EXHIBIT 8(dd)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
AMONG
ML LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK,
▇▇▇▇▇ & STEERS VIF REALTY FUND, INC.,
AND
▇▇▇▇▇ & STEERS SECURITIES, LLC
THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of the 1st day of March, 2005, by and among ML
Life Insurance Company of New York (the "Company"), a New York life insurance
company, on its own behalf and on behalf of each segregated asset account of the
Company set forth on Schedule A hereto as may be amended from time to time
(hereinafter referred to individually and collectively as the "Account"), ▇▇▇▇▇
& Steers VIF Realty Fund, Inc. (the "Fund"), a Maryland Corporation, and ▇▇▇▇▇ &
Steers Securities, LLC (the "Underwriter"), a Delaware limited liability
company.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management investment
company and is available to act as the investment vehicle for separate accounts
established for variable life insurance and variable annuity contracts (the
"Variable Insurance Products") to be offered by insurance companies which have
entered into participation agreements with the Fund and Underwriter
("Participating Insurance Companies");
WHEREAS, the Fund has applied for an order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC") granting Participating Insurance Companies and
variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts exemptions from
the provisions of sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the "1940 Act") and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and
6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, if and to the extent necessary to permit shares of
the Fund to be sold to and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance
separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies
(the "Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order");
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and shares of the Fund are registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act");
WHEREAS, ▇▇▇▇▇ & Steers Capital Management, Inc. (the "Adviser"), a New
York corporation, which serves as investment adviser to the Fund, is duly
registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940,
as amended;
WHEREAS, the Company has issued or will issue certain variable life
insurance and/or variable annuity contracts supported wholly or partially by the
Account (the "Contracts"), and said Contracts are listed in Schedule A hereto,
as it may be amended from time to time by mutual written agreement;
WHEREAS, the Account is duly established and maintained as a segregated
asset account, duly established by the Company, on the date shown for such
Account on Schedule A hereto as it may be amended from time to time by mutual
written agreement, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid
Contracts;
WHEREAS, the Underwriter, which serves as distributor to the Fund, is
registered as a broker dealer with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and is a member in good standing of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"); and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares of the Fund on behalf of the
Account to fund the aforesaid Contracts, and the Underwriter is authorized to
sell such shares to the Account at net asset value.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company,
the Fund and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Fund Shares
1.1. The Fund has granted to the Underwriter exclusive authority to
distribute the Fund's shares, and has agreed to instruct, and has so instructed,
the Underwriter to make available to the Company for purchase on behalf of the
Account shares of the Fund. Pursuant to such authority and instructions, and
subject to Article X hereof, the Underwriter agrees to make available to the
Company for purchase on behalf of the Account, shares of the Fund, such
purchases to be effected at net asset value in accordance with Section 1.3 of
this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Directors of the
Fund (the "Board") may suspend or terminate the offering of Fund shares, if such
action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or
if, in the sole discretion of the Board acting in good faith and in light of its
fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws, suspension or
termination is necessary in the best interests of the shareholders.
1.2. The Fund shall redeem, at the Company's request, any full or
fractional shares held by the Company on behalf of the Account, such redemptions
to be effected at net asset value in accordance with Section 1.3 of this
Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the Company shall not redeem Fund
shares attributable to Contract owners except in the circumstances permitted in
Section 10.3 of this Agreement, and (ii) the Fund may delay
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redemption of Fund shares to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, and any
rules, regulations, or orders thereunder.
1.3. Purchase and Redemption Procedures
(a) The Parties agree to communicate, process and settle purchase
and redemption transactions for shares via the Fund/SERV and Networking systems
of the National Securities Clearing Corporation ("NSCC"). The Fund hereby
appoints the Company as an agent of the Fund for the limited purpose of
receiving purchase and redemption requests on behalf of the Account (but not
with respect to any Fund shares that may be held in the general account of the
Company) for Fund shares based on allocations of amounts to the Account or
subaccounts thereof under the Contracts and other transactions relating to the
Contracts or the Account. Receipt of any such request (or relevant transactional
information therefor) on any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading
and on which the Fund calculates its net asset value ("Close of Trading")
pursuant to the rules of the SEC (a "Business Day") by the Company as such
limited agent of the Fund prior to the time that the Fund ordinarily calculates
its net asset value as described from time to time in the Fund Prospectus (which
as of the date of execution of this Agreement is 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) shall
constitute receipt by the Fund on that same Business Day, provided that (i)
transaction instructions relating to the Account or subaccounts thereof are
received in proper form by the Company by the Close of Trading on that Business
Day and (ii) such request is transmitted to the Fund via the NSCC by the latest
time trades are accepted by Fund/SERV. Instructions received in proper form by
the Company at or after the Close of Trading on any given Business Day shall be
treated as if received on the next following Business Day. "Fund/SERV" shall
mean NSCC's system for automated, centralized processing of mutual fund purchase
and redemption orders, settlement, and account registration. "Networking" shall
mean NSCC's system that allows mutual funds and life insurance companies to
exchange account level information electronically.
