FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT Among GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY, FIRST GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY, XYZ FUND COMPANY, XYZ ADVISER, and XYZ DISTRIBUTOR

FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT

 

Among

 

GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY,

 

FIRST GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY,

 

XYZ FUND COMPANY,

 

XYZ ADVISER,

 

and

 

XYZ DISTRIBUTOR

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) made and entered into as of this ____ day of _______________, 2006 by and among GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY (hereinafter “GWL&A"), a Colorado life insurance company, on its own behalf and on behalf of its separate accounts identified on Schedule A attached hereto and incorporated herein be reference, FIRST GREAT-WEST LIFE & ANNUITY INSURANCE COMPANY (hereinafter “FGWL&A”), a New York life insurance company, on its own behalf and on behalf of its separate accounts identified on Schedule A, XYZ FUND, a _______________ organized under the laws of _______________ (hereinafter the "Fund"), XYZ ADVISER (hereinafter the "Adviser"), a _________________ organized under the laws of _______________, and XYZ DISTRIBUTOR, a _____________ organized under the laws of ______________ (hereinafter the "Distributor"). GWL&A and FGWLA are collectively referred to herein as “Insurer” and the separate accounts identified on Schedule A are collectively referred to herein as the “Account.”

 

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/or variable annuity contracts (collectively, the "Variable Insurance Products") to be offered by insurance companies, including Insurer, which have entered into participation agreements similar to this Agreement (hereinafter "Participating Insurance Companies"); and

 

 

WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into several series of shares, each designated a "Portfolio" and representing the interest in a particular managed portfolio of securities and other assets; and

 

WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (hereinafter the "SEC"), dated                (File No.                       ),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 life insurance companies that may or may not be affiliated with one another and qualified pension and retirement plans ("Qualified 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 shares of the Portfolio(s) 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 Distributor is duly registered as a broker-dealer 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, Insurer has registered certain variable life contracts supported wholly or partially by the Account (the "Contracts") to be made available to owners thereof, including any participants or employees of such owners as applicable (“Contract Owners”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated asset account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of Insurer, under the insurance laws of the State of Colorado and New York, as applicable, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the Contracts; and

 

 

WHEREAS, Insurer has registered the Account as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act and has registered the securities deemed to be issued by the Account under the 1933 Act; and

 

WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and regulations, Insurer intends to purchase shares in the Portfolio(s) listed in Schedule A, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time by mutual written agreement (the "Designated Portfolio(s)"), on behalf of the Account to fund the Contracts, and the Fund is authorized to sell such shares to unit investment trusts such as the Account at net asset value; and

 

WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and regulations, the Account also intends to purchase shares in other open-end investment companies or series thereof not affiliated with the Fund (the "Unaffiliated Funds") on behalf of the Account to fund the Contracts; and

 

WHEREAS, Insurer intends to utilize its NSCC member broker/dealer affiliate, GWFS Equities, Inc. (“GWFS”) to transmit instructions for the purchase, redemption and transfer of Fund shares on behalf of the Account, and GWFS, alone, or with the assistance of a recordkeeping affiliate, to perform certain recordkeeping functions associated with the transfer of Fund shares into and out of the Account in order to recognize certain organizational economies; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, Insurer, the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser agree as follows:

 

 

1.1       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 Designated Portfolio will be sold to the general public. The Fund will not sell shares of the Designated Portfolio(s) to any other Participating Insurance Company separate account unless an agreement containing provisions substantially similar to Sections 2.4, 2.10, 3.5, 3.6, 5.1, and Article VII of this Agreement is in effect to govern such sales.

 

 

1.2.       All purchases, redemptions and exchanges of Designated Portfolio shares by Insurer on behalf of the Account, in addition to the pricing and correction thereof, of Designated Portfolio shares, shall be governed by and subject to the terms of the Trading and NSCC Networking Agreement, entered into by and between GWFS Equities, Inc. (formerly BenefitsCorp Equities, Inc.) and _______________ dated ________________, as amended from time to time.

 

1.3.      Notwithstanding Section 1.2 hereof, if an adjustment is necessary to correct an error which has caused Contract Owners to receive less than the amount to which they are entitled, the number of shares of the applicable sub-account of such Contract Owners will be adjusted and the amount of any underpayments shall be credited by the Adviser to Insurer for crediting of such amounts to the applicable Contract Owners accounts. Upon notification by the Adviser of any overpayment due to an error, Insurer shall promptly remit to Adviser any overpayment that has not been paid to Contract Owners; however, Adviser acknowledges that Insurer does not intend to seek additional payments from any Contract Owner who, because of a pricing error, may have underpaid for units of interest credited to his/her account. In no event shall Insurer be liable to Contract Owners for any such adjustments or underpayment amounts.

