EXHIBIT: 1.A. (3)(d)(vi)(a)
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
AMONG TEMPLETON VARIABLE PRODUCTS SERIES FUND,
FRANKLIN XXXXXXXXX DISTRIBUTORS, INC. AND
PRUCO LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT made as of September 1, 1998, among Templeton Variable
Products Series Fund (the "Trust"), an open-end management investment company
organized as a business trust under Massachusetts law, Franklin Xxxxxxxxx
Distributors, Inc., a California corporation, the Trust's principal underwriter
("Underwriter"), and Pruco Life Insurance Company, a life insurance company
organized as a corporation under Arizona law (the "Company"), on its own behalf
and on behalf of each segregated asset account of the Company set forth in
Schedule A, as may be amended from time to time (the "Accounts").
W I T N E S S E T H:
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WHEREAS, the Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") as an open-end management investment company under the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and has an
effective registration statement relating to the offer and sale of the various
series of its shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933
Act");
WHEREAS, the Trust and the Underwriter desire that Trust shares be used as
an investment vehicle for separate accounts established for variable life
insurance policies and variable annuity contracts to be offered by life
insurance companies which have entered into fund participation agreements with
the Trust (the "Participating Insurance Companies");
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Trust is divided into several
series of shares, each series representing an interest in a particular managed
portfolio of securities and other assets, and certain of those series, named in
Schedule B, (the "Portfolios") are to be made available for purchase by the
Company for the Accounts; and
WHEREAS, the Trust has received an order from the SEC, dated November 16,
1993 (File No. 812-8546), 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 1940 Act, and Rules 6e-2 (b)(15) and 6e-3 (T)(b)(15)
thereunder, to the extent necessary to permit shares 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 "Shared Funding Exemptive Order");
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a unit
investment trust under the 1940 Act unless an exemption from registration under
the 1940 Act is available and the Trust has been so advised; and has registered
or will register certain variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance
policies, listed on Schedule C attached hereto, under which the portfolios are
to be made available as investment vehicles (the "Contracts") under the 1933 Act
unless such interests under the Contracts in the Accounts are exempt from
registration under the 1933 Act and the Trust has been so advised;
WHEREAS, each Account is a duly organized, validly existing segregated
asset account, established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the
Company, on the date shown for such account on Schedule A hereto, to set aside
and invest assets attributable to one or more Contracts; and
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker dealer with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "1934 Act"), and is a member in good standing of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD"); and
WHEREAS, each investment adviser listed on Schedule B (each, an "Adviser")
is duly registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of
1940, as amended ("Advisers Act") and any applicable state securities laws;
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and
regulations, the Company intends to purchase shares in the Portfolios on behalf
of each Account to fund certain of the aforesaid Contracts and the Underwriter
is authorized to sell such shares to unit investment trusts such as each Account
at net asset value;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the parties agree
as follows:
ARTICLE 1.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF TRUST PORTFOLIO SHARES
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1.1. For purposes of this Article 1, the Company shall be the Trust's agent
for receipt of purchase orders and requests for redemption relating to each
Portfolio from each Account, provided that the Company notifies the Trust of
such purchase orders and requests for redemption by 9:00 a.m. Eastern time on
the next following Business Day, as defined in Section 1.3.
1.2. The Trust agrees to make shares of the Portfolios available to the
Accounts for purchase at the net asset value per share next computed after
receipt of a purchase order by the Trust (or its agent), as established in
accordance with the provisions of the then current prospectus of the Trust
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describing Portfolio purchase procedures on those days on which the Trust
calculates its net asset value pursuant to rules of the SEC, and the Trust shall
use its best efforts to calculate such net asset value on each day on which the
New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for trading. The Company will transmit
orders from time to time to the Trust for the purchase of shares of the
Portfolios. The Trustees of the Trust (the "Trustees") may refuse to sell shares
of any Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares
of any Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities
having jurisdiction or if, in the sole discretion of the Trustees 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 Portfolio.
1.3 The Company shall submit payment for the purchase of shares of a
Portfolio on behalf of an Account no later than the close of business on the
next Business Day after the Trust receives the purchase order. Payment shall be
made in federal funds transmitted by wire to the Trust or its designated
custodian. Upon receipt by the Trust of the federal funds so wired, such funds
shall cease to be the responsibility of the Company and shall become the
responsibility of the Trust for this purpose. "Business Day" shall mean any day
on which the NYSE is open for trading and on which the Trust calculates its net
asset value pursuant to the rules of the SEC.
1.4 The Trust will redeem for cash any full or fractional shares of any
Portfolio, when requested by the Company on behalf of an Account, at the net
asset value next computed after receipt by the Trust (or its agent) of the
request for redemption, as established in accordance with the provisions of the
then current prospectus of the Trust describing Portfolio redemption procedures.
The Trust shall make payment for such shares in the manner established from time
to time by the Trust. Redemption with respect to a Portfolio will normally be
paid to the Company for an Account in federal funds transmitted by wire to the
Company before the close of business on the next Business Day after the receipt
of the request for redemption. Such payment may be delayed if, for example, the
Portfolio's cash position so requires or if extraordinary market conditions
exist, but in no event shall payment be delayed for a greater period than is
permitted by the 0000 Xxx.
