PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT BY AND AMONG AIM VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC., A I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC. KANSAS CITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND ITS SEPARATE ACCOUNTS, AND SUNSET FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
BY
AND AMONG
AIM
VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.,
A
I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
KANSAS
CITY LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
ON
BEHALF OF ITSELF AND
ITS
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS,
AND
SUNSET
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
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Page
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Section 1. Available Funds |
2
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1.1
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Availability.
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2
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1.2
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Addition,
Deletion or Modification of Funds.
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2
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1.3
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No
Sales to the General Public.
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2
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Section
2. Processing Transactions
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3
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2.1
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Timely
Pricing and Orders.
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3
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2.2
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Timely
Payments.
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3
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2.3
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Applicable
Price.
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3
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2.4
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Dividends
and Distributions.
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4
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2.5
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Book
Entry.
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4
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Section
3. Costs and Expenses
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4
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3.1
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General.
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4
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3.2
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Parties
To Cooperate.
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4
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Section
4. Legal Compliance
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5
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4.1
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Tax
Laws.
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5
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4.2
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Insurance
and Certain Other Laws.
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7
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4.3
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Securities
Laws.
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7
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4.4
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Notice
of Certain Proceedings and Other Circumstances.
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9
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4.5
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LIFE
COMPANY To Provide Documents; Information About AVIF.
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9
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4.6
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AVIF
To Provide Documents; Information About LIFE COMPANY.
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10
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Section
5. Mixed and Shared Funding
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12
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5.1
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General.
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12
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5.2
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Disinterested
Directors.
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12
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5.3
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Monitoring
for Material Irreconcilable Conflicts.
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12
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5.4
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Conflict
Remedies.
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13
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5.5
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Notice
to LIFE COMPANY.
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14
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5.6
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Information
Requested by Board of Directors.
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14
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5.7
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Compliance
with SEC Rules.
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15
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5.8
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Other
Requirements.
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15
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Section
6. Termination
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15
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6.1
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Events
of Termination.
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15
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6.2
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Notice
Requirement for Termination.
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16
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6.3
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Funds
To Remain Available.
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16
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6.4
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Survival
of Warranties and Indemnifications.
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17
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6.5
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Continuance
of Agreement for Certain Purposes.
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17
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Section
7. Parties To Cooperate Respecting Termination
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17
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Section
8. Assignment
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17
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Section
9. Notices
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17
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Section
10. Voting Procedures
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18
|
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Section
11. Foreign Tax Credits
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19
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Section
12. Indemnification
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19
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12.1
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Of
AVIF and AIM by LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER.
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19
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12.2
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Of
LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER by AVIF and AIM.
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21
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12.3
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Effect
of Notice.
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24
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12.4
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Successors.
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24
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Section
13. Applicable Law
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24
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Section
14. Execution in Counterparts
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24
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Section
15. Severability
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24
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Section
16. Rights Cumulative
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24
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Section
17. Headings
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24
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Section
18. Confidentiality
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25
|
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Section
19. Trademarks and Fund Names
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25
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Section
20. Parties to Cooperate
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26
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Section
21. Amendments
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26
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THIS AGREEMENT, made and
entered into as of the 1st day of August, 2000 (“Agreement”), by and among AIM
Variable Insurance Funds, a Delaware Trust (“AVIF”), A I M Distributors, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (“AIM”), Kansas City Life Insurance Company, a Missouri
life insurance company (“LIFE COMPANY”), on behalf of itself and each of its
segregated asset accounts listed in Schedule A hereto, as the parties hereto may
amend from time to time (each, an “Account,” and collectively, the “Accounts”);
and Sunset Financial Services, Inc., an affiliate of LIFE COMPANY and the
principal underwriter of the Contracts (“UNDERWRITER”) (collectively, the
“Parties”).
WITNESSETH
THAT:
WHEREAS, AVIF is registered
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as an open-end management
investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the
“1940 Act”); and
WHEREAS, AVIF currently
consists of seventeen separate series (“Series”), shares (“Shares”) each of
which are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933
Act”) and are currently sold to one or more separate accounts of life insurance
companies to fund benefits under variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance contracts; and
WHEREAS, AVIF will make Shares
of each Series listed on Schedule A hereto as the Parties hereto may amend from
time to time (each a “Fund”; reference herein to “AVIF” includes reference to
each Fund, to the extent the context requires) available for purchase by the
Accounts; and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will be
the issuer of certain variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance
contracts (“Contracts”) as set forth on Schedule A hereto, as the Parties hereto
may amend from time to time, which Contracts (hereinafter collectively, the
“Contracts”), if required by applicable law, will be registered under the 1933
Act; and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will
fund the Contracts through the Accounts, each of which may be divided into two
or more subaccounts (“Subaccounts”; reference herein to an “Account” includes
reference to each Subaccount thereof to the extent the context requires);
and
WHEREAS, LIFE COMPANY will
serve as the depositor of the Accounts, each of which is registered as a unit
investment trust investment company under the 1940 Act (or exempt therefrom),
and the security interests deemed to be issued by the Accounts under the
Contracts will be registered as securities under the 1933 Act (or exempt
therefrom); and
WHEREAS, to the extent
permitted by applicable insurance laws and regulations, LIFE COMPANY intends to
purchase Shares in one or more of the Funds on behalf of the Accounts to fund
the Contracts; and
1
WHEREAS, UNDERWRITER is a
broker-dealer registered with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(“1934 Act”) and a member in good standing of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”);
WHEREAS, AIM is a
broker-dealer registered with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(“1934 Act”) and a member in good standing of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. (“NASD”);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of
the mutual benefits and promises contained herein, the Parties hereto agree as
follows:
Section
1.Available
Funds
1.1
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Availability.
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AVIF will
make Shares of each Fund available to LIFE COMPANY for purchase and redemption
at net asset value and with no sales charges, subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement. The Board of Directors of AVIF may refuse to sell
Shares of any Fund to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of Shares
of any Fund if such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities
having jurisdiction or if, in the sole discretion of the Directors acting in
good faith and in light of their fiduciary duties under federal and any
applicable state laws, such action is deemed in the best interests of the
shareholders of such Fund.
1.2
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Addition, Deletion or
Modification of Funds.
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The
Parties hereto may agree, from time to time, to add other Funds to provide
additional funding media for the Contracts, or to delete, combine, or modify
existing Funds, by amending Schedule A hereto. Upon such amendment to Schedule
A, any applicable reference to a Fund, AVIF, or its Shares herein shall include
a reference to any such additional Fund. Schedule A, as amended from time to
time, is incorporated herein by reference and is a part hereof.
1.3
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No Sales to the
General Public.
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AVIF
represents and warrants that no Shares of any Fund have been or will be sold to
the general public.
Section
2.Processing
Transactions
2.1
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Timely Pricing and
Orders.
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(a) AVIF or
its designated agent will use its best efforts to provide LIFE COMPANY with the
net asset value per Share for each Fund by 6:00 p.m. Central Time on each
Business Day. As used herein, “Business Day” shall mean any day on which (i) the
New York Stock Exchange is
2
open for
regular trading, (ii) AVIF calculates the Fund’s net asset value, and (iii) LIFE
COMPANY is open for business.
(b) LIFE
COMPANY will use the data provided by AVIF each Business Day pursuant to
paragraph (a) immediately above to calculate Account unit values and to process
transactions that receive that same Business Day’s Account unit values. LIFE
COMPANY will perform such Account processing the same Business Day, and will
place corresponding orders to purchase or redeem Shares with AVIF by 9:00 a.m.
Central Time the following Business Day; provided, however, that AVIF
shall provide additional time to LIFE COMPANY in the event that AVIF is unable
to meet the 6:00 p.m. time stated in paragraph (a) immediately above. Such
additional time shall be equal to the additional time that AVIF takes to make
the net asset values available to LIFE COMPANY.
(c) With
respect to payment of the purchase price by LIFE COMPANY and of redemption
proceeds by AVIF, LIFE COMPANY and AVIF shall net purchase and redemption orders
with respect to each Fund and shall transmit one net payment per Fund in
accordance with Section 2.2, below.