 

1.4       The Adviser shall promptly reimburse Insurer for any and all costs or expenses which Insurer incurs that are associated with any failure of the Fund to settle trades by the time specified on the Business Day following the Trade Date, as specified and defined in the Trading and NSCC Networking Agreement.

 

2.1.      Insurer represents and warrants that the Contracts and the securities deemed to be issued by the Account under 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. Insurer further represents that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established the Account prior to any issuance or sale of units thereof as a segregated asset account under Colorado insurance law and New York insurance law, as applicable, and has registered 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 and that it will maintain such registration for so long as any Contracts are outstanding as required by applicable law.

 

2.2.      The Fund represents and warrants that Designated Portfolio(s) shares sold pursuant to this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with all applicable federal securities laws including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the 1940 Act and that the Fund is and shall remain registered under the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇. 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.

 

2.3.      The Fund reserves the right to adopt a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act and to impose an asset-based or other charge to finance distribution expenses as permitted by applicable law and regulation. In any event, the Fund and Adviser agree to comply with applicable provisions and SEC staff interpretations of the 1940 Act to assure that the investment advisory or management fees paid to the Adviser by the Fund are in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. To the extent that the Fund decides to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund undertakes to have its Board, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act to finance distribution expenses.

 

2.4.      The Fund represents and warrants that it will make every effort to ensure that the investment policies, fees and expenses of the Designated Portfolio(s) are and shall at all times remain in compliance with all state insurance and other applicable laws to the extent required to perform this Agreement. The Fund further represents and warrants that it will make every effort to ensure that Designated Portfolio(s) shares will be sold in compliance with applicable state securities and insurance laws. The Fund shall register and qualify the shares for sale in accordance with the laws of the various states if and to the extent required by applicable law.

 

Insurer and the Fund will endeavor to mutually cooperate with respect to the implementation of any modifications necessitated by any change in state insurance laws, regulations or interpretations of the foregoing that affect the Designated Portfolio(s) (a "Law Change"), and to keep each other informed of any Law Change that becomes known to either party. In the event of a Law Change, the Fund agrees that, except in those circumstances where the Fund has advised Insurer that its Board of Directors has determined that implementation of a particular Law Change is not in the best interest of all of the Fund's shareholders with an explanation regarding why such action is lawful, any action required by a Law Change will be taken.

 

2.5.      The Fund represents and warrants that it is lawfully organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of _______________ and that it does and will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.

 

2.6.      The Adviser represents and warrants that it is and shall remain duly registered under all applicable federal and state securities laws and that it shall perform its obligations for the Fund in compliance in all material respects with the laws of the State of ______________ and any applicable state and federal securities laws.

 

2.7.      The Distributor represents and warrants that it is and shall remain duly registered under all applicable federal and state securities laws and that it shall perform its obligations for the Fund in compliance in all material respects with the laws of the State of __________________ and any applicable state and federal securities laws.

 

2.8.      The Fund and the Adviser represent and warrant that all of their respective 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 one or more blanket fidelity bonds or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the minimal coverage required by Rule 17g-1 under the 1940 Act or related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid bonds shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable bonding company.

 

 

2.9.      The Fund will provide Insurer with as much advance notice as is reasonably practicable of any material change affecting the Designated Portfolio(s) (including, but not limited to, any material change in the registration statement or prospectus affecting the Designated Portfolio(s)) and any proxy solicitation affecting the Designated Portfolio(s) and consult with Insurer in order to implement any such change in an orderly manner, recognizing the expenses of changes and attempting to minimize such expenses by implementing them in conjunction with regular annual updates of the prospectus for the Contracts. The Fund agrees to share equitably in expenses incurred by Insurer as a result of actions taken by the Fund, consistent with the allocation of expenses contained in Schedule C attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

 

2.10.    Insurer 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 life insurance contracts under applicable provisions of the Code, and that it will make every effort to maintain such treatment and that it will notify the Fund, the Distributor 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, Insurer represents and warrants that the Account is a "segregated asset account" and that interests in the 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. Insurer will use every effort to continue to meet such definitional requirements, and it will notify the Fund, the Distributor 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. Insurer 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.

 

 

3.1.      At least annually, the Adviser or Distributor shall provide Insurer with as many copies of the Fund's current prospectus for the Designated Portfolio(s) as Insurer may reasonably request for marketing purposes (including distribution to Contract Owners with respect to new sales of a Contract), with expenses to be borne in accordance with Schedule C hereof. If requested by Insurer in lieu thereof, the Adviser, Distributor or Fund shall provide such documentation (including

 

a camera-ready copy and computer diskette of the current prospectus for the Designated Portfolio(s)) and other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for Insurer once each year (or more frequently if the prospectuses for the Designated Portfolio(s) are amended) to have the prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's prospectus for the Designated Portfolio(s) printed together in one document. The Fund and Adviser agree that the prospectus (and semi-annual and annual reports) for the Designated Portfolio(s) will describe only the Designated Portfolio(s) and will not name or describe any other portfolios or series that may be in the Fund unless required by law.

