PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND,
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
and
LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the lst day of
September, 1996, by and among LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
(hereinafter the "Company"), an Indiana corporation, 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 such account hereinafter
referred to as the "Account"), and the VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND, an
unincorporated business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts (hereinafter the "Fund") and FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
(hereinafter the "Underwriter"), a Massachusetts corporation.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management
investment company and is available to act as the investment vehicle for
separate accounts established for variable life insurance policies and variable
annuity contracts (collectively, the "Variable Insurance Products") to be
offered by insurance companies which have entered into participation agreements
with the Fund and the Underwriter (hereinafter "Participating Insurance
Companies"); and
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into
several series of shares, each representing the interest in a particular
managed portfolio of securities and other assets, any one or more of which may
be made available under this Agreement, as may be amended from time to time by
mutual agreement of the parties hereto (each such series hereinafter referred
to as a "Portfolio"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") a registration statement on Form N- I A and the SEC has
declared effective said registration statement; and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the SEC- dated
October 15, 1985 (File No. 812-6102), 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.
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Act") and Rules 6e-2(b) (15) and 6e-3(T) (b) (15) thereunder, 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 its shares are registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the " 1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, Fidelity Management & Research Company (the "Adviser")
is duly registered as an investment adviser under the federal Investment
Advisers Act of 1940 and any applicable state securities law; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain
variable life insurance and variable annuity contracts under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing
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 variable annuity
contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each
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 on
behalf of each Account to fund certain of the aforesaid variable life and
variable annuity contracts and the Underwriter is authorized to sell such
shares to unit investment trusts such as each Account at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the
Company, the Fund and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1. SALE OF FUND SHARES
1.1. The Underwriter agrees to sell to the Company those
shares of the Fund which each 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 Fund. For purposes of this Section
1. 1, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of such orders
from each Account and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the
Fund; provided that the
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Fund receives notice of such order by 9:30 a.m. Boston 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 Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.2. The Fund agrees to make its shares available indefinitely
for purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company and its
Accounts on those days on which the Fund calculates its net asset value
pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission 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 Trustees of the Fund (hereinafter the "Board") may refuse to sell
shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of
shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Board
acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and
any applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders
of such 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 Portfolio will be sold to the general public.
1.4. 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 1, 1111, V, VII and Section 2.5
of Article II of this Agreement is in effect to govern such sales.
1.5. The Fund. agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's
request, any full or fractional shares of the Fund 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. For
purposes of this Section 1.5, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for
receipt of requests for redemption from each Account and receipt by such
designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives
notice of such request for redemption on the next following Business Day.
1.6. The Company agrees that purchases and redemptions of
Portfolio shares offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund shall be
made in accordance with the provisions of such prospectus. The Company agrees
that all net amounts available under the variable annuity contracts with the
form number(s) which are listed on Schedule A attached hereto and incorporated
herein by this reference, (as such Schedule A may be amended from time to time
hereafter by mutual written agreement of all the parties hereto), (the
"Contracts") shall be invested in the Fund, in such other Funds advised by the
Adviser as may be mutually agreed to in writing by the parties hereto, or in the
Company's general account, provided that such amounts may also be invested in
investment companies other than the Fund. The Company shall notify the Fund as
to which other investment companies are available as investment options under
the Contract not later than the time such investment companies are made
available to owners of the
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Contracts. The investment companies available to Contract owners as of the date
of this Agreement are as shown on Schedule C.
1.7. The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business
Day after an order to purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with the
provisions of Section 1. 1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds
transmitted by wire. For purpose of Section 2. 10 and 2.11, 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 Fund's shares. The
Company hereby elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain
distributions as are payable on the Portfolio shares in additional shares of
that Portfolio. The Company reserves the light 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.
1.10. The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for
each 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. Boston time) and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value
per share available by 7 p.m. Boston time.
ARTICLE 11. 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 Company will require of every person distributing the
Contracts that the Contracts be offered and sold in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable Federal and state laws. The Company further
represents and warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized and
validly existing under applicable law and that it has legally and validly
established each Account, prior to any issuance or sale thereof, as a segregated
asset account under Section 27-1-5-1 of the Indiana Insurance Code and has
registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the Contracts, win register each
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 State of
Indiana and all applicable federal and state securities laws
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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 represents that it is currently qualified as a
Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, (the "Code") and that it will make every effort to maintain
such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision)
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.
2.4. The Company represents that the Contracts are currently
treated as life insurance policies 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 that the Contracts
have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the
future.
2.5. The Fund currently does not intend to make any payments to
finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b- I under the 1940 Act or
otherwise, although it may make such payments in the future. The Fund has
adopted a "no fee" or-" defensive" Rule l2b-1 Plan under which it makes no
payments for distribution expenses. To the extent that it decides to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1, the Fund undertakes to have a
board of trustees, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund,
formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b- I to finance distribution
expenses.
2.6. The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect
of its operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and
investment policies) complies with the insurance laws or regulations 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 State of Indiana and the Fund and the Underwriter
represent that their respective operations are and shall at all times remain in
material compliance with the laws of the State of Indiana to the extent
required to perform this Agreement.
2.7. 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 State of Indiana and all applicable
state and federal securities laws, including without limitation the 1933 Act,
the 1934 Act, and the 0000 Xxx.
2.8. The Fund 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.
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2.9. The Underwriter represents and warrants that the Adviser is
and shall remain duly registered in all material respects 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 State of Indiana and any applicable state, and federal securities laws.
2.10. The Fund and Underwriter represent and warrant that all of
their directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals/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
minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(I) 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. The Fund and the Underwriter agree to make all
reasonable efforts to see that this bond or another bond containing these
provisions is always in effect, and agree to notify the Company immediately in
the event that such coverage no longer applies.
2.11. The Company represents and warrants that all of its
directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals/entities 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, and that said bond is issued by a reputable bonding company, includes
coverage for larceny and embezzlement, and is in an amount not less than $5
million. 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 AND PROXY STATEMENTS; VOTING
3.1. The Underwriter shall provide the Company with as many
printed copies of the Fund's current prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information as the Company -may reasonably request If requested by the Company
in lieu thereof, the Fund shall provide camera- ready film containing the
Fund's prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and such other
assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for the Company once each year
(or more frequently if the prospectus and/or Statement of Additional
Information for the Fund is amended during the year) to have the prospectus for
the Contracts and the Fund's prospectus printed together in one document, and
to have the Statement of Additional Information for the Fund and the Statement
of Additional Information for the Contracts printed together in one document.
Alternatively, the Company may print the Fund's prospectus and/or its Statement
of Additional Information in combination with other fund companies'
prospectuses and statements of additional information. Except as provided in
the following three sentences, all expenses of printing and distributing Fund
prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information shall be the expense of
the Company. For prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information provided
by the Company to its existing owners of Contracts in order to update
disclosure as required by the 1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act, the cost of
printing shall be borne by the Fund. If the Company chooses to receive
camera-ready film in lieu of receiving printed copies of the Fund's prospectus,
the Fund
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will reimburse the Company in an amount equal to the product of A and B where A
is the number of such prospectuses distributed to owners of the Contracts, and
B is the Fund's per unit cost of typesetting and printing the Fund's
prospectus. The same procedures shall be followed with respect to the Fund's
Statement of Additional Information.
The Company agrees to provide the Fund or its designee with such
information as may be reasonably requested by the Fund to assure that the
Fund's expenses do not include the cost of printing any prospectuses or
Statements of Additional Information other than those actually distributed to
existing owners of the Contracts.
3.2. The Fund's prospectus shall state that the Statement of
Additional Information for the Fund is available from the Underwriter or the
Company (or in the Fund's discretion, the Prospectus shall state that such
Statement is available from the Fund).
3.3. The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with
copies of its proxy statements, reports to shareholders, and other
communications (except for prospectuses and Statements of Additional
Information, which are covered in Section 3. 1) to shareholders in such
quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for distributing to Contract
owners.
3.4. If and to the extent required by law 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 a particular separate account in the same
proportion as Fund shares of such portfolio for which
instructions have been received in that separate
account,
so long as and to the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission
continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges
for variable contract owners. 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. Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for
assuring that each of their separate accounts participating in the Fund
calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with the standards set
forth on Schedule B attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference,
which standards will also be provided to the other Participating Insurance
Companies.
3.5. 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 Securities and Exchange
Commission's interpretation of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect
to periodic elections of trustees and with whatever rules the Commission may
promulgate with respect thereto.
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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 in which the Fund or its investment adviser or the
Underwriter is named, at least ten Business Days prior to its use. No such
material shall be used if the Fund or its designee reasonably objects to such
use within ten Business Days after receipt of such material.
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 for the
Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus 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 or its designee, each piece of
sales literature or other promotional. material in which the Company and/or its
separate account(s), is named at least ten Business Days prior to its use. No
such material shall be used if the Company or its designee reasonably objects
to such use within ten Business Days after receipt of such material.
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,
each Account, or the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in published reports for each 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, 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 Fund or its shares, within
30 days of the filing of such document with the Securities and Exchange
Commission or other regulatory authorities.
4.6. The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete
copy of all registration statements, prospectuses, Statements of Additional
Information, 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
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the Contracts or each Account and their investment in the Fund, within 30 days
of the filing of such document with the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
4.7. For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales
literature or other promotional material" 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 (IE., any written communication distributed or
made generally available to customers or the public, including brochures,
circulars, research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts,
reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or published
article), educational or training materials or other communications distributed
or made generally available to some or all agents or employees, and
registration statements, prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information,
shareholder reports, and proxy materials and any other material constituting
sales literature or advertising under NASD rules, the 1940 Act or the 1933 Act.
ARTICLE V. FEES AND EXPENSES
5.1. The Fund and 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. 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 distributing the
Fund's prospectus, proxy materials and reports to owners of Contracts issued by
the Company.
ARTICLE VI. DIVERSIFICATION
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6.1. The Fund will at all times invest money from the Contracts
in such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable
contracts under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without
limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Fund will at all times comply with
Section 8 17 (h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the
diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance
contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Section or
Regulations. In the event of a breach of this Article VI by the Fund, it will
take all reasonable steps (a) to notify Company of such breach and (b) to
adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace
period afforded by Regulation 1.817-5.
ARTICLE VII. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS
7.1. The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any
material irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners
of all separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material
conflict may arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any
state insurance regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or
state insurance, tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling,
private letter ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar
action by insurance, tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an
administrative or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner
in which the 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 trustees, 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 trustees), 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
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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 Underwriter and Fund shall continue
to accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption)
of shares of the Fund.
7.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a
particular state insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company
conflicts with the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will
withdraw the affected Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this
Agreement with respect to such Account within six months after the Board
informs the Company in writing that it has determined that such decision has
created an irreconcilable material conflict; provided, however, that such
withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent required by the
foregoing material irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board. Until the end of the foregoing six month
period, the Underwriter and Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders
by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund.
