FUND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT made as of the 8th day of August, 1997, by and between
NEUBERGER&BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST ("TRUST"), a Delaware business trust,
ADVISERS MANAGERS TRUST ("MANAGERS TRUST"), a New York common law trust,
NEUBERGER&BERMAN MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED ("N&B MANAGEMENT"), a New York
corporation, and NORTHERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY ("LIFE COMPANY"), a life
insurance company organized under the laws of the State of Washington.
WHEREAS, TRUST and MANAGERS TRUST are registered with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC") under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended ("40 Act") as open-end, diversified management investment companies; and
WHEREAS, TRUST is organized as a series fund comprised of several
portfolios ("Portfolios"), the currently available of which are listed on
Appendix A hereto; and
WHEREAS, MANAGERS TRUST is organized as a series fund, comprised of
several portfolios ("Series"), the currently operational of which are listed on
Appendix A hereto; and
WHEREAS, each Portfolio of TRUST will invest all of its net investable
assets in a corresponding Series of MANAGERS TRUST; and
WHEREAS, TRUST was organized to act as the funding vehicle for certain
variable life insurance and/or variable annuity contracts ("Variable Contracts")
offered by life insurance companies through separate accounts of such life
insurance companies ("Participating Insurance Companies") and also offers its
shares to certain qualified pension and retirement plans; and
WHEREAS, TRUST has received an order from the SEC, dated May 5,1995
(File No. 812-9164), granting Participating Insurance Companies and their
separate accounts exemptions from the provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a)
and 15(b) of the '40 Act, and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and 6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder,
to the extent necessary to permit shares of the Portfolios of the TRUST to be
sold to and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance separate
accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies and
certain qualified pension and retirement plans (the "Order"); and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY has established or will establish one or more
separate accounts ("Separate Accounts") to offer Variable Contracts and is
desirous of having TRUST as one of the underlying funding vehicles for such
Variable Contracts; and
WHEREAS, N&B MANAGEMENT is registered with the SEC as an investment
adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and as a broker-dealer under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and
WHEREAS, N&B MANAGEMENT is the administrator and distributor of the
shares of each Portfolio of TRUST and investment manager of the corresponding
Series of MANAGERS TRUST; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, LIFE COMPANY intends to purchase shares of TRUST to fund the
aforementioned Variable Contracts and TRUST is authorized to sell such shares to
LIFE COMPANY at net asset value;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, LIFE
COMPANY, TRUST, MANAGERS TRUST and N&B MANAGEMENT agree as follows:
Article I. SALE OF TRUST SHARES
1.1 TRUST agrees to make available to the Separate Accounts of LIFE
COMPANY shares of the selected Portfolios as listed in Appendix B for investment
of proceeds from Variable Contracts allocated to the designated Separate
Accounts, such shares to be offered as provided in TRUST's Prospectus.
1.2 TRUST agrees to sell to LIFE COMPANY those shares of the selected
Portfolios of TRUST which LIFE COMPANY orders, executing such orders on a daily
basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by TRUST or its
designee of the order for the shares of TRUST. For purposes of this Section 1.2,
LIFE COMPANY shall be the designee of TRUST for receipt of such orders from LIFE
COMPANY and receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by TRUST; provided
that TRUST receives notice of such order by 8:30 a.m. New York 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 TRUST calculates its net asset
value pursuant to the rules of the SEC.
1.3 TRUST agrees to redeem for cash, on LIFE COMPANY's request, any
full or fractional shares of TRUST held by LIFE COMPANY, executing such requests
on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by TRUST or
its designee of the request for redemption. For purposes of this Section 1.3,
LIFE COMPANY shall be the designee of TRUST for receipt of requests for
redemption from LIFE COMPANY and receipt by such designee shall constitute
receipt by TRUST; provided that TRUST receives notice of such request for
redemption by 8:30 a.m. New York time on the next following Business Day.
1.4 TRUST shall furnish, on or before the ex-dividend date, notice to
LIFE COMPANY of any income dividends or capital gain distributions payable on
the shares of any Portfolio of TRUST. LIFE COMPANY hereby elects to receive all
such income dividends and capital gain distributions as are payable on a
Portfolio's shares in additional shares of the Portfolio. TRUST shall notify
LIFE COMPANY of the number of shares so issued as payment of such dividends and
distributions.