 

3.2.      If applicable state or federal laws or regulations require that the Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") for the Fund be distributed to all Contract Owners, then the Fund, Distributor and/or the Adviser shall provide Insurer with copies of the Fund's SAI or documentation thereof for the Designated Portfolio(s) in such quantities, with expenses to be borne in accordance with Schedule C hereof, as Insurer may reasonably require to permit timely distribution thereof to Contract Owners. The Adviser, Distributor and/or the Fund shall also provide SAIs to any Contract Owner or prospective owner who requests such SAI from the Fund (although it is anticipated that such requests will be made to Insurer).

 

3.3.      The Fund, Distributor and/or Adviser shall provide Insurer with copies of the Fund's proxy material, reports to stockholders and other communications to stockholders for the Designated Portfolio(s) in such quantity, with expenses to be borne in accordance with Schedule C hereof, as Insurer may reasonably require to permit timely distribution thereof to Contract Owners as required by applicable law.

 

3.4.      It is understood and agreed that, except with respect to information regarding Insurer provided in writing by that party, Insurer is not responsible for the content of the prospectus or SAI for the Designated Portfolio(s). It is also understood and agreed that, except with respect to information regarding the Fund, the Distributor, the Adviser or the Designated Portfolio(s) provided in writing by the Fund, the Distributor or the Adviser, neither the Fund, the Distributor nor Adviser are responsible for the content of the prospectus or SAI for the Contracts.

 

 

 

3.6.      Insurer shall be responsible for assuring that each of its separate accounts holding shares of a Designated Portfolio calculates voting privileges as directed by the Fund and agreed to by Insurer and the Fund. The Fund agrees to promptly notify Insurer of any changes of interpretations or amendments of the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order.

 

3.7.      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 SEC may interpret Section 16 of the 1940 Act not to require such meetings) or, as the Fund currently intends, comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the Fund is not one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as with Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, 16(b). Further, the Fund will act in accordance with the SEC's interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of directors or trustees and with whatever rules the Commission may promulgate with respect thereto.

 

 

4.1.      Insurer shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund or its designee, a copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional material that Insurer, respectively, develops or proposes to use and in which the Fund (or a Portfolio thereof), its Adviser or one of its sub-advisers or the Distributor is named in connection with the Contracts, at least ten (10) business days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Fund objects to such use within five (5) business days after receipt of such material. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Insurer shall not be

 

required to furnish to the Fund or its designee any sales literature or other promotional material which Insurer receives from the Fund or third party vendors and which is unaltered by Insurer.

 

4.2.      Insurer shall not give any information or make any representations or statements on behalf of the Fund in connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the information or representations contained in the registration statement, prospectus or SAI for the Fund shares, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund, Distributor or Adviser, except with the permission of the Fund, Distributor or Adviser.

 

4.3.      The Fund or the Adviser shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to Insurer, a copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which Insurer and/or its separate account(s), is named at least ten (10) business days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if Insurer objects to such use within five (5) business days after receipt of such material.

 

4.4.      The Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser shall not give any information or make any representations on behalf of Insurer or concerning Insurer, the Account, or the Contracts other than the information or representations contained in a registration statement, prospectus or SAI for the Contracts, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by Insurer or its designee, except with the permission of Insurer.

 

4.5.      The Fund will provide to Insurer at least one complete copy of any registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, 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 Designated Portfolio(s), contemporaneously with the filing of such document(s) with the SEC or NASD or other regulatory authorities.

 

4.6.      Insurer will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of any registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all

 

amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Contracts or the Account, contemporaneously with the filing of such document(s) with the SEC, NASD, or other regulatory authority.

 

4.7.      For purposes of Articles IV and VIII, the phrase "sales literature and 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 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 shareholder reports, and proxy materials (including solicitations for voting instructions) and any other material constituting sales literature or advertising under the NASD rules, the 1933 Act or the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇.

 

4.8.      At the request of any party to this Agreement, each other party will make available to the other party's independent auditors and/or representative of the appropriate regulatory agencies, all records, data and access to operating procedures that may be reasonably requested in connection with compliance and regulatory requirements related to this Agreement or any party's obligations under this Agreement.

 

 

5.1.      Neither the Fund, the Distributor nor the Adviser shall pay any fee or other compensation to Insurer under this Agreement, other than pursuant to Schedule D attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein. In addition, the parties will bear certain expenses in accordance with Schedule C, Articles III, V, and other provisions of this Agreement.

 

5.2.      All expenses incident to performance by the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser under this Agreement shall be paid by the appropriate party, as further provided in Schedule C. The Fund shall see to it that all shares of the Designated Portfolio(s) are registered and authorized

 

for issuance in accordance with applicable federal law and, if and to the extent required, in accordance with applicable state laws prior to their sale.