7.6. For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.6 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 Contracts 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 Accounts 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 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 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, 7. 1,
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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.l(a). 'Me Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Fund and each trustee of the Board and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8. 1)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts
paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company) or litigation
(including reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified
Parties 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 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 or prospectus 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 or prospectus 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 any untrue
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 willful misfeasance,
bad faith, or gross negligence of the Company or persons under
its 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
12
made in reliance upon information furnished to the Fund by or on
behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to
provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms
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 incurred or assessed
against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross
negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's
duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless
disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to
the Fund, whichever is applicable.
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 the
Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such
action. The Company also shall be entitled to assume the
defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named
in the action. After notice from the Company to such party of
the Company's election to assume the defense thereof, the
Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and the Company will not be
liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently 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
13
8.2(a). The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless
the Company and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts
paid in settlement with the written consent of the Underwriter) or litigation
(including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified
Parties 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 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 of any material fact
contained in the Registration Statement or prospectus
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 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 any untrue 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 willful misfeasance, bad faith,
or gross negligence of the Fund, Adviser 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 requirements
specified in Article VI of this Agreement); or
14
(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 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 each Company or the Account, whichever is
applicable.
8.2(c). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified
Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in
writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process
giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice
of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter
of any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it
may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise
than on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is
brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Underwriter will be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also
shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to
the party named in the action. After notice from the Underwriter to such party
of the Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified
Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by
it, and 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
officers or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts
or the operation of each 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, damages, liabilities (including amounts
paid in settlement with the written consent of the Fund) or litigation
(including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified
Parties 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 result from the gross negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct of the Board or any member thereof, are related to the
operations of the Fund and:
15
(i) 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 to
comply with the diversification 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 incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise
from such Indemnified Parry'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 each 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
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice
of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any
such claim shall not relieve the Fund from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action. After notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to
assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund will not be
liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.3(d). The Company and the Underwriter agree promptly to notify
the Fund of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any
of its respective officers or directors in connection with this Agreement, the
issuance or sale of the Contracts, with respect to the operation of either
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 Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
16
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
Securities and Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to,
the 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 by six 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 Portfolio based
upon the Company's determination that shares of such
Portfolio are not reasonably available to meet the
requirements of the Contracts; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund
and the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the
event any of the 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 investment media of the Contracts issued or
to be issued by the Company; or
(d) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund
and the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the
event that such Portfolio ceases to qualify as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code or under
any successor or similar provision, or if the Company
reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify;
or
(e) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund
and the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the
event that such Portfolio fails to meet the diversification
requirements specified in Article VI hereof-, or
(f) termination by either the Fund or the Underwriter by
written notice to the Company, if either one or both of the
Fund or the Underwriter respectively, shall determine, in
their sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the
Company and/or its affiliated companies 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
17
(g) 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 either 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
(h) the requisite vote of the Contract owners having an
interest in a Portfolio (unless otherwise required by
applicable law) and written approval of the Company, to
substitute the shares of another investment company for the
corresponding shares of a Portfolio in accordance with the
terms of the Contracts; or
(i) at the option of the Fund, upon institution of formal
proceedings against the Company by the NASD, the SEC, the
insurance commission 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 the
Account, the administration of the Contracts or the
purchase of Fund shares, or an expected or anticipated
ruling, judgment or outcome which would, in the Fund's
reasonable judgment, materially impair the Company's
ability to perform the Company's obligations and duties
hereunder; or
(j) at the option of the Company, upon institution of formal
proceedings against the Fund, the Underwriter, the Fund's
investment adviser or any sub-adviser, by the NASD, the
SEC, or any state securities or insurance commission or any
other regulatory body regarding the duties of the Fund or
the Underwriter under this Agreement, or an expected or
anticipated ruling, judgment or outcome which would, in the
Company's reasonable judgment, materially impair the Fund's
or the Underwriter's ability to perform the Fund's or the
Underwriter's obligations and duties hereunder; or
(k) at the option of the Company, upon institution of formal
proceedings against the Fund's investment adviser of any
sub-adviser by the NASD, the SEC, or any state securities
or insurance commission or any other regulatory body which
would, in the good faith opinion of the Company, result in
material harm. to the Accounts, the Company or Contract
owners.
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, without limitation, the owners of the
Existing Contracts shall 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
18
not apply to any terminations under Article VII and the effect of such Article
VII terminations shall be governed by Article VII of this Agreement.
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, or (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 other provision of this Agreement, each
party's obligation under Article VII to indemnify the other parties shall
survive termination of this Agreement, to the extent that the events giving
rise to the obligation to indemnify the other party occurred prior to the date
of termination.
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:
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
If to the Company:
Lincoln National Life Insurance Company
0000 X. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
If to the Underwriter:
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
ARTICLE XII. MISCELLANEOUS
19
12.1. All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the
property of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as
neither the Board, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal
liability for obligations entered into on behalf of the Fund.
12.2. Subject to the requirements of legal process and
regulatory authority, each party here to 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 until such time as it
may come into the public domain without the express written consent of the
affected party.
12.3. The captions in this Agreement are included for
convenience of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the
provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
12.4. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or
more counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the
same instrument.
12.5. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made
invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the
Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
12.6. Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party
and all appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the
SEC, the NASD and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the Indiana Insurance Commissioner with any non-privileged
information or reports in connection with services provided under this
Agreement which such Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the
insurance operations of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent
with the Indiana Insurance 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; provided, however, that the Underwriter may assign this
Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or company
under common control with the Underwriter, if such assignee is duly licensed
and registered to perform the obligations of the Underwriter under this
Agreement.
20
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.
LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND
By: /s/ J. Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name: J. Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
By:
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxx
Title: President
21
SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND ASSOCIATED CONTRACTS
Name of Separate Account and Policy Form Numbers of Contracts Funded
Date Established by Board of Directors By Separate Account
-------------------------------------- -------------------
Lincoln National Variable Annuity GAC96-1 11
Separate Account L GAC91-101
22
AMENDED SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND ASSOCIATED CONTRACTS
EFFECTIVE MAY 22, 1998 (PURSUANT TO SECTION 1.6 OF THE AGREEMENT)
Name of Separate Account and Policy Form Numbers of Contracts Funded
Date Established by Board of Directors By Separate Account
-------------------------------------- -------------------
Lincoln National Variable Annuity Separate GAC96-1 11
Account L GA.C91-101
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life
Account M LN605/615 (VUL)
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life
Account R SVUL LN650
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.
LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Vice President
SCHEDULE B
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURE
The following is a list of procedures and corresponding responsibilities for
the handling of proxies relating to the Fund by the Underwriter, the Fund and
the Company. The defined terms herein shall have the meanings assigned in the
Participation Agreement except that the term "Company" shall also include the
department or third party assigned by the Insurance Company to perform the
steps delineated below.
1. The number of proxy proposals is given to the Company by the Underwriter
as early as possible before the date set by the Fund for the shareholder
meeting to facilitate the establishment of tabulation procedures. At this
time the Underwriter will inform the Company of the Record, Mailing and
Meeting dates. This will be done in writing approximately two months
before meeting.
2. Promptly after the Record Date, the Company will perform a "tape run", or
other activity, which will generate the names, addresses and number of
units which are attributed to each contractowner/policyholder (the
"Customer") as of the Record Date. Allowance should be made for account
adjustments made after this date that could affect the status of the
Customers' accounts as of the Record Date.
Note: The number of proxy statements is determined by the activities
described in Step #2. The Company will use its best efforts to call in
the number of Customers to Fidelity, as soon as possible, but no later
than two weeks after the Record Date.
3. The Fund's Annual Report no longer needs to be sent to each Customer by
the Company either before or together with the Customers' receipt of a
proxy statement. Underwriter will provide the last Annual Report to the
Company pursuant to the terms of Section 3.3 of the Agreement to which
this Schedule relates.
4. The text and format for the Voting Instruction Cards ("Cards" or "Card")
is provided to the Company by the Fund. The Company, at its expense,
shall produce and personalize the Voting Instruction Cards. The Legal
Department of the Underwriter or its affiliate ("Fidelity Legal") must
approve the Card before it is printed. Allow approximately 2-4 business
days for printing information on the Cards. Information commonly found
on the Cards includes:
a. name (legal name as found on account registration)
b. address
c. Fund or account number
d. coding to state number of units
e. individual Card number for use in tracking and verification
of votes (already on Cards as printed by the Fund)
(This and related steps may occur later in the chronological process due to
possible uncertainties relating to the proposals.)
23
5. During), this time, Fidelity Legal will develop, produce, and the Fund
will pay for the Notice of Proxy and the Proxy Statement (one document).
Printed and folded notices and statements will be sent to Company for
insertion into envelopes (envelopes and return envelopes are provided and
paid for by the Insurance Company). Contents of envelope sent to
Customers by Company will include:
a. Voting Instruction Card(s)
b. One proxy notice and statement (one document)
c. return envelope (postage pre-paid by Company) addressed to
the Company or its tabulation agent
d. "urge buckslip" - optional, but recommended. (This is a
small, single sheet of paper that requests Customers to vote
as quickly as possible and that their vote is important. One
copy will be supplied by the Fund.)
e. cover letter - optional, supplied by Company and reviewed
and approved in advance by Fidelity Legal.
6. The above contents should be received by the Company approximately 3-5
business days before mail date. Individual in charge at Company reviews
and approves the contents of the mailing package to ensure correctness
and completeness. Copy of this approval sent to Fidelity Legal.
7. Package mailed by the Company.
* The Fund must allow at least a 15-day solicitation time to the
Company as the shareowner. (A 5-week period is recommended.)
Solicitation time is calculated as calendar days from (but NOT
including) the meeting, counting backwards.
8. Collection and tabulation of Cards begins. Tabulation usually takes place
in another department or another vendor depending on process used. An
often used procedure is to sort Cards on arrival by proposal into vote
categories of all yes, no, or mixed replies, and to begin data entry.
Note: Postmarks are not generally needed. A need for postmark information
would be due to an insurance company's internal procedure and has not
been required by Fidelity in the past.
9. Signatures on Card checked against legal name on account registration
which was printed on the Card.
Note: For Example, If the account registration is under "Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxx, Trustee," then that is the exact legal name to be printed on the
Card and is the signature needed on the Card.
24
10. If Cards are mutilated, or for any reason are illegible or are not signed
properly, they are considered to be not RECEIVED for purposes of vote
tabulation. Any Cards that have "kicked out" (e.g. mutilated, illegible)
of the procedure are "hand verified," i.e., examined as to why they did
not complete the system. Any questions on those Cards are usually
remedied individually.
11. There are various control procedures used to ensure proper tabulation of
votes and accuracy of that tabulation. The most prevalent is to sort the
Cards as they first arrive into categories depending upon their vote; an
estimate of how the vote is progressing may then be calculated. If the
initial estimates and the actual vote do not coincide, then an internal
audit of that vote should occur. This may entail a recount.
12. The actual tabulation of votes is done in units which is then converted
to shares. (It is very important that the Fund receives the tabulations
stated in terms of a percentage and the number of shares.) Fidelity Legal
must review and approve tabulation format.