1.5 Payments for the purchase of shares of the Trust's Portfolios by the
Company under Section 1.3 and payments for the redemption of shares of the
Trust's Portfolios under Section 1.4 may be netted against one another on any
Business Day for the purpose of determining the amount of any wire transfer on
that Business Day.
1.6 Issuance and transfer of the Trust's Portfolio shares will be by book
entry only. Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or the Account.
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Portfolio Shares purchased from the Trust will be recorded in the appropriate
title for each Account or the appropriate subaccount of each Account.
1.7 The Trust shall furnish, on or before the ex-dividend date, notice to
the Company of any income dividends or capital gain distributions payable on the
shares of any Portfolio of the Trust. The 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. The Trust shall notify
the Company of the number of shares so issued as payment of such dividends and
distributions.
1.8 The Trust shall calculate the net asset value of each Portfolio on
each Business Day, as defined in Section 1.3. The Trust shall make the net asset
value per share for each Portfolio available to the Company or its designated
agent on a daily basis as soon as reasonably practical after the net asset value
per share is calculated (normally by 6:30 p.m. Eastern time) and shall use
reasonable efforts to make such net asset value per share available by 7:00 p.m.
Eastern time each Business Day.
1.9 The Trust agrees that its Portfolio shares will be sold only to
Participating Insurance Companies and their separate accounts and to certain
qualified pension and retirement plans to the extent permitted by the Shared
Funding Exemptive Order. No shares of any Portfolio will be sold directly to
the general public. The Company agrees that it will use Trust shares only for
the purposes of funding the Contracts through the Accounts listed in Schedule A,
as amended from time to time.
1.10 The Company agrees that all net amounts available under the Contracts
shall be invested in the Trust, in such other Funds advised by an Adviser or its
affiliates as may be mutually agreed to in writing by the parties hereto, or in
the Company's general account, provided that such amounts may also be invested
in an investment company other than the Trust if: (a) such other investment
company, or series thereof, has investment objectives or policies that are
substantially different from the investment objectives and policies of the
Portfolios; or (b) the Company gives the Trust and the Underwriter 45 days
written notice of its intention to make such other investment company as a
funding vehicle for the Contracts; or (c) such other investment company is
available as a funding vehicle for the Contracts at the date of this Agreement
and the Company so informs the Trust and the Underwriter prior to their signing
this Agreement (a list of such investment companies appearing on Schedule D to
this Agreement); or (d) the Trust or Underwriter consents to the use of such
other investment company.
1.11 The Trust agrees that all Participating Insurance Companies shall
have the obligations and responsibilities regarding pass-through voting and
conflicts
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of interest corresponding to those contained in Section 2.10 and Article IV of
this Agreement.
1.12 Each party to this Agreement shall have the right to rely on
information or confirmations provided by any other party (or by any affiliate of
any other party), and shall not be liable in the event that an error results
from any incorrect information or confirmations supplied by any other party. If
an error is made in reliance upon incorrect information or confirmations, any
amount required to make a Contract owner's account whole shall be borne by the
party who provided the incorrect information or confirmation.
ARTICLE II.
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES; FEES AND EXPENSES
---------------------------------------------
2.1 The 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 the Trust.
The Trust shall bear the costs of registration and qualification of its shares
of the Portfolios, preparation and filing of the documents listed in this
Section 2.1 and all taxes to which an issuer is subject on the issuance and
transfer of its shares.
2.2 At the option of the Company, the Trust or the Underwriter shall either
(a) provide the Company with as many copies of portions of the Trust's current
prospectus, annual report, semi-annual report and other shareholder
communications, including any amendments or supplements to any of the foregoing,
pertaining specifically to the Portfolios as the Company shall reasonably
request; or (b) provide the Company with a camera ready copy of such documents
in a form suitable for printing and from which information relating to series of
the Trust other than the Portfolios has been deleted to the extent practicable.
The Trust or the Underwriter shall provide the Company with a copy of its
current statement of additional information, including any amendments or
supplements, in a form suitable for duplication by the Company. Expenses of
furnishing such documents for marketing purposes shall be borne by the Company
and expenses of furnishing such documents for current contract owners invested
in the Trust shall be borne by the Trust or the Underwriter.
2.3 The Trust (at its expense) shall provide the Company with copies of any
Trust-sponsored proxy materials in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably
require for distribution to Contract owners. The Company shall bear the costs of
distributing proxy materials (or similar materials such as voting solicitation
instructions), prospectuses and statements of additional information to Contract
owners. The Company assumes sole responsibility for ensuring that
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such materials are delivered to Contract owners in accordance with applicable
federal and state securities laws.
2.4 If and to the extent required by law, the Company shall: (i) solicit
voting instructions from Contract owners; (ii) vote the Trust shares in
accordance with the instructions received from Contract owners; and (iii) vote
Trust shares for which no instructions have been received in the same proportion
as Trust shares of such Portfolio for which instructions have been received; so
long and as to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret the 1940 Act to
require pass-through voting privileges for variable contract owners. The Company
reserves the right to vote Trust shares held in any segregated asset account in
its own right, to the extent permitted by law.
2.5 Except as provided in section 2.6, the Company shall not use any
designation comprised in whole or part of the names or marks "Franklin" or
"Xxxxxxxxx" or any other Trademark relating to the Trust or Underwriter without
prior written consent, and upon termination of this Agreement for any reason,
the Company shall cease all use of any such name or xxxx as soon as reasonably
practicable.