 

5.3.      The parties shall bear the expenses of any routine annual distribution (mailing costs) of the Fund's prospectus and distribution (mailing costs) of the Fund's proxy materials and reports to owners of Contracts offered by Insurer, in accordance with Schedule C.

 

5.4.      The Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser acknowledge that a principal feature of the Contracts is the Contract Owner's ability to choose from a number of unaffiliated mutual funds (and portfolios or series thereof), including the Designated Portfolio(s) and the Unaffiliated Funds, and to transfer the Contract's cash value between funds and portfolios. The Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser agree to cooperate with Insurer in facilitating the operation of the Account and the Contracts as described in the prospectus for the Contracts, including but not limited to cooperation in facilitating transfers between Unaffiliated Funds. The Fund does not allow market timing, short-term trading, or other excessive trading into and out of the Fund. Insurer agrees to cooperate with the Fund, the Adviser, and the Distributor to prevent Contract Owners from market timing the Fund.

 

 

6.1.      The Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser represent and warrant that the Fund will at all times sell its shares and invest its assets in such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as life insurance contracts under the Code, and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Fund, Distributor and Adviser represent and warrant that the Fund and each Designated Portfolio thereof will at all times comply with Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation §1.817-5, as amended from time to time, 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. The Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser agree that shares of the Designated Portfolio(s) will be sold only to Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts and to Qualified Plans.

 

 

 

6.3.      The Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser represent and warrant that the Fund and each Designated Portfolio is currently qualified as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code, and that each Designated Portfolio will maintain such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provisions) as long as this Agreement is in effect.

 

6.4.      The Fund, Distributor or Adviser will notify Insurer immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Fund or any Designated Portfolio has ceased to comply with the aforesaid Section 817(h) diversification or Subchapter M qualification requirements or might not so comply in the future.

 

6.5.      Without in any way limiting the effect of Sections 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4 hereof and without in any way limiting or restricting any other remedies available to Insurer, the Adviser or Distributor will pay all costs associated with or arising out of any failure, or any anticipated or reasonably foreseeable failure, of the Fund or any Designated Portfolio to comply with Sections 6.1, 6.2, or 6.3 hereof, including all costs associated with reasonable and appropriate corrections or responses to any such failure; such costs may include, but are not limited to, the costs involved in creating, organizing, and registering a new investment company as a funding medium for the Contracts and/or the costs of obtaining whatever regulatory authorizations are required to substitute shares of another investment company for those of the failed Portfolio (including but not limited to an order pursuant to Section 26(b) of the 1940 Act); such costs are to include, but are not limited to, fees and expenses of legal counsel and other advisors to Insurer and any federal income taxes or tax penalties and interest thereon (or "toll charges" or exactments or amounts paid in settlement) incurred by Insurer with respect to itself or owners of its Contracts in connection with any such failure or anticipated or reasonably foreseeable failure.

 

6.6.      The Fund at the Fund's expense shall provide Insurer or its designee with reports certifying compliance with the aforesaid Section 817(h) diversification and Subchapter M qualification requirements, at the times provided for and substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule B and incorporated herein by reference; provided, however, that providing such reports does not relieve the Fund of its responsibility for such compliance or of its liability for any non-compliance.

 

 

6.7.      Insurer agrees that if the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") asserts in writing in connection with any governmental audit or review of Insurer or, to Insurer's knowledge, or any Contract Owner that any Designated Portfolio has failed to comply with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code or Insurer otherwise becomes aware of any facts that could give rise to any claim against the Fund, Distributor or Adviser as a result of such a failure or alleged failure:

 

(a) Insurer shall promptly notify the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser of such assertion or potential claim;

 

(b) Insurer shall consult with the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser as to how to minimize any liability that may arise as a result of such failure or alleged failure;

 

(c) Insurer shall use its best efforts to minimize any liability of the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser 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;

 

(d) any written materials to be submitted by Insurer to the IRS, any Contract Owner 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 the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser (together with any supporting information or analysis) within at least two (2) business days prior to submission;

 

(e) Insurer shall provide the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser with such cooperation as the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser shall reasonably request (including, without limitation, by permitting the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser to review the relevant books and records of Insurer) in order to facilitate review by the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser of any written submissions provided to it or its assessment of the validity or amount of any claim against it arising from such failure or alleged failure;

 

 

(f) Insurer shall not with respect to any claim of the IRS or any Contract Owner that would give rise to a claim against the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser (i) compromise or settle any claim, (ii) accept any adjustment on audit, or (iii) forego any allowable administrative or judicial appeals, without the express written consent of the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser, which shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided that, Insurer shall not be required to appeal any adverse judicial decision unless the Fund and the Adviser shall have provided an opinion of independent counsel to the effect that a reasonable basis exists for taking such appeal; and further provided that the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser shall bear the costs and expenses, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by Insurer in complying with this clause (f).