13. Final tabulation in shares is verbally given by the Company to Fidelity
Legal on the morning of the meeting not later than 10:00 a.m. Boston
time. Fidelity Legal may reasonably request an earlier deadline if
required to calculate the vote in time for the meeting.
14. A Certification of Mailing and Authorization to Vote Shares will be
required from the Company as well as an original copy of the final vote.
Fidelity Legal will provide a standard form for each Certification.
15. The Company will be required to box and archive the Cards received from
the Customers. In the event that any vote is challenged or if otherwise
necessary for legal, regulatory, or accounting purposes, Fidelity Legal
will be permitted reasonable access to such Cards.
16. All arrangements, approvals and "signing-off 'maybe done orally, but must
always be followed up in writing.
25
SCHEDULE C
Other investment companies currently available under variable annuities or
variable life insurance issued by the Company:
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund: Small Cap Portfolio
Twentieth Century's TCI Portfolios, Inc.
TCI Growth
TCI Balanced
X. Xxxx Price International Series, Inc.
Xxxxxxx Responsibly Invested Balanced Portfolio
26
Separate Account: Lincoln National Variable Annuity Separate Account L
Product(s) Name: Group Variable Annuity I, II, and III
Funds Available: Fidelity Investments - Asset Manager
Equity-Income
Growth
American Century - Balanced
Capital Appreciation
Dreyfus - S & P 500 Index
Smallcap
Baron - Asset Fund
Xxxxxxx Socially Balanced
Janus - Worldwide
Xxxxx & Xxxxx - LN Aggressive Growth
Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx - Partners
X. Xxxx Price - International
Vantage Global - LN Social Awareness
Separate Account: Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life Account M
Product(s) Name: Variable Universal Life - VUL I
Funds Available: Fidelity Investments - Equity-Income
Asset Manager
Investment Grade Bonds
AIM - Capital Appreciation
Diversified Income
Growth
Value
Delaware - Emerging Markets
Smallcap Value
Trend
MFS - Emerging Growth
Total Return
Utilities
Xxxxxxxxx - Asset Allocation
International
Stock
OpCap - Global Equity
Managed
Bankers Trust - S&P 500 Index
Lincoln Investments - LN Money Market
Separate Account: Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life Account R
Product(s) Name: Survivorship, Variable Universal Life - SVUL I
Funds Available: Fidelity Investments - Equity-Income
Asset Manager
Investment Grade Bonds
AIM - Capital Appreciation
Diversified Income
Growth
Value
Delaware - Emerging Markets
Smallcap Value
Trend
MFS - Emerging Growth
Total Return
Utilities
Xxxxxxxxx - Asset Allocation
International
Stock
OpCap - Global Equity
Managed
Bankers Trust - S&P 500 Index
Lincoln Investments - LN Money Market
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
AMONG
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II,
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
AND
LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the Ist day of
September, 1996, by and among LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
(hereinafter the "Company"), an Indiana corporation, 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 such account hereinafter
referred to as the "Account"), and the VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II, an
unincorporated business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts (hereinafter the "Fund") and FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
(hereinafter the "Underwriter"), a Massachusetts corporation.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management
investment company and is available to act as the investment vehicle for
separate accounts established for variable life insurance policies and variable
annuity contracts (collectively, the "Variable Insurance Products") to be
offered by insurance companies which have entered into participation agreements
with the Fund and the Underwriter (hereinafter "Participating Insurance
Companies"); and
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into
several series of shares, each representing the interest in a particular managed
portfolio of securities and other assets, any one or more of which may be made
available under this Agreement, as may be amended from time to time by mutual
agreement of the parties hereto (each such series hereinafter referred to as a
"Portfolio"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") a registration statement on Form N- 1 A and the SEC has
declared effective said registration statement; and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the SEC, dated
September 17, 1986 (File No. 812-6422), 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
1
Act") and Rules 6e-2(b) (15) and 6e-3(T) (b) (15) thereunder, 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 its shares are registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the " 1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, Fidelity Management & Research Company (the "Adviser") is
duly registered as an investment adviser under the federal Investment Advisers
Act of 1940 and any applicable state securities law; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain
variable life insurance and variable annuity contracts under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing
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 variable annuity
contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each 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 on behalf
of each Account to fund certain of the aforesaid variable life and variable
annuity contracts and the Underwriter is authorized to sell such shares to unit
investmen trusts such as each Account at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the
Company, the Fund and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1. SALE OF FUND SHARES
1.1. The Underwriter agrees to sell to the Company those shares
of the Fund which each 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 Fund. For purposes of this Section 1. 1, the
Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of such orders from each
Account and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund;
provided that the
2
Fund receives notice of such order by 9:30 a.m. Boston 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 Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.2. The Fund agrees to make its shares available indefinitely for
purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company and its
Accounts on those days on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant
to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission 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 Trustees of the Fund (hereinafter the "Board") may refuse to sell
shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of
shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Board
acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and
any applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders
of such 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 Portfolio will be sold to the general public.
1.4. 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 1, 111, V, VII and Section 2.5 of Article II
of this Agreement is in effect to govern such sales.
1.5. The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's request,
any fun or fractional shares of the Fund 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. For purposes of this
Section 1.5, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of
requests for redemption from each Account and receipt by such designee shall
constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such
request for redemption on the next following Business Day.
1.6. The Company agrees that purchases and redemptions of
Portfolio shares offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund shall be
made in accordance with the provisions of such prospectus. The Company agrees
that all net amounts available under the variable annuity contracts with the
form number(s) which are listed on Schedule A attached hereto and incorporated
herein by this reference, (as such Schedule A may be amended from time to time
hereafter by mutual written agreement of all the parties hereto), (the
"Contracts") shall be invested in the Fund, in such other Funds advised by the
Adviser as may be mutually agreed to in writing by the parties hereto, or in the
Company's general account, provided that such amounts may also be invested in
investment companies other than the Fund. The Company shall notify the Fund as
to which other investment companies are available as investment options under
the Contract not later than the time such investment companies are made
available to owners of the
3
Contracts. The investment companies available to Contract owners as of the date
of this Agreement are as shown on Schedule C.
1.7. The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business
Day after an order to purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with the
provisions of Section 1. 1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted
by wire. For purpose of Section 2. 10 and 2. 11, 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 tide 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 Fund's shares. The Company hereby
elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions as
are payable on the Portfolio shares in additional shares of that Portfolio. 'Me
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.
1. 10. The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each
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. Boston time) and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value
per share available by 7 p.m. Boston time.
ARTICLE 11. 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 Company will require of every person distributing the
Contracts that the Contracts be offered and sold in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable Federal and state laws. 'Me Company further
represents and wan-ants that it is an insurance company duly organized and
validly existing under applicable law and that it has legally and validly
established each Account, prior to any issuance or sale thereof, as a segregated
asset account under Section 27-1-5-1 of the Indiana Insurance Code and has
registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will register
each 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 State of
Indiana and all applicable federal and state securities laws
4
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 represents that it is currently qualified as a
Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, (the "Code") and that it will make every effort to maintain
such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision)
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.
2.4. The Company represents that the Contracts are currently
treated as life insurance policies 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 that the Contracts have ceased to
be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.
2.5. 'Me Fund currently does not intend to make any payments to
finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b- I under the 1940 Act or
otherwise, although it may make such payments in the future. The Fund has
adopted a "no fee" or "defensive" Rule 12b- 1 Plan under which it makes no
payments for distribution expenses. To the extent that it decides to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b- 1, the Fund undertakes to have a
board of trustees, a majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund,
formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b- I to finance distribution
expenses.
2.6. The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of
its operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment
policies) complies with the insurance laws or regulations 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
State of Indiana and the Fund and the Underwriter represent that their
respective operations are and shall at all times remain in material compliance
with the laws of the State of Indiana to the extent required to perform this
Agreement.
2.7. 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 t he laws of the State of Indiana and all applicable
state and federal securities laws, including without limitation the 1933 Act,
the 1934 Act, and the 0000 Xxx.
2.8. The Fund 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.
5
2.9. The Underwriter represents and warrants that the Adviser is
and shall remain duly registered in all material respects 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 State of Indiana and any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.10. The Fund and Underwriter represent and warrant that all of
their directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals/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
minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(l) 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. The Fund and the Underwriter agree to make all
reasonable efforts to see that this bond or another bond containing these
provisions is always in effect, and agree to notify the Company immediately in
the event that such coverage no longer applies.
2.11. The Company represents and warrants that all of its
directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals/entities 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, and that said bond is issued by a reputable bonding company, includes
coverage for larceny and embezzlement, and is in an amount not less than $5
million. 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 Ill. PROSPECTUSES AND PROXY STATEMENTS: VOTING
3.1. The Underwriter shall provide the Company with as many
printed copies of the Fund's current prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information as the Company may reasonably request. If requested by the Company
in lieu thereof, the Fund shall provide cameraready film containing the Fund's
prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, and such other assistance as
is reasonably necessary in order for the Company once each year (or more
frequently if the prospectus and/or Statement of Additional Information for the
Fund is amended during the year) to have the prospectus for the Contracts and
the Fund's prospectus printed together in one document, and to have the
Statement of Additional Information for the Fund and the Statement of Additional
Information for the Contracts printed together in one document. Alternatively,
the Company may print the Fund's prospectus and/or its Statement of Additional
Information in combination with other fund companies' prospectuses and
statements of additional information. Except as provided in the following three
sentences, all expenses of printing and distributing Fund prospectuses and
Statements of Additional Information shall be the expense of the Company. For
prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information provided by the Company to
its existing owners of Contracts in order to update disclosure as required by
the 1933 Act and/or the 1940 Act, the cost of printing shall be borne by the
Fund. If the Company chooses to receive camera-ready film in lieu of receiving
printed copies of the Fund's prospectus, the Fund
6
will reimburse the Company in an amount equal to the product of A and B where A
is the. number of such prospectuses distributed to owners of the Contracts, and
B is the Fund's per unit cost of typesetting and printing the Fund's prospectus.
The same procedures shall be followed with respect to the Fund's Statement of
Additional Information.
The Company agrees to provide the Fund or its designee with such
information as may be reasonably requested by the Fund to assure that the Fund's
expenses do not include the cost of printing any prospectuses or Statements of
Additional Information other than those actually distributed to existing owners
of the Contracts.
3.2. The Fund's prospectus shall state that the Statement of
Additional Information for the Fund is available from the Underwriter or the
Company (or in the Fund's discretion, the Prospectus shall state that such
Statement is available from the Fund).
3.3. The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with
copies of its proxy statements, reports to shareholders, and other
communications (except for prospectuses and Statements of Additional
Information, which, are covered in Section 3. 1) to shareholders in such
quantity as the Company shall reasonably require for distributing to Contract
owners.
3.4. If and to the extent required by law 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 a particular separate account in
the same proportion as Fund shares of such
portfolio for which instructions have been received
in that separate account,
so long as and to the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission
continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges
for variable contract owners. 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. Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for assuring that
each of their separate accounts participating in the Fund calculates voting
privileges in a manner consistent with the standards set forth on Schedule B
attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, which standards will
also be provided to the other Participating Insurance Companies.
