PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
AMONG
MFS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST,
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
AND
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into this 1st day of September 1999,
by and among MFS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST, a Massachusetts business trust (the
"Trust"), AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, an Indiana corporation
(the "Company") on its own behalf and on behalf of each of the segregated asset
accounts of the Company set forth in Schedule A hereto, as may be amended from
time to time (the "Accounts"), and MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY, a
Delaware corporation ("MFS").
WHEREAS, the Trust is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"),
and its shares are registered or will be registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "1933 Act");
WHEREAS, shares of beneficial interest of the Trust are divided into
several series of shares, each representing the interests in a particular
managed pool of securities and other assets;
WHEREAS, certain series of shares of the Trust are divided into two
separate share classes, an Initial Class and a Service Class, and the Trust on
behalf of the Service Class has adopted a Rule 12b-1 plan under the 1940 Act
pursuant to which the Service Class pays a distribution fee;
WHEREAS, the series of shares of the Trust (each, a "portfolio," and,
collectively, the Portfolios") and the classes of shares of those Portfolios
(the "Shares") offered by the Trust to the Company and the Accounts are set
forth on Schedule A attached hereto;
WHEREAS, MFS is duly registered as an investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any applicable state securities
law, and is the Trust's investment adviser;
WHEREAS, the Company will issue certain variable annuity and/or
variable life insurance contracts (individually, the "Policy" or, collectively,
the "Policies") which, if required by applicable law, will be registered under
the 1933 Act;
WHEREAS, the Accounts are duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset accounts, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Company, to set aside and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid variable
annuity and/or variable life insurance contracts that are allocated to the
Accounts (the Policies and the Accounts covered by this Agreement, and each
corresponding Portfolio covered by this Agreement in which the Accounts invest,
is specified in Schedule A attached hereto as may be modified from time to
time);
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register the Accounts as
unit investment trusts under the 1940 Act (unless exempt therefrom);
WHEREAS, MFS Fund Distributors, Inc. (the "Underwriter") is registered
as a broker-dealer with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (hereinafter the "1934 Act"),
and is a member in good standing of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD");
WHEREAS, American Express Financial Advisors, Inc., the underwriter for
the individual variable annuity and the variable life policies, is registered as
a broker-dealer with the SEC under the 1934 Act and is a member in good standing
of the NASD; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase the Shares of the Portfolios as
specified in Schedule A attached hereto on behalf of the Accounts to fund the
Policies, and the Trust intends to sell such Shares to the Accounts at net asset
value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Trust,
MFS, and the Company agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. Sale of Trust Shares
1.1. The Trust agrees to sell to the Company those Shares which the
Accounts order (based on orders placed by Policy holders on that
Business Day, as defined below) and which are available for purchase by
such Accounts, executing such orders on a daily basis at the net asset
value next computed after receipt by the Trust or its designee of the
order for the Shares. For purposes of this Section 1.1, the Company
shall be the designee of the Trust for receipt of such orders from
Policy owners and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by
the Trust; provided that the Trust receives notice of such orders by
10:00 a.m. New York time on the next following Business Day. "Business
Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (the
"NYSE") is open for trading and on which the Trust calculates its net
asset value pursuant to the rules of the SEC.
1.2. The Trust agrees to make the Shares available indefinitely for
purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company and
the Accounts on those days on which the Trust calculates its net asset
value pursuant to rules of the SEC and the Trust shall calculate such
net asset value on each day which the NYSE is open for trading.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the
"Board") may refuse to sell any Shares to the Company and the Accounts,
or suspend or terminate the offering of the Shares if such action is
required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction or is,
in the sole discretion of the Board acting in good faith and in light
of its fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws,
necessary in the best interest of the Shareholders of such Portfolio.
1.3. The Trust and MFS agree that the Shares will be sold only to
insurance companies which have entered into participation agreements
with the Trust and MFS (the "Participating Insurance Companies") and
their separate accounts, qualified pension and retirement plans and MFS
or its affiliates. The Trust and MFS will not sell Trust shares to any
insurance company or separate account unless an agreement containing
provisions substantially the same as Articles III and VII of this
Agreement is in effect to govern such sales. The Company will not
resell the Shares except to the Trust or its agents.
1.4. The Trust agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's request, any
full or fractional Shares held by the Accounts (based on orders placed
by Policy owners on that Business Day), executing such requests on a
daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the
Trust or its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of
this Section 1.4, the Company shall be the designee of the Trust for
receipt of requests for redemption from Policy owners and receipt by
such designee shall constitute receipt by the Trust; provided that the
Trust receives notice of such request for redemption by 10:00 a.m. New
York time on the next following Business Day.