2.6 The Company shall furnish, or cause to be furnished to the Trust or
its designee, at least one complete copy of each registration statement,
prospectus, statement of additional information, retirement plan disclosure
information or other disclosure documents or similar information, as applicable
(collectively "disclosure documents"), as well as any report, solicitation for
voting instructions, sales literature and other promotional materials, and all
amendments to any of the above that relate to the Contracts or the Accounts
prior to its first use. The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be
furnished, to the Trust or its designee each piece of sales literature or other
promotional material in which the Trust or an Adviser is named, at least 10
Business Days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the Trust or
its designee reasonably objects to such use within five Business Days after
receipt of such material. For purposes of this paragraph, "sales literature or
other promotional material" includes, but is not limited to, portions of the
following that use any Trademark related to the Trust or Underwriter or refer to
the Trust or affiliates of the Trust: 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 electronic communication or other public media), sales
literature (i.e., any written communication distributed or made generally
available to customers or the public, including brochures, circulars, research
reports, market letters, form letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts or
any other advertisement, sales literature or published article or electronic
communication), educational or training materials or other communications
distributed or made generally
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available to some or all agents or employees, and disclosure documents,
shareholder reports and proxy materials.
2.7 The Company and its agents shall not give any information or make any
representations or statements on behalf of the Trust or concerning the Trust,
the Underwriter or an Adviser in connection with the sale of the Contracts other
than information or representations contained in and accurately derived from the
registration statement or prospectus for the Trust shares (as such registration
statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time),
annual and semi-annual reports of the Trust, Trust-sponsored proxy statements,
or in sales literature or other promotional material approved by the Trust or
its designee, except as required by legal process or regulatory authorities or
with the written permission of the Trust or its designee.
2.8 The Trust shall use its best efforts to provide the Company, on a
timely basis, with such information about the Trust, the Portfolios and each
Adviser, in such form as the Company may reasonably require, as the Company
shall reasonably request in connection with the preparation of disclosure
documents and annual and semi-annual reports pertaining to the Contracts.
2.9 The Trust shall not give any information or make any representations
or statements on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, the Accounts
or the Contracts other than information or representations contained in and
accurately derived from disclosure documents for the Contracts (as such
disclosure documents may be amended or supplemented from time to time), or in
materials approved by the Company for distribution including sales literature or
other promotional materials, except as required by legal process or regulatory
authorities or with the written permission of the Company.
2.10 So long as, and to the extent that, the SEC interprets the 1940 Act to
require pass-through voting privileges for Contract owners, the Company will
provide pass-through voting privileges to Contract owners whose Contract values
are invested, through the registered Accounts, in shares of one or more
Portfolios of the Trust. The Trust shall require all Participating Insurance
Companies to calculate voting privileges in the same manner and the Company
shall be responsible for assuring that the Accounts calculate voting privileges
in the manner established by the Trust. With respect to each registered
Account, the Company will vote shares of each Portfolio of the Trust held by a
registered Account and for which no timely voting instructions from Contract
owners are received in the same proportion as those shares held by that
registered Account for which voting instructions are received. The Company and
its agents will in no way recommend or oppose or interfere with the
solicitation of proxies for Portfolio shares held to fund the Contracts without
the prior written consent of the Trust, which consent may be withheld in the
Trust's sole discretion.
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2.11 The Trust and Underwriter shall pay no fee or other compensation to
the Company under this Agreement except as provided on Schedule E, if attached.
Nevertheless, the Trust or the Underwriter or an affiliate may make payments
(other than pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 Plan) to the Company or its affiliates or
to the Contracts' underwriter in amounts agreed to by the Underwriter in writing
and such payments may be made out of fees otherwise payable to the Underwriter
or its affiliates, profits of the Underwriter or its affiliates, or other
resources available to the Underwriter or its affiliates.
ARTICLE III.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
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3.1 The Company represents and warrants that it is an insurance company
duly organized and in good standing under the laws of its state of incorporation
and that it has legally and validly established each Account as a segregated
asset account under such law as of the date set forth in Schedule A.
3.2 The Company represents and warrants that, with respect to each
Account, (1) the Company has registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the
Contracts, will register the Account as a unit investment trust in accordance
with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a segregated asset account for
the Contracts, or (2) if the Account is exempt from registration as an
investment company under Section 3(c) of the 1940 Act, the Company will make
every effort to maintain such exemption and will notify the Trust and the
Adviser immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that such
exemption no longer applies or might not apply in the future.
3.3 The Company represents and warrants that, with respect to each
Contract, (1) the Contract will be registered under the 1933 Act, or (2) if the
Contract is exempt from registration under Section 3 (a)(2) of the 1933Act or
under Section 4(2) and Regulation D of the 1933 Act, the Company will make every
effort to maintain such exemption and will notify the Trust and the Adviser
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that such exemption no
longer applies or might not apply in the future. The Company further represents
and warrants that the Contracts will be sold by broker-dealers, or their
registered representatives, who are registered with the SEC under the 1934 Act
and who are members in good standing of the NASD; the Contracts will be issued
and sold in compliance in all material respects with all applicable federal and
state laws; and the sale of the Contracts shall comply in all material respects
with state insurance suitability requirements.