(b) The Company shall pay for shares by the scheduled close of
federal funds transmissions on the same Business Day that it notifies the Fund
of a purchase request for such shares. Payment for Fund shares shall be in
federal funds transmitted by wire from the Settling Bank (on behalf of the
Company) to NSCC (unless the Fund determines and so advises the Company that
sufficient proceeds are available from redemption of shares of other Funds
effected pursuant to redemption requests tendered by the Company on behalf of
the Account). Upon receipt of federal funds so wired, such funds shall cease to
be the responsibility of the Company and shall become the responsibility of the
Fund. "Settling Bank" shall mean the entity appointed to perform such settlement
services on behalf of the Fund.
(c) Payment for Fund shares redeemed by the Account or the Company
shall be made in federal funds transmitted by wire to the Company on the next
Business Day after the Fund is properly notified of the redemption order of such
shares (unless redemption proceeds are to be applied to the purchase of other
shares in accordance with Section 1.3(b) of this
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Agreement), except that the Fund reserves the right to redeem shares in assets
other than cash and to delay payment of redemption proceeds to the extent
permitted under Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act and any Rules thereunder, and in
accordance with the procedures and policies of the Fund as described in the then
current prospectus. The Fund shall not bear any responsibility whatsoever for
the proper disbursement or crediting of redemption proceeds by the Company; the
Company alone shall be responsible for such action.
(d) Any purchase or redemption request for shares held or to be held
in the Company's general account shall be effected at the closing net asset
value per share next determined after the Fund's receipt of such request,
provided that, in the case of a purchase request, payment for Fund shares so
requested is received by the Fund in federal funds prior to close of business
for determination of such value, as defined from time to time in the Fund
Prospectus.
1.4. The Fund shall use its best efforts to make the closing net asset
value per share available to the Company by 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time each Business
Day, and in any event, as soon as reasonably practicable after the closing net
asset value per share is calculated, and shall calculate such closing net asset
value in accordance with the Fund's Prospectus. In the event the Fund is unable
to make the 6:00 p.m. deadline stated herein, it shall provide additional time
for the Company to place orders for the purchase and redemption of shares. Such
additional time shall be equal to the additional time which the Fund takes to
make the closing net asset value available to the Company. Neither the Fund, the
Underwriter, nor any of their affiliates shall be liable for any information
provided to the Company pursuant to this Agreement which information is based on
incorrect information supplied by the Company or any other Participating
Insurance Company to the Fund or the Underwriter. Any material error in the
calculation or reporting of the closing net asset value per share shall be
reported promptly upon discovery to the Company. In such event the Company shall
be entitled to an adjustment to the number of shares purchased or redeemed to
reflect the correct closing net asset value per share and the Fund shall bear
the cost of correcting such errors. Any error of a lesser amount shall be
corrected in the next Business Day's net asset value per share.
1.5. The Fund shall furnish notice (by wire or telephone followed by
written confirmation) to the Company as soon as reasonably practicable of any
income dividends or capital gain distributions payable on shares. The form of
payment of dividends and capital gains distributions will be determined in
accordance with the Company's operational procedures in effect at the time of
the payment of such dividend or distribution. At this time the Company, on its
behalf and on behalf of the Account, hereby elects to receive all such dividends
and distributions as are payable on any shares in the form of additional shares.
The Company reserves the right, on its behalf and on behalf of the Account, to
revoke this election and to receive all such dividends and capital gain
distributions in the form of cash. The Fund shall notify the Company promptly of
the number of shares so issued as payment of such dividends and distributions.
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1.6. Issuance and transfer of Fund shares shall be by book entry only.
Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or the Account. Purchase
and redemption orders for Fund shares shall be recorded in an appropriate ledger
for the Account or the appropriate subaccount of the Account.
1.7. (a) The parties hereto acknowledge that the arrangement contemplated
by this Agreement is not exclusive; the Fund's shares may be sold to other
insurance companies (subject to Section 1.8 hereof) and the cash value of the
Contracts may be invested in other investment companies. A funding vehicle other
than those listed on Schedule A to this Agreement may be made available for the
investment of the cash value of the Contracts, provided, however, that the
Company gives the Fund and the Underwriter 45 days written notice of its
intention to make such other investment vehicle available as a funding vehicle
for the Contracts.