(d) If AVIF
provides materially incorrect Share net asset value information (as determined
under SEC guidelines), LIFE COMPANY shall be entitled to an adjustment to the
number of Shares purchased or redeemed to reflect the correct net asset value
per Share. Any material error in the calculation or reporting of net asset value
per Share, dividend or capital gain information shall be reported promptly upon
discovery to LIFE COMPANY. Materiality and reprocessing cost reimbursement shall
be determined in accordance with standards established by the Parties as
provided in Schedule B, attached hereto and incorporated herein.
2.2
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Timely
Payments.
|
LIFE
COMPANY will wire payment for net purchases to a custodial account designated by
AVIF by 1:00 p.m. Central Time on the same day as the order for Shares is
placed, to the extent practicable. AVIF will wire payment for net redemptions to
an account designated by LIFE COMPANY by 1:00 p.m. Central Time on the same day
as the Order is placed, to the extent practicable, but in any event within five
(5) calendar days after the date the order is placed in order to enable LIFE
COMPANY to pay redemption proceeds within the time specified in Section 22(e) of
the 1940 Act or such shorter period of time as may be required by
law.
2.3
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Applicable
Price.
|
(a) Share
purchase payments and redemption orders that result from purchase payments,
premium payments, surrenders and other transactions under Contracts
(collectively, “Contract transactions”) and that LIFE COMPANY receives prior to
the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on a Business Day
will be executed at the net asset values of the appropriate Funds next computed
after receipt by AVIF or its designated agent of the orders. For purposes of
this Section 2.3(a), LIFE COMPANY shall be the designated agent of AVIF for
receipt of orders relating to Contract transactions on each Business Day and
receipt by such designated agent shall constitute receipt by AVIF; provided that AVIF receives
notice of such orders by 9:00 a.m. Central
3
Time on
the next following Business Day or such later time as computed in accordance
with Section 2.1(b) hereof.
(b) All other
Share purchases and redemptions by LIFE COMPANY will be effected at the net
asset values of the appropriate Funds next computed after receipt by AVIF or its
designated agent of the order therefor, and such orders will be
irrevocable.
2.4
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Dividends and
Distributions.
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AVIF will
furnish notice by facsimile, wire or telephone, as LIFE COMPANY may direct,
(followed by written confirmation) on or prior to the payment date to LIFE
COMPANY of any income dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the
Shares of any Fund. LIFE COMPANY hereby elects to reinvest all dividends and
capital gains distributions in additional Shares of the corresponding Fund at
the ex-dividend date net asset values until LIFE COMPANY otherwise notifies AVIF
in writing, it being agreed by the Parties that the ex-dividend date and the
payment date with respect to any dividend or distribution will be the same
Business Day. LIFE COMPANY reserves the right to revoke this election and to
receive all such income dividends and capital gain distributions in
cash.
2.5
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Book
Entry.
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Issuance
and transfer of AVIF Shares will be by book entry only. Stock certificates will
not be issued to LIFE COMPANY. Shares ordered from AVIF will be recorded in an
appropriate title for LIFE COMPANY, on behalf of its Account.
Section
3.Costs and
Expenses
3.1
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General.
|
Except as
otherwise specifically provided in Schedule C, attached hereto and made a part
hereof, each Party will bear, or arrange for others to bear, all expenses
incident to its performance under this Agreement.
3.2
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Parties To
Cooperate.
|
Each
Party agrees to cooperate with the others, as applicable, in arranging to print,
mail and/or deliver, in a timely manner, combined or coordinated prospectuses or
other materials of AVIF and the Accounts.
4
Section
0.Xxxxx
Compliance
4.1
|
Tax
Laws.
|
(a) AVIF
represents and warrants that each Fund is currently qualified as a regulated
investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the “Code”), and represents that it will use its best efforts
to qualify and to maintain qualification of each Fund as a RIC. AVIF will notify
LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that a
Fund has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in the
future.
(b) AVIF
represents that it will use its best efforts to comply and to maintain each
Fund’s compliance with the diversification requirements set forth in Section
817(h) of the Code and Section 1.817-5(b) of the regulations under the Code.
AVIF will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing that a Fund has ceased to so comply or that a Fund might not so comply
in the future. In the event of a breach of this Section 4.1(b) by AVIF, it will
take all reasonable steps to adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve
compliance within the grace period afforded by Section 1.817-5 of the
regulations under the Code.
(c) Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Agreement, LIFE COMPANY agrees that if the Internal
Revenue Service (“IRS”) asserts in writing in connection with any governmental
audit or review of LIFE COMPANY or, to LIFE COMPANY’s knowledge, of any Contract
owners, annuitants, insureds or participants (as appropriate) under the
Contracts (collectively, “Participants”), that any Fund has failed to comply
with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code or LIFE
COMPANY otherwise becomes aware of any facts that could give rise to any claim
against AVIF or its affiliates as a result of such a failure or alleged
failure:
(i)
|
LIFE
COMPANY shall promptly notify AVIF of such assertion or potential claim
(subject to the Confidentiality provisions of Section 18 as to any
Participant);
|
(ii)
|
LIFE
COMPANY shall consult with AVIF as to how to minimize any liability that
may arise as a result of such failure or alleged
failure;
|
(iii)
|
LIFE
COMPANY shall use its best efforts to minimize any liability of AVIF or
its affiliates resulting from such failure, including, without limitation,
demonstrating, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5(a)(2), to
the Commissioner of the IRS that such failure was
inadvertent;
|
(iv)
|
LIFE
COMPANY shall permit AVIF, its affiliates and their legal and accounting
advisors to participate in any conferences, settlement discussions or
other administrative or judicial proceeding or contests (including
judicial appeals thereof) with the IRS, any Participant or any other
claimant regarding any claims that could give rise to liability to AVIF or
its affiliates as a result of such a failure or alleged failure; provided, however, that
LIFE COMPANY will retain control of the conduct of such conferences
discussions, proceedings, contests or
appeals;
|
5
(v)
|
any
written materials to be submitted by LIFE COMPANY to the IRS, any
Participant or any other claimant in connection with any of the foregoing
proceedings or contests (including, without limitation, any such materials
to be submitted to the IRS pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section
1.817-5(a)(2)), (a) shall be provided by LIFE COMPANY to AVIF (together
with any supporting information or analysis); subject to the
confidentiality provisions of Section 18, at least ten (10) business days
or such shorter period to which the Parties hereto agree prior to the day
on which such proposed materials are to be submitted, and (b) shall not be
submitted by LIFE COMPANY to any such person without the express written
consent of AVIF which shall not be unreasonably
withheld;
|
(vi)
|
LIFE
COMPANY shall provide AVIF or its affiliates and their accounting and
legal advisors with such cooperation as AVIF shall reasonably request
(including, without limitation, by permitting AVIF and its accounting and
legal advisors to review the relevant books and records of LIFE COMPANY)
in order to facilitate review by AVIF or its advisors of any written
submissions provided to it pursuant to the preceding clause or its
assessment of the validity or amount of any claim against its arising from
such a failure or alleged failure;
|
(vii)
|
LIFE
COMPANY shall not with respect to any claim of the IRS or any Participant
that would give rise to a claim against AVIF or its affiliates (a)
compromise or settle any claim, (b) accept any adjustment on audit, or (c)
forego any allowable administrative or judicial appeals, without the
express written consent of AVIF or its affiliates, which shall not be
unreasonably withheld, provided that LIFE
COMPANY shall not be required, after exhausting all administrative
remedies, to appeal any adverse judicial decision unless AVIF or its
affiliates shall have provided an opinion of independent counsel to the
effect that a reasonable basis exists for taking such appeal; and provided further that the costs
of any such appeal shall be home equally by the Parties hereto;
and
|
(viii)
|
AVIF
and its affiliates shall have no liability as a result of such failure or
alleged failure if LIFE COMPANY fails to comply with any of the foregoing
clauses (i) through (vii), and such failure could be shown to have
materially contributed to the
liability.
|
Should
AVIF or any of its affiliates refuse to give its written consent to any
compromise or settlement of any claim or liability hereunder, LIFE COMPANY may,
in its discretion, authorize AVIF or its affiliates to act in the name of LIFE
COMPANY in, and to control the conduct of, such conferences, discussions,
proceedings, contests or appeals and all administrative or judicial appeals
thereof, and in that event AVIF or its affiliates shall bear the fees and
expenses associated with the conduct of the proceedings that it is so authorized
to control; provided,
that in no event shall LIFE COMPANY have any liability resulting from AVIF’s
refusal to accept the proposed settlement or
6
compromise
with respect to any failure caused by AVIF. As used in this Agreement, the term
“affiliates” shall have the same meaning as “affiliated person” as defined in
Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act.
