EXHIBIT (4)(a)
[LOGO] AI LIFE
American International Life Assurance
Company of New York
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A capital stock company
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GROUP IMMEDIATE VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT
This Group Immediate Variable Annuity Contract is issued by American
International Life Assurance Company of New York (the "Company") to the
Contractholder, its successors and assigns, as their interests may appear
("Contractholder").
Group Immediate Variable Annuity Contract Number: GVA-0001
Contractholder: ABC Corp
Effective Date: November 1, 2000
This Contract is governed by the laws of[state of issue].
The Company will pay the benefits described in this Contract subject to the
terms and limitations shown in this Contract. The Company will issue a
Certificate to each Owner containing in substance a statement of the benefits
under this Contract, including the Owner's right to return the Certificate
within 10 days of receipt for a refund of the premium, adjusted by investment
performance. The refund may be more or less than the premium paid. This Contract
may contain a market-value adjustment formula, and the operation of the formula
may result in both upward and downward adjustments in cash surrender value.
The smallest annual rate of investment return (taking into account the annual
sub-account charge and the Assumed Investment Return) which would have to be
earned on the assets of the separate account so that the dollar amount of
variable annuity payments will not decrease is [5%].
This Contract is issued in consideration of the Application and the Premium
payment. It is a legal contract between the Contractholder and the Company.
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Secretary President
21GVIA1000
GROUP IMMEDIATE VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT
NONPARTICIPATING
SINGLE PREMIUM PURCHASE PAYMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEFINITIONS....................................................................3
CERTIFICATES...................................................................4
OWNERSHIP PROVISIONS...........................................................4
SINGLE PREMIUM PAYMENT.........................................................4
SEPARATE ACCOUNT...............................................................4
SUBACCOUNTS....................................................................5
INVESTMENT OPTIONS.............................................................5
TRANSFERS AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS.............................................5
CHARGES AGAINST THE ASSETS OF THE SUBACCOUNTS..................................6
ANNUITY INCOME VALUATION DATES.................................................6
ANNUITY INCOME PAYMENT DATES...................................................6
COMPUTATIONS OF THE VARIABLE ANNUITY INCOME....................................6
FIXED ANNUITY INCOME...........................................................7
PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL OR SURRENDER................................................7
DEATH BENEFITS.................................................................9
ANNUITY INCOME OPTIONS.........................................................9
GENERAL PROVISIONS............................................................10
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DEFINITIONS
In addition to the other definitions set forth in this Contract, the following
terms shall have their respective meanings as set forth below. In addition, the
masculine form of any term shall be construed as including the feminine form of
that term.
Annuitant is the designated person shown in the Certificate who receives annuity
income. The Annuitant is usually the Owner but in some circumstances the Owner
may not be the Annuitant. The Annuitant generally must be no older than 80 years
of age on the Certificate Date.
Annuity Income Option is the type of arrangement under which annuity income
payments are made.
Annuity Income Valuation Date is the date as of which annuity income amounts are
calculated.
Annuity Unit is an accounting unit of measure used to calculate variable annuity
income amounts.
Annuity Unit Value is the value of one Annuity Unit.
Assumed Investment Return (AIR) is the net investment return that will cause
Variable Annuity Income to remain level. The AIR is shown in the Certificate and
is used in calculating the initial and subsequent variable annuity income
amounts.
Beneficiary is the person(s) who may receive certain benefits when there is no
longer a living Annuitant or Joint Annuitant.
Certificate is a statement of benefits provided to each Owner.
Certificate Date is the date the Certificate becomes effective, and is shown in
the Certificate.
Certificate Year is the year between anniversaries based on the Certificate
Date.
Commutation Interest Rate is the rate which will be used in the calculation of
partial withdrawal and surrender amounts and will be determined each time an
amount is allocated to the fixed component.
Fixed Annuity Income provides a guaranteed income which amount will be the same
on each payment date unless the Certificate requires a change. The amount of the
income is set forth in the Certificate.
Income Change Dates are the dates, as specified in the Certificate, on which the
amount of Variable Annuity Income is changed.
Income Start Date is the date shown in the Certificate when the annuity income
payment begins. It must be the first day of a month and may not be later than 12
months after the Certificate Date.
Investment Options are the available portfolios in which the Subaccounts invest.
The Separate Account is divided into Subaccounts and each Subaccount invests
exclusively in shares of a specific investment portfolio.
