Exhibit 15
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
AMONG
XXXXXX INVESTORS FUND
ZURICH XXXXXX INVESTMENTS, INC.
XXXXXX DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
AND
FIRST ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of this 5th day of November, 1996
by and among First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company (hereinafter, the
"Company"), a Massachusetts insurance company, on its own behalf and on behalf
of each separate account of the Company set forth on Schedule A hereto as may be
amended from time to time (each account hereinafter referred to as an
"Account"), Xxxxxx Investors Fund, a business trust organized under the laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (hereinafter the "Fund"), Zurich Xxxxxx
Investments, Inc. (hereinafter the "Adviser"), a Delaware corporation, and
Xxxxxx Distributors, Inc. (hereinafter the "Underwriter"), a Delaware
corporation.
WHEREAS, the Fund engages in business as an open-end management investment
company and is available to act as the investment vehicle for separate accounts
established for variable life insurance and variable annuity contracts
(hereinafter the "Variable Insurance Products") offered by insurance companies
that have entered into participation agreements with the Fund (hereinafter
"Participating Insurance Companies");
WHEREAS, the beneficial interest in the Fund is divided into several series of
shares, each designated a "Portfolio" and representing the interest in a
particular managed portfolio of securities and other assets;
WHEREAS, the Fund has obtained an order from the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") granting Participating Insurance Companies and variable
annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts exemptions from the
provisions of Sections 9(a), 13(a), 15(a), and 15(b) of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, (hereinafter the "1940 Act") and Rules 6e-2(b)(15) and
6e-3(T)(b)(15) thereunder, if and to the extent necessary to permit shares of
the Fund to be sold to and held by variable annuity and variable life insurance
separate accounts of both affiliated and unaffiliated life insurance companies
(hereinafter the "Shared Funding Exemption Order");
WHEREAS, the Fund is registered as an open-end management investment company
under the 1940 Act and shares of the Portfolios are registered under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (hereinafter the "1933 Act");
WHEREAS, the Adviser is duly registered as an investment adviser under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and any applicable state securities
laws;
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register certain variable life
insurance and variable annuity contracts supported wholly or partially by the
Accounts (the "Contracts") under the 1933 Act, and said Contracts are listed in
Schedule A hereto, as it may be amended from time to time by mutual written
agreement;
WHEREAS, each Account is duly established and maintained as a separate account,
established by resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, on the date
shown for such Account on Schedule A hereto, to set aside and invest assets
attributable to the aforesaid Contracts;
WHEREAS, the Company has registered or will register each Account as a unit
investment trust under the 1940 Act;
WHEREAS, the Underwriter is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("1934 Act"), and is a member in
good standing of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD");
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and regulations,
the Company intends to purchase shares of the Portfolios listed in Schedule A
hereto, as it may be amended from time to time at the request of the Fund,
Underwriter and Adviser and with the consent of the Company, which consent will
not be unreasonably withheld ("Designated Portfolios"), on behalf of the
Accounts to fund the aforesaid Contracts, and the Underwriter is authorized to
sell such shares to unit investment trusts such as the Accounts at net asset
value; and
WHEREAS, to the extent permitted by applicable insurance laws and regulations,
the Company also intends to purchase shares in other open-end investment
companies or series thereof not affiliated with the Fund ("Unaffiliated Funds")
on behalf of the Accounts to fund the Contracts if and to the extent that the
Underwriter and the Adviser so agree, in their sole discretion;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the Company, the
Fund, the Adviser and the Underwriter agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
SALE OF FUND SHARES
1.1 The Underwriter agrees to sell to the Company those shares of the
Designated Portfolios that the Accounts order, executing such orders on a daily
basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund or its
designee of the order for the shares of the Designated Portfolios.
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1.2 The Fund agrees to make shares of each Designated Portfolio available for
purchase at the applicable net asset value per share by the Company and the
Accounts on those days on which the Fund calculates such Designated Portfolio's
net asset value pursuant to rules of the SEC, and the Fund shall use reasonable
efforts to calculate such net asset value on each day when the New York Stock
Exchange is open for trading. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board of
Trustees of the Fund ("Board") may refuse to sell shares of any Designated
Portfolio to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any
Designated Portfolio if such action is required by law or by regulatory
authorities having jurisdiction, or is, in the sole discretion of the Board
acting in good faith and in light of its fiduciary duties under federal and any
applicable state laws, necessary in the best interest of the shareholders of
such Designated Portfolio.
1.3 The Fund and the Underwriter agree that shares of the Fund will be sold
only to Participating Insurance Companies or their separate accounts. No shares
of any Designated Portfolios will be sold to the general public. The Fund and
the Underwriter will not sell shares of any Designated Portfolio to any
insurance company or separate account unless an agreement containing provisions
substantially the same as Sections 2.1, 3.4, 3.5 and 3.6 and Article VII of this
Agreement is in effect to govern such sales.
1.4 The Fund agrees to redeem, on the Company's request, any full or fractional
shares of the Designated Portfolios held by the Company, executing such requests
on a daily basis at the net asset value next computed after receipt by the Fund
or its designee of the request for redemption, except that the Fund reserves the
right to suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment or
satisfaction upon redemption consistent with Section 22(e) of the 1940 Act and
any rules thereunder, and in accordance with the procedures and policies of the
Fund as described in the Fund's then current prospectus.
1.5 For purposes of Sections 1.1 and 1.4, the Company shall be the designee of
the Fund for receipt of purchase and redemption orders from the Accounts, and
receipt by such designee shall constitute receipt by the Fund; provided that the
Company receives the order prior to the determination of net asset value as set
forth in the Fund's then current prospectus and the Fund receives notice of such
order by 9:30 a.m. New York time on the next following Business Day. "Business
Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading
and on which the Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of
the SEC.
1.6 The Company agrees to purchase and redeem the shares of each Designated
Portfolio offered by the Fund's then current prospectus in accordance with the
provisions of such prospectus.