(d) LIFE
COMPANY represents and warrants that the Contracts currently are and will be
treated as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under applicable
provisions of the Code and that it will use its best efforts to maintain such
treatment; LIFE COMPANY will notify AVIF immediately upon having a reasonable
basis for believing that any of the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or
that they might not be so treated in the future.
(e) LIFE
COMPANY represents and warrants that each Account is a “segregated asset
account” and that interests in each Account are offered exclusively through the
purchase of or transfer into a “variable contract,” within the meaning of such
terms under Section 817 of the Code and the regulations thereunder. LIFE COMPANY
will use its best efforts to continue to meet such definitional requirements,
and it will notify AVIF immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing
that such requirements have ceased to be met or that they might not be met in
the future.
4.2
|
Insurance and Certain
Other Laws.
|
(a) AVIF will
use its best efforts to comply with any applicable state insurance laws or
regulations, to the extent specifically requested in writing by LIFE COMPANY,
including, the furnishing of information not otherwise available to LIFE COMPANY
which is required by state insurance law to enable LIFE COMPANY to obtain the
authority needed to issue the Contracts in any applicable state.
(b) LIFE
COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) it is an insurance company duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Missouri and has full corporate power, authority and legal right to execute,
deliver and perform its duties and comply with its obligations under this
Agreement, (ii) it has legally and validly established and maintains each
Account as a segregated asset account under Section 306.309 of the Missouri
Insurance Law and the regulations thereunder, and (iii) the Contracts comply in
all material respects with all other applicable federal and state laws and
regulations.
(c) AVIF
represents and warrants that it is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has
full power, authority, and legal right to execute, deliver, and perform its
duties and comply with its obligations under this Agreement.
4.3
|
Securities
Laws.
|
(a) LIFE
COMPANY represents and warrants that (i) interests in each Account pursuant to
the Contracts will be registered under the 1933 Act to the extent required by
the 1933 Act, (ii) the Contracts will be duly authorized for issuance and sold
in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, including, without
limitation, the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and the law(s) of LIFE
COMPANY’s state(s) of organization and domicile, (iii) each Account is and will
remain
7
registered
under the 1940 Act, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, (iv) each Account
does and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1940
Act and the rules thereunder, to the extent required, (v) each Account’s 1933
Act registration statement relating to the Contracts, together with any
amendments thereto, will at all times comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder, (vi) LIFE COMPANY will
amend the registration statement for its Contracts under the 1933 Act and for
its Accounts under the 1940, Act from time to time as required in order to
effect the continuous offering of its Contracts or as may otherwise be required
by applicable law, and (vii) each Account Prospectus will at all times comply in
all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules
thereunder.
(b) AVIF
represents and warrants that (i) Shares sold pursuant to this Agreement will be
registered under the 1933 Act to the extent required by the 1933 Act and duly
authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with Maryland law, (ii) AVIF is
and will remain registered under the 1940 Act to the extent required by the 1940
Act, (iii) AVIF will amend the registration statement for its Shares under the
1933 Act and itself under the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to
effect the continuous offering of its Shares, (iv) AVIF does and will comply in
all material respects with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules
thereunder, (v) AVIF’s 1933 Act registration statement, together with any
amendments thereto, will at all times comply in all material respects with the
requirements of the 1933 Act and rules thereunder, and (vi) AVIF’s Prospectus
will at all times comply in all material respects with the requirements of the
1933 Act and the rules thereunder.
(c) AVIF will
at its expense register and qualify its Shares for sale in accordance with the
laws of any state or other jurisdiction if and to the extent reasonably deemed
advisable by AVIF.
(d) AVIF
currently does not intend to make any payments to finance distribution expenses
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or otherwise, although it reserves the
right to make such payments in the future. To the extent that it decides to
finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1, AVIF undertakes to have
its Board of Directors, a majority of who are not “interested” persons of the
Fund, formulate and approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution
expenses.
(e) AVIF
represents and warrants that all of its trustees, officers, employees,
investment advisers, and other individuals/entities having access to the funds
and/or securities of the Fund are and continue to be at all times covered by a
blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an
amount not less than the minimal coverage as required currently by Rule 17g-(1)
of the 1940 Act or related provisions as may be promulgated from time to time.
The aforesaid bond includes coverage for larceny and embezzlement and is issued
by a reputable bonding company.
4.4
|
Notice of Certain
Proceedings and Other
Circumstances.
|
(a) AVIF or
AIM will immediately notify LIFE COMPANY of (i) the issuance by any court or
regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or other similar
order with respect to AVIF’s registration statement under the 1933 Act or AVIF
Prospectus, (ii) any request by the SEC for any amendment to such registration
statement or AVIF Prospectus that may affect the offering of Shares of AVIF,
(iii) the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or for any other
purpose
8
relating
to the registration or offering of AVIF’s Shares, or (iv) any other action or
circumstances that may prevent the lawful offer or sale of Shares of any Fund in
any state or jurisdiction, including, without limitation, any circumstances in
which (a) such Shares are not registered and, in all material respects, issued
and sold in accordance with applicable state and federal law, or (b) such law
precludes the use of such Shares as an underlying investment medium of the
Contracts issued or to be issued by LIFE COMPANY. AVIF and AIM will make every
reasonable effort to prevent the issuance, with respect to any Fund, of any such
stop order, cease and desist order or similar order and, if any such order is
issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the earliest possible
time.
(b) LIFE
COMPANY or UNDERWRITER will immediately notify AVIF of (i) the issuance by any
court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist order, or other
similar order with respect to each Account’s registration statement under the
1933 Act relating to the Contracts or each Account Prospectus, (ii) any request
by the SEC for any amendment to such registration statement or Account
Prospectus that may affect the offering of Shares of AVIF, (iii) the initiation
of any proceedings for that purpose or for any other purpose relating to the
registration or offering of each Account’s interests pursuant to the Contracts,
or (iv) any other action or circumstances that may prevent the lawful offer or
sale of said interests in any state or jurisdiction, including, without
limitation, any circumstances in which said interests are not registered and, in
all material respects, issued and sold in accordance with applicable state and
federal law. LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER will make every reasonable effort to
prevent the issuance of any such stop order, cease and desist order or similar
order and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at the
earliest possible time.
4.5
|
LIFE COMPANY To
Provide Documents; Information About
AVIF.
|
(a) LIFE
COMPANY will provide to AVIF or its designated agent at least one (1) complete
copy of all SEC registration statements, Account Prospectuses, reports, any
preliminary and final voting instruction solicitation material, applications for
exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all amendments to any of the
above, that relate to each Account or the Contracts, contemporaneously with the
filing of such document with the SEC or other regulatory
authorities.
(b) LIFE
COMPANY will provide to AVIF or its designated agent at least one (1) complete
copy of each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which
AVIF or any of its affiliates is named, at least five (5) Business Days prior to
its use or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time,
agree upon. No such material shall be used if AVIF or its designated agent
objects to such use within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such material
or such shorter period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon.
AVIF hereby designates AIM as the entity to receive such sales literature, until
such time as AVIF appoints another designated agent by giving notice to LIE
COMPANY in the manner required by Section 9 hereof.
