PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
AMONG
FIRST ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
ALLMERICA INVESTMENTS, INC.
ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT L.P.
AND
ALLIANCE FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
DATED AS OF
MAY 1, 2000
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the first day of May, 2000
("Agreement"), by and among First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance Company, a
New York life insurance company ("Insurer") (on behalf of itself and its
"Separate Account," defined below); Allmerica Investments, Inc., a Massachusetts
corporation ("Contracts Distributor"), the principal underwriter with respect to
the Contracts referred to below; Alliance Capital Management L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership ("Adviser"), the investment adviser of the Fund referred to
below; and Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc., a Delaware corporation
("Distributor"), the Fund's principal underwriter (collectively, the "Parties"),
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS Insurer, the Distributor, and Alliance Variable Products Series
Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") desire that Class B shares of the Fund's Alliance Growth
Portfolio, Alliance Premier Growth Portfolio, Alliance Growth and Income
Portfolio, and Alliance Technology Portfolio (the "Portfolios"; reference herein
to the "Fund" includes reference to each Portfolio to the extent the context
requires) be made available by Distributor to serve as underlying investment
media for those combination fixed and variable annuity contracts of Insurer
known as _______________ that are the subject of Insurer's Form N-4 registration
statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), File
No. ___________________ (the "Contracts"), to be offered through Contracts
Distributor and other registered broker-dealer firms as agreed to by Insurer and
Contracts Distributor; and
WHEREAS the Contracts provide for the allocation of net amounts
received by Insurer to separate series (the "Divisions"; reference herein to the
"Separate Account" includes reference to
1
each Division to the extent the context requires) of the Separate Account for
investment in Class B shares of corresponding Portfolios of the Fund that are
made available through the Separate Account to act as underlying investment
media,
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual benefits and promises
contained herein, the Fund and Distributor will make Class B shares of the
Portfolios available to Insurer for this purpose at net asset value and with no
sales charges, all subject to the following provisions:
SECTION 1. ADDITIONAL PORTFOLIOS
The Fund has and may, from time to time, add additional Portfolios,
which will become subject to this Agreement, if, upon the written consent of
each of the Parties hereto, they are made available as investment media for the
Contracts.
SECTION 2. PROCESSING TRANSACTIONS
2.1 TIMELY PRICING AND ORDERS.
The Adviser or its designated agent will provide closing net asset
value, dividend and capital gain information for each Portfolio to Insurer at
the close of trading on each day (a "Business Day") on which (a) the New York
Stock Exchange is open for regular trading, (b) the Fund calculates the
Portfolio's net asset value and (c) Insurer is open for business. The Fund or
its designated agent will use its best efforts to provide this information by
6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Insurer will use these data to calculate unit values,
which in turn will be used to process transactions that receive that same
Business Day's Separate Account Division's unit values. Such Separate Account
processing will be done the same evening, and corresponding orders with
2
respect to Fund shares will be placed the morning of the following Business
Day. Insurer will use its best efforts to place such orders with the Fund by
10:00 a.m., Eastern time.
2.2 TIMELY PAYMENTS.
Insurer will transmit orders for purchases and redemptions of Fund
shares to Distributor, and will wire payment for net purchases to a custodial
account designated by the Fund on the day the order for Fund shares is placed,
to the extent practicable. Payment for net redemptions will be wired by the Fund
to an account designated by Insurer on the same day as the order is placed, to
the extent practicable, and in any event be made within six calendar days after
the date the order is placed in order to enable Insurer to pay redemption
proceeds within the time specified in Section 22(e) of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
2.3 REDEMPTION IN KIND.
The Fund reserves the right to pay any portion of a redemption in kind
of portfolio securities, if the Fund's board of directors (the "Board of
Directors") determines that it would be detrimental to the best interests of
shareholders to make a redemption wholly in cash.
2.4 APPLICABLE PRICE.
The Parties agree that Portfolio share purchase and redemption orders
resulting from Contract owner purchase payments, surrenders, partial
withdrawals, routine withdrawals of charges, or other transactions under
Contracts will be executed at the net asset values as determined as of the close
of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the Business Day that
Insurer receives such orders and processes such transactions, which, Insurer
agrees shall occur not earlier than the Business Day prior to Distributor's
receipt of the corresponding orders for purchases and redemptions of Portfolio
shares. For the purposes of this section, Insurer shall be deemed to be the
3
agent of the Fund for receipt of such orders from holders or applicants of
contracts, and receipt by Insurer shall constitute receipt by the Fund. All
other purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares by Insurer, will be effected
at the net asset values next computed after receipt by Distributor of the order
therefor, and such orders will be irrevocable. Insurer hereby elects to reinvest
all dividends and capital gains distributions in additional shares of the
corresponding Portfolio at the record-date net asset values until Insurer
otherwise notifies the Fund in writing, it being agreed by the Parties that the
record date and the payment date with respect to any dividend or distribution
will be the same Business Day.
