Exhibit h(71)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS,
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.,
SECURITY BENEFIT LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND
ITS SEPARATE ACCOUNTS,
AND
SECURITY DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DESCRIPTION PAGE
----------- ----
Section 1. Available Funds.............................................. 2
1.1 Availability............................................... 2
1.2 Addition, Deletion or Modification of Funds................ 2
1.3 No Sales to the General Public............................. 2
Section 2. Processing Transactions...................................... 3
2.1 Timely Pricing and Orders.................................. 3
2.2 Timely Payments............................................ 3
2.3 Applicable Price........................................... 3
2.4 Dividends and Distributions................................ 4
2.5 Book Entry................................................. 4
Section 3. Costs and Expenses........................................... 4
3.1 General.................................................... 4
3.2 Parties To Cooperate....................................... 4
Section 4. Legal Compliance............................................. 5
4.1 Tax Laws................................................... 5
4.2 Insurance and Certain Other Laws........................... 7
4.3 Securities Laws............................................ 7
4.4 Notice of Certain Proceedings and Other Circumstances...... 9
4.5 LIFE COMPANY To Provide Documents; Information About AVIF.. 9
4.6 AVIF To Provide Documents; Information About LIFE COMPANY.. 10
Section 5. Mixed and Shared Funding..................................... 12
5.1 General.................................................... 12
5.2 Disinterested Trustees..................................... 12
5.3 Monitoring for Material Irreconcilable Conflicts........... 12
5.4 Conflict Remedies.......................................... 13
5.5 Notice to LIFE COMPANY..................................... 14
5.6 Information Requested by Board of Trustees................. 14
5.7 Compliance with SEC Rules.................................. 15
5.8 Other Requirements......................................... 15
Section 6. Termination.................................................. 15
6.1 Events of Termination...................................... 15
6.2 Notice Requirement for Termination......................... 16
6.3 Funds To Remain Available.................................. 16
6.4 Survival of Warranties and Indemnifications................ 17
6.5 Continuance of Agreement for Certain Purposes.............. 17
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Section 7. Parties To Cooperate Respecting Termination.................. 17
Section 8. Assignment................................................... 17
Section 9. Notices...................................................... 17
Section 10. Voting Procedures............................................ 18
Section 11. Foreign Tax Credits.......................................... 19
Section 12. Indemnification.............................................. 19
12.1 Of AVIF and AIM by LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER............ 19
12.2 Of LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER by AVIF and AIM............ 21
12.3 Effect of Notice........................................... 24
12.4 Successors................................................. 24
Section 13. Applicable Law............................................... 24
Section 14. Execution in Counterparts.................................... 24
Section 15. Severability................................................. 24
Section 16. Rights Cumulative............................................ 24
Section 17. Headings..................................................... 24
Section 18. Confidentiality.............................................. 25
Section 19. Trademarks and Fund Names.................................... 25
Section 20. Parties to Cooperate......................................... 26
Section 21. Amendments................................................... 26
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PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 28th day of March, 2001
("Agreement"), by and among AIM Variable Insurance Funds, a Delaware Trust
("AVIF"), A I M Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("AIM"), Security
Benefit Life Insurance Company, a Kansas life insurance company ("LIFE
COMPANY"), on behalf of itself and each of its segregated asset accounts listed
in Schedule A hereto, as the parties hereto may amend from time to time (each,
an "Account," and collectively, the "Accounts"); and Security Distributors,
Inc., an affiliate of LIFE COMPANY and the principal underwriter of the
Contracts ("UNDERWRITER") (collectively, the "Parties").
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, AVIF is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission
("SEC") as an open-end management investment company under the Investment
Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"); and
WHEREAS, AVIF currently consists of sixteen separate series ("Series"),
shares ("Shares") each of which are registered under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended (the "1933 Act") and are currently sold to one or more separate
accounts of life insurance companies to fund benefits under variable annuity
contracts and variable life insurance contracts; and
WHEREAS, AVIF will make Shares of each Series listed on Schedule A hereto
as the Parties hereto may amend from time to time (each a "Fund"; reference
herein to "AVIF" includes reference to each Fund, to the extent the context
requires) available for purchase by the Accounts; and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will be the issuer of certain variable annuity
contracts and variable life insurance contracts ("Contracts") as set forth on
Schedule A hereto, as the Parties hereto may amend from time to time, which
Contracts (hereinafter collectively, the "Contracts"), if required by applicable
law, will be registered under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will fund the Contracts through the Accounts, each
of which may be divided into two or more subaccounts ("Subaccounts"; reference
herein to an "Account" includes reference to each Subaccount thereof to the
extent the context requires); and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will serve as the depositor of the Accounts, each of
which is registered as a unit investment trust investment company under the 1940
Act (or exempt therefrom), and the security interests deemed to be issued by the
Accounts under the Contracts will be registered as securities under the 1933 Act
(or exempt therefrom); and
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WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, LIFE COMPANY intends to purchase Shares in one or more of the Funds
on behalf of the Accounts to fund the Contracts; and
WHEREAS, UNDERWRITER is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 Act") and a member in good standing of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD");
WHEREAS, AIM is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 Act") and a member in good standing of
the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD");
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual benefits and promises
contained herein, the Parties hereto agree as follows:
SECTION 1. AVAILABLE FUNDS
1.1 AVAILABILITY.
AVIF will make Shares of each Fund available to LIFE COMPANY for purchase
and redemption at net asset value and with no sales charges, subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Board of Trustees of AVIF may refuse
to sell Shares of any Fund to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering
of Shares of any Fund if such action is required by law or by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction or if, in the sole discretion of the Trustees
acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and
any applicable state laws, such action is deemed in the best interests of the
shareholders of such Fund.
1.2 ADDITION, DELETION OR MODIFICATION OF FUNDS.
The Parties hereto may agree, from time to time, to add other Funds to
provide additional funding media for the Contracts, or to delete, combine, or
modify existing Funds, by amending Schedule A hereto. Upon such amendment to
Schedule A, any applicable reference to a Fund, AVIF, or its Shares herein shall
include a reference to any such additional Fund. Schedule A, as amended from
time to time, is incorporated herein by reference and is a part hereof.
1.3 NO SALES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
AVIF represents and warrants that no Shares of any Fund have been or will
be sold to the general public.
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SECTION 2. PROCESSING TRANSACTIONS
2.1 TIMELY PRICING AND ORDERS.
(a) AVIF or its designated agent will use its best efforts to provide
LIFE COMPANY with the net asset value per Share for each Fund by 6:00 p.m.
Central Time on each Business Day. As used herein, "Business Day" shall mean any
day on which (i) the New York Stock Exchange is open for regular trading, (ii)
AVIF calculates the Fund's net asset value, and (iii) LIFE COMPANY is open for
business.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will use the data provided by AVIF each Business Day
pursuant to paragraph (a) immediately above to calculate Account unit values and
to process transactions that receive that same Business Day's Account unit
values. LIFE COMPANY will perform such Account processing the same Business Day,
and will place corresponding orders to purchase or redeem Shares with AVIF by
9:00 a.m. Central Time the following Business Day; provided, however, that AVIF
shall provide additional time to LIFE COMPANY in the event that AVIF is unable
to meet the 6:00 p.m. time stated in paragraph (a) immediately above. Such
additional time shall be equal to the additional time that AVIF takes to make
the net asset values available to LIFE COMPANY.
(c) With respect to payment of the purchase price by LIFE COMPANY and of
redemption proceeds by AVIF, LIFE COMPANY and AVIF shall net purchase and
redemption orders with respect to each Fund and shall transmit one net payment
per Fund in accordance with Section 2.2, below.