Joint Annuitant, if any, is named in the Certificate. If living after the death
of the Annuitant, the Joint Annuitant receives annuity income.
Net Single Premium is the Single Premium for each Certificate less any taxes
related to the premium payment.
Owner(s) is the person or persons shown as Owner(s) in the Certificate and who
may exercise the rights and benefits described in the Certificate.
Single Premium is the purchase payment for each Certificate, shown in the
Certificate Schedule.
Subaccount means a division of the Company's Separate Account which invests in a
particular investment portfolio.
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DEFINITIONS (continued)
Valuation Date means each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for
trading, except for normal business holidays.
Valuation Period means the period between the close of business on any Valuation
Date and the close of business on the next succeeding Valuation Date.
Variable Annuity Income provides income that is not guaranteed and is related to
the investment experience of the selected Investment Option. Generally the
income amount will change on each Income Change Date.
CERTIFICATES
The Company shall issue a Certificate to each Owner and if requested, provide a
copy of the Certificate to the Contractholder for review. The Certificate shall
contain a statement of the benefits to which the Owner is entitled. Such
Certificate shall in no way void or modify any of the provisions of this
Contract. Nor shall this Contract invalidate or impair any right granted to the
Certificate Owner by the Certificate or by the Insurance Law of New York.
OWNERSHIP PROVISIONS
OWNER
The Owner is named in the Certificate. The Owner may exercise all the rights
contained in the Certificate, subject to the rights of:
1. any assignee under an assignment filed with the Company's administrative
office, if such assignment is permitted under the Certificate; and
2. any irrevocably named Beneficiary.
SINGLE PREMIUM PAYMENT
SINGLE PREMIUM PAYMENT
The Owner purchases the Certificate by making a Single Premium Payment to the
Company. Any taxes related to the premium payment are deducted by the Company
and the balance (the "Net Single Premium") is available for allocation between
Fixed and Variable Annuity Income.
ALLOCATION OF THE PREMIUM
The Owner determines the allocation of the Net Single Premium between Fixed and
Variable Annuity Income. The allocation will be shown on the Certificate
Schedule.
All of the Net Single Premium allocated for Variable Annuity Income is placed in
Subaccounts, each of which invests in a specific Investment Option. The Owner
selects the percentages to be placed in the Subaccount(s). All of the Net Single
Premium allocated for Fixed Annuity Income is placed in the Company's General
Account.
SEPARATE ACCOUNT
The Separate Account is established and maintained by the Company for the
purpose of investing amounts allocated to it from variable contracts issued by
the Company. The assets of the Separate Account are owned by the Company, are
held separately from other assets of the Company and are not chargeable with
liabilities arising out of any other business of the Company, except to the
extent that Separate Account assets exceed Separate Account liabilities arising
under the contracts supported by the Separate Account. Income, gains or losses,
whether or not realized, are credited to or charged against the subaccounts of
the Separate Account without regard to income, gains or losses arising out of
any of our other businesses. Nothing contained in this Contract shall be
construed as to give the Contractholder or the Certificateholder any rights,
title or interest in any of the assets held by the Separate Account. We have the
right to transfer to Our General Account any assets of the Separate Account
which are in excess of the liabilities of the Separate Account.
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SUBACCOUNTS
The Separate Account is made up of one or more Subaccounts, each of which
invests in a portfolio of a specific Investment Option available under the
Contract. The Company reserves the right, subject to compliance with applicable
law, to make additions to, deletions from, or substitutions for the shares that
are held by any Subaccount or that the Subaccount may purchase. Neither expenses
actually incurred, other than taxes on the investment return, nor mortality
actually experienced, shall adversely affect the dollar amount of variable
annuity payments to any Annuitant for whom annuity payments have commenced.
INVESTMENT OPTIONS
The Investment Options are selected by the Owner and listed in the Certificate
Schedule. The Subaccount may invest in mutual funds, unit investment trusts and
other investments which the Company determines to be suitable for the
Certificate. Interests in an Investment Option are purchased at their net asset
value and valued on each Valuation Date. The Owner shares in the income, gains
and losses of the Investment Options for which the Owner's premiums have been
allocated. The Company does not guarantee the investment performance of the
Subaccounts. The Owner bears the full investment risk for amounts allocated to
Subaccounts.
