accordance with the laws of Massachusetts and any applicable state and
federal securities laws.
2.10. The Fund and Underwriter represent and warrant that all of their
directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals/entities having access to the funds and/or securities of the Fund
are and continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or
similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the
minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940 Act or
related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid Bond
includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement and is issued by a reputable
bonding company.
2.11. The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors, officers,
employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities dealing with the
money and/or securities of the Fund are covered by a blanket fidelity bond or
similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund, in an amount not less than $5
million. The aforesaid includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement and is
issued by a reputable bonding company. The Company agrees to make all reasonable
efforts to see that this bond or another bond containing these provisions is
always in effect, and agrees to notify the Fund and the Underwriter in the event
that such coverage no longer applies.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses and Proxy Statements; Voting
3.1. The Underwriter shall provide the Company, at the Company's expense, with
as many copies of the Fund's current prospectus as the Company may reasonably
request for use with prospective contractowners and applicants. The Underwriter
shall print and distribute, at the Fund's or Underwriter's expense, as many
copies of said prospectus as necessary for distribution to existing
contractowners or participants. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the
Fund shall provide such documentation including a final copy of a current
prospectus set in type at the Fund's expense and other assistance as is
reasonably necessary in order for the Company at least annually (or more
frequently if the Fund prospectus is amended more frequently) to have the new
prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's new prospectus printed together in
one document. In such case the Fund shall bear its share of expenses as
described above.
3.2. The Fund's prospectus shall state that the Statement of Additional
Information for the Fund is available from the Underwriter or alternatively from
the Company (or, in the Fund's discretion, the Prospectus shall state that such
Statement is available from the Fund), and the Underwriter (or the Fund) shall
provide such Statement, at its expense, to the Company and to any owner of or
participant under a Contract who requests such Statement or, at the Company's
expense, to any prospective contractowner and applicant who requests such
statement.
3.3. The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies of its
proxy material, if any, reports to shareholders and other communications to
shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require and shall
bear the costs of distributing them to existing contractowners or participants.
3.4. If and to the extent required by law the Company shall:
(i) solicit voting instructions from contractowners or participants;
(ii) vote the Fund shares held in the Account in accordance with instructions
received from contractowners or participants; and
(iii)vote Fund shares held in the Account for which no timely instructions have
been received, in the same proportion as Fund shares of such Portfolio for which
instructions have been received from the Company's contractowners or
participants;
so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret the 1940 Act to
require pass through voting privileges for variable contractowners. The Company
reserves the right to vote Fund shares held in any segregated asset account in
its own right, to the extent permitted by law. Participating Insurance Companies
shall be responsible for assuring that each of their separate accounts
participating in the Fund calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent
with other Participating Insurance Companies.
3.5. The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring voting
by shareholders, and in particular as required, the Fund will either provide for
annual meetings or comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the Fund
is not one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as with
Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further, the Fund will act in
accordance with the SEC interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a) with
respect to periodic elections of directors and with whatever rules the
Commission may promulgate with respect thereto.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
4.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund or
the Underwriter, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in
which the Fund or the Fund's adviser or the Underwriter is named, at least
fifteen business days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the
Fund or the Underwriter reasonably objects in writing to such use within fifteen
business day after receipt of such material.
4.2. The Company shall not give any information or make any representations
or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in connection with
the sale of the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in the registration statement or prospectus for the Fund shares, as
such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from
time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund or by the
Underwriter, except with the permission of the Fund or the Underwriter. The Fund
and the Underwriter agree to respond to any request for approval on a prompt and
timely basis.
4.3. The Fund or the Underwriter shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished,
to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which the Company or its separate account is named, at
least fifteen business days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if
the Company reasonably objects in writing to such use within fifteen business
days after receipt of such material.
4.4. The Fund and the Underwriter shall not give any information or make any
representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, each
Account, or the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in published reports for each Account which are in the public domain
or approved by the Company for distribution to contractowners or participants,
or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Company,
except with the permission of the Company. The Company agrees to respond to any
request for approval on a prompt and timely basis.
4.5. The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
reports, proxy statements, sales literature and other promotional materials,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its shares, contemporaneously
with the filing of such document with the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
4.6. The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature and other
promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Contracts or
each Account, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or
other regulatory authorities.
4.7. For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements (such as
material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other
periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display,
signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media), sales literature
(i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally available to
customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research reports,
market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other
advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or training
materials or other communications distributed or made generally available to
some or all agents or employees, registration statements, prospectuses,
statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and proxy materials
and any other material constituting sales literature or advertising under NASD
rules, the 1940 Act or the 1933 Act.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
5.1. The Fund and Underwriter shall pay no fee or other compensation to the
Company under this Agreement, except that if the Fund or any Portfolio adopts
and implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses,
then, subject to obtaining any required exemptive orders or other regulatory
approvals, the Underwriter may make payments to the Company or to the
underwriter for the Contracts if and in amounts agreed to by the Underwriter in
writing. Currently, no such payments are contemplated.
5.2. All expenses incident to performance by the Fund of this Agreement shall be
paid by the Fund to the extent permitted by law. All Fund shares will be duly
authorized for issuance and registered in accordance with applicable federal law
and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund, in accordance with applicable
state law, prior to sale. The Fund shall bear the expenses for the cost of
registration and qualification of the Fund's shares, preparation and filing of
the Fund's prospectus and registration statement, Fund proxy materials and
reports, setting in type, printing and distributing the prospectuses, the proxy
materials and reports to existing shareholders and contractowners, the
preparation of all statements and notices required by any federal or state law,
all taxes on the issuance or transfer of the Fund's shares, and any expenses
permitted to be paid or assumed by the Fund pursuant to a plan, if any, under
Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification
6.1. The Fund will at all times invest money from the Contracts in such a manner
as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable contracts under the
Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting
the scope of the foregoing, the Fund will comply with Section 817(h) of the
Internal Revenue Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the
diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance
contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Section or
Regulations in accordance with guidelines provided by the Company prior to the
execution of this Agreement and as necessary thereafter. In the event of a
breach of this Article VI by the Fund, it will take all reasonable steps (a) to
notify the Company of such breach and (b) to adequately diversify the Fund so as
to achieve compliance with the grace period afforded by Treasury Regulation
1.817-5.
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts
7.1. The Board of Trustees of the Fund (the "Fund Board") will monitor the Fund
for the existence of any material irreconcilable conflict among the interests of
the contractowners of all separate accounts investing in the Fund. An
irreconcilable material conflict may arise for a variety of reasons, including:
(a) an action by any state insurance regulatory authority; (b) a change in
applicable federal or state insurance, tax, or securities laws or regulations,
or a public ruling, private letter ruling, no-action or interpretative letter,
or any similar action by insurance, tax, or securities regulatory authorities;
(c) an administrative or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the
manner in which the investments of any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a
difference in voting instructions given by Participating Insurance Companies or
by variable annuity contract and variable life insurance contractowners; or (f)
a decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of contractowners.
The Board shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an
irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof. A majority
of the Fund Board shall consist of persons who are not "interested" persons of
the Fund.
7.2. The Company has reviewed a copy of the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive
Order, and in particular, has reviewed the conditions to the requested relief
set forth therein. As set forth in the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order,
the Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of which it is aware
to the Fund Board. The Company agrees to assist the Fund Board in carrying out
its responsibilities under the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by
providing the Fund Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Fund
Board to consider any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an
obligation by the Company to inform the Fund Board whenever contractowner voting
instructions are disregarded. The Fund Board shall record in its minutes or
other appropriate records, all reports received by it and all action with regard
to a conflict.
7.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Fund Board, or a majority of its
disinterested Directors, that an irreconcilable material conflict exists, the
Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and
to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the
disinterested Directors), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or
eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1)
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from
the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Fund, or
submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote
of all affected contractowners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of
any appropriate group (i.e., variable annuity contractowners or variable life
insurance contractowners, of one or more Participating Insurance Companies) that
votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected contractowners
the option of making such a change; and (2) establishing a new registered
management investment company or managed separate account.
7.4. If the Company's disregard of voting instructions could conflict with the
majority of contractowner voting instructions, and the Company's judgment
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the Account's investment in
the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to such Account. Any such
withdrawal and termination must take place within 60 days after the Fund gives
written notice to the Company that this provision is being implemented. Until
the end of such 60 day period the Underwriter and Fund shall continue to accept
and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares
of the Fund.
7.5. If a particular state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the
Company conflicts with the majority of other state insurance regulators, then
the Company will withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund and terminate
this Agreement with respect to such Account. Any such withdrawal and termination
must take place within 60 days after the Fund gives written notice to the
Company that this provision is being implemented. Until the end of such 60 day
period the Underwriter and Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by
the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund.
7.6. For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.6 of this Agreement, a majority of
the disinterested members of the Fund Board shall determine whether any proposed
action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event
will the Fund or Quest Advisors be required to establish a new funding medium
for the Contracts. The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 to establish
a new funding medium for the Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by
vote of a majority of contractowners materially adversely affected by the
irreconcilable material conflict.
7.7. The Company shall at least annually submit to the Fund Board such reports,
materials or data as the Fund Board may reasonably request so that the Fund
Board may fully carry out the duties imposed upon it as delineated in the Mixed
and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, and said reports, materials and data shall
be submitted more frequently if deemed appropriate by the Fund Board.
7. 8. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3 (T) are amended, or Rule
6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the Act or
the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared funding (as
defined in the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions
materially different from those contained in the Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, (a) the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as
appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules 6e-2
and 6e-3 (T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such rules
are applicable; and (b) Sections 3.4, 3.5, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 of this
Agreement shall continue in effect only to the extent that terms and conditions
substantially identical to such Sections are contained in such Rule(s) as so
amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1. Indemnification By The Company (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Fund, the Underwriter, and each of the Fund's or the Underwriter's
directors, officers, employees or agents and each person, if any, who controls
or is associated with the Fund or the Underwriter within the meaning of such
terms under the federal securities laws (collectively, the "indemnified parties"
for purposes of this Section 8.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
the Company) or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to
which the indemnified parties may become subject under any statute, regulation,
at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged untrue
statements of any material fact contained in the registration statement,
prospectus or statement of additional information for the Contracts or contained
in the Contracts or sales literature or other promotional material for the
Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out
of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in light of the circumstances in which they were made;
provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any indemnified
party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the
Company by or on behalf of the Fund for use in the registration statement,
prospectus or statement of additional information for the Contracts or in the
Contracts or sales literature or other promotional material for the Contracts
(or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the
sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or (ii) arise out of or as a result of
statements or representations by or on behalf of the Company (other than
statements or representations contained in the Fund registration statement, Fund
prospectus, Fund statement of additional information or sales literature or
other promotional material of the Fund not supplied by the Company or persons
under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Company or persons under its
control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund
shares; or
(iii)arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in the Fund registration statement, Fund prospectus, statement of
additional information or sales literature or other promotional material of the
Fund or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, if such a statement or omission was made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Fund by or
on behalf of the Company or persons under its control; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the services and
furnish the materials or to make any payments under the terms of this Agreement;
or
(v) arise out of any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made
by the Company in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other
material breach by the Company of this Agreement; except to the extent provided
in Sections 8.1(b) and 8.3 hereof. This indemnification shall be in addition to
any liability which the Company may otherwise have.
(b) No party shall be entitled to indemnification if such loss, claim, damage,
liability or litigation is due to the willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of duty by the party seeking indemnification.
(c) The indemnified parties will promptly notify the Company of the commencement
of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with the issuance or
sale of the Fund shares or the Contracts or the operation of the Fund.
8.2. Indemnification By the Underwriter
(a) The Underwriter, on its own behalf and on behalf of the Fund, agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its directors, officers,
employees or agents and each person, if any, who controls or is associated with
the Company within the meaning of such terms under the federal securities laws
(collectively, the "indemnified parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of the Underwriter) or litigation
(including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which the indemnified parties
may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) or settlements: (i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or statement of additional information for
the Fund or sales literature or other promotional material of the Fund (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances in which they were made; provided that
this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any indemnified party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Underwriter or Fund by
or on behalf of the Company for use in the registration statement, prospectus or
statement of additional information for the Fund or in sales literature or other
promotional material of the Fund (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or
otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares;
or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than
statements or representations contained in the Contracts or in the Contract or
Fund registration statement, the Contract or Fund prospectus, statement of
additional information, or sales literature or other promotional material for
the Contracts or of the Fund not supplied by the Underwriter or the Fund or
persons under the control of the Underwriter or the Fund respectively) or
wrongful conduct of the Underwriter or the Fund or persons under the control of
the Underwriter or the Fund respectively, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii)arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in a registration statement, prospectus, statement of additional
information or sales literature or other promotional material covering the
Contracts (or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto), or the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statement or statements therein not misleading in light
of the circumstances in which they were made, if such statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the
Company by or on behalf of the Underwriter or the Fund or persons under the
control of the Underwriter or the Fund; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the services and
furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement (including a failure,
whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise, to comply with the
diversification requirements and procedures related thereto specified in Article
VI of this Agreement except if such failure is a result of the Company's failure
to comply with the notification procedures specified in Article VI); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or
warranty made by the Underwriter or the Fund in this Agreement or arise out of
or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Underwriter or
the Fund; except to the extent provided in Sections 8.2(b) and 8.3 hereof. This
indemnification shall be in addition to any liability which the Underwriter may
otherwise have.
(b) No party shall be entitled to indemnification if such loss, claim, damage,
liability or litigation is due to the willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence or reckless disregard of duty by the party seeking indemnification.
(c) The indemnified parties will promptly notify the Underwriter of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with
the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the operation of the Account.
8.3. Indemnification Procedure
Any person obligated to provide indemnification under this Article VIII
("indemnifying party" for the purpose of this Section 8.3) shall not be liable
under the indemnification provisions of this Article VIII with respect to any
claim made against a party entitled to indemnification under this Article VIII
("indemnified party" for the purpose of this Section 8.3) unless such
indemnified party shall have notified the indemnifying party in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
indemnified party (or after such party shall have received notice of such
service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the indemnifying party
of any such claim shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability
which it may have to the indemnified party against whom such action is brought
under the indemnification provision of this Article VIII, except to the extent
that the failure to notify results in the failure of actual notice to the
indemnifying party and such indemnifying party is damaged solely as a result of
failure to give such notice. In case any such action is brought against the
indemnified party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense thereof. The indemnifying party also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified
party of the indemnifying party's election to assume the defense thereof, the
indemnified party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by it, and the indemnifying party will not be liable to such party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation, unless (i) the indemnifying party and the
indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or
(ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties)
include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation
of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or
potential differing interests between them. The indemnifying party shall not be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent
but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the
plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from
and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
A successor by law of the parties to this Agreement shall be entitled to the
benefits of the indemnification contained in this Article VIII. The
indemnification provisions contained in this Article VIII shall survive any
termination of this Agreement.
8.4. Contribution
In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in circumstances in
which the indemnification provided for in this Article VIII is due in accordance
with its terms but for any reason is held to be unenforceable with respect to a
party entitled to indemnification ("indemnified party" for purposes of this
Section 8.4) pursuant to the terms of this Article VIII, then each party
obligated to indemnify pursuant to the terms of this Article VIII shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and litigations in such proportion
as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the parties to
this Agreement in connection with the offering of Fund shares to the Account and
the acquisition, holding or sale of Fund shares by the Account, or if such
allocation is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportions as is
appropriate to reflect the relative net benefits referred to above but also the
relative fault of the parties to this Agreement in connection with any actions
that lead to such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigations, as well
as any other relevant equitable considerations.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
9.1. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
9.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934 and
1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including such
exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC may grant
(including, but not limited to the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order) and
the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
ARTICLE X. Termination
10.1. This Agreement shall terminate:
(a) at the option of any party upon one-year advance written notice to the other
parties unless otherwise agreed in a separate written agreement among the
parties; or
(b) at the option of the Company if shares of the Portfolios delineated in
Schedule 2 are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of the
Contracts as determined by the Company; or
(c) at the option of the Fund upon institution of formal proceedings against the
Company by the NASD, the SEC, the insurance commission of any state or any other
regulatory body regarding the Company's duties under this Agreement or related
to the sale of the Contracts, the administration of the Contracts, the operation
of the Account, or the purchase of the Fund shares, which would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement; or
(d) at the option of the Company upon institution of formal proceedings against
the Fund or the Underwriter by the NASD, the SEC, or any state securities or
insurance department or any other regulatory body, which would have a material
adverse effect on the Fund's or the Underwriter's ability to perform its
obligations under this Agreement; or
(e) at the option of the Company or the Fund upon receipt of any necessary
regulatory approvals and/or the vote of the contractowners having an interest in
the Account (or any subaccount) to substitute the shares of another investment
company for the corresponding Portfolio shares of the Fund in accordance with
the terms of the Contracts for which those Portfolio shares had been selected to
serve as the underlying investment media. The Company will give 30 days prior
written notice to the Fund of the date of any proposed vote or other action
taken to replace the Fund's shares; or (f) at the option of the Company or the
Fund upon a determination by a majority of the Fund Board, or a majority of the
disinterested Fund Board members, that an irreconcilable material conflict
exists among the interests of (i) all contractowners of variable insurance
products of all separate accounts or (ii) the interests of the Participating
Insurance Companies investing in the Fund as delineated in Article VII of this
Agreement; or
(g) at the option of the Company if the Fund ceases to qualify as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, or under any
successor or similar provision, or if the Company reasonably believes that the
Fund may fail to so qualify; or
(h) at the option of the Company if the Fund fails to meet the diversification
requirements specified in Article VI hereof; or
(i) at the option of any party to this Agreement, upon another party's material
breach of any provision of this Agreement; or
(j) at the option of the Company, if the Company determines in its sole judgment
exercised in good faith, that either the Fund or the Underwriter has suffered a
material adverse change in its business, operations or financial condition since
the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity which
is likely to have a material adverse impact upon the business and operations of
the Company; or
(k) at the option of the Fund or Underwriter, if the Fund or Underwriter
respectively, shall determine in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that
the Company has suffered a material adverse change in its business, operations
or financial condition since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of
material adverse publicity which is likely to have a material adverse impact
upon the business and operations of the Fund or Underwriter; or
(l) at the option of the Fund in the event any of the Contracts are not issued
or sold in accordance with applicable federal and/or state law. Termination
shall be effective immediately upon such occurrence without notice.
10.2. Notice Requirement
(a) In the event that any termination of this Agreement is based upon the
provisions of Article VII, such prior written notice shall be given in advance
of the effective date of termination as required by such provisions.
(b) In the event that any termination of this Agreement is based upon the
provisions of Sections 10.1(b) - (d) or 10.1(g) - (i), prompt written notice of
the election to terminate this Agreement for cause shall be furnished by the
party terminating the Agreement to the non-terminating parties, with said
termination to be effective upon receipt of such notice by the non-terminating
parties.
(c) In the event that any termination of this Agreement is based upon the
provisions of Sections 10.1(j) or 10.1(k), prior written notice of the election
to terminate this Agreement for cause shall be furnished by the party
terminating this Agreement to the non-terminating parties. Such prior written
notice shall be given by the party terminating this Agreement to the
non-terminating parties at least 30 days before the effective date of
termination.
10.3. It is understood and agreed that the right to terminate this Agreement
pursuant to Section 10.1(a) may be exercised for any reason or for no reason.
10.4. Effect of Termination
(a) Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 10.1
of this Agreement, and subject to Section 1.3 of this Agreement, the Company may
require the Fund and the Underwriter to, continue to make available additional
shares of the Fund for so long after the termination of this Agreement as the
Company desires pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as
provided in paragraph (b) below, for all Contracts in effect on the effective
date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing
Contracts"). Specifically, without limitation, the owners of the Existing
Contracts shall be permitted to reallocate investments in the Fund, redeem
investments in the Fund and/or invest in the Fund upon the making of additional
purchase payments under the Existing Contracts. The parties agree that this
Section 10.4 shall not apply to any terminations under Article VII and the
effect of such Article VII terminations shall be governed by Article VII of this
Agreement.
(b) If shares of the Fund continue to be made available after termination of
this Agreement pursuant to this Section 10.4, the provisions of this Agreement
shall remain in effect except for Section 10.1(a) and thereafter the Fund, the
Underwriter, or the Company may terminate the Agreement, as so continued
pursuant to this Section 10.4, upon written notice to the other party, such
notice to be for a period that is reasonable under the circumstances but, if
given by the Fund or Underwriter, need not be for more than 90 days.
10.5. Except as necessary to implement contractowner initiated or approved
transactions, or as required by state insurance laws or regulations, the Company
shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the Contracts (as opposed to Fund
shares attributable to the Company's assets held in the Account), and the
Company shall not prevent contractowners from allocating payments to a Portfolio
that was otherwise available under the Contracts, until 90 days after the
Company shall have notified the Fund or Underwriter of its intention to do so.
ARTICLE XI. Notices
Any notice shall be deemed duly given only if sent by hand, evidenced by written
receipt or by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the other party at
the address of such party set forth below or at such other address as such party
may from time to time specify in writing to the other party. All notices shall
be deemed given three business days after the date received or rejected by the
addressee.
If to the Fund:
Xx. Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx
President
OpCap Advisors
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
If to the Company:
[Name]
[Title]
Allstate Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
If to the Underwriter:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Esq.
Secretary
OCC Distributors
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous
12.1. All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the
Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the
Directors, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for
obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund.
12.2. Subject to law and regulatory authority, each party hereto shall treat as
confidential all information reasonably identified as such in writing by any
other party hereto (including without limitation the names and addresses of the
owners of the Contracts) and, except as contemplated by this Agreement, shall
not disclose, disseminate or utilize such confidential information until such
time as it may come into the public domain without the express prior written
consent of the affected party.
12.3. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference
only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise
affect their construction or effect.
12.4. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
12.5. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement shall
not be affected thereby.
12.6. This Agreement shall not be assigned by any party hereto without the prior
written consent of all the parties.
12.7. Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the
NASD and state insurance regulators) and shall permit each other and such
authorities reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any
investigation or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby.
12.8. Each party represents that the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate or trust action, as applicable, by such
party and when so executed and delivered this Agreement will be the valid and
binding obligation of such party enforceable in accordance with its terms.
12.9. The parties to this Agreement may amend the schedules to this Agreement
from time to time to reflect changes in or relating to the Contracts, the
Accounts or the Portfolios of the Fund.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be
executed in its name and behalf by its duly authorized representative as of the
date and year first written above.
Company:
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SEAL By: ______________________________
Fund:
OCC ACCUMULATION TRUST
SEAL By: ______________________________
Underwriter:
OCC DISTRIBUTORS
By: ______________________________
Schedule 1
Participation Agreement
Among
OCC Accumulation Trust, Allstate Life Insurance Company
and
OCC Distributors
The following separate accounts of Allstate Life Insurance Company are permitted
in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement to invest in Portfolios of
the Fund shown in Schedule 2:
Allstate Financial Advisors Separate Account I
June 15, 2001
Schedule 2
Participation Agreement
Among
OCC Accumulation Trust, Allstate Life Insurance Company
and
OCC Distributors
The Separate Account(s) shown on Schedule 1 may invest in the following
Portfolios of the OCC Accumulation Trust:
Science and Technology Portfolio
Small Cap Portfolio
June 15, 2001
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
PANORAMA SERIES FUND, INC.
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC.
and
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), made and entered into as of
the 15th day of June, 2001 by and among Allstate Life Insurance Company
(hereinafter the "Company"), on its own behalf and on behalf of each separate
account of the Company named in Schedule 1 to this Agreement, as may be amended
from time to time by mutual consent (hereinafter collectively the "Accounts"),
Panorama Series Fund, Inc. (hereinafter the "Fund") and OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
(hereinafter the "Adviser").
WHEREAS, the Fund is an open-end management investment company
and is available to act as the investment vehicle for separate accounts now in
existence or to be established at any date hereafter for variable life insurance
policies, variable annuity contracts and other tax-deferred products
(collectively, the "Variable Insurance Products") offered by insurance companies
(hereinafter "Participating Insurance Companies");
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into
several series of shares, each designated a "Portfolio", and each representing
the interests in a particular managed pool of securities and other assets;
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), dated August 31, 1994 (File No. 812-8936)
granting Participating Insurance Companies and variable annuity and variable
life insurance separate accounts exemptions from the provisions of sections
9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
(hereinafter the "1940 Act") and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15)
thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to
and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of
both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies (hereinafter the
"Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order")
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management
investment company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act");
WHEREAS, the Adviser is duly registered as an investment
adviser under the federal Investment Advisers Act of 1940;
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain
variable annuity and/or life insurance contracts under the 1933 Act (hereinafter
"Contracts") (unless an exemption from registration is available);
WHEREAS, the Accounts are or will be duly organized, validly
existing segregated asset accounts, established by resolution of the Board of
Directors of the Company, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the
aforesaid variable contracts (the Separate Account(s) covered by the Agreement
are specified in Schedule 1 attached hereto, as may be modified by mutual
consent from time to time);
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register the
Accounts as unit investment trusts under the 1940 Act (unless an exemption from
registration is available);
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws
and regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios (the
Portfolios covered by this Agreement are specified in Schedule 2 attached hereto
as may be modified by mutual consent from time to time), on behalf of the
Accounts to fund the Contracts, and the Fund is authorized to sell such shares
to unit investment trusts such as the Accounts at net asset value; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Fund, the
Adviser and the Company agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Purchase and Redemption of Fund Shares
--------------------------------------
1.1. The Fund agrees to sell to the Company those shares of
the Fund which the Company orders on behalf of the Accounts, executing such
orders on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by
the Fund or its designee of the order for the shares of the Fund. For purposes
of this Section 1.1, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt
of such orders from each Account and receipt by such designee shall constitute
receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives written (or facsimile)
notice of such order by 10:00 a.m. New York time on the next following Business
Day; however, the Company undertakes to use its best efforts to provide such
notice to the Fund by no later than 9:30 A.M. New York time. "Business Day"
shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and
on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the
SEC.
1.2. The Company shall pay for Fund shares by 2:00 P.M. New
York time on the next Business Day after it places an order to purchase Fund
shares in accordance with Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds
transmitted by wire or by a credit for any shares redeemed.
1.3. The Fund agrees to make Fund shares available for
purchase by the Company for their separate Accounts listed in Schedule 1 on
those days on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to rules of
the SEC; provided, however, that the Board of Directors of the Fund (hereinafter
the "Directors") may refuse to sell shares of any Portfolio to any person, or
suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Portfolio if such action is
required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the
sole discretion of the Directors, acting in good faith and in light of their
fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, in the best
interests of the shareholders of any Portfolio (including without limitation
purchase orders that individually or together with other contemporaneous orders
represent large transactions in shares of any Portfolio held for a relatively
brief period of time). Such shares shall be purchased at the applicable net
asset value per share, increased by any initial sales charge, if the Fund's
prospectus then in effect imposes such a charge on such purchases.
1.4. The Fund agrees to redeem, upon the Company's request, any full or
fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company, executing such requests on a
daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or
its designee of the request for redemption, reduced by any redemption fee or
deferred sales charge, if the Fund's prospectus in effect as of the date of such
redemption imposes such a fee or charge on such redemptions. For purposes of
this Section 1.4, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of
requests for redemption and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by
the Fund; provided that the Fund receives written (or facsimile) notice of such
request for redemption by 10:00 a.m. New York time on the next following
Business Day; however the Company undertakes to use its best efforts to provide
such notice to the Fund by no later than 9:30 A.M. New York time on the next
following Business Day. Payment shall be made within the time period specified
in the Fund's prospectus or statement of additional information, provided,
however, that if the Fund does not pay for the Fund shares that are redeemed on
the next Business Day after a request to redeem shares is made, then the Fund
shall apply any such delay in redemptions uniformly to all holders of shares of
that Portfolio. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire to the
Company's bank accounts as designated by the Company in writing from time to
time.
1.5. The Company agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of
the Portfolios named in Schedule 2 offered by the then current prospectus and
statement of additional information of the Fund in accordance with the
provisions of such prospectus and statement of additional information. The
Company shall not permit any person other than a Contract owner to give
instructions to the Company which would require the Company to redeem or
exchange shares of the Fund.
1.6. Issuance and transfer of the Funds' shares will be by
book entry only. Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or the
Account. Purchase and redemption orders for Fund shares will be recorded in an
appropriate title for each Account or the appropriate subaccount of each
Account.
1.7. The Fund shall furnish notice as soon as reasonably
practicable to the Company of any income, dividends or capital gain
distributions payable on the Portfolio's shares. The Company hereby elects to
receive all such dividends and distributions as are payable on the Portfolio
shares in additional shares of that Portfolio. The Company reserves the right to
revoke this election and thereafter to receive all such dividends and
distributions in cash. The Fund shall notify the Company of the number of shares
so issued as payment of such dividends and distributions.
1.8. The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for
each Portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably
practical after the net asset value per share is calculated and shall use its
best efforts to make such net asset value per share available by 6:30 p.m. New
York time. In the event the Fund is unable to meet the 6:30 p.m. time stated
herein, the Company agrees to use its best efforts to include the net asset
value when received in its next business cycle for purposes of calculating
purchase / redemption orders. However, if net asset values are not made
available for inclusion in that day's business cycle and purchase / redemption
orders are not able to be calculated and available for the Company to execute
within the timeframe identified in Section 1.1, the Fund / Adviser shall make
the Company / Account whole for out-of-pocket losses incurred as result of such
delay. If the Fund provides materially incorrect share net asset value
information, the Fund shall make an adjustment to the number of shares purchased
or redeemed for the Accounts to reflect the correct net asset value per share.