(c) Neither
LIFE COMPANY nor any of its affiliates, will give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of or concerning AVIF or its affiliates
in connection with the sale of the Contracts other than (i) the information or
representations contained in the registration statement, including the AVIF
Prospectus contained therein, relating to Shares, as such registration statement
and AVIF Prospectus may be amended from time to time; or (ii) in reports or
proxy
9
materials
for AVIF; or (iii) in published reports for AVIF that are in the public domain
and approved by AVIF for distribution; or (iv) in sales literature or other
promotional material approved by AVIF, except with the express written
permission of AVIF.
(d) LIFE
COMPANY shall adopt and implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that
information concerning AVIF and its affiliates that is intended for use only by
brokers or agents selling the Contracts (i.e., information that is not
intended for distribution to Participants) (“broker only materials”) is so used,
and neither AVIF nor any of its affiliates shall be liable for any losses,
damages or expenses relating to the improper use of such broker only
materials.
(e) For the
purposes of this Section 4.5, the phrase “sales literature or other promotional
material” includes, but is not limited to, advertisements (such as material
published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical,
radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or
billboards, motion pictures, or other public media, (e.g., on-line networks such
as the Internet or other electronic messages), sales literature (i.e., any written
communication distributed or made generally available to customers or the
public, including brochures, circulars, research reports, market letters, form
letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales
literature, or published article), educational or training materials or other
communications distributed or made generally available to some or all agents or
employees, registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional
information, shareholder reports, and proxy materials and any other material
constituting sales literature or advertising under the NASD rules, the 1933 Act
or the 0000 Xxx.
4.6
|
AVIF To Provide
Documents; Information About LIFE
COMPANY.
|
(a) AVIF will
provide to LIFE COMPANY at least one (1) complete copy of all SEC registration
statements, AVIF Prospectuses, reports, any preliminary and final proxy
material, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all
amendments to any of the above, that relate to AVIF or the Shares of a Fund,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities.
(b) AVIF will
provide to LIFE COMPANY a camera ready or PDF copy of all AVIF prospectuses and
printed copies, in an amount specified by LIFE COMPANY, of AVIF statements of
additional information, proxy materials, periodic reports to shareholders and
other materials required by law to be sent to Participants who have allocated
any Contract value to a Fund. AVIF will provide such copies to LIFE COMPANY in a
timely manner so as to enable LIFE COMPANY, as the case may be, to print and
distribute such materials within the time required by law to be furnished to
Participants.
(c) AVIF will
provide to LIFE COMPANY or its designated agent at least one (1) complete copy
of each piece of sales literature or other promotional material in which LIFE
COMPANY, or any of its respective affiliates is named, or that refers to the
Contracts, at least five (5) Business Days prior to its use or such shorter
period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. No such
material shall be used if LIFE COMPANY or its designated agent objects to such
use within five (5) Business Days after receipt of such material or such shorter
period as the Parties hereto may, from time to time, agree upon. LIFE COMPANY
shall receive all such sales
10
literature
until such time as it appoints a designated agent by giving notice to AVIF in
the manner required by Section 9 hereof.
(d) Neither
AVIF nor any of its affiliates will give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of or concerning LIFE COMPANY, each
Account, or the Contracts other than (i) the information or representations
contained in the registration statement, including each Account Prospectus
contained therein, relating to the Contracts, as such registration statement and
Account Prospectus may be amended from time to time; or (ii) in published
reports for the Account or the Contracts that are in the public domain and
approved by LIFE COMPANY for distribution; or (iii) in sales literature or other
promotional material approved by LIFE COMPANY or its affiliates, except with the
express written permission of LIFE COMPANY.
(e) AVIF
shall cause its principal underwriter to adopt and implement procedures
reasonably designed to ensure that information concerning LIFE COMPANY, and its
respective affiliates that is intended for use only by brokers or agents selling
the Contracts (i.e.,
information that is not intended for distribution to Participants) (“broker only
materials”) is so used, and neither LIFE COMPANY, nor any of its respective
affiliates shall be liable for any losses, damages or expenses relating to the
improper use of such broker only materials.
(f) For
purposes of this Section 4.6, the phrase “sales literature or other promotional
material” includes, but is not limited to, advertisements (such as material
published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical,
radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or
billboards, motion pictures, or other public media, (e.g., on-line networks such
as the Internet or other electronic messages), sales literature (i.e., any written
communication distributed or made generally available to customers or the
public, including brochures, circulars, research reports, market letters, form
letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales
literature, or published article), educational or training materials or other
communications distributed or made generally available to some or all agents or
employees, registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional
information, shareholder reports, and proxy materials and any other material
constituting sales literature or advertising under the NASD rules, the 1933 Act
or the 1940 Act.
Section
5.Mixed and
Shared Funding
5.1
|
General.
|
The SEC
has granted an order to AVIF exempting it from certain provisions of the 1940
Act and rules thereunder so that AVIF may be available for investment by certain
other entities, including, without limitation, separate accounts funding
variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance contracts, separate
accounts of insurance companies unaffiliated with LIFE COMPANY, and trustees of
qualified pension and retirement plans (collectively, “Mixed and Shared
Funding”). The Parties recognize that the SEC has imposed teens and conditions
for such orders that are substantially identical to many of the provisions of
this Section 5. Sections 5.2 through 5.8 below shall apply pursuant to such an
exemptive order granted to AVIF. AVIF hereby notifies LIFE
11
COMPANY
that, in the event that AVIF implements Mixed and Shared Funding, it may be
appropriate to include in the prospectus pursuant to which a Contract is offered
disclosure regarding the potential risks of Mixed and Shared
Funding.
5.2
|
Disinterested
Directors.
|
AVIF
agrees that its Board of Directors shall at all times consist of directors a
majority of whom (the “Disinterested Directors”) are not interested persons of
AVIF within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act and the rules
thereunder and as modified by any applicable orders of the SEC, except that if
this condition is not met by reason of the death, disqualification, or bona fide
resignation of any director, then the operation of this condition shall be
suspended (a) for a period of forty-five (45) days if the vacancy or vacancies
may be filled by the Board;(b) for a period of sixty (60) days if a vote of
shareholders is required to fill the vacancy or vacancies; or (c) for such
longer period as the SEC may prescribe by order upon application.
5.3
|
Monitoring for
Material Irreconcilable
Conflicts.
|
AVIF
agrees that its Board of Directors will monitor for the existence of any
material irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the Participants in
all separate accounts of life insurance companies utilizing AVIF (“Participating
Insurance Companies”), including each Account, and participants in all qualified
retirement and pension plans investing in AVIF (“Participating Plans”). LIFE
COMPANY agrees to inform the Board of Directors of AVIF of the existence of or
any potential for any such material irreconcilable conflict of which it is
aware. The concept of a “material irreconcilable conflict” is not defined by the
1940 Act or the rules thereunder, but the Parties recognize that such a conflict
may arise for a variety of reasons, including, without limitation:
(a) an action
by any state insurance or other regulatory authority;
(b) a change
in applicable federal or state insurance, tax or securities laws or regulations,
or a public ruling, private letter ruling, no-action or interpretative letter,
or any similar action by insurance, tax or securities regulatory
authorities;
(c) an
administrative or judicial decision in any relevant proceeding;
(d) the
manner in which the investments of any Fund are being managed;
(e) a
difference in voting instructions given by variable annuity contract and
variable life insurance contract Participants or by Participants of different
Participating Insurance Companies;
(f) a
decision by a Participating Insurance Company to disregard the voting
instructions of Participants; or participants.
(g) a
decision by a Participating Plan to disregard the voting instructions of Plan
participants.
12
Consistent
with the SEC’s requirements in connection with exemptive orders of the type
referred to in Section 5.1 hereof, LIFE COMPANY will assist the Board of
Directors in carrying out its responsibilities by providing the Board of
Directors with all information reasonably necessary for the Board of Directors
to consider any issue raised, including information as to a decision by LIFE
COMPANY to disregard voting instructions of Participants. LIFE COMPANY’s
responsibilities in connection with the foregoing shall be carried out with a
view only to the interests of Participants.