SECTION 3. COSTS AND EXPENSES
3.1 GENERAL.
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, each Party will bear
all expenses incident to its performance under this Agreement.
3.2 REGISTRATION.
The Fund will bear the cost of its registering as a management
investment company under the 1940 Act and registering its shares under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and keeping such
registrations current and effective; including, without limitation, the
preparation of and filing with the SEC of Forms N-SAR and Rule 24f-2 Notices
respecting the Fund and its shares and payment of all applicable registration or
filing fees with respect to any of the foregoing. Insurer will bear the cost of
registering the Separate Account as a unit investment trust under the 1940 Act
and registering units of interest under the Contracts under the 1933 Act and
keeping such registrations current and effective; including, without limitation,
the preparation and filing with the SEC of Forms
4
N-SAR and Rule 24f-2 Notices respecting the Separate Account and its units of
interest and payment of all applicable registration or filing fees with
respect to any of the foregoing.
3.3 OTHER (NON-SALES-RELATED) EXPENSES.
The Fund will bear the costs of preparing, filing with the SEC and
setting for printing the Fund's prospectus, statement of additional information
and any amendments or supplements thereto (collectively, the "Fund Prospectus"),
periodic reports to shareholders, Fund proxy material and other shareholder
communications and any related requests for voting instructions from
Participants (as defined below). Insurer will bear the costs of preparing,
filing with the SEC and setting for printing, the Separate Account's prospectus,
statement of additional information and any amendments or supplements thereto
(collectively, the "Separate Account Prospectus"), any periodic reports to
owners, annuitants or participants under the Contracts (collectively,
"Participants"), and other Participant communications. The Fund and Insurer each
will bear the costs of printing in quantity and delivering to existing
Participants the documents as to which it bears the cost of preparation as set
forth above in this Section 3.3, it being understood that reasonable cost
allocations will be made in cases where any such Fund and Insurer documents are
printed or mailed on a combined or coordinated basis. If REQUESTED by Insurer,
the Fund will provide annual Prospectus text to Insurer on diskette for printing
and binding with the Separate Account Prospectus.
3.4 OTHER SALES-RELATED EXPENSES.
Expenses of distributing the Portfolio's shares and the Contracts will
be paid by Contracts Distributor and other parties, as they shall determine by
separate agreement.
5
3.5 PARTIES TO COOPERATE.
The Adviser, Insurer, Contracts Distributor, and Distributor each
agrees to cooperate with the others, as applicable, in arranging to print, mail
and/or deliver combined or coordinated prospectuses or other materials of the
Fund and Separate Account.
SECTION 4. LEGAL COMPLIANCE
4.1 TAX LAWS.
(a) The Adviser will use its best efforts to qualify and to maintain
qualification of each Portfolio as a regulated investment company ("RIC") under
Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and
the Adviser or Distributor will notify Insurer immediately upon having a
reasonable basis for believing that a Portfolio has ceased to so qualify or that
it might not so qualify in the future.
(b) Insurer represents that it believes, in good faith, that the
Contracts will be treated as [annuity] contracts under applicable provisions of
the Code and that it will make every effort to maintain such treatment. Insurer
will notify the Fund and Distributor immediately upon having a reasonable basis
for believing that any of the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that
they might not be so treated in the future.
(c) The Fund will use its best efforts to comply and to maintain each
Portfolio's compliance with the diversification requirements set forth in
Section 817(h) of the Code and Section 1.817-5(b) of the regulations under the
Code, and the Fund, Adviser or Distributor will notify Insurer immediately upon
having a reasonable basis for believing that a Portfolio has ceased to so comply
or that a Portfolio might not so comply in the future.
6
(d) Insurer represents that it believes, in good faith, that the
Separate Account is a "segregated asset account" and that interests in the
Separate Account are offered exclusively through the purchase of or transfer
into a "variable contract," within the meaning of such terms under Section
817(h) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. Insurer will make every
effort to continue to meet such definitional requirements, and it will notify
the Fund and Distributor immediately upon having a reasonable basis for
believing that such requirements have ceased to be met or that they might not be
met in the future.
(e) The Adviser will manage the Fund as a RIC in compliance with
Subchapter M of the Code and will use its best efforts to comply with Section
817(h) of the Code and regulations thereunder. The Fund has adopted and will
maintain procedures for ensuring that the Fund is managed in compliance with
Subchapter M and Section 817(h) and regulations thereunder.
(f) Should the Distributor or Adviser become aware of a failure of
Fund, or any of its Portfolios, to comply with Subchapter M of the Code or
Section 817(h) of the Code and regulations thereunder, they represent and agree
that they will immediately notify Insurer of such in writing.
4.2 INSURANCE AND CERTAIN OTHER LAWS.
(a) The Adviser will use its best efforts to cause the Fund to comply
with any applicable state insurance laws or regulations, to the extent
specifically requested in writing by Insurer. If it cannot comply, it will so
notify Insurer in writing.