1.7 The Company shall pay for shares of a Designated Portfolio on the next
Business Day after receipt of an order to purchase shares of such Designated
Portfolio. Payment shall be in federal funds transmitted by wire by 11:00 a.m.
New York time. If payment in federal funds for any purchase is not received or
is received by the Fund after 11:00 a.m. New York time on such Business Day, the
Company shall promptly, upon the Fund's request, reimburse the Fund for any
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charges, costs, fees, interest or other expenses incurred by the Fund in
connection with any advances to, or borrowing or overdrafts by, the Fund, or any
similar expenses incurred by the Fund, as a result of portfolio transactions
effected by the Fund based upon such purchase request. For purposes of
Section 2.8 and 2.9 hereof, upon receipt by the Fund of the federal funds so
wired, such funds shall cease to be the responsibility of the Company and shall
become the responsibility of the Fund.
1.8 Issuance and transfer of the shares of a Designated Portfolio will be by
book entry only. Stock certificates will not be issued to the Company or any
Account. Shares of a Designated Portfolio ordered from the Fund will be
recorded in an appropriate title for each Account or the appropriate subaccount
of each Account.
1.9 The Fund shall furnish same-day notice (by wire or telephone, followed by
written confirmation) to the Company of any income, dividends or capital gain
distributions payable on shares of the Designated Portfolios. The Company
hereby elects to receive all such income, dividends, and capital gain
distributions as are payable on shares of a Designated Portfolio in additional
shares of that Designated Portfolio. The Company reserves the right to revoke
this election and to receive all such income dividends and capital gain
distributions in cash. The Fund shall notify the Company of the number of
shares so issued as payment of such dividends and distributions. The Fund shall
use its best efforts to furnish advance notice of the day such dividends and
distributions are expected to be paid.
1.10 The Fund shall make the net asset value per share for each Designated
Portfolio available to the Company on a daily basis as soon as reasonably
practical after the net asset value per share is calculated (normally by 6:30
p.m. New York time) and shall use its best efforts to make such net asset value
per share available by 7:00 p.m. New York time.
1.11 The Parties hereto acknowledge that the arrangement contemplated by this
Agreement is not exclusive; the shares of the Designated Portfolios (and other
Portfolios of the Fund) may be sold to other insurance companies (subject to
Section 1.3 and Article VII hereof) and the cash value of the Contracts may be
invested in other investment companies, provided, however, that the Adviser and
Underwriter consent to the use of such other investment company in their sole
discretion.
ARTICLE II
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
2.1 The Company represents and warrants that the Contracts are or will be
registered under the 1933 Act; that the Contracts will be continually issued,
offered for sale and sold in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable federal and state laws and that the sale of the Contracts shall
comply in all material respects with state insurance suitability requirements.
The Company further represents and warrants that it is an insurance company duly
organized and in good standing under applicable law and that it has legally and
validly established each Account prior
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to any issuance or sale thereof as a separate account under the Massachusetts
insurance laws and has registered or, prior to any issuance or sale of the
Contracts, will register each Account as a unit investment trust in accordance
with the provisions of the 1940 Act to serve as a separate account for the
Contracts.
2.2 The Fund represents and warrants that shares of the Designated Portfolios
sold pursuant to this Agreement shall be registered under the 1933 Act, duly
authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with all applicable federal
securities laws and that the Fund is and shall remain registered under the 0000
Xxx. The Fund shall amend the Registration Statement for its shares under the
1933 Act and the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the
continuous offering of its shares. The Fund shall register and qualify the
shares of the Designated Portfolios for sale in accordance with the laws of the
various states only if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund.
2.3 The Fund currently does not intend to make any payments to finance
distribution expenses pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, although it may
make such payments in the future subject to applicable law.
2.4 The Fund makes no representations as to whether any aspect of its
operation, including but not limited to, investments policies, fees and
expenses, complies with the insurance and other applicable laws of the various
states, except that the Fund represents that the investment policies, fees and
expenses of the Designated Portfolios are and shall at all times remain in
compliance with the insurance laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to the
extent required to perform this Agreement. The Company will advise the Fund in
writing as to any requirements of Massachusetts insurance law that affect the
Designated Portfolios, and the Fund will be deemed to be in compliance with this
Section 2.4 so long as the Fund complies with such advice of the Company.
2.5 The Fund represents that it is lawfully organized and validly existing as a
business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and that it
does and will comply in all material respects with the 1940 Act.
2.6 The Underwriter represents and warrants that it is a member in good
standing of the NASD and is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC. The
Underwriter further represents that it will sell and distribute the shares of
the Designated Portfolios in accordance with any applicable state and federal
securities laws.
2.7 The Adviser represents and warrants that it is and shall remain duly
registered as an investment adviser under all applicable federal and state
securities laws and that the Adviser shall perform its obligations for the Fund
in compliance in all material respects with any applicable state and federal
securities laws.
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2.8 The Fund, the Adviser and the Underwriter represent and warrant that all
their directors, officers, employees, investment advisers, and other individuals
or entities dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund are and shall
continue to be at all times covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar
coverage for the benefit of the Fund in an amount not less than the minimum
coverage required currently by Rule 17g-1 of the 1940 Act or such related
provisions as may be promulgated from time to time. The aforesaid bond shall
include coverage for larceny and embezzlement and shall be issued by a reputable
bonding company.
2.9 The Company represents and warrants that all its directors, officers,
employees, investment advisers, and other individuals or entities employed or
controlled by the Company dealing with the money and/or securities of the Fund
are covered by a blanket fidelity bond or similar coverage in an amount not less
than $20 million. The aforesaid bond includes coverage for larceny and
embezzlement and is issued by a reputable bonding company. The Company agrees
that this bond or another bond containing these provisions will always be in
effect, and agrees to notify the Fund, the Adviser and the Underwriter in the
event that such coverage no longer applies.