(b) The Company shall not, without prior notice to the Underwriter
(unless otherwise required by applicable law), take any action to operate the
Account as a management investment company under the 1940 Act.
(c) The Company shall not, without prior notice to the Underwriter
(unless otherwise required by applicable law), induce Contract owners to change
or modify the Fund or change the Fund's distributor or investment adviser.
(d) The Company shall not, without prior notice to the Fund, induce
Contract owners to vote on any matter submitted for consideration by the
shareholders of the Fund in a manner other than as recommended by the Board of
the Fund.
1.8. The Underwriter and the Fund shall sell Fund shares only to
Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts and to persons or
plans ("Qualified Persons") that communicate to the Underwriter and the Fund
that they qualify to purchase shares of the Fund under Section 817(h) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and the regulations
thereunder without impairing the ability of the Account to consider the
portfolio investments of the Fund as constituting investments of the Account for
the purpose of satisfying the diversification requirements of Section 817(h).
The Underwriter and the Fund shall not sell Fund shares to any insurance company
or separate account unless an agreement complying with Article VI of this
Agreement is in effect to govern such sales, to the extent required. The Company
hereby represents and warrants that it and the Account are Qualified Persons.
The Fund reserves the right to cease offering shares in the discretion of the
Fund.
ARTICLE II. Representations and Warranties
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts (a) are, or
prior to issuance will be, registered under the 1933 Act, or (b) are not
registered because they are
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properly exempt from registration under the 1933 Act or will be offered
exclusively in transactions that are properly exempt from registration under the
1933 Act. The Company further represents and warrants that the Contracts will be
issued and sold in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
federal securities and state securities and insurance laws and that the sale of
the Contracts shall comply in all material respects with state insurance
suitability requirements. The Company further represents and warrants that it is
an insurance company duly organized and in good standing under applicable law,
that it has legally and validly established the Account prior to any issuance or
sale thereof as a segregated asset account under Arkansas insurance laws, and
that it (a) has registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the Contracts,
will register the Account as a unit investment trust in accordance with the
provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a segregated investment account for the
Contracts, or alternatively (b) has not registered the Account in proper
reliance upon an exclusion from registration under the 1940 Act. The Company
shall register and qualify the Contracts or interests therein as securities in
accordance with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed
advisable by the Company.
2.2. The Fund represents and warrants that Fund shares sold pursuant to
this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act and duly authorized for
issuance and sold in compliance with applicable state and federal securities
laws, 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. The Fund shall register and qualify the shares for sale
in accordance with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent
deemed advisable by the Fund or the Underwriter.
2.3. The Fund may make payments to finance distribution expenses pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Prior to financing distribution expenses
pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund will have the Board, a majority of whom are not
interested persons of the Fund, formulate and approve a plan pursuant to Rule
12b-1 under the 1940 Act to finance distribution expenses.
2.4. The Fund and Distributor represent that the Fund's investment
policies, fees, and expenses are and shall at all times remain in compliance
with applicable state securities laws, if any, and with the insurance laws of
the State of Arkansas, and the Fund and Distributor represent that their
respective operations are and shall at all times remain in material compliance
with applicable state securities laws and with the insurance laws of the State
of Arkansas to the extent required to perform this Agreement. The Fund and
Distributor also represent that the Fund will comply with any additional state
insurance law restrictions, as provided in writing by the Company to the Fund,
including the furnishing of information not otherwise available to the Company
which is required by state insurance law to enable the Company to obtain the
authority needed to issue the Contracts in any applicable state.
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2.5. The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly
existing under the laws of the State of Arkansas and that it does and will
comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.
2.6. The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is a member in good
standing of the NASD and is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC. The
Underwriter further represents that it will sell and distribute the Fund shares
in accordance with any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.7. The Fund and the Underwriter represent and warrant that all of their
trustees/directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals or entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are
and shall continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or
similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the
minimum coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-1 of the 1940 Act or related
provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid bond shall
include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable
bonding company.
2.8. The Fund represents and warrants that its investments will comply
with the diversification requirements set forth in Section 817(h) of the Code
and the rules and regulations thereunder.
2.9 The Company and the Fund each represents and warrants that it: (a) has
access to the facilities of the NSCC, (b) has met and will continue to meet all
of the requirements to participate in Fund/SERV and Networking, and (c) intends
to remain at all times in compliance with the then current rules and procedures
of NSCC, all to the extent necessary or appropriate to facilitate such
communications, processing, and settlement of Fund share transactions.