5.4
|
Conflict
Remedies.
|
(a) It is
agreed that if it is determined by a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors or a majority of the Disinterested Directors that a material
irreconcilable conflict exists, LIFE COMPANY will, if it is a Participating
Insurance Company for which a material irreconcilable conflict is relevant, at
its own expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a
majority of the Disinterested Directors), take whatever steps are necessary to
remedy or eliminate the material irreconcilable conflict, which steps may
include, but are not limited to:
(i)
|
withdrawing
the assets allocable to some or all of the Accounts from AVIF or any Fund
and reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium, including
another Fund of AVIF, or submitting the question whether such segregation
should be implemented to a vote of all affected Participants and, as
appropriate, segregating the assets of any particular group (e.g., annuity
Participants, life insurance Participants or all Participants) that votes
in favor of such segregation, or offering to the affected Participants the
option of making such a change; and
|
(ii)
|
establishing
a new registered investment company of the type defined as a “management
company” in Section 4(3) of the 1940 Act or a new separate account that is
operated as a management company.
|
(b) If the
material irreconcilable conflict arises because of LIFE COMPANY’s decision to
disregard Participant voting instructions and that decision represents a
minority position or would preclude a majority vote, LIFE COMPANY may be
required, at AVIF’s election, to withdraw each Account’s investment in AVIF or
any Fund. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such withdrawal.
Any such withdrawal must take place within six (6) months after AVIF gives
notice to LIFE COMPANY that this provision is being implemented, and until such
withdrawal AVIF shall continue to accept and implement orders by LIFE COMPANY
for the purchase and redemption of Shares of AVIF.
(c) If a
material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular state insurance
regulator’s decision applicable to LIFE COMPANY conflicts with the majority of
other state regulators, then LIFE COMPANY will withdraw each Account’s
investment in AVIF within six (6) months after AVIF’s Board of Directors informs
LIFE COMPANY that it has determined that such decision has created a material
irreconcilable conflict, and until such withdrawal AVIF shall continue to accept
and implement orders by LIFE COMPANY for the purchase and redemption of Shares
of AVIF. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such
withdrawal.
13
(d) LIFE
COMPANY agrees that any remedial action taken by it in resolving any material
irreconcilable conflict will be carried out at its expense and with a view only
to the interests of Participants.
(e) For
purposes hereof, a majority of the Disinterested Directors will determine
whether or not any proposed action adequately remedies any material
irreconcilable conflict. In no event, however, will AVIF or any of its
affiliates be required to establish a new funding medium for any Contracts. LIFE
COMPANY will not be required by the terms hereof to establish a new funding
medium for any Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a
majority of Participants materially adversely affected by the material
irreconcilable conflict.
5.5
|
Notice to LIFE
COMPANY.
|
AVIF will
promptly make known in writing to LIFE COMPANY the Board of Directors’
determination of the existence of a material irreconcilable conflict, a
description of the facts that give rise to such conflict and the implications of
such conflict.
5.6
|
Information Requested
by Board of Directors.
|
LIFE
COMPANY and AVIF (or its investment adviser) will at least annually submit to
the Board of Directors of AVIF such reports, materials or data as the Board of
Directors may reasonably request so that the Board of Directors may fully carry
out the obligations imposed upon it by the provisions hereof or any exemptive
order granted by the SEC to permit Mixed and Shared Funding, and said reports,
materials and data will be submitted at any reasonable time deemed appropriate
by the Board of Directors. All reports received by the Board of Directors of
potential or existing conflicts, and all Board of Directors actions with regard
to determining the existence of a conflict, notifying Participating Insurance
Companies and Participating Plans of a conflict, and determining whether any
proposed action adequately remedies a conflict, will be properly recorded in the
minutes of the Board of Directors or other appropriate records, and such minutes
or other records will be made available to the SEC upon request.
5.7
|
Compliance with SEC
Rules.
|
If, at
any time during which AVIF is serving as an investment medium for variable life
insurance Contracts, 1940 Act Rules 6e-3(T) or, if applicable, 6e-2 are amended
or Rule 6e-3 is adopted to provide exemptive relief with respect to Mixed and
Shared Funding, AVIF agrees that it will comply with the terms and conditions
thereof and that the terms of this Section 5 shall be deemed modified if and
only to the extent required in order also to comply with the terms and
conditions of such exemptive relief that is afforded by any of said rules that
are applicable.
5.8
|
Other
Requirements.
|
AVIF will
require that each Participating Insurance Company and Participating Plan enter
into an agreement with AVIF that contains in substance the same provisions as
are set forth in Sections 4.1(b), 4.1(d), 4.3(a), 4.4(b), 4.5(a), 5, and 10 of
this Agreement.
14
Section 6.Termination
6.1
|
Events of
Termination.
|
Subject
to Section 6.4 below, this Agreement will terminate as to a Fund:
(a) at the
option of any party, with or without cause, upon six (6) months advance written
notice to the other parties, or, if later, upon receipt of any required
exemptive relief from the SEC, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the
parties; or
(b) at the
option of AVIF upon institution of formal proceedings against LIFE COMPANY or
its affiliates by the NASD, the SEC, any state insurance regulator or any other
regulatory body regarding LIFE COMPANY’s obligations under this Agreement or
related to the sale of the Contracts, the operation of each Account, or the
purchase of Shares, if, in each case, AVIF reasonably determines that such
proceedings, or the facts on which such proceedings would be based, have a
material likelihood of imposing material adverse consequences on the Fund with
respect to which the Agreement is to be terminated; or
(c) at the
option of LIFE COMPANY upon institution of formal proceedings against AVIF, its
principal underwriter, or its investment adviser by the NASD, the SEC, or any
state insurance regulator or any other regulatory body regarding AVIF’s
obligations under this Agreement or related to the operation or management of
AVIF or the purchase of AVIF Shares, if, in each case, LIFE COMPANY reasonably
determines that such proceedings, or the facts on which such proceedings would
be based, have a material likelihood of imposing material adverse consequences
on LIFE COMPANY, or the Subaccount corresponding to the Fund with respect to
which the Agreement is to be terminated; or
(d) at the
option of any Party in the event that (i) the Fund’s Shares are not registered
and, in all material respects, issued and sold in accordance with any applicable
federal or state law, or (ii) such law precludes the use of such Shares as an
underlying investment medium of the Contracts issued or to be issued by LIFE
COMPANY; or
(e) upon
termination of the corresponding Subaccount’s investment in the Fund pursuant to
Section 5 hereof; or
(f) at the
option of LIFE COMPANY if the Fund ceases to qualify as a RIC under Subchapter M
of the Code or under successor or similar provisions, or if LIFE COMPANY
reasonably believes that the Fund may fail to so qualify; or
(g) at the
option of LIFE COMPANY if the Fund fails to comply with Section 817(h) of the
Code or with successor or similar provisions, or if LIFE COMPANY reasonably
believes that the Fund may fail to so comply; or
15
(h) at the
option of AVIF if the Contracts issued by LIFE COMPANY cease to qualify as
annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under the Code (other than by
reason of the Fund’s noncompliance with Section 817(h) or Subchapter M of the
Code) or if interests in an Account under the Contracts are not registered,
where required, and, in all material respects, are not issued or sold in
accordance with any applicable federal or state law; or
(i) upon
another Party’s material breach of any provision of this Agreement.
6.2
|
Notice Requirement for
Termination.
|
No
termination of this Agreement will be effective unless and until the Party
terminating this Agreement gives prior written notice to the other Party to this
Agreement of its intent to terminate, and such notice shall set forth the basis
for such termination. Furthermore:
(a) in the
event that any termination is based upon the provisions of Sections 6.1(a) or
6.1(e) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at least six (6) months
in advance of the effective date of termination unless a shorter time is agreed
to by the Parties hereto;
(b) in the
event that any termination is based upon the provisions of Sections 6.1(b) or
6.1(c) hereof, such prior written notice shall be given at least ninety (90)
days in advance of the effective date of termination unless a shorter time is
agreed to by the Parties hereto; and
(c) in the
event that any termination is based upon the provisions of Sections 6.1(d),
6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i) hereof, such prior written notice shall be
given as soon as possible within twenty-four (24) hours after the terminating
Party learns of the event causing termination to be required.