1.5 TRUST shall make the net asset value per share for the selected
Portfolio(s) available to LIFE COMPANY on a daily basis as soon as reasonably
practicable after the net asset value per share is calculated but shall use its
best efforts to make such net asset value available by 6:30 p.m. New York time.
If TRUST provides LIFE COMPANY with materially incorrect share net asset value
information through no fault of LIFE COMPANY, LIFE COMPANY on behalf of the
Separate Accounts, shall be entitled to an adjustment to the number of shares
purchased or redeemed to reflect the correct share net asset value. Any material
error in the calculation of net asset value per share, dividend or capital gain
information shall be reported promptly upon discovery to LIFE COMPANY.
1.6 At the end of each Business Day, LIFE COMPANY shall use the
information described in Section 1.5 to calculate Separate Account unit values
for the day. Using these unit values, LIFE COMPANY shall process each such
Business Day's Separate Account transactions based on requests and premiums
received by it by the close of trading on the floor of the New York Stock
Exchange (currently 4:00 p.m. New York time) to determine the net dollar amount
of TRUST shares which shall be purchased or redeemed at that day's closing net
asset value per share. The net purchase or redemption orders so determined shall
be transmitted to TRUST by LIFE COMPANY by 8:30 a.m. New York Time on the
Business Day next following LIFE COMPANY's receipt of such requests and premiums
in accordance with the terms of Sections 1.2 and 1.3 hereof.
1.7 If LIFE COMPANY's order requests the purchase of TRUST shares, LIFE
COMPANY shall pay for such purchase by wiring federal funds to TRUST or its
designated custodial account on the day the order is transmitted by LIFE
COMPANY. If LIFE COMPANY's order requests a net redemption resulting in a
payment of redemption proceeds to LIFE COMPANY, TRUST shall wire the redemption
proceeds to LIFE COMPANY by the next Business Day, unless doing so would require
TRUST to dispose of portfolio securities or otherwise incur additional costs,
but in such event, proceeds shall be wired to LIFE COMPANY within seven days and
TRUST shall notify the person designated in writing by LIFE COMPANY as the
recipient for such notice of such delay by 3:00 p.m. New York Time the same
Business Day that LIFE COMPANY transmits the redemption order to TRUST. If LIFE
COMPANY's order requests the application of redemption
proceeds from the redemption of shares to the purchase of shares of another fund
administered or distributed by N&B MANAGEMENT, TRUST shall so apply such
proceeds the same Business Day that LIFE COMPANY transmits such order to TRUST.
1.8 Notwithstanding Section 1.7, TRUST reserves the right to suspend
the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment or satisfaction upon
redemption consistent with Section 22(e) of the '40 Act and any rules
thereunder.
1.9 TRUST agrees that all shares of the Portfolios of TRUST will be
sold only to Participating Insurance Companies which have agreed to participate
in TRUST to fund their Separate Accounts and/or to certain qualified pension and
other retirement plans, all in accordance with the requirements of Section
817(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code") and Treasury
Regulation 1.817-5. Shares of the Portfolios of TRUST will not be sold directly
to the general public.
1.10 TRUST may refuse to sell shares of any Portfolio to any person, or
suspend or terminate the offering of the 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 of Trustees of TRUST, acting in good faith and
in light of its fiduciary duties under federal and any applicable state laws,
deemed necessary and in the best interests of the shareholders of such
Portfolios.
Article II. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
2.1 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that it is an insurance
company duly organized and in good standing under the laws of Minnesota and that
it has legally and validly established each Separate Account as a segregated
asset account under such laws, and that Washington Square Securities, Inc., the
principal underwriter for the Variable Contracts, is registered as a
broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
2.2 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that it has registered or,
prior to any issuance or sale of the Variable Contracts, will register each
Separate Account as a unit investment trust ("UIT") in accordance with the
provisions of the '40 Act and cause each Separate Account to remain so
registered to serve as a segregated asset account for the Variable Contracts,
unless an exemption from registration is available.