1.5. Purchase, redemption and exchange orders for each subaccount of
the Accounts that invest in each Portfolio shall be netted against each
other, and one net order per subaccount Portfolio shall be submitted by
the Company to the Trust or its designee. With respect to payment of
the purchase price by the Company and of redemption proceeds by the
Trust, the Company and the Trust shall net purchase, exchange and
redemption orders against each other with respect to all Portfolios and
shall transmit one net payment for all of the Portfolios in accordance
with Section 1.6 hereof.
1.6. In the event of net purchases, the Company's bank shall initiate
the wire of payment of the Shares by 2:00 p.m. New York time on the
next Business Day after an order to purchase the Shares is made in
accordance with the provisions of Section 1.1. hereof. In the event of
net redemptions, the Trust's bank shall initiate the wire of payment of
the redemption proceeds by 3:00 p.m. New York time on the next Business
Day after an order to redeem the shares is made in accordance with the
provisions of Section 1.4. hereof. All such payments shall be in
federal funds transmitted by wire.
1.7. Issuance and transfer of the Shares will be by book entry only.
Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or the Accounts.
The Shares ordered from the Trust will be recorded in an appropriate
title for the Accounts or the appropriate subaccounts of the Accounts.
1.8. The Trust shall furnish same day notice (by wire or telephone
followed by written confirmation) to the Company of any dividends or
capital gain distributions payable on the Shares. The Company hereby
elects to receive all such dividends and distributions as are payable
on a Portfolio's Shares in additional Shares of that Portfolio. The
Trust shall notify the Company of the number of Shares so issued as
payment of such dividends and distributions.
1.9. The Trust or its custodian shall make the net asset value per
share for each Portfolio available to the Company on each Business Day
as soon as reasonably practical after the net asset value per share is
calculated and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value
per share available by 6:30 p.m. New York time. The Trust shall notify
the Company as soon as possible if it is determined that the net asset
value per share will be available after 6:30 p.m. New York time on any
Business Day, and the Trust and the Company will mutually agree upon a
final deadline for timely receipt of the net asset value on such
Business Day. In the event that the Trust is unable to meet the 6:30
p.m. time 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 Trust
takes to make the net asset value available to the Company. If the
Trust provides materially incorrect share net asset value information,
the Trust shall make an adjustment to the number of shares purchased or
redeemed for the Accounts 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 gains information shall be
reported promptly upon discovery to the Company.
ARTICLE II. Certain Representations, Warranties and Covenants
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Policies are or will
be registered under the 1933 Act or are exempt from or not subject to
registration thereunder, and that the Policies will be issued, sold,
and distributed in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable state and federal laws, including without limitation the
1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934
Act"), and the 1940 Act. The Company further represents and warrants
that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good standing
under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established
the Account as a segregated asset account under applicable law and has
registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the Policies, will
register the Accounts as unit investment trusts in accordance with the
provisions of the 1940 Act (unless exempt therefrom) to serve as
segregated investment accounts for the Policies, and that it will
maintain such registration for so long as any Policies are outstanding.
The Company shall amend the registration statements under the 1933 Act
for the Policies and the registration statements under the 1940 Act for
the Accounts from time to time as required in order to effect the
continuous offering of the Policies or as may otherwise be required by
applicable law. The Company shall register and qualify the Policies for
sales in accordance with the securities laws of the various states only
if and to the extent deemed necessary by the Company.
2.2. The Company represents and warrants that the Policies are
currently and at the time of issuance are intended to be treated as
life insurance, endowment or annuity contracts under applicable
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), that it will maintain such treatment and that it will notify
the Trust or MFS immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing that the Policies have ceased to be so treated or that they
might not be so treated in the future.
2.3. The Company represents and warrants that American Express
Financial Advisors, Inc., the underwriter for the individual variable
annuity and the variable life policies, is a member in good standing of
the NASD and is a registered broker-dealer with the SEC. The Company
represents and warrants that the Company and American Express Financial
Advisors, Inc. will sell and distribute such policies in accordance in
all material respects with all applicable state and federal securities
laws, including without limitation the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and the
0000 Xxx.
2.4. The Trust and MFS represent and warrant that the Shares sold
pursuant to this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly
authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with the laws of The
Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all applicable federal and state
securities laws and that the Trust is and shall remain registered under
the 1940 Act. The Trust 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
Trust shall register and qualify the Shares for sale in accordance with
the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed
necessary by the Trust.
2.5. MFS represents and warrants that the Underwriter is and shall
remain a member in good standing of the NASD and is and shall remain
registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC. The Trust and MFS represent
that the Trust and the Underwriter will sell and distribute the Shares
in accordance in all material respects with all applicable state and
federal securities laws, including without limitation the 1933 Act, the
1934 Act, and the 0000 Xxx.
2.6. The Trust represents that it is lawfully organized and validly
existing under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that
it does and will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act and
any applicable regulations thereunder.