For any unregistered Accounts which are exempt from registration under the
'40 Act in reliance upon Sections 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) thereof, the Company
represents and warrants that:
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(a) each Account and sub-account thereof has a principal underwriter which
is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended;
(b) Trust shares are and will continue to be the only investment
securities held by the corresponding Account sub-accounts; and
(c) with regard to each Portfolio, the Company, on behalf of the
corresponding sub-account, will:
(1) seek instructions from all Contract owners with regard to the
voting of all proxies with respect to Trust shares and vote such
proxies only in accordance with such instructions or vote such
shares held by it in the same proportion as the vote of all other
holders of such shares; and
(2) refrain from substituting shares of another security for such
shares unless the SEC has approved such substitution in the
manner provided in Section 26 of the '40 Act.
3.4 The Trust represents and warrants that it is duly organized and
validly existing under the laws of the State of Massachusetts and that it does
and will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act and the rules and
regulations thereunder.
3.5 The Trust represents and warrants that the Portfolio shares offered
and sold pursuant to this Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act and
the Trust shall be registered under the 1940 Act prior to and at the time of any
issuance or sale of such shares. The Trust shall amend its registration
statement under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as required in
order to effect the continuous offering of its shares. The Trust shall register
and qualify its shares for sale in accordance with the laws of the various
states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Trust or the
Underwriter.
3.6 The Trust represents and warrants that the investments of each
Portfolio will comply with the diversification requirements for variable
annuity, endowment or life insurance contracts set forth in Section 817(h) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), and the rules and
regulations thereunder, including without limitation Treasury Regulation
1.817-5, and will notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis
for believing any Portfolio has ceased to comply or might not so comply and will
in that event
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3.5 The Trust represents and warrants that the portfolio shares ofered and
sold pursuant to this Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act and the
Trust shall be registered under the 1940 Act prior to and at the time of any
issuance or sale of such shares. The Trust shall amend its registration
statement under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as required in
order to effect the continuous offering of its shares. The Trust shall register
and qualify its shares for sale in accordance with the laws of the various
states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Trust or the
Underwriter.
3.6 The trust represents and warrants that the investments of each
portfolio will comply with the diversification requirements for variable
annuity, endownmwnr or life insurance contracts set forth in Section 817(h) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code"), and the rules and
regulations thereunder, including without limitation Treasury Regulation 1.817-
5, and will notify the Company immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing any portfolio has ceased to comply or might not so comply and will in
that event immediately take all reasonable steps to adequately diversify the
portfolio to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Regulation
1.817.5.
3.7 The Trust represents and warrants that it 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 the Company
immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing it has ceased to so
qualify or might not so qualify in the future.
3.8 The Trust represents and warrants that should it ever desire to make
any payments to finance distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the
1940 Act, the Trustees, including a majority who are not "interested persons" of
the Trust under the 1940 Act ("disinterested Trustees"), will formulate and
approve any plan under Rule 12b-1 to finance distribution expenses.
3.9 The Trust represents and warrants that it, its directors, officers,
employees and others dealing with the money or securities, or both, of a
Portfolio shall at all times be covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar
coverage for the benefit of the Trust in an amount not less that the minimum
coverage required by Rule 17g-1 or other regulations under the 1940 Act. Such
bond shall include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and be issued by a
reputable bonding company.
3.10 The Company represents and warrants that all of its directors,
officers, employees, investment advisers, and other individuals or entities
dealing with the money and/or securities of the trusts are and shall be at all
times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage for the benefit of
the Trust, in an amount not less than $5 million. The aforesaid bond shall
include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable
bonding company. The Company agrees to make all reasonable efforts to see that
this bond or another bond containing these provisions is always in effect, and
agrees to notify the Trust and the Underwriter in the event that such coverage
no longer applies.
3.11 The Underwriter represents that each Adviser is duly organized and
validly existing under applicable corporate law and that it is registered and
will during the term of this Agreement remain registered as an investment
adviser under the Advisers Act.
3.12 The Trust currently intends for one or more Classes to make payments
to finance its distribution expenses, including service fees, pursuant to a Plan
adopted under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act ("Rule 12b-1"), although it may
determine to discontinue such practice in the future. To the extent that any
Class of the Trust finances its distribution expenses pursuant to a Plan adopted
under Rule 12b-1, the Trust undertakes to comply with any then current SEC and
SEC staff interpretations concerning Rule 12b-1 or any successor provisions.
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ARTICLE IV.
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS
-------------------
4.1 The parties acknowledge that a Portfolio's shares may be made available
for investment to other Participating Insurance Companies. In such event, the
Trustees will monitor the Trust for the existence of any material irreconcilable
conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all Participating
Insurance Companies. An irreconcilable material conflict may arise for a variety
of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state insurance regulatory
authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state insurance, tax, or
securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private letter ruling,
no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by insurance, tax, or
securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or judicial decision in
any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the investments of any
Portfolio are being managed; (e) a difference in voting instructions given by
variable annuity contract and variable life insurance contract owners; or (f) a
decision by an insurer to disregard the voting instructions of contract owners.
The trust shall promptly inform the Company of any determination by the
Trustees that an irreconcilable material conflict exists and of the implications
thereof.