(d) If AVIF provides materially incorrect Share net asset value
information (as determined under SEC guidelines), LIFE COMPANY shall be entitled
to an adjustment to the number of Shares purchased or redeemed to reflect the
correct net asset value per Share. Any material error in the calculation or
reporting of net asset value per Share, dividend or capital gain information
shall be reported promptly upon discovery to LIFE COMPANY. Materiality and
reprocessing cost reimbursement shall be determined in accordance with standards
established by the Parties as provided in Schedule B, attached hereto and
incorporated herein.
2.2 TIMELY PAYMENTS.
LIFE COMPANY will wire payment for net purchases to a custodial account
designated by AVIF by 1:00 p.m. Central Time on the same day as the order for
Shares is placed, to the extent practicable. AVIF will wire payment for net
redemptions to an account designated by LIFE COMPANY by 1:00 p.m. Central Time
on the same day as the Order is placed, to the extent practicable, but in any
event within five (5) calendar days after the date the order is placed in order
to enable LIFE COMPANY to pay redemption proceeds within the time specified in
Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act or such shorter period of time as may be required
by law.
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2.3 APPLICABLE PRICE.
(a) Share purchase payments and redemption orders that result from
purchase payments, premium payments, surrenders and other transactions under
Contracts (collectively, "Contract transactions") and that LIFE COMPANY receives
prior to the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on a
Business Day will be executed at the net asset values of the appropriate Funds
next computed after receipt by AVIF or its designated agent of the orders. For
purposes of this Section 2.3(a), LIFE COMPANY shall be the designated agent of
AVIF for receipt of orders relating to Contract transactions on each Business
Day and receipt by such designated agent shall constitute receipt by AVIF;
provided that AVIF receives notice of such orders by 9:00 a.m. Central Time on
the next following Business Day or such later time as computed in accordance
with Section 2.1(b) hereof.
(b) All other Share purchases and redemptions by LIFE COMPANY will be
effected at the net asset values of the appropriate Funds next computed after
receipt by AVIF or its designated agent of the order therefor, and such orders
will be irrevocable.
2.4 DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS.
AVIF will furnish notice by wire or telephone (followed by written
confirmation) on or prior to the payment date to LIFE COMPANY of any income
dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the Shares of any Fund. AVIF
or its designated agent will use its best effort to provide such notice to LIFE
COMPANY no later than 5:30 p.m. Central time on the payment date. LIFE COMPANY
hereby elects to reinvest all dividends and capital gains distributions in
additional Shares of the corresponding Fund at the ex-dividend date net asset
values until LIFE COMPANY otherwise notifies AVIF in writing, it being agreed by
the Parties that the ex-dividend date and the payment date with respect to any
dividend or distribution will be the same Business Day. LIFE COMPANY reserves
the right to revoke this election and to receive all such income dividends and
capital gain distributions in cash.
2.5 BOOK ENTRY.
Issuance and transfer of AVIF Shares will be by book entry only. Stock
certificates will not be issued to LIFE COMPANY. Shares ordered from AVIF will
be recorded in an appropriate title for LIFE COMPANY, on behalf of its Account.
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SECTION 3. COSTS AND EXPENSES
3.1 GENERAL.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in Schedule C, attached hereto
and made a part hereof, each Party will bear, or arrange for others to bear, all
expenses incident to its performance under this Agreement.
3.2 PARTIES TO COOPERATE.
Each Party agrees to cooperate with the others, as applicable, in
arranging to print, mail and/or deliver, in a timely manner, combined or
coordinated prospectuses or other materials of AVIF and the Accounts.
SECTION 4. LEGAL COMPLIANCE
4.1 TAX LAWS.
(a) AVIF represents and warrants that each Fund is currently qualified
as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under Subchapter M of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and represents that each Fund
will maintain such qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M (or any successor
provision) of the Code. AVIF will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that a Fund has ceased to so qualify or that it
might not so qualify in the future.
(b) AVIF represents and warrants that each Fund will comply and will
maintain each Fund's compliance with the diversification requirements set forth
in Section 817(h) of the Code and Section 1.817-5(b) (or any successor
provision) of the regulations under the Code. AVIF will notify LIFE COMPANY
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that a Fund has ceased
to so comply or that a Fund might not so comply in the future. In the event of a
breach of this Section 4.1(b) by AVIF, it will take all reasonable steps to
adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace
period afforded by Section 1.817-5 of the regulations under the Code.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, LIFE COMPANY
agrees that if the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") asserts in writing in
connection with any governmental audit or review of LIFE COMPANY or, to LIFE
COMPANY"s knowledge, of any Contract owners, annuitants, insureds or
participants (as appropriate) under the Contracts (collectively,
"Participants"), that any Fund has failed to comply with the diversification
requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code or LIFE COMPANY otherwise becomes
aware of any facts that could give rise to any claim against AVIF or its
affiliates as a result of such a failure or alleged failure:
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(i) LIFE COMPANY shall promptly notify AVIF of such assertion or
potential claim (subject to the Confidentiality provisions of
Section 18 as to any Participant);
(ii) LIFE COMPANY shall consult with AVIF as to how to minimize any
liability that may arise as a result of such failure or
alleged failure;
(iii) LIFE COMPANY shall use its best efforts to minimize any
liability of AVIF or its affiliates resulting from such
failure, including, without limitation, demonstrating,
pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5(a)(2), to the
Commissioner of the IRS that such failure was inadvertent, it
being understood that AVIF and its affiliates will cooperate
with LIFE COMPANY in this regard;
(iv) LIFE COMPANY shall permit AVIF, its affiliates and their legal
and accounting advisors to participate in any conferences,
settlement discussions or other administrative or judicial
proceeding or contests (including judicial appeals thereof)
with the IRS, any Participant or any other claimant regarding
any claims that could give rise to liability to AVIF or its
affiliates as a result of such a failure or alleged failure;
provided, however, that LIFE COMPANY will retain control of
the conduct of such conferences discussions, proceedings,
contests or appeals;
(v) any written materials to be submitted by LIFE COMPANY to the
IRS, any Participant or any other claimant in connection with
any of the foregoing proceedings or contests (including,
without limitation, any such materials to be submitted to the
IRS pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5(a)(2)),
(a) shall be provided by LIFE COMPANY to AVIF (together with
any supporting information or analysis); subject to the
confidentiality provisions of Section 18, at least ten (10)
business days or such shorter period to which the Parties
hereto agree prior to the day on which such proposed materials
are to be submitted, and (b) shall not be submitted by LIFE
COMPANY to any such person without the express written consent
of AVIF which shall not be unreasonably withheld;
(vi) LIFE COMPANY shall provide AVIF or its affiliates and their
accounting and legal advisors with such cooperation as AVIF
shall reasonably request (including, without limitation, by
permitting AVIF and its accounting and legal advisors to
review the relevant books and records of LIFE COMPANY) in
order to facilitate review by AVIF or its advisors of any
written submissions provided to it pursuant to the preceding
clause or its assessment of the validity or amount of any
claim against its arising from such a failure or alleged
failure;
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(vii) LIFE COMPANY shall not with respect to any claim of the IRS or
any Participant that would give rise to a claim against AVIF
or its affiliates (a) compromise or settle any claim, (b)
accept any adjustment on audit, or (c) forego any allowable
administrative or judicial appeals, without the express
written consent of AVIF or its affiliates, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld, provided that LIFE COMPANY shall not be
required, after exhausting all administrative remedies, to
appeal any adverse judicial decision unless AVIF or its
affiliates shall have provided an opinion of independent
counsel, which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to
LIFE COMPANY, to the effect that a reasonable basis exists for
taking such appeal; and provided further that the costs of any
such appeal shall be borne equally by the Parties hereto; and
(viii) AVIF and its affiliates shall have no liability as a result
of such failure or alleged failure if LIFE COMPANY fails to
comply with any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (vii),
and such failure could be shown to have materially contributed
to the liability.