Any material error in the calculation or reporting of net asset value per share,
dividend or capital gains information shall be reported promptly upon discovery
to the Company. ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the securities deemed to be
issued by the Accounts under the Contracts are or will be registered under the
1933 Act (unless an exemption from registration is available) and, that the
Contracts will be issued, offered and sold in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including
without limitation state insurance suitability requirements and National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD") conduct rules. The Company
further represents and warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized
and in good standing under applicable state law and that it has legally and
validly established the Accounts prior to the issuance or sale of units thereof
as a segregated asset account and has registered the Accounts as unit investment
trusts in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as segregated
investment accounts for the Contracts, and that it will maintain such
registration for so long as any Contracts are outstanding or until registration
is no longer required under federal and state securities laws. The Company shall
amend the registration statement under the 1933 Act for the Contracts and the
registration statement under the 1940 Act for the Accounts from time to time as
required in order to effect the continuous offering of the Contracts or as may
otherwise be required by applicable law. The Company shall register and qualify
the Contracts for sale in accordance with the securities laws of the various
states only if and to the extent deemed necessary by the Company.
2.2. The Company represents and warrants, for purposes other than
diversification under Section 817 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as
amended (the "Code"), that the Contracts are currently and at the time of
issuance will be treated as annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the
Code and the regulations issued thereunder, and that it will make every effort
to maintain such treatment and that it will notify the Fund and the Adviser
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Contracts have
ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future. In
addition, the Company represents and warrants that the Accounts are a
"segregated asset accounts" and that interests in the Accounts are offered
exclusively through the purchase of or transfer into a "variable contract"
within the meaning of such terms under Section 817 of the Code and the
regulations issued thereunder (and any amendments or other modifications to such
section or such regulations (and any revenue rulings, revenue procedures,
notices and other published announcements of the Internal Revenue Service
interpreting these provisions). The Company shall continue to meet such
definitional requirements, and it will notify the Fund and the Adviser
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that such requirements
have ceased to be met or that they might not be met in the future. The Company
represents and warrants that it will not purchase Fund shares with assets
derived from tax-qualified retirement plans except, indirectly, through
Contracts purchased in connection with such plans.
2.3. Subject to Section 2.5 hereof, the Company represents and warrants
that the Contracts are currently and at the time of issuance will be treated as
life insurance or annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the Code and
that it will make every effort to maintain such treatment and that it will
notify the Fund and the Adviser immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not
be so treated in the future.
2.4. The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold pursuant to
this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act and duly authorized for
issuance and sold in accordance with applicable state and federal law and that
the Fund is and shall remain registered under the 1940 Act for as long as the
Fund shares are sold. The Fund shall amend the registration statement for its
shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as required in
order to effect the continuous offering of its shares. The Fund shall register
and qualify the shares for sale in accordance with the laws of the various
states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund.
2.5. The Fund will at all times invest money from the Contracts in such a
manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable contracts
under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting the scope
of the foregoing, the Fund represents and warrants that each Portfolio of the
Fund will comply with Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation
1.817-5, relating to the diversification requirements for variable annuity,
endowment, or life insurance contracts and any amendments or other modifications
to such Section or Regulations (and any revenue rulings, revenue procedures,
notices, and other published announcements of the Internal Revenue Service
interpreting these provisions). In the event the Fund should fail to so qualify,
it will take all reasonable steps (a) to notify the Company of such breach and
(b) to resume compliance with such diversification requirement within the grace
period afforded by Treasury Regulation 1.817.5. The Fund and Adviser represent
that each Portfolio is qualified as a Regulated Investment Company under
Subchapter M of the Code and that it will maintain such qualification (under
Subchapter M or any successor provision), and that it will notify the Company
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that it has ceased to
so qualify or that it might not so qualify in the future.
2.6. If the Contracts purchase shares of a series and class of the Fund
that have adopted a plan under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act to finance
distribution expenses (a "12b-1 Plan"), the Company agrees to provide the
Directors any information as may be reasonably necessary for the Directors to
review the Fund's 12b-1 Plan or Plans.
2.7. The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly existing
under the laws of the State of Maryland and that it does and will comply with
applicable provisions of the 0000 Xxx.
2.8. The Adviser represents and warrants that it is and will remain duly
registered under all applicable federal and state securities laws and that it
shall perform its obligations for the Fund in compliance with any applicable
state and federal securities laws.
2.9. The Fund and Adviser each represent and warrant that all of its
respective Directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and transfer
agent of the Fund are and shall continue to be at all times covered by a blanket
fidelity bond (which may, at the Fund's election, be in the form of a joint
insured bond) or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not
less than the minimal coverage as required currently by Section 17(g) and Rule
17g-1 of the 1940 Act or related provisions as may be promulgated from time to
time. The aforesaid Bond shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and
shall be issued by a reputable insurance company. The Adviser agrees to make all
reasonable efforts to see that this bond or another bond containing these
provisions is always in effect, and agrees to notify the Company in the event
that such coverage no longer applies.
2.10. The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors,
officers, employees,
agents, investment advisers, and other individuals and entities dealing with the
money and/or securities of the Fund are covered by a blanket fidelity bond or
similar coverage in an amount not less than the equivalent of U.S. $10 million.
The aforesaid bond shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall
be issued by a reputable insurance company. The Company agrees that any amount
received under such bond in connection with claims that derive from arrangements
described in this Agreement will be paid by the Company for the benefit of the
Fund. The Company agrees to make all reasonable efforts to see that this bond or
another bond containing these provisions is always in effect, and agrees to
notify the Fund and the Adviser in the event that such coverage no longer
applies.
2.11. The Fund and the Adviser represent that they will make a good faith
effort to (a) materially comply with any applicable state insurance law
restrictions with which the Fund must comply to perform its obligations under
this Agreement, provided, however, that the Company provide specific
notification of such restrictions to the Fund and the Adviser in advance and in
writing,; and (b) furnish information to the Company about the Fund not
otherwise available to the Company which is required by state insurance law to
enable the Company to obtain the authority needed to issue the Contracts in any
applicable state.
ARTICLE III. Sales Material, Prospectuses and Other Reports
3.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be
furnished, to the Fund or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which the Fund or the Adviser is named, at least ten
Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Fund or
its designee reasonably object to such use within ten Business Days after
receipt of such material. "Business Day" shall mean any day in which the New
York Stock Exchange is open for trading and in which the Fund calculates its net
asset value pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
3.2. The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in the registration statement or prospectus for the
Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund,
or in sale literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund or its
designee, except with the permission of the Fund.
3.3. For purposes of this Article III, the phrase "sales
literature or other promotional material" means advertisements (such as material
published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical,
radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or
billboard or electronic media), and sales literature (such as brochures,
circulars, market letters and form letters), distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public.
3.4. At least annually, the Fund or the Adviser shall provide
the Company, free of charge, with as many copies of the current prospectuses for
the Portfolios as the Company may reasonably request for distribution to
existing Contract owners whose Contracts are funded by such Portfolios. The Fund
or the Adviser shall provide the Company, at the Company's expense, with as many
copies of the current prospectuses for the Portfolios as the Company may
reasonably request for distribution to prospective purchasers of Contracts. If
requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the Fund shall provide such
documentation (including a "camera ready" copy of the prospectuses as set in
type or, at the request of the Company, as a diskette in the form sent to the
financial printer) and other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for
the parties hereto once each year (or more frequently if the prospectuses for
the Portfolios are supplemented or amended) to have the prospectus for the
Contracts and the prospectuses for the Portfolios printed together in one
document. With respect to any prospectuses for the Portfolios that are printed
in combination with any one or more Contract prospectus (the "Prospectus
Booklet"), the costs of printing Prospectus Booklets for distribution to
existing Contract owners shall be prorated to the Fund based on (a) the ratio of
the number of pages of the prospectuses included for the Portfolios in the
Prospectus Booklets to the number of pages in the Prospectus Booklet as a whole;
and (b) the ratio of the number of Contract owners with Contract value allocated
to the Fund to the total number of Contract owners; provided, however, that the
Company shall bear all printing expenses of such combined documents where used
for distribution to prospective purchasers or to owners of existing Contracts
not funded by the Portfolios.
3.5. The Fund's prospectus shall state that the statement of
additional information for the Fund is available from the Fund (or its transfer
agent). The Fund or its designee shall print and provide such Statement to the
Company and to any owner of a Contract or prospective owner who requests such
Statement at the Fund's expense.
3.6. The Fund or the Adviser, at its expense, shall provide
the Company with copies of the Fund's communications to shareholders and with
copies of the Fund's proxy material and semi-annual and annual reports to
shareholders (or may, at the Fund or the Adviser's option, reimburse the Company
for the pro rata cost of printing such materials) in such quantities as the
Company shall reasonably require, for distributing to Contract owners at the
Company's expense. Upon request, the Adviser shall be permitted to review and
approve the typeset form of such proxy material, communications and shareholder
reports prior to such printing.
3.7. In the event a meeting of shareholders of the Fund (or any Portfolio)
is called by the Directors, the Company shall:
(i) solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
(ii) vote the Portfolio(s) shares held in the Account in accordance with
instructions received from Contract owners;
(iii)vote Portfolio shares held in the Account for which no instructions have
been received, as well as Portfolio shares held by the Company, in the same
proportion as Portfolio(s) shares for which instructions have been received
from Contract owners, so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues
to interpret the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges for
variable contract owners; and (iv) take responsibility for assuring that
the Accounts calculate voting privileges in a manner consistent with other
Participating Insurance Companies. The Fund and Adviser agree to assist the
Company and the other Participating Insurance Companies in carrying out
this responsibility.
3.8. The Fund will comply with all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act
requiring voting by shareholders.
ARTICLE IV. Fees and Expenses
4.1. The Fund and Adviser shall pay no fee or other
compensation to the Company under this Agreement, and the Company shall pay no
fee or other compensation to the Fund or Adviser, except as provided herein or
in any other written agreement.
4.2. All expenses incident to performance by each party of its
respective duties under this Agreement shall be paid by that party. The Fund
shall see to it that all its shares are registered and authorized for issuance
in accordance with applicable federal law and, if and to the extent advisable by
the Fund, in accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund
shall bear the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the
Fund's shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's prospectus and registration
statement, proxy materials and reports, the preparation of all statements and
notices required by any federal or state law, and all applicable taxes on the
issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares to the Company.
4.3. The Company shall bear the expenses of distributing the
Fund's prospectus, proxy materials, communications and reports to Contract
owners and of printing and distributing the Fund's prospectus to prospective
Contract owners.
ARTICLE V. Potential Conflicts
5.1. The Board of Directors of the Fund (the "Board") will
monitor the Fund for the existence of any material irreconcilable conflict
between the interests of the Contract owners of all separate accounts investing
in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict may arise for a variety of
reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance regulatory authority;
(b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax, or securities laws
or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling, no-action or
interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance, tax, or securities
regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial decision in any
relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of any Portfolio
are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given by
participating insurance companies or by variable annuity contract and variable
life insurance contract owners; or (f) a decision by an insurer to disregard the
voting instructions of Contract owners. The Board shall promptly inform the
Company if it determines that an irreconcilable material conflict exists and the
implications thereof.
5.2. The Company has reviewed a copy of the Mixed and Shared
Funding Exemptive Order, and in particular, has reviewed the conditions to the
requested relief set forth therein. The Company agrees to be bound by the
responsibilities of a participating insurance company as set forth in the Mixed
and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, including without limitation the requirement
that the Company report any potential or existing conflicts of which it is aware
to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying out its
responsibilities in monitoring such conflicts under the Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, by providing the Board in a timely manner with all information
reasonably necessary for the Board to consider any issues raised. This includes,
but is not limited to, an obligation by the Company to inform the Board whenever
Contract owner voting instructions are disregarded and by confirming in writing,
at the Fund's request, that the Company are unaware of any such potential or
existing material irreconcilable conflicts.
5.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a
majority of its disinterested Directors, that a material irreconcilable conflict
exists, the Company shall, at its expense and to the extent reasonably
practicable (as determined by a majority of the disinterested Directors), take
whatever steps are necessary to remedy or eliminate the irreconcilable material
conflict, up to and including: (1) withdrawing the assets allocable to some or
all of the separate accounts from the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such
assets in a different investment medium, including (but not limited to) another
Portfolio of the Fund, or submitting the question whether such segregation
should be implemented to a vote of all affected Contract owners and, as
appropriate, segregating the assets of any appropriate group (i.e., annuity
contract owners, life insurance contract owners, or variable contract owners of
one or more Participating Insurance Companies) that votes in favor of such
segregation, or offering to the affected Contract owners the option of making
such a change; and (2) establishing a new registered management investment
company or managed separate accounts. The Company's obligations under this
Section 5.3 shall not depend on whether other affected participating insurance
companies fulfill a similar obligation.
5.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a
decision by the Company to disregard Contract owner voting instructions and that
decision could conflict with the majority of Contract owner instructions, the
Company may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the Accounts'
investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement; provided, however, that
such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by the
foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board. Any such withdrawal and termination must
take place within six (6) months after the Fund gives written notice that this
provision is being implemented, and until the end of the six month period the
Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the
purchase and redemption of shares of the Fund.
5.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a
particular state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company
conflicts with the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will
withdraw the Accounts' investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement
within six months after the Board informs the Company in writing that it has
determined that such decision has created an irreconcilable material conflict;
provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the
extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined
by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Until the end of the
foregoing six month period, the Fund shall continue to accept and implement
orders by the Company for the purchase and redemption of shares of the Fund,
subject to applicable regulatory limitation.
5.6. For purposes of Sections 5.3 through 5.6 of this
Agreement, a majority of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine
whether any proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material
conflict, but in no event will the Fund be required to establish a new funding
medium for the Contracts. The Company shall not be required by Section 5.3 to
establish a new funding medium for Contracts if an offer to do so has been
declined by vote of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected
by the irreconcilable material conflict. In the event that the Board determines
that any proposed action does not adequately remedy any irreconcilable material
conflict, then the Company will withdraw the particular Accounts' investment in
the Fund and terminate this Agreement within six (6) months after the Board
informs the Company in writing of the foregoing determination, provided,
however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent
required by any such material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board.
ARTICLE VI. Applicable Law
6.1 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
6.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933 Act,
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the 1940 Act, and the rules and
regulations and rulings thereunder, including such exemption from those
statutes, rules and regulations as the Securities and Exchange Commission may
grant (including, but not limited to, the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive
Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance
therewith, provided however that the term "Registration Statement or Prospectus
for the Variable Contracts" and terms of similar import shall include (i) any
offering circular or similar document and sales literature or other promotional
materials used to offer and/or sell the variable Contracts in compliance with
the private offering exemption in the 1933 Act and applicable federal and state
laws and regulations, and (ii) the term "Registration Statement" and
"Prospectus" as defined in the 1933 Act.
ARTICLE VII. Termination
7.1 This Agreement shall terminate:
(a) at the option of any party upon six month's advance written notice to
the other parties unless otherwise agreed in a separate written agreement among
the parties; or
(b) at the option of the Company to the extent that shares of Portfolios
are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of the Contracts as
determined by the Company reasonably and in good faith; or
(c) at the option of the Fund or the Adviser upon institution of formal
proceedings against the Company by the NASD, the SEC, the insurance commission
of any state or any other regulatory body regarding the Company's duties under
this Agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts, the administration of
the Contracts, the operation of the Account, or the purchase of the Fund shares,
which would have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to perform
its obligations under this Agreement; or
(d) at the option of the Company upon institution of formal proceedings
against the Fund or the Adviser by the NASD, the SEC, or any state securities or
insurance department or any other regulatory body, which would have a material
adverse effect on the Adviser's or the Fund's ability to perform its obligations
under this Agreement; or
(e) at the option of the Company or the Fund upon receipt of any necessary
regulatory approvals or the vote of the Contract owners having an interest in
the Account (or any subaccount) to substitute the shares of another investment
company for the corresponding Portfolio shares of the Fund in accordance with
the terms of the Contracts for which those Portfolio shares had been selected to
serve as the underlying investment media. The Company will give 45 days prior
written notice to the Fund of the date of any proposed vote or other action
taken to replace the Fund's shares; or
(f) at the option of the Company or the Fund upon a determination by a
majority of the Board, or a majority of the disinterested Board members, that an
irreconcilable material conflict exists among the interests of (i) all Contract
owners of variable insurance products of all separate accounts or (ii) the
interests of the Participating Insurance Companies investing in the Fund as
delineated in Article VII of this Agreement; or
(g) at the option of the Company if the Fund ceases to qualify as a
Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, or
under any successor or similar provision, or if the Company reasonably believes
that the Fund may fail to so qualify; or
(h) at the option of the Company if the Fund fails to meet the
diversification requirements specified in section 2.5 hereof or if the Company
reasonably believes that the Fund will fail to meet such requirements; or
(i) at the option of any party to this Agreement, upon another party's
failure to cure a material breach of any provision of this Agreement within
thirty days after written notice thereof; or
(j) at the option of the Company, if the Company determines in its sole
judgment exercised in good faith, that either the Fund or the Adviser has
suffered a material adverse change in its business, operations or financial
condition since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse
publicity which is likely to have a material adverse impact upon the business
and operations of the Company; or
(k) at the option of the Fund or the Adviser, if the Fund or Adviser
respectively, shall determine in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that
the Company has suffered a material adverse change in its business, operations
or financial condition since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of
material adverse publicity which is likely to have a material adverse impact
upon the business and operations of the Fund or the Adviser; or
(l) subject to the Fund's compliance with section 2.5 hereof, at the option
of the Fund in the event any of the Contracts are not issued or sold in
accordance with applicable requirements of federal and/or state law.
7.2 Notice Requirement.
(a) In the event that any termination of this Agreement is based upon the
provisions of Article V, such prior written notice shall be given in advance of
the effective date of termination as required by such provisions.
(b) In the event that any termination of this Agreement is based upon the
provisions of Sections 7.1(b) - (d) or 7.1(g) - (i), prompt written notice of
the election to terminate this Agreement for cause shall be furnished by the
party terminating the Agreement to the non-terminating parties, with said
termination to be effective upon receipt of such notice by the non-terminating
parties.
(c) In the event that any termination of this Agreement is based upon the
provisions of Sections 7.1(j) or 7.1(k), prior written notice of the election to
terminate this Agreement for cause shall be furnished by the party terminating
this Agreement to the non-terminating parties. Such prior written notice shall
be given by the party terminating this Agreement to the non-terminating parties
at least 30 days before the effective date of termination.
7.3 It is understood and agreed that the right to terminate
this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.1(a) may be exercised for any reason or for
no reason.
7.4. Effect of Termination.
----------------------
(a) Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section
7.1 of this Agreement and subject to Section 1.3 of this Agreement, the Company
may require the Fund to continue to make available additional shares of the Fund
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as provided in paragraph
(b) below, for all Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of
this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing Contracts"). Specifically,
without limitation, the owners of the Existing Contracts shall be permitted to
reallocate investments in the Fund, redeem investments in the Fund and/or invest
in the Fund upon the making of additional purchase payments under the Existing
Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 7.4 shall not apply to any
terminations under Article V and the effect of such Article V terminations shall
be governed by Article V of this Agreement.
(b) If shares of the Fund continue to be made available after termination
of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 7.4, the provisions of this Agreement
shall remain in effect except for Section 7.1(a) and thereafter the Fund, the
Adviser, or the Company may terminate the Agreement, as so continued pursuant to
this Section 7.4, upon written notice to the other party, such notice to be for
a period that is reasonable under the circumstances but need not be for more
than 90 days.
7.5 Except as necessary to implement Contract owner initiated or approved
transactions, or as required by state insurance laws or regulations, the Company
shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the Contracts (as opposed to Fund
shares attributable to the Company's assets held in the Account), and the
Company shall not prevent Contract owners from allocating payments to a
Portfolio that was otherwise available under the Contracts, until 45 days after
the Company shall have notified the Fund or the Adviser of its intention to do
so.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
---------------
8.1. Indemnification By The Company
(a). The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and the
Adviser, each member of their Board of Trustees or Board of Directors, each of
their officers and each person, if any, who controls the Fund within the meaning
of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for
purposes of this Section 8.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
the Company) or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses), to
which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation,
at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the
sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact contained in the registration
statement, prospectus or statement of additional
information for the Contracts or contained in
sales literature or other promotional material
for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement
to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are
based upon the omission or the alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances which they were made; provided that
this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to
any Indemnified Party if such statement or
omission or such alleged statement or omission
was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to the Company by or on
behalf of the Fund or the Adviser for use in the
registration statement, prospectus or statement
of additional information for the Contracts or
sales literature (or any amendment or supplement)
or otherwise for use in connection with the sale
of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations by or on behalf of the Company
(other than statements or representations
contained in the Fund registration statement,
Fund prospectus or sales literature or other
promotional material of the Fund not supplied by
the Company or persons under its control) or
wrongful conduct of the Company or persons under
its control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares,
provided any such statement or representation or
such wrongful conduct was not made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished
to the Company by or on behalf of the Advisor or
the Fund; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in the Fund registration statement,
Fund prospectus, statement of additional
information or sales literature or other
promotional material of the Fund or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto or the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading in
light of the circumstances in which they were
made, if such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon information furnished to the Fund
or the Adviser by or on behalf of the Company or
persons under its control; or
(iv) arise out of or result from any material
breach of any representation and/or warranty made
by the Company in this Agreement or arise out of
or result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by the Company.
except to the extent provided in Sections 8.1(b) and 8.3 hereof. This
indemnification shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may
otherwise have. (b). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless
disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.
8.2. Indemnification by Adviser and Fund
8.2(a)(1). The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company
and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2) against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with
the written consent of the Adviser) or litigation (including reasonable legal
and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under
any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or
settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the
Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact contained in the registration
statement, prospectus, statement of additional
information or sales literature of the Fund (or
any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or the alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances in which
they were made; provided that this agreement to
indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified
Party if such statement or omission or such
alleged statement or omission was made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to the Adviser or the Fund by or on
behalf of the Company for use in the Fund
registration statement, prospectus or statement
of additional information, or sales literature or
other promotional material for the Contracts or
of the Fund; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or
representations contained in the Contracts or in
the Contract registration statement, the Contract
prospectus, statement of additional information,
or sales literature or other promotional material
for the Contracts not supplied by the Adviser or
the Fund or persons under the control of the
Adviser or the Fund respectively) or wrongful
conduct of the Adviser or persons under its
control, with respect to the sale or distribution
of the Contracts, provided any such statement or
representation or such wrongful conduct was not
made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to the Adviser or the Fund
by or on behalf of the Company; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or
allegedly untrue statement of a material fact
contained in a registration statement,
prospectus, statement of additional information
or sales literature covering the Contracts (or
any amendment thereof or supplement thereto), or
the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statement or statements
therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, if such
statement or omission was made in reliance upon
information furnished to the Company by or on
behalf of the Fund or persons under the control
of the Adviser; or
(iv) arise out of or result from any material
breach of any representation and/or warranty made
by the Adviser or the Fund in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Adviser or the
Fund;
(v) arise out of or result from the materially
incorrect or untimely calculation or reporting of
the daily net asset value per share or dividend
or capital gain distribution rate;
except to the extent provided in Sections 8.2(b) and 8.3 hereof. This
indemnification shall be in addition to any liability which the Adviser may
otherwise have.
8.2(a)(2) The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified
Parties [as defined in Section 8.2(a)(1)] against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written
consent of the Fund) or litigation (including reasonable legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute,
regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are
related to the operations of the Fund or the sale or acquisition of the Fund's
shares and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon (a) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact or (b) the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements made therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, not
misleading, if such fact, statement or omission
is contained in the registration statement for
the Fund or the Contracts, or in the prospectus
or statement of additional information for the
Contracts or the Fund, or in any amendment to any
of the foregoing, or in sales literature or other
promotional material for the Contracts or of the
Fund, provided, however, that this agreement to
indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified
Party if such statement, fact or omission or such
alleged statement, fact or omission was made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to the Adviser or the Fund by or on
behalf of the Indemnified Party; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or
representations contained in the Contracts or in
the Contract registration statement, the Contract
prospectus, statement of additional information,
or sales literature or other promotional material
for the Contracts not supplied by the Adviser or
the Fund or persons under the control of the
Adviser or the Fund respectively) or wrongful
conduct of the Fund or persons under its control
with respect to the sale or distribution of
Contracts, provided any such statement or
representation or such wrongful conduct was not
made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to the Adviser or the Fund
by or on behalf of the Company; or
(iii) arise out of or result from any material
breach of any representation and/or warranty made
by the Fund in this Agreement or arise out of or
result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by the Fund (including a failure,
whether unintentional or in good faith or
otherwise, to comply with the diversification
requirements specified in Article VI of this
Agreement);
(iv) arise out of or result from the materially
incorrect or untimely calculation or reporting of
the daily net asset value per share or dividend
or capital gain distribution rate;
except to the extent provided in Section 8.2(b) and 8.3 hereof. This
indemnification shall be in addition to any liability which the Fund may
otherwise have. (b). The Fund and Adviser shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be
subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or
gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by
reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties
under this Agreement.
8.3 Indemnification Procedure
Any person obligated to provide indemnification under this
Article VIII ("indemnifying party" for the purpose of this Section 8.3) shall
not be liable under the indemnification provisions of this Article VIII with
respect to any claim made against a party entitled to indemnification under this
Article VIII ("indemnified party" for the purpose of this Section 8.3) unless
such indemnified party shall have notified the indemnifying party in writing
within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
indemnified party (or after such party shall have received notice of such
service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the indemnifying party
of any such claim shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability
which it may have to the indemnified party against whom such action is brought
under the indemnification provisions of this Article VIII, except to the extent
that the failure to notify results in the failure of actual notice to the
indemnifying party and such indemnifying party is damaged solely as a result of
failure to give such notice. In case any such action is brought against the
indemnified party, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense thereof. The indemnifying party also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified
party of the indemnifying party's election to assume the defense thereof, the
indemnified party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by it, and the indemnifying party will not be liable to such party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation, unless (i) the indemnifying party and the
indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or
(ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties)
include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation
of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or
potential differing interests between them. The indemnifying party shall not be
liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written
consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, but if settled with such
consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying
party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or
liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
A successor by law of the parties to this Agreement shall be
entitled to the benefits of the indemnification contained in this Article VIII.
The indemnification provisions contained in this Article VIII shall survive any
termination of this Agreement.
ARTICLE IX. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered
or certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth
below or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify to
the other party.
If to the Fund:
Panorama Series Fund, Inc.
0 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Vice President and Secretary
If to the Adviser:
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.
0 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Vice President/Manager
Variable Annuity Operations
If to the Company:
Allstate Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx - Xxxxx X0
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxx Xxxxx, Director
ARTICLE X. Miscellaneous
10.1. The Company represents and warrants that any Contracts eligible to
purchase shares of the Fund and offered and/or sold in private placements will
comply in all material respects with the exemptions from the registration
requirements of the 1933 Act and applicable federal and state laws and
regulations.
10.2. Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses
of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
(i) this Agreement and (ii) by Title V, Subtitle A of the Xxxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Act
and by regulations adopted thereunder by regulators having jurisdiction over the
parties hereto, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information without the express written consent
of the affected party until such time as it may come into the public domain.
10.3. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
10.4. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
10.5. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement shall
not be affected thereby.
10.6. Each party hereto shall cooperate with, and promptly notify each
other party and all appropriate governmental authorities (including without
limitation the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such
authorities reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any
investigation or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby.
10.7. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations,
at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and
federal laws.
10.8. It is understood by the parties that this Agreement is not an
exclusive arrangement in any respect.
10.9. This Agreement shall not be assigned by any party hereto
without the prior written consent of all the parties. Notwithstanding the
foregoing or anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the Adviser
may transfer or assign its rights, duties and obligations hereunder or interest
herein to any entity owned, directly or indirectly, by Xxxxxxxxxxx Acquisition
Corp. (the Adviser's parent corporation) or to a successor in interest pursuant
to a merger, reorganization, stock sale, asset sale or other transaction,
without the consent of the Company, as long as (i) that assignee agrees to
assume all the obligations imposed on the Adviser by this Agreement, and (ii)
the Fund consents to that assignment.
10.10. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between
the parties and supercedes all prior communications, agreements and
understandings, oral or written, between the parties regarding the subject
matter hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed as of the date specified
below.
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: __________________________________
Title: _______________________________
Date: ________________________________
PANORAMA SERIES FUND, INC.
By: __________________________________
Title: _______________________________
Date: ________________________________
OPPENHEIMERFUNDS, INC.