ARTICLE III. Prospectuses and Proxy Statements; Voting
3.1. The Underwriter shall provide the Company with as many copies of the
Fund's current prospectus as the Company may reasonably request. The Fund or the
Underwriter shall bear the expense of printing copies of the current prospectus
and profiles for the Funds that will be distributed to existing Contract owners,
and the Company shall bear the expense of printing copies of the Fund's
prospectus and profiles that are used in connection with offering the Contracts
issued by the Company. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the Fund
shall provide such documentation (including a final copy of the new prospectus
on diskette at the Fund's or the Underwriter's expense) and other assistance as
is reasonably necessary in order for the Company once each year (or more
frequently if the prospectus for the Fund is amended) to have the prospectus for
the Contracts and the Fund's prospectus printed together in one document (such
printing for existing Contract owners to be at the Fund's or Underwriter's
expense).
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3.2. The Fund's prospectus shall state that the current Statement of
Additional Information ("SAI") for the Fund is available, and the Underwriter
(or the Fund), at its expense, shall provide a reasonable number of copies of
such SAI free of charge to the Company for itself and for any owner of a
Contract who requests such SAI.
3.3. The Fund shall provide the Company with information regarding the
Fund's expenses, which information may include a table of fees and related
narrative disclosure for use in any prospectus or other descriptive document
relating to a Contract.
3.4. The Fund, at its or the Underwriter's expense, shall provide the
Company with copies of its proxy material, reports to shareholders, and other
communications to shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably
require for distributing to Contract owners.
3.5. The Company shall:
(i) solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
(ii) vote the Fund shares in accordance with instructions received
from Contract owners; and
(iii) vote Fund shares for which no instructions have been received
in the same proportion as Fund shares of such portfolio for
which instructions have been received,
so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret the 1940 Act to
require pass-through voting privileges for variable contract owners or to the
extent otherwise required by law. The Company will vote Fund shares held in any
segregated asset account in the same proportion as Fund shares of such portfolio
for which voting instructions have been received from Contract owners, to the
extent permitted by law.
3.6. Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for assuring
that each of their separate accounts participating in the Fund calculates voting
privileges as required by the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order and
consistent with any reasonable standards that the Fund may adopt and provide in
writing.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
4.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Fund or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material that the Company develops and in which the Fund or the Adviser or the
Underwriter is named. No such material shall be used until approved by the Fund
or its designee. The Fund or its designee will be deemed to have approved such
sales literature or promotional material unless the Fund or its designee objects
or
8
provides comment to the Company within ten Business Days after receipt of such
material. The Fund or its designee reserves the right to reasonably object to
the continued use of any such sales literature or other promotional material in
which the Fund or the Adviser or the Underwriter is named, and no such material
shall be used if the Fund or its designee so object.
4.2. The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund or
the Adviser or the Underwriter in connection with the sale of the Contracts
other than the information or representations contained in the registration
statement or profiles or prospectus or SAI for the Fund shares, as such
registration statement and profiles and prospectus or SAI may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund,
or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Fund or its
designee or by the Underwriter, except with the permission of the Fund or the
Underwriter or the designee of either.
4.3. The Fund and the Underwriter, or their designee, shall furnish, or
cause to be furnished, to the Company, each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material that it develops and in which the Company, and/or its
Account, is named. No such material shall be used until approved by the Company.
The Company will be deemed to have approved such sales literature or promotional
material unless the Company objects or provides comment to the Fund, the
Underwriter, or their designee within ten Business Days after receipt of such
material. The Company reserves the right to reasonably object to the continued
use of any such sales literature or other promotional material in which the
Company and/or its Account is named, and no such material shall be used if the
Company so objects.
4.4. The Fund and the Underwriter shall not give any information or make
any representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, the
Account, or the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement and prospectus (which shall include an
offering memorandum, if any, if the Contracts issued by the Company or interests
therein are not registered under the 1933 Act), or SAI for the Contracts, as
such registration statement, prospectus, or SAI may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, or in published reports for the Account which are in the
public domain or approved by the Company for distribution to Contract owners, or
in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Company or its
designee, except with the permission of the Company.
4.5. The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of
all registration statements, profiles, prospectuses, SAIs, reports, proxy
statements, sales literature and other promotional materials, applications for
exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments to any of the
above, that relate to the Fund or its shares, promptly after the filing of such
document(s) with the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
4.6. The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of
all registration statements, prospectuses (which shall include an offering
memorandum, if any, if the
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Contracts issued by the Company or interests therein are not registered under
the 1933 Act), SAIs, reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales
literature and other promotional materials, applications for exemptions,
requests for no-action letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that
relate to the Contracts or the Account, promptly after the filing of such
document(s) with the SEC or other regulatory authorities. The Company shall
provide to the Fund and the Underwriter any complaints received from the
Contract owners pertaining to the Fund.