3.5. 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 Securities and Exchange Commission's interpretation
of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of
trustees and with whatever rules the Commission may promulgate with respect
thereto.
7
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 in which the Fund or its investment adviser or the Underwriter is
named, at least ten Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be
used if the Fund or its designee reasonably objects to such use within ten
Business Days after receipt of such material.
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 for the
Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus 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 or its designee, each piece of sales
literature or other promotional material in which the Company and/or its
separate account(s), is named at least ten Business Days prior to its use. No
such material shall be used if the Company or its designee reasonably objects to
such use within ten Business Days after receipt of such material.
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,
each Account, or the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in published reports for each 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, 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 Fund or its shares, within 30
days of the filing of such document with the Securities and Exchange Commission
or other regulatory authorities.
4.6. The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete
copy of all registration statements, prospectuses, Statements of Additional
Information, 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
8
the Contracts or each Account and their investment in the Fund, within 30 days
of the filing of such document with the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
4.7. For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature
or other promotional material" 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 (IE., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, and registration statements,
prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information, shareholder reports, and
proxy materials and any other material constituting sales literature or
advertising under NASD rules, the 1940 Act or the 1933 Act.
ARTICLE V. FEES AND EXPENSES
5.1. The Fund and 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- I 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. 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 distributing the
Fund's prospectus, proxy materials and reports to owners of Contracts issued by
the Company.
ARTICLE VI. DIVERSIFICATION
9
6.1. The Fund will at all times invest money from the Contracts in
such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable
contracts under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting
the scope of the foregoing, the Fund will at all times comply with Section
817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the
diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance
contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Section or
Regulations. In the event of a breach of this Article VI by the Fund, it will
take all reasonable steps (a) to notify Company of such breach and (b) to
adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace
period afforded by Regulation 1.817-5.
ARTICLE VII. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS
7.1. The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any
material irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of
all separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict
may arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state
insurance regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state
insurance, tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private
letter ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by
insurance, tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or
judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the
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 trustees, 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 trustees), 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
10
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 Underwriter and Fund shall continue to accept and
implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of
the Fund.
7.5. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a
particular state, insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company
conflicts with the majority of other state regulators, then the Company will
withdraw the affected Account's investment in the Fund and terminate this
Agreement with respect to such Account within six months after the Board informs
the Company in writing that it has determined that such decision has created an
irreconcilable material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members
of the Board. Until the end of the foregoing six month period, the Underwriter
and Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the
purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund.
7.6. For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.6 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 Contracts 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 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 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, 7. 1,
11
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 each trustee of the Board and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8. 1)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of the Company) or litigation (including
reasonable legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties 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 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 or prospectus 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 or prospectus 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 any untrue 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 willful misfeasance, bad
faith, or gross negligence of the Company or persons under
its 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
12
made in reliance upon information furnished to the Fund by
or on behalf of the Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide
the services and furnish the materials under the terms 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 incurred or
assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise
from such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad
faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under
this Agreement or to the Fund, whichever is applicable.
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 the Indemnified Parties, the
Company shall be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also
shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with
counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action.
After notice from the Company to such party of the
Company's election to assume the defense thereof, the
Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and the Company will not
be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal
or other expenses subsequently 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
13
8.2(a). The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of the Underwriter) or litigation
(including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties
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 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 of any material fact contained in
the Registration Statement or prospectus 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 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 any untrue 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 willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence of the Fund,
Adviser 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
requirements specified in Article VI of this Agreement); or
14
(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 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 each Company or the Account, whichever is applicable.
8.2(c). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified
Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in
writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process
giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or, after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice
of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter
of any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it
may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise
than on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is
brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Underwriter will be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also
shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to
the party named in the action. After notice from the Underwriter to such party
of the Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified
Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it,
and 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
officers or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts
or the operation of each 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, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement with the written consent of the Fund) or litigation (including
reasonable legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties 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 result from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of
the Board or any member thereof, are related to the operations of the Fund and:
15
(i) 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 to comply with the
diversification 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
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from 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 each Account, whichever is applicable.
83(c). The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any
such claim shall not relieve the Fund from any liability which it may have to
the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the
action. After notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to
assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it; and the Fund will not be
liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
8.3(d). The Company and the Underwriter agree promptly to notify
the Fund of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any
of its respective officers or directors in connection with this Agreement, the
issuance or sale of the Contracts, with respect to the operation of either
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 Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.
16
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
Securities and Exchange Commission may grant (including, but not limited to, the
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 by six 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 Portfolio based
upon the Company's determination that shares of such
Portfolio are not reasonably available to meet the
requirements of the Contracts; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund
and the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the
event any of the 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 investment media of the Contracts issued or
to be issued by the Company; or
(d) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund
and the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the
event that such Portfolio ceases to qualify as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code or under
any successor or similar provision, or if the Company
reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify;
or
(e) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund
and the Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the
event that such Portfolio fails to meet the diversification
requirements specified in Article VI hereof, or
(f) termination by either the Fund or the Underwriter by
written notice to the Company, if either one or both of the
Fund or the Underwriter respectively, shall determine, in
their sole judgment exercised in good faith, that the
Company and/or its affiliated companies 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
17
(g) 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 either 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
(h) the requisite vote of the Contract owners having an
interest in a Portfolio (unless otherwise required by
applicable law) and written approval of the Company, to
substitute the shares of another investment company for the
corresponding shares of a Portfolio in accordance with the
terms of the Contracts; or
(i) at the option of the Fund, upon institution of formal
proceedings against the Company by the NASD, the SEC, the
insurance commission 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 the
Account, the administration of the Contracts or the
purchase of Fund shares, or an expected or anticipated
ruling, judgment or outcome which would, in the Fund's
reasonable judgment, materially impair the Company's
ability to perform the Company's obligations and duties
hereunder; or
(j) at the option of the Company, upon institution of formal
proceedings against the Fund, the Underwriter, the Fund's
investment adviser or any sub-adviser, by the NASD, the
SEC, or any state securities or insurance commission or any
other regulatory body regarding the duties of the Fund or
the Underwriter under this Agreement, or an expected or
anticipated ruling, judgment or outcome which would, in the
Company's reasonable judgment, materially impair the Fund's
or the Underwriter's ability to perform the Fund's or the
Underwriter's obligations and duties hereunder; or
(k) at the option of the Company, upon institution of formal
proceedings against the Fund's investment adviser of any
sub-adviser by the NASD, the SEC, or any state securities
or insurance commission or any other regulatory body which
would, in the good faith opinion of the Company, result in
material harm to the Accounts, the Company or Contract
owners.
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, without limitation, the owners of the Existing
Contracts shall 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
18
not apply to any terminations under Article VII and the effect of such Article
VII terminations shall be governed by Article VII of this Agreement
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, or (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 other provision of this Agreement, each
party's obligation under Article VII to indemnify the other parties shall
survive termination of this Agreement, to the extent that the events giving rise
to the obligation to indemnify the other party occurred prior to the date of
termination.
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:
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
If to the Company:
Lincoln National Life Insurance Company
0000 X. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
If to the Underwriter:
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
ARTICLE X11. MISCELLANEOUS
19
12.1 All persons dealing with the Fund must look solely to the
property of the Fund for the enforcement of any claims against the Fund as
neither the Board, officers, agents or shareholders assume any personal
liability for obligations entered into 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 until such time as it may come into
the public domain without the express written consent of the affected party.
12.3 The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience
of reference only and in no way define or delineate any of the provisions hereof
or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
12.4 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
12.5 If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made
invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of the
Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
12.6 Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and
all appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC,
the NASD and state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records in connection with any investigation
or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the Indiana Insurance Commissioner with any non-privileged
information or reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement
which such Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the insurance
operations of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent with the
Indiana Insurance 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; provided, however, that the Underwriter may assign this
Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or company
under common control with the Underwriter, if such assignee is duly licensed and
registered to perform the obligations of the Underwriter under this Agreement
20
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.
LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND II
By: /s/ J. Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Name: J. Xxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxx
Title: President
21
SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND ASSOCIATED CONTRACTS
Name of Separate Account and Policy Form Numbers of Contracts Funded
Date Established by Board of Directors By Separate Account
-------------------------------------- -------------------
Lincoln National Variable Annuity XXX00-000
Xxxxxxxx Account L GAC91-101
22
AMENDED SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND ASSOCIATED CONTRACTS
EFFECTIVE MAY 22, 1998 (PURSUANT TO SECTION 1.6 OF THE AGREEMENT)
Name of Separate Account and Policy Form Numbers of Contracts Funded
Date Established by Board of Directors By Separate Account
-------------------------------------- -------------------
Lincoln National Variable Annuity Separate GAC96-111
Account L GAC91-101
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life
Account M LN605/615 (VUL)
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life
Account R SVUL LN650
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.
LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Vice President
SCHEDULE B
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURE
The following is a list of procedures and corresponding responsibilities for the
handling of proxies relating to the Fund by the Underwriter, the Fund and the
Company. The defined terms herein shall have the meanings assigned in the
Participation Agreement except that the TERM "Company" shall also include the
department or third party assigned by the Insurance Company to perform the steps
delineated below.
I The number of proxy proposals is given to the Company by the Underwriter
as early as possible before the date set by the Fund for the shareholder
meeting to facilitate the establishment of tabulation procedures. At this
time the Underwriter will inform the Company of the Record, Mailing and
Meeting dates. This will be done in writing approximately two months
before meeting.
2. Promptly after the Record Date, the Company will perform a "tape run", or
other activity, which will generate the names, addresses and number of
units which are attributed to each contractowner/policyholder (the
"Customer.") as of the Record Date. Allowance should be made for account
adjustments made after this date that could affect the status of the
Customers' accounts as of the Record Date.
Note: The number of proxy statements is determined by the activities
described in Step #2. The Company will use its best efforts to call in
the number of Customers to Fidelity, as soon as possible, but no later
than two weeks after the Record Date.
3. The Fund's Annual Report no longer needs to be sent to each Customer by
the Company either before or together with the Customers' receipt of a
proxy statement. Underwriter will provide the last Annual Report to the
Company pursuant to the terms of Section 3.3 of the Agreement to which
this Schedule relates.
4. The text and format for the Voting Instruction Cards ("Cards" or "Card")
is provided to the Company by the Fund. The Company, at its expense,
shall produce and personalize the Voting Instruction Cards. The Legal
Department of the Underwriter or its affiliate ("Fidelity Legal") must
approve the Card before it is printed. Allow approximately 2-4 business
days for printing information on the Cards. Information commonly found on
the Cards includes:
a. name (legal name as found on account registration)
b. address
c. Fund or account number
d. coding to state number of units
e. individual Card number for use in tracking and verification of
votes (already on Cards as printed by the Fund)
(This and related steps may occur later in the chronological process due to
possible uncertainties relating to the proposals.)
23
5. During this time, Fidelity Legal will develop, produce, and the Fund will
pay for the Notice of Proxy and the Proxy Statement (one document).