(b) Insurer represents and warrants that (i) it is an insurance company
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of New York and has full corporate power, authority and legal right to
execute, deliver and perform its duties and comply with its
7
obligations under this Agreement, (ii) it has legally and validly established
and maintains the Separate Account as a segregated asset account under New
York law, and (iii) the Contracts comply in all material respects with all
other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.
(c) Insurer and Contracts Distributor represent and warrant that
Contracts Distributor is a business corporation duly organized, validly
existing, and in good standing under the laws of the State of Massachusetts and
has full corporate power, authority and legal right to execute, deliver, and
perform its duties and comply with its obligations under this Agreement.
(d) Distributor represents and warrants that it is a business
corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware and has full corporate power, authority and legal
right to execute, deliver, and perform its duties and comply with its
obligations under this Agreement.
(e) Distributor represents and warrants that the Fund is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Maryland and has full power, authority, and legal right to execute,
deliver, and perform its duties and comply with its obligations under this
Agreement.
(f) Adviser represents and warrants that it is a limited partnership,
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
State of Delaware and has full power, authority, and legal right to execute,
deliver, and perform its duties and comply with its obligations under this
Agreement.
8
4.3 SECURITIES LAWS.
(a) Insurer represents and warrants that (i) interests in the Separate
Account pursuant to the Contracts will be registered under the 1933 Act to the
extent required by the 1933 Act and the Contracts will be duly authorized for
issuance and sold in compliance with Delaware law, (ii) the Separate Account is
and will remain registered under the 1940 Act to the extent required by the 1940
Act, (iii) the Separate Account does and will comply in all material respects
with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, (iv) the
Separate Account's 1933 Act registration statement relating to the Contracts,
together with any amendments thereto, will, at all times comply in all material
respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder, and (v)
the Separate Account Prospectus will at all times comply in all material
respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules thereunder.
(b) The Adviser and Distributor represent and warrant that (i) Fund
shares sold pursuant to this Agreement will be registered under the 1933 Act to
the extent required by the 1933 Act and duly authorized for issuance and sold in
compliance with Maryland law, (ii) the Fund is and will remain registered under
the 1940 Act to the extent required by the 1940 Act, (iii) the Fund will amend
the registration statement for its shares under the 1933 Act and itself under
the 1940 Act from time to time as required in order to effect the continuous
offering of its shares, (iv) the Fund does and will comply in all material
respects with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, (v) the
Fund's 1933 Act registration statement, together with any amendments thereto,
will at all times comply in all material respects with the requirements of the
1933 Act and rules thereunder, and (vi) the Fund Prospectus will at all times
comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the
rules thereunder.
9
(c) The Fund will register and qualify its shares for sale in
accordance with the laws of any state or other jurisdiction only if and to the
extent reasonably deemed advisable by the Fund, Insurer or any other life
insurance company utilizing the Fund.
(d) Distributor and Contracts Distributor each represents and warrants
that it is registered as a broker-dealer with the SEC under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is a member in good standing of the
National Association of Securities Dealers Inc. (the "NASD").
4.4 NOTICE OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.
(a) Distributor or the Fund shall immediately notify Insurer of (i) the
issuance by any court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and desist
order, or other similar order with respect to the Fund's registration statement
under the 1933 Act or the Fund Prospectus, (ii) any request by the SEC for any
amendment to such registration statement or Fund Prospectus, (iii) the
initiation of any proceedings for that purpose or for any other purpose relating
to the registration or offering of the Fund's shares, or (iv) any other action
or circumstances that may prevent the lawful offer or sale of Fund shares in any
state or jurisdiction, including, without limitation, any circumstances in which
(x) the Fund's shares are not registered and, in all material respects, issued
and sold in accordance with applicable state and federal law or (y) such law
precludes the use of such shares as an underlying investment medium of the
Contracts issued or to be issued by Insurer. Distributor and the Fund will make
every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any such stop order, cease
and desist order or similar order and, if any such order is issued, to obtain
the lifting thereof at the earliest possible time.
(b) Insurer and Contracts Distributor shall immediately notify the Fund
of (i) the issuance by any court or regulatory body of any stop order, cease and
desist order or similar order with respect to the Separate Account's
registration statement under the 1933 Act relating to the Contracts or the
10
Separate Account Prospectus, (ii) any request by the SEC for any amendment to
such registration statement or Separate Account Prospectus, (iii) the initiation
of any proceedings for that purpose or for any other purpose relating to the
registration or offering of the Separate Account interests pursuant to the
Contracts, or (iv) any other action or circumstances that may prevent the lawful
offer or sale of said interests in any state or jurisdiction, including, without
limitation, any circumstances in which said interests are not registered and, in
all material respects, issued and sold in accordance with applicable state and
federal law. Insurer and Contracts Distributor will make every reasonable effort
to prevent the issuance of any such stop order, cease and desist order or
similar order and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof at
the earliest possible time.
4.5 INSURER TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS.
Upon request, Insurer will provide the Fund and the Distributor one
complete copy of SEC registration statements, Separate Account Prospectuses,
reports, any preliminary and final voting instruction solicitation material,
applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and amendments to
any of the above, that relate to the Separate Account or the Contracts,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities.