4.7. The Fund will provide the Company with as much notice as is
reasonably practicable of any proxy solicitation for the Fund's shares, and of
any material change in the Fund's registration statement, particularly any
change resulting in a change to the registration statement or prospectus for any
Account. The Fund will work with the Company so as to enable the Company to
solicit proxies from Contract owners, or to make changes to its prospectus or
registration statement, in an orderly manner. The Fund will make reasonable
efforts to attempt to have changes affecting Contract prospectuses become
effective simultaneously with the annual updates for such prospectuses.
4.8. For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature and
other promotional materials" includes, but is not limited to, any of the
following that refer to the Fund or any affiliate of the Fund: advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or
other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape
display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media), sales
literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, reports,
market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other
advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or training
materials or other communications distributed or made generally available to
some or all agents or employees, and registration statements, prospectuses,
SAIs, shareholder reports, proxy materials, and any other communications
distributed or made generally available with regard to the Fund.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
5.1. The Fund and the Underwriter shall pay no fee or other compensation
to the Company under this Agreement, except that if the Fund adopts and
implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses, then
the Fund or Underwriter may make payments to the Company or to the underwriter
for the Contracts if and in amounts agreed to by the Underwriter in writing.
5.2. All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under this Agreement
shall be paid by the Fund. The Fund shall see to it that all its shares are
registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable federal law
and, if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund, in accordance with
applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund shall bear the
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expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's shares,
preparation and filing of the Fund's prospectus and registration statement,
proxy materials and reports, setting the prospectus in type, setting in type and
printing the proxy materials and reports to shareholders (including the costs of
printing a prospectus that constitutes an annual report), the preparation of all
statements and notices required by any federal or state law and all taxes on the
issuance or transfer of the Fund's shares.
5.3. The Company shall bear the expenses of distributing the Fund's
prospectus to owners of Contracts issued by the Company and of distributing the
Fund's proxy materials and reports to such Contract owners.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification and Qualification
6.1. The Fund will invest its assets in such a manner as to ensure that
the Contracts will be treated as annuity or life insurance contracts, whichever
is appropriate, under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder (or any
successor provisions). Without limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Fund has
complied and will continue to comply with Section 817(h) of the Code and
Treasury Regulation Section 1.817-5, and any Treasury interpretations thereof,
relating to the diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or
life insurance contracts, and any amendments or other modifications or successor
provisions to such Section or Regulations. In the event of a breach of this
Article VI by the Fund, it will (a) take all reasonable steps to notify the
Company of such breach and (b) immediately take all necessary steps to
adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace
period afforded by Regulation 1.817-5.
6.2. The Fund represents that it is or will be qualified as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code, and that it will maintain
such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provisions)
and that it will notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis
for believing that it has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify
in the future. The Fund acknowledges that compliance with Subchapter M is an
essential element of compliance with Section 817(h).
6.3. The Fund shall provide the Company or its designee with reports
certifying compliance with the aforesaid Section 817(h) diversification and
Subchapter M qualification requirements on a quarterly basis.
6.4. Subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, the Company represents that the
Contracts are currently, and at the time of issuance shall be, treated as life
insurance or annuity insurance contracts, under applicable provisions of the
Code, and that it will maintain such treatment, and that it will notify the Fund
and the Underwriter immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing the
Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in
the future. The Company agrees that any prospectus offering a contract that is a
"modified
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endowment contract" as that term is defined in Section 7702A of the Code (or any
successor or similar provision), shall identify such contract as a modified
endowment contract.
ARTICLE VII. Potential Conflicts
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 Fund's
investments are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given by
variable annuity contract and variable life insurance contract owners; or (f) a
decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of contract owners.
The Board shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an
irreconcilable material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
7.2. The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of which
it is aware to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying out its
responsibilities under the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by
providing the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to
consider any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation
by the Company to inform the Board whenever Contract owner voting instructions
are disregarded.
7.3. If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of its
disinterested members, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the
Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their expense and
to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the
disinterested Board members), take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or
eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and including: (1)
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from
the Fund and reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium, or
submitting the question whether such segregation should be implemented to a vote
of all affected contract owners and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of
any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance contract
owners, or variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance
Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected
contract owners the option of making such a change; and (2) establishing a new
registered management investment company or managed separate account.