2.7. MFS represents and warrants that it is and shall remain duly
registered under all applicable federal securities laws and that it
shall perform its obligations for the Trust in compliance in all
material respects with any applicable federal securities laws and with
the securities laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MFS
represents and warrants that it is not subject to state securities laws
other than the securities laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
that it is exempt from registration as an investment adviser under the
securities laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
2.8. No less frequently than annually, the Company shall submit to the
Board such reports, material or data as the Board may reasonably
request so that it may carry out fully the obligations imposed upon it
by the conditions contained in the exemptive application pursuant to
which the SEC has granted exemptive relief to permit mixed and shared
funding (the "Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order").
ARTICLE III. Prospectus and Proxy Statements; Voting
3.1. At least annually, the Trust or its designee shall provide the
Company, free of charge, with as many copies of the current prospectus
(describing only the Portfolios listed in Schedule A hereto) for the
Shares as the Company may reasonably request for distribution to
existing Policy owners whose Policies are funded by such Shares. The
Trust or its designee shall provide the Company, at the Company's
expense, with as many copies of the current prospectus for the Shares
as the Company may reasonably request for distribution to prospective
purchasers of Policies. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof,
the Trust or its designee shall provide such documentation (including a
"camera ready" copy of the new prospectus as set in type or, at the
request of the Company, as a diskette in the form sent to the financial
printer) or other medium agreed to by the parties and other assistance
as is reasonably necessary in order, once each year (or more frequently
if the prospectus for the Shares is supplemented or amended), to have
the prospectus for the Shares printed. If the prospectus for the Shares
is printed together with other prospectuses, such as the prospectuses
for other investment products under the Policies (the "Combined
Prospectus"), the Trust or its designee shall pay the expenses of such
printing in proportion to the number of pages of the Shares' prospectus
in the Combined Prospectus, taking account of other relevant factors
affecting the expense of printing, such as covers, columns, graphs and
charts; the Trust or its designee to bear the cost of printing the
Shares' prospectus portion of such Combined Prospectus for distribution
to owners of existing Policies funded by the Shares; provided, however,
that the Company shall bear all printing expenses of any Trust
prospectus where used for distribution to prospective purchasers or to
owners of existing Policies not funded by the Shares. In the event that
the Company requests that the Trust or its designee provides the
Trust's prospectus in a "camera ready," diskette or other format, the
Trust shall be responsible for providing the prospectus in the format
in which it or MFS is accustomed to formatting prospectuses and shall
bear the expense of providing the prospectus in such format (e.g.,
typesetting expenses), and the Company shall bear the expense of
adjusting or changing the format to conform with any of its
prospectuses.
3.2. The prospectus for the Shares shall state that the statement of
additional information for the Shares is available from the Trust or
its designee. The Trust or its designee, at its expense, shall print
and provide such statement of additional information to the Company (or
a master of such statement suitable for duplication by the Company) for
distribution to any owner of a Policy funded by the Shares. The Trust
or its designee, at the Company's expense, shall print and provide such
statement to the Company (or a master of such statement suitable for
duplication by the Company) for distribution to a prospective purchaser
who requests such statement or to an owner of a Policy not funded by
the Shares.
3.3. The Trust or its designee shall provide the Company free of charge
copies, if and to the extent applicable to the Shares, of the Trust's
reports to Shareholders and other communications to Shareholders in
such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for distribution
to Policy owners.
3.4. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3
above, or of Article V below, the Company shall pay the expense of
printing or providing documents to the extent such cost is considered a
distribution expense. Distribution expenses would include by way of
illustration, but are not limited to, the printing of the Shares'
prospectus or prospectuses for distribution to prospective purchasers
or to owners of existing Policies not funded by such Shares.
3.5. The Trust hereby notifies the Company that it may be appropriate
to include in the prospectus pursuant to which a Policy is offered
disclosure regarding the potential risks of mixed and shared funding.
3.6. If and to the extent required by law, the Company shall:
(a) solicit voting instructions from Policy owners;
(b) vote the Shares in accordance with instructions
received from Policy owners; and
(c) vote the Shares for which no instructions have been
received in the same proportion as the Shares of such
Portfolio for which instructions have been received
from Policy owners;
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. The Company will in no way recommend action in
connection with or oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies
for the Shares held for such Policy owners. The Company reserves the
right to vote shares held in any segregated asset account in its own
right, to the extent permitted by law. Participating Insurance
Companies shall be responsible for assuring that each of their separate
accounts holding Shares calculates voting privileges in the manner
required by the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order. The Trust and
MFS will notify the Company of any changes of interpretations or
amendments to the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order.