4.6 FUND TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTS.
Upon request, the Fund will provide to Insurer one complete copy of SEC
registration statements, Fund Prospectuses, reports, any preliminary and final
proxy material, applications for exemptions, requests for no-action letters, and
all amendments to any of the above, that relate to the Fund or its shares,
contemporaneously with the filing of such document with the SEC or other
regulatory authorities.
11
SECTION 5. MIXED AND SHARED FUNDING
5.1 GENERAL.
The Fund has obtained an order exempting it from certain provisions of
the 1940 Act and rules thereunder so that the Fund is available for investment
by certain other entities, including, without limitation, separate accounts
funding variable life insurance policies and separate accounts of insurance
companies unaffiliated with Insurer ("Mixed and Shared Funding Order"). The
Parties recognize that the SEC has imposed terms and conditions for such orders
that are substantially identical to many of the provisions of this Section 5.
5.2 DISINTERESTED DIRECTORS.
The Fund agrees that its Board of Directors shall at all times consist
of directors a majority of whom (the "Disinterested Directors") are not
interested persons of Adviser or Distributor within the meaning of Section
2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.
5.3 MONITORING FOR MATERIAL IRRECONCILABLE CONFLICTS.
The Fund agrees that its Board of Directors will monitor for the
existence of any material irreconcilable conflict between the interests of the
participants in all separate accounts of life insurance companies utilizing the
Fund, including the Separate Account. Insurer agrees to inform the Board of
Directors of the Fund of the existence of or any potential for any such material
irreconcilable conflict of which it is aware. The concept of a "material
irreconcilable conflict" is not defined by the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder,
but the Parties recognize that such a conflict may arise for a variety of
reasons, including, without limitation:
(a) an action by any state insurance or other regulatory
authority;
12
(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 participants or by participants of
different life insurance companies utilizing the Fund; or
(f) a decision by a life insurance company utilizing the Fund to
disregard the voting instructions of participants.
Insurer will assist the Board of Directors in carrying out its
responsibilities by providing the Board of Directors with all information
reasonably necessary for the Board of Directors to consider any issue raised,
including information as to a decision by Insurer to disregard voting
instructions of Participants.
5.4 CONFLICT REMEDIES.
(a) It is agreed that if it is determined by a majority of the members
of the Board of Directors or a majority of the Disinterested Directors that a
material irreconcilable conflict exists, Insurer and the other life insurance
companies utilizing the Fund will, at their own expense and to the extent
reasonably practicable (as determined by a majority of the Disinterested
Directors), take
13
whatever steps are necessary to remedy or eliminate the material
irreconcilable conflict, which steps may include, but are not limited to:
(i) withdrawing the assets allocable to some or all of the separate
accounts from the Fund or any Portfolio and reinvesting such
assets in a different investment medium, including another
Portfolio of the Fund, or submitting the question whether such
segregation should be implemented to a vote of all affected
participants and, as appropriate, segregating the assets of any
particular group (e.g., annuity contract owners or participants,
life insurance contract owners or all contract owners and
participants of one or more life insurance companies utilizing
the Fund) that votes in favor of such segregation, or offering
to the affected contract owners or participants the option of
making such a change; and
(ii) establishing a new registered investment company of the type
defined as a "Management Company" in Section 4(3) of the 1940
Act or a new separate account that is operated as a Management
Company.
(b) If the material irreconcilable conflict arises because of Insurer's
decision to disregard Participant voting instructions and that decision
represents a minority position or would preclude a majority vote, Insurer may be
required, at the Fund's election, to withdraw the Separate Account's investment
in the Fund. No charge or penalty will be imposed as a result of such
withdrawal. Any such withdrawal must take place within six months after the Fund
gives notice to Insurer that this provision is being implemented, and until such
withdrawal Distributor and the Fund shall continue to accept and implement
orders by Insurer for the purchase and redemption of shares of the Fund.
14
(c) If a material irreconcilable conflict arises because a particular
state insurance regulator's decision applicable to Insurer conflicts with the
majority of other state regulators, then Insurer will withdraw the Separate
Account's investment in the Fund within six months after the Fund's Board of
Directors informs Insurer that it has determined that such decision has created
a material irreconcilable conflict, and until such withdrawal Distributor and
Fund shall continue to accept and implement orders by Insurer for the purchase
and redemption of shares of the Fund.
(d) Insurer agrees that any remedial action taken by it in resolving
any material irreconcilable conflict will be carried out at its expense and with
a view only to the interests of Participants.
(e) For purposes hereof, a majority of the Disinterested Directors will
determine whether or not any proposed action adequately remedies any material
irreconcilable conflict. In no event, however, will the Fund or Distributor be
required to establish a new funding medium for any Contracts. Insurer will not
be required by the terms hereof to establish a new funding medium for any
Contracts if an offer to do so has been declined by vote of a majority of
Participants materially adversely affected by the material irreconcilable
conflict.
