AMENDED AND RESTATED
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
AID ASSOCIATION FOR LUTHERANS
AND
AAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT I
AND
AAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I
AND
AAL VARIABLE PRODUCT SERIES FUND, INC.,
DATED SEPTEMBER 27, 1994, AS AMENDED DECEMBER 11, 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1. Sale of FUND Shares................................................ 4
2. Representations and Warranties...................................... 5
3. Prospectus and Proxy Statements: Voting............................. 6
4. Sales Material and Information...................................... 6
5. Fees and Expenses................................................... 7
6. Diversification..................................................... 8
7. Indemnification..................................................... 8
8. Term and Termination Of This Agreement.............................. 12
9. Notices............................................................. 13
10. Miscellaneous....................................................... 14
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
This PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT, is made and entered into as of this 11th
day of December, 1997, by and among AID ASSOCIATION FOR LUTHERANS ("AAL"), on
its own behalf and on behalf of AAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT I and AAL VARIABLE
LIFE ACCOUNT I (the "ACCOUNTS"), and AAL VARIABLE PRODUCT SERIES FUND, INC. (the
"FUND"), (collectively the "Parties").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, AAL is a fraternal benefit society organized under the laws of
the State of Wisconsin engaged in the writing of life insurance, annuity
contracts, and other insurance products, and serves as sponsor and depositor of
the ACCOUNTS and as investment adviser of the FUND registered under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940;
WHEREAS, the ACCOUNTS are legally segregated asset accounts of AAL,
established pursuant to the laws of the State of Wisconsin, and currently
consists of five subaccounts (the "Subaccounts"), for the purpose of funding
certain variable universal life insurance contracts and variable annuity
contracts (collectively the "Certificates");
WHEREAS, the FUND, is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"), as a diversified, open-end management investment company
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), and its shares are
registered with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act");
WHEREAS, the FUND is a series company, meaning its Board of Directors
may designate various series ("Portfolios") into which the FUND's authorized
shares are to be divided from time to time, with each such Portfolio consisting
of a specific number of the FUND's authorized shares, representing an interest
in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets, and having its own
investment objectives, policies and restrictions (the Board of Directors
currently has designated seven such Portfolios);
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance, tax and other
laws and regulations, AAL intends to purchase shares in the FUND on behalf of
the ACCOUNTS to fund the Certificates or on its own behalf for related purposes,
and the FUND is authorized to sell such shares to the ACCOUNTS and to AAL at net
asset value;
WHEREAS, the FUND has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with
AAL, dated the twenty-seventh day of September, 1994, wherein AAL has agreed to
serve as investment adviser to the FUND, and to accept certain obligations of
the FUND as set forth herein, i.e., to compute the daily net asset value and the
net asset value per share for each Portfolio and to comply with Subchapter M and
Section 817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and mutual promises
contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
legal sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally
bound hereby, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Sale of FUND Shares
1.1 The Certificates funded through the ACCOUNTS will provide for the
allocation of net amounts among certain Subaccounts for investment in
such shares of the Portfolios as may be offered from time to time in the
prospectus of the ACCOUNTS for the Certificates. The selection of the
particular Subaccount is to be made by the Certificate owner, and such
selection may be changed in accordance with the terms of the
Certificates.
1.2 The FUND will sell to AAL those shares of each available Portfolio
that AAL orders based on transactions under Certificates, effecting such
orders on a daily basis at the Portfolio's net asset value per share
next computed as provided in the FUND prospectus.
1.3 The Board of Directors of the FUND (the "Board") may refuse to sell
shares of any Portfolio to AAL, or suspend or terminate the offering of
shares of any Portfolio, if such action is required by law or by
regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion
of the Board, acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary
duties under federal and any applicable state laws, necessary in the
best interests of the shareholders of the FUND.
1.4 The FUND agrees that its shares will be sold only to AAL. No shares
of any Portfolio will be sold to the general public or to any life
insurance company other than AAL.
1.5 The FUND will redeem for cash from AAL those full or fractional
shares of each Portfolio that AAL requests based on transactions under
Certificates, effecting such requests on a daily basis at the
Portfolio's net asset value per share next computed as provided in the
FUND prospectus.