6.3
|
Funds To Remain
Available.
|
Notwithstanding
any termination of this Agreement, AVIF will, at the option of LIFE COMPANY,
continue to make available additional shares of the Fund pursuant to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in effect on the effective
date of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as “Existing
Contracts”). Specifically, without limitation, the owners of the Existing
Contracts will be permitted to reallocate investments in the Fund (as in effect
on such date), redeem investments in the Fund and/or invest in the Fund upon the
making of additional purchase payments under the Existing Contracts. The parties
agree that this Section 6.3 will not apply to any terminations under Section 5
and the effect of such terminations will be governed by Section 5 of this
Agreement.
6.4
|
Survival of Warranties
and Indemnifications.
|
All
warranties and indemnifications will survive the termination of this
Agreement.
16
6.5
|
Continuance of
Agreement for Certain
Purposes.
|
If any
Party terminates this Agreement with respect to any Fund pursuant to Sections
6.1(b), 6.1(c), 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i) hereof, this Agreement
shall nevertheless continue in effect as to any Shares of that Fund that are
outstanding as of the date of such termination (the “Initial Termination Date”).
This continuation shall extend to the earlier of the date as of which an Account
owns no Shares of the affected Fund or a date (the “Final Termination Date”) six
(6) months following the Initial Termination Date, except that LIFE COMPANY may,
by written notice shorten said six (6) month period in the case of a termination
pursuant to Sections 6.1(d), 6.1(f), 6.1(g), 6.1(h) or 6.1(i).
Section
7.Parties To
Cooperate Respecting Termination
The
Parties hereto agree to cooperate and give reasonable assistance to one another
in taking all necessary and appropriate steps for the purpose of ensuring that
an Account owns no Shares of a Fund after the Final Termination Date with
respect thereto, or, in the case of a termination pursuant to Section 6.1(a),
the termination date specified in the notice of termination. Such steps may
include combining the affected Account with another Account, substituting other
mutual fund shares for those of the affected Fund, or otherwise terminating
participation by the Contracts in such Fund.
Section 8.Assignment
This
Agreement may not be assigned by any Party, except with the written consent of
each other Party.
Section 9.Notices
Notices
and communications required or permitted will be given by means mutually
acceptable to the Parties concerned. Each other notice or communication required
or permitted by this Agreement will be given to the following persons at the
following addresses and facsimile numbers, or such other persons, addresses or
facsimile numbers as the Party receiving such notices or communications may
subsequently direct in writing:
AIM
Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.
A
I M Distributors, Inc.
00
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
Attn:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
17
Kansas
City Life Insurance Company
Sunset
Financial Services, Inc.
0000
Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxx, XX 00000
Facsimile:
(000) 000-0000
Attn: C.
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
Section
00.Xxxxxx
Procedures
Subject
to the cost allocation procedures set forth in Section 3 hereof, LIFE COMPANY
will distribute all proxy material furnished by AVIF to Participants to whom
pass-through voting privileges are required to be extended and will solicit
voting instructions from Participants. LIFE COMPANY will vote Shares in
accordance with timely instructions received from Participants. LIFE COMPANY
will vote Shares that are (a) not attributable to Participants to whom
pass-through voting privileges are extended, or (b) attributable to
Participants, but for which no timely instructions have been received, in the
same proportion as Shares for which said instructions have been received from
Participants, so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret
the 1940 Act to require pass through voting privileges for Participants. Neither
LIFE COMPANY nor any of its affiliates will in any way recommend action in
connection with or oppose or interfere with the solicitation of proxies for the
Shares held for such Participants. LIFE COMPANY reserves the right to vote
shares held in any Account in its own right, to the extent permitted by law.
LIFE COMPANY shall be responsible for assuring that each of its Accounts holding
Shares calculates voting privileges in a manner consistent with that of other
Participating Insurance Companies or in the manner required by the Mixed and
Shared Funding exemptive order obtained by AVIF. AVIF will notify LIFE COMPANY
of any changes of interpretations or amendments to Mixed and Shared Funding
exemptive order it has obtained. AVIF will comply with all provisions of the
1940 Act requiring voting by shareholders, and in particular, AVIF either will
provide for annual meetings (except insofar as the SEC may interpret Section 16
of the 1940 Act not to require such meetings) or will comply with Section 16(c)
of the 1940 Act (although AVIF is not one of the trusts described in Section
16(c) of that Act) as well as with Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable,
16(b). Further, AVIF will act in accordance with the SEC’s interpretation of the
requirements of Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of directors
and with whatever rules the SEC may promulgate with respect
thereto.
Section
11.Foreign Tax
Credits
AVIF
agrees to consult in advance with LIFE COMPANY concerning any decision to elect
or not to elect pursuant to Section 853 of the Code to pass through the benefit
of any foreign tax credits to its shareholders.
18
Section
12.Indemnification
12.1
|
Of AVIF and AIM by
LIFE COMPANY and
UNDERWRITER.
|
(a) Except to
the extent provided in Sections 12.1(b) and 12.1(c), below, LIFE COMPANY and
UNDERWRITER agree to indemnify and hold harmless AVIF, AIM, their affiliates,
and each person, if any, who controls AVIF, AIM, or their affiliates within the
meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act and each of their respective directors and
officers, (collectively, the “Indemnified Parties” for purposes of this Section
12.1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of LIFE COMPANY and
UNDERWRITER) or actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent reasonable,
legal and other expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject
under any statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise; provided, the Account owns
shares of the Fund and insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
actions:
(i)
|
arise
out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of any material fact contained in any Account’s 1933 Act registration
statement, any Account Prospectus, the Contracts, or sales literature or
advertising for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of
the foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to LIFE COMPANY
or UNDERWRITER by or on behalf of AVIF or AIM for use in any Account’s
1933 Act registration statement, any Account Prospectus, the Contracts, or
sales literature or advertising or otherwise for use in connection with
the sale of Contracts or Shares (or any amendment or supplement to any of
the foregoing); or
|
(ii)
|
arise
out of or as a result of any other statements or representations (other
than statements or representations contained in AVIF’s 1933 Act.
registration statement, AVIF Prospectus, sales literature or advertising
of AVIF, or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, not
supplied for use therein by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or
their respective affiliates and on which such persons have reasonably
relied) or the negligent, illegal or fraudulent conduct of LIFE COMPANY,
UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates or persons under their control
(including, without limitation, their employees and “persons associated
with a member,” as that term is defined in paragraph (q) of Article I of
the NASD’s By-Laws), in connection with the sale or distribution of the
Contracts or Shares; or
|
19
(iii)
|
arise
out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of any material fact contained in AVIF’s 1933 Act registration statement,
AVIF Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of AVIF, or any amendment
or supplement to any of the foregoing, or the omission or alleged omission
to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading if such a
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to AVIF, AIM or their affiliates by or on behalf of
LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates for use in AVIF’s
1933 Act registration statement, AVIF Prospectus, sales literature or
advertising of AVIF, or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing; or
|
(iv)
|
arise
as a result of any failure by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER to perform the
obligations, provide the services and furnish the materials required of
them under the terms of this Agreement, or any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER in this
Agreement or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER;
or
|
(v)
|
arise
as a result of failure by the Contracts issued by LIFE COMPANY to qualify
as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under the Code, otherwise
than by reason of any Fund’s failure to comply with Subchapter M or
Section 817(h) of the Code.
|
(b) Neither
LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER shall be liable under this Section 12.1 with
respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions to which an
Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance,
bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance by that Indemnified Party of
its duties or by reason of that Indemnified Party’s reckless disregard of
obligations or duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii) to AVIF or
AIM.