4.2 The Company agrees to promptly report any potential or existing
conflicts of which it is aware to the Trustees. The Company will assist the
Trustees in carrying out their responsibilities under the Shared Funding
Exemptive Order by providing the Trustees with all information reasonably
necessary for the Trustees to consider any issues raised including, but not
limited to, information as to a decision by the Company to disregard Contract
owner voting instructions. All communications from the Company to the Trustees
may be made in care of the Trust.
4.3 If it is determined by a majority of the Trustees, or a majority of the
disinterested Trustees, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists that
affects the interests of Contract owners, the Company shall, in cooperation with
other Participating Insurance Companies whose contract owners are also
affected, at its own expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as
determined by the Trustees) take whatever steps are necessary to remedy or
eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, which steps could include: (a)
withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the Accounts from the Trust
or any Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment medium,
including (but not limited to) another Portfolio of the Trust, or submitting the
question of whether or not such withdrawal should be implemented to a vote of
all affected Contract owners and, as appropriate, withdrawal of the assets of
any appropriate group (i.e., annuity contract owners, life insurance policy
owners, or variable contract owners of one or more Participating Insurance
Companies) that votes in favor of
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such withdrawal, or offering to the affected Contract owners the option of
making such a change; and (b) establishing a new registered management
investment company or managed separate account.
4.4 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by
the Company to disregard Contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Trust's election, to withdraw the affected Account's
investment in the Trust and terminate this Agreement with respect to such
Account; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be
limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict
as determined by a majority of the disinterested Trustees. Any such withdrawal
and termination must take place within six (6) months after the Trust gives
written notice that this provision is being implemented. Until the end of such
six (6) month period, the Trust shall continue to accept and implement orders by
the Company for the purchase and redemption of shares of the Trust.
4.5 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular state
insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with a
majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw the affected
Account's investment in the Trust and terminate this Agreement with respect to
such Account within six (6) months after the Trustees inform the Company in
writing that it has determined that such decision has created an irreconcilable
material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall
be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable
conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested Trustees. Until the
end of such six (6) month period, the Trust shall continue to accept and
implement orders by the Company for the purchase and redemption of shares of the
Trust.
4.6 For purposes of Sections 4.3 through 4.6 of this Agreement, a majority
of the disinterested Trustees shall determine whether any proposed action
adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict, but in no event will
the Trust be required to establish a new funding medium for the Contracts. In
the event that the Trustees determine that any proposed action does not
adequately remedy any irreconcilable material conflict, then the Company will
withdraw the Account's investment in the Trust and terminate this Agreement
within six (6) months after the Trustees inform the Company in writing of the
foregoing determination; provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination
shall be limited to the extent required by any such material irreconcilable
conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested Trustees.
4.7 The Company shall at least annually submit to the Trustees such
reports, materials or data as the Trustees may reasonably request so that the
Trustees may fully carry out the duties imposed upon them by the Shared
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Funding Exemptive Order, and said reports, materials and data shall be submitted
more frequently if reasonably deemed appropriate by the Trustees.
4.8 If and to the extent that Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or
Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide exemptive relief from any provision of the 1940
Act or the rules promulgated thereunder with respect to mixed or shared funding
(as defined in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order) on terms and conditions
materially different from those contained in the Shared Funding Exemptive Order,
then the Trust and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate,
shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T),
as amended, and Rule 6e-3, as adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable.
ARTICLE V.
INDEMNIFICATION
---------------
5.1 Indemnification By the Company
------------------------------
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust
and each of its Trustees, officers, employees and agents and each
person, if any, who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section
15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" and
individually the "Indemnified Party" for purposes of this Article V)
against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of the Company,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld) or expenses
(including the reasonable costs of investigating or defending any
alleged loss, claim, damage, liability or expense and reasonable legal
counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) (collectively,
"Losses"), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under
any statute or regulation, or at common law or otherwise, insofar as
such Losses are related to the sale or acquisition of Trust Shares or
the Contracts and
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or
alleged untrue statements of any material fact contained in a
disclosure document for the Contracts or in the Contracts
themselves or in sales literature generated or approved by the
Company on behalf of the Contracts or Accounts (or any amendment
or supplement to any of the foregoing) (collectively, "Company
Documents" for the purposes of this Article V), 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
13
not misleading, provided that this indemnity 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 was accurately
derived from written information furnished to the Company by or on
behalf of the Trust for use in Company Documents or otherwise for use
in connection with the sale of the Contracts or Trust shares; or
(ii) arise out of or result from statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in and accurately
derived from Trust Documents as defined in Section 5.2 (a)(i)) or
wrongful conduct of the Company or persons under its control, with
respect to the sale or acquisition of the Contracts or Trust shares;
or
(iii) arise out of or result from any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in Trust Documents as
defined in Section 5.2 (a)(i) 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 accurately derived
from written information furnished to the Trust by or on behalf of the
Company; or
(iv) arise out of or result from any failure by the Company to
provide the services or furnish the materials required under the terms
of this Agreement; or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement
or arise out of or result from any other material breach of this
Agreement by the Company.