By: __________________________________
Title: _______________________________
Date: ________________________________
SCHEDULE 1
Separate Accounts Products
Allstate Financial Advisors Separate
Allstate Financial Personal
Advisors Account I
Retirement Manager
SCHEDULE 2
Portfolios of Panorama Series Fund, Inc. shown below do not include service
class shares unless expressly indicated:
Xxxxxxxxxxx International Growth Fund/VA: Service Share Class
Xxxxxxxxxxx Main Street Small Cap Fund/VA: Service Share Class
Exhibit (8)(j)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
PIMCO VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST,
and
PIMCO FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS LLC
THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of the 15th day of , 2001 by and among Allstate Life
Insurance Company, (the "Company"), an Illinois life insurance company, on its
own behalf and on behalf of each segregated asset account of the Company set
forth on Schedule A hereto as may be amended from time to time (each account
hereinafter referred to as the "Account"), PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust (the
"Fund"), a Delaware business trust, and PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC (the
"Underwriter"), a Delaware limited liability company.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management investment
company and is available to act as the investment vehicle for separate accounts
established for variable life insurance and variable annuity contracts (the
"Variable Insurance Products") to be offered by insurance companies which have
entered into participation agreements with the Fund and Underwriter
("Participating Insurance Companies");
WHEREAS, the shares of beneficial interest of the Fund are divided into several
series of shares, each designated a "Portfolio" and representing the interest in
a particular managed portfolio of securities and other assets;
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") granting Participating Insurance Companies and variable
annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts exemptions from the
provisions of sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, (the "1940 Act") and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and
6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, if and to the extent necessary to permit shares of
the Fund to be sold to and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance
separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies
(the "Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order");
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company
under the 1940 Act and shares of the Portfolios are registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"); WHEREAS, Pacific Investment
Management Company (the "Adviser"), which serves as investment adviser to the
Fund, is duly registered as an investment adviser under the federal Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, as amended;
WHEREAS, the Company has issued or will issue certain variable life insurance
and/or variable annuity contracts supported wholly or partially by the Account
(the "Contracts"), and said Contracts are listed in Schedule A hereto, as it may
be amended from time to time by mutual written agreement;
WHEREAS, the Account is duly established and maintained as a segregated asset
account, duly established by the Company, on the date shown for such Account on
Schedule A hereto, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid
Contracts;
WHEREAS, the Underwriter, which serves as distributor to the Fund, is registered
as a broker dealer with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "1934 Act"), and is a member in good standing of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"); and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and regulations,
the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios listed in Schedule A
hereto, as it may be amended from time to time by mutual written agreement (the
"Designated Portfolios") on behalf of the Account to fund the aforesaid
Contracts, and the Underwriter is authorized to sell such shares to the Account
at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company, the Fund
and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund has granted to the Underwriter exclusive authority to distribute the
Fund's shares, and has agreed to instruct, and has so instructed, the
Underwriter to make available to the Company for purchase on behalf of the
Account Fund shares of those Designated Portfolios selected by the Underwriter.
Pursuant to such authority and instructions, and subject to Article X hereof,
the Underwriter agrees to make available to the Company for purchase on behalf
of the Account, shares of those Designated Portfolios listed on Schedule A to
this Agreement, such purchases to be effected at net asset value in accordance
with Section 1.3 of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) Fund
series (other than those listed on Schedule A) in existence now or that may be
established in the future will be made available to the Company only as the
Underwriter may so provide, and (ii) the Board of Trustees of the Fund (the
"Board") may suspend or terminate the offering of Fund shares of any Designated
Portfolio or class thereof, if such action is required by law or by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction or if, in the sole discretion of the Board
acting in good faith and in light of its fiduciary duties under federal and any
applicable state laws, suspension or termination is necessary in the best
interests of the shareholders of such Designated Portfolio.
The Fund shall redeem, at the Company's request, any full or fractional
Designated Portfolio shares held by the Company on behalf of the Account, such
redemptions to be effected at net asset value in accordance with Section 1.3 of
this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Company shall not redeem
Fund shares attributable to Contract owners except in the circumstances
permitted in Section 10.3 of this Agreement, and (ii) the Fund may delay
redemption of Fund shares of any Designated Portfolio to the extent permitted by
the 1940 Act, and any rules, regulations or orders thereunder.
Purchase and Redemption Procedures
The Fund hereby appoints the Company as an agent of the Fund for the limited
purpose of receiving purchase and redemption requests on behalf of the Account
(but not with respect to any Fund shares that may be held in the general account
of the Company) for shares of those Designated Portfolios made available
hereunder, based on allocations of amounts to the Account or subaccounts thereof
under the Contracts and other transactions relating to the Contracts or the
Account. Receipt of any such request (or relevant transactional information
therefor) on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on
which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the SEC
(a "Business Day") by the Company as such limited agent of the Fund prior to the
time that the Fund ordinarily calculates its net asset value as described from
time to time in the Fund Prospectus (which as of the date of execution of this
Agreement is 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) shall constitute receipt by the Fund on
that same Business Day, provided that the Fund receives notice of such request
by 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the next following Business Day.
The Company shall pay for shares of each Designated Portfolio on the same day
that it notifies the Fund of a purchase request for such shares. Payment for
Designated Portfolio shares shall be made in federal funds transmitted to the
Fund by wire to be received by the Fund by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the day the
Fund is notified of the purchase request for Designated Portfolio shares (unless
the Fund determines and so advises the Company that sufficient proceeds are
available from redemption of shares of other Designated Portfolios effected
pursuant to redemption requests tendered by the Company on behalf of the
Account). If federal funds are not received on time, such funds will be
invested, and Designated Portfolio shares purchased thereby will be issued, as
soon as practicable and the Company shall promptly, upon the Fund's request,
reimburse the Fund for any charges, costs, fees, interest or other expenses
incurred by the Fund in connection with any advances to, or borrowing or
overdrafts by, the Fund, or any similar expenses incurred by the Fund, as a
result of portfolio transactions effected by the Fund based upon such purchase
request. Upon receipt of federal funds so wired, such funds shall cease to be
the responsibility of the Company and shall become the responsibility of the
Fund.
Payment for Designated Portfolio shares redeemed by the Account or the Company
shall be made in federal funds transmitted by wire to the Company or any other
designated person on the next Business Day after the Fund is properly notified
of the redemption order of such shares (unless redemption proceeds are to be
applied to the purchase of shares of other Designated Portfolios in accordance
with Section 1.3(b) of this Agreement), except that the Fund reserves the right
to redeem Designated Portfolio shares in assets other than cash and to delay
payment of redemption proceeds to the extent permitted under Section 22(e) of
the 1940 Act and any Rules thereunder, and in accordance with the procedures and
policies of the Fund as described in the then current prospectus. The Fund shall
not bear any responsibility whatsoever for the proper disbursement or crediting
of redemption proceeds by the Company; the Company alone shall be responsible
for such action.
Any purchase or redemption request for Designated Portfolio shares held or to be
held in the Company's general account shall be effected at the net asset value
per share next determined after the Fund's receipt of such request, provided
that, in the case of a purchase request, payment for Fund shares so requested is
received by the Fund in federal funds prior to close of business for
determination of such value, as defined from time to time in the Fund
Prospectus.
The Fund shall use its best efforts to make the net asset value per share for
each Designated Portfolio available to the Company by 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time
each Business Day, and in any event, as soon as reasonably practicable after the
net asset value per share for such Designated Portfolio is calculated, and shall
calculate such net asset value in accordance with the Fund's Prospectus. Neither
the Fund, any Designated Portfolio, the Underwriter, nor any of their affiliates
shall be liable for any information provided to the Company pursuant to this
Agreement which information is based on incorrect information supplied by the
Company or any other Participating Insurance Company to the Fund or the
Underwriter.
The Fund shall furnish notice (by wire or telephone followed by written
confirmation) to the Company as soon as reasonably practicable of any income
dividends or capital gain distributions payable on any Designated Portfolio
shares. The Company, on its behalf and on behalf of the Account, hereby elects
to receive all such dividends and distributions as are payable on any Designated
Portfolio shares in the form of additional shares of that Designated Portfolio.
The Company reserves the right, on its behalf and on behalf of the Account, to
revoke this election and to receive all such dividends and capital gain
distributions in cash. The Fund shall notify the Company promptly of the number
of Designated Portfolio shares so issued as payment of such dividends and
distributions.
Issuance and transfer of Fund shares shall be by book entry only. Stock
certificates will not be issued to the Company or the Account. Purchase and
redemption orders for Fund shares shall be recorded in an appropriate ledger for
the Account or the appropriate subaccount of the Account.
(a) The parties hereto acknowledge that the arrangement contemplated by this
Agreement is not exclusive; the Fund's shares may be sold to other insurance
companies (subject to Section 1.8 hereof) and the cash value of the Contracts
may be invested in other investment companies, provided, however, that until
this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Article X, the Company shall promote
the Designated Portfolios on the same basis as other funding vehicles available
under the Contracts. Funding vehicles other than those listed on Schedule A to
this Agreement may be available for the investment of the cash value of the
Contracts, provided, however, (i) any such vehicle or series thereof, has
investment objectives or policies that are substantially different from the
investment objectives and policies of the Designated Portfolios available
hereunder; (ii) the Company gives the Fund and the Underwriter 45 days written
notice of its intention to make such other investment vehicle available as a
funding vehicle for the Contracts; and (iii) unless such other investment
company was available as a Funding vehicle for the Contracts prior to the date
of this Agreement and the Company has so informed the Fund and the Underwriter
prior to their signing this Agreement, the Fund or Underwriter consents in
writing to the use of such other vehicle, such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld.
The Company shall not, without prior notice to the Underwriter (unless
otherwise required by applicable law), take any action to operate the Account as
a management investment company under the 1940 Act.
The Company shall not, without prior notice to the Underwriter (unless
otherwise required by applicable law), induce Contract owners to change or
modify the Fund or change the Fund's distributor or investment adviser.
(b) The Company shall not, without prior notice to the Fund, induce Contract
owners to vote on any matter submitted for consideration by the shareholders of
the Fund in a manner other than as recommended by the Board of Trustees of the
Fund.
The Underwriter and the Fund shall sell Fund shares only to Participating
Insurance Companies and their separate accounts and to persons or plans
("Qualified Persons") that communicate to the Underwriter and the Fund that they
qualify to purchase shares of the Fund under Section 817(h) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and the regulations thereunder
without impairing the ability of the Account to consider the portfolio
investments of the Fund as constituting investments of the Account for the
purpose of satisfying the diversification requirements of Section 817(h). The
Underwriter and the Fund shall not sell Fund shares to any insurance company or
separate account unless an agreement complying with Article VI of this Agreement
is in effect to govern such sales, to the extent required. The Company hereby
represents and warrants that it and the Account are Qualified Persons. The Fund
reserves the right to cease offering shares of any Designated Portfolio in the
discretion of the Fund.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts (a) are, or prior to
issuance will be, registered under the 1933 Act, or (b) are not registered
because they are properly exempt from registration under the 1933 Act or will be
offered exclusively in transactions that are properly exempt from registration
under the 1933 Act. The Company further represents and warrants that the
Contracts will be issued and sold in compliance in all material respects with
all applicable federal securities and state securities and insurance laws and
that the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all material respects with state
insurance suitability requirements. The Company further represents and warrants
that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing under
applicable law, that it has legally and validly established the Account prior to
any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated asset account under [insert state]
insurance laws, and that it (a) has registered or, prior to any issuance or sale
of the Contracts, will register the Account as a unit investment trust in
accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a segregated
investment account for the Contracts, or alternatively (b) has not registered
the Account in proper reliance upon an exclusion from registration under the
1940 Act. The Company shall register and qualify the Contracts or interests
therein as securities in accordance with the laws of the various states only if
and to the extent deemed advisable by the Company.
The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold pursuant to this
Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly authorized for issuance
and sold in compliance with applicable state and federal securities laws and
that the Fund is and shall remain registered under the 0000 Xxx. The Fund shall
amend the registration statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940
Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of
its shares. The Fund shall register and qualify the shares for sale in
accordance with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed
advisable by the Fund or the Underwriter.
The Fund may make payments to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Prior to financing distribution expenses pursuant to
Rule 12b-1, the Fund will have the Board, a majority of whom are not interested
persons of the Fund, formulate and approve a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under
the 1940 Act to finance distribution expenses.
The Fund makes no representations as to whether any aspect of its operations,
including, but not limited to, investment policies, fees and expenses, complies
with the insurance and other applicable laws of the various states.
The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly existing under the
laws of the State of Delaware and that it does and will comply in all material
respects with the 1940 Act.
The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is a member in good standing of
the NASD and is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC. The Underwriter
further represents that it will sell and distribute the Fund shares in
accordance with any applicable state and federal securities laws.
The Fund and the Underwriter represent and warrant that all of their
trustees/directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals or entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are
and shall continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or
similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the
minimum coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-1 of the 1940 Act or related
provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid bond shall
include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable
bonding company.
The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors, officers,
employees, and other individuals/entities employed or controlled by the Company
dealing with the money and/or securities of the Account are covered by a blanket
fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Account, in an amount
not less than $5 million. The aforesaid bond includes coverage for larceny and
embezzlement and is issued by a reputable bonding company. The Company agrees to
hold for the benefit of the Fund and to pay to the Fund any amounts lost from
larceny, embezzlement or other events covered by the aforesaid bond to the
extent such amounts properly belong to the Fund pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement. The Company agrees to make all reasonable efforts to see that this
bond or another bond containing these provisions is always in effect, and agrees
to notify the Fund and the Underwriter in the event that such coverage no longer
applies.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses and Proxy Statements; Voting
The Underwriter shall provide the Company with as many copies of the Fund's
current prospectus (describing only the Designated Portfolios listed on Schedule
A) or, to the extent permitted, the Fund's profiles as the Company may
reasonably request. The Company shall bear the expense of printing copies of the
current prospectus and profiles for the Contracts that will be distributed to
existing Contract owners, and the Company shall bear the expense of printing
copies of the Fund's prospectus and profiles that are used in connection with
offering the Contracts issued by the Company. If requested by the Company in
lieu thereof, the Fund shall provide such documentation (including a final copy
of the new prospectus on diskette at the Fund's expense) and other assistance as
is reasonably necessary in order for the Company once each year (or more
frequently if the prospectus for the Fund is amended) to have the prospectus for
the Contracts and the Fund's prospectus or profile printed together in one
document (such printing to be at the Company's expense).
The Fund's prospectus shall state that the current Statement of Additional
Information ("SAI") for the Fund is available, and the Underwriter (or the
Fund), at its expense, shall provide a reasonable number of copies of such SAI
free of charge to the Company for itself and for any owner of a Contract who
requests such SAI.
The Fund shall provide the Company with information regarding the Fund's
expenses, which information may include a table of fees and related narrative
disclosure for use in any prospectus or other descriptive document relating to a
Contract. The Company agrees that it will use such information in the form
provided. The Company shall provide prior written notice of any proposed
modification of such information, which notice will describe in detail the
manner in which the Company proposes to modify the information, and agrees that
it may not modify such information in any way without the prior consent of the
Fund.
The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies of its proxy
material, reports to shareholders, and other communications to shareholders in
such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for distributing to
Contract owners.
The Company shall:
solicit voting instructions from Contract owners; vote the Fund shares in
accordance with instructions received from Contract owners; and vote Fund shares
for which no instructions have been received in the same proportion as Fund
shares of such portfolio for which instructions have been received, so long as
and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require
pass-through voting privileges for variable contract owners or to the extent
otherwise required by law. The Company will vote Fund shares held in any
segregated asset account in the same proportion as Fund shares of such portfolio
for which voting instructions have been received from Contract owners, to the
extent permitted by law.
Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for assuring that each of
their separate accounts participating in a Designated Portfolio calculates
voting privileges as required by the Shared Funding Exemptive Order and
consistent with any reasonable standards that the Fund may adopt and provide in
writing.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information The Company shall furnish, or shall
cause to be furnished, to the Fund or its designee, each piece of sales
literature or other promotional material that the Company develops and in which
the Fund (or a Designated Portfolio thereof) or the Adviser or the Underwriter
is named. No such material shall be used until approved by the Fund or its
designee, and the Fund will use its best efforts for it or its designee to
review such sales literature or promotional material within ten Business Days
after receipt of such material. The Fund or its designee reserves the right to
reasonably object to the continued use of any such sales literature or other
promotional material in which the Fund (or a Designated Portfolio thereof) or
the Adviser or the Underwriter is named, and no such material shall be used if
the Fund or its designee so object.
The Company shall not give any information or make any representations or
statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund or the Adviser or the
Underwriter in connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the
information or representations contained in the registration statement or
prospectus or SAI for the Fund shares, as such registration statement and
prospectus or SAI may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in
reports or proxy statements for the Fund, or in sales literature or other
promotional material approved by the Fund or its designee or by the Underwriter,
except with the permission of the Fund or the Underwriter or the designee of
either.
The Fund and the Underwriter, or their designee, shall furnish, or cause to be
furnished, to the Company, each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material that it develops and in which the Company, and/or its Account, is
named. No such material shall be used until approved by the Company, and the
Company will use its best efforts to review such sales literature or promotional
material within ten Business Days after receipt of such material. The Company
reserves the right to reasonably object to the continued use of any such sales
literature or other promotional material in which the Company and/or its Account
is named, and no such material shall be used if the Company so objects.
The Fund and the Underwriter shall not give any information or make any
representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, the Account,
or the Contracts other than the information or representations contained in a
registration statement, prospectus (which shall include an offering memorandum,
if any, if the Contracts issued by the Company or interests therein are not
registered under the 1933 Act), or SAI for the Contracts, as such registration
statement, prospectus, or SAI may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
or in published reports for the Account which are in the public domain or
approved by the Company for distribution to Contract owners, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Company or its
designee, except with the permission of the Company.
The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, reports, proxy statements, sales
literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions,
requests for no-action letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that
relate to the Fund or its shares, promptly after the filing of such document(s)
with the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses (which shall include an offering
memorandum, if any, if the Contracts issued by the Company or interests therein
are not registered under the 1933 Act), SAIs, reports, solicitations for voting
instructions, sales literature and other promotional materials, applications for
exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments to any of the
above, that relate to the Contracts or the Account, promptly after the filing of
such document(s) with the SEC or other regulatory authorities. The Company shall
provide to the Fund and the Underwriter any complaints received from the
Contract owners pertaining to the Fund or the Designated Portfolio.
The Fund will provide the Company with as much notice as is reasonably
practicable of any proxy solicitation for any Designated Portfolio, and of any
material change in the Fund's registration statement, particularly any change
resulting in a change to the registration statement or prospectus for any
Account. The Fund will work with the Company so as to enable the Company to
solicit proxies from Contract owners, or to make changes to its prospectus or
registration statement, in an orderly manner. The Fund will make reasonable
efforts to attempt to have changes affecting Contract prospectuses become
effective simultaneously with the annual updates for such prospectuses.
For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature and other
promotional materials" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following
that refer to the Fund or any affiliate of the Fund: advertisements (such as
material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other
periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display,
signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media), sales literature
(i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally available to
customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, reports, market
letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other
advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or training
materials or other communications distributed or made generally available to
some or all agents or employees, and registration statements, prospectuses,
SAIs, shareholder reports, proxy materials, and any other communications
distributed or made generally available with regard to the Fund.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
The Fund and the Underwriter shall pay no fee or other compensation to the
Company under this Agreement, except that if the Fund or any Portfolio adopts
and implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses,
then the Fund or Underwriter may make payments to the Company or to the
underwriter for the Contracts if and in amounts agreed to by the Underwriter in
writing, and such payments will be made out of existing fees otherwise payable
to the Underwriter, past profits of the Underwriter, or other resources
available to the Underwriter. Currently, no such payments are contemplated.
All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under this Agreement shall be
paid by the Fund. The Fund shall see to it that all its shares are registered
and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable federal law and, if
and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund, in accordance with applicable
state laws prior to their sale. The Fund shall bear the expenses for the cost of
registration and qualification of the Fund's shares, preparation and filing of
the Fund's prospectus and registration statement, proxy materials and reports,
setting the prospectus in type, setting in type and printing the proxy materials
and reports to shareholders (including the costs of printing a prospectus that
constitutes an annual report), the preparation of all statements and notices
required by any federal or state law, and all taxes on the issuance or transfer
of the Fund's shares.
The Company shall bear the expenses of distributing the Fund's prospectus to
owners of Contracts issued by the Company and of distributing the Fund's proxy
materials and reports to such Contract owners.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification and Qualification
The Fund will invest its assets in such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts
will be treated as annuity or life insurance contracts, whichever is
appropriate, under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder (or any
successor provisions). Without limiting the scope of the foregoing, each
Designated Portfolio has complied and will continue to comply with Section
817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation ss.1.817-5, and any Treasury
interpretations thereof, relating to the diversification requirements for
variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts, and any amendments or
other modifications or successor provisions to such Section or Regulations. In
the event of a breach of this Article VI by the Fund, it will take all
reasonable steps (a) to notify the Company of such breach and (b) to adequately
diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded
by Regulation 1.817-5.
The Fund represents that it is or will be qualified as a Regulated Investment
Company under Subchapter M of the Code, and that it will make every effort to
maintain such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar
provisions) and that it will notify the Company immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that it has ceased to so qualify or that it might
not so qualify in the future.
The Company represents that the Contracts are currently, and at the time of
issuance shall be, treated as life insurance or annuity insurance contracts,
under applicable provisions of the Code, and that it will make every effort to
maintain such treatment, and that it will notify the Fund and the Underwriter
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing the Contracts have
ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future. The
Company agrees that any prospectus offering a contract that is a "modified
endowment contract" as that term is defined in Section 7702A of the Code (or any
successor or similar provision), shall identify such contract as a modified
endowment contract.
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts
The following provisions shall apply only upon issuance of the Mixed and Shared
Funding Order and the sale of shares of the Fund to variable life insurance
separate accounts, and then only to the extent required under the 1940 Act.
The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any material irreconcilable
conflict between the interests of the Contract owners of all separate accounts
investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict may arise for a
variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance regulatory
authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax, or
securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling,
no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance, tax, or
securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial decision in
any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of any
Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given by
variable annuity contract and variable life insurance contract owners; or (f) a
decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of contract owners.
The Board shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an
irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of which it is aware
to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying out its
responsibilities under the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by
providing the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to
consider any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation
by the Company to inform the Board whenever Contract owner voting instructions
are disregarded.
If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of its
disinterested members, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the
Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and
to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the
disinterested Board members), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or
eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1)
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from
the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Fund, or
submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote
of all affected contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of
any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance contract
owners, or variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance
Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected
contract owners the option of making such a change; and (2) establishing a new
registered management investment company or managed separate account.
If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by the
Company to disregard Contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the Account's investment in
the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to each Account; provided,
however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent
required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Any such withdrawal and
termination must take place within six (6) months after the Fund gives written
notice that this provision is being implemented, and until the end of that six
month period the Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by the
Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund.
If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular state
insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with the
majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw the affected
Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to
such Account within six months after the Board informs the Company in writing
that it has determined that such decision has created an irreconcilable material
conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be
limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict
as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. Until the
end of the foregoing six month period, the Fund shall continue to accept and
implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of
the Fund.
For purposes of Section 7.3 through 7.6 of this Agreement, a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any proposed action
adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event will
the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium for the Contracts. The
Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 to establish a new funding medium
for the Contract if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority of
Contract owners materially adversely affected by the irreconcilable material
conflict. In the event that the Board determines that any proposed action does
not adequately remedy any irreconcilable material conflict, then the Company
will withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement
within six (6) months after the Board informs the Company in writing of the
foregoing determination; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination
shall be limited to the extent required by any such material irreconcilable
conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board.
If and to the extent the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemption Order or any
amendment thereto contains terms and conditions different from Sections 3.4,
3.5, 3.6, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 of this Agreement, then the Fund and/or
the Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate, shall take such steps as
may be necessary to comply with the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order,
and Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 and 7.5 of this Agreement shall
continue in effect only to the extent that terms and conditions substantially
identical to such Sections are contained in the Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order or any amendment thereto. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2
and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive
relief from any provision of the 1940 Act or the rules promulgated thereunder
with respect to mixed or shared funding (as defined in the Mixed and Shared
Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions materially different from those
contained in the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, then (a) the Fund
and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate, shall take such
steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and
Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable; and (b) Sections
3.5, 3.6, 7.1., 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 of this Agreement shall continue in
effect only to the extent that terms and conditions substantially identical to
such Sections are contained in such Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
Indemnification By the Company
8.1(a). The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund and the
Underwriter and each of its trustees/directors and officers, and each person, if
any, who controls the Fund or Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of
the 1933 Act or who is under common control with the Underwriter (collectively,
the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.1) against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with
the written consent of the Company) or litigation (including legal and other
expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute
or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements:
arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statements
of any material fact contained in the registration statement, prospectus (which
shall include a written description of a Contract that is not registered under
the 1933 Act), or SAI for the Contracts or contained in the Contracts or sales
literature for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company by or on behalf
of the Fund for use in the registration statement, prospectus or SAI for the
Contracts or in the Contracts or sales literature (or any amendment or
supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or
Fund shares; or arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the registration
statement, prospectus, SAI, or sales literature of the Fund not supplied by the
Company or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Company or its
agents or persons under the Company's authorization or control, with respect to
the sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund Shares; or arise out of any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a
registration statement, prospectus, SAI, or sales literature of the Fund or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto or the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading if such a statement or omission was made
in reliance upon information furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the
Company; or arise as a result of any material failure by the Company to provide
the services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement
(including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise, to
comply with the qualification requirements specified in Article VI of this
Agreement); or arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or arise
out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the
Company; or as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections
8.1(b) and 8.1(c) hereof.
8.1(b). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation to which
an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified
Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of its obligations or duties under this Agreement.
8.1(c). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such
Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after
such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any such claim shall not
relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified
Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against an
Indemnified Party, the Company shall be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action. After notice from the Company to such party of the Company's election to
assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Company will not be
liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.1(d). The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with
the issuance or sale of the Fund shares or the Contracts or the operation of the
Fund.
Indemnification by the Underwriter
8.2(a). The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and
each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2) against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with
the written consent of the Underwriter) or litigation (including legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute
or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements:
arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of any material fact contained in the registration statement or prospectus or
SAI or sales literature of the Fund (or any amendment or supplement to any of
the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Underwriter or Fund by
or on behalf of the Company for use in the registration statement, prospectus or
SAI for the Fund or in sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or
otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares;
or arise out of or as a result of statements or representations (other than
statements or representations contained in the registration statement,
prospectus, SAI or sales literature for the Contracts not supplied by the
Underwriter or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Fund or
Underwriter or persons under their control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or arise out of any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a
registration statement, prospectus, SAI or sales literature covering the
Contracts, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statement or statements therein not misleading, if such
statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the
Company by or on behalf of the Fund or the Underwriter; or arise as a result of
any failure by the Fund or the Underwriter to provide the services and furnish
the materials under the terms of this Agreement (including a failure of the
Fund, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise, to comply with the
diversification and other qualification requirements specified in Article VI of
this Agreement); or arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Underwriter in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the
Underwriter; as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections
8.2(b) and 8.2(c) hereof.
8.2(b). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation to which
an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified
Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
or such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to the
Company or the Account, whichever is applicable.
8.2(c). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such
Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter of
any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than
on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Party, the Underwriter will be entitled to participate,
at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the Underwriter to such party of the
Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party
shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and
the Underwriter will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any
legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of the commencement of any
litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or directors in
connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the operation of the
Account.
Indemnification By the Fund
8.3(a). The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of
its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.3) against any and all losses, claims,
expenses, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the
written consent of the Fund) or litigation (including legal and other expenses)
to which the Indemnified Parties may be required to pay or may become subject
under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) or settlements, are related to the operations of the Fund and:
arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the services and furnish
the materials under the terms of this Agreement (including a failure, whether
unintentional or in good faith or otherwise, to comply with the diversification
and other qualification requirements specified in Article VI of this Agreement);
or arise out of or result from any material breach of any representation and/or
warranty made by the Fund in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any
other material breach of this Agreement by the Fund; as limited by and in
accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.3(b) and 8.3(c) hereof.
8.3(b). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation to which an
Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified
Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to the
Company, the Fund, the Underwriter or the Account, whichever is applicable.
8.3(c). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified
Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a reasonable time after the
summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the
claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated
agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any such claim shall not relieve the
Fund from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom
such action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification
provision. In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties,
the Fund will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense
thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the
Fund to such party of the Fund's election to assume the defense thereof, the
Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by it, and the Fund will not be liable to such party under this
Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party
independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs
of investigation.
8.3(d). The Company and the Underwriter agree promptly to notify the Fund of the
commencement of any litigation or proceeding against it or any of its respective
officers or directors in connection with the Agreement, the issuance or sale of
the Contracts, the operation of the Account, or the sale or acquisition of
shares of the Fund.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted under
and in accordance with the laws of the State of California.
This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934 and 1940
Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including such
exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC may grant
(including, but not limited to, any Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order)
and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
If, in the future, the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order should no longer
be necessary under applicable law, then Article VII shall no longer apply.
