PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
AMONG
X. XXXX PRICE INTERNATIONAL SERIES, INC.,
X. XXXX PRICE INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
AND
STATE MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of this 1st day of May, 1995 by
and among STATE MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA (hereinafter, the
"Company"), a Massachusetts insurance company, on its own behalf and on behalf
of each segregated asset account of the Company set forth on Schedule A hereto
as may be amended from time to time (each account hereinafter referred to as
the "Account"), and X. XXXX PRICE INTERNATIONAL SERIES, INC., a corporation
organized under the laws of Maryland (hereinafter referred to as the "Fund")
and X. XXXX PRICE INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC. (hereinafter the "Underwriter"),
a Maryland corporation.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management
investment company and is or will be available to act as the investment
vehicle for separate accounts established for variable life insurance and
variable annuity contracts (the "Variable Insurance Products") to be offered
by insurance companies which have entered into participation agreements with
the Fund and Underwriter (hereinafter "Participating Insurance Companies");
and
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into several
series of shares, each designated a "Portfolio" and representing the interest
in a particular managed portfolio of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Fund has filed an application to obtain an order from the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") granting Participating Insurance
Companies and variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts
exemptions from the provisions of sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (hereinafter the "1940 Act")
and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T) (b)(15) thereunder, if and to the extent
necessary to permit shares of the Fund to be sold to and held by variable
annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts of both affiliated and
unaffiliated life insurance companies (hereinafter the "Shared Funding
Exemptive Order"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment
company under the 1940 Act and shares of the Portfolios are registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act"); and
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WHEREAS, Xxxx Xxxxx-Xxxxxxx International, Inc. (hereinafter referred to
as the "Adviser") is duly registered as an investment adviser under the
federal Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any applicable state
securities laws; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain variable
life insurance and variable annuity contracts supported wholly or partially
by the Account (the "Contracts") under the 1933 Act, and said Contracts are
listed in Schedule A hereto, as it may be amended from time to time by mutual
written agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Account is duly established and maintained as a segregated
asset account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Company, on the date shown for such Account on Schedule A hereto, to set
aside and invest assets attributable to the aforesaid Contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register the Account as a
unit investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker dealer with 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. (hereinafter "NASD"); and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios listed
in Schedule A hereto, as it may be amended from time to time by mutual
written agreement (the "Designated Portfolios") on behalf of the Account to
fund the aforesaid Contracts, and the Underwriter is authorized to sell such
shares to unit investment trusts such as the Account at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company,
the Fund and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE I. SALE OF FUND SHARES
1.1 The Underwriter agrees to sell to the Company those shares of the
Designated Portfolios which the Account orders, executing such orders on a
daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or
its designee of the order for the shares of the Designated Portfolios.
1.2 The Fund agrees to make shares of the Designated Portfolios
available for purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the
Company and the Account on those days on which the Fund calculates its net
asset value pursuant to rules of the SEC, and the Fund shall use reasonable
efforts to calculate such net asset value on each day which the New York
Stock Exchange is open for trading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board
of Directors of the Fund (hereinafter the "Board") may refuse to sell shares
of any Designated Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the
offering of shares of any Designated Portfolio if such action is required by
law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction, or is, in the sole
discretion of the Board acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary
duties under federal and any applicable state laws, necessary in the best
interests of the shareholders of such Designated Portfolio.
1.3 The Fund and the Underwriter agree that shares of the Fund will be
sold only to Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts.
No shares of any Designated
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Portfolios will be sold to the general public. The Fund and the Underwriter
will not sell Fund shares to any insurance company or separate account unless
an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as Articles I and
VII of this Agreement is in effect to govern such sales.
1.4 The Fund agrees to redeem, on the Company's request, any full or
fractional shares of the Designated Portfolios held by the Company, executing
such requests on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after
receipt by the Fund or its designee of the request for redemption, except
that the Fund reserves the right to suspend the right of redemption or
postpone the date of payment or satisfaction upon redemption consistent with
Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act and any sales thereunder, and in accordance
with the procedures and policies of the Fund as described in the then current
prospectus.
1.5 For purposes of Sections 1.1 and 1.4, the Company shall be the
designee of the Fund for receipt of purchase and redemption orders from the
Account, and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund;
provided that the Company receives the order by 4:00 p.m. Baltimore time and
the Fund receives notice of such order by 9:30 a.m. Baltimore time on the
next following Business Day. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the
New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which the Fund calculates
its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the SEC.
1.6 The Company agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of each
Designated Portfolio offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund and
in accordance with the provisions of such prospectus.