Should AVIF or any of its affiliates refuse to give its written consent to
any compromise or settlement of any claim or liability hereunder, LIFE COMPANY
may, in its discretion, authorize AVIF or its affiliates to act in the name of
LIFE COMPANY in, and to control the conduct of, such conferences, discussions,
proceedings, contests or appeals and all administrative or judicial appeals
thereof, and in that event AVIF or its affiliates shall bear the fees and
expenses associated with the conduct of the proceedings that it is so authorized
to control; provided, that in no event shall LIFE COMPANY have any liability
resulting from AVIF's refusal to accept the proposed settlement or compromise
with respect to any failure caused by AVIF. As used in this Agreement, the term
"affiliates" shall have the same meaning as "affiliated person" as defined in
Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act.
(d) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that the Contracts currently
are and will be treated as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under
applicable provisions of the Code and that it will use its best efforts to
maintain such treatment; LIFE COMPANY will notify AVIF immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that any of the Contracts have ceased to be so
treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.
(e) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that each Account is a
"segregated asset account" and that interests in each Account are offered
exclusively through the purchase of or transfer into a "variable contract,"
within the meaning of such terms under Section 817 of the Code (or any successor
provision) and the regulations thereunder. LIFE COMPANY will continue to meet
such definitional requirements, and it will notify AVIF immediately upon having
a reasonable basis for believing that such requirements have ceased to be met or
that they might not be met in the future.
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4.2 INSURANCE AND CERTAIN OTHER LAWS.
(a) AVIF will use its best efforts to comply with any applicable state
insurance laws or regulations, to the extent specifically requested in writing
by LIFE COMPANY, including, the furnishing of information not otherwise
available to LIFE COMPANY which is required by state insurance law to enable
LIFE COMPANY to obtain the authority needed to issue the Contracts in any
applicable state.
(b) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) it is an insurance
company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
the State of Kansas and has full corporate power, authority and legal right to
execute, deliver and perform its duties and comply with its obligations under
this Agreement, (ii) it has legally and validly established and maintains each
Account as a segregated asset account under Section 40-436 of the Kansas
Insurance Law and the regulations thereunder, and (iii) the Contracts comply in
all material respects with all other applicable federal and state laws and
regulations.
(c) AVIF represents and warrants that it is lawfully organized, validly
existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has
full power, authority, and legal right to execute, deliver, and perform its
duties and comply with its obligations under this Agreement.
4.3 SECURITIES LAWS.
(a) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) interests in each
Account pursuant to the Contracts will be registered under the 1933 Act to the
extent required by the 1933 Act, (ii) the Contracts will be duly authorized for
issuance and sold in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws,
including, without limitation, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and the
law(s) of LIFE COMPANY"s state(s) of organization and domicile, (iii) each
Account is and will remain registered under the 1940 Act, to the extent required
by the 1940 Act, (iv) each Account does and will comply in all material respects
with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, to the extent
required, (v) each Account's 1933 Act registration statement relating to the
Contracts, together with any amendments thereto, will at all times comply in all
material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules
thereunder, (vi) LIFE COMPANY will amend the registration statement for its
Contracts under the 1933 Act and for its Accounts under the 1940 Act from time
to time as required in order to effect the continuous offering of its Contracts
or as may otherwise be required by applicable law, and (vii) each Account
Prospectus will at all times comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder.
(b) AVIF represents and warrants that (i) Shares sold pursuant to this
Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act to the extent required by the
1933 Act and duly authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with Delaware
law, (ii) AVIF is and will remain registered under the 1940 Act to the extent
required by the 1940 Act, (iii) AVIF will amend the registration statement for
its Shares under the 1933 Act and itself under the 1940 Act from time to time as
required in order to effect the continuous offering of its Shares, (iv) AVIF
does and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of all
applicable federal securities laws, including, but not limited to the 1940 Act
and the rules thereunder, (v) AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement, together
with any
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amendments thereto, will at all times comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1933 Act and rules thereunder, and (vi) AVIF's Prospectus
will at all times comply in all material respects with the requirements of the
1933 Act and the rules thereunder.
(c) AVIF will at its expense register and qualify its Shares for sale in
accordance with the laws of any state or other jurisdiction if and to the extent
necessary in order to perform its obligations under this Agreement.
(d) AVIF currently does not intend to make any payments to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or otherwise,
although it reserves the right to make such payments in the future. To the
extent that it decides to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1,
AVIF undertakes to have its Board of Trustees, a majority of whom are not
"interested" persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule
12b-1 to finance distribution expenses.
(e) AVIF represents and warrants that all of its trustees, officers,
employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities having access to
the funds and/or securities of the Fund are and continue to be at all times
covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the
Fund in an amount not less than the minimal coverage as required currently by
Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940 Act or related provisions as may be promulgated from
time to time. The aforesaid bond includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement
and is issued by a reputable bonding company.
(f) AIM represents and warrants that it is a member in good standing of
the NASD and is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC. AIM further
represents that it will sell and distribute AVIF's shares in accordance with the
laws of the State of Kansas and any applicable federal securities laws.
(g) Underwriter represents and warrants that it is a member in good
standing of the NASD and is a registered broker-dealer registered with the SEC
and will sell its Contracts in accordance with any applicable law.
4.4 NOTICE OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.
(a) AVIF or AIM will immediately notify LIFE COMPANY of (i) the issuance
by any court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or
other similar order with respect to AVIF's registration statement under the 1933
Act or AVIF Prospectus, (ii) any request by the SEC for any amendment to such
registration statement or AVIF Prospectus that may affect the offering of Shares
of AVIF, (iii) the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or for any
other purpose relating to the registration or offering of AVIF's Shares, or (iv)
any other action or circumstances that may prevent the lawful offer or sale of
Shares of any Fund in any state or jurisdiction, including, without limitation,
any circumstances in which (a) such Shares are not registered and, in all
material respects, issued and sold in accordance with applicable state and
federal law, or (b) such law precludes the use of such Shares as an underlying
investment medium of the Contracts issued or to be issued by LIFE COMPANY. AVIF
and AIM will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance, with respect
to any Fund, of any such stop order, cease and desist order or similar order
and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest
possible time.
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(b) LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER will immediately notify AVIF of (i) the
issuance by any court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist
order, or other similar order with respect to each Account's registration
statement under the 1933 Act relating to the Contracts or each Account
Prospectus, (ii) any request by the SEC for any amendment to such registration
statement or Account Prospectus that may affect the offering of Shares of AVIF,
(iii) the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or for any other
purpose relating to the registration or offering of each Account's interests
pursuant to the Contracts, or (iv) any other action or circumstances that may
prevent the lawful offer or sale of said interests in any state or jurisdiction,
including, without limitation, any circumstances in which said interests are not
registered and, in all material respects, issued and sold in accordance with
applicable state and federal law. LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER will make every
reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any such stop order, cease and
desist order or similar order and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the
lifting thereof at the earliest possible time.
