Exhibit 7
AUTOMATIC INDEMNITY REINSURANCE AGREEMENT AMENDED AND RESTATED
AS OF JANUARY 31, 2008
CEDING COMPANY: THE LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(hereinafter referred to as the "Ceding Company")
REINSURER: LINCOLN NATIONAL REINSURANCE COMPANY (BARBADOS) LIMITED
(hereinafter referred to as the "Reinsurer")
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2003
AMENDMENT DATE: January 31, 2008
Commencing on the Effective Date and any Amendment Date thereafter, the Ceding
Company will submit and the Reinsurer agrees to accept the Ceding Company's
Guaranteed Benefit (GB) risks as defined in Schedule A, associated with the
Contracts listed in Schedule B, subject to the provisions of this Agreement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS 1
ARTICLE II AUTOMATIC REINSURANCE 2
ARTICLE III PREMIUMS, PAYMENTS, EXPENSES AND REPORTING 3
ARTICLE IV ERRORS 5
ARTICLE V FORMS 5
ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS 5
ARTICLE VII RECAPTURE PRIVILEGE 6
ARTICLE VIII AUDIT AND INSPECTION 6
ARTICLE IX CONFIDENTIALITY 7
ARTICLE X INSOLVENCY 8
ARTICLE XI PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT 8
ARTICLE XII DURATION AND TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT 9
ARTICLE XIII RESERVE CREDIT 9
ARTICLE XIV ARBITRATION 13
ARTICLE XV DEFERRED ACQUISITION COST TAX ELECTION 14
ARTICLE XVI ENTIRE AGREEMENT 14
ARTICLE XVII MISCELLANEOUS 15
SCHEDULE A GB REINSURANCE BENEFITS 19
SCHEDULE B CONTRACTS WITH ACCEPTED COVERAGES 20
SCHEDULE C PREMIUM RATE SCHEDULE 21
SCHEDULE D REPORTS 23
SCHEDULE E ARBITRATION 24
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ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
AGREEMENT means this Automatic Indemnity Reinsurance Agreement.
AMENDMENT DATE is January 31, 2008
BASE REINSURANCE PREMIUM(S) means the premium so designated and calculated as
described in Schedule C.
CEDING COMPANY means The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION means any and all information acquired by the Reinsurer
or the Ceding Company prior or subsequent to the execution of this Agreement
with the exception of either information readily available in the public domain
or information acquired from sources other than the other party.
CONTRACT(S) means those specific annuity contracts enumerated in Schedule B.
EFFECTIVE DATE is July 1, 2003
EPRC means Reinsurer's expense, profit and risk charge, calculated as described
in Article III, Section 5.
GAAP RESERVE(S) means the Ceding Company's net reserves calculated using U.S.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") before reinsurance under this
Agreement, less the Ceding Company's net reserves for GAAP purposes after
reinsurance under this Agreement.
INDIVIDUAL POLICY means a Contract issued to a contractholder.
GB means Guaranteed Benefits and refers specifically to those guaranteed minimum
death benefits and guaranteed living benefits specified in Schedule A.
LNAR means the living net amount at risk and is equal to the greater of the
living benefit if provided for in the Contract minus the account value and zero.
MATERIAL CHANGE means a modification to a practice, procedure or condition that
a prudent insurance executive would consider as likely to impact on experience
under this Agreement.
MNAR means the mortality net amount at risk and is equal to the greater of the
death benefit provided for in the Contract minus the account value and zero.
REINSURER is Lincoln National Reinsurance Company (Barbados) Limited
STATUTORY RESERVE(S) means the Ceding Company's net reserves for Indiana
insurance regulatory purposes before reinsurance under this Agreement, less the
Ceding Company's net reserves for
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Indiana insurance regulatory purposes after reinsurance under this Agreement.
For purposes of this Agreement, Statutory Reserves shall be computed on a basis
consistent with the Ceding Company's Indiana insurance regulatory reporting
valuation practices as of July 1, 2003. In particular, Statutory Reserves for
guaranteed minimum death benefit risks issued prior to June 2, 2003 shall be
computed without making a worst case assumption of maximum account value
withdrawals when applying Actuarial Guideline XXXIV.
TREATY RESERVE(S) means the greater of the GAAP Reserve(s) and the Statutory
Reserve(s).
TRUST ACCOUNT means the account established pursuant to the Trust Agreement.
TRUST AGREEMENT means that trust agreement among the Reinsurer, as grantor, the
Ceding Company, as beneficiary, and Bank of New York, as trustee, entered into
contemporaneously with this Agreement pursuant to Article XIII, Section 2,
including any amendments and successor agreements thereto.
TRUSTEE means Bank of New York and its successors as trustee, if any, pursuant
to the Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE II
AUTOMATIC REINSURANCE
1. CESSION
Beginning with the Effective Date of this Agreement, the Ceding Company
will cede and the Reinsurer will accept, subject to the limits and
conditions set forth in this Agreement and the attached Schedules,
reinsurance of a quota share equal to 100% of the GB risks attached to the
Contracts as specified in Schedule B, except that, in the case of Contracts
with the LINCOLN SMARTSECURITY(R) Advantage-1 Year Automatic Reset, Single
and Joint Life, with Lifetime Withdrawals rider, the quota share shall
equal 50% of those GB risks effective as of July 1, 2007 and thereafter.
2. COVERAGE
This Agreement covers the Ceding Company's liability for all GB liabilities
issued by the Ceding Company, as contained in the Contracts enumerated in
Schedule B. It does not include any liability arising under the Contracts
other than those specifically attributable to GB claims.