1.7 The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business Day
after receipt of an order to purchase Fund shares. Payment shall be in
federal funds transmitted by wire by 3:00 p.m. Baltimore time. If payment in
Federal Funds for any purchase is not received or is received by the Fund
after 3:00 p.m. Baltimore time on such Business Day, the Company shall
promptly, upon the Fund's request, reimburse the Fund for any charges, costs,
fees, interest or other expenses incurred by the Fund in connection with any
advances to, or borrowings or overdrafts by, the Fund, or any similar
expenses incurred by the Fund, as a result of portfolio transactions effected
by the Fund based upon such purchase request. For purposes of Section 2.8 and
2.9 hereof, upon receipt by the Fund of the federal funds so wired, such
funds shall cease to be the responsibility of the Company and shall become
the responsibility of the Fund.
1.8 Issuance and transfer of the Fund's shares will be by book entry
only. Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or any Account.
Shares ordered from the Fund will be recorded in an appropriate title for
each Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.9 The Fund shall furnish same day notice (by wire or telephone,
followed by written confirmation) to the Company of any income, dividends or
capital gain distributions payable on the Designated Portfolio's shares. The
Company hereby elects to receive all such income, dividends, and capital gain
distributions as are payable on Designated Portfolio shares in additional
shares of that Portfolio. The Company reserves the right to revoke this
election and to receive all such income dividends and capital gain
distributions in cash. The Fund shall notify the Company of the number of
shares so issued as payment of such dividends and distributions. The Fund
shall use its best efforts to furnish advance notice of the day such
dividends and distributions are expected to be paid.
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1.10 The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each
Designated Portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as
reasonably practical after the net asset value per share is calculated
(normally by 6:30 p.m. Baltimore time) and shall use its best efforts to make
such net asset value per share available by 7 p.m. Baltimore time.
1.11 The Parties hereto acknowledge that the arrangement contemplated
by this Agreement is not exclusive; the Fund's shares may be sold to other
insurance companies (subject to Section 1.3 and Article VI hereof) and the
cash value of the Contracts may be invested in other investment companies,
provided, however, that (a) such other investment company, or series thereof,
has investment objectives or policies that are substantially different from
the investment objectives and policies of the Fund; or (b) the Company gives
the Fund and the Underwriter 45 days written notice of its intention to make
such other investment company available as a funding vehicle for the
Contracts; or (c) such other investment company was available as a funding
vehicle for the Contracts prior to the date of this Agreement and the Company
so informs the Fund and Underwriter prior to their signing this Agreement; or
(d) the Fund or Underwriter consents to the use of such other investment
company, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.
ARTICLE II. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
2.1 The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will
be registered under the 1933 Act; that the Contracts will be issued and sold
in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and state
laws and that the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all material respects
with state insurance suitability requirements. The Company further represents
and warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and in good
standing under applicable law and that it has legally and validly established
the Account prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated asset
account under the Massachusetts insurance laws and has registered or, prior
to any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will register the Account as a unit
investment trust in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve
as a segregated investment account for the Contracts.
2.2 The Fund represents and warrants that Fund 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 Fund is and shall remain registered under the 0000 Xxx. The Fund shall
amend the Registration Statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and the
1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous
offering of its shares. The Fund shall register and qualify the shares for
sale in accordance with the laws of the various states only if and to the
extent deemed advisable by the Fund or the Underwriter.
2.3 The Fund currently does not intend to make any payments to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, although it
may make such payments in the future. To the extent that it decides to
finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund will undertake
to have a Board, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund,
formulate and approve any plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act to
finance distribution expenses.
2.4 The Fund makes no representations as to whether any aspect of its
operations, including but not limited to, investment policies, fees and
expenses, complies with the insurance and other applicable laws of the
various states, except that the Fund represents that the Fund's investment
policies, fees and expenses are and shall at all times remain in compliance
with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to the extent required to
perform this Agreement.
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2.5 The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly
existing under the laws of the State of Maryland and that it does and will
comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.
2.6 The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is a member in
good standing of the NASD and is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC.
The Underwriter further represents that it will sell and distribute the Fund
shares in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.7 The Underwriter represents and warrants that the Adviser is and
shall remain duly registered under all applicable federal and state
securities laws and that the Adviser shall perform its obligations for the
Fund in compliance in all material respects with the laws of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts and any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.8 The Fund and the Underwriter represent and warrant that all of
their directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals or entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund
are and shall continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond
or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than
the minimum coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-1 of the 1940 Act
or related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid
bond shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued
by a reputable bonding company.