2.10 The Company represents and warrants that all shares of the Designated
Portfolios purchased by the Company will be purchased on behalf of one or more
unmanaged separate accounts that offer interests therein that are registered
under the 1933 Act and upon which a registration fee has been or will be paid;
and the Company acknowledges that the Fund intends to rely upon this
representation and warranty for purposes of calculating SEC registration fees
payable with respect to such shares of the Designated Portfolios pursuant to
Instruction B.5 to Form 24F-2 or any similar form or SEC registration fee
calculation procedure that allows the Fund to exclude shares so sold for
purposes of calculating its SEC registration fee. The Company agrees to
cooperate with the Fund on no less than an annual basis to certify as to its
continuing compliance with this representation and warranty.
ARTICLE III
Prospectuses, Statements of Additional
INFORMATION, AND PROXY STATEMENTS; VOTING
3.1 The Fund shall provide the Company with as many copies of the Fund's
current prospectus for the Designated Portfolios as the Company may reasonably
request. If requested by the Company in lieu thereof, the Fund shall provide
such documentation (including a final copy of the new prospectus) and other
assistance as is reasonably necessary in order for the Company once each year
(or more frequently if the prospectus for a Designated Portfolio is amended) to
have the prospectus for the Contracts and the prospectus for the Designated
Portfolios printed together in one document. Expenses with respect to the
foregoing shall be borne as provided under Article V.
3.2 The Fund's prospectus shall disclose that (a) the Fund is intended to
be a funding vehicle for all types of variable annuity and variable life
insurance contracts offered by Participating Insurance Companies, (b)
material irreconcilable conflicts of interest may arise, and (c) the Fund's
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Board will monitor events in order to identify the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflicts and determine what action, if any, should be taken
in response to such conflicts. The Fund hereby notifies the Company that
disclosure in the prospectus for the Contracts regarding the potential risks
of mixed and shared funding may be appropriate. Further, the Fund's
prospectus shall state that the current Statement of Additional Information
("SAI") for the Fund is available from the Company (or, in the Fund's
discretion, from the Fund), and the Fund shall provide a copy of such SAI to
any owner of a Contract who requests such SAI and to the Company in such
quantities as the Company may reasonably request. Expenses with respect to
the foregoing shall be borne as provided under Article V.
3.3 The Fund shall provide the Company with copies of its proxy material,
reports to shareholders, and other communications to shareholders for the
Designated Portfolios in such quantity as the Company shall reasonably require
for distributing to Contract owners. Expenses with respect to the foregoing
shall be borne as provided under Article V.
3.4 The Company shall:
(i) solicit voting instructions from Contract owners;
(ii) vote the shares of each Designated Portfolio in accordance with
instructions received from Contract owners; and
(iii) vote shares of each Designated Portfolio for which no
instructions have been received in the same proportion as
shares of such Designated Portfolio for which instructions
have been received,
so long as and to the extent that the SEC continues to interpret the 1940 Act to
require pass-through voting privileges for variable contract owners or to the
extent otherwise required by law. The Company reserves the right to vote shares
of each Designated Portfolio held in any separate account in its own right, to
the extent permitted by law.
3.5 The Company shall be responsible for assuring that each of its separate
accounts participating in a Designated Portfolio calculates voting privileges as
required by the Shared Funding Exemption Order and consistent with any
reasonable standards that the Fund has adopted or may adopt.
3.6 The Fund will comply with all provisions of the 1940 Act requiring voting
by shareholders, and in particular the Fund will either provide for annual
meetings or comply with Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act (although the Fund is not
one of the trusts described in Section 16(c) of that Act) as well as with
Sections 16(a) and, if and when applicable, Section 16(b). Further, the Fund
will act in accordance with the SEC's interpretation of the requirements of
Section 16(a) with respect to periodic elections of directors or trustees and
with whatever rules the SEC may promulgate from time to time with respect
thereto. The Fund reserves the right, upon prior
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written notice to the Company, to take all actions, including but not limited
to, the dissolution, termination, merger and sale of all assets of the Fund
or any Designated Portfolio upon the sole authorization of the Board, to
the extent permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and
the 0000 Xxx.
3.7 It is understood and agreed that, except with respect to information
regarding the Fund, the Underwriter, the Adviser or Designated Portfolios
provided in writing by the Fund, the Underwriter or the Adviser, none of the
Fund, the Underwriter or the Adviser is responsible for the content of the
prospectus or statement of additional information for the Contracts.
ARTICLE IV
SALES MATERIAL AND INFORMATION
4.1 The Company shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished, to the Fund or
the Underwriter, each piece of sales literature or other promotional material
("sales literature") that the Company develops or uses and in which the Fund (or
a Designated Portfolio thereof) or the Adviser or the Underwriter is named, at
least fifteen calendar days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if
the Fund or its designee reasonably objects to such use within fifteen calendar
days after receipt of such material. The Fund or its designee reserves the
right to reasonably object to the continued use of such material, and no such
material shall be used if the Fund or its designee so object.
4.2 The Company shall not give any information or make any representation or
statement on behalf of the Fund or concerning the Fund in connection with the
sale of the Contracts other than the information or representations contained in
the registration statement, prospectus or SAI for the shares of the Designated
Portfolios, as such registration statement, prospectus or SAI may be amended or
supplemented from time to time, or in reports or proxy statements for the Fund,
or in sales literature approved by the Fund or its designee or by the
Underwriter, except with the permission of the Fund or the Underwriter or the
designee of either.
4.3 The Fund or the Underwriter shall furnish, or shall cause to be furnished,
to the Company, each piece of sales literature that the Fund or Underwriter
develops or uses in which the Company and/or its Account is named, at least
fifteen calendar days prior to its use. No such material shall be used if the
Company reasonably objects to such use within fifteen calendar days after
receipt of such material. The Company reserves the right to reasonably object
to the continued use of such material and no such material shall be used if the
Company so objects.