 

 

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 by contract owners of different Participating Insurance Companies; or (f) a decision by a Participating Insurance Company to disregard the voting instructions of contract owners. The Board shall promptly inform Insurer if it determines that an irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.

 

7.2.      Insurer will report any potential or existing conflicts of which it is aware to the Board. Insurer 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 Insurer to inform the Board whenever contract owner voting instructions are to be disregarded. Such

 

responsibilities shall be carried out by Insurer with a view only to the interests of its Contract Owners.

 

7.3.      If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of its directors who are not interested persons of the Fund, the Distributor, the Adviser or any sub-adviser to any of the Designated Portfolios (the "Independent Directors"), that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, Insurer and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the Independent 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 Designated 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 Insurer to disregard contract owner voting instructions and that decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, Insurer may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the Account's 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 Independent Directors. 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 Adviser, the Distributor and the Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by Insurer 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 Insurer conflicts with the majority of other state regulators, then Insurer will withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement within six

 

months after the Board informs Insurer 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 Insurer 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. Insurer 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 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 Insurer will withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement within six (6) months after the Board informs Insurer 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 Independent Directors.

 

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 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, 3.7, 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.

 

 

 

8.1(a).  Insurer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser and each of their respective officers and directors or trustees and each person, if any, who controls the Fund, Distributor or Adviser 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, expenses, damages and liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of Insurer) or litigation (including reasonable 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, expenses, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:

 

 

 

 

 

breach of this Agreement by Insurer, including without limitation Section 2.10 and Section 6.7 hereof,

 

as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.1(b) and 8.1(c) hereof.

 

8.1(b). Insurer shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, expenses, 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 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 any of the Indemnified Parties.

 

8.1(c). Insurer 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 Insurer in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify Insurer of any such claim shall not relieve Insurer from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision, except to the extent that Insurer has been prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, Insurer shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action. Insurer also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from Insurer to such party of Insurer’s election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and Insurer 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 Insurer 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(a). The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Insurer and its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls Insurer 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, expenses, 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 or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:

 

 

 

 

 

diversification and other qualification requirements specified in Article VI of this Agreement); or

 

 

 

as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.2(b) and 8.2(c) hereof. This indemnification is in addition to and apart from the responsibilities and obligations of the Adviser specified in Article VI hereof.

 

8.2(b). The Adviser shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, expenses, 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 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 any of the Indemnified Parties.

 

8.2(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 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, except to the extent that the Adviser has been prejudiced by such failure to give notice. 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). Insurer 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 the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the operation of the Account.

 

8.3(a). The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Insurer and its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls Insurer 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 and 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 be required to pay or 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:

 

 

 

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, expenses, 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 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 any of the Indemnified Parties.

 

 

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 it 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, except to the extent that the Fund has been prejudiced by such failure to give notice. 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 shall also 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). Insurer agrees to promptly notify the Fund of the commencement of any litigation or proceeding against itself 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.

 

8.4(a).  The Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Insurer and its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls Insurer within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.4) against any and all losses, claims, expenses, damages and liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Distributor) or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.4(b) and 8.4(c) hereof. This indemnification is in addition to and apart from the responsibilities and obligations of the Distributor specified in Article VI hereof.

 

8.4(b).  The Distributor shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, expenses, 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 negligence in the performance or such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to any of the Indemnified Parties.

 

8.4(c)   The Distributor 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 Distributor in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Distributor of any such claim shall not relieve the Distributor from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision, except to the extent that the Distributor has been prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Distributor will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Distributor also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the Distributor to such party of the Distributor's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Distributor will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.

 

8.4(d)   Insurer agrees to promptly notify the Distributor of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the operation of the Account.

 

 

 

9.1.      This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to the Colorado Conflict of Laws provisions.

 

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.

 

 

(a) at the option of any party, with or without cause, with respect to some or all Designated Portfolios, upon twelve (12) months advance written notice delivered to the other parties; provided, however, that such notice shall not be given earlier than six (6) months following the date of this Agreement; or

 

(b) at the option of Insurer by written notice to the other parties with respect to any Designated Portfolio based upon Insurer's determination that shares of such Designated Portfolio are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of the Contracts; or

 

(c) at the option of Insurer by written notice to the other parties with respect to any Designated Portfolio 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 Insurer; or

 

(d) at the option of the Fund, Distributor or Adviser in the event that formal administrative proceedings are instituted against Insurer by the NASD, the SEC, the Insurance Commissioner or like official of any state or any other regulatory body regarding Insurer's duties under this Agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts, the operation of any Account, or the purchase of the Fund shares, if, in each case, the Fund, Distributor or Adviser, as the case may be, reasonably determines in its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that any such administrative proceedings will have a material adverse effect upon the ability of Insurer to perform its obligations under this Agreement; or