5.5 NOTICE TO INSURER.
The Fund will promptly make known in writing to Insurer the Board of
Directors' determination of the existence of a material irreconcilable conflict,
a description of the facts that give rise to such conflict and the implications
of such conflict.
15
5.6 INFORMATION REQUESTED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Insurer and the Fund will at least annually submit to the Board of
Directors of the Fund such reports, materials or data as the Board of Directors
may reasonably request so that the Board of Directors may fully carry out the
obligations imposed upon it by the provisions hereof, and said reports,
materials and data will be submitted at any reasonable time deemed appropriate
by the Board of Directors. All reports received by the Board of Directors of
potential or existing conflicts, and all Board of Directors actions with regard
to determining the existence of a conflict, notifying life insurance companies
utilizing the Fund of a conflict, and determining whether any proposed action
adequately remedies a conflict, will be properly recorded in the minutes of the
Board of Directors or other appropriate records, and such minutes or other
records will be made available to the SEC upon request.
5.7 COMPLIANCE WITH SEC RULES.
If, at any time during which the Fund is serving an investment medium
for variable life insurance policies, 1940 Act Rules 6e-3(T) or, if applicable,
6e-2 are amended or Rule 6e-3 is adopted to provide exemptive relief with
respect to mixed and shared funding, the Parties agree that they will comply
with the terms and conditions thereof and that the terms of this Section 5 shall
be deemed modified if and only to the extent required in order also to comply
with the terms and conditions of such exemptive relief that is afforded by any
of said rules that are applicable.
SECTION 6. TERMINATION
6.1 EVENTS OF TERMINATION.
Subject to Section 6.4 below, this Agreement will terminate as to a
Portfolio:
16
(a) at the option of Insurer or Distributor upon at least six months
advance written notice to the other Parties, or
(b) at the option of the Fund upon (i) at least sixty days advance
written notice to the other parties, and (ii) approval by (x) a majority of the
disinterested Directors upon a finding that a continuation of this Contract is
contrary to the best interests of the Fund, or (y) a majority vote of the shares
of the affected Portfolio in the corresponding Division of the Separate Account
(pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 11 of this Agreement for voting
Trust shares in accordance with Participant instructions).
(c) at the option of the Fund upon institution of formal proceedings
against Insurer or Contracts Distributor by the NASD, the SEC, any state
insurance regulator or any other regulatory body regarding Insurer's obligations
under this Agreement or related to the sale of the Contracts, the operation of
the Separate Account, or the purchase of the Fund shares, if, in each case, the
Fund reasonably determines that such proceedings, or the facts on which such
proceedings would be based, have a material likelihood of imposing material
adverse consequences on the Portfolio to be terminated; or
(d) at the option of Insurer upon institution of formal proceedings
against the Fund, Adviser, or Distributor by the NASD, the SEC, or any state
insurance regulator or any other regulatory body regarding the Fund's, Adviser's
or Distributor's obligations under this Agreement or related to the operation or
management of the Fund or the purchase of Fund shares, if, in each case, Insurer
reasonably determines that such proceedings, or the facts on which such
proceedings would be based, have a material likelihood of imposing material
adverse consequences on Insurer, Contracts Distributor or the Division
corresponding to the Portfolio to be terminated; or
17
(e) at the option of any Party in the event that (i) the Portfolio's
shares are not registered and, in all material respects, issued and sold in
accordance with any applicable state and federal law or (ii) such law precludes
the use of such shares as an underlying investment medium of the Contracts
issued or to be issued by Insurer; or
(f) upon termination of the corresponding Division's investment in the
Portfolio pursuant to Section 5 hereof; or
(g) at the option of Insurer if the Portfolio ceases to qualify as a
RIC under Subchapter M of the Code or under successor or similar provisions; or
(h) at the option of Insurer if the Portfolio fails to comply with
Section 817(h) of the Code or with successor or similar provisions; or
(i) at the option of Insurer if Insurer reasonably believes that any
change in a Fund's investment adviser or investment practices will materially
increase the risks incurred by Insurer.
6.2 FUNDS TO REMAIN AVAILABLE.
Except (i) as necessary to implement Participant-initiated
transactions, (ii) as required by state insurance laws or regulations, (iii) as
required pursuant to Section 5 of this Agreement, or (iv) with respect to any
Portfolio as to which this Agreement has terminated, Insurer shall not (x)
redeem Fund shares attributable to the Contracts, or (y) prevent Participants
from allocating payments to or transferring amounts from a Portfolio that was
otherwise available under the Contracts, until, in either case, 60 calendar days
after Insurer shall have notified the Fund or Distributor of its intention to do
so.
18
6.3 SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES AND INDEMNIFICATIONS.
All warranties and indemnifications will survive the termination of
this Agreement.