ARTICLE IV. Sales Material and Information
4.1. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Trust or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which the Trust, MFS, any other investment
adviser to the Trust, or any affiliate of MFS are named, at least three
(3) Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if
the Trust, MFS, or their respective designees reasonably objects to
such use within three (3) Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.2. The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statement on behalf of the Trust, MFS, any other
investment adviser to the Trust, or any affiliate of MFS or concerning
the Trust or any other such entity in connection with the sale of the
Policies other than the information or representations contained in the
registration statement, prospectus or statement of additional
information for the Shares, as such registration statement, prospectus
and statement of additional information may be amended or supplemented
from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Trust, or
in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the
Trust, MFS or their respective designees, except with the permission of
the Trust, MFS or their respective designees. The Trust, MFS or their
respective designees each agrees to respond to any request for approval
on a prompt and timely basis. The Company shall adopt and implement
procedures reasonably designed to ensure that information concerning
the Trust, MFS or any of their affiliates which is intended for use
only by brokers or agents selling the Policies (i.e., information that
is not intended for distribution to Policy owners or prospective Policy
owners) is so used, and neither the Trust, MFS nor any of their
affiliates shall be liable for any losses, damages or expenses relating
to the improper use of such broker only materials.
4.3. The Trust or its designee shall furnish, or shall cause to be
furnished, to the Company or its designee, each piece of sales
literature or other promotional material in which the Company and/or
the Accounts is named, at least three (3) Business Days prior to its
use. No such material shall be used if the Company or its designee
reasonably objects to such use within three (3) Business Days after
receipt of such material.
4.4. The Trust and MFS shall not give, and agree that the Underwriter
shall not give, any information or make any representations or
statements on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, the
Accounts, or the Policies in connection with the sale of the Policies
other than the information or representations contained in a
registration statement, prospectus, or statement of additional
information for the Policies, as such registration statement,
prospectus and statement of additional information may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in reports for the Accounts, or in
sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Company
or its designee, except with the permission of the Company. The Company
or its designee agrees to respond to any request for approval on a
prompt and timely basis. The parties hereto agree that this Section
4.4. is neither intended to designate nor otherwise imply that MFS is
an underwriter or distributor of the Policies.
4.5. The Company and the Trust (or its designee in lieu of the Company
or the Trust, as appropriate) will each provide to the other at least
one complete copy of all registration statements, prospectuses,
statements of additional information, 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 Policies, or to the Trust or its
Shares, prior to or contemporaneously with the filing of such document
with the SEC or other regulatory authorities. The Company and the Trust
shall also each promptly inform the other of the results of any
examination by the SEC (or other regulatory authorities) that relates
to the Policies, the Trust or its Shares, and the party that was the
subject of the examination shall provide the other party with a copy of
relevant portions of any "deficiency letter" or other correspondence or
written report regarding any such examination.
4.6. The Trust and MFS will provide the Company with as much notice as
is reasonably practicable of any proxy solicitation for any Portfolio,
and of any material change in the Trust's registration statement,
particularly any change resulting in change to the registration
statement or prospectus or statement of additional information for any
Account. The Trust and MFS will cooperate with the Company so as to
enable the Company to assist in the solicitation of proxies from Policy
owners or to make changes to its prospectus, statement of additional
information or registration statement, in an orderly manner. The Trust
and MFS will make reasonable efforts to attempt to have changes
affecting Policy prospectuses become effective simultaneously with the
annual updates for such prospectuses.
4.7. For purpose of this Article IV and Article VIII, 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), and sales literature (such
as brochures, circulars, reprints or excerpts or any other
advertisement, sales literature, or published articles), distributed or
made generally available to customers or the public, educational or
training materials or communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees.
ARTICLE V. Fees and Expenses
5.1. The Trust shall pay no fee or other compensation to the Company
under this Agreement, and the Company shall pay no fee or other
compensation to the Trust, except that, to the extent the Trust or any
Portfolio has adopted and implemented a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1
under the 1940 Act to finance distribution and for Shareholder
servicing expenses, then, subject to obtaining any required exemptive
orders or regulatory approvals, the Trust may make payments to the
Company or to the underwriter for the Policies in accordance with such
plan. Each party, however, shall, in accordance with the allocation of
expenses specified in Articles III and V hereof, reimburse other
parties for expenses initially paid by one party but allocated to
another party. In addition, nothing herein shall prevent the parties
hereto from otherwise agreeing to perform, and arranging for
appropriate compensation for, other services relating to the Trust
and/or to the Accounts.