ARTICLE X. Termination
This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the first to occur
of: (a) termination by any party, for any reason with respect to some or all
Designated Portfolios, by three (3) months advance written notice delivered to
the other parties; or
(b) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriter
based upon the Company's determination that shares of the Fund are not
reasonably available to meet the requirements of the Contracts; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriter
in the event any of the Designated Portfolio's shares are not registered, issued
or sold in accordance with applicable state and/or federal law or such law
precludes the use of such shares as the underlying investment media of the
Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company; or
(d) termination by the Fund or Underwriter in the event that formal
administrative proceedings are instituted against the Company by the NASD, the
SEC, the Insurance Commissioner or like official of any state or any other
regulatory body regarding the Company's duties under this Agreement or related
to the sale of the Contracts, the operation of any Account, or the purchase of
the Fund's shares; provided, however, that the Fund or Underwriter determines in
its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that any such administrative
proceedings will have a material adverse effect upon the ability of the Company
to perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
(e) termination by the Company in the event that formal administrative
proceedings are instituted against the Fund or Underwriter by the NASD, the SEC,
or any state securities or insurance department or any other regulatory body;
provided, however, that the Company determines in its sole judgment exercised in
good faith, that any such administrative proceedings will have a material
adverse effect upon the ability of the Fund or Underwriter to perform its
obligations under this Agreement; or
(f) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriter
with respect to any Designated Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio ceases
to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M or fails to
comply with the Section 817(h) diversification requirements specified in Article
VI hereof, or if the Company reasonably believes that such Portfolio may fail to
so qualify or comply; or
(g) termination by the Fund or Underwriter by written notice to the Company in
the event that the Contracts fail to meet the qualifications specified in
Article VI hereof; or
(h) termination by either the Fund or the Underwriter by written notice to the
Company, if either one or both of the Fund or the Underwriter respectively,
shall determine, in their sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the
Company has suffered a material adverse change in its business, operations,
financial condition, or prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the
subject of material adverse publicity; or
(i) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter, if the Company shall determine, in its sole judgment exercised in
good faith, that the Fund, Adviser, or the Underwriter has suffered a material
adverse change in its business, operations, financial condition or prospects
since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse
publicity; or
(j) termination by the Fund or the Underwriter by written notice to the Company,
if the Company gives the Fund and the Underwriter the written notice specified
in Section 1.7(a)(ii) hereof and at the time such notice was given there was no
notice of termination outstanding under any other provision of this Agreement;
provided, however, any termination under this Section 10.1(j) shall be effective
forty-five days after the notice specified in Section 1.7(a)(ii) was given; or
(k) termination by the Company upon any substitution of the shares of another
investment company or series thereof for shares of a Designated Portfolio of the
Fund in accordance with the terms of the Contracts, provided that the Company
has given at least 45 days prior written notice to the Fund and Underwriter of
the date of substitution; or
(l) termination by any party in the event that the Fund's Board of Trustees
determines that a material irreconcilable conflict exists as provided in Article
VII.
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Fund and the Underwriter
shall, at the option of the Company, continue to make available additional
shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for
all Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement
(hereinafter referred to as "Existing Contracts"), unless the Underwriter
requests that the Company seek an order pursuant to Section 26(b) of the 1940
Act to permit the substitution of other securities for the shares of the
Designated Portfolios. The Underwriter agrees to split the cost of seeking such
an order, and the Company agrees that it shall reasonably cooperate with the
Underwriter and seek such an order upon request. Specifically, the owners of the
Existing Contracts may be permitted to reallocate investments in the Fund,
redeem investments in the Fund and/or invest in the Fund upon the making of
additional purchase payments under the Existing Contracts (subject to any such
election by the Underwriter). The parties agree that this Section 10.2 shall not
apply to any terminations under Article VII and the effect of such Article VII
terminations shall be governed by Article VII of this Agreement. The parties
further agree that this Section 10.2 shall not apply to any terminations under
Section 10.1(g) of this Agreement.
The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the Contracts (as
opposed to Fund shares attributable to the Company's assets held in the Account)
except (i) as necessary to implement Contract owner initiated or approved
transactions, (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or regulations or
judicial or other legal precedent of general application (hereinafter referred
to as a "Legally Required Redemption"), (iii) upon 45 days prior written notice
to the Fund and Underwriter, as permitted by an order of the SEC pursuant to
Section 26(b) of the 1940 Act, but only if a substitution of other securities
for the shares of the Designated Portfolios is consistent with the terms of the
Contracts, or (iv) as permitted under the terms of the Contract. Upon request,
the Company will promptly furnish to the Fund and the Underwriter reasonable
assurance that any redemption pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally
Required Redemption. Furthermore, except in cases where permitted under the
terms of the Contacts, the Company shall not prevent Contract owners from
allocating payments to a Portfolio that was otherwise available under the
Contracts without first giving the Fund or the Underwriter 45 days notice of its
intention to do so.
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, each party's obligation under
Article VIII to indemnify the other parties shall survive.
ARTICLE XI. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified mail
to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at such other
address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the other
party.
If to the Fund:
PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
If to the Company:
Allstate Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
If to Underwriter:
PIMCO Funds Distributors LLC
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous
All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the Fund,
and in the case of a series company, the respective Designated Portfolios listed
on Schedule A hereto as though each such Designated Portfolio had separately
contracted with the Company and the Underwriter for the enforcement of any
claims against the Fund. The parties agree that neither the Board, officers,
agents or shareholders of the Fund assume any personal liability or
responsibility for obligations entered into by or on behalf of the Fund.
Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory authority, each
party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses of the owners
of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as confidential in
writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by this Agreement,
shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and addresses and other
confidential information without the express written consent of the affected
party until such time as such information has come into the public domain.
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only
and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or otherwise
affect their construction or effect.
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each
of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement shall not
be affected thereby.
Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all appropriate
governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the NASD, and
state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities reasonable access
to its books and records in connection with any investigation or inquiry
relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the [insert state] Insurance Commissioner with any information
or reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement which such
Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the variable annuity
operations of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent with the
[insert state] variable annuity laws and regulations and any other applicable
law or regulations.
The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are cumulative
and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies, and obligations, at law or
in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and federal
laws.
This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder may not be
assigned by any party without the prior written consent of all parties hereto.
The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund or its
designee copies of the following reports: (a) the Company's annual statement
(prepared under statutory accounting principles) and annual report (prepared
under generally accepted accounting principles) filed with any state or federal
regulatory body or otherwise made available to the public, as soon as
practicable and in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year;
and
(b) any registration statement (without exhibits) and financial reports of the
Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any state insurance
regulatory, as soon as practicable after the filing thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement to be
executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative and
its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date specified below. COMPANY:
By its authorized officer
By:
Name:
Title:
Date:
PIMCO VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST By its authorized officer By:
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Chairman
Date:
PIMCO FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS LLC By its authorized officer By:
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx.
Title: Executive Vice President
Date:
6/15/01
Schedule A
PIMCO Variable Insurance Trust Portfolios:
Segregated Asset Accounts:
PIMCO Foreign Bond Portfolio
PIMCO Money Market Portfolio
PIMCO Total Return Bond Portfolio
Dated June 15, 2001.
Exhibit (8)(k)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
XXXXXX VARIABLE TRUST
XXXXXX MUTUAL FUNDS CORP.
and
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of this 15th day of June,
2001, among Allstate Life Insurance Company (the "Company"), an Illinois
corporation, on its own behalf and on behalf of each separate account of the
Company set forth on Schedule A hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from
time to time (each such account hereinafter referred to as the "Account"),
PUTNAM VARIABLE TRUST (the "Trust"), a Massachusetts business trust, and XXXXXX
MUTUAL FUNDS CORP. (the "Underwriter"), a Massachusetts corporation.
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end diversified management investment
company and is available to act as the investment vehicle for separate accounts
established for variable life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts
(collectively, the "Variable Insurance Products") to be offered by insurance
companies which have entered into Participation Agreements with the Trust and
the Underwriter (the "Participating Insurance Companies"); and
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Trust is divided into several
series of shares, each designated a "Fund" and representing the interest in a
particular managed portfolio of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Trust has obtained an order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission ("SEC"), dated December 29, 1993 (File No. 812-8612),
granting the variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts
participating in the Trust exemptions from the provisions of sections 9(a),
13(a), 15(a) and 15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
"1940 Act"), and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, to the extent
necessary to permit shares of the Trust to be sold to and held by variable
annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of the Participating
Insurance Companies (the "Shared Funding Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and the sale of its shares is registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the " 1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain variable
life and/or variable annuity contracts under the 1933 Act and any applicable
state securities and insurance law; and
WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing separate
account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, on
the date shown for such Account on Schedule A hereto, to set aside and invest
assets attributable to one or more variable insurance contracts (the
"Contracts"); and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register the Account as a
unit investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker dealer with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "1934 Act"), and is a member in good standing of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"); and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in certain Funds
("Authorized Funds") on behalf of each Account to fund certain of the Contracts
and the Underwriter is authorized to sell such shares to unit investment trusts
such as each Account at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises herein, the Company,
the Trust and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1. Sale of Trust Shares
1.1 The Underwriter agrees, subject to the Trust's rights under Section 1.2
and otherwise under this Agreement, to sell to the Company those Trust shares
representing interests in Authorized Funds which each Account orders, executing
such orders on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt
by the Trust or its designee of the order for the shares of the Trust. For
purposes of this Section 1. 1, the Company shall be the designee of the Trust
for receipt of such orders from each Account and receipt by such designee shall
constitute receipt by the Trust; provided that the Trust receives notice of such
order by 8:30 a.m. Eastern time on the next following Business Day. "Business
Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading
and on which the Trust calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of
the SEC. The initial Authorized Funds are set forth in Schedule B, as such
schedule is amended from time to time.
1.2 The Trust agrees to make its shares available indefinitely for purchase
at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company and its Accounts on
those days on which the Trust calculates its net asset value pursuant to rules
of the SEC and the Trust shall use reasonable efforts to calculate such net
asset value on each day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for
trading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustees of the Trust (the
"Trustees") may refuse to sell shares of any Fund to the Company or any other
person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Fund if such
action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over
the Trust or if the Trustees determine, in the exercise of their fiduciary
responsibilities, that to do so would be in the best interests of shareholders.
1.3 The Trust and the Underwriter agree that shares of the Trust will be
sold only to Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts. No
shares of any Fund will be sold to the general public.
1.4 The Trust shall redeem its shares in accordance with the terms of its
then current prospectus. For purposes of this Section 1.4, the Company shall be
the designee of the Trust for receipt of requests for redemption from each
Account and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Trust;
provided that the Trust receives notice of such request for redemption by 8:30
a.m., Eastern time, on the next following Business Day.
1.5 The Company shall purchase and redeem the shares of Authorized Funds
offered by the then current prospectus of the Trust in accordance with the
provisions of such prospectus.
1.6 The Company shall pay for Trust shares on the next Business Day after
an order to purchase Trust shares is made in accordance with the provisions of
Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire.
1.7 Issuance and transfer of the Trust's shares will be by book entry only.
Share certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account. Shares
ordered from the Trust will be recorded as instructed by the Company to the
Underwriter in an appropriate title for each Account or the appropriate
sub-account of each Account.
1.8 The Underwriter shall furnish prompt notice (by wire or telephone,
followed by written confirmation) to the Company of the declaration of any
income, dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the Trust's shares.
The Company hereby elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain
distributions as are payable on the Fund shares in additional shares of that
Fund. The Company reserves the right to revoke this election and therefore to
receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions in cash. The
Underwriter shall notify the Company of the number of shares so issued as
payment of such dividends and distributions.
1.9 The Underwriter shall make the net asset value per share for each Fund
available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably practical after
the Trust calculates its net asset value per share and each of the Trust and the
Underwriter shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value per share
available by 7:00 p.m. Eastern time.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1 The Company represents and warrants that
(a) at all times during the term of this Agreement the Contracts are or
will be registered under the 1933 Act; the Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws and the sale of the
Contracts shall comply in all material respects with state insurance suitability
laws and regulations. The Company further represents and warrants that it is an
insurance company duly organized and in good standing under applicable law and
that it has legally and validly established each Account prior to any issuance
or sale thereof as a separate account under applicable law and has registered
or, prior to any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will register each Account
as a unit investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to
serve as a segregated investment account for the Contracts; and
(b) the Contracts are currently treated as endowment, annuity or life
insurance contracts, under applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"), and that it will make every effort to maintain
such treatment and that it will notify the Trust and the Underwriter immediately
upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Contracts have ceased to
be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.
2.2 The Trust represents and warrants that
(a) it is lawfully organized and validly existing under the laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that it does and will comply in all
material respects with the 1940 Act.
(b) it is currently qualified as a Regulated Investment Company under
Subchapter M of the Code, and that it will use its best efforts to maintain such
qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor provision) and that it will
notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that
it has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in the future; and
(c) at all times during the term of this Agreement Trust shares sold
pursuant to this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly
authorized for issuance and sold by the Trust to the Company in compliance with
all applicable laws, subject to the terms of Section 2.4 below, and the Trust is
and shall remain registered under the 1940 Act. The Trust shall amend the
Registration Statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from
time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its
shares. The Trust shall register and qualify the shares for sale in accordance
with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable
by the Trust or the Underwriter in connection with their sale by the Trust to
the Company and only as required by Section 2.4;
2.3 The Underwriter represents and warrants that
(a) it is a member in good standing of the NASD;
(b) is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC; and
(c) it will sell and distribute the Trust shares in accordance with
all applicable securities laws, including without limitation, the
1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 0000 Xxx.
2.4 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Trust
shall be responsible for the registration and qualification of its shares and of
the Trust itself under the laws of any jurisdiction only in connection with the
sales of shares directly to the Company through the Underwriter. The Trust shall
not be responsible, and the Company shall take full responsibility, for
determining any jurisdiction in which any qualification or registration of Trust
shares or the Trust by the Trust may be required in connection with the sale of
the Contracts or the indirect interest of any Contract in any shares of the
Trust and advising the Trust thereof at such time and in such manner as is
necessary to permit the Trust to comply.
2.5 The Trust makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its
operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment
policies) complies with the insurance laws or regulations of the various states.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses and Proxy Statements; Voting
3.1 The Trust shall provide such documentation (including a
camera-ready copy of its prospectus) and other assistance as is reasonably
necessary in order for the Company once each year (or more frequently if the
prospectus for the Trust is amended) to have the prospectus for the Contracts
and the Trust's prospectus printed together in one or more documents. The cost
of printing prospectuses for the Contracts and the Trust will be at the
Company's expense.
3.2 The Trust's Prospectus shall state that the Statement of Additional
Information for the Trust is available from the Underwriter or its designee (or
in the Trust's discretion, the Prospectus shall state that such Statement is
available from the Trust), and the Underwriter (or the Trust), at its expense,
shall print and provide such Statement free of charge to the Company and free of
charge to any owner of a Contract or prospective owner who requests such
Statement.
3.3 The Trust, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies of its
reports to shareholders, proxy material and other communications to shareholders
in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for distribution to the
Contract owners, such distribution shall be at the expense of the Company.
3.4 The Company shall vote all Trust shares as required by law and the
Shared Funding Exemptive Order. The Company reserves the right to vote Trust
shares held in any separate account in its own right, to the extent permitted by
law and the Shared Funding Exemptive Order. The Company shall be responsible for
assuring that each of its separate accounts participating in the Trust
calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with all legal requirements
and the Shared Funding Exemptive Order.
3.5 The Trust will comply with all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act
requiring voting by shareholders, and in particular the Trust will either
provide for annual meetings or comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act
(although the Trust is not one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that
Act) as well as with Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further,
the Trust will act in accordance with the SEC's interpretation of the
requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of trustees and
with whatever rules the SEC may promulgate with respect thereto.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
4.1 Without limiting the scope or effect of Section 4.2 hereof, the
Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Underwriter each
piece of sales literature or other promotional material (as defined hereafter)
in which the Trust, its investment adviser or the Underwriter is named at least
10 days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Underwriter
objects to such use within five Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.2 The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Trust or concerning the Trust in
connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in the registration statement or prospectus for the
Trust shares, as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in annual or semi-annual reports or proxy
statements for the Trust, or in sales literature or other promotional material
approved by the Trust or its designee or by the Underwriter, except with the
written permission of the Trust or the Underwriter or the designee of either or
as is required by law.
4.3 The Underwriter or its designee shall furnish, or shall cause to be
furnished, to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales literature or
other promotional material prepared by the Underwriter in which the Company
and/or its separate account(s) is named at least 10 days prior to its use. No
such material shall be used if the Company or its designee objects to such use
within five Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.4 Neither the Trust nor the Underwriter shall give any information or
make any representations on behalf of the Company concerning the Company, each
Account, or the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in published reports for each Account which are in the public domain
or approved by the Company for distribution to Contract owners, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Company or its
designee, except with the written permission of the Company or as is required by
law.
4.5 For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements (such as
material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other
periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display,
signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media), sales literature
(i.e. any written communication distributed or made generally available to
customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research reports,
market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other
advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or training
materials or other communications distributed or made generally available to
some or all registered representatives.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
5.1 Except as provided in Article VI, the Trust and Underwriter shall
pay no fee or other compensation to the Company under this agreement.
5.2 All expenses incident to performance by the Trust under this Agreement
shall be paid by the Trust. The Trust shall bear the expenses for the cost of
registration and qualification of the Trust's shares, preparation and filing of
the Trust's prospectus and registration statement, proxy materials and reports,
setting the prospectus and shareholder reports in type, setting in type and
printing the proxy materials and the preparation of all statements and notices
required by any federal or state law, in each case as may reasonably be
necessary for the performance by it of its obligations under this Agreement.
5.3 The Company shall bear the expenses of printing and distributing
the Trust's prospectus and of distributing the Trust's reports and proxy
materials to Contract holders.
Article VI. Service Fees
6.1 The Underwriter shall pay the Company a service fee (the "Service
Fee") on shares of the Funds held in the Accounts at the annual rates specified
in Schedule B (excluding any accounts for the Company's own corporate retirement
plans), subject to Section 6.2 hereof.
6.2 The Company understands and agrees that all Service Fee payments
are subject to the limitations contained in each Fund's Distribution Plan, which
may be varied or discontinued at any time, and understands and agrees that it
will cease to receive such Service Fee payments with respect to a Fund if the
Fund ceases to pay fees to the Underwriter pursuant to its Distribution Plan.
6.3 (a) The Company's failure to provide the services described in Section
6.4 will render it ineligible to receive Service Fees; and
(b) the Underwriter may, without the consent of the Company,
amend this Article VI to change the amount of Service Fees or the terms on which
Service Fees are paid or to terminate further payments of Service Fees upon
written notice to the Company.
6.4 The Company will provide the following services to the Contract Owners
purchasing Fund shares:
(i) Maintaining regular contact with Contract owners and assisting in
answering inquiries concerning the Funds;
(ii) Assisting in the process of printing and distributing shareholder
reports, prospectuses and other sale and service literature provided
by the Underwriter;
(iii)Assisting the Underwriter and its affiliates in the establishment and
maintenance of Contract owner and shareholder accounts and records;
(iv) Assisting Contract owners in effecting administrative changes, such as
exchanging shares in or out of the Funds;
(v) Assisting in processing purchase and redemption transactions; and
(vi) Providing any other information or services as the Contract owners or
the Underwriter may reasonably request.
The Company will support the Underwriter's marketing and servicing
efforts by granting reasonable requests for visits to the Company's offices by
representatives of the Underwriter.
6.5 The Company's performance under the service requirement set forth
in this Agreement will be evaluated from time to time by the Underwriter's
monitoring of redemption levels of Fund shares held in any Account and by such
other methods as the Underwriter deems appropriate.
ARTICLE VII. Diversification
7.1 The Trust shall cause each Authorized Fund to maintain a diversified
pool of investments that would, if such Fund were a segregated asset account,
satisfy the diversification provisions of Treas. Reg.ss.1.817-5(b)(1) or (2).
7.2 The Trust shall annually send the Company a certificate, in the
form mutually agreed, certifying as to its compliance with Section 7.1.
ARTICLE VIII. Potential Conflicts
8.1 The Trustees will monitor the Trust for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
separate accounts investing in the Trust. A material irreconcilable conflict may
arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance
regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance,
tax, or securities law or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter
ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance,
tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial
decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of
any Fund are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given by
variable annuity contract and variable life insurance contract owners; or (f) a
decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of contract owners.
The Trust shall promptly inform the Company if the Trustees determine that a
material irreconcilable conflict exists and the implications thereof.
8.2 The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of
which it is aware to the Trustees. The Company will assist the Trustees in
carrying out their responsibilities under the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by
providing the Trustees with all information reasonably necessary for the
Trustees to consider any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an
obligation by the Company to inform the Trustees whenever Contract owner voting
instructions are disregarded.
8.3 If it is determined by a majority of the Trustees, or a majority of the
disinterested Trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the
Company shall to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority
of the disinterested Trustees), take, at the Company's expense, whatever steps
are necessary to remedy or eliminate the material irreconcilable conflict, up to
and including: (1) withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the
separate accounts from the Trust or any Fund and reinvesting such assets in a
different investment medium, including (but not limited to) another Fund of the
Trust, or submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented
to a vote of all affected contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the
assets of any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance
contract owners, or variable contract owners of one or more Participating
Insurance Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the
affected contract owners the option of making such a change; and (2)
establishing a new registered management investment company or managed separate
account.
8.4 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by
the Company to disregard Contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Trust's election, to withdraw the affected Account's
investment in one or more Authorized Funds of the Trust and terminate this
Agreement with respect to such Account; provided, however, that such withdrawal
and termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing
material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested Trustees. No charge or penalty shall be imposed as a result of
such withdrawal. Any such withdrawal and termination must take place within six
(6) months after the Trust gives written notice that this provision is being
implemented, and until the end of that six month period the Underwriter and
Trust shall, to the extent permitted by law and any exemptive relief previously
granted to the Trust, continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for
the purchase (or redemption) of shares of the Trust.
8.5 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company to disregard
Contract owner voting instructions and that decision represents a minority
position that would preclude a majority vote, then the Company may be required,
at the Trust's direction, to withdraw the affected Account's investment in one
or more Authorized Funds of the Trust; provided, however, that such withdrawal
and termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing
material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested Trustees. Any such withdrawal and termination must take place
within six (6) months after the Trust gives written notice that this provision
is being implemented, unless a shorter period is required by law, and until the
end of the foregoing six month period (or such shorter period if required by
law), the Underwriter and Trust shall, to the extent permitted by law and any
exemptive relief previously granted to the Trust, continue to accept and
implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of
the Trust. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such withdrawal.
8.6 For purposes of Sections 8.3 through 8.6 of this Agreement, a majority
of the disinterested Trustees shall determine whether any proposed action
adequately remedies any material irreconcilable conflict. Neither the Trust nor
the Underwriter shall be required to establish a new funding medium for the
Contracts, nor shall the Company be required to do so, if an offer to do so has
been declined by vote of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely
affected by the material irreconcilable conflict. In the event that the Trustees
determine that any proposed action does not adequately remedy any material
irreconcilable conflict, then the Company will withdraw the Account's investment
in one or more Authorized Funds of the Trust and terminate this Agreement within
six (6) months (or such shorter period as may be required by law or any
exemptive relief previously granted to the Trust) after the Trustees inform the
Company in writing of the foregoing determination; provided, however, that such
withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by any such
material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested Trustees. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such
withdrawal.
8.7 The responsibility to take remedial action in the event of the
Trustees' determination of a material irreconcilable conflict and to bear the
cost of such remedial action shall be the obligation of the Company, and the
obligation of the Company set forth in this Article VIII shall be carried out
with a view only to the interests of Contract owners.
8.8 If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended,
or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the
1940 Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared
funding (as defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and
conditions materially different from those contained in the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, then (a) the Trust and/or the Participating Insurance
Companies, as appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply
with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the
extent such rules are applicable; and (b) Sections 3.4, 3.5, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4
and 8.5 of this Agreement shall continue in effect only to the extent that terms
and conditions substantially identical to such Sections are contained in such
Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
8.9 The Company has reviewed the Shared Funding Exemption Order and hereby
assumes all obligations referred to therein which are required, including,
without limitation, the obligation to provide reports, material or data as the
Trustees may request as conditions to such Order, to be assumed or undertaken by
the Company.
ARTICLE IX. Indemnification
9.1. Indemnification by the Company
9.1 (a). The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and
the Underwriter and each of the Trustees, directors of the Underwriter,
officers, employees or agents of the Trust or the Underwriter and each person,
if any, who controls the Trust or the Underwriter within the meaning of Section
15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Section 9.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company which consent
may not be unreasonably withheld) or litigation (including reasonable legal and
other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any
statute, regulation or at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or
settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the Trust's shares or the
Contracts or the performance by the parties of their obligations hereunder and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in a Registration
Statement, Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information for the
Contracts or contained in the Contracts or sales literature for the
Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that
this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party
if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to
the Company by or on behalf of the Trust for use in the Registration
Statement, Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information for the
Contracts or in the Contracts or sales literature (or any amendment or
supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the
Contracts or Trust shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of written statements or
representations (other than statements or representations contained in
the Trust's Registration Statement or Prospectus, or in sales
literature for Trust shares not supplied by the Company, or persons
under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Company or persons under
its control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts
or Trust shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, Prospectus, or
sales literature of the Trust or any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading if such a statement or omission was made in
reliance upon information furnished to the Trust or the Underwriter by
or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise out of or result from any breach of any representation
and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or arise out of
or result from any other breach of this Agreement by the Company, as
limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 9.1(b) and
9.1(c) hereof.
9.1 (b) The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party to the extent such may arise
from such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross
negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of
such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this
Agreement or to the Trust, whichever is applicable.
9.1 (c) The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), on the basis of which the Indemnified
Party should reasonably know of the availability of indemnity hereunder in
respect of such claim but failure to notify the Company of any such claim shall
not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified
Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party
named in the action. After notice from the Company to such Indemnified Party of
the Company's election to assume the defense thereof the Indemnified Party shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the
Company will not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Agreement for
any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party
independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs
of investigation.
9.1 (d) The Underwriter shall promptly notify the Company of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against the Trust or the
Underwriter in connection with the issuance or sale of the Trust Shares or the
Contracts or the operation of the Trust.
9. 1 (e) The provisions of this Section 9.1 shall survive any termination
of this Agreement.
9.2 Indemnification by the Underwriter
9.2 (a) The Underwriter shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company
and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section
15 of the 1933 Act and any director, officer, employee or agent of the foregoing
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 9.2)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of the Underwriter which consent may not
be unreasonably withheld) or litigation (including reasonable legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute,
regulation or at common law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are
related to the sale or acquisition of the Trust's shares or the Contracts or the
performance by the parties of their obligations hereunder and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the sales literature
of the Trust prepared by or approved by the Trust or Underwriter (or
any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of
or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, provided that this agreement to
indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement
or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Underwriter or
Trust by or on behalf of the Company for use in sales literature (or
any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with
the sale of the Contracts or Trust shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of written statements or
representations (other than statements or representations contained in
the Registration Statement, Prospectus, Statement of Additional
Information or sales literature for the Contracts not supplied by the
Underwriter or persons under its control) of the Underwriter or persons
under its control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the
Contracts or Trust shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in a Registration Statement, Prospectus,
Statement of Additional Information or sales literature covering the
Contracts, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement or statements
therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in
reliance upon information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of
the Underwriter; or
(iv) arise out of or result from any breach of any representation
and/or warranty made by the Underwriter in this Agreement or arise out
of or result from any other breach of this Agreement by the Underwriter
or result from a breach of Article VII; as limited by and in accordance
with the provisions of Sections 9.2(b) and 9.2(c) hereof.
9.2 (b) The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party for willful misfeasance, bad
faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties
or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations and
duties under this Agreement or to each Company or the Account, whichever is
applicable.
9.2 (c) The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent) on the basis of which the Indemnified
Party should reasonably know of the availability of indemnity hereunder in
respect of such claim, but failure to notify the Underwriter of any such claim
shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it may have to the
Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account
of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against
the Indemnified Parties, the Underwriter will be entitled to participate, at its
own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Party
named in the action. After notice from the Underwriter to such Indemnified Party
of the Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified
Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it,
and the Underwriter will not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this
Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such
Indemnified Party independently in connection with the defense thereof other
than reasonable costs of investigation.
9.2 (d) The Company shall promptly notify the Underwriter of the Trust
of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its
officers or directors, in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts
or the operation of each Account.
9.2 (e) The provisions of this Section 9.2 shall survive any termination of
this Agreement.
9.3 Indemnification by the Trust
9.3 (a) The Trust shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and
each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15
of the 1933 Act and any director, officer, employee or agent of the foregoing
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 9.3)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of the Trust which consent may not be
unreasonably withheld) or litigation (including reasonable legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute,
at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the
operations of the Trust and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in a Registration
Statement, Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the
Trust (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided
that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished to the Underwriter or Trust by or on
behalf of the Company for use in the Registration Statement,
Prospectus, or Statement of Additional Information for the Trust (or
any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with
the sale of the Contracts or Trust shares; or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Trust in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by the Trust (including Section 7.1 hereof), as limited by
and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 9.3(b) and 9.3(c)
hereof.
9.3 (b) The Trust shall not be liable under the indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party for willful misfeasance, bad
faith, or gross negligence or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless
disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to the Company, the
Trust, the Underwriter or each Account, whichever is applicable.
9.3 (c) The Trust shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against any Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Trust in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent) on the basis of which the Indemnified
Party should reasonably know of the availability of indemnity hereunder in
respect of such claim, but failure to notify the Trust of any such claim shall
not relieve the Trust from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified
Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Trust will be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense thereof. The Trust also shall be entitled to assume the
defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party
named in the action. After notice from the Trust to such Indemnified Party of
the Trust's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the
Trust will not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any
legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party
independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs
of investigation.
9.3 (d) The Company agrees promptly to notify the Trust of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers
or directors, in connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of the
Contracts or the sale or acquisition of shares of the Trust.
9.3 (e) The provisions of this Section 9.3 shall survive any termination of
this Agreement.
ARTICLE X. Applicable Law
10.1 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
10.2 This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934
and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including
such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC may grant
(including, but not limited to, the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) and the
terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
ARTICLE XI. Termination
11.1.This Agreement shall terminate:
(a) at the option of the any party upon 180 days prior written notice; or
(b) with respect to any Account, upon requisite vote of the Contract
owners having an interest in such Account (or any subaccount) to substitute the
shares of another investment company for the corresponding Fund shares of the
Trust in accordance with the terms of the Contracts for which those Fund shares
had been selected to serve as the underlying investment media. The Company will
give 90 days' prior written notice to the Trust of the date of any proposed vote
to replace the Trust's shares; or
(c) with respect to any Authorized Fund, upon 60 days advance written
notice from the Underwriter to the Company, upon a decision by the Underwriter
to cease offering shares of the Fund for sale.