(b) The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any Losses to which an Indemnified Party would
otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to the
Trust or Underwriter, whichever is applicable. The Company shall also not
be liable under this indemnification provision with respect to any claim
made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified Party shall have
notified the Company in writing within a reasonable time after the summons
or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the
14
claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any such claim
shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to the
Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than on
account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is
brought against the Indemnified Parties, the Company shall be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action. The Company
also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel
satisfactory to the party named in the action. After notice from the
Company to such party of the Company's election to assume the defense
thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and the Company will not be liable to
such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
(c) The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection
with the issuance or sale of the Trust shares or the Contracts or the
operation of the Trust.
5.2 Indemnification By The Underwriter
----------------------------------
(a) The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, the
underwriter of the Contracts and each of its directors and officers and each
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the
1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" and individually an
"Indemnified Party" for purposes of this Section 5.2) against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with
the written consent of the Underwriter, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld) or expenses (including the reasonable costs of investigating or
defending any alleged loss, claim, damage, liability or expense and reasonable
legal counsel fees incurred in connection therewith) (collectively, "Losses") to
which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute, at common
law or otherwise, insofar as such Losses are related to the sale or acquisition
of the Trust's Shares or the Contracts and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement, prospectus or sales literature of the Trust (or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing) (collectively,
15
the "Trust Documents") 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 of such alleged statement
or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished to the Underwriter or Trust by or on behalf of the Company for
use in the Registration Statement or prospectus for the Trust or in sales
literature (or any amendment or supplement) or otherwise for use in
connection with the sale of the Contracts or Trust shares; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the disclosure
documents or sales literature for the Contracts not supplied by the
Underwriter or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the Trust,
Adviser or Underwriter or persons under their control, with respect to the
sale or distribution of the Contracts or Trust shares; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in a disclosure document or sales literature
covering the Contracts, or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or
the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statement or statements
therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance
upon information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the Trust; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Trust to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement
(including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise,
to comply with the qualification representation specified in Section 3.7 of
this Agreement and the diversification requirements specified in Section
3.6 of this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Underwriter in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by
the Underwriter; as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of
Sections 5.2(b) and 5.2(c) hereof.
(b) The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any Losses to which an Indemnified Party would
otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful
16
misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such
Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless
disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to each Company or
the Account, whichever is applicable.
(c) The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless
such Indemnified Party shall have notified the Underwriter in writing within a
reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving
information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such
Indemnified Party (or after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of
such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Underwriter of
any such claim shall not relieve the Underwriter from any liability which it may
have to the Indemnified Party against whom such action is brought otherwise than
on account of this indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought
against the Indemnified Parties, the Underwriter will be entitled to
participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof. The Underwriter also
shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to
the party named in the action. After notice from the Underwriter to such party
of the Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified
Party shall bear the expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the
Underwriter will not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal
or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party independently in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
(d) The Company agrees promptly to notify the Underwriter of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers
or directors in connection with the issuance or sale of the Contracts or the
operation of each Account.
5.3 Indemnification By The Trust
----------------------------
(a) The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, and each
of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" for purposes of this Section 5.3) against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written
consent of the Trust, 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, at common law or otherwise, insofar as
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect
thereof) or settlements result from the gross negligence, bad faith or willful
17
misconduct of the Board or any member thereof, are related to the operations of
the Trust, and arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Trust in this Agreement or arise out
of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the Trust; as
limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3(b) and 5.3(c)
hereof. It is understood and expressly stipulated that neither the holders of
shares of the Trust nor any Trustee, officer, agent or employee of the Trust
shall be personally liable hereunder, nor shall any resort to be had to other
private property for the satisfaction of any claim or obligation hereunder, but
the Trust only shall be liable.
(b) The Trust shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation incurred or
assessed against any Indemnified Party as such may arise from such Indemnified
Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to the
Company, the Trust, the Underwriter or each Account, whichever is applicable.
(c) The Trust shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such
Indemnified Party shall have notified the Trust in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claims shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or
after such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Trust of any such claim shall not
relieve the Trust from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Trust will be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense thereof. The Trust also shall be entitled to assume the
defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action.
After notice from the Trust to such party of the Trust's election to assume the
defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and the Trust 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.
(d) The Company and the Underwriter agree promptly to notify the Trust of
the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its
respective officers or directors in connection with this
18
Agreement, the issuance or sale of the Contracts, with respect to the
operation of either the Account, or the sale or acquisition of share of the
Trust.
ARTICLE VI.
TERMINATION
-----------
6.1 This Agreement may be terminated by any party in its entirety or with
respect to one, some or all Portfolios or any reason by sixty (60) days advance
written notice delivered to the other parties, and shall terminate immediately
in the event of its assignment, as that term is used in the 1940 Act.
6.2 This Agreement may be terminated immediately by either the Trust or
the Underwriter following consultation with the Trustees upon written notice to
the Company if:
(a) the Company notifies the Trust or the Underwriter that the
exemption from registration under Section 3(c) of the 1940 Act no longer
applies, or might not apply in the future, to the unregistered Accounts, or
that the exemption from registration under Section 4(2) or Regulation D
promulgated under the 1933 Act no longer applies or might not apply in the
future, to interests under the unregistered Contracts; or
(b) either one or both of the Trust or the Underwriter
respectively, shall determine, in their sole judgment exercised in good
faith, that the Company has suffered a material adverse change in its
business, operations, financial condition or prospects since the date of
this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse publicity; or
(c) the Company gives the Trust and the Underwriter the written
notice specified in Section 1.10 hereof and at the same time such notice
was given there was no notice of termination outstanding under any other
provision of this Agreement; provided, however, that any termination under
this Section 6.2(c) shall be effective forty-five (45) days after the
notice specified in Section 1.10 was given.