6.4 CONTINUANCE OF AGREEMENT FOR CERTAIN PURPOSES.
Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the Distributor
shall continue, at the option of the Insurer, to make available shares of the
Portfolios pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for all
Contracts in effect on the effective date of termination of this Agreement (the
"Existing Contracts"), except as otherwise provided under Section 5 of this
Agreement. Specifically, and without limitation, the Distributor shall, at the
option of the Insurer, facilitate the sale and purchase of shares of the
Portfolios as necessary in order to process premium payments, surrenders and
other withdrawals, and transfers or reallocations of values under Existing
Contracts.
SECTION 7. PARTIES TO COOPERATE RESPECTING TERMINATION
The other Parties hereto agree to cooperate with and give reasonable
assistance to Insurer in taking all necessary and appropriate steps for the
purpose of ensuring that the Separate Account owns no shares of a Portfolio
after the Final Termination Date with respect thereto.
SECTION 8. ASSIGNMENT
This Agreement may not be assigned by any Party, except with the
written consent of each other Party.
19
SECTION 9. CLASS B DISTRIBUTION PAYMENTS
From time to time during the term of this Agreement the Distributor may
make payments to the Contracts Distributor pursuant to a distribution plan
adopted by the Fund with respect to the Class B shares of the Portfolios
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the "Rule 12b-1 Plan) in
consideration of the Contracts Distributor's furnishing distribution services
relating to the Class B shares of the Portfolios and providing administrative,
accounting and other services, including personal service and/or the maintenance
of Participant accounts, with respect to such shares. The Distributor has no
obligation to make any such payments, and the Contracts Distributor waives any
such payment, until the Distributor receives monies therefor from the Fund. Any
such payments made pursuant to this Section 9 shall be subject to the following
terms and conditions:
(a) Any such payments shall be in such amounts as the Distributor may
from time to time advise the Contracts Distributor in writing but in any event
not in excess of the amounts permitted by the Rule 12b-1 Plan. Such payments may
include a service fee in the amount of .25 of 1% per annum of the average daily
net assets of the Fund attributable to the Class B shares of a Portfolio held by
clients of the Contracts Distributor. Any such service fee shall be paid solely
for personal service and/or the maintenance of Participant accounts.
(b) The provisions of this Section 9 relate to a plan adopted by the
Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1. In accordance with Rule 12b-1, any person
authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Fund
pursuant to this Section 9 shall provide the Fund's Board of Directors, and the
Directors shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so
expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
(c) The provisions of this Section 9 shall remain in effect for not
more than a year and thereafter for successive annual periods only so long as
such continuance is specifically approved
20
at least annually in conformity with Rule 12b-1 and the 1940 Act. The
provisions of this Section 9 shall automatically terminate in the event of
the assignment (as defined by the 0000 Xxx) of this Agreement, in the event
the Rule 12b-1 Plan terminates or is not continued or in the event this
Agreement terminates or ceases to remain in effect. In addition, the
provisions of this Section 9 may be terminated at any time, without penalty,
by either the Distributor or the Contracts Distributor with respect to any
Portfolio on not more than 60 days' nor less than 30 days' written notice
delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, to the other party.
SECTION 10. NOTICES
Notices and communications required or permitted by Section 2 hereof
will be given by means mutually acceptable to the Parties concerned. Each other
notice or communication required or permitted by this Agreement will be given to
the following persons at the following addresses and facsimile numbers, or such
other persons, addresses or facsimile numbers as the Party receiving such
notices or communications may subsequently direct in writing:
If to Insurer
First Allmerica Financial Life Insurance
Company
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Vice President
If to Contracts Distributor
Allmerica Investments, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Xx., President
21
If to Distributor
Alliance Fund Distributors, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx XX 00000
Attn.: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
FAX: (000) 000-0000
If to Advisor or the Fund
Alliance Capital Management L.P.
0000 Xxxxxx xx xxx Xxxxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx XX 00000
Attn: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
FAX: (000) 000-0000
SECTION 11. VOTING PROCEDURES
Subject to the cost allocation procedures set forth in Section 3
hereof, Insurer will distribute all proxy material furnished by the Fund to
Participants and will vote Fund shares in accordance with instructions received
from Participants. Insurer will vote Fund shares that are (a) not attributable
to Participants or (b) attributable to Participants, but for which no
instructions have been received, in the same proportion as Fund shares for which
said instructions have been received from Participants. Insurer agrees that it
will disregard Participant voting instructions only to the extent it would be
permitted to do so pursuant to Rule 6e-3 (T)(b)(15)(iii) under the 1940 Act if
the Contracts were variable life insurance policies subject to that rule. Other
participating life insurance companies utilizing the Fund will be responsible
for calculating voting privileges in a manner consistent with that of Insurer,
as prescribed by this Section 11.
22
SECTION 12. FOREIGN TAX CREDITS
The Adviser agrees to consult in advance with Insurer concerning any
decision to elect or not to elect pursuant to Section 853 of the Code to pass
through the benefit of any foreign tax credits to the Fund's shareholders.