4.5 LIFE COMPANY TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS; INFORMATION ABOUT AVIF.
(a) LIFE COMPANY will provide to AVIF or its designated agent at least
one (1) complete copy of all SEC registration statements, Account Prospectuses,
reports, any preliminary and final voting instruction solicitation material,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to each Account or the Contracts,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities.
(b) LIFE COMPANY will provide to AVIF or its designated agent at least
one (1) complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which AVIF or any of its affiliates is named, at least five (5)
Business Days prior to its use or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may,
from time to time, agree upon. No such material shall be used if AVIF or its
designated agent objects to such use within five (5) Business Days after receipt
of such material or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to
time, agree upon. AVIF hereby designates AIM as the entity to receive such sales
literature, until such time as AVIF appoints another designated agent by giving
notice to LIFE COMPANY in the manner required by Section 9 hereof.
(c) Neither LIFE COMPANY nor any of its affiliates, will give any
information or make any representations or statements on behalf of or concerning
AVIF or its affiliates in connection with the sale of the Contracts other than
(i) the information or representations contained in the registration statement,
including the AVIF Prospectus contained therein, relating to Shares, as such
registration statement and AVIF Prospectus may be amended from time to time; or
(ii) in reports or proxy materials for AVIF; or (iii) in published reports for
AVIF that are in the public domain and approved by AVIF for distribution; or
(iv) in sales literature or other promotional material approved by AVIF, except
with the express written permission of AVIF.
(d) LIFE COMPANY shall adopt and implement procedures reasonably
designed to ensure that information concerning AVIF and its affiliates that is
intended for use only by brokers or agents selling the Contracts (i.e.,
information that is not intended for distribution to Participants)
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("broker only materials") is so used, and neither AVIF nor any of its affiliates
shall be liable for any losses, damages or expenses relating to the improper use
of such broker only materials.
(e) For the purposes of this Section 4.5, the phrase "sales literature
or other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or
other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape
display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media, (e.g.,
on-line networks such as the Internet or other electronic messages), sales
literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, registration statements,
prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and
proxy materials and any other material constituting sales literature or
advertising under the NASD rules, the 1933 Act or the 0000 Xxx.
4.6 AVIF TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS; INFORMATION ABOUT LIFE COMPANY.
(a) AVIF will provide to LIFE COMPANY at least one (1) complete copy of
all SEC registration statements, AVIF Prospectuses, reports, any preliminary and
final proxy material, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action
letters, and all amendments to any of the above, that relate to AVIF or the
Shares of a Fund, contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the
SEC or other regulatory authorities.
(b) AVIF will provide to LIFE COMPANY a camera ready copy of all AVIF
prospectuses and printed copies, in an amount specified by LIFE COMPANY, of AVIF
statements of additional information, proxy materials, periodic reports to
shareholders and other materials required by law to be sent to Participants who
have allocated any Contract value to a Fund. AVIF will provide such copies to
LIFE COMPANY in a timely manner so as to enable LIFE COMPANY, as the case may
be, to print and distribute such materials within the time required by law to be
furnished to Participants.
(c) AVIF will provide to LIFE COMPANY or its designated agent at least
one (1) complete copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material in which LIFE COMPANY, or any of its respective affiliates is named, or
that refers to the Contracts, at least five (5) Business Days prior to its use
or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon.
No such material shall be used if LIFE COMPANY or its designated agent objects
to such use within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such material or such
shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. LIFE
COMPANY shall receive all such sales literature until such time as it appoints a
designated agent by giving notice to AVIF in the manner required by Section 9
hereof.
(d) Neither AVIF nor any of its affiliates will give any information or
make any representations or statements on behalf of or concerning LIFE COMPANY,
each Account, or the Contracts other than (i) the information or representations
contained in the registration statement,
13
including each Account Prospectus contained therein, relating to the Contracts,
as such registration statement and Account Prospectus may be amended from time
to time; or (ii) in published reports for the Account or the Contracts that are
in the public domain and approved by LIFE COMPANY for distribution; or (iii) in
sales literature or other promotional material approved by LIFE COMPANY or its
affiliates, except with the express written permission of LIFE COMPANY.
(e) AVIF shall cause its principal underwriter to adopt and implement
procedures reasonably designed to ensure that information concerning LIFE
COMPANY, and its respective affiliates that is intended for use only by brokers
or agents selling the Contracts (i.e., information that is not intended for
distribution to Participants) ("broker only materials") is so used, and neither
LIFE COMPANY, nor any of its respective affiliates shall be liable for any
losses, damages or expenses relating to the improper use of such broker only
materials.
(f) For purposes of this Section 4.6, the phrase "sales literature or
other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or
other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape
display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public media, (e.g.,
on-line networks such as the Internet or other electronic messages), sales
literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, registration statements,
prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder reports, and
proxy materials and any other material constituting sales literature or
advertising under the NASD rules, the 1933 Act or the 1940 Act.
SECTION 5. MIXED AND SHARED FUNDING
5.1 GENERAL.
The SEC has granted an order to AVIF exempting it from certain provisions
of the 1940 Act and rules thereunder so that AVIF may be available for
investment by certain other entities, including, without limitation, separate
accounts funding variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance
contracts, separate accounts of insurance companies unaffiliated with LIFE
COMPANY, and trustees of qualified pension and retirement plans (collectively,
"Mixed and Shared Funding"). The Parties recognize that the SEC has imposed
terms and conditions for such orders that are substantially identical to many of
the provisions of this Section 5. Sections 5.2 through 5.8 below shall apply
pursuant to such an exemptive order granted to AVIF. AVIF hereby notifies LIFE
COMPANY that, in the event that AVIF implements Mixed and Shared Funding, it may
be appropriate to include in the prospectus pursuant to which a Contract is
offered disclosure regarding the potential risks of Mixed and Shared Funding.
14
5.2 DISINTERESTED TRUSTEES.
AVIF agrees that its Board of Trustees shall at all times consist of
trustees a majority of whom (the "Disinterested Trustees") are not interested
persons of AVIF within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act and the
rules thereunder and as modified by any applicable orders of the SEC, except
that if this condition is not met by reason of the death, disqualification, or
bona fide resignation of any director, then the operation of this condition
shall be suspended (a) for a period of forty-five (45) days if the vacancy or
vacancies may be filled by the Board;(b) for a period of sixty (60) days if a
vote of shareholders is required to fill the vacancy or vacancies; or (c) for
such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by order upon application.
5.3 MONITORING FOR MATERIAL IRRECONCILABLE CONFLICTS.
AVIF agrees that its Board of Trustees will monitor for the existence of
any material irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the Participants
in all separate accounts of life insurance companies utilizing AVIF
("Participating Insurance Companies"), including each Account, and participants
in all qualified retirement and pension plans investing in AVIF ("Participating
Plans"). LIFE COMPANY agrees to inform the Board of Trustees of AVIF of the
existence of or any potential for any such material irreconcilable conflict of
which it is aware. The concept of a "material irreconcilable conflict" is not
defined by the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder, but the Parties recognize that
such a conflict may arise for a variety of reasons, including, without
limitation:
(a) an action by any state insurance or other regulatory authority;
(b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax or securities
laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling, no-action or
interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance, tax or securities
regulatory authorities;
(c) an administrative or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding;
(d) the manner in which the investments of any Fund are being managed;
(e) a difference in voting instructions given by variable annuity
contract and variable life insurance contract Participants or by Participants of
different Participating Insurance Companies;
(f) a decision by a Participating Insurance Company to disregard the
voting instructions of Participants; or
(g) a decision by a Participating Plan to disregard the voting
instructions of Plan participants.