Printed and folded notices and statements will be sent to Company for
insertion into envelopes (envelopes and return envelopes are provided and
paid for by the Insurance Company). Contents of envelope sent to
Customers by Company will include:
a. Voting Instruction Card(s)
b. One proxy notice and statement (one document)
c. return envelope (postage pre-paid by Company) addressed to the
Company or its tabulation agent
d. "urge buckslip" - optional, but recommended. (This is a small,
single sheet of paper that requests Customers to vote as
quickly as possible and that their vote is important. One copy
will be supplied by the Fund.)
e. cover letter - optional, supplied by Company and reviewed and
approved in advance by Fidelity Legal.
6. The above contents should be received by the Company approximately 3-5
business days before mail date. Individual in charge at Company reviews
and approves the contents of the mailing package to ensure correctness
and completeness. Copy of this approval sent to Fidelity Legal.
7. Package mailed by the Company.
* The Fund must allow at least a 15-day solicitation time to the
Company as the shareowner. (A 5-week period is recommended.)
Solicitation time is calculated as calendar days from (but NOT
including) the meeting, counting backwards.
8. Collection and tabulation of Cards begins. Tabulation usually takes place
in another department or another vendor depending on process used. An
often used procedure is to sort Cards on arrival by proposal into vote
categories of all yes, no, or mixed replies, and to begin data entry.
Note: Postmarks are not generally needed. A need for postmark information
would be due to an insurance company's internal procedure and has not
been required by Fidelity in the past.
9. Signatures on Card checked against legal name on account registration
which was printed on the Card.
Note: For Example, If the account registration is under "Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxx, Trustee," then that is the exact legal name to be printed on the
Card and is the signature needed on the Card.
24
10. If Cards are mutilated, or for any reason are illegible or are not signed
properly, they are considered to be NOT RECEIVED for purposes of vote
tabulation. Any Cards that have "kicked out" (e.g. mutilated, illegible)
of the procedure are "hand verified," i.e., examined as to why they did
not complete the system. Any questions on those Cards are usually
remedied individually.
11. There are various control procedures used to ensure proper tabulation of
votes and accuracy of that tabulation. The most prevalent is to sort the
Cards as they first arrive into categories depending upon their vote; an
estimate of how the vote is progressing may then be calculated. If the
initial estimates and the actual vote do not coincide, then an internal
audit of that vote should occur. This may entail a recount.
12. The actual tabulation of votes is done in units which is then converted
to shares. (It is very important that the Fund receives the tabulations
stated in terms of a percentage and the number of shares.) Fidelity Legal
must review and approve tabulation format.
13. Final tabulation in shares is verbally given by the Company to Fidelity
Legal on the morning of the meeting not later than 10:00 a.m. Boston
time. Fidelity Legal may reasonably request an earlier deadline if
required to calculate the vote in time for the meeting.
14. A Certification of Mailing and Authorization to Vote Shares will be
required from the Company as well as an original copy of the final vote.
Fidelity Legal win provide a standard form for each Certification.
15. The Company will be required to box and archive the Cards received from
the Customers. In the event that any vote is challenged or if otherwise
necessary for legal, regulatory, or accounting purposes, Fidelity Legal
will be permitted reasonable access to such Cards.
16. All arrangements, approvals and "signing-off 'maybe done orally, but must
always be followed up in writing.
25
SCHEDULE C
Other investment companies currently available under variable annuities or
variable life insurance issued by the Company:
Dreyfus Stock Index Fund
Dreyfus Variable Investment Fund: Small Cap Portfolio
Twentieth Century's TCI Portfolios, Inc.
TCI Growth
TCI Balanced
X. Xxxx Price International Series, Inc.
Xxxxxxx Responsibly Invested Balanced Portfolio
26
Separate Account: Lincoln National Variable Annuity Separate Account L
Product(s) Name: Group Variable Annuity 1, 11, and III
Funds Available: Fidelity Investments - Asset Manager
Equity-Income
Growth
American Century - Balanced
Capital Appreciation
Dreyfus - S & P 500 Index
Smallcap
Baron - Asset Fund
Xxxxxxx Socially Balanced
Janus - Worldwide
Xxxxx & Xxxxx - LN Aggressive Growth
Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxx - Partners
X. Xxxx Price - International
Vantage Global - LN Social Awareness
Separate Account: Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life Account M
Product(s) Name: Variable Universal Life - VUL I
Funds Available: Fidelity Investments - Equity-Income
Asset Manager
Investment Grade Bonds
AIM - Capital Appreciation
Diversified Income
Growth
Value
Delaware - Emerging Markets
Smallcap Value
Trend
MFS - Emerging Growth
Total Return
Utilities
Xxxxxxxxx - Asset Allocation
International
Stock
OpCap - Global Equity
Managed
Bankers Trust - S&P 500 Index
Lincoln Investments - LN Money Market
Separate Account: Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life Account R
Product(s) Name: Survivorship Variable Universal Life - SVUL I
Funds Available: Fidelity Investments - Equity-Income
Asset Manager
Investment Grade Bonds
AIM - Capital Appreciation
Diversified Income
Growth
Value
Delaware - Emerging Markets
Smallcap Value
Trend
MFS - Emerging Growth
Total Return
Utilities
Xxxxxxxxx - Asset Allocation
International
Stock
OpCap - Global Equity
Managed
Bankers Trust - S&P 500 Index
Lincoln Investments - LN Money Market
AMENDED SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND ASSOCIATED CONTRACTS
EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 1999 (PURSUANT TO SECTION 1.6 OF THE AGREEMENT
Name of Separate Account and Policy Form Numbers of Contracts
Date Established by Board of Directors Funded By Separate Account Fidelity Fund (Class)
Lincoln National Variable Annuity Account C 18829, 25982RSC, 28645 0697 Contrafund - Service
Lincoln National Variable Annuity Separate GAC96-1 11 Asset Manager - Initial
Account L GAC9 1 -101
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN605/615 (VUL) Asset Manager - Initial
Account M LN 605/660 Investment Grade Bond-Initial
Class
Contrafund - Service Class
Lincoln Life Variable Annuity Account Q 28883,28884,28890,28867, Contrafund - Service Class
28868,28891,28903
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life SVUL LN650 Investment Grade Bond-Initial
Class
Account R Asset Manager - Initial Class
Contrafund - Service Class
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN920/921 Contrafund - Service
Account S Asset Manager - Service Class
Lincoln National Life Insurance Company 19476 Contrafund - Service Class
Separate Account 35
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf by it its seal to be
hereunder affixed hereto as of the date specified below.
Date LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Vice President
Date 5/3/99 VARIABLE INSURANCE TRODUCTS FU S
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President
Date 5/7/99 FIDELITY DISTRIBUTION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Vice President
Amendment to Schedule C
Effective May 1, 1999
Other investment companies currently available under the separate account listed
in Amended Schedule A:
AIM, American Century, Bankers Trust, Baron, Calvert, Delaware, Dreyfus, Janus,
Kemper, Liberty, Lincoln National, MFS, Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, OpCap, Oppenhiemer, X.
Xxxx Price, Xxxxxxxxx
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.
Date LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By:
Name:-
Title:
Date VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND 11
By:
Name:-
Title:
Date FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
By:
Name:
Title:
AMENDED SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND ASSOCIATED CONTRACTS
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 15, 1999 (PURSUANT TO SECTION 1.6 OF THE AGREEMENT)
Name of Separate Account and Policy Form Numbers of Contracts
Date Established by Board of Directors Funded By Separate Account Fidelity Fund (Class)
-------------------------------------- -------------------------------- ---------------------
Lincoln National Variable Annuity Account C 18829, 25982RSC, 28645 0697 Contrafund - Service Class
Lincoln National Variable Annuity Separate GAC96-111 Asset Manager - Initial Class
Account L GAC91-101
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN605/615 (VUL) Asset Manager - Initial Class
Account M LN 605/660 Investment Grade Bond - Initial Class
Contrafund - Service Class
LN680 Contrafund - Service Class
Lincoln Life Variable Annuity Account Q 28883, 28884, 28890, 28867, Contrafund - Service Class
28868, 28891, 28903
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life SVUL LN650 Investment Grade Bond - Initial Class
Account R Asset Manager - Initial Class
Contrafund - Service Class
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN920/921 Contrafund - Service Class
Account S Asset Manager - Service Class
Lincoln National Life Insurance Company 19476 Contrafund - Service Class
Separate Account 35
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.
Date LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
---------------------
By:
------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
------------------------
Title: Second Vice President
------------------------
Date VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUNDS II
---------------------
By:
------------------------
Name:
------------------------
Title:
------------------------
Date FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
---------------------
By:
------------------------
Name:
------------------------
Title:
------------------------
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
Among
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND 111,
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
and
THE LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the ____ day of
October, 1998 by and among THE LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
(hereinafter the "Company"), an Indiana corporation, 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 such account hereinafter
referred to as the "Account"), and the VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III, an
unincorporated business trust organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts (hereinafter the "Fund") and FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
(hereinafter the "Underwriter"), a Massachusetts corporation.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management
investment company and is available to act as the investment vehicle for
separate accounts established for variable life insurance policies and variable
annuity contracts (collectively, the "Variable Insurance Products") to be
offered by insurance companies which have entered into participation agreements
with the Fund and the Underwriter (hereinafter "Participating Insurance
Companies"); and
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into
several series of shares, each representing the interest in a particular managed
portfolio of securities and other assets, any one or more of which may be made
available under this Agreement, as may be amended from time to time by mutual
agreement of the parties hereto (each such series hereinafter referred to as a
"Portfolio"); and
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission, dated September 17, 1986 (File No. 812-6422), 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, to the extent necessary to permit
1
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 its shares are registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the " 1933 Act"); and
WHEREAS, Fidelity Management & Research Company (the "Adviser")
is duly registered as an investment adviser under the federal Investment
Advisers Act of 1940; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain
variable life insurance and variable annuity contracts under the 1933 Act; and
WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing
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 variable annuity
contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account
as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker dealer with
the Securities and Exchange Commission ("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 on behalf
of each Account to fund certain of the aforesaid variable life insurance and
variable annuity contracts and the Underwriter is authorized to sell such shares
to unit investment trusts such as each Account at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the
Company, the Fund and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1. SALE OF FUND SHARES
1.1. The Underwriter agrees to sell to the Company those shares
of the Fund which each 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 Fund. For purposes of this Section 1. 1, the
Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of such orders from each
Account and receipt by such designee shall
2
constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such
order by 9:00 a.m. Boston 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 Securities and Exchange Commission.
1.2. The Fund agrees to make its shares available indefinitely for
purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company and its
Accounts on those days on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant
to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission 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 Trustees of the Fund (hereinafter the "Board") may refuse to sell
shares of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of
shares of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction or is, in the sole discretion of the Board
acting in good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and
any applicable state laws, necessary in the best interests of the shareholders
of such 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 Portfolio will be sold to the general public.
1.4. 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, III, V, VII and Section 2.5 of Article 11
of this Agreement is in effect to govern such sales.