2.3 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that the Variable Contracts
will be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "`33 Act") unless an
exemption from registration is available prior to any issuance or sale of the
Variable Contracts and that the
Variable Contracts will be issued and sold in compliance in all material
respects with all applicable federal and state laws and further that the sale of
the Variable Contracts shall comply in all material respects with state
insurance law suitability requirements.
2.4 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that the Variable Contracts
are currently and at the time of issuance will be treated as life insurance,
endowment or annuity contracts under applicable provisions of the Code, that it
will maintain such treatment and that it will notify TRUST immediately upon
having a reasonable basis for believing that the Variable Contracts have ceased
to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.
2.5 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that it shall deliver such
prospectuses, statements of additional information, proxy statements and
periodic reports of the Trust as required to be delivered under applicable
federal or state law and interpretations of federal and state securities
regulators thereunder in connection with the offer, sale or acquisition of the
Variable Contracts.
2.6 LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that no existing text or
formatting of TRUST'S prospectus as delivered to LIFE COMPANY in electronic
format will be revised or altered by LIFE COMPANY or any employee or agent of
LIFE COMPANY.
2.7 TRUST represents and warrants that the Portfolio shares offered and
sold pursuant to this Agreement will be registered under the '33 Act and sold in
accordance with all applicable federal and state laws, and TRUST shall be
registered under the '40 Act prior to and at the time of any issuance or sale of
such shares. TRUST shall amend its registration statement under the '33 Act and
the '40 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous
offering of its shares. TRUST shall register and qualify its shares for sale in
accordance with the laws of the various states only if and to the extent deemed
advisable by TRUST.
2.8 TRUST represents and warrants that each Portfolio will comply with
the diversification requirements set forth in Section 817(h) of the Code, and
the rules and regulations thereunder, including without limitation Treasury
Regulation 1.817-5, and will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing any Portfolio has ceased to comply or might not
so comply and will immediately take all reasonable steps to adequately diversify
the Portfolio to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by
Regulation 1.817-5.
2.9 TRUST represents and warrants that each Portfolio
invested in by the Separate Account is currently qualified as a
"regulated investment company" under Subchapter M of the Code, that it will make
every effort to maintain such qualification and will notify LIFE COMPANY
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing it has ceased to so
qualify or might not so qualify in the future.
Article III. PROSPECTUS AND PROXY STATEMENTS
3.1 TRUST shall prepare and be responsible for filing with the SEC and
any state regulators requiring such filing all shareholder reports, notices,
proxy materials (or similar materials such as voting instruction solicitation
materials), prospectuses and statements of additional information of TRUST.
TRUST shall bear the costs of registration and qualification of shares of the
Portfolios, preparation and filing of the documents listed in this Section 3.1
and all taxes to which an issuer is subject on the issuance and transfer of its
shares.
3.2 TRUST will bear the printing costs (or duplicating costs with
respect to the statement of additional information) and mailing costs associated
with the delivery of the following TRUST (or individual Portfolio) documents,
and any supplements thereto, to existing Variable Contract owners of LIFE
COMPANY:
(i) prospectuses and statements of additional
information;
(ii) annual and semi-annual reports; and
(iii) proxy materials.
LIFE COMPANY will submit any bills for printing, duplicating
and/or mailing costs, relating to the TRUST documents described above, to TRUST
for reimbursement by TRUST. LIFE COMPANY shall monitor such costs and shall use
its best efforts to control these costs. LIFE COMPANY will provide TRUST on a
semi-annual basis, or more frequently as reasonably requested by TRUST, with a
current tabulation of the number of existing Variable Contract owners of LIFE
COMPANY whose Variable Contract values are invested in TRUST. This tabulation
will be sent to TRUST in the form of a letter signed by a duly authorized
officer of LIFE COMPANY attesting to the accuracy of the information contained
in the letter. If requested by LIFE COMPANY, the TRUST shall provide such
documentation (including a final copy of the TRUST's prospectus as set in type
or in camera-ready copy) and other assistance as is reasonably necessary in
order for LIFE COMPANY to print together in one document the current prospectus
for the Variable Contracts issued by LIFE COMPANY and the current prospectus for
the TRUST. Should LIFE COMPANY wish to print any of these documents in a format
different from that provided by TRUST, LIFE COMPANY shall
provide Trust with sixty (60) days' prior written notice and LIFE COMPANY shall
bear the cost associated with any format change.