3. NEW ANNUITY CONTRACTS OR REVISIONS
The Ceding Company may cede to the Reinsurer liability for GB claims with
respect to a new annuity contract, or a revised version of an annuity
contract where such revision affects the calculation of the GB risks,
simply by providing the Reinsurer with written notice of such intention
together with a copy of the proposed annuity contract, or revision. Unless
the Reinsurer rejects the changes in writing within thirty (30) days after
receipt of the additions
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and revisions, such additions and revisions shall automatically be included
in this Agreement. Schedules A and B shall be updated as necessary to
reflect the addition of Contracts and revisions to Contracts covered under
this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Reinsurer retains the
right to terminate this Agreement as to new business according to the terms
of Article XII, Section 2.
ARTICLE III
PREMIUMS, PAYMENTS, EXPENSES
AND REPORTING
1. REINSURANCE PREMIUMS
Both the Initial Reinsurance Premium and the Base Reinsurance Premium shall
be determined in accordance with Schedule C. Reinsurance premiums shall be
paid monthly in arrears.
2. OFFSET
Any debts or credits, regardless of how, when or where they arose or were
incurred, in favor of or against either the Ceding Company or the Reinsurer
shall be offset and only the balance allowed or paid. If either the Ceding
Company or the Reinsurer is under formal delinquency proceedings, this
right of offset shall be subject to the laws of the state exercising
primary jurisdiction over such delinquency proceedings. The application of
this offset provision shall not be deemed to constitute diminution of
liability in the event of insolvency of either party.
3. REIMBURSEMENT OF LOSSES
A. All reinsurance claims settlements are subject to the terms and
conditions of the Individual Policy under which the Ceding Company is
liable. The Reinsurer shall accept the Ceding Company's good faith
settlement of all GB claims under the Contracts. When requested, the
Ceding Company shall provide the Reinsurer with copies of any
documentation within the Ceding Company's possession with respect to
specific GB claims under the Contracts or with respect to items used
to compute amounts contained in the accounting reports.
B. The Reinsurer shall pay losses as of the end of the month immediately
following the month when the losses are incurred.
4. REPORTS
Each party shall prepare periodic reports as described in Schedule D and
submit these to the other party within thirty (30) days of the end of each
month. Amounts due to or from the parties shall be netted and only net
amounts paid. If an amount is due the Reinsurer, it shall be paid by the
due date of the report. If an amount is due the Ceding Company, it shall be
paid within thirty (30) days of receipt of the report. If, subsequent to
the Effective Date, either party determines that it needs additional
reports from the other party, it shall provide a
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written request to the other party detailing its business needs for the
additional report. If the other party does not object in writing within 30
days of receiving such a request, then Schedule D shall be updated to
include such report in the list of those to be provided on a regular basis.
The Ceding Company will provide the Reinsurer with information necessary to
properly account for the business reinsured, as specified in this
Agreement.
5. EXPENSE, PROFIT AND RISK CHARGE
The Reinsurer will be entitled to a payment for EPRC as calculated pursuant
to the terms of Schedule C, payable monthly in arrears.
6. TERMINAL SETTLEMENTS
In the event this Agreement is terminated or part or all of the business
reinsured under this Agreement is recaptured pursuant to Article VII, an
accounting and settlement as to any balance due under this Agreement shall
be undertaken by the parties. The net payment to the Ceding Company shall
be an amount of cash equal to the Treaty Reserves related to the portion of
the business being reclaimed by the Ceding Company less any applicable
reinsurance premiums and EPRC due and not paid on the portion of the
business being reclaimed plus any losses due and not paid on the portion of
the business being reclaimed.
7. CLAIMS, EXPENSES AND EXTRA-CONTRACTUAL DAMAGES
Expenses incurred by the Ceding Company in settling, defending or
investigating a claim for Individual Policy liability or in taking up or
rescinding an Individual Policy reinsured under this Agreement shall be
covered under this Agreement, but in no event shall the following
categories of expenses or liabilities be covered under this Agreement:
A. routine investigative or administrative expenses;
B. expenses incurred in connection with a dispute or contest arising out
of the conflicting claims of entitlement to Policy proceeds or
benefits which the Ceding Company admits are payable;
C. expenses, fees, settlements or judgments arising out of, related to or
in connection with claims against the Ceding Company for
consequential, compensatory, punitive or exemplary damages; and
D. expenses, fees, settlements or judgments arising out of, related to or
in connection with claims against the Ceding Company and based on
alleged or actual bad faith, failure to exercise good faith, or
tortious conduct.
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8. ALL SETTLEMENTS IN CASH
Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, all
settlements of account between the Ceding Company and the Reinsurer shall
be made in cash or cash equivalents.
ARTICLE IV
ERRORS
This Agreement will not be abrogated by the failure of either the Ceding Company
or the Reinsurer to comply with any of the terms of this Agreement if it is
shown that said failure was unintentional and the result of a misunderstanding,
oversight or clerical error on the part of either the Ceding Company or the
Reinsurer. Both parties will be returned to the position they would have
occupied had no such oversight, misunderstanding or clerical error occurred. No
interest shall be paid on errors.
ARTICLE V
FORMS
Upon request, the Ceding Company will furnish the Reinsurer with any specimen
copies of its applications, forms, and any tables of rates and values which may
be required for the proper administration of the business reinsured under this
Agreement, and will keep the Reinsurer informed with proper documentation as to
any modifications or new forms which would be required for the proper
administration of reinsurance under this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES
AND COVENANTS
1. CHANGES TO CEDING COMPANY PROCEDURES
Except as set forth in Article VI, Section 2 below, during the term of this
Agreement the Ceding Company shall not permit a Material Change to the
Ceding Company's:
A. normal underwriting practices and procedures when issuing
Contracts with GB risks, particularly with regard to policy
coverages and benefits, classes of persons insured and
requirements for medical examinations and other underwriting
information;
B. normal practices and procedures of investigating and
administering claims; and
C. method of determining any value used to compute net retained
claims.