1.6 Issuance and transfer of the FUND's shares will be by book entry
only. Stock certificates will not be issued to AAL. Shares ordered from
the FUND will be recorded in an appropriate title for AAL.
1.7 The FUND shall furnish notice promptly to AAL of any income,
dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the shares of any
Portfolio. AAL hereby elects to receive all such income, dividends and
capital gain distributions as are payable on FUND shares in additional
shares of that Portfolio. AAL reserves the right to revoke this election
and to receive all such income, dividends and capital gain distributions
in cash. The FUND shall notify AAL of the number of shares so issued as
payment of such income, dividends and distributions.
1.8 The FUND shall make the net asset value per share for each Portfolio
available to AAL on a daily basis, as soon as reasonably practical after
the net asset value per share is calculated.
1.9 The FUND may establish additional Portfolios to provide additional
funding media for the Certificates, or delete, combine, or modify
existing Portfolios. The shares of any additional Portfolio may be made
available to the ACCOUNTS by the FUND, pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, and any applicable reference to any Portfolio, the FUND or
its shares herein shall include a reference to any such Portfolio.
2. Representations and Warranties
2.1 AAL represents and warrants that interests in the ACCOUNTS under the
Certificates are or will be registered under the 1933 Act to the extent
required by the 1933 Act, that the Certificates will be issued and sold
in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and
state laws and that the sale of the Certificates will comply in all
material respects with state insurance and federal securities law
suitability requirements. AAL further represents and warrants that it is
a fraternal benefit society organized under the laws of the State of
Wisconsin and engaged in the writing of life insurance, annuity
contracts, and other insurance products; that it has legally and validly
established its ACCOUNTS as segregated asset accounts under Wisconsin
insurance law; and that it has registered or will register the ACCOUNTS
as unit investment trusts in accordance with the provisions of the 1940
Act to serve as segregated investment accounts for the Certificates, to
the extent required by the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇.
2.2 AAL represents and warrants that any interests in the ACCOUNTS being
offered for sale under the Certificates are or will be registered under
the 1933 Act to the extent required by the 1933 Act, that the
Certificates will be issued and sold in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable federal and state laws, and that the sale
of the Certificates will comply in all material respects with state
insurance law, and federal securities laws, including the rules of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD").
2.3 The FUND represents and warrants that its shares sold pursuant to
this Agreement are or will be registered under the 1933 Act to the
extent required by the 1933 Act, duly authorized for issuance and sold
in compliance with the laws of the state of Maryland and all applicable
federal securities laws and that the FUND is or will be registered under
the 1940 Act to the extent required by the 1940 Act. The FUND will amend
the registration statement for its shares under the 1933 Act, as well as
its registration statement under the 1940 Act, as required in order to
effect the continuous offering of its shares. The FUND will register or
qualify the shares for sale in accordance with the laws of the various
states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the FUND.
2.4 AAL represents and warrants that its Certificates are currently
treated as annuity contracts and universal life insurance contracts
under applicable provisions of the Code and that it will make every
effort to maintain such treatment.
2.5 The FUND makes no representation as to whether any aspect of its
operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses) complies
with the insurance laws or regulations of the various states. On the
request of any state insurance department, the FUND agrees to provide
and furnish to the department any information or reports in connection
with the FUND's operations or services that will allow the insurance
department to determine if the variable product operations of AAL are
being conducted in a manner consistant with state laws. The FUND intends
to comply with the insurance laws of any relevant state regarding any
Portfolio's investment objectives, policies and restrictions to the
extent that AAL advises the FUND, in writing, of such laws or any change
in such laws, provided the FUND's Board of Directors and/or shareholders
approve such changes as required by the ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇.
2.6 The FUND represents and warrants that each of its Portfolios will
qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code
and that the investments of each of its Portfolios will comply with the
diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code and the
regulations thereunder, and that it will notify AAL immediately upon
having a reasonable basis for believing that it has ceased to so qualify
or that it might not so qualify in the future.