TRANSFERS AMONG INVESTMENT OPTIONS
RIGHT TO TRANSFER
Subject to "Transfer Restrictions" below, amounts allocated to Subaccounts for
Variable Annuity Income may be transferred among available Investment Options at
any time. The Company reserves the right to charge a transfer fee. Such fee, if
any, will be shown in the Certificate. Amounts allocated for Variable Annuity
Income may be reallocated for Fixed Annuity Income. However, once amounts are
allocated for Fixed Annuity Income they cannot be reallocated for Variable
Annuity Income.
METHOD USED TO EFFECT TRANSFERS
Transfers among Investment Options are effected by transfers of Annuity Units
among the Subaccounts. The number of Annuity Units is affected by such
transfers. The number of Annuity Units attributable to the Variable Annuity
Income to be transferred is multiplied by the current Annuity Unit Value of the
Subaccount from which the Owner is transferring. This value is divided by the
current Annuity Unit Value of the Subaccount into which the Variable Annuity
Income is being transferred. The result of this division is the number of
additional Annuity Units allocated to the new Subaccount as a consequence of the
transfer. The total Variable Annuity Income, which may be affected by investment
experience after any transfer, will be calculated on the Annuity Income
Valuation Date next following the date of the transfer.
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
1. The Company reserves the right to limit the number of transfers among the
Investment Options to no more than one (1) on any Valuation Date.
2. Transfers will take effect as of the Valuation Date next following the date
on which the Company receives the transfer request.
3. The minimum amount that can be transferred is $50 per month of income.
4. Amounts allocated for Fixed Annuity Income may not be reallocated for
Variable Annuity Income.
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CHARGES AGAINST THE ASSETS OF THE SUBACCOUNTS
In determining Annuity Unit Values, the Company makes a Mortality and Expense
Risk Charge equal, on an annual basis, to no more than [1.25%] of the daily
value of the assets of each Subaccount.
ANNUITY INCOME VALUATION DATES
The initial Annuity Income Valuation Date shall be coincident with the
Certificate Date. Each subsequent Annuity Income Valuation Date shall be no
earlier than seven business days prior to the next Income Change Date and in no
event shall be later than that date. Any revision to the Variable Annuity Income
in connection with an Annuity Income Valuation Date shall be effective as of
such Income Change Date and shall remain fixed until the next following Income
Change Date.
ANNUITY INCOME PAYMENT DATES
Variable Annuity Income will commence on the Income Start Date as specified in
the Certificate but no later than 12 months after the Effective Date of the
Certificate. Periodically as stated in the Certificate Schedule, the same amount
is paid to the Annuitant or Joint Annuitant if applicable, until the next Income
Change Date, or prior to that Date if required by the Certificate.
If periodic benefit payments payable to any payee under the Certificate are less
than $100, the Company reserves the right to make payments less frequently, and
will make these payments in an aggregate amount not later than the first day of
the period to which the payment applies.
COMPUTATIONS OF THE VARIABLE ANNUITY INCOME
For each Certificate the initial number of Annuity Units associated with each
Subaccount is equal to the initially allocated Variable Annuity Income divided
by the Annuity Unit Value of the Subaccount as described below, on the
Certificate Date. Following each Annuity Income Valuation Date the Variable
Annuity Income amounts for each payee are determined by multiplying the number
of Annuity Units allocated to each Subaccount by the then current Annuity Unit
Value for the respective Subaccount, and adding the resultant product for all
Subaccounts.
On each Valuation Date, the Variable Annuity Unit Value is determined as:
[ 1 ]
AnnUV//t// = AnnUV//t-1// x NIF//t// x ------- /n/365/
1 + AIR
where:
AnnUV//t// = Annuity Unit Values for Valuation Date t.
NIF//t// = Net Investment Factor for the Valuation Period ending on Valuation
Date t as defined below.
AIR = Assumed Investment Return, as specified on the Certificate
Schedule.
n = Number of calendar days in the current Valuation Period
(365 day basis).
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COMPUTATIONS OF THE VARIABLE ANNUITY INCOME (continued)
On each Valuation Date, the Net Investment Factor is determined as:
NAV//t//
NIF//t// = ---------- - [n x (M & E)]
NAV//t-1//
where:
NAV//t// = Net Asset Value per share of the Subaccount on Valuation Date t,
plus the per share amount of dividend or capital gain distribution
paid by the Subaccount during the Valuation Period, plus or minus a
per share charge or credit for any taxes incurred by or reserved
for in the Subaccount as of the end of the current Valuation
Period.
n = Number of calendar days in the current Valuation Period
(365 day basis).