3.3 TRUST will provide, at its expense, LIFE COMPANY with the following
TRUST (or individual Portfolio) documents, and any supplements thereto, with
respect to prospective Variable Contract owners of LIFE COMPANY:
(i) camera-ready copy of the current prospectus for
printing by the LIFE COMPANY;
(ii) a copy of the statement of additional information
suitable for duplication;
(iii) camera-ready copy of proxy material suitable
for printing; and
(iv) camera-ready copy of the annual and semi- annual
reports for printing by the LIFE COMPANY.
3.4 TRUST will provide LIFE COMPANY with at least one complete copy of
all prospectuses, statements of additional information, annual and semi-annual
reports, proxy statements, exemptive applications and all amendments or
supplements to any of the above that relate to the Portfolios promptly after the
filing of each such document with the SEC or other regulatory authority. TRUST,
upon request of LIFE COMPANY, will provide LIFE COMPANY with electronic copies
of TRUST'S prospectus for use by LIFE COMPANY in the delivery of the TRUST'S
prospectus on an individual basis to current and prospective Variable Contract
Owners. LIFE COMPANY will provide TRUST with at least one complete copy of all
prospectuses, statements of additional information, annual and semi-annual
reports, proxy statements, exemptive applications and all amendments or
supplements to any of the above that relate to a Separate Account promptly after
the filing of each such document with the SEC or other regulatory authority.
Article IV. SALES MATERIALS
4.1 LIFE COMPANY will furnish, or will cause to be furnished, to TRUST
and N&B MANAGEMENT, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material
in which TRUST, MANAGERS TRUST or N&B MANAGEMENT is named, at least fifteen (15)
Business Days prior to its intended use. No such material will be used if TRUST,
MANAGERS TRUST or N&B MANAGEMENT objects to its use in writing within ten (10)
Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.2 TRUST and N&B MANAGEMENT will furnish, or will cause to be
furnished, to LIFE COMPANY, each piece of sales literature or
other promotional material in which LIFE COMPANY or its Separate Accounts are
named, at least fifteen (15) Business Days prior to its intended use. No such
material will be used if LIFE COMPANY objects to its use in writing within ten
(10) Business Days after receipt of such material.
4.3 TRUST and its affiliates and agents shall not give any information
or make any representations on behalf of LIFE COMPANY or concerning LIFE
COMPANY, the Separate Accounts, or the Variable Contracts issued by LIFE
COMPANY, other than the information or representations contained in a
registration statement or prospectus for such Variable Contracts, as such
registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time
to time, or in reports of the Separate Accounts or reports prepared for
distribution to owners of such Variable Contracts, or in sales literature or
other promotional material approved by LIFE COMPANY or its designee, except with
the written permission of LIFE COMPANY.
4.4 LIFE COMPANY and its affiliates and agents shall not give any
information or make any representations on behalf of TRUST or concerning TRUST
other than the information or representations contained in a registration
statement or prospectus for TRUST, as such registration statement and prospectus
may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in sales literature or
other promotional material approved by TRUST or its designee, except with the
written permission of TRUST.
4.5 For purposes of this Agreement, the phrase "sales literature or
other promotional material" or words of similar import include, without
limitation, 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 (such as any written communication distributed
or made generally available to customers or the public, including brochures,
circulars, research reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, or
reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales literature, or published
article), educational or training materials or other communications distributed
or made generally available to some or all agents or employees, registration
statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information, shareholder
reports and proxy materials, and any other material constituting sales
literature or advertising under National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
rules, the '40 Act or the '33 Act.