5.2. The Trust or its designee shall bear the expenses for the cost of
registration and qualification of the Shares under all applicable
federal and state laws, including preparation and filing of the Trust's
registration statement, and payment of filing fees and registration
fees; preparation and filing of the Trust's proxy materials and reports
to Shareholders; setting in type and printing its prospectus and
statement of additional information (to the extent provided by and as
determined in accordance with Article III above); setting in type and
printing the proxy materials and reports to Shareholders (to the extent
provided by and as determined in accordance with Article III above);
the preparation of all statements and notices required of the Trust by
any federal or state law with respect to its Shares; all taxes on the
issuance or transfer of the Shares; and the costs of distributing the
Trust's prospectuses and proxy materials to owners of Policies funded
by the Shares and any expenses permitted to be paid or assumed by the
Trust pursuant to a plan, if any, under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
The Trust shall not bear any expenses of marketing the Policies.
5.3. The Company shall bear the expenses of distributing the Shares'
prospectus or prospectuses in connection with new sales of the Policies
and of distributing the Trust's Shareholder reports to Policy owners.
The Company shall bear all expenses associated with the registration,
qualification, and filing of the Policies under applicable federal
securities and state insurance laws; the cost of preparing, printing
and distributing the Policy prospectus and statement of additional
information; and the cost of preparing, printing and distributing
annual individual account statements for Policy owners as required by
state insurance laws.
ARTICLE VI. Diversification and Related Limitations
6.1. The Trust and MFS represent and warrant that each Portfolio of the
Trust will meet the diversification requirements of Section 817 (h) (1)
of the Code and Treas. Reg. 1.817-5, relating to the diversification
requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance
contracts, as they may be amended from time to time (and any revenue
rulings, revenue procedures, notices, and other published announcements
of the Internal Revenue Service interpreting these sections), as if
those requirements applied directly to each such Portfolio. In the
event of a breach of this representation and warranty by the Trust
and/or MFS, they will take all reasonable steps to: (a) notify the
Company of such breach; and (b) adequately diversify the Trust so as to
achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Treasury
Regulation 1.817.5.
6.2. The Trust and MFS represent that each Portfolio will elect to be
qualified as a Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the
Code and that they will maintain such qualification (under Subchapter M
or any successor or similar provision), and will notify the Company
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that they
might not so qualify in the future.
ARTICLE VII. Potential Material Conflicts
7.1. The Trust agrees that the Board, constituted with a majority of
disinterested trustees, will monitor each Portfolio of the Trust for
the existence of any material irreconcilable conflict between the
interests of the variable annuity contract owners and the variable life
insurance policy owners of the Company and/or affiliated companies
("contract owners") investing in the Trust. The Board shall have the
sole authority to determine if a material irreconcilable conflict
exists, and such determination shall be binding on the Company only if
approved in the form of a resolution by a majority of the Board, or a
majority of the disinterested trustees of the Board. The Board will
give prompt notice of any such determination to the Company.
7.2. The Company agrees that it will be responsible for assisting the
Board in carrying out its responsibilities under the conditions set
forth in the Trust's exemptive application pursuant to which the SEC
has granted the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order by providing
the Board, as it may reasonably request, with all information necessary
for the Board to consider any issues raised and agrees that it will be
responsible for promptly reporting any potential or existing conflicts
of which it is aware to the Board including, but not limited to, an
obligation by the Company to inform the Board whenever contract owner
voting instructions are disregarded. The Company also agrees that, if a
material irreconcilable conflict arises, it will at its own cost remedy
such conflict up to and including (a) withdrawing the assets allocable
to some or all of the Accounts from the Trust or any Portfolio and
reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium, including
(but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Trust, or submitting to a
vote of all affected contract owners whether to withdraw assets from
the Trust or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different
investment medium and, as appropriate, segregating the assets
attributable to any appropriate group of contract owners that votes in
favor of such segregation, or offering to any of the affected contract
owners the option of segregating the assets attributable to their
contracts or policies, and (b) establishing a new registered management
investment company and segregating the assets underlying the Policies,
unless a majority of Policy owners materially adversely affected by the
conflict have voted to decline the offer to establish a new registered
management investment company.
7.3. A majority of the disinterested trustees of the Board shall
determine whether any proposed action by the Company adequately
remedies any material irreconcilable conflict. In the event that the
Board determines that any proposed action does not adequately remedy
any material irreconcilable conflict, the Company will withdraw from
investment in the Trust each of the Accounts designated by the
disinterested trustees 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 to remedy any such material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested trustees of the Board. No charge or penalty will be
imposed as a result of such withdrawal.