4.4 The Fund and the Underwriter shall not give any information or make any
representations on behalf of the Company or concerning the Company, the Account,
or the Contracts other than the information or representations contained in a
registration statement, prospectus, or statement of additional information for
the Contracts, as such registration statement, prospectus or statement of
additional information may be amended or supplemented from time to time, or in
published reports for the Accounts which are the public domain or approved by
the Company for distribution
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to Contract owners, or in sales literature approved by the Company or its
designee, except with the permission of the Company.
4.5 The Fund will provide to the Company at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, SAIs, reports, proxy statements, sales
literature, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and all
amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Designated Portfolios,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document(s) with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities.
4.6 The Company will provide to the Fund at least one complete copy of all
registration statements, prospectuses, statements of additional information,
shareholder reports, solicitations for voting instructions, sales literature,
applications for exemptions, request for no-action letters, and all amendments
to any of the above, that relate to the Contracts or the Accounts,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document(s) with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities.
4.7 For purposes of this Agreement, the phrase "sales literature" includes, but
is not limited to, any of the following: advertisements (such as material
published, or designed for use in, a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical,
radio, television, telephone or tape recording, videotape display, signs or
billboards, motion pictures, or other public media), sales literature (I.E., any
written communication distributed or made generally available to customers or
the public, including brochures, circulars, reports, market letters, form
letters, seminar texts, reprints or excerpts of any other advertisement, sales
literature, or published article) and educational or training materials or other
communications distributed or made generally available to some or all agents or
employees.
4.8 At the request of any party to this Agreement, any other party will make
available to the requesting party's independent auditors all records, data and
access to operating procedures that may reasonably be requested in connection
with compliance and regulatory requirements related to this Agreement or any
party's obligations under this Agreement.
4.9 Without the written consent of the Fund and the Underwriter, the Company
shall not, and shall not permit any affiliate of the Company to, directly or
indirectly solicit, encourage or induce: (i) Contract owner transactions that
will result in the redemption of shares of a Designated Portfolio; (ii) Contract
owners to change the investment manager or sub-adviser of a Designated
Portfolio; or (iii) Contract owners to change, modify, substitute, add or delete
any investment option.
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ARTICLE V
FEES AND EXPENSES
5.1 All expenses incident to performance by the Fund under this Agreement shall
be paid by the Fund, except and as further provided in Schedule B. The Fund
shall see to it that all shares of the Designated Portfolios are registered,
duly authorized for issuance and sold in compliance with applicable federal
securities laws and, if and to the extent deemed advisable by the Fund, in
accordance with applicable state securities laws prior to their sale.
5.2 The parties hereto shall bear the expenses of typesetting, printing and
distributing the Fund's prospectus, SAI, proxy materials and reports as provided
in Schedule B.
5.3 Administrative services to variable Contract owners shall be the
responsibility of the Company and shall not be the responsibility of the Fund,
Underwriter or Adviser. The Fund recognizes the Company as the sole shareholder
of shares of the Designated Portfolios issued under the Agreement.
5.4 The Fund shall not pay and neither the Adviser nor the Underwriter shall
pay any fee or other compensation to the Company under this Agreement, although
the parties will bear certain expenses in accordance with Schedule B and other
provisions of this Agreement.
ARTICLE VI
DIVERSIFICATION AND QUALIFICATION
6.1 The Fund will invest the assets of each Designated Portfolio in such a
manner as to ensure that the Contracts will be treated as annuity or life
insurance contracts, whichever is appropriate, under the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended ("Code") and the regulations issued thereunder (or any
successor provisions). Without limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Fund
will, with respect to each Designated Portfolio, comply with Section 817(h) of
the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.817-5, and any Treasury
interpretations thereof, relating to the diversification requirements for
variable annuity, endowment, or life insurance contracts, and any amendments or
other modifications or successor provisions to such Section or Regulations. In
the event of a breach of this Article VI, the Fund will take all reasonable
steps (a) to notify the Company of such breach and (b) to adequately diversify
the affected Designated Portfolio so as to achieve compliance within the grace
period afforded by Treasury Regulation Section 1.817-5.
6.2 The Fund represents that each Designated Portfolio is currently qualified
(and for new Designated Portfolios, intends to qualify) as a Regulated
Investment Company under Subchapter M of the Code, and that it will make every
effort to maintain such qualification (under Subchapter M or any successor or
similar provisions) and that it will notify the Company immediately upon having
a reasonable basis for believing that a Designated Portfolio has ceased to so
qualify or that a Designated Portfolio might not so qualify in the future.
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6.3 The Company represents that the Contracts are currently, and at the time of
issuance shall be, treated as life insurance or annuity insurance contracts,
under applicable provisions of the Code, and that it will make every effort to
maintain such treatment, and that it will notify the Fund, the Adviser and the
Underwriter immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing the
Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in
the future. The Company agrees that any prospectus offering a contract that is
a "modified endowment contract" as that term is defined in Section 7702A of the
Code (or any successor or similar provision), shall identify such contract as a
modified endowment contract.
ARTICLE VII
POTENTIAL CONFLICTS
7.1 The Board will monitor the Fund for the existence of any material
irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the contract owners of all
separate accounts investing in the Fund. An irreconcilable material conflict
may arise for a variety of reasons, including: (a) an action by any state
insurance regulatory authority; (b) a change in applicable federal or state
insurance, tax, or securities laws or regulations, or a public ruling, private
letter ruling, no-action or interpretative letter, or any similar action by
insurance, tax, or securities regulatory authorities; (c) an administrative or
judicial decision in any relevant proceeding; (d) the manner in which the
investments of any Designated 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 a Participating Insurance
Company to disregard the voting instructions of contract owners. The Board
shall promptly inform the Company if it determines that an irreconcilable
material conflict exists and the implications thereof.