7.4. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by
the Company to disregard Contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Fund's election, to
12
withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with
respect to each Account; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination
shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable
conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board.
Any such withdrawal and termination must take place within six (6) months after
the Fund gives written notice that this provision is being implemented, and
until the end of that six month period the Fund shall continue to accept and
implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of
the Fund.
7.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with
the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw the
affected Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with
respect to such Account within six months after the Board informs the Company in
writing that it has determined that such decision has created an irreconcilable
material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall
be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable
conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board.
Until the end of the foregoing six month period, the Fund shall continue to
accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of
shares of the Fund.
7.6. For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.5 of this Agreement, a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any
proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in
no event will the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium for the
Contracts. The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 to establish a new
funding medium for the Contract if an offer to do so has been declined by vote
of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected by the
irreconcilable material conflict. In the event that the Board determines that
any proposed action does not adequately remedy any irreconcilable material
conflict, then the Company will withdraw the Account's investment in the Fund
and terminate this Agreement within six (6) months after the Board informs the
Company in writing of the foregoing determination; provided, however, that such
withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by any such
material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board.
7.7. If and to the extent the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemption Order or
any amendment thereto contains terms and conditions different from Sections
[3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5] of this Agreement, then the Fund
and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate, shall take such
steps as may be necessary to comply with the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive
Order, and Sections [3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 and 7.5] of this
Agreement shall continue in effect only to the extent that terms and conditions
substantially identical to such Sections are contained in the Mixed and Shared
Funding Exemptive Order or any amendment thereto. If and to the extent that Rule
6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive
relief from any provision of the 1940 Act or the rules promulgated thereunder
with respect to mixed or shared funding (as defined in the Mixed and
13
Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions materially different
from those contained in the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, then (a)
the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate, shall
take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as
amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable; and
(b) Sections [3.5, 3.6, 7.1., 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5] of this Agreement shall
continue in effect only to the extent that terms and conditions substantially
identical to such Sections are contained in such Rule(s) as so amended or
adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. Indemnification
8.1. Indemnification By the Company
8.1(a). The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund
and the Underwriter and each of its trustees/directors and officers, and each
person, if any, who controls the Fund or Underwriter within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act or who is under common control with the Underwriter
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.1 )
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of the Company) or litigation (including
legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject
under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof)
or settlements:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in the registration
statement, prospectus (which shall include a written description of
a Contract that is not registered under the 1933 Act), or SAI for
the Contracts or contained in sales literature for the Contracts (or
any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out
of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading, provided that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party
if such statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission
was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Fund for use in the
registration statement, prospectus or SAI for the Contracts or in
the Contracts or sales literature (or any amendment or supplement)
or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or
Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus, SAI, or sales literature of the
Fund not supplied by the Company or persons under its control) or
wrongful conduct of the Company or its agents or persons under the
14
Company's authorization or control, with respect to the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Fund Shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in a registration statement,
prospectus, SAI, or sales literature of the Fund or any amendment
thereof or supplement thereto or the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such a
statement or omission was made in reliance upon information
furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any material failure by the Company to
provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms of
this Agreement (including a failure, whether unintentional or in
good faith or otherwise, to comply with the qualification
requirements specified in Section 6.4 of this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement
or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by the Company; or
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.1(b) and 8.1
(c) hereof.
8.1(b). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of its obligations or duties under this Agreement.
8.1(c). The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any
such claim shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against an Indemnified Party, the Company shall be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the Company to such party of the
Company's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the
Company will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently
15
incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense thereof
other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.1(d). The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of
the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection
with the issuance or sale of the Fund shares or the Contracts or the operation
of the Fund.
8.2. Indemnification by the Underwriter
8.2(a). The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of the Underwriter) or litigation
(including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become
subject under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
thereof) or settlements:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the registration
statement or profile or prospectus or SAI or sales literature of the
Fund (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, provided
that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such alleged
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished to the Underwriter or the Fund by or on
behalf of the Company for use in the registration statement,
profile, prospectus or SAI for the Fund or in sales literature (or
any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with
the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus, SAI or sales literature for the
Contracts not supplied by the Underwriter or persons under its
control) or wrongful conduct of the Fund or Underwriter or persons
under their control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the
Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in a registration statement,
prospectus, SAI or sales literature covering the Contracts, or any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or the
16
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement or
statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was
made in reliance upon information furnished to the Company by or on
behalf of the Fund or the Underwriter; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund or the Underwriter
to provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms of
this Agreement (including a failure of the Fund, whether
unintentional or in good faith or otherwise, to comply with the
diversification and other qualification requirements specified in
Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Fund or the Underwriter
in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Fund or the Underwriter; or
vi) arise out of or result from the materially incorrect or untimely
calculation or reporting of the daily net asset value per share or
dividend or capital gain distribution rate;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.2(b) and
8.2(c) hereof.