7.4. If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended,
or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision
of the 1940 Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to
mixed or shared funding (as defined in the Mixed and Shared Funding
Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions materially different from
those contained in the Mixed and Shared Funding Exemptive Order, then
(a) the Trust and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as
appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with
Rule 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 and 7.4 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
The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust,
MFS, any affiliates of MFS, and each of their respective
directors/trustees, officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Trust or MFS within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, and any
directors, trustees, officers, agents or employees of the foregoing
(each an "Indemnified Party," or 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 expenses (including reasonable
counsel fees) to which any Indemnified Party may become subject under
any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
thereof) or settlements:
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in the registration statement, prospectus
or statement of additional information for the
Policies or contained in the Policies or sales
literature or other promotional material for the
Policies (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 reasonable reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to
the Company or its designee by or on behalf of the
Trust or MFS for use in the registration statement,
prospectus or statement of additional information for
the Policies or in the Policies or sales literature
or other promotional material (or any amendment or
supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with
the sale of the Policies or Shares; or
(b) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or
representations contained in the registration
statement, prospectus, statement of additional
information or sales literature or other promotional
material of the Trust not supplied by the Company or
its designee, or persons under its control and on
which the Company has reasonably relied) or wrongful
conduct of the Company or persons under its control,
with respect to the sale or distribution of the
Policies or Shares; or
(c) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the
registration statement, prospectus, statement of
additional information, or sales literature or other
promotional literature of the Trust, 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 statement or statements therein not misleading,
if such statement or omission was made in reliance
upon information furnished to the Trust by or on
behalf of the Company; or
(d) 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
(e) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to
provide the services and furnish the materials under
the terms of this Agreement;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of this Article
VIII.
8.2. Indemnification by the Trust
The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company
and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of
Section 15 of the 1933 Act, and any directors, trustees, officers,
partners, agents or employees of the foregoing (each an "Indemnified
Party," or 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
Trust) or expenses (including reasonable counsel fees) to which any
Indemnified Party may become subject under any statute, at common law
or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements:
(a) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of any material fact
contained in the registration statement, prospectus,
statement of additional information or sales
literature or other promotional material of the Trust
(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 statement 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 reasonable reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to
the Trust, MFS, the Underwriter or their respective
designees by or on behalf of the Company for use in
the registration statement, prospectus or statement
of additional information for the Trust or in sales
literature or other promotional material for the
Trust (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise
for use in connection with the sale of the Policies
or Shares; or
(b) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or
representations contained in the registration
statement, prospectus, statement of additional
information or sales literature or other promotional
material for the Policies not supplied by the Trust,
MFS, the Underwriter or any of their respective
designees or persons under their respective control
and on which any such entity has reasonably relied)
or wrongful conduct of the Trust or persons under its
control, with respect to the sale or distribution of
the Policies or Shares; or
(c) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the
registration statement, prospectus, statement of
additional information, or sales literature or other
promotional literature of the Accounts or relating to
the Policies, 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 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 Trust, MFS or the
Underwriter; or
(d) arise out of or result from any material breach of
any representation and/or warranty made by the Trust
in this Agreement (including a failure, whether
unintentional or in good faith or otherwise, to
comply with the diversification requirements
specified in Article VI of this Agreement) or arise
out of or result from any other material breach of
this Agreement by the Trust; or
(e) 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; or
(f) arise as a result of any failure by the Trust to
provide the services and furnish the materials under
the terms of the Agreement;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of this Article
VIII.
8.3. In no event shall the Trust be liable under the indemnification
provisions contained in this Agreement to any individual or entity,
including without limitation, the Company, or any Participating
Insurance Company or any Policy holder, 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 the Company hereunder or by any Participating Insurance Company
under an agreement containing substantially similar representations,
warranties and covenants; (ii) the failure by the Company or any
Participating Insurance Company to maintain its segregated asset
account (which invests in any Portfolio) 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 the Company
or any Participating Insurance Company to maintain its variable annuity
and/or variable life insurance contracts (with respect to which any
Portfolio serves as an underlying funding vehicle) as life insurance,
endowment or annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the Code.
8.4. Neither the Company nor the Trust shall be liable under the
indemnification provisions contained in this Agreement with respect to
any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses to which an
Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, willful misconduct, 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.
8.5. Promptly after receipt by an Indemnified Party under this Section
8.5. of notice of commencement of any action, such Indemnified Party
will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
indemnifying party under this section, notify the indemnifying party of
the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party will not relieve it from any liability which it may
have to any Indemnified Party otherwise than under this section. In
case any such action is brought against any Indemnified Party, and it
notified the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the
indemnifying party will be entitled to participate therein, at its own
expense and, to the extent that it may wish, assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such Indemnified Party. After
notice from the indemnifying party of its intention to assume the
defense of an action, the Indemnified Party shall bear the expenses of
any additional counsel obtained by it, and the indemnifying party shall
not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this section for any
legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party
in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation, unless: (a) the indemnifying party and the Indemnified
Party will have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel; or
(b) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded
parties) include both the indemnifying party and the Indemnified Party
and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be
inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between
them. The indemnifying party will not be liable for any settlement of
any proceeding effected without its written consent but if settled with
such consent or if there is a final judgment for the plaintiff, the
indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the Indemnified Party from and
against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment.