11.2. It is understood and agreed that the right of any party hereto to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1 (a) may be exercised for any
reason or for no reason.
11.3 No termination of this Agreement shall be effective unless and until
the party terminating this Agreement gives prior written notice to all other
parties to this Agreement of its intent to terminate, which notice shall set
forth the basis for such termination. Such prior written notice shall be given
in advance of the effective date of termination as required by this Article XI.
11.4 Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, subject to
Section 1.2 of this Agreement, the Trust and the Underwriter shall, at the
option of the Company, continue to make available additional shares of the Trust
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in
effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter
referred to as "Existing Contracts"). Specifically, without limitation, subject
to Section 1.2 of this Agreement, the owners of the Existing Contracts shall be
permitted to reallocate investments in the Trust, redeem investments in the
Trust and/or invest in the Trust upon the making of additional purchase payments
under the Existing Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 11.4 shall not
apply to any termination under Article VIII and the effect of such Article VIII
termination shall be governed by Article VIII of this Agreement.
11.5 The Company shall not redeem Trust shares attributable to the
Contracts (as opposed to Trust shares attributable to the Company's assets held
in either Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract owner initiated
transactions, or (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or regulations or
judicial or other legal precedent of general application (hereinafter referred
to as a "Legally required Redemption"). Upon request, the Company will promptly
furnish to the Trust and the Underwriter an opinion of counsel for the Company,
reasonably satisfactory to the Trust, to the effect that any redemption pursuant
to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required Redemption. Furthermore, except in
cases where permitted under the terms of the Contracts, subject to Section 1.2
of this Agreement, the Company shall not prevent Contract owners from allocating
payments to an Authorized Fund that was otherwise available under the Contracts
without first giving the Trust or the Underwriter 90 days notice of its
intention to do.
ARTICLE XII. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below
or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing
to the other party.
If to the Trust:
Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxxx
If to the Underwriter:
Xxx Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: General Counsel
If to the Company:
Allstate Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx X0X
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
ARTICLE XIII. Miscellaneous
13.1 A copy of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is
on file with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and
notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the
Trustees of the Trust as Trustees and not individually and that the obligations
of or arising out of this instrument, including without limitation Article VII,
are not binding upon any of the Trustees or shareholders individually but
binding only upon the assets and property of the Trust.
13.2 The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
13.3 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
13.4 If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid
by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement
shall not be affected thereby.
13.5 Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the
NASD and state insurance regulators) and shall pertmit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
13.6 The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations,
at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and
federal laws.
13.7 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the
obligations of the Trust and the Underwriter are several and, without limiting
in any way the generality of the foregoing, neither such party shall have any
liability for any action or failure to act by the other party, or any person
acting on such other party's behalf.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date
specified below.
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By its authorized officer,
Name:
Title:
XXXXXX VARIABLE TRUST
By its authorized officer,
Name:
Title:
XXXXXX MUTUAL FUNDS CORP.
By its authorized officer,
Name:
Title:
tonyr/pvtnorth2
Schedule A
Separate Accounts
Allstate Financial Advisors Separate Account I
Schedule B
Authorized Funds
Xxxxxx High Yield - Class 1B
Xxxxxx International Growth and Income Fund - Class 1B
Exhibit (8)(k)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
RYDEX VARIABLE TRUST,
RYDEX DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
and
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
DATED AS OF
JUNE 15, 2001
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE I. Purchase of Trust Shares...............................................................2
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties.........................................................4
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses, Reports to Shareholders and Proxy Statements; Voting.....................6
ARTICLE IV . Sales Material and Information.........................................................7
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses......................................................................9
ARTICLE VI. Diversification........................................................................9
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts....................................................................9
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification........................................................................11
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law.........................................................................16
ARTICLE X. Termination............................................................................16
ARTICLE XI. Notices................................................................................17
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous..........................................................................17
SCHEDULE A Separate Accounts and Associated Contracts.............................................21
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the day of , 2000 by and
among ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (hereinafter the "Company"), an Illinois
corporation, on its own behalf and on behalf of each separate account of the
Company set forth on Schedule A hereto as may be amended from time to time (each
such account hereinafter referred to as the "Account"), RYDEX VARIABLE TRUST
(hereinafter the "Trust"), a Delaware business trust, and PADCO FINANCIAL
SERVICES, INC. (hereinafter the "Underwriter"), a Maryland corporation.
WHEREAS, the Trust engages in business as an open-end management
investment company and is available to act as (i) the investment vehicle for
separate accounts established by insurance companies for individual and group
life insurance policies and individual and group annuity contracts with variable
accumulation and/or pay-out provisions (hereinafter referred to individually
and/or collectively as "Variable Insurance Products") and (ii) the investment
vehicle for certain qualified pension and retirement plans (hereinafter
"Qualified Plans"); and
WHEREAS, insurance companies desiring to utilize the Trust as an
investment vehicle under their Variable Insurance Products enter into
participation agreements with the Trust and the Underwriter (the "Participating
Insurance Companies");
WHEREAS, beneficial interests in the Trust are divided into several
series of interests or shares, each representing the interest in a particular
managed portfolio of securities and other assets, any one or more of which may
be made available under this Agreement, as may be amended from time to time by
mutual agreement of the parties hereto (each such series is hereinafter referred
to as a "Fund"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust has obtained an order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission, dated February 25, 1999 (File No. 812-11344), granting
Participating Insurance Companies and Variable Insurance Product separate
accounts exemptions from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and
15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (hereinafter the "1940
Act"), and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, to the extent
necessary to permit shares of a Fund to be sold to and held by Variable
Insurance Product separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life
insurance companies and Qualified Plans (hereinafter the "Shared Funding
Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker/dealer under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (hereinafter the "1934 Act"), is a
member in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(hereinafter "NASD") and serves as principal underwriter of the shares of the
Trust; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain Variable
Insurance Products under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset account, established by resolution or under authority of the Board of
Directors of the Company, on the date shown for such Account on Schedule A
hereto, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the aforementioned
Variable Insurance Products; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a
unit investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Funds on behalf of
each Account to fund certain of the aforementioned Variable Insurance Products
and the Underwriter is authorized to sell such shares to each such Account at
net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company,
the Trust and each Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Purchase of Trust Shares
1.1. The Trust agrees to make available for purchase by the Company
shares of the Trust and shall execute orders placed for each Account on a daily
basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Trust or its
designee of such order. For purposes of this Section 1.1, the Company shall be
the designee of the Trust for receipt of such orders from each Account and
receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Trust; provided that
the Trust receives the final order by 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on the next
following business day. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York
Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Trust calculates its net
asset value pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.2. The Trust, so long as this Agreement is in effect, agrees to make
its shares available indefinitely for purchase at the applicable net asset value
per share by the Company and its Accounts on those days on which the Trust
calculates its net asset value pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the Trust shall use reasonable efforts to calculate such net
asset value on each day which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (hereinafter
the "Board") may refuse to permit the Trust to sell shares of any Fund to any
person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Fund if such
action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or
is, in the sole discretion of the Board acting in good faith and in light of
their fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, necessary in
the best interests of the shareholders of such Fund.
1.3. The Trust agrees that shares of the Trust will be sold only to
Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts and to certain
Qualified Plans all in accordance with the requirement of Section 817(h)(1) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code") and Treasury regulation
1.817-5(f). No shares of any Fund will be sold to the general public.
1.4. The Trust will not make its shares available for purchase by any
insurance company or separate account unless an agreement containing provisions
substantially the same as in Section 1.3 of Article I, Section 3.5 of Article
III, Article VI and Article VII of this Agreement is in effect to govern such
sales.
1.5. The Trust agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's request, any
full or fractional shares of a Trust held by the Company, executing such
requests on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by
the Trust or its designee of the request for redemption. Subject to and in
accordance with applicable laws, and subject to written consent of the Company,
the Trust may redeem shares for assets other than cash. For purposes of this
Section 1.5, the Company shall be the designee of the Trust for receipt of
requests for redemption from each Account and receipt by such designee shall
constitute receipt by the Trust; provided that the Trust receives the final
request by 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on the next following Business Day.
1.6. The Company agrees that purchases and redemptions of Fund shares
offered by the then current prospectus of the Trust shall be made in accordance
with the provisions of such prospectus. The Variable Insurance Products issued
by the Company, under which amounts may be invested in the Trust (hereinafter
the "Contracts"), are listed on Schedule A attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference, as such Schedule A may be amended from time to time by
mutual written agreement of all of the parties hereto.
1.7. The Company shall pay for Trust shares on the next Business Day
after an order to purchase Trust shares is made in accordance with the
provisions of Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted
by wire. For purposes of Section 2.9 and 2.10, upon receipt by the Trust of the
federal funds so wired, such funds shall cease to be the responsibility of the
Company and shall become the responsibility of the Trust.
1.8. Issuance and transfer of the Trust's shares will be by book entry
only. Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account.
Shares ordered from the Trust will be recorded in an appropriate title for each
Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.9. The Trust shall furnish same day notice (by electronic means, wire
or telephone, followed by written confirmation) to the Company of any income,
dividends or capital gain distributions payable on Fund shares. The Company
hereby elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain
distributions as are payable on the Fund shares in additional shares of that
Fund. The Company reserves the right to revoke this election and to receive all
such income dividends and capital gain distributions in cash. The Trust shall
notify the Company of the number of shares so issued as payment of such
dividends and distributions.
1.10. The Trust shall make the net asset value per share for each Fund
available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably practical after
the net asset value per share is calculated (normally by 6:30 p.m. Eastern time)
and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value per share available
by 7:00 p.m. Eastern time. In the event the net asset value is not made
available to the Company by such time, the Company shall use its best efforts to
include the net asset value when received in its next business cycle for
purposes of calculating purchase orders and requests for redemptions. However,
if net asset values are not available for inclusion in the next cycle and the
Company is unable to calculate purchase orders and redemptions, the Underwriter
shall reimburse and make the Company whole for any losses incurred as a result
of such delay. If the Trust provides the Company with materially incorrect share
net asset value information, the Company on behalf of the Account, shall be
entitled to an adjustment to the number of shares purchased or redeemed to
reflect the correct share net asset value. Any material error in the calculation
of the net asset value per share, dividend or capital gain information shall be
reported promptly upon discovery to the Company. Furthermore, the Underwriter
shall be liable for the reasonable administrative costs incurred by the Company
in relation to the correction of any material error. Administrative costs shall
include allocation of staff time, costs of outside service providers, printing
and postage.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will
be registered under the 1933 Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws
and that the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all material respects with
state insurance suitability requirements. The Company further represents and
warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing
under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established each
Account prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated asset account
under Illinois state insurance laws and has registered or, prior to any issuance
or sale of the Contracts, will register each Account as a unit investment trust
in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a segregated
investment account for the Contracts.
2.2. The Trust represents and warrants that Trust shares sold pursuant
to this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly authorized for
issuance and sold in compliance with the laws of the State of Delaware and all
applicable federal and state securities laws and that the Trust is and shall
remain registered under the 1940 Act. The Trust shall amend the registration
statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time
as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its shares. The Trust
shall register and qualify the shares for sale in accordance with the laws of
the various states, to the extent required by applicable state law.
2.3. The Trust represents that it is currently qualified as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), and that it will maintain such qualification (under
Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision) and that it will notify the
Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that it has
ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in the future.
2.4. The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are
currently treated as life insurance policies or annuity contracts, under
applicable provisions of the Code and that it will make every effort to maintain
such treatment and that it will notify the Trust immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that the Contracts have ceased to be so treated
or that they might not be so treated in the future.
2.5. The Trust represents that to the extent that it decides to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, it will have a
board of trustees, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the Trust,
formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution
expenses.
2.6. The Trust represents that the Trust's investment policies, fees
and expenses are and shall at all times remain in compliance with the laws of
the State of Delaware and the Trust represents that their respective operations
are and shall at all times remain in material compliance with the laws of the
State of Delaware to the extent required to perform this Agreement.
2.7. The Trust represents that it is lawfully organized and validly
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and that it does and will
comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.
2.8. The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is and shall
remain duly registered in all material respects to the extent under all
applicable federal and state securities laws and that it will perform its
obligations for the Trust in compliance in all material respects with the laws
of its state of domicile and any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.9. The Trust represents and warrants that its directors, officers,
employees dealing with the money and/or securities of the Trust are and shall
continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar
coverage for the benefit of the Trust in an amount not less than the minimum
coverage as required by Rule 17g-(1) under the 1940 Act or related provisions as
may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid blanket fidelity bond shall
include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable
bonding company.
2.10. The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors,
officers, employees dealing with the money and/or securities of the Trust are
and shall continue to be covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage
for the benefit of the Company and the Separate Account in an amount not less
than the minimum coverage as required by Rule 17g-1 under the 1940 Act or
related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid
blanket fidelity bond shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and
shall be issued by a reputable bonding company.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses, Reports to Shareholders and Proxy Statements; Voting
3.1. The Trust or its designee shall provide the Company with as many
printed copies of the Trust's current prospectus and statement of additional
information as the Company may reasonably request. If requested by the Company,
in lieu of providing printed copies the Trust shall provide camera-ready film or
computer diskettes containing the Trust's prospectus and statement of additional
information, and such other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for
the Company once each year (or more frequently if the prospectus and/or
statement of additional information for the Trust is amended during the year) to
have the prospectus for the Contracts and the Trust's prospectus printed
together in one document, and to have the statement of additional information
for the Trust and the statement of additional information for the Contracts
printed together in one document. Alternatively, the Company may print the
Trust's prospectus and/or its statement of additional information in combination
with other trusts or companies' prospectuses and statements of additional
information, together with the prospectus and/or statement of additional
information for the Contracts.
3.2. Except as provided in this Section 3.2., all expenses of printing
and distributing Trust prospectuses and statements of additional information
shall be the expense of the Company. For prospectuses and statements of
additional information provided by the Company to its existing owners of
Contracts in order to update disclosure as required by the 1933 Act and/or the
1940 Act, the cost of printing shall be borne by the Trust. The Trust will
provide camera-ready film or computer diskettes in lieu of receiving printed
copies of the Trust's prospectus. The Company agrees to provide the Trust or its
designee with such information as may be reasonably requested by the Trust to
assure that the Trust's expenses do not include the cost of printing any
prospectuses or statements of additional information other than those actually
distributed to existing owners of the Contracts.
3.3. The Trust's statement of additional information shall be
obtainable from the Trust, the Company or such other person as the Trust may
designate, as agreed upon by the parties.
3.4. The Trust, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies
of its proxy statements, reports to shareholders, and other communications
(except for prospectuses and statements of additional information, which are
covered in section 3.1) to shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall
reasonably require for distributing to Contract owners.
3.5. If and to the extent required by law the Company shall:
(i) solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
(ii) vote the Fund shares in accordance with instructions received
from Contract owners; and
(iii)vote Fund shares for which no instructions have been received in
the same proportion as Trust shares of such Fund for which
instructions have been received,
so long as and to the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission
continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges
for variable contract owners. The Company reserves the right to vote Fund shares
held in any Account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law. The Trust
and the Company shall follow the procedures, and shall have the corresponding
responsibilities, for the handling of proxy and voting instruction
solicitations, as set forth in Schedule B attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference. Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for
ensuring that each of their separate accounts participating in a Fund calculates
voting privileges in a manner consistent with the standards set forth on
Schedule B, which standards will also be provided to the other Participating
Insurance Companies.
3.6. The Trust will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act
requiring voting by shareholders, and in particular the Trust will either
provide for annual meetings or comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act
(although the Trust is not one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that
Act) as well as with Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further,
the Trust will act in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's
interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic
elections of directors and with whatever rules the Commission may promulgate
with respect thereto.
3.7. The Trust shall use reasonable efforts to provide Trust
prospectuses, reports to shareholders, proxy materials and other Trust
communications (or camera-ready equivalents) to the Company sufficiently in
advance of the Company's mailing dates to enable the Company to complete, at
reasonable cost, the printing, assembling and distribution of the communications
in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
4.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Underwriter, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in
which the Trust or the Underwriter is named, at least five Business Days prior
to its use. No such material shall be used if the Trust or its designee
reasonably objects to such use within five Business Days after receipt of such
material.
4.2. The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Trust or concerning the Trust in
connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in the registration statement or prospectus for the
Trust, as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Trust,
or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Trust or
its designee, except with the permission of the Trust.
4.3. The Trust or its designee shall furnish, or shall cause to be
furnished, to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales literature or
other promotional material in which the Company or its separate account(s) or
Contracts are named at least five Business Days prior to its use. No such
material shall be used if the Company or its designee reasonably objects to such
use within five Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.4. The Trust and the Underwriter shall not give any information or
make any representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company,
each Account, or the Contracts, other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in published reports for each Account which are in the public domain
or approved by the Company for distribution to Contract owners, or in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Company or its
designee, except with the permission of the Company.
4.5. The Trust will provide to the Company at least one complete copy
of all registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional
information, reports, proxy statements, sales literature and other promotional
materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all
amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Trust or its shares,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the Securities and
Exchange Commission or other regulatory authorities.
4.6. The Company will provide to the Trust at least one complete copy
of all registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional
information, reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature
and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no
action letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the
investment in the Trust under the Contracts, contemporaneously with the filing
of such document with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory
authorities.
4.7. For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature or
other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, any of the
following that refer to the Trust or any affiliate of the Trust: advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or
other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape
display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media), sales
literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, and registration statements,
prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and
proxy materials.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
5.1. The Trust shall pay no fee or other compensation to the Company
under this Agreement, except that if the Trust or any Fund adopts and implements
a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses or a shareholder
servicing plan to finance investor services, then payments may be made to the
Company, or to the underwriter for the Contracts, or to other service providers
if and in amounts agreed upon by the parties.
5.2. All expenses incident to performance by the Trust under this
Agreement shall be paid by the Trust. The Trust shall see to it that all its
shares are registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable
federal law and, if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Trust, in
accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Trust shall bear
the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of Fund shares,
preparation and filing of the Trust's prospectus and registration statement,
proxy materials and reports, setting the prospectus in type, setting in type and
printing the proxy materials and reports to shareholders (including the costs of
printing a prospectus that constitutes an annual report), distributing the Trust
proxy materials to owners of Contracts, the preparation of all statements and
notices required by any federal or state law, and all taxes on the issuance or
transfer of Fund shares.
5.3. The Company shall bear the expenses of printing and distributing
the Trust's prospectus to potential purchasers of the Contracts.. The Trust
shall bear the expenses of printing and distributing the Trust's prospectuses,
shareholder reports, and proxy materials to existing contract owners, except
those proxy materials initiated by the Company.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification
6.1. The Trust will at all times invest money from the Contracts in
such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable
contracts under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting
the scope of the foregoing, the Trust will at all times comply with Section
817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the
diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance
contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Section or
Regulations. The Trust will provide the Company with a certification of
quarterly compliance with Section 817(h) of the Code, and the regulations
thereunder, in such form as the Company and the Trust shall agree. In the event
of a breach of this Article VI by a Fund, the Trust will take all reasonable
steps (a) to notify Company of such breach and (b) to adequately diversify the
Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Regulation
1.817-5.
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts
7.1. The Board will monitor the Trust for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
separate accounts investing in the Trust. An irreconcilable material conflict
may arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state
insurance regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state
insurance, tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private
letter ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by
insurance, tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or
judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the
investments of any Fund are being managed; (e) a difference in voting
instructions given by Variable Insurance Product owners; or (f) a decision by a
Participating Insurance Company to disregard the voting instructions of contract
owners. The Board shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an
irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
7.2. The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of
which it is aware to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying
out its responsibilities under the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by providing
the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to consider
any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation by the
Company to inform the Board whenever contract owner voting instructions are
disregarded.
7.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of
its disinterested members, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the
Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and
to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the
disinterested directors), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or
eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1)
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from
the Trust or any Fund and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, including (but not limited to) another Fund of the Trust, or submitting
the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote of all
affected Contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of any
appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance policy owners,
or variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance Companies)
that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected contract
owners the option of making such a change; and (2) establishing a new registered
management investment company or managed separate account.
7.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision
by the Company to disregard contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Trust's election, to withdraw the affected Account's
investment in the Trust and terminate this Agreement with respect to such
Account (at the Company's expense); provided, however that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members
of the Board.
7.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with
the position of the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will
withdraw the affected Account's investment in the Trust and terminate this
Agreement with respect to such Account within six months after the Board informs
the Company in writing that it has determined that such decision has created an
irreconcilable material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members
of the Board. Until the end of the foregoing six month period, the Underwriter
and Trust shall continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the
purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Trust.
7.6. For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.6 of this Agreement, a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any
proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in
no event will the Trust be required to establish a new funding medium for the
Contracts. The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 to establish a new
funding medium for the Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote
of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected by the
irreconcilable material conflict.
7.7. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended,
or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the
1940 Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared
funding (as defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and
conditions materially different from those contained in the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, then (a) the Trust and/or the Participating Insurance
Companies, as appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply
with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the
extent such rules are applicable; and (b) Sections 3.4, 3.5, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4,
and 7.5 of this Agreement shall continue in effect only to the extent that terms
and conditions substantially identical to such Sections are contained in such
Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1. Indemnification By The Company
8.1(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and
each member of the Board and each officer and employee of the Trust, the
Underwriter and each director, officer and employee of the Underwriter, and each
person, if any, who controls the Trust, or the Underwriter within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, an "Indemnified Parties" and
individually, "Indemnified Party," for purposes of this Section 8.1) against any
and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in
settlement with the written consent of the Company) or litigation (including
legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject
under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses (or actions in respect
thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of Fund shares or
the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue
statements or alleged untrue statements of any material fact
contained in the registration statement or prospectus or
statement of additional information for the Contracts or
contained in the Contracts or sales literature for the
Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
the alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, provided that this agreement to
indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission
was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Trust for use
in the registration statement or prospectus or statement of
additional information for the Contracts or in the Contracts
or sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or
otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts
or Trust shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in the registration statement, prospectus, statement
of additional information or sales literature of the Trust not
supplied by the Company, or persons under its control and
other than statements or representations authorized by the
Trust or the Underwriter) or unlawful conduct of the Company
or persons under its control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Trust shares; or
(iii) arise out of or result from any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in a registration statement, prospectus, statement
of additional information or sales literature of the Trust or
any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading if such a statement or omission was made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to
the Trust by or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to
provide the services and furnish the materials under the
terms of this Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach
of any representation or warranty made by the Company in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Company, as limited by and in
accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.1(b) and 8.1(c)
hereof.
8.1(b). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement.
8.1(c). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any
such claim shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to participate,
at its own expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the Company to such party of the
Company's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the
Company will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection
with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.1(d). The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with
the issuance or sale of the Trust shares or the Contracts or the operation of
the Trust.
8.2. Indemnification by the Underwriter
8.2(a). The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company and each of its directors, officers and employees and each person, if
any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, an "Indemnified Parties" and individually, "Indemnified Party,"
for purposes of this Section 8.2) against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
the Underwriter) or litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, at common law or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or
acquisition of shares of a Fund or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact contained in the registration
statement, prospectus, statement of
additional information or sales literature
of the Trust (or any amendment or supplement
to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or
are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not
misleading, provided that this agreement to
indemnify shall not apply as to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or
omission or such alleged statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to the
Trust by or on behalf of the Company for use
in the registration statement, prospectus,
statement of additional information for the
Trust or in sales literature (or any
amendment or supplement) or otherwise for
use in connection with the sale of the
Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or
representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus,
statement of additional information or sales
literature for the Contracts not supplied by
the Trust or persons under its control and
other than statements or representations
authorized by the Company) or unlawful
conduct of the Trust, Underwriter(s) or
Underwriter or persons under their control,
with respect to the sale or distribution of
the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of or as a result of any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in a registration
statement, prospectus, statement of
additional information or sales literature
covering the Contracts, or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto, or the
omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the
statement or statements therein not
misleading, if such statement or omission
was made in reliance upon information
furnished to the Company by or on behalf of
the Trust; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the
Trust to provide the services and furnish
the materials under the terms of this
Agreement, or
(v) arise out of or result from any material
breach of any representation and/or warranty
made by the Trust or Underwriter in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any
other material breach of this Agreement by
the Underwriter; as limited by and in
accordance with the provisions of Sections
8.2(b) and 8.2(c) hereof.
8.2(b). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities, or
litigation incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise
from such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross
negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of
such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this
Agreement.
8.2(c). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter of
any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than
on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Underwriter will be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also
shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to
the party named in the action. After notice from the Underwriter to such party
of the Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified
Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it,
and the Underwriter will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for
any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
8.2(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers
or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the
operation of each Account.
8.3. Indemnification by the Trust
8.3(a). The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company,
and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (hereinafter
collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" and individually, "Indemnified Party,"
for purposes of this Section 8.3) against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
the Trust) or litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, at common law or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) or settlements result from the gross negligence, bad
faith or willful misconduct of the Board or any member thereof, and are related
to the operations of the Trust and:
(i) arise as a result of any failure by the Trust to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement; or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Trust in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Trust;
8.3(b). The Trust shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as may arise from such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.
8.3(c). The Trust shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Trust in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Trust of any
such claim shall not relieve the Trust from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Trust will be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Trust also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action. After notice from the Trust to such party of the Trust's election to
assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Trust will not be
liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.3(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Trust of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its
respective officers or directors in connection with this Agreement, the issuance
or sale of the Contracts, with respect to the operation of either Account, or
the sale or acquisition of shares of the Trust.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
9.1. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of
Delaware.
9.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933,
1934 and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder,
including such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the
Securities and Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to, the
Shared Funding Exemptive Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and
construed in accordance therewith.
ARTICLE X. Termination
10.1. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the
first to occur of:
(a) termination by any party for any reason by one hundred and eighty
(180) days advance written notice delivered to the other parties;
or
(b) termination by the Company by written notice to the Trust and the
Underwriter with respect to any Fund based upon the Company's
determination that shares of such Fund are not reasonably
available to meet the requirements of the Contracts; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Trust and the
Underwriter with respect to any Fund in the event any of the
Fund's shares are not registered, issued or sold in accordance
with applicable state and/or federal law or such law precludes
the use of such shares as the underlying investment media of the
Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company; or
(d) termination by the Company by written notice to the Trust and the
Underwriter with respect to any Fund in the event that such Fund
ceases to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under
Subchapter M of the Code or under any successor or similar
provision, or if the Company reasonably believes that the Trust
may fail to so qualify; or
(e) termination by the Company by written notice to the Trust and the
Underwriter with respect to any Fund in the event that such Fund
falls to meet the diversification requirements specified in
Article VI hereof; or
(f) termination by the Trust by written notice to the Company if the
Trust shall determine, in its sole judgment exercised in good
faith, that the Company and/or its affiliated companies has
suffered a material adverse change in its business, operations,
financial condition or prospects since the date of this Agreement
or is the subject of material adverse publicity, or
(g) termination by the Company by written notice to the Trust and the
Underwriter, if the Company shall determine, in its sole judgment
exercised in good faith, that either the Trust or the Underwriter
has suffered a material adverse change in its business,
operations, financial condition or prospects since the date of
this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity;
or
10.2. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Trust
shall, at the option of the Company, continue to make available additional
shares of the Trust pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for
all Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement
(hereinafter referred to as "Existing, Contracts"). Specifically, without
limitation, the owners of the Existing Contracts shall be permitted to direct
reallocation of investments in the Trust, redemption of investments in the Trust
and investment in the Trust upon the making of additional purchase payments
under the Existing Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 10.2 shall not
apply to any terminations under Article VII and the effect of such Article VII
terminations shall be governed by Article VII of this Agreement.
10.3. The Company shall not redeem Trust shares attributable to the
Contracts (as distinct from Trust shares attributable to the Company's assets
held in the Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract Owner
initiated or approved transactions, or (ii) as required by state and/or federal
laws or regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general application
(hereinafter referred to as a "Legally Required Redemption") or (iii) as
permitted by an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
Section 26(b) of the 1940 Act. Upon request, the Company will promptly furnish
to the Trust the opinion of counsel for the Company (which counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Trust) to the effect that any redemption pursuant
to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required Redemption. Furthermore, except in
cases where permitted under the terms of the Contracts, the Company shall not
prevent Contract Owners from allocating payments to a Fund that was otherwise
available under the Contracts without first giving the Trust 90 days prior
written notice of its intention to do so.
ARTICLE XI. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below
or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing
to the other party.
If to the Trust:
Rydex Variable Trust
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
If to Underwriter:
PADCO Financial Services, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
If to the Company:
Allstate Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous
12.1. All persons dealing with the Trust must look solely to the
property of the Trust for the enforcement of any claims against the Trust as
neither the Board, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal
liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Trust.
12.2. Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses
of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information until such time as it may come into
the public domain without the express written consent of the affected party.
12.3. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
12.4. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
12.5. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid
by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement
shall not be affected thereby.
12.6. Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities
Dealers and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the California Insurance Commissioner with any information or
reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement which such
Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the insurance operations
of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent with the California
Insurance Regulations and any other applicable law or regulations.
12.7. The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement
are cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and
obligations at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under
state and federal laws.
12.8. This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder may
not be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of all parties
hereto; provided, however, that an Underwriter may assign this Agreement or any
rights or obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or company under common
control with the Underwriter, if such assignee is duly licensed and registered
to perform the obligations of the Underwriter under this Agreement.