Article V. POTENTIAL CONFLICTS
5.1 The Board of Trustees of TRUST and MANAGERS TRUST (the "Boards")
will monitor TRUST and MANAGERS TRUST, respectively, (collectively the "Funds"),
for the existence of any material irreconcilable conflict between the interests
of the Variable Contract owners of Participating Insurance Company Separate
Accounts investing in the Funds. A material irreconcilable conflict may arise
for a variety of reasons, including: (a) state insurance regulatory authority
action; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax, or
securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling, 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 the Funds are being managed; (e) a difference
in voting instructions given by variable annuity and variable life insurance
contract owners or by contract owners of different Participating Insurance
Companies; or (f) a decision by a Participating Insurance Company to disregard
voting instructions of Variable Contract owners.
5.2 LIFE COMPANY will report any potential or existing conflicts to the
Boards. LIFE COMPANY will be responsible for assisting each appropriate Board in
carrying out its responsibilities under the Conditions set forth in the notice
issued by the SEC for the Funds on April 12, 1995 (the "Notice") (Investment
Company Act Release No. 21003), which LIFE COMPANY has reviewed, by providing
each appropriate Board with all information reasonably necessary for it to
consider any issues raised. This responsibility includes, but is not limited to,
an obligation by LIFE COMPANY to inform each appropriate Board whenever Variable
Contract owner voting instructions are disregarded by LIFE COMPANY. These
responsibilities will be carried out with a view only to the interests of the
Variable Contract owners.
5.3 If a majority of the Board of a Fund or a majority of its
disinterested trustees or directors, determines that a material irreconcilable
conflict exists, affecting the LIFE COMPANY, LIFE COMPANY, at its expense and to
the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of disinterested
trustees or directors), will take any steps necessary to remedy or eliminate the
irreconcilable material conflict, including: (a) withdrawing the assets
allocable to some or all of the Separate Accounts from the Funds or any series
thereof and reinvesting those assets in a different investment medium, which may
include another series of TRUST or MANAGERS TRUST, or another investment company
or submitting the question as to whether such segregation should be implemented
to a vote of all affected Variable Contract owners and, as appropriate,
segregating the assets of any appropriate group (i.e., Variable Contract owners
of one or more Participating Insurance Companies) that votes in favor of such
segregation, or offering to the affected Variable Contract owners the option of
making such a change; and (b) establishing a new registered management
investment company or managed separate account. If a material irreconcilable
conflict arises because of LIFE COMPANY's decision to disregard Variable
Contract owner voting instructions, and that decision represents a minority
position or would preclude a majority vote, LIFE COMPANY may be required, at the
election of the relevant Fund, to withdraw its Separate Account's investment in
such Fund, and no charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such
withdrawal. The responsibility to take such remedial action shall be carried out
with a view only to the interests of the Variable Contract owners.
For the purposes of this Section 5.3, a majority of the disinterested
members of the applicable Board shall determine whether or not any proposed
action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event
will the relevant Fund or N&B MANAGEMENT (or any other investment adviser of the
Funds) be required to establish a new funding medium for any Variable Contract.
Further, LIFE COMPANY shall not be required by this Section 5.3 to establish a
new funding medium for any Variable Contract if any offer to do so has been
declined by a vote of a majority of Variable Contract owners materially affected
by the irreconcilable material conflict.
5.4 Any Board's determination of the existence of an irreconcilable
material conflict and its implications shall be made known promptly and in
writing to LIFE COMPANY.
5.5 No less than annually, LIFE COMPANY shall submit to the Boards such
reports, materials or data as such Boards may reasonably request so that the
Boards may fully carry out the obligations imposed upon them by these
Conditions. Such reports, materials, and data shall be submitted more frequently
if deemed appropriate by the applicable Boards.
Article VI. VOTING
6.1 LIFE COMPANY will provide pass-through voting privileges to all
Variable Contract owners so long as the SEC continues to interpret the '40 Act
as requiring pass-through voting privileges for Variable Contract owners. This
condition will apply to UIT Separate Accounts investing in TRUST and to managed
separate accounts investing in MANAGERS TRUST to the extent a vote is required
with respect to matters relating to MANAGERS TRUST. Accordingly, LIFE COMPANY,
where applicable, will vote shares of a Fund held in its Separate Accounts in a
manner consistent with voting instructions timely received from its Variable
Contract owners. LIFE COMPANY will be responsible for assuring that each of its
Separate Accounts that participates in any Fund calculates voting privileges in
a manner consistent with other participants as
defined in the Conditions set forth in the Notice ("Participants"). The
obligation to calculate voting privileges in a manner consistent with all other
Separate Accounts investing in a Fund will be a contractual obligation of all
Participants under the agreements governing participation in the Funds. Each
Participant will vote shares for which it has not received timely voting
instructions, as well as shares it owns, in the same proportion as its votes
those shares for which it has received voting instructions.