2. CONSENT TO CHANGES IN CEDING COMPANY PROCEDURES
The Ceding Company shall promptly notify the Reinsurer in writing of its
intent to take any action which, if performed, would breach one or more of
the covenants contained in Article
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VI, Section 1. If the Reinsurer determines that such action would not
adversely affect its economic interests under this Agreement, it shall
consent in writing to the action by the Ceding Company.
3. HOLDING COMPANY ACT
The Ceding Company represents that it has reviewed I.C. Section 27-1-23-4
and has determined that as of the Effective Date this Agreement will not
constitute a material reinsurance agreement, for purposes of that statute.
ARTICLE VII
RECAPTURE PRIVILEGE
1. If the Agreement has been terminated as to new business by either party
pursuant to Article XII Section 2, then the Ceding Company may recapture
the GB risks in full and terminate this Agreement on thirty (30) days
written notice to the Reinsurer.
2. The Ceding Company retains the right to recapture portions of the reinsured
business at any time when the Reinsurer's cumulative EPRC equal at least
$250,000 upon thirty (30) days written notice to the Reinsurer. In order to
exercise this right, the Ceding Company must recapture all of the specified
risks within clearly defined ranges of any combination of the following
categories: attained age, duration from issue, gender, type of benefit, and
amount of MNAR or LNAR. If requested by the Ceding Company, the Reinsurer
agrees to provide a new reinsurance quote reflecting the then current
market conditions for automatic yearly renewable term reinsurance for the
business reinsured. Such quote will be provided within thirty (30) days of
the notice of recapture. The Ceding Company is under no obligation to
accept such quote, and any reinsurance provided under such a quote shall be
subject to the negotiation and execution by both parties of a reinsurance
agreement acceptable to both parties.
3. In the event that more than 50% of the stock of the Reinsurer is ever held
by an individual or entity who is not affiliated with the Ceding Company,
then the Ceding Company may recapture the GB risks in full and terminate
this Agreement on thirty (30) days written notice to the Reinsurer. The
Reinsurer is obligated to provide the Ceding Company with written notice
immediately upon the transfer of 50% or more of its stock to an individual
or entity who is not affiliated with the Ceding Company.
ARTICLE VIII
AUDIT AND INSPECTION
1. The Reinsurer may audit, at any reasonable time and at its own expense, all
records and procedures relating to reinsurance under this Agreement. The
Ceding Company shall cooperate in the audit, including providing at the
office of the Reinsurer any information requested by the Reinsurer in
advance of the audit.
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2. Each party, or its duly authorized representative, shall have access at any
reasonable time during regular business hours to the original and any
non-identical copies of all electronic and hard copy papers, books, records
and documents relating or referring to, connected with or affecting
reinsurance under this Agreement that are within the possession or control
of the other party.
ARTICLE IX
CONFIDENTIALITY
The Reinsurer and the Ceding Company may come into the possession or knowledge
of Confidential Information of either party in fulfilling their obligations
under this Agreement. The Reinsurer and the Ceding Company agree to hold such
information in confidence and to take all reasonable steps to ensure that such
Confidential Information is not disclosed in any form by any means by its
employees or third parties of any kind, except by advance written authorization
by an officer of the Reinsurer or the Ceding Company; provided however, that the
Reinsurer and the Ceding Company will be deemed to have satisfied their
obligations as to the Confidential Information by protecting its confidentiality
in the same manner that they would protect their own proprietary or confidential
information of like kind which will be at least a reasonable manner or, if it is
determined that such disclosure is necessary in order to avoid a violation or
potential violation of legal obligations in accordance with the following:
If the Reinsurer or the Ceding Company, their employees, directors or advisers
are requested or required (by oral questions, interrogatories, requests for
information or documents, subpoena, civil investigative demand or similar
process) to disclose Confidential Information, it will promptly notify the other
party in writing. The party notified will promptly determine whether to contest
such attempted discovery by legal means or to waive compliance by the notifying
party with the terms of this Agreement. If, in the opinion of its counsel, the
Reinsurer or the Ceding Company is subject to contempt, sanction or other
penalty for failure to disclose the requested Confidential Information, it may,
without violating the terms of this Agreement, disclose only that portion of the
Confidential Information that counsel advises is legally required to be
disclosed, provided that it exercises all reasonable efforts to preserve the
confidentiality of such information, including, without limitation, by
cooperating with the Reinsurer or the Ceding Company in obtaining a protective
order or other reliable assurance that the Confidential Information will be
protected from redisclosure, provided, however, that all expenses of such
efforts (other than allocated costs of home office employees at such location)
shall be borne by the party whose confidential information is sought to be
disclosed.
Notwithstanding anything in this Article IX to the contrary, both the Ceding
Company and the Reinsurer (and each employee, representative, or other agent of
either of them) may disclose to any and all persons, without limitation of any
kind, the tax treatment and tax structure contemplated by this Agreement and all
materials of any kind (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are
provided to either the Ceding Company or the Reinsurer relating to such tax
treatment and tax structure.
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ARTICLE X
INSOLVENCY
1. In the event of the insolvency of the Ceding Company, reinsurance shall be
payable on the basis of reported claims allowed in liquidation proceedings
against the Ceding Company, subject to the Reinsurer's right of offset
provided in Article III, Section 2, and subject to court approval, without
diminution because of the insolvency of the Ceding Company. Payments shall
be made directly to the Ceding Company or its domiciliary liquidator,
except as provided in I.C. 27-9-3-30.1.