 

 

(e) at the option of Insurer in the event that formal administrative proceedings are instituted against the Fund, the Distributor or the Adviser by the NASD, the SEC, or any state securities or insurance department or any other regulatory body, if Insurer reasonably 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, the Distributor or the Adviser to perform their obligations under this Agreement; or

 

(f) at the option of Insurer by written notice to the Fund with respect to any Portfolio if Insurer reasonably believes that the Portfolio will fail to meet the Section 817(h) diversification requirements or Subchapter M qualifications specified in Article VI hereof; or

 

(g) at the option of either the Fund, the Distributor or the Adviser, if (i) the Fund, Distributor or Adviser, respectively, shall determine, in its sole judgment reasonably exercised in good faith, that Insurer has suffered a material adverse change in its business or financial condition or is the subject of material adverse publicity and that material adverse change or publicity will have a material adverse impact on Insurer's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) the Fund, Distributor or Adviser notifies Insurer of that determination and its intent to terminate this Agreement, and (iii) after considering the actions taken by Insurer and any other changes in circumstances since the giving of such a notice, the determination of the Fund, Distributor or Adviser shall continue to apply on the sixtieth (60th) day following the giving of that notice, which sixtieth day shall be the effective date of termination; or

 

(h) at the option of either Insurer, if (i) Insurer shall determine, in its sole judgment reasonably exercised in good faith, that the Fund, Distributor or Adviser has suffered a material adverse change in its business or financial condition or is the subject of material adverse publicity and that material adverse change or publicity will have a material adverse impact on the Fund's, Distributor's or Adviser's ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) Insurer notifies the Fund, Distributor or Adviser, as appropriate, of that determination and its intent to terminate this Agreement, and (iii) after considering the actions taken by the Fund, Distributor or Adviser and any other changes in circumstances since the giving of such a notice, the determination of Insurer shall continue to apply on the sixtieth (60th) day following the giving of that notice, which sixtieth day shall be the effective date of termination; or

 

(i) at the option of any non-defaulting party hereto in the event of a material breach of this Agreement by any party hereto (the "defaulting party") other than as described in 10.1(a)-(j); provided, that the non-defaulting party gives written notice thereof to the defaulting party, with copies of such notice to all other non-defaulting parties, and if such breach shall not have been remedied within thirty (30) days after such written notice is given, then the non-defaulting party giving such written notice may terminate this Agreement by giving thirty (30) days written notice of termination to the defaulting party.

 

10.2.    Notice RequirementNo termination of this Agreement shall be effective unless and until the party terminating this Agreement gives prior written notice to all other parties of its intent to terminate, which notice shall set forth the basis for the termination. Furthermore,

(a) in the event any termination is based upon the provisions of Article VII, or the provisions of Section 10.1(a), 10.1(g) or 10.1(h) of this Agreement, the prior written notice shall be

 

given in advance of the effective date of termination as required by those provisions unless such notice period is shortened by mutual written agreement of the parties;

(b) in the event any termination is based upon the provisions of Section 10.1(d), 10.1(e), 10.1(i) or 10.1(j) of this Agreement, the prior written notice shall be given at least sixty (60) days before the effective date of termination; and

(c) in the event any termination is based upon the provisions of Section 10.1(b), 10.1(c) or 10.1(f), the prior written notice shall be given in advance of the effective date of termination, which date shall be determined by the party sending the notice.

 

10.3.    Effect of Termination      Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, other than as a result of a failure by either the Fund or Insurer to meet Section 817(h) of the Code diversification requirements, the Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser shall, at the option of Insurer, continue to make available additional shares of the Designated Portfolio(s) 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 Designated Portfolio(s), redeem investments in the Designated Portfolio(s) and/or invest in the Designated Portfolio(s) upon the making of additional purchase payments under the Existing Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 10.3 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.

 

10.4.    Surviving Provisions. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, each party's obligations under Article VIII to indemnify other parties shall survive and not be affected by any termination of this Agreement. In addition, with respect to Existing Contracts, all provisions of this Agreement shall also survive and not be affected by any termination of this Agreement.

 

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:

 

 

If to Insurer:

 

 

 

 

 

 

If to the Adviser:

 

 

If to the Distributor:

 

 

 

ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous

 

12.1.    The parties hereto acknowledge that any nonpublic personal information (as defined by applicable law or regulation promulgated under Title V of the ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇ Act of 1999 (the “Act”)) of Contract Owners (and any participants thereof, as applicable) will be disclosed or utilized solely to carry out the terms of this Agreement or pursuant to an exception contained in any applicable law or regulation promulgated under the Act. Further, Fund, Distributor and Adviser agree to maintain and enforce procedures for the safeguarding and protection of such nonpublic personal information at least as rigorous as those required to be used by Insurer under applicable law. Without limiting the foregoing, no party hereto shall disclose any information that another party has designated as proprietary.