3. Prospectus and Proxy Statements: Voting
3.1 The FUND will provide such documentation (including a final copy of
any new prospectus, statement of additional information ("SAI"), or
supplement) and other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for
AAL or its designee to timely distribute the current FUND prospectus,
SAI and any supplement thereto, or, in the alternative, to have the
prospectus of the ACCOUNTS for the Certificates and the FUND's
prospectus printed together in one document once each year (or more
frequently if the prospectus for the FUND is amended) (such FUND
prospectus printing to be at the FUND's expense, as provided in Section
5.1).
3.2 The FUND will provide such documentation (including a final copy of
any proxy material, report to shareholders, and other communication to
shareholders) and other assistance as is reasonably necessary for AAL or
its designee to timely distribute the proxy material, report to
shareholders, and other communication (such printing and distribution to
be the FUND's expense, as provided in Section 5.1).
3.3 If, and to the extent required by law, AAL shall, at AAL's expense,
as provided in Section 5.2:
(a) solicit voting instructions from Certificate owners;
(b) vote Portfolio shares in accordance with instructions
received from Certificate owners;
(c) vote Portfolio shares for which no instructions have been
received, as well as Portfolio shares attributable to AAL other
than under Certificates, in the same proportion as shares of such
Portfolio for which instructions have been received, so long as
and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret the 1940
Act to require pass-through voting privileges. AAL reserves the
right to vote Portfolio shares held in any segregated asset
accounts or in general accounts in its own right, to the extent
permitted by law.
3.4 The FUND reserves the right to take all actions, including but not
limited to the dissolution, merger, and sale of all assets of the FUND
solely upon the authorization of its Board and/or shareholders as
required by the 1940 Act.
4. Sales Material and Information
4.1 AAL or its designee will furnish, or will cause to be furnished, to
the FUND or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which the FUND or AAL is named, at least fifteen
(15) days prior to its intended use. No such material will be used if
the FUND or its designee objects to such intended use within fifteen
(15) days after receipt of such material.
4.2 AAL will not give any information or make any representation or
statement, or cause such information to be given or representation to be
made, on behalf of the FUND or concerning any Portfolio in connection
with the sale of the Certificates other than the information or
representations contained in the registration statement, prospectus, and
SAI for FUND shares, as such registration statement, prospectus, and SAI
may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy
materials for the FUND, or in sales literature or other promotional
material approved by the FUND or its designee, except with the
permission of the FUND or its designee.
4.3 The FUND or its designee will furnish, or will cause to be
furnished, to AAL or its designee, each piece of sales literature or
other promotional material of the FUND in which AAL and/or its ACCOUNTS
is named, at least fifteen (15) days prior to its intended use. No such
material will be used if AAL or its designee objects to such intended
use within fifteen (15) days after receipt of such material.
4.4 The FUND will not give any information or make any representations
or statements, or cause such information to be given or representations
to be made, on behalf of AAL or concerning AAL, its ACCOUNTS or its
Certificates other than the information or representations contained in
a registration statement or prospectus for such ACCOUNTS, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, or in published reports for the ACCOUNTS that are in
the public domain or approved by AAL for distribution to owners, or in
sales literature or other promotional material approved by AAL or its
designee, except with the permission of AAL or its designee .