2. In the event of the insolvency of the Ceding Company, the domiciliary
liquidator, receiver or statutory successor of the Ceding Company shall
give the Reinsurer written notice of the pendency of a claim on a Contract
made against the Reinsurer within a reasonable time after such claim is
filed in the liquidation proceeding. During the pendency of the claim, the
Reinsurer may investigate the claim and interpose in the proceeding where
such claim is to be adjudicated at its own expense, any defenses that the
Reinsurer considers available to the Ceding Company or its liquidator,
receiver or statutory successor. If two or more assuming insurers are
involved in the same claim and a majority in interest elect to interpose a
defense to the claim, the claim shall be apportioned under the terms of the
reinsurance agreement as though the expense had been incurred by the Ceding
Company.
3. A proportionate share of the expense thus incurred by the Reinsurer shall
be charged, subject to court approval, against the Ceding Company as part
of the expense of liquidation, commensurate with the benefit which may
accrue to the Ceding Company as a result of the defense undertaken by the
Reinsurer.
4. The Reinsurer's liability will not increase as a result of the insolvency
of the Ceding Company.
5. In the event of the insolvency of the Reinsurer, the liability of the
Reinsurer shall not terminate but shall continue with respect to the
reinsurance ceded to the Reinsurer by the Ceding Company prior to the date
of such insolvency, and the Ceding Company shall continue to have a
security interest in any and all sums held by or under deposit in the name
of the Reinsurer.
ARTICLE XI
PARTIES TO THE AGREEMENT
This is an Agreement for indemnity reinsurance solely between the Ceding Company
and the Reinsurer. The acceptance of reinsurance hereunder will not create any
right or legal relation whatsoever between the Reinsurer and any annuitant,
contract owner, or beneficiary under any contracts of the Ceding Company which
may be reinsured hereunder. In no instance shall anyone other than the Ceding
Company or the Reinsurer have any rights under this Agreement.
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ARTICLE XII
DURATION AND TERMINATION OF
AGREEMENT
1. Except as otherwise provided, this Agreement is unlimited in duration.
2. This Agreement can be terminated for new business by either the Ceding
Company or the Reinsurer, subject to thirty (30) days advance written
notice.
3. The Reinsurer may terminate this Agreement if the Ceding Company breaches a
covenant contained in Article VI, Section 1, and the Reinsurer does not
otherwise consent as provided for in Article VI, Section 2.
4. The Ceding Company may terminate this Agreement if the Ceding Company is
unable to secure reserve credit as described in Article XIII, Section 1.
5. This Agreement is automatically terminated when all GB risks terminate.
ARTICLE XIII
RESERVE CREDIT
1. RESERVE CREDIT
It is the intention of the Ceding Company and the Reinsurer that the Ceding
Company receive full statutory accounting credit for reinsurance ceded to
the Reinsurer pursuant to this Agreement in all jurisdictions in which the
Ceding Company is authorized to do business or accredited as a reinsurer.
In addition to the requirements of other provisions of this Agreement, the
Reinsurer agrees to take any other steps necessary for the Ceding Company
to receive such statutory accounting treatment. If, despite its best
efforts, the Reinsurer is unable or fails to comply with the terms of this
section, it shall immediately notify the Ceding Company, and the Ceding
Company shall have the right to terminate this Agreement and recapture all
reinsurance hereunder pursuant to Articles VII and XII.
2. TRUST
In order to meet its obligations in Article XIII, Section 1, the Reinsurer
shall enter into a trust agreement with the Ceding Company, as beneficiary,
and Bank of New York, as Trustee, pursuant to which the Reinsurer, as
grantor, shall establish a Trust Account with the Trustee for the sole use,
benefit and security of the Ceding Company for the payment of valid claims
of the Ceding Company's United States policyholders and ceding insurers,
their assigns, and successors in interest. The Reinsurer and the Trust
Account shall comply with the applicable provisions of I.C. 27-6-10-14 as
well as the relevant provisions of other states' laws, and the Trust
Account shall be managed and maintained according to the following
additional terms and conditions:
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A. Prior to depositing assets with the Trustee, the Reinsurer shall
execute assignments, endorsements in blank, or transfer legal title to
the Trustee of all shares, obligations or any other assets requiring
assignments, and take any other steps required in order that the
Ceding Company, or the Trustee upon the direction of the Ceding
Company, may whenever necessary, negotiate any such assets without
consent or signature from the Reinsurer or any other person or entity.
B. From time to time, but no less frequently than monthly, the Ceding
Company shall deposit the Reinsurer's share of premium payments (net
of commissions) received by it for insuring the GB risks attributable
to the Contracts directly into the Trust Account. Deposit by the
Ceding Company of premium payments directly into the Trust Account
shall constitute payment by the Ceding Company of premiums to the
Reinsurer pursuant to Article III, Section 1, and, subject to monthly
reconciliations, shall satisfy the Ceding Company's obligation to pay
such premiums to the Reinsurer.
C. The assets in the Trust Account shall be invested and reinvested by
the Reinsurer so as to satisfy its obligation to ensure that the
Ceding Company receives full statutory accounting credit for
reinsurance ceded to the Reinsurer in all jurisdictions in which the
Ceding Company is authorized to do business or accredited as a
reinsurer. All investments shall be limited to those permitted by
Indiana law.