Consistent with the SEC's requirements in connection with exemptive orders
of the type referred to in Section 5.1 hereof, LIFE COMPANY will assist the
Board of Trustees in carrying out its responsibilities by providing the Board of
Trustees with all information reasonably necessary for
15
the Board of Trustees to consider any issue raised, including information as to
a decision by LIFE COMPANY to disregard voting instructions of Participants.
LIFE COMPANY's responsibilities in connection with the foregoing shall be
carried out with a view only to the interests of Participants.
5.4 CONFLICT REMEDIES.
(a) It is agreed that if it is determined by a majority of the members
of the Board of Trustees or a majority of the Disinterested Trustees that a
material irreconcilable conflict exists, LIFE COMPANY will, if it is a
Participating Insurance Company for which a material irreconcilable conflict is
relevant, at its own expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as
determined by a majority of the Disinterested Trustees), take whatever steps are
necessary to remedy or eliminate the material irreconcilable conflict, which
steps may include, but are not limited to:
(i) withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the
Accounts from AVIF or any Fund and reinvesting such assets in
a different investment medium, including another Fund of AVIF,
or submitting the question whether such segregation should be
implemented to a vote of all affected Participants and, as
appropriate, segregating the assets of any particular group
(e.g., annuity Participants, life insurance Participants or
all Participants) that votes in favor of such segregation, or
offering to the affected Participants the option of making
such a change; and
(ii) establishing a new registered investment company of the type
defined as a "management company" in Section 4(3) of the 1940
Act or a new separate account that is operated as a management
company.
(b) If the material irreconcilable conflict arises because of LIFE
COMPANY's decision to disregard Participant voting instructions and that
decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, LIFE
COMPANY may be required, at AVIF's election, to withdraw each Account's
investment in AVIF or any Fund. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a result
of such withdrawal. Any such withdrawal must take place within six (6) months
after AVIF gives notice to LIFE COMPANY that this provision is being
implemented, and until such withdrawal AVIF shall continue to accept and
implement orders by LIFE COMPANY for the purchase and redemption of Shares of
AVIF.
(c) If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to LIFE COMPANY conflicts with
the majority of other state regulators, then LIFE COMPANY will withdraw each
Account's investment in AVIF within six (6) months after AVIF's Board of
Trustees informs LIFE COMPANY that it has determined that such decision has
created a material irreconcilable conflict, and until such withdrawal AVIF shall
continue to accept and implement orders by LIFE COMPANY for the purchase and
redemption of Shares of AVIF. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a result
of such withdrawal.
(d) LIFE COMPANY agrees that any remedial action taken by it in
resolving any material irreconcilable conflict will be carried out at its
expense and with a view only to the interests of Participants.
16
(e) For purposes hereof, a majority of the Disinterested Trustees will
determine whether or not any proposed action adequately remedies any material
irreconcilable conflict. In no event, however, will AVIF or any of its
affiliates be required to establish a new funding medium for any Contracts. LIFE
COMPANY will not be required by the terms hereof to establish a new funding
medium for any Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a
majority of Participants materially adversely affected by the material
irreconcilable conflict.
5.5 NOTICE TO LIFE COMPANY.
AVIF will promptly make known in writing to LIFE COMPANY the Board of
Trustees' determination of the existence of a material irreconcilable conflict,
a description of the facts that give rise to such conflict and the implications
of such conflict.
5.6 INFORMATION REQUESTED BY BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
LIFE COMPANY and AVIF (or its investment adviser) will at least annually
submit to the Board of Trustees of AVIF such reports, materials or data as the
Board of Trustees may reasonably request so that the Board of Trustees may fully
carry out the obligations imposed upon it by the provisions hereof or any
exemptive order granted by the SEC to permit Mixed and Shared Funding, and said
reports, materials and data will be submitted at any reasonable time deemed
appropriate by the Board of Trustees. All reports received by the Board of
Trustees of potential or existing conflicts, and all Board of Trustees actions
with regard to determining the existence of a conflict, notifying Participating
Insurance Companies and Participating Plans of a conflict, and determining
whether any proposed action adequately remedies a conflict, will be properly
recorded in the minutes of the Board of Trustees or other appropriate records,
and such minutes or other records will be made available to the SEC upon
request.
5.7 COMPLIANCE WITH SEC RULES.
If, at any time during which AVIF is serving as an investment medium for
variable life insurance Contracts, 1940 Act Rules 6e-3(T) or, if applicable,
6e-2 are amended or Rule 6e-3 is adopted to provide exemptive relief with
respect to Mixed and Shared Funding, AVIF agrees that it will comply with the
terms and conditions thereof and that the terms of this Section 5 shall be
deemed modified if and only to the extent required in order also to comply with
the terms and conditions of such exemptive relief that is afforded by any of
said rules that are applicable.
5.8 OTHER REQUIREMENTS.
AVIF will require that each Participating Insurance Company and
Participating Plan enter into an agreement with AVIF that contains in substance
the same provisions as are set forth in Sections 4.1(b), 4.1(d), 4.3(a), 4.4(b),
4.5(a), 5, and 10 of this Agreement.
17
SECTION 6. TERMINATION
6.1 EVENTS OF TERMINATION.
Subject to Section 6.5 below, this Agreement will terminate as to a Fund:
(a) at the option of any party, with or without cause with respect to
the Fund, upon six (6) months advance written notice to the other parties, or,
if later, upon receipt of any required exemptive relief from the SEC, unless
otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties; or
(b) at the option of AVIF upon institution of formal proceedings against
LIFE COMPANY or its affiliates by the NASD, the SEC, any state insurance
regulator or any other regulatory body regarding LIFE COMPANY's obligations
under this Agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts, the operation of
each Account, or the purchase of Shares, if, in each case, AVIF reasonably
determines that such proceedings, or the facts on which such proceedings would
be based, have a material likelihood of imposing material adverse consequences
on the Fund with respect to which the Agreement is to be terminated; or
(c) at the option of LIFE COMPANY upon institution of formal proceedings
against AVIF, its principal underwriter, or its investment adviser by the NASD,
the SEC, or any state insurance regulator or any other regulatory body regarding
AVIF's obligations under this Agreement or related to the operation or
management of AVIF or the purchase of AVIF Shares, if, in each case, LIFE
COMPANY reasonably determines that such proceedings, or the facts on which such
proceedings would be based, have a material likelihood of imposing material
adverse consequences on LIFE COMPANY; or
(d) at the option of any Party in the event that (i) the Fund's Shares
are not registered and, in all material respects, issued and sold in accordance
with any applicable federal or state law, or (ii) such law precludes the use of
such Shares as an underlying investment medium of the Contracts issued or to be
issued by LIFE COMPANY; or
(e) upon termination of the corresponding Subaccount's investment in the
Fund pursuant to Section 5 hereof; or
(f) at the option of AVIF if the Contracts issued by LIFE COMPANY cease
to qualify as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under the Code
(other than by reason of the Fund's noncompliance with Section 817(h) or
Subchapter M of the Code) or if interests in an Account under the Contracts are
not registered, where required, and, in all material respects, are not issued or
sold in accordance with any applicable federal or state law; or
(g) upon another Party's material breach of any provision of this
Agreement.
6.2 Subject to Section 6.5 below, this Agreement will terminate as to
AVIF:
18
(a) at the option of LIFE COMPANY, if any Fund ceases to qualify as a
RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or under successor or similar provisions, or
if LIFE COMPANY reasonably believes that any Fund may fail to so qualify; or
(b) at the option of LIFE COMPANY, if any Fund fails to comply with
Section 817(h) of the Code or with successor or similar provisions, or if LIFE
COMPANY, reasonably believes that any Fund may fail to so comply.