8.6. Each of the parties agrees promptly to notify the other parties of
the commencement of any litigation or proceeding against it or any of
its respective officers, directors, trustees, employees or 1933 Act
control persons in connection with the Agreement, the issuance or sale
of the Policies, the operation of the Accounts, or the sale or
acquisition of Shares.
8.7. A successor by law of the parties to this Agreement shall be
entitled to the benefits of the indemnification contained in this
Article VIII. The indemnification provisions contained in this Article
VIII shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
8.8. Except as expressly stated herein, as between the parties, in no
event will any party to this Agreement be responsible to any other
party for any incidental, indirect, consequential, punitive or
exemplary damages of any kind arising from this Agreement, including
without limitation, lost revenues, loss of profits or loss of business.
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 Commonwealth
of Massachusetts.
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 and the terms hereof shall be
interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
ARTICLE X. Notice of Formal Proceedings
The Trust, MFS, and the Company agree that each such party shall promptly
notify the other parties to this Agreement, in writing, of the institution of
any formal proceedings brought against such party or its designees by the NASD,
the SEC, or any insurance department or any other regulatory body regarding such
party's duties under this Agreement or related to the sale of the Policies, the
operation of the Accounts, or the purchase of the Shares.
ARTICLE XI. Termination
11.1. This Agreement shall terminate with respect to the Accounts, or
one, some, or all Portfolios:
(a) at the option of any party upon ninety (90) days'
advance written notice to the other parties or, if
later, upon receipt of any required exemptive relief
or orders from the SEC unless otherwise agreed in a
separate written agreement by the parties; or
(b) at the option of the Company to the extent that the
Shares of Portfolios are not reasonably available to
meet the requirements of the Policies or are not
"appropriate funding vehicles" for the Policies, as
reasonably determined by the Company. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Shares
of a Portfolio would not be "appropriate funding
vehicles" if, for example, such Shares did not meet
the diversification or other requirements referred to
in Article VI hereof; or if the Company would be
permitted to disregard Policy owner voting
instructions pursuant to Rule 6e-2 or 6e-3(T) under
the 1940 Act. Prompt notice of the election to
terminate for such cause and an explanation of such
cause shall be furnished to the Trust by the Company;
or
(c) at the option of the Trust or MFS upon institution of
formal proceedings against the Company by the NASD,
the SEC, or any insurance department or any other
regulatory body regarding the Company's duties under
this Agreement or related to the sale of the
Policies, the operation of the Accounts, or the
purchase of the Shares provided that MFS or the Trust
determine in its sole judgment, exercised in good
faith, that any such proceeding would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's ability to perform
its obligations under this Agreement; or
(d) at the option of the Company upon institution of
formal proceedings against the Trust by the NASD, the
SEC, or any state securities or insurance department
or any other regulatory body regarding the Trust's or
MFS' duties under this Agreement or related to the
sale of the Shares provided that the Company
determines in its sole judgment, exercised in good
faith, that any such proceeding would have a material
adverse effect on the Trust's ability to perform its
obligations under this Agreement; or
(e) at the option of the Company, the Trust or MFS upon
receipt of any necessary regulatory approvals and/or
the vote of the Policy owners having an interest in
the Accounts (or any subaccounts) to substitute the
shares of another investment company for the
corresponding Portfolio Shares in accordance with the
terms of the Policies for which those Portfolio
Shares had been selected to serve as the underlying
investment media. The Company will give thirty (30)
days' prior written notice to the Trust of the Date
of any proposed vote or other action taken to replace
the Shares; or
(f) termination by either the Trust or MFS by written
notice to the Company, if either one or both of the
Trust or MFS 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
(g) termination by the Company by written notice to the
Trust and MFS, if the Company shall determine, in its
sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the Trust
or MFS has suffered a material adverse change in this
business, operations, financial condition or
prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the
subject of material adverse publicity; or
(h) at the option of any party to this Agreement, upon
another party's material breach of any provision of
this Agreement; or
(i) upon assignment of this Agreement, unless made with
the written consent of the parties hereto.
11.2. The notice shall specify the Portfolio or Portfolios, Policies
and, if applicable, the Accounts as to which the Agreement is to be
terminated.
11.3. It is understood and agreed that the right of any party hereto to
terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1(a) may be exercised
for cause or for no cause.
11.4. Except as necessary to implement Policy owner initiated
transactions, or as required by state insurance laws or regulations,
the Company shall not redeem the Shares attributable to the Policies
(as opposed to the Shares attributable to the Company's assets held in
the Accounts), and the Company shall not prevent Policy owners from
allocating payments to a Portfolio that was otherwise available under
the Policies, until thirty (30) days after the Company shall have
notified the Trust of its intention to do so.