D. If, at the end of any calendar quarter, the Statutory Reserve for the
Reinsurer's share of the GB risks on the Contracts exceeds the fair
market value of assets in the Trust Account, the Reinsurer shall
deposit cash or securities eligible under the Reinsurer's Guidelines
in an amount equal to the shortfall into the Trust Account, or furnish
one or more letters of credit consistent with the terms of Article
XIII, Section 3. However, if at the end of any calendar quarter the
fair market value of assets in the Trust Account exceeds the Statutory
Reserve required for the Reinsurer's share of the GB risks, the
Reinsurer may request that the Ceding Company execute a "Withdrawal
Notice" (as that term is defined in the Trust Agreement) providing for
an amount not greater than such excess to be withdrawn from the Trust
Account by the Ceding Company and delivered to the Reinsurer,
consistent with applicable legal requirements. The Ceding Company
shall execute the Withdrawal Notice and forward it promptly to the
Trustee. In addition, the Reinsurer shall have the discretion to add
additional amounts to the Trust Account or to refrain from withdrawing
excess funds from the Trust Account. All withdrawals of assets from
the Trust shall be made by the Ceding Company.
E. The Reinsurer shall pay all trustee and custodial fees for the Trust
Account. Assets in the Trust Account shall not be used to pay any such
fees.
F. The Ceding Company and the Reinsurer agree that the assets in the
Trust Account may be withdrawn by the Ceding Company at any time,
notwithstanding any provisions in this Agreement to the contrary. In
order to withdraw funds the
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Ceding Company shall execute a Withdrawal Notice and forward it to the
Trustee. Any such withdrawals shall be applied only for the following
purposes:
(i) to reimburse the Ceding Company for the Reinsurer's share of
premiums returned to the Policyholders on account of
cancellations of such policies;
(ii) to reimburse the Ceding Company for the Reinsurer's share of
surrenders and benefits or losses paid by the Ceding Company
pursuant to the provisions of the policies reinsured under this
Agreement;
(iii) to fund an account with the Ceding Company in an amount at least
equal to the deduction, for reinsurance ceded, from the Ceding
Company's liabilities for policies ceded under this Agreement.
Such account shall include, but not be limited to, amounts for
policy reserves, reserves for claims and losses incurred
(including losses incurred but not reported), loss adjustment
expenses, and unearned premiums; and
(iv) to pay any other amounts the Ceding Company claims are due under
this Agreement.
The foregoing limitation on the use of withdrawn funds shall apply to
the Ceding Company or any successor, including, without limitation,
any liquidator, rehabilitator, receiver or conservator of the Ceding
Company, and shall apply without diminution because of insolvency on
the part of the Ceding Company or the Reinsurer.
G. In the event: (1) the Ceding Company terminates this Agreement and
recaptures the GB risks pursuant to Article VII, Section 1 but the
Reinsurer fails to pay the Ceding Company the recapture settlement
amount due, if any, on the next business day following the end of the
recapture notification period; (2) the Ceding Company terminates this
Agreement or this Agreement terminates automatically pursuant to any
of the provisions set forth in Article XII; or (3) the Reinsurer fails
to pay any amount for a terminal accounting and settlement when such
amount is due pursuant to Article III, Section 6, the Ceding Company
may withdraw all or a portion of the assets from the Trust Account.
H. Transfers to the Ceding Company by the Trustee of cash and equivalent
assets withdrawn from the Trust Account pursuant to Subsection F above
shall constitute payment by the Reinsurer pursuant to this Agreement
and shall discharge the Reinsurer of the obligation which gave rise to
the withdrawal.
I. The Reinsurer shall not retrocede any portion of any GB risk covered
by this Agreement in a manner: (1) which would require the transfer of
assets from the Trust Account or of assets which would otherwise have
been deposited into the Trust Account to the retrocessionaire; or (2)
which would otherwise diminish the Ceding Company's claim to or
interest in such assets.
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J. Assets deposited in the Trust Account shall be valued according to
their current fair market value, and shall consist only of cash,
certificates of deposit, and investments of the types permitted by the
Indiana Insurance Code, or any combination thereof, and such
investments shall under no circumstances include issues made by an
entity that is a parent, subsidiary or affiliate of either the Ceding
Company or the Reinsurer.
3. LETTERS OF CREDIT
A. If, for any reason, at the end of a calendar quarter the assets held
in the Trust Account described in Article XIII, Section 2 are not
adequate to satisfy the Reinsurer's obligation contained in Article
XIII, Section 1, then the Reinsurer shall be the applicant for, and
shall provide the Ceding Company with letters of credit made payable
to the Ceding Company in an amount sufficient to meet such obligation,
after taking into account the assets already contained in the Trust
Account. The amount of such letters of credit shall be adjusted
periodically so that the amount of such letters of credit is at least
equal to the amount specified in this subsection as of the last day of
each calendar quarter. Any letters of credit entered into pursuant to
this subsection shall comply with all applicable laws, including but
not limited to the insurance laws of the State of Indiana.
B. The Reinsured and the Ceding Company agree that any letters of credit
provided by the Reinsurer may be drawn upon by the Ceding Company at
any time, notwithstanding any other provisions in this Agreement, and
be utilized and applied by the Ceding Company or any successor by
operation of law of the Ceding Company, including, without limitation,
any liquidator, rehabilitator, receiver or conservator of the Ceding
Company, without diminution because of insolvency on the part of the
Ceding Company or the Reinsurer, only for the following purposes:
i. to reimburse the Ceding Company for the Reinsurer's share of
premiums returned to owners of Contracts reinsured under this
Agreement on account of cancellations of GB benefits;
ii. to reimburse the Ceding Company for the Reinsurer's share of
surrenders and benefits or losses paid by the Ceding Company
under the terms and provisions of the Contracts reinsured under
this Agreement;
iii. to fund an account with the Ceding Company in an amount at least
equal to the deduction, for reinsurance ceded, from the Ceding
Company's liabilities for Contracts ceded under this Agreement;
and
iv. to pay any other amounts the Ceding Company claims are due under
this Agreement.