1.5. The Fund agrees to redeem for cash, on the Company's request,
any full or fractional shares of the Fund 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. For purposes of this
Section 1.5, the Company shall be the designee of the Fund for receipt of
requests for redemption from each Account and receipt by such designee shall
constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the Fund receives notice of such
request for redemption on the next following Business Day.
1.6. The Company agrees that purchases and redemptions of
Portfolio shares offered by the then current prospectus of the Fund shall be
made in accordance with the provisions of such prospectus. The Company agrees
that all net amounts available under the variable life insurance or variable
annuity contracts with the form number(s) which are listed on Schedule A
attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, as such Schedule A
may be amended from time to time hereafter by mutual written agreement of all
the parties hereto, (the "Contracts") shall be invested in the Fund, in such
other Funds advised by the Adviser as may be mutually agreed to in writing by
the parties hereto, or in the Company's general account, provided that such
amounts may also be invested in one or more investment companies other than the
Fund.
3
1.7. The Company shall pay for Fund shares on the next Business
Day after an order to purchase Fund shares is made in accordance with the
provisions of Section 1.1 hereof. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted
by wire. For purpose of Section 2. 10 and 2.11, 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 Fund's shares. The Company hereby
elects to receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions as
are payable on the Portfolio shares in additional shares of that Portfolio. The
Company reserves the night 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.
1.10. The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each
Portfolio available to the Company or its designee on a daily basis as soon as
reasonably practical after the net asset value per share is calculated (normally
by 6:30 p.m. Boston time) and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset
value per share available by 7 p.m. Boston time.
ARTICLE 11. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
2.1. The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are
or will be registered under the 1933 Act unless an exemption from registration
is available and an opinion of counsel to that effect shall have been furnished
to the Fund; that the Contracts will be issued and sold in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable Federal and State laws. The Company
further represents and warrants that it is an insurance company duly organized
and validly existing under applicable law and that it has legally and validly
established each Account prior to any issuance or sale thereof as a segregated
asset account under Section 27-1-5-1 of the Indiana Insurance Code and has
registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the Contracts, will register
each 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
4
sold in compliance with the laws of the State of Indiana 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 represents that it is currently qualified as a
Regulated Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended, (the "Code") and that it will make every effort to maintain
such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or similar provision)
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.
2.4. The Company represents that the Contracts are currently
treated as life insurance policies or annuity insurance contracts under
applicable provisions of the Code; 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 that the Contracts have ceased to
be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.
2.5. (a) With respect to Initial Class shares, the Fund currently
does not intend to make any payments to finance distribution expenses pursuant
to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or otherwise, although it may make such
payments in the future. The Fund has adopted a "no fee" or "defensive" Rule
l2b-1 Plan under which it makes no payments for distribution expenses. To the
extent that it decides to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1,
the Fund undertakes to have a board of trustees, a majority of whom are not
interested persons of the Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1
to finance distribution expenses.
(b) With respect to Service Class shares, the Fund has
adopted a Rule 12b-1 Plan under which it makes payments to finance distribution
expenses. The Fund represents and warrants that it has a board of trustees, a
majority of whom are not interested persons of the Fund, which has formulated
and approved the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan to finance distribution expenses of the
Fund and that any changes to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan will be approved by a
similarly constituted board of trustees.
2.6. The Fund makes no representation as to whether any aspect of
its operations (including, but not limited to, fees and expenses and investment
policies) complies with the insurance laws or regulations 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
State of Indiana and the Fund and the Underwriter represent that their
respective operations are and shall at all times remain in material compliance
with the laws of the State of Indiana to the extent required to perform this
Agreement.
5
2.7. 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 State of Indiana and all applicable
state and federal securities laws, including without limitation the 1933 Act,
the 1934 Act, and the 0000 Xxx.
2.8. The Fund 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.
2.9. The Underwriter represents and warrants that the Adviser is
and shall remain duly registered in all material respects under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940 and that the Adviser shall perform its obligations for the
Fund in compliance in all material respects with the laws of the State of
Indiana and any applicable state and federal securities laws.
2.10. The Fund and Underwriter represent and warrant that all of
their directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals/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
minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(1) of the 1940 Act or
related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid Bond
shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a
reputable bonding company. The Fund and the Underwriter agree to make all
reasonable efforts to see that this bond or another bond containing these
provisions is always in effect, and agree to notify the Company immediately in
the event that such coverage no longer applies.
2.11. The Company represents and warrants that all of its
directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other
individuals/entities 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, and that said bond is issued by a reputable bonding company, includes
coverage for larceny and embezzlement, and is in an amount not less than $5
million. 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 111. PROSPECTUSES AND PROXY STATEMENTS; VOTING
3.1. The Underwriter shall provide the Company with as many
printed copies of the Fund's current prospectus and Statement of Additional
Information as the Company may reasonably request. If requested by the Company
in lieu thereof, the Fund
6
shall provide camera-ready film containing the Fund's prospectus (which shall
mean, for purposes of this Article III if the Company so requests, a separate
prospectus for each Fund portfolio used in a particular Account), and Statement
of Additional Information, and such other assistance as is reasonably necessary
in order for the Company once each year (or more frequently if the prospectus
and/or Statement of Additional Information for the Fund is amended during the
year) to have the prospectus for the Contracts and the Fund's prospectus printed
together in one document, and to have the Statement of Additional Information
for the Fund and the Statement of Additional Information for the Contracts
printed together in one document. Alternatively, the Company may print the
Fund's prospectus and/or its Statement of Additional Information in combination
with other fund companies' prospectuses and statements of additional
information. Except as provided in the following three sentences, all expenses
of printing and distributing Fund prospectuses and Statements of Additional
Information shall be the expense of the Company. For prospectuses and Statements
of Additional Information provided by the Company to its existing owners of
Contracts in order to update disclosure annually as required by the 1933 Act
and/or the 1940 Act, the cost of printing shall be borne by the Fund. If the
Company chooses to receive camera-ready film in lieu of receiving printed copies
of the Fund's prospectus, the Fund will reimburse the Company in an amount equal
to the product of A and B where A is the number of such prospectuses distributed
to owners of the Contracts, and B is the Fund's per unit cost of typesetting and
printing the Fund's prospectus. The same procedures shall be followed with
respect to the Fund's Statement of Additional Information.
The Company agrees to provide the Fund or its designee with such
information as may be reasonably requested by the Fund to assure that the Fund's
expenses do not include the cost of printing any prospectuses or Statements of
Additional Information other than those actually distributed to existing owners
of the Contracts.
3.2. The Fund's *prospectus shall state that the Statement of
Additional Information for the Fund is available from the Underwriter or the
Company (or in the Fund's discretion, the Prospectus shall state that such
Statement is available from the Fund).
3.3. The Fund, at its expense, shall provide the Company with
copies of its proxy statements, reports to shareholders, and other
communications (except for prospectuses and Statements of Additional
Information, which are covered in Section 3.1) to shareholders in such quantity
as the Company shall reasonably require for distributing to Contract owners.
3.4. If and to the extent required by law 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 a particular separate account in the same
proportion as Fund
7
shares of such portfolio for which instructions have
been received in that separate account,
so long as and to the extent that the Securities and Exchange Commission
continues to interpret the 1940 Act to require pass-through voting privileges
for variable contract owners. 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. Participating Insurance Companies shall be responsible for assuring that
each of their separate accounts participating in the Fund calculates voting
privileges in a manner consistent with the standards set forth on Schedule B
attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, which standards will
also be provided to the other Participating Insurance Companies.
3.5. 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 Securities and Exchange Commission's interpretation
of the requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of
trustees and with whatever rules the Commission 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 in which the Fund or its investment adviser or the Underwriter is
named, at least ten Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be
used if the Fund or its designee reasonably objects to such use within ten
Business Days after receipt of such material.
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 for the
Fund shares, as such registration statement and prospectus 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 or its designee, each piece of sales
literature or other promotional material in which the Company and/or its
separate account(s), is named at least ten Business Days prior to its use. No
such material shall be used if the Company or
8
its designee reasonably objects to such use within ten Business Days after
receipt of such material.
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,
each Account, or the Contracts other than the information or representations
contained in a registration statement or prospectus for the Contracts, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in an offering statement for unregistered contracts, or in published
reports for each 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, 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 Fund or its shares, within 30
days of the filing of such document with the Securities and Exchange Commission
or other regulatory authorities.
4.6. The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete
copy of all registration statements, prospectuses, Statements of Additional
Information, 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 each Account, and to their investments in the Fund within 30 days
of the filing of such document with the SEC or other regulatory authorities.
4.7. For purposes of this Article IV, the phrase "sales literature
or other promotional material" 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, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of
any other advertisement, sales literature, or published article), educational or
training materials or other communications distributed or made generally
available to some or all agents or employees, and registration statements,
prospectuses, Statements of Additional Information, shareholder reports, and
proxy materials, and any other material constituting sales literature or
advertising under NASD rules, the 1940 Act or the 1933 Act.
9
ARTICLE V. FEES AND EXPENSES
5.1. The Fund and 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- I 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.
5.2. All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under this
Agreement shall be paid by the Fund. The Fund shall see to it that all its
shares are registered and authorized for issuance in accordance with applicable
federal law and, if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund, in
accordance with -applicable state laws prior to their sale. The Fund shall bear
the expenses for the cost of registration and qualification of the Fund's
shares, preparation and filing of the Fund's prospectus and registration
statement, proxy materials and reports, setting the prospectus in type, setting
in type and printing the proxy materials and reports to shareholders (including
the costs of printing a prospectus that constitutes an annual report), the
preparation of all statements and notices required by any federal or state law,
and all taxes on the issuance or transfer of the Fund's shares.
5.3. The Company shall bear the expenses of distributing the
Fund's prospectus, proxy materials and reports to owners of Contracts issued by
the Company.
ARTICLE VI. DIVERSIFICATION
6.1. The Fund will at all times invest money from the Contracts in
such a manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as variable
contracts under the Code and the regulations issued thereunder. Without limiting
the scope of the foregoing, the Fund will at all times comply with Section
817(h) of the Code and Treasury Regulation 1.817-5, relating to the
diversification requirements for variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance
contracts and any amendments or other modifications to such Section or
Regulations. In the event of a breach of this Article VI by the Fund, it will
take all reasonable steps (a) to notify Company of such breach and (b) to
adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace
period afforded by Regulation 1.817-5.
ARTICLE VII. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS
7.1. The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any
material irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of
all separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict
may arise for a variety
10
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 trustees, 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 trustees), 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 (IE., 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 Underwriter and Fund shall continue to accept and
implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and redemption) of shares of
the Fund.
11
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 Underwriter
and Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the
purchase (and redemption) of shares of the Fund.
7.6. For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.6 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 Contracts 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 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 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, 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.