2.9 The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors,
officers, employees, investment advisers, and other individuals/entities
employed or controlled by the Company dealing with the money and/or
securities of the Fund are covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar
coverage for the benefit of the Fund, in an amount not less than $5 million.
The aforesaid bond includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement and is
issued by a reputable bonding company. The Company agrees to make all
reasonable efforts to see that this bond or another bond containing these
provisions is always in effect, and agrees to notify the Fund and the
Underwriter in the event that such coverage no longer applies.
ARTICLE III. PROSPECTUSES, STATEMENTS OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, AND PROXY
STATEMENTS; VOTING
3.1 The Underwriter shall provide the Company with as many copies of
the Fund's current prospectus as the Company may reasonably request. If
requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the Fund shall provide such
documentation (including a final copy of the new prospectus as set in type at
the Fund's expense) and other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order
for the Company once each year (or more frequently if the prospectus for the
Fund is amended) to have the prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's
prospectus printed together in one document.
The Underwriter shall bear the expense of printing copies of its
current prospectus that will be distributed to existing Contract owners and
the Company shall bear the expense of printing copies of the Fund's
prospectus that are used in connection with offering the Contracts issued by
the Company.
3.2 The Fund's prospectus shall state that the current Statement of
Additional Information ("SAI") for the Fund is available from the Company
(or, in the Fund's discretion, from the Fund), and the Underwriter (or the
Fund), at its expense, shall print, or otherwise reproduce, and provide a
copy of such SAI free of charge to the Company for itself and for any owner
of a Contract who requests such SAI.
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3.3 The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with copies of
its proxy material, reports to shareholders, and other communications to
shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for
distributing to Contract owners. The Underwriter, at the Company's expense,
shall provide the Company with copies of the Fund's annual and semi-annual
reports to shareholders in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably
request for use in connection with offering the Variable Contracts issued by
the Company. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the Underwriter
shall provide such documentation (which may include a final copy of the
Fund's annual and semi-annual reports as set in type or in camera-ready copy)
and other assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for the Company (at
the Company's expense) to print such shareholder communications for
distribution to Contract Owners.
3.4 The Company shall:
(i) solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
(ii) vote the Fund shares in accordance with instructions
received from Contract owners; and
(iii) vote Fund shares for which no instructions have been
received in the same proportion as Fund shares of such
Designated Portfolio for which instructions have been
received.
so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret the 1940 Act
to require pass-through voting privileges for variable contract owners or to
the extent otherwise required by law. The Company reserves the right to vote
Fund shares held in any segregated asset account in its own right, to the
extent permitted by law.
3.5 Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for assuring
that each of their separate accounts participating in a Designated Portfolio
calculates voting privileges as required by the Shared Funding Exemptive
Order and consistent with any reasonable standards that the Fund may adopt.
3.6 The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring
voting by shareholders, and in particular the Fund will either provide for
annual meetings or comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the
Fund 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, the Fund
will act in accordance with the SEC's interpretation of the requirements of
Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of directors or trustees and
with whatever rules the SEC may promulgate with respect thereto.
ARTICLE IV. SALES MATERIAL AND INFORMATION
4.1 The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the
Fund or its designee, each piece of sales literature or other promotional
material that the Company develops or uses and in which the Fund (or a
Portfolio thereof) or the Adviser or the Underwriter is named, at least
fifteen calendar days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the
Fund or its designee reasonably object to such use within fifteen calendar
days after receipt of such material. The Fund or its designee reserves the
right to reasonably object to the continued use of such material, and no such
material shall be used if the Fund or its designee so object.
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4.2 The Company shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in
connection with the sale of the Contracts other than the information or
representations contained in the registration statement or prospectus or SAI
for the Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus or SAI may
be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy
statements for the Fund, or in sales literature or other promotional material
approved by the Fund or its designee or by the Underwriter, except with the
permission of the Fund or the Underwriter or the designee of either.
4.3 The Fund, Underwriter, or its designee shall furnish, or shall
cause to be furnished, to the Company, each piece of sales literature or
other promotional material in which the Company, and/or its Account, is named
at least fifteen calendar days prior to its use. No such material shall be
used if the Company reasonably objects to such use within fifteen calendar
days after receipt of such material. The Company reserves the right to
reasonably object to the continued use of such material and no such material
shall be used if the Company so objects.