C. The Ceding Company agrees to return promptly to the Reinsurer any
amounts drawn on such letters of credit in excess of the actual
amounts required for
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Subparagraphs B(i), B(ii), and B(iii), above, or in the case of
Subparagraph B(iv), above, any amounts that are subsequently
determined to be in excess of the amounts due.
D. Payment to the Ceding Company by the issuing banks of amounts drawn on
the letters of credit pursuant to Subparagraphs B(i), B(ii) and B(iv),
above, shall constitute payment by the Reinsurer pursuant to this
Agreement and shall discharge the Reinsurer of the obligation which
gave rise to the draw, provided however the Reinsurer may later
contest whether it had failed to reimburse or pay the Ceding Company
as required by this Agreement.
4. JURISDICTION ISSUES
To the extent necessary to comply with Indiana Code section 27-6-10-12 or
otherwise meet its obligations pursuant to Article XIII, Section 1, the
Reinsurer hereby agrees to the following:
A. In the event that the Reinsurer fails to perform its obligations under
the terms of this Agreement, the Reinsurer, at the request of the
Ceding Company shall:
(i) submit to the jurisdiction of any court with jurisdiction in any state
of the United States;
(ii) comply with all requirements necessary to give the court described in
clause (i) above jurisdiction;
(iii) abide by the final decision of the court or of any appellate court in
the event of an appeal; and
(iv) designate the commissioner or an attorney licensed in, and having
offices in, Indiana as its true and lawful attorney upon whom may be
served any lawful process in any action, suit, or proceeding
instituted by or on behalf of the Ceding Company.
B. This Article XIII, Section 4 is not intended to conflict with or
override the obligation of the parties to arbitrate their disputes
pursuant to Article XIV.
ARTICLE XIV
ARBITRATION
1. ARBITRATION
If the Ceding Company and the Reinsurer cannot mutually resolve a dispute
regarding the interpretation or operation of this Agreement, the dispute
shall be decided through arbitration as set forth in Schedule E. The
arbitrators shall base their decision on the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, plus, as necessary, on the customs and practices of the
insurance and reinsurance industry rather than solely on a strict
interpretation of the
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applicable law. There shall be no appeal from their decision, except that
either party may petition a court having jurisdiction over the parties and
the subject matter to reduce the arbitrator's decision to judgment.
2. FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT
The parties intend this article to be enforceable in accordance with the
Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C., Section 1) including any amendments to
that Act which are subsequently adopted. In the event that either party
refuses to submit to arbitration as required by paragraph 1, the other
party may request a United States Federal District Court to compel
arbitration in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act. Both parties
consent to the jurisdiction of such court to enforce this article and to
confirm and enforce the performance of any award of the arbitrators.
ARTICLE XV
DEFERRED ACQUISITION COST
TAX ELECTION
1. The Reinsurer and the Ceding Company each acknowledge that it is subject to
taxation under Subchapter "L" of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the
"Code").
2. With respect to this Agreement, the Reinsurer and the Ceding Company agree
to the following pursuant to Section 1.848-2(g)(8) of the Income Tax
Regulations, whereby:
A. Each party shall attach a schedule to its federal income tax return
which identifies this Agreement for which the joint election under the
Regulation has been made;
B. The party with net positive consideration, as defined in the
Regulation promulgated under Code Section 848, for this Agreement for
each taxable year, shall capitalize specified policy acquisition
expenses with respect to this Agreement without regard to the general
deductions limitation of Section 848(c)(1);
C. Each party agrees to exchange information pertaining to the amount of
net consideration under this Agreement each year to ensure
consistency; and
D. This election shall be effective for the year that this Agreement was
entered into and for all subsequent years that this Agreement remains
in effect.
ARTICLE XVI
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
1. This Agreement represents the entire agreement between the parties with
respect to the business being reinsured hereunder and supercedes any prior
oral or written agreement between the parties regarding its subject matter.
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2. Any changes or modifications to the Agreement will be null and void unless
made by amendment to the Agreement and signed by both parties.
3. A waiver of a right created by this Agreement shall constitute a waiver
only with respect to the particular circumstance for which it is given and
not a waiver of any future circumstance.
ARTICLE XVII
MISCELLANEOUS
1. CURRENCY
All currency will be payable in United States dollars.
2. HEADINGS AND SCHEDULES
Headings are not a part of this Agreement and shall not affect its terms.
The attached Schedules are a part of this Agreement.
3. NOTICES
All notices and communications hereunder shall be in writing and, except in
those instances when actual notice is required, shall be deemed given:
(a)(i) when delivered personally, (ii) when made or given via facsimile
transmission or electronic media, or (iii) when mailed by certified mail or
registered mail (return receipt requested); and (b) when addressed as
provided below.
All notices or communications to the Reinsurer under this Agreement shall
be addressed as follows:
▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
Chief Financial Officer
Lincoln National Reinsurance Company (Barbados) Limited
▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
All notices and communications to the Ceding Company under this Agreement
shall be directed to:
▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
Second Vice President
The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
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4. SEVERABILITY
If any term or provision of this Agreement shall be held void, illegal, or
unenforceable, the validity of the remaining portions or provisions shall
not be affected thereby.
5. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Indiana.
6. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior
written consent of the other. The provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective
successors and assigns.
7. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together
constitute but one and the same instrument.
8. AMENDMENT OR WAIVER
No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be
effective unless set forth in writing, signed by duly authorized officers
of the parties. A waiver shall constitute a waiver only with respect to the
particular circumstance for which it is given and not a waiver of any
future circumstance.