12
ARTICLE VIII. INDEMNIFICATION
8.1. INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY
8.1(a). The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund
and each trustee of the Board and officers and each person, if any, who controls
the Fund within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8. 1) against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with
the written consent of the Company) or litigation (including reasonable legal
and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties 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 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
or prospectus 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 or prospectus for the
Contracts or in the Contracts or sales literature (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing) 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 untrue 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 willful misfeasance, bad faith or
gross negligence of the Company or persons under its 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
13
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Company to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms 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
incurred or assessed against an Indemnified Party as such may arise from such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations or duties under this Agreement or to
the Fund, whichever is applicable.
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 the Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to participate,
at its own expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the Company to such party of the
Company's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall
bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the
Company will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently 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
14
8.2(a). The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who
controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act
(collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts
paid in settlement with the written consent of the Underwriter) or
litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified
Parties may become subject under any statute, 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 of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement or prospectus or sales literature of the Fund (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the or 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 Company for use in the
Registration Statement or prospectus for the Fund or in sales
literature (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing)
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 untrue 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 willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence of
the Fund, Adviser 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
15
(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 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 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 each Company or the Account, whichever
is applicable.
8.2(c). The Underwriter shall not be liable under this
indemnification provision with respect to any claim made against an
Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have notified
the Underwriter in writing within a reasonable time after the summons
or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the
claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after
such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on
any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter of any
such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which
it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is
brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision.
In case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties,
the Underwriter will be entitled to participate, at its own expense,
in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also shall be entitled to
assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from the Underwriter to such party
of the Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the
Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional
counsel retained by it, and 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 officers or directors in connection with the
issuance or sale of the Contracts or the operation of each Account.
8.3. INDEMNIFICATION BY THE FUND
16
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, 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 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 result from the gross negligence, bad faith
or willful misconduct of the Board or any member thereof, are related
to the operations of the Fund and:
(i) 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 to comply with the diversification 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 incurred or assessed against an
Indemnified Party as such may arise from 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
each 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 information of the nature of the
claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after
such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on
any designated agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any such
claim shall not relieve the Fund from any liability which it may have
to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought
otherwise than on account of this indemnification provision. In case
any such action is brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Fund
will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense
thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action.
After notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to
assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees
and
17
expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund will
not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
8.3(d). The Company and the Underwriter agree promptly
to notify the Fund of the commencement of any litigation or
proceedings against it or any of its respective officers or directors
in connection with this Agreement, the issuance or sale of the
Contracts, with respect to the operation of either 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 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 (including, but not
limited to, the 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 by ninety (90) days 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 Portfolio based upon the Company's
determination that shares of such Portfolio are not reasonably
available to meet the requirements of the Contracts; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event any of the
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 investment media of the
Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company; or
18
(d) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such
Portfolio ceases to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company under
Subchapter M of the Code or under any successor or similar provision,
or if the Company reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so
qualify; or
(e) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter with respect to any Portfolio in the event that such
Portfolio fails to meet the diversification requirements specified
in Article VI hereof; or
(f) termination by either the Fund or the Underwriter by written notice
to the Company, if either one or both of the Fund or the Underwriter
respectively, shall determine, in their sole judgment exercised in
good faith, that the Company and/or its affiliated companies 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 Fund and the
Underwriter, if the Company shall determine, in its sole judgment
exercised in good faith, that either 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
(h) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund and the
Underwriter upon the requisite vote of the Contract owners having an
interest in a Portfolio (unless otherwise required by applicable law)
and written approval of the Company, to substitute shares of another
investment company for the corresponding shares of a Portfolio in
accordance with the terms of the Contracts; or
(i) termination by written notice to the Company at the option of the
Fund, upon institution of formal proceedings against the Company and
by the NASD, the SEC, the insurance commission 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
the Account, the administration of the Contracts or the purchase of
Fund shares, or an expected or anticipated ruling, judgment or
outcome which would, in the Fund's reasonable judgment, materially
impair the Company's ability to perform the Company's obligations and
duties hereunder; or
19
(j) termination by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriter, at the
option of the Company, upon institution of formal proceedings against
the Fund, the Underwriter, the Fund's investment adviser or any
subadviser, by the NASD, the SEC, or any state securities or
insurance commission or any other regulatory body regarding the
duties of the Fund or the Underwriter under this Agreement, or an
expected or anticipated ruling, judgment or outcome which would, in
the Company's reasonable judgment, materially impair the Fund's or
the Underwriter's ability to perform the Fund's or Underwriter's
obligations and duties hereunder; or
(k) termination by written notice to the Fund and the Underwriter, at the
option of the Company, upon institution of formal proceedings against
the Fund's investment adviser of any sub-adviser by the NASD, the
SEC, or any state securities or insurance commission or any
regulatory body which would, in the good faith opinion of the
Company, result in material harm to the Accounts, the Company or
Contract Owners.
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, without limitation, the owners of the
Existing Contracts shall 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 terminations under Article VII and the effect of such Article
VII terminations shall be governed by Article VII 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, or
(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 other provision of this
Agreement, one party's obligation under Article VIII to indemnify
the other party shall survive termination of this Agreement, to the
20
extent that the events giving rise to the obligation to indemnify
the other party occurred prior to the date of termination.
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:
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
If to the Company:
The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company
0000 X. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
If to the Underwriter:
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Treasurer
ARTICLE XII. MISCELLANEOUS
12.1. All person's dealing with the Fund must look
solely to the property of the Fund for the enforcement of any
claims against the Fund as neither the Board, officers, agents or
shareholders assume any personal liability for obligations entered
into 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 until such time as it may come into the public domain
without the express written consent of the affected party
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.
21
12.4. This Agreement may be executed, simultaneously in
two or more counterparts, each of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
12.5. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held
or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise,
the remainder of the Agreement shall not be affected thereby.
12.6. Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other
party and all appropriate governmental authorities (including
without limitation the SEC, the NASD and state insurance
regulators) and shall permit such authorities reasonable access
to its books and records in connection with any investigation or
inquiry relating to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby. Notwithstanding the generality of the
foregoing, each party hereto further agrees to furnish any
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
insurance operations of the Company are being conducted in a
manner consistent with the insurance regulations and any other
applicable law or regulations of that state.
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; provided, however,
that the Underwriter may assign this Agreement or any rights or
obligations hereunder to any affiliate of or company under common
control with the Underwriter, if such assignee is duly licensed
and registered to perform the obligations of the Underwriter under
this Agreement. The Company shall promptly notify the Fund and
the Underwriter of any change in control of the Company.
12.9. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be
furnished, to the Fund or its designee copies of the following
reports:
(a) the Company's annual statement(prepared under
statutory accounting principles) and annual
report (prepared under generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP"), if any), as
soon as practical and in any event within 90
days after the end of each fiscal year;
(b) the Company's quarterly statements
(statutory) (and GAAP, if any), as soon as
practical and in any event within 45 days
after the end of each quarterly period:
22
(c) any financial statement, proxy statement,
notice or report of the Company sent to
stockholders and/or policyholders, as soon
as practical after the delivery thereof to
stockholders;
(d) any registration statement (without exhibits)
and financial reports of the Company filed
with the SEC or any state insurance
regulator, as soon as practical after the
filing thereof;
(e) any other report submitted to the Company by
independent accountants in connection with
any annual, interim or special audit made
by them of the books of the Company, as soon
as practical after the receipt thereof.
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.
THE LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Vice President
VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Senior Vice President
FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Vice President
23
SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND-ASSOCIATED CONTRACTS
Name of Separate Account and Policy Form Numbers of Contracts
Date Established by Board of Directors Funded By Separate Account Fidelity Fund (Class)
-------------------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------
Lincoln Life Variable Annuity AN425LL Growth Opportunities -
Annuity Account N Initial Class
(November 3, 1997)
24.
SCHEDULE B
PROXY VOTING PROCEDURE
The following is a list of procedures and corresponding responsibilities
for the handling of proxies relating to the Fund by the Underwriter,
the Fund and the Company. The defined terms herein shall have the
meanings assigned in the Participation Agreement except that the term
"Company" shall also include the department or third party assigned by
the Insurance Company to perform the steps delineated below.
1. The number of proxy proposals is given to the Company by the Underwriter
as early as possible before the date set by the Fund for the
shareholder meeting to facilitate the establishment of tabulation
procedures. At this time the Underwriter will inform the Company of
the Record, Mailing and Meeting dates. This will be done in writing
approximately two months before meeting.
2. Promptly after the Record Date, the Company will perform a "tape
run", or other activity, which will generate the names, addresses
and number of units which are attributed to each
contractowner/policyholder (the "Customer") as of the Record Date.
Allowance should be made for account adjustments made after this
date that could affect the status of the Customers' accounts as of
the Record Date.
Note: The number of proxy statements is determined by the
activities described in Step #2. The Company will use its best
efforts to call in the number of Customers to Fidelity, as soon as
possible, but no later than two weeks after the Record Date.
3. The Fund's Annual Report no longer needs to be sent to each
Customer by the Company either before or together with the
Customers' receipt of a proxy statement. Under-writer will provide
the last Annual Report to the Company pursuant to the terms of
Section 3.3 of the Agreement to which this Schedule relates.
4. The text and format for the Voting Instruction Cards ("Cards" or
"Card") is provided to the Company by the Fund. The Company, at its
expense, shall produce and personalize the Voting Instruction Cards.
The Legal Department of the Underwriter or its affiliate ("Fidelity
Legal") must approve the Card before it is printed. Allow
approximately 2-4 business days for printing information on the Cards.
Information commonly found on the Cards includes:
a. name (legal name as found on account registration)
b. address
c. Fund or account number
d. coding to state number of units
e. individual Card number for use in tracking and verification
of votes (already on Cards as printed by the Fund)
(This and related steps may occur later in the chronological process
due to possible uncertainties relating to the proposals.)
25
5. During this time, Fidelity Legal will develop, produce, and the Fund
will pay for the Notice of Proxy and the Proxy Statement (one
document). Printed and folded notices and statements will be sent
to Company for insertion into envelopes (envelopes and return
envelopes are provided and paid for by the Insurance Company).
Contents of envelope sent to Customers by Company will include:
a. Voting Instruction Card(s)
b. One proxy notice and statement (one document)
c.return envelope (postage pre-paid by Company) addressed to the Company
or its tabulation agent
d."urge buckslip" - optional, but recommended. (This is a small, single
sheet of paper that requests Customers to vote as quickly as possible
and that their vote is important. One copy will be supplied by the
Fund.)
e. cover letter - optional, supplied by Company and reviewed and approved
in advance by Fidelity Legal.
6. The above contents should be received by the Company at least 7
business days before mail date. Individual in charge at Company
reviews and approves the contents of the mailing package to ensure
correctness and completeness. Copy of this approval sent to
Fidelity Legal.
7. Package mailed by the Company.
* The Fund must allow at least a 15-day solicitation time to the Company
as the shareowner. (A 5-week period is recommended.) Solicitation time is
calculated as calendar days from (but NOT including) the meeting, counting
backwards.
8. Collection and tabulation of Cards begins. Tabulation usually takes
place in another department or another vendor depending on process
used. An often used procedure is to sort Cards on arrival by proposal
into vote categories of all yes, no, or mixed replies, and to begin
data entry.