SECTION 13. INDEMNIFICATION
13.1 INDEMNIFICATION OF FUND, DISTRIBUTOR AND ADVISER BY INSURER.
(a) Except to the extent provided in Sections 13.1(b) and 13.1(c),
below, Insurer agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Fund, Distributor and
Adviser, each of their directors and officers, and each person, if any, who
controls the Fund, Distributor or Adviser within the meaning of Section 15 of
the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of this
Section 13. 1) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of Insurer) or
actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent reasonable, legal and other
expenses), to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any
statute, regulation, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities or actions are related to the sale, acquisition, or holding
of the Fund's shares and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
Separate Account's 1933 Act registration statement, the Separate
Account Prospectus, the Contracts or, to the extent prepared by
Insurer or Contracts Distributor, sales literature or advertising
for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing), or arise out of or are based upon the omission or the
alleged omission to state therein a material fact
23
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
Insurer or Contracts Distributor by or on behalf of the Fund,
Distributor or Adviser for use in the Separate Account's 1933
Act registration statement, the Separate Account Prospectus, the
Contracts, or sales literature or advertising (or any amendment
or supplement to any of the foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in the Fund's 1933 Act registration statement,
Fund Prospectus, sales literature or advertising of the Fund,
or any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, not
supplied for use therein by or on behalf of Insurer or Contracts
Distributor) or the negligent, illegal or fraudulent conduct of
Insurer or Contracts Distributor or persons under their control
(including, without limitation, their employees and "Associated
Persons," as that term is defined in paragraph (m) of Article I
of the NASD's By-Laws), in connection with the sale or
distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Fund's
1933 Act registration statement, Fund Prospectus, sales
literature or advertising of the Fund, or any amendment or
supplement to any of the foregoing, or the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the
24
statements therein not misleading if such a statement or
omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with
information furnished to the Fund, Adviser or Distributor
by or on behalf of Insurer or Contracts Distributor for use in
the Fund's 1933 Act registration statement, Fund Prospectus,
sales literature or advertising of the Fund, or any amendment
or supplement to any of the foregoing; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by Insurer or Contracts
Distributor to perform the obligations, provide the services
and furnish the materials required of them under the terms of
this Agreement.
(b) Insurer shall not be liable under this Section 13.1 with respect to
any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions to which an Indemnified
Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or
gross negligence in the performance by that Indemnified Party of its duties or
by reason of that Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of obligations or
duties under this Agreement or to Distributor or to the Fund.
(c) Insurer shall not be liable under this Section 13.1 with respect to
any action against an Indemnified Party unless the Fund, Distributor or Adviser
shall have notified Insurer in writing within a reasonable time after the
summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the
action shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated
agent), but failure to notify Insurer of any such action shall not relieve
Insurer from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against
whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this Section 13. 1. In
case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, Insurer shall be
entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action.
Insurer also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof,
25
with counsel approved by the Indemnified Party named in the action, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. After notice from Insurer to
such Indemnified Party of Insurer's election to assume the defense thereof,
the Indemnified Party will cooperate fully with Insurer and shall bear the
fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and Insurer will
not be liable to such Indemnified Party under this Agreement for any legal or
other expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party independently
in connection with the defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of
investigation.
13.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF INSURER AND CONTRACTS DISTRIBUTOR BY
ADVISER.
(a) Except to the extent provided in Sections 13.2(d) and 13.2(e),
below, Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Insurer and Contracts
Distributor, each of their directors and officers, and each person, if any,
who controls Insurer or Contracts Distributor within the meaning of Section
15 of the 1933 Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties" for purposes of
this Section 13.2) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities
(including amounts paid in settlement with the written consent of Adviser) or
actions in respect thereof (including, to the extent reasonable, legal and
other expenses) to which the Indemnified Parties may become subject under any
statute, at common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or actions are related to the sale, acquisition, or holding of
the Fund's shares and:
(i) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Fund's
1933 Act registration statement, Fund Prospectus, sales
literature or advertising of the Fund or, to the extent not
prepared by Insurer or Contracts Distributor, sales literature
or advertising for the Contracts (or any amendment or supplement
to any of the foregoing), or arise out of or are based
26
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 Distributor, Adviser or the Fund by or
on behalf of Insurer or Contracts Distributor for use in the
Fund's 1933 Act registration statement, Fund Prospectus, or in
sales literature or advertising (or any amendment or supplement
to any of the foregoing); or
(ii) arise out of or as a result of any other statements or
representations (other than statements or representations
contained in the Separate Account's 1933 Act registration
statement, Separate Account Prospectus, sales literature or
advertising for the Contracts, or any amendment or supplement
to any of the foregoing, not supplied for use therein by or on
behalf of Distributor, Adviser, or the Fund) or the negligent,
illegal or fraudulent conduct of the Fund, Distributor, Adviser
or persons under their control (including, without limitation,