4.5 The FUND will provide to AAL one complete copy of all registration
statements, prospectuses, SAIs, reports, proxy material, sales
literature and other promotional material, applications for exemptions,
requests for no-action letters, and all amendments to any of the above,
that relate to the FUND or its shares, contemporaneously with the filing
of such document with the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
4.6 AAL will provide to the FUND one complete copy of all registration
statements, prospectuses, SAIs, reports, solicitations for voting
instructions, sales literature and other promotional material,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all
amendments to any of the above, that relate to the ACCOUNTS or its
Certificates, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with
the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
5. Fees and Expenses
5.1 The FUND will pay all expenses incident to the FUND's performance
under this Agreement. In addition to the investment advisory fee,
subject to the expense reimbursement arrangement discussed below, each
Portfolio will bear all of its operating expenses that are not
specifically assumed by AAL, including the following: (i) interest and
taxes (ii) brokerage commissions; (iii) insurance premiums; (iv)
compensation and expenses for those Directors who are not "interested"
persons under Section 2(a)(19) of the Act; (v) independent legal and
audit expenses; (vi) fees and expenses of the FUND's custodian,
shareholder servicing or transfer agent and accounting services agent;
(vii) expenses incident to the issuance of its shares, including stock
certificates and issuance of shares on the payment of, or reinvestment
of dividends; (viii) fees and expenses incident to the registration
under Federal or state securities laws of the FUND or its shares; (ix)
FUND or portfolio organizational expenses; (x) FUND expenses of
preparing, printing and mailing reports and notices, proxy material and
prospectuses to shareholders of the FUND; (xi) all other expenses
incidental to holding meetings of the FUND's shareholders; (xii) dues or
assessments of or contributions to the Investment Company Institute or
any successor or other industry association; (xiii) such non-recurring
expenses as may arise, including litigation affecting the FUND and the
legal obligations which the FUND may have to indemnify its officers and
Directors with respect thereto; and (xiv) cost of daily valuation of
each of the Portfolio's securities and net asset value per share.
5.2 AAL will pay all expenses incident to AAL's performance under this
Agreement. In addition, AAL will bear the expenses of printing and
distributing to its Certificate owners the FUND proxy materials, proxy
cards and voting instruction forms (collectively "proxy information"),
tabulating the results of proxy solicitations to its Certificate owners,
printing and distributing to its Certificate owners the FUND prospectus,
SAI, supplement, proxy material, report to shareholders, and other
communication to shareholders, and any expenses associated with
administration of its Certificates.
6. Diversification
6.1 The Portfolios will at all times invest money from the Certificates
in such a manner as to ensure that the Certificates will be treated as
variable life insurance contracts and variable annuity contracts under
the Code and the regulations thereunder insofar as such investment is
required for such treatment. Without limiting the scope of the
foregoing, the Portfolios will at all times comply with Section 817(h)
of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5 relating to the
diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life
insurance contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such
Section or Regulations.
6.2 The FUND shall furnish to AAL on a regular basis reports of all of
the investments of each Portfolio in a form sufficient to permit AAL to
determine whether each Portfolio is in compliance with the
diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code and the
Regulations thereunder and shall take immediate action, on learning
through its own monitoring, or on advice from AAL, that any Portfolio is
not in compliance with such requirements, to return to compliance with
such requirements.
6.3 If any Portfolio is found not to comply with the diversification
requirements at the end of a calendar quarter and the 30-day grace
period allowed under the Regulations, the FUND shall take all
appropriate efforts immediately to restore any such Portfolio to
compliance and shall fully cooperate with AAL in any effort to correct
such diversification failure under procedures established by the
Internal Revenue Service, including those set forth in Revenue Procedure
92-25.
7. Indemnification
7.1 Indemnification By AAL
(a) AAL will indemnify and hold harmless the FUND and each of its
Directors, officers, and employees and each person, if any, who
controls the FUND within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933
Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Section 7.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the
written consent of AAL) or litigation (including legal and other
expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject
under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise, and
which:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any failure by AAL to
perform the duties or assume the general business
responsibilities of AAL with respect to the design,
drafting, state approvals, issuance, servicing and
administration of the Certificates, or the establishment
and maintenance of the ACCOUNTS; or
(ii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements
or alleged untrue statements of any material fact
contained in the registration statement, prospectus, or
SAI for the Certificates, or the ACCOUNTS, or contained in
the Certificates or sales literature for the Certificates
(or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing),
or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, provided that this Agreement to
indemnify will not apply as to any Indemnified Party if
such statement or omission or such alleged statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished in writing to AAL by or on behalf of
the FUND for use in the registration statement,
prospectus, or SAI for the Certificates or the ACCOUNTS or
in the Certificates or sales literature (or any amendment
or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the
sale of the Certificates or FUND shares; or
(iii) arise out of or are based upon statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in the registration statement, prospectus, SAI,
or sales literature of the FUND not supplied by AAL, or
persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of AAL or
persons under its control, or failure to supervise persons
under AAL's control or entities or individuals with which
AAL contracts, with respect to the sale or distribution of
the Certificates or FUND shares; or
(iv) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a registration
statement, prospectus, or sales literature of the FUND or
any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading if such a statement
or omission was made in reliance upon information
furnished in writing to the FUND by or on behalf of AAL;
or
(v) arise out of or result from any failure by AAL to
provide the services and furnish the materials
contemplated by this Agreement; or
(vi) arise out of or result from any material breach of
any representation and/or warranty made by AAL in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other
material breach of this Agreement by AAL, as limited by
and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 7.1(b).
and 7.1(c) hereof.