 

 

12.2.    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.

 

12.3.    This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which taken together shall constite one and the same instrument.

 

12.4.    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.

 

12.5.    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 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 Colorado or New York Insurance Commissioner, as applicable, with any information or reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement which such Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the variable life operations of Insurer are being conducted in a manner consistent with the applicable Colorado or New York insurance regulations, as applicable, and any other applicable law or regulations.

 

12.6.    Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in a forum jointly selected by the relevant parties (but if applicable law requires some other forum, then such other forum) in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

 

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.

 

12.9.    Insurer is hereby expressly put on notice of the limitation of liability as set forth in the Declarations of Trust of the Fund and agree that the obligations assumed by the Fund, Distributor and the Adviser pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in any case to the Fund, Distributor and Adviser and their respective assets and Insurer shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders of the Fund, Distributor or the Adviser, the Trustees, officers, employees or agents of the Fund, Distributor or Adviser, or any of them.

 

12.10.  The Fund, the Distributor and the Adviser agree that the obligations assumed by Insurer pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited in any case to Insurer and its assets and neither the Fund, Distributor nor Adviser shall seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the shareholders of Insurer, the directors, officers, employees or agents of Insurer, or any of them, except to the extent permitted under this Agreement.

 

12.11.  No provision of this Agreement may be deemed or construed to modify or supersede any contractual rights, duties, or indemnifications, as between the Adviser and the Fund, and the Distributor and the Fund.

 

12.12.  None of the parties hereto shall be liable to the other for any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, counsel fees, payments, expenses or liability due to any failure, delay or interruption in performing its obligations under this Agreement, and without the fault or negligence of such party, due to causes or conditions beyond its control including, without limitation, labor disputes, strikes (whether legal or illegal), lock outs (whether legal or illegal), civil commotion, riots, war and war-like operations including acts of terrorism, embargoes, epidemics, invasion, rebellion, hostilities, insurrections, explosions, floods, unusually severe weather conditions, earthquakes, military power, sabotage, governmental regulations or controls, failure of power, fire or other casualty, accidents, national or local emergencies, boycotts, picketing, slow-downs, work stoppages, acts of God or natural disasters.

 

 

 

 

[Remainder of page intentionally blank; signature page to follow.]

 

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 specified below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE A

 

Designated Portfolios

 

 

And any other portfolios of the Fund that are available and open to new investors on or after the effective date of this Agreement.

 

Separate Accounts

 

 

Reports per Section 6.6

 

With regard to the reports relating to the quarterly testing of compliance with the requirements of Section 817(h) and Subchapter M under the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and the regulations thereunder, the Fund shall provide within twenty (20) business days of the close of the calendar quarter a report to Insurer in the Form B1 attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, regarding the status under such sections of the Code of the Designated Portfolio(s), and if necessary, identification of any remedial action to be taken to remedy non-compliance.

 

With regard to the reports relating to the year-end testing of compliance with the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code, referred to hereinafter as "RIC status," the Fund will provide the reports on the following basis: (i) the last quarter's quarterly reports can be supplied within the 20-day period, and (ii) a year-end report will be provided 45 business days after the end of the calendar year. However, if a problem with regard to RIC status, as defined below, is identified in the third quarter report, on a weekly basis, starting the first week of December, additional interim reports will be provided specially addressing the problems identified in the third quarter report. If any interim report memorializes the cure of the problem, subsequent interim reports will not be required.

 

A problem with regard to RIC status is defined as any violation of the following standards, as referenced to the applicable sections of the Code:

(a) Less than ninety percent of gross income is derived from sources of income specified in Section 851(b)(2);

 

(b) Less than fifty percent of the value of total assets consists of assets specified in Section 851(b)(3)(A); and

 

(c) No more than twenty-five percent of the value of total assets is invested in the securities of one issuer, as that requirement is set forth in Section 851(b)(3)(B).

 

 

 

 

For the quarter ended:

 

I,                                 , a duly authorized officer, director or agent of                       Fund hereby swear and affirm that                                      Fund is in compliance with all requirements of Section 817(h) and Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and the regulations thereunder as required in the Fund Participation Agreement among Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, and                                                    other than the exceptions discussed below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Type or Print Name and Title/Position)

 

 

SCHEDULE C

 

EXPENSES

 

The Fund and/or the Distributor and/or Adviser, and Insurer will coordinate the functions and pay the costs of completing these functions based upon an allocation of costs in the tables below. Costs shall be allocated to reflect the Fund's share of the total costs determined according to the number of pages of the Fund's respective portions of the documents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE D

 

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

 

 

 

 

Administrative Service Fee

 

For the services, Insurer or its affiliate shall receive a fee of x.xx% per annum of the average aggregate monthly net asset value of shares of the Designated Portfolio(s) held in the Account, including through Profile or other fund of funds arrangements, payable by the Adviser directly to Insurer or its affiliate. Such fee shall be paid in arrears quarterly. Each quarter’s fee shall be determined based on assets in the Account at the end of each quarter and each quarterly fee will be independent of every other quarterly fee. Such fee shall be due and payable automatically within thirty (30) days after the last day of the quarter to which such payment relates. In the event such fee is not paid by such time, interest, in addition to the amount due, at the rate of six (6)% annually (or ½ of one (1) percent per month outstanding pro rated for any applicable period if less than one year) shall be payable and owed until payment is made.