their employees and Associated Persons), in connection with the
sale or distribution of the Contracts or Fund shares; or
(iii) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in the Separate
Account's 1933 Act registration statement, Separate Account
Prospectus, sales literature or advertising covering the
Contracts, or any amendment or supplement to any of the
foregoing, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement
or omission was made
27
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to
Insurer or Contracts Distributor by or on behalf of the Fund,
Distributor or Adviser for use in the Separate Account's 1933
Act registration statement, Separate Account Prospectus, sales
literature or advertising covering the Contracts, or any
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing; or
(iv) arise as a result of any failure by the Fund, Adviser or
Distributor to perform the obligations, provide the services
and furnish the materials required of them under the terms of
this Agreement;
(b) Except to the extent provided in Sections 13.2(d) and 13.2(e)
hereof, Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties
from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (including
amounts paid in settlement thereof with, except as set forth in Section 13.2(c)
below, the written consent of Adviser) or actions in respect thereof (including,
to the extent reasonable, legal and other expenses) to which the Indemnified
Parties may become subject directly or indirectly under any statute, at common
law or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
actions directly or indirectly result from or arise out of the failure of any
Portfolio to operate as a regulated investment company in compliance with (i)
Subchapter M of the Code and regulations thereunder and (ii) Section 817(h) of
the Code and regulations thereunder (except to the extent that such failure is
caused by Insurer), including, without limitation, any income taxes and related
penalties, rescission charges, liability under state law to Contract owners or
Participants asserting liability against Insurer or Contracts Distributor
pursuant to the Contracts, the costs of any ruling and closing agreement or
other settlement with the Internal Revenue Service, and the cost of any
substitution by Insurer of shares of another investment company or portfolio for
those of any
28
adversely affected Portfolio as a funding medium for the Separate
Account that Insurer deems necessary or appropriate as a result of the
noncompliance.
(c) The written consent of Adviser referred to in Section 13.2(b) above
shall not be required with respect to amounts paid in connection with any ruling
and closing agreement or other settlement with the Internal Revenue Service.
(d) Adviser shall not be liable under this Section 13.2 with respect to
any losses, claims; damages, liabilities or actions to which an Indemnified
Party would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or
gross negligence in the performance by that Indemnified Party of its duties or
by reason of such Indemnified Party's reckless disregard of its obligations and
duties under this Agreement or to Insurer, Contracts Distributor or the Separate
Account.
(e) Adviser shall not be liable under this Section 13.2 with respect to
any action against an Indemnified Party unless Insurer or Contracts Distributor
shall have notified Adviser in writing within a reasonable time after the
summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the
action shall have been served upon such Indemnified Party (or after such
Indemnified Party shall have received notice of such service on any designated
agent), but failure to notify Adviser of any such action shall not relieve
Adviser from any liability which it may have to the Indemnified Party against
whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of this Section 13.2. In
case any such action is brought against an Indemnified Party, Adviser will be
entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense of such action.
Adviser also shall be entitled to assume the defense thereof (which shall
include, without limitation, the conduct of any ruling request and closing
agreement or other settlement proceeding with the Internal Revenue Service),
with counsel approved by the Indemnified Party named in the action, which
approval shall not be unreasonably
29
withheld. After notice from Adviser to such Indemnified Party of Adviser's
election to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party will cooperate
fully with Adviser and shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional
counsel retained by it, and Adviser will not be liable to such Indemnified
Party under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently
incurred by such Indemnified Party independently in connection with the
defense thereof, other than reasonable costs of investigation.
13.3 EFFECT OF NOTICE.
Any notice given by the indemnifying Party to an Indemnified Party
referred to in Section 13.1(c) or 13.2(e) above of participation in or control
of any action by the indemnifying Party will in no event be deemed to be an
admission by the indemnifying Party of liability, culpability or responsibility,
and the indemnifying Party will remain free to contest liability with respect to
the claim among the Parties or otherwise.
SECTION 13. APPLICABLE LAW
This Agreement will be construed and the provisions hereof interpreted
under and in accordance with New York law, without regard for that state's
principles of conflict of laws.
SECTION 14. EXECUTION IN COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more
counterparts, each of which taken together will constitute one and the same
instrument.
30
SECTION 15. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement is held or made invalid by a court
decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement will not
be affected thereby.
SECTION 16. RIGHTS CUMULATIVE
The rights, remedies and obligations contained in this Agreement are
cumulative and are in addition to any and all rights, remedies and obligations,
at law or in equity, that the Parties are entitled to under federal and state
laws.
SECTION 17. RESTRICTIONS ON SALES OF FUND SHARES
Insurer agrees that the Fund will be permitted (subject to the other
terms of this
Agreement) to make its shares available to separate accounts of other
life insurance companies.
SECTION 18. HEADINGS
The Table of Contents and headings used in this Agreement are for
purposes of reference only and shall not limit or define the meaning of the
provisions of this Agreement.
31
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed in their names and on their behalf by and through their duly authorized
officers signing below.
FIRST ALLMERICA FINANCIAL LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY
By:
Name:
Title:
ALLMERICA INVESTMENTS, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
ALLIANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LP
By: Alliance Capital Management Corporation,
its General Partner
By:
Name:
Title:
ALLIANCE FUND DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
32