(b) AAL will not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
litigation to which an Indemnified Party would be subject by
reason of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad
faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified
Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless
disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to the
FUND, whichever is applicable.
(c) AAL will not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party
unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified AAL 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 AAL of any such
claim will not relieve AAL from any liability that it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought
otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision. In
case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties,
AAL shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the
defense thereof. AAL also will be entitled to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action. After notice from AAL to such party of AAL's election to
assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party will bear the
fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and
AAL 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.
(d) The Indemnified Party will promptly notify AAL of the
commencement of any litigation or proceeding against it or any of
its respective officers or directors in connection with
transactions that are the subject of this Agreement whether or
not indemnification is being sought hereunder.
7.2 Indemnification By the FUND
(a) The FUND will indemnify and hold harmless AAL and each of its
directors, officers and employees and each person, if any, who
controls AAL within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Section 7.2) against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the
written consent of FUND) or litigation (including legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject
under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise, which:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any failure by the FUND
to perform the duties or assume the general business
responsibilities required by this Agreement with respect
to the sale of shares of the FUND to AAL; or
(ii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements
or alleged untrue statements of any material fact
contained in the sales literature for the FUND and/or the
Certificates, or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or the alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading, provided
that this agreement to indemnify will not apply as to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such
alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished in writing to
the FUND by or on behalf of AAL for use in the
registration statement, prospectus, or SAI for use in the
sales literature or otherwise for use in connection with
the sale of Portfolio shares; or
(iii) arise out of or are based upon statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in the registration statement, prospectus, SAI,
or sales literature of the FUND not supplied by the FUND,
or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the
FUND or persons under its control, or failure to supervise
persons under the FUND's control or entities or
individuals with which the FUND contracts, with respect to
the sale or distribution of the Certificates or FUND
shares; or
(iv) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a registration
statement, prospectus, or sales literature of the FUND or
any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading if such a statement
or omission was made in reliance upon information
furnished in writing to AAL by or on behalf of AAL; or
(v) arise out of or result from any failure by the FUND to
provide the services and furnish the materials
contemplated by this Agreement; or
(vi) arise out of or result from any material breach of
any representation and/or warranty made by the FUND in
this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other
material breach of this Agreement by the FUND, except to
the extent provided in Section 7.2(b) and 7.2(c) hereof.
(b) The FUND will not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation to which an Indemnified Party would be
subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of
such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this
Agreement or to the FUND, whichever is applicable.
(c) The FUND will 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 will not relieve the FUND from any liability that it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought
otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision. In
case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties,
the FUND shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in
the defense thereof. The FUND also will 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 will 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.
(d) The Indemnified Party will promptly notify the FUND of the
commencement of any litigation or proceeding against it or any of
its respective officers or directors in connection with
transactions that are the subject of this Agreement whether or
not indemnification is being sought hereunder.