4.4 The Fund and the Underwriter shall not give any information or
make any representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company,
the Account, or the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement, prospectus, or SAI for the Contracts,
as such registration statement, prospectus or SAI may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in published reports for the Account which
are in the public domain or approved by the Company for distribution to
Contract owners, or in sales literature or other promotional material
approved by the Company or its designee, except with the permission of the
Company.
4.5 The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of
all registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, reports, proxy statements,
sales literature and other promotional materials, applications for
exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments to any of the
above, that relate to the Fund or its shares, contemporaneously with the
filing of such document(s) with the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
4.6 The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of
all registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, reports, solicitations for
voting instructions, sales literature and other promotional materials,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all
amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Contracts or the Account,
contemporaneously with the filling of such document(s) with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities.
4.7 For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature and
other promotional materials" includes, but is not limited to, any of the
following that refer to the Fund or any affiliate of the Fund: advertisements
(such as material published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine,
or other periodical, radio, television, telephone or tape recording,
videotape display, signs or billboards, motion pictures, or other public
media), sales literature (I.E., any written communication distributed or made
generally available to customers or the public, including brochures,
circulars, reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or
excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article),
educational or training materials or other communications distributed or made
generally available to some or all agents or employees, and registration
statements, prospectuses, SAIs, shareholder reports, proxy materials, and any
other communications distributed or made generally available with regard to
the Funds.
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ARTICLE V. FEES AND EXPENSES
5.1 The Fund and the Underwriter shall pay no fee or other
compensation to the Company under this Agreement, except that if the Fund or
any Portfolio adopts and implements a plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 to finance
distribution expenses, then the Underwriter may make payments to the Company
or to the underwriter for the Contracts if and in amounts agreed to by the
Underwriter in writing, and such payments will be made out of existing fees
otherwise payable to the Underwriter, past profits of the Underwriter, or
other resources available to the Underwriter. No such payments shall be made
directly by the Fund. Currently, no such payments are contemplated.
5.2 All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under this
Agreement shall be paid by the Fund, except as otherwise provided herein. The
Fund shall see to it that all its shares are registered and authorized for
issuance in accordance with applicable federal law and, if and to the extent
deemed advisable by the Fund, in accordance with applicable state laws prior
to their sale. The Fund shall bear the expenses for the cost of registration
and qualification of the Fund's shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's
prospectus and registration statement, proxy materials and reports, setting
the prospectus in type, setting in type and printing the proxy materials and
reports to shareholders (including the costs of printing a prospectus that
constitutes an annual report), the preparation of all statements and notices
required by any federal or state law, and all taxes on the issuance or
transfer of the Fund's shares.
5.3 The Company shall bear the expenses of printing (in accordance
with Section 3.1) and distributing the Fund's prospectus to owners of
Contracts issued by the Company and of distributing the Fund's proxy
materials and reports to such Contract owners.
ARTICLE VI. DIVERSIFICATION AND QUALIFICATION.
6.1 The Fund will invest its assets in such a manner as to ensure that
the Contracts will be treated as annuity or life insurance contracts,
whichever is appropriate, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code") and the regulations issued thereunder (or any successor
provisions). Without limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Fund will
comply with Section 817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section
1.817-5, and any Treasury interpretations thereof, relating to the
diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life
insurance contracts, and any amendments or other modifications or successor
provisions to such Section or Regulations. In the event of a breach of this
Article VI by the Fund, it will take all reasonable steps (a) to notify the
Company of such breach and (b) to adequately diversify the Fund so as to
achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Regulation 817.5.
6.2 The Fund represents that it is or will be qualified as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code, and that it will make
every effort to maintain such qualification (under Subchapter M or any
successor or similar provisions) and that it will notify the Company
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that it has ceased
to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in the future.
6.3 The Company represents that the Contracts are currently, and at
the time of issuance shall be, treated as life insurance or annuity insurance
contracts, under applicable provisions of the Code, and that it will make
every effort to maintain such treatment, and that it will notify the Fund and
the Underwriter immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing the
Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in
the future. The Company agrees
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that any prospectus offering a contract that is a "modified endowment
contract" as that term is defined in Section 7702A of the Code (or any
successor or similar provision), shall identify such contract as a modified
endowment contract.
ARTICLE VII. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS. The following provisions apply effective
upon (a) the issuance of the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, and (b)
investment in the Fund by a separate account of a Participating Insurance
Company supporting variable life insurance contracts.