6.2 If and to the extent 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 '40
Act or the rules thereunder with respect to mixed and shared funding on terms
and conditions materially different from any exemptions granted in the Order,
then TRUST, MANAGERS TRUST and/or the Participants, as appropriate, shall take
such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T), as
amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such Rules are applicable.
Article VII. INDEMNIFICATION
7.1 Indemnification by LIFE COMPANY. LIFE COMPANY agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless TRUST, MANAGERS TRUST, N&B MANAGEMENT and each of their
Trustees, directors, officers, employees and agents and each person, if any, who
controls TRUST or MANAGERS TRUST or N&B MANAGEMENT within the meaning of Section
15 of the '33 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Article VII) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of LIFE COMPANY, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) or litigation (including 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 offer, sale or acquisition of TRUST's shares or the Variable
Contracts and:
(a) 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 Variable Contracts
or contained in the Variable Contracts (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing),
or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
the alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading,
provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not
apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement
or omission or such alleged statement or omission was
made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to LIFE COMPANY by or on behalf
of TRUST for use in the registration statement or
prospectus for the Variable Contracts or in the
Variable Contracts or sales literature (or any
amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of the Variable Contracts or
TRUST shares; or
(b) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or
representations contained in the registration
statement, prospectus or sales literature of TRUST
not supplied by LIFE COMPANY, or persons under its
control) or wrongful conduct of LIFE COMPANY or
persons under its control, with respect to the sale
or distribution of the Variable Contracts or TRUST
shares; or
(c) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a
registration statement, prospectus, or sales
literature of TRUST or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading if such statement
or omission or such alleged statement or omission
was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to TRUST by or on behalf of
LIFE COMPANY; or
(d) arise as a result of any failure by LIFE COMPANY to
substantially provide the services and furnish the
materials under the terms of this Agreement; or
(e) arise out of or result from any material breach of
any representation and/or warranty made by LIFE
COMPANY in this Agreement or arise out of or result
from any other material breach of this Agreement by
LIFE COMPANY.
7.2 LIFE 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 TRUST, whichever is applicable.
7.3 LIFE 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 LIFE 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 LIFE COMPANY of any
such claim shall not relieve LIFE COMPANY from any liability which it may have
to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against an Indemnified Party, LIFE COMPANY shall be entitled to participate at
its own expense in the defense of such action. LIFE COMPANY also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action. After notice from LIFE COMPANY to such party of LIFE
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 LIFE
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.
7.4 Indemnification by N&B MANAGEMENT. N&B MANAGEMENT agrees to
indemnify and hold harmless LIFE COMPANY and each of its directors, officers,
employees, and agents and each person, if any, who controls LIFE COMPANY within
the meaning of Section 15 of the '33 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" for the purposes of this Article VII) against any and all losses,
claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the
written consent of N&B MANAGEMENT which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld) or litigation (including legal and other expenses) to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, or regulation, at
common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are related to the
offer, sale or acquisition of TRUST's shares or the Variable Contracts and:
(a) 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 TRUST (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing),
or arise out of or are based upon the omission or
the alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the 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 N&B MANAGEMENT or TRUST by
or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY for use in the
registration statement or prospectus for TRUST or in
sales literature (or any amendment or supplement) or
otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the
Variable Contracts or TRUST shares; or
(b) arise out of or as a result of statements or
representations (other than statements or
representations contained in the registration
statement, prospectus or sales literature for the
Variable Contracts not supplied by N&B MANAGEMENT
or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct
of TRUST or N&B MANAGEMENT or persons under their
control, with respect to the sale or distribution
of the Variable Contracts or TRUST shares; or
(c) 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 Variable 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 statements therein not
misleading, if such statement or omission or such
alleged statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished
to LIFE COMPANY for inclusion therein by or on
behalf of TRUST; or
(d) arise as a result of (i) a failure by TRUST to
substantially provide the services and furnish the
materials under the terms of this Agreement; or
(ii) a failure by a Portfolio(s) invested in by
the Separate Account to comply with the
diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of
the Code; or (iii) a failure by a Portfolio(s)
invested in by the Separate Account to qualify as
a "regulated investment company" under Subchapter M
of the Code; or
(e) arise out of or result from any material breach of
any representation and/or warranty made by N&B
MANAGEMENT in this Agreement or arise out of or
result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by N&B MANAGEMENT.