9. INTERPRETATION
For purposes of this Agreement, the words "hereof," "herein," "hereby," and
other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole unless
otherwise indicated. Whenever the words "include," "includes," or
"including" are used in this Agreement, they shall be deemed to be followed
by the words "without limitation." Whenever the singular is used herein,
the same shall include the plural, and whenever the plural is used herein,
the same shall include the singular, where appropriate.
10. INVESTIGATIONS
The Ceding Company will notify the Reinsurer immediately, in writing, of
any and all investigations of the Ceding Company or its directors,
principal officers or shareholders conducted by any federal, state or local
governmental or regulatory agency other than routine state or federal
examinations. Likewise, the Reinsurer will notify the Ceding Company
immediately, in writing, of any and all investigations of the Reinsurer or
its directors,
16
principal officers or shareholders conducted by any federal, state or local
governmental or regulatory agency other than routine state or federal
examinations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed
in duplicate on the dates shown below.
THE LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Date: July 2007
---------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Assistant Vice President
LINCOLN NATIONAL REINSURANCE COMPANY (BARBADOS) LIMITED
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇ Date: July 2007
---------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇
Vice President
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Date: July 2007
---------------------------------
▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Senior Vice President
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SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE A GB REINSURANCE BENEFITS
SCHEDULE B CONTRACTS WITH ACCEPTED COVERAGES
SCHEDULE C PREMIUM RATES
SCHEDULE D REPORTS
SCHEDULE E ARBITRATION
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SCHEDULE A
GB REINSURANCE BENEFITS
Each contract listed in Schedule B contains one or more GB. GBs which are
covered by this Agreement include the following:
GUARANTEE OF PRINCIPAL DEATH BENEFIT
ENHANCED GUARANTEED MINIMUM DEATH BENEFIT
5% STEP-UP DEATH BENEFIT
ESTATE ENHANCEMENT BENEFIT
LINCOLN SMARTSECURITY(R) ADVANTAGE (FORMERLY PRINCIPAL SECURITY BENEFIT)
WITH FIVE YEAR OPTIONAL RESET
GUARANTEED INCOME BENEFIT
LINCOLN SMARTSECURITY(R) ADVANTAGE (FORMERLY PRINCIPAL SECURITY BENEFIT)
WITH ONE YEAR AUTOMATIC RESET
4LATER(SM) ADVANTAGE
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SCHEDULE B
CONTRACTS WITH ACCEPTED COVERAGES
Contracts covered by this Agreement include all Contracts issued by the Ceding
Company from the following list.
ChoicePlus Variable Annuity
ChoicePlus Access Variable Annuity
ChoicePlus Bonus Variable Annuity
ChoicePlus II Variable Annuity
ChoicePlus II Access Variable Annuity
ChoicePlus II Bonus Variable Annuity
ChoicePlus II Advance Variable Annuity
ChoicePlus Assurance (A Share) (includes wrap fee version)
ChoicePlus Assurance (B Share)
ChoicePlus Assurance (C Share)
ChoicePlus Assurance (Bonus)
ChoicePlus Assurance (L Share)
ChoicePlus Momentum Income Option
ChoicePlus Design (includes all share classes)
American Legacy I
American Legacy II
American Legacy III
American Legacy III Plus
American Legacy III View
American Legacy III C-Share
Shareholders Advantage (includes wrap fee version)
American Legacy Design (includes all share classes)
Multi-Fund 1
Multi-Fund 2
Multi-Fund 3
Multi-Fund 4
Multi-Fund 5
Multi-Fund Select
Accru Variable Annuity
Accru ChoicePlus
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SCHEDULE C
PREMIUM RATE SCHEDULE
INITIAL REINSURANCE PREMIUM:
The Initial Reinsurance Premium shall equal the Treaty Reserve applicable to
each Individual Policy on the date it is first covered by this Agreement. For
all business issued by the Ceding Company after the Effective Date, the Initial
Premium shall be zero.
BASE REINSURANCE PREMIUM RATES:
Effective from Treaty Effective Date and the corresponding effective date of any
amendment, as appropriate:
CONTRACTS ISSUED CONTRACTS ISSUED CONTRACTS ISSUED
TYPE OF BENEFIT PRIOR TO 7/01/03 PRIOR TO 7/01/03 AFTER 6/30/03 ALL CONTRACTS
------------------------------- ---------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
EFFECTIVE DATE OF COVERAGE 7/01/03 7/26/04 7/01/03
------------------------------- ---------------- ---------------- ----------------
BASE BASE BASE
REINSURANCE REINSURANCE REINSURANCE EXPENSE, PROFIT,
PREMIUM PREMIUM PREMIUM AND RISK CHARGE
GMDB TYPE ANNUAL RATE ANNUAL RATE ANNUAL RATE ANNUAL RATE APPLIED TO
------------------------------- ----------- ------------ ----------- ---------------- -------------
Guarantee of Principal Death
Benefit - Employer VA 0.015% 0.015% 0.020% 0.050% Account Value
Guarantee of Principal Death
Benefit - Individual VA 0.050% 0.110% 0.100% 0.050% Account Value
Enhanced Guaranteed
Minimum Death Benefit 0.320% 0.280% 0.200% 0.050% Account Value
Enhanced Guaranteed Minimum
Death Benefit with 5% Rollup 0.590% 0.210% 0.260% 0.050% Account Value
5% Step-Up Death Benefit 0.620% 0.290% 0.460% 0.050% Account Value
Legacy I and II with 7 Yr
Ratchet Benefit 0.110% 0.070% 0.100% 0.050% Account Value
Estate Enhancement Benefit 0.500% 0.380% 0.500% 0.050% Account Value
Estate Enhancement Benefit
with 5% Rollup 0.620% 0.620% 0.620% 0.050% Account Value
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TYPE OF BENEFIT ALL RIDERS ALL CONTRACTS
------------------------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------
BASE REINSURANCE
PREMIUM ANNUAL EXPENSE, PROFIT,
GLB TYPE RATE AND RISK CHARGE APPLIED TO
------------------------------------------------ ---------------- ---------------- --------------
Lincoln SmartSecuity Advantage - 5 Yr Optional
Reset 0.400%* 0.050% Guar. Ben. (#)
Lincoln SmartSecurity Advantage - 1 Yr Automatic
Reset 0.550% 0.050% Guar. Ben. (#)
Lincoln SmartSecurity Advantage - 1 Yr Automatic
Reset - Single Life Option 0.550% 0.050% Guar. Ben. (#)
Lincoln SmartSecurity Advantage - 1 Yr Automatic
Reset - Joint Life Option 0.550% 0.050% Guar. Ben. (#)
Lincoln SmartSecurity Advantage - 1 Yr Automatic
Reset - Single Life Option with
Lifetime Withdrawals 0.550% 0.050% Guar. Ben. (#)
Lincoln SmartSecurity Advantage - 1 Yr Automatic
Reset - Joint Life Option with 0.050% Guar. Ben. (#)
Lifetime Withdrawals 0.700%
4LATER Advantage 0.450% 0.050% Account Value
Guaranteed Income Benefit on I4Life 0.400% 0.050% Account Value
Increasing Guaranteed Income Benefit 0.400% 0.050% Account Value
* For Riders effective prior to 5/15/07, the Base Reinsurance Premium Annual
Rate shall be 0.350%.