12.9. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Trust or its designee copies of the following reports:
(a) the Company's annual statement (prepared under
statutory accounting principles) and annual report
(prepared under generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP"), if any), as soon as practical
and in any event within 90 days after the end of each
fiscal year;
(b) the Company's quarterly statements (statutory) (and
GAAP, if any), as soon as practical and in any event
within 45 days after the end of each quarterly
period:
(c) any registration statement (without exhibits) and
financial reports of the Company filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any state
insurance regulator, as soon as practical after the
filing thereof;
(d) .
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date
specified above.
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: ______________________________
RYDEX VARIABLE TRUST
By: ______________________________
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
President
PADCO FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
By: ______________________________
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
President
SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND ASSOCIATED CONTRACTS
Shares of the Funds of the Trust shall be made available as investments
for the following Separate Accounts:
Name of Separate Account and Form Number and Name of Contract
Date Established by Board of Directors Funded by Separate Account
Allstate Financial Advisors Allstate Financial Personal Retirement Manager
Separate Account I
SCHEDULE B
Portfolios of Trust
Names of Portfolios
OTC
Exhibit (8)(m)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND
ITS SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
AND
SALOMON BROTHERS ASSET MANAGEMENT INC
AND
SALOMON BROTHERS VARIABLE SERIES FUNDS INC
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of June 15, 2001 ("Agreement"), by and
among Salomon Brothers Variable Series Funds Inc, a Maryland corporation (the
"Fund"), Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc, a Delaware Corporation (the
"Adviser") and ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, an Illinois life insurance
company ("LIFE COMPANY"), on behalf of itself and each of its segregated asset
accounts listed in Schedule A hereto, as the parties hereto may amend from time
to time (each, an "Account," and collectively, the "Accounts").
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") as an open-end management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act");
WHEREAS, the Fund is available to the extent set forth herein to act as the
investment vehicle for separate accounts established for variable life insurance
policies and variable annuity contracts to be offered by insurance companies
which have entered into participation agreements with the Fund and
("Participating Insurance Companies");
WHEREAS, the Fund currently consists of seven separate investment portfolios,
shares ("Shares") of each of which are registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act");
WHEREAS, the Fund will make Shares of each investment portfolio of the Fund
listed on Schedule A hereto (each, a "Portfolio" and collectively, the
"Portfolios") as the Parties hereto may amend from time to time available for
purchase by the Accounts;
WHEREAS, the Fund has applied for an order (the "Order") from the SEC to permit
Participating Insurance Companies and variable annuity and variable life
insurance separate accounts exemptions from the provisions of sections 9(a),
13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the 1940 Act and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15)
thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to
and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of
both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies;
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will be the issuer of certain variable annuity contracts
and variable life insurance policies (collectively, the "Contracts") as set
forth on Schedule A hereto, as the Parties hereto may amend from time to time,
which Contracts, if required by applicable law, will be registered under the
1933 Act;
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will, to the extent set forth herein, fund the variable
life insurance policies and variable annuity contracts through the Accounts,
each of which may be divided into two or more subaccounts ("Subaccounts";
reference herein to an "Account" includes reference to each Subaccount thereof
to the extent the context requires);
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will serve as the depositor of the Accounts, each of which
is registered as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act (or exempt
therefrom), and the security interests deemed to be issued by the Accounts under
the Contracts will be registered as securities under the 1933 Act (or exempt
therefrom);
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and regulations,
LIFE COMPANY intends to purchase Shares in one or more of the Portfolios on
behalf of the Accounts to fund the Contracts; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual benefits and promises contained
herein, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. Available Portfolios
1.1 Available Portfolios
The Fund will make Shares of each Portfolio listed on Schedule A available to
LIFE COMPANY for purchase and redemption at net asset value next computed after
the Fund's receipt of a purchase or redemption order and with no sales charges,
in accordance with the Fund's then current prospectus and subject to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement. The Board of Directors of the Fund may refuse
to sell Shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the
offering of Shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by
regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or if, in the sole discretion of the
Directors acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under
federal and any applicable state laws, such action is deemed in the best
interests of the shareholders of such Portfolio.
1.2 Addition, Deletion or Modification of Portfolios.
The Parties hereto may agree, from time to time, to add other Portfolios to
provide additional funding alternatives for the Contracts, or to delete or
modify existing Portfolios, by amending Schedule A hereto. Upon such amendment
to Schedule A, any applicable reference to a Portfolio, the Fund, or its Shares
herein shall include a reference to all Portfolios set forth on Schedule A as
then amended. Schedule A, as amended from time to time, is incorporated herein
by reference and is a part hereof.
1.3 No Sales to the General Public.
The Fund represents that shares of the Portfolios will be sold only to
Participating Insurance Companies, their separate accounts and qualified pension
and retirement plans ("Plans") and that no Shares of any Portfolio have been or
will be sold to the general public.
Section 2. Processing Transactions
2.1 Placing Orders.
(a) The Fund or its designated agent will use its best effort to provide LIFE
COMPANY with the net asset value per Share for each Portfolio by 6:30 p.m.
Eastern Time on each Business Day. As used herein, "Business Day" shall mean any
day on which (i) the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading, and
(ii) the Fund calculates the Portfolios' net asset value. In the event that net
asset values are not made available to the LIFE COMPANY by such time, the LIFE
COMPANY agrees to use its best efforts to include the net asset value when
received in that day's business cycle for purposes of calculating purchase
order/redemptions are not able to be calculated and available for the LIFE
COMPANY to execute within timeframe identified in Section 2.1 the Fund shall
reimburse and make the LIFE COMPANY whole for any losses incurred as a result of
such delays
(b) LIFE COMPANY will use the data provided by the Fund each Business Day
pursuant to paragraph (a) immediately above to calculate Account unit values and
to process transactions that receive that same Business Day's Account unit
values. LIFE COMPANY will perform such Account processing the same Business Day,
and will place corresponding orders to purchase or redeem Shares with the Fund
by 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time the following Business Day.
(c) With respect to payment of the purchase price by LIFE COMPANY and of
redemption proceeds by the Fund, LIFE COMPANY and the Fund shall net purchase
and redemption orders with respect to each Portfolio and shall transmit one net
payment per Portfolio in accordance with Section 2.2, below.
(d) If the Fund provides materially incorrect Share net asset value information
(as determined under SEC guidelines), LIFE COMPANY shall be entitled to an
adjustment to the number of Shares purchased or redeemed to reflect the correct
net asset value per Share. Any material error in the calculation or reporting of
net asset value per Share, dividend or capital gain information shall be
reported promptly upon discovery to LIFE COMPANY.
2.2 Payments
(a) LIFE COMPANY shall pay for Shares of each Portfolio on the same day that it
notifies the Fund of a purchase request for such Shares. Payment for Shares
shall be made in federal funds transmitted to the Fund by wire to be received by
the Fund by 1:00 P.M. Eastern Time on the day the Fund is notified of the
purchase request for Shares. If payment in federal funds for any purchase is not
received, or is received by the Fund after 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on such
Business Day, LIFE COMPANY shall promptly, upon the Fund's request in writing,
reimburse the Fund for any charges, costs, fees, interest or other expenses
incurred by the Fund in connection with any advances to, or borrowings or
overdrafts by, the Fund, or any similar expenses incurred by the Fund, as a
result of non-payment or late payment.
(b) The Fund will wire payment in federal funds for net redemptions to an
account designated by LIFE COMPANY by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the business day
succeeding the day the order is placed, to the extent practicable, but in any
event within five (5) calendar days after the date the order is placed in order
to enable LIFE COMPANY to pay redemption proceeds within the time specified in
Section 22(e) of the 0000 Xxx. The Fund shall not bear any responsibility
whatsoever for the proper disbursement or crediting of redemption proceeds by
LIFE COMPANY.
2.3 Applicable Price
(a) Share purchase payments and redemption orders that result from purchase
payments, premium payments, surrenders and other transactions under Contracts
(collectively, "Contract transactions") and that LIFE COMPANY receives prior to
the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on a Business Day
will be executed at the net asset values of the appropriate Portfolios next
computed after receipt by the Fund or its designated agent of the orders. For
purposes of this Section 2.3(a), LIFE COMPANY shall be the designated agent of
the Fund for receipt of orders relating to Contract transactions on each
Business Day and receipt by such designated agent shall constitute receipt by
the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such orders by 9:30 a.m.
Eastern Time on the following Business Day.
(b) All other Share purchases and redemptions by LIFE COMPANY will be effected
at the net asset values of the appropriate Portfolios next computed after
receipt by the Fund or its designated agent of the order therefor, and such
orders will be irrevocable.
2.4 Dividends and Distributions
The Fund will furnish notice by wire or telephone (followed by written
confirmation) on or prior to the payment date to LIFE COMPANY of any income
dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the Shares of any Portfolio.
LIFE COMPANY hereby elects to reinvest all dividends and capital gains
distributions in additional Shares of the corresponding Portfolio at the
ex-dividend date net asset values until LIFE COMPANY otherwise notifies the Fund
in writing, it being agreed by the Parties that the ex-dividend date and the
payment date with respect to any dividend or distribution will be the same
Business Day. LIFE COMPANY reserves the right to revoke this election and to
receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions in cash. Any
such revocation will take effect with respect to the next income dividend or
capital gain distribution following receipt by the Fund of such notification
from LIFE COMPANY.
2.5 Book Entry
Issuance and transfer of Portfolio Shares will be by book entry only. Stock
certificates will not be issued to LIFE COMPANY. Shares ordered from the Fund
will be recorded in an appropriate title for LIFE COMPANY, on behalf of its
Accounts.
Section 3. Costs and Expenses
3.1 General
(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, each party will bear all
expenses incident to its performance under this Agreement.
(b) The Fund shall pay no fee or other compensation to the LIFE COMPANY under
this agreement, except that if the Fund or any Portfolio adopts and implements a
plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses, then the Fund may
make payments to the LIFE COMPANY or to the underwriter for the Contracts if and
in amounts agreed to by the Fund in writing. Presently, no such payments are
contemplated.
3.2 Registration
(a) The Fund will bear the cost of its registering as a management investment
company under the 1940 Act and registering its Shares under the 1933 Act, and
keeping such registrations current and effective; including, without limitation,
the preparation of and filing with the SEC of Forms N-SAR and Rule 24f-2 Notices
with respect to the Fund and its Shares and payment of all applicable
registration or filing fees with respect to any of the foregoing.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will bear the cost of registering, to the extent required, each
Account as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act and registering units of
interest under the Contracts under the 1933 Act and keeping such registrations
current and effective; including, without limitation, the preparation and filing
with the SEC of Forms N-SAR and Rule 24f-2 Notices with respect to each Account
and its units of interest and payment of all applicable registration or filing
fees with respect to any of the foregoing.
3.3 Distribution Expenses
(a) LIFE COMPANY will bear the expenses of distribution. These expenses would
include by way of illustration, but are not limited to, the costs of
distributing to Contract owners, annuitants, insureds or participants (as
appropriate) under the Contracts (collectively, "Participants") the
following documents, as they relate to the Account: prospectuses,
statements of additional information, proxy materials and periodic reports;
as well as the Fund prospectus and statement of additional information.
(b) The Fund will bear the cost of distributing to existing Contract owners,
annuitants, insureds or participants (as appropriate) under the Contracts
(collectively, "Participants"), the following documents as they relate to
the Portfolios listed on Exhibit A: prospectuses, annual and semi-annual
reports and proxies initiated by the Fund. The Fund's share of the cost of
the total expense for the prospectus containing all Portfolios offered
under the Contracts shall be pro rata based upon page count of the
prospectuses of the Portfolios as compared to the total page count of the
combined prospectus containing all portfolios offered under the Contracts.
3.4 Other Expenses
(a) The Fund will bear, or arrange for others to bear, the costs of preparing,
filing with the SEC and setting for printing the Fund's prospectus, statement of
additional information and any amendments or supplements thereto (collectively,
the "Fund Prospectus"), periodic reports to shareholders, the Fund proxy
material and other shareholder communications to the extent required by law or
as deemed appropriate by the Fund.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will bear the costs of preparing, filing with the SEC and
printing each Account's prospectus, statement of additional information and any
amendments or supplements thereto (collectively, the "Account Prospectus"), any
periodic reports to Participants, voting instruction solicitation material and
the Fund prospectus, and other Participant communications to the extent required
by law or as deemed appropriate by LIFE COMPANY.
(c) LIFE COMPANY will, to the extent required by law, print in quantity and
deliver to existing Participants the documents described in Section 3.4(b) above
and will deliver to such Participants the prospectuses as provided by the Fund.
LIFE COMPANY may elect to receive such prospectuses in camera ready or computer
diskette format. The Fund will print the Fund statement of additional
information, proxy materials relating to the Fund and periodic reports of the
Fund.
3.5 Parties To Cooperate
Each party agrees to cooperate with the other, in arranging to print, mail
and/or deliver, in a timely manner, combined or coordinated prospectuses or
other materials of the Fund and the Accounts.
Section 4. Legal Compliance
4.1 Tax Laws
(a) The Fund represents and warrants that it will elect to be qualified as a
regulated investment company ("RIC") under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and represents that it will qualify and
maintain its qualification as a RIC and to comply with the diversification
requirements set forth in Section 817(h) of the Code and the regulations
thereunder. The Fund will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that it has ceased to so qualify or so comply, or
that it might not so qualify or so comply in the future. Without limiting the
scope of the foregoing, the Fund will at all times comply with Section 817(h) of
the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5 relating to the diversification
requirements for variable annuity, endowment or life insurance contracts and any
amendments or other modifications to such section or regulations. In the event
of a breach of this Section 4.1(a) by the Fund, it will take all reasonable
steps to adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the
grace period afforded by Regulation 1.817-5. The Fund shall provide LIFE COMPANY
information reasonably requested in relation to Section 817(h) diversification
requirement, including quarterly reports and annual certifications.
(b) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that the Contracts currently are and
will be treated as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under
applicable provisions of the Code and that it will maintain such treatment; LIFE
COMPANY will notify the Fund immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing that any of the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they
might not be so treated in the future.
(c) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that each Account is a "segregated
asset account" and that interests in each Account are offered exclusively
through the purchase of or transfer into a "variable contract," within the
meaning of such terms under Section 817 of the Code and the regulations
thereunder. LIFE COMPANY will continue to meet such definitional requirements,
and it will notify the Fund immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing that such requirements have ceased to be met or that they might not be
met in the future.
4.2 Insurance and Certain Other Laws
(a) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) it is an insurance company
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under all applicable laws
and has full corporate power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver and
perform its duties and comply with its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) it
has legally and validly established and maintains each Account as a segregated
asset account under all applicable laws and regulations, and (iii) the Contracts
comply in all material respects with all applicable federal and state laws and
regulations.
(b) The Fund represents and warrants that it is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland
and has full corporate power, authority, and legal right to execute, deliver,
and perform its duties and comply with its obligations under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Fund, makes no representations as to whether
any aspect of its operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses
and investment policies) otherwise complies with the insurance laws or
regulations of any state.
(c) The Adviser represents that it is and warrants that it shall remain duly
registered as an investment adviser under all applicable federal and state
securities laws and agrees that it shall perform its obligations to the Fund in
accordance in all material respects with such laws.
(d) LIFE COMPANY acknowledges and agrees that it is the responsibility of LIFE
COMPANY and other Participating Insurance Companies to determine investment
restrictions under state insurance law applicable to any Portfolio, and that the
Fund shall bear no responsibility to LIFE COMPANY, for any such determination or
the correctness of such determination. LIFE COMPANY has determined that the
investment restrictions set forth in the current Fund Prospectus are sufficient
to comply with all investment restrictions under state insurance laws that are
currently applicable to the Portfolios as a result of the Accounts' investment
therein. LIFE COMPANY shall inform the Fund of any additional investment
restrictions imposed by state insurance law after the date of this agreement
that may become applicable to the Fund or any Portfolio from time to time as a
result of the Accounts' investment therein. Upon receipt of any such information
from LIFE COMPANY or any other Participating Insurance Company, the Fund shall
determine whether it is in the best interests of shareholders to comply with any
such restrictions. If the Fund determines that it is not in the best interests
of shareholders to comply with a restriction determined to be applicable by the
LIFE COMPANY, the Fund shall so inform LIFE COMPANY, and the Fund and LIFE
COMPANY shall discuss alternative accommodations in the circumstances.
4.3 Securities Laws
(a) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) interests in each Account
pursuant to the Contracts will be registered under the 1933 Act to the extent
required by the 1933 Act, (ii) the Contracts will be duly authorized for
issuance and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws,
including, without limitation, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and
applicable state law, (iii) each Account is and will remain registered under the
1940 Act, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, (iv) each Account does and
will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1940 Act and
the rules thereunder, to the extent required, (v) each Account's 1933 Act
registration statement relating to the Contracts, together with any amendments
thereto, will at all times comply in all material respects with the requirements
of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder, (vi) LIFE COMPANY will amend the
registration statement for its Contracts under the 1933 Act and for its Accounts
under the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the
continuous offering of its Contracts or as may otherwise be required by
applicable law, (vii) each Account Prospectus will at all times comply in all
material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules
thereunder, (viii) all of its directors, officers, employees, investment
advisers, and other individuals/entities having access to the funds and/or
securities of any Portfolio are and continue to be at all times covered by a
blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage covering such risks and in such amount
as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar
industries. The aforesaid bond includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement
and is issued by a reputable bonding company.
(b) The Fund represents and warrants that (i) Shares sold pursuant to this
Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act to the extent required by the
1933 Act and will be duly authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with
Maryland law, (ii) the Fund is and will remain registered under the 1940 Act to
the extent required by the 1940 Act, (iii) the Fund will amend the registration
statement under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as required in
order to effect the continuous offering of its Shares, (iv) the Fund does and
will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1940 Act and
the rules thereunder, (v) the Fund's 1933 Act registration statement, together
with any amendments thereto, will at all times comply in all material respects
with the requirements of the 1933 Act and rules thereunder, (vi) the Fund's
Prospectus will at all times comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder and (vii) all of its
directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals/entities having access to the funds and/or securities of any
Portfolio are and continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond
or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the
minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940 Act or
related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid bond
includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement and is issued by a reputable
bonding company.
(c) The Fund will at its expense register and qualify its Shares for sale in
accordance with the laws of any state or other jurisdiction if and to the extent
reasonably deemed advisable by the Fund.
4.4 Notice of Certain Proceedings and Other Circumstances.
(a) The Fund will immediately notify LIFE COMPANY of (i) the issuance by any
court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or other
similar order with respect to the Fund's registration statement under the 1933
Act or the Fund Prospectus, (ii) any request by the SEC for any amendment to
such registration statement or the Fund Prospectus that may affect the offering
of Shares of any Portfolio, (iii) the initiation of any proceedings for that
purpose or for any other purpose relating to the registration or offering of
Shares of any Portfolio, or (iv) any other action or circumstances that may
prevent the lawful offer or sale of Shares of any Portfolio in any state or
jurisdiction, including, without limitation, any circumstances in which such
Shares are not registered and are not, in all material respects, issued and sold
in accordance with applicable state and federal law. The Fund will make every
reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any such stop order, cease and
desist order or similar order and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the
lifting thereof at the earliest possible time.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will immediately notify the Fund of (i) the issuance by any
court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or other
similar order with respect to each Account's registration statement under the
1933 Act relating to the Contracts or each Account Prospectus, (ii) any request
by the SEC for any amendment to such registration statement or Account
Prospectus that may affect the offering of Shares of any Portfolio, (iii) the
initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or for any other purpose relating
to the registration or offering of each Account's interests pursuant to the
Contracts, or (iv) any other action or circumstances that may prevent the lawful
offer or sale of said interests in any state or jurisdiction, including, without
limitation, any circumstances in which said interests are not registered and are
not, in all material respects, issued and sold in accordance with applicable
state and federal law. LIFE COMPANY will make every reasonable effort to prevent
the issuance of any such stop order, cease and desist order or similar order
and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest
possible time.
4.5 Documents Provided by LIFE COMPANY
(a) LIFE COMPANY will provide to the Fund or its designated agent at least one
(1) complete copy of all SEC registration statements, Account Prospectuses,
reports, any preliminary and final voting instruction solicitation material,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to each Account or the Contracts,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will provide to the Fund or its designated agent at least one
(1) complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which any Portfolio, the Fund or any of its affiliates is named, at
least ten (10) Business Days prior to its use or such shorter period as the
Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. No such material shall be
used if the Fund or its designated agent objects to such use within ten (10)
Business Days after receipt of such material or such shorter period as the
Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon.
(c) Neither LIFE COMPANY nor any of its affiliates, will give any information or
make any representations or statements on behalf of or concerning any Portfolio,
the Fund or its affiliates in connection with the sale of the Contracts other
than (i) the information or representations contained in the then current
registration statement, including the Fund Prospectus contained therein,
relating to Shares, as such registration statement and the Fund Prospectus may
be amended from time to time; (ii) in reports or proxy materials for the Fund;
(iii) in published reports for the Fund that are in the public domain and
approved by the Fund for distribution by LIFE COMPANY; or (iv) in sales
literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund for use by LIFE
COMPANY, except with the express written permission of the Fund.
(d) LIFE COMPANY shall adopt and implement procedures reasonably designed to
ensure that information concerning the Fund and its affiliates that is intended
for use only by brokers or agents selling the Contracts (i.e., information that
is not intended for distribution to Participants) ("broker only materials") is
so used, and neither the Fund nor any of its affiliates shall be liable for any
losses, damages or expenses relating to the improper use of such broker only
materials.
(e) For the purposes of this Section 4.5, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements (such as
material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other
periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display,
signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media (e.g., on-line
networks such as the Internet or other electronic messages)), sales literature
(i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally available to
customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research reports,
market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other
advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or training
materials or other communications distributed or made generally available to
some or all agents or employees, registration statements, prospectuses,
statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and proxy materials
and any other material constituting sales literature or advertising under the
NASD rules, the 1933 Act or the 0000 Xxx.
4.6 Documents Provided by Fund; Information About LIFE COMPANY.
(a) The Fund will provide to LIFE COMPANY at least one (1) complete copy of all
SEC registration statements, Fund Prospectuses, reports, any preliminary and
final proxy material, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Fund or the
Shares of a Portfolio, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with
the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
(b) The Fund will provide to LIFE COMPANY copies of all Fund prospectuses, and
printed copies of all statements of additional information, proxy materials,
periodic reports to shareholders and other materials required by law to be sent
to Participants who have allocated any Contract value to a Portfolio. The Fund
will provide such copies to LIFE COMPANY in a timely manner so as to enable LIFE
COMPANY to print and distribute such materials within the time required by law
to be furnished to Participants. The form of the Fund's prospectus and/or
statement additional information provided to the LIFE COMPANY shall be the final
form of prospectus and statement of additional information as file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission which form shall include only those
Portfolios of the Fund identified in Schedule A.
(c) The Fund will provide to LIFE COMPANY or its designated agent at least one
(1) complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which LIFE COMPANY, or any of its respective affiliates is named, or
that refers to the Contracts, at least ten (5) Business Days prior to its use or
such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. No
such material shall be used if LIFE COMPANY or its designated agent reasonably
objects to such use within ten (5) Business Days after receipt of such material
or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon.
(d) Neither the Fund nor any of its affiliates will give any information or make
any representations or statements on behalf of or concerning LIFE COMPANY, each
Account, or the Contracts other than (i) the information or representations
contained in the registration statement, including each Account Prospectus
contained therein, relating to the Contracts, as such registration statement and
Account Prospectus may be amended from time to time; (ii) in published reports
for the Account or the Contracts that are in the public domain and approved by
LIFE COMPANY for distribution; or (iii) in sales literature or other promotional
material approved by LIFE COMPANY or its affiliates, except with the express
written permission of LIFE COMPANY.
(e) The Fund shall cause its principal underwriter to adopt and implement
procedures reasonably designed to ensure that information concerning LIFE
COMPANY, and its respective affiliates that is intended for use only by brokers
or agents selling the Contracts (i.e., information that is not intended for
distribution to Participants) ("broker only materials") is so used, and neither
LIFE COMPANY, nor any of its respective affiliates shall be liable for any
losses, damages or expenses relating to the improper use of such broker only
materials.
(f) For purposes of this Section 4.6, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements (such as
material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other
periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display,
signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media (i.e., any written
communication distributed or made generally available to customers or the
public, including brochures, circulars, research reports, market letters, form
letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales
literature, or published article), educational or training materials or other
communications distributed or made generally available to some or all agents or
employees, registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional
information, shareholder reports, and proxy materials and any other material
constituting sales literature or advertising under the NASD rules, the 1933 Act
or the 1940 Act.
Section 5. Mixed and Shared Funding
LIFE COMPANY acknowledges that the Fund has filed an application with the SEC to
request an order granting relief from various provisions of the 1940 Act and the
rules thereunder to the extent necessary to permit Fund shares to be sold to and
held by variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of both
affiliated and unaffiliated Participating Insurance Companies, as well as by
Plans. Any conditions or undertakings that may be imposed on LIFE COMPANY and
the Fund by virtue of such order shall be incorporated herein by reference, as
of the date such order is granted, as though set forth herein in full, and the
parties to this Agreement shall comply with such conditions and undertakings to
the extent applicable to each such party.
Section 6. Termination
6.1 Events of Termination
Subject to Section 6.4 below, this Agreement will terminate as to a Portfolio:
(a) at the option of any party, with or without cause, upon one (1) year advance
written notice to the other parties; or
(b) at the option of LIFE Company if shares of a Portfolio are not reasonably
available to meet the requirements of the Contracts as determined by LIFE
COMPANY provided, however, that such a termination shall apply only to the
Portfolio(s) not available. Prompt written notice of the election to terminate
for such cause shall be furnished by LIFE COMPANY to the Fund;
(c) at the option of the Fund upon institution of formal processing against LIFE
COMPANY or its affiliates by the NASD, the SEC, any state insurance regulator or
any other regulatory body regarding LIFE COMPANY's obligations under this
Agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts, the operation of each
Account, or the purchase of Shares, if, in each case, the Fund reasonably
determines that such proceedings, or the facts on which such proceedings would
be based, have a material likelihood of imposing material adverse consequences
on the Portfolio with respect to which the Agreement is to be terminated; or
(d) at the option of LIFE COMPANY upon institution of formal proceedings against
the Fund, its principal underwriter, or its investment adviser by the NASD, the
SEC, or any state insurance regulator or any other regulatory body regarding the
Fund's obligations under this Agreement or related to the operation or
management of the applicable Portfolio or the purchase of the applicable
Portfolios, if, in each case, LIFE COMPANY reasonably determines that such
proceedings, or the facts on which such proceedings would be based, have a
material likelihood of imposing material adverse consequences on LIFE COMPANY,
or the Subaccount corresponding to the Portfolio with respect to which the
Agreement is to be terminated; or
(e) at the option of any party in the event that (i) a Portfolio's Shares are
not registered and, in all material respects, issued and sold in accordance with
any applicable federal or state law, or (ii) such law precludes the use of such
Shares as an underlying investment medium of the Contracts issued or to be
issued by LIFE COMPANY; or
(f) at the option of LIFE COMPANY if the applicable Portfolio ceases to qualify
as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or under successor or similar provisions
or fails to comply with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of
the Code or such requirements under successor or similar provisions or if Life
Company reasonably believes the applicable Portfolio may so cease to qualify or
comply and, in each case, the Fund upon written request fails to provide
reasonable assurance that it will take action to cure or correct such failure;
or
(g) at the option of the Fund if the Contracts issued by LIFE COMPANY cease to
qualify as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under the Code or if
Fund reasonably believes the applicable Contracts may so cease to qualify, or if
interests in an Account under the Contracts are not registered, where required,
and, in all material respects, are not issued or sold in accordance with any
applicable federal or state law and, in each case, LIFE COMPANY upon written
request fails to provide reasonable assurance that it will take action to cure
or correct such failure; or
(h) at the option of the Fund by written notice to LIFE COMPANY, if the Fund
shall determine in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that LIFE COMPANY
and/or its affiliated companies has suffered a material adverse change in its
business, operations, financial condition or prospects since the date of this
Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity; or
(i) at the option of LIFE COMPANY by written notice to the Fund, if LIFE COMPANY
shall determine in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the Fund
and/or its affiliated companies has suffered a material adverse change in its
business, operations, financial condition or prospects since the date of this
Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity; or
(j) at the option of LIFE COMPANY by written notice to the Fund, if LIFE COMPANY
shall determine in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the Adviser
and/or its affiliated companies has suffered a material adverse change in its
business operations, financial condition or prospects since the date of this
Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity; or
(k) at the option of either party upon a determination by a majority of the
Fund's Board of Directors, or a majority of the Fund's disinterested directors,
that an irreconcilable material conflict exists among the interests of: (1) all
contract owners of variable insurance products of all separate accounts; or (2)
the interests of the Participating Insurance Companies investing in the Fund; or
(l) at the option of any party upon another party's material breach of any
provision of this Agreement; or
(m) with respect to any Account, upon requisite vote of the Contract owners
having an interest in that Account (or any subaccount) or upon the receipt of a
substitution order by the SEC to substitute the shares of another investment
company for the corresponding Fund shares in accordance with the terms of the
Contracts for which those Fund shares had been selected to serve as the
underlying investment media. LIFE COMPANY will give at least 30 days' prior
written notice to the Fund of the date of any proposed vote to replace the
Fund's shares; or
(n) at the option of the Fund if it suspends or terminates the offering of
Shares of the applicable Portfolio to all Participating Insurance Companies or
only designated Participating Insurance Companies, if such action is required by
law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or if, in the sole
discretion of the Fund acting in good faith, suspension or termination is
necessary in the best interests of the shareholders of the applicable Portfolio
(it being understood that "shareholders" for this purpose shall mean
Participants), such notice effective immediately upon receipt of written notice,
it being understood that a lack Participating Insurance Companies interest in
the applicable Portfolio may be grounds for a suspension or termination as to
such Portfolio.