8.2(b). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be
subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or
gross negligence in the performance or such Indemnified Party's duties or by
reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties
under this Agreement or to the Company or the Account, whichever is applicable.
8.2(c). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified
Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in
writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process
giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter of
any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than
on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Party, the Underwriter will be entitled to participate,
at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the Underwriter to such party of the
Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party
shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and
17
the Underwriter will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any
legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
The Indemnified Party agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of
the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its
officers or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts
or the operation of the Account.
8.3. Indemnification By the Fund
8.3(a). The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company
and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.3) against any and all
losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in
settlement with the written consent of the Fund) or litigation (including legal
and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may be required to pay or
may become subject under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities or expenses (or
actions in respect thereof) or settlements, are related to the operations of the
Fund and:
(i) arise as a result of any material failure by the Fund to provide
the services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement (including a failure, whether unintentional or in good
faith or otherwise, to comply with the diversification and other
qualification requirements specified in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of this
Agreement); or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Fund in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by the Fund; or
(iii) arise out of or result from the materially incorrect or
untimely calculation or reporting of the daily net asset value per
share or dividend or capital gain distribution rate.
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.3(b) and
8.3(c) hereof.
8.3(b). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to
the Company, the Fund, the Underwriter or the Account, whichever is applicable.
18
8.3(c). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any
such claim shall not relieve the Fund from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action. After notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to
assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund will not be
liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.3(d). The Company and the Underwriter agree promptly to notify the
Fund of the commencement of any litigation or proceeding against it or any of
its respective officers or directors in connection with the Agreement, the
issuance or sale of the Contracts, the operation of the Account, or the sale or
acquisition of shares of the Fund.
ARTICLE IX. Applicable Law
9.1. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
9.2. This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934
and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including
such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC may grant
(including, but not limited to, any Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order)
and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
If, in the future, the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order should no longer
be necessary under applicable law, then Article VII shall no longer apply.
ARTICLE X. Termination
10.1. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the
first to occur of:
(a) termination by any party, for any reason, by three (3) months
advance written notice delivered to the other parties; or
19
(b) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and
the Underwriter based upon the Company's determination that
shares of the Fund are not reasonably available to meet the
requirements of the Contracts; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and
the Underwriter in the event the Fund's shares are not
registered, issued or sold in accordance with applicable state
and/or federal law or such law precludes the use of such
shares as the underlying investment media of the Contracts
issued or to be issued by the Company; or
(d) termination by the Fund or the Underwriter in the event that
formal administrative proceedings are instituted against the
Company by the NASD, the SEC, the Insurance Commissioner or
like official of any state or any other regulatory body
regarding the Company's duties under this Agreement or related
to the sale of the Contracts, the operation of any Account, or
the purchase of the Fund's shares; provided, however, that the
Fund or Underwriter determines in its sole judgment exercised
in good faith, that any such administrative proceedings will
have a material adverse effect upon the ability of the Company
to perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
(e) termination by the Company in the event that formal
administrative proceedings are instituted against the Fund or
the Underwriter by the NASD, the SEC, or any state securities
or insurance department or any other regulatory body;
provided, however, that the Company determines in its sole
judgment exercised in good faith, that any such administrative
proceedings will have a material adverse effect upon the
ability of the Fund or the Underwriter to perform its
obligations under this Agreement; or
(f) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and
the Underwriter in the event that the Fund ceases to qualify
as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M or fails
to comply with the Section 817(h) diversification requirements
specified in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 hereof, or if the Company
reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify or
comply; or
(g) termination by the Fund or Underwriter by written notice to
the Company in the event that the Contracts fail to meet the
qualifications specified in Section 6.4 hereof; or
20
(h) termination by either the Fund or the Underwriter by written
notice to the Company, if either one or both of the Fund or
the Underwriter respectively, shall determine, in their sole
judgment exercised in good faith, that the Company has
suffered a material adverse change in its business,
operations, financial condition, or prospects since the date
of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse
publicity; or
(i) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and
the Underwriter, if the Company shall determine, in its sole
judgment exercised in good faith, that the Fund, Adviser, or
the Underwriter has suffered a material adverse change in its
business, operations, financial condition or prospects since
the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material
adverse publicity; or
(j) termination by the Fund or the Underwriter by written notice
to the Company, if the Company gives the Fund and the
Underwriter the written notice specified in Section 1.7(a)
hereof and at the time such notice was given there was no
notice of termination outstanding under any other provision of
this Agreement; provided, however, any termination under this
Section 10.l(j) shall be effective forty-five days after the
notice specified in Section 1.7(a) was given; or
(k) termination by the Company upon any substitution of the shares
of another investment company or series thereof for shares of
the Fund in accordance with the terms of the Contracts,
provided that the Company has given at least 45 days prior
written notice to the Fund and Underwriter of the date of
substitution; or
(l) termination by any party in the event that the Fund's Board
determines that a material irreconcilable conflict exists as
provided in Article VII.