7.1 The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict
may arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state
insurance regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state
insurance, tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling,
private letter ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar
action by insurance, tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an
administrative or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the
manner in which the investments of any Portfolio are being managed; (e) a
difference in voting instructions given by variable annuity contract and
variable life insurance contract owners; or (f) a decision by an insurer to
disregard the voting instructions of contract owners. The Board shall
promptly inform the Company if it determines that an irreconcilable material
conflict exists and the implications thereof.
7.2 The Company will report any potential or existing conflicts of
which it is aware to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in carrying
out its responsibilities under the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, by
providing the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board
to consider any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an
obligation by the Company to inform the Board whenever Contract owner voting
instructions are disregarded.
7.3 If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of
its disinterested members, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists,
the Company and other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their
expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority
of the disinterested Board members), take whatever steps are necessary to
remedy or eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to and
including: (1), withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the
separate accounts from the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets
in a different investment medium, including (but not limited to) another
Portfolio of the Fund, or submitting the question whether such segregation
should be implemented to a vote of all affected contract owners and, as
appropriate, segregating the assets of any appropriate group (I.E., annuity
contract owners, life insurance contract owners, or variable contract owners
of one or more Participating Insurance Companies) that votes in favor of such
segregation, or offering to the affected contract owners the option of making
such a change; and (2), establishing a new registered management investment
company or managed separate account.
7.4 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision
by the Company to disregard contract owner voting instructions and that
decision represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote,
the Company may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the affected
Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement with respect to
such Account provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be
limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable
conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the
Board. Any such withdrawal and termination must take place within six (6)
months after the Fund gives written notice that this provision is being
implemented, and until the end of that six month period the Fund shall
continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and
redemption) of shares of the Fund.
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7.5 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts
with the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw
the affected Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement
with respect to such Account within six months after the Board informs the
Company in writing that it has determined that such decision has created an
irreconcilable material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested
members of the Board. Until the end of the foregoing six month period, the
Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by the company for the
purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund.
7.6 For purposes of Section 7.3 through 7.6 of this Agreement, a
majority of the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether
any proposed action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict,
but in no event will the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium
for the Contracts. The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 to
establish a new funding medium for the Contract if an offer to do so has been
declined by vote of a majority of Contract owners materially adversely
affected by the irreconcilable material conflict. In the event that the Board
determines that any proposed action does not adequately remedy any
irreconcilable material conflict, then the Company will withdraw the
Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this Agreement within six (6)
months after the Board informs the Company in writing of the foregoing
determination; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall
be limited to the extent required by any such material irreconcilable
conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the
Board.
7.7 If and to the extent the Shared Funding Order contains terms and
conditions different from Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 and 7.5
of this Agreement, then the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance
Companies, as appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to
comply with the Shared Funding Exemptive Order, and Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6,
7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 and 7.5 of the Agreement shall continue in effect only to
the extent that terms and conditions substantially identical to such Sections
are contained in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order or any amendment thereto.
If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or Rule
6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the 1940
Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared
funding (as defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and
conditions materially different from those contained in the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order, then (a) the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance
Companies, as appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to
comply with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to
the extent such rules are applicable; and (b) Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 7.1.,
7.2, 7.3, 7.4, and 7.5 of this Agreement shall continue in effect only to the
extent that terms and conditions substantially identical to such Sections are
contained in such Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII. INDEMNIFICATION
8.1 INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY
8.1(a). The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Fund and the Underwriter and each of their officers and directors and each
person, if any, who controls the Fund or the Underwriter within the meaning
of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for
purposes of this Section 8.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages,
liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of
the Company) or litigation
-11-
(including legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may
become subject under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions
in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of
the Fund's shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or
alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained
in the Registration Statement, prospectus, or statement
of additional information for the Contracts or contained
in the Contracts or sales literature for the Contracts
(or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing),
or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the
alleged omission to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, provided that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any
Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such
alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon
and in conformity with information furnished to the
Company by or on behalf of the Fund for use in the
Registration Statement, prospectus or statement of
additional information for the Contracts or in the
Contracts or sales literature (or any amendment or
supplement) or otherwise for use in connection with the
sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in the Registration Statement, prospectus or
sales literature of the Fund not supplied by the Company
or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the
Company or persons under its authorization or control,
with respect to the sale or distribution of the Contracts
or Fund Shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a Registration
Statement, prospectus, or sales literature of the Fund or
any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading if such a statement
or omission was made in reliance upon information
furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any material failure by the Company
to provide the services and furnish the materials under
the terms of this Agreement (including a failure, whether
unintentional or in good faith or otherwise, to comply
with the qualification requirements specified in Article
VI of this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in
this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other
material breach of this Agreement by the Company,
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.1(b) and
8.1(c) hereof.