7.2 The Company and the Adviser will report any potential or existing conflicts
of which each is aware to the Board. The Company will assist the Board in
carrying out its responsibilities under the Shared Funding Exemption Order, by
providing the Board with all information reasonably necessary for the Board to
consider any issues raised. This includes, but is not limited to, an obligation
by the Company to inform the Board whenever Contract owner voting instructions
are disregarded. At least annually, and more frequently if deemed appropriate
by the Board, the Company shall submit to the Adviser, and the Adviser shall at
least annually submit to the Board, such reports, materials and data as the
Board may reasonably request so that the Board may fully carry out the
obligations imposed upon it by the conditions contained in the Shared Funding
Exemption Order; and said reports, materials and data shall be submitted more
frequently if deemed appropriate by the Board. The responsibility to report
such information and conflicts to the Board will be carried out with a view only
to the interests of the contract owners.
7.3 If it is determined by a majority of the Board, or a majority of its
disinterested members, that a material irreconcilable conflict exists, the
Company and any other Participating Insurance Companies shall, at their
expense and to the extent reasonably practicable (as determined by a
majority of the disinterested Board members), take whatever steps are
necessary to remedy or eliminate the irreconcilable material conflict, up to
and including: (a), withdrawing the assets
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allocable to some or all of the separate accounts from the Fund or any
Designated Portfolio and reinvesting such assets in a different investment
medium, which may include another Designated Portfolio of the Fund, or
submitting to a vote of all affected contract owners the question whether
such segregation should be implemented and, as appropriate, segregating
the assets of any appropriate group (I.E. annuity contract owners, life
insurance contract owners, or variable contract owners of one or more
Participating Insurance Companies) that votes in favor of such segregation,
or offering to the affected contract owners the option of making such
a change; and (b), establishing a new registered management investment
company or managed separate account.
7.4 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because of a decision by the
Company to disregard contract owner voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, the Company
may be required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the affected Account's
investment in any Designated Portfolio and terminate this Agreement with respect
to such Account provided, however, that such withdrawal and termination shall be
limited to the extent required by the foregoing material irreconcilable conflict
as determined by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board. The
Company will bear the cost of any remedial action, including such withdrawal and
termination. No penalty will be imposed by the Fund upon the affected Account
for withdrawing assets from the Fund in the event of a material irreconcilable
conflict. Any such withdrawal and termination must take place within six (6)
months after the Fund gives written notice that this provision is being
implemented, and until the effective date of such termination the Fund shall
continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and
redemption) of shares of such Designated Portfolio.
7.5 If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular state
insurance regulator's decision applicable to the Company conflicts with the
majority of other state regulators, then the Company will withdraw the affected
Account's investment in the affected Designated Portfolio and terminate this
Agreement with respect to such Account within six months after the Board informs
the Company in writing that it has determined that such decision has created an
irreconcilable material conflict; provided, however, that such withdrawal and
termination shall be limited to the extent required by the foregoing material
irreconcilable conflict as determined by a majority of the disinterested members
of the Board. Until the effective date of such termination the Fund shall
continue to accept and implement orders by the Company for the purchase (and
redemption) of shares of such Designated Portfolios.
7.6 For purposes of Sections 7.3 through 7.6 of this Agreement, a majority of
the disinterested members of the Board shall determine whether any proposed
action adequately remedies any irreconcilable material conflict; but in no event
will the Fund be required to establish a new funding medium for the Contracts.
The Company shall not be required by Section 7.3 to establish a new funding
medium for the Contract if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a
majority of Contract owners materially adversely affected by the irreconcilable
material conflict. In the event that the Board determines that any proposed
action does not adequately remedy any irreconcilable material conflict, then the
Company will withdraw an Account's investment in any Designated Portfolio and
terminate this Agreement within six (6) months after the Board informs
12
the Company in writing of the foregoing determination; provided, however,
that such withdrawal and termination shall be limited to the extent
required by any such material irreconcilable conflict as determined by
a majority of the disinterested members of the Board.
7.7 If and to the extent the Shared Funding Exemption Order contains terms and
conditions different from Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 and 7.5 of
this Agreement, then the Fund and/or the Participating Insurance Companies, as
appropriate, shall take such steps as may be necessary to comply with the Shared
Funding Exemption Order, and Sections 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 and 7.5
of the Agreement shall continue in effect only to the extent that terms and
conditions substantially identical to such Sections are contained in the Shared
Funding Exemption Order or any amendment thereto. If and to the extent that
Rule 6e-2 and Rule 6e-3(T) are amended, or Rule 6e-3 is adopted, to provide
exemptive relief from any provision of the 1940 Act or the rules promulgated
thereunder with respect to mixed or shared funding (as defined in the Shared
Funding Exemption Order) on terms and conditions materially different from those
contained in the Shared Funding Exemption Order, then (a) the Fund and/or the
Participating Insurance Companies, as appropriate, shall take such steps as may
be necessary to comply with Rules 6e-2 and 6e-3(T), as amended, and Rule 6e-3,
as adopted, to the extent such rules are applicable; and (b) Sections 3.4, 3.5,
3.6, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4 and 7.5 of this Agreement shall continue in effect only
to the extent that terms and conditions substantially identical to such Sections
are contained in such Rule(s) as so amended or adopted.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