6.3 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
Sections 6.1(a) or 6.1(e) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at
least six (6) months in advance of the effective date of termination unless a
shorter time is agreed to by the Parties hereto;
(b) in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of
Sections 6.1(b) or 6.1(c) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at
least ninety (90) days in advance of the effective date of termination unless a
shorter time is agreed to by the Parties hereto; and
(c) in the event that any termination is based upon the provisions of
Sections 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i) hereof, such prior written
notice shall be given as soon as possible within twenty-four (24) hours after
the terminating Party learns of the event causing termination to be required.
6.4 FUNDS TO REMAIN AVAILABLE.
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, AVIF will, at the
option of LIFE COMPANY, continue to make available additional shares of the Fund
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in
effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter
referred to as "Existing Contracts"). Specifically, without limitation, the
owners of the Existing Contracts will be permitted to reallocate investments in
the Fund (as in effect on such date), redeem investments in the Fund and/or
invest in the Fund upon the making of additional purchase payments under the
Existing Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 6.3 will not apply to
any terminations under Section 5 and the effect of such terminations will be
governed by Section 5 of this Agreement.
6.5 SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES AND INDEMNIFICATIONS.
All warranties and indemnifications will survive the termination of this
Agreement.
19
6.6 CONTINUANCE OF AGREEMENT FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES.
If any Party terminates this Agreement with respect to any Fund pursuant
to Sections 6.1(b), 6.1(c), 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.2(a) or 6.2(b) hereof,
this Agreement shall nevertheless continue in effect as to any Shares of that
Fund that are outstanding as of the date of such termination (the "Initial
Termination Date"). This continuation shall extend to the earlier of the date as
of which an Account owns no Shares of the affected Fund or a date (the "Final
Termination Date") six (6) months following the Initial Termination Date, except
that LIFE COMPANY may, by written notice shorten said six (6) month period in
the case of a termination pursuant to Sections 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.2(a) or
6.2(b).
SECTION 7. PARTIES TO COOPERATE RESPECTING TERMINATION
The Parties hereto agree to cooperate and give reasonable assistance to
one another in taking all necessary and appropriate steps for the purpose of
ensuring that an Account owns no Shares of a Fund after the Final Termination
Date with respect thereto, or, in the case of a termination pursuant to Section
6.1(a), the termination date specified in the notice of termination. Such steps
may include combining the affected Account with another Account, substituting
other mutual fund shares for those of the affected Fund, or otherwise
terminating participation by the Contracts in such Fund.
SECTION 8. ASSIGNMENT
This Agreement may not be assigned by any Party, except with the written
consent of each other Party.
SECTION 9. NOTICES
Notices and communications required or permitted will be given by means
mutually acceptable to the Parties concerned. Each other notice or communication
required or permitted by this Agreement will be given to the following persons
at the following addresses and facsimile numbers, or such other persons,
addresses or facsimile numbers as the Party receiving such notices or
communications may subsequently direct in writing:
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
20
SECURITY BENEFIT LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
SECURITY DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
000 XX Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attn: General Counsel
SECTION 10. VOTING PROCEDURES
Subject to the cost allocation procedures set forth in Section 3 hereof,
LIFE COMPANY will distribute all proxy material furnished by AVIF to
Participants to whom pass-through voting privileges are required to be extended
and will solicit voting instructions from Participants. LIFE COMPANY will vote
Shares in accordance with timely instructions received from Participants. LIFE
COMPANY will vote Shares that are (a) not attributable to Participants to whom
pass-through voting privileges are extended, or (b) attributable to
Participants, but for which no timely instructions have been received, in the
same proportion as Shares for which said instructions have been received from
Participants, so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret
the 1940 Act to require pass through voting privileges for Participants. Neither
LIFE COMPANY nor any of its affiliates will in any way recommend action in
connection with or oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies for the
Shares held for such Participants. LIFE COMPANY reserves the right to vote
shares held in any Account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law.
LIFE COMPANY shall be responsible for assuring that each of its Accounts holding
Shares calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with that of other
Participating Insurance Companies or in the manner required by the Mixed and
Shared Funding exemptive order obtained by AVIF. AVIF will notify LIFE COMPANY
of any changes of interpretations or amendments to Mixed and Shared Funding
exemptive order it has obtained. AVIF will comply with all provisions of the
1940 Act requiring voting by shareholders, and in particular, AVIF either will
provide for annual meetings (except insofar as the SEC may interpret Section 16
of the 1940 Act not to require such meetings) or will comply with Section 16(c)
of the 1940 Act (although AVIF is not one of the trusts described in Section
16(c) of that Act) as well as with Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable,
16(b). Further, AVIF will act in accordance with the SEC's interpretation of the
requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of trustees and
with whatever rules the SEC may promulgate with respect thereto.
SECTION 11. FOREIGN TAX CREDITS
AVIF agrees to consult in advance with LIFE COMPANY concerning any
decision to elect or not to elect pursuant to Section 853 of the Code to pass
through the benefit of any foreign tax credits to its shareholders.
21
SECTION 12. INDEMNIFICATION
12.1 OF AVIF AND AIM BY LIFE COMPANY AND UNDERWRITER.
(a) Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.1(b) and 12.1(c),
below, LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER agree to indemnify and hold harmless AVIF,
AIM, their affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls AVIF, AIM, or their
affiliates within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each of their
respective trustees and officers, (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for
purposes of this Section 12.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER) or actions in respect thereof (including, to the
extent reasonable, legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties
may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise;
provided, the Account owns or owned shares of the Fund and insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in any
Account's 1933 Act registration statement, any Account
Prospectus, the Contracts, or sales literature or advertising
for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of
the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or the alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading; provided, that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified
Party if such statement or omission or such alleged statement
or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER by or on
behalf of AVIF or AIM for use in any Account's 1933 Act
registration statement, any Account Prospectus, the Contracts,
or sales literature or advertising or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of Contracts or Shares (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in AVIF's 1933 Act registration statement, AVIF
Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of AVIF, or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, not supplied
for use therein by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER
or their respective affiliates and on which such persons have
reasonably relied) or the negligent, illegal or fraudulent
conduct of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective
affiliates or persons under their control (including, without
limitation, their employees and "persons associated with a
member," as that term is defined in paragraph (q) of Article I
of the NASD's By-Laws), in connection with the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Shares; or
22
(iii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in AVIF's 1933
Act registration statement, AVIF Prospectus, sales literature
or advertising of AVIF, or any amendment or supplement to any
of the foregoing, or the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if
such a statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to AVIF, AIM or their
affiliates by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or
their respective affiliates for use in AVIF's 1933 Act
registration statement, AVIF Prospectus, sales literature or
advertising of AVIF, or any amendment or supplement to any of
the foregoing; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by LIFE COMPANY or
UNDERWRITER to perform the obligations, provide the services
and furnish the materials required of them under the terms of
this Agreement, or any material breach of any representation
and/or warranty made by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER; or
(v) arise as a result of failure by the Contracts issued by LIFE
COMPANY to qualify as annuity contracts or life insurance
contracts under the Code, otherwise than by reason of any
Fund's failure to comply with Subchapter M (or any successor
provision) or Section 817(h) of the Code (or any successor
provision).
(b) Neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER shall be liable under this
Section 12.1 with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance by that
Indemnified Party of its duties or by reason of that Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations or duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii) to
AVIF or AIM.