REINSURER'S EXPENSE, PROFIT, AND RISK CHARGE (EPRC):
EPRC shall equal the annual rates shown above, payable monthly in arrears
computed in the manner as more fully described below.
MONTHLY PAYMENT OF REINSURANCE PREMIUM:
Both the Base Reinsurance Premium and the EPRC are payable in arrears after the
end of each calendar month. The monthly payment for each benefit type shall be
computed by adding the appropriate Base Reinsurance Premium annual rate to the
EPRC annual rate, then dividing the total by twelve and multiplying the result
times the average monthly account value [(#) times average monthly LNAR instead
of account value for GMWB] corresponding to the reinsured MNAR or LNAR.
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SCHEDULE D
REPORTS
Within 30 days after the end of each calendar month, the Ceding Company will
furnish the Reinsurer with a summary report that includes claims, statutory
reserves, tax reserves, Treaty Reserves and calculated reinsurance premium for
the business covered by this Agreement.
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SCHEDULE E
ARBITRATION
To initiate arbitration, either the Ceding Company or the Reinsurer shall notify
the other party in writing of its desire to arbitrate, stating the nature of its
dispute and the remedy sought. The party to which the notice is sent shall
respond to the notification in writing within ten (10) days of its receipt.
The arbitration hearing shall be before a single arbitrator. In order to be
eligible to serve as an arbitrator, an individual must not be a present or
former officer, attorney or consultant of the Ceding Company or the Reinsurer or
of either of their affiliates. The arbitrator must be neutral, impartial, and
disinterested.
The Ceding Company and the Reinsurer shall each name three candidates to serve
as an arbitrator. The Ceding Company and the Reinsurer shall take turns striking
the name of one of the remaining candidates from the initial six candidates
until only one candidate remains. If the candidate so chosen shall decline to
serve as the arbitrator, the candidate whose name was stricken last shall be
nominated as the arbitrator. This process shall continue until a candidate has
been chosen and has accepted. The first turn at striking the name of a candidate
shall belong to the party that is responding to the other party's initiation of
the arbitration. Once chosen, the arbitrator is empowered to decide all
substantive and procedural issues.
It is agreed that the arbitrator shall be neutral, impartial, and disinterested
regarding the dispute on the basis described in the "Arbitration" article of the
Agreement. Therefore, at no time will either the Ceding Company or the Reinsurer
contact or otherwise communicate with any person who is to be or has been
designated as a candidate to serve as an arbitrator concerning the dispute,
except upon the basis of jointly drafted communications provided by both the
Ceding Company and the Reinsurer to inform the individual actually chosen as
arbitrator of the nature and facts of the dispute. Likewise, any written or oral
arguments provided to the arbitrator concerning the dispute shall be coordinated
with the other party and shall be provided simultaneously to the other party or
shall take place in the presence of the other party. Further, at no time shall
any arbitrator be informed that the arbitrator has been named or chosen by one
party or the other.
The arbitration hearing shall be held on the date fixed by the arbitrator. In no
event shall this date be later than six months after the appointment of the
arbitrator. The arbitration hearing shall be held in Fort ▇▇▇▇▇,
Indiana. As
soon as possible, the arbitrator shall establish prearbitration procedures as
warranted by the facts and issues of the particular case. At least ten (10) days
prior to the arbitration hearing, each party shall provide the other party and
the arbitrator with a detailed statement of the facts and arguments it will
present at the arbitration hearing. The arbitrator may consider any relevant
evidence; he or she shall give the evidence such weight as he or she deems it
entitled to after consideration of any objections raised concerning it. The
party initiating the arbitration shall have the burden of proving its case by a
preponderance of the evidence. Each party may examine any witnesses who testify
at the arbitration hearing. Within twenty (20) days after the end of the
arbitration hearing, the arbitrator shall issue a written decision that sets
forth his or her findings and any award to be paid as a result of the
arbitration,
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except that the arbitrator may not award punitive or exemplary
damages. In his or her decision, the arbitrator shall also apportion the costs
of arbitration, which shall include, but not be limited to, his or her own fees
and expenses.
25