(c) Neither
LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER shall be liable under this Section 12.1 with
respect to any action against an Indemnified Party unless AVIF or AIM shall have
notified LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER in writing within a reasonable time after
the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the
action shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated
agent), but failure to notify LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER of any such action
shall not relieve LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER from any liability which they may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than
on account of this Section 12.1. Except as otherwise provided herein, in case
any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, LIFE COMPANY and
UNDERWRITER shall be entitled to participate, at their own expense, in the
defense of such action and also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof,
with counsel approved by the Indemnified Party named in the action, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. After notice from LIFE COMPANY or
UNDERWRITER to such
20
Indemnified
Party of LIFE COMPANY’s or UNDERWRITER’s election to assume the defense thereof,
the Indemnified Party will cooperate fully with LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER and
shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and
neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER will be liable to such Indemnified Party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such Indemnified Party independently in connection with the defense thereof,
other than reasonable costs of investigation.
12.2
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Of LIFE COMPANY and
UNDERWRITER by AVIF and AIM.
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(a) Except to
the extent provided in Sections 12.2(c), 12.2(d) and 12.2(e), below, AVIF and
AIM agree to indemnify and hold harmless LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER, their
respective affiliates, and each person, if any, who controls LIFE COMPANY,
UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates within the meaning of Section 15 of
the 1933 Act and each of their respective directors and officers, (collectively,
the “Indemnified Parties” for purposes of this Section 12.2) against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with
the written consent of AVIF and/or AIM) or actions in respect thereof
(including, to the extent reasonable, legal and other expenses), to which the
Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, regulation, at common
law, or otherwise; provided, the Account owns shares of the Fund and insofar as
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions:
(i)
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arise
out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of any material fact contained in AVIF’s 1933 Act registration statement,
AVIF Prospectus or sales literature or advertising of AVIF (or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are
based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading; provided, that this
agreement to indemnify shall not apply as to any Indemnified Party if such
statement or omission or such alleged statement or omission was made in
reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to AVIF or its
affiliates by or on behalf of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or their
respective affiliates for use in AVIF’s 1933 Act registration statement,
AVIF Prospectus, or in sales literature or advertising or otherwise for
use in connection with the sale of Contracts or Shares (or any amendment
or supplement to any of the foregoing);
or
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(ii)
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arise
out of or as a result of any other statements or representations (other
than statements or representations contained in any Account’s 1933 Act
registration statement, any Account Prospectus, sales literature or
advertising for the Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of
the foregoing, not supplied for use therein by or on behalf of AVIF, AIM
or their affiliates and on which such persons have reasonably relied) or
the negligent, illegal or fraudulent conduct of AVIF, AIM or their
affiliates or persons under their control (including, without limitation,
their employees and “persons associated with a member” as that term is
defined in Section (q) of Article I
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21
of the NASD By-Laws), in connection with the sale or distribution of AVIF
Shares; or
(iii)
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arise
out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of any material fact contained in any Account’s 1933 Act registration
statement, any Account Prospectus, sales literature or advertising
covering the Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished to LIFE COMPANY,
UNDERWRITER or their respective affiliates by or on behalf of AVIF or AIM
for use in any Account’s 1933 Act registration statement, any Account
Prospectus, sales literature or advertising covering the Contracts, or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing;
or
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(iv)
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arise
as a result of any failure by AVIF to perform the obligations, provide the
services and furnish the materials required of it under the terms of this
Agreement, or any material breach of any representation and/or warranty
made by AVIF in this Agreement or arise out of or result from any other
material breach of this Agreement by
AVIF.
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(b) Except to
the extent provided in Sections 12.2(c), 12.2(d) and 12.2(e) hereof, AVIF and
AIM agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties from and
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid
in settlement thereof with, the written consent of AVIF and/or AIM) or actions
in respect thereof (including, to the extent reasonable, legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject directly or
indirectly under any statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions directly or indirectly result
from or arise out of the failure of any Fund to operate as a regulated
investment company in compliance with (i) Subchapter M of the Code and
regulations thereunder, or (ii) Section 817(h) of the Code and regulations
thereunder, including, without limitation, any income taxes and related
penalties, rescission charges, liability under state law to Participants
asserting liability against LIFE COMPANY pursuant to the Contracts, the costs of
any ruling and closing agreement or other settlement with the IRS, and the cost
of any substitution by LIFE COMPANY of Shares of another investment company or
portfolio for those of any adversely affected Fund as a funding medium for each
Account that LIFE COMPANY reasonably deems necessary or appropriate as a result
of the noncompliance.
(c) Neither
AVIF nor AIM shall be liable under this Section 12.2 with respect to any losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or actions to which an Indemnified Party would
otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross
negligence in the performance by that Indemnified Party of its duties or by
reason of such Indemnified Party’s reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties (i) under this Agreement, or (ii) to LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER, each
Account or Participants.
22
(d) Neither
AVIF nor AIM shall be liable under this Section 12.2 with respect to any action
against an Indemnified Party unless the Indemnified Party shall have notified
AVIF and/or AIM in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other
first legal process giving information of the nature of the action shall have
been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall
have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to
notify AVIF or AIM of any such action shall not relieve AVIF or AIM from any
liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is
brought otherwise than on account of this Section 12.2. Except as otherwise
provided herein, in case any such action is brought against an Indemnified
Party, AVIF and/or AIM will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in
the defense of such action and also shall be entitled to assume the defense
thereof (which shall include, without limitation, the conduct of any ruling
request and closing agreement or other settlement proceeding with the IRS), with
counsel approved by the Indemnified Party named in the action, which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld. After notice from AVIF and/or AIM to such
Indemnified Party of AVIF’s or AIM’s election to assume the defense thereof, the
Indemnified Party will cooperate fully with AVIF and AIM and shall bear the fees
and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and AVIF and AIM will not
be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any legal or other
expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party independently in
connection with the defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
(e) In no
event shall AVIF or AIM be liable under the indemnification provisions contained
in this Agreement to any individual or entity, including, without limitation,
LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or any other Participating Insurance Company or any
Participant, with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
expenses that arise out of or result from (i) a breach of any representation;
warranty, and/or covenant made by LIFE COMPANY or UNDERWRITER hereunder or by
any Participating Insurance Company under an agreement containing substantially
similar representations, warranties and covenants; (ii) the failure by LIFE
COMPANY or any Participating Insurance Company to maintain its segregated asset
account (which invests in any Fund) as a legally and validly established
segregated asset account under applicable state law and as a duly registered
unit investment trust under the provisions of the 1940 Act (unless exempt
therefrom); or (iii) the failure by LIFE COMPANY or any Participating Insurance
Company to maintain its variable annuity or life insurance contracts (with
respect to which any Fund serves as an underlying funding vehicle) as annuity
contracts or life insurance contracts under applicable provisions of the
Code.
12.3
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Effect of
Notice.
|
Any
notice given by the indemnifying Party to an Indemnified Party referred to in
Sections 12.1(c) or 12.2(d) above of participation in or control of any action
by the indemnifying Party will in no event be deemed to be an admission by the
indemnifying Party of liability, culpability or responsibility, and the
indemnifying Party will remain free to contest liability with respect to the
claim among the Parties or otherwise.
23
12.4
|
Successors.
|
A
successor by law of any Party shall be entitled to the benefits of the
indemnification contained in this Section 12.
Section
13.Applicable
Law
This
Agreement will be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted under and in
accordance with Maryland law, without regard for that state’s principles of
conflict of laws.
Section
14.Execution in
Counterparts
This
Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of
which taken together will constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 15.Severability
If any
provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court decision,
statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement will not be affected
thereby.
Section
16.Rights
Cumulative
The
rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are cumulative and
are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations, at law or in
equity that the Parties are entitled to under federal and state
laws.
Section 17.Headings
The Table
of Contents and headings used in this Agreement are for purposes of reference
only and shall not limit or define the meaning of the provisions of this
Agreement.