Note: Postmarks are not generally needed. A need for postmark information
would be due to an insurance company's internal procedure and has not
been required by Fidelity in the past.
9. Signatures on Card checked against legal name on account registration
which was printed on the Card.
Note: For Example, If the account registration is under "Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx,
Trustee," then that is the exact legal name to be printed on the Card
and is the signature needed on the Card.
26
10. If Cards are mutilated, or for any reason are illegible or are not
signed properly, they are considered to be not received for
purposes of vote tabulation. Any Cards that have "kicked out"
(e.g. mutilated, illegible) of the procedure are "hand verified,"
i.e., examined as to why they did not complete the system. Any
questions on those Cards are usually remedied individually.
11. There are various control procedures used to ensure proper
tabulation of votes and accuracy of that tabulation. The most
prevalent is to sort the Cards as they first arrive into
categories depending upon their vote; an estimate of how the vote
is progressing may then be calculated. If the initial estimates
and the actual vote do not coincide, then an internal audit of
that vote should occur. This may entail a recount.
12. The actual tabulation of votes is done in units which is then
converted to shares. (It is very important that the Fund receives
the tabulations stated in terms of a percentage and the number of
SHARES.) Fidelity Legal must review and approve tabulation format.
13. Final tabulation in shares is verbally given by the Company to
Fidelity Legal on the morning of the meeting not later than 10:00
a.m. Boston time. Fidelity Legal may reasonably request an earlier
deadline if required to calculate the vote in time for the
meeting.
14. A Certification of Mailing and Authorization to Vote Shares will
be required from the Company as well as an original copy of the
final vote. Fidelity Legal will provide a standard form for each
Certification.
15. The Company will be required to box and archive the Cards received
from the Customers. In the event that any vote is challenged or if
otherwise necessary for legal, regulatory, or accounting purposes,
Fidelity Legal will be permitted reasonable access to such Cards.
16. All approvals and "signing-off' maybe done orally, but must always be
followed up in writing.
27
SCHEDULE C
Other investment companies currently available under variable
annuities or variable life insurance issued by the Company:
Separate Account: Lincoln National Variable Annuity Separate Account N
Product(s) Name: Delaware-Lincoln ChoicePlus Variable Annuity
Investment Companies
Available: Fidelity, Delaware, MFS, AIM, Lincoln Investments, Xxxxxx, Colonial,
Bankers Trust, Dreyfus. Vantage Global
28
Amended Schedule A
Separate Accounts and Associated Contracts
Effective October 15, 1999
Name of Separate Account and Policy Form Numbers of Contracts
Date Established by Board of Directors Funded by Separate Account Fidelity Fund (Class)
-------------------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN605/660 Growth Opportunities - Service Class
Account M LN680
Lincoln Life Variable Annuity Account N AN425LL Growth Opportunities - Initial Class
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN650 Growth Opportunities - Service Class
Account R
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.
Date Lincoln National Life Insurance Company
---------------------
By:
------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
------------------------
Title: Second Vice President
------------------------
Date: Variable Insurance Products Fund III
---------------------
By:
------------------------
Name:
------------------------
Title:
------------------------
Date: Fidelity Distributors Corporation
---------------------
By:
------------------------
Name:
------------------------
Title:
------------------------
AMENDED SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND ASSOCIATED CONTRACTS
EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2000
(PURSUANT TO SECTION 1.6 OF THE AGREEMENT)
Policy Form Numbers of Contracts
Name of Separate Account Funded By Separate Account Fidelity Fund (Class)
------------------------ -------------------------- ---------------------
Lincoln National Variable Annuity Account C 18829, 25982RSC, 28645 0697, 18831 Growth - Service Class
(Individual MultiFund)
Lincoln National Variable Annuity Account L GAC91-101; GAC96-111 Equity - Income - Initial Class
GAC96-101 (GVA I, II, III) Growth - Initial Class
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN605/615 (VUL I) Equity - Income - Initial Class
Account M
LN660 (VUL) Growth - Service Class
LN680 (VULdb) High Income - Service Class
Lincoln Life Variable Annuity Account N AN425 (Choice Plus) Overseas - Initial Class
Equity - Income - Initial Class
Growth - Initial Class
Lincoln Life Variable Annuity Account Q 28883, 28884, 28890, 28867, Growth - Service Class
28868, 28891, 28903
(Group MultiFund)
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN650 (SVUL) Growth - Service Class
Separate Account R High Income - Service Class
LN655 (SVUL II) Growth - Service Class
High Income - Service Class
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN920/921 Growth Portfolio
Account S (CVUL) High Income - Service Class
Overseas - Service Class
LN925/926 Growth Portfolio
(CVUL Series III) High Income - Service Class
Overseas - Service Class
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Amendment to Schedule A 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.
Date 3/22/2000 LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
----------------------
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
----------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
2nd Vice President
Date 3/31/2000 VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND
-----------------------
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
----------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
----------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
----------------------
Date 3/31/2000 FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
----------------------
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
----------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
----------------------
Title: Vice President
----------------------
AMENDED SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND ASSOCIATED CONTRACTS
EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2000 (PURSUANT TO SECTION 1.6 OF THE AGREEMENT)
Policy Form Numbers of Contracts
Name of Separate Account Funded By Separate Account Fidelity Fund (Class)
------------------------ -------------------------------- ----------------------
Lincoln National Variable Annuity Account C 18829, 25982RSC, 28645 0697 Contrafund - Service Class
(Individual MultiFund)
Lincoln National Variable Annuity Account L GAC96-111; GAC91-101 Asset Manager - Initial Class
(GVA I, II, III) Contrafund - Initial Class
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN605/615 (VUL I) Asset Manager - Initial Class
Account M Investment Grade Bond - Initial Class
LN660 (VUL) Contrafund - Service Class
LN680 (VULdb) Contrafund - Service Class
Lincoln Life Variable Annuity Account Q 28883, 28884, 28890, 28867, Contrafund - Service Class
28868, 28891, 28903
(Group MultiFund)
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN650 (SVUL) Investment Grade Bond - Initial Class
Separate Account R Asset Manager - Initial Class
Contrafund - Service Class
LN655 (SVUL II) Contrafund - Service Class
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN920/921 Contrafund - Service Class
Account S (CVUL) Asset Manager - Service Class
LN925/926 (CVUL Series III) Contrafund - Service Class
Asset Manager - Service Class
Lincoln National Life Insurance Company 19476 Contrafund - Service Class
Separate Account 35
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Amendment to Schedule A 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.
Date 3/22/2000 LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
---------
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
---------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
2nd Vice President
Date 3/31/2000 VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUNDS II
---------
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
---------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
---------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
---------------------
Date 3/31/2000 FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
---------
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
---------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
---------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------
Amended Schedule A
Separate Accounts and Associated Contracts
Effective May 1, 2000
Policy Form Numbers of Contracts
Name of Separate Account Funded By Separate Account Fidelity Fund (Class)
------------------------ -------------------------- ---------------------
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN605/660 (VUL) Growth Opportunities - Service Class
Account M LN680 (VULdb)
Lincoln Life Variable Annuity Account N AN425LL Growth Opportunities - Initial Class
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN650 (SVUL) Growth Opportunities - Service Class
Separate Account R LN655 (SVUL II)
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Amendment to Schedule A 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.
Date 3/22/2000 LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
----------------------
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
-------------------------
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
2nd Vice President
Date: 3/31/2000 VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND III
----------------------
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
-------------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
----------------------
Date: 3/31/2000 FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
----------------------
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
----------------------
Title: Vice President
---------------------
87158
3917
AMENDED SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND ASSOCIATED CONTRACTS
EFFECTIVE MAY 1. 2000 (PURSUANT TO SECTION 1.6 OF THE AGREEMENT)
Policy Form Numbers of Contracts
Name of Separate Account Funded By Separate Account Fidelity Fund (Class)
------------------------ -------------------------- ---------------------
Lincoln National Variable Annuity Account C 18829, 25982RSC, 28645 0697 Contrafund - Service Class
(Individual MultiFund)
Lincoln National Variable Annuity Account L GAC96-11 1; GAC9 I - 101 Asset Manager - Initial Class
(GVA 1, II, III) Contrafund - Service Class 2
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN605/615 (VUL 1) Asset Manager - Initial Class
Account M Investment Grade Bond - Initial Class
LN660 (VUL) Contrafund - Service Class
LN680 (VULdb) Contrafund - Service Class
Lincoln Life Variable Annuity Account Q 28883,28884,28890,28867, Contrafund - Service Class
28868,28891,28903
(Group MultiFund)
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN650 (SVUL) Investment Grade Bond - Initial Class
Separate Account R Asset Manager - Initial Class
Contrafund - Service Class
LN655 (SVUL II) Contrafund - Service Class
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN920/921 Contrafund - Service Class
Account S (CVUL) Asset Manager - Service Class
LN925/926 (CVT-JL Series III) Contrafund - Service Class
Asset Manager - Service Class
Lincoln National Life Insurance Company 19476 Contrafund - Service Class
Separate Account 35
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Amendment
to Schedule A 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.
Date 3/22/2000 LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: 2nd Vice President
Date 3/31/2000 VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUNDS II
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President
Date 3/31/2000 FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Vice President
3917
AMENDED SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS AND ASSOCIATED CONTRACTS
EFFECTIVE JULY 15, 2000 (PURSUANT TO SECTION 1.6 OF THE AGREEMENT)
Policy Form Numbers of Contracts
Name of Separate Account Funded By Separate Account Fidelity Fund (Class)
------------------------ -------------------------- ---------------------
Lincoln National Variable Annuity Account C 18829, 25982RSC, 28645 0697,18831 Growth - Service Class
(Individual MultiFund)
Lincoln National Variable Annuity Account L GAC9 1 - 10 1; GAC96-1 11 Equity-Income - Initial Class
GAC96-101 (GVA I, H, III) Growth - Initial Class
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN605/615 (VUL 1) Equity-Income - Initial Class
Account M
LN660 (VUL) Growth - Service Class
LN680 (VULdb) High Income - Service Class
Lincoln Life Variable Annuity Account N AN425 (ChoicePlus) Overseas - Initial Class
Equity-Income - Initial Class
Growth - Initial Class
30296 (ChoicePlus, Access) Overseas - Service Class 2
30295 (ChoicePlus Bonus) Equity-Income - Service Class 2
Growth - Service Class 2
Lincoln Life Variable Annuity Account Q 28883, 28884, 28890, 28867, 28868, Growth - Service Class
28891, 28903 (Group MultiFund)
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN650 (SVUL) Growth - Service Class
Separate Account R LN655 (SVUL 11). High Income - Service Class
Lincoln Life Flexible Premium Variable Life LN920/921 (CVUL) Growth Portfolio
Account S LN925/926 (CVUL Series III) High Income - Service Class
Overseas - Service Class
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this Amendment
to Schedule A 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.
LINCOLN NATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
2nd Vice President
Date 3/31/2000 VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President
Date 3/31/2000 FIDELITY DISTRIBUTORS CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: Vice President
1JRM02!. Wpd / 72274.0