8.1 INDEMNIFICATION BY THE COMPANY.
(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, the
Adviser, the Underwriter and each of their officers, trustees and directors and
each person, if any, who controls the Fund, the Adviser or the Underwriter
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.1) against any and all losses, claims,
damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the written
consent of the Company) or litigation (including legal and other expenses), to
which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute or
regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements are
related to the sale or acquisition of the shares of the Designated Portfolios or
the Contracts and;
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement, prospectus, or statement of additional information for the
Contracts or contained in the Contracts or sales literature for the
Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or the alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not
13
misleading; PROVIDED that this agreement toindemnify shall not apply as
to any Indemnified Party if such statement oromission or such alleged
statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the
Fund for use in the Registration Statement, prospectus or statement of
additional information for the Contracts or in the Contracts or sales
literature for the Contracts (for any amendment or supplement) or
otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or shares
of the Designated Portfolios; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the Registration
Statement, prospectus, SAI or sales literature of the Fund not supplied by
the Company or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the
Company or persons under its authorization or control, with respect to the
sale or distribution of the Contracts or shares of the Designated
Portfolios; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement,
prospectus, SAI or sales literature of the Fund or any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading if such a statement or omission was made
in reliance upon information furnished to the Fund by or on behalf of the
Company; or
(iv) arise as a result of any material failure by the Company to
provide the services and furnish the materials under the terms of this
Agreement (including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or
otherwise, to comply with the qualification requirements specified in
Article VI of this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statements or alleged
untrue statements of any material fact contained in any Registration
Statement, prospectus, statement of additional information or sales
literature for any Unaffiliated Fund, or arise out of or are based upon 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, or otherwise pertain to or arise in connection with the
availability of any Unaffiliated Fund as an underlying funding vehicle in
respect of the Contracts; or
(vi) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Company in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by
the Company;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.1(b) and
8.1(c).
(b) The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation to which
an Indemnified Party would
14
otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance,
bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of such Indemnified Party's
duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of its
obligations or duties under this Agreement.
(c) The Company shall not be liable under this indemnification provision
with respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such
Indemnified Party shall have notified the Company in writing within a reasonable
time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the
nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after
such Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any
designated agent), but failure to notify the Company of any such claim shall not
relieve the Company from any liability that it may have to the Indemnified Party
against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this
indemnification provision, except to the extent that the Company has been
prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In case any such action is brought
against an Indemnified Party, the Company shall be entitled to participate, at
its own expense, in the defense of such action. The Company also shall be
entitled to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party
named in the action and to settle the claim at its own expense provided,
however, that no such settlement shall, without the Indemnified Parties' written
consent, include any factual stipulation referring to the Indemnified Parties or
their conduct. After notice from the Company to such party of the Company's
election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the
fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Company will
not be liable to such party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by such party independently in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation.
(d) The Indemnified Parties will promptly notify the Company of the
commencement of any litigation or proceedings against them in connection with
the issuance or sale of the shares of the Designated Portfolios or the Contracts
or the operation of the Fund.
8.2 INDEMNIFICATION BY THE UNDERWRITER
(a) The Underwriter agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and
each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the
"Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.2) against any and all
losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with
the written consent of the Underwriter) or litigation (including legal and other
expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any statute
or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in respect thereof) or settlements
are related to the sale or acquisition of shares of the Designated Portfolios or
the Contracts; and
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Registration
Statement, prospectus or SAI of the Fund or sales literature of the Fund
developed by the Underwriter (or any
15
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are
based upon the omission or the alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading, provided that this agreement to indemnify shall not
apply as to any Indemnified Party if such statement or omission or such
alleged statement or omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished to the Underwriter or Fund by or on behalf
of the Company for use in the Registration Statement or prospectus for
the Fund or its sales literature (or any amendment or supplement thereto)
or otherwise for use in connection with the sale of the Contracts or shares
of the Designated Portfolios; or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of statements or representations
(other than statements or representations contained in the Registration
Statement, prospectus or sales literature for the Contracts not supplied by
the Underwriter or persons under its control) or wrongful conduct of the
Fund or Underwriter or person under their control with respect to the sale
or distribution of the Contracts or shares of the Designated Portfolios; or
(iii) arise out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement,
prospectus or sales literature for the Contracts, or any amendment thereof
or supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statement or statements therein not misleading, if such statement or
omission was made in reliance upon information furnished to the Company by
or on behalf of the Fund; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement
(including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise,
to comply with the diversification and other qualification requirements
specified in Article VI of this Agreement); or
(v) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Underwriter in this Agreement or
arise out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by
the Underwriter;
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.2(b) and
8.2(c) hereof.
(b) The Underwriter shall not be liable under this indemnification
provision with respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation
to which an Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such
Indemnified Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the
performance or such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified
Party's reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to
the Company or the Accounts, 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
16
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, except to the extent that
the Underwriter has been prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In
case any such action is brought against the Indemnified Party, the
Underwriter will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the
defense thereof. The Underwriter also shall be entitled to assume the
defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action
and to settle the claim at is own expense; provided, however, that no
such settlement shall, without the Indemnified Parties' written consent,
include any factual stipulation referring to the Indemnified Parties or
their conduct. After notice from the Underwriter to such party of the
Underwriter's election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party
shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it,
and the Underwriter will not be liable to such party under this Agreement
for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by such party
independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation.
(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 the Account.
8.3 INDEMNIFICATION BY THE FUND
(a) The Fund agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of
its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company
within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified
Parties" for purposes of this Section 8.3) against any and all losses, claims,
expenses, damages, liabilities (including amounts paid in settlement with the
written consent of the Fund); or litigation (including legal and other expenses)
to which the Indemnified Parties may be required to pay or may become subject
under any statute or regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, expenses, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions in
respect thereof) or settlements, are related to the operations of the Fund and:
(i) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund to provide the
services and furnish the materials under the terms of this Agreement
(including a failure, whether unintentional or in good faith or otherwise,
to comply with the diversification and qualification requirements specified
in Article VI of this Agreement); or
(ii) arise out of or result from any material breach of any
representation and/or warranty made by the Fund in this Agreement or arise
out of or result from any other material breach of this Agreement by the
Fund;
17
as limited by and in accordance with the provisions of Sections 8.3(b) and
8.3(c) hereof.
(b) The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation to which an
Indemnified Party would otherwise be subject by reason of such Indemnified
Party's willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance
of such Indemnified Party's duties or by reason of such Indemnified Party's
reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement or to the
Company, the Fund, the Underwriter, the Adviser or the Accounts, whichever is
applicable.