Section
18.Confidentiality
AVIF
acknowledges that the identities of the customers of L11iE COMPANY or any of its
affiliates (collectively, the “LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties” for purposes of
this Section 18), information maintained regarding those customers, and all
computer programs and procedures or other information developed by the LIFE
COMPANY Protected Parties or any of their employees or agents in connection with
LIFE COMPANY’s performance of its duties under this Agreement are the valuable
property of the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties. AVIF agrees that if it comes
into
24
possession
of any list or compilation of the identities of or other information about the
LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties’ customers, or any other information or property
of the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties, other than such information as may be
independently developed or compiled by AVIF from information supplied to it by
the LIFE COMPANY Protected Parties’ customers who also maintain accounts
directly with AVIF, AVIF will hold such information or property in confidence
and refrain from using, disclosing or distributing any of such information or
other property except: (a) with LIFE COMPANY’s prior written consent; or (b) as
required by law or judicial process. LIFE COMPANY acknowledges that the
identities of the customers of AVIF or any of its affiliates (collectively, the
“AVIF Protected Parties” for purposes of this Section 18), information
maintained regarding those customers, and all computer programs and procedures
or other information developed by the AVIF Protected Parties or any of their
employees or agents in connection with AVIF’s performance of its duties under
this Agreement are the valuable property of the AVIF Protected Parties. LIFE
COMPANY agrees that if it comes into possession of any list or compilation of
the identities of or other information about the AVIF Protected Parties’
customers or any other information or property of the AVIF Protected Parties,
other than such information as may be independently developed or compiled by
LIFE COMPANY from information supplied to it by the AVIF Protected Parties’
customers who also maintain accounts directly with LIFE COMPANY, LIFE COMPANY
will hold such information or property in confidence and refrain from using,
disclosing or distributing any of such information or other property except: (a)
with AVIF’s prior written consent; or (b) as required by law or judicial
process. Each party acknowledges that any breach of the agreements in this
Section 18 would result in immediate and irreparable harm to the other parties
for which there would be no adequate remedy at law and agree that in the event
of such a breach, the other parties will be entitled to equitable relief by way
of temporary and permanent injunctions, as well as such other relief as any
court of competent jurisdiction deems appropriate.
Section
19.Trademarks
and Fund Names
(a) Except as
may otherwise be provided in a License Agreement among A I M Management Group,
Inc., LIFE COMPANY and UNDERWRITER, neither LIFE COMPANY nor UNDERWRITER or any
of their respective affiliates, shall use any trademark, trade name, service
xxxx or logo of AVIF, AIM or any of their respective affiliates, or any
variation of any such trademark, trade name, service xxxx or logo, without
AVIF’s or AIM’s prior written consent, the granting of which shall be at AVIF’s
or AIM’s sole option.
(b) Except as
otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, neither AVIF, its investment
adviser, its principal underwriter, or any affiliates thereof shall use any
trademark, trade name, service xxxx or logo of LIFE COMPANY, UNDERWRITER or any
of their affiliates, or any variation of any such trademark, trade name, service
xxxx or logo, without LIFE COMPANY’s or UNDERWRITER’s prior written consent, the
granting of which shall be at LIFE COMPANY’s or UNDERWRITER’s sole
option.
25
Section
20.Parties to
Cooperate
Each
party to this Agreement will cooperate with each other party and all appropriate
governmental authorities (including, without limitation, the SEC, the NASD and
state insurance regulators) and will permit each other and such authorities
reasonable access to its books and records (including copies thereof) in
connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 21.Amendments
No
provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any manner except by a
written agreement executed by all parties hereto.
26
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed in their names and on their
behalf by and through their duly authorized officers signing below.
AIM
VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS, INC.
Attest: /s/ Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
Name: Xxxxx
X.
Xxxxxx Name: Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx
Title: Assistant
Secretary Title: President
A
I M DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
Attest: /s/ Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxx
Name: Xxxxx
X.
Xxxxxx Name: Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxx
Title: Assistant
Secretary Title: President
KANSAS CITY LIFE INSURANCE
COMPANY, on behalf of itself and its separate accounts
Attest: /s/ C. Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
By: /s/
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Name: C.
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx Name: Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxx
Title: Secretary Title: Senior
Vice President
SUNSET
FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.
Attest: /s/ Xxxx X.
Xxxxxxx By: /s/ Xxxxx X.
Xxxxx
Name: Xxxx
X.
Xxxxxxx Name: Xxxxx
X. Xxxxx
Title: Secretary
Title: Vice President
27
SCHEDULE
A
FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER THE
CONTRACTS
AIM
VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS
AIM V.I.
Dent Demographic Trends Fund
AIM V.I.
Telecommunications and Technology Fund
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS UTILIZING
THE FUNDS
Kansas
City Life Variable Life Separate Account, established April 24, 1995,
registration number 033-95354
Kansas
City Life Variable Annuity Separate Account, established January 23, 1995,
registration number 033-89984
CONTRACTS FUNDED BY THE
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS
J146
(Variable Life), J150 (Survivorship VUL) and J147 (Century II
VA)
28
SCHEDULE
B
AIM’s
PRICING ERROR POLICIES
Determination of
Materiality
In the
event that AIM discovers an error in the calculation of the Fund’s net asset
value, the following policies will apply:
If the
amount of the error is less than $.01 per share, it is considered immaterial and
no adjustments are made.
If the
amount of the error is $.01 per share or more, then the following thresholds are
applied:
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a.
|
If
the amount of the difference in the erroneous net asset value and the
correct net asset value is less than .5% of the correct net asset value,
AIM will reimburse the affected Fund to the extent of any loss resulting
from the error. No other adjustments shall be
made.
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|
b.
|
If
the amount of the difference in the erroneous net asset value and the
correct net asset value is .5% of the correct net asset value or greater,
then AIM will determine the impact of the error to the affected Fund and
shall reimburse such Fund (and/or LIFE COMPANY, as appropriate, such as in
the event that the error was not discovered until after LIFE COMPANY
processed transactions using the erroneous net asset value) to the extent
of any loss resulting from the error. To the extent that an overstatement
of net asset value per share is detected quickly and LIFE COMPANY has not
mailed redemption checks to Participants, LIFE COMPANY and AIM agree to
examine the extent of the error to determine the feasibility of
reprocessing such redemption transaction (for purposes of reimbursing the
Fund to the extent of any such
overpayment).
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Reprocessing Cost
Reimbursement
To the
extent a reprocessing of Participant transactions is required pursuant to
paragraph (b), above, AIM shall reimburse LIFE COMPANY for LIFE COMPANY’s
reprocessing costs in an amount not to exceed $3.00 per contract affected by $10
or more.
The
Pricing Policies described herein may be modified by AVIF as approved by its
Board of Directors. AIM agrees to use its best efforts to notify LIFE COMPANY at
least five (5) days prior to any such meeting of the Board of Directors of AVIF
to consider such proposed changes.
29
SCHEDULE
C
EXPENSE
ALLOCATIONS
Life
Company
|
AVIF
/ AIM
|
preparing
and filing the Account’s registration statement
|
Preparing
and filing the Fund’s registration statement
|
text
composition for Account prospectuses and supplements
|
text
composition for Fund prospectuses and supplements
|
text
alterations of prospectuses (Account) and supplements
(Account)
|
text
alterations of prospectuses (Fund) and supplements (Fund)
|
printing
Account and Fund prospectuses and supplements
|
a
camera ready Fund prospectus
|
text
composition and printing Account SAIs
|
text
composition and printing Fund SAIs
|
mailing
and distributing Account SAIs to policy owners upon request by policy
owners
|
mailing
and distributing Fund SAIs to policy owners upon request by policy
owners
|
mailing
and distributing prospectuses (Account and Fund) and supplements (Account
and Fund) to policy owners of record as required by Federal Securities
Laws and to prospective purchasers
|
|
text
composition (Account), printing, mailing, and distributing annual and
semi-annual reports for Account (Fund and Account as,
applicable)
|
text
composition of annual and semi-annual reports (Fund)
|
text
composition, printing, mailing, distributing, and tabulation of proxy
statements and voting instruction solicitation materials to policy owners
with respect to proxies related to the Account
|
text
composition, printing, mailing, distributing and tabulation of proxy
statements and voting instruction solicitation materials to policy owners
with respect to proxies related to the Fund
|
preparation,
printing and distributing sales material and advertising relating to the
Funds, insofar as such materials relate to the Contracts and filing such
materials with and obtaining approval from, the SEC, the NASD, any state
insurance regulatory authority, and any other appropriate regulatory
authority, to the extent required
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30