 

The Fund will calculate the asset balance for each day on which the fee is to be paid pursuant to this Amendment with respect to each applicable portfolio of the Fund. Insurer shall have the right to reasonably audit the preparation of such calculation.

 

The administrative service fee described herein shall remain payable and due so long as there remain any assets invested in the Fund, regardless of any termination of the Agreements, in any manner by the Accounts as contemplated by the Agreements, as amended herein. The Fund may modify the rate of the administrative service fee only with 120 days’ written notice to Insurer prior to the end of any calendar year, with any such revised rate becoming effective as of the 1^st of January following any such calendar year.

 

 

 

12b-1 Distribution Related Fees

 

The Adviser, or its designee, agrees to pay Insurer or its affiliate a fee x.xx% per annum of the average aggregate monthly net asset value of shares of the Designated Portfolio(s) held in the Account, including through Profile or other fund of funds arrangements. Such fee shall be paid in arrears, quarterly. Each quarter’s fee shall be determined based on assets in the Account at the end of each quarter and each quarterly fee will be independent of every other quarterly fee. Such fee shall be due and payable automatically within 30 (thirty) days after the last day of the quarter to which such payment relates. In the event such fee is not paid by such time, interest, in addition to the amount due above, at the rate of six percent (6%) annually (or ½ of one (1) percent per month outstanding pro rated for any applicable period if less than one year) shall be payable and owed by the Distributor [whoever is authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid by the Fund pursuant to the 12b-1 plan] out of its own profits until payment is made.

 

The Fund will calculate the asset balance for each day on which the fee is to be paid pursuant to this Amendment with respect to each applicable portfolio of the Fund. Insurer shall have the right to reasonably audit the preparation of such calculation.

 

The 12b-1 distribution fee described above shall remain payable and due so long as there remain any assets invested in the Fund, in any manner by the Accounts as contemplated by the Agreements, as amended herein, and shall only be subject to termination in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.

 

Soft Dollar Trading

 

The Adviser, or its designee, agrees to place transactions through GWFS and in return receive the amount of x.xx% of the average monthly net asset value of shares of the Fund or its Portfolios held in Omnibus Accounts, including through Profile Series or other “funds of funds.”

 

Finder’s Fees

 

The Adviser, or its designee, agrees to pay GWFS the greater of x.xx% of premium for the first year or $xx.xx as a one time set up fee to defray the initial set-up costs of providing the Fund or its Portfolios to a Plan.

 

Marketing and Advertising Fees

 

The Adviser, or its designee, agrees to pay GWFS an annual fee per fund as itemized below. Such flat fee shall be paid in quarterly installments

 

 

 

Electronic Prospectus Services

 

The Adviser, or its designee, agrees to pay GWFS an annual fee of $2.00 per individual account maintained by GWFS. Such fee shall paid in quarterly installments, in arrears, based upon the most recent quarter’s number of actively funded Accounts.

 

Recordkeeping Fees

 

The Adviser agrees to pay GWFS an annual fee of x.xx% of the average aggregate monthly net asset value of shares of the Fund or its Portfolios held in Omnibus Accounts, including through Profile Series or other “funds of funds.” Such fee shall be paid in arrears, quarterly. Each quarter’s fee shall be determined based on assets in the account at the end of each quarter an each quarterly fee will be independent of every other quarterly fee.

 

 

SCHEDULE E

 

NON-COMPETE PROVISIONS

 

Insurer intends to offer Fund, ________ and ____________, as applicable, access to its, or its affiliates’ or its parent company’s (each, a “Company,” collectively, the “Companies”) current and prospective customers (hereinafter "Customers") so that Customers will have the option of purchasing the Designated Portfolio shares of the Fund. Fund, _________ and _______, as applicable, desires to make the Designated Portfolio(s) available to Customers, yet acknowledges that under certain circumstances, the ability of Fund, _________ or _________, as applicable, to solicit business from Customers should be subject to special limitations in exchange for the increased ability to offer its product through a Company’s introduction. An introduction will consist of a Company’s inclusion of the Designated Portfolio(s) in the Retirement Plan Product offered to a Customer for that Customer’s consideration.

 

A Company may decide in its discretion when it desires to provide an introduction to one of its Customers. A Company has no obligation to provide introductions to its Customers.