8. Term and Termination Of This Agreement
8.1 This Agreement will terminate:
(a) as to any party hereto, at the option of that party, upon
prior written notice to the other party as provided in Section
8.3 herein; or
(b) at the option of the FUND in the event that formal
administrative proceedings are instituted against AAL by the
NASD, the SEC, any state securities or insurance commissioner or
any other regulatory body regarding AAL's duties under this
Agreement or related to the sale of the Certificates, the
operation of the ACCOUNTS, or the purchase of FUND shares,
provided, however, that the FUND determines, in its sole judgment
exercised in good faith, that any such administrative proceedings
will have a material adverse effect upon the ability of AAL to
perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
(c) at the option of AAL in the event that formal administrative
proceedings are instituted against the FUND by the NASD, the SEC,
or any state securities or insurance commission or any other
regulatory body, regarding the FUND's duties under this Agreement
or related to the sale of FUND shares or the operation of the
FUND, provided, however, that AAL 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 to perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
(d) at the option of AAL with respect to the ACCOUNTS, upon
requisite authority to substitute the shares of another
investment company for shares of the FUND in accordance with the
terms of the Certificates or in accordance with the ACCOUNTS
investment policy or standards of conduct; or
(e) at the option of AAL, in the event any of the FUND's shares
are not registered, issued, or sold in accordance with applicable
federal and any state law or such law precludes the use of such
shares as the underlying investment media of the Certificates
issued or to be issued by AAL; or
(f) at the option of AAL, if the FUND fails to meet the
requirements specified in Section 2.6 hereof; or
(g) at the option of the FUND, if the investments of the ACCOUNTS
fail to satisfy the diversification requirements of the Code
and the regulations thereunder, or
(h) at the option of AAL, if the FUND dissolves or becomes
otherwise unable to sell shares to fund the ACCOUNTS.
8.2 It is understood and agreed that the right of any party hereto to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.1(a) may be exercised for
any reason or for no reason.
8.3 Notice Requirement for Termination. No termination of this Agreement
will be effective unless and until the party terminating this Agreement
gives prior written notice to the other party to this Agreement of its
intent to terminate, and such notice shall set forth the basis for such
termination. Furthermore,
(a) in the event that any termination is based upon the
provisions of Section 8.1(a) hereof, such prior written notice
shall be given at least one hundred eighty (180) days in advance
of the effective date of termination as required by such
provision;
(b) in the event that any termination is based upon the
provisions of Section 8.1(b) or Section 8.1(c) hereof, such prior
written notice shall be given at least ninety (90) days in
advance of the effective date of termination;
(c) in the event that any termination is based upon the
provisions of Section 8.1(d) hereof, AAL will give at least sixty
(60) days prior written notice to the FUND of the date of any
proposed action to substitute FUND shares, including the filing
of any applicable exemptive application under the 1940 Act
relating to the ACCOUNTS; and AAL will provide the FUND with a
copy of any such exemptive application; and
(d) in the event that any termination is based upon the
provisions of Section 8.1(e), Section 8.1(f), or Section 8.1(g)
hereof, such prior written notice shall be given as soon as
possible within twenty-four (24) hours after the terminating
party learns of the event causing termination to be required.
8.4 Partial Termination. It is also understood that this Agreement may
be terminated with regard to a specific Portfolio or Portfolios of the
FUND, or the entire FUND at the discretion of the terminating party.
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the FUND, or any
Portfolio, provided its shares are then available for sale to any
persons, shall at the option of AAL, continue to make available
additional shares of the FUND pursuant to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, for all Certificates in effect on the effective date of
termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing
Certificates"). Specifically, without limitation, the owners of the
Existing Certificates shall be permitted to transfer or reallocate
investments under the Certificates, redeem investments in the FUND
and/or invest in the FUND upon the making of additional purchase
payments under the Existing Certificates.
9. Notices
Any notice will 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 AAL: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇
If to the FUND: ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
10. Miscellaneous
10.1 This Agreement will be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of
Maryland, where the sale of any FUND share shall be deemed to have been
made; provided, however, that if such laws or any of the provisions of
this Agreement conflict with applicable Provisions of the 1940 Act, the
latter shall control.
10.2 If any provision of this Agreement will be held or made invalid by
a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the
Agreement will not be effected thereby.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement
to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the 11th day of
December, 1997.
AID ASSOCIATION FOR LUTHERANS and
AAL VARIABLE ANNUITY ACCOUNT I and
AAL VARIABLE LIFE ACCOUNT I
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
President and Chief Executive Officer
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇
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▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇
Senior Vice President
Secretary and General Counsel
AAL VARIABLE PRODUCT SERIES FUND, INC.
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
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▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇
President
By: /s/ ▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
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▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
Secretary