(c) Neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER shall be liable under this
Section 12.1 with respect to any action against an Indemnified Party unless AVIF
or AIM shall have notified LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the action shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify LIFE COMPANY and
UNDERWRITER of any such action shall not relieve LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER
from any liability which they may have to the Indemnified Party against whom
such action is brought otherwise than on account of this Section 12.1. Except as
otherwise provided herein, in case any such action is brought against an
Indemnified Party, LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER shall be entitled to
participate, at their own expense, in the defense of such action and also shall
be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel approved by the
Indemnified Party named in the action, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld. After notice from LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER to such
23
Indemnified Party of LIFE COMPANY's or UNDERWRITER's election to assume the
defense thereof, the Indemnified Party will cooperate fully with LIFE COMPANY
and UNDERWRITER and shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by it, and neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER will be liable to such
Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party independently in connection with
the defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of investigation.
12.2 OF LIFE COMPANY AND UNDERWRITER BY AVIF AND AIM.
(a) Except to the extent provided in Sections 12.2(c), 12.2(d) and
12.2(e), below, AVIF and AIM agree to indemnify and hold harmless LIFE COMPANY,
UNDERWRITER, their respective affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls
LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each of their respective trustees and officers,
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 12.2)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of AVIF and/or AIM) or actions in respect
thereof (including, to the extent reasonable, legal and other expenses), to
which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation,
at common law, or otherwise; provided, the Account owns or owned shares of the
Fund and insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in AVIF's 1933
Act registration statement, AVIF Prospectus or sales
literature or advertising of AVIF (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are
based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
provided, that this agreement to indemnify shall not apply as
to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such
alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to AVIF or its
affiliates by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or
their respective affiliates for use in AVIF's 1933 Act
registration statement, AVIF Prospectus, or in sales
literature or advertising or otherwise for use in connection
with the sale of Contracts or Shares (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in any Account's 1933 Act registration statement,
any Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising for
the Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing, not supplied for use therein by or on behalf of
AVIF, AIM or their affiliates and on which such persons have
reasonably relied) or the negligent, illegal or fraudulent
conduct of AVIF, AIM or their affiliates or persons under
their control (including, without limitation, their employees
and "persons associated with a member" as that term is defined
in Section (q) of Article I
24
of the NASD By-Laws), in connection with the sale or
distribution of the Contract or AVIF Shares; or
(iii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in any
Account's 1933 Act registration statement, any Account
Prospectus, sales literature or advertising covering the
Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing, or the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if
such statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information furnished to LIFE COMPANY,
UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates by or on behalf of
AVIF or AIM for use in any Account's 1933 Act registration
statement, any Account Prospectus, sales literature or
advertising covering the Contracts, or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by AVIF or AIM to perform the
obligations, provide the services and furnish the materials
required of it under the terms of this Agreement, or any
material breach of any representation and/or warranty made by
AVIF or AIM in this Agreement or arise out of or result from
any other material breach of this Agreement by AVIF or AIM.
(b) The parties agree that the foregoing indemnification by AVIF shall
not apply to any acts or omissions of AIM. Except to the extent provided in
Sections 12.2(c), 12.2(d) and 12.2(e) hereof, AVIF and AIM agree to indemnify
and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties from and against any and all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement thereof with,
the written consent of AVIF and/or AIM) or actions in respect thereof
(including, to the extent reasonable, legal and other expenses) to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject directly or indirectly under any statute,
at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities
or actions directly or indirectly result from or arise out of the failure of any
Fund to operate as a regulated investment company in compliance with (i)
Subchapter M of the Code and regulations thereunder (or any successor
provision), or (ii) Section 817(h) of the Code and regulations thereunder (or
any successor provision), including, without limitation, any income taxes and
related penalties, rescission charges, liability under state law to Participants
asserting liability against LIFE COMPANY pursuant to the Contracts, the costs of
any ruling and closing agreement or other settlement with the IRS, and the cost
of any substitution by LIFE COMPANY of Shares of another investment company or
portfolio for those of any adversely affected Fund as a funding medium for each
Account that LIFE COMPANY reasonably deems necessary or appropriate as a result
of the noncompliance.
(c) Neither AVIF nor AIM shall be liable under this Section 12.2 with
respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions to which an
Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance,
bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance by that Indemnified Party of
its duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of its
25
obligations and duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii) to LIFE COMPANY,
UNDERWRITER, each Account or Participants.
(d) Neither AVIF nor AIM shall be liable under this Section 12.2 with
respect to any action against an Indemnified Party unless the Indemnified Party
shall have notified AVIF and/or AIM in writing within a reasonable time after
the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the
action shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated
agent), but failure to notify AVIF or AIM of any such action shall not relieve
AVIF or AIM from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this Section
12.2. Except as otherwise provided herein, in case any such action is brought
against an Indemnified Party, AVIF and/or AIM will be entitled to participate,
at its own expense, in the defense of such action and also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof (which shall include, without limitation, the conduct
of any ruling request and closing agreement or other settlement proceeding with
the IRS), with counsel approved by the Indemnified Party named in the action,
which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. After notice from AVIF and/or
AIM to such Indemnified Party of AVIF's or AIM's election to assume the defense
thereof, the Indemnified Party will cooperate fully with AVIF and AIM and shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and AVIF
and AIM will not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Agreement for
any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party
independently in connection with the defense thereof, other than reasonable
costs of investigation.
(e) In no event shall AVIF or AIM be liable under the indemnification
provisions contained in this Agreement to any individual or entity, including,
without limitation, LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or any other Participating
Insurance Company or any Participant, with respect to any losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses that arise out of or result from (i) a breach
of any representation, warranty, and/or covenant made by LIFE COMPANY or
UNDERWRITER hereunder or by any Participating Insurance Company under an
agreement containing substantially similar representations, warranties and
covenants; (ii) the failure by LIFE COMPANY or any Participating Insurance
Company to maintain its segregated asset account (which invests in any Fund) as
a legally and validly established segregated asset account under applicable
state law and as a duly registered unit investment trust under the provisions of
the 1940 Act (unless exempt therefrom); or (iii) the failure by LIFE COMPANY or
any Participating Insurance Company to maintain its variable annuity or life
insurance contracts (with respect to which any Fund serves as an underlying
funding vehicle) as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under
applicable provisions of the Code.
12.3 EFFECT OF NOTICE.
Any notice given by the indemnifying Party to an Indemnified Party
referred to in Sections 12.1(c) or 12.2(d) above of participation in or control
of any action by the indemnifying Party will in no event be deemed to be an
admission by the indemnifying Party of liability, culpability or responsibility,
and the indemnifying Party will remain free to contest liability with respect to
the claim among the Parties or otherwise.
26
12.4 SUCCESSORS.
A successor by law of any Party shall be entitled to the benefits of the
indemnification contained in this Section 12.
SECTION 13. APPLICABLE LAW
This Agreement will be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with Delaware law, without regard for that state's
principles of conflict of laws.
SECTION 14. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which taken together will constitute one and the same instrument.
SECTION 15. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement will not
be affected thereby.
SECTION 16. RIGHTS CUMULATIVE
The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations,
at law or in equity, that the Parties are entitled to under federal and state
laws.
SECTION 17. HEADINGS
The Table of Contents and headings used in this Agreement are for purposes
of reference only and shall not limit or define the meaning of the provisions of
this Agreement.