11.5. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Trust and
MFS shall, at the option of the Company, continue to make available
additional shares of the Portfolios pursuant to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, for all Policies in effect on the
effective date of termination of this Agreement (the "Existing
Policies"), except as otherwise provided under Article VII of this
Agreement. Specifically, without limitation, the owners of the Existing
Policies shall be permitted to transfer or reallocate investment under
the Policies, redeem investments in any Portfolio and/or invest in the
Trust upon the making of additional purchase payments under the
Existing Policies. As long as shares of the Portfolios are held under
Exisitng Policies in accordance with this Section 11.5, the provisions
of this Agreement will survive the termination of this Agreement with
respect to those Existing Policies.
ARTICLE XII. Notices
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail, overnight courier or facsimile (or any other method agreed to by
the parties) 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 Trust:
MFS Variable Insurance Trust
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Secretary
If to the Company:
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
00 Xxxxx 0xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile No.: 000-000-0000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx, President
With a copy to:
Law Department (Unit 52)
American Enterprise Life Insurance Company
00 Xxxxx 0xx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
If to MFS:
Massachusetts Financial Services Company
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, General Counsel
ARTICLE XIII. Miscellaneous
13.1. Subject to the requirement of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and
addresses of the owners of the Policies and all information reasonably
identified as confidential in writing by any other party hereto and,
except as permitted by this Agreement or as otherwise required by
applicable law or regulation, 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 it may come into the public domain. The parties acknowledge
that any breach of the agreements in this Section 13.1 would result in
immediate and irreparable harm for which there would be no adequate
remedy at law and agree that in the event of such a breach, the injured
party would 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.
13.2. The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions
hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
13.3. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in one or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the
same instrument.
13.4. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid
by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the
Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
13.5. The Schedule attached hereto, as modified from time to time, is
incorporated herein by reference and is part of this Agreement.
13.6. Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party in
connection with inquiries by 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 in connection with any investigation or
inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated
hereby.
13.7. 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.
13.8. A copy of the Trust's Declaration of Trust is on file with the
Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Company
acknowledges that the obligations of or arising out of this instrument
are not binding upon any of the Trust's trustees, officers, employees,
agents or shareholders individually, but are binding solely upon the
assets and property of the Trust in accordance with its proportionate
interest hereunder. The Company further acknowledges that the assets
and liabilities of each Portfolio are separate and distinct and that
the obligations of or arising out of this instrument are binding solely
upon the assets or property of the Portfolio on whose behalf the Trust
has executed this instrument. The Company also agrees that the
obligations of each Portfolio hereunder shall be several and not joint,
in accordance with its proportionate interest hereunder, and the
Company agrees not to proceed against any Portfolio for the obligations
of another Portfolio.
13.9. The Company shall not use any designation comprised in whole or
in part of the names or marks "Massachusetts Financial Services
Company," "MFS Investment Management" or "MFS" or any other trademark
relating to MFS without the prior written consent of MFS, in which case
the Company may use such designation in accordance with consent given.
Upon termination of this Agreement for any reason, each party shall
cease all use of any such name or xxxx of the other parties as soon as
reasonably practicable.
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 above.
AMERICAN ENTERPRISE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By its authorized officer,
Attest:
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
--------------------------- ------------------------
Assistant Secretary Title: President
MFS VARIABLE INSURANCE TRUST,
on behalf of the Portfolios
By its authorized officer and not individually,
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Borderwick, Jr.
------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, Xx.
Assistant Secretary
MASSACHUSETTS FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY
By its authorized officer,
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
As of September 1, 1999
SCHEDULE A
Accounts, Policies and Portfolios
Subject to the Participation Agreement
Name of Separate Share Class
Account and Date Policies Funded (Initial or Service Class) Portfolios
Established by Board of Directors by Separate Account Applicable to Policies
------------------------------------ --------------------------------- ---------------------------- -----------------------------
American Enterprise American Express Signature Variable Initial Class MFS New Discovery Series
Variable Annuity Account, Annuity(sm) MFS Research Series
July 15, 1987 MFS Utilities Series
American Express Signature Variable MFS Growth with Income Series
American Enterprise Universal Life(sm) MFS Total Return Series
Variable Life Account,
July 15, 1987 American Express Pinnacle
Variable Annuity(sm)
American Express Signature One
Variable Annuity(sm)
Xxxxx Fargo Advantage
Variable Annuity(sm)
Xxxxx Fargo Advantage Builder
Variable Annuity(sm)
American Express New Solutions Service Class VIT Growth Series
Variable Annuity(sm) VIT New Discovery Series
VIT Total Return Series