(c) The Fund shall not be liable under this indemnification provision with
respect to any claim made against an Indemnified Party unless such Indemnified
Party shall have notified the Fund in writing within a reasonable time after the
summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the
claim shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated
agent), but failure to notify the Fund of any such claim shall not relieve the
Fund from any liability that it may have to the Indemnified Party against whom
such action is brought otherwise than on account of this indemnification
provision, except to the extent that the Fund has been prejudiced by such
failure to give notice. In case any such action is brought against the
Indemnified Parties, the Fund will be entitled to participate, at its own
expense, in the defense thereof. The Fund also shall be entitled to assume the
defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the party named in the action and
to settle the claim at its own expense; provided, however, that no such
settlement shall, without the Indemnified Parties' written consent, include any
factual stipulation referring to the Indemnified Parties or their conduct.
After notice from the Fund to such party of the Fund's election to assume the
defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall bear the fees and expenses of any
additional counsel retained by it, and the Fund will not be liable to such party
under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by
such party independently in connection with the defense thereof other than
reasonable costs of investigation.
(d) The Company, the Adviser and the Underwriter agree to notify the Fund
promptly of the commencement of any litigation or proceeding against it or any
of its respective officers or directors in connection with the Agreement, the
issuance or sale of the Contracts, the operation of any Account, or the sale or
acquisition of shares of the Designated Portfolios.
ARTICLE IX
APPLICABLE LAW
9.1 This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
9.2 This Agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the 1933, 1934 and
1940 Acts, and the rules and regulations and rulings thereunder, including such
exemptions from the statutes, rules and regulations as the SEC may grant
(including, but not limited to, the Shared Funding Exemption Order) and the
terms hereof shall be interpreted and construed in accordance therewith.
18
ARTICLE X
TERMINATION
10.1 This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until the first to
occur of:
(a) termination by any party, for any reason with respect to any
Designated Portfolio, by twelve (12) months' advance written notice delivered to
the other parties; provided, however, that such notice shall not be given
earlier than six (6) years following the date of this Agreement; or
(b) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund, the Adviser
and the Underwriter with respect to any Designated Portfolio based upon the
Company's reasonable and good faith determination that shares of such Designated
Portfolio are not reasonably available to meet the requirements of the
Contracts; or
(c) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund, the Adviser
and the Underwriter with respect to any Designated Portfolio if the shares of
such Designated Portfolio are not registered, issued or sold in accordance with
applicable state and/or federal securities laws or such law precludes the use of
such shares to fund the Contracts issued or to be issued by the Company; or
(d) termination by the Fund, the Adviser or Underwriter in the event that
formal administrative proceedings are instituted against the Company or any
affiliate by the NASD, the SEC, or the Insurance Commissioner or like official
of any state or any other regulatory body regarding the Company's duties under
this Agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts, the operation of any
Account, or the purchase of the shares of a Designated Portfolio or the shares
of any Unaffiliated Fund, provided, however, that the Fund, the Adviser or
Underwriter determines in its sole judgement exercised in good faith, that any
such administrative proceedings will have a material adverse effect upon the
ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
(e) termination by the Company in the event that formal administrative
proceedings are instituted against the Fund, the Adviser or Underwriter by the
NASD, the SEC, or any state securities or insurance department or any other
regulatory body, provided, however, that the Company determines in its sole
judgment exercised in good faith, that any such administrative proceedings will
have a material adverse effect upon the ability of the Fund or Underwriter to
perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
(f) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund, the Adviser
and the Underwriter with respect to any Designated Portfolio in the event that
such Designated Portfolio ceases to qualify as a Regulated Investment Company
under Subchapter M or fails to comply with the Section 817(h) diversification
requirements specified in Article VI hereof, or if the Company reasonably
believes that such Designated Portfolio may fail to so qualify or comply; or
19
(g) termination by the Fund, the Adviser or Underwriter by written notice
to the Company in the event that the Contracts fail to meet the qualifications
specified in Article VI hereof; or
(h) termination by any of the Fund, the Adviser or the Underwriter by
written notice to the Company, if any of the Fund, the Adviser or the
Underwriter, respectively, shall determine, in their sole judgement exercised in
good faith, that the Company has suffered a material adverse change in its
business, operations, financial condition, insurance company rating or prospects
since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of material adverse
publicity; or
(i) termination by the Company by written notice to the Fund, the Adviser
and the Underwriter, if the Company shall determine, in its sole judgment
exercised in good faith, that the Fund, the Adviser or the Underwriter has
suffered a material adverse change in its business, operations, financial
condition or prospects since the date of this Agreement or is the subject of
material adverse publicity and that material adverse change or publicity will
have a material adverse effect on the Fund's or the Underwriter's ability to
perform its obligations under this Agreement; or
(j) at the option of Company, as one party, or the Fund, the Adviser and
the Underwriter, as one party, upon the other party's material breach of any
provision of this Agreement upon 30 days' notice and opportunity to cure.
10.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION. Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement,
the Fund and the Underwriter may, at their sole option, continue to make
available additional shares of a Designated Portfolio pursuant to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, for all Contracts in effect on the effective date
of termination of this Agreement (hereinafter referred to as "Existing
Contracts"). Specifically, the owners of the Existing Contracts may in such
event be permitted to reallocate investments in the Designated Portfolios,
redeem investments in the Designated Portfolios and/or invest in the Designated
Portfolios upon the making of additional purchase payments under the Existing
Contracts. The parties agree that this Section 10.2 shall not apply to any
termination under Article VII and the effect of such Article VII termination
shall be governed by Article VII of this Agreement. The parties further agree
that this Section 10.2 shall not apply to any termination under Section 10.1(g)
of this Agreement.