6.2 Notice Requirement for Termination
No termination of this Agreement will be effective unless and until the party
terminating this Agreement gives prior written notice to the other party to this
Agreement of its intent to terminate, and such notice shall set forth the basis
for such termination. Furthermore:
(a) in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of Section
6.1(a) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at least one (1) year in
advance of the effective date of termination unless a shorter time is agreed to
by the Parties hereto;
(b) in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of Section
6.1(b), 6.1(c), 6.1(d), 6.1(e), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h), 6.1(i), 6.1(j), 6.1(k),
6.1(l), 6.1(m), or 6.1(n) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at
least 30 days in advance of the effective date of termination unless a shorter
time is agreed to by the Parties hereto.
6.3 Fund To Remain Available
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Fund will, at the option
of LIFE COMPANY, continue to make available additional shares of a Portfolio
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in
effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter
referred to as "Existing Contracts"). Specifically, without limitation, the
owners of the Existing Contracts will be permitted to reallocate investments in
Portfolios of the Fund (as in effect on such date), redeem investments in
Portfolios of the Fund and/or invest in Portfolios of the Fund upon the making
of additional purchase payments under the Existing Contracts. Notwithstanding
any termination of this Agreement, LIFE COMPANY agrees to distribute to holders
of Existing Contracts all materials required by law to be distributed to such
holders (including, without limitation, prospectuses, statements of additional
information, proxy materials and periodic reports). The parties agree that this
Section 6.3 will not apply to any terminations under the conditions of the Order
and the effect of such terminations will be governed by the Order.
6.4 Survival of Warranties and Indemnifications
All warranties and indemnifications will survive the termination of this
Agreement.
Section 7. Parties To Cooperate Respecting Termination
Subject to the provisions of Section 6.3 hereof, the Parties hereto agree to
cooperate and give reasonable assistance to one another in taking all necessary
and appropriate steps for the purpose of ensuring that an Account owns no Shares
of the applicable Portfolio after the Final Termination Date with respect
thereto, or, in the case of a termination pursuant to Section 6.1(a), the
termination date specified in the notice of termination. Such steps may include
combining the affected Account with another Account, substituting other mutual
fund shares for those of the affected Portfolio, or otherwise terminating
participation by the Contracts in such Portfolio.
Section 8. Assignment
This Agreement may not be assigned by any party, except with the prior written
consent of all the Parties.
Section 9. Notices
Notices and communications required or permitted by Section 9 hereof will be
given by means mutually acceptable to the Parties concerned. Each other notice
or communication required or permitted by this Agreement will be given to the
following persons at the following addresses and facsimile numbers, or such
other persons, addresses or facsimile numbers as the party receiving such
notices or communications may subsequently direct in writing:
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY 0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile: 000-000-0000
Attn.:
Salomon Brothers Variable Series Inc.
0 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attn.: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Section 10. Voting Procedures
Subject to the cost allocation procedures set forth in Section 3 hereof, LIFE
COMPANY will distribute all proxy material furnished by the Fund to Participants
to whom pass-through voting privileges are required to be extended and will
solicit voting instructions from Participants. LIFE COMPANY will vote Shares in
accordance with timely instructions received from Participants. LIFE COMPANY
will vote Shares that are (a) not attributable to Participants to whom
pass-through voting privileges are extended, or (b) attributable to
Participants, but for which no timely instructions have been received, in the
same proportion as Shares for which said instructions have been received from
Participants, so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret
the 1940 Act to require pass through voting privileges for Participants. Neither
LIFE COMPANY nor any of its affiliates will in any way recommend action in
connection with or oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies for the
Shares held for such Participants. LIFE COMPANY reserves the right to vote
shares held in any Account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law.
LIFE COMPANY shall be responsible for assuring that each of its Accounts holding
Shares calculates voting privileges in the manner required by the Order obtained
by the Fund. The Fund will notify LIFE COMPANY of any amendments to the Order it
has obtained.
Section 11. Indemnification
11.1 Of the Fund by LIFE COMPANY
(a) Except to the extent provided in Sections 11.1(b) and 11.1(c), below, LIFE
COMPANY agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, its affiliates, and each
person, if any, who controls the Fund or its affiliates within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each of their respective directors and officers
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 11.1)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of LIFE
COMPANY)or actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent reasonable,
legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject
under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities or actions:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in any Account's 1933 Act registration
statement, any Account Prospectus, the Contracts, or sales literature or
advertising for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to LIFE COMPANY by or
on behalf of the Fund for use in any Account's 1933 Act registration statement,
any Account Prospectus, the Contracts, or sales literature or advertising (or
any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the Fund's 1933 Act
registration statement, the Fund Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of
the Fund, or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, not supplied
for use therein by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, or its affiliates and on which
such persons have reasonably relied) or the negligent, illegal or fraudulent
conduct of LIFE COMPANY, or its respective affiliates or persons under their
control (including, without limitation, their employees and "Associated
Persons," as that term is defined in paragraph (m) of Article I of the NASD's
By-Laws) or subject to its authorization, including without limitation,
broker-dealers or agents authorized to sell the Contracts, in connection with
the sale, marketing or distribution of the Contracts or Shares; or
(iii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in the Fund's 1933 Act registration
statement, the Fund Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of the Fund, or
any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such a statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished
to the Fund or its affiliates by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY or its affiliates
for use in the Fund's 1933 Act registration statement, the Fund Prospectus,
sales literature or advertising of the Fund, or any amendment or supplement to
any of the foregoing; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by LIFE COMPANY or persons under its
control (or subject to its authorization) to perform the obligations, provide
the services and furnish the materials required under the terms of this
Agreement, or any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by
LIFE COMPANY in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by LIFE COMPANY or persons under its control (or
subject to its authorization); or
(v) arise as a result of failure to transmit a request for purchase or
redemption of Shares or payment therefor within the time period specified herein
and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Agreement; or
(vi) arise as a result of any unauthorized use of the trade names of the Fund to
the extent such use is not required by applicable law or regulation.
(b) This indemnification is in addition to any liability that LIFE COMPANY may
otherwise have. LIFE COMPANY shall not be liable under this Section 11.1 with
respect to any losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities or actions
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance by that
Indemnified Party of its duties or by reason of that Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations or duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii) to
the Fund.
(c) LIFE COMPANY shall not be liable under this Section 11.1 with respect to any
action against an Indemnified Party unless the Fund shall have notified LIFE
COMPANY in writing promptly after the summons or other first legal process
giving information of the nature of the action shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but LIFE COMPANY shall be relieved of
liability under this Section 11.1 only to the extent the indemnifying party is
damaged solely by reason of such party's failure to so notify and failure to
notify LIFE COMPANY of any such action shall not relieve LIFE COMPANY from any
liability which they may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action
is brought otherwise than on account of this Section 11.1. Except as otherwise
provided herein, in case any such action is brought against an Indemnified
Party, LIFE COMPANY shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the
defense of such action and also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof,
with counsel approved by the Indemnified Party named in the action, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. After notice from LIFE COMPANY to
such Indemnified Party of LIFE COMPANY's election to assume the defense thereof,
the Indemnified Party will cooperate fully with LIFE COMPANY and shall bear the
fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and LIFE COMPANY
will not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any legal
or other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party independently
in connection with the defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
11.2 Of LIFE COMPANY by the Fund
(a) Except to the extent provided in Sections 11.2(b), 11.2(c) and 11.2(d),
below, the Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless LIFE COMPANY, its
affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls LIFE COMPANY or its affiliates
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each of their respective
directors and officers (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of
this Section 11.2) against any and all losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
the Fund) or actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent reasonable,
legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject
under any statute, regulation, at common law, or otherwise; insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities or actions:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in the Fund's 1933 Act registration
statement, Prospectus or sales literature or advertising of the Fund (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading; provided, that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Fund or its affiliates by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY or its
affiliates for use in the Fund's 1933 Act registration statement, the Fund
Prospectus, or in sales literature or advertising or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of Contracts or Shares (or any amendment or supplement
to any of the foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in any Account's 1933 Act
registration statement, any Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising
for the Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, not
supplied for use therein by or on behalf of the Fund or its affiliates and on
which such persons have reasonably relied) or the negligent, illegal or
fraudulent conduct of the Fund or its affiliates or persons under its control
(including, without limitation, their employees and "Associated Persons" as that
Term is defined in Section (n) of Article 1 of the NASD By-Laws), in connection
with the sale, marketing or distribution of Fund Shares; or
(iii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in any Account's 1933 Act registration
statement, any Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising covering the
Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if
such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to LIFE COMPANY, or its affiliates by or on behalf
of the Fund for use in any Account's 1933 Act registration statement, any
Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising covering the Contracts, or
any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to perform the obligations,
provide the services and furnish the materials required of it under the terms of
this Agreement, including, without limitation, any failure of the Fund or its
designated agent to inform LIFE COMPANY of the correct net asset values per
share for each Portfolio on a timely basis sufficient to ensure the timely
execution of all purchase and redemption orders at the correct net asset value
per share, or any material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by
the Fund in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Fund.
(b) This indemnification is in addition to any liability that the Fund may
otherwise have. The Fund shall not be liable under this Section 11.2 with
respect to any losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities or actions
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance by that
Indemnified Party of its duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of its obligations and duties (i) under this Agreement, or
(ii) to LIFE COMPANY, each Account or Participants.
(c) The Fund shall not be liable under this Section 11.2 with respect to any
action against an Indemnified Party unless the Indemnified Party shall have
notified the Fund in writing promptly after the summons or other first legal
process giving information of the nature of the action shall have been served
upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received
notice of such service on any designated agent), but the Fund shall be relieved
of liability under this Section 11.2 only to the extent the indemnifying party
is damaged solely by reason of such party's failure to so notify and failure to
notify the Fund of any such action shall not relieve the Fund from any liability
which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought
otherwise than on account of this Section 11.2. Except as otherwise provided
herein, in case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, the
Fund will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such
action and also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof (which shall
include, without limitation, the conduct of any ruling request and closing
agreement or other settlement proceeding with the IRS), with counsel approved by
the Indemnified Party named in the action, which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld. After notice from the Fund to such Indemnified Party of
the Fund's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party will
cooperate fully with the Fund and shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund will not be liable to such
Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party independently in connection with
the defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of investigation.
11.3 Of LIFE COMPANY by the Adviser
(a) Except to the extent provided in Sections 11.3(b), 11.3(c) and 1.3(d),
below, the Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless LIFE COMPANY, its
affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls LIFE COMPANY or its affiliates
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each of their respective
directors and officers (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of
this Section 11.2) against any and all losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
the Fund) or actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent reasonable,
legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject
under any statute, regulation, at common law, or otherwise; insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities or actions:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in the Fund's 1933 Act registration
statement, Prospectus or sales literature or advertising of the Fund (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading; provided, that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Adviser, the Fund or their affiliates by or on behalf of LIFE
COMPANY or its affiliates for use in the Fund's 1933 Act registration statement,
the Fund Prospectus, or in sales literature or advertising or otherwise for use
in connection with the sale of Contracts or Shares (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in any Account's 1933 Act
registration statement, any Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising
for the Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, not
supplied for use therein by or on behalf of the Adviser, the Fund or their
affiliates and on which such persons have reasonably relied) or the negligent,
illegal or fraudulent conduct of the Adviser, the Fund or their affiliates or
persons under their control (including, without limitation, their employees and
"Associated Persons" as that Term is defined in Section (n) of Article 1 of the
NASD By-Laws), in connection with the sale, marketing or distribution of Fund
Shares; or
(iii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in any Account's 1933 Act registration
statement, any Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising covering the
Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if
such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
written information furnished to LIFE COMPANY, or its affiliates by or on behalf
of the Adviser or the Fund for use in any Account's 1933 Act registration
statement, any Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising covering the
Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Adviser or the Fund to perform the
obligations, provide the services and furnish the materials required of it under
the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, any failure of the
Fund or its designated agent to inform LIFE COMPANY of the correct net asset
values per share for each Portfolio on a timely basis sufficient to ensure the
timely execution of all purchase and redemption orders at the correct net asset
value per share, or any material breach of any representation and/or warranty
made by the Adviser or the Fund in this Agreement or arise out of or result from
any other material breach of this Agreement by the Adviser.
(b) This indemnification is in addition to any liability that the Adviser may
otherwise have. The Adviser shall not be liable under this Section 11.3 with
respect to any losses, claims, damages, costs, expenses, liabilities or actions
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance by that
Indemnified Party of its duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of its obligations and duties (i) under this Agreement, or
(ii) to LIFE COMPANY, each Account or Participants.
(c) The Adviser shall not be liable under this Section 11.3 with respect to any
action against an Indemnified Party unless the Indemnified Party shall have
notified the Adviser in writing promptly after the summons or other first legal
process giving information of the nature of the action shall have been served
upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received
notice of such service on any designated agent), but the Adviser shall be
relieved of liability under this Section 11.3 only to the extent the
indemnifying party is damaged solely by reason of such party's failure to so
notify and failure to notify the Adviser of any such action shall not relieve
the Adviser from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this Section
11.3. Except as otherwise provided herein, in case any such action is brought
against an Indemnified Party, the Adviser will be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense of such action and also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof (which shall include, without limitation, the conduct
of any ruling request and closing agreement or other settlement proceeding with
the IRS), with counsel approved by the Indemnified Party named in the action,
which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. After notice from the Adviser
to such Indemnified Party of the Adviser's election to assume the defense
thereof, the Indemnified Party will cooperate fully with the Fund and shall bear
the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Adviser
will not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any legal
or other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party independently
in connection with the defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
11.4 Effect of Notice
Any notice given by the indemnifying party to an Indemnified Party referred to
in Sections 11.1(c), 11.2(c) or 11.3(c) above of participation in or control of
any action by the indemnifying party will in no event be deemed to be an
admission by the indemnifying party of liability, culpability or responsibility,
and the indemnifying party will remain free to contest liability with respect to
the claim among the Parties or otherwise.
11.5 Successors
A successor by law of any party shall be entitled to the benefits of the
indemnification contained in this Section 11.
11.6 Obligations of the Fund.
All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of the
applicable Portfolio for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as
neither the Board, Officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal
liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund.
Section 12. Applicable Law
(a) This Agreement will be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted under
and in accordance with New York law, without regard for that state's principles
of conflict of laws.
(b) This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933 Act, 1934 and
1940 acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including such
exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC may grant
(including, but not limited to, the Order) and the terms hereof shall be
interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
Section 13. Execution in Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each
of which taken together with constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 14. Severability
If any provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court decision,
statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement will not be affected
thereby.
Section 15. Rights Cumulative
The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are cumulative
and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations, at law or
in equity, that the Parties are entitled to under federal and state laws.
Section 16. Headings
The Table of Contents and headings used in this Agreement are for purposes of
reference only and shall not limit or define the meaning of the provisions of
this Agreement.
Section 17. Confidentiality
Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory authority, each
party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses of customers of
the other party and all information reasonably identified as confidential in
writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by this Agreement,
shall not, without the express written consent of the affected party, disclose,
disseminate or utilize such names and addresses and other confidential
information until such time as it may come into the public domain.
Section 18. Trademarks and Fund Names
(a) Salomon Brothers Asset Management Inc, the adviser to the Fund and its
affiliates, own all right, title and interest in and to the names, trademarks
and service marks "Salomon" and "Salomon Brothers" and such other tradenames,
trademarks and service marks as may be identified to LIFE COMPANY from time to
time (the "Salomon licensed marks"). Upon termination of this Agreement LIFE
COMPANY and its affiliates shall cease to use the Salomon licensed marks, except
to the extent required by law or regulation.
(b) Name of LIFE COMPANY and its affiliates, own all right, title and interest
in and to the names, trademarks and service marks and such other tradenames,
trademarks and service marks as may be identified to the Adviser and/or the Fund
from time to time (the licensed marks). Upon termination of this Agreement the
Fund, the Adviser and their affiliates shall cease to use the licensed marks,
except to the extent required by law or regulation.
Section 19. Parties to Cooperate
Each party to this Agreement will cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including, without limitation, the SEC,
the NASD and state insurance regulators) and will permit each other and such
authorities reasonable access to its books and records (including copies
thereof) in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed in
their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers
signing below.
SALOMON BROTHERS VARIABLE SERIES FUNDS INC
Attest: By:
--------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Name: Name:
----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
Title: Title:
---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
SALOMON BROTHERS ASSET
MANAGEMENT INC
Attest: By:
--------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Name: Name:
----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
Title: Title:
---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
on behalf of itself and its separate accounts
Attest: By:
--------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
Name: Name:
----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
Title: Title:
---------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE A
PORTFOLIOS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACTS
Salomon Brothers Variable Capital Fund
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS UTILIZING THE FUNDS
Allstate Financial Advisors Separate Account I
CONTRACTS FUNDED BY THE SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
Allstate Financial Personal Retirement Manager
Exhibit (8)(n)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
XXX XXXXXX LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST,
XXX XXXXXX FUNDS INC.,
XXX XXXXXX ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.,
and
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
DATED AS OF
June 15, 2001
i
Table of Contents
ARTICLE I. Fund Shares...............................................................................3
ARTICLE II Representations and Warranties............................................................5
ARTICLE III Prospectuses, Reports to Shareholders and
Proxy Statements; Voting..................................................................7
ARTICLE IV Sales Material and Information............................................................9
ARTICLE V Distribution and Service Plans...........................................................10
ARTICLE VI Diversification..........................................................................11
ARTICLE VII Potential Conflicts......................................................................12
ARTICLE VIII Indemnification..........................................................................14
ARTICLE IX Applicable Law...........................................................................20
ARTICLE X Termination..............................................................................20
ARTICLE XI Notices..................................................................................23
ARTICLE XII Foreign Tax Credits......................................................................24
ARTICLE XIII Miscellaneous............................................................................24
SCHEDULE A Separate Accounts and Contracts..........................................................27
SCHEDULE B Participating Xxx Xxxxxx Life Investment Trust Portfolios................................28
SCHEDULE C Proxy Voting Procedures..................................................................29
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
XXX XXXXXX LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST,
XXX XXXXXX FUNDS INC.,
XXX XXXXXX ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.,
and
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 155h day of June, 2001
by and among ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY (hereinafter the "Company") an
Illinois corporation, on its own behalf and on behalf of each separate account
of the Company set forth on Schedule A hereto as may be amended from time to
time (each such account hereinafter referred to as the "Account"), and XXX
XXXXXX LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST (hereinafter the "Fund"), a Delaware business
trust, XXX XXXXXX FUNDS INC. (hereinafter the "Underwriter"), a Delaware
corporation, and XXX XXXXXX ASSET MANAGEMENT INC. (hereinafter the "Adviser"), a
Delaware corporation.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management
investment company and is available to act as the investment vehicle for
separate accounts established by insurance companies for individual and group
life insurance policies and annuity contracts with variable accumulation and/or
payout provisions (hereinafter referred to individually and/or collectively as
"Variable Insurance Products"); and
WHEREAS, insurance companies desiring to utilize the Fund as an
investment vehicle under their Variable Insurance Products are required to enter
into participation agreements with the Fund and the Underwriter (the
"Participating Insurance Companies"); and
WHEREAS, shares of the Fund are divided into several series of shares,
each representing the interest in a particular managed portfolio of securities
and other assets, any one or more of which may be made available for Variable
Insurance Products of Participating Insurance Companies; and
WHEREAS, the Fund intends to offer shares of the series set forth on
Schedule B (each such series hereinafter referred to as a "Portfolio") as may be
amended from time to time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto, under this
Agreement to the Accounts of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission, dated September 19, 1990 (File No. 812-7552), granting
Participating Insurance Companies and Variable Insurance Product separate
accounts exemptions from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and
15(b) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (hereinafter the "1940
Act") and Rules 6e2(b)(15) and 6e3j)(b)(15) thereunder to the extent necessary
to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to and held by Variable Annuity Product
separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies
(hereinafter the "Shared Funding Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and its shares are registered under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any applicable state
securities laws; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser is the investment adviser of the Portfolios of the
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker/dealer under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (hereinafter the "l 934 Act"), is a
member in good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
(hereinafter "NASD") and serves as principal underwriter of the shares of the
Fund; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain Variable
Insurance Products under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset account, established by resolution or under authority of the Board of
Directors of the Company, on the date shown for such Account on Schedule A
hereto, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid Variable
Insurance Products; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a
unit investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios on behalf
of each Account to fund certain of the aforesaid Variable Insurance Products and
the Underwriter is authorized to sell such shares to each such Account at net
asset value.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company,
the Fund, the Underwriter and the Adviser agree as follows:
Fund Shares
The Fund and the Underwriter agree to make available for purchase by
the Company shares of the Portfolios and shall execute orders placed for each
Account on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by
the Fund or its designee of such order. For purposes of this Section 1.1, the
Company shall be the designee of the Fund and the Underwriter for receipt of
such orders from each Account and receipt by such designee shall constitute
receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such order by
10:00 a.m. (CST) on the next following Business Day. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company shall use its best efforts to provide the Fund with
notice of such orders by 9:15 a.m. (CST) on the next following Business Day.
"Business Day" shall mean any day on which New York Stock Exchange is open for
trading and on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, as set forth in the Fund's
prospectus and statement of additional information. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Board of Trustees of the Fund (hereinafter the "Board") may
refuse to permit the Fund to sell shares of any Portfolio to any person, or
suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Portfolio if such action is
required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the
sole discretion of the Board acting in good faith and in light of their
fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, necessary in the
best interests of the shareholders of such Portfolio.
The Fund and the Underwriter agree that shares of the Fund will be sold
only to Participating Insurance Companies for their Variable Insurance Products.
No shares of any Portfolio will be sold to the general public.
The Fund will not make its shares available for purchase by any
insurance company or separate account unless an agreement containing provisions
which afford the Company substantially the same protections currently provided
by Sections 2.1, 2.4, 2.9, 3.4 and Article VII of this Agreement is in effect to
govern such sales.
The Fund and the Underwriter agree to redeem for cash, on the Company's
request, any full or fractional shares of the Fund held by the Company,
executing such requests on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed
after receipt by the Fund or its designee of the request for redemption. For
purposes of this Section 1.4, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for
receipt of requests for redemption from each Account and receipt by such
designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the Underwriter
receives notice of such request for redemption on the next following Business
Day in accordance with the timing rules described in Section 1.1.
The Company agrees that purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares
offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund shall be made in accordance
with the provisions of such prospectus. The Accounts of the Company, under which
amounts may be invested in the Fund are listed on Schedule A attached hereto and
incorporated herein by reference, as such Schedule A may be amended from time to
time by mutual written agreement of all of the parties hereto. The Company will
give the Fund and the Underwriter sixty (60) days written notice of its
intention to make available in the future, as a funding vehicle under the
Contracts, any other investment company.
The Company will place separate orders to purchase or redeem shares of
each Portfolio. Each order shall describe the net amount of shares and dollar
amount of each Portfolio to be purchased or redeemed. In the event of net
purchases, the Company shall pay for Portfolio shares on the next Business Day
after an order to purchase Portfolio shares is made in accordance with the
provisions of Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted
by wire. In the event of net redemptions, the Portfolio shall pay the redemption
proceeds in federal funds transmitted by wire on the next Business Day after an
order to redeem Portfolio shares is made in accordance with the provisions of
Section 1.4 hereof.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the payment of redemption proceeds on the next
Business Day would require the Portfolio to dispose of Portfolio securities or
otherwise incur substantial additional costs, and if the Portfolio has
determined to settle redemption transactions for all shareholders on a delayed
basis, proceeds shall be wired to the Company within seven (7) days and the
Portfolio shall notify in writing the person designated by the Company as the
recipient for such notice of such delay by 3:00 p.m. (CST) on the same Business
Day that the Company transmits the redemption order to the Portfolio.
Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry only.
Share certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account. Shares
ordered from the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for each Account
or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
The Underwriter shall use its best efforts to furnish same day notice
by 6:00 p.m. (CST) (by wire or telephone, followed by written confirmation) to
the Company of any dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the Fund's
shares. The Company hereby elects to receive all such dividends and capital gain
distributions as are payable on the Portfolio shares in additional shares of
that Portfolio. The Company reserves the right to revoke this election and to
receive all such dividends and capital gain distributions in cash. The Fund
shall notify the Company of the number of shares so issued as payment of such
dividends and distributions.
The Underwriter shall make the net asset value per share of each
Portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably
practical after the net asset value per share is calculated and shall use its
best efforts to make such net asset value per share available by 6:00 p.m.
(CST). In the event that Underwriter is unable to meet the 6:00 p.m. time stated
immediately above, then Underwriter shall provide the Company with additional
time to notify Underwriter of purchase or redemption orders pursuant to Sections
1.1 and 1.4, respectively above. Such additional time shall be equal to the
additional time that Underwriter takes to make the net asset values available to
the Company provided, however, that notification must be made by 10:00 a.m.
(CST) on the Business Day such order is to be executed, regardless of when net
asset value is made available.
If Underwriter provides materially incorrect share net asset value
information through no fault of the Company, the Company shall be entitled to an
adjustment with respect to the Fund shares purchased or redeemed to reflect the
correct net asset value per share. The determination of the materiality of any
net asset value pricing error shall be based on the SEC's recommended guidelines
regarding such errors. The correction of any such errors shall be made at the
Company level pursuant to the SEC's recommended guidelines. Any material error
in the calculation or reporting of net asset value per share, dividend or
capital gain information shall be reported promptly upon discovery to the
Company.
Representations and Warranties
The Company represents and warrants that the interests of Accounts (the
"Contracts") are or will be registered and will maintain the registration under
the 1933 Act and the regulations thereunder to the extent required by the 1933
Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in compliance with all
applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The Company further
represents and warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in
good standing under applicable law and that it has legally and validly
established each Account prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated
asset account under the Arizona Insurance Code and the regulations thereunder
and has registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will
register and will maintain the registration of each Account as a unit investment
trust in accordance with and to the extent required by the provisions of the
1940 Act and the regulations thereunder to serve as a segregated investment
account for the Contracts. The Company shall amend its registration statement
for its contracts under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as
required in order to effect the continuous offering of its Contracts.
The Fund and the Underwriter represent and warrant that Fund shares
sold pursuant to this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act and the
regulations thereunder to the extent required by the 1933 Act, duly authorized
for issuance in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and sold in
compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations
and that the Fund is and shall remain registered under the 1940 Act and the
regulations thereunder to the extent required by the 0000 Xxx. The Fund shall
amend the registration statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the 1940
Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of
its shares. The Fund shall register and qualify the shares for sale in
accordance with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed
advisable by the Fund.
The Fund and the Adviser represent that the Fund is currently qualified
as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and that each will make every effort to
maintain such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar
provision and that each will notify the Company immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that the Fund has ceased to so qualify or that
the Fund might not so qualify in the future.
The Company represents that each Account is and will continue to be a
"segregated account" under applicable provisions of the Code and that each
Contract is and will be treated as a "variable contract" under applicable
provisions of the Code and that it will make every effort to maintain such
treatment and that it will notify the Fund immediately upon having a reasonable
basis for believing that the Account or Contract has ceased to be so treated or
that they might not be so treated in the future.
The Fund represents that to the extent that it decides to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, the Fund
undertakes to have a board of directors, a majority of whom are not interested
persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance
distribution expenses.
The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its
operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment
policies) complies with the insurance laws or regulations of the various states.
The Fund and the Adviser represent that the Fund is duly organized and
validly existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and that the Fund does
and will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.
The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is and shall remain
duly registered under all applicable federal and state laws and regulations and
that it will perform its obligations for the Fund and the Company in compliance
with the laws and regulations of its state of domicile and any applicable state
and federal laws and regulations.
The Company represents and warrants that all of its trustees, officers,
employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities dealing with the
money and/or securities of the Fund are covered by a blanket fidelity bond or
similar coverage, in an amount equal to the greater of $5 million or any amount
required by applicable federal or state law or regulation. The aforesaid
includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement is issued by a reputable bonding
company. The Company agrees to make all reasonable efforts to see that this bond
or another bond containing these provisions is always in effect, and agrees to
notify the Fund and the Underwriter in the event that such coverage no longer
applies.
Prospectuses, Reports to Shareholders and Proxy Statements; Voting
The Fund shall provide the Company with as many printed copies of the
Fund's current prospectus and statement of additional information as the Company
may reasonably request. If requested by the Company in lieu of providing printed
copies the Fund shall provide camera-ready film or computer diskettes containing
the Fund's prospectus and statement of additional information, and such other
assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for the Company once each year
(or more frequently if the prospectus and/or statement of additional information
for the Fund is amended during the year) to have the prospectus for the
Contracts and the Fund's prospectus printed together in one document or
separately. The Company may elect to print the Fund's prospectus and/or its
statement of additional information in combination with other fund companies'
prospectuses and statements of additional information.