7.5 N&B MANAGEMENT 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
LIFE COMPANY.
7.6 N&B MANAGEMENT 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 N&B MANAGEMENT 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 N&B MANAGEMENT of
any such claim shall not relieve N&B MANAGEMENT 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, N&B MANAGEMENT shall be entitled to participate
at its own expense in the defense thereof. N&B MANAGEMENT also shall be entitled
to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in
the action. After notice from N&B MANAGEMENT to such party of N&B MANAGEMENT's
election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the
fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and N&B MANAGEMENT
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.
Article VIII. TERM; TERMINATION
8.1 This Agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall
continue in force until terminated in accordance with the provisions herein.
8.2 This Agreement shall terminate in accordance with the
following provisions:
(a) At the option of LIFE COMPANY or TRUST at any time
from the date hereof upon 60 days' notice, unless a
shorter time is agreed to by the parties;
(b) At the option of LIFE COMPANY, if TRUST shares are
not reasonably available to meet the requirements
of the Variable Contracts as determined by LIFE
COMPANY. Prompt notice of election to terminate
shall be furnished by LIFE COMPANY, said
termination to be effective ten days after receipt
of notice unless TRUST makes available a sufficient
number of shares to reasonably meet the
requirements of the Variable Contracts within said
ten-day period;
(c) At the option of LIFE COMPANY, upon the institution
of formal proceedings against TRUST by the SEC, or
any other regulatory body, the expected or
anticipated ruling, judgment or outcome of which
would, in LIFE COMPANY's reasonable judgment,
materially impair TRUST's ability to meet and
perform Trust's obligations and duties hereunder.
Prompt notice of election to terminate shall be
furnished by LIFE COMPANY with said termination to
be effective upon receipt of notice;
(d) At the option of TRUST, upon the institution of
formal proceedings against LIFE COMPANY by the SEC,
the National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc., or any other regulatory body, the expected or
anticipated ruling, judgment or outcome of which
would, in TRUST's reasonable judgment, materially
impair LIFE COMPANY's ability to meet and perform
its obligations and duties hereunder. Prompt
notice of election to terminate shall be furnished
by TRUST with said termination to be effective upon
receipt of notice;
(e) In the event TRUST's shares are not registered,
issued or sold in accordance with applicable state or
federal law, or such law precludes the use of such
shares as the underlying investment medium of
Variable Contracts issued or to be issued by LIFE
COMPANY. Termination shall be effective upon such
occurrence without notice;
(f) At the option of TRUST if the Variable Contracts
cease to qualify as annuity contracts or life
insurance contracts, as applicable, under the Code,
or if TRUST reasonably believes that the Variable
Contracts may fail to so qualify. Termination shall
be effective upon receipt of notice by LIFE COMPANY;
(g) At the option of LIFE COMPANY, upon TRUST's breach of
any material provision of this Agreement, which
breach has not been cured to the satisfaction of LIFE
COMPANY within ten days after written notice of such
breach is delivered to TRUST;
(h) At the option of TRUST, upon LIFE COMPANY's breach of
any material provision of this Agreement, which
breach has not been cured to the satisfaction of
TRUST within ten days after written notice of such
breach is delivered to LIFE COMPANY;
(i) At the option of TRUST, if the Variable Contracts
are not registered, issued or sold in accordance
with applicable federal and/or state law.