6.3 If this Agreement is terminated for any reason, except under Article
IV (Potential Conflicts) above, the Trust shall, at the option of the Company,
continue to make available additional shares of any Portfolio and redeem shares
of any Portfolio pursuant to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement
for all Contracts in effect on the effective
19
date of termination of this Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant
to Article IV, the provisions of Article IV shall govern.
6.4 The provisions of Articles II (Representations and Warranties) and V
(indemnification) shall survive the termination of this Agreement. All other
applicable provisions of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this
Agreement, as long as shares of the Trust are held on behalf of Contract owners
in accordance with Section 6.3, except that the Trust and the Underwriter shall
have no further obligation to sell Trust shares with respect to Contracts issued
after termination.
6.5 The Company shall not redeem Trust shares attributable to the Contracts
(as opposed to Trust shares attributable to the Company's assets held in the
Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract owner initiated or
approved transactions, (ii) as required by state and/or federal laws or
regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of general application
(hereinafter referred to as a "Legally Required Redemption"), or (iii) as
permitted by an order of the SEC pursuant to Section 26(b) of the 1940 Act.
Upon request, the Company will promptly furnish to the Trust and the
Underwriter the opinion of counsel for the Company (which counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Trust and the Underwriter) to the effect that any
redemption pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally Required Redemption.
Furthermore, except in cases where permitted under the terms of the Contracts,
the Company shall not prevent Contract owners from allocating payments to a
Portfolio that was otherwise available under the Contracts without first giving
the Trust or the Underwriter 90 days notice of its intention to do so.
ARTICLE VII.
NOTICES.
-------
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified
mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at such
other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the
other party.
If to the Trust or the Underwriter:
Templeton Variable Products Series Fund or
Franklin Xxxxxxxxx Distributors, Inc.
000 X. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Trust Secretary
20
WITH A COPY TO
Franklin Resources, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Senior Corporate Counsel
If to the Company:
Pruco Life Insurance Company
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Esq.
ARTICLE VIII.
MISCELLANEOUS
-------------
8.1 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.
8.2 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
8.3 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.
8.4 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof
interpreted under and in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida. 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. Copies of any such
orders shall be promptly forwarded by the Trust to the Company.
8.5 The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that all
liabilities of the Trust arising, directly or indirectly, under this Agreement,
of any and every nature whatsoever, shall be satisfied solely out of the assets
of the Trust and that no Trustee, officer, agent or holder of shares of
beneficial interest of the Trust shall be personally liable for any such
liabilities.
8.6 Each party shall cooperate with each other party and all appropriate
governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the NASD, and
state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities reasonable access
to its books and records in connection with any investigation or inquiry
relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
21
8.7 Each party hereto shall treat as confidential the names and addresses
of the Contract owners and all information reasonably identified as confidential
in writing by any other party hereto, and, except as permitted by this Agreement
or as required by legal process or regulatory authorities, shall not disclose,
disseminate, or utilize such names and addresses and other confidential
information until such time as they may come into the public domain, without the
express written consent of the affected party. Without limiting the foregoing,
no party hereto shall disclose any information that such party has been advised
is proprietary, except such information that such party is required to disclose
by any appropriate governmental authority (including, without limitation, the
SEC, the NASD, and state securities and insurance regulators).
8.8 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.
8.9 The parties to this Agreement acknowledge and agree that this
Agreement shall not be exclusive in any respect, except as provided in Section
1.10.
8.10 Neither this Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder may be
assigned by either party without the prior written approval of the other party.
8.11 No provisions of this Agreement may be amended or modified in any
manner except by a written agreement properly authorized and executed by both
parties.
22
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused their duly authorized officers
to execute this Participation Agreement as of the date and year first above
written.
The Company:
Pruco Life Insurance Company
----------------------------
By its authorized officer
By: /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
----------------------
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President
The Trust:
Templeton Variable Products Series Fund
---------------------------------------
By its authorized officer
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
----------------------
Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: Assistant Vice President, Assistant Secretary
The Underwriter:
Franklin Xxxxxxxxx Distributors, Inc.
-------------------------------------
By its authorized officer
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
----------------------
Name: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Title: Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary
23
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE A
SEPARATE ACCOUNTS OF
--------------------
PRUCO INSURANCE COMPANY
-----------------------
Pruco Life Flexible Premium Variable Annuity Account
Date Established: June 16, 1995
SEC Registration Number: 333-06701
24
SCHEDULE B
TRUST PORTFOLIOS AND CLASSES AVAILABLE
--------------------------------------
Templeton Variable Products Series Adviser
---------------------------------- -------
Franklin Small Cap Investments Fund Franklin Advisers, Inc.