M & E = Mortality and Expense Risk Charge expressed on a daily basis as an
annual rate divided by 365.
FIXED ANNUITY INCOME
Fixed Annuity Income represents obligations of the Company's General Account. At
any time an Owner may elect to transfer any or all of the Variable Annuity
Income to Fixed Annuity Income. This transfer will result in a Fixed Annuity
Income being paid to the Annuitant, or Joint Annuitant if applicable, in
accordance with the Annuity Income Option in effect. The amount of Fixed Annuity
Income shall be calculated based on the then current pricing factors for an
annuity in this same class of business. In no event shall this amount be less
than that which would be obtained using the following factors:
Mortality: [1994 Group Annuity Mortality, projected to the then current year
with Scale AA]
Interest: [3.50%]
Expenses: [1.50%]
PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL OR SURRENDER
Depending upon the Annuity Income Option selected, the Owner may request to make
a partial withdrawal from, or a surrender of, this Certificate. A description of
the provisions and elements of the computation of partial withdrawal amounts or
the surrender value is as follows:
COMPUTING THE PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL AMOUNT
If a partial withdrawal is made, We will calculate the partial withdrawal lump
sum amount based on the amount by which periodic payments are reduced. In
processing the partial withdrawal request, We determine the amount to be paid in
a three-part process as follows:
1. We determine the amount resulting from a reduction in the variable
component of the annuity payment for the remaining annuity payments during
the guaranteed period beginning after the next Income Change Date. We
calculate this amount using the Annuity Unit value next computed after We
receive the request and the current number of Annuity Units for each
Subaccount as the present value of the reduction in annuity payments using
the Assumed Investment Return.
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PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL OR SURRENDER (continued)
2. We determine the amount resulting from a reduction in the fixed component
of the annuity payments for the remaining annuity payments during the
guaranteed period beginning after the next Income Change Date. We calculate
this amount as the present value of the reduction in annuity payments using
an interest rate that reflects the current interest rate environment. We
use the Commutation Interest Rate, which is determined each time an amount
is allocated to the fixed component, plus the amount of any change in the
10 Year Constant Maturity U.S. Treasuries from the time the allocation was
made. If more than one allocation has been made to the fixed component,
then We will use a last in-first out accounting method.
3. We deduct a partial withdrawal charge, if any. The Company reserves the
right to charge a fee for partial withdrawals. Such fee will be shown on
the Certificate Schedule.
COMPUTING THE SURRENDER VALUE
If the Owner surrenders the contract, We determine the amount to be paid by
using the value of remaining annuity payments. That value will be reduced if
there have been any prior partial withdrawals. We determine the amount to be
paid in a four-part process, as follows:
1. We determine the amount of the variable component of the remaining annuity
payments after the next Income Change Date. We calculate this amount using
the Annuity Unit value next computed after We receive the request and the
current number of Annuity Units for each Subaccount as the present value
using the Assumed Investment Return and the mortality rates used to
initially determine annuity payments.
2. We determine the present value of variable payments through the next Income
Change Date as the present value of those payments using the Assumed
Investment Return and the mortality rates used to initially determine
annuity payments.
3. We determine the amount attributable to the fixed component of the annuity
payments. We calculate this amount as the present value of all future
income using an interest rate that reflects the current interest rate
environment and the mortality rates used to initially determine annuity
payments. We use the Commutation Interest Rate, which is determined each
time an amount is allocated to the fixed component, plus the change in the
10 Year Constant Maturity U.S. Treasuries since the allocation was made.
4. We deduct the surrender charge shown on the Certificate Schedule.
SOURCES OF DATA ELEMENTS USED
The Company will obtain the data elements used in the partial withdrawal and
full surrender calculations from the following sources:
1. The Commutation Interest Rate will be established from records of the
Company whenever the current interest rate is reviewed.
2. The Assumed Investment Return will be established from records of the
Company whenever variable annuity incomes are calculated.
3. Anticipated mortality will be established from records of the Company
whenever life contingent annuity incomes are calculated.
4. The 10 Year Constant Maturity U.S. Treasury Yields will be obtained from
the U.S. Federal Reserve Bureau, as reported by Bloomberg, the website of
the Federal Reserve, or another reliable source of financial data.