3.2(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 3.2., all
expenses of preparing, setting in type and printing and distributing Fund
prospectuses and statements of additional information shall be the expense of
the Company. For prospectuses and statements of additional information provided
by the Company to its existing owners of Contracts in order to update disclosure
as required by the 1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act, the cost of setting in type,
printing and distributing shall be borne by the Fund. If the Company chooses to
receive camera-ready film or computer diskettes in lieu of receiving printed
copies of the Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information, the
Fund shall bear the cost of typesetting to provide the Fund's prospectus and/or
statement of additional information to the Company in the format in which the
Fund is accustomed to formatting prospectuses and statements of additional
information, respectively, and the Company shall bear the expense of adjusting
or changing the format to conform with any of its prospectuses and/or statements
of additional information. In such event, the Fund will reimburse the Company in
an amount equal to the product of x and y where x is the number of such
prospectuses distributed to owners of the Contracts, and y is the Fund's per
unit cost of printing the Fund's prospectuses. The same procedures shall be
followed with respect to the Fund's statement of additional information. The
Fund shall not pay any costs of typesetting, printing and distributing the
Fund's prospectus and/or statement of additional information to prospective
Contract owners. Such expenses shall be borne by the Company as provided in the
Company's General Agency Agreement with Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx XX Inc.
3.2(b) The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company
with copies of its proxy statements, reports to shareholders, and other
communications (except for prospectuses and statements of additional
information, which are covered in Section 3.2(a) above) to shareholders in such
quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for distributing to Contract
owners. The Fund shall not pay any costs of distributing such proxy related
material, reports to shareholders, and other communications to prospective
Contract owners.
3.2(c) The Company agrees to provide the Fund or its designee
with such information as may be reasonably requested by the Fund to assure that
the Fund's expenses do not include the cost of typesetting, printing or
distributing any of the foregoing documents other than those actually
distributed to existing Contract owners.
3.2(d) The Fund shall pay no fee or other compensation to the
Company under this Agreement, except that if the Fund or any Portfolio adopts
and implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses,
then the Underwriter may make payments to the Company or to the underwriter for
the Contracts if and in amounts agreed to by the Underwriter in writing.
3.2(e) All expenses, including expenses to be borne by the
Fund pursuant to Section 3.2 hereof, incident to performance by the Fund under
this Agreement shall be paid by the Fund. The Fund shall see to it that all its
shares are registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable
federal law and, if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund, in
accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund shall bear
the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's
shares.
1.3 The Fund's statement of additional information shall be obtainable from the
Fund, the Underwriter, the Company or such other person as the Fund may
designate.
If and to the extent required by law the Company shall distribute all
proxy material furnished by the Fund to Contract Owners to whom voting
privileges are required to be extended and shall:
solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
vote the Fund shares in accordance with instructions received from Contract
owners; and
vote Fund shares for which no instructions have been received in the same
proportion as Fund shares of such Portfolio for which instructions have
been received,
so long as and to the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission
continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require passthrough voting privileges for
variable contract owners. The Company reserves the right to vote Fund shares
held in any segregated asset account in its own right, to the extent permitted
by law. The Fund and the Company shall follow the procedures, and shall have the
corresponding responsibilities, for the handling of proxy and voting instruction
solicitations, as set forth in Schedule C attached hereto and incorporated
herein by reference. Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for
ensuring that each of their separate accounts participating in the Fund
calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with the standards set forth
on Schedule C, which standards will also be provided to the other Participating
Insurance Companies.
The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring
voting by shareholders, and in particular the Fund will either provide for
annual meetings (except insofar as the Securities and Exchange Commission may
interpret Section 16 not to require such meetings) or comply with Section 16(c)
of the 1940 Act (although the Fund is not one of the trusts described in Section
16(c) of that Act) as well as with Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable,
16(b). Further, the Fund will act in accordance with the Securities and Exchange
Commission's interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to
periodic elections of directors and with whatever rules the Commission may
promulgate with respect thereto.
Sales Material and Information
The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund,
the Underwriter or their designee, each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material prepared by the Company or any person contracting with the
Company in which the Fund, the Adviser or the Underwriter is named, at least ten
Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Fund, the
Adviser, the Underwriter or their designee reasonably objects to such use within
ten Business Days after receipt of such material.
Neither the Company nor any person contracting with the Company shall
give any information or make any representations or statements on behalf of the
Fund or concerning the Fund in connection with the sale of the Contracts other
than the information or representations contained in the registration statement
or Fund prospectus, as such registration statement or Fund prospectus may be
amended or supplemented from time to time, or in reports to shareholders or
proxy statements for the Fund, or in sales literature or other promotional
material approved by the Fund or its designee, except with the permission of the
Fund or its designee.
The Fund shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Company
or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material
prepared by the Fund in which the Company or its Accounts, are named at least
ten Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the
Company or its designee reasonably objects to such use within ten Business Days
after receipt of such material.
Neither the Fund nor the Underwriter shall give any information or make
any representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, each
Account, or the Contracts, other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as such
registration statement or prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, or in published reports or solicitations for voting instruction for each
Account which are in the public domain or approved by the Company for
distribution to Contract owners, or in sales literature or other promotional
material approved by the Company or its designee, except with the permission of
the Company.
The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
reports, proxy statements, sales literature and other promotional materials,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its shares, contemporaneously
with the filing of such document with the Securities and Exchange Commission or
other regulatory authorities.
The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature and other
promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the investment
in an Account or Contract, contemporaneously with the filing of such document
with the Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory authorities.
For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature or other
promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:
advertisements (such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper,
magazine, or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording,
videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media),
sales literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, and registration statements,
prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and
proxy materials.
Distribution and Service Plans
The Fund is subject to a plan adopted under Rule 18f-3 under the 1940
Act (the "Rule 18f-3 plan") pursuant to which, as described in the current
prospectus of each Portfolio, the Fund may sell multiple classes of its shares
of each Portfolio with a varying combination of distribution fees, service fees,
exchange features, conversion rights, voting rights, expense allocations and
investment requirements.
Should the Company wish to participate in the Fund's distribution plan
with respect to a class of shares of a Portfolio of the Fund pursuant to Rule
12b-1 (the "Rule 12b-1 Plan") under the 1940 Act, or the Fund's service plan
(the "Service Plan"), each as described in the current prospectus of each
Portfolio, with respect to a class of shares of a Portfolio of the Fund, it is
understood that participation of the Company must be approved by the Board of
Trustees of the Fund. Pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 Plan and the Service Plan, the
Underwriter is authorized to remit payments at rates specified in the respective
plans with respect to the net asset value of shares maintained by the Company
for distribution-related services and/or personal services to Contract owners
accounts provided. If the Company wishes to participate in these plans and
receive the aforementioned remittance, the Company must enter into a separate
agreement specifically regarding these plans.
The Fund represents and warrants that the Rule 18f-3 Plan complies with
Rule 18f-3 of the 1940 Act. The Company agrees that it will comply with Rule
18f-3 under the 1940 Act, with respect to when the Company may appropriately
make available the various classes of shares of the Portfolios of the Fund.
Diversification
The Fund will use its best efforts to at all times comply with Section
817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the
diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance
contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Section or
Regulations. In the event the Fund ceases to so qualify, it will take all
reasonable steps (a) to notify Company of such event and (b) to adequately
diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded
by Regulation 817-5.
The Adviser, upon the prior written request of the Company by February
1, shall provide written confirmation by no later than February 15, that the
Fund was adequately diversified within the meaning of Section 817(h) and
Regulation 1.817-5 as of December 31 of the prior year.
Potential Conflicts
The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict may
arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance
regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance,
tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter
ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance,
tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial
decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of
any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given
by variable annuity contract owners and variable life insurance contract owners;
or (f) a decision by a Participating Insurance Company to disregard the voting
instructions of contract owners. The Board shall promptly inform the Company if
it determines that an irreconcilable material conflict exists and the
implications thereof.
The Company will report any potential or existing material
irreconcilable conflict of which it is aware to the Board. The Company will
assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities under the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, by providing the Board with all information reasonably
necessary for the Board to consider any issues raised. This includes, but is not
limited to, an obligation by the Company to inform the Board whenever contract
owner voting instructions are disregarded.
If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of its
disinterested trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the
Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and
to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the
disinterested trustees), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or
eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1)
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from
the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Fund, or
submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote
of all affected Contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of
any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance policy
owners, or variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance
Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected
contract owners the option of making such a change; and (2) establishing a new
registered management investment company or managed separate account. No charge
or penalty will be imposed as a result of such withdrawal. The Company agrees
that it bears the responsibility to take remedial action in the event of a Board
determination of an irreconcilable material conflict and the cost of such
remedial action, and these responsibilities will be carried out with a view only
to the interests of Contract owners.
If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by
the Company to disregard contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the affected Accounts
investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to such Account
(at the Company's expense); provided, however that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members
of the Board. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such
withdrawal. The Company agrees that it bears the responsibility to take remedial
action in the event of a Board determination of an irreconcilable material
conflict and the cost of such remedial action, and these responsibilities will
be carried out with a view only to the interests of Contract owners.
For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.4 of this Agreement, a majority
of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any proposed
action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event
will the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium for the Contracts.
The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 through 7.4 to establish a new
funding medium for the Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote
of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected by the
irreconcilable material conflict.
If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or
Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the 1940
Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared funding
(as defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions
materially different from those contained in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order,
then the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate,
shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T),
as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable.
Each of the Company and the Adviser shall at least annually submit to
the Board such reports, materials or data as the Board may reasonably request so
that the Board may fully carry out the obligations imposed upon them by the
provisions hereof and in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, and said reports,
materials and data shall be submitted more frequently if deemed appropriate by
the Board. All reports received by the Board of potential or existing conflicts,
and all Board action with regard to determining the existence of a conflict,
notifying Participating Insurance Companies of a conflict, and determining
whether any proposed action adequately remedies a conflict, shall be properly
recorded in the minutes of the Board or other appropriate records, and such
minutes or other records shall be made available to the Securities and Exchange
Commission upon request.
Indemnification
Indemnification By The Company
8.1(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Fund, the Underwriter and each member of their respective Board and officers and
each person, if any, who controls the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of
the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Section 8.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company) or
litigation (including legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified
Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or
acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
arise out of or are based upon any untrue
statements or alleged untrue statements of
any material fact contained in the
registration statement or prospectus for the
Contracts or contained in the Contracts or
sales literature for the Contracts (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing), or arise out of or are based
upon the omission or the alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, provided
that this agreement to indemnify shall not
apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged
statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information
furnished to the Company by or on behalf of
the Fund for use in the registration
statement or prospectus for the Contracts or
in the Contracts or sales literature (or any
amendment or supplement) or otherwise for
use in connection with the sale of the
Contracts or Fund shares; or
arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or
representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or sales
literature of the Fund not supplied by the
Company, or persons under its control and
other than statements or representations
authorized by the Fund or the Underwriter)
or unlawful conduct of the Company or
persons under its control, with respect to
the sale or distribution of the Contracts or
Fund shares; or
arise out of or as a result of any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in a registration
statement, prospectus, or sales literature
of the Fund or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, or the omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statement or
statements therein not misleading, if such a
statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information
furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the
Company; or
arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement;
or
arise out of or result from any material breach of
any representation and/or warranty made by
the Company in this Agreement or arise out
of or result from any other material breach
of this Agreement by the Company.
8.1(b) The Company shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as
such may arise from such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or
gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by
reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties
under this Agreement.
8.1(c) The Company shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified
Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing
within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any
such claim shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to
the indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to participate,
at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Company also shall be entitled
to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in
the action. After notice from the Company to such party of the Company's
election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the
fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Company will
not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.1(d) The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the
Company of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in
connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of the Fund shares or the
Contracts, or the operation of the Fund.
Indemnification by Underwriter
8.2(a) The Underwriter agrees, with respect to each Portfolio
that it distributes, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its
directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2) against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written
consent of the Underwriter) or litigation (including legal and other expenses),
to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute,
regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are
related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares that it distributes or
the Contracts and:
arise out of or are based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact contained in the registration
statement or prospectus or sales literature
of the Fund (or any amendment or supplement
to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or
are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not
misleading, provided that this agreement to
indemnify shall not apply as to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or
omission or such alleged statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to the
Fund or the Underwriter by or on behalf of
the Company for use in the registration
statement or prospectus for the Fund or in
sales literature (or any amendment or
supplement) or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of the Contracts or
Portfolio shares; or
arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or
representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or sales
literature for the Contracts not supplied by
the Fund, the Underwriter or persons under
their respective control and other than
statements or representations authorized by
the Company) or unlawful conduct of the Fund
or Underwriter or persons under their
control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Portfolio
shares; or
arise out of or as a result of any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in a registration
statement, prospectus, or sales literature
covering the Contracts, or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto, or the
omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the
statement or statements therein not
misleading, if such statement or omission
was made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished to the Company by
or on behalf of the Fund or the Underwriter;
or
arise as a result of any failure by the Fund or the Underwriter to provide
the services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement;
or
arise out of or result from any material breach of
any representation and/or warranty made by
the Underwriter in this Agreement or arise
out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Underwriter;
as limited by and in accordance with the
provisions of Section 8.2(b) and 8.2(c)
hereof.
8.2(b) The Underwriter shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as
such may arise from such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or
gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by
reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties
under this Agreement.
8.2(c) The Underwriter shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified
Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in
writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process
giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter of
any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than
on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Underwriter will be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also
shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to
the party named in the action. After notice from the Underwriter to such party
of the Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified
Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it,
and the Underwriter will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for
any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
8.2(d) The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter
of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its
officers or directors in connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of
the Contracts or the operation of each Account.
Indemnification by the Adviser
8.3(a) The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company and its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (hereinafter
collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" and individually, "Indemnified Party,"
for purposes of this Section 8.3) against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
the Adviser) or litigation (including legal and other expenses), to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common
law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the
operations of the Adviser or the Fund and:
arise out of or are based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact contained in the registration
statement or prospectus or sales literature
of the Fund (or any amendment or supplement
to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or
are based upon the omission or the alleged
omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not
misleading, provided that this agreement to
indemnify shall not apply as to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or
omission or such alleged statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to the
Adviser, the Fund or the Underwriter by or
on behalf of the Company for use in the
registration statement or prospectus for the
Fund or in sales literature (or any
amendment or supplement) or otherwise for
use in connection with the sale of the
Contracts or Portfolio shares; or
arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or
representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or sales
literature for the Contracts not supplied by
the Fund, the Adviser or persons under its
control and other than statements or
representations authorized by the Company)
or unlawful conduct of the Fund, the Adviser
or persons under their control, with respect
to the sale or distribution of the Contracts
or Portfolio shares; or
arise out of or as a result of any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in a registration
statement, prospectus, or sales literature
covering the Contracts, or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto, or the
omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the
statement or statements therein not
misleading, if such statement or omission
was made in reliance upon information
furnished to the Company by or on behalf of
the Fund or the Adviser; or
arise as a result of any failure by the Adviser to provide the services and
furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement; or
arise out of or result from any material breach of
any representation and/or warranty made by
the Fund or the Adviser in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other
material breach of this Agreement by the
Fund or the Adviser, including without
limitation any failure by the Fund to comply
with the conditions of Article VI hereof.
8.3(b) The Adviser shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as
may arise from such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross
negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of
such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this
Agreement.
8.3(c) The Adviser shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified
Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Adviser in writing
within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process
(including any IRS administrative process) giving information of the nature of
the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated
agent), but failure to notify the Adviser of any such claim shall not relieve
the Adviser from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Adviser will be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense thereof. The Adviser also shall be entitled to assume
the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action,
except with respect to any claim or action related to Section 817(h) of the
Internal Revenue Code or Regulation 1.817-5, indemnified Party shall permit the
Adviser to attend and otherwise assist Indemnified Party with respect to any
judicial conferences, settlement discussions, or other administrative or
judicial proceedings or contests (including judicial appeals thereof) with the
IRS or any other claimant regarding any claims that could give rise to liability
to Advisor, provided that Indemnified Party shall control, in good faith, the
conduct of such conferences, discussions, proceedings, or contests (or appeals
thereof). After notice from the Adviser to such party of the Adviser's election
to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Adviser will not be
liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.3(d) The Company agrees to promptly notify the Adviser of
the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its
officers or directors in connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of
the Contracts, with respect to the operation of each Account, or the sale or
acquisition of shares of the Adviser.
Applicable Law
This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.
This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934 and
1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including such
exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the Securities and
Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to, the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in
accordance therewith.
Termination
This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the first
to occur of:
termination by any party for any reason upon six months advance written
notice delivered to the other parties; or
termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund, the
Adviser and the Underwriter with respect to any
Portfolio based upon the Company's determination that
shares of such Portfolio are not reasonably available
to meet the requirements of the Contracts. Reasonable
advance notice of election to terminate shall be
furnished by the Company, said termination to be
effective ten (10) days after receipt of notice
unless the fund makes available a sufficient number
of shares to reasonably meet the requirements of the
Account within said ten (10) day period; or
termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund, the
Adviser and the Underwriter with respect to any
Portfolio in the event any of the Portfolio's shares
are not registered, issued or sold in accordance with
applicable state and/or federal law or such law
precludes the use of such shares as the underlying
investment medium of the Contracts issued or to be
issued by the Company. The terminating party shall
give prompt notice to the other parties of its
decision to terminate; or
termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund, the
Adviser and the Underwriter with respect to any
Portfolio in the event that such Portfolio ceases to
qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under
Subchapter M of the Code or under any successor or
similar provision; or
termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the
event that such Portfolio fails to meet the
diversification requirements specified in Article VI
hereof, or
termination by either the Fund, the Adviser or the Underwriter by
written notice to the Company, if either one or more
of the Fund, the Adviser or the Underwriter, shall
determine, in its or their sole judgment exercised in
good faith, that the Company and/or their affiliated
companies has suffered a material adverse change in
its business, operations, financial condition or
prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the
subject of material adverse publicity, provided that
the Fund, the Adviser or the Underwriter will give
the Company sixty (60) days' advance written notice
of such determination of its intent to terminate this
Agreement, and provided further that after
consideration of the actions taken by the Company and
any other changes in circumstances since the giving
of such notice, the determination of the Fund, the
Adviser or the Underwriter shall continue to apply on
the 60th day since giving of such notice, then such
60th day shall be the effective date of termination,
or
termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund, the
Adviser and the Underwriter, if the Company shall
determine, in its sole judgment exercised in good
faith, that either the Fund, the Adviser or the
Underwriter has suffered a material adverse change in
its business, operations, financial condition or
prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the
subject of material adverse publicity, provided that
the Company will give the Fund, the Adviser and the
Underwriter sixty (60) days' advance written notice
of such determination of its intent to terminate this
Agreement, and provided further that after
consideration of the actions taken by the Fund, the
Adviser or the Underwriter and any other changes in
circumstances since the giving of such notice, the
determination of the Company shall continue to apply
on the 60th day since giving of such notice, then
such 60th day shall be the effective date of
termination; or
termination by the Fund, the Adviser or the Underwriter by
written notice to the Company, if the Company gives
the Fund, the Adviser and the Underwriter the written
notice specified in Section 1.5 hereof and at the
time such notice was given there was no notice of
termination outstanding under any other provision of
this Agreement; provided, however any termination
under this Section 10.1(h) shall be effective sixty
(60) days after the notice specified in Section 1.5
was given; or
termination by any party upon the other party's breach of any
representation in Section 2 or any material provision
of this Agreement which breach has not been cured to
the satisfaction of the terminating party within ten
(10) days after written notice of such breach is
delivered to the Fund or the Company, as the case may
be; or
termination by the Fund, Adviser or Underwriter by written notice
to the Company in the event an Account or Contract is
not registered or sold in accordance with applicable
federal or state law or regulation, or the Company
fails to provide passthrough voting privileges as
specified in Section 3.4.
Effect of Termination. Notwithstanding any termination of this
Agreement, the Fund shall at the option of the Company, continue to make
available additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, for all Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination
of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing Contracts") unless such
further sale of Fund shares is proscribed by law, regulation or applicable
regulatory body, or unless the Fund determines that liquidation of the Fund
following termination of this Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund and
its shareholders. Specifically, without limitation, the owners of the Existing
Contracts shall be permitted to direct reallocation of investments in the Fund,
redemption of investments in the Fund and/or investment in the Fund upon the
making of additional purchase payments under the Existing Contracts. The parties
agree that this Section 10.2 shall not apply to any terminations under Article
VII and the effect of such Article VII terminations shall be governed by Article
VII of this Agreement.
The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the Contracts
(as distinct from Fund shares attributable to the Company's assets held in the
Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract Owner initiated or
approved transactions, or (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or
regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general application
(hereinafter referred to as a "Legally Required Redemption") or (iii) as
permitted by an order of the SEC pursuant to Section 26(b) of the 1940 Act. Upon
request, the Company will promptly furnish to the Fund and the Underwriter the
opinion of counsel for the Company (which counsel shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Fund and the Underwriter) to the effect that any redemption
pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required Redemption. Furthermore,
except in cases where permitted under the terms of the Contracts, the Company
shall not prevent Contract Owners from allocating payments to a Portfolio that
was otherwise available under the Contracts without first giving the Fund or the
Adviser 90 days notice of its intention to do so.
Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below
or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing
to the other party.
If to the Fund:
Xxx Xxxxxx Life Investment Trust
0 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
XX Xxx 0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: A. Xxxxxx Xxxxx III
If to Underwriter:
Xxx Xxxxxx Funds Inc.
0 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
XX Xxx 0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: A. Xxxxxx Xxxxx III
If to Adviser:
Xxx Xxxxxx Asset Management Inc.
0 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
XX Xxx 0000
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: A. Xxxxxx Xxxxx III
If to the Company:
Allstate Life Insurance Company
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx Pas
Foreign Tax Credits
The Fund and Adviser agree to consult in advance with the Company
concerning whether any series of the Fund qualifies to provide a foreign tax
credit pursuant to Section 853 of the Code.
Miscellaneous
All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property of
the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as neither the
Board, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability for
obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund. Each of the Company, Adviser and
Underwriter acknowledges and agrees that, as provided by Article 8, Section 8.1,
of the Fund's Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the shareholders, trustees,
officers, employees and other agents of the Fund and its Portfolios shall not
personally be bound by or liable for matters set forth hereunder, nor shall
resort be had to their private property for the satisfaction of any obligation
or claim hereunder. A Certificate of Trust referring to the Fund's Agreement and
Declaration of Trust is on file with the Secretary of State of Delaware.
Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory authority,
each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses of the
owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information until such time as it may come into
the public domain without the express written consent of the affected party.
The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a
court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement
shall not be affected thereby.
Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the
Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Association of Securities
Dealers and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby
The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations
at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and
federal laws.
This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder may not
be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of all parties
hereto; provided, however, that the Adviser may assign this Agreement or any
rights or obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or company under common
control with the Adviser if such assignee is duly licensed and registered to
perform the obligations of the Adviser under this Agreement.
The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund
or its designee copies of the following reports:
the Company's annual statement (prepared under statutory
accounting principles) and annual report (prepared
under generally accepted accounting principles
("GAAP"), if any), as soon practical and in any event
within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year;
the Company's June 30th quarterly statements (statutory),
as soon as practical and in any event within 45 days
following such period;
any financial statement proxy statement, notice or report
of the Company sent to stockholders and/or
policyholders, as soon as practical after the
delivery thereof to stockholders;
any registration statement (without exhibits) and
financial reports of the Company filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any state
insurance regulator, as soon as practical after the
filing thereof,
any other public report submitted to the Company by
independent accountants in connection with any
annual, interim or special audit made by them of the
books of the Company, as soon as practical after the
receipt thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative as of the date specified above.
ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
on behalf of itself and each of its Accounts named in
Schedule A hereto, as amended from time to time
By: ________________________________
XXX XXXXXX LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST
By: ________________________________
XXX XXXXXX FUNDS INC.
By: ________________________________
XXX XXXXXX ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.
By: ________________________________
SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND CONTRACTS
Name of Separate Account and Form Numbers and Names of Contracts
Date Established by Board of Directors Funded by Separate Account
ALLSTATE FINANCIAL ADVISORS ALLSTATE FINANCIAL PERSONAL
SEPARATE ACCOUNT I RETIREMENT MANAGER
June 15, 2001
SCHEDULE B
PARTICIPATING XXX XXXXXX LIFE INVESTMENT TRUST PORTFOLIOS
Xxx Xxxxxx LIT Growth & Income Portfolio - Class II Shares
SCHEDULE C
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES
The following is a list of procedures and corresponding
responsibilities for the handling of proxies and voting instructions relating to
the Fund. The defined terms herein shall have the meanings assigned in the
Participation Agreement except that the term "Company" shall also include the
department or third party assigned by the Company to perform the steps
delineated below.
The proxy proposals are given to the Company by the Fund as early as
possible before the date set by the Fund for the shareholder meeting to
enable the Company to consider and prepare for the solicitation of
voting instructions from owners of the Contracts and to facilitate the
establishment of tabulation procedures. At this time the Fund will
inform the Company of the Record, Mailing and Meeting dates. This will
be done verbally approximately two months before meeting.
Promptly after the Record Date, the Company will perform a "tape run,"
or other activity, which will generate the names, address and number of
units which are attributed to each contract owner/policyholder (the
"Customer") as of the Record Date. Allowance should be made for account
adjustments made after this date that could affect the status of the
Customers' accounts as of the Record Date.
Note: The number of proxy statements is determined by the activities
described in Step #2. The Company will use its best efforts to call in
the number of Customers to the Fund, as soon as possible, but no later
than two weeks after the Record Date.
The Fund's Annual Report must be sent to each Customer by the Company
either before or together with the Customers' receipt of voting
instruction solicitation material. The Fund will provide the last
Annual Report to the Company pursuant to the terms of Section 3.3 of
the Agreement to which this Schedule relates.
The text and format for the Voting Instruction Cards ("Cards" or
"Card") is provided to the Company by the Fund. The Company, at its
expense, shall produce and personalize the Voting Instruction Cards.
The Fund or its affiliate must approve the Card before it is printed.
Allow approximately 2-4 business days for printing information on the
Cards. Information commonly found on the Cards includes:
a) name (legal name as found on account registration)
b) address
c) fund or account number
d) coding to state number of units (or equivalent shares)
e) individual Card number for use in tracking and verification of votes
(already on Cards as printed by the Fund).
This and related steps may occur later in the chronological process due
to possible uncertainties relating to the proposals.)
During this time, the Fund will develop, produce, and the Fund will pay
for the Notice of Proxy and the Proxy Statement (one document). Printed
and folded notices and statements will be sent to Company for insertion
into envelopes (envelopes and return envelopes are provided and paid
for by the Company). Contents of envelope sent to Customers by the
Company will include:
a) Voting Instruction Card(s)
b) One proxy notice and statement (one document)
c) return envelope (postage pre-paid by Company) addressed to the Company or
its tabulation agent
d) "urge buckslip" optional, but recommended. (This is a small, single sheet
of paper that requests Customers to vote as quickly as possible and that
their vote is important. One copy will be supplied by the Fund.)
e) cover letter optional, supplied by Company and reviewed and approved in
advance by the Fund.
1. The above contents should be received by the Company approximately 3-5
business days before mail date. Individual in charge at Company reviews
and approves the contents of the mailing package to ensure correctness
and completeness. Copy of this approval sent to the Fund.
2. Package mailed by the Company.
* The Fund must allow at least a 15 day solicitation time to the
Company as the shareowner. (A 5week period is recommended.)
Solicitation time is calculated as calendar days from (but not
including) the meeting, counting backwards.
3. Collection and tabulation of Cards begins. Tabulation usually takes
place in another department or another vendor depending on process
used. An often used procedure is to sort Cards on arrival by proposal
into vote categories of all yes, no, or mixed replies, and to begin
data entry.
Note: Postmarks are not generally needed. A need for postmark information
would be due to an insurance company's internal procedure and has not been
required by the Fund in the past.
4. Signatures on Card checked against legal name on account registration which
was printed on the Card.
Note: For example, if the account registration is under "Xxxx X. Xxxxx,
Trustee," then that is the exact legal name to be printed on the Card and
is the signature needed on the Card.
5. If Cards are mutilated, or for any reason are illegible or are not signed
properly, they are sent back to Customer with an explanatory letter and a
new Card and return envelope. The mutilated or illegible Card is
disregarded and considered to be not received for purposes of vote
tabulation. Any Cards that have been "kicked out" (e.g., mutilated,
illegible) of the procedure are "hand verified," (i.e., examined as to why
they did not complete the system). Any questions on those Cards are usually
remedied individually.
6. There are various control procedures used to ensure proper tabulation of
votes and accuracy of that tabulation. The most prevalent is to sort the
Cards as they first arrive, into categories depending upon their vote; an
estimate of how the vote is progressing may then be calculated. If the
initial estimates and the actual vote do not coincide, then an internal
audit of that vote should occur. This may entail a recount.
7. The actual tabulation of votes is done in units (or equivalent shares)
which is then converted to shares. (It is very important that the fund
receives the tabulations stated in terms of a percentage and the number of
shares.) The Fund must review and approve tabulation format.
8. Final tabulation in shares is verbally given by the Company to the Fund on
the morning of the meeting not later than 10:00 A.M. Houston time. The Fund
may request an earlier deadline if reasonable and if required to calculate
the vote in time for the meeting.
9. A Certification of Mailing and Authorization to Vote. Shares will be
required from the Company as well as an original copy of the final vote.
The Fund will provide a standard form for each Certification.
10. The Company will be required to box and archive the Cards received from the
Customers. In the event that any vote is challenged or if otherwise
necessary for legal, regulatory, or accounting purposes, the Fund will be
permitted reasonable access to such Cards.
11. All approvals and "signing off" may be done orally, but must always be
followed up in writing.