8.1(b). The Company shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation to which an Indemnified Party would
-12-
otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless
disregard of its obligations or duties under this Agreement.
8.1(c). The Company shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an
Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the
Company in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first
legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been
served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall
have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to
notify the Company of any such claim shall not relieve the Company from any
liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action
is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision. In
case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, the Company
shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such
action. The Company also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof,
with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action and to settle the
claim at its own expense; provided, however, that no such settlement shall,
without the Indemnified Parties' written consent, include any factual
stipulation referring to the Indemnified Parties or their conduct. After
notice from the Company to such party of the Company's election to assume the
defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of
any additional counsel retained by it, and the Company will not be liable to
such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently
incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense thereof
other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.1(d). The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company
of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in
connection with the issuance or sale of the Fund Shares or the Contracts or
the operation of the Fund.
8.2 INDEMNIFICATION BY THE UNDERWRITER
8.2(a). The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company and each of it directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts
paid in settlement with the written consent of the Underwriter) or litigation
(including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may
become subject under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions
in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the sale or acquisition of
the Fund's shares or the Contracts; and
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or any material fact contained
in the Registration Statement or prospectus or SAI or
sales literature of the Fund (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or
are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify
shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to the Underwriter or Fund by or on
behalf of the
-13-
Company for use in the Registration Statement or
prospectus for the Fund or in sales literature (or any
amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in the Registration Statement, prospectus or
sales literature for the Contracts not supplied by the
Underwriter or persons under its control) or wrongful
conduct of the Fund or Underwriter or persons under their
control, with respect to the sale or distribution of the
Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a Registration
Statement, prospectus or sales literature covering the
Contracts, 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 Fund; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide
the services and furnish the materials under the terms of
this Agreement (including a failure whether unintentional
or in good faith or otherwise, to comply with the
diversification and other qualification requirements
specified in Article VI of this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Underwriter in
this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other
material breach of this Agreement by the Underwriter;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of
Sections 8.2(b) and 8.2(c) hereof.
8.2(b). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be
subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith,
or gross negligence in the performance or such Indemnified Party's duties or
by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations and
duties under this Agreement or to the Company or the Account, whichever is
applicable.
8.2(c). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an
Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the
Underwriter in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other
first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have
been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party
shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but
failure to notify the Underwriter of any such claim shall not relieve the
Underwriter from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
-14-
against the Indemnified Party, the Underwriter will be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also
shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to
the party named in the action and to settle the claim at its own expense;
provided, however, that no such settlement shall, without the Indemnified
Parties' written consent, include any factual stipulation referring to the
Indemnified Parties or their conduct. After notice from the Underwriter to
such party of the Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the
Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by it, and the Underwriter will not be liable to such party under
this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such
party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation.
8.2(d). The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of
the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its
officer or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts
or the operation of the Account.
8.3 INDEMNIFICATION BY THE FUND
8.3(a). The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.3)
against any and all losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Fund) or
litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified
Parties may be required to pay or may become subject under any statute or
regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
expenses, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or
settlements, are related to the operations of the Fund and:
(v) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide
the services and furnish the materials under the terms of
this Agreement (including a failure, whether unintentional
or in good faith or otherwise, to comply with the
diversification and other qualification requirements
specified in Article VI of this Agreement); or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Fund in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material
breach of this Agreement by the Fund;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.3(b) and
8.3(c) hereof.
8.3(b). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
litigation to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason
of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross
negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason
of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties
under this Agreement or to the Company, the Fund, the Underwriter or the
Account, whichever is applicable.
8.3(c). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
-15-
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such indemnified Party shall have received notice
of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of
any such claim shall not relieve the Fund from any liability which it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise
than on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is
brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund also shall
be entitled to assume the expense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the
party named in the action and to settle the claim at its own expense;
provided, however, that no such settlement shall, without the Indemnified
Parties' written consent, include any factual stipulation referring to the
Indemnified Parties or their conduct. After notice from the Fund to such
party of the Fund's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified
Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by
it, and the Fund will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for
any legal or other expenses subsequently involved by such party independently
in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
8.3(d). The Company and the Underwriter agree promptly to notify the
Fund of the commencement of any litigation or proceeding against it or any of
its respective officers or directors in connection with the Agreement, the
issuance or sale of the Contracts, the operation of the Account, or the sale
or acquisition of shares of the Fund.