10.3 Notwithstanding termination of this Agreement, the Company shall not redeem
shares of a Designated Portfolio attributable to the Contracts (as opposed to
shares of a Designated Portfolio attributable to the Company's assets held in an
Account) except (i) as necessary to implement Contract owner initiated or
approved transactions provided the Company shall not, and shall not permit any
affiliate of the Company to, directly or indirectly solicit, encourage or induce
any such Contract owner initiated or approved transaction so long as the Fund
and the Underwriter continue to make additional shares of the Designated
Portfolio available pursuant to Section 10.2 above, or (ii) as required by state
and/or federal laws or regulations or judicial or other legal precedent of
general application (hereinafter referred to as a "Legally Required
Redemption"). Upon
20
request, the Company will promptly furnish to the Fund, the Adviser and the
Underwriter the opinion of counsel for the Company (which counsel shall be
reasonably satisfactory to the Fund, the Adviser and the Underwriter) to
the effect that any redemption pursuant to clause (ii) above is a Legally
Required Redemption. Furthermore, the Company shall not prevent Contract
owners from allocating payments to a Designated Portfolio that was
otherwise available under the Contracts.
10.4 Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, each party's obligation
under Article VIII to indemnify the other parties shall survive.
ARTICLE XI
NOTICES
Any notice shall be sufficiently given when sent by registered or certified
mail to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at such
other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the
other party.
If to the Fund:
Xxxxxx Investors Fund
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Secretary
If to the Company:
First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Secretary
If to the Adviser:
Zurich Xxxxxx Investments, Inc.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Secretary
If to the Underwriter:
Xxxxxx Distributors, Inc.
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Secretary
21
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS
12.1 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.
12.2 This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts,
each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
12.3 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.
12.4 Each party hereto shall cooperate with each other party and all appropriate
governmental authorities (including without limitation the SEC, the NASD, and
state insurance regulators) and shall permit such authorities reasonable access
to its books and records in connection with any investigation or inquiry
relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, each party hereto further
agrees to furnish the Massachusetts Insurance Commissioner with any information
or reports in connection with services provided under this Agreement that such
Commissioner may request in order to ascertain whether the variable annuity
operations of the Company are being conducted in a manner consistent with the
Massachusetts variable annuity laws and regulations and any other applicable law
or regulations.
12.5 The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies, and obligations,
at law or in equity, which the parties hereto are entitled to under state and
federal laws.
12.6 This Agreement or any of the rights and obligations hereunder may not be
assigned by any party without the prior written consent of all parties hereto.
12.7 All persons are expressly put on notice of the Fund's Agreement and
Declaration of Trust and all amendments thereto, all of which on file with
the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the limitation of
shareholder and trustee liability contained therein. This Agreement has been
executed by and on behalf of the Fund by its representatives as such
representatives and not individually, and the obligations of the Fund with
respect to a Designated
22
Portfolio hereunder are not binding upon any of the trustees, officers or
shareholders of the Fund individually, but are binding upon only the
assets and property of such Designated Portfolio. All parties dealing
with the Fund with respect to a Designated Portfolio shall look solely to
the assets of such Designated Portfolio for the enforcement of any claims
against the Fund hereunder.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this Agreement to be executed
in its name and on behalf by its duly authorized representative and its seal to
be hereunder affixed hereto as of the date specified below.
COMPANY: First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
-------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
-------------------------------------
Date: 11/6/96
-------------------------------------
FUND: Xxxxxx Investors Fund
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxx
-------------------------------------
Title: Vice President
-------------------------------------
Date: 11/5/96
-------------------------------------
ADVISER Zurich Xxxxxx Investments, Inc.
By: /s/ Xxxx X. Xxxx
-------------------------------------
Title: President
-------------------------------------
Date: 11/5/96
-------------------------------------
UNDERWRITER Xxxxxx Distributors, Inc.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
-------------------------------------
Title: President
-------------------------------------
Date: 11/5/96
-------------------------------------
23
SCHEDULE A
NAME OF SEPARATE ACCOUNT AND DATE
ESTABLISHED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Separate Account KG (6/13/96)
Separate Account KGC (6/13/96)
CONTRACTS FUNDED
BY SEPARATE ACCOUNT
Xxxxxx Gateway Elite
Xxxxxx Gateway Custom
DESIGNATED PORTFOLIOS*
Money Market Portfolio
Total Return Portfolio
High Yield Portfolio
Growth Portfolio
Government Securities Portfolio
International Portfolio
Small Cap Growth Portfolio
Investment Grade Bond Portfolio
Value Portfolio
Small Cap Value Portfolio
Value+Growth Portfolio
Horizon 20+ Portfolio
Horizon 10+ Portfolio
Horizon 5 Portfolio
_____________________________
* Additional Designated Portfolios may be added at the request of the Fund,
Adviser and Underwriter and with the consent of the Company, which consent
will not be unreasonably withheld.
A-1
SCHEDULE B
EXPENSES
1. In the event the prospectus, SAI, annual report or other communication of
the Fund is combined with a document of another party, the Fund will pay
the costs based upon the relative number of pages attributable to the Fund.
2. Expenses allocated to the Company on this Schedule may be subject to
further allocation between the Company and Xxxxxx Distributors, Inc.
("KDI") pursuant to a Wholesaling Agreement between the Company and KDI
related to the Contracts.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESPONSIBLE
ITEM FUNCTION PARTY
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROSPECTUS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update Typesetting Fund (1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Sales: Printing KDI/Company (2)
Distribution KDI/Company (2)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Existing Printing Fund (1)
Owners: Distribution Fund (1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF Same as Prospectus Same
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROXY MATERIALS OF Typesetting Fund
THE FUND Printing Fund
Distribution Fund
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANNUAL REPORTS &
OTHER COMMUNICATIONS
WITH SHAREHOLDERS
OF THE FUND
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Typesetting Fund (1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marketing: Printing KDI/Company (2)
Distribution KDI/Company (2)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Existing Printing Fund (1)
Owners: Distribution Fund (1)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPERATIONS OF FUND All operations and related Fund
expenses, including the cost
of registration and
qualification of the Fund's
shares, preparation and
filing of the Fund's
prospectus and registration
statement, proxy materials
and reports, the preparation
of all statements and notices
required by any federal or
state law and all taxes on
the issuance of the Fund's
shares, and all costs of
management of the business
affairs of the Fund.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