-Class 2
25
SCHEDULE C
VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACTS
ISSUED BY PRUCO LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
--------------------------------------
DISCOVERY SELECT(SM) Annuity Xxxxxxxx
Xxxx Xx. XXX 00000
26
SCHEDULE D
OTHER PORTFOLIOS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CONTRACTS
----------------------------------------------
1. The Prudential Series Fund, Inc.
Money Market Portfolio
Diversified Bond Portfolio
High Yield Bond Portfolio
Stock Index Portfolio
Equity Income Portfolio
Equity Portfolio
Prudential Xxxxxxxx Portfolio
Global Portfolio
2. AIM Variable Insurance Funds, Inc.
AIM V.I. Growth and Income Fund
AIM V.I. Value Fund
3. Janus Aspen Series
Growth Portfolio
International Growth Portfolio
4. MFS Variable Insurance Trust
Emerging Growth Series
Research Series
5. OCC Accumulation Trust
Managed Portfolio
Small Cap Portfolio
6. X. Xxxx Price Equity Series, Inc.
Equity Income Portfolio
7. X. Xxxx Price International Series, Inc.
International Stock Portfolio
8. Warburg Pincus Trust
Post-Venture Capital Portfolio
27
SCHEDULE E
RULE 12B-1 PLANS
COMPENSATION SCHEDULE
---------------------
Each Portfolio named below shall pay the following amounts pursuant to the terms
and conditions referenced below under its Class 2 Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan,
stated as a percentage per year of Class 2's average daily net assets
represented by shares of Class 2.
Portfolio Name Maximum Annual Payment Rate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Franklin Small Cap Investments Fund 0.25%
Agreement Provisions
--------------------
If the Company, on behalf of any Account, purchases Fund shares ("Eligible
Shares") which are subject to a Rule 12b-1 Plan adopted under the 1940 Act (the
"Plan"), the Company may participate in the Plan.
To the extent the Company or its affiliates, agents or designees
(collectively "you") you provide administrative and other services which assist
in the promotion and distribution of Eligible Shares or Variable Contracts
offering Eligible Shares, the Underwriter, the Trust or their affiliates
(collectively, "we") may pay you a Rule 12b-1 fee. "Administrative and other
services" may include, but are not limited to, furnishing personal services to
owners of Contracts which may invest in Eligible Shares ("Contract Owners"),
answering routine inquiries regarding a Portfolio, coordinating responses to
Contract Owner inquiries regarding the Portfolios, maintaining such accounts or
providing such other enhanced services as a Trust Portfolio or Contract may
require, maintaining customer accounts and records, or providing other services
eligible for service fees as defined under NASD rules. Your acceptance of such
compensation is your acknowledgement that eligible services have been rendered.
All Rule 12b-1 fees, shall be based on the value of Eligible Shares owned by the
Company on behalf of its Accounts, and shall be calculated on the basis and at
the rates set forth in the Compensation Schedule stated above. The aggregate
annual fees paid pursuant to each Plan shall not exceed the amounts stated as
the "annual maximums" in the Portfolio's prospectus, unless an increase is
approved by shareholders as provided in the Plan. These maximums shall be a
specified percent of the value of a Portfolio's net assets attributable to
Eligible Shares owned by the Company on behalf of
28
its Accounts (determined in the same manner as the Portfolio uses to compute its
net assets as set forth in its effective Prospectus).
You shall furnish us with such information as shall reasonably be requested
by the Trust's Boards of Trustees ("Trustees") with respect to the Rule 12b-1
fees paid to you pursuant to the Plans. We shall furnish to the Trustees, for
their review on a quarterly basis, a written report of the amounts expended
under the Plans and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
The Plans and provisions of any agreement relating to such Plans must be
approved annually by a vote of the Trustees, including the Trustees who are not
interested persons of the Trust and who have no financial interest in the Plans
or any related agreement ("Disinterested Trustees"). Each Plan may be terminated
at any time by the vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees, or by a
vote of a majority of the outstanding shares as provided in the Plan, on sixty
(60) days' written notice, without payment of any penalty. The Plans may also be
terminated by any act that terminates the Underwriting Agreement between the
Underwriter and the Trust, and/or the management or administration agreement
between Franklin Advisers, Inc. or Xxxxxxxxx Investment Counsel, Inc. or their
affiliates and the Trust. Continuation of the Plans is also conditioned on
Disinterested Trustees being ultimately responsible for selecting and nominating
any new Disinterested Trustees. Under Rule 12b-1, the Trustees have a duty to
request and evaluate, and persons who are party to any agreement related to
a Plan have a duty to furnish, such information as may reasonably be necessary
to an informed determination of whether the Plan or any agreement should be
implemented or continued. Under Rule 12b-1, the Trust is permitted to implement
or continue Plans or the provisions of any agreement relating to such Plans from
year-to-year only if, based on certain legal considerations, the Trustees are
able to conclude that the Plans will benefit each affected Trust Portfolio and
class. Absent such yearly determination, the Plans must be terminated as set
forth above. In the event of the termination of the Plans for any reason, the
provisions of this Schedule E relating to the Plans will also terminate.
Any obligation assumed by the Trust pursuant to this Agreement shall be limited
in all cases to the assets of the Trust and no person shall seek satisfaction
thereof from shareholders of the Trust. You agree to waive payment of any
amounts payable to you by Underwriter under a Plan until such time as the
Underwriter has received such fee from the Fund.
29
The provisions of the Plans shall control over the provisions of the
Participation Agreement, including this Schedule E, in the event of any
inconsistency.
You agree to provide complete disclosure as required by all applicable statutes,
rules and regulations of all rule 12b-1 fees received from us in the prospectus
of the contracts.
30