ARTICLE IX. APPLICABLE LAW
9.1 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland.
9.2 This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933,
1934 and 1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder,
including such exemptions from those statutes, rules and regulations as the
SEC may grant (including, but not limited to, any Shared Funding Exemptive
Order) and the terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance
therewith.
ARTICLE X. TERMINATION
10.1 This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the
first to occur of:
(a) termination by any party, for any reason with respect to
some or all Designated Portfolios, by six (6) months' advance
written notice delivered to the other parties; or
(b) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund
and the Underwriter with respect to any Designated Portfolio
based upon the Company's determination that shares of the
Fund are not reasonably available to meet the requirements
of the Contracts; provided that such termination shall apply
only to the Designated Portfolio not reasonably available; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund
and the Underwriter in the event any of the Designated
Portfolio's shares are not registered, issued or sold in
accordance with applicable state and/or federal law or such
law precludes the use of such shares as the underlying
-16-
investment media of the Contracts issued or to be issued
by the Company; or
(d) termination by the Fund or Underwriter in the event that
formal administrative proceedings are instituted against the
Company by the NASD, the SEC, the Insurance Commissioner or
like official of any state or any other regulatory body
regarding the Company's duties under this Agreement or
related to the sale of the Contracts, the operation of any
Account, or the purchase of the Fund shares, provided,
however, that the Fund or Underwriter determines in its sole
judgment exercised in good faith, that any such
administrative proceedings will have a material adverse
effect upon the ability of the Company to perform its
obligations under this Agreement; or
(e) termination by the Company in the event that formal
administrative proceedings are instituted against the Fund
or Underwriter by the NASD, the SEC, or any state
securities or insurance department or any other regulatory
body, provided, however, that the Company determines in
its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that any such
administrative proceedings will have a material adverse
effect upon the ability of the Fund or Underwriter to
perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
(f) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund
and the Underwriter with respect to any Designated
Portfolio in the event that such Designated Portfolio
ceases to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under
Subchapter M or fails to comply with the Section 817(h)
diversification requirements specified in Article VI
hereof, or if the Company reasonably believes that such
Designated Portfolio may fail to so qualify or comply; or
(g) termination by the Fund or Underwriter by written notice
to the Company in the event that the Contracts fail to
meet the qualifications specified in Article VI hereof; or
(h) termination by either the Fund or the Underwriter by
written notice to the Company, if either one or both of
the Fund or the Underwriter respectively, shall determine,
in their sole judgement exercised in good faith, that the
Company has suffered a material adverse change in its
business, operations, financial condition, or prospects
since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of
material adverse publicity; or
(i) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund
and the Underwriter, if the Company shall determine, in
its sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the Fund
or the Underwriter has suffered a material adverse change
in its business, operations, financial condition or
prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the
subject of material adverse publicity; or
(j) termination by the Fund or the Underwriter by written
notice to the Company, if the Company gives the Fund and
the Underwriter the written notice specified in Section
1.11 hereof and at the time such notice was given
-17-
there was no notice of termination outstanding under any
other provision of this Agreement; provided, however, any
termination under this Section 10.1(j) shall be effective
forty-five days after the notice specified in Section 1.11
was given.
10.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. Notwithstanding any termination of this
Agreement, the Fund and the Underwriter shall, at the option of the Company,
continue to make available additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in effect on the
effective date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as
"Existing Contracts"). Specifically, the owners of the Existing Contracts may
be permitted to reallocate investments in the Fund, redeem investments in the
Fund and/or invest in the Fund upon the making of additional purchase
payments under the Existing Contracts. The parties agree that this Section
10.2 shall not apply to any termination under Article VII and the effect of
such Article VII termination shall be governed by Article VII of this
Agreement. The parties further agree that this Section 10.2 shall not apply
to any termination under Section 10.1(g) of this Agreement.
10.3 The Company shall not redeem Fund shares attributable to the
Contracts (as opposed to Fund shares attributable to the Company's assets
held in the Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract Owner
initiated or approved transactions, (ii) as required by state and/or federal
laws or regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general
application (hereinafter referred to as a "Legally Required Redemption"), or
(iii) as permitted by an order of the SEC pursuant to Section 26(b) of the
1940 Act. Upon request, the Company will promptly furnish to the Fund and the
Underwriter the opinion of counsel for the Company (which counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Fund and the Underwriter) to the effect that
any redemption pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required
Redemption. Furthermore, except in cases where permitted under the terms of
the Contracts, the Company shall not prevent Contract Owners from allocating
payments to a Portfolio that was otherwise available under the Contracts
without first giving the Fund or the Underwriter 90 days notice of its
intention to do so.