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PARTIAL WITHDRAWAL OR SURRENDER (continued)
If the 10 Year Constant Maturity U.S. Treasury Yields is no longer available, a
suitable replacement index, subject to the approval of the Superintendent of the
New York Insurance Department, would then be utilized.
FREQUENCY OF CALCULATIONS
A partial withdrawal or surrender amount will be determined only when a partial
withdrawal or surrender of the Certificate is requested. Such amount and the
associated interest rate are not determined on specific calendar dates.
DEATH BENEFITS
If neither the Annuitant nor Joint Annuitant, if any, is alive on the Income
Start Date, the Certificate will be cancelled and the Company will pay a refund
to the Owner if living, or if not, to the Owner's estate. The amount of the
refund will be equal to the sum of the following: (1) the portion of the Net
Single Premium allocated for Variable Annuity Income, adjusted up or down for
investment performance; (2) the portion of the Net Single Premium allocated for
Fixed Annuity Income, including any accumulated interest; and (3) the
difference, if any, between the Single Premium Payment and the Net Single
Premium.
If an Annuitant dies after the Income Start Date, benefit continuation will be
determined by the Annuity Income Option in effect for the Certificate.
ANNUITY INCOME OPTIONS
The Annuity Income Option is selected by the Owner in the application and is
shown on the Certificate Schedule.
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GENERAL PROVISIONS
SENDING US NOTICE
All written requests must be sent to Our Administrative Office to the attention
of: Pension Administration Department, P.O. Box 1834, Wilmington, DE 19899.
Please include Your Policy number.
NON-PARTICIPATION IN SURPLUS
This Contract does not share in any distribution of the Company's profits or
surplus.
MISSTATEMENT OF AGE OR SEX
The Company may require proof of age and sex of the Annuitant and Joint
Annuitant, if any, before making any annuity income payments. If the Annuitant's
or Joint Annuitant's age or sex has been misstated, the Company will change the
benefits to those which the Net Single Premium would have purchased had the
correct age or sex been stated. If a misstatement is not discovered until after
the Income Start Date, the Company will take the following action: (1)
underpayments will be paid in one sum with the next annuity income payment
including interest at the annual rate of 3%, unless a higher interest rate is
legally required; (2) overpayments including interest at the annual rate of 3%,
unless a higher interest rate is legally required, will be deducted from future
annuity income payments until the total is repaid.
ENTIRE CONTRACT
This Contract, together with any attached endorsement, rider or application,
including the Certificates issued under this Contract, constitutes the entire
Contract between the Company and the Contractholder.
CONTRACT TO CONFORM TO INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
All terms of this Contract will be interpreted in accordance with the applicable
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code"). The Company reserves the right
to make changes to the Contract in order to conform to the applicable provisions
of the Code.
MODIFICATION OF CONTRACT
The Company may modify this Contract at any time by giving thirty days advance
written notice to the Contractholder. No modification of this Contract shall
affect the amount or terms of any Annuity Income already purchased for an
Annuitant, or Joint Annuitant, prior to the effective date of the modification
without the Owner's consent unless the purpose of the modification is to conform
this Contract to the Code or acts amending it.
No other modification of this Contract shall require the consent of, or notice
to, the Contractholder or any Owner or other person who is, or may become,
entitled to benefits under this Contract.
Only a duly authorized officer of the Company has authority to modify or waive
any of the provisions of this Contract, with the consent of the Contractholder,
if applicable.
SEVERABILITY
Should one or more provisions of this Contract be held by a court of law to be
invalid, void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full
force.
LIABILITY
The liability of the Company is limited to the payment of benefits under the
selected Annuity Income Option.
TERMINATION OF CONTRACT
This Contract will terminate with respect to the issuance of any new Certificate
upon ninety days advance written notice by the Company or upon 30 days advance
written notice by the Contractholder. Such termination shall not affect the
terms or conditions of any Certificate which was purchased prior to the date of
termination. This Contract will terminate when all the benefits due from the
Company under this Contract have been paid.
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[LOGO] AI LIFE
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF NEW YORK
▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇, ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
GROUP IMMEDIATE VARIABLE ANNUITY CONTRACT
NONPARTICIPATING
SINGLE PREMIUM PURCHASE PAYMENT
21GVIA1000