10.2. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Fund and the
Underwriter shall, at the option of the Company, continue to make available
additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, for all Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of
this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing Contracts"), unless the
Underwriter requests that the Company seek an order pursuant to Section 26(c) of
the 1940 Act to permit the substitution of other securities for the shares of
the Fund. The Underwriter agrees to split the cost of seeking such an order, and
the Company agrees that it shall reasonably cooperate with the Underwriter and
seek such an order upon request. Specifically, the owners of the Existing
Contracts may be permitted to reallocate investments in the Fund, redeem
investments in the Fund and/or invest in the Fund upon the making of additional
purchase payments under the existing Contracts (subject to any such election by
the Underwriter). The
21
parties agree that this Section 10.2 shall not apply to any terminations under
Article VII and the effect of such Article VII terminations shall be governed by
Article VII of this Agreement. The parties further agree that this Section 10.2
shall not apply to any terminations under Section 10.1 (g) of this Agreement.
10.3. The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the
Contracts (as opposed to Fund shares attributable to the Company's assets held
in the Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract owner initiated or
approved transactions, (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or
regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general application
(hereinafter referred to as a "Legally Required Redemption"), (iii) upon 45 days
prior written notice to the Fund and Underwriter, as permitted by an order of
the SEC pursuant to Section 26(b) of the 1940 Act, but only if a substitution of
other securities for the shares of the Fund is consistent with the terms of the
Contracts, or (iv) as permitted under the terms of the Contract. Upon request,
the Company will promptly furnish to the Fund and the Underwriter reasonable
assurance that any redemption pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally
Required Redemption. Furthermore, except in cases where permitted under the
terms of the Contacts, the Company shall not prevent Contract owners from
allocating payments under the Contracts without first giving the Fund or the
Underwriter 45 days notice of its intention to do so.
10.4. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, each party's
obligation under Article VIII to indemnify the other parties shall survive.
ARTICLE XI. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below
or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing
to the other party.
If to the Fund:
c/o Cohen & Steers Capital Management, Inc.
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: General Counsel
If to the Company:
ML Life Insurance Company of New York
▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇., ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: ▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇., Esq.
22
If to the Underwriter:
▇▇▇▇▇ & Steers Securities, LLC
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
Attn: Chief Legal Officer
ARTICLE XII. Miscellaneous
12.1. All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property
of the Fund, for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund. The parties
agree that neither the Board, officers, agents or shareholders of the Fund
assume any personal liability or responsibility for obligations entered into by
or on behalf of the Fund.
12.2. Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses
of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably identified as
confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except as permitted by
this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize such names and
addresses and other confidential information without the express written consent
of the affected party until such time as such information has come into the
public domain.
12.3. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof or
otherwise affect their construction or effect.
12.4. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
12.5. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by
a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the Agreement
shall not be affected thereby.
12.6. Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the
NASD, and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the Arkansas Insurance Commissioner with any information or
reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement which such
Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the variable contract
operations of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent with the
Arkansas variable annuity laws and regulations and any other applicable law or
regulations. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable costs and
23
expenses incurred by the Fund or the Underwriter in connection with responding
to such a request from the Arkansas Insurance Commissioner.
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.
24
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement
to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date
specified below.
ML LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
By its authorized officer
By: ________________________________________
Title: ________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________
▇▇▇▇▇ & STEERS VIF REALTY FUND, INC.
By its authorized officer
By: ________________________________________
Title: ________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________
▇▇▇▇▇ & STEERS SECURITIES, LLC
By its authorized officer
By: ________________________________________
Title: ________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________
25
SCHEDULE A
CONTRACT DESIGNATION AND FORM NUMBER
▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ Investor Choice Annuity - Investor Series
Form MLNY-VA-010
SEPARATE ACCOUNT
ML of New York Variable Annuity Separate Account A - Established 8/6/91
DESIGNATED FUNDS
▇▇▇▇▇ & Steers VIF Realty Fund, Inc.