10.4 Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, each party's
obligation under Article VIII to indemnify the other parties shall survive.
ARTICLE XI. NOTICES
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or
certified mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth
below or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in
writing to the other party.
If to the Fund:
X. Xxxx Price International Series, Inc.
000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
If to the Company:
State Mutual Life Assurance Company of America
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxx
-18-
If to Underwriter:
X. Xxxx Price Investment Services
000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Copy to: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esq.
ARTICLE XII. MISCELLANEOUS
12.1 All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the property
of such Fund, and in the case of a series company, the respective Designated
Portfolio listed on Schedule A hereto as though such Designated Portfolio had
separately contracted with the Company and the Underwriter for the
enforcement of any claims against the Fund. The parties agree that neither
the Board, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal liability or
responsibility for obligations entered into by or on behalf of the Fund.
12.2 Subject to the requirements of legal process and regulatory
authority, each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and
addresses of the owners of the Contracts and all information reasonably
identified as confidential in writing by any other party hereto and, except
as permitted by this Agreement, shall not disclose, disseminate or utilize
such names and addresses and other confidential information without the
express written consent of the affected party until such time as such
information may come into the public domain.
12.3 The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of
reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof
or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
12.4 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
12.5 If any provisions of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid
by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the
Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
12.6 Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC,
the NASD, and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any
investigation or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each
party hereto further agrees to furnish the Massachusetts Insurance
Commissioner with any information or reports in connection with services
provided under this Agreement which such Commissioner may request in order to
ascertain whether the variable annuity operations of the Company are being
conducted in a manner consistent with the Massachusetts variable annuity laws
and regulations and any other applicable law or regulations.
12.7 The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement
are cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies, and
obligations, at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to
under state and federal laws.
12.8 This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder may
not be assigned by any party without the prior written consent of all parties
hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Agreement
to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized
representative and its seal to be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date
specified below.
COMPANY: STATE MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF
AMERICA
By its authorized officer
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
-----------------------------------
Title: Vice President
--------------------------------
Date: 5/2/95
---------------------------------
FUND: X. XXXX PRICE INTERNATIONAL SERIES, INC.
By its authorized officer
By: /s/
-----------------------------------
Title: Vice President
--------------------------------
Date: April 26, 1995
---------------------------------
UNDERWRITER: X. XXXX PRICE INVESTMENT SERVICES, INC.
By its authorized officer
By: /s/
-----------------------------------
Title: Vice President
--------------------------------
Date: April 26, 1995
---------------------------------
SCHEDULE A
Pending issuance of the Shared Funding Order, the Underwriter shall not
sell to the Company, and the Fund shall not make available for purchase to
the Company, shares of the Designated Portfolio for variable life insurance
Contracts supported wholly or partially by the Accounts.
Name of Separate Account and Contracts Funded by
Date Established by Board of Directors Separate Account Designated Portfolios
-------------------------------------- ------------------- -------------------------
Separate Account VA-K of State Mutual ExecAnnuity Plus X. Xxxx Price International Series, Inc.
Life Assurance Company of America, 33-71052 ----------------------------------------
August 20, 1991 811-8814 - X. Xxxx Price International
Stock Portfolio
Allmerica Select Separate Account of Allmerica Select X. Xxxx Price International Series, Inc.
State Mutual Life Assurance Company 33-71058 ----------------------------------------
of America, August 20, 1991 811-8116 - X. Xxxx Price International
Stock Portfolio
VEL II Account of State Mutual Life VEL '93 X. Xxxx Price International Seres, Inc.
Assurance Company of America, 33-71056 ----------------------------------------
August 20, 1991 811-8130 - X. Xxxx Price International
Stock Portfolio
Inheiritage Account of State Mutual Variable Inheiritage X. Xxxx Price International Series, Inc.
Life Assurance Company of America, 33-74184 ------------------------------------------
August 20, 1991 811-8304 - X. Xxxx Price International
Stock Portfolio
CONTRACTS TO BE ADDED LATER THIS MONTH
(INITIAL REGISTRATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN FILED YET):
Group VEL Account of State Mutual Group VEL X. Xxxx Price International Series, Inc.
Life Assurance ------------------------------------------
- X. Xxxx Price International
Stock Portfolio
Allmerica Select Separate Account II of Select VEL X. Xxxx Price International Series, Inc.
State Mutual Life Assurance Company ------------------------------------------
of America - X. Xxxx Price International
Stock Portfolio