Termination shall be effective immediately upon
such occurrence without notice;
(j) In the event this Agreement is assigned without the
prior written consent of LIFE COMPANY, TRUST,
MANAGERS TRUST and N&B MANAGEMENT, termination shall
be effective immediately upon such occurrence without
notice.
8.3 Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement pursuant to
Section 8.2 hereof, TRUST at its option may elect to continue to make available
additional TRUST shares, as provided below, for so long as TRUST desires
pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all Variable
Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement
(hereinafter referred to as "Existing Contracts"). Specifically, without
limitation, if TRUST so elects to make additional TRUST shares available, the
owners of the Existing Contracts or LIFE COMPANY, whichever shall have legal
authority to do so, shall be permitted to reallocate investments in TRUST,
redeem investments in TRUST and/or invest in TRUST upon the payment of
additional premiums under the Existing Contracts. In the event of a termination
of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.2 hereof, TRUST and N&B MANAGEMENT, as
promptly as is practicable under the circumstances, shall notify LIFE COMPANY
whether TRUST elects to continue to make TRUST shares available after such
termination. If TRUST shares continue to be made available after such
termination, the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in effect and
thereafter either TRUST or LIFE COMPANY may terminate the Agreement, as so
continued pursuant to this Section 8.3, upon sixty (60) days prior written
notice to the other party.
8.4 Except as necessary to implement Variable Contract owner initiated
transactions, or as required by state insurance laws or regulations, LIFE
COMPANY shall not redeem the shares attributable
to the Variable Contracts (as opposed to the shares attributable to LIFE
COMPANY's assets held in the Separate Accounts), and LIFE COMPANY shall not
prevent Variable Contract owners from allocating payments to a Portfolio that
was otherwise available under the Variable Contracts, until thirty (30) days
after the LIFE COMPANY shall have notified TRUST of its intention to do so.
Article IX. NOTICES
Any notice hereunder shall be given by registered or certified mail
return receipt requested 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 TRUST, MANAGERS TRUST or N&B MANAGEMENT:
Neuberger&Berman Management Incorporated
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, General Counsel
If to LIFE COMPANY:
Northern Life Insurance Company
00 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
0xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Esq.
Notice shall be deemed given on the date of receipt by the addressee as
evidenced by the return receipt.
Article X. MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 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.
10.2 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
10.3 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.
10.4 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. It
shall also be subject to the provisions of the federal securities laws and the
rules and regulations thereunder and to any orders of the SEC granting exemptive
relief therefrom and the conditions of such orders.
10.5 The parties agree that the assets and liabilities of each Series
are separate and distinct from the assets and liabilities of each other Series.
No Series shall be liable or shall be charged for any debt, obligation or
liability of any other Series. No Trustee, officer or agent shall be personally
liable for such debt, obligation or liability of any Series or Portfolio and no
Portfolio or other investor, other than the Portfolio or other investors
investing in the Series which incurs a debt, obligation or liability, shall be
liable therefor.
10.6 Each party shall cooperate with each other party and all
appropriate governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. 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.
10.7 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.
10.8 No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any
manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed by TRUST,
MANAGERS TRUST, N&B MANAGEMENT and the LIFE COMPANY.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their duly authorized
officers to execute this Fund Participation Agreement as of the date and year
first above written.
NEUBERGER&BERMAN
ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST
By:________________________________
Name:
Title:
ADVISERS MANAGERS TRUST
By:________________________________
Name:
Title:
NEUBERGER&BERMAN
MANAGEMENT INCORPORATED
By:________________________________
Name:
Title:
NORTHERN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By:________________________________
Name:
Title:
APPENDIX A
Neuberger&Berman Advisers Corresponding Series of
Management Trust and its Series (Portfolios) Advisers Managers Trust (Series)
-------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Balanced Portfolio AMT Balanced Investments
Government Income Portfolio AMT Government Income Investments
Growth Portfolio AMT Growth Investments
Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio AMT Limited Maturity Bond Investments
Liquid Asset Portfolio AMT Liquid Asset Investments
Partners Portfolio AMT Partners Investments
International Portfolio AMT International Investments
APPENDIX B
Separate Accounts Selected Portfolios
----------------- -------------------
Separate Account One Partners Portfolio
Limited Maturity Bond Portfolio