SECTION 18. CONFIDENTIALITY
AVIF acknowledges that the identities of the customers of LIFE COMPANY or
any of its affiliates (collectively, the "LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties" for
purposes of this Section 18), information maintained regarding those customers,
and all computer programs and procedures or other information developed by the
LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties or any of their employees or agents in connection
with LIFE COMPANY's performance of its duties under this Agreement are the
valuable property of the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties. AVIF agrees that if it
comes into
27
possession of any list or compilation of the identities of or other information
about the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties' customers, or any other information or
property of the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties, other than such information as
may be independently developed or compiled by AVIF from information supplied to
it by the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties' customers who also maintain accounts
directly with AVIF, AVIF will hold such information or property in confidence
and refrain from using, disclosing or distributing any of such information or
other property except: (a) with LIFE COMPANY's prior written consent; or (b) as
required by law or judicial process. LIFE COMPANY acknowledges that the
identities of the customers of AVIF or any of its affiliates (collectively, the
"AVIF Protected Parties" for purposes of this Section 18), information
maintained regarding those customers, and all computer programs and procedures
or other information developed by the AVIF Protected Parties or any of their
employees or agents in connection with AVIF's performance of its duties under
this Agreement are the valuable property of the AVIF Protected Parties. LIFE
COMPANY agrees that if it comes into possession of any list or compilation of
the identities of or other information about the AVIF Protected Parties'
customers or any other information or property of the AVIF Protected Parties,
other than such information as may be independently developed or compiled by
LIFE COMPANY from information supplied to it by the AVIF Protected Parties'
customers who also maintain accounts directly with LIFE COMPANY, LIFE COMPANY
will hold such information or property in confidence and refrain from using,
disclosing or distributing any of such information or other property except: (a)
with AVIF's prior written consent; or (b) as required by law or judicial
process. Each party acknowledges that any breach of the agreements in this
Section 18 would result in immediate and irreparable harm to the other parties
for which there would be no adequate remedy at law and agree that in the event
of such a breach, the other parties will be entitled to equitable relief by way
of temporary and permanent injunctions, as well as such other relief as any
court of competent jurisdiction deems appropriate.
SECTION 19. TRADEMARKS AND FUND NAMES
(a) Except as may otherwise be provided in a License Agreement among
A I M Management Group Inc., LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER, neither LIFE COMPANY
nor UNDERWRITER or any of their respective affiliates, shall use any trademark,
trade name, service xxxx or logo of AVIF, AIM or any of their respective
affiliates, or any variation of any such trademark, trade name, service xxxx or
logo, without AVIF's or AIM's prior written consent, the granting of which shall
be at AVIF's or AIM's sole option.
(b) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, neither
AVIF, its investment adviser, its principal underwriter, or any affiliates
thereof shall use any trademark, trade name, service xxxx or logo of LIFE
COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or any of their affiliates, or any variation of any such
trademark, trade name, service xxxx or logo, without LIFE COMPANY's or
UNDERWRITER's prior written consent, the granting of which shall be at LIFE
COMPANY's or UNDERWRITER's sole option.
28
SECTION 20. PARTIES TO COOPERATE
Each party to this Agreement will cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including, without limitation, the SEC,
the NASD and state insurance regulators) and will permit each other and such
authorities reasonable access to its books and records (including copies
thereof) in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
SECTION 21. AMENDMENTS
No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any manner
except by a written agreement executed by all parties hereto.
29
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed
in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized officers
signing below.
AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS
Attest: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------------- ---------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title Assistant Secretary Title: President
A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
Attest: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
----------------------------- ---------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Title: Assistant Secretary Title: President
SECURITY BENEFIT LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY, on behalf of itself and
its separate accounts
Attest: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
----------------------------- ---------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Name: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
------------------------------- -------------------------------
Title: 2nd VP and Assistant Counsel Title: Vice President
------------------------------ ------------------------------
SECURITY DISTRIBUTORS, INC
Attest: /s/ Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxx X. Xxx
----------------------------- ---------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx Name: Xxx X. Xxx
------------------------------- -------------------------------
Title: Registered Principal Title: Secretary
------------------------------ ------------------------------
30
SCHEDULE A
FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACTS
- AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS
AIM V.I. Capital Appreciation Fund
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS UTILIZING THE FUNDS
SBL Variable Annuity Account XIV
CONTRACTS FUNDED BY THE SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
V6029
31
SCHEDULE B
AIM'S PRICING ERROR POLICIES
Determination of Materiality
In the event that AIM discovers an error in the calculation of the Fund's net
asset value, the following policies will apply:
If the amount of the error is less than $.01 per share, it is considered
immaterial and no adjustments are made.
If the amount of the error is $.01 per share or more, then the following
thresholds are applied:
a. If the amount of the difference in the erroneous net asset value and
the correct net asset value is less than .5% of the correct net
asset value, AIM will reimburse the affected Fund to the extent of
any loss resulting from the error. No other adjustments shall be
made.
b. If the amount of the difference in the erroneous net asset value and
the correct net asset value is .5% of the correct net asset value or
greater, then AIM will determine the impact of the error to the
affected Fund and shall reimburse such Fund (and/or LIFE COMPANY, as
appropriate, such as in the event that the error was not discovered
until after LIFE COMPANY processed transactions using the erroneous
net asset value) to the extent of any loss resulting from the error.
To the extent that an overstatement of net asset value per share is
detected quickly and LIFE COMPANY has not mailed redemption checks
to Participants, LIFE COMPANY and AIM agree to examine the extent of
the error to determine the feasibility of reprocessing such
redemption transaction (for purposes of reimbursing the Fund to the
extent of any such overpayment).
Reprocessing Cost Reimbursement
To the extent a reprocessing of Participant transactions is required pursuant to
paragraph (b), above, AIM shall reimburse LIFE COMPANY for LIFE COMPANY's
reprocessing costs in an amount not to exceed $1.00 per contract affected by $10
or more.
The Pricing Policies described herein may be modified by AVIF as approved by its
Board of Trustees. AIM agrees to use its best efforts to notify LIFE COMPANY at
least five (5) days prior to any such meeting of the Board of Trustees of AVIF
to consider such proposed changes.
32
SCHEDULE C
EXPENSE ALLOCATIONS
LIFE COMPANY AVIF / AIM
preparing and filing the Account's Preparing and filing the Fund's
registration statement registration statement
text composition for Account text composition for Fund prospectuses
prospectuses and supplements and supplements
text alterations of prospectuses text alterations of prospectuses (Fund)
(Account) and supplements (Account) and supplements (Fund)
printing Account and Fund prospectuses a camera ready Fund prospectus
and supplements
text composition and printing Account text composition and printing Fund SAIs
SAIs
mailing and distributing Account SAIs mailing and distributing Fund SAIs to
to policy owners upon request by policy owners upon request by policy
policy owners owners
mailing and distributing prospectuses
(Account and Fund) and supplements
(Account and Fund) to policy owners of
record as required by Federal
Securities Laws and to prospective
purchasers
Text composition (Account), printing, text composition of annual and
mailing, and distributing annual and semi-annual reports (Fund)
semi-annual reports for Account (Fund
and Account as, applicable)
Text composition, printing, mailing, text composition, printing, mailing,
distributing, and tabulation of proxy distributing and tabulation of proxy
statements and voting instruction statements and voting instruction
solicitation materials to policy solicitation materials to policy owners
owners with respect to proxies related with respect to proxies related to the
to the Account Fund
Preparation, printing and distributing
sales material and advertising
relating to the Funds, insofar as such
materials relate to the Contracts and
filing such materials with and
obtaining approval from, the SEC, the
NASD, any state insurance regulatory
authority, and any other appropriate
regulatory authority, to the